Act VII cont – Borodin

In the room set aside for the actors to get ready, Jayne tugged the meat off a chicken leg with his teeth.

“I don’t know how you can do that at a time like this,” Freya complained, just the sight of the man eating making her feel sick.

“At a time like what?” He peered at her.

“Just because you’re not going to go on tonight doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have sensibilities for those of us that are.” She took a deep breath, trying to ignore the smell of food.

“With a spread like this?” Jayne swept his arm to take in the array of delicacies laid out for them by the Bose servants. “You crazy?”

“I wish I was playing Puck,” Noni said, her voice and face the picture of sadness. “I really enjoyed it.”

“You were good, too,” the big man said around a mouthful of chicken.

“Don’t suppose I’ll ever get the chance to do it again.”

River sat down next to Freya, leaning against her. “It will be all right,” she said softly.

“You sure about that? I can’t help feeling that something is about to go wrong.”

“Nerves.”

“Hope so.”

River nodded towards the professional actors who were congregated the other side of the room, checking each other’s costumes. “Have you noticed how, now they’re all together, we’re not?”

“You mean it’s us and them again?”

“The Troupe and the Firefly.” River giggled. “Sounds like the title of a play. Perhaps I should write it.”

“Is it a tragedy?”

“A mystery. With love thrown in.”

Freya finally smiled. “That I like.”

-

“Tesler, it’s time.” Clara stood in the doorway of the study. “And you’re neglecting our guests.”

He looked up at her, a mixture of amusement and resignation in his eyes. “Clara, you know you’re the one they’ve come to see.”

“Nonsense.”

“They like you.”

She fluttered into the room, coming around the back of his desk so she could adjust his collar. “They like you too, silly.”

“They tolerate me. They have to. I'm their landlord, after all.”

“And they all have marvellous houses,