Stars Shine Bright in London's Eye
Chapter 28


There was a warm breeze which swept through the English villages providing as an indicator that Spring was well and truly upon them. The sun sparkled through the thin haze of clouds and the green fields looked picturesque juxtaposing the dull, grey urban scenery of inner London which hung far in the distance.

Ivy was making the most of the beautiful weather wearing only a light jacket over her pale pink halter neck blouse and white jeans as she stood at the doorstep of Houston and Levitt's cottage. After knocking just once Tom opened the door with a large grin plastered over his face.

"Ivy!" he cried pulling her into a tight hug before allowing her into the house. "Thanks for doing this for us. I know you have rehearsals, and Scarlett, and wedding plans..."

"No it's fine. I wasn't needed at rehearsal, Scarlett is at Derek's Mom's, and the wedding plans can be put on hold for today. This is important," she smiled, following him into the living room where Julia was sat, her thick rimmed glasses perched on the edge of her nose as she was reading over her notes. In the corner besides the large piano was a microphone and the necessary computing equipment for recording. They had done this so many times it was second nature to them now. Ivy's heart gave a twinge thinking back to the last time she had voiced a song for them, Never Give All the Heart, back when she had dreams of being Marilyn. She couldn't get her hopes up about being Daisy too, it was just too soon. She hadn't even been Velma Kelly yet.

"Ok, so this song is going to be Daisy's Lament in a way, her goodbye to the show," Julia began as they sat down around her. "Her emotions are conflicted between Gatsby and her husband Tom. She has just killed Myrtle in the car accident and she doesn't know where her life is headed."

Ivy nodded listening to each of Julia's words intently, she had read The Great Gatsby several times in her life and understood the character of Daisy fairly well but she wanted to get it perfect. After all, she would be the first person to ever voice her character. It was different to Marilyn; she was a real person whom she could watch, listen to, and read about. Daisy was just words on a page. Though, that did mean more creativity on her part.

"I've been practising using the notes and lyrics Tom sent me, have there been any changes?" She asked taking her folder of paper out of her bag.

The composer shook his head, "I think you're ok, shall we have a quick run through before we try recording it?"

Flashing him an enthusiastic smile, Ivy nodded up at him. She needed to show how much she wanted this. She wanted Daisy to be her next Broadway role.

Tom moved in front of the piano and softly began playing the introductory melody before Ivy's cue. Julia couldn't help but look up from her notepad and smile at hearing their song being sung by Ivy's angelic, but powerful, voice. The song started sad and soft, Daisy's regret for what she had done. In the text, Fitzgerald had portrayed her as superficial and shallow with a disregard for Gatsby's love or her husband's feelings. Upon writing the song and the book surrounding it, Julia had envisioned Daisy on a much deeper level, torn by the hurt of Gatsby leaving initially, forced into a loveless marriage, and burdened with the responsibility of motherhood whilst still so young and wishing to experience the world. She felt many women could relate to at least one of those emotional struggles, she knew she had. Then by the final verse Ivy's voice was at full strength, belting out how she was finished with New York and its temptations, and she was finished loving The Great Gatsby. Before finishing softly again, expressing she just wanted to be safe and secure and that was where she was headed.

Julia hadn't realised her cheeks were wet with tears when Tom lifted his hand from the keys. She simply gaped at them as she was unable to voice her opinions.

"Good gracious!" Exclaimed Tom dramatically, "you have made Julia Houston speechless! Someone give this girl the Tony now!"

"That was beautiful Ivy," she said finally, removing her glasses to dab her eyes and attempt to dry away the tears.

She smiled graciously in response as her heart swelled with pride. The ability to induce such emotions was her favourite part of performing, "thank you"

"Well I didn't hear any fault in that, you completely understood the tone and the emotion of the piece," Tom told her encouragingly, "I'd be happy to record it like that, what do you think Julia?"

"I completely agree. You connected with her, with her emotional conflict to stay and live the wild, unpredictable lifestyle with Gatsby or to take a risk to be safe and protected escaping that world with her husband."

Ivy gave a slight shrug, "it's easy to understand her position." She had put herself in the emotional position she had felt herself prior to leaving to London. For her, New York was familiar, just like Daisy, it was all she had ever known; but, her safety was with Derek and Scarlett. She had chosen to escape with them to the unknown, and although they'd had a particularly rough start, their lives seemed to be at a fairly consistent high at the moment.

"Right then!" Tom cried with smile, "let's record our Daisy!"


"Ok, that's a wrap on rehearsals for today," called Derek as the music stopped. He had spent the entire day trying to work on Roxie scenes whilst Ivy was away but Karen was clearly still distracted. He was getting tired of yelling at her, and nothing seemed to be working. He could see her as his Roxie but for once she was not responding well to his artistic vision.

"Karen, can I have a word?" He asked leaning against the edge of the table. She looked up from where she had been crouched over her bag, her heart beat a little faster as she walked over to meet him.

"What's up?" She tried to remain calm, she didn't know whether he was going to reprimand her for her behaviour. She was already constructing her answer in her mind: she was sorry for being not being focused and she'll work harder next time. It was weak but it should work.

"Have you got time to stay for a bit after this? I'd like to go over some of your parts without distractions."

Karen nodded slowly, it had been a long time since her and Derek had been alone together. What would Ivy think? That didn't matter, it was a completely innocent rehearsal. Wasn't it?

Once the last trickle of ensemble members had finally left the hall it was just the two of them. Karen didn't know why she felt slightly on edge.

"Let's go over your first number, Funny Honey. The choreography with Jack didn't seem to work today, was that his fault or yours?" Asked Derek, walking towards her.

"I think it might have been me," she admitted quietly. No matter how hard she tried to push her feelings for Jack away they kept returning. In that particular number it was the only time they were dancing around the stage together; and she could not help but go rigid in his arms, trying to convince herself not to be attracted to him.

Derek nodded and held out his hands, "well we better practice then."

He pressed play on the remote and the music flowed through the speakers. Karen felt able to move easily in his arms, there was no barrier. It felt comfortable, familiar even, perhaps too comfortable. He spun her quickly and dipped her before he paused at the moment when Amos realises that Roxie had been cheating on him, in the choreography Jack was supposed to drop her but Derek kept hold of her. They lingered a moment, he looked down at her before easing her back up and pausing the music.

Karen broke away from him and took a seat at the edge of the room, she pushed her hands through her hair. Derek sat down beside her as she caught her breath. "That was perfect, where was that Roxie this afternoon?"

She shrugged, not meeting his gaze.

"I know you've been distracted," he pressed, continuing to look at her with his direct intensity, "I also know about Andrew. I can let him go if he makes you feel uncomfortable-"

"-No. You don't have to do that, he's really good in this show. He shouldn't be fired because of a couple of stupid drunken mistakes," replied Karen, there was a sadness to her tone.

Derek placed his hand on her shoulder, "you have so much potential in this show, don't let your emotions get the better of you. Utilise them to make you a stronger performer."

Finally, she looked up and met his eyes, "why do I feel like we're back in Boston again? Except this time, I haven't been cheated on, I'm just being stupid…"

"Listen, it's tough what you've done moving over here on your own. You're a lot braver than me, Ivy, Tom, Julia, or anyone. We all had someone with us, some sort of support network, but you left yours behind to follow your dream. That's admirable Karen, and I personally appreciate you following my whim in order to be in this show," he expressed, his honesty surprised her.

She paused, attempting to blink away her tears, she needed to be stronger than that. But then she looked into his dark, intense eyes and she thought of all that she was missing, all that he had, and all that she wanted. Before Karen could stop herself, she acted before thinking, and grabbed Derek's face and kissed him fully for a few seconds until realising what she'd done.

He simply stared back at her, eyes widened slightly in confusion.

"Oh my God… I am so sorry!" She cried, humiliated by her actions standing up to collect her bag, she wished to disappear as soon as possible.

"Karen wait..." called Derek grabbing her arm to prevent her from leaving. "I understand, Jimmy's not here, and yeah maybe I once wanted you to kiss me like that, but I love Ivy and we're going to get married..."

"I know!" She snapped, angry at herself for making another stupid mistake. She couldn't even look at him, how would she be able to face rehearsals again?

"I'm so sorry Derek," she repeated before she was able to shake his grasp and head for the door. She could not bear the embarrassment any longer.

In the empty rehearsal hall Derek sat in the dark contemplating his next move. They were just a few months away from opening night and one of his stars was in the middle of an emotional crisis, which now involved not only his two male leads, but also himself. On top of that, he had promised Ivy that there would be no secrets between them, so he was going to think of the most careful way to breach the fact her co-star, and once enemy, had kissed him. That was not a conversation he was looking forward to having, he could not see her taking it well.

His show was quickly turning into a train wreck and it wasn't even May.