by Mandy Baggot
‘As it happens I have and where we’re going there shouldn’t be a photographer for miles - apart from me of course,’ Freya told him.
‘Which is a good idea seeing as tonight’s fracas is going to be all over the papers tomorrow,’ Nicholas said with a sigh.
‘Well I do hope they captured my punch, because it was infinitely better than your shove,’ Freya remarked.
‘I can’t deny it. You’ve obviously had a lot more practice.’
‘I am going off you Mr Kaden and I was just beginning to like you,’ Freya told him.
‘You were?’ Nicholas asked, edging closer towards her.
‘Yes.’
She could see his breathing had quickened and her heart was in absolute overdrive. She was looking at him, he was looking at her. She leant forward and then Mike the driver spoke through the intercom.
‘I’m sorry Mr Kaden but I just thought I would mention there are now a dozen or so photographers with their lenses trained on the car.’
The moment had been interrupted again.
‘Have you seen Notting Hill? Well Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts get to kiss in the very first scene. You should do more films like that - the timing might rub off,’ Freya told him with a sigh.
‘OK Mikey, we’re just leaving,’ Nicholas spoke.
‘Meet me tomorrow, outside Harry’s Place, about ten. I’ll pick you up from there,’ Freya told him.
‘OK, well, I’ll see you tomorrow,’ Nicholas said.
He leant forward and kissed her cheek, stroking the hair at the back of her head.
‘Bye,’ Freya responded, squeezing his hands.
She got out of the car and shut the door behind her. Flashes started going off immediately but she stood her ground and watched the car drive away up the road.
‘Freya! Freya! How’s your arm? Did you need stitches? Is it true you were engaged to Mr Buchanan?’ one of the reporters shouted.
Freya turned away from them, unspeaking and began to walk into the Calypso Apartments complex. All she was glad about was that they were still calling her Freya.
Twenty One
For the second time since she’d arrived in Corfu, the shagging pair in room three two zero didn’t wake her. This time though, it was because she was awake before them. Her arm had been painful in the night. It had been hard to get comfortable and eventually, having managed only three hours sleep, she had got up at 5.00am.
It was still dark so she made a cup of tea and put the light on on the balcony. The air was fresh and there was a mist over the mountains in the distance that suggested another warm, humid day ahead. Freya sat down and rubbed her sore eyes. So much had happened in the past few days, it was hard to get her head around it.
Her and Russell finishing, Emma being pregnant and her meeting Nicholas. Especially her meeting Nicholas. She knew she shouldn’t be attracted to him, for lots of reasons. The ridiculous bet that had started it all, the timing, Nicholas’ lifestyle - particularly his lifestyle. She loathed the excessiveness of it all and the desperation of the people in his world, their drive to have more and more of everything and anything, just because they could. It was wasteful, it was unnecessary and it was everything she had given up.
But she knew it wasn’t the lifestyle that made him attractive to her - it was the way he was with her. He listened to her, he voiced his own opinions but he didn’t shout hers down. He was compassionate, he shared her sense of humour and he seemed to have a free spirit, just like she did.
Russell turning up had been a shock. She hadn’t expected him to be bothered enough by her ending things to turn up. Little had she known that the only reason he had turned up was because he didn’t want to lose her now he’d discovered she might be some sort of meal ticket. He knew about her now and he had obviously kept it to himself for at least six weeks. But Freya knew that wouldn’t last, no matter what he wanted to discuss with her. It was a ticking time-bomb she could do nothing about. She would just have to wait and see if it all blew up in her face or not. She knew if she and Nicholas were to have a chance of a relationship she needed to tell him the truth. But she wasn’t sure she could.
She found it so hard. She had only told one man about it. He had been the only man to meet her family and it had ultimately led to her downfall. Now her two worlds had collided again in spectacular fashion. She hated her parents, they disgusted her. All they had ever cared about was money and status, the very things that mattered least to her.
‘I didn’t wake you did I?’ Freya asked when she called Emma on her mobile phone later that morning.
It was now 8.00am and Freya had showered and dressed in three-quarter length jeans and a navy blue vest top.
‘No, I’ve been washing tablecloths since half past six. How are you? How’s your arm? Yiannis told me everything. I can’t believe I missed it. It’s probably the most excitement the restaurant’s seen since I’ve been working there and where am I? In bed asleep,’ Emma stated, disappointedly.
‘The arm is sore and I didn’t get a lot of rest,’ Freya spoke.
‘I’m not surprised with all that happening. Yiannis said Mrs P was having a hissy fit about the broken glasses up until most of the customers from last night booked again for tonight, hoping for a repeat performance,’ Emma spoke.
‘I must go and see her later and apologise,’ Freya remarked.
‘I wouldn’t worry. She’s seeing the Euro signs in the situation,’ Emma assured her.
‘So what exactly did Yiannis tell you?’ Freya enquired.
‘That that creep Russell has been sleeping with your mother. Did he get that right?’ Emma asked.
‘Yes, he did, it’s true. So you were right about him seeing someone else. Albeit you didn’t guess it would be one of my close relations,’ Freya answered.
‘Oh God. I was sure he must have misheard. How awful,’ Emma said.
‘I know, I’ve scrubbed myself raw in the shower. It kind of feels like I’ve slept with her myself,’ Freya remarked.
‘Oh Freya, I don’t know what to say,’ Emma admitted.
‘It’s OK, I’m dealing with it. What worries me more is that she told Russell the truth about me. I don’t think she knew he was in a relationship with me, but she obviously told him all about her only daughter. Although it is surprising she would wax lyrical about someone she’s virtually disowned,’ Freya announced.
‘Oh my God, no. Oh Freya, after all these years,’ Emma said, concern in her voice.
‘I know, I’m so scared I feel sick. And the worst thing is, with all the press sniffing around because of Nick, it’s only a matter of time before someone picks up on it or Russell decides to make a few quid, which I think he’s set his sights on getting from me,’ Freya spoke.
‘What are you going to do?’ Emma asked.
‘I’m not entirely sure yet, but I think I’m going to have to do something I haven’t done before. I think I’m going to have to tell Nick before someone else does,’ Freya said with a heavy sigh.
‘Oh Freya, maybe if you speak to Russell and reason with him, no one will have to know anything and everything can go back to normal,’ Emma suggested.
‘Well he was all for telling everyone in Kassiopi last night. He wants to meet with me to talk about it, but I know what he wants, he’ll want money for his silence. It will be money I don’t have and even if I did have it I don’t think I can trust him. Oh I don’t know, it’s all a bloody mess. My feet are starting to get itchy and if I don’t make a decision soon I’m going to be hailing a cab to the airport again,’ Freya told her.
‘Oh no you don’t. Perhaps this is a good thing. Maybe if the truth does come out you can finally put it all to rest once and for all,’ Emma suggested.
‘I don’t know. I can’t see my parents wanting me to reappear on the scene,’ Freya stated.
‘Who cares about them? You hate them. Why should you care what they think?’ Emma asked.
‘I don’t care what they think. I care that they wi
ll cause me no end of problems if it’s all brought up again, after all this time,’ Freya said.
‘Well you know I’m with you one hundred per cent whatever you decide to do,’ Emma told her.
‘Thanks Em,’ Freya replied.
‘So, are you seeing Nick today?’ she enquired.
‘Yes, I’m going to show him the lake at Korisson. I figured the paparazzi wouldn’t find us down there,’ Freya told her.
‘I wouldn’t bet on it. How are you getting there?’ Emma asked.
‘Motorbike,’ Freya announced, smiling to herself.
She could see Nicholas was already there waiting as she rode up the main road from Kassiopi towards Harry’s Place. He was wearing a white t-shirt and black cargo style shorts with sunglasses on his face. She pulled the motorbike up beside him, turned off the engine and removed her helmet.
‘Good morning,’ she announced with a smile.
‘Hey, look at this thing. She’s a beauty,’ Nicholas remarked, admiring the motorcycle.
‘She’s nice isn’t she? The best the Kassiopi bike rental shop had to offer. No Harleys I’m afraid, but you can see the similarities,’ Freya spoke as she got off the bike.
‘Yeah, lots of chrome, two wheels - she’s fine,’ Nicholas told her.
‘Well I’m glad you’re making friends because you’re going to have to drive. My arm started hurting the minute I left the harbour,’ Freya admitted.
‘That’s OK, as long as you don’t mind wearing the pack,’ Nicholas spoke and he indicated the rucksack in his hand.
‘That’s fine. Shall we go? I’m becoming ever fearful that photographers are going to jump out of places you’d never expect them to be,’ Freya said, putting her helmet back on and getting back on the bike.
‘Yeah, me too. Mmm is this my helmet? Very Seventies,’ Nicholas said with a smile as he prepared to put it on.
‘I thought Eighties actually. It reminded me of CHiPS. Now if they ever make the film you could be the new Eric Estrada,’ Freya told him.
‘With Bruce Willis as Jon Baker? You just want to see us in those tight uniforms. So, where are we headed,’ Nicholas asked as he tightened up the helmet.
‘South. Now come on Poncherello, step on it,’ Freya replied.
Nicholas started up the engine and set off up the road.
They headed south and travelled down through the resorts of Ipsos, Dassia and Gouvia and then on to Corfu Town. The island’s capital was by far the most congested, with lots of city traffic.
Freya was enjoying the scenery. She had only hired a motorbike once on Corfu and that was some years ago now and it was far more enjoyable with a partner than it was on your own. She was also enjoying being at close quarters to Nicholas. He had a solid build, slim but muscular with a broad back and well defined shoulder and arm muscles. Like it or not, he was every inch the archetypal movie hero.
They reached Limni Korissia in a little under two hours and parked at the edge of the lake.
‘God it’s beautiful here,’ Nicholas remarked as he took his helmet off and viewed the landscape around him.
‘This - well scenery like this - is the whole reason I got into photography,’ Freya told him as she unstrapped the bag on the back of the bike and removed some bottled water.
‘Seeing this today I can understand that,’ Nicholas replied.
‘Here,’ Freya said and she passed him the bottled water.
‘Thanks.’
He drank some of it and passed it back to Freya.
‘Well, what I thought we would do is have a walk around the lake so I can take some pictures and then we can find a nice spot and eat the picnic I’ve prepared. You might have to carry the basket though because I’m injured,’ Freya told him.
‘No problem, it sounds great,’ Nicholas answered.
‘Good, well let’s go,’ Freya said excitedly.
‘Hang on, just one second. I’ve got something for you,’ Nicholas said.
He picked up his rucksack and produced a plastic bag from inside it.
‘A present?’ Freya enquired.
‘Well I know it was your birthday the day we met and I just thought I’d get you something. Here,’ Nicholas said and he gave her the bag.
‘You shouldn’t have bought me anything - oh my God. Oh Nick, this is the same one that that guy from Channel Nine had,’ Freya exclaimed as she produced a leather case, knowing from the outside that it contained a camera.
‘It should be. I had to phone the network and ask what kind of cameras they were using these days,’ Nicholas admitted.
‘You didn’t! Oh God, this is the best present I’ve ever had,’ Freya exclaimed as she continued to admire it.
‘Do I take it you like it?’ Nicholas spoke with a smile as he enjoyed her enthusiasm.
‘It’s amazing, it’s fantastic, thank you so much - let me take a shot of you,’ Freya said as she set the camera up and aimed it at him.
‘I thought you said no photographers would find us today,’ he joked.
‘I don’t count because I won’t be selling any I take to feed the gossip hungry masses,’ Freya told him.
‘I’m shy,’ Nicholas responded.
‘Come on Mr Big Movie Star; give me a movie premiere smile - gotcha!’ Freya said as she snapped him.
‘Now your turn,’ Nicholas said, trying to take the camera from her.
‘No, I’m sorry. You can’t give someone a present and ask for it back so soon,’ Freya told him and she practically ran away toward the lake.
‘To not let me share would be selfish and cruel,’ Nicholas called, chasing after her.
‘I’ve always been cruel and selfish, anyone will tell you,’ Freya replied.
‘Come here, let me take your photo,’ Nicholas insisted and he took hold of the camera and wrestled it from her grasp.
‘Only if you promise to let me have Claude back straight away,’ Freya bargained.
‘You’ve named the camera,’ Nicholas remarked.
‘I name all my cameras. Now do we have a deal?’ Freya asked.
‘Claude is all yours for the rest of the day,’ Nicholas agreed.
‘OK, well come on, get on with it, my face hurts if I smile for too long,’ Freya spoke as she smiled for him.
‘That’s nice, really good. So now with your top off honey,’ Nicholas said, zooming in on her chest.
‘Give Claude here! Topless shots are purely for the bedroom,’ Freya said, snatching back the camera.
‘I’ll remember that,’ Nicholas replied and he took hold of her hand.
They began their walk around the freshwater lake that was only separated from the sea by sand dunes and grassland. Freya pointed out the bird and plant life she was familiar with and took photographs when something particularly caught her eye.
‘What’s your film about?’ Freya asked Nicholas as they walked.
‘Where did that come from?’
‘Well it just struck me suddenly that I don’t know the name of this film you’re making or what it’s about and I really think I should. What’s the plot?’ Freya enquired.
‘Oh it’s really thin and flimsy,’ Nicholas admitted.
‘So why do it? I would have thought you could pick and choose your films now you are where you are, you know, at the top of the acting tree,’ Freya spoke.
‘I can and I do the majority of the time. But the parts I enjoy getting stuck into aren’t necessarily the kind of role people want to see me playing, so I have to take that into consideration. I do a few big budget action films which please the fans and then I do more serious and demanding roles in smaller budget films for me,’ Nicholas explained.
‘So what’s this one about?’ Freya asked.
‘It’s called Captive. I’m the hero - obviously - and Hilary is my love interest…’
‘Obviously,’ Freya added.
‘My character, Nathan, has got into trouble with a nasty Mr Big who’s played by Bob.’
‘Ironic,’ Freya repli
ed.
‘And basically Hilary’s character gets kidnapped and Nathan decides in his wisdom to go and get her back without telling the cops,’ Nicholas explained.
‘That sounds like a bit of a rip off of Commando,’ Freya announced.
‘You like Arnold Schwarzenegger too?’ Nicholas asked.
‘I have his entire catalogue on DVD,’ Freya told him.
‘We seriously need to talk about your film library,’ Nicholas remarked with a smile.
‘I do have one of your movies, Turncoat,’ Freya admitted.
‘And did you enjoy it?’ Nicholas asked her.
‘I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it. I cried most of the way through it. But I really lost it when Boris got killed at the end. I was sort of expecting it, but I was still surprised when it actually happened,’ Freya told him.
‘Good, that was exactly the idea. So how was my performance? Any room for improvement?’ Nicholas enquired.
‘You won an Academy award for that role. You don’t need me to tell you how good your performance was,’ Freya replied.
‘Maybe I do,’ Nicholas responded.
‘Well, I thought you played the character with sensitivity. You made him appear vulnerable even when he was torturing people, that was pretty amazing. But I think, what I liked best was the way you made him a real person with all the complicated feelings that real people have. I mean he was a vile, evil Nazi, but by the end of the movie I was sympathising with him. I mean it wasn’t really about the war or him being a Nazi, I thought it was really about the fact he started out as just an everyday person. He was just an ordinary man in an extreme situation having to make decisions about right and wrong and trying to understand his humanity,’ Freya told him.
‘That is the best synopsis I’ve heard. You totally got the film. Do you know when I won the Oscar I wasn’t even sure whether the people that nominated me even understood what it was really about,’ Nicholas spoke.
‘Everyone has a unique interpretation of things, perhaps it doesn’t matter whether they did or not,’ Freya said.