by Mandy Baggot
‘I’m fine, thanks.’
There was that awkward feeling again in the pit of her stomach.
Jonathan bent to look in through the open door of the car and he leveled a smile at Nicholas.
‘I heard the car pull up. She’s a beauty. It’s Nicholas isn’t it? Hi there, I’m Jonathan. It’s a real pleasure to meet you,’ he said, holding out his hand.
‘Actually I prefer Nick. I’ve heard a lot about you.’ They shook hands.
‘What have you been telling him, Freya? No stories about me terrorising the neighbourhood in my teens I hope.’ He laughed.
‘Well I…’
This was truly weird and she couldn’t wait for it to be over.
‘Freya tells me you want to make a big investment into her Every Day project,’ Nicholas continued.
‘Yes I do. I have to admit I’m not usually one for charity work, but coming from a reasonably poor background myself, I thought Freya’s vision for the needy was inspired.’
‘You’d better go, Nick. You don’t want to be late for your meeting.’
If she thought pushing the Ferrari would help she’d be doing it.
‘I’m sorry, I’m holding you up. Please, don’t stay on my account.’ He stepped back from the car.
‘I hope it goes OK. Give me a call later,’ she urged, leaning into the car for a little privacy.
‘I will. I’ll see you.’ He kissed her lips.
‘It was nice to meet you, Nick. Maybe we could get together some time, have a drink,’ Jonathan called.
‘Yeah, sure.’ Nicholas pulled up the windows and drove towards the exit.
‘That is a great car. I have one myself of course, but not that particular model. And mine’s yellow. I was told the red version was just a little too Magnum.’ He followed the car with his eyes as Nicholas left through the gate.
‘I’m sorry I’m late, I’ve had a bit of a hectic morning. Can I just check in with Sasha before we go to lunch?’ Freya asked moving towards the door of the building.
‘Of course. Shall I wait in the car?’
‘Do you still have the driver?’
‘Yes I do.’
‘Then you’d better go and keep him company. I won’t be long.’
She pushed open the door and entered the reception area. The part-time secretary was behind the desk.
‘Hey, Avril. Where’s Sasha?’
‘Hello, Miss Johnson. Sasha had to go out on an appointment so she asked me to come in a little early. I didn’t mind.’
‘Oh OK. Well, make sure I pay you for the extra time, won’t you? Keep reminding me, Avril. Write it on a Post It and stick it to a patisserie bag if you have to.’ She leafed through her appointment book.
‘I will. Patisserie bag, noted.’
‘Right, well, I’m going on a lunch appointment with Mr Sanders. I should be back by three but I don’t have my mobile with me so you won’t be able to contact me. I assume Sasha has briefed you about the journalists.’ She backed towards the door.
‘Yes she has, we are making no comment. Miss Johnson?’ Avril called before Freya could exit.
‘Yes, Avril.’
‘I do like your hair that colour. It makes you look very mature.’
‘Mature? Mature as in old? Oh my God, does it?’ She scrutinised her reflection in the glass panels of the door.
‘Perhaps that was the wrong word.’
‘Perhaps I was too hasty saying I would pay you over time.’
She left the building and made her way over to Jonathan’s car. She opened the back door.
‘Do I look old?’ she asked him.
‘Hmm, you’ll have to get a little closer for me to tell. I can’t quite get a good enough look at the bags under your eyes from this angle.’
‘God, it’s useless asking you. Where are we going for lunch?’
‘Where d’you want to go?’
‘Can we just get a hot dog or something? I really don’t feel like a restaurant.’
‘Of course. Ken, take us to the best hot dog vendor around here,’ Jonathan called to the driver.
‘I promise I won’t get chilli sauce on your seats.’
‘Who said I was going to let you eat in the car.’
Twenty minutes later Ken stopped the car in a pull-in just across the road from a fun fair.
‘The guy who runs the hot dog stand at this fair has been cooking dogs for over thirty years,’ Ken told them.
‘Well, Ken I would say that constitutes being the best hot dog vendor around here. So shall we go and see what thirty years on the job has taught him?’ Jonathan asked Freya.
‘You want us to go to the fair? Have you felt how cold it is out there?!’ She looked out the window at the amusements.
‘Well, I could see if the hot dog man delivers or send Ken over there, but wouldn’t it be more fun to go ourselves? I’ll give you my coat,’ he offered.
‘No, that’s OK. I have triple layers.’
‘Come on, Freya, you used to love the fair,’ he reminded. He opened the car door.
‘When I was young, unlined and unbagged and had decent hair.’ She stepped out and the ice cold wind hit her straight away. She buttoned her coat up all the way and wished she had a hat.
They entered the fair, found Max’s Hot Dogs and bought two large sausages in rolls with onions and chilli sauce.
‘Ferris wheel?’ Jonathan suggested biting into his food.
‘While we’re eating?’ Chilli sauce drizzled down her chin.
‘Why not?’
‘Well, from what I can remember about going to the fair with you, you used to throw up on the Ferris wheel.’ She let out a laugh.
‘That was a story made up by Carl Curtis because he was jealous I had a girlfriend and he didn’t. He liked Emma remember, but she wasn’t interested. You and I went on the big wheel several times together. I remember a lot of things about that ride but throwing up isn’t one of them.’
Freya felt her cheeks redden and she hid her face by taking a huge bite of sausage and almost burning her lips.
‘Come on, let’s have a ride on it. Or are you too grown up and old to enjoy the simple pleasures in life?’
‘No, I’m not too old and I’m not going to puke either. I’m the girl who ate a four course meal and half a dozen puddings on a cross channel ferry in a force seven storm. I have no idea what motion sickness is.’
‘I’m arranging some plans to be drawn up of the site at Gatebrook to show how I envisage the development.’
They were high above the park now, swinging in the air as they slowly rotated around the wheel.
‘Good, well I can show you what we have planned for Chesterville and we can coordinate the two.’
‘I saw The Gazette today,’ Jonathan stated.
‘Oh, you did. You and the entire country. I’ve had journalists phoning the studio all morning apparently and all because I made one stupid, but private, remark.’
‘I know it isn’t any of my business and you can tell me to shut up if you like. But don’t you think this awkwardness with Eric’s been going on too long now?’ He looked across at Freya.
‘Awkwardness?’ Freya said, looking straight back at Jonathan.
‘Well, you said one of the main reasons you fell out with him was because you thought he’d parted us deliberately. Now I’ve told you that wasn’t the case. Perhaps your getting married is the perfect time to lay matters to rest.’
‘Did you get me up on this Ferris wheel to talk about this because you knew the only way out was down?’
‘One of my weak points is family. I don’t like to see families torn apart just because no one will budge an inch on anything. I mean, you could both hold your hands up and say OK I’ve made mistakes and then you could move on, start afresh.’
‘If I wanted to feel like I was appearing on Oprah I could probably get an audience with the woman herself.’
‘I am sure Eric doesn’t like the situation any more than you do. Who w
ould want to be estranged from their daughter?’
‘Look, can we stick to talking about the project please? There was more to it than being pissed with him for making you leave town, believe me.’
‘Sometimes, in business, you have to do things you aren’t proud of to get what you want.’
‘What exactly are you saying? That the things he did were justified?’
‘Obviously I can’t comment on anything specific he did back then. But speaking as a business man, I know what a cut throat place the business world can be. I know what risks you have to take.’
‘Well, Jonny, it was never about what he did to make his billions. It was how he behaved when he walked back through the front door of the house every night. It was how I’d hide in my wardrobe if he was in a black mood. It was about him telling me over and over again how he wanted a son and what a disappointment I was. And it was about him stabbing me in the arm with a bread knife.’ She pulled at the collar of her jumper and revealed her shoulder. There was a small but deep scar at the top of her arm.
‘You always said that scar was where you scraped it on a nail,’ Jonathan remarked. He swallowed.
‘I did, didn’t I? Now I wonder who made up that story?’
She was shaking now. Not because the wind was twice as cold up high in the sky, but because she’d been forced to remember those times again. Her childhood with that monster.
‘My God.’ He put his hands to his mouth.
‘So you see, you may have this happy family ideal in your head, but it is never going to happen in my world.’ She straightened the collar of her jumper.
‘I didn’t think the article was true. I was sure Russell Buchanan was cashing in on you and embellishing things.’
‘You read that article about me?’
‘It was all over the papers.’
‘But you didn’t believe it? Why not? I told you what my parents were like.’
‘I don’t know. I just didn’t think anyone could really do those things to their child.’
‘You don’t know my father. He’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants and that article in the paper today has probably just made my life hell again.’
‘You think Eric will be displeased?’
‘It’s been reported in the national press that his only child’s told someone he isn’t coming to her wedding. Then she topped it off by saying he was dead. That translates to she wishes he was dead. Wouldn’t you be displeased? He’ll be furious.’
‘What do you think he’ll do?’
‘You want me to be honest?’
‘Yes.’
‘I think he’ll probably try to kill me.’
Seventeen
That night Nicholas and Freya went into the pandemonium that was central Hollywood. Nicholas had lived there before they’d moved to Mayleaf. It was like being in an all-action entertainment park. Great for a night out but not so pleasant to live in.
They’d visited three bars already and had been tailed by paparazzi the whole time. Now, they’d decided on a members-only casino, just to get a break from being photographed.
‘So are we agreed? We gamble a hundred thousand dollars and that’s it. And whatever we make we split between my charity and yours,’ Nicholas said.
‘Make it a hundred thousand dollars each. I feel lucky.’ She smiled.
‘OK.’ He put his arm around her and they headed to the cashier.
‘Mr Kaden, Miss Johnson, it’s nice to see you again,’ Sammy, the middle-aged croupier at the roulette table greeted as they sat down.
‘Hi, Sammy. How’s the wheel going tonight? Anyone win big?’ Freya asked.
‘As you know, I’m not allowed to provide you with that information. Let’s just say I think Lady Luck is wearing red tonight.’
‘Our chips are just being brought down from upstairs. We’ll eat the nuts while we wait,’ Freya told him, scooping up a handful.
‘So, how did your lunch with Jonny go?’
‘Fine. He’s having some plans drawn up for me to look at. Then his architect can get together with mine and fight it out.’
‘He wasn’t what I expected,’ Nicholas admitted.
‘No? Well, what were you expecting?’
‘I didn’t think he would be so confident.’
‘Oh he’s always been like that.’
‘I’m not sure I liked it.’
‘He’s a talker that’s all and he’s developed a plummy accent. Sometimes that comes across as arrogance. I don’t think it’s really that.’
‘Well you’re the one who knows him.’
‘I really think he means well with the charity and I can’t turn down that sort of help.’ Her phone rang and she took it out and checked the screen. ‘It’s Emma, I’d better answer it. Look, I won’t be a minute, stick twenty thousand dollars on red number twenty.’
She got off her seat and headed out of the room towards the toilets.
‘Hi, Em.’
‘Hi. I just thought I’d give you a Melly update.’
‘Oh how is she? You sound better. Has she perked up a bit?’
‘She’s almost fully recovered. She’s keeping down her milk and she’s been really happy so far today. We got a good night’s sleep last night.’
‘That’s great news. I’m so pleased.’
‘So, how are things with you?’
‘Oh you know, hovering between chaotic and terrifying. I’m putting a brave face on things.’
The whole of the sentence sounded less than convincing.
‘What’s happened?’
Freya explained about the newspaper article.
‘I don’t know what to say. This is the last thing you need when you’re planning to get married next month,’ Emma told her.
‘I know and we’ve thought about it and we’d really like to get married on Corfu. But after all this I don’t know whether it’s going to be possible.’
She could almost feel the perfect wedding dream evaporating.
‘I don’t think you should let this newspaper article dictate where you get married.’
‘It isn’t that. It’s what my father might decide to do about it.’
‘What does Nick say?’
‘He tells me not to worry about it. He says my father won’t be concerned and everything will be happy ever after and roses around the door. But I keep telling him he doesn’t know my father like I do. And…there’s something I haven’t told Nick yet.’ She dropped her voice to a whisper.
‘What?’
‘I got a letter this morning, in the post. It had the word “bitch” on it. It was like one of those ransom notes you get in movies. All the letters were cut up out of a newspaper.’
‘Oh my God!’
‘It’s my father and that’s just the start.’
‘Freya, why haven’t you told Nick?’
‘Because I want to try and handle this myself.’
‘Freya, I really think you should tell Nick.’
‘I will tell him, just not yet.’
‘Well, if you’re sure you know what you’re doing.’
‘Yeah I do. Listen, I’m going to have to go because I’ve left Nick at the roulette wheel with two hundred thousand dollars in chips coming and I’ve told you what he’s like at gambling.’
‘You said he couldn’t back a winner in a one horse race.’
‘Exactly. I’ll ring you tomorrow.’
‘Oh, hang on, while you’re on the phone…just tell Nick someone came round today to check the alarm system. It’s all working fine.’
‘Oh that’s good. Yes, he said it was due to be checked. I’ll tell him.’
Hearing that news made her slightly calmer about the situation. Emma, Yiannis and now Melly, were her family. They meant more to her than anything.
‘OK, bye,’ Emma ended.
Freya put her mobile back into her handbag and took the chance to look at herself in the mirror. Seeing herself with brown hair surprised her for a second. She’d almo
st forgotten she’d dyed it. She pushed her hair behind her ears and adjusted her glasses. It was a different look and that was the main thing.
She left the ladies room and made her way back into the main room of the casino. Nicholas wasn’t sat where she’d left him.
There were two new players, a man and a woman and Sammy was taking bets for the next spin.
‘Hey, Sammy. Where did Nick go? Please don’t tell me he lost everything already. I was only gone ten minutes.’ She took a swig from her bottle of beer.
‘He got a call from your driver and left. I think he tried to call you.’
‘Oh.’ She got back off her chair and walked towards the exit.
As she reached the door, Nicholas came back into the room. He had a serious expression on his face and straight away took Freya by the arm.
‘We’ve got to go.’ He urged her towards the door.
‘What? What’s going on?’ He led her into the lobby.
‘We’ve got to wait for the cops to get here.’ He pressed a button for the elevator.
‘Police? What for? What’s happened? Why did Mikey call you?’
‘The manager wants us to wait in his office.’ He ran a hand through his hair.
‘Nick, what’s going on? For God’s sake tell me.’ The lift bell rang and the doors opened.
‘Mikey’s been taken to hospital. He was attacked.’
‘What?! Oh my God! Is he going to be OK?’ She put her hand to her mouth trying to take in what was being said.
‘Freya, let’s just get in the lift and get up to the manager’s office.’ He grabbed her hand.
‘Is there more? Is there something you’re not telling me?’
She wasn’t sure she wanted to know. She felt sick.
‘Let’s get in the elevator. Please.’ There was real concern in his tone.
‘Nick, you’re scaring me. Please tell me.’
Whatever it was she needed to hear it. She followed him into the lift and the doors closed.
‘I don’t exactly know what happened, but Mikey’s been beat up pretty bad and the car is a mess. I mean a real mess. It looks like someone took an iron bar to it and just smashed it to pieces.’