Murder in the Title by Simon Brett Page B

Well, I’ll at least make sure the hanging looks convincing.”’
    â€˜And overdid it?’
    â€˜It’s possible. It’s the sort of daft, unprofessional thing he would do.’
    Charles jutted out his lower lip. ‘I suppose you could be right. Pretty violent, that review, wasn’t it?’
    â€˜You can say that again.’
    â€˜And, I gather, not typical.’
    â€˜No. Total change of character. I think the booze must have got to him at last, rotted his brain away.’
    Then she blushed, remembering an earlier meeting with Charles and not wanting him to think she was making comparisons.
    He smiled to ease the tension. ‘How did Laurie take it?’
    She grimaced. ‘Not very well. I’m afraid he’s a bit childish that sort of thing. Threw a bit of a tantrum – said if that’s what people thought of his performance, then he jolly well wasn’t going to go on.’
    â€˜But did, nonetheless.’
    â€˜Yes, I managed to calm him down.’
    â€˜Massaged his ego a little?’
    She smiled again, slightly guiltily this time.
    â€˜Things all right between you and Laurie?’
    â€˜Yes,’ she asserted defensively. ‘Well, I mean, yes. He’s very sweet, but . . ., well, you know . . .’
    â€˜Yes. I know.’
    â€˜He really seems to want a mother rather than a girl-friend.’
    â€˜Yes. But you’re quite gone on him?’
    She nodded ruefully. ‘And he seems to be pleased about that, but just sort of to take it for granted.
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜I’m afraid it’s not at the moment a very
dynamic
relationship.’
    â€˜I don’t think dynamics are Laurie’s strong point.’
    â€˜No. Oh well, it’s the same old story. A – i.e. me – loves B, B isn’t as keen as A is, and meanwhile A is hassled by the unwanted attentions of C.’
    But before the intriguing identity of C could be revealed, Rick Harmer came up. ‘Charles, Donald wants a word. Could you nip up to the office?’
    â€˜Sure. Continue our chat tomorrow, Nella?’
    â€˜Yes. Ooh, no, I won’t be here tomorrow. I’ve got to go to this All-Day Seminar thing in Worcester.’
    â€˜Don’t I know it,’ said Rick bitterly.
    â€˜What’s this?’
    Nella explained. ‘It’s something for an Adult Education Institute, I think. A sort of Symposium on the theatre. Tony’s going along to talk, and he’s insisting on taking along a member of the Stage Management to answer questions on that side of it. God knows why he’s chosen me – I’m fairly new to the business.’
    â€˜He’s chosen you,’ said Rick, ‘simply so that I’ll be needed here and won’t be able to have the day free for the recording of my radio pilot.’
    â€˜Oh. Do you really think so?’
    â€˜Yes, I do. Absolutely typical of him. Tony Wensleigh is a real bastard.’
    Once again Charles found it difficult to reconcile this description with what he knew of the Artistic Director.
    Donald Mason was once again on the phone when Charles arrived in the administrative office. And once again he appeared to be sorting our some cock-up of Tony Wensleigh’s.
    â€˜Look, I’m sorry to go through it again, but I would just like to check I’ve got my facts right, because, you know, if there has been any funny business . . . Yes, thank you. Right. you received the order for the Henry VIII costume on November 10th? Yes, that would tally, because round then we were thinking of organizing a series of medieval banquets in the bar, as a fund-raising exercise. But then we dropped the idea, and the order should have been cancelled. Yes, I remember distinctly reminding the Artistic Director to cancel. Are you sure he didn’t? Hmm. You see, the thing that makes it awkward from my point of view is that when the costume did arrive, he then wore it to a fancy dress