‘I just do. Like . . . ’ He paused. ‘Like I know I’ll die young.’ He tightened his arms around her.
It sounded like a throwaway comment, but even in her befuddled state, she knew it wasn’t.
It was all too much – the beauty of this moment; Kit’s ramblings.
She burst into tears.
‘Shh . . . Forget it. Just dark thoughts.’
‘Kit – I don’t want this to end.’
He wiped away her tears, and she took comfort in his warm body, feeling their connection, the magic in the air.
They sat in silence for a while, then she sat up and looked at him. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever understand you, or what goes on in your beautiful head. But whatever happens, me and you – we’re for ever.’
He smiled. ‘Yep. We’d better go; the others will think we’ve run away.’ He took out his phone and messaged the photo.
‘Maybe we should run away,’ she said.
As Eliza stood up, her phone buzzed. She pressed the home button and the time flashed up: 12.00 a.m.
‘That’s odd.’
‘What’s odd?’
‘The time. It says midnight.’
He smiled again, taking her hand as they headed back.
‘Ah, Titania and Oberon,’ said Will. ‘Where have you two been?
Fairyland?’
‘Something like that,’ said Eliza. She looked at Kit, who winked.
Leigh and Frankie were asleep beneath a blanket, and Eliza sat between Will and Kit as dawn approached and the darkness melted to grey.
‘Moon, take thy flight, now die, die, die, die,’ said Kit, his voice soft.
The horizon turned palest pink, and then the golden sun rose over the spires and the water meadows. Nature was silent, watching, as night and its magic slipped away.
Chapter 21
Eliza
As Eliza settled back into her London life, that night at Oxford began to feel like a dream. Another time, another place, another Eliza.
Kit and Will had gone off to France, looking for any work that would enable them to live and write together until they felt the need to come home. Frankie was sailing in Spain, and at the end of summer would be flying to LA to meet Janette. Leigh’s internship in Rose’s finance department had been approved, and she was now in London. Eliza was happy to have her friend here, though of course they wouldn’t be able to hang out as they’d done at Oxford.
Everything was different now.
And then there was Rob. He’d come over Sunday night, just two days after she’d finished at Oxford. Her head had been all over the place; she’d been unable to shake off the echoes of that night. They followed her round – the feelings, the magic, the moonlight; sitting beneath that ancient oak. Kit’s strange ramblings. She couldn’t recollect his words; only her reaction to them. She felt his absence as an ache.
When Rob arrived she was dressed in jeans and T-shirt, barefoot, her hair in a ponytail fastened with an elastic band. No make-up. Probably still looked tired – it had been one hell of a hangover, after all. (She was off alcohol now. Dry July seemed like a sensible plan.) Rob had swept her up, kissing her enthusiastically. Her body had responded, but at first her mind refused to join in. It was too soon. It was still full of the intensity of those last days. The studying, the exams, the partying, the farewells, the tears; the knowledge that the door was closing on this golden time and that from hereon, it was real life all the way.
‘Lizzie Rose, what do you look like?’ he’d said when he put her down. ‘Time to ditch the student, girl. You have half an hour to get your glam on if I’m to be seen with you at Ristorante Frescobaldi.’
‘Seriously? I’ve wanted to go there for ages. Right. Give me ten.’
‘Make it thirty – I have standards.’
Changing into a designer dress and doing her hair and make-up had helped shake off some of those echoes, and by the end of the evening Rob had wrenched her mind back to London. He’d been on great form, charming and funny and attentive and, best of all, he’d said after kissing her on the doorstep, ‘I won’t come in. We’ve got work tomorrow and I can see you’re tired. And you’ll need to get your head back into London. I understand – I saw what your life was like there.’
‘It wasn’t always like that weekend.’
‘No, but it’ll still take a while to adjust. Say the word when you’re ready to move things on, with me. Until then I’m happy to chill, take in a movie, whatever you want.’
I love this man.
‘Rob, you’re the best.’
He’d kissed her again. ‘Goodnight, Lizzie. Sweet dreams – of me?’
‘Yes, Rob. Dreams of you.’
Back on the top floor, Eliza was relieved to see only Maria and Pippa were in – there was no sign of Phil.
‘It’s great that you’re full time now,’ said Pippa, as Eliza perched on her desk for a chat. She lowered her voice. ‘Between you and me, we could do with a little lightening up round here.’
‘Grumpy?’ said Eliza, looking over at Maria’s closed door.
‘Workwise, yes. She’s still smiley when Phil’s around. Though he’s not here much. Um, Eliza . . . Maria hasn’t actually let me know, will I be working for you both now?’
‘I need to talk to her. I don’t even know what my job title is. Does she have time this morning?’
Pippa checked her computer. ‘No meetings scheduled.’
‘OK, can you block off an hour? I’ll go have a chat.’
She tapped on her sister’s door and went in. ‘Hello, stranger! How’s married life?’
Maria looked up and frowned. ‘Eliza. Are you back already?’
‘I am. For good. Can we have a chat? Or maybe I should call it a meeting. Now that I’m official. What do you think we should call me? Deputy CEO? Is there such a thing? What do you think?’
‘If I could get a word in?’
Maria stood up and walked over to the door. ‘Pippa, a coffee for Eliza and green tea for me, please.’ She shut it behind her. ‘I have important news.’
Oh god. What was she going to lay on her now? ‘Fire away.’
And then the frown disappeared. Instead of returning to her seat behind the desk, Maria pulled over a spare chair and sat down beside Eliza.
Odd.
‘I’m going to have a baby, Eliza. I’m pregnant.’
‘Holy shit!’
Maria was so happy with her news she didn’t even admonish Eliza for using either of those two words.
‘Two months, I think. Due December or January.’
‘Gosh, Maria. That’s the most amazing news! Have you told Dad and Clare?’
‘Not yet. I wanted to tell you first, for a number of reasons. The first being . . . well, Eliza, I know we’ve never been particularly close . . . ’
Understatement!
‘ . . . but I’m hoping that will change now. Family, I have come to realize, is the most important thing in the world.’
Funny, that’s what Phil said.
‘I’d like you to be involved in your niece or nephew’s life. Also, you should know, Phil and I firmly believe a mother’s place is at home. So I’ll be leaving Rose in the autumn. Phil will continue to play an active role, and I’ll still attend board meetings, but the day-to-day running of the company – that will be over to you.’
Eliza was stunned. ‘But, Maria, your policies – you know I don’t agree with them. I can’t carry those on for you.’
They went quiet as Pippa brought in their drinks.
Maria’s frown was back. ‘Phil will be ensuring our strategic plans are carried through, you can count on that.’
‘And you can count on me to oppose them.’
Maria pursed her lips.
Eliza remembered Harry talking about Phil’s share of the company – it’s not what it was – and how he’d been to see Aunt Margot. Another vote might sink Maria and Phil, once and for all.
‘Huge congratulations, anyway.’ She stood up
and hugged her sister. It wasn’t exactly returned, but there was a pat on the arm. ‘I know how much you wanted this, I’m very happy for you.’ It was true.
It seemed the ideal solution, the perfect way forward. Maria would settle into a life of motherhood and servitude (good luck with that), and the board would wrest control from Phil’s happyclappy hands. Eliza would take over, mentored by Cecil, guided by Harry. She’d progress Rose’s new production arm, bring Kit and Will on board, and let the editors and heads of department get on with their jobs.
The future was looking bright. Rose-y.
A week or so later, Eliza invited Rob round for dinner. It was the first time she’d cooked for him, and she’d foraged at Borough Market for the sorts of things she knew he loved – local, organic, artisan. That sweet-scoffing kid was quite the foodie these days.
But he was subdued as he picked at his hand-dived scallops.
‘You’re not your usual self,’ said Eliza. ‘What’s up?’
He looked down at his plate. ‘Nothing, I’m fine. This is tasty.’
‘No, you’re not fine.’
‘OK.’ He met her eye. ‘It’s Amy. Chess went to see her; she’s not doing so well.’ He put his fork down and sat back, raking his fingers through his hair. ‘I feel bad. I know we haven’t really talked about it, but . . . she was devastated, Lizzie. And Chess has been picking up the pieces.’
Eliza hadn’t given Rob’s ex a minute’s thought over the past months, but now she allowed herself a moment’s sympathy.
‘Chess hasn’t said anything to me.’
‘No, I asked her not to, with you doing your finals. Amy hasn’t really made any friends down here; she’s lonely.’
‘I’m sure she’ll soon find someone else.’
‘She’s . . . Lizzie, she’s being difficult, about the divorce, and I don’t want to push too hard while she’s not well. So it could take a while.’
Eliza remembered Harry telling her about his and Katie’s long-drawn-out divorce. ‘My mum had to wait forever for Dad. I think it more or less scuppered their relationship.’
‘Things are different now, though. Probably a year, tops.’
‘Hm.’
This was annoying. The Rose family was ever a subject of interest to the British public, and Harry was as well known (OK, notorious) for his love life as he was for his achievements as head of Rose Corp. If the press picked up on the fact that Eliza was dating someone who was still married, and that she was the reason for that marriage break-up, it wouldn’t be a great start to her career.
She had a distinct image in her mind of how she wanted to be portrayed. The new face of Rose – a strong, independent young woman blazing a path. Firmly in control, steering Rose into new waters, launching a golden age of British TV drama. It would be all about her work, not her private life.
Perhaps she should rethink things. Maybe they shouldn’t be seen in public yet. Keep their relationship below the radar until his divorce came through.
Rob was still picking at his food. Clearly whatever was going on with Amy was playing on his mind.
Maybe she’d save that conversation for later.
She smiled, trying to lighten things up. ‘Kit says women subconsciously look for someone just like their father. I hope you don’t turn into a serial monogamist.’
Rob frowned. In fact, he bristled. God, he was hard work tonight.
‘Kit? What would he know? Not exactly the expert on relationships.’
‘I was just joking. But don’t dismiss Kit. He’s wiser than you think. He said things between you and me would be rocky. In fact . . . ’ She thought back. ‘He knew we’d get together even before I did. How did he know that?’
‘What do you mean, rocky?’
‘No idea. Kit just knows things.’
‘Ignore the crazy boy. Things between us will be sublime. And I’ll be stopping at two wives, so you can forget your history repeats nonsense.’
‘Wives?’
She was amused to see him blush.
‘I’m married to the job, Rob. Better get used to that.’
After dinner they lay on the sofa watching a movie. Thankfully Rob seemed to have unwound, and Eliza’s attention was soon diverted from the TV as he produced a box of hand-made chocolates.
‘Fetch,’ he said, holding one between his teeth.
It started out as the sort of play-fight they’d had as children, laughing and wrestling, pinning arms down, ending up on the floor. By the time they were on the third chocolate, Eliza was lost in the delicious sensation of dark-chocolate-flavoured kisses.
By the fourth she was aching for him, but the dilemma was real. Take things further and risk it all going belly up again, or stop now? And she really didn’t want to stop.
‘I’m full up,’ she said.
‘But are you satisfied?’
‘I think not.’
‘I can probably help with that.’
And so it went, over the following weeks. They found ways, and Eliza fell more deeply in love with Rob. She explained her rationale for being discreet, and they avoided being seen together in public. At the office they’d steal the occasional moment, though the glass walls were unhelpful.
Terri wasn’t fooled, and gave Eliza a talking to, calling her unprofessional.
‘Your mum and Harry would never have carried on like this,’ she said, after walking in on them in Eliza’s office.
Which had Eliza asking, ‘What were they like together, at work?’
‘Nobody had a clue what was going on. But that all changed at the Christmas party. Nineteen ninety-three, it would have been. Harry was still married to Katie, though it was common knowledge that was all very shaky. Harry didn’t let on to anyone about Ana.’
‘What happened at the party?’
‘Your mum looked incredible. A gold Versace number, slit to the thigh. Harry used to do this whole welcoming thing where he’d talk to people as they arrived. When she came in he snogged her, right there in front of everyone. Have to say, it was quite hot.’
‘Really! I’m so going to tease him about that.’
‘Yeah, do. It’ll take him back. They left the party together. He once told me it was the best night of his life and nothing would ever come close.’
So that must have been when they’d first slept together.
It was time to talk to Clare. Rob deserved all of her. She wanted them to have that best night of their lives.
Chapter 22
Eliza
‘Ah, John. Good to see you. Where’s my five hundred quid?’ asked Harry.
It was Clare’s birthday, and the Lisles and Studleys had been invited for an al fresco lunch at Richmond – always a gamble in England, but happily the sun was blazing down out of a clear blue sky. Eliza and Rob were sitting with Harry, Clare, Charles, Megan, Chess and Gil on the wide stone terrace that looked out across the gardens to the park beyond.
‘Harry, old boy,’ said John, as he and his wife joined them. ‘Never been so happy to part with my cash.’ He clapped Rob on the shoulder. ‘Good work, Son.’
Harry winked at Eliza. ‘I’ll put it towards the dowry.’
‘No, spend it,’ she replied. ‘I’m never getting married. I’ve seen where that can lead.’
Clare laughed heartily. ‘I love this generation.’
‘They’re killing it,’ said Charles. ‘Wish we’d had Tinder in my day.’
‘Dad!’ said Chess.
‘I seem to remember you did perfectly well without it,’ said Harry. ‘Before he married you, of course, dear sister.’ He raised his glass in Megan’s direction.
‘Touch of the pot and the kettle, dear brother?’ said Megan.
‘Honestly,’ said Eliza to Chess. ‘What were our dads like?’
Over to their right, Eddie and a schoolfriend were knocking a ball about on the tennis court, and down on the lawn, Maria and Phil were strolling back from a walk round the grounds. It was Phil’s first time to Richmond, and Eliza
expected Maria would be making her announcement today.
The caterers served lunch at a long table set out under the pergola. Dappled sunlight filtered through the roses rambling overhead, and a gentle breeze flapped the tablecloths and kept them cool. Harry was on fine form, sitting opposite Eliza and next to Rob, and Eliza smiled as the pair of them bantered. Those two. And when they moved on to their mutual love of fast cars and Harry said, ‘You can take the Aston for a spin while we’re away,’ Eliza knew Rob had made the grade.
Phil was sitting opposite Eliza, a couple of seats down, and she noticed his eyes on her. A lot.
As the caterers served dessert, Harry tapped a teaspoon against his glass. ‘Friends, offspring, hangers-on. May I take this opportunity to toast my beautiful and wise Clare, who several years ago brought me back from the brink of all sorts of horribleness. If Fate hadn’t thrown us together, I’m fairly sure I’d be six feet under. She is my rock, and I love her to distraction. Please raise your glasses to Clare, everyone.’
‘To Clare,’ they said, and Eliza mouthed Beautiful as Harry caught her eye.
‘Despite what Eliza might have to say on the matter, I would highly recommend the married state,’ he added, before sitting down again.
‘May I say something too, Harry?’ said Phil, taking everyone by surprise.
‘By all means,’ said Harry, though his eyes switched from sentimental-warm to killer-cold within milliseconds.
‘Maria and I have an announcement.’ All eyes went to Maria, who was looking radiant. Pregnancy seemed to be agreeing with her. Eliza had been surreptitiously looking for a bump, and thought she detected a small one.
‘God in his graciousness has blessed us,’ he said. ‘We’re expecting a child. Harry, sir, your first grandchild.’
Harry looked stunned.
‘My goodness!’ said Clare. ‘What marvellous news! Congratulations, you two!’
‘Thank you,’ said Maria, blushing. ‘I’m so thrilled.’
‘Well, yes,’ said Harry, pulling himself together. ‘Well done, Maria. Grandpa Harry. Good god.’
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