‘Hush,’ chorused the NTV minions.
A strip of black velvet had been pinned to one of the Green Room walls. In front was a huge arrangement of lilies and chrysanthemums. On the table was a note saying:
‘
‘I dropped those flowers three times,’ observed a passing technician.
‘Hush,’ said Chrissie.
Lady Appleton cleared her throat.
‘I’ll give you the order back to front,’ she told the contestants, ‘starting with the lowest.’
‘Don’t forget to curtsy, Marcus, when you shake hands with the Princess,’ said Benny nastily.
Natalia was perfectly calm. She knew she had won. Rannaldini had told her so.
‘
As the six contestants filed onto the platform, sitting high up on the chairs that had earlier been occupied by the brass players, Marcus looked so white and stunned, Rupert knew with a terrible lurch of pity and disappointment he hadn’t won.
‘I’m so sorry,’ whispered Taggie.
‘It’s OK.’
Rupert took her hand. ‘What matters somehow is that for the first time he’s miraculously mine. I’m sorry I’ve been so vile today. I can always be relied upon to be a tower of gelignite in a crisis.’
‘I love you.’
‘Doesn’t Her Royal Highness look dignified? ‘sighed Peggy Parker, as the Princess, resplendent in Listermint- green taffeta and lots of diamonds, led a trail of local dignitaries in robes and furry burghers’ hats slowly up the centre aisle to take their seats on the platform.
‘And now our finalists in reverse order,’ said James Vereker, batting his dyed eyelashes at the Princess. ‘Lady Appleton will announce the winners.’
‘We’re just waiting for a signal from NTV,’ said Lady Appleton, her round pink face glowing like a harvest moon. ‘I’d just like to remind everyone that we judge the candidates on all three rounds, not just tonight’s nor yesterday’s efforts. All right, James,’ she smiled into the camera. ‘In sixth place, we have Han Chai.’
As the little Korean came dancing down the steps, looking so pretty and happy to be sixth, everyone decided she should have been placed higher and gave her a terrific reception.
‘Fifth from France, Mr Benjamin Basanovich,’ cried Lady Appleton.
Benny was absolutely livid, but he got an even louder cheer because everyone was so relieved he hadn’t won.
‘Fourth,’ Lady Appleton cleared her throat and rustled her notes, ‘our very popular contender from across the Atlantic.’
Still in his plaid jacket, Carl bounded down the steps two at a time, grinning broadly, thrilled to be meeting royalty, taking the Princess’s little hand in his two big ones.
‘Marcus is third,’ whispered an excited Flora to George and Trevor.
Then followed a long pause because the Princess was having such a long chat with Carl.
‘Oh, get on with it,’ yelled Dixie from the gallery.
‘Third prize,’ began Lady Appleton.
Here we go, at least he’s placed, thought Rupert.
‘Is our friend from Russia.’
‘
Rannaldini glanced across at Natalia. A tear was trickling down her rosy cheek. Little darling, crying with happiness, he thought complacently. Soon he would be drinking champagne out of her and the cup.
The atmosphere in the hall crackled with excitement. Lady Appleton enjoyed her four-yearly moment of glory. George squeezed Flora’s hand till she winced.
‘I love you, I love you. Oh please God, make it be Marcus,’ she begged.
‘Second, a very worthy contestant, is our charming friend from Czechoslovakia, Natalia-’
But no-one heard her surname as Lady Appleton was drowned by a demented roar of joy that took the roof off, as the crowd realized the home side had won. On the strength of that they could now afford to feel sorry for Natalia as, battling with disappointment, the picture of desolation, she accepted her silver plate and allowed the kind Princess to mop up her tears.
The atmosphere was now a seething cauldron. A cheer rose and fell. Rupert hugged Taggie until her ribs cracked. The orchestra leaning over the gallery were yelling their heads off.
Boris was kissing Deirdre.
‘Zank you, zank you, my darling, you are not bloody bigot after all.’
‘He’s won,’ screamed Flora, holding George even tighter as a somewhat squashed Trevor barked his approval.
Up in the dress circle, a grinning Jennifer barked back.
At last there was silence.
‘And the winner of the 1995 Appleton Piano Competition-’ Lady Appleton smiled round.
‘You don’t need to be Inspector Morse to deduce that,’ bellowed Randy.
Even Lady Appleton laughed.
‘The winner of the 1995 Appleton,’ she repeated shakily, ‘is our own Marcus Campbell-Black.’
The Princess taking both Marcus’s hands had to shout to make herself heard.
‘Are you sure you’re all right? You’ve been so terribly ill. It’s a wonderful victory. You played so beautifully.’
‘And you look so beautiful,’ Marcus found himself blurting out.
The Princess was so sweet and after that he couldn’t remember anything she said until she handed over the little silver piano, as well as a huge cup.
‘Of course queers get on awfully well with women,’ sniffed Mrs Parker.
‘Oh shut up, you old monster,’ snapped Flora.
‘Speech,’ bellowed the orchestra.
Oh no, thought Taggie in anguish, remembering how Marcus had dried during a debate in front of the whole of Bagley Hall. He had never been able to string a sentence together in public.
But Marcus had taken the microphone and was waiting for a lull. He was whiter than the piano keys. A lock of damp auburn hair had fallen over his freckled forehead, he looked absurdly young. To speak now was far more terrifying than playing the Schumann, but he had to do it. What a beauty, and our own, thought the audience in raptures.
‘Your Royal Highness, Ladies and Gentlemen,’ gasped Marcus, fighting for breath, ‘I’d like to thank all the judges for giving me this amazing prize — ’ he waved the silver piano — ‘and the organizers, particularly Lady Appleton for — er — organizing such a marvellous competition, and Mrs Bateson for looking after me — and baking such terrific cakes and everyone at Northladen General for saving my life-’ There was a burst of cheering.
As he gained in confidence he had a voice just like Rupert’s, thought Flora.
‘I also want to thank my parents,’ Marcus went on steadily, ‘my mother and my stepmother, but, most of all, my father, Rupert Campbell-Black,’ deliberately he emphasized the ‘Campbell’. ‘It isn’t easy for parents to accept their son is a homosexual. And they’ve been absolutely terrific,’ he glanced in Rupert’s direction, ‘particularly my father.’
‘Oooooooh dear,’ mumbled Flora, smearing all her mascara as she wiped her shirtsleeve across her eyes.
Glancing sideways Taggie also saw the wetness of Rupert’s lashes. The silence was total.
‘And most of all,’ Marcus grinned up at the gallery, ‘I’ve got to thank the RSO, for playing so brilliantly today and being such a great orchestra.’
‘Tell that to the Arts Council,’ roared Dixie.
Marcus joined in the laughter. There was a volley of applause which faded because people wanted to listen. Aware that the cameras were rolling, unfazed that he was addressing millions of viewers, Marcus went on.
