Spring had finally arrived. The smog would still linger each morning, but it took less time for the sun to burn through, and when it did the parks dotted in and around the city were beautiful.

Unlike his compatriots Richard Firmin didn't have an inherent dislike for the English weather; London itself was quite dreary on a rainy day or when the smog was thick, but it wasn't too dissimilar to other European capitals. Quite often Gilles would enter their office and attempt to discuss the weather, like the proper English gentleman he wad becoming, but Richard had little time for such trivalities. It wasn't like they didn't have rain, smog or sunshine in France - the frequency inwhich the English discussed it you'd believe the weather was the most interesting thing to occur everyday.

Once a week he would travel to Bloomsbury and be collected by a cab.The driver was always the same and obviously well paid, and the length of their ride would vary between ten and sixty minutes, depending on the nature of their conversation. The last few meetings had ended with terse words and veiled threats, soley due to the slow moving nature of their plan. What annoyed Richard the most was the Foweger Comtess' inability to see that she was the person hindering their progress.

Since the break in Destler's and Giry's engagement Gilles had become increasingly cagey about anything relating to the Victome de Chagny and his family. Richard considered Gilles apparent friendship with the Vicomte as an impediment to their scheme, especially since he had voiced his displeasure at his hope the Opera Ghost, who was now in their employ, would create a drama involving the Vicomtess.

The Doweger spoke as soon as Richard entered the carriage, "You assured me I would be rid of that woman by now"

"I assumed Destler would have acted by now, but he seems more focused on the orchestrations than anything else", he spoke with a roll of his eyes

"I paid you to rid me of that woman. But she still lingers around my son, sullying my good family name. You need to fix this Monsieur Firmin, otherwise I will ruin you".

--xxx--

Firmin was not sure about what to do. It had been over three months since the Opera Ghost had accepted the commion and he had beem certain that he would have interferred in the Vicomtess de Chagny's life by now. When the Destler/Giry relationship ended Richard had assumed it was due to Destler's infatuation with the Vicomtess, or at least his desire to pursue her, but as weeks passed there seemed to be no movement on that matter. He needed for force Destler's hand.

--xxx--

Chaos had engulfed the auditorium when Firmin announced that Lucy had left the company. He had decided that the easiest way to make the plan progress was to create the need for a new soprono. He assumed that Destler would act quickly and would use his powers of persuasion to encourage the Vicomtess to sing. Furthermore he concluded that the Vicomte, who was eager for the money he believed he was due, would eventually succumb and allow his wife to sing. Either way, the Doweger would get her wish and most likely claim her daughter-in-law had been having a long-term affair with Erik Destler and therefore the marriage could be annulled.

--xxx--

Following Firmin's announcement Erik couldn't believe his luck. At his bequest there had been no understudy for Lucy's role as he had planned to encourage the qoman to step aside qhen he felt Christine was ready to accept her destiny by his side. With her resignation he wouldn't need to 'coax' - for a lack of a better word - the soprano from singing. He immediately began to plan how he would approach Christine to convince her; if needed he would result to hypnosis, but he really hoped their relationship had moved beyond the need for such tricks.

He announced that he was cancelling rehersals for the next two days to allow him time to find a replacement for Lucy. Many of the cast and orchestra began to leave, bidding him farewell and good luck, but Meg hung back looking at his anxiously between himself and Gilles André before signalling to the latter to leave.

"What are you planning on doing?" she asked Erik while fiddling with the ribbon on her sash as a way to try and calm her anxiety

"That is none of your concern", he said flatly

"It is. It is everyone's concern when it's our livelihoods on the line", her arms now folded defensively as she stepped closer to him.

"Go back to Monsieur André. I'm certain he will offer you a form of reassurance", he spoke while turning from her. He didn't want to see her face. His words had been intentionally sharp with multiple meanings and he knew his comment would likely rile her. He couldn't help that he didn't like the idea of Meg seeking reassurance from Gilles André, in fact the thought of him.l touching her made him nauseous.

Meg let out an exasperated sigh and threw her arms into the air in frustration, "What do you mean?"

"I am no fool Marguerite! I saw your exchange. Non-verbal ques are very telling, even for an exceptional actress such as yourself". Erik hadn't planned on confronting her about his suspicions, he had made it clear that she were to end whatever dalliance she was engaged in, but it seemed she had ignored his demand. Erik didn't like being disobeyed, and although Meg Giry was one of the three people he could accept some level of defiance from, seeking a suitor - especially being courted by one of the moron managers - was not something he would willingly overlook.

"I told you whatever dallance you are involved in needs to end"

"Why do you care?" she interrupted, "You barely talk to me. I am entitled to friends, and Gilles is a good friend. It isn't like I have many, and I need one right now"

"I don't. Nor do I have time for this Marguerite". As he walked away he turned to face her once again, "what I do is none of your concern. You made sure of that when you gave me back your ring".

--xxx--

Meg hurried back to her dressing room to change and mull over Erik's words. She didn't understand him: he seemed jealous and resentful, but he was getting exactly what he wanted. She wasn't being an "ungreatful chit", there was no pretense of an enagement to prevent him from seeing whomever he wanted, and now Lucy had left the company he would be able to try and convince Christine to sing for him. Meg wasn't foolish, she knew Erik was meeting Christine and that he was rewriting aspects of the production to suit her, but what she didn't know was how complicit Christine was in the situation. But whatever the level of Christine's current involvementwith Erik and his plans for the production, Meg knew it was going to end badly for many people.

"You shouldn't fret about him. He doesn't care for anyone but himself", Gilles said as he leaned against her doorframe. Meg couldn't help but smile at how casual he looked; his face seemed lighter - the worry that was normally etched on his face had dissipated and he was holding his jacket over his arm.

"and Christine", she replied while wrapping her shawl around her and tucking it into her belt.

"But does he really care for her? Raoul has told me she misses music, and she knows if she bides her time she can perform again".

"He cares for her"

"She loves her husband"

"She does", Meg was certain Christine loved Raoul, but she suspected she also loved Erik, and she was certain Raoul wasn't foolish enough not to suspect the same.

"But she loves Destler also", Gilles said, as though reading her thoughts. "Surely if Destler loves her he would want her to be happy? I do think if Raoul weren't dependent on the de Chagny estate he would allow her to sing - "

"So do I. All he wants is for her to be safe and happy", Meg interceeded with a smile. She had never had anyone other than her mother put her happiness before their own. She knew Raoul would willingly sacrifice everything possible to make his wife happy, but what he didn't realise was Christine would be content without the elaborate dresses and jewellery her status gave her.

"- And although he would worry", the manager continued, "I believe he could be convinced to allow her to sing Destler's work. He would sacrifice his own peace of mind for her happiness. Would Destler do that?"

"I don't know Gilles", she felt like she was being pressed for information, "Erik and I barely speak. Please don't press me for information on him. I care and worry for him, so please don't test my loyalties".

"I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to pry - more thinking out loud", he said putting on his jacket and then offering her the crook of his arm to escort her from the building, "how is your mother?"

"Doing better. They travel next week, but I fear the Atlantic air may aggravate her lungs. Nadir said she has lost so much weight"

"Consumption is cruel, but if she has been allowed to travel they are satisfied with her health", Gilles tried to use a reassuring tone.

Meg knew he was right, they wouldn't allow someone with obvious signs of illness to board the ship, but she worried her mother would be turned away when they arrived in Liverpool. "Have you given your answer to Monsieur Khan?"

"Not yet. I know it is cruel to keep him waiting, but I wanted to speak with him in person".

Gilles led the way to the exit, opting to leave via the stage door rather than the main entrance. It had been noticed by the cast and crew that Gilles would often exit avioding his office and it was assumed the two managers were currently not on good terms. Meg had considered asking him, but she was uncertain of his views of women's involvement in buisness, and she didn't want to risk losing a good friend over a dispute between two men.