Saturday arrived after a week of hectic rehearsals.
Growing even closer to Jennifer, wanting her so much it hurt, Peter could not help walking around with a huge grin on his face as he wondered how Jennifer was coping. His thoughts showed his plans were falling into place.
In the taxi, he began muttering to himself.
"It's so naughty of me not to tell her but it will be so delicious to see the surprise on her face."
Sitting in the barber's chair, he waited for a shave and haircut. He knew that he had to look his best.
Across town, with beauticians hovering over her, Jennifer was perplexed,
"Peter can be a real bugger," she said to herself in a most unlady-like manner. She had two girls giving her a manicure - including false nails - two giving her a pedicure and yet another giving her hair a rinse 'to bring out the highlights', so they told Jennifer.
The beauticians creamed her face and her neck. They gave her shoulders even more intense treatment and didn't allow Jennifer to touch a thing. They even applied her make-up meticulously.
By four o'clock, they were satisfied and, with hair piled high on her head in the manner of regency, she was travelling in the limousine to the next stop of the day -- a very expensive-looking boutique.
The owner met Jennifer at the entrance and led her inside to displays of expensive evening gowns and accessories that were even more expensive.
"Ah, Miss Blake, you look beautiful. Let me see what I have for you."
By 6.30, after hours of dressing Jennifer in various evening gowns he seemed satisfied and moved onto the next item on his list. He asked Jennifer, "Have you done as Mr. Peter required and brought the diamonds?"
Unable to speak, Jennifer nodded, opened her purse and handed them to the owner who hung the necklace around her neck and pinned the earrings to her ears.
"Oh, before I forget. This is a gift from Mr. Peter who said it is yours as a thank you for being his escort for the night."
He clipped a diamond tiara to Jennifer's hair before leading her to a full-length mirror.
Unbelieving, Jennifer stared at her reflection showing the transformation that had been wrought.
The green silk ball gown was just the right color for her and the diamonds seemed to accentuate the fire in her eyes. She knew that she would enjoy dancing in those green slippers. Smiling she projected her thoughts into the mirror. 'What had Peter said about Cinderella? Well, bring on the Pumpkin Coach.'
The limousine was no longer empty as Jennifer carefully walked down the steps from the shop. Peter was standing holding the door open, his face a picture of awe.
"Jennifer, thank you so much. Thank you for tonight -- a night to treasure."
Her silk gown dipped low from her shoulders and seemed to hang there by the strength of will power alone. Her waist was emphasized as the gown flared over her hips. The touch of lace at the bodice snuggled warmly against the silken pillows of her breasts heightening the regal rise of her neck. Gleaming in Jennifer's auburn hair, swept up to pile high on her head, was the tiara while the diamonds glittering at her neck seemed to set her green eyes ablaze. The earrings were just the balance needed.
Jennifer was surprised that Peter didn't attempt to touch her or kiss her and, when she sat, he didn't try to sit beside her but sat opposite. He said nothing but his eyes told her a complete story of his devotion and his belief in her beauty.
Eventually, the limousine stopped and the chauffeur opened the door. Peter alighted to turn and help Jennifer step out into the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House.
She paused to study Peter anew. In white tie and tails, he looked so elegant. Taking his proffered arm, she leant into his ear.
"You're so handsome, my frog prince, so very handsome you've won Cinderella's heart."
Slowly they climbed the long flight of red-carpeted steps and turned to walk across the foyer to the restaurant. Flash after flash of news cameras hindered their progress and Peter tried to appear inconspicuous.
With their incessant questions, reporters swooped on Jennifer while completely ignoring Peter.
Laughing nervously and smiling, she answered their questions while Peter allowed her the limelight until, tiring of the attention, she tightened her grip on his arm and they were ushered to their table overlooking the harbor.
Jennifer leant across the table, her hand in Peter's.
"You scrub up well. I hardly recognized you in the formal wear." Her smile told him she was teasing.
"I had to scrub up particularly well to match your beauty."
"Peter," Jennifer was suddenly shy, "Will you kiss me, please?"
Peter slowly rose to his feet. Moving to her side and bending low, he cupped her chin in his hand. He kissed her gently, trying not to smear her lipstick.
"You can do better than that," Jennifer laughed and her hand snaked into his hair and pulled him hard into her open mouth. Flash bulbs almost blinded Peter as he stood breathlessly trying to re-gather his wits.
The passion in her kiss almost consumed him.
Smiling broadly, Jennifer reminded him of their acting as he regained his seat.
"Come, a kiss to seal the bargain. I owed you that."
Dinner over, Peter led Jennifer to their seats.
"Please sit on my right, Jennifer. That seat has always been vacant but tonight I have the most beautiful woman possible sitting with me. You know what makes it even better? She wants to be with me." He squeezed her hand.
The lights dimmed and the orchestra struck up. The potpourri of tunes from Die Fledermaus made Jennifer's feet tap and she clung to Peter as the opera progressed. At the end of Act One Peter escorted Jennifer from her seat around to the stage door where the number of people who knew him astonished Jennifer. He led her to the side of the stage where they stood, in the wings with a crowd of couples all attired in evening dress. Peter put his arm around her as if he were about to dance with her.
Suddenly the opening bars of 'Dui Du' struck up.
Jennifer felt the pressure of Peter's hand in the center of her back as he turned her, unresisting, towards him and took up her other hand. In one smooth move, he whirled her into the waltz, her feet following his as he swept her out onto the stage. Effortlessly, they seemed to be moving perfectly in time with the dancers around them. Peter and Jennifer had become part of the opera chorus.
Peter had never waltzed this way with any woman.
In this, his first glide onto the stage with Jennifer in his arms, he enjoyed the pure joy of dancing with this wonderful young woman he loved. Yes, with his mind he had thought long and hard of the word love and of Jennifer. Now, with Jennifer so close to him, the music swelling and the opera chorus swirling around them, his body was responding with strong reactions he had hitherto repressed.
Every ounce of his body focused on her. Above the strains of the orchestra and despite the singing he was conscious of her every movement, her every breath. Her essence filled his lungs and his whole body filled with his love of her.
He was intoxicated with this woman as he danced. His arms held her tighter and tighter as if he was terrified she would flee.
