The Boy I Love Read Free

family seat, which was a beautiful hundred-room stately home in Cheshire. Teddie was able, in the main, to keep his preferences under wraps, but when the need arose he would stay down in London at
his club and seek out Giles Longfellow, who after his run-in with the authorities had also had to keep himself in check. Both men enjoyed each other’s company and although it was hardly a
relationship based on passion it served them both well.
    Giles finally started to focus on his career as a director and was offered the post at Crewe five years ago. Edward Graham’s country pile was just up the road so it seemed the perfect post
– for the time being, at any rate. As he became more confident as a director, thanks to his work at Crewe, so Giles’s ambition returned. This season he wanted to make his mark, and head
for the West End and perhaps a post with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He had proven himself with several productions at Crewe, and surprisingly, run the financial side at a profit with the help
of an Arts Council grant. However, in order to achieve the kind of production that would turn heads in his direction, he was going to need extra cash to lure some exciting talent up to Crewe. Lord
Graham was his golden ticket. Teddie had become a patron of the arts, in particular of Crewe Theatre, and had pledged financial support to Giles for his new season. So, Giles was down in London to
court a young actor called Rupert Hallam, who was making waves in theatrical circles, to persuade him to come to Crewe to do
Hamlet
. The rest of the cast would soon fall into place if Giles
secured the young man. God knows, there were enough actors to choose from, and he had already chosen Sally Thomas.
    ‘I liked her because she showed pluck coming all the way to see me. She gave a consummate performance, maybe not glittering, but she has a good singing voice and I need that in the
company, as I am hoping to do two or three music-based productions: a revival of
The Boyfriend
, a Victorian music-hall show, and of course, a pantomime at Christmas. I have told the girl
that she will have to do some stage management at first until I can really see her strengths, but I promised her she would get her chance. And, of course, she would be official understudy
too.’ Giles took a sip of very expensive Bordeaux. As James was paying the bill, he had offered to choose the wine!
    James couldn’t hide his pride and delight for his protége.
    ‘Oh, believe me she is thrilled, and quite understands the situation. I am very grateful to you, Giles. Actually I have another young actor I would be very pleased if you could audition
and give me your thoughts. His name is Jeremy Sinclair and he works for me part-time in the reference library.’ James refilled Giles Longfellow’s glass.
    Giles regarded the other man for a few moments and then said, ‘Is it love, James?’
    James Langton blushed deeply and spluttered, ‘Good God, no! I am not like that, you know I am not. Whatever gave you that idea? I have a wife and I am a respectable married man. Giles, you
are outrageous to suggest such a thing.’
    Giles burst out laughing. ‘All right, calm down, for goodness sake, man. It was just a thought. You don’t have to hide things from someone like me . . . ’ but James interrupted
him.
    ‘Please, stop this at once. I will not tolerate such accusations. I try to help some young actors, male
and
female, because it is such a tough profession, and I see them every day
at the Drama League struggling to survive. My interest is purely artistic patronage, if you will, nothing more.’
    ‘Fine, we will leave it at that, and I apologize if I have offended you, James. Now drink up, and let’s order another bottle and you can give me some suggestions for a
drama.’
    Later that evening, James let himself into his neat, suburban terraced house in Finchley. He crept into his tiny study, closing the door behind him, and opened the bottle of brandy