Barbara Taylor Bradford - Love in Another Town

Maggie let go of Samantha’s arm as the young man walked across the stage to join them.

‘Sorry I’m late,’ he said to Samantha, stretching out his hand, shaking hers.

‘No problem,’ Samantha answered. ‘Come and meet my friend. Maggie, this is Jake Cantrell. Jake, this is Margaret Anne Sorrell, usually known as Maggie. She’s an interior designer and will be designing our sets. Maggie, Jake’s a genius with lighting and special effects. I hope he’s going to become part of our little group and work with us. We certainly need a lighting expert of his calibre.’

Jake gave Samantha a small smile that hinted of shyness and then turned to Maggie. ‘I’m very pleased to meet you,’ he said politely and offered her his hand.

Maggie took it. His hand was cool, his grasp firm. ‘I’m happy to meet you too,’ she murmured.

They stood staring at each other.

Maggie thought how extremely good-looking he was, realizing at once that he was completely unaware that he was. He’s a troubled man, she thought, recognizing the sadness in his eyes.

Jake was thinking that he’d never met a woman like this in his life, so beautifully groomed and well put together. He was suddenly awed by this woman who was looking at him so thoughtfully through her cool, intelligent eyes.

THE THREE OF THEM sat down at the table on the stage and Samantha handed Jake a copy of the play.

‘Thanks,’ he said, glancing at it, then looking up at her as she continued, ‘As you can see we’re doing The Crucible, and I think you should read it as soon as possible.’ She flashed him a vivid smile, and added, ‘Basically, the meeting tonight is for us to become acquainted. I was hoping the three of us could get together again later this week, maybe on Friday or Saturday, to have our first detailed discussion about the scenery and the lighting. By then you’ll have a better understanding of what’s required.’

‘I know the play,’ Jake replied, giving her a pointed look. ‘And very well. From high school. I also saw a revival of it a few years ago. I’ve always liked Arthur Miller.’

If Samantha was surprised to hear this she certainly disguised it. Merely nodding, she murmured, ‘That’s great. Obviously I’m delighted you know the play; it’ll save us a lot of time in the long run.’

‘I’ve never done any stage work before, as I told you when you phoned,’ Jake said. ‘But what’s required for this play in particular is real mood, that I do know. All stage lighting should underscore the meaning of the drama, the scenes being acted, and create an atmosphere. In The Crucible it should be one of … mystery. Deep mystery, I think. And revelation … impending revelation. It’s important to introduce a sense of time as well as place. In this instance, Salem, Massachusetts in the seventeenth century. Candles are going to be important, as are special effects. It’s necessary to simulate dawn and night-time. I remember a night-time scene in the wood. You’ll need interesting combinations of light and shadow–’ He stopped, wondering if he’d said too much – even worse, made a fool of himself.

Jake sat back in his chair and looked at the women. They were both staring at him intently. He felt himself flush and experienced a surge of acute embarrassment.

Maggie, who had been observing him closely and giving him her entire attention, sensed that he was suddenly feeling uncomfortable, although she wasn’t sure why. But wishing to put him at ease, she said swiftly, ‘You’ve hit it right on the mark, Jake. I’m fairly familiar with the play myself, but I know the scenery is going to be tough for me to do. This is my first stab at theatrical design. Like you I’m a bit of a novice. Maybe we’ll be able to help each other as we go along.’

Smiling, Maggie finished, ‘Samantha has a good point about meeting again later in the week, once we’ve both had a chance to refresh our memories about the play. I’m available either Friday or Saturday.’ She glanced at Samantha and then back at him. ‘Which day do you both prefer?’

‘Saturday,’ Samantha answered.

Jake was silent. An unfamiliar discomfort had settled over him. They were taking it for granted he was going to get involved with their drama group, but he still wasn’t sure that he would. Or whether he even wanted to. He wondered if he’d said too much a moment ago, if he had led them to believe he intended to participate.

‘Would Friday be better for you, Jake?’ Maggie asked.

He shook his head. ‘No, I don’t think so. I – ’ He cut himself off abruptly, suddenly wary of making any kind of commitment to them. It might take up too much of his time; after all, he did have a business to run these days. Also, he was beginning to feel a bit out of his depth with these two women. They were so sure of themselves, were from another world, one he didn’t know at all. And there was another thing: it seemed to him that they took their amateur theatrical group very seriously. Certainly they were determined to put on a good production, he could tell that. He knew Samantha Matthews was a perfectionist, his client in Washington had indicated that only the other day. It was apparent to him that she would be a hard taskmaster, very demanding. Better to skip it, he thought.

Clearing his throat, he looked across at Samantha and said, ‘I agreed to come tonight because I’m always interested in extending my knowledge, so the idea of designing stage lighting appealed to me. But I have the feeling you want a real commitment from me, Samantha, and I can’t give you that. What I mean is, I’m very busy with my electrical business. I work late most nights – ’

‘Oh, Jake, don’t be so hasty,’ Samantha interrupted. ‘Maggie and I are also up to our necks with work. We’ve all got to earn a living, you know.’

Once again she offered him that vivid smile of hers, and added, ‘Whatever you might think, you wouldn’t be making such a huge commitment. Not really. Once you’d created the lighting effects you wouldn’t have anything else to do. I’d take it from there. I’ve got several good stagehands to help me and an electrician as well.’

‘Lighting isn’t easy,’ he answered. ‘In fact, it’s very complicated and especially so for this play.’

‘You’re absolutely correct,’ Maggie interjected. ‘But I do wish you’d reconsider. From what Sam’s told me about your work at the Bruce house, you really do know what you’re doing. Look, I know how you feel, I just started a new business myself a few months ago, and I’m totally committed to it. Nonetheless, I think I’ll learn a lot from this little theatrical venture.’ She smiled at him winningly.

He looked at her, looked right into her eyes, and he felt the hairs on the back of his neck bristling. Maggie Sorrell was not pretty in the given sense. But there was something about her that went beyond mere prettiness. She was arresting, intriguing, the kind of woman a man would look at twice. She had an elegance that had nothing to do with her clothes, but with herself. He felt oddly drawn to her. Instantly, he pulled back. He had never known a woman like this; he was not sure he wanted to.

Since he had remained mute, Maggie continued talking. ‘You did say yourself that initially you thought you’d learn something. Actually, Jake, we’ll both benefit, and in innumerable ways. For instance, there’s the publicity. We’ll get quite a lot, and that can’t be bad for your business or mine. Anyway, I’ve come to realize that whatever I’m doing I’m usually meeting a potential client somewhere along the line.’

‘Bravo! Said like a true professional!’ Samantha exclaimed. ‘And Maggie’s correct, Jake, you can profit from this in a variety of different ways.’