by Caragh Bell
Laura backed away in mortification. Of all the times to come face to face with her predecessor. She felt exposed and vulnerable. Oh, why didn’t she put on Christian’s shirt?
‘He should be back any minute,’ she said lamely.
‘He told you that, did he?’ She laughed bitterly. ‘Oh sweetheart, you’ve got a lot to learn. You won’t see him until late tonight if you’re lucky. He’s married to the job. At least, it’s the only marriage he stays faithful to.’ She regarded her for a moment. ‘I always wondered what he saw in you. I mean, I can see how blonde hair would appeal and, of course, the youth. However, seeing you naked has really knocked me for six. Let’s just say, I wouldn’t walk around in the nude if I were you.’
The door slammed shut. Laura dashed back to the bedroom, tears stinging her lids. How dare she speak to her that way? How dare she just barge in here without warning? She crawled under the covers with a pain in her heart. Oh, why didn’t she stay in the bedroom?
What if she’s right? What if he doesn’t come home?
She picked up her phone and dialled his number. He answered on the fifth ring.
‘Yes?’ His tone was abrupt.
‘Will you be long?’ she asked in a small voice.
‘Where am I usually when you call?’
She brightened. ‘You mean, you’re outside?’
‘Just paying the cab driver.’
‘Oh thank God!’ She rubbed her nose. ‘Please hurry.’
‘You still in bed?’
‘Yes! Yes, I am. I can’t wait to see you.’ She really meant it.
‘Be there in five.’
He found her huddled under the covers, her face set in a taut line. He almost tripped over the discarded heels as he rushed to her side.
‘Laura! What the hell’s wrong, baby?’
She sniffed. ‘I just made a right arsehole of myself.’
‘Oh?’ He rubbed her shoulder.
‘Your wife called over.’
‘What?’ He looked startled. ‘Tara was here?’
‘Yeah. She came in unexpectedly to get something from Luca’s room.’ She felt the tears well up in her eyes once more. ‘I thought it was you as she had a key. Why does she have a key, Christian?’
He kissed her forehead. ‘The divorce hasn’t gone through yet so technically she’s still my wife. If I ask her for her key of this place, she could contest the settlement. She’s entitled to half. I guess, I want things to go as smoothly as possible.’
‘But you’re giving her millions,’ said Laura angrily. ‘Why would she try to take your mother’s apartment off you?’
‘Divorce is a bitter business,’ he said simply. ‘She’s pretty pissed that I’ve moved on.’
Laura curled into a ball. ‘She said only family members have a key to this place. Then she implied I look awful naked.’
‘She said what?’ He shook his head in bewilderment. ‘Why the hell would she say that?’
Laura reddened and buried her face in the pillow. ‘I heard a noise and I thought it was you. I put on my heels and nothing else and walked out to surprise you.’ She moaned in embarrassment. ‘I met her head on, wearing nothing but my Louboutins.’ She didn’t dare look at him.
‘You’re kidding, right?’
‘No.’
Christian started to laugh, a deep throaty sound.
Laura sprang up and started to pummel him. ‘Shut up, you pig,’ she shouted. ‘It was singularly the most mortifying moment of my life. Thank God I had that Brazilian wax before I jetted out here.’
He continued to laugh, his eyes creased in mirth. ‘What a sight for my ex-wife. Oh, Laura. You’re awesome.’
‘Chris!’ She pushed him away in exasperation. ‘You’re so out of order. Get out and laugh somewhere else.’
He pulled her into his strong arms and ignored her squeals of protest. ‘Can we do it again? You in the heels, I mean?’
‘What?’
‘If I go out there, will you put on your heels and try again?’ He gave her a hot look. ‘You know how I love heels.’
She felt her breath quicken. ‘I suppose I could do.’
‘Great. Don’t take long.’ He strode out of the room without looking back.
She jumped up and rubbed her tear-stained face. Her hair was tousled but that didn’t matter.
‘Righty-oh, boys. Here we go again.’ She slipped her feet into the offending heels once more and followed Christian out into the hall.
Chapter Twenty-two
William handed the woman twenty pounds and smiled when she gave him his change. He hated shopping after work but there wasn’t a morsel of food in the house. The hospital had been busy all day and he hadn’t even had time for a cup of tea. Now, he had the bare essentials for a crude pasta dish. Lots of carbs sounded great. Carbs, a beer and then bed.
His flat was cold when he finally got home. Checking the thermostat, he realised that the heating was only timed to come on in the morning. Twiddling the dial, he amended it. It was freezing outside and, being tired, he felt it even more.
His phone buzzed in his pocket but he hadn’t the heart to look at it. Despite his two messages the week before, Ella hadn’t replied. Nothing. He was sick of checking his phone, willing a message to appear. The disappointment grew every time and now he was fed up of it. Laura rang after he had wolfed down a plate of cheesy fusilli.
‘William! You’ll never guess!’
‘Never guess what?’
‘Things have moved up a notch with Christian. I think it’s really serious.’
‘Did he propose?’
‘Crikey, no. But he did give me a key to his apartment. A key reserved for family.’ She emphasised the last word.
‘Whoa, Lolly, that’s pretty heavy.’
‘I know, yeah. I’m delighted. I mean, I’m rarely in New York, but now I have my own place.’
‘Wicked.’ He flicked the channel on the TV. ‘So, any other news?’
‘No, nothing from my side. He’s flying over for Aurora’s play next Saturday. Are you going? Did you invite Ella?’
His heart plummeted. ‘No.’
‘Why ever not?’
‘I texted her twice but she never answered.’ He sighed. ‘I mean, I remember her in the old days. Her phone was like another limb. She must have seen the messages.’
‘Will! Are you sure you have the right number?’
He paused. ‘I think so. I mean, I hope so.’
‘Well, that’s the obvious reason, Will.’
His heart lifted. ‘You know, you have a point. I threw away that piece of napkin that she wrote it on. Maybe I typed it into my phone wrong.’
‘I’ll send on the one I have and you can check.’
‘Thanks, Lolly.’
‘Make sure you ring her, okay? No more dilly-dallying.’
‘Right, boss!’
‘Then you’ll know for sure. Speaking to someone is far better anyway.’
‘Okay, okay.’
‘Do it, William. Ask her to the play. She’d enjoy it.’
The line went dead.
William grasped his phone tightly in his hand. Laura was right. Ringing her was the mature thing to do.
He waited for Laura’s text to come through. True to her word, she sent on Ella’s number immediately. He was surprised to find that it was identical to the number he had.
For a moment, he lost his nerve. What if she didn’t answer?
Then you’ll know the truth!
With a beating heart, he pressed call. She answered on the third ring.
‘Will!’ she said breathlessly. ‘Oh, it’s so good to hear from you.’
He hadn’t expected that. ‘Hi, Ella, are you well?’ Closing he eyes, he winced. What a conversation-opener.
‘Oh, wonderful. So busy at work and all that.’ She paused. ‘Are you well?’
‘Oh, great. Busy at work too.’ He bit his lip. Why was it so awkward? He decided to bite the bullet. ‘So, I was just wondering if y
ou would like to meet me for lunch? Say tomorrow?’
‘I’d love to,’ she answered without hesitation. ‘Where do you have in mind?’
‘The Swan? It’s a pub near the hospital.’
‘Great – around one?’
‘Yeah, one is perfect.’
He pressed ‘end call’ and let out a deep breath. He had not expected such enthusiasm. Why then had she not answered his texts? He had the correct number. Women were such a mystery. Still, she had agreed to meet him which was positive.
Whistling, he washed his plate and left it on the rack to dry.
The January air was crisp and cold. Pushing open the door of the pub, he was gratified to see a blazing fire in the corner. Right next to the giant mantelpiece was a cosy booth: the perfect spot for a cosy lunch à deux. He took off his coat and hung it on a hook. Glancing around, he could see that she had not arrived. There were the usual lunchtime punters having beer at the bar and a few of the nurses were eating pie and chips in the corner. He waved amiably over at them and received lots of smiles in return.
A waitress approached him with a menu and he accepted. ‘Drink?’ she asked.
‘Just an orange juice, please,’ he replied.
The front door of the pub opened and his heart leapt. However, it was just a woman with a buggy. Idly, he started to shred a beermat, his thoughts filled with her.
Then the door opened again and he steeled himself. It was Mary from the hospital.
‘Hi, Will!’ she called, waving madly.
He smiled and blew her a kiss.
The next time the door opened, he didn’t bother to look up.
‘Hi, Will,’ came a soft voice.
Looking up, he was confronted with Ella. She was soaked to the skin, her blonde hair plastered to her head. He could see that she was shivering uncontrollably.
‘Good God, take off your coat,’ he said, jumping up. ‘Here, take mine.’ She allowed him to peel off her flimsy anorak and wrap his warm woollen coat around her shoulders. Again, he was struck at how thin she was, her bones jutting out and her face pale. ‘Sit down and I’ll get you a hot drink.’ He beckoned to the waitress. ‘May I have a pot of tea?’ He looked at Ella. ‘Unless you’d prefer coffee? Or something stronger?’
She shook her head, her teeth chattering. ‘Tea is fine.’
The waitress nodded.
‘Did you walk here?’ he asked, glancing at the weather conditions outside.
Ella nodded. ‘I tried to get a taxi but for some reason not one would stop.’
‘What about the Tube? Or a bus?’
‘Oh, you know me and public transport, Will. We just don’t mix.’ She didn’t quite meet his eyes. ‘I just kept hoping that a cab would take pity on me and stop.’
‘So you walked all the way from Chelsea?’ he went on incredulously. ‘In this weather? You’re a lunatic.’
She smiled at that. ‘Yes, I suppose I am.’
The waitress placed the steaming teapot on the table, next to a cup and saucer.
‘Would you like menus?’ she asked pleasantly.
William nodded.
Ella poured her tea and held her cold hands over the ensuing steam.
He regarded her thoughtfully. She looked pensive and her blue eyes had a faraway look.
‘So, how’s your new job? Are you working late?’ He sipped his orange juice.
‘Oh, it’s wonderful! So busy and full on. I don’t get home until past midnight most evenings.’ She smiled brightly. ‘They’re thinking of extending my contract so I may be here for longer. Although with all the partying, I’m not sure I’m able for it.’ She laughed.
‘So you’re staying in London?’ He smiled broadly. ‘That’s just great.’ He scanned the menu. ‘The food is nice here. It’s all pie-and-chips sort of stuff. Will that suit?’
She shrugged. ‘I’ll just have a soup or something like that.’
‘Are you sure? Steak and kidney pie doesn’t tempt you?’ he teased.
A shadow passed over her face only to be replaced by a smile almost immediately. ‘Tempting, but I’ll give it a miss. Just order me the soup. I’m just going to pop out for a cigarette.’ She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a box of Marlboro.
‘You still smoke?’
‘Yes.’ She got to her feet. ‘I blame you entirely, William Dixon. You were the one who bought them for me all those years ago and now I’m hooked.’
‘Ella!’ He held up his hands. ‘Please say that’s not true.’
‘Well, I did steal them from my father’s study as well,’ she reflected. ‘However, your contribution definitely sealed the deal.’
She placed a cigarette between her painted lips and for a moment he could see the sassy young Ella of old. The one who loved Simon unconditionally and was effortlessly cool.
Her eyes met his for a moment. They stared at each other.
‘Why didn’t we, you know, when we were kids?’ she asked softly.
He reddened slightly. ‘Didn’t we what?’
‘Kiss. Have a relationship.’
‘You were obsessed with Simon.’
‘We were great friends.’ She looked wistful for a moment. ‘You always looked out for me. Remember that time Henry found that empty bottle of vodka in my bag and you took the blame?’
‘Well, you were already grounded for sneaking out to that disco,’ he said, smiling. ‘It was the right thing to do.’
‘Or that time you handed in an essay you wrote to Mr. Crowley, claiming that it was mine, all because I was on my last warning.’
‘It was an old piece on Milton. Nothing special.’ He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
‘You were always so kind, Will.’ Her eyes shone. ‘I’m so glad we got to meet again.’
She walked away, her cigarette and lighter in her hand. He watched her push open the heavy stained-glass front door at the entrance to the pub and disappear.
The waitress arrived with an electronic pad.
‘So, have you decided?’
William nodded. ‘A soup and a steak and kidney pie.’
‘Coming right up.’
An hour later, the table was cleared. Ella’s soup went back almost untouched. William pretended not to notice, but his face was troubled. Instead of food, she had smoked three cigarettes and had two cups of tea. Her face was gaunt and wan. Her wrists were so thin they looked like they could break.
‘So, Aurora’s new play is opening next Saturday,’ he said. ‘I have a spare VIP ticket if you’d like to come. No pressure, it’s just, there’s an after-party and it’s supposed to be really good . . .’ He trailed off.
‘I’d love to come.’ She smiled warmly. ‘Where shall I meet you?’
‘I can come to pick you up.’
‘No!’ she said sharply. ‘I mean, no, it’s fine. I’ll get a taxi and meet you at the theatre.’
‘I’ll send you the address later then.’ He gave her a guarded look. ‘It starts at seven thirty but it would be better to arrive around fifteen minutes early as it’s the first night.’
‘Is she nervous?’
‘Yes and no. She’s worried about the critics of course, but the actual performance doesn’t knock a feather out of her. She’s so different when she’s on stage. Baby Aurora disappears and this professional emerges.’
‘Baby Aurora?’
‘Yeah, because at home James treats her like a ten-year-old.’
Ella laughed. ‘I’ll probably do the same as my only memory of her is when she was that age.’
William got up and checked his watch. ‘I have to make a move,’ he said apologetically. ‘I’m on wards this afternoon.’ He took out his wallet. ‘I’m also paying so don’t even argue. You can get it next time.’
‘That’s what you said last time!’
‘Well, I mean it. Obviously it’ll be the Ritz when you’re paying.’
She made a face. ‘Oh, funny.’
She picked up her anorak which was still sodden. Willi
am noticed and took it from her grasp.
‘You’re not wearing that,’ he said firmly. ‘Take mine. The hospital is only two minutes away so I don’t need it.’
‘Oh, I couldn’t,’ she protested. ‘You’ll freeze.’
‘Give it back to me next time we meet.’
She relented. ‘I’ll give it you on Saturday then.’
He brightened. ‘Yes, on Saturday. I’m looking forward to it.’
Chapter Twenty-three
Aurora secured her wig and stared at her reflection. The stage make-up looked heavy in the bright lights of the dressing room, but she knew that it would look great on stage. They had practised the last scene up to an hour before and they were ready. There was nothing more to be done. La Morte was about to be unleashed onto the world.
Paul poked his head in the door. ‘Five minutes,’ he said in his deep voice. He was wearing a pinstripe suit and a trilby hat on his blond head. He looked every inch the Jimmy Romano in the script. Now, she was Elise Sloane. The mobster’s wife: the Queen of Chicago. She inserted her hands into the long black gloves and pulled them up over her elbows. Her stomach kept flipping over and over but she ignored it. It would go well. She knew her lines inside out. Justin was pleased with her delivery and she and Paul were as tight as they could be. She took a deep breath. Only fifteen minutes to the curtain. Only fifteen minutes . . .
Her phone beeped, distracting her. She glanced down at the screen and saw James’ name. Her glove came off immediately so that she could activate the touch screen. It was a simple message that read:
Break a leg, Borealis. Not literally of course. Send me pictures.
J x
She typed back furiously saying that she didn’t plan on breaking any bones and that she wished he were there. He replied saying that he wished he were there too.
She sighed. He had never missed an opening night. It felt weird not to have him around. She put on her glove once more and threw the phone into her bag. It was time to leave Aurora Sinclair behind and enter the world of 1920s America.