Strange Allure

by Susan Lewis

  However, it seemed she was looking at such a person. ‘I’d kind of figured it would be about that long,’ he said, closing the file and looking at her.

  What was going on here? He was seriously going to take a year out for a programme like There and Beyond? Deciding to dispense with all the interview pretence for a moment, she said, ‘If you don’t mind me asking, why on earth do you want to do this? I mean, being who you are, you surely can’t be short of projects to direct. In fact, I’d’ve thought you’d be much more interested in taking on a feature film, or at the very least some kind of BBC drama, than this kind of series.’

  ‘You’re right,’ he said, sitting forward to refill both their cups. ‘I’m constantly inundated with scripts, but frankly I’ve not come across anything yet that I’d want to go out and raise money for, never mind put my name to. And if I’m going to get into directing I want it to be on something that’s worthwhile and, well, quality – which I consider There and Beyond to be. Also, I’m keen to get out of acting, which I only got into by mistake, and don’t particularly enjoy. However, it’s earned me a pile of money, which I’m not complaining about, and it’s given me a lot of advantages and privileges I probably wouldn’t otherwise have had. But it’s definitely time now to move on, and when Avril called me about your project, though I can’t say I was particularly interested at the time, after I spoke to Jed Forsyth, then saw the first couple of episodes, I had a very different attitude.’

  Unable to feel anything but pleased by such a generous compliment, Carla inclined her head gracefully, and accepted a third cup of tea.

  ‘Of course, you might be averse to having someone like me on board,’ he went on, ‘which I wouldn’t blame you for, because fame, as I’m sure you know, isn’t always a blessing. But it does have its upside, which is why Avril contacted me. And as well as all the publicity I can bring to the table, you’d also be getting one hundred per cent commitment and cooperation, and a pretty good stock of actors who, to be blunt, would be more likely to stump up the goods for me than they would for you.’

  ‘I’m not a director,’ she responded tersely. ‘So I wouldn’t be asking them.’

  ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t put that very well. What I meant was they’d be more likely to do it for less than their usual rate if I ask them, than if anyone else were to.’

  Mmm, well, that was definitely a bonus she hadn’t considered, and certainly not one to be sniffed at. ‘And if the twenty-million-dollar Hollywood offer comes along?’ she challenged.

  Apparently finding that amusing, he said, ‘I’m flattered that you think I could command such a sum, but believe me, I can’t.’

  ‘But if it did?’

  ‘Then I have to confess, twenty million would be hard to turn down.’

  Not exactly the answer she was looking for, but she had to admire his honesty. ‘Do you want that sandwich?’ she offered, pointing to the last one left on the tray.

  ‘No, really.’

  She picked up the sandwich, and for a moment their eyes met, but not wanting him to think he could dazzle her the way he no doubt dazzled every other woman he came across, she looked quickly away.

  ‘Going back to programme content,’ he said, tapping the file he’d put on the seat next to him. ‘I’d like to take a couple of days to look this over, then get back to you. Is that OK?’

  Her head came up. No, it was not. At least not when he was making it sound as though he was the one mulling over a decision. As far as she was aware, she was interviewing him. OK, with a foregone conclusion, but he could at least pretend he was waiting for her decision, rather than the other way round.

  He was still speaking. ‘I was thinking it might help you to make your mind up about me if I could contribute something intelligent to the upcoming series. But I’m afraid I can’t do that until I really know what you have in mind.’

  Smooth, she was thinking. Very smooth indeed. And acceptable. ‘Sounds like a good idea,’ she responded. ‘When are you back from France?’

  ‘At the weekend. If you’ll give me your number I’ll call you on Saturday.’

  ‘Would madam care for any more?’

  She looked up at the waiter, then down at the empty tiers of the cakestand. She’d managed to scoff the lot. Embarrassed, she glanced at John Rossmore, who, with typical actor self-interest, didn’t seem to have noticed. In fact, he was looking at his watch, obviously eager to get away now he’d gone through the motions of paying homage to her executive-producer status.

  ‘Could you bring us the bill please?’ he said to the waiter.

  With practised ease the waiter cleared the table and narrowly avoided colliding with a bellhop who’d come to inform Mr Rossmore that the car was here to take him back to the terminal.

  ‘I’m sorry this has been a bit rushed,’ John said, turning back to Carla, ‘but I was keen to meet you as soon as I could, and try to persuade you that I’m the right man for the job. I know there must be a hundred more questions you want to ask me, like what makes me think I can direct when I’ve never directed anything before …’

  ‘Perhaps you can give me an answer to that before you go,’ she cut in.

  ‘Actually, I trained as a director,’ he told her. Then without a trace of smugness he added, ‘At USC in Los Angeles. I was there for a year in my early twenties. That might be more impressive were I not now in my late thirties, I know, but it’s a great university and when you combine the skills I learned there with all the experience I’ve had of being around cameras and directors in both film and television since, well, hopefully some of that makes the grade as a qualification to direct There and Beyond.’

  Pretty speech, she was thinking. And yes, USC certainly was impressive. So when, I wonder, do we get the truth about the violent temper and unbridled ego? Not to mention the womanizing, binge-drinking, obsessive gambling and alleged cocaine habit? All she said was, ‘Good answer.’

  After going through the formality of exchanging numbers and saying goodbye, she tried to insist on paying the bill which hadn’t yet arrived. However, he wouldn’t hear of it, and left her no choice when he dropped a fifty-pound note on the table and went off to get his flight.

  ‘So?’ Avril demanded, bounding in only seconds after he’d gone. ‘How did it go?’

  Carla was nodding slowly. ‘OK,’ she said. ‘He gave a stunning performance of a meek, mild-tempered, eager-to-please new director, and almost had me convinced.’

  Avril was grinning. ‘You’re a hard woman,’ she told her. ‘But don’t you think he’s gorgeous?’

  Carla’s eyebrows arched. ‘No. But you obviously do.’

  ‘How can anyone not? And he’s such a charmer, don’t you think? And those hands. Did you notice his hands?’

  ‘No, I can’t say I did.’

  Avril gave a shiver of ecstasy. ‘How can you not have noticed those hands? They’re so long and slender and dark and masculine. I mean, everything about that man is just to die for. Anyway, how did you leave it?’

  ‘He’s reading the outlines I gave him and we’ll speak on Saturday.’

  ‘But do you think you can work with him?’

  Carla rolled her eyes. ‘Avril, don’t tell me that between you, you and his agent haven’t already got his contract drawn up because I won’t believe you. And if you’ve already written the press release I’d like to see it first. It’s all about favours, isn’t it? You do him one, he does you one. You’re doing me one, so I do you one. And on it goes.’

  ‘It’s how it works,’ Avril confirmed. ‘But I swear I wouldn’t be pushing this if I thought he was going to give you any trouble.’

  ‘I’ll remind you of that when he fires all the actors and goes on a bender in the middle of Baghdad during Ramadan.’

  ‘You’ve got Baghdad on the agenda for the next series?’ Avril said in amazement.

  ‘No, but don’t rule it out. In fact, never rule anywhere out, especially not now I’m in touch with Richard again, because he’s got
contacts all over the world, remember?’

  Avril refrained from commenting on that by signalling to the waiter. She still didn’t like this contact with Richard, because something wasn’t right about it, apart from the obvious, but as yet she hadn’t managed to figure out what. Until she did, she guessed she’d just have to keep quiet, for criticizing was only going to make Carla clam up, which wouldn’t be a good thing at all. So, after ordering two glasses of champagne, she announced cheerily, ‘We’ve got something else to celebrate. The Observer Colour Supplement want to do a three-page spread on the series, which should run to coincide with the third or fourth episode. A great midway boost.’

  Carla was thrilled. ‘You’re a magician,’ she told her. ‘Just how do you do it?’

  ‘Favours,’ Avril reminded her. ‘And now for the bad news, I’m afraid. I’ve had a call from someone on the Daily Mail’s Femail page saying they want to do a big feature on Chrissie, you know, everything from the bad first marriage, to the drugs, the attempted suicides, the …’

  ‘I thought I’d made myself clear on that,’ Carla said tightly. ‘I don’t want Chrissie involved in the publicity. End of story.’

  ‘You don’t have to see her,’ Avril pointed out.

  ‘That’s not the point. The point is that this programme is mine now. It’s all she left me with, though it cost me every penny I had to get it. It’s thanks to her that I now drive a car that’s not even safe to be on the road; that I live in a house that leaks and I can’t afford to repair it; that I’ve spent the past year hating going to the supermarket because I can’t afford the kind of food I used to buy; I never go out, except to the pub, where half the time I avoid people because I can’t buy them a drink; the only new clothes I’ve had in a year were the ones you bought me in Monaco, which was the only holiday I’ve had, which you paid for too. And those are just the practical things. What she took from me emotionally …’

  ‘It’s OK, I get the drift,’ Avril assured her.

  But Carla hadn’t finished. ‘She’s put me in a place where near-poverty and pain are just the beginning,’ she said, her voice shaking with feeling, ‘because she didn’t only rob me of the man I loved, she robbed me of my self-respect, my hope, my dreams, my trust, even my bloody sanity for a while. And now all I have is this programme, which I paid for with every last penny she could wring out of me. So no! The hell is she going to get any free publicity, public admiration, money, or whatever else she’s seeking out of my programme. It’s enough that she’s going to be on the screen for six weeks, looking gorgeous, being professional and generally assumed Miss Perfect by a world that has no idea. OK, I know that someone might find their own way to her without going through you, but I want you, Avril, to do everything in that remarkable power of yours to stop them, because I’ve got no intention of sharing any more of my life with Chrissie Fields than I already have.’

  Avril was soberly nodding her acceptance, and only stopped when the champagne arrived. Then, raising her glass to propose a toast, she said, ‘To anyone else I’d say, power to you, or take it all the way. To you, Carla Craig, I say take it there, and beyond.’

  Carla smiled and raised her glass too.

  Avril drank first, lowering her eyes so she no longer had to meet Carla’s. But it was OK, she didn’t have to tell Carla she’d already accepted the Femail offer, she’d just get on the phone first thing in the morning and kill it all stone dead.

  Chapter 8

  ‘… SO NOW RICHARD’S taken a sabbatical to write a book about all the wars and troubles he’s covered,’ Chrissie was saying, ‘and we’ve got ourselves a nanny – only a temporary one for the moment, because we’re still interviewing – and boy have I got my work cut out, getting that house into shape. Can you believe we’re still in packing cases? But Richard’s so good about everything, and it all feels so much … Well, so much easier now, which is how come I managed to get away for lunch today. Oh, I’m so glad I came. I’ve really needed to get out, and I’ve missed you two so much.’

  As she talked Chrissie was clutching her wine glass and turning her smiles on and off like a Belisha beacon, while Jilly and Rosa, as stunned by her appearance as by her performance, made slightly ludicrous attempts to smile back. They were at Joe’s Café, the chic Draycott Avenue eatery whose spartan decor and unusual menu had kept it right up there on the list of places to be seen at. Indeed there were a few recognizable faces around today, but Chrissie hadn’t noticed, for she was far too intent on telling Jilly and Rosa all about what had been happening since she’d last seen them.

  ‘So how’s the baby?’ Jilly asked, flicking a handful of long crinkly blonde hair over one shoulder as she dug her fork into a cushion of grated carrot.

  Chrissie gulped her wine, then smiled ecstatically. ‘Oh, she’s great. Lovely. Richard absolutely dotes on her, and she’s so mad about him I hardly get a look-in.’ She laughed, then laughed again. ‘Really, you should see them together. It’s so adorable. He’s a different man since she came along. So gentle and kind and attentive. Not that he wasn’t all those things before, but, I have to be honest, it hasn’t been easy for me since Ryan was born. I had a really difficult labour – well, you know that, because you came to the hospital, but I haven’t really felt up to seeing anyone since, and Richard’s been so wonderful and supportive. Actually, it’s why he’s taken the sabbatical, he just knew that I didn’t want him to go away again, so he said he’d give it up for a while. And it’s such a relief, I can’t tell you. It scares me to death every time he goes away. I mean, I just don’t know what I’d do if anything happened and he didn’t come back. Well, that’s not going to happen now, at least not for a while. But anyway, listen to me going on about myself all the time. What about you? What have you been up to? I haven’t heard any gossip in so long I’m just dying to catch up.’

  Rosa’s wide green eyes slid briefly to Jilly’s, then back again. Not for a minute was she fooled by the happy wife and mother act, and she didn’t imagine Jilly was either, but what else could they do but go along with it when Chrissie was obviously right on the edge, and God forbid either of them should push her over. ‘Well, where would you like us to begin?’ she offered. ‘We’ve already covered work …’

  ‘Oh yes, work,’ Chrissie cried, sighing dramatically. ‘What I wouldn’t give to go back. We used to have such fun.’ Her eyes defocused into the memory for a moment, then seeming to think she’d said something wrong she hastily continued with, ‘But only when the baby’s a bit older. I wouldn’t dream of going back now. Though I do miss seeing everyone and when Richard’s shut up in his study for hours on end I hardly ever have anyone to talk to.’ She giggled. ‘That’s probably why I can’t shut up now. I’m sorry. Go on, you were going to tell me about work. How’s work?’

  Rosa glanced at Jilly again, then without a single mention of already having had this conversation, she said, ‘Well, in my case, as usual, there’s nothing to tell. Zippo auditions, zero calls from agent. I’m thinking of changing, but I don’t know who else would take me on when I haven’t done anything for over five years.’

  ‘What about men?’ Chrissie said eagerly. ‘Have you met anyone?’

  ‘Hah! Be serious. You don’t meet anyone at my age unless they’re already married, carrying more baggage than a jumbo jet, or gay.’ Then with a spiteful little smile she added, ‘Shame there aren’t any more Richards around, I suppose, seeing he’s so perfect.’

  Jilly glanced at her sharply, then, as though to soften the edge, she smiled at Chrissie, and said, ‘Aren’t you going to eat anything? Those fishcakes are really good.’

  ‘Oh, yes! Yes! I guess I’m just so excited about being here that I’ve forgotten to be hungry.’ She scooped up a large forkful of fishcake and put it in her mouth. ‘Mmm. Delicious. Now what about you, Jilly? Any new men in your life?’

  Jilly rolled her eyes. ‘Would you believe Steve and I are back together?’ she said. ‘Seems we can’t live without each other. Trouble is
, we can’t live with each other either, so we’ll see how long it lasts this time.’

  ‘I think you two are made for each other,’ Chrissie declared, taking another mouthful of food.

  ‘Speaking of which,’ Rosa said silkily, ‘do you ever hear from Carla now?’

  For a moment Chrissie’s eyes widened like a child’s as she watched Jilly glance fiercely in Rosa’s direction again. But Jilly didn’t say anything, so Chrissie quickly smiled, and, reaching for her wine again, said, ‘No. Richard thought it was better not to have any more contact, after she, you know, threatened me.’

  Jilly and Rosa nodded gravely, then, feeling it wise to change the subject, Jilly said, ‘Did you bring any photos of the baby? I’d love to see her. She must be at least four months by now.’

  Chrissie nodded. ‘Yes, she is. Well, five actually. But I’m afraid I forgot the pictures. Richard put them out to remind me, but when I checked in the taxi on the way over, I’d forgotten to put them in my bag. I know, you’ll have to come and visit. We haven’t done much more to the house since you last saw it, but I’m getting to work on that in the next couple of weeks. In fact, if you know of any good interior designers … Oh no!’ she gasped, as a waitress tried to take her glass. ‘I haven’t finished.’ Then, noticing Jilly’s and Rosa’s astonished faces, she quickly let the glass go and said, ‘I’m sorry. Please take it.’

  An awkward silence followed, until reaching under the table for her bag Chrissie said, ‘I’ll just pop to the loo. If they take orders for coffee I’ll have an espresso.’

  Jilly and Rosa watched her weave a path through the tables, then drop down to the lower level, where she disappeared through a door next to the bar.

  ‘My God,’ Rosa murmured. ‘What a state.’

  Jilly’s eyes were full of concern. ‘Isn’t she?’ she agreed. ‘I had no idea. Did you?’

  ‘How would I? I’ve hardly spoken to her since the baby.’