Page 27 of The Songbird of Wychwood

GEORGE

I did as Percy suggested and returned to the Middlesex on Tuesday night. Eloise and I had the Wednesday evening show to focus on where we would debut the new song. Wednesday was always our set day to test out new songs, and so the orchestra would be in early. I’d written copies of the new manuscript for each member of our orchestra and the conductor. They would run through the music a time or two to iron out any problems before Eloise and I rehearsed our skit.

We were doing a full costume rehearsal, without make-up. Eloise’s costume was of a gent’s suit, and mine, a pink summer dress.

“So, how did your meeting with Percy’s lawyer go?” Eloise asked conversationally as I entered the dressing room and closed the door behind me. Lou eyed herself in the mirror while smoothing the wig of dark gentleman’s hair required for her character. The look of her made me smile, and I was sure the punters would enjoy it too.

“It went well, I think. We’ve got a plan!” I relayed cryptically as I began to undress.

“Come on then, spill!”

“Well. I’d say things are about to get a little awkward for our Mr. Grayson,” I brightened. “Percy’s lawyer, Mr. Simmons said that they have an inquiry agent they use for settling unpaid accounts. On Percy’s order, he employed this fellow to look into Grayson’s dealings. And depending on the outcome of the investigations, they said Grayson could be looking at criminal charges.”

Eloise gasped. “Really! Could he go to jail?”

“I dunno if it will go that far. But what he’s done, stealing my songs, Mr. Simmons said that’s illegal. He said that we need to find out about Grayson’s business dealings before we’ve got enough evidence to take it to Bow Street. The enquiry agent is to visit music shops in town to find out which ones are selling my songs. Mr. Simmons said that from the sale price of each manuscript and sales numbers they’ll be able to estimate how much money he’s made from his scam.” I stepped into the crinoline cage and tied the ribbons at my waist.

“Good—wonder how long it’ll take that vazey ratbag to have your new song printed with his own name as writer?” she said venomously as she affixed her prop spectacles.

“Mr. Simmons is coming to the show tonight. He said that the song has to be performed in front of an audience and then he’ll add a signature to witness my original copy of the score to make it all legal and such. All of the copies I made for the orchestra have been discretely named and numbered, and so when the curtain comes down tonight we’ll check which copy he’s stolen.”

“Oh, very clever,” Lou praised as she clipped on a pair of colourful braces to hold up her trousers.

“You know Sid, from the Sun Tavern?” I asked casually as I pulled the pink day dress for the character of Miss Adeline over my head.

“Yeah, he’s a good sort, looks out for me and the girls when we leave the pub late. Why?”

“Grayson uses Pittman’s printers for the posters and playbills, but the manuscripts that he had printed don’t have a printer’s name. I want to find out where he’s getting them made. Sid’s going to follow him tonight and tell me where he goes.”

“Well, you are quite the little schemer George Dancie. I’m impressed,” Eloise snickered. “He’s acting like a guilty man who knows he’s guilty.”

And Eloise wasn’t wrong.

After our rehearsal I was approached by a stage hand and told that Mr. Grayson wanted to see me in his office. The last time I was in the boss’s office he was vile, and told me in no uncertain terms that he owned everything I made. And so I trembled with anxiety as I made my way down the low lit corridors to where his office was located. Percy had suggested I try to keep my game face on if I met with my boss alone, and he was right. I couldn’t alert Grayson to the fact I knew he was a scoundrel.

I stood at the open doorway to the office, and on hearing my knock, Mr. Grayson looked up, grinned and then he rose from behind his desk to greet me.

“Come in Georgie, come in, take a load off. Would you like a cuppa?” Grayson wheedled with unusual, quite frankly, alarming courtesy. Then he hollered, “Doris, oi, bring in a fresh pot of tea and two cups.” He re-took his seat behind the now cleared desk. I had no idea what had become of the piles of paperwork and ledgers, but the oak desk was finally clean. It had seen a drop of wax polish too and was buffed up to a good shine. Maybe Doris was the new secretary, and I guess that couldn’t hurt if the place got a tidy!

“What’s this about sir?” I asked, not feeling at all comfortable with Mr. Grayson’s unsettling mood swings.

He sat back and considered me for a long moment before saying, “You know you’re my best boy, Georgie. And fairs fair, things have gotten…a little tricky between us in recent times. Now, I’ll admit, I ain’t been my best self for a while and being a god fearin’ fella I’m willing to make amends.”

I didn’t know what to say to that strange, candid admission and so I said nothing.

“I promised last year that I’d arrange a tour for your act, and I didn’t follow through. Well, things have changed. I’ve just had lunch with Bob Dukes, my tour manager, and I’ve decided we’re going to send you on tour of England my lad. How does that sound?”

“Oh!” Ordinarily I would have been taken aback, delighted and buzzing with excitement at such an opportunity to travel and perform to new audiences all over the country. I couldn’t recall all of the places we’d lived when I was a nipper. I’d been out of London a handful of times as an adult but not enough to curb my curiosity. I wanted to go to the seaside, and to the Lake District, which I’d heard took one’s breath away with its beauty. I wanted to see other theaters and tread the boards on stages new to me. I wanted to cross the English Channel and go to Paris to where I might still have some family. There was so much of the world to see, however, I knew in this instance a wicked manipulation was at play. Mr. Grayson had offered me my dream on a plate after weeks of strange behaviour. Did he expect me to forget the spying, the mood swings, and the adamant claim that everything I did at the Middlesex belonged to him? I didn’t trust it, not one bit.

“We’ll book dates for Brighton, Oxford, Cambridge, Ipswich, Manchester, Liverpool, and York for starters, a week in each to showcase your considerable talents. How does that sound? If all goes to plan, we can get you on the coach to Brighton by next week. I can make a fuss in the press about next week being your final week at the Middlesex before you go on a grand, national tour,” he said smiling with satisfaction.

Did he think I’d floated down the Thames in a bubble? I’m no fool, but this blaggard had fooled me once. That was one time too many, and he wouldn’t get a second chance. I knew exactly what he was doing. Grayson was trying to get me out of the city so he could continue to profit from his fraud without the possibility of me discovering it. I bet he couldn’t bear to look at me each day knowing what he’d done. Tough! Now was not the time for me to go gallivanting around the country to make Alfred Grayson richer. The reality of my situation was now clear as crystal. I wouldn’t be working at the Middlesex much longer, no matter if my case went to civil court or not. But before I could comment on Mr. Grayson’s revelation Doris bustled in carrying a tea tray with a pot, two tea cups, a sugar bowl, and a jug of milk.

“Here you go luv…Uh…Mr. Grayson…sir,” she bungled as she placed the tray on the cleared desk.

“Thanks, darlin’.”

We both watched silently as Doris made the tea. There was no way I’d say a word in response to the offer while this nosy bint was within earshot! She placed a chipped cup and saucer on the table in front of me, and another was presented to Mr. Grayson, who gave her a slap on the arse, eliciting a girlish giggle. “Shut the door on your way out girl,” Grayson called as she headed for the door.

The last thing I wanted at this moment was a cup of stewed tea. Grayson picked up his cup and took a noisy slurp. I pushed my teacup away. I’d been reluctant to admit to myself that my time at the music hall was over, but things were finally coming to a head and there was packing to do! I had to get out of this office and continue with my preparations.

“I’m ever so grateful for the opportunity, sir. But…can I think about it?” I asked meekly. “I’ve got some…well…personal arrangements that I need to smooth over before I can give you an answer,” I added with a regretful wince.

Grayson eyed me suspiciously and then his grin brightened. “Well, well, well, ‘ave you got yourself a secret sweetheart Georgie-boy?” he snickered filthily and rubbed his hands together.

“My boy, my boy! Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime. Don’t you let the grip of a wet cunny fool ya! A good looking fellow like yourself can have as much quim as your pecker can handle when you’re out on tour. That’s one of the perks of touring; you love ‘em and leave ‘em.” he chuckled.

I felt sick. I could not believe I’d once thought Alfred Grayson to be a kind and agreeable boss. I stood, and made to leave but as I opened the door Grayson called,

“Three days George. I want your answer in three days. Preparations have to be made.” I looked back, nodded, and then hurried through the doorway.

I rushed through the dingy back corridors and doorways that led from the foyer to the dressing rooms. I was both bilious and furious. I knocked rapidly on the door of the dressing room.

“Hey, hey, ‘old yer ‘orses. Stop that bloomin’ racket,” Eloise called.

“Lou, let me in, quick.” I heard the slip lock snick and then Eloise pulled the door open. I rushed in, closed the door, and then leaned on it, as if the devil would soon be knocking.

“What the bleedin’ ‘ell ‘appened? You’re in a right two-and-eight.”

“I have to pack up my room and be ready to move quickly Lou. This ain’t no joke. Grayson’s trying to get rid of me.”

“He fired you?” she exclaimed furiously. “We’ll just see about that,” she said as she stormed towards the door, batting her hand as if she expected me to move and let her pass.

“No, no! He wants to put me out on tour,” I clarified and that made her pause. “He said seven cities, a week in each.”

“That’s…that’s wonderful,” she brightened. “Isn’t it?”

“No, no, it’s not. He’s trying to get me out of the way, Lou. Can’t you see? I’m his biggest earner. He had to stop me from looking into publishing my songs. I swear, he was a changed man, all smiles and geniality. It gave me the willies. He even offered me a cup of tea!” I shuddered.

“He did WHAT?” Eloise exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock. Now my best friend understood the weight of what was happening. Such a gesture was not normal behavior for Alfred Grayson. He had a reputation for ducking out of the pub when it was his round, and if it wasn’t for Mr. Myrna keeping an eye on his accounts we’d have to hold him upside down by the ankles to get paid each week!

“He knows this scam will be found out sooner or later and so he’s pretending to do me a favour, saying it will benefit my career to do a national tour. He thinks that getting me out of London while still having me perform and earn for him will end his worries. I’ve got three days to think about it.”

“What are you gonna do?”

“What d’ya think I’m gonna do? I am not sticking around to be manipulated by that thieving snake. I may not have a roof over my head anymore, but I’ve got my pride. This won’t stand, you mark my words. Alfred Grayson is going down,” I said fiercely. My blood was up now and I would not stop until I got some justice.

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