The chatter died down as they approached. Everyone bowed or curtseyed. Evelina smiled uncertainly.
“The Lady Evelina is our Cinderella,” said the Reverend, smiling widely. “May I introduce you to our other leading actors?”
Evelina nodded politely, smiling, as the Reverend went through the central cast. There were quite a few big parts. In the tradition of pantomime, the fairy tale of Cinderella was to be meshed with two popular pantomime characters, Harlequin and Clown, who would provide the comedic element.
Two middle-aged gentlemen were playing those roles. In addition, there was the Fairy Godmother, played by a middle class matriarch with grey hair. The ugly stepsisters were to be played by two giggling village girls.
And the role of Prince Charming, who would woo Cinderella, was being played by the local tailor, a man called Mr. Pimm. Evelina suppressed a smile as he was introduced. Mr. Pimm, with his thin, dandy like appearance and feminine air, was the very antithesis of Prince Charming. She couldn’t imagine that anyone would be swept away with him as the romantic male lead. But then, she wasn’t the casting director, was she?
“Now,” said the vicar, clapping his hands together. “Let us begin. We will sit in a circle and read through the script to start with. Everyone, grab a chair!”
Everyone moved to do the vicar’s bidding. When they were seated in a circle with the scripts in hand, Evelina felt the last of her uneasiness drain away and a small kernel of excitement start to build. This might indeed be fun. And she was sure that Mama was looking down, nodding her head approvingly, at seeing how involved her daughter was in the village Christmas traditions.
***
Jude leaned against the carriage, staring off into the distance. It had only been ten minutes since the Lady Evelina had entered the small village hall, but it already felt like an hour had passed. He sighed. Waiting seemed to be a key requirement of this job and it was hard to get used to. He was used to being constantly busy at work.
Barnaby, the driver, was lounging in his position on the carriage, his hat over his face seemingly asleep. Jude supposed the man was used to long waits. The coachmen couldn’t wander off into the village to go to a pub to pass the time. They must wait at the carriage, on duty, ready to depart at any given moment.
Suddenly, Jude straightened, noticing movement from the hall. A man was being supported by two others, and they looked like were almost dragging him along. The man being supported was thin and his face was very pale. Jude watched as they quickly walked past him before vanishing down a side street.
The next moment, Lady Evelina emerged, looking worried. Behind her was a small, rotund man wearing a vicar’s collar. He was shaking his head. But abruptly, he looked at Jude, his face brightening.
Jude stared at the vicar, mystified, as the man approached him, trailed by Lady Evelina. He had no idea why the man wanted to speak to him, but he clearly did.
“I am Reverend Basingstoke,” said the vicar, beaming at him. “I haven’t seen you before! Are you new to the district?”
Jude nodded. “Aye. Nice to meet you, Reverend.” He shook the man’s outstretched hand. “I am Jude Huxley.”
“Mr. Huxley entered service at Bosworth Manor only a few days ago,” said Lady Evelina, looking as mystified as Jude was by the vicar’s sudden friendliness towards him.
The vicar looked him up and down, almost sizing him up, as if he was a sow at auction that he was considering buying.
“Can you read, Mr. Huxley?” he asked suddenly.
Jude nodded. “Aye, I can. I grew up in an orphanage and had lessons there.” He stared at the man. “Why, if you don’t mind me asking?”
The Reverend took a deep breath. “We are in a slight pickle, Mr. Huxley,” he said. “Our leading man for the pantomime has been suddenly struck ill. We need someone to fill in for him during our first reading. Would you mind ever so much doing it?”
Jude was dumbstruck. Lady Evelina’s jaw dropped. Clearly, she had no idea the vicar was going to ask this question.
The vicar turned to her. “That is, if it is agreeable to you, milady. Mr. Huxleyisyour servant, after all. But since he is standing here twiddling his thumbs anyway until you leave, then we might as well make use of him and complete the reading.” He paused. “We are on a tight schedule, and I would very much like to achieve this today.”
Lady Evelina nodded. “I see. Of course.” She fixed Jude with her beautiful blue eyes. “It is up to you, Jude. But I am agreeable.”
Jude hesitated. He didn’t know if he had a choice in the matter, but Lady Evelina was compelling him and he must obey her. They were both gazing at him expectantly.
“I’ve never done such a thing before,” he said uncertainly. “I’m not sure I will do it right.”
The vicar beamed at him. “All you have to do is read the lines of the part,” he said in a soothing voice. “It is only for today. Hopefully, Mr. Pimm will be well enough for the next rehearsal. You do not need to be worried, my dear man.”
Jude took a deep breath. “Very well.”
The vicar looked like he was going to throw his arms around him. “Oh, well done! Let us not tarry! We are already running behind schedule because of this unfortunate incident. Come along.”
Jude trailed them towards the hall, taking a seat next to Lady Evelina. All the people were sitting in a circle and gazed at him expectantly.
“How is poor Mr. Pimm?” asked a middle-aged grey haired lady. “I have never seen someone turn so pale so suddenly in my life!”