a cigarette in his hand. Vi’s nerves were so jittery at the moment, she almost wished she had one, too. “So you decided to rejoin us! Charlie was convinced you and Sergeant Danger had eloped after you two vanished last night.”
“Oh, ha ha,” Vi said sarcastically, even as she inwardly cringed. “Not even close.”
Frances leaned forward again. “Didn’t you hear? Vi got picked up by the MPs for drunk and disorderly.”
“I did not!” Vi protested sharply.
Frances rolled her eyes. “Oh, that’s right. You were just really tired, which is why you were slurring your words. Personally, I don’t believe a word of it.”
“Hey, it can happen,” Matt said. “I was pretty all in myself.”
“Yeah, Frances. Be nice,” Marcie added. “Remember we’re all in this together.”
“If you’d give me a chance to finish,” Frances said acidly, “what I was going to say was that, rather than being drunk, she probably got herself locked out of the hotel by coming home too late, and that’s why she was picked up.”
Which, despite coming from Frances, was a perfectly rational, much more innocent explanation than Major Ricca’s.
“There was that, too,” Vi allowed. “I’m forever without my key.”
“That’s the truth,” Marcie agreed, and to Vi’s relief, everyone laughed.
“All right, everyone,” Sue said, taking her place next to the stage. “Time for notes.”
While Sue began talking to the actors, Frances leaned forward a third time. “I told Gertie to stay away from that snake last night,” she said close to Vi’s ear. “And I told the front desk not to send any calls through to either our room or yours, so he couldn’t renew his offer.”
Vi briefly closed her eyes in thanksgiving. “Thanks, Fran.”
“You’re welcome. And you know, you’re not the only one who cares about this show.”
“I know, and I’m sorry I ever doubted you,” Vi whispered back, surprised to find it was true.
“Dancers,” Sue called out, and Frances sat back as Vi straightened in her chair. “I saw a couple of late kicks in the last number. Let’s tighten things up. Otherwise, I think that’s it,” she said, glancing at her notes.
“No one leave,” Mr. Stuart spoke up, startling everyone into silence. “I’ve been informed by the USO that we’re to receive additional training in self-protection this morning. Apparently our unit will be moving closer to the front, and they want us prepared.”
Sue turned to stare at her boss in surprise. “When was this announced?”
“Just now,” Mr. Stuart said smoothly. “Instruction will begin backstage as soon as notes are finished.”
Ann and Matt looked at each other. Charlie raised his hand. “Should we change first?”
“Not necessary. The instructors wanted it to be as true to life as possible. So if everyone would please follow Mr. Miller.” Mr. Stuart gestured toward Wyatt, who had taken up a spot by the edge of the auditorium, next to the stage door.
“Well, troops,” Victor exclaimed, getting to his feet. “Let’s go. Hup, hup!”
Marcie dropped back to Vi’s side as the actors and Ann led the way. “Should we be concerned? I haven’t heard of any other units being given extra instruction.”
Vi shrugged, just as confused as the rest. “Maybe we’re particularly hopeless?”
“I hope it doesn’t mean our tour is going to be more dangerous than most.” Gertie shuddered.
“If it does, we’ll just be that much more prepared,” Frances said, giving her a playful punch in the arm. “And think how useful all this training will be when we get back to New York!”
Consoling herself with that thought, Vi filed backstage with the others. What she would much rather be doing was taking a nap after last night. She still had a lot she needed to sort out, and she could think of no better place to do it than stretched out on her bed at the hotel.
“Well, well,” Frances said under her breath. “If it isn’t Sergeant Danger and a drool-worthy friend.”
Jerked from her thoughts, Vi looked over toward where their instructors stood. Sure enough, Ansel stood talking to Wyatt, his arms crossed over his chest and his legs slightly apart. Electricity began to hum through her veins the instant his pale blue eyes met hers.
Oh yes. Drool-worthy, indeed, she thought. And likely mad as a wet hen at her.
“He certainly looks a lot nicer than Sergeant Danger,” Gertie agreed, and Vi blinked. She had altogether missed the fellow standing to Ansel’s left. Her stomach sank. It was the corporal from last night, the one who had escorted her to the “guest room.” She really, really hoped he wouldn’t