Kitty and Ada- Short Stories.

3. The Letter

There was nothing I enjoyed more than a visit to the music hall on a Friday evening. I always felt so carefree and relaxed whenever Ada and I attended one and though we'd not been to the theatre in several months, it hardly felt like we'd left and I had relished in the weekend trip Ada and I had taken to London's West End. I felt so happy to be young and in great company and as we sat in our seats, I found myself fidgeting in excitement.

The show was full of variety and I imagined myself acting on stage. I'd always wanted to be a performer and I think I'd have been good at it, after all I loved to show-off and was great at putting on disguises and voices. I looked over to Ada and she was smiling at me, nodding along as though reading my mind. I put on the Christmas show every year for family and friends and I knew she sensed exactly what I was daydreaming about. I guessed she'd be less impressed at the image I had of the two of us as showgirls!

And with her amused expression a sudden change occurred, a change that took the smile from her lips and replaced it with blankness. She stared ahead at the stage but was not reacting to the performers. Was she being contacted? She had a familiar pale face and stare. But she hadn't received any messages in months and we'd started to consider it wasn't going to happen again. I admit I had been disappointed. I wasn't sure how she felt on the matter though. Was this another spirit trying to get through, who needed her help?

I asked her as much as soon as we entered the foyer after the show and she tried to discuss the message with me discreetly as we dodged past theatre-goers and staff. I strained to hear her over the sound of chatter, glasses clinking at the bar, and laughter from a woman who clearly liked to be centre of attention.

"I can't hear myself think," Ada said, so not before long we manoeuvred our way past crowds of people and made our way outside to fetch a hansom cab to escort us back to our hotel.

"Talk about hullaballoo!" I said excitedly. Crowds had never bothered me but I could see Ada's face was red with anxiety and her usually rigid, unmoving hair, had come loose- some curls falling onto her cheeks.

"Are you alright?" I said and I was just about to take her arm when a tall, handsome gentleman assisted her instead, leading her to a nearby bench.

"Are you quite well?" he asked her.

"I will be if I can sit for a moment. It's awfully kind of you to attend to me."

He smiled. "It's my pleasure."

I confess some peculiar feelings of jealousy swept over me at that moment as I saw Ada smile at him.

"You seem familiar," I said, "are you famous?"

"Kitty!"

The man nodded. "That's quite alright, I suppose the young lady is correct. I am known, it is true. I'm in politics. My name is Lord William Atkinson. I have some considerable standing in Kent and the South East."

"Oh yes of course. I've seen your photograph in the newspapers. You open new buildings and things," I said.

"It's nice to be recognised." He peered down at Ada. "And are you well enough for me to leave you to the assistance of your curious friend?"

Ada insisted she was well and we watched as he walked away, his cape swishing behind him as he disappeared into the night.

"What a nice gentleman," Ada said.

"He was trying to charm you. I didn't like him. Seemed a bit too perfect."

"Honestly, Kitty, only you seem to find people too nice, too perfect, too handsome. He's a Lord and gentleman."