In The Fast Lane

by Lotte Moore

  That evening, Georgie rushed in with Serena. “Oh Mummy, it’s lovely to see you.” She squeezed Vivi tightly. “Where’s my new brother?”

  “You’ll can see him tomorrow,” said Theo.

  *

  Family life returned to something akin to normal. The following day Vivi took Georgie to meet Sebastian.

  “Why is he in that cage with all those pipes sticking out?” asked Georgie.

  “That’s his incubator and all those pipes help him breathe. You can stroke his hand if you like.” Vivi guided her daughter’s hand through the window.

  “Oh, he’s so tiny, like one of my old dolls. Will he grow soon?”

  “Yes darling.”

  At home, Beady rounded on Theo. “I hope you’re not going to fly off to Moscow suddenly. Vivi desperately needs you here. We don’t want any urgent phone calls from that man who seems to manage everything for you and all the concerts. He appears to have little consideration for your family life here.”

  “I’ll have to return to Moscow in a few weeks to finish an important recording. The orchestra is waiting for me,” he said quietly.

  “Isn’t Vivi more important to you? She’s such a wonderful girl and has been through hell and too many lonely times,” Beady said angrily. Theo was almost crumbling. This woman would never know how desolate he felt with a jungle of feelings churning inside him. “Well? Shouldn’t she be your number one priority?”

  Theo began to stutter. “I—I—love her so much.”

  Tears poured down his ashen face as he got up and slowly walked out of the room.

  Jago met him in the garden. “Can I have the paddling pool water Daddy? I want to splash you.”

  Theo slowly trickled a hose into the pool as Jago splashed him. He sunk into a chair and just watched this bundle of fun shrieking with laughter. Beady stood by the kitchen door watching them with her arms crossed over her chest.

  “Hi Daddy, isn’t Sebastian dinky? He’ll take a long time to grow, won’t he?” Georgie said excitedly on her return.

  “He’s put on weight and those lovely eyes were open,” Vivi said. She noticed Theo’s sombre face. “Are you alright, darling? You look rather strained.”

  “Yes, I’m fine.” He lied.

  *

  Jonty and Cheryl came for lunch later in the week and Vivi took them to hospital to see Sebastian. Cheryl was moved to tears seeing all the humming incubators, then holding tiny Sebastian’s hand.

  “He looks so like his daddy,” whispered Cheryl.

  “It’s a milking parlour in here.” Jonty laughed. “Speaking of which…” He passed Vivi a photo of one of their calves. “He’s called Sebastian too.”

  “Oh Jonty,” Vivi said, playfully hitting his arm.

  Back at home the family enjoyed Cheryl’s homemade scones with cream and jam.

  “We wondered if you’d be godmother to Sebastian?” asked Theo.

  “Oh yes! That would be very special. I’d love to,” Cheryl glowed.

  Beady chatted to her while Jonty played hide-and-seek at the bottom of the garden. Eventually he found them all and tipped each child into the paddling pool amid howls of laughter. They retaliated by soaking Jonty in return.

  “Can you stay the night?” asked Beady.

  “Yes, let’s take the new Mum out to supper at that nice bistro round the corner,” replied Jonty.

  Theo suppressed his ongoing turmoil and was cheered by Jonty’s garrulous fun. Vivi was calm again, less stressed and enjoyed having all the family around.

  Chapter Eleven

  Notting Hill

  “Gems, I’ve just finalised an amazing contract with Oleg Paranovsky. His place in Wiltshire is stunning. I’ve never seen such huge four-poster beds,” Serena said, sitting down at her desk. “The curtains must make them awfully hot in summer. Oh! Princes Gate is nearly finished. The team have worked hard to complete everything, so I’m starting on Wiltshire on Thursday. Are there any letters or emails to sign off?”

  “Yes, this pile of about sixteen things that need your approval and signature.” Gems handed them to Serena. “How is the new baby getting on?”

  “He’s a poppet, just like his dad and getting bigger every day,” Serena replied proudly. “Vivi is stronger and enjoying being home again but she misses Sebastian who is still in intensive care. Thank goodness Theo is around, and my mum is good with Jago.”

  “There’ve been a few enquiries as to your availability, but I said you were very busy at present and could they ring back in three months,” Gems said.

  Serena spent a long time on the phone ordering samples and materials to show Paranovsky on Thursday. “It’s a huge job. I’m going to get a few assistants to come down and help me. Could you ring George and Cathy and see if they could meet me at Salisbury station on Friday at 9am? I’ll reimburse their fares,” asked Serena hurriedly.

  Her phone rang. “Hello, Vivi darling, is everything okay? Sorry I can’t possibly do lunch… yes, I’d love to see Jonty but I’m beginning a big new project this week and wondered if you’d have Alicia for a few days? She could see Granny too. Oh, thank you darling. I really appreciate it.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Aylesbury

  Serena arrived home to hear Freddie screaming vociferously outside the downstairs loo. “What’s the matter darling?”

  “Benjie has dropped my electric train down the loo AND it’s covered in his poo,” wailed Freddie.

  “Come on, I’ll get it out and clean it up in no time.” Giving him a hug, Serena fished out the mucky engine, poured disinfectant over it and gently washed it again in washing-up liquid. “Help me dry it, love—come on.”

  “Ugh! Ugh! I can’t touch it, Mummy,” he shouted. Suddenly the train started running round the hall again, much to Freddie’s surprise. “I can hear Daddy calling you. I want you to bath me Mummy.”

  Serena rolled her eyes. “Well, come on then.” She chased him upstairs to find little Benjie already immersed in green bubbles.

  Lang walked into the bathroom and hugged Serena from behind. “How was your day, darling?” he asked.

  “Hectic, but exciting. I’ll tell you the news over supper. Where’s Alicia?”

  “She’s making meringues with Bella as a surprise for you,” said Lang.

  “Come on Freddie, jump in. Could you read both of them a story while I see what’s for supper?” Serena asked.

  “Mummy, shut your eyes,” called Alicia when Serena entered the kitchen. “Now open!”

  There was a marvellous mound of meringues, oozing with cream and jam.

  “Darling, what a clever girl to make all those,” said Serena happily.

  “They’re for our supper,” exclaimed her animated daughter.

  “Would you like to stay with Georgie for a couple of nights? You could see Granny too,” enthused Serena.

  “That would be fun, and perhaps I could see my new cousin?”

  “Yes, of course. You’ll visit him as well.”

  Later than evening, Lang was telling his wife all about the various activities he’d organised for the children that day. Serena couldn’t contain herself any longer.

  “I must tell you about Wiltshire. Oleg Paranovsky has a huge Jacobean mansion surrounded by fields and gardens. He’s asked me to start on the two main bedrooms with spacious four posters and rather decaying velvet wallpaper. The job will take weeks to complete, but he’s offered me a fabulous contract that will pay the rent on this house for more than a year. Unfortunately, it’ll mean that from this Thursday I’ll have to spend a few late nights at the office in order to collect and prepare all the materials to be delivered.”

  “Well done love. That is exciting news. It’s just… it’s a bit tough on the kids. Freddie keeps asking when you’ll be home.”

  “I know, but I have to do this!” Serena snapped. “Once things get up and running I’ll be going from here by car and will see them much more. I’ve asked Alicia if she’d like to see Georgie for two nights,
so I thought you could take the boys to Jonty’s for a tractor ride, then swimming another day in the new activity pool outside Aylesbury, or ask Freddie if he’d like a friend to stay in the tent one night.”

  Lang huffed; Serena’s tone irritated him. “It’s all very well you giving me things to do with the children, but there must be some time you can be here for them?”

  “Lang, you know I have to grab every job I’m offered; there’s no other money coming in. This new job will cover all our outgoings and rent, then perhaps I can be with them more,” she said in a patronising tone.

  “Most unlikely, you’ve got your house husband now,” he grumbled.

  “Well, whose fault is that?” she retorted. “I’m trying to help this family.”

  “And so am I!” Lang yelled.

  Maggie walked into the room, to clear the plates and was holding a large bowl of strawberries and meringues. The pair fell silent and Maggie smiled. “Hope you enjoy Alicia’s cooking.”

  “It looks great,” Lang said, with a strained smile. Serena glared at him.

  *

  Lang dropped Serena off to meet Vivi. They didn’t speak the entire journey. Vivi took her to see Sebastian on the way home. She reacted with amazement at how small her new nephew was, but she didn’t like seeing all the incubators and noisy machines.

  “When will he come home to you?” she asked.

  “Hopefully in a couple of weeks when he’s breathing well on his own. I miss him as soon as I leave the hospital.”

  Meanwhile, Lang met up with Jonty.

  “I was going to ask you if the boys would like to come and see the sheep being dipped,” Jonty asked.

  “Yes, that would be fun, they’re at a bit of a loss today. Serena has just told me she’s going to be away for three days at this new palace in Wiltshire. Anything to occupy the boys would be great, especially Freddie.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chiswick

  Theo was practicing in the drawing room. One of the Chopin sonatas was proving difficult. His phone rang interrupting him.

  “Hello, Sergei, how is everything? It’s great news that Murel is rehearsing a new programme for a concert over here next week.”

  “Yes, we have a visiting pianist playing Mussorgsky,” said Sergei eagerly.

  Theo was taken aback, realising he’d almost been replaced.

  “When are you able to return for the big recording Theo? In three weeks?” Sergei asked. “We must get back into the studio, the orchestra is in peak form.”

  “I just can’t come until Sebastian is home from hospital. He’s so fragile. I’m longing to play the concerto and see you all.” Theo’s voice sank almost to a whisper.

  “Well, ring me next week after the concert.”

  “Oh Sergei, I’m sorry, I can’t…” The phone went dead. Tears welled inside Theo, all the confusion of feelings returned. Why was Sergei so distant, and not understanding my predicament?

  *

  Beady greatly enjoyed being with Alicia and Georgie, and took them out on their scooters. The girls climbed trees in Chiswick Park, fed the ducks and showed Beady the swans gliding under the bridge to catch more bread. The morning ended up with large ice creams at the Park café. Beady got a bundle of napkins and wiped two chocolate-covered faces.

  “It’s so hot! I wish we could go swimming,” said Georgie wistfully.

  “Ask Daddy to take you later,” suggested Beady.

  After lunch, Beady went to see Sebastian with Vivi, leaving everyone else to go swimming with Theo.

  A long two weeks later, Sebastian was allowed home, much to everyone’s delight. He settled in and never cried at night. The children wanted to play with him, but the baby just wanted to sleep.

  Beady decided to go back to Madeira and start arranging the shipment of furniture. Jonty promised to follow on later to lend a hand.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Wiltshire

  Serena was submerged in samples for the matching four posters and wallpaper. Her assistants worked feverishly. Paranovsky liked the colour schemes and materials. Phone calls to the children during the busy working week were quite painful, mostly because Freddie wailed so much and one night dropped the phone in his pasta.

  Lang received a demanding letter from his firm’s solicitors. He rang his own lawyer and begged him to fend off their threat of issuing a writ to bankrupt him. Lang was in such a state he asked Serena to come home sooner than planned.

  “The children are bathed and in bed, I must talk to you now,” he said to Serena, as he paced up and down the room. “I got a letter about the outstanding balance. When do you think Beady’s money will be available? Do you think you could ask if it is likely to be before the end of this month? Otherwise, I’m in deep trouble.”

  “What did your lawyer say?” asked Serena.

  “He suggested I told them the sale of the Madeira house was almost completed and hopefully I’ll be able to pay them before the end of September,” Lang said tersely.

  “Well, Jonty is over there now packing up all the contents with her,” Serena tried to reassure him.

  “Do you think you could explain the urgency to her, darling?” he begged.

  Serena picked up the phone. “Who shall I speak to, Mum or Jonty?”

  “I think Jonty,” Lang replied.

  After a twenty-minute chat about what furniture was packed, they finally discussed the completion date which turned out to be mid-September.

  “I should let your lawyers know immediately so that they can reply today.”

  “Oh, what a relief! The guilt will stay with me forever, but at least my frightful debt will be paid off thanks to you and your generous mum,” he said appreciatively.

  “Well, we’re in this together Lang. Did I tell you about Oleg? A charming man to work for. He’s already recommended me to a couple of his colleagues, so I’ll be in Russian houses for years if I get their jobs.” She laughed and hugged Lang, who relaxed into her arms. “All of our money problems will be in the past.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Madeira

  Jonty finished packing the last containers ready for collection the following morning.

  “Well, it’s goodbye to my lovely house.” Beady sighed. “I shall miss the sun and the sea most, but at least I’ll be with you all in England. Now we only have to sign the contract at the lawyers before we catch the plane back.”

  She slowly shut the front door and plucked several hibiscus flowers from a branch. Squeezing Jonty’s arm, she turned for a last look at the empty house.

  “Let’s go,” she whispered.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chiswick

  Theo found Vivi rocking Sebastian in his crib.

  “I’ve had a call from Moscow begging me to do a special recording,” he said. “The orchestra is waiting for me. Do you mind if I go for ten days? Your mother will be here tomorrow to give extra help. I know she disapproves of me going back but I’m under contract to perform.”

  There was silence, finally Vivi sighed. “Oh Theo, when will these disappearances end? Your absence is felt more and more by me and the children. Everything seems to go wrong when you’re not here. Georgie breaking her arm, the burglary, Sebastian coming early. When are you going to put us first?”

  “I have to earn a living to help raise our family, my love. Please try to be understanding,” he said plaintively. “I realise I’m leaving our lovely new baby so soon, but I can’t postpone the recording any longer.” He walked over to the crib and stroked Sebastian’s head. He went to kiss Vivi and she turned her head, so his lips brushed her hair.

  “Just go,” Vivi said hugging herself.

  Theo hesitated. For a second, Vivi thought he was going to say he was staying. Instead, he hung his head and left the room to pack.

  *

  After tearful goodbyes from the children and a frosty look from Vivi, Theo reluctantly got into a waiting taxi. He arrived late in the evening in Moscow. He looked for Serg
ei and saw him standing by the exit. They hugged, then drove off to Baba’s house. Sergei was not as animated as usual.

  “Oh, I have missed you Sergei,” said Theo, tenderly holding his hand.

  “Yes, me too, it’s been a long while since we were together and we must talk about the situation over dinner one night. How is your new son? Is he home now?” Sergei asked.

  “Yes, after a very anxious time for them both in intensive care. He’s got long fingers and I expect he’ll be a pianist too.”

  Sergei smiled. “See you at 9.30 tomorrow,” he replied, leaving Theo alone to wonder why he hadn’t suggested a chat over a drink or supper.

  *

  Theo walked in to cheers from the orchestra and a welcoming hug from Murel. Within seconds, he began the opening chords on the piano, pounding each one with ever greater emotion.

  After an hour and a half of rehearsing, there was a break and Murel gave everyone notes about the tempi. Several players came up to chat with Theo and ask after the baby.

  By the end of the week, he felt totally on top of the Rachmaninov concerto and eagerly wanted to start recording,

  He rang Vivi each day and she always sounded distant. He reassured her that his trips will be less frequent, but he could tell by her tone that she didn’t believe him.

  On Friday, Sergei asked him if he’d like to meet for supper somewhere or come back to his place. They ate at a local restaurant and after a few glasses the conversation became both more personal, and more uneasy.

  “I’m still in such turmoil over us, but I do love you, Sergei, I am sure of that. I have never felt this way about a man before,” stated Theo.

  “Maybe you do, and my love for you is strong too, but it simply can’t ever work, can it? Your loyalties are to your family, your wife, and now your new son. We can’t pretend otherwise.” Sergei put an arm round Theo. “You need someone else to look after you and promote your concerts. I have someone in mind who you must meet.”