Beautiful Strangers

by Ellen Dean

  Once inside the racecourse, Lou took Beth’s elbow and guided her through the crowd, waving and calling hello to almost everyone until they met Penny who had Felicity in tow.

  Beth air kissed Penny, before politely enquiring why Felicity was with her. Penny replied rather too loudly that some last minute emergency had prevented Montanna from attending, then launched into a rapid and complicated explanation of how she had asked Davinia, who was much too busy with some major catering event. Still gabbling fifty to the dozen, she stressed it was Davinia who suggested Felicity would enjoy the day out.

  I’ll bet Felicity was more than happy to oblige, Beth thought. With her face a picture of sincerity she replied, ‘How convenient for you.’ She popped a canapé into her mouth, almost choking when she noticed Penny and Fliss were wearing their identical diamond pendants. The sun bounced off the diamonds and dazzled Beth, making her grateful that she was wearing her shades.

  In high spirits they perused the day’s racing pages before heading to the parade ring to savour the top class thoroughbreds at close quarters.

  The atmosphere was unique, as was the pageantry. Lou talked knowingly to racehorse owners and trainers, gaining a few tips along the way. Selecting a couple of hopeful winners while sipping champagne, they placed their bets.

  They were joined by a friend of Penny’s who she introduced as Baroness Cavendish. She was the scattiest person Beth had ever met. The type you can dress up, but didn’t want to take out. Beth nicknamed her Baroness Fidget because she could not keep still, but she could talk for England, and did so, incessantly and in a booming voice. The Baroness appeared to know everything about everybody and loudly announced it to the world. It would be impossible to have a quiet conversation with her never mind anything else; subsequently Beth found out that Penny’s husband Bertie had a huge gambling debt.

  When the Baroness spotted a trainer she knew, she rushed off after him. Then someone told a really funny story about her late husband. There was a standing joke how for years the Baron had pretended to be deaf so she ignored him saying there was no point in talking to him. His plan was foolproof and he was left in peace right up to the day he died.

  Beth thought she’d have a bit of fun with Lou who was chatting to some race horse owners. Collecting a glass of champagne, she caught Lou’s attention while lifting the glass to her lips as if to take a sip, instead she ran her tongue around the rim before dipping a finger into the liquid then seductively slipped it into her mouth. She had difficulty suppressing a grin as Lou stared at her in amazement. Fluttering her eyelashes Beth eyed Lou up and down, her gaze lingering on Lou’s crotch. Any time now, thought Beth, she’ll have to come over to me.

  Sure enough Lou made polite excuses before rushing over. ‘What are you doing to me?’

  ‘Something wrong?’ Beth said innocently.

  ‘You know fine well. You’re turning me on, you little minx. I’m so wet we’ll have to find somewhere to go. I can’t wait.’

  ‘Sorry, I can’t! I have to meet someone in a few minutes.’

  ‘Come with me . . . now.’ Lou took Beth firmly by the elbow. So dominant, Beth shuddered in anticipation.

  Unexpectedly Constance blocked their path. ‘Hello, how lovely to see you both.’

  Lou groaned quietly. ‘Constance. What a nice surprise. I didn’t know you would be here today. Have you had a winner?’

  ‘Yes, and I have a hot tip for the big race.’

  ‘Planning on sharing it?’ Lou said.

  ‘Of course. Come with me and we’ll put the bet on now. Look there’s Penny and Felicity.’ Constance called out to them, ‘Girls. Girls . . . over here . . . We’re going to place a bet now, but come and share some champagne.’

  Constance caught a passing waitress near to a vacant table. Pushing a generous tip into her hand she asked her to keep their table well supplied with Veuve Clicquot. Indicating to Penny they would be back shortly, she hurried off with Beth and Lou to place their bets.

  Constance’s strange behaviour was irritating Beth. She seemed to want to keep them all together. Rounding them up like a sheep dog. Or am I just being paranoid?

  As a result of Constance’s herding, they spent the rest of the day in the company of Penny, Felicity and Constance, almost confined to Penny’s box. Felicity was surprisingly subdued.

  Beth’s paranoia returned when Constance mentioned she had seen her and Lou talking to Penny earlier.

  So why hadn’t she come over to say hello then? And why did she keep repeatedly looking at the man with bushy black eyebrows who appeared every time Beth glanced around the nearby crowd?

  The runners for the Gold Cup came out onto the course, distracting Beth. Well, let’s see if Constance’s tip was right. She could almost taste her own venom.

  ‘They’re off!’ Penny waved her arms in the air as the horses galloped forward.

  The field quickly settled into position. Their horse was boxed in the middle of the group for two miles and didn’t look like a winner, but with two furlongs to go it found a gap, put in a tremendous burst of speed and streaked ahead flashing past the finishing post a clear winner.

  ‘It won! It won!’ Penny shouted excitedly as she turned to Lou and Beth who were stood behind her. ‘Lou. You do look flushed. Are you sickening for something?’

  ‘Must be the champagne.’ Lou replied languidly.

  ‘Really? What did you think of that last race? Clever Constance was absolutely spot-on with her tip, wasn’t she? And wasn’t it just the most exciting climax?’ Penny bubbled.

  Lou stammered, ‘Yes . . . I must say . . . I was in a highly excitable state while that race was being run. And as for the climax, well, it’s the most excited I’ve been all day!’

  Beth giggled, her hand hidden by the soft folds of her shawl, rested in the wetness between Lou’s legs.

  Chapter 40

  Lou had booked them into the Dorchester Hotel in London for the night before their flight to America. The train journey to Kings Cross was tinged with excitement and sadness, lurching between tears and laughter. Every time the conversation lulled Beth was rocked by heart-wrenching despair. Once the holiday was over they could be separated for months. Gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes across the table they reminisced about their first fateful train meeting.

  The suite at the Dorchester was exactly how Beth remembered it. Closing the door after tipping the porter Lou said, ‘I couldn’t resist booking us into this suite. It all started here. Happy memories, honey.’ She held Beth close kissing her and stroking her hair.

  Leaning back in Lou’s arms, Beth joked, ‘We’d better keep any bubble bath well away from the Jacuzzi.’

  After a snack from Room Service, Lou asked if Beth fancied going clubbing.

  ‘Of course,’ she replied, ‘but only if we go to the Ladies Only nightclub.’

  ‘Where else, lovely, where else?’

  The nightclub was pretty crowded when they arrived. Beth was shocked when Lou pointed out her ex-lover, Vanessa, standing with a group of women at the bar.

  Beth had a thousand questions on her lips, none of which Lou was prepared to answer. ‘She’s history, Beth. Let it rest.’

  ‘But she’s gorgeous. Why on earth haven’t you told me about her before?’

  ‘Yes, she is gorgeous on the outside, but she’s a selfish bitch at heart. There’s simply nothing to tell.’

  ‘I told you all about Hyacinth.’

  ‘I know you did, but I felt Hyacinth was a threat . . . and I was right.’ She kissed Beth hoping to stop her questions. Lou didn’t want to talk about Vanessa. ‘I told you it was more off than on. Vanessa is not a threat to us. Like I said, she’s history. She won’t bother us.’

  Vanessa did stay out of their way, but Beth glanced across a couple of times and caught her watching them. It began to wind her up.

  After enjoying a sexy smooch, they were distracted from one another and drifted apart to chat to other people.

  Beth needed t
he ladies’ room. She headed off unable to tell Lou who was nowhere in sight. Hating herself for doing so, she hesitated, and searched the crowd trying to identify Vanessa’s red hair. Where had she gone?

  Beth could have gone to the nearby powder room, but guessing it would be crowded, made for the one upstairs. She would be there and back before Lou missed her.

  Returning to the downstairs bar Beth saw two women in a passionate embrace in the shadows of the corridor. No surprise there, until she realized one was Vanessa, and, with a sickening gut wrenching lurch, realized the other woman was Lou.

  Time stood still as she watched Lou returning Vanessa’s kiss.

  After what felt like an eternity Vanessa noticed Beth and made to dash for the stairs, but Lou grabbed her arm, pulling her back, and they kissed again.

  ‘God Lou, I’ve missed you too. Don’t worry, of course I’ll keep in touch. You’d better look out. Your girlfriend’s watching.’ Vanessa’s eyes never left Beth’s face as she looked coldly over Lou’s shoulder.

  Beth was devastated. For her the expression on Lou’s face said it all. Unable to speak she watched Vanessa disappear from view leaving behind an eerie silence.

  ‘Beth . . . sweetheart . . . it’s not what you think.’ Lou held out her arms. ‘Let me explain.’

  ‘Don’t touch me. What’s to explain? I would say actions speak louder than words, wouldn’t you?’

  Seething, Beth left the club, stepping straight into someone else’s waiting taxi.

  After frantically managing to wave down a cab, Lou followed, expecting the mother of all rows when she got back to the hotel.

  ‘Beth. Honey, please. You’ve got it all wrong. Honest to God it’s not what you think.’ The words spilled from Lou’s lips as she burst into their suite. There wasn’t the angry response she expected and she was shell shocked to find the suite empty. Crazily running from room-to-room, pointlessly searching, she realized with sickening certainty that Beth had already left.

  Trying to suppress the panic flooding through her she snatched up the telephone summoning reception. Yes, a female voice confirmed, her companion had left. Lou dropped the receiver into its cradle, cursing herself. What had she allowed to happen?

  Buzzing reception again, she ordered a taxi.

  ‘Kings Cross Station as fast as you can, please.’ Lou leapt into the taxi.

  ‘I’ll do my best, but the traffic’s heavy tonight.’

  Lou was convinced every traffic light was against them and watched in despair as green changed to red on their approach.

  ‘How much longer?’ She demanded.

  ‘How long’s a piece of string, love? I’m doing my best.’

  ‘Sorry. I know you are.’

  ‘I’ll drop you at the corner, before the taxi rank, that’ll save you some time. Matter of life and death, is it?’

  ‘Yes, you could say that.’

  ‘We’re here. Go straight through there.’ He pointed to the left, but Lou was already pushing money into his hand as she opened the cab door.

  Running into Kings Cross she scanned the illuminated departure board, and then ran to platform four only to see Beth board the train before the doors closed.

  Chapter 41

  Lou didn’t catch her flight LA. In hot pursuit of Beth she caught the next train north expecting to find her at the farm.

  ‘She was here.’ Fran told her. ‘Wouldn’t say a word to me, but she looked dreadful. She was barely in the house for five minutes then she went off in that Jag you bought her like the bats of hell were on her heels.’ Fran paused, ‘It must have been some domestic you two had!’ she called as Lou leapt into her BMW.

  ‘If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.’ Lou revved the engine. ‘I’m going to Newcastle. Beth must have gone to her flat.’

  Driving like a maniac she arrived at the flat an hour later. Using the key Beth had given her she let herself in. It was cold . . . and empty. She left a message on the kitchen notice board pleading with Beth to contact her. What to do now? Lou felt as though she had slammed into a brick wall. She checked the wardrobes looking for a clue to give her some idea where she might have gone. In desperation she searched through Beth’s desk. She felt like an intruder as she read Beth’s personal diary for clues. Nothing.

  Picking up a T-shirt Beth had left on a chair, she buried her face into it, inhaling her smell. ‘Where are you?’ she said into the crumpled material. She went to stare into the dressing table mirror as if she might find the answer there. She wrote I Love You on the mirror using one of Beth’s lipsticks, then slumped down onto the bed and burst into tears.

  * * * * * * * *

  Almost three weeks later, totally despondent, Lou sat in her kitchen gazing aimlessly out of the window. She should have been in California having the time of her life with Beth.

  Her search to find Beth had been relentless, and fruitless. How could someone just disappear off the face of the earth?

  She bombarded Lindsay incessantly with phone calls. Coldly, Lindsay kept insisting she had no idea about Beth’s whereabouts.

  Lou rang the hospital every day. This morning Janet had promised to contact her should they hear from Beth, patiently explaining again they didn’t expect to as Miss McConnell was on annual leave.

  She had contacted everyone she could think of. She’d even telephoned Beth’s home and spoke to Catherine who was very sweet to her, but absolutely no help. If she knew anything, she wasn’t telling.

  Today was decision day. She had to decide about America. Should she go or should she stay? The telephone rang interrupting her melancholy reverie. It was Sarah.

  ‘Sit down and listen to me, Lou.’ Sarah spoke firmly.

  Lou sat. What the hell, she had nothing better to do.

  ‘It was Beth who made you see what you were turning down. Right?’

  ‘Right.’

  ‘Then you have to go. For her. If you don’t, you’ll be letting her down.’

  Sarah talked. Lou listened, finally heeding her words Lou reluctantly agreed to go. And I won’t have to act the part. I can play heartbroken by just acting naturally, Lou thought, self pity sticking in her throat. She would never forgive Vanessa. What the hell had she been playing at? Whatever had gotten into her, it was way out of character.

  Chapter 42

  Beth stretched across from the sun lounger to reach for her glass of orange juice. She was beautifully tanned from three weeks in the sun, but worry lines were noticeably etched into her normally smooth forehead.

  Cannes had welcomed her with open arms. She hadn’t planned to come here in her dash to the airport to escape. She hadn’t planned to go anywhere in particular, just to get a seat on the first plane out regardless of its destination.

  The concierge at the Majestic Hotel had felt an immediate empathy with her. Consequently she was ushered into one of their most exquisite suites, her every whim instantly attended to. It all only served to deepen her sadness; she had never felt so utterly alone.

  Placing her book face down on the small table beside her, she adjusted her gold rimmed sunglasses and idly glanced around at the other guests in the Majestic’s plush beach cabana. Some had unsuccessfully tried to befriend her, giving up when she continually rebuffed their pleasantries. How could they be expected to know her heart was broken and she was incapable of talking to anyone?

  Gazing out across the shimmering Mediterranean Ocean, Beth watched a cruise liner drop anchor. Soon its little tenders would start to ferry passengers ashore busily going backwards and forwards for the remainder of the day.

  Suddenly restless, feeling the need to be active, she stood up to walk along the Promenade, maybe even as far as the Marina today. I must be feeling better, she thought. I’ve actually made a decision.

  Waving to the waiters who had become her slaves, Beth collected her belongings, pushed them into her beach bag, wrapped herself in a stylish black and white silk sarong and set off.

  It was much hotter up on the Promenade.
The warm breeze caressing her face as she walked was refreshing. In another world, a world with Lou, she mused, this would be bliss.

  The Marina was about a forty-minute stroll from her beach cabana. Beth observed the beach activity as she walked, people laughing, happy, having fun, together. If only . . . if only they had never gone to that blasted nightclub . . . if only Lou was here now. To Beth’s mind, all of the if onlys in the world sure as hell would not change things.

  Yesterday, she’d got half way to the Marina then couldn’t be bothered to walk any further because it was too hot. Instead she had spent the afternoon in a secluded corner of a little café listlessly people watching.

  Deep in thought and walking with her head down, she bumped into someone. Trying to gabble her apologies, she was startled when a young woman grabbed her wrist.

  ‘I must talk to you.’

  Flabbergasted, Beth stared at a dark-skinned gypsy, with long black hair, wearing a red and gold flowing dress and flat brown leather sandals.

  ‘What the hell? Who are you?’ Beth tried to pull her hand away.

  ‘Ask no questions. Just come with me. There are things you need to know.’ The gypsy took Beth to a nearby seat.

  At least she’s not trying to rob me, thought Beth as her mind started to function.

  ‘Sit.’ The gypsy commanded.

  ‘I have no money for you.’ Beth said, matter-of-factly, as she sat down.

  ‘I don’t want your money. Please give me your hand.’

  Obediently Beth held out her right hand.

  Studying Beth’s hand intently, the gypsy began. ‘You’ve been terribly hurt recently, but things will come right. She is a good person. She loves you. It was all a terrible mistake. It will be sorted, in time. Think about it and you will see.’

  Beth gasped, she wanted to snatch her hand away, but at the same time wanted to hear more. How could this woman know? Why hadn’t she known herself?