The next few months were not easy ones. The Choice was a critical and financial success, receiving favourable notices from the press and audiences alike. There was much praise and acclaim for everyone concerned, but it was generally acknowledged that Sophy was the new prodigy to conquer the West End. Words such as ‘nonpareil’ and ‘sensation’ were bandied about, which would have been wonderful except for the fact that Toby’s play was finishing and he’d be out of work soon. He’d auditioned for the subsequent production, fully expecting it to be a mere formality, but another up-and-coming actor had been given both the part and – if rumours were to be believed – the delights of Rosalind’s benefaction.
He had gone to see Rosalind the morning after he’d discovered he didn’t have a part in the new production. They had arranged to meet at an apartment one of her friends owned. Of late Christopher Robins had taken to returning home unexpectedly, and Rosalind suspected he knew of their affair. Whether this was the last straw in a succession which had broken this particular camel’s back, Toby wasn’t sure, but certainly he felt his failure to gain the prize male part was due to the fact that Christopher Robins was a generous financial asset to the theatre concerned.
Rosalind had been waiting for him when he had knocked at the door of the sumptuous flat off Grosvenor Square. She had soothed him about the job, telling him that he was a fine actor and that he would pick up a leading male role with no trouble whatsoever, once the other prime theatres knew he was available. ‘Darling, you’re superb, everyone says so.’ She was getting ready for a romp in bed, discarding her clothes with the complete lack of inhibition which always served to make him hungry for her. But not today.
He stared at her, feeling gauche and ridiculous but unable to stop himself saying, ‘Bruce Thorpe, why did he get the part, Rosalind? Did you have anything to do with it?’
‘How can you say that?’ She sounded hurt but then she was an actress. ‘You know I adore you, darling.’
‘And Bruce? Do you adore him too?’
She was standing in front of him stark naked now and for a moment her eyes widened, then she turned and walked over to the bed the room held. It was a big bed with, of all things, black satin sheets. She slid under the top one, stretching like a cat before she murmured, ‘No strings attached, remember, sweetie? That’s what we promised each other at the start of our fun. I have enough problems in that direction with Christopher as you well know, and it’s so unattractive in a man.’
‘You didn’t answer my question.’
The half-smile left her lips and her eyes hardened. ‘I don’t have to, but since we’ve had some good times together, I will be honest with you. Bruce got the part because he’s a damn good actor for one thing. How much Christopher had to do with it I don’t know. All right? But if I had insisted you were given the part it would have confirmed any suspicions Christopher has, and believe me, Toby, he makes a bad enemy. I’ve done you a service in keeping quiet although you may not see it that way right now.’
‘You’re right. I don’t.’
‘Oh for goodness sake, don’t be petulant.’ She sat up, pulling the sheet round her breasts and flicking back her hair. ‘These things happen. You’ll get another part soon enough.’
There was a sickness churning his stomach and causing his insides to shake. He had thought this woman loved him, he’d imagined he held her in the palm of his hand and she would do anything for him, but he’d misjudged the balance of their relationship. She held the upper hand. She had always held it. She had used him for her pleasure and now he was expendable. That was the truth of it. If she hadn’t bedded Bruce already, it was only a matter of time.
‘Look, come to bed, sweetie.’ She held out her hand. ‘I don’t want to argue and spoil things. And this might be the last time we can see each other for a while. The play finishes this week and rehearsals begin straight away. We’ve been warned they’ll be pretty gruelling short-term, as Christopher and the other backers want the show to start as soon as possible. You know how it is.’
He knew how it was all right.
His face must have spoken for him because now Rosalind swung her long shapely legs out of bed. ‘Oh hell, you’re going to be difficult, aren’t you?’ she said in the tone of voice one would use to a tiresome child. ‘And I really don’t see why. You surely knew we weren’t going to last for ever, dear boy?’
She retrieved her clothes and dressed swiftly, and it was only when she was fully attired that she looked at him again. ‘Can’t we still be friends?’ she said softly.
‘What do you think?’ It was churlish but he couldn’t help himself.
She stared at him a moment more and then shrugged. Turning, she adjusted her hat in the bedroom mirror with deliberate slowness before leaving the apartment without another word. Toby walked over to the window and stared down into the street below, watching her walk away until she was lost from sight.