Read The Birthday Present for Free Online Page A

I’m blowed!’
    ‘But you wrote him a letter!’
    ‘Must have gone astray, Pa. I suppose I’ll have to go. I’ll just fetch my outfit.’ And without giving him a chance to say more, she rushed upstairs, snatched up the bag containing her stage clothes and ran from the house, her face flushed with excitement. She gave a squeal of excitement as the taxi door opened and Marcus stepped out, a stiff smile on his face.
    ‘I didn’t know if you would come, Mr Bennley!’ Beaming, she climbed past him into the taxi.
    The taxi driver turned to smile at her, making no effort to hide his delight. ‘Nice evening, miss.’
    ‘Yes it is.’ She gave him a coy glance. ‘A very nice evening. I’m Miss Lamore and I’ve been engaged to sing at a private party. Did he tell you?’
    ‘No. He hasn’t said a word.’
    Marcus climbed in beside her and slammed the door. ‘I’ve had things on my mind.’
    Her father had come to the door and now Rose blew him a kiss and waved. By the time she returned, he would have forgotten all about the letter – at least she hoped so.
    Rose looked at her companion as she settled in the seat. ‘Things on your mind? Such as what? Arrangements for the party?’ Before he could reply she pulled her dress from the bag. ‘Look! I added some new lace to my petticoat in honour of the occasion. It’s got gold ribbon threaded through. I wanted to look really exotic for your sister. What do you think?’
    ‘Er  . . . Yes. Certainly.’
    The taxi driver started the engine and began to weave his way through the traffic. ‘I can’t see from here but I reckon it looks very exotic, miss. Mind you, I should think an old sack would look exotic on you!’
    ‘Oh! You dear man! Thank you!’ Rose hadn’t expected the evening to get off to such a flying start and felt a rush of confidence. She decided that although the taxi driver was almost bald he had a nice warm voice and she was sure he was happily married. Turning back to Marcus she asked again, ‘Things on your mind such as what?’
    Marcus lowered his voice and said, ‘Such as my younger brother went out last night and stayed out all night! Fortunately he finally came back just before lunch with a sore head but in a foul temper.’
    Rose rolled her eyes knowingly. ‘Got a young lady, has he?’
    ‘He didn’t say. He’s sleeping it off – whatever it was!’
    Her eyes darkened abruptly. ‘Do you remember the constable that night outside The White Horse? PC Stump? His wife’s died and so has the baby. Isn’t that dreadful? Poor man. He must be so unhappy!’
    ‘Very sad. Yes.’ He rubbed his eyes tiredly, then changed the subject. ‘Marie is very excited. She came downstairs for an hour this morning to see everything – the decorations, the cake, the presents. Mother sent her a gold bracelet  . . .’
    ‘Will your mother be at the party?’
    ‘No.’ He hesitated. ‘She lives near Boulogne with her second husband. She visits us from time to time but her husband is a farmer so he can’t just leave it. And he doesn’t like England. He’s not too keen on the English, either, especially the men.’
    ‘But your mother could come, couldn’t she?’
    He hesitated. ‘Mother and my sister  . . . don’t see eye to eye. Family business. I can’t explain. Mother wants Marie to visit them in France while she still can but I’m not sure about the sea crossing. She’s very frail but  . . . We shall see.’
    Privately Rose thought them a rather odd family but, changing the subject, she said, ‘So what do you think of my stage costume, Mr Bennley?’
    ‘Very nice.’
    She persevered, hoping for a better compliment. ‘The parasol is part of my act and my pink satin shoes are in this bag. I shall be singing one song unaccompanied because there’s no written music because I wrote the song and made up the tune.’ She put her head on one side and gave him an upward glance. Surely he was impressed.
    ‘Yes. Very nice.’
    The taxi