Angel

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

  Having shed her own coat, Rosie joined Nell on the sofa, and murmured, ‘I’m not mad at you, or upset, Nellie darling. Really I’m not. Quite the opposite. I’m thrilled that you and Kevin are involved.’ She smiled as she said this and reached out, touched her friend’s arm affectionately. ‘Is it serious between you and Kev?’

  Nell stared at Rosie for a long moment. Finally, a faint smile crossed her mouth. ‘I don’t know… and perhaps that’s the reason we never told you, or Gavin, or anyone. Maybe we just didn’t want to have to explain ourselves, or analyse our own feelings, or, most important of all, have any pressure put upon us.’

  Rosie gaped at her. ‘Good Lord, Nell, I’d never put pressure on you and Kevin! Please don’t ever think such a thing. I was just being nosey. I love you, and I love my brother, and of course it would be wonderful if you were serious about each other, planned a long-term relationship. But in all truth, it’s none of my business.’

  ‘I wasn’t chastising you, just attempting to explain. I guess we haven’t seen much of you or Gavin…’ Nell left this sentence unfinished, turned away, looked out of the window for a minute. Then, turning back to Rosie, she added, ‘That’s such a silly thing to say. Of course we’ve seen both of you. On the movie, for one thing. And even though Kevin was only on the set once, I have been there off and on over these past few months, and I should have told you. I didn’t because… well, because I didn’t want to be pinned down, I guess. I’m sure Kevin felt the same way. We just wanted this to be a private thing between us, not a topic open for discussion.’

  ‘I understand,’ Rosie said, squeezing her arm.

  ‘Oh I hope you do, my darling. I wasn’t excluding you. We weren’t excluding you. As I just told you, we never even discussed it with each other until the other night.’ Nell cleared her throat, continued quietly, ‘I adore Kevin. He’s the most wonderful man. We’re the best of friends, get on well, like the same things. And that’s it.’

  ‘You don’t have to explain. I’m just glad you and he are giving each other a bit of comfort and happiness.’

  ‘So am I. And I do care for him you know, even if I don’t want to marry him.’

  Rosie was silent, digesting this remark, and then she asked, ‘Does Kevin want to marry you?’

  ‘I don’t think so.’ Nell made a moue with her mouth. ‘Actually I don’t really know. He’s never mentioned marriage, and neither have I. I don’t suppose it’s ever crossed our minds. He’s so caught up in being an undercover cop, and then I have my business, the company to run.’

  ‘When did it happen? What I mean is, when did you first get involved?’

  ‘About a year ago. That night Gavin was in New York en route to London to start talks on Kingmaker. Don’t you remember? I told you on the phone that we’d all had dinner together at the Carlyle. Kevin took me home. I asked him in for a nightcap. And bingo! Suddenly we were in a hot clinch.’

  ‘How wonderful!’ Rosie said. ‘Here’s a bit of advice from me. Take what you can while you can, and to hell with the consequences. That’s my new motto.’

  ‘Is it really!’ Nell’s brows lifted in astonishment. ‘Well, well, that’s the biggest surprise of the evening, except for Johnny’s quite extraordinary about-face. Now, let’s talk about him for a minute. How on earth did you get on to his silver?’

  Rosie grinned, ‘I was appalled at his behaviour, and I was just about to come looking for you, to tell you I was returning here. But instead of politely taking my leave, I actually started to compliment him on the dessert stands. The Paul Storr dessert stands.’

  ‘Aha! That explains it! You couldn’t have chosen a better subject. Those stands are, quite literally, his greatest pride and joy. His friends in London, the Raeymaekers, found them for him, and he kind of went ballistic when he saw them earlier this month.’

  ‘I was surprised that he knows so much about antique silver. Odd, isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, quite curious, in a way. He was a poor boy, raised in the Bronx or Brooklyn, somewhere like that. Not much formal education to speak of, except musically, and he had little exposure to the world of art and antiques. He was too busy climbing the show business ladder most of his life to indulge himself in anything. Johnny has always been very driven, from what I understand. But he has a good eye, and he seems to have developed this affinity for priceless silver. I guess he’s read a lot about it lately, and he truly cares about it, which is the secret of being a good collector.’

  Rosie nodded, then got up, walked over to the window, stood staring out. The suite overlooked Rodeo Drive, which already glittered with Christmas lights and decorations even though it was only November. Her thoughts were on Johnny, and before she could stop herself, she asked, ‘Is he involved with anyone?’

  ‘Not that I know of,’ Nell answered, her interest piqued by this question, watching Rosie from her position on the sofa. ‘In fact, I’m sure he’s not.’

  At this moment there was a knock on the door, and Nell went to open it for the waiter, who came in bearing the tray of tea.

  A few seconds later, when they were alone again, Nell poured the tea, and continued, ‘I don’t believe there’s ever been anybody special in Johnny’s life. At least, from what I can gather. Certainly not in the last few years, not since I’ve been around. Oh yes, there’s been the occasional show girl, the odd groupie, and sometimes he’s had a bimbo in tow. But they haven’t meant anything. One-night stands, that’s all.’

  ‘Why do you think that is… that he’s never married?’

  Nell shook her head. ‘God knows, and he won’t split. Come and sit down and have this cup of tea. As for Johnny Fortune, I can’t even hazard a guess why he’s not married, or why he’s not been involved with anyone on a permanent basis. Now that I think about it, there have been a few rumours at different times, about his involvement with a couple of women. But they were not serious relationships.’ After taking a sip of her tea, Nell said in a slightly surprised tone, ‘It’s just struck me, perhaps he’s never been in love. Perhaps that’s the reason.’

  ‘It’s possible.’ There was a tiny pause, before Rosie asked, ‘What’s he really like?’

  Nell’s brow shot up, and she gave Rosie a very direct, questioning look. ‘I’m not sure, to tell you the honest truth. He doesn’t let anyone get too close to him, you know, holds most people at arm’s length… at least, on a personal level.’

  ‘But he seems very close to you.’

  ‘On a business level, yes. He’s a perpetual worrier about his career, as you no doubt noticed tonight, and I seem able to reassure him. As a matter of fact, he’s a chronic worrier about almost everything. But he’s quite a nice man, and he’s always been kind and considerate to me. Of course, he’s riddled with all kinds of insecurities. He’s also a bit of an egomaniac and terribly self-involved, but then he’s an entertainer. You know better than anyone how nutsy performers can be.’

  ‘Not Gavin!’ Rosie exclaimed.

  ‘No, not Gavin, but he’s the exception to the rule. Getting back to Johnny, he is a decent person, and nice, as I just said. And yet…’

  ‘Yet what?’

  Nell sighed. ‘I’m not sure… there’s just something about him, something I can’t quite put my finger on, Rosie. He’s remote for one thing, distant most of the time, and not very forthcoming about his family. Sort of mysterious.’

  ‘Does he have any?’

  ‘There’s an old uncle somewhere. I think he lives in Florida. The aunt is dead. It was this aunt and uncle who raised him. He told me once that his mother died when he was very young. There are no brothers or sisters. No family at all, actually, other than the uncle. I think he probably had a somewhat lonely, dismal childhood, and certainly it was impoverished. Although I believe the uncle started to do quite well at one point. He’s never told me too much. Johnny’s not big on intimacy, or sharing confidences with anyone. Mind you, I’ve never asked him very many questions. Perhaps because he has always been cagey about hi
mself, his past, and his personal life. He doesn’t have too many friends, keeps himself to himself.’

  ‘I like him, Nell.’

  ‘I know you do.’

  ‘You do?’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘How?’

  Nell laughed. ‘Because you never showed such interest in any of the men I’ve introduced you to in the past few years. The fact that you’ve questioned me about Johnny is very indicative of your feelings. I think you’re intrigued by him.’ Nell grinned at her dearest friend. ‘And I must admit, I’m absolutely delighted that you fancy somebody.’

  Rosie flushed. ‘I don’t fancy him!’

  Nell burst out laughing. ‘Of course you do, Rosie. Don’t deny it. And I’ll tell you something else. Johnny Fortune fancies you.’

  ‘Don’t be so ridiculous!’

  ‘You always say that when I hit the mark. And it’s not ridiculous. Know what?’ Nell stared at Rosie, her eyes grown suddenly merry, almost mischievous.

  ‘No, I don’t,’ Rosie muttered.

  ‘I’m going to fix you up with him, arrange a date—’

  ‘Nell, no! Please don’t do that!’ Rosie cried, her eyes opening wide.

  ‘Yes, I am going to do it!’ Nell pressed on determinedly, ‘I shall make a date for the day after Thanksgiving. He’s going to be in New York, on business, and for Thanksgiving dinner with his uncle. He told us that. I think it’s a great idea. Inspired, even if I do say so myself. I’ll make it a foursome. Me and Kevin, you and Johnny. It’ll be wonderful.’

  ‘I’m leaving that day for Paris,’ Rosie announced.

  ‘Change your flight. Go on Saturday. Don’t pass this up, Rosie,’ Nell pleaded.

  ‘I can’t change my flight. I’ve been away too long. I spoke to Yvonne today, and Collie hasn’t been feeling well. I must get back. In any case, Collie aside, there’s so much to do at Montfleurie for Christmas.’

  ‘You and Montfleurie!’ Nell exclaimed in exasperation, and although she did not want to upset Rosie, she could not help adding, ‘Oh botheration! Why am I so foolish to think you could ever be interested in a man, when you’re in love with a bloody house!’

  Rosie gaped at her. ‘You are foolish, Nell, for saying such a rotten thing. I’m not in love with a house. That’s so far-fetched it hardly behoves me to respond to you. But I do love Collie, Lisette and Yvonne. They love me and need me, and I certainly have obligations to them. I can’t let them down.’

  Nell was silent, sipping her tea, her face suddenly clouding over. Inside she was seething. There were times when Rosie tried her patience, most especially when she put the people at Montfleurie first, often thinking of their well being before her own. She was too good in so many ways, and Nell believed there were those who took advantage of Rosie’s goodness, the French family in particular.

  Rosie said, ‘Please don’t let’s quarrel, darling. We spend so little time together these days, and I do miss you so. The last thing I want is to fight with you, Nell. You’re my best friend, I love you.’

  Nell gazed at her silently, nodded, and offered her a faint, conciliatory smile. Without saying a word she pushed herself to her feet and went into the bedroom.

  Rosie watched her go, full of sudden regrets that she had ever mentioned Johnny Fortune. She was about to follow Nell into the bedroom, to make peace with her, when Nell appeared in the doorway, waving a tape at her. Returning to the sofa, she handed the tape to Rosie, again without saying anything.

  Rosie examined the tape. It was Johnny’s latest recording, just released, and it was already a big hit, she knew that. It was called Fortune’s Child, and there was a colour photograph of him on the front. There was no question about it, he was very good-looking. She studied the sensitive face for a moment, then, lifting her head, Rosie gave Nell a quizzical look.

  Nell said, ‘Johnny’s handsome, talented, rich, and basically a pretty decent man, quite a catch in his own way, I would say. So listen to me. I know that he is interested in you, Rosie, because I noticed the way he was acting when we were having coffee. I’ve never seen him like that.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘For one thing, he was hanging on to your every word, and practically purring. For another, he couldn’t take his eyes off you. And he certainly didn’t want us to leave when we did. I bet if I hadn’t been there he’d have made his intentions more obvious. I bet if you’d been alone with him, he’d have tried to seduce you.’

  ‘God, what an imagination you have!’

  ‘I know what I saw!’ Nell answered somewhat fiercely. ‘Why won’t you give it half a chance? Let me arrange dinner, or even lunch before you leave for France. For the four of us, the day after Thanksgiving.’

  ‘I just can’t, Nell, I really can’t. I mustn’t disappoint Collie. She’s so anxious for me to get there. I’ve been away so much because of the movie, and then coming here to the States has delayed my return.’

  She’s afraid, Nell thought. Afraid of getting involved with a man because of what happened the last time she did. That’s what this is all about. She hides out in that ridiculous house, because at Montfleurie she feels safe. But she’s not at all safe there. It’s the most dangerous place in the world for her to be. I must convince her to leave that house once and for all, before it’s too late. Before something terrible happens.

  FOURTEEN

  ‘I’ve been here for over twenty minutes and you haven’t mentioned the movie, or told me anything about it,’ Rosie complained, glancing at Gavin.

  The two of them were sitting on the terrace overlooking the gardens of his Bel-Air house, enjoying a glass of white wine before lunch on this cool but sunny morning.

  He chuckled. ‘Just listen to the girl. You haven’t stopped talking since you arrived. I haven’t been able to get a word in edgeways, what with your report on your meeting with Garry Marshall, and the news about Nell and Kevin. Now that’s the most interesting titbit of all.’

  Rosie agreed with him, then added, ‘It was the last thing I ever expected to hear.’

  ‘Me too. I was astonished, to tell you the truth. For a long time I thought that Nell was still carrying a torch for Mikey, but I guess not.’

  ‘And I thought Kevin was hung up on Sunny. Just goes to show you how wrong we both were,’ Rosie pointed out, and laughed.

  ‘Is it serious?’ Gavin asked, shifting his position in the chair, crossing his legs.

  ‘I don’t know. I asked Nell that question myself, and she was sort of… well, evasive. I think that’s the best way to describe her attitude.’

  ‘They certainly managed to keep their affair a big secret from us.’

  ‘I explained that, Gavin. I told you, they didn’t want us prying, or putting pressure on them.’

  ‘I guess they wouldn’t. And who does need that?’

  ‘About the movie, Gavin, I—’

  ‘You’ll love it, and you’ll certainly want to do the clothes,’ he cut in.

  ‘That goes without saying, doesn’t it?’

  ‘I hope so, darling,’ he answered, grinning at her. Then he got up, walked across the terrace, stood leaning against the railings, facing her, his eyes focused on hers. ‘It’s about a great man,’ he began, and paused.

  ‘Who else!’ Rosie laughed. ‘You have a fascination for great men… the great men in history. I presume he’s an historical figure?’

  ‘But of course he is. There certainly aren’t any great men around today to speak of… maybe Gorbachev, but we’ll see about him when the dust settles. Anyway, as you well know by now, in my opinion Winston Churchill was the truly great man of this century. He stands side by side with the giants of history, and—’

  She interrupted him, asked quickly, ‘You mean your new film is going to be about Winston Churchill?’

  Gavin shook his head. ‘It’s about a man who was around a bit before Churchill’s time, a man who has had over two hundred thousand books written about him, and who was the most dominant figure in the world in h
is own time.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Napoleon.’

  This was the last name she had expected to hear and Rosie was flabbergasted. She stared at Gavin in utter amazement, incredulity registering on her face. ‘Gavin, it’s insane to attempt to make the life of Napoleon!’ she cried heatedly. ‘It’s biting off more than even you can chew. Why, it’s an impossible task, and a far greater challenge than Kingmaker was.’

  ‘Yes, it is, you’re quite right about that. But I’m not going to do his life as such. I’m not that stupid. I’m going to make a portion of his life. Obviously, to attempt to do a full, biographical film about him would cost too much money, and it would end up being far too long. My aim is to film a particular period in his life.’

  ‘Which period? His rise to power?’

  ‘No, the period when he was already in power, when he had gone from great general to First Consul to Emperor. When he was at his happiest, to my way of thinking anyway, and when he was at the apex of his life. And it’s going to be more of a love story, a family story, than one about his colossal achievements and his world-shaking successes as a general. I want to tell the story of… a man and a woman actually… Napoleon and Josephine. It starts just before he had himself crowned Emperor, and Josephine crowned Empress, and shows their closeness, their togetherness, the great love they had for each other. Naturally, I have to jump time, in order to bring the story up to the point where Napoleon decides he must divorce Josephine. For his country, for France. I want to show the terrible internal struggle he had with himself, once he concluded he must give up the woman he loved in order to protect his country. It was very much a political move. He needed to cement his alliance with Russia, and what better way to do it than with a marriage. He sought the hand of Tsar Alexander’s sister, Anna. He wanted this marriage to be the way to permanent peace, a guarantee of peace, in fact. The Tsar was for it, but the Empress Mother was against it, and Napoleon was rejected in the end. But he needed to build peace, and he also needed an ally among the great European powers. There was another thing, Rosie: he had thought often about an heir, and longed for a son, one to whom he could bequeath his power, his glory, his throne. In the end he married the Austrian princess, as I’m sure you know.’