Stagestruck

He was frowning. ‘This was the pantomime season. Funny time of year to see a butterfly, wasn’t it?’

‘Totally, but there it was, fluttering about. Everyone got very excited and said it must be a sign from Reg. They reinstated the butterfly ballet and the show was a big hit.’

‘Nice story.’

‘There’s more. The Maddox family decided to keep the gauze butterfly for good luck and it’s been hanging in the fly tower almost ever since. You can see it to this day. The reason I say “almost” is that when the theatre was refurbished in 1981 they removed it so it wouldn’t get damaged.’

‘And it fell on someone and killed him?’

‘Peter, I don’t think you’re taking this seriously.’

‘Sorry.’

‘In all the clearing up, the workmen found an old store cupboard with a wooden box inside. When they opened the lid, six tortoiseshells flew out. Inside they found a photo of Reg Maddox.’

‘Spooky.’ He tried to sound convinced.

‘Isn’t it? A butterfly has appeared for almost every panto they’ve put on.’

‘In the depth of winter?’

‘It’s taken to be an omen of success. Sometimes they appear on stage. When Leslie Crowther was in Aladdin one Boxing Day, the butterfly actually perched on his left shoulder. At the end of the show he told the audience why it was so special.’

‘Always a tortoiseshell?’

‘Always. Most of the stars will tell you their butterfly story if you ask. Honor Blackman, June Whitfield, Peter O’Toole.’

‘O’Toole? What was he doing in pantomime?’

‘Sorry. I’m not telling it right. In his case it was Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell. But this was in October, when the butterfly season is supposed to be over. On the opening night he was on stage and the butterfly settled on the newspaper he was reading. Being such a pro, he ad libbed a chat with it, saying it was welcome to stay there if it didn’t get pissed and make a noise. When it finally fluttered off, it got a round of applause.’

‘That was a first, I reckon.’ He was starting to be impressed. ‘The butterflies are a tad more persuasive than the grey lady.’

‘Only a tad?’

‘I can believe in butterflies out of season. I’ve seen them myself. Never thought of them as good omens, but why not? Actors are superstitious, aren’t they?’

‘You’re not wholly convinced, then?’

‘I’m an old sceptic, as you know. Something is going on, for sure. What matters is that people in the theatre believe it. And I suppose if a live butterfly is good news, a dead one isn’t. I can see why Titus fainted.’

‘Does he remember why?’ Paloma asked.

‘He didn’t say a word about it, and he’s not the sort to keep quiet. I expect the fainting acted like concussion and blotted out the immediate memory.’

‘It’ll prey on his mind if it does come back to him.’

‘What do you think? One dead butterfly. Is it like Death knocking on your door?’

‘I don’t know,’ Paloma said. ‘We’re only too pleased to spot the good omens, but if we believe them we ought to be concerned about the bad ones. Have you told anyone?’

‘No, and I don’t think I will.’

‘What about the butterfly? Is it still there?’

‘It will be unless the cleaner has been by. I wonder how long it’s been there. Apparently the room was full of people trying to be helpful after Clarion got hurt. Someone will have noticed, surely. From all you’ve just told me, plenty of people have heard the story.’

‘Everyone who works there gets to hear it.’

Diamond found himself thinking about the mischief that could be done among superstitious theatre people. One dead butterfly could create quite a panic. ‘I wonder if the understudy has moved into the number one dressing room. It’s a status thing, I believe.’

‘They may not want the room disturbed,’ Paloma said. ‘Like a crime scene.’

‘But it isn’t a crime scene. There’s no official investigation. The management were playing it down this morning.’

‘They would, wouldn’t they?’

‘Carry on as usual. The show must go on. That’s why I’m thinking the understudy may have moved in.’

‘On the other hand, if they’re playing it down they may decide to keep the room undisturbed in case Clarion gets over her problem and is ready to return before the end of the run.’

‘How long is the run?’ His brain was racing.

‘Only a week. They move on to some other theatre after Saturday night.’

‘I doubt if she’ll be back.’ He took the mobile from his pocket. ‘Do you mind? I need to call Ingeborg