Natalie had invited Bill to watch the show with her and Anton in their box. Margot hoped that meant he would go with them to the first night party. With this in mind, she had bought a simple but beautiful dress with the remainder of her clothes coupons, plus seventeen pounds. The thought of spending all that money on a dress… But if Bill liked it, it would be worth it.
Bill hadn’t actually said he was coming to the opening night of Sleeping Beauty, he said he’d try, but Margot had convinced herself he’d be there. She looked again at the pearls. They were beautiful. She’d keep them on in case Bill came to the theatre before the show. She was desperate to see him and hoped-- Her thoughts were interrupted by the familiar sound of her taxi arriving. ‘Damn.’ She ran to the window and waved. The cabbie put up his hand in recognition. Quickly she buttered a couple of rounds of bread and made a cheese sandwich, in case Bill was hungry when he arrived, if he arrived. Before she left she scribbled a note telling him how much she loved and missed him – and how much she was looking forward to seeing him after the show. Coat over her arm, handbag and keys in her hand, she locked the door and jumped into the cab.
‘Come in!’ Margot said, thinking it was stage management knocking. ‘Surely it isn’t beginners already-- Bill!’ she cried, as her husband entered the dressing room. ‘You’re here. I don’t believe it. I didn’t think you were coming,’ she said, running to him and holding onto him as if she’d never let him go again.
‘I haven’t missed an opening night yet, and I don’t intend to start now,’ he said.
‘Beginners, Miss Dudley,’ the stage manager called. ‘On stage please!’
‘I’d better go. See you after the show,’ Bill said, kissing Margot before making his way to the door.
‘When I blow a kiss into the audience, I shall direct it at you in the Goldmans’ box. Oh Bill,’ Margot said as he was leaving, ‘I do love you.’
‘I love you too. Have a wonderful show.’
‘I will now,’ she said as he closed the door.
Sleeping Beauty was an amazing spectacle. The songs and dances, contrasting characters, costumes and set were magnificent – and as always there was a standing ovation at the curtain.
Bill accompanied Margot to the first night party with Natalie and Anton Goldman. They left after half an hour for The Talk of London, where Margot was in cabaret. Natalie and Anton arrived with George and Betsy as Margot began her last number, the popular American hit, “Moonlight Serenade”.
‘Thank you for calling in,’ she said, joining them at the bar.
‘We must go home, Margot,’ Natalie said, kissing her on the cheek. ‘It has been a long and very exciting day.
‘We’re off too.’ George and Betsy kissed Margot and then Bill. ‘See you tomorrow night, Margot,’ Anton said, before shaking Bill’s hand.
After waving their friends off, Margot pulled Bill onto the dance floor and they danced into the early hours.
For the next week, Margot and Bill spent their mornings making love, followed by a late breakfast. Arms entwined, they walked in the park, only letting go of each other to feed the ducks. At night, walking into the apartment after the show and seeing Bill sitting in the armchair listening to the wireless brought tears to Margot’s eyes. Life was perfect.
She came off stage at The Talk of London the following Saturday night and joined Bill at their table. He was looking thoughtful. She held her breath, sensing something was wrong. ‘What’s the matter, Bill?’
‘You are as wonderful in cabaret as you are in a play or a musical, Margot,’ he said, looking into her eyes. ‘I understand now that performing, singing and dancing is your life. And I shall never ask you to give it up again.’
Margot’s eyes glistened with tears of joy. ‘Does that mean you’ll--?’
‘Let me finish. It has been a wonderful week – and there will be others – but--’
‘Of course there’ll be others – as many as we want.’ Margot’s voice began to tremble. She searched Bill’s face. ‘You’re not staying with me, are you?’ He didn’t answer. ‘Bill?’ A feeling like grief engulfed her. ‘Please don’t leave me,’ she cried.
‘Shush,’ he said, putting his arms around her and holding her tightly. ‘As much as I love you, and you know I do, I’m going back to the Midlands.’ Margot began to protest but Bill put his finger on her lips. ‘Try to understand, love, that while I don’t want to be without you, I don’t want to live in London. In the war I had a job to do, a reason for being here. I don’t any more.’ Margot buried her head in Bill’s chest. ‘This is your life,’ he whispered, ‘your career. I have no right to ask you to give it up to live with me in a semi-detached somewhere in the country.’ Tears streamed down Margot’s face. ‘We want different things, Margot,’ Bill said, wiping away the tears and then kissing her on each cheek. ‘I’m going to give you your freedom.’
‘You’re not going to divorce me, are you, Bill? I love you.’
‘No, you silly goose. I love you too. I’ve never loved anyone but you, you know that. But I’m going back to the Midlands. I’ll look for a house,’ he said with a catch in his voice, ‘and when you’re ready, if you’re ever ready, to come home--’ Bill broke down in tears.
‘Bill, don’t cry. Please, Bill.’
‘Come on. Let’s go home,’ he said, helping Margot to
