Echoes of Grace

by Caragh Bell

  She said nothing as her brain was in overdrive. William was right. Her father would be far more amenable if he knew that a young doctor was on the scene. He had been great friends with Andrew Dixon when they lived in London so that was another plus. He and William’s father had played golf together every Saturday. Plus she truly had nowhere else to go. William’s kind face was waiting for an answer. She took a deep breath.

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘It will buy you time.’

  ‘I know. I just feel so guilty about taking your bed.’

  ‘I’ll pick up a foldaway one at IKEA. Problem solved.’

  She smiled and took his hand. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, ‘thank you from the bottom of my heart.’

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  ‘So, Justin scarpered when James mentioned the family dinner?’ said Ophelia, buttering some toast. ‘What a loon.’ She and Aurora were having a late breakfast in the kitchen of their flat.

  ‘He has been so strange lately. I mean, I catch him looking at me, you know, in a hot way, and then he closes off straight away.’ Aurora sipped her tea.

  ‘There’s something behind it,’ her friend said. ‘By all accounts, he’s not shy around the ladies.’

  Aurora gasped. ‘Are you saying that he’s a womaniser?’

  ‘Not exactly, but he’s had his fair share of one-night stands.’ Ophelia bit her lip. ‘Maybe he’s scared of commitment. Maybe he’s restraining himself with you because you might be the one.’

  ‘Hardly,’ scoffed Aurora.

  ‘Don’t be so sure. He could be in love and totally overwhelmed.’ She took a big bite of her toast. ‘I reckon you should feed him with whiskey. That’ll do the trick.’

  ‘Whiskey?’

  ‘He was drinking it neat the night he asked you to go upstairs. I think it might be the trigger.’

  Aurora laughed. ‘Right, I’ll produce a bottle on Saturday night after the performance and he’ll crack.’

  ‘Something like that.’ Ophelia grinned. ‘What are your plans for today?’

  ‘Bertie rang me last night,’ she began.

  ‘Oooh, Bertie! Hobnobbing with the rich and famous now, are we?’

  Aurora stuck out her tongue. ‘Anyway, he was asking about my agent and I told him that I didn’t have one and –’

  ‘Agent? Wowee, that’s bigtime stuff.’

  ‘Anyway, he’s setting up a meeting with his agent, Harry Finkelman. He’s the best, so he says.’

  Ophelia looked impressed. ‘You are going to be such a star, Sinclair. I can see your name in lights. Wait until that interview goes to print in Hello! Everyone will know your name.’

  ‘It will be a small, one-page spread,’ said Aurora dismissively. ‘Hardly top billing.’

  ‘When is that interview anyway?’

  ‘Next week. Gloria is dying for me to do it at her house. She has done a huge spring clean in preparation.’

  ‘Will you go there?’

  ‘I might. The sunroom is nice. The willow tree might be a good background for a photo too.’

  ‘Harry Finkelman! Look at you go.’ Ophelia winked. ‘Don’t forget me when you’re bathing in Dom Perignon.’

  ‘You’ll be right there with me,’ she promised.

  ‘Henry! We need another table. This one simply won’t do.’ Gloria clutched her hair. Everyone was due to arrive in fifteen minutes and there was no space around the table for nine adults.

  ‘Calm down, my darling,’ he said smiling. ‘They’ll squeeze in.’

  ‘We can’t have that Christian sitting on top of William, now can we?’

  ‘I’m sure that won’t happen. Now, have a drink. There’s nothing more to do.’

  Cooking was not Gloria’s forte and she habitually used her faithful slow cooker for family get-togethers. This time, with all the partners, there was no way she could fit enough in her trusty old machine. So, she bought ready-made Thai green curry and tipped it all into a giant Le Creuset pot her aunt had given her as a wedding present.

  Laura arrived first with two overnight bags and a bottle of Nuit St. Georges. ‘Any chance Chris and I can bunk here tonight?’ she asked. ‘He has to be up very early and by the time we get back to my flat . . .’

  ‘Of course,’ said Gloria stiffly. ‘You’re more than welcome.’ It was no secret that she didn’t approve of her daughter’s partner. She deemed him too old and arrogant to make her happy. Every week she waited to hear that everything had gone sour. However, their relationship seemed to be getting stronger and stronger.

  James and Claire arrived next.

  ‘We brought some pud,’ said Claire, depositing an apple tart on the table. ‘James forgot the cream.’

  ‘I’m sure we have some in the fridge.’ Gloria pecked her cheek.

  ‘Help yourselves to some wine,’ said Henry. ‘There’s a bottle open on the table.’

  James picked up Laura’s bottle. ‘Ooh, fancy! Who brought this?’

  ‘I did, Jiminy,’ said Laura, appearing into the room. ‘I’m so classy, don’t you know.’ She poured a glass of white wine for herself and a scotch for Christian. ‘So, have you heard from Will lately?’

  James shook his head. ‘He’s off the radar completely. Why is he bringing Ella Taylor? Are they an item?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she said honestly. ‘They acted like strangers around each other when we met a while back. It’s all very odd.’

  ‘He always fancied her though, didn’t he?’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Oh, one hundred per cent. I could tell. But she was always banging on about some bloke called –’

  ‘Simon!’ Laura laughed. ‘God, she adored him.’

  ‘So James says that you’ve been offered a job,’ Henry said to Claire. ‘Congratulations, my dear.’ His lined old face smiled warmly.

  ‘Yes, I’m so delighted. Especially in this climate.’ She jabbed her finger at James. ‘I wish he would make more of an effort. He won’t ring up the BBC and make an appointment. I’m anxious that we won’t be eligible for a mortgage.’

  ‘Don’t push him,’ advised Henry. ‘All in good time. If they take him on, he’ll have to travel, I expect. I imagine that he wants to stay around for a while longer.’

  ‘Yes, but I want this house by my parents’ place,’ argued Claire. ‘We’re adults, Henry. Life goes on. We’ve been forced to rent this tiny flat down the road and it’s dead money. That’s the reality.’

  Aurora arrived in her black fur-lined jacket and a black hat. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold and she was beaming. ‘Hello, all,’ she said, taking off her gloves.

  ‘Borealis!’ James was the first to hug her. ‘God, you’re frozen. Go and stand by the fire.’

  ‘Any sign of Will?’ she asked in a whisper.

  James shook his head. ‘Are he and Ella, you know?’

  ‘I can’t say.’

  Claire patted his shoulder. ‘Can I have a word?’ she asked sweetly, pulling him away.

  Aurora smiled tightly at her. She didn’t know why, but there was a definite froideur between them. She could sense it when Claire looked at her.

  ‘Where is Will?’ said Gloria in exasperation. ‘My rice has plumped right up. Soon, it will be mush.’

  As if in answer to her prayers, the door opened and William walked in. His blond hair was concealed under a beanie hat and his bomber jacket was ample protection from the freezing temperatures outside. Then, clad in her red coat, Ella trailed in behind him. She eyed the family warily.

  ‘Finally!’ said Gloria, disappearing into the kitchen. ‘Everyone squeeze in.’

  ‘Hey, Ella!’ called Laura waving. ‘Wine?’

  Ella shook her head. ‘Not for me, thanks.’

  ‘But it’s Nuit St Georges!’

  ‘I’m okay, Laura.’

  James laughed out loud. ‘Pretentious much?’

  Laura made a face and refilled her own glass.

  Henry patted the seat next to him. ‘Sit here, my darlin
g girl,’ he said to Aurora.

  ‘Of course, Daddy.’ She sidled in beside him. ‘It’s good to see you.’ She kissed his soft cheek. ‘How’s the new play coming along?’

  ‘Oh, very well.’ He sipped his wine. ‘I’m almost there, in fact. Gloria will be pleased. I’m working such unpredictable hours. She often finds me in my study at three in the morning.’

  ‘It will be worth it, I’m sure.’

  ‘Quite.’

  Christian refused wine and had another scotch instead. ‘I’m just back from Cork,’ he told Claire. ‘My grandkid, Sienna? She was one last week. There was a party.’

  ‘Oh, how sweet. Was it a big event?’

  ‘Hell, no. Just my son and his fiancée, Lydia, the grandparents and a few aunts and uncles. Oh, and Colin of course.’

  ‘Who’s Colin?’

  ‘Sienna’s godfather. He’s a funny guy. He got her about thirty presents and he made an awesome cake.’

  ‘So, you had a nice time.’ Claire smiled.

  ‘It was okay. My ex-wife kinda ruined it, but everything else was good.’

  ‘I wasn’t there,’ added Laura. ‘He does the grandad thing on his own.’

  ‘Proper order,’ said James. ‘No place for you, Lolly.’

  She sighed. ‘I can’t argue with you there.’

  Christian took Laura’s hand in his. ‘My divorce was finalised a few days ago so all’s good.’

  She beamed back at him. ‘So, I’ve decided to take a year sabbatical,’ she said, ‘and move to New York.’

  Gloria’s head swung around. ‘You’ve decided to do what?’

  ‘Move to New York,’ said Laura happily. ‘Now that he’s a free man, we can live together. Up to now, it would have interfered with proceedings. Isn’t that right, Chris?’

  He was busy emailing again. ‘Sure, sure. We couldn’t technically co-inhabit,’ he said distractedly.

  ‘Then it struck me! Why not take a year off and experience American culture?’

  ‘And live off a rich boyfriend,’ whispered James to Aurora. ‘She’s something else.’

  Gloria put her head in her hands. This was not the news she was expecting at all. She had hoped things would fizzle out. Now her daughter was giving up her fine job to move in with her newly divorced boyfriend.

  Henry patted her back. ‘Don’t fret, my darling,’ he whispered. ‘What will be, will be.’

  Laura, oblivious to her mother’s shock, turned to Aurora. ‘By the way, Lydia and Colin are coming over next weekend to find a wedding dress. I got them tickets to your play. Do you want to meet for drinks afterwards?’

  ‘Oh, yes please!’ Aurora beamed. ‘I’d love to see Lydia again. Shall I upgrade the tickets? We always have two or three to play around with.’

  ‘There will be four of them. She’s bringing her younger sister and best friend too.’

  ‘Look, I’ll see what I can do.’

  ‘Great. You’ll adore Colin. He’s a hoot.’

  Ella said nothing. William had her hand in his under the table, stroking her wrist rhythmically. He had read that the acupuncture pressure points for nausea were in that area so he pressed her skin every so often.

  His mother arrived with a giant pot of rice and a ladle.

  ‘Will?’ she called. ‘Can you bring in the curry? It’s quite heavy.’

  ‘Sure.’ He got up and followed her back to the kitchen.

  As soon as they were out of sight, she pulled him close. ‘Are you in love?’ she said in excitement. ‘I never thought I’d see the day!’

  He eyed her warily. ‘Stay calm, for God’s sake – it’s not what it looks like.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘We’re just friends.’

  ‘Friends?’ said Gloria in disappointment. ‘Why?’

  ‘She’s been ill lately.’ He sighed. ‘I’m helping her out.’

  ‘Ill?’ repeated his mother in alarm. ‘How do you mean, ill? Is something wrong? She’s looking very thin.’ Her brow furrowed. ‘Oh darling, is it serious?’

  ‘No, Mother, it’s not. Now, open the door for me while I carry this in.’ He kissed the top of her head. ‘I’ll explain another time.’

  Everyone had helped themselves to rice when they reached the table.

  ‘Dig in,’ said Gloria. ‘Thank M&S for your lovely curry this evening.’

  James laughed. ‘I admire your honesty,’ he said, taking a huge spoon.

  Silence reigned at the table while everyone ate.

  Ella had taken some rice and nothing else.

  Laura nudged James to look at her plate and he nodded in comprehension. ‘She’s anorexic,’ she whispered in his ear. ‘No doubt.’

  ‘So, Bertie made an appointment for me to see his agent, Harry Finkelman,’ announced Aurora.

  Henry clapped his hands. ‘Wonderful news!’ he enthused. ‘He’s quite right, you should have representation.’

  ‘I’m due to meet him tomorrow,’ she continued. ‘He’s quite abrasive, apparently. Bertie says to stand up to him.’

  ‘Are you going alone?’ asked Laura. ‘Maybe you should take someone with you? You know, for back-up.’

  Aurora bit her lip. ‘Ophelia is working . . .’

  ‘I’d take you, my darling, but I’ve an appointment with my cardiologist,’ said Henry regretfully.

  ‘I’m working too,’ said William, forking up his curry. ‘Can this Bertie bloke go with you?’

  ‘He’s filming in Seville,’ she said with a sigh. ‘Look, I’ll be fine. How bad can he be? I won’t let him railroad me into anything.’

  ‘I’ll take you, Borealis,’ said James.

  ‘What?’ said Claire. ‘You can’t! You have to start looking for a job.’

  ‘What time?’ asked James, ignoring her. ‘Do I look beefy enough to be a security guard?’

  ‘Are you serious?’ Aurora gasped. ‘Oh, James, that would be wonderful!’ The she noticed Claire’s thunderous face. ‘Although, if you have plans . . .’

  ‘Yes, he does have plans,’ said Claire. ‘James! You promised!’

  ‘Look,’ he said calmly, ‘one more day won’t make a huge difference. I’ll ring Bob on Tuesday and arrange a meeting.’ He held up his glass. ‘Bravo, Borealis! This is the beginning!’

  She glowed with pleasure. A whole day with James sounded heavenly. They could go for lunch and hang out, just like the old days. If that Harry Finkelman person tried to hoodwink her, James would be there. She glanced at Claire who was picking at her curry mutinously. She was obviously smarting from being disobeyed. Something told Aurora to keep quiet.

  Laura was waiting outside the toilet door when William emerged.

  ‘Sorry, Lolly,’ he said, ‘I didn’t realise that there was a queue.’

  ‘What the hell is going on?’

  ‘What?’ He looked around frantically. ‘Keep your bloody voice down.’

  ‘Are you and Ella going out?’

  ‘Not exactly.’ He ran his fingers through his hair.

  ‘Bollocks!’ She jabbed his chest with her finger. ‘You’re a couple. Don’t deny it!’

  ‘We’re not . . . she’s . . .’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Just leave it.’ He started to walk away.

  ‘William! Don’t walk away from me. There’s more to this, I know it.’

  He stopped and hung his head for a moment. ‘She’s pregnant,’ he said eventually.

  ‘Pregnant? How the hell did you manage that?’

  ‘I’m not the father.’

  ‘What?’ Her blue eyes widened. ‘She’s pregnant, it’s not yours – then why is she living with you?’

  ‘Laura!’ He put his fingers to his lips. ‘Keep your voice down!’

  ‘What is going on? I demand to know. Why are you taking on something that has nothing to do with you? Is she in trouble? Tell me, Will!’

  He sighed and hung his head, debating what to say. ‘She’s all alone – abandoned in fact. I’m just helping her out.’

&n
bsp; ‘Helping her out?’ she repeated incredulously. ‘Where’s the father?’

  ‘Canada. He doesn’t know she’s still pregnant – paid her to have an abortion and disappear.’

  ‘Will . . .’

  ‘She needs me,’ he insisted. ‘She’s very ill, as you can see. Was hospitalised in fact for dehydration and vomiting. So, I’ve offered to look after her. She has nowhere else to go.’

  ‘But are you a couple?’

  William shook his head. ‘No. I guess, we’ll see how it goes. Our priority now is the baby.’

  Laura eyed him speculatively. ‘You know, James mentioned that you fancied her but I rubbished it. I mean, I never noticed it, not once. Now, I’m not so sure.’

  ‘I don’t,’ he protested hotly. ‘I’m just doing the right thing.’

  ‘Hmmm . . .’

  ‘Just bugger off, Laura. Don’t say a word to Mum for a while, okay? We’ll announce the pregnancy soon but not tonight.’

  ‘Soon? I’d do it as soon as possible, Will. Mum should know. She’s worried about how thin Ella is.’

  ‘I’ll talk to her.’ He walked away.

  ‘Will?’ she called after his retreating back.

  ‘Yeah?’ He stopped dead, without turning around.

  ‘Be careful. Don’t get hurt.’

  He closed his eyes. ‘I won’t.’

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Harry Finkelman’s offices were on the third floor of an impressive stone building near Shaftsbury Avenue. The chic receptionist smiled at Aurora and told her to take a seat. Then she disappeared behind her huge Mac once more. The waiting area was plush and modern with white couches, glass tables and pictures of Harry with famous clients all over the wall.

  ‘He represents everyone,’ observed James. ‘Look, is that him with Prince Harry? I didn’t know that he was in show business.’

  Aurora giggled. ‘It was probably at the BAFTAs or something. As far as I know, the prince isn’t a thespian.’