I have enjoyed writing my first story and I am so grateful to everyone who has been reading it. There are a few more chapters to go before the next story starts. Each story is a year in Erik and Christine's life.
I truly do appreciate each review and any constructive recommendations to improve the story are always gratefully received.
I do not own anything by Gaston Leroux, Susan Kay or Andrew Lloyd Webber, everything else is my own work.
Carlotta's Crush and Erik's Woe!
It was early the following morning and the last few days of dress rehearsals before the gala performance of Norma, and Christine was frantically getting ready for the day ahead, Erik was waiting for Nadir to arrive before a visit he had put off for as long as he could; a trip to the de Chagny estate and the Synjohn-Smyth construction Whilst waiting for Nadir, Erik was conversing with Christine about the performance and trying not to complain too much about Carlotta singing the role of Adalgisa, but it was proving difficult; since it was the one opera Erik truly wanted to go well as he had long dreamed of hearing Christine in the title role.
"Really Erik!" Christine grumbled at him as she finished her morning tisane ready to sing, "One more complaint about Carlotta's singing and I mean one more and you will be either teaching Carlotta to sing to your liking, or I will be disposing of the preservative and sleeping in the guest room!"
Erik grimaced and shuddered either option was in his opinion, a fate worse than death, so he bit his tongue and gave his adamant wife a sickly grin, as she picked up her cup and took it into the kitchen. Nadir saved the day as he came into the sitting room. Erik sighed with relief and after popping into the kitchen to wish Christine well in her rehearsal, Erik and Nadir departed.
During the carriage ride to the site, Nadir could not help but notice Erik was pensive.
"A sou for your thoughts?" Nadir asked as Erik snapped out of his reverie and turned from the carriage window to look at him.
"I cannot find one redeeming feature about my wife's colleague and if I complain about her singing once more Christine is going to make me teach her to sing!" Erik declared miserably, Nadir sniggered,
"This would not happen to be a certain Senora Giordano perchance?" he asked,
"Yes," Erik replied.
"Oh," Nadir responded not entirely certain what to say next. The men sat in silence for the rest of the carriage ride.
ooo
On arriving at the estate, Erik and Nadir were greeted by a fractious Vicomte.
"Monsieur Erik!" Raoul cried out as Erik and Nadir got out of the carriage, "Thank heavens you have arrived, Mama Synjohn-Smyth is driving the master mason to distraction, please can you advise him on what to do!" Raoul declared as a harassed man almost ran over to them.
"Monsieur, you are the architect?" the man declared as Erik looked at him, "I am Gino, the master mason and I need your guidance," he finished as he nearly grabbed Erik by his jacket sleeve and beckoned him to the entrance of the newly built exterior of the house. As Erik surveyed the stonework he heard a high pitched yelling in English coming from what would be the salon.
"No, you idiot, I want the fireplace further down the wall! do you not understand?" Erik entered to find a lady looking like a blonde copy of his nemesis Carlotta standing with her hands on her hips about to continue shouting at a very scared apprentice mason.
Raoul followed close behind with Nadir, "Monsieur Erik please meet Mama Synjohn-Smyth," Raoul introduced his mother in law in English,
"Finally!" Mama Synjohn-Smyth declared, staring straight at Raoul "Where do you get these fools? I thought that a man with your breeding could at least be able to locate builders who knew what they are doing?" she huffed at Raoul who had at least the decency to look embarrassed, as she then turned to Erik, "You!" she declared, pointing her finger at Erik "must be the architect, I want the fire place further down the wall, I do not like it where it is!" she finished.
Erik; irritated by being pointed at, took a very deep breath, and Nadir shut his eyes and waited,
"Madame!" Erik snapped, "Desist with your complaining, the fire place stays where it is! Just as I designed it!" he declared as he turned to Raoul, and continued talking in English, "Monsieur Le Vicomte, can I suggest a gag for this lady, since she has no concept of architecture or manners!" Erik stated ensuring she heard every word as he then turned on his heel and with Mama Synjohn-Smyth; her eyes agog watching him, he strode out of the door.
Raoul and Nadir caught up with Erik back outside where he was briefing the Master mason, finishing with Gino, Erik turned to face Raoul, who had an expression approaching awed respect for his masked friend,
"I do not know how you did it?" Raoul started, "But she has asked me to apologise to you, on her behalf!" Raoul finished, shock ringing in his voice.
Erik turned to face Raoul, "I see, she will not apologise for her behaviour so she insists you do, even if she was the one at fault," Erik mused as he turned back to Gino, "The design stays as original, no changes at all, if Madame Synjohn-Smyth has an issue with that tell her she has to speak to me about it," Erik finished smoothly as Gino nodded and returned to work.
Erik rubbed his temples and sighed, "it is like dealing with another Carlotta, the only exception is that this one does not assault my ears with notes screeched, just whining complaints!"
"You are seriously comparing my mother in law with Carlotta Giordano?" Raoul exclaimed sniggering, "is she really that bad?" He finished as Erik looked him directly in the eye,
"Which one? Carlotta or your mother in law?" Erik asked.
Nadir coughed, "Erik we have another site to visit once you have finished here," Erik felt immense relief at the thoughtful rescue from Nadir,
"Of course, I forgot, thank you Nadir," Erik remarked as he held out his hand to Raoul, "The rest of the build will be finished shortly the crew are making splendid time on the project," Erik stated as he shook Raoul's hand and turned to leave. "All the best with the interior designers, and I shall see you later," Erik remarked as he and Nadir headed to the awaiting carriage and left.
ooo
Meanwhile back at the opera house, Christine had just come off stage from blocking her big aria Casta Diva, when a pensive looking Carlotta approached, followed closely by her husband,
"Err excuse me La Jardinier?" Carlotta said nervously as Christine looked at her, "Can I ask you something?" Christine managed to not let her jaw drop in shock, Carlotta was being not only polite but respectful?
Christine remembered her manners, "Please call me Christine," she told Carlotta, "Can I help you?" she asked as Carlotta looked at her husband, and took a deep breath,
"My husband thinks I need some additional tuition, and suggested I ask if your tutor would be willing to teach me?" Carlotta politely asked, "Please Christine?" Christine took a breath to hide her surprise, as Carlotta carried on, "I know you were once an item with that Phantom, but…"
Christine quickly interrupted her, "Excuse me, the Phantom never taught me, I have, ever since I was old enough to sing only ever been taught by my now husband Erik Jardinier… and! for the record, I was never an item of the Phantom's!" Christine haughtily stated, "Not that it is any of your business, but the Phantom was never my tutor or friend or anything else!" Christine continued, her annoyance clearly showing, "The Phantom had a fixation on me, that was not my doing, and just so you know I am as glad as anyone else that the Phantom has gone!" Christine added.
Carlotta looked curious, "but the Vicomte… that night?" she questioned.
Christine buried her rising anger and gave Carlotta a sickly smile, "The Vicomte de Chagny was and still is a family friend, he rescued me from the Phantom and that is all!"
"But!" Carlotta started but Christine shut her down,
"No buts, I fell in love with my vocal coach, and I kept him a secret because he is not a man who enjoys the limelight, his music is a passion he has had since he was a child… Now do you want me to ask my husband if he would tutor you or what!" Christine snapped; Carlotta's questions were getting awkward and Christine was getting uncomfortable.
Carlotta turned to her husband and he whispered firmly in her ear. "I am sorry for all the questions, and please Christine if you could ask your husband I would be most grateful." Carlotta finished. "Very well I shall ask him when I get home," Christine informed her.
And with both Carlotta and her husband Ettore, thanking her, Christine departed for her dressing room, in need of a tisane, before her next scene, getting inside she realised that she had left the bottle Erik had made up for her on the table by the couch back in the lake house, thank heavens it would not take long to dash down and get it. Looking at the clock in her dressing room Christine had an hour before she was next due on stage, so locking her door she opened the mirror and shutting it shot down to the house.
As she headed down to her home all Christine could think was 'Thank heavens Erik only ever taught me in the guise of the angel or as himself, I was not lying when I told Carlotta that the Phantom never taught me, Erik kept that persona only for me when I had upset him!' Christine thought as she opened the front door.
Arriving back at the lake house Erik was enjoying a cup of tea with Nadir when Christine came back into the house and picked a bottle off the side table before turning to the men,
"Erik, Nadir!" she said looking puzzled, "What are you both doing back here?" she asked,
"Erik needed a restoring cup of tea before we head out the next site visit," Nadir informed her,
"restoring tea! Why you only went to the de Chagny build briefly?" Christine asked all thoughts of asking Erik to teach Carlotta suddenly out of her head. Nadir sniggered,
we may have found a lady that drives Erik crazier than Carlotta Giordano," Nadir informed Christine as her eyes narrowed on her husband who was now looking nervous and pinned down by those blue eyes he had to sit there and pray Nadir kept his mouth shut.
However, Nadir forgot himself in the amusement of the story did not see the glare Erik was surreptitiously trying to give him as he finished explaining to Christine, "Erik earlier was saying to Raoul and myself that the only difference between Madame Synjohn-Smyth and Carlotta was that at least Madame Synjohn-Smyth does not screech arias at him!"
Christine placed her hands on her hips and glowered at Erik, "Oh, he did! Did he?" she asked.
Nadir, metaphorically felt his collar getting constricted as he suddenly remembered all too late about Erik telling him about Christine's threat.
"Now Angel!" Erik stuttered, trying to save his own neck, "I have not complained about Carlotta to you since you gave me the warning," he justified but Christine was having none of it,
"Erik for a genius you can be selectively forgetful at times, I told you one more complaint, and you will teach her to sing to your liking, I never at any point said that the threat was only valid if you only complained to me! Did I!" Christine pointed out.
Erik started cringing back in his chair at the horror that Nadir had inflicted on him, as Nadir started sweating, Erik was not going to let this go without punishment that was for certain; it was bad enough that he had dropped Erik right in it with Christine but Erik having to teach Carlotta… Nadir wondered if it would be safer to go back to Persia.
"Erik, I expect you to come up with a plan to fit in teaching time for Carlotta with your other commitments and have arrangements ready to start tomorrow evening. You have four days to bring her up to speed before the Gala!" Christine peevishly informed her stunned and shuddering husband.
Then turning on her heel and leaving the shell shocked men sitting silently staring in thin air, their tea going cold in their cups, as they contemplated their fates.
Erik found his voice first, as he turned to Nadir "You bloody great Booby! Thank you Daroga so much for dropping me right in it!"
"All I can say is sorry, what more can I do?" Nadir replied,
"Humm what more can you do?" Erik asked an evil glint in his eye. Nadir then had a vision of horror,
"No Erik… Please?" he begged, "Please do not make me chaperone your lessons with Carlotta!" Nadir pleaded.
Erik grinned malevolently, "Thank you for that suggestion Daroga!" he brightly declared, "I was going to suggest that you personally supervise the interior fittings of the Synjohn-Smyth House, but I agree chaperoning Carlotta's lessons would indeed be more fitting!"
Nadir hung his head in his hands and wished he had kept his mouth firmly shut.
ooo
With a little thought and Madame Giry's help, Erik had borrowed one of the practice rooms for the lessons, since he could not bring Carlotta to the lake house, and a small note written in blue ink, addressed to Carlotta giving her the date and room number was left in her dressing room ready for the following day,
ooo
That evening came all to quickly for Erik and as he and Nadir settled into the practise room, Carlotta snuck in hoping no one had seen her, spotting her new tutor and stared straight at Erik's mask nervously and whispered under her breath "the maniac ghost" before fully opening her mouth to speak.
Erik overheard her whisper and promptly interrupted, "Senora Giordano, I do not believe in ghosts, this was due to an accident several months ago with etching acid and nothing else, I have already been compared to a maniac twice today before you and I am in no mood for it, do you want these lessons or not!"
Nadir looked at Erik, "who compared you to a maniac? He asked,
"you have twice so far told me to quit pacing like a maniac, Erik retorted.
"Oh!" was Nadir's reply.
Carlotta looked at both men as if they had lost their minds, as Erik returned to the matter in hand.
"Senora Giordano, I believe that you requested these lessons? So, shall we start with vocalises and warmup exercises?" With that Erik launched into the first part of the lesson and promptly stopped after five notes had left the piano,
"You are meant to sing with the piano Senora!" he exclaimed, his ire rising,
Carlotta, stared at him, "I personally would like to know my tutor!" she remarked and before Erik could bark back a reply, Nadir interrupted, "I think that is a good idea," he prompted Erik, who glared back at him, huffed,
"Very well My name is Erik Jardinier and I am a musical genius, I have taught my wife's voice for many years," Erik stated waiting for Carlotta to say something, so he could get on with the lesson.
Carlotta thought for a moment, her brow creased with concentration, "How come I have never seen you at the opera house before tonight?" she asked, suspicion lacing her tone.
Erik replied his tone perfectly calm though for once he felt anything but, "I prefer the so called cheap seats and do not linger after the performance," he responded and before Carlotta could ask he fielded her next question, "I knew Madame Giry thorough her husband and so when she asked if I could take a singing pupil I agreed, that is how I met my wife years ago," Erik sighed, "any more questions or can we continue the lesson?"
Seemingly satisfied with his answers Carlotta smiled, though to Erik it looked more like a hungry tiger leering, "Lesson please,"
"Right can we start the warm ups properly this time?" Erik asked as his fingers landed back on the piano keys again.
ooo
As Erik and Nadir almost crawled back to the boat on the lake at the end of that first lesson, they both nursed nagging headaches, Erik was seriously considering if it would be really that bad being celibate for the rest of his marriage, and Nadir was wondering if he could ask Erik to just strangle him instead as punishment for dropping his masked friend in it rather than endure another singing lesson from hell.
"How on earth did she become the Prima Donna?" Nadir asked as Erik rowed the boat back across the lake.
Erik shuddered, "Do not go there just do not!" he declared emphatically, "I truly thought I had endured all the horrors of the world until tonight, seems that there are still more to face…" Erik grimaced "we and I do mean we have another three lessons to endure!"
"No Erik!" Nadir pleaded, "can you not show your friend some mercy? Just kill me and get it over with?"
Erik looked at his friend as he steered the boat to the dock, "I have gone through many hells alone, this time I think I shall keep your company with me," Erik replied, grinning, "Especially my dear Daroga, since you put me in this hell to begin with, you know they do say misery loves company!" he finished as he moored the boat and climbed out.
Nadir followed, both men walked into the lake house longing for a large stiff drink.
ooo
Christine was already in the sitting room fussing the cats when the men walked in Nadir sat down on the couch as Erik, went straight to the liquor cabinet and poured two large brandies before handing one to Nadir and sitting back in his reading chair. Christine looked up from the cats at the two frazzled men sipping their drinks appreciatively.
"How did the lesson go?" Christine asked,
Nadir shuddered, "Lesson?" He asked rhetorically, "It was an interesting time, I have to admit I was impressed, Erik only lost his temper and shouted at Carlotta twelve times in the entire lesson, and…"
Erik!" Christine barked making her husband jump, "Really losing your temper, is not going to get Carlotta to sing any better, can you not try to be nice for once, it is only four lessons for heavens sake!"
Erik looked uncomfortable, "Angel, she shouts when I correct her, she has the most dreadful vibrato, and she uses it on nearly every possible note, she could drill roads with that vibrato!" Erik pleaded, "I cannot be reasonably expected to keep calm when she is not!" Erik justified.
Christine was having none of it, "Erik you will be the consummate tutor for her, I know for a fact that she was looking forward to the lessons, since her husband thinks she could do with a little polishing on her upper register," Christine pointed out, "Can you not at least act a little more friendly, like you do when you teach me?" she asked reasonably,
Erik sighed, Very well, I shall try teaching her like I teach you," Erik told her,
Christine grinned. "Thank you," She smiled sweetly, and Erik could not help but grin back at her.
ooo
Back in Carlotta's home , her husband was waiting for her, "Bella Donna, how did your lesson go?" he asked,
"It would have been more pleasant, if the man was not such a conceited pig!" she declared as she strutted in tossing her hat on to the couch where it was fielded by her maid and whisked away.
"He spent the entire lesson shouting at me and making me do warm ups and scales!" Carlotta declared haughtily, as she threw herself into a chair by the fire. Ettore got up from where he was sitting and walked over to her,
"Bella Diva, show him some true Spanish charm, he probably is not used to a real woman," Ettore told her as he took her hands in his and kissed her.
ooo
Back at the lake house, Nadir had just finished his second brandy and was leaving to go home, Erik was staring into the flames still sitting in his reading chair, Christine having already gone to her room. "I am sure it will get better," Nadir said trying to sound hopeful,
ooo
Lesson two the following night, started with Carlotta arriving on time and smiling as she greeted Erik kissing both his masked cheeks and then Nadir, who received the same. As Carlotta took her place in the bow of the piano both men sat bashful and stunned. Erik was the first to break the silence,
"It is lovely to see you as well Senora Giordano," he responded uncomfortably then cleared his throat, "Right we shall start with warm ups and vocalises and then move on to Adalgisa's aria with Pollione, 'Veni in Roma' I shall sing the role of Pollione, since our chaperone does not speak a word of Italian."
ooo
The moment Erik lost himself in the music and then opened his mouth to sing the passionate pleading love captured within Pollione's part in the aria, Carlotta was entranced, she could almost believe that Erik was imploring her to be with him rather than just singing the other half of the aria he was tutoring her in. His voice was divine and made her a little hot under the collar. When the aria was finished, Erik; who was oblivious to the now blushing former diva's change in attitude, gave her instruction to improve certain aspects of the piece and they moved on.
ooo
After the third run through of the aria the lesson finished, and Carlotta was in the throws of a serious crush on her tutor. Erik was so focused on being nice despite his hatred for her that he failed to notice the cues from Carlotta, however Nadir did not miss a thing and grinning to himself decided to accidently on purpose not warn his friend of Carlotta's newly developing infatuation.
ooo
On the dock by lake house, Erik turned to his friend, "She seemed a lot more pleasant to deal with tonight," he casually remarked as he tied the boat up.
"Yes," Nadir replied thoughtfully, at least you have managed to stop her using her vibrato so much," he finished as Erik opened the door and both men walked in.
Christine greeted both men and settled down with some needle work, "A drink old friend?" Erik asked as they entered the sitting room,
"Tea if you would be so kind," Nadir replied, and he turned to Christine as Erik made his way into the kitchen,
"You might have a rival for Erik's attentions," Nadir declared as Christine stopped what she was doing and stared at him,
"Pardon?" she asked,
"Erik's voice this time has done him no favours, it seems he has enchanted Carlotta without realising it," Nadir explained, "He was so busy remembering to be nice to her as you asked, that he did not pick up on the clues that she had become enamoured,"
"Oh, no!" Christine giggled, "Erik hates her with a burning vengeance," she said sniggering, "he will have an apoplectic fit if she tries to make a play for him," Christine continued, "this I have got to see!" she finished as Erik came back into the sitting room with tea for three.
"What have you got to see, Angel?" Erik asked as he placed the tray on the table by the couch,
"I would like to see your next lesson with Carlotta, without her knowing I am there, please," Christine asked innocently.
"Very well," Erik replied, there is a viewing section behind the mirror in that practise room, we shall settle you in there before she arrives tomorrow night." Erik explained as he handed her a cup of tea.
ooo
The following evening, with Christine comfortably ensconced behind the mirror, Nadir and Erik awaited Carlotta's arrival. With her usual flourish, and a thick coating of rouge on her lips, Erik's student arrived, however before she could kiss him this time, Erik politely directed her to the bow of the piano, eager to start the lesson.
ooo
As the lesson finished, Carlotta had been whipped into a frenzy by Erik's voice. At that point Nadir had to visit the men's facilities and left Erik seemingly unattended with his female nemesis. He was giving Carlotta some final instructions for at home practise when she left her position in the bow of the piano and coyly smiling sidled up to him as he remained sitting on the piano bench. The hairs on the back of Erik's neck stood to attention and his intuition was screaming at him. As Carlotta fluttered her eye lashes, Erik slowly shifted his weight, so he was ready to run, he was not sure what was going on, but intuition told him that he would not like it.
Carlotta inched closer and leaned over, Erik nearly gagged, she was drenched in perfume and he noticed to his horror her dress was low cut, but worse was yet to come…
He was slowly sliding across his piano bench away from Carlotta and had not remembered that there was only a limited length of bench, as she kept getting closer,
"Maestro," Carlotta purred dangerously, "You are such a passionate man, let me weave my charms on you." She seductively declared and removed her stole and hat, dropping them on the floor as Erik suddenly ran out of piano bench.
Sweating profusely with pure panic racing through his veins, Erik was trapped. "Dear lady," Erik started to placate her, "There are better places for charm weaving than a piano bench," Erik continued, sweat now pouring off him in fear, as he tried to stand up.
Unfortunately, he had not noticed that as he had slid along the bench he had knocked his cloak on the floor, a mistake he realised too late as trying to get up he got his feet tangled in it and fell over landing flat on his back on the floor.
"Why my passionate tutor, of course the floor of all places, a wild place to make our music!" Carlotta declared her eyes alight with lust, as she licked her lips lasciviously and leapt at Erik landing right on top of him.
Erik could not even scream; his fear was so profound, as Carlotta pinned him to the floor and one of her hands headed to his trousers, he was frozen like a statue, only snapping into flight mode when Carlotta undid the first trouser button as she brought her heavily rouged lips towards his and made to kiss him.
Her lips just caught the side of his and slid across his jaw as he quickly turned his head to the side,
"No, No!" Erik almost screamed like a scared girl "I am Married, I am Married, I am Married!" struggling valiantly he managed to wiggle out from beneath his femme fatal and quickly found his feet.
However, Erik in his panic forgot about his escape routes and so ran like a scared rabbit for the door of the practise room and slamming it behind him scarpered for the nearest safe place…
"Por vor con Dios!" Carlotta snapped, "I nearly had him!" she hmphed dramatically and picking up her hat and stole, drew the only conclusion she could, "He is clearly not a real man, if he could not handle me!" she declared as frustrated she stormed out of the room and left the opera house.
Nadir was washing his hands in the gentlemen's facilities when a black shape shot in, a long-fingered hand rapidly extended from the shape and dropped a sou in the lock on a water closet cubicle door and shot through it. The door slammed shut and started to rattle as if the person behind it was holding it fast and shaking violently. Nadir watched fascinated until curiosity got the better of him,
"Erik is that you?" Nadir asked the quaking door,
"Shush, not so loud," Erik whispered, "Has she gone?" he asked nervously,
Nadir was bemused, "Has who gone?" he asked back,
"That wretched harpy!" came Erik's reply. Nadir looked around,
"Well I do not see her here in the men's room," he remarked.
A few seconds later a lock clicked open and a very dishevelled Erik opened the water closet door and breathing heavily cautiously came out, even though his mask and wig remained in place, he was a sight, his jacket, waistcoat and bow tie were askew, trousers were partially unbuttoned, his shirt was untucked at the front and the right side of his mouth, jaw and mask carried an enormous smeared pair of lips printed in deep red rouge. He was wild eyed and shaking.
Nadir stood open mouthed at the state of his friend, "What on earth happened to you?" he asked, as Erik, his dignity just about holding on, weakly leaned on the nearest sink.
"Where were you? I was nearly mortally ravaged by a sex crazed student!" Erik informed him scowling, before he tucked his shirt back in and buttoned up his trousers, his hands still shaking.
Nadir tried valiantly to hold in his laughter and failed dismally, "I needed the facilities!" Nadir pointed out as he studied his shaken friend "You look absolutely terrified," he remarked between laughs, Erik's scowl turned to a burning glower as Nadir carried on, "Remarkable, after all the horrific terrors you have faced fearlessly, you are scared of a Spanish soprano?" Nadir continued laughing,
"You would not be laughing if you had been the one pinned to the floor by her!" Erik declared indignantly.
Suddenly a gentle knock came at the door to the facilities and Erik dug another sou out of his pocket and shot back into the water closet cubicle as Nadir went to open the door.
"Erik you can come out, it is your wife!" Nadir called. Erik opened the door and saw Christine, he could clearly see the tracks of her tears, as she too tried not to laugh,
"Et tu Christine?" Erik asked as Christine broke down and had to sit on the floor and hold her sides, the tears pouring anew from her eyes, as she roared with laughter
"I am sorry Erik, but that was not what I was expecting, when Nadir told me that Carlotta had developed a crush on you!" she said getting her laughter under control,
"What?" Erik demanded, his dignity and anger reappearing as he rounded on Nadir, "You knew, and you never told me? Some friend and chaperone you are!" Erik growled.
Nadir had a sinking feeling that he had just added another reason for Erik to get his own back and tried to lessen the effect. "Yes, I did notice last night she had become enamoured of your voice, but I truly did not think she would be that veracious," he stated, "I needed the bathroom and then suddenly I hear someone screaming No, I thought for a moment it was you strangling Carlotta, that is why I did not come to your aid!" Nadir justified, "The next thing I noticed was when you shot in here and hid in the water closet cubicle," He finished lamely.
Christine was staring at Erik's mask, "Erik, does lip rouge come off leather?" she enquired,
"No," Erik answered her, "and even if it did, it does not matter as all the clothes I am wearing and the mask are going on the fire when we get back and I am taking a long soak in the bath," Erik stated as he turned to Nadir, "Please believe me my dear Daroga, when I say you are definitely going to regret not warning me about her, one of these days!"
Then Erik grabbed Nadir by his jacket shoulder, "your first act of atonement, is to check the route back to Christine's dressing room to ensure it is Carlotta free!" Erik commanded as he opened the facilities door with one hand and shoved Nadir into the corridor with the other.
ooo
Safely back at the Lake house, Erik did indeed burn the mask and all the clothing he wore that night, and sat soaking in his bath, scrubbing every part of his body until it was pink. Nadir and Christine sat drinking tea in the sitting room,
"I truly never thought she would do that!" Nadir said to Christine,
"I think based on tonight, I shall inform Carlotta that the last lesson is cancelled," Christine responded, "and I shall let Erik off after all he has been through," she finished,
"You are going to cancel the last lesson?" Nadir repeated,
"Yes, for health and safety reasons," Christine informed him,
Nadir was puzzled, "Health and safety?"
Yes, Erik's health and your safety," came Christine's reply as she stood up and turned towards the bedroom to check on Erik.
"I really am going to regret this am I not?" Nadir enquired morosely,
"I would not worry if I were you," Christine cheerfully informed the now depressed Daroga, "You will still be alive after Erik has had his revenge!" she pointed out as she headed into the bedroom leaving Nadir finishing his tea alone in the sitting room.
"That is what I am worried about!" remarked Nadir to himself.