A Jolly Good Show – Episode 60
FOR several minutes Delia was racked by sobs, and everyone sensed that it was best to let her cry, to release the pain of so many years.
Kate tried to imagine what it must have been like for Delia, continuing her life alone. Each year, perhaps on each of his birthdays, trying to imagine what he looked like, what he was doing, where he was. Kate stopped herself. Delia had acted out of love for the child. Poor
Delia.
As her sobs gradually subsided,
Nesbo made her drink some tea, then he turned to Michael and asked a simple question.
“Why are you here?”
Michael looked at Kate.
“Until just over a year ago I knew nothing of this. Nothing.” His eyes quickly moved to Delia then back to Kate. “Mother died two years ago and a year later it became apparent that Dad was dying. It was he who told me. It came as quite a shock.”
“It must have done,” Kate said. “Did he tell you anything that Delia doesn’t know?”
He nodded.
“Yes, I see what you mean.” He spoke to Delia. “Dad said they’d left England as soon as they could. They wanted to make a fresh start. They went to Canada. First to Toronto and then a couple of years later to Nova Scotia, where he was the manager and musical director of the theatre in Halifax.”
“I tried to find them,” Delia admitted anxiously. “I just wanted to see you, but I found no trace. But, Michael, I never forgot you, not for a single day. I wanted so much to find you.”
He smiled at her.
“Well, I’ve found you.” He took a sip of brandy. “I came to Britain with your name, your age and the precious clue that Dad had said you sang in the music hall. I don’t know how he knew that, but it
made finding you quite easy. But then when I found you I had to decide what to do next.”
“And you were the young man in the theatre. You sent me flowers,” Delia whispered.
“Yes, I saw you on stage. I thought you were wonderful, but I didn’t know you.” He looked at Kate and Nesbo. “People on stage are actors, aren’t they? But what are they like in real life?”
Nesbo nodded.
“Everything on stage is an illusion.”
Michael turned to Kate.
“I wasn’t sure what to do. Confront a woman I didn’t know? Should I completely disrupt her life and cause more pain or embarrassment? Then by sheer good fortune I met Kate. I was hanging about the theatre waiting for Miss Desmond, and instead I met Kate.” He turned back to Delia. “She told me how lovely you were. Kind, considerate, wonderful. So here I am. Not exactly a prodigal son, but you know what I mean.”
Delia shook her head in amazement.
“I can’t believe it. It’s wonderful. I would never allow myself to imagine this moment. And now it’s come true. I give thanks to God.” She looked at Nesbo, whose face was half hidden behind a large, white handkerchief. “Why, Nesbo, are you crying?”
“Crying? No! Just a sniffle. A bit of a cold.”
Kate dabbed at her eyes.
“Well, I’m crying. So there!”
