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‘You look fantastic,’ I said. ‘It really suits you.’
‘Come on, hurry up and get dressed and then let’s go out and find some dinner. I feel like a kid again.’
Delighted at my sister’s enthusiasm, I did as I was told, and half an hour later we knocked on Evelyn’s door which was just down the corridor from us, scooped her up and after she had finished complimenting Diana on her new look, went to the Bizet restaurant.
The staff were too well mannered to say anything about my sister’s changed appearance, but they did show the three of us to our favourite table by the window with much smiling and bowing, so it evidently had some effect.
‘I told you a haircut would be good for you,’ Evelyn said, unrolling her table napkin, ‘and unless I am much mistaken, someone else thinks so too.’
She gave a discreet nod to someone behind me, and a moment later Raphaël stood by the side of our table.
‘Madame, please would you come along to my studio after dinner, so I can photograph you?’ He sounded almost pleading, as though he couldn’t bear to waste her new glamour.
‘Is that the modern equivalent of come up and see my etchings?’ I murmured, pretending to be reading the menu.
Diana kicked me under the table.
‘I’d be delighted,’ she said. ‘Jill too?’
‘No fear,’ I said, before he had the time to answer, ‘I’d look like the before picture next to you. We can catch up with you later on.’
‘Well,’ Evelyn said, watching him go, ‘I hope you have fun.’
‘It’s just a photograph,’ Diana said, patting down the back of her hair.
‘Of course it is,’ I agreed, and then I grinned at her, making her blush.
Evelyn and I went along with the crowds towards the theatre after dinner, looking forward to a pleasant evening in the warm, semi-darkness watching the dancers doing their tribute to Hollywood Musicals. Show tunes have always been a particular favourite of mine and Evelyn too apparently.
‘My parents went to the Drury Lane Theatre for the opening night of Oklahoma! when the royal party was there. They say Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip had a particular favourite: “People Will Say We’re in Love”. So romantic, I hope they do that one.’
‘I seem to remember Dick Dainty saying something about “Ain’t Nobody Here but Us Chickens” so I wouldn’t hold your breath,’ I said.
‘Hmm, I don’t remember that being in it,’ Evelyn said thoughtfully.
‘Ah there you are!’ said a voice behind us. ‘I have someone here who has been looking for you.’
We turned in our seats to see Thelma and Ken with their sometime friend Gerald, who was leaning over with a broad grin on his face.
‘You’re a hard woman to keep track of,’ he said, breathing whisky fumes over me. ‘Mind if we join you?’
‘And Ken and I have been trying to talk to you, Lady Evelyn,’ Thelma said, practically curtseying. ‘Perhaps we could go and have a little nightcap after the show?’
Evelyn and I exchanged a look, and my heart sank. Unfortunately, the seats behind ours were empty and they settled in with a lot of fuss about Thelma’s handbag and Gerald repeatedly kicking the back of my seat. I think it was the older man’s equivalent of a boy in school punching a girl he fancied on the arm, and just as annoying.
‘That would be delightful,’ Evelyn said diplomatically, and then shot me a glance, ‘as long as I don’t get one of my heads. Sometimes all the lights and the loud music set me off.’
I took a firm hold on her hand. ‘I’m sure that won’t happen. And if it does, I will look after you.’
We exchanged a conspiratorial nod.
‘So how are you enjoying the trip, Lady Evelyn?’ Thelma said, leaning over from her seat behind us. ‘Ma’am.’
Evelyn chuckled. ‘Please don’t call me that! I’m not the Queen Mother. Evelyn is fine.’
‘You can call me Thelma, and this is Ken,’ Thelma said, preening herself a little.
‘I’m enjoying it very much. Meeting interesting new people, seeing new places. What’s not to like?’
