Everything to Nothing

by Mark Henthorne

  Instead he waved at them both, and ducking low he walked over to where they were stood, to be greeted by big hugs and kisses on the cheek. Pointing down, back into the body of the yacht, he took both their hands and led them down into one of the lounge areas of the yacht. Once they were away from the noise of the aircraft, Sally flung her arms around his neck again. ‘I can’t believe you’ve come early! I can’t believe it! I’m so happy to see you!’

  ‘Me too Mr. Gallagher!’

  ‘And I’m happy to see you both. Hot damn it’s good to be back on my yacht!’

  ‘Why? Why have you been able to finish early?’

  ‘I pulled out.’

  ‘What?! I thought this was the deal of the year for you?!’

  ‘It was. But they annoyed me. We’re making a deal with the more expensive company instead. I’ll pay a little bit more to be treated the way I should be treated.’

  ‘Fair enough. We’re glad you decided to do that!’

  ‘Left it with the lawyers and a couple of directors to sort out so no doubt when I get back I’ll have to sort out the mess!’

  ‘Well it’s about time you gave them a bit more responsibility. I thought the helicopter, the Flying Star, was broken?’

  ‘Amazing how quickly something can get fixed when you threaten to cancel the contract!’

  ‘Indeed! It’s so good to see you!’

  ‘It’s good to see you too darling, and you of course Michelle. Now, where can an old man get a drink around here?’

  ‘Which old man?’ retorted Sally, looking over his shoulder. ‘Come on. Let’s go up to the pool area. Dinner should be ready now. And you’re not old!’

  ‘Hmmm, perhaps you’re right. I’d still give you a run out on the squash court I think.’

  ‘I know you would. Come on! Let’s go and relax by the pool and we can talk about anything and everything so long as the anything and everything does not concern the company!’

  ‘Sounds good to me!’

  Taking both their hands he led them up a level. When they arrived he gave a quick glance down onto the helipad to make sure the crew were storing the helicopter away straight away. Sally pulled him away. ‘Come away and relax. They know what to do.’

  ‘I doubt it. That’s the reason it broke you know?’ he replied, turning to face her. ‘They left it out overnight in a storm!’

  ‘Yes, I know daddy, you told me. You also told me that you don’t think that they will ever do it again after the roasting you gave them! Trust them to do their job.’

  ‘That’s one of my biggest problems Sally. I don’t trust anyone apart from you.’

  ‘I’m glad you do trust me, but let’s forget about everything and relax!’

  ‘Okey dokey boss. Lead me to the bar!’

  ‘Come on!’

  Sally dragged him to the bar where she dismissed the offers of the attendant and made her father his favourite cocktail, a mojito. For the rest of the evening and into the night, they talked and talked about anything and everything; from the hopes and aspirations of the Sally and Michelle to how much they all missed Sally’s mother. Eventually though, after many freshly made cocktails, a few yawns were exchanged and both the women announced that they were going to bed. They both gave him a goodnight hug and kiss, after which they both retired to their respective cabins.

  Mr. Gallagher though was not tired. After all the years of creating his fortune, he only slept for a few hours each night and he was quite comfortable to go for a number of days without sleep. He quickly called James from the satellite phone on the bridge to make sure that nothing had gone wrong in the short time he had been away. James politely informed him to not call again until he returned to England and that everything would be handled while he was away.

  Not believing him for a moment, still he made a mental note though to try and resist the temptation to call again, so he returned to the pool area where he dismissed the bar attendant, who he noted looked shattered, and made himself another cocktail. He then remembered that he had forgot to tell James about a small matter and before he realised what he was doing he was half way back to the bridge.

  When he did realise he cursed himself, spinning back round and returned to the bar area where he slammed his cocktail glass onto the bar then stripped off his clothes down to his underwear. He let out a quiet shout as he ran to the pool, leapt into the air and tucked his knees into his chest which allowed him to bomb into the water with an almighty splash. Spluttering and coughing he returned to the surface chuckling to himself and then with a kick he rolled onto his back and spent some time floating effortlessly in the pool watching the stars that hung in the clear Mediterranean sky.

  After floating for fifteen minutes he swam a few lengths of the pool before leaving it. Not bothering to dry, he padded through the yacht to his cabin where he flung open the door to his balcony and sat in one of the loungers allowing the cool night breeze to dry his body. Eventually, with a relaxed sigh of happiness he left the balcony closing the door behind him. Giving a glance to the clock he muttered that this would be the earliest he had been to bed for thirty years so he decided to read some financial papers on his computer that had been emailed to him earlier that day. He became so engrossed in them that it was only when he felt the need for the toilet that he looked around him and noticed it was dawn. ‘Bloody hell!’ he muttered out loud. ‘So much for relaxing!’

  When he had visited the bathroom he lowered himself onto his bed and slept for two hours before being woken by the distant shouts and screams of his daughter and her friend. With a smile he leapt out of bed, put on his swimming shorts, and raced through the yacht to the port hatch where he dived into the refreshing sea and promptly dragged both young ladies deep under the water. With a cough and splutter they all surfaced, Mr. Gallagher laughing.

  ‘Daddy! You nearly drowned us!’

  ‘Rubbish! Right, last one to the rear of Samurai is a rotten egg!’

  With a couple of strong strokes he swam away from Sally and Michelle, who both laughed at his antics and quickly followed him towards the rear of the yacht, to the lavish breakfast that awaited them.

  *

  Back in England, Sarah had just bought some fresh drugs off an acquaintance of Peter’s. Her breakfast that morning was a full syringe of heroin. The veins in her arms had long since collapsed so she simply injected the breakfast into her leg.

  Chapter 34

  To the sound of the yacht’s horn, Samurai docked at Monaco harbour two days after Mr. Gallagher had arrived. The previous day had been spent relaxing on the yacht as they cruised towards the state of Monaco, arriving just in time to watch the start of the practice session for the Grand Prix.

  After the yacht was docked they made their way around the circuit in a car supplied by the team he sponsored until they reached the pit lane and the team’s garage. Here they were met by the Team Principle who introduced them to the drivers.

  Michelle could not help notice and chuckle to herself how both of these multi-millionaire drivers’ eyes nearly popped out of their heads as they saw Sally for the first time. From that moment, they both never left their side, showing the young women around the garage while Mr. Gallagher had a meeting with the Team Principle in the hospitality section behind the garage.

  Michelle was sure that the distraction of Sally was the reason why both of the drivers underperformed during the practice session, both of them coming ninth and tenth respectively. One of the drivers seemed especially smitten with Sally.

  As soon as he arrived back at the garage he was back by her side, showing and explaining to her the telemetry of his laps on a computer screen. Without realising that Sally could pay his wages from her own personal bank account, he invited her to the after race party as his personal guest. With a smile she stated that considering her father was one of the main sponsors of the team, that she also had a boyfriend and that she personally knew his girlfriend, she did not think it would be a good idea. Obviously not used to being reje
cted, with a blushed face of thunder he stated that he hoped they both enjoyed the race and he stormed out of the garage.

  ‘He didn’t seem very happy,’ chuckled Michelle

  ‘Well, honestly. They think that just because they’re well paid and slightly good looking that they can ease their way into any woman’s knickers. Really annoys me. Same with those flamin’ footballers from my dad’s team who always hassle me.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘They don’t seem to realise that in a blink of an eye I could pay their wages and buy their houses and cars which they are always so eager to flaunt!’

  Michelle laughed. ‘Well forget about him for now and let’s go and find your dad.’

  ‘Good idea.’

  Linking arms they strode out of the garage, the passes around their necks allowing them access straight away into the hospitality suites behind the garage. ‘There he is. Oh and bugger. Look who he’s talking too!’

  ‘Never mind Sally. Let’s go over anyway and make him feel really awkward.’

  Smiling, they both strolled over to where Mr. Gallagher was sat talking to the driver, and Sally casually draped an arm around her father’s shoulder. With another deep blush he muttered an excuse of having to speak to his engineer and he quickly walked away.

  ‘Now, how are my two favourite ladies?’

  ‘We’re fine.’

  ‘Did you enjoy looking round the garage?’

  ‘Yes, it was good.’

  ‘It will be a bit more exciting tomorrow when the qualifying starts and of course you’ve got your special treat as well!’

  ‘Oh yes! We’ve been having such a fantastic time we’d both almost forgot about it!’

  ‘Tomorrow, after the qualifying is finished, they’re going to let us drive round in a new Mercedes sports car!’

  ‘Sounds brilliant daddy!’

  ‘Yes, I’m sure we’ll enjoy it! Right, I’m done here. I’ve cleared up sponsorship issues so we can go back to the yacht and relax. Tonight we have a function we have to attend.’

  ‘Oh, I thought we were going to parties?’

  ‘We were. But an invite has come through that we can’t say no to.’

  ‘Fair enough. Well let’s go back to the yacht and we can relax there for a while.’

  ‘Okay. I’ll get someone to bring us transport back to the yacht.’

  They waited in the suite for a short time while a car was prepared for them which took them back to the harbour and Samurai. They all spent the rest of the warm day lounging around the pool. Mr. Gallagher’s phone never stopped ringing, and for the first time that Sally could ever remember he directed all the callers to a member of his executive board.

  Eventually though, after a mutter and a curse, Sally heard him record a message for the phone’s answer phone and in what was an absolute definite first he turned the phone off. A little while later he was approached by a member of the crew who informed him that there was a man waiting in one of the lounges to speak to him. Mr. Gallagher strode into the yacht and came back quickly holding three pieces of paper.

  ‘Right ladies. We’ve been invited to a function tonight. It’s black tie for the men, ball gowns for the women.’

  A look of panic flashed across each of their faces and Sally informed him, ‘Daddy, we didn’t bring anything that formal.’

  ‘Did you not? Why not?’

  ‘We thought we would just be attending parties, not events that require ball gowns.’

  ‘Sally, you’re the daughter of one of the richest men in the world and you’re in Monaco with your father during a Grand Prix weekend. The first things that should be packed are ball gowns!’

  ‘Sorry daddy. I didn’t think.’

  ‘Right, not to worry. Rob,’ he said, calling to one of the crew, ‘get me Boutique Adrienne. Make sure that they know it is me who is calling.’

  ‘Yes Mr. Gallagher.’

  They only had to wait a few moments for Rob to return holding a phone which he passed to Mr. Gallagher.

  ‘Hello.’

  ‘Mr. Gallagher. It has been too long!’

  ‘Adrienne. So lovely to speak to you.’

  ‘You too Mr. Gallagher. How can I assist you today?’ Adrienne spoke with a sultry French accent.

  ‘We have a bit of a ball gown catastrophe. Can you help?’

  ‘I am very busy today but I will take care of this personally myself. Who are the gowns for?’

  ‘My daughter and her friend.’

  ‘Your daughter? But Mr. Gallagher, I am confused. As you know, we don’t stock gowns for children?’

  ‘I think it has been longer than you realise Adrienne. My daughter is seventeen now.’

  ‘No, she cannot be! I remember her with your mother. She was no taller than my waist!’

  ‘Well, she is now. Can you help?’

  ‘Of course. Which hotel are you at?’

  ‘I’m on my yacht in the harbour.’

  ‘Ah, perfect! I will come now.’

  ‘You’re coming yourself?’

  ‘Of course. I need to measure the ladies.’

  ‘Excellent. How long will you be?’

  ‘Five minutes, if that. You know my Boutique is only a short walk from the harbour.’

  ‘We’ll be waiting for you.’

  Just under the stated five minutes, a member of the crew led a woman out to the pool area. She was dressed simply in dark jeans with a simple white top. Her long dark hair cascaded down her back and as she saw Mr. Gallagher she smiled and removed her sunglasses showing her shining brown eyes. ‘Adrienne! So lovely to see you!’

  ‘And you Mr. Gallagher.’

  ‘Thank you for fitting us in at such short notice.’

  ‘My pleasure. Now, we must hurry if the gowns are to be ready for this evening. I presume you’re attending the ball with Pr…’

  He quickly interrupted her. ‘Yes, yes. Quite true.’ With a look of confusion on her face, Mr. Gallagher then whispered quietly into her ear that their destination this evening was a surprise for the girls.

  ‘I’m sure you will all have a lovely time. Now, where are my two subjects?’

  Sally and Michelle walked up from their cabins where they had been to quickly change. Adrienne looked at Sally and gasped. ‘Sally! So lovely to see you!’

  ‘Thank you for seeing us at such short notice.’

  ‘My pleasure. Your mother was one of my favourite and most loyal customers. You must miss her greatly, yet you are her image.’

  ‘Thank you. We do miss her, but she would be happy to see us still holding together as a family and enjoying life. This is my friend Michelle.’

  ‘My darlings,’ and she kissed both of the young ladies twice on the cheek. ‘Now, we must be quick. Just glancing at you I know we have two beautiful gowns that will suit and fit you, but we must measure you and get them to suit and fit you perfectly! Now, where can we go, and keep in my mind I only measure my subjects naked!’ Adrienne noted their surprise. ‘How can I find you a gown that fits when your clothes get in the way? I must see and measure your bodies so I can have the gowns fit you perfectly!’

  ‘That’s fine,’ replied Sally. ‘My cabin will be best.’

  Sally quickly led them to her cabin where they both took it in turns to strip in the bathroom and be measured by Adrienne. As Sally entered and took off her shorts and bikini top Adrienne gasped again. ‘If you ever want to model for me let me know. You have the most amazing figure and you have your mother’s looks.’ She fluttered round Sally with a tape measure, recording the figures on a notebook. ‘Did you know that before she married your father, your mother modelled for all the leading fashion houses?’

  ‘My dad might have mentioned it.’

  ‘She was a stunning woman, just like you.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Right, we’re done. Please send in Michelle.

  After Michelle had been measured they all made their way to the pool where he was waiting for them.

  ‘Mr. Gallagher, you are al
l in luck! I have two perfect gowns for tonight that would nearly fit without alterations, but I want all my clients to look perfect so I will have them changed slightly and have them back to you, well, when do you leave?’

  ‘The limousine is coming at six.’

  ‘Then give me two hours and I will have them here for five.’

  ‘Thank you so much Adrienne. Sorry about the short notice.’

  ‘Not a problem. Just remember though ladies, next time you need a gown you know who to call!’

  ‘We’ll always be grateful,’ replied Sally. ‘Thank you so much.’

  ‘I will send the bill to your office in London as usual Mr. Gallagher.’

  ‘Please. I will see you off the yacht.’

  With that he took the designer by the arm and led her off the yacht. The rest of the afternoon the girls spent getting ready. Mr. Gallagher acquired the services of two top hairdressers to attend to them on the yacht, paying a large amount of money for them to come at such short notice. Also, he arranged for some makeup specialists to come to help perfect the women’s look for the night.

  At exactly five that afternoon each of the women received their gowns at their cabins. Almost as soon as Sally had closed the door Michelle knocked loudly on it and Sally told her to enter.

  ‘Have you seen yours?! Have you seen yours?!’

  ‘No, it’s only just come. Hang on.’ Sally unzipped the protective case and I was her turn to let out a gasp. ‘Oh my, it’s beautiful!’

  ‘Mine is too. Mine is red though, a really deep red!’ Michelle replied.

  ‘No wonder my dad asked her for the gowns. We’re both going to look amazing!’

  ‘You’ll look amazing, I’ll look okay.’

  ‘You’ll look amazing too silly!’

  ‘I hope so.’

  ‘Well, I’m going to finish getting ready. I’ll see you upstairs at five to six.’

  ‘Sounds good! This is going to be a great night. Do you know where we are going to yet?’

  ‘No. He won’t tell me.’

  ‘Well if we need gowns like this I’m sure it is going to be amazing!’