by Mary Lyons
‘OK, I think it’s about time we cut out all this nonsense,’ she told the other woman. ‘So why don’t you go and wash your face? Not only will it make you feel a whole lot better, but I’m sure you don’t want any of the hotel waiters to see you in this state. And when you come back,’ Laura had added with grim determination, ‘we’re going to sit down and work out how to save your career. Right?’
‘Y-yes, all r-right,’ the other woman had stuttered tearfully, before stumbling into the bathroom.
However, as she now watched Melissa sipping her hot coffee, and waited to hear whether she was prepared to pull herself together, Laura knew that this was likely to be merely the lull before another storm. But she had to try and get this silly woman to see sense. Because Jack was quite right. Melissa really was a great actress—even if her best performances seemed to take place off the set.
‘We haven’t had a chance to get to know each other very well. But it’s important that you realise I’m not just here to read you the Riot Act,’ Laura told the other woman quietly. ‘In fact, I’ve actually got quite a lot of sympathy for you. It must have been a terrific shock to discover that Craig was up to his usual tricks.’
‘I didn’t know he was like that,’ Melissa muttered, staring dolefully down at the cup in her hands. I... well, I was just swept off my feet. He’s young and virile—and so handsome...’ she added with a sob, tears beginning to trickle down over her cheeks once again.
‘Hang about! You’re hardly in your dotage,’ Laura retorted briskly, determined to try and keep their discussion on an even keel. ‘You may be in your early thirties—’
‘Twenty-eight, if you don’t mind!’
‘—but you’re still a very lovely, stunningly beautiful woman,’ she continued, calmly ignoring the actress’s sharp interjection, since practically everyone in the theatrical world automatically lied about their age. ‘Jack tells me that he’s seen the first few days’ rushes and you looked fabulous.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, really!’ Laura grinned. ‘In fact, to quote his very words, “she really lights up the screen”. Which is why it’s so important to get you back in front of the camera.’
‘Well...I do want to be in this film,’ Melissa assured her, hunting for a handkerchief to blow her nose. ‘You know just how mad keen I was to play Lady Macbeth. But...but I don’t see how I can. Not now. I mean...how could I possibly face Craig? Let alone act with the swine. All the film crew are bound to be so cross and furious with me, as well. I don’t think I can bear it!’
Relieved to note that the actress was now regarding her young, unfaithful lover in a more realistic light, Laura pointed out that, despite her feelings about Craig, everyone else on the set would be highly delighted to be getting on with their jobs. ‘You’ll just have to grit your teeth—and give the performance of a lifetime.’
‘What performance?’ Melissa grumbled. ‘I can’t tell you what a mess my hair is in after filming in all that rain. And, even if the rushes are good, darling, I still don’t think I can face that bloody man Craig Jordan.’
‘Of course you can!’ Laura snapped, struggling to keep her temper. ‘In fact, if you don’t act him off the screen and completely steal the film from under his nose, you definitely aren’t the woman I took you for!’
To her surprise, Melissa responded to the tough, exasperated words with an obviously genuine peal of laughter. ‘On the principle that revenge is sweet?’
‘Well, it can sometimes be a two-edged sword,’ Laura admitted, recalling her various encounters with Jack. Which prompted her to add, ‘I know that facing Craig isn’t going to be easy. But we all have to face difficulties in life. I mean, it’s thanks to you that I’ve been forced to spend time up here with your ex-husband. And, believe me, that’s a situation I really could have done without.’
Even as she found herself saying the words, Laura knew that she should have kept her mouth shut. But it was clearly too late, as Melissa quickly raised her head at the raw, unhappy note in the younger woman’s voice.
‘Darling! Don’t tell me that you’ve fallen in love with Jack?’ Melissa’s eyes widened as Laura remained obstinately silent. ‘Oh, yes—I can see you have. He’s lethally attractive, isn’t he?’ the actress added with a surprisingly warm, sympathetic smile. ‘Still, I can’t tell you what a relief it is to know that I’m not the only one to make a fool of herself.’
‘Thanks!’ Laura muttered grimly.
‘Oh, darling—I’m sorry. I honestly didn’t mean to sound so bitchy. And maybe you really are the one for him. Come on—tell all!’
‘There’s nothing to tell,’ Laura retorted stonily. ‘Especially when your ex-husband hasn’t the first idea about caring for someone—or the true meaning of the word “commitment”.’
‘Well...I don’t know about that,’ the older woman mused. ‘He certainly stuck with me for far longer than I deserved. We were absolutely chalk and cheese, of course. And so young! But I really think, looking back after all these years, that the main reason I married Jack was simply to get away from home.’
‘Oh, come on, Melissa—you aren’t seriously trying to tell me...?’
‘I know that it’s an awful thing to say.’ She gave Laura a slightly shamefaced, guilty smile. ‘I was very fond of my parents, of course. But unfortunately they were dead set against me going on the stage. There were so many rows at home about me having anything to do with such a “wicked profession” that I got really fed up. So when I met Jack, who seemed keen to marry me and allow me to get on with my career...’ Melissa sighed. ‘Well, it just seemed a good idea at the time.’
‘But not exactly the best reason for getting married,’ Laura murmured drily.
‘You’re right, it certainly wasn’t! We found that out almost straight away. And quite honestly, darling, I’m not exactly cut out for marriage,’ the other woman admitted with a shrug. ‘I get bored so easily, you see. Jack was working hard—out and about all the time—while I was helping him out in the office, until a good part came along. So having an affair with Donald was just a way to pass the time—if you see what I mean?’
‘Mmm...’ Laura murmured noncommittally, realising that it was pointless to try and explain to this talented, lovely but basically flawed woman that normal people did not have rip-roaring love affairs ‘just to pass the time’.
‘Luckily, over the years we’ve managed to forge a rather distant sort of friendship,’ Melissa continued, happily unaware of the younger woman’s strong disapproval of her way of life. ‘Unfortunately, Jack isn’t half as resilient as I am. He really did get badly hurt in the process. In fact, I’m sure that’s why he hasn’t ever married again.
‘You won’t believe this,’ she added with a shake of her dark head. ‘And he may have calmed down now, of course. But at one time he was almost paranoiac about not allowing any of his staff to become involved with each other, or with their clients.’
‘He hasn’t changed,’ Laura told her grimly.
Melissa sighed. ‘I must admit that I’ve always had a bit of a bad conscience about Jack. I didn’t mean to hurt him, but I suppose I can be a first-class bitch sometimes.’
‘Only sometimes...?’
‘Oh, all right!’ The actress gave rueful snort of laughter. ‘I guess I deserved that. Especially since I’ve put you through the hoops today. But I’ll bet that you haven’t had the experience of actually seeing Jack busy making love to a young floozy? And only a few days after he’d professed undying love?’ she added bitterly. ‘Is it any wonder that I felt totally devastated?’
Laura shook her head. ‘No, it isn’t,’ she agreed quietly. ‘And you’re quite right. I may have had a lot of problems with Jack, but nothing quite as bad as what you’ve been through. Which is why I’ve a lot of sympathy for you. And why I want you to get out there and show everyone—not just that rat Craig Jordan—that you’re the star of this particular show. George Davidson is one of the best directors around today. And
, given half a chance, he’s going to make a really great film. Quite frankly, I’d like you to be in it!’
‘OK, OK, you can stop nagging!’ Melissa muttered.
‘I just wanted everyone to know that I’d been deeply, deeply hurt—that’s all,’ she added pettishly, before moving over to her dressing table and beginning to brush her long black hair. ‘However, despite what you might think, I’m not entirely a fool. So of course I’m going to be on set tomorrow. I’ll act that miserable creep Craig “lover boy” Jordan off the stage!’ She banged her brush down viciously on the table. ‘Just see if I don’t!’
Laura grinned. ‘I’m relieved to hear it!’
‘Yes, well, don’t laugh too soon.’ Melissa spun around on her stool. ‘Because even I know that you’re going to have your work cut out getting Jack to the altar.’
‘Me? Marry Jack? I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous!’
‘Don’t bother trying to kid me.’ Melissa gave the younger woman a cat-like grin. ‘Between these four walls, you and I both know you have every intention of marrying the slippery man! Your problem is how to get the idea into his thick head—right?’
‘Absolutely wrong!’ Laura protested.
‘OK, OK...have it your own way.’ Melissa grinned at the deep flush spreading over the younger girl’s cheeks. ‘But if it’s any consolation I reckon I’d put my money on you every time. You’re certainly tough and resourceful enough to cope with Jack. Just look at the way you’ve handled me, for heaven’s sake!’
‘Ah—but then you had every intention of eventually going back on set,’ Laura flashed back grimly.
‘Yes, I may have. But you didn’t know that—not for certain. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that you’d be perfect for Jack.’ Melissa smiled happily, obviously enjoying the prospect of playing the new role of fairy godmother. ‘The poor lamb. He deserves a little happiness at last. I’ll have to see what I can do to bring you two together. I can almost hear the heavenly chorus as you plight your troth. It would make a wonderful film, darling; it really would.’
Laura nearly groaned aloud. She needed this daft woman playing Cupid like she needed a hole in the head!
‘If you say one word to Jack you’re dog meat!’ she told Melissa bleakly. ‘And you can forget any “heavenly chorus” nonsense. Just in case you’ve forgotten—that so-called “poor lamb” of yours has Van Gogh’s ear for music!’
But Melissa merely threw back her lovely head and roared with laughter, before stating that she would—as promised—be on set first thing in the morning. However, Laura noted grimly, the irritating woman had carefully avoided giving any promises regarding her ex-husband. So it was obviously a case of keeping her fingers crossed and hoping that, once back at work, Melissa would be far too busy to bother with her new agent’s private life.
Walking along the sea front of the small fishing port, Laura was glad of Jack’s arm. His injunction to ‘wrap up warm’ had been a timely reminder, on leaving the restaurant, that the wind coming in off the North Sea was still blowing as hard as ever.
‘I don’t reckon there’s anything on the map between us and Siberia,’ she muttered, shivering as they were buffeted by another icy blast of wind as they made their way back to his car.
‘Let’s be positive.’ Jack grinned down at her. ‘The good news is that it’s stopped raining—for a while, at least.’
‘Mmm...that is a mercy,’ she agreed. ‘Although I certainly shouldn’t grumble, because I’ve really taken to Northumberland. No wonder George Davidson was mad keen to use this area for location shots; it may be wild and rugged, but it’s spectacularly beautiful. Have we far to go to my hotel?’ she added, suddenly feeling very tired after such an early start to what had proved to be a traumatic day.
‘Well, it isn’t exactly a hotel—more of an old pub, really,’ he explained. ‘But I think you’ll like The Galleon. It has the most amazing collection of nautical objects, and a wonderful view across the harbour, out over the North Sea.’
‘I’m sure it will be great. But I honestly don’t care if it’s a tin shack—just as long as I can get a good night’s sleep. Quite frankly I’m practically dead on my feet.’
It hadn’t just been a matter of pulling Melissa back into line. As soon as that had been accomplished, she’d not only had to report the good news to the director of the film, but had also spent a considerable amount of time waiting around, principally for Jack to report on the outcome of his negotiations with Craig. Unfortunately, it seemed that the actor had attempted to dig his heels in, and the discussion had been long and protracted, before Jack had grimly announced that his client would be appearing on set tomorrow morning.
By the time everything had been sorted out, it had obviously been far too late for her to catch a train back to London. So Jack had promised to find her a bed for the night, as well as insisted on taking her out to dinner. ‘You’ve had one hell of a day,’ he’d told her firmly. ‘The least I can do is to make sure that you have a decent meal.’ And it had definitely been a good idea, because she was now feeling not only full of good food and probably a lot more red wine than was wise, but also thoroughly relaxed and at peace with the world.
‘George Davidson is over the moon at being able to get back to work,’ Jack said as he unlocked the car. ‘He said to tell you that he’s thinking of putting your name on the film’s credits!’
‘I should live so long!’ she grinned as he held open the passenger door. ‘However, I imagine that sorting out Melissa was a piece of cake compared to dealing with dear Craig.’
‘You’re right.’ Jack sighed and shook his head. ‘What a stupid idiot that man is—completely dead wood from the waist up! However, when I made it clear that if he didn’t eat humble pie and publicly beg Melissa’s pardon for his sins his career was finished, he finally got the message.’
‘How long, do you think, before he’s back to his old tricks?’
‘Well, let’s see...’ Jack grinned, settling himself into the driver’s seat and doing up his seat belt. ‘Craig’s had a bad fright this time. So I reckon it could be at least two whole weeks before he gets involved with another woman.’
‘That long? Wow!’ She gave a low whistle of mock surprise, before they both dissolved into peals of cynical laughter.
‘Oh, Laura—I must say that it is good to spend time with you once again,’ he said softly, reaching across to take hold of her hand. ‘I’ve missed you so much—and the office hasn’t been the same without you.’
‘Oh, really?’ she murmured, glad of the darkness which hid her flushed cheeks as he gently stroked her fingers. ‘Well, luckily, I’m feeling in far too good a mood to remind you exactly why and how I was sacked from your office. Besides, what about luscious Felicity Green? The girl who’s apparently so “easy on the eye”, and whom you’ve been busy seeing lately—both night and day, if what I read in the newspapers is anything to go on.’
‘Oh, come on!’ he drawled smoothly. ‘Surely you don’t believe any of that drivel in the Press? Besides, you can’t possibly be jealous of Felicity. She’s just a nice girl—that’s all.’
‘Who’s talking about being jealous?’ Laura snapped, quickly withdrawing her hand from his clasp. ‘Not me, buster!’
‘Now calm down, Laura. There’s no need to—’
‘I’m perfectly calm,’ she ground out through clenched teeth. ‘Just as I’m quite sure that Felicity is a very nice girl, and making a great success of my old job. All right?’
‘Oh, yes—absolutely,’ he agreed in a maddeningly bland, silky voice which she found deeply irritating. How was it that this man could get under her skin in five seconds flat?
‘All the same, Jack, you really did me a great favour,’ she murmured in a dulcet tone, quickly deciding that two could play at this particular game. ‘If you hadn’t sacked me, I’d never have started up my own firm. So I guess I owe you a vote of thanks for setting me on the road to what, I hope, will
prove to be a very successful business.’
‘I’ve no doubt that you’ll achieve it,’ he replied coolly as he started the car. ‘In fact, you’re doing so well that I may have to raid your office and steal your list of clients!’
‘I don’t think you’ve got too much to worry about—not just at the moment,’ she admitted. ‘Although, in a year or two, I’m intending to give you a real run for your money!’
‘There’s no need to wait that long, sweetheart,’ he murmured, his shoulders shaking with wry amusement. ‘Because you can now take Craig off my hands—any time you like.’
All set for her usual war of words with this maddening man, Laura found herself, as she did so often in their turbulent relationship, suddenly having trouble keeping a straight face. ‘He really is awful, isn’t he?’ she giggled.
‘Absolutely appalling!’ Jack agreed, with a low rumble of laughter. ‘Luckily, the great British public have no idea that their idol has such feet of clay. And I suppose that Melissa is equally lucky to have discovered the truth before it was too late. I don’t imagine that she’ll have any trouble with him in the future.’
‘No, indeed,’ Laura agreed as the car drew up outside a grey stone building. ‘Especially as she now fully intends to steal every scene in the film!’
They were both laughing as they entered the saloon bar of The Galleon, Laura happy to leave Jack to sort out her room as she gazed about her in amazement.
The large area was simply festooned with fascinating objects, all connected with the sea and ships. Hanging from the ceiling, walls and bar were model boats, fishing gear, ships’ wheels, oars, brass lamps, a ship’s figurehead and much, much more. In fact, for one mad moment, she seriously wondered if all that wine she’d had to drink during dinner was making her see double. However, Laura soon realised that the bar really was awash with nautical antiques.
She was just inspecting a large round diving helmet, when Jack returned to escort her up to her room.
‘I wish I’d had the sense to put a toothbrush in my handbag this morning,’ she said as they mounted the stairs, pausing on the landing to admire a large collection of model boats, before he led her down the hall and opened a door.