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Milton’s calibre, you want to be sure that all the work he does is done in the right atmosphere, that he works with people who he gets on with, people who are sympathetic to what he’s doing.’ Charles pricked up his ears. They were finally getting round to the vetting part of the interview. ‘Because what happens when you get someone with more talent than most people is that you do tend to get jealousy developing. And that doesn’t make for a healthy working atmosphere in a company. Now Christopher Milton is a charming boy, very easy to get along with, but he is a person of considerable genius and he does have strong ideas. Now because of his great sense of theatre his ideas are very often right. And obviously in the context of a show being rehearsed under pressure, too many arguments over the way things are done can only be counterproductive. Do you see what I mean?’
    He leant back, nursing another two inches of cigar ash. This time a response was definitely needed.
    And it was not an easy one to give. Oh yes, Charles knew what Dickie Peck meant. Through all the verbiage, the message was quite clear – if you want this job, you will have to undertake to do as Christopher Milton says. He’s not the director of the show, but his word is law, and if you don’t like the sound of that, remember he has an Approval of Casting clause and the world is full of unemployed actors.
    Under normal circumstances Charles liked to think he’d tell the agent to stuff his job and walk out. But these weren’t normal circumstances. He tried to conciliate his conscience. Gerald had offered him the job, and Gerald was a friend. It wouldn’t do to let him down. Anyway, it wasn’t really an acting job. He was being infiltrated into the company as an investigator of sabotage. Yes, it was quite legitimate for him to accept the conditions; it would only raise suspicion if he didn’t. But as he replied, he knew that his real motive was the tax bill lying on the table in his room in Hereford Road. ‘Yes, I fully understand, Mr Peck. I know that Christopher Milton owns the rights of the show and so obviously he will be deeply concerned in all aspects of the production, and I’m sure I will respect his ideas.’
    Dickie Peck looked at him suspiciously, but evidently decided to take the reply at face value. ‘Good, fine. Well, we have Mr Venables’ word as to your suitability for the part . . .’ Then, just as Gerald had done, he gave a token nod to actor’s pride. ‘And of course I know your work. I have a script of the show here. Did Mr Venables tell you about the tour and the length of contract?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Fine. Well, good luck.’
    â€˜Thank you. There is just one thing . . .’
    â€˜Oh yes, of course, money.’
    â€˜Yes. Look, I’ll give you my agent’s number. He deals with all that.’
    â€˜Fine. Will I catch him there now? I’d like to get this sorted out today. And it’s after half past five now.’
    â€˜Maurice’ll be there. He works from home anyway.’
    â€˜Fine. I’ll give him a buzz.’
    â€˜Well, thank you very much, Mr Peck. I hope that show’s going to be a great success.’
    â€˜With Christopher Milton in it it’s bound to be. That boy is what stardom’s all about. Oh yes, it’ll be a big success. And if anyone tries to stop it being a success, there’ll be hell to pay. Christopher Milton is going right to the top and no one is going to get in his way.’
    He said the last words with a fierce, almost religious, intensity.
    Charles pressed twopence into the coin-box when he heard the voice say, ‘Maurice Skellern Artistes’.
    â€˜Maurice.’
    â€˜Who’s calling him?’
    â€˜Oh, for God’s sake, Maurice, don’t you ever recognise my voice? It’s me – Charles.’
    â€˜Ah well, can’t be too careful in