by Andrea Grigg
It took another twenty minutes before they could load Nina into the ambulance, Sam going with them. Sharon and Dave took their own car while Lainey stayed with Shelby and waited for the boys. She would have the unenviable job of letting them know what had happened.
She phoned Hannah and she came over immediately. She and Nina had been close friends for years. It was a terrible shock, but in typical Hannah fashion, she was more concerned for Lainey than herself. Lainey was grateful to have her there when the boys came home. She was even more grateful when Adam and Lara turned up. Adam was terrific with the boys, distracting them while Lara helped her with Shelby.
Lainey fed and bathed the children then let the boys watch TV with Adam until they fell asleep on the lounge. Shelby went out like a light, exhausted from crying for her mother. The call from the hospital didn’t come until late.
Sharon was sobbing into the phone. ‘Oh, Lainey,’ she choked, ‘Mum’s gone.’
* * *
Lainey took the day off from work to attend the funeral. She had been asked to play before the service, along with Leo, one of the church pianists.
From her vantage point on the stage, she could see a lot of people making their way into the auditorium. Nina had been a popular lady. Even Rose had flown up from Sydney and was staying overnight at Hannah’s, sharing Lainey’s room. Lainey wished her mother could stay longer, but Roger needed his wife.
Sam had insisted the funeral be a celebration of Nina’s life. She would have hated it any other way. Lainey glanced at him now, surrounded by his two daughters, his son and their families and knew he had plenty of support.
Nick had said he wanted to come but it was the same day The Mavericks were flying out to London and he wasn’t sure if he could work the flights. He would do his best to get there.
Her heart jolted as she spotted him. With one eye on her music, she watched him go straight to Sam and his family and hug them before slipping into the seat she and Hannah had saved for him, just in case.
Nick gave her a brief smile as she sat next to him. ‘You played beautifully.’
‘Thanks. I’m glad you could make it.’ Lainey was very aware of him beside her, heart-stoppingly attractive in his suit and shirt that matched his eyes. She cleared her throat. What was she doing thinking such things at a funeral?
It was a celebratory service. Pastor Ray did an excellent job of balancing the sadness of death with the hope of eternal life. Lainey didn’t even cry – until Sam got up and gave the eulogy. He spoke of the forty years he’d spent married to Nina and recounted several funny incidents that typified his wife and captured what made her special. His voice broke a few times which sent tears sliding down Lainey’s face. She didn’t bother trying to hide them; nearly everyone was the same and there was laughter amidst it all.
Her heart nearly catapulted out of her throat when Nick’s arm came around her and stayed there. Instead of fighting it, Lainey drew comfort from his nearness. It always felt so right.
When they stood to sing the contact was broken but her disappointment didn’t last long. Nina’s favourite hymn had been Amazing Grace and to stand next to Nick and hear him sing it gave her goosebumps.
Next, Sharon, Theresa and Neil got up and gave a very touching speech about their mother. This time as the tears came, Nick took her hand and held it for the rest of the service.
Lainey waited until the last ‘amen’ before she pulled away.
Why are You making this so hard, Lord?
It was a rhetorical question. She was startled when two words implanted themselves in her brain.
Be patient.
The impression wouldn’t go away and the small seed of hope that had shrunk but never died, grew just a little.
‘Alright?’ Nick’s eyes were soft like they used to be.
‘Yeah, thanks.’ She managed a little smile. ‘I still can’t believe Nina’s gone, that we won’t run into her somewhere.’
‘Me neither.’ He held her gaze. ‘Life can be too short, can’t it?’
Lainey nodded. ‘It’s made me realise how important it is to treasure every day, make the most of every moment we have.’
‘Exactly what I’ve been thinking.’ Nick took a deep breath and let it out. ‘I was so angry with you, Lainey.’
She traced the edge of the seat. ‘You had every right to be. I don’t blame you if you still are.’
‘Well, I’m not.’
Her eyes flew to his. ‘You’re not?’
‘No. Like I said, Nina’s death has made me think. Life’s too short to hold a grudge.’
‘Even though I hurt you?’
‘We both got hurt; it wasn’t just me.’
They shared a sad sort of smile. Lainey was about to speak but was cut short by one of the church matriarchs.
‘Well, well, Nick Cusack. Good to see you in church even if it is for a funeral.’
Lainey suppressed a smile at Nick’s fleeting expression before his customary public persona took over.
‘Mrs Rochester. How are you?’
She knew he wanted her to stay, but, a little unnerved from their exchange, Lainey excused herself and went looking her mother.
It was the first time Rose had been back to the Gold Coast in years. Lainey stayed with her as she caught up with dozens of friends out in the hall during afternoon tea. Her mind was only half on what was being said, the rest of it mulling over the conversation with Nick. At least he wasn’t mad with her anymore.
‘I’ve got to go. Will you come out with me?’ Preoccupied with her thoughts, Nick’s voice in her ear made her jump.
She waited as he said goodbye to Rose and Hannah, then they went out to the steps under the portico, just as his taxi pulled in.
Nick signalled he wouldn’t be long, and then turned back to Lainey. ‘I’ve got a favour to ask you.’
‘What is it?’ She’d do anything for him.
‘With Nina passing away so suddenly it’s made me think a bit more about Mum. She’s only a couple of years younger than Nina and I know she’s in a lot better shape but you never know.’ He pulled some keys out of his pocket and a slip of paper. ‘I’ve had an extra set of keys cut for my place and Mum’s just in case something goes wrong. Hopefully, they won’t be needed but I’ll feel better if I know you have them. Is that alright?’
‘Of course.’ Lainey thought it was sensible in the light of what had happened. She was using a spare set of Hannah’s but she would have to give them back eventually. She held out her hand and he placed them in her palm. ‘And the piece of paper?’
‘It’s my new phone number. Not many have it as you can imagine, but I’d like you to, in case you need me for anything.’ He put that in her hand too and curled her fingers over, holding them with his own.
‘Alright. Thanks.’ She withdrew her hand. ‘You’d better go. You don’t want to miss your flight.’
‘Thanks, Lainey. I’ll see you in a couple of months.’ He opened the door and got into the cab.
She gave a little wave and turned to go. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the taxi stop and reverse. Nick got out again and came toward her.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.
‘Nothing.’ He ran his hand through his hair and she smiled at the telltale gesture. ‘Look, I know this might sound weird and you mightn’t give a toss for all I know, but I have to say it. I want you to know … I don’t know why I’m telling you this but I just have to. Despite what you may have heard or seen …’ He trailed off once more, looked away, then back again.
‘Since we broke up, I haven’t been with anyone. Not one, not even Sylvie.’ His words were rapid, his gaze intense. ‘Do you believe me?’
Lainey tightened her grip around the things in her hand. ‘I believe you.’
He nodded. ‘Good. I’m not really sure what it’s all for, but I f
elt compelled to let you know.’ He frowned and shook his head. ‘Weird.’
‘It is a bit,’ Lainey said, ‘and for what it’s worth, neither have I.’
He grinned. ‘I should hope not. Take care.’ He planted a kiss on her cheek and got back in the taxi, looking a lot happier.
Lainey stayed where she was, her cheek tingling, needing a moment to try and make sense of what had just happened.
Lord? What was that all about?
The same two words came to mind plus three more, and a sense of peace.
Be patient. Trust in Me.
With that, she had to be content.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Nick knew something wasn’t right. He tried to pull his thoughts together but they eluded him and scattered, like fish escaping a net.
He heard muffled giggling. With great concentration, he managed to bring up his hand to shield his eyes from flashes of light that left imprints on gritty lids.
‘He’s waking up!’
‘It’s alright; he’s mostly out of it still. Better hurry though.’
Turning in the direction he thought the whispers came from, he sensed a shape crawl out from beside him. Nick realised he was in bed, and he wasn’t alone.
‘What’s going on?’
His voice was thick and gravelly, and his tongue wasn’t functioning as it should. Something was very wrong.
He propped himself up and the flashes began again. This time he registered a click as well. He was being photographed.
‘Quick! Just a couple more!’
A male voice. With increasing perception he became aware there was a person on his left. He groped with his hand and came into contact with an unmistakably female body. She didn’t seem to be wearing very much.
‘What the—’
As he clamped his hand around the girl’s arm, she gasped and tried to peel his fingers away but a sudden rush of adrenalin gave him strength. His vision was clearing but it was still hard to see, the only light coming from under the bathroom door.
The photographer swore and grabbed his bag. ‘I’m out of here.’
‘Me too.’ Someone else scampered after him.
‘Don’t leave me here!’ The girl clawed at him but Nick was stronger and increasingly lucid. He was also furious.
‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’
He leapt out of the bed, dragging the girl with him. She nearly fell over and so did he. The room swam but he pulled her upright and peered at her. She was shaking.
‘You were supposed to stay asleep! You weren’t supposed to know!’
‘Know what?’ Nick shook her arm. He wasn’t about to let go. ‘Who are you working for? What sordid little magazine paid you to do this?’
‘Please, you’re hurting me!’
Nick dragged her with him as he switched on a lamp, and then loosened his fingers a little. She was very young, only about sixteen. At least, he hoped she was that old or he could be in all sorts of trouble.
He had no choice. He prayed.
God, get me out of this. I know I don’t deserve Your help but I’m desperate.
Even as the last word formed in his mind, the girl crumpled in a sobbing heap. ‘I didn’t want to do it. I’m sorry. Please don’t call the police.’
If he did, it could be worse for him than her but she was too young to realise it. Someone was using her and he was determined to find out who it was. He saw a robe lying on the floor and thrust it into her hands.
‘Put this on,’ he said, ‘and we can talk. I won’t call the police if you tell me who set this up.’
It was then he realised he was only in his underwear. Ignoring his pounding head, he searched the floor for his jeans and located them half under the bed – and began to remember bits and pieces from the night before.
They were in London, in whatever hotel this was. Nick knew he’d had only a couple of drinks, nothing like enough to make him feel the way he did. Had he been drugged as part of a set up? It was possible. He laid the thought aside for later; he had this girl to deal with first. She seemed familiar but he couldn’t quite place her.
‘How old are you and what’s your name?’
‘Tina. I’m seventeen.’ She was still crying.
Seventeen? Thank you, God.
He left her just long enough to grab the box of tissues from the bathroom and tossed them to her. ‘So what are you doing here in my room?’
The tissues were a wise move.
‘I’m sorry,’ she blubbered, ‘I didn’t want to do this but they made me.’
‘Who’s they?’
She pulled out a bundle and blew her nose loudly. ‘If I tell you, will you promise to help me? I’m going to be in so much trouble.’ She was off again.
Nick rubbed his aching temples; it was going to be a long night. ‘I’ll help you if I can but unless you tell me I can’t promise anything, understand? And please stop crying.’
Her head bobbed up and down.
‘Alright. Let’s start at the very beginning.’ He sounded like Julie Andrews.
‘It’s my Dad. I was doing this for him. He said if I did this one thing it would help him a lot. My sister and her boyfriend said they’d do it – he was the guy with the camera – because Dad promised to give them some money too.’ Her voice wobbled again. ‘Dad owes heaps and he says it’s our fault but it’s not. He gambles it away.’
A nasty feeling formed in the pit of Nick’s stomach. ‘Go on.’
‘My sister talked me into it. She says mean things to my Mum about me then Mum gets mad at me and not her. She always believes Emma.’ She sniffed. ‘Anyhow, Dad said that if we really loved him we’d want to help solve the money problem. He doesn’t live with us anymore and he says it’s very expensive having two families, so I said yes. We were already over here with Mum, visiting some relatives. Dad got us a nice room and said he’d pay us some more after he gets paid for the pictures.’ Her voice rose as she began to wail yet again. ‘But you woke up too soon and spoilt it and now I’m going to be in trouble because I’ve told you everything!’
‘Not quite everything.’ With a great effort, Nick managed to keep his tone gentle. ‘You haven’t told me who your father is.’
He’d worked it out, but needed to hear her say it. He knew where he’d seen her before, too. Quite a few times, when she’d been a lot younger than she was now. The nasty feeling in his stomach had become a hard lump.
Her eyes swam. ‘My dad is your manager, Malcolm,’ she said.
* * *
Tina dressed, using the clothes from the bag she’d hidden in the bathroom. Nick made her go with him to James’s room and woke him to explain what had gone on. James was incredulous and equally determined to find Malcolm and have it out with him.
Nick knew it was too late to stop the photos from being used. Emma’s boyfriend would have given the memory card to a prearranged courier straight after he’d left the room, but it wasn’t too late to try and stop it happening again.
They left Tina with a security guard while they searched the gaming area for her father. They found him at the poker machines, feeding in coins, one after the other, a beer growing warm in his hand. Malcolm was alarmed at first but let them take him to his room without offering a word of protest. He didn’t even ask why they were there and seemed almost grateful they’d come. It was very odd.
He asked Tina to make her father some coffee and they began to unravel the story. Piece by piece, it all came out, right from when Lainey had copped the blame for Mia’s article. James’s eyes met his in a mute apology.
Malcolm had been trying to gamble his way out of debt for a long time. The pressure of having two families had been a large part of it. He’d become addicted to any form of gambling as he’d tried to sort out his problems. Both his houses were mortgaged to the hilt, h
is credit cards were maxed out and he had other loans he couldn’t pay. Things had become progressively worse as he’d lost more and more money at the casinos. Then he’d come up with the idea of making money through the boys, in the form of personal information, photos, anything. He was desperate.
By the time he got to this part of his confession, Malcolm became an incoherent mess. He was a broken man; he had betrayed his families and his boys and was beside himself with shame.
Tina sat there, white and trembling as she learned just how bad things were. After he’d phoned for a doctor, James called Tina’s mother. She was furious at being rung at four in the morning and even angrier when she got there and found out what Tina and Emma had been up to.
Both Nick and James felt sorry for the girl. She was a victim of circumstance but there wasn’t much else they could do. She was under eighteen and needed to be in the care of her mother.
The doctor examined Malcolm and sedated him, telling them to keep a close eye on him and to get him some psychiatric treatment as soon as possible. He promised to check in on him at noon, and he would advise them what to do next.
They went back to James’s room and phoned the head of their Public Relations department. He was astounded at what had gone on and said he would get back to them as soon as he’d worked out a plan of action.
‘What a despicable thing to do!’ James commented in disbelief as he hung up. ‘I can’t get my head around it. He was our friend, like a father to most of us for all these years and he goes and does something like this. It’s incredible. And Mia!’ He was becoming irate. ‘How’s she going to get over this? She trusted him too.’
‘And Lainey,’ Nick said, ‘he used her as well.’
‘You’re right.’ James sat down, his anger diffused. ‘We all blamed her. Except you. You knew she wouldn’t do anything like that. Man, she must hate us.’
‘No, she doesn’t hate you. She understood why you would think it was her fault. She’s always said that the truth would come out.’ Nick winced and massaged his forehead. ‘I hate to think what these photos are going to be like. There were two of them in bed with me. It isn’t going to look good. I’m going to cop a lot of flak.’