Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day Page #4

Well, I thought so, too.

And I played it magnificently,

if I do say so myself.

But then Phil announced that he was

going to have lunch with the Rabbit.

Charlotte Warren?

- Mmm.

Oh, my dear.

- Exactly.

So you can see why I

need Guinevere's powers.

I do indeed.

I wonder...

Yes?

Oh, nothing.

That one!

- That one!

Miss Lafosse? Oh!

Oh!

Thank you. Very nice.

Guinevere,

I think we're ready.

And you're sure that's all

it was, Edythe, my dear?

Just a late train?

No Gerry involved?

You're as bad as Joe.

Gerry and I are finished.

Absolutely finished.

So Tabitha and I bumped into him

at Hat Day at the races. What of it?

We got the last train in to Victoria

and that was absolutely that.

My fruit fedora was much

admired, thank you for asking.

Joe can check with the station

if he's so damnably suspicious.

Arrived at 11:
30 and took

a taxi straight home. Alone.

The whole thing

is ridiculous.

One late train and the

whole marriage is off.

Men are so untrusting.

I can't think why.

Are you all right?

Sorry, I was just

remembering something.

Everything all right,

Guinevere?

Oh, yes. Just a moment.

This is me?

All you.

As nature intended.

Guinevere, control

yourself, for heaven's sake!

The mascara!

No, of course.

Of course.

That was close.

Well, I'm just gonna put this, and a

few other things, on Nick's account.

I'll be right back.

Well, what

a transformation.

I suppose I've never felt

I really deserved it.

A social secretary

such as yourself?

Carole Lombard's social

secretary, no less.

Eyeliner.

As you're such

a wow with the men,

I was wondering whether you

could have a word with Joe for me.

Smooth this little

misunderstanding over.

We're getting married,

you know. Were.

It would mean

such a lot to me.

I'm afraid

I couldn't do that.

Really?

You and I, Guinevere, we don't have

what the Delysias of this world have.

We have to work at it,

improvise a touch,

act a little to get

what we want.

You know what I mean,

don't you?

There.

I'm sure Delysia

wouldn't mind.

Well, that should put a

few more gray hairs on Nick's head.

My, you do look ravishing.

- Wonderful news!

Guinevere has very kindly offered

to sort things out with Joe for me.

But that's a marvelous idea. If anybody

can make Joe see sense, Guinevere can.

Isn't that right?

Okay. Come on.

Listen.

Nick?

Fingers like bananas.

Philip?

Oh, yes.

Charlotte Warren.

Permit me.

Thief. Burglar.

I've had some reactions to my

playing, but never quite that.

I saw you at the jail.

I saw you.

Oh, it's you!

I say, I'm awfully

sorry about that.

Michael!

It's so good to see you.

However did you get in?

One picks up a few tricks

in prison, you know?

Breaking and entering

being one of them.

So.

What have you got

to say for yourself?

Oh, well...

I think I must have gotten the

days mixed up. Or was it the place?

I'm awfully sorry, Michael.

Can you ever forgive me?

Now what do you say?

Part of me says if you do that again,

I'll heave you through the goddamn window.

And another part

of me says that

I deserve it. Every bit.

Oh, no. Don't play that game

with me. Not this time, Delysia.

What do you mean?

You've made a fool out

of me for the last time.

Oh, don't say that, Michael.

You can do anything

you like to me. Anything.

Shake me again... No, better not

stand too close to the window.

Or maybe,

maybe kiss me?

Not a chance.

Why, you...

- I'm crazy about you.

You know that. But even I've

got my limit and I've reached it.

No more games,

no more lies.

No more Phil, no more Nick.

It's me, just me, or that's it.

I'll never

see you again.

You wouldn't.

See this? The Queen Mary.

Two tickets. Sails for

New York tomorrow morning.

I'm playing the Upper Deck Cocktail

Bar, with an as-yet-unannounced singer.

Now tell me I wouldn't.

But what about

the cabaret?

You and me together,

we're the best in London.

So we'll be the best

in New York.

Or not.

Isn't there a decent drink

in this hellhole?

Yes. What would you like?

It's me who should

be offering you a drink.

After our unfortunate meeting

yesterday, I am definitely in your debt.

How do you take

your whiskey?

He does seem to be a little

agitated about something.

Yes.

Well, I'm afraid that might be my fault.

- Indeed?

Ice pick?

- It's in the drawer.

Somewhere.

Ice in the Fridgidaire?

I want the pick

for murder, not ice.

See? He's such

a hothead.

He takes love

so seriously.

Is that a problem?

Of course

it's a problem!

Michael Pardew.

Pettigrew.

Guinevere Pettigrew.

About time we had

a formal introduction.

It's certainly a problem

when the girl doesn't

pitch up for the proposal.

Oh, Michael.

Not a word from you.

Thank you.

What do think of this?

Private boat on the Thames,

last of the

season's strawberries,

Dom Prignon champagne.

Everything.

Strawberries.

And you didn't appear?

I was scared.

You were scared?

How do you think a pianist without

two shillings to rub together

feels proposing to the most

beautiful woman in the world?

Dare I ask

what happened?

Well, after an hour and a half

bobbing around on my own,

I opened the champagne.

One glass didn't seem enough.

One thing led to another.

Then I had a bit

of a brainwave,

as we floated pastthe

Tower of London.

Oh, dear.

Decided the ring I had

wasn't good enough for her.

Well, when a fellow

needs a diamond,

what better place to get one

than the Tower of London?

The rest is all

a bit hazy, but

there appears to have been an

altercation with the yeoman of the guard.

You didn't.

Thirty days

bread and water.

But you know what?

Prison certainly

clears the head.

Pure and simple,

I want you to marry me.

And it's a one-word

conversation, Delysia.

Don't you think that on

such a momentous occasion

a little time

should be allowed?

Oh, stalling tactic.

Is it because I'm not

rich enough for her?

Certainly not.

Well, it's true. I'm wearing

most of my worldly possessions.

I could never offer

this kind of blackmail.

Oh.

And who pays you

for playing the piano, huh?

You telling me you give Nick

his money back after every show?

No! And every damned shilling

I take hurts me to the bone.

Which is why it's got

to change, Delysia.

Money or love? That's the

question I'm asking, D.

With you singing and me playing,

we could knock the world flat.

Yes or no, Delysia?

You are a most uncommonly

persuasive man, Mr. Pardew.

But surely a lady

should have a moment or two

to consider the most

important decision of her life?

A moment?

She's had a whole year.

You did say you

were in my debt.

Damn it, I did, too.

Fair enough.

Okay, here's the deal.

I'll play for you today,

Delysia,

and for the rest of your

life, if you'll marry me.

Never again

if you don't.

See you later, Miss Pettigrew.

- Later?

In my professional

capacity.

As for you,

it's now or never.

The ship sails

tomorrow morning.

He is...

Impossible.

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