He continued to laugh as he stopped spinning her and linked her arm again. ‘Anyway, enough being morbid. It is nice to talk about your mother, but let us continue and talk about happier things. How’s college going? There is no way my beautiful daughter is single! Tell me about him!’
‘Okay dad, let’s carry on walking. I’m hungry and want some soup. Shame we haven’t got our phones. We could phone ahead and get them to make us something.’
‘It will only take chef a minute to knock us up some broth!’
‘Indeed! Onwards then dear father!’
‘Indeed young lady, onwards and upwards!’
They turned away from the lake and made their way to the mansion. Suddenly her father stopped and exclaimed out loud. ‘My word! How stupid of me! I forgot!’
‘You forgot something?!’
‘I know, astonishing!’ One of the many reasons he had been so successful was his prodigious memory. ‘It has been a busy week. Never mind.’
‘So what have you forgotten? You’re taking your lovely, adoring daughter away to Fiji again with no phones or internet to disturb us?’
‘No, but I think you may prefer what I’m just about to tell you.’
‘Well please continue then father, please continue!’
‘You know of course that I’ve been sponsoring a Formula 1 team this last season?’
‘Yeah, of course.’
‘It’s good for business. I get a small section of the car to advertise on and a section of the driver’s race suits. Expensive, but my marketers insist it pays for itself. Anyway, I mentioned having some corporate tickets to the C.E.O., and he has given me three.’
‘Oh, brilliant! Who are you going to take?’
‘Well, I was thinking of taking a couple of guys from work.’ He paused for a moment, waited for her pout and the I-want-line to appear, but they did not and he thought that maybe his little girl was growing up.
‘That’s great! They’ll really appreciate it!’
‘Don’t be silly Sally! As if I would want to spend such a precious weekend with two stuffy business men! I was thinking of you and Michelle, that is if you don’t mind hanging out with an old man for a weekend?’
David briefly popped into Sally’s mind and then an image of her best friend with her tongue down her date’s throat, but she had already made up her mind to forgive Michelle, so she replied, ‘Of course we won’t mind! We’ll be honoured to spend it with you! Which Grand Prix? The British?’
‘No, he twisted my arm for a little bit more money so I twisted his a little harder!’
‘Good! Where then?’
‘Monaco.’
‘Monaco?! Really?! Wow! That’s going to be amazing! Thank you so much dad!’ She swung around him and kissed him firmly on both cheeks.
‘I haven’t finished yet. He twisted again, and so did I!’
‘Go on, what next?!’
‘Well, I’ll tell you later if you’re good!’
She stamped her foot, and the pout and the I-want-line appeared and he reversed his earlier thoughts. ‘Tell me now or I’ll sulk and sulk and sulk!’
‘Okay then baby. On the Saturday afternoon, well more like early evening when all the qualifying is done, we get an hour on the track in sports cars!’
‘Oh… my… God! Seriously? Seriously? How have you managed to twist his arm that much?!’
‘Money talks angel, money talks.’
‘Talks?! It must have been shouting! Can we afford it?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous Sally. It wasn’t that much! They got those fines last season, remember? I said I’d help them out a little.’
‘A little?! How much?’
‘A little.’
Another pout and another line. ‘Tell me!’
‘Okay. Four million.’ He said it casually, like they were discussing the new cost of a first class stamp.
‘Four million?! Bloody hell dad, that’s a lot!’
‘It’s not really angel. The money is just sat there so we might as well use it. Anyway, I can probably get some kind of tax break on it; put it through the books as a corporate event.’
‘Nice, but still, four million!’
‘It’s nothing to us and you know it.’
‘Yeah, I suppose. Wait until I tell Michelle. She’ll start doing back-flips she’ll be so happy!’
‘I’m glad angel. We can all look forward to it together.’
‘We’ll be looking forward to it and looking forward to it and looking forward to it!’ She pressed her body against his and rubbed against him almost like a cat would that wants feeding. ‘Daddy, are we going to take the yacht?’
He looked down on her as she pressed herself against his arm. ‘Enough of your female tricks little lady! I’ve already booked a berth right next to the track. That cost quite a lot too, mainly because I had to buy off the people who were in the queue ahead of us, but it will be worth it!’
‘That’s brilliant daddy! Thank you so, so much!’ She kissed him again firmly on the cheek and skipped along next to him as they approached the mansion.
He was overjoyed to see her so happy, but as they got close to the house a member of the household staff ran out of the front doorway. He muttered under his breath, ‘Oh, oh. This doesn’t look good!’
‘Ohhh bugger! Sell-up daddy, let’s buy an island where it is quiet and we can chill out, where there are no phones or anything!’
‘It doesn’t quite work like that darling. I’m sorry, again.’ By this time the staff member had reached them.
‘Sir, sorry to disturb you. Urgent call. One of your directors. They’ve been trying your mobile?’
‘My mobile is in the Mini which is over there.’ He pointed through the mist and the outline of the car could just be seen. ‘Send someone to bring the Mini back to the garages along with my planes and then bring our phones back to us. I’ll be in my office.’
‘Certainly sir.’
He turned to look at his daughter. ‘I’m sorry angel. Yet again our time is disturbed. I really must do something about this. Sure you don’t want to take over the business after me?’
‘Definitely. And what would be the point? If you want to spend more time with me you couldn’t because I’d be the one answering the urgent calls instead of you!’
‘Good point well made! Right, I must dash. I will try to catch up with you later. Sorry.’
‘It’s okay. Go. It must be important.’
‘I’m on my way. We’ll catch up again soon, I promise.’
‘Yeah, I know dad. Go on.’
He leant down and kissed her on each cheek and then dashed past Alfred who was now present at the top of the front steps. Sally approached him and walked up the steps to him. ‘Good afternoon Alfred.’
‘Good afternoon Sally.’
‘My car and my father’s planes?’
‘Of course. I’ll send someone straight away.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Anything for lunch ma’am?’
‘A soup, please Alfred, one of the chef’s special chicken broths, and some thick, crusty bread. Could you ask someone to stoke the fire in east-wing drawing room and have the soup ready in fifteen minutes.’ The sentence started as a question, but definitely finished as an order.
‘Of course. Anything else my dear?’
‘A box of chocolates.’
‘Of course.’
Sally walked past him into the main hallway. ‘Oh, and ask someone to look in the library for the sequel to Wilbur Smith’s River God, I believe it is called Warlock, and ask them to bring it to me in the drawing room.’
The library was massive. Shelf upon shelf of books stretching from floor to ceiling, it was one of the biggest rooms in the mansion, second only to the Great Ballroom. It had been created by her mother and was one of her only few vices considering the money she had at her disposal. The shelves were packed with literary classics, modern books and a plethora of first editions. The monetary value of the collect
ion was immense, but to Sally it was priceless; it was part of her mother.
Usually she would enjoy finding her own books; her mother’s spirit seemed to be present in the library, but today all she wanted to do was curl up in the sumptuously decorated and furnished drawing room and read a good book.
‘I’ll ensure that the book is brought to you in the drawing room with haste.’
‘Thank you Alfred.’
‘Is that all ma’am.’
‘Yes, thank you.’
He gave a slight bow and walked off into the mansion to pass on Sally’s requests to the appropriate members of staff. Sally wandered through the mansion to her room where she changed into silk pyjamas. Then she proceeded down to the drawing room and as she entered a maid was laying out the soup and the Wilbur Smith book on the table. Sally did not even acknowledge the maid’s presence and instead sat at the table to eat the soup and bread. The maid lit the fire and then tentatively approached Sally. ‘Ma’am, sorry to disturb you.’
‘Yes, what is it?’ She did not raise her eyes from the book.
‘Ma’am sorry. We appear to be out of stock of the chocolates you requested.’
‘Right, well, send someone out to get them then.’
‘Sorry, ma’am.’
Sally flung her book down and turned to stare at the maid. ‘What now?’
‘The butler asked whether the Belgian chocolates you like would suffice?’
‘Yes, yes, whatever. Please. Just go and bring them. Then ensure I’m not disturbed again unless I ring the bell.’
‘Of course.’
The maid gave a little curtsey and left the room. The maid thought she had got off lightly as she scampered through the halls back to the kitchen to obtain the chocolates. In the past, when something had not been available, it would have been a full scale tantrum, sulks and quite possibly an audience with Mr. Gallagher and then quite possibly sackings.
As she reached the mammoth kitchen she flung upon one of the walk-in larder doors and from the wide selection of available confectionary she retrieved a box of fine Belgian chocolates. She then scampered quickly back to the drawing room and placed the chocolates next to Sally. She gave a little curtsey and left the room.
Sally had not acknowledged her and had probably not even realised that she had been into the room. When the maid discreetly looked into the room after a few hours it was empty. She presumed correctly that Sally had retired to her bedroom for the evening and she proceeded to tidy up the room. The maid noticed the box of chocolates on table and rolled her eyes. They had not even been opened.
Chapter 21
Michelle slept well at her grandfather’s house like she always did. She waited there until the early afternoon and helped him prepare a Sunday lunch for Michelle and her parents. Nothing more eventful happened until she got home and decided to call Sally. Her mobile was off for some reason so she tried Sally’s private house phone and after a few rings it was answered.
‘Hello?’ answered a sleepy sounding voice.
‘Sally, it’s me. Are you asleep?’
‘Well, I was. What time is it?’
‘It’s only six. You tired?’
‘Yeah, long weekend.’
‘Tell me about it.’ There was a momentary pause until Michelle said, ‘Look, we need to talk. Can I come round?’
‘Now?’
‘Yeah. Is that okay?’
‘I suppose. Do you want to have some dinner here? We could watch a movie perhaps?’
‘Yeah, if you don’t mind.’
‘I don’t mind, but remember you’ve got some explaining to do.’
‘I know, I know. Hang on. I’ll check I can borrow a car again. Dad!’ She paused. ‘Daaad!’
‘What! Don’t shout at me from another room, I can’t stand it! What?’
‘Can I use the BMW again?’
‘Again? I’m going to start charging you petrol!’ He knocked on her door.
‘Come in.’
He opened it and put his head through the gap. ‘Where to?’
‘Sally’s’
‘Right. Back at ten. Don’t roll your eyes; you look about fourteen when you roll your eyes!’
‘Okaaayyy! You sound like mum!’
‘In that case your mum has a point! Back at ten.’
‘Right, okay dad. Thanks.’ He closed the door and Michelle started to speak to Sally again. ‘Yeah, no probs.’
‘I heard.’
‘Cool. Half an hour?’ asked Michelle.
‘Yep, no probs. Hey, we could make a night of it. Have a proper girlie night. What do you think? We could watch the new Brad Pitt movie. Johnny is in it too!’
‘You and Johnny Depp! He’s not that nice Sally!’
‘Whatever! Just because you fancy Tom Hanks!’
‘Look, I never said I fancied him, I just said he was quite cute!’
‘Again, whatever. You going to stay then? I went a bit mad yesterday and got a lot of new clothes. You can have a look, oh, and there are some shoes here too for you. Oh, and I’ve got some amazing news! You’ll never, ever believe or guess it!’
‘Minor problem, no way he’s going to let me stay out all night, especially if I’m driving.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll send Ray or Alfred.’
‘They’ll hate you!’
‘I don’t care. We pay them enough.’
‘Fair point.
‘Pick you up in fifteen minutes?’
‘Perfect.’
‘Want me to come in the Rolls! We can pretend we’re princesses like we used to!’
‘Are you drunk Sally?!’
Sally laughed. ‘Come on, it will be fun!’
‘Okay, whatever you want. I’ll have to clear it with the grump and then all should be good.’
‘You’ve got him wrapped around your little finger so I’ll set out now then!’
‘True, true. See you soon babe.’
‘Definitely! Bye!’
‘Bye!’
Michelle put the phone down on her bed and quickly stripped off her clothes and grabbed her favourite jeans and a comfortable top. She quickly ran downstairs and listened for her father and mother. She couldn’t hear them so she headed to the rear of the house where there was a door into the garage.
The rear of the garage had been converted into a performance studio, with sound-proofed walls. There were no windows, just a door with a red light above it. The red light was not lit which meant they were not performing so Michelle tapped on the door and it was opened from the inside.
‘You’re just in time. We were just about to start,’ said her mum. This meant the red light would have been turned on and Michelle would not have entered unless the house was on fire or other such disaster was occurring.
‘Sally has invited me to her place for the night. Can I go?’
‘You can go, but you’ve got college in the morning. Back for ten.’ Her dad turned away from her and started to press buttons on the equipment.
‘Huh? I’ll get dropped off by Sally in the morning. I don’t see what the difference is.’
‘Your exams are coming up. Back for ten.’
‘Huh? No they’re not. They’re next year.’
‘Your mocks are coming up.’
‘They’re not important and I’ll be fine with them. I’ve been revising.’
‘They are important because universities use them to judge whether they’ll give you a provisional place or not. Back for ten.’
‘Dad! Let me stay at Sally’s!’
‘No! Back for ten. You want to be a lawyer; here are some words you need to get used to - case dismissed!’
‘Ohhh dad! She’s coming for me now!’
‘Well she can still come for you and her butler can bring you back for ten!’
Michelle stamped her foot and the argument was about to escalate until her mum beckoned her out of the room. She held up one finger and mouthed one minute to Michelle. She stepped out of the room and her mum closed th
e door behind her. Michelle pressed her ear to the door to try and hear how the discussion was going but the heavy soundproofing meant she could hear nothing. She lightly kicked the door and muttered, ‘Stupid soundproofing!’
After a few moments her mum opened the door. ‘Your father has kindly agreed that you can stay at Sally’s tonight but there are some conditions. If you do go to a bar you are to be back at Sally’s for ten. You then call your dad’s mobile from her house phone, not your mobile, with the house number not hidden so your dad can check that you are actually at Sally’s. Understand?’
‘Yes. No problem. We’re not going out anyway; we’re going to watch a movie.’
‘That’s fine sweetie. Thank your dad for letting you stay out.’
‘Thanks dad.’
‘I’ll be waiting for your call.’
‘Okay. I’ll definitely call. Better go and get my overnight things together. Good luck with the rehearsing.’
‘Thank you. You have a good night.’
‘You too.’
Michelle stepped out of the studio and walked back through the house and threw some essentials into a bag such as her toothbrush and a change of underwear. She then moved downstairs into the living room and occasionally peered through the curtains to check for the arrival of Sally. She arrived almost exactly when the fifteen minutes were up and Ray flashed the lights of the Rolls-Royce. Michelle picked up her bag and ran out of the house, closing and locking the front door behind her.
A few people were on the street, but they were locals and they were quite used to seeing expensive cars pulling up outside the Walmesley’s abode so they did not even give the expensive car a second glance.
Ray had got out of the car and held open one of the rear doors and took Michelle’s bag from her. She got into the car and hugged and then kissed her best friend on the cheek. The interior of the car was exquisitely designed as one would expect in a Rolls-Royce. In the rear of the car there were two individual seats as opposed to a lounge seat configuration. Each seat was covered in sumptuous cream leather. Between the two seats was a centre console which housed storage compartments, controls for the rear entertainment system and also a cool box that currently contained an expensive bottle of Krug champagne.
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