The Strangling on the Stage Read Free Page B

in situ it could stay there because there was a storeroom the SADOS were allowed to use for their props and things. In fact, they were lucky enough to be able to hold most of their rehearsals in the Hall, which was of course where the performances would take place in May.
    â€˜That’s very convenient for you,’ said Jude. ‘So what, will someone come and pick the chaise longue up from here?’
    â€˜Yes, that would be good, wouldn’t it?’ Storm agreed. ‘Trouble is, I’ve only got my Smart car and it’d never fit in there. And Gordon – that’s Gordon Blaine, who’s in charge of all the backstage stuff for SADOS – well, normally he’d pick it up, but his Land Rover’s got some problem that he’s busy repairing at the moment and … You can’t think of any way of getting it to St Mary’s Hall, can you, Jude?’
    â€˜Well, I don’t have a car myself.’
    â€˜Of no, of course you don’t. Sorry, I’d forgotten. But you haven’t got a friend, have you? A friend you could ask to …?’
    â€˜Yes.’ A smile played round Jude’s lips. ‘Yes, there is someone I could ask.’

TWO
    â€˜I ’ve never had any time for amateur dramatics,’ announced Carole Seddon. ‘Or indeed for the people who indulge in them.’
    â€˜I’m not asking you to indulge in anything,’ said Jude patiently. ‘I’m just asking you to help me deliver a chaise longue.’
    â€˜Hm.’
    â€˜It’s only in Smalting. Early evening Sunday. The whole operation will take maybe an hour of your time.’
    Carole looked dubiously at the uncovered chaise longue. ‘I’m not sure that’ll fit in the Renault.’
    â€˜Of course it will. If you put the back seats down.’
    â€˜I don’t know. It’s quite long.’
    â€˜That’s possibly why it’s called a chaise longue.’
    â€˜Oh, very funny, Jude,’ said Carole without a hint of a smile.
    â€˜I happen to know that it will fit in the back of the Renault. It has had such a peripatetic life since I bought it that it has on occasions fitted into the back of virtually every vehicle that’s ever been invented – except a Smart car, which would be a squeeze too far. But if you’d rather not do it, just say and I’ll get someone else to—’
    â€˜Oh, I didn’t say I’d rather not do it.’ This was classic Carole Seddon. Jude knew her neighbour very well and was used to the obscure processes that had to be gone through in making arrangements with her. Carole may have disapproved of amateur dramatics, but she still had a very strong sense of curiosity. So long as she was accompanied by Jude, the opportunity of invading the stronghold of the Smalting Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society was not one that she would readily forego. She’d never actually met any amateur thespians. If she were to meet some, they might well provide justification for her prejudice against them.
    â€˜So you will do it?’
    Carole let out a long-suffering sigh. ‘Oh, very well.’ Having made that concession, she now deigned to show a faint interest in the SADOS. ‘What play is your chaise longue going to feature in?’
    â€˜
The Devil’s Disciple
.’
    â€˜Doesn’t mean anything to me.’
    â€˜George Bernard Shaw.’ Carole’s grimace didn’t need the support of words. ‘Not your favourite, do I detect?’
    â€˜I once spent a very long time sitting through
Heartbreak House
. I’ve known shorter fortnights.’
    â€˜Yes, he can be a bit of an old windbag. But there are still some good plays.
Pygmalion
,
Major Barbara
,
Saint Joan
… they still just about stand up.’
    â€˜I’ll take your word for it. And what about
The Devil’s Disciple –
does that still stand up?’
    Jude shook her head. ‘Haven’t