‘If he saw.’

‘He did. He edged just closer enough to see everything. Trust me, I’m directing this production. Am I doing a good job?’

‘They should give you an award,’ she assured him, and he grinned. ‘Is he still watching?’ she asked.

‘I’m afraid not. He’s concentrating on Penny, which makes sense because she’s the female star of the show.’

‘And she can do him a lot of good,’ Charlene mused.

So Lee’s interest in Penny was mostly professional. She would cling to that thought.

Travis read her mind and burst out, ‘Forget him. He can’t matter that much.’

‘He does,’ she said softly. ‘But I can’t talk about it.’

‘All right, I won’t press you. We’ll talk some more tonight, over dinner.’

‘I can’t promise that-’

‘You mean you want to stay free for him. But he’s engaged this evening. He’s got to go to this ghastly dinner they’re giving for Frank Brenton. He and I can’t stand each other so I won’t be- Wait a minute!’ He slapped his hand to his forehead. ‘What am I thinking of? It’s been staring me in the face all the time.’

‘What is?’

He didn’t answer but grasped her hand, looking round and calling, ‘Denzil!’

Denzil had appeared in the doorway and Travis hailed him loudly. He came straight over. Charlene felt Travis tighten his grip on her hand, urging her to say nothing.

‘What’s up with you suddenly?’ Denzil asked, sitting down.

‘I’ve been thinking about tonight, and maybe I was a little unreasonable. I’d like to attend that dinner after all, if they can accommodate me at the last moment.’

Denzil beamed. ‘I don’t think there’ll be any problem about that,’ he said.

‘Fine, I’ll want a table for two. Charlene will be my guest.’

Denzil nodded slowly, as though something had just become clear to him.

‘Leave it to me. I’ll fix it.’ He vanished.

‘So that’s settled,’ Travis said. ‘Lee will be there tonight, so dress up to the nines. Let him know what he’s missing.’