by L M Bee
“I need a brandy, my heart can’t take this. You’ve struck gold this time, and all because you rescued that little ball of fluff. Best thing you ever did!”
“She’s coming back. Must go,” he said, hastily tucking the phone back into his pocket.
Striding confidently into the room, Anna was beaming with elation.
“Vladimir approves, thinks mini pop-up hospitals within a clutch of holiday homes is a great concept – though he thinks we should refer to them as villas, and name them after Disney characters. In fact he’s willing to invest, thinks it’ll be the next big thing and a huge success. He’s speaking to his contact at The Walt Disney Company right now. Vlad’s also going to suggest that Disneyland design some rides exclusively for the sick children, specially adapted for them to feel safe whilst having fun with their siblings. It would require very careful planning, many heads together, but just imagine the world of difference it would make to all those children. Vladimir’s on the phone right now, asking them to crunch some numbers, so we can include a spreadsheet on the agenda for next week’s board meeting. What do you think?”
Chapter 35
“Outstanding!” cheered Harrison, pretending to be pleased for their charities merging, rather than the staggering number of marks corralled at LoveHeart Disneyland centres.
Anna Lovushka reached out to ring the little bell on the table, and a sombre looking butler appeared.
“Could we have a fresh bottle of champagne please, we’ve got something to celebrate!”
The butler dutifully opened another bottle of champagne, poured two glasses which he presented to them, before silently leaving the room. Standing up to raise their glasses, they smiled at one another, each for different reasons.
“To working together,” beamed Sophia.
“To working together,” repeated Harrison, his mind whirring as they chinked glasses.
They settled back on the sofa, side by side, just as her phone started to trill again. She apologised, glancing at the screen. “Sorry I must take this, it’s the Moscow office, excuse me a moment.”
Pressing the phone close to her ear, saying very little, and terminating the call before turning back to him.
“Apparently Sky News have just broadcast a report on the helicopter crash. Moscow are forwarding the link to me now.”
Her phone pinged. “Ah, that’ll be it.”
Clutching his hand tightly she implored, “Please watch this with me Harry, I would be so grateful for your support, as my friend.”
Holding the phone so they both had a clear view, heads together peering at the small screen, she clicked on the Sky News recording.
Against a bright yellow background, the words BREAKING NEWS filled the screen. Live footage showed firefighters battling massive roaring flames, small bangs and mini explosions could be heard in the background, and sirens too as emergency vehicles rushed to the scene. The Sky News ticker underneath read, “A helicopter owned by Oleg Kovalchuk crashed and burst into flames, seconds after taking off from the oligarch’s Moscow office.”
The newsreader said eyewitness reports confirm the helicopter took off and almost immediately started to rotate. Air investigators have verified that the helicopter rotated clockwise, an indication of losing tail rotor thrust, before coming down completely out of control and bursting into flames. Tragically, no survivors.
Bursting into tears, she sobbed, “Oh Oleg! His poor, poor wife and children. They’ll be devastated, I feel so sorry for them.”
Wiping her eyes on a fresh linen napkin, and hastily putting it down as her phone trilled again.
“Hello darling, yes I’ve just watched it. Tragic,” she sniffed, reaching for the napkin again and dabbing it under her lower lashes. “Yes, I’ll call her at home later. Devastating. I hadn’t thought about that, yes there will be. He’s still here with me, I’m sure he’d be interested. I’ll mention it to him now and call you back. Love you.”
Placing the phone slowly on the table, she turned to face Harrison with her serious business face on.
“That was Vladimir. Tragic news about Oleg. It also means that there’ll be one empty chair now at the 10% Club board meeting next week. Vladimir has suggested, that since we’ll be business partners, perhaps you would like to take Oleg’s place on the board. Before you say anything, we realise it’s an unprecedented step to invite someone who’s not an oligarch but you’re a successful entrepreneur with a flourishing property empire, so Vladimir’s willing to bend the rules on this occasion – especially since you saved Fifi’s life, he feels we owe you a favour in return. What do you think?”
Harrison couldn’t believe his ears. Who would have thought that fishing a scrappy little mutt out of the water would escalate into this? He privately applauded himself for his stratospheric rise in status, and being personally invited by the founder to become a member of the 10% Club.
Flushed in the face he endeavoured to temper his enthusiasm, as though it wasn’t the first deal of this magnitude to drop into his lap, reminding himself to always behave like a gentleman in her presence.
“What do I think? I would be honoured to become a board member of the 10% Club. Deeply honoured and extremely flattered to be asked.”
“Good. I’m delighted,” she beamed. “By the way, may I compliment you on your extremely elegant sense of style this evening. Excellent choice, perfectly dressed for the occasion, and tailor-made for you. Perfect synchronicity too, dressed as an oligarch at the exact moment you’re invited to join the world’s most elite group of them, it was evidently meant to be! Harry, when you’re sitting at next week’s board meeting, you won’t believe the phenomenal power at your fingertips; between the ten of you round the table you’ll control enough money to buy up small countries!”
“Count me in!” he cried triumphantly, feeling his ego increase spectacularly.
“Excellent.”
“By the way, earlier on you mentioned a joining fee,” he prompted, keen to avoid anything that might delay sealing the deal. “Just want to add, not a problem, happy to transfer the full amount straight away.” He was adamant that nothing should stand in his way.
Harrison was feeling twinges of guilt for not consulting Mo before making this offer, but it was an opportunity to mix in the highest circles that would provide a whole new network. He and Mo had already agreed to give The Weeping Widow the flick tomorrow, and her five hundred thousand was still sitting in that moody account. A quick transaction, transfer it across to the 10% Club, and he was in with the big boys: nine oligarchs and him – epic!
Eager to cement the deal as fast as possible, he put on his most honest expression to crisply repeat the offer.
“I can transfer the amount immediately, no problem whatsoever. Got all my bank details here on my phone, just tell me where to send the money, and I’ll get the transaction done without delay.”
“Let me send Max back in to assist you,” she suggested, standing up and moving towards the door again. “I’ll leave you both to it, and come back in five minutes.”
“Anna, just one thing before you leave... thank you.”
“Harry, I can assure you, you’ve earned this all by yourself!” she replied with a big grin.
Outside in the hallway, once the doors had been firmly closed, she turned to security and gave them a little wink, secretly enjoying the noose starting to tighten around the rotten scoundrel’s neck, holding up crossed fingers and speaking in a low voice so nobody else would hear.
“Send Max back in with his laptop and the bank details. Don’t let Harrison leave that room until the transaction’s complete and I come back.”
Walking serenely out into the courtyard, she approached the same cherry blossom that Mary had waved at earlier. It was incredibly important to Sophia to break the news to Mary herself, and this was the only method at her disposal that she could think of in the heat of the moment. She knew that footage from the hidden camera would be instantly transmitted into the pool house fo
r the children to hear, and to Bernard’s earpiece – and he could be relied on without fail to relay the message to Mary immediately.
Looking up into the branches of the cherry blossom, holding crossed fingers in front of her face, she spoke slowly and clearly to the tree in a loud whisper.
“Mary, just want to let you know, he’s in the process of transferring half a million pounds into the bank account specially set up for this – right now!”
Finishing with a squeal of joy, she did a little happy dance for the camera.
The pool house erupted as everyone let out deafening cheers, laughing and clapping with joy. Kitty and Titty stood up on the sofa to mimic Sophia’s happy dance, hurling cushions and popcorn in the air.
“Hey guys,” cautioned Arthur soberly, “deal’s not done yet.”
“No, but he’s transferring the money right now,” argued Titty. “It’s only seconds away. Does Mum know?”
Bernard, who could hear every word from the pool house, leant closer to Mary and caught her eye. Placing one finger over his lips so she wouldn’t say anything, he whispered the news in her ear. Mary’s face lit up and her bottom lip started to wobble, trying her hardest not to cry with sheer relief.
“Not quite a done deal,” cautioned Bernard, “but any second now.”
Mary looked ecstatic, then a thought crossed her mind.
“Bernard, on a serious note, when the money's confirmed in my account, may I be permitted a few moments on my own with that low-life evil scumbag please? I’d like to have the last word, before you arrest him.”
“Of course, see no reason why not. You’ll be under surveillance, totally safe, everything’s on camera. I’ll ask my men to hold back until you’ve finished.”
“Thank you Bernard,” smiled Mary coyly, “means a lot to me.”
Exploding with jubilation, tossing her long blonde hair around like a maniac, Kitty yelled at the top of her voice,
“She’s done it! Sophia’s bloody done it! She’s conned the con artist!”
Chapter 36
Security held open the door for Anna Lovushka to walk serenely back into the room.
Max was leaning over the laptop with Harrison, and straightened up as she approached.
“We’ve just received confirmation by email, ma’am. The money’s been successfully transferred into the account – Mr Olivier is now officially a member of the 10% Club.”
“Congratulations!” she cried. “This calls for more champagne. By the way, did Max mention that the next board meeting will take place in our Moscow office? Full details will be emailed to you on Monday. Vladimir has asked me to convey his congratulations to you too. We’re both delighted that you’ve joined the 10% Club.” She added mischievously, “I have no doubt that this moment will change your life forever!”
An imperceptible lapse in Sophia’s otherwise flawless performance, she momentarily allowed her emotions to get the better of her, knowing it would only be minutes before the rotten scoundrel got his comeuppance.
Red in the face, Harrison appeared short of breath as he wiped beads of sweat off his top lip, clearly so overcome with joy he’d completely forgotten Mary even existed as he shouted enthusiastically, “Must tell my wife! She’s outside enjoying the party.”
Sophia felt her ire rise at such blatant disrespect to her friend, but determined to succeed to the bitter end, she bit her lip and continued to employ her best manners.
“Yes of course, you must, what’s your wife’s name?”
“Maureen.”
“Please invite Maureen to join us for a celebratory glass of champagne!”
“She’d like that. I’ll go and find her.”
She stepped closer to shake his hand warmly, “Many congratulations Harry, my friend and business partner,” and leant forwards to kiss him on the cheek, as the double doors were thrown wide open with terrific force.
“I knew it!” screamed Mary, charging in like an enraged bull elephant. “You lying, cheating bastard.”
Whack! She smacked him viciously across the face.
The sheer force knocked him off his feet. Mary was fuelled by the pent up rage that had been building inside her since seeing the photos in the Airstream, and she let it all out in one savage heartfelt blow. Stumbling to the floor Harrison cowered away from her, clasping his wounded cheek, looking mortified. How dare she address him with such lack of respect. He was a member of Russia’s most influential committee. How dare she!
As he staggered to his feet, Sophia was trying hard not to laugh out loud at Mary’s unscripted appearance and doing her best to look confused by the intruder who was clearly deranged and going berserk.
“Your wife?” she volunteered, pretending to look shocked.
“No,” replied Harry, checking his lip for blood, “long story.”
“Not your wife then,” she muttered sarcastically, secretly wishing she could howl with laughter at Mary’s dramatic entrance, absolutely bloody brilliant!
“No,” bellowed Harry. “Some fucking nutter. Mad woman, been stalking me for ages, should be sectioned!”
Mary was more livid than she’d ever been in her entire life, possessed with fearsome facial expressions. Like a coward, Harrison started edging further back, fearing for his life, aiming for the French doors. Mary’s blood was boiling, stalking him down, her face a mask of pure venom hunting her quarry. He backed nervously towards the door, fumbling with the handle until he managed to push it wide open and bolt past security. Chasing after him, Mary cornered him against the edge of the pool.
Smack! Another vicious blow across the same red cheek. Amazing the force a rabid woman can muster. His hand flew up to nurse his beetroot face, staring wide-eyed at this insane woman. He was horrified that she had the audacity to disrespect him, in the middle of a party, and in front of an oligarch’s wife too. On the back foot, he still clutched his pink cheek, as the heels of his black velvet evening slippers teetered precariously on the edge.
“This is from my children,” roared Mary, punching both hands hard into his sternum and sending him flying backwards into the pool.
Witnessing everything on the overhead screens, her children shouted and cheered loudly with delight as their mother had the last word over Oliver Harrison, Harry Olivier or whoever he was.
Bobbing up pathetically amongst the lily pads, dripping wet fringe stuck to his face, struggling to swim through the plethora of plants in his couture jacket, he reached the far side and scrambled to put both hands on the edge, already limp from the exertion. Someone very kindly reached down to offer him a hand to haul him out.
“Thank you,” he gasped breathlessly, wiping his fringe out of his eyes and gratefully accepting the hand.
Bruno de Berger held on tightly and shouted, “Cuff him,” as two officers stepped forwards to take over. As the handcuffs were clicked on, Bruno looked down at the pathetic looking fraudster and relished the moment. Having waited decades for this high point in his career, proud as punch, Bruno took great pleasure in reciting his lines.
“Oliver Harrison, I am arresting you on numerous counts of fraud, breaking and entering and car theft. You have the right to notify a relative or an employer, an attorney or an interpreter. You have the right to either make statements, answer questions or remain silent.” When Bruno had finished informing Harrison of his rights, the two officers escorted him to a waiting police vehicle.
A female undercover officer appeared as if by magic at Mary’s side.
“Mrs Pembroke, allow me to escort you safely back to your children.”
Feeling a tremendous sense of relief after her feral outburst, Mary smiled bashfully at the female officer.
“Sorry about all the drama,” she apologised meekly, embarrassed about causing such a scene. “Honestly I didn't plan to do that beforehand, it just came rushing out, all that bottled-up rage and anger at being tricked by him …”
“Completely understand,” replied the female officer with a big grin. “Wish I c
ould have landed one on him myself to be honest, nasty piece of work.”
Nursing both hands under her armpits, Mary whimpered.
“My hands are throbbing like crazy, hope I haven’t broken any bones.”
“There's a paramedic on site if you want to get them checked.”
“Not right away, see how they feel in a bit, I want to see my children first.”
Chapter 37
When Mary walked into the pool house, it erupted in a deafening cacophony. Arthur, Kitty and Titty rushed forwards, enveloping their mother in a huge bear hug, four happy people in a rugby scrum.
“Pity he didn't drown when you pushed him in,” remarked Arthur.
“Unlikely,” scoffed Kitty, “scum always floats to the surface!”
“Has he been properly arrested now?” asked Titty timidly.
Mary stepped back to grin proudly at her children.
“Yes. Bruno de Berger’s arrested him, and he’s been taken away in handcuffs. He’ll remain in a cell at the police station until his trial, and hopefully he’ll be sent to prison and never see the light of day again!”
“And what about Barbie?” demanded Kitty.
“She’s been arrested too,” confirmed the female officer, standing off to the side of the room watching the happy family reunite.
Sophia came bursting in, still in costume, and rushed towards Mary. Stretching her arms round her great friend and the children, she started to cry with relief.
“You all right?” she bawled, crying and laughing at the same time.
“Never thought I would see this day,” wailed Mary, grinning through her tears.
“What? When those fraudsters were arrested?” checked Sophia.
“Yes,” sniffed Mary, tightly clasping Sophia’s hands, “I can’t thank you enough.”
“It wasn’t just me, it was a team effort.”