Death in the Spotlight: A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery 07 (A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery, 7)

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Theresa did not look at all well. Her skin had a yellowish tone to it, and she swayed about, glassy-eyed, but refused to go home.

Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. Hazel, Daisy,’ said Inigo, ‘this tardy female is our Juliet, Miss Rose Tree. She comes to us fresh from her triumph in Happy Families last month at the Lyric, and this will be her first Shakespeare.’ The others helped, in their way – or rather, Simon good-naturedly fetched and carried whenever Martita asked, Lysander declaimed about cooperation in villages in Russia and then did nothing at all, and Rose only helped when people were looking at her. Still, it was Uncle Felix who had the final say while we lived with him – and Uncle Felix continued to want us far away from murder or mystery of any kind.

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During our next rehearsal, I watched Rose with an indignant fire in my chest. Daisy always thought the worst of people and it really wasn’t fair.

Hello, Rose dear,’ said Miss Crompton. ‘Thank you for joining us.’ She smiled, and I felt rather surprised. Miss Crompton had not shown herself to be someone happy with lateness. I am still not sure. But, whether it was supposed to be or not, that is why Daisy and I joined the Rue Theatre Company. Have a look at those,’ said Aunt Lucy, ‘and then begin to go through this exercise book. Solve what you can, and bring your work to me this afternoon.’ I’m glad you’re with the girls again this week,’ he said. ‘They need a steady influence. The very word aunt sounds sensible. I’m sure you’ve become more staid since you became one, Lucy dear.’ He winked at her over his kipper.

Chapter 6

Life is acting,’ said Daisy. ‘That doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to complain when you have to act with someone dreadful.’ And then, on Thursday afternoon, Theresa fainted clean away in the middle of a rehearsal, and had to be rushed off to hospital by the actor playing Tybalt. She had the flu, and she was prescribed bed rest. What are you doing in my dressing room?’ she asked. Her accent was subtle, not quite English, and I couldn’t place it. I had too, but all the same I knew that we were in a theatre, where nothing could be counted on to be what it seemed. The next time she stepped out onto the stage, Daisy was still wearing the tiara. She gleamed like a star.

These are just my ideas about what I hope will happen, to summarize; the Junior Pinkertons, detecting and romance!But this mystery properly began a few weeks ago, with Daisy’s Aunt Lucy and Uncle Felix. They are the reason why we are at the Rue, and it is funny to think that we were sent here to keep us out of detective trouble. Now, Hazel, I have to tell you something important. I looked at that sign-in sheet and I believe I’ve seen who’s playing Juliet. Rose Tree! Not her real name, of course, a rather silly stage one – but she’s famous! She only left RADA last year, but all London’s going wild for her already. Bertie went to see her in Happy Families at the Lyric, and he raved about her in a letter. Ooh, and she’s got a fascinating past too. She lost her parents when she was only thirteen! Fancy, what bliss.’