Sister to Sister

by Olivia Hayfield

  ‘I see.’ He paused, and shook his head. ‘Shit, Lizzie – that’s a long time to wait.’

  ‘I know. I’m sorry. It won’t be easy.’ She smiled. ‘But I’m worth the wait, aren’t I? And it doesn’t mean we can’t see each other, as friends and a bit more. A stolen kiss here and there. Could be kind of exciting, right?’ She took his hand, holding his gaze, willing him to see things from her point of view.

  He was quiet for a moment, considering. ‘OK, Lizzie. It sucks, but if that’s what it takes. We’ll do this on your terms. I’ll do what I can to hurry things along with the divorce.’

  Her relief was profound. She put her arms round him and kissed his cheek. ‘We can have regular catch-ups at Caffé Uno.’

  He laughed. ‘I guess the best things in life are worth terrible coffee.’

  ‘Rob . . . you’re my best thing. Always.’

  Harry

  Phil and Maria were virtual attendees at the board meeting, Phil from New York and Maria from Wales. Their images appeared on the drop-down screen at the end of the boardroom.

  The number of board members physically present was down today. Just Harry, John, Cecil, Chess and Eliza. Helena and Margot were voting by proxy again, as were the Morrissey brothers, who had sent their apologies.

  ‘Good morning,’ said Phil, with a flash of his ridiculously white teeth. ‘And hello, my dear.’ He peered at his screen and gave a little wave, which Maria returned with a simper. Really, the pair of them were so off-brand. How on earth had they ended up in charge? They were like a couple of aphids, sucking the life out of Rose, leaving it drooping. Harry couldn’t wait to pick them off and squash them.

  He gave a small smile. It was about to happen. Everything was in place. Nobody would be pulling anything heinous out of a hat today.

  ‘Shall we begin?’ said Eliza, sitting at the head of the table.

  Harry allowed himself a moment of pride as he switched his gaze to his other daughter, the antithesis of Maria. Over the months since Maria had left, Eliza had surpassed his expectations, which had already been high. She’d taken on board everything he’d taught her, adding her own touch and inspiring a fierce loyalty in Rose staff even beyond what he’d experienced himself. She listened, she facilitated, she genuinely cared. She brought out the best in people, giving them the opportunity to shine, to be part of the company narrative.

  Cecil was hugely impressed by her business acumen and her ability to think strategically, to see beyond the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ to the ‘why’.

  ‘We have apologies and proxy votes from Helena, Margot, Rich and . . . Seymour,’ Eliza said. ‘I suggest we move immediately to my proposal that the current mission statement be replaced with an update, which will be based on the original drafted by my father and his team.’

  ‘Nothing’s changed in terms of numbers since the last board meeting,’ barked Maria. ‘Why are we doing this, Eliza? You’re wasting everyone’s time.’

  Harry glanced at Phil, but he was looking down, as if examining his fingernails. He probably was. They were as well tended as his teeth.

  ‘I formally propose,’ Eliza continued, ‘that the current mission statement, as written by Phil and Maria, be superseded by a new one, to be drafted and circulated for approval. Those in favour, please.’

  Harry, John, Chess, Cecil and Eliza raised their hands.

  ‘Helena’s a yes,’ said Chess. Pippa nodded.

  ‘As is Margot,’ said Harry. ‘She is more easily persuaded of the value of a middle way than you are, Maria. No one likes an extremist. Not even a grumpy aunt.’

  Maria’s eyes widened, then she pursed her lips. ‘That’s most disappointing. And rather underhand of you, Father.’

  ‘Needs must. How are those votes stacking up, Cecil?’

  ‘With Armada’s reduced shareholding, we have a clear majority.’

  Everyone looked at Phil, who snapped back to attention.

  ‘What in the hell do you mean, reduced shareholding?’

  ‘I’m afraid we’ve bought you out, give or take,’ said Harry. ‘Sorry, old chap. Your Armada’s been blown out of the water. You really shouldn’t have aimed your cannons at the Brits. It was never going to work. We simply don’t enjoy your brand of god bothering.’

  Maria sucked in a breath.

  ‘Sorry, Maria. I did try to warn you. Perhaps you should listen next time.’

  ‘Dad—’ said Eliza.

  ‘Shall we wrap this up, Lizzie?’ Harry looked at his watch.

  Maria’s image suddenly disappeared from the screen as she cut the connection.

  ‘I’ll be in touch,’ Phil said abruptly. He still owned around ten per cent of the company shares and therefore would have a degree of influence, but his team of three was now a team of one.

  His image disappeared too.

  ‘Oh,’ said Eliza. ‘I suppose that means . . . ’

  Maria and Phil’s family values mission statement had been metaphorically screwed up, thrown in the bin and set on fire.

  ‘I’d like to propose a second motion,’ said Harry. His face broke into a grin. ‘That Eliza Rose be voted in as CEO.’

  An enormous smile spread across her face. ‘Oh!’

  ‘Congratulations, Eliza,’ said Cecil, holding out his hand. ‘Great things start right here.’

  ‘Hear hear!’ said Chess, coming round the table to give her cousin a hug. ‘This is wonderful!’

  ‘No more admin for you!’ said Eliza.

  ‘Bravo!’ said John. ‘Splendid!’

  ‘I’ll formally request the votes of the absent members,’ said Cecil. ‘You’ll be acting CEO until we get their nods, but I’m sure it’ll be a formality.’

  As Harry watched Eliza – incredibly, her face was pink – he was overcome with emotion. His little girl, the apple of his eye, his true heir.

  ‘Write your name across the sky, my darling girl,’ he said, hugging her tight.

  ‘Watch Seville ditch Maria now,’ said Harry, as he and Eliza headed off to lunch.

  ‘I don’t think so, Dad. She’s his dream subservient woman, and soon she’ll be the mother of his child. And didn’t I tell you to stop being mean about her?’

  ‘So magnanimous in victory. Let’s just say, certain things came to light during our tit-for-tat raid on his shares. He’s not a person I want involved in my grandchild’s life.’

  ‘What things?’

  ‘Need-to-know basis. Useful if we have to go to war again at some point.’

  ‘Gosh, Dad. You’re always one step ahead. I still have lots to learn.’

  ‘You’re doing way better than fine. Where are you taking us?’

  ‘The pub. There are two people I want you to meet.’

  ‘Is Rob joining us?’

  Eliza looked at him, and he saw her elation fade for a moment. What was going on there? Studley had better not be messing her about.

  ‘No, Leigh and Rob won’t be coming today. I wanted you to meet the creatives.’

  ‘Your university pals?’

  ‘Yes. Hence the pub. I thought informal would be best.’

  Entering The George, Eliza led the way over to two tall, skinny lads with a lot of hair between them, drinking pints at the bar. She introduced the one facing Harry as Will Bardington.

  Harry shook his hand. ‘Delighted, Will.’

  ‘Likewise, Harry.’ He had lively brown eyes, and a high forehead from which brown curls cascaded. ‘A pleasure to meet the father of our lovely Eliza. We couldn’t adore your daughter more.’

  The blond one was . . . good lord. When he turned round, Harry found himself face to face with a disconcertingly beautiful boy with the most unusual gold-coloured eyes.

  ‘This is Kit Marley,’ said Eliza.

  Harry didn’t miss the way she briefly touched his arm, and got a smile in return that spoke of a close intimacy.

  What was going on here? Was this why there was a problem with Rob?

  ‘Good to meet you, Harry.’ Ther
e was a knowingness about the boy, as if he’d figured Harry out even before he’d said a word.

  ‘And you, Kit,’ he said, shaking hands.

  ‘Dad – Will and Kit are utter geniuses, ready to take the world by storm with our productions. And yes, that build-up is entirely justified.’

  They found a table, and Will and Kit took Harry through some of their ideas for drama and film. Will spoke with actorish aplomb, his eyes alight. Occasionally he’d pause, and Kit would lob in a sentence or two that beautifully enhanced Will’s words. The boys’ eloquence, their vocabulary, was extraordinary.

  ‘Well, chaps,’ Harry said, as Will finished with a flourish. ‘I very much like the sound of this, and RoseGold has my full support. Anything you need.’ He held out his hand, and the boys shook it, grinning. ‘Having said that, Eliza’s in charge now, of course.’

  ‘Officially!’ she said. ‘I’m acting CEO, as of today. Maria and Phil have been voted out.’

  ‘Hallelujah!’ said Will. ‘All hail Eliza.’

  Kit gave her a small smile. ‘And so it begins.’

  She held his gaze, and as Harry saw the look in them, he wondered again about Rob.

  He narrowed his eyes. There was something most unsettling about this boy. A sexual magnetism and . . . a hint of something dark. He had an air of detachment, yet the connection between him and Eliza positively sizzled.

  Kit was not what a father would want for his daughter.

  ‘While I’ll help in whatever way I can,’ he said, ‘one has a yacht to catch.’

  ‘Already, Dad?’

  ‘After Christmas. Off to LA, then sailing down the coast.’

  ‘With Frankie on board! How brilliant.’

  ‘Indeed. My spies tell me she’s getting on exceptionally well with Captain Yates.’ Harry winked.

  ‘Honestly. How is your spy network more efficient than me messaging Frankie?’

  ‘This is true. And don’t you forget it.’

  Eliza

  Harry and Eliza headed back, leaving Will and Kit in the pub.

  ‘Let’s walk by the river,’ said Harry, as they reached Bankside.

  ‘OK. So – how do you like Will and Kit?’

  ‘You did well, getting them on board. I don’t think I’ve met anyone quite like them in all my time in this business.’

  ‘There’s something about them.’

  ‘Will’s use of language is remarkable. His way of describing things. Does that come across in his work?’

  ‘Oh yes.’

  ‘Kit – I think the darker of the two? More complex? You and he seem . . . close?’ He gave her a searching look.

  ‘We are. He understands me – he’s my soulmate.’

  ‘I see. He’s not responsible for . . . are there problems with Rob?’

  ‘No. Well, sort of. I’ve told Rob I want to cool things between us, until his divorce comes through. I thought that would be sensible, given my new role. There’s bound to be media interest.’

  ‘Wise move. Well done.’

  ‘And it’s nothing to do with Kit. He doesn’t do relationships. His behaviour would make even your toes curl.’

  ‘Ah. I got some sense of that.’ Harry looked relieved.

  ‘He and Will are staying with me at the moment. I love hanging out with them.’

  ‘And your thing with Kit; it’s definitely platonic?’ That penetrating gaze.

  ‘Like I said, yes. Why? Don’t you like him?’

  ‘He’s . . . hard to pin down.’

  Eliza grinned. ‘Give up now.’

  ‘And he’s . . . well, quite something to look at.’

  She chuckled, and nudged him. ‘Do you fancy him, Dad?’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ he spluttered. ‘But I wonder . . . is his creativity perhaps enhanced by something? I have some experience with addiction.’

  Her smile faded. ‘I think Kit does whatever it takes to produce his best work. But he doesn’t need chemicals to kick his brain into the zone. It’s phenomenal. The things he sees, knows. The way he can read my mind. It’s like he’s my . . . I don’t know. My shadow. Always there, even when he’s not.’

  They stopped and leaned on the parapet, looking down at the sludgy water slapping the wall below them.

  Eliza thought back. ‘Something strange happened with me and him on our last night at Oxford. I should probably mention we’d had a few wines, but even so it was . . . I can’t explain it. Kit said some of us exist outside of time. And then . . . time seemed to actually stop. I swear – my phone proved the fact. Does that sound mad?’

  She was expecting one of Harry’s cutting comments, but instead he said, ‘No, it doesn’t.’ He seemed to be weighing up whether to tell her something. ‘There have been times when I’ve felt something similar. When Ana and Janette died, and when I was in a drug-induced half sleep. And . . . I’ve never told anyone this before. When I was shot, I had what I believe is called a near-death experience.’

  Eliza looked at him in surprise. While Harry was a deep thinker, and loved to talk philosophy, he rarely discussed religion or spirituality. His views on Maria’s faith were scathing, and she’d always assumed he had zero belief in an afterlife, or any realms other than the one in which he existed, here and now.

  ‘Seriously?’

  ‘Clearly the brain at these times does things far beyond our comprehension. I’ve read about it. Quite a lot.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘My mind – maybe my soul, whatever it was. It was outside my body. I could see myself, below. There were others in the room, as well as the surgeons and nurses. Not people – shadows. Presences. They were discussing whether I should live or die. Whether I’d made amends for . . . a past life, I think. Or maybe this one.’

  ‘My god.’ Eliza was shaken. Every time she thought she understood her father, some new insight would blindside her.

  ‘I’ve come to the conclusion it was my brain shutting down,’ he said, staring out at the river. ‘All that stuff on my conscience taking on some form of imagined reality. Who knows? But it’s stayed with me. The mind, Lizzie. It’s an unknown realm, wouldn’t you say?’

  She took Harry’s arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. ‘They let you live. You must have come right in this life.’

  ‘There are more things in Heaven and Earth . . . ’

  ‘Oh my god. Don’t you start.’

  Harry laughed. ‘Young Will does like his Shakespeare.’

  ‘Thanks for sharing that. Have you ever told Clare?’

  ‘No. Only you. And it’s between us. One doesn’t want to sound like a fruitcake.’

  ‘Hardly. Your mind’s the sharpest I know.’

  He patted her hand. ‘Well, I have to say, that was all quite existential for a Tuesday lunchtime.’

  ‘I do love you, Dad.’

  ‘And you’re my best girl, Lizzie. But we’d better go. You have an empire to run.’

  Chapter 26

  Eliza

  ROB: Happy Christmas Snow White! xxxx Love the Ray-Bans and the leather jacket but most of all the box of hair products. Haha. Did you like my presents?

  ELIZA: The necklace is beautiful Rob. Thanks SO much! Also the Chanel handbag full of Smarties. Perfect! Love you and really wishing we were together today xxxx

  ELIZA: Happy Christmas Mr Marley. Kind of speechless when I opened your present. Was going to ask how you knew. Then I remembered, you just do. ILY xxxx

  On Boxing Day evening, the family was sitting by the fire in the drawing room. Clare was reading her novel, while Harry, Eliza and Eddie were deep into a game of Scrabble.

  Eliza and Harry were well-matched and hugely competitive, while Eddie wasn’t really concentrating, busy on his phone.

  After many an hour pitched against Will and Kit, Eliza’s vocabulary was pleasingly vast. (Will, however, was a terrible cheat, always making up new words.) Harry was irritatingly good at slipping high-scoring letters into gaps, and also had a knack of using triple-word s
cores that seemed unreachable.

  Earlier, Harry had taken a call from Cassandra. ‘I could hear her quite clearly,’ he said, ‘considering she’s in Wales.’

  Eddie rolled his eyes.

  ‘Was she phoning about Maria?’ said Clare, looking up from her book. ‘How is she?’

  ‘I’m afraid Cass has some concerns, though you know what I think about her wellness philosophies.’ He slid an E, an X and an E onto Eliza’s CUTE. The X was on a triple-letter score. ‘Thirty-two, I think you’ll find, Lizzie.’

  ‘What concerns?’ said Eliza, pursing her lips.

  ‘She was quite vague. I think perhaps one of you should speak to Cass – Clare? You’re the nurse.’

  ‘She must be due any time?’ said Eliza.

  ‘That’s the thing. Apparently Maria’s being quite obtuse about it. And Cassandra’s focus on everything natural isn’t helping. There’s been no monitoring or scans, any of that. Cass said that was Maria’s choice, because if any problems had been detected, she’s anti-intervention anyway. Couple of nutters, the pair of them.’

  ‘She told me she was pregnant back in June,’ said Eliza. ‘I think she said she was due end of December or January.’

  ‘What exactly are Cassandra’s concerns, Harry?’ said Clare.

  ‘She thinks Maria’s small for her dates. And apparently Maria’s upset because Phil’s hardly been in touch. What did I tell you, Lizzie?’

  ‘Perhaps I should go to Wales and make sure she’s all right?’ said Clare.

  ‘You won’t have time. I don’t want to put off flying to LA.’

  ‘I’ll go,’ said Eliza. ‘I can take a couple of days off work. Cecil’s got everything under control.’

  ‘It’s so nice to see you two getting on,’ said Clare, ‘after all these years.’

  ‘That might be putting it a bit strongly, especially after the last board meeting. But I want to make sure she’s OK. She was so

  happy about this baby. It would be terrible if anything went wrong because nobody’s checking up on her.’

  She placed QUEENLY on a double-word score and wrote down 38.