In Focus (2009)

by Jacobs, Anna

  ‘What you mean is, you don’t want anyone to upset your happy little bubble. Well, get over that, Pete, because your real family aren’t going to go away.’

  The phone was slammed down on him.

  Edward went to the gym to do twenty minutes’ swimming, then drove out to his aunt’s.

  No sooner had Pete put the phone down, than it rang again. ‘Oh, hi Gerry.’

  ‘Is Edward coming in this morning for the show briefing? He’s not been in touch today.’

  ‘Oh, er, he resigned last week. I’m sure it’s only temporary. We can manage without him for a week or so, surely? You can take his place.’

  ‘I don’t have his notes, don’t know the details of what’s been planned.’

  ‘I’ll look for them in his office and get back to you. You will, of course, be paid at a higher rate while he’s off.’

  ‘But you do think he’ll be coming back? I can’t manage for long without him, Pete. I’ve never made all the arrangements myself. I’ve been mainly in charge of the research for the Who Am I? segment.’

  ‘Look, I know Edward. He’s my cousin as well as my manager and he won’t let me down. I just need to give him a few days to get his head together. I have every confidence in you in the meantime, Gerry.’

  Pete glanced at the clock, eager to end this conversation. He was having lunch with Rosa and was looking forward to it. He’d enjoyed being with her at the weekend. Strange that, with no sex involved. He wasn’t feeling the lack as much as he’d expected, either. Well, no wonder. He had too much on his mind.

  Edward drew up outside his aunt’s house. He’d have expected to find her in the garden on a day like this but there was no sign of her. He went to rap on the door and when she didn’t answer, he pushed it open.

  She was in the kitchen, sitting weeping over a batch of burnt scones, and she looked dreadful. She didn’t even notice him coming in.

  ‘Aunt Sue?’

  She jumped visibly. ‘Oh, Edward. I’m sorry. I can’t seem to do anything right today.’

  ‘The scones don’t matter.’ He’d only suggested them to give her something to take her mind off the situation. ‘Come and sit in the living room. We can talk there.’

  He guided her to the couch and sat beside her, worried by her pallor. From the look of her, she’d been doing a lot of weeping. ‘Pete shouldn’t have told you about the kidnapping,’ he said gently.

  ‘Yes, he should. That’s the only thing I’m certain of in this mess.’ She blew her nose and let him take her hand again. ‘I didn’t know they’d stolen him. I met a young woman they said was his mother. He was very confused for a while after we first got him, but the psychologist who helped us said it was because of being taken away from all he knew.’ She stopped to stare pleadingly at him. ‘You do believe what I’m telling you, don’t you?’

  ‘Of course I do.’

  ‘Edward, what am I going to do? I keep thinking about that poor woman.’

  ‘I don’t think you should do anything at the moment. There could be legal implications. Leave that to Pete and me.’

  She shook her head. ‘I can’t. I must see her, make her understand that I’d never, ever have done such a dreadful thing.’ She began weeping again.

  It was soon clear that he couldn’t keep her out of this, nor should he. He too was upset by the thought of what Beth’s mother must have gone through. And Beth. She’d had a difficult childhood after her brother disappeared, from the sound of it.

  ‘Pete says the sister wants money off us.’

  ‘He’s wrong. She doesn’t. She’s not like that.’

  ‘How can you be so sure?’

  He’d been hoping to avoid this, but wasn’t going to add any more lies to the pile already festering. ‘Because I’m seeing her. I’m in love with her, actually. She doesn’t need money nor is she asking for it. Pete thought he could buy her off, but he can’t. What she does want is closure for her mother.’

  Sue looked startled. ‘You’re going out with this woman?’

  ‘I certainly am. Her name’s Beth. You’ll like her, I’m sure.’

  ‘I doubt she’ll want to see me. If this comes out, how can I ever show my face again?’ She began weeping, a soft, despairing sound.

  He put his arms round her. ‘Shh, now. Shh. I can’t see any reason for it to come out. I told you Beth isn’t after money and would hate the notoriety she’d face if it did come out, I’m sure. Let me feel my way, try to settle this quietly.’

  He stayed for lunch but had to leave around two if he was to do as he’d promised and try to reconcile the various parties. Beth would understand that his aunt hadn’t known what had happened, he was sure. But would her mother? He had no idea what Linda Harding was like.

  The day had started badly and was rapidly getting worse, Pete thought resentfully. Rosa rang just before noon to cancel their lunch date and wasn’t free to see him for several days.

  Instead of working on the first interview for his coming show, he kept trying to figure out what to do about his sister. Surely, if he raised the stakes financially, she and her mother would leave him in peace? He didn’t want another family. Most of all, he didn’t want this to get out. The media would have a ball with all the lurid details. He shuddered at the mere thought of that. And what if the police prosecuted his mother? It’d destroy her.

  He told Ilsa he wasn’t taking any calls, but she came into his office an hour later. ‘Look, Pete, if I don’t let Gerry speak to you, he’s threatening to resign. We can’t manage without him.’

  ‘Oh, very well. Put him on.’

  Gerry rang three times that afternoon for clarification of some point or other in connection with this week’s show.

  In the end Pete lost patience. ‘How the hell am I supposed to know every sodding detail? You’ll have to get hold of Edward and ask him.’

  ‘I’ve tried. He’s not answering his phone.’

  ‘Use your initiative. Send someone round to his flat. Go yourself.’

  ‘But—’

  Pete slammed the phone down.

  It rang almost immediately and Gerry said, ‘Don’t put that phone down on me again, Pete, or I’m out of here. I need an assistant and if I don’t get one, I’m resigning forthwith. There’s far too much work for one person, especially when that person is still feeling his way.’

  ‘You can manage for one week, surely?’

  ‘No, I damned well can’t.’

  ‘Well, hire a temp then. Yes, pay what you think fit. Just sort it.’ Pete kept himself from blowing up again, put the phone down and rested his head on his hands. He was finding out how much they’d all depended on Edward, who was an amazingly well-organized person.

  There must be some way to get his cousin back.

  Edward slowed down as he reached his former office building. He didn’t want to go inside again but was worried about his aunt and wanted to talk to Pete about her. She was in a very agitated state and at her age that could be dangerous.

  He walked inside and went up to the suite of offices, feeling the building close round him like a tight grey shroud.

  The receptionist didn’t even look up as the door opened. ‘Go straight in, Gerry.’

  ‘I’m not Gerry.’

  Ilsa stared at him. ‘Edward! Thank goodness you’re here. Everything’s falling to pieces without you.’

  This greeting from the dragon-lady amazed him, but he wasn’t going to be blackmailed into working for Pete again. ‘Is he in?’

  ‘Yes.’

  He walked across to Pete’s office, not bothering to knock on the door. He never had before so why start now?

  Pete was leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, a frown creasing his forehead. He looked up and groaned in relief at the sight of his cousin. ‘Thank goodness you’re back! Look, can you just—’

  ‘I’m not back in that sense.’

  ‘What do you mean? You’re here, aren’t you? Are you really going to let the show fall to pieces?�
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  ‘It won’t do that.’

  ‘It’s already shaking on its foundations. Gerry’s useless. He can’t cope.’

  ‘He’s not useless. You’re asking him to do a job he’s not done before. He’s only been with us for a couple of months. What do you expect from him, miracles?’

  ‘You managed all right.’

  ‘I’m older and far more experienced. Besides, we built up your career gradually. I had time to learn on the job. Gerry’s intelligent and hard-working. Give him a chance.’

  Pete’s voice became coaxing. ‘You’ll manage this show, though, won’t you, Edward? You’ll come back, just for this one week?’

  And then it’d be just for another week. ‘No.’

  To his astonishment Pete looked ready to burst into tears at his blunt refusal. He’d never seen his cousin look so . . . human. Gone was the easy charm, the relaxed smile, and even Pete’s clothes looked less smart. He should never have worn that garish shirt for a day at the office. Probably Fran had monitored what he wore before. They’d need to get someone else to supervise his wardrobe for the show and—

  Edward stopped himself mentally. Not his business now. But maybe he had left Pete too abruptly. All he knew was, he couldn’t face coming back to the constant demands that sucked him dry of energy. ‘Look, Gerry can ring me and I’ll give him a few pointers, but I’m not, repeat not, coming back to work for you. Ever. Give him my personal mobile number.’

  Pete’s expression became vicious. ‘I’ve checked your contract. You need to work out your notice. We agreed on a month’s notice either side.’

  ‘So sue me. And I’ll bring up in court the fact that you’ve never allowed me to take a holiday in peace, or a weekend even. I’ll claim I’m having a breakdown.’

  Pete folded his arms. ‘Why did you come here if you’re going to be such a shit?’

  ‘Because I went to see Aunt Sue this morning.’

  ‘So?’

  ‘I’ve never seen her so upset. She’s too old for such stress and you know her health isn’t the best. I’m worried about her. Really worried.’

  ‘She deserves to be upset after what she did to me. And she’s not the only one who’s upset, if you remember my visit to you on Saturday. I’ve not lost it like that since I was a small child. I’m not sure I even cried then.’

  They both fell silent, contemplating this. Yes, Edward thought, Pete hadn’t cried as a child or got into quarrels and fights. He’d been sunny and charming with everyone, the centre of attention, the beloved son of the house.

  ‘I don’t want to see Mum again till I’ve got myself together,’ Pete said sulkily.

  ‘You can’t bury your head in the sand. In fact, your attitude to this whole crisis isn’t leading anywhere useful. But first and foremost, you have to see your mother. She needs you desperately.’

  ‘Well, she can’t have me. She and Dad got me into this. She’ll have to wait till I find some way to sort it out.’

  ‘You could do that quite easily by agreeing to see your birth mother and making peace with her. If she’s anything like her daughter, she’ll be—’

  ‘I’m not seeing that damned woman!’

  ‘If you don’t see her and you don’t see Aunt Sue, how exactly are you going to fix things?’

  ‘I don’t know. I haven’t had time to think, dammit.’

  ‘So what do I tell your mother?’

  ‘Tell her I’m furious about all this. And tell my birth mother the same thing. I’m definitely not going to see her, and she can like it or lump it.’ His voice softened. ‘You go and talk to her for me, Edward. You’re good at negotiating agreements. Get her daughter on side. Find out how much they want to keep quiet and I’ll pay it in a blink.’

  Edward turned on his heel, stopping at the door to say curtly, ‘I’ll say it one final time. The Hardings do not want money, Pete, they want closure. And for your birth mother, that means seeing you.’

  He walked out, so angry he didn’t stop when Ilsa called his name.

  He didn’t stop until he was several hundred yards away.

  In the reception area, Ilsa and Gerry exchanged shocked glances. Gerry had arrived shortly after Edward and they’d heard most of the conversation because the door hadn’t been shut and both men’s voices had risen higher and higher.

  ‘We’d better keep that information to ourselves,’ she said.

  He nodded.

  Pete yelled from his office, ‘Get Gerry round here.’

  ‘He’s here already.’

  Pete came to the door. ‘How long have you been here?’

  ‘I just arrived. I – um, passed Edward on the way. He looked furious.’

  ‘I’m the one who should be looking furious, the way he’s dumped me in the shit.’ He looked up at the clock. ‘We’d better get down to the studio and run through the show. Get us a taxi, Ilsa.’

  ‘It’s only a short walk,’ Gerry protested. ‘We’d get there more quickly on foot.’

  ‘And on foot we’ll be an open target for anyone who wants to stop us. I’m not in the mood for chatting up gushing women today, so just do as you’re told and get the bloody taxi.’

  Pete heard Gerry breathing deeply and Ilsa had that tight expression on her face that she got when he’d been too brusque. His head was thumping and he turned to find the painkillers he kept in his desk.

  He tossed two tablets down quickly. He’d smooth things over with Gerry later. At the moment all he wanted to do was sort out the damned show and then hide for the rest of the day.

  Three hours later, there was still so much to do that Pete lost it again and roared at everyone. He watched their expressions go wooden and knew he’d blown it, but didn’t have the energy to mend things.

  He turned to Gerry, who was still frowning. ‘Get your bloody finger out. You’re supposed to be in charge. Do something. Sort this mess out. I’ve got a blinding headache and I’m going home.’

  When he got there, he took some more painkillers and began pacing up and down the flat, wondering what the hell to do with himself that evening. He was sure he and Fran had had several engagements booked, they always did, but he couldn’t find the social diary. She’d probably taken it with her on purpose.

  Well, if he was supposed to see anyone tonight, he’d say he was ill. He’d get a meal sent up from the café across the road and he’d chill out, watch TV or a movie.

  He opened a bottle of wine with the meal and about an hour later realized he’d drunk the lot. When he stood up, he felt pleasantly distant from all his troubles, so walked across to pour himself a generous whisky as a nightcap. He’d feel better after a good night’s sleep.

  Some time later he staggered along to the bedroom, flung himself on the bed fully-clothed and let all the pain and hassles fade away.

  Sixteen

  Sue woke feeling so strange she knew something was seriously wrong. She couldn’t move properly but managed to press the alarm button beside her bed before she lost consciousness.

  The warden on duty that night came to investigate and dialled the emergency number as soon as she realized what had happened.

  Joyce stood watching as Mrs Newbury was rushed to hospital, feeling upset as she always did when a resident was taken ill. Pulling herself together she rang the next of kin listed in the retirement village records. But Mrs Newbury’s son didn’t answer.

  She tried several times over the next hour, then rang the hospital. They told her Mrs Newbury was holding her own and asked if the next of kin had been contacted.

  Joyce went back to Sue’s house to try to find someone else to ring. She hated going into their homes without permission, but this was an emergency. A quick check of the phone book revealed an Edward Newbury, so she rang him.

  Edward was jerked out of sleep by the phone ringing. If it was Pete, he’d unplug the damned thing, but first he’d give his cousin an earful.

  ‘What do you want now?’ He jerked fully awake as a woman’s voice answered him. />
  ‘Sorry if I woke you. I’m Joyce, the warden from Sunny Meadows Retirement Village. Um – are you related to Sue Newbury?’

  ‘Yes. I’m her nephew. Is she all right?’

  ‘I’m afraid she’s just been taken to hospital. Thank goodness she managed to press the emergency button! It looks like a stroke to me, but of course that’s for the doctors to decide.’

  ‘How is she?’

  ‘Barely conscious and confused.’

  Edward took down the details and rang Pete. There was no answer, so he rang the concierge at the luxury gated community and explained what had happened.

  ‘I can see the flat from here, sir, and the lights are on. I’ll just go up and knock.’

  ‘Take your master key. He’s a sound sleeper, especially if he’s had a drink or two. This is my mobile number. Call me if he’s not there. I’ll be with his mother.’

  As he was walking into the hospital, his mobile rang.

  ‘Concierge here. I’m sorry, Mr Newbury. Your cousin’s had new locks fitted and I don’t have a key to them. He’s not answering the door.’

  Edward bit back a curse. This wasn’t the concierge’s fault. ‘Look, keep an eye open in case he’s out and returns, but don’t stop phoning the flat. He’s a heavy sleeper. If you get through to him, tell him where I am.’

  Edward walked into an emergency department that looked like hell on earth at this hour of the night, with small groups of people in anguished huddles and a young child crying with penetrating shrillness. A man with blood streaming from his forehead was helped in by a friend just then, and it took Edward a few minutes to get anyone’s attention as they attended to the accident victim.

  The receptionist sent him up to the stroke unit. There, a ward clerk showed him into a small waiting room. ‘Your aunt is having a CT scan at the moment to help determine what sort of stroke it is, which will affect treatment.’

  ‘Is she conscious?’

  ‘Yes, but she’s a bit bewildered by it all. These things can happen so suddenly. Has she been under treatment for high blood pressure or anything like that?’

  ‘No. But she had a bad shock yesterday. Could that have caused it?’