already been covered in clothes and they made no effort to move them.
âWhy, girls, itâs the little cat,â simpered Mimi, preening her blonde curls in a tiny hand-mirror. âMr Sheridanâs
old
favourite.â
âThought you were too good for us, did you, travelling with that young lord of yours?â askedColette with a bitter twist to her lips.
âPleased to meet you too, ladies,â I said, ignoring these slights. It was useless to explain to these creatures the idea of a friendship with someone so far above my social status. You canât live behind stage as long as I have without experiencing the petty jealousies and spite of some performers.
âI canât understand what that young gentleman sees in her, can you, girls?â asked Belle, as if I wasnât there. âSheâs such a queer little thing and he so handsome. And as for thinking that sheâll make it as a dancer! Madame Beaufort has gone quite mad.â
âNo, itâs not madness,â replied Mimi. âOld Sheridan must have paid her to take his discarded pet out of the way. And who can blame him now sheâs made herself notorious with those stories she wrote? Sheâs become an embarrassment.â Mimi pulled out a little magazine from her trunk. âQueen of the London Underworld â I mean, who does she think sheâs fooling?â
âQueen of the chamberpots more like,â added Colette.
So I was to be punished for making myself famous, was I? I suppose I could look on it as the penalty for falling for Mr Tweadleâs cheat. I only wished that I had as many piquant French words to hand as I had English so I could answer back in style. Perhaps if I hadnât been feeling so green, I would have tried. But as it was, I saved my breath and attempted to quell my growing nausea.
There was a creaking overhead and the sound of feet running across the ceiling: we were getting under way. I contemplated returning to the deck for some fresh air and the diversion of watching the sailors hoist sail, but my assigned role required me to act as if I were part of the troupe. Instead I took revenge on my three companions by climbing into the bunk and spreading out regardless of the clothes.
âThatâs my best pelisse!â protested Mimi, pulling a violet cloak from under me.
The ship gave a lurch as she left the protection of the harbour and was hit broadside by the wind. The pelisse gave an ugly ripping sound.
âLook what youâve done!â Mimi held up thetorn sleeve, for all the world acting as if it were my fault that a storm was blowing.
I was about to reply but was prevented by a strange feeling in my stomach. Opening my mouth, it wasnât insults that poured out, but something far more offensive. Mimi screamed and jumped back. Belle and Colette fled to the other side of the tiny cabin.
âClean it up, you disgusting thing!â screeched Mimi.
As if I could in my current state! I rolled over, not to repair the damage but to add to it.
âI want another cabin! Iâm not staying in here with her!â Mimi stormed out, crying for Madame Beaufort, closely followed by her two friends.
I didnât care. They could call me all the names under the sun, shout and scream at me. I just wanted to die as the ship bucked and reared like an unbroken horse. Why, oh why, had I thought Mr Sheridanâs idea of sending me to France a good one? It was the stupidest thing ever! I was going to be useless! I couldnât even travel without collapsing in a helpless smelly heap! My dejection was socomplete that I didnât notice Joseph enter ten minutes later, armed with bucket and mop to cleanse the cabin, nor Frank place a cool cloth on my head. He told me later heâd given up his berth to the fugitives from mine, though they were soon retching with the rest of the troupe as the storm worsened. They should have stayed with me for I had the best nurses
âWhy, girls, itâs the little cat,â simpered Mimi, preening her blonde curls in a tiny hand-mirror. âMr Sheridanâs
old
favourite.â
âThought you were too good for us, did you, travelling with that young lord of yours?â askedColette with a bitter twist to her lips.
âPleased to meet you too, ladies,â I said, ignoring these slights. It was useless to explain to these creatures the idea of a friendship with someone so far above my social status. You canât live behind stage as long as I have without experiencing the petty jealousies and spite of some performers.
âI canât understand what that young gentleman sees in her, can you, girls?â asked Belle, as if I wasnât there. âSheâs such a queer little thing and he so handsome. And as for thinking that sheâll make it as a dancer! Madame Beaufort has gone quite mad.â
âNo, itâs not madness,â replied Mimi. âOld Sheridan must have paid her to take his discarded pet out of the way. And who can blame him now sheâs made herself notorious with those stories she wrote? Sheâs become an embarrassment.â Mimi pulled out a little magazine from her trunk. âQueen of the London Underworld â I mean, who does she think sheâs fooling?â
âQueen of the chamberpots more like,â added Colette.
So I was to be punished for making myself famous, was I? I suppose I could look on it as the penalty for falling for Mr Tweadleâs cheat. I only wished that I had as many piquant French words to hand as I had English so I could answer back in style. Perhaps if I hadnât been feeling so green, I would have tried. But as it was, I saved my breath and attempted to quell my growing nausea.
There was a creaking overhead and the sound of feet running across the ceiling: we were getting under way. I contemplated returning to the deck for some fresh air and the diversion of watching the sailors hoist sail, but my assigned role required me to act as if I were part of the troupe. Instead I took revenge on my three companions by climbing into the bunk and spreading out regardless of the clothes.
âThatâs my best pelisse!â protested Mimi, pulling a violet cloak from under me.
The ship gave a lurch as she left the protection of the harbour and was hit broadside by the wind. The pelisse gave an ugly ripping sound.
âLook what youâve done!â Mimi held up thetorn sleeve, for all the world acting as if it were my fault that a storm was blowing.
I was about to reply but was prevented by a strange feeling in my stomach. Opening my mouth, it wasnât insults that poured out, but something far more offensive. Mimi screamed and jumped back. Belle and Colette fled to the other side of the tiny cabin.
âClean it up, you disgusting thing!â screeched Mimi.
As if I could in my current state! I rolled over, not to repair the damage but to add to it.
âI want another cabin! Iâm not staying in here with her!â Mimi stormed out, crying for Madame Beaufort, closely followed by her two friends.
I didnât care. They could call me all the names under the sun, shout and scream at me. I just wanted to die as the ship bucked and reared like an unbroken horse. Why, oh why, had I thought Mr Sheridanâs idea of sending me to France a good one? It was the stupidest thing ever! I was going to be useless! I couldnât even travel without collapsing in a helpless smelly heap! My dejection was socomplete that I didnât notice Joseph enter ten minutes later, armed with bucket and mop to cleanse the cabin, nor Frank place a cool cloth on my head. He told me later heâd given up his berth to the fugitives from mine, though they were soon retching with the rest of the troupe as the storm worsened. They should have stayed with me for I had the best nurses
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