A serenade in purple

[Erika Leroux]

Thomas is young, hotheaded. Vibrant with the passion of youth. He doesn't think about implications. He can only think of her as he slinks to the front of house.

Who is she?

He deftly flicks through pages, box number three, box number three...no names there which fit her. Damn! A few unsubtle questions later, still no answer. The image of her eyes penetrate his being. Ask Miss Daye, he realises.

It takes him several days (and an eternity of sleepless nights) plucking up courage before he casually bumps into her, after carefully studying her schedule, perfecting his timing. He hopes he has assumed a throwaway air as he mentions the lady in purple to Christine.

The flush on his cheeks, and his dilated pupils tell Christine otherwise. It tells her all she needs to know.

[Christine Daye]

A tilt of the head. A consideration. A hum... ....come little children I'll take thee away...

"...Mrs Saunders? ...yes... that is she... a good friend of mine... so tragic... to be widowed so young..."

Christine pulls an appropriate face.

"...she is out of mourning now though... and looking to establish herself in Bath... she has a fine new house now... I must send some flowers..."

...into a land of enchantment....

She slants a sidelong look at Thomas.

"... she will not be uncourted for long... I think... if one is to be a widow... better to be a wealthy one..."

...come little children, the time’s come to play....

She looks at Thomas again, faintly puzzled.

"... you know that she is nobleborn? ...a heiress?"

She's trying to let him down gently, let him know that he has nothing to offer as a hopeful actor and part time theatre usher.

....here in my garden of shadows...

But he is young. Raised in the gilt and glamour and romance of the theatre, where love conquers all, and evil never goes unpunished. He does not understand the harsh realities of life.