Page 26 of A Scottish Love Story
It was about two weeks later when Ciaran asked Roxie if she would like to go with him to the little theatre in Dumfries. He seemed unusually diffident about asking her.
‘It is a very small theatre, you know. The performers are not professionals as you would see in Edinburgh or Glasgow.’
‘I would be happy to give it a try so long as your mother doesn’t mind me leaving her on her own for the evening.’
‘I’m sure she will think you deserve a night out,’ Ciaran said. ‘We’ll ask her.’
‘Ask me what?’ Amy was making her way into the kitchen.
‘If Roxie can go with me to the theatre in Dumfries.’ Ciaran grinned.
‘Of course she can go! You don’t need my permission, Roxie, if I know you are going out. It’s a lovely little theatre, the oldest in Scotland. I believe Robert Burns, Scotland’s famous bard, is supposed to have been a regular visitor, as well as the man who wrotePeter Pan, or so they tell us.’
‘J. M. Barrie went there? I lovedPeter Panwhen I was a little girl.’ Roxie smiled at the memory. ‘If it was good enough for such illustrious people, then it is good enough for me. Are Donald and Jenny coming too?’
‘No.’ Ciaran frowned. ‘I didn’t ask them. Do you mind us going on our own?’
‘Of course not. I’m flattered you asked me.’
‘You might not be if the performance isn’t as good as you’re expecting. We shall need to have an early tea so I’ll pick you up about six thirty.’
* * *
Ciaran was a little late, but Roxie was waiting and hurried out to the car. He was still eating the remains of a sandwich.
‘Had a bit of a delay,’ he mumbled. ‘A cow with milk fever. I didn’t want to leave her until I saw she was going to be all right. I think the calcium has done the trick.’
Although it was a cold night, the sky was clear with the stars shining brightly. Roxie wished she’d brought her smart winter coat with her instead of her anorak. In the end, she had opted for her blue tweed suit. She’d managed to get her anorak on top, but it was warm in the car.
She was fascinated with the small theatre. It seemed warm and friendly, and nothing like the big impersonal theatres often shown on television. She had only been to a London theatre once and that had been while she was still at school.
‘That man has a lovely voice,’ she whispered close to Ciaran’s ear during the applause for a particularly good performance. It was a light musical and the costumes were colourful and seemed to suit the characters. There was an enjoyable duet between another tenor and quite a good soprano, but Roxie was pleased when her favourite performer of the evening came on again for the finale.
As they made their way back to the car, Roxie repeated how much she had enjoyed the performance, and especially the male soloist.
‘Yes, we-ell, he was always a good singer even when he was a choirboy and he was always in the school concerts. He enjoyed performing.’
‘You know him? You were at school together?’
‘Yes, that’s partly why I bought the tickets, but I hoped you would enjoy it.’
‘Oh, I did, I really did.’
‘These days, Daniel is a bank manager.’
‘Really? In my humble opinion he is a lot better singer than many we hear on television.’
‘I agree, but I imagine acting could be an uncertain profession. Daniel always worked hard at school and he did well, too. His parents were not all that wealthy and he has two brothers, so I expect he opted for a more secure occupation and kept the theatre for a hobby he enjoys.’
‘Mmm, a wise man then, and his talents made the evening for me.’
‘So,’ Ciaran said hesitantly. ‘If I hear they are putting on another evening show around Easter, will you come again?’
‘I would love to, so long as you enjoy it too,’ she said shyly.
‘I do, especially with good company.’ He gave her a warm smile. ‘Er, I didn’t get much tea. Do you mind if we stop for fish and chips?’
‘Of course I don’t mind. We passed a fish-and-chip shop on the way here, didn’t we?’
