by A. E. Radley
She walked back into the bedroom and opened the nearest wardrobe. It was full of clothes, beautiful designer clothes. She pulled out a garment on a hanger and noted it was her size. Along the bottom of the wardrobe was a variety of shoes for all occasions. Again, in her size. She put the hanger back and closed the door of the wardrobe.
She turned and started to explore further. A set of drawers held a large selection of underwear. The bedside cabinet was full of stationery, including leather-bound notebooks and a selection of pens. The vanity unit contained face cleansers, moisturisers, and perfume.
She stood in the doorway to the bathroom and gaped at the two rooms in astonishment.
Victoria had taken care of absolutely everything. Anything Holly could need for the next month was available to her. It was obvious that great thought and care had gone into making the temporary stop a home. She felt touched at the thought of Victoria taking so much effort just for her.
She wondered if it was Victoria, or maybe her first or even her second assistant. But surely they would have had guidance from Victoria?
Holly picked up her holdall and placed it on the bench at the end of the bed. She opened the bag and took out her notebook and cheap ballpoint pen. She walked around the room a little, taking everything in for a few moments. Eventually, she sat on the corner of the bed and started to write.
At first, writing had been a training exercise, a way to improve her motor skills, but it had soon become a big part of her life. She enjoyed jotting down her thoughts and feelings, mentioning noteworthy moments about her day and reading back through days gone by. It became a way to process what she was going through.
She knew that today’s entry would take a long time to properly document. Probably more pages than she had left in her book. But then there were the new leather-bound notebooks that had been supplied. Surely Victoria had played a part in that? That wasn’t usual guestroom material, was it?
A smile broke out across her face, gaining in size and strength until it started to hurt her cheeks.
21
Victoria poured some salt into the large pan of nearly boiling water. She stretched her shoulders and let out a sigh. It had been a very long day, no doubt one of many long days to come.
She could hear the distinctive sound of a lost soul walking around the ground floor of the house. A smile curled her lips.
“In here, Holly,” she called out softly.
A few moments later, Holly appeared in the kitchen. “I’ll need a map for this place. And I’ve only been on two of the floors!”
“You’ll get used to it,” Victoria told her.
Holly walked over to the kitchen island where the saucepan gently bubbled. She leaned on the countertop and looked at Victoria seriously. “Victoria, we have to talk. My room—”
“Is something wrong?” Victoria interrupted.
“No, nothing like that. It’s beautiful. Amazing, even.”
“Then?”
“It’s too much,” Holly said. “I appreciate everything you have done and are doing, but… there must be thousands of dollars of clothes, shoes, and toiletries down there.”
Victoria gestured to Holly with the wooden spoon she had been holding. “You don’t have many other clothes. And no toiletries to speak of.”
Holly opened her mouth to respond, presumably to argue.
“Besides,” Victoria continued, “it’s just a few bits from the sample closet at Arrival. No one would use them anyway. They are at least a season old. The closet gets cleaned out once a year, so you’ve done the company a favour. I don’t see the problem.”
Holly smiled. “It’s not a problem, I’m supremely grateful. I’m just finding it hard to accept all these generous gifts.”
“They’re not gifts,” Victoria corrected. “They are necessities. Toothpaste and the like.”
“And Hugo Boss perfume,” Holly added with a chuckle.
“I believe it was your scent; I’d hoped it would jog your memory.” Victoria angrily threw handfuls of pasta into the boiling pan of water. She felt foolish for admitting that she had taken the time to notice Holly’s preferred mid-price scent.
Holly stared at her, disbelief on her face.
Victoria tried to ignore her but found that she couldn’t.
“What?” she demanded.
“That’s a wonderful thing to do, thank you. I’m sorry if I sounded ungrateful, but I’m not used to gifts. That you took the time and effort to find my usual perfume… wow.”
As quickly as it had come, Victoria felt the anger wash away. Holly wasn’t teasing her. She was grateful. Her cheeks heated as a result.
“Yes, well, you’re welcome.” She gestured towards the saucepan. “I take it you like pasta?”
“I do,” Holly confessed.
“Good, take a seat and it will be ready momentarily.” Victoria pointed to the small family dining table. She’d decided against dinner in the large dining room, she felt the atmosphere wouldn’t help Holly feel at home on her first night. Right now, the girl needed cosy, calm, and relaxing.
“Can I help with anything?” Holly asked.
Victoria looked up at her. She’d had an idea, something to make the evening special. But she wasn’t sure if it was a good idea.
“Well, I know it’s late and you’re probably tired, but I was wondering if you’d like to open a bottle of wine to toast your homecoming?”
Holly’s eyes lit up. “That sounds lovely. But I have to warn you that I haven’t drunk alcohol for at least a year.”
“Just one glass then,” Victoria decided. “Could you get a couple of glasses from that cupboard by the window?”
Holly retrieved the glasses and placed them on the table. She hovered around helplessly for a few moments until Victoria told her to take a seat. Holly sat down, and Victoria quickly finished preparing the meal.
She placed two bowls of pasta on the table and went to the wine refrigerator to get an appropriate vintage.
“This looks delicious,” Holly said, inhaling deeply above the bowl.
“Reserve your judgement until you’ve eaten it,” Victoria warned. She opened and poured the wine. Then she sat down and held up her glass towards Holly. Holly raised her glass, too.
“Thank you,” Holly said, before Victoria had a chance to speak. “To you, for bringing me home.”
“No, no,” Victoria argued. “To you, for being so extraordinarily brave despite all that you have been through.”
Holly tilted her head to the side and shrugged.
They clinked glasses softly and sipped some of the sweet liquid.
“I’m not really that brave,” Holly muttered as she lowered her glass and picked up her fork.
“I beg to disagree,” Victoria replied. “You have been amazing throughout all of this ordeal. I don’t think I would have handled the events of the last couple of days with the calm and grace that you have exhibited.”
“If I’ve handled it with any calm or grace it’s because of all the practice I’ve had during the last year. During my recovery, I quickly realised that the French are all about procedures and politics. I couldn’t fight it, so I had to just not let it get to me.” Holly took a bite of her food and hummed happily. “And this is just as delicious as it looks.”
“Thank you. And, yes, you’re right that the French are entirely process-driven and hierarchical. I’m surprised that Arrival France manages to get an edition out every month. But that does not take anything away from your remarkable composure. I fear I would have been very different if I had been in your shoes.”
Holly laughed. “You’d never have been in my shoes. If you went missing for more than five minutes, then the army would be called in.”
Victoria stared down at her meal and tossed a piece of chicken in the pasta sauce. It was true, of course, but it wasn’t easy to hear.
“Did I say something wrong?” Holly asked tentatively.
“No, no. I just… I struggle to think of you there fo
r all that time. I should have checked that you got home safely. I should have… have… done something…”
“It’s absolutely not your fault,” Holly insisted.
Victoria looked up and meet sincere eyes.
“I walked away,” Holly said. “What could you have done? No, whatever it was that happened, happened because of my actions and not yours. If I’d have stayed by your side, none of this would have happened, would it?”
Victoria didn’t agree but knew it was pointless to argue. Instead she asked, “Do you remember anything at all about your past? Or the accident?”
Holly’s brow furrowed. “It’s hard to say. Sometimes I get a feeling that I remember something, but I don’t really know. It’s more like a sensation, a bit like déjà vu. But I don’t remember anything from my accident, I don’t know what happened to me at all. I just remember waking up in hospital and I couldn’t understand what was happening… or what was being said…” Holly’s look became distant.
Victoria decided that a change of subject was in order.
“We have an appointment tomorrow morning at Presbyterian with your new medical team, and then in the afternoon we are seeing my lawyer, Michael. He will assist in finding information on any bank accounts you may have, and any records of where you have lived. Hopefully we’ll be able to piece together a few things that will bring back some memories.”
“That’s very generous of you, but I really can’t take up any more of your time. I know you need to get back to Arrival.”
“Nonsense, I make my own schedule,” Victoria sniffed.
“I know, but I don’t want you to have to work ridiculous hours to catch up with anything you might have missed because you were with me,” Holly said. “Really, I’ll be fine. I can find my way around and deal with these things myself. I feel terrible for monopolising your time like this, and it would make me feel better to know that things are getting back to normal for you. I wouldn’t feel like such a burden…”
Victoria’s first instinct was to argue her point and tell Holly that she would be attending all appointments with her, no matter what. But she managed to stop herself and listen to what Holly was saying. Maybe it was a good idea to allow the girl some independence. She didn’t want her to feel like she was a prisoner. She was free to do as she pleased, and it was important that she knew that.
“Very well,” she agreed. “But the car will take you to your appointments. I don’t want you to have to suffer the New York public transportation system just yet. And you must take my spare phone, so we can keep in touch if necessary.”
Holly smiled broadly. “That sounds like a good compromise.”
Victoria snorted a laugh. “Enjoy it while you can. You’ll learn that I’m not good with compromise.”
22
Gideon loved the design aesthetics of the Arrival offices. The modern feel, bright lights, and, most of all, the glass walls. The latter of which allowed him to see Victoria approaching his office.
He continued working, examining photographs, and leaning on his waist-high stand-up desk. When he heard the door open, he wordlessly pointed to a stool by the wall.
He heard Victoria sit down and then release a sigh.
He continued grouping the photographs for a few moments before he stood up straight, removed his glasses, and looked at her.
“The last time you came to see me, and sat on that chair, you were debating whether or not to ask James for a divorce after that whole mess…” He waved his hand around dismissively in lieu of finishing the sentence.
“Hm. And you gave me wonderful advice,” she agreed.
“Always at your service.” He folded his arms and leaned against the edge of the desk. “So, how is Holly? And more to the point, where is Holly?”
Victoria turned to regard the series of framed certificates and awards on the shelf by the window. “Staying with me, for the time being at least.”
“Very generous,” he said.
“I’m considering firing Claudia,” she said.
“Great idea,” he agreed.
Her head snapped up. “You agree?”
“Absolutely, get rid of her. She’s a great second assistant, but you need to get her out of the way so you can rehire Holly, right?” Gideon turned back to his desk and picked up another stack of photographs.
“Of all the ridiculous notions, really, Gideon,” Victoria sighed.
“Of course, that would be quite ridiculous,” he agreed. He placed his glasses back on and selected a photograph, holding it up to get a better angle of light. “Because, if you think about it, Holly might not want, or even be able to do, the job. After all, if you think about it, a series of unfortunate events led her to work at Arrival in the first place. Would she have chosen to work here? No. Is she interested in fashion? No. Was she good at her job? Absolutely, yes. Would she be capable of doing her job now? Questionable.”
He lowered the photo and picked up another.
“If you think about it, this is a fresh start for her. A chance that a lot of people would kill for. Brain injury aside, she has a chance to examine what she really wants from life and to start over. Isn’t that priceless? Especially if you were doing something you didn’t love.” He lowered the photo and peered at Victoria. “Don’t you agree?”
She sighed. “Yes,” she whispered.
Gideon smiled sadly. “I know you want to turn back time and put everything back the way it was. But you can’t. Holly won’t work here again, you need to leave her to her own devices to find a new path. Whatever that may be.”
“I can offer her a job, safe employment, a salary.”
“Handcuffing her to her old life,” Gideon pointed out.
“I…” She trailed off.
“You?”
“I… just want to help,” she admitted.
“Sometimes, help comes in the form of space and time.” He regarded her silently for a moment, wondering if now was the time to ask. “Can I ask you a question?”
Victoria shrugged her shoulder slightly. He took it as agreement.
“Let’s say, god forbid, Louise gets hit by a taxi. Total amnesia. Would Louise be convalescing at Chez Hastings?”
“No, of course not.” Victoria rolled her eyes. “Louise has family. And presumably this is a New York taxi, so she wouldn’t have to be stranded in Paris for a year!”
“So, is Holly staying with you because of the guilty you feel?” he pressed.
Victoria took in a slow, deep breath while she considered the question.
“I suppose so, yes,” she confessed. “I do feel that there was more I could have done. No, should have done. Once Holly walked away… I should have done something.”
“You couldn’t have known…”
“She was in a foreign country because of me. I was ultimately responsible for her well-being. I dropped the ball.” Victoria stepped down from the stool and paced the room. “What kind of person doesn’t even check that her assistant got home safely? Even if she did abandon me in my hour of need?”
Gideon watched Victoria pace. Before Holly had gone missing, he’d had a suspicion about something. Now he was surer than ever.
“I have another question,” he said.
She stopped pacing and looked at him.
“Is it just guilt?”
Victoria blinked. “What do you mean?”
“This protectiveness you clearly feel for her… is it just because of guilt or do you maybe have deeper feelings for Holly in particular? Deeper than you might for someone else in that situation?”
Victoria looked at her watch and rolled her eyes at the passage of time. “Will you come to the house tomorrow evening for dinner?” She casually glossed over his question. “I’d like to slowly reintroduce Holly to her Arrival colleagues to see if any memories return.”
“I’d love to,” Gideon replied. Clearly the topic was closed for discussion. Which meant only one thing, he’d touched a nerve.
“Good, I’ll contac
t you later regarding times.” The editor turned on her heel and marched from the office.
23
Victoria walked up the steps to her house. A text from Holly had asked what time she expected to be home. Curious to know how Holly had got on that day, she’d given a time far earlier than she ordinarily would have.
She opened the front door and was greeted by delicious smells. She placed her coat in the closet, greedily inhaling the aromas wafting from the kitchen. She often used the services of a chef when the children were home and she was working late, but Carina was having a well-deserved vacation. Which meant that either Holly was cooking, or a very cheeky thief was helping themselves to her pantry.
Victoria crossed the entrance hall and leaned on the doorway of the kitchen, a smile on her face as she took in the scene.
Holly had annihilated the kitchen. Shopping bags, packaging, ingredients, and an abundance of either flour or sugar covered the work surface.
“A year in Paris and this is the legacy,” Victoria joked.
Holly spun around in surprise.
“You’re home!” She smiled. “It looks worse than it is, and I swear I’ll clean it up when I’m done.”
“Done doing what?” Victoria questioned.
“Cooking you a meal.” Holly beamed. “Three courses, you better be hungry.”
Victoria took a step into the room and started to inspect what was on the work surface.
“No looking,” Holly chastised. “Go and sit over there, or go and get changed into an eating outfit…”
Victoria rolled her eyes good-humouredly. She walked over to the table and sat down.
“I’ll sit here and watch you further destroy my kitchen, if I’m allowed?”
Holly ignored the comment and removed a large saucepan from the hob. “I had the best day.”
“Wonderful, everything went well?” Victoria felt a weight lift off her shoulders at the news.
“Yes. My new doctors are great. We’ve figured out a schedule for physiotherapy, and we are going to try some new memory recovery techniques. Michael, your lawyer, was great. He found that I had three bank accounts, two were practically empty but the third actually had some money in it. So, I have money.” She curtsied.