‘No. Wait for the driver to open for you.’
Surprised, David did as instructed and only got out of the car when the door was opened for him, and he stood up out of the car. Sally then got out and stood next to him and they made a striking couple.
Sally had paid for a tailored suit for David, along with tailored shirt, brand new Prada shoes and his black hair was cut in a trendy yet smart manner. His deep blue eyes were shining, his olive skin was glowing. Sally was dressed simply in a flowery summer dress, sandals and her freshly coloured black hair was tied up with a scarf. With no makeup except a touch of red lipstick that made her full lips look even fuller, she looked simply stunning and with the handsome David stood beside her looks were even more enhanced. With a deep sigh of nerves, Sally took his hand and walked over to the steps which her father started to come down. ‘Daddy! Lovely to see you.’
‘And you.’ He pecked her on each cheek. ‘You’re looking good darling. How are your ribs?’
‘I’m all better. A week lay on a lounger doing nothing but studying in the sun has that affect!’
‘Great.’
‘Well daddy, as you may have guessed, this is David.’
‘It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Gallagher.’ He offered his hand which was accepted and Mr. Gallagher was impressed with his firm handshake.
‘And it’s a pleasure to meet you too David. I have of course heard a lot about you.’
‘And I have about you, sir.’
‘Sir? Not quite! Maybe Her Majesty will give me the honour next year, but for now Mr. Gallagher is fine. Shall we go to the rear gardens? I thought we could eat outside while it is such a glorious evening.’
For the next five minutes David managed to somehow stop his jaw dragging on the floor as they made their way through the opulent mansion. As they stepped out of a room, David had lost count of the number they had been in, through the French windows, David managed to somehow not gasp as he saw the expansive gardens with the numerous fountains laid out across the grounds. Mr. Gallagher led them down a path to a table that had been laid out for three, next to one of the smaller fountains which gave an ambience that was present but not overbearing.
They settled into small talk, David making sure he did not say anything that might embarrass him or his host. As they talked, the waiters delivered the four courses and David could not remember a time that he had eaten such luxurious food, yet it was clearly nothing new to Sally or her father and in fact, Mr. Gallagher said to Sally that one of the items of food was not correctly cooked to which Sally agreed.
Soon the conversation changed to Sally’s upcoming exams and David shuffled a little uncomfortably in his seat as Sally explained how her applications to Oxford and Cambridge were proceeding.
‘What college do you attend David?’
‘Erm, well, I don’t.’
‘Oh really, nothing wrong with that. I haven’t got a G.C.S.E or O-level or A-level or degree to my name. What business are you in?’
Mr. Gallagher’s seemingly disregard of academic qualifications seemed to relax David. ‘I’m a mechanic at a local garage.’
‘Really? Well you would have loved where we were a couple of weeks ago!’
‘Yeah, he knows dad. Still a touchy subject dad.’
‘Oh yes, sorry. I forgot, which is one of the reasons you shouldn’t lie Sally, because it takes a good memory to remember the lies that have been told.’
‘Yeah, I know dad. Thanks for reminding us about it dad.’
‘I don’t care for your attitude young lady.’
‘Well honestly!’ Sally stood up and quickly walked off towards the mansion.
‘Now where’s she going? I tell you what David, sometimes I wish I’d brought her up a little differently.’
‘I think you’ve done fine Mr. Gallagher. She’s a diamond.’
‘Yes, I suppose she is as a whole. Just sometimes though… Ah, well. So, do you have any qualifications?’
‘No, not really. I’ve got a few G.C.S.Es, that’s all.’
‘Some people are not destined for academic greatness. Look at me. I can barely turn on a computer, if I don’t have a secretary to type my emails and letters I shudder to think of the kind of tat I’d be sending out. Thankfully my wife was there in the early days to vet everything I was sending otherwise I don’t think I’d be anywhere near where I am now!’
‘It’s good to hear you can still, well, become what you are with limited academic work.’
‘Don’t get me wrong, if you were sitting here telling me you were just about to enter Oxford to read medicine I’d be happier, but so long as you make my daughter happy then that is all it should really be about. I think it would drive me insane if she dated one of those pompous, polo playing buffoons who are always surrounding her like flies round shit!’ David laughed. ‘I think I may have just described my daughter as shit, but never mind. It is good that she is dating someone who is more, well, salt of the earth.’
‘Thank you Mr. Gallagher. That means a lot to me.’
‘Good. Oh, as an aside, you can both stop this little charade about who was on the yacht with her last week. Don’t look so worried. I know you had nothing to do with her little scam, however, she should have known better to think I wouldn’t find out. I know about everything that goes on in my world and considering what she did in Monaco it would be rather foolish of her to think that the paparazzi wouldn’t be keeping an eye on her.’ Mr. Gallagher took pictures out of his pocket and threw them on the table. ‘Look at them.’
David picked them up and flicked through them. They had been taken with a powerful lens from quite a distance but clearly Sally could be seen in various positions with David, one with her leg draped over him, the next he was applying suntan lotion to her naked back. ‘Shit...’
‘Indeed. I paid a lot of money to obtain those photos and keep them out of some rag with a signed contract to state they will never be published.’
‘Shit. Sorry.’
‘You’ve got nothing to say sorry about. You didn’t lie to me. She did.’
They both looked up as they heard the gravel on the path crunch as Sally made her way back to the table. On arriving she gave her dad a hug and apologised for snapping at him. The apology was accepted and then Mr. Gallagher said, ‘Just been showing David some interesting photos.’
‘Oh daddy! You best not have dragged out the baby photos already! Let me look!’
Before he could offer any resistance the photographs were snatched out of David’s hand and as she flicked through them at first she went red and then slowly the blood drained from her face. ‘How dare you!’ She threw the pictures at her father to which he did not flinch. ‘How dare you spy on me!’
‘Sally. Stop. He didn’t spy on you. Please, don’t say anything else.’
‘I’d listen to David if I was you because I have had just enough of your attitude today young lady and you are heading towards a full withdrawal of all privileges!’
Sally took a deep breath and it was clear she struggling to control herself. ‘Well explain these pictures to me then.’
‘I will. I obtained these pictures from a member of the paparazzi who was working for some sleazeball rag that likes to publish pictures of so called celebrities. It seems that your antics in Monaco towards a certain Prince did not go un-noticed. So, for a short time, you’re flavour of the month. If I’d known for one second that you were going to that yacht with David I would have stopped you with all my power.’ Sally made to interrupt him. ‘Let… me… finish,’ he growled at her. ‘With all my power because I knew what would happen. I have worked very hard to keep you safe and secure Sally, very hard. You make things easier yourself by not putting yourself on the front cover of these rags, but if you did that then I would not interfere. But you don’t, so I work hard on protecting you from these idiots with their long distance lenses. This is not the first time I’ve intercepted photos like this. Hell, when you were gallivanting around the Gulf with
that idiotic Prince I don’t think I’ve ever been busier with my phone pressed to my ear offering ridiculous amounts of money for pictures of you with him. Don’t look surprised. I’ve known about you and the Prince before you told me about it in Monaco, but not the full story, not how much he upset you hence why I cancelled the contracts. So, what do I do when I receive a phone call from my security stating that there are photographers taking pictures of you and the man you are with.’
‘But… But… There was no security there?!’
‘Sally, my poor naïve Sally. There is always, always, always security near you at all times.’ He paused and rubbed his eyes. Obviously this conversation was causing him some discomfort. David wanted to be anywhere else in the whole world right now.
‘But where are they? I didn’t see them.’
‘You wouldn’t. I know how you hate them so they are told to keep a discreet distance away. You’re a kidnap risk Sally, you always have been and you always will be. I do not want my most prized asset stolen from me by some psychotic madman so I keep you safe, but discreetly. A few months ago, I told them to stay away for some foolish reason, but then something happened to you and the Mini? I don’t want to know the details, but they were put back on you straight away.’
‘But…’
‘Sally,’ he reached into this pocket and took out his Blackberry which took couple of moments to access, ‘last Saturday night you went to the cinema. You watched that rubbish new Bond movie. How do I know it was rubbish? You said it was rubbish when you left. I quote from my security, “Sally did not appear to enjoy the movie. Clearly heard to state it was rubbish.” Now, a few years ago I would have put the whole house on alert because whenever something happened you didn’t like you got in a mood that shook the whole house! Thankfully you’ve grown out of that now, but how you are and what you’re feeling is still important for me to know because I rarely see you because I’m so busy. After the movie you went to Pizza Hut. You ordered a large meat feast and a coke with a side order of wedges. Sunday, you went shopping and spent over a thousand pounds, including, I quote again, “some sexy lingerie”, which as usual my accountants will ensure is paid off.’
‘Oh my God.’
‘Now, fair enough, I need to train them a little and inform them that I don’t need to know when you buy sexy lingerie or any kind of lingerie for that matter, but they are there Sally, they are always there. I’ve had David and his family thoroughly checked out and if my checks had come up with any kind of skeleton in the closet he would have received a visit.’
‘A visit?! A visit daddy?’ Sally voice was strained and shocked.
‘A visit. He would have been warned off.’
‘Warned off?!’
‘Yes. So when I go to so much effort to protect you yet allow you to live your life it breaks my heart when you lie to me and force me to confront you like this.’
For a few moments nobody said anything until David spoke. ‘I think we both owe your father an apology Sally.’ By now though Sally had tears rolling down her face and was unable to speak. ‘Well I’ll apologise for us then. I’m really sorry we tried to deceive you Mr. Gallagher, and thank you for protecting us, protecting our dignity from these paparazzi idiots.’
Sally though had clearly had enough. With another sob she stood from the table and ran towards the house.
David stood to follow her, but Mr. Gallagher said, ‘No. Don’t. Leave her be. She needs to think. Also, you need to think. I was going to speak to Sally about this after you’d gone, but I decided I wanted you here. I understand that you’ve only just learned about Sally’s true status in life, yes?’ David nodded. ‘You need to think whether this is the life you want to become involved in. I know you like Sally a lot, and she likes you a lot, and going off first impressions, which have never let me down in the past, I like you too. But this is a big, a huge, an enormous change from what you’re used to. Can you cope with knowing that your every move is being watched? As Sally becomes more popular and more known to the media, I think even I will struggle to keep all stories out of these rags. So can you cope with having intimate pictures plastered in these rags? This is another question you need to consider. I apologise that our first meeting has not gone as planned and that you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed right now, but I give you my blessing to continue to date my daughter. However, if you ever, ever, ever step out of line with her I will know about it and my blessing will be swiftly revoked. Now, I doubt that she’ll want to see anyone tonight so would you like me to organise for a car to take you home?’
‘Yes please.’
They walked together in silence, this time around the house, to the front of the mansion were a large Mercedes was waiting. Before he entered the car, David turned to speak to Mr. Gallagher.
‘I’ll consider everything you’ve said, but I think you know already what my decision will be.’
‘Good. I hope you do continue to see her. I think you’re good for each other. You add more balance to her life, a balance that I think she needs.’
‘Thank you for dinner.’
‘My pleasure. I hope we’ll meet again soon and our meeting will have a better outcome.’
‘Me too. Take care.’
David offered his hand first which was accepted and then he got into the car and was taken home.
*
With a long sigh he watched the car drive away and then turned to enter his mansion. It was at moments like this that he wished that he did not live in such a place that was so difficult to make it feel like it had any soul in. Right now, Sally would be in her room, Alfred would be in his room or in one of the reception rooms; one or two of the staff would be in the staff quarters which left about forty rooms not being used. Add to that the numerous ensuites, gyms and swimming area and it probably meant that around ninety-five percent of the house was not being used at this moment. With another long sigh he looked up at the large image of his departed wife hanging on the wall of the huge hallway of the mansion and shook his head, wondering to himself how he could be so rich, so successful, and live in such a house, yet at moments like this feel so sad and lonely.
He knew he would have to confront Sally before the day was done, but he knew that now was too soon so he went into one of the many receptions rooms and poured himself a large glass of port, and then in a change of mind he poured this into a bigger glass and topped it up some more. For a few moments he sat in front of the cold, unlit fireplace trying to relax but staring into an empty cold hearth was making him feel far from relaxed. So he walked over to the wall to ceiling windows and watched the sunset for a few minutes until he grew bored with that. When he slipped a hand into his pocket he felt his Blackberry and realised he had not checked his emails for a couple of hours, a record for him in the last twenty-five years. But he forced his hand out of his pocket leaving the device where it was, thinking to himself that they need to learn to cope without him for one evening. But he was bored, so involuntarily he found his hand sliding into his pocket, grasping his Blackberry again until his eyes rested on the grand piano in the corner of the room. Until that moment he had barely remembered he had a piano in this room, in fact he could not remember the last time he was in this room.
He had taken lessons at some point in the past and he thought he would try to see what he remembered. Sitting on the stool he thought to himself that it was probably not in tune, but unknowing to him it was on one of Alfred’s many task lists to ensure that the pianos dotted around the mansion were tuned every six months.
After lifting the keyboard cover he tinkled a few notes before remembering a short tune which he hesitantly performed. Stretching his fingers he stood and opened the lid of the stool and lifted out a music book which he placed on the piano and then sat back on the stool and squinted at the music sheet. He frisked himself to see if he had his glasses and after realising he did not he decided he could just about cope without them. With a few practice attempts he managed to play the piece with
only a few bad notes, and as he was playing and concentrating he did not hear nor see the door to the room open. It was only as he finished playing did the person speak.
‘You’ll strain your eyes dad.’
Mr. Gallagher jumped a mile. ‘Bloody hell Sally! I would have thought I gave you enough money without you trying to get my life insurance by giving me a bloody heart attack!’
‘Sorry.’
‘It’s okay, it’s okay. Crikey though! I thought you’d be asleep?’
‘No, not really. I was trying, but I heard the piano. My room is directly above this, remember?’
‘Oh yes, of course. Sorry. Inconsiderate of me.’
‘You haven’t played for years.’
‘I was just thinking that. I couldn’t tell you the last time I was in this room never mind sat at this piano.’
‘You only came in here to listen to mum play anyway. I doubt whether it has been played since, well, you know.’
‘You’re probably right.’ He closed the lid over the keys and walked over to where his daughter was stood. ‘Shall we talk?’ She nodded. ‘Would you like some port?’
‘I’ve never tried it.’
‘Try it now. Drink with me.’
‘Okay.’
They both settled into the chairs in front of the mantelpiece and stared into the soulless fireplace, both of them searching for something to say. Eventually Sally could not take the silence any longer. ‘About last week. I’m so sorry. You’re right. It was naïve of me to try and trick you like that. If I’d been honest then none of this would have happened. I was just really shocked before when you told me that they, the security, were always there. I mean, I barely remember saying that about the movie yet you have a record of it on your Blackberry.’
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