The Diva's Daughter
Chapter One. New York
The performance had been long and tiring. Anna threw off her shoes and collapsed onto the bed. These audiences were tough, it had been different when she'd been a child, travelling with her mother across continents, the people were always so polite and welcoming. Not now. Now they were demanding and hungry for more. Of course, Anna had been performing in less than reputable establishments since the death of her mother two years ago. That and the prospect of war tended to put a dampener on things. Still, she was comfortable and she could be doing worse things to make a living.
She had just closed her eyes when the door burst open and her dance partner flew in, a huge grin spread across his face. He slapped her leg affectionately.
"Anna, you're brilliant. That was the best performance I've ever seen you do – amazing!"
Anna smiled; anyone would think they were performing in some grand West End theatre instead of some flea bitten dive in New York.
"Thanks." She said, closing her eyes again, hoping that would be the end of the conversation.
"But I still think we need to work on that lift."
She groaned and opened one eye.
"Now Tom?"
He grinned at her.
"No better time, while the performance is still in your head."
Anna gritted her teeth as Tom pulled her up and dragged her out into the courtyard beyond her room. They worked until Anna could barely feel her legs, finally Tom's energy subsided and he finally retreated to his own room. Anna all but collapsed on a nearby scenery box and closed her eyes for the second time that night without much success. A mug was placed into her hands, she opened her eyes and looked up at the man before her.
"Drink it, look like you need it." The gruff voice said, as he sat next to her.
She sipped the concoction he had given her and winced.
"Brandy?" She said, scrunching up her tiny nose. The man laughed.
"Just a touch won't kill ya."
She smiled.
"Thanks Al." She drank gratefully and coughed. Al laughed gently and put a finger to his lips.
"Ssh, they catch me plying young girls with brandy and I'll be out of 'ere so fast me feet won't touch the ground."
She smiled and patted his hand,
"They wouldn't do that to you Al, you're too valuable."
His grey eyes stared at her and she shivered.
"Gone cold tonight."She gazed at the twinkling stars above her and sighed.
"Thinking about your mum?"
That shocked her. How could he know? Then Al always seemed to know things other people didn't.
"Mmmm, I miss her."
She could have sworn she heard him say 'Me too' but it was so subtle she couldn't be sure.
"What are you doing here Al?" She asked, relaxing back into the box and wrapping her hands around the mug, even though the contents were cold.
He raised an eyebrow at her;
"What is anyone doing anywhere? Trying to earn a living."
"You could earn a living anywhere, mechanics are in great demand nowadays. Why here, why New York?"
"It's a big city, teeming with life. A starting place."
"A starting place for what?"
He smiled and slapped her knee gently.
"You ask too many questions my girl."
Anna shrugged.
"Must be a trait I get from my mother, this insatiable curiosity."
Al's eyes dimmed for a moment and he didn't smile. it always amazed Anna how it affected Al when she talked of her mother. Maybe he had lost someone too, the man was such a riddle...
"You should get to bed, it's been a long night."
Anna sighed and murmured her agreement.
"You don't want to let that Tom take advantage of you, working you all hours." Al continued, helping her to her feet.
"No, I won't, he just wants to get the act right. You know, move us on to bigger and better things." Anna spread her arms and did a mock curtsey.
" You're destined for big things Anna, but don't let yourself be pushed until you're ready to go."
Al put a long arm around her shoulders and Anna rested her head on his chest. He smelt of tobacco and brandy, she breathed it in and allowed herself to relax. They stood that way for a while.
"You'll never leave me will you Al."
Al bent down and kissed Anna's hair.
"I'll be here for as long as you need me."
Anna gazed up at him in adoration.
"Promise?"
Al smiled and stroked her cheek with his finger.
"Promise. Now get to bed."
She smiled beautifully at him and disappeared through the door. Al remained until her light switched off and then he disappeared into the dark, unaware that in the shadows a man watched and waited...
Reviews always welcome, if anyone wants to be a Beta reader let me know! As always I hope you enjoy my work :0)