PART 26 – RETIREMENT
Madame Giry almost felt reluctant to tap on Lefevre's door, knowing that she was bringing him more bad news.
"Come in" she heard his voice beckon and walked in.
As soon as he saw the perplexed look on her face, he rolled his eyes and immediately went to the cabinet where he kept the whisky. Swiftly pouring them both a drink, he looked back at Madame Giry and handed her the glass.
"No thank you monsieur. I do not drink this early, its nine in the morning"
"Very well" he took the glass off her, sat down and took a sip from his own glass "What has the swine done now?"
"Nothing" Madame Giry sighed "At least……not yet"
"More demands?" Lefevre questioned
"Its best if you just read it yourself" she handed him the note with dread, wishing she didn't have to.
Slowly, Lefevre read the note out aloud
"Monsieur Lefevre
I have sent you a note regarding La Carlotta's role in the Opera Populaire and as far as I have observed, you have not taken any steps to comply with my demands. I suggest you rethink before any more accidents occur.
Being vigilant will not help you, only compliance with my instructions will ensure your safety and everyone else's.
I suggest you start searching for the company's hidden talent, which will benefit you and the public who have been forced to endure Carlotta's dreadful voice for way too long now.
O.G."
When he had finished the note, he placed it on the desk and produced a cigar from his drawer. He lit it and a mild smile played on his lips as he started to smoke.
"Has Carlotta seen this?" He knew of the prima donna's temperament and that something like this would have enraged her.
"Yes, I received it just after the meeting yesterday and she forced me to read it out to everybody" A smirk forced its way onto her face "She wasn't amused"
"I bet" Lefevre nodded
"What are we going to do?" Madame Giry questioned, all seriousness returning to the matter "Are you going to comply with his demand?"
"Oh Ann I am getting way too old for this!" he sighed wearily
"Nonsense!" Madame Giry frowned "You have done a fine job of running this opera house"
"I fear for people's lives if I don't comply with the Phantom's demands" Lefevre shook his head "I cannot have that responsibility on my shoulders"
"So you are going to replace Carlotta?" Madame Giry felt a mixture of emotions. Relief that this may soon be over if Erik's instructions were followed and disappointment that Lefevre was giving in so easily, it wasn't in his usual nature to be so weak.
"No, my pride will not allow him to win this final battle" he confirmed "I cannot let him have his own way over this, my pride will not allow it"
"I didn't think it would" she sighed "So what are you going to do?"
"Nothing, absolutely nothing"
Lefevre leaned back in his chair and smoked contentedly on his cigar, the smile returning to his lips.
"Do you remember that night at the Bistro, when you were there celebrating young Christine's birthday?" he spoke excitedly
"Yes Chamleau" she nodded "You were with a beautiful young lady as I recall"
"Yes I was" his smile broadened "Her name is Rose, she comes from England"
"England? How did you meet her?" Ann felt they were drifting from the point but she was curious about the beautiful woman he had seemed so captivated with that night at the Bistro.
"I had been to the Belvedere Opera House a few months ago to watch their production of Carmen" he explained "The Opera House is quite new so I wanted to see it for myself after hearing such marvellous reviews about the place"
His whisky, was moved away, clearly forgotten for the time being as Lefevre excitedly continued his story.
"The opera house was beautiful, it really was Ann but sitting a few seats away from me, I found something more beautiful than anything I had ever seen in my entire life"
"Rose?" Madame Giry smiled
"Yes Rose, my darling sweet Rose" he produced a picture of her from his pocket and smiled proudly "She is most wonderful isn't she"
"She is" Madame Giry couldn't deny as she gazed down upon the smooth, face of his love "But Chamleau, I don't mean to sound……well……erm isn't she a bit….."
"Young?" he finished for her "Yes, she is Ann, she is. Twenty to be exact, twenty years my junior. Do you think I am a fool?"
"No, of course not" Madame Giry handed him back the picture
"She has agreed to marry me" his eyes lit up with glee
"Oh Chamleau I am so pleased for you" Madame Giry clasped her hands together for joy.
She hadn't seen him look so happy for years. The death of his wife had hit him hard and for a while after, he had looked so lost and so sad and Madame Giry had doubted he would ever want to love again. This really was the most splendid news.
"But…" he interrupted "There is a condition"
"Ah" Madame Giry anticipated "What is the condition?"
"I have to move to England" he sighed "Her father was, naturally concerned about his daughter falling in love with someone his own age and wanted to make sure she would be well cared for and looked after"
"You're leaving?" Madame Giry's happiness quickly turned to shock as she let the news sink in
"Yes" he nodded sadly "I feel awfully sad to leave this place but if that is what it takes to prove my sincerity to her father, then that is what I will do"
"Well….." Madame Giry was finding this hard to take. One of her oldest friends, moving overseas "Do you even like England?"
"I love it" he smiled "It is the most beautiful country and I will have my Rose, what more could I want?"
"What are we going to do without you?" she frowned
Madame Giry would really miss Lefevre. After all, it had been he who had made her ballet mistress, all those 15 years ago. He hadn't been the manager of the Opera Populaire very long when he had noticed her helping some of the younger ballerinas practise their dancing and insisted that she be the one to replace the current ballet mistress who was on the verge of retirement. Initially, she had been hesitant, being only 20 herself but the young manager had reassured her with his confidence in her ability. Of course, she had a newborn Meg to look after at that time, but her husband had made sure that she could manage the two with no difficulty.
"I have already found two new managers" Lefevre stumped his cigar out " Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Giles Andre"
"How long have you been planning this?" Madame Giry felt slightly hurt by the fact that he hadn't confided in her about this
"I have been considering retirement ever since this opera ghost nonsense started but when I met Rose…" he smile "she gave me the courage to finally do it and start a new life"
"I am happy for you, of course I am, but I have to ask…" Madame Giry frowned curiously "What kind of people are you leaving us with? What are these new managers like?"
"Ah" Lefevre smirked knowingly.
He knew that Madame Giry did not tolerate fools easily and that she would instantly disapprove of his selection to take over his reins at the Opera Populaire. As nice and good natured as they seemed to be, they did seem rather clueless. They had just somehow, acquired a vast sum of money in the junk business which had meant they were able to instantly hand over the cash in exchange for the Opera House. They seemed to want good things for the Opera Populaire and Lefevre hadn't questioned them further, he had just wanted to organise a quick takeover so that he could begin his new life, away from the Opera Ghost. Let them deal with it!
"What do you mean by ah?" Madame Giry questioned
"I don't really know much about them but they seem nice enough" he smiled "And I hope I can trust you to help them if they need your assistance at all"
"Of course I will" Madame Giry nodded "If I can"
"This will be my address" he handed a piece of paper over to her and smiled broadly "I strongly advise that you keep in touch Ann"
"I will" Madame Giry smiled and sighed "So when is this all happening?"
"In a few weeks" Lefevre confirmed "I am planning to spend some time there getting to know her family before we start to make proper arrangements for the wedding which of course you will be invited to"
"Thank you Chamleau, if I am able to I will attend" she got up from the chair "But right now I must go or I will be late for the rehearsal and the girls will never let me forget it!"
"Ah yes of course, business as usual" Lefevre chuckled as he watched her leave the office.
She would be one of the things he would miss most about this place but as he looked down and caught sight of the Phantom's note, he realised that there were some things he would not miss at all.