The Heartbreak Cafe

by Melissa Hill

  Her initial elation immediately turned to full blown panic as she was met with the yells and questions of a hundred people, yet all of the voices were asking the same question. ‘Ruth, can you confirm that you left Chateau Marmont yesterday morning after spending the night with your co-star? Ruth, did you and Troy sleep together? Ruth, can you confirm this picture is you? Ruth, can you comment on what happened last night? Ruth, how long have you and Troy been sleeping together? Ruth, have you been having a secret relationship with Troy? Does your assistant always turn up with clean clothes the day after? Is Troy the reason for your recent success?’

  Oh my word … Ruth screamed internally, her feet still immobile, until the driver caught her arm and began to carefully guide her forward through a crowd that was getting more demanding and chaotic by the second. They all know, she thought horrified, they all know what happened! And what was all that about a picture?

  She thanked heaven that she’d had the good sense to keep her sunglasses on so she could hide her eyes, because at that moment she knew she must resemble a deer caught in the headlights. While she was of course used to media interest, she had never before met press that demanded answers; had never met photographers that seemed intent on embarrassing her; no one had been this vicious to her before. This is certainly not how she imagined her homecoming.

  Guided by the driver, she tried to push her own way through the crowd; she needed to get out of here and safely into that car, she needed to talk to Chloe … to her agent and –

  Suddenly, a photographer pushed his way right into her line of sight, and stopped in front of her. Ruth stepped back quickly, sending her sunglasses flying in the process. As she tried to catch them, the guy snapped a picture. ‘Ruth, how does it feel to be Hollywood’s newest good-time girl?’

  A fresh wave of horror overtook her, followed closely by shame. Hollywood’s newest good-time girl? Is that how people were thinking of her here – in her own country! It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since she’d been lauded as Hollywood’s newest golden girl…

  Finally, she reached the waiting car and as the driver held open the door, she tried to get past a new crush of bodies that threatened to separate her from salvation. In doing so, she elbowed someone who was way too close and had shoved an 8 x 10 glossy photograph under her nose. Eyes widening, Ruth grabbed it and dove into the interior of the Mercedes.

  The driver shut the door with a bang. Ruth let out a sigh and rested her head against the back of the seat. Tears began to fill in her eyes, but she was scared to show emotion, afraid that the people outside the car could see in. What if the tinting on the windows didn’t work the way it was supposed to?

  Outside the car, the throng of people continued to pound on the windows, and ask their relentless questions. Ruth realised she was dangerously close to a full-blown panic attack and thought she was going to lose it.

  ‘Can we please go?’ she said to the driver.

  ‘I’m trying my best to get away, love but I don’t want to hit anyone.’

  Finally, airport security got involved and helped navigate the mobbed car away from the kerb. Ruth let a single tear escape and was trying to slow down her breathing when she realised she was clutching something in her hand. It was the picture she’d grabbed.

  Breathing deeply, she gave herself time to examine it. It looked like footage taken from a security camera and while the image was a little grainy, you could see it of was a man and a woman pictured beside a couple of public phones.

  The woman was pressed up against the wall and had one leg wrapped around the man with the hem of the dress pushed up almost to her hip. They were in the throes of a very passionate kiss and looked like they didn’t care who saw them.

  Oh no…

  No matter that at the time it had felt like one of the most romantic moments of her life, from this perspective, and for anyone who didn’t know the details it could be considered lewd and even trashy, especially with the poor picture quality.

  Still despite the grainy pixilation there was no mistaking that the woman in the picture was her.

  Ruth, how does it feel to be Hollywood’s newest good-time girl? Is Troy the reason for your recent success?

  Ruth wanted to die.

  Chapter 7

  Nina studied her appearance in the bedroom mirror. She didn’t feel any different, and was having a hard time believing that she was in fact different – except for the test that had come up positive, and the recent scan she’d had back in Galway that very much confirmed that yes, she was indeed pregnant.

  She stood sideways to look at her profile. Nope, definitely no bump yet. As her build was small, she worried that the slightest change would be noticeable, but still nothing. Thank goodness, she thought to herself. When she did start showing, she had no idea what she was going to tell people, least of all her mother.

  Suddenly, as if on cue, Nina’s mobile phone began ringing from inside her handbag, and when she checked the display she saw it was Cathy.

  ‘Hi!’ she answered, thrilled to be able to hear her mother’s voice.

  ‘Hey sweetheart, how are you doing?’

  The line sounded broken-up so Nina moved to the window of the bedroom in the hope of improving the reception.

  But it seemed the problem was on Cathy’s end. ‘I’m in Vietnam, calling from some crazy excuse for a phone box. Our mobiles won’t work here. I’ll keep pumping money in for as long as I can but I might not be on for long –’

  ‘Well then stop yapping about it and tell me how you’re getting on? Is it brilliant? How was Kuala Lumpur? Where are you headed next? And how’s Tony?’

  The questions came thick and fast as Nina realised how much she truly missed her mum and how she wished she could be here beside her. She’d like nothing better than to be able to discuss all this with her, discuss the pregnancy and what she should do about it. But there was no way she would ruin her mother’s trip of a lifetime by revealing any of it.

  ‘He’s great, everything’s great, but more to the point, how are you? Has Steve been in touch, or have you guys already kissed and made up?’

  Nina smiled sadly. There wasn’t a hope in hell of that happening.

  ‘No, Mum, it’s really finished. But I’m fine about it so try not to worry.’

  ‘Seriously? Honey tell me the truth, and don’t think you have to spare my feelings just ‘cos I’m here. You know I’d come home in a second if you needed me and –’

  ‘Mum, don’t be silly,’ Nina interjected, forcing a laugh that she hoped sounded genuine. ‘I’m a big girl now and I’m fine.’

  ‘But what about work? It must be tough having to face one another every day.’

  She didn’t have the courage to confess to her mother that she’d left both the job and Galway, or reveal her current living circumstances, as Cathy would know immediately that her daughter wouldn’t have gone within a hair’s breath of Lakeview unless she was forced to. And she didn’t want to tell her mother she was staying with Patrick unless it was absolutely necessary; Cathy would almost certainly be on the next flight back. ‘No, it’s fine, I’ve already organized something else,’ she said evasively. Please don’t ask for details, she prayed silently.

  ‘Really? That’s great – at least I think it is, although I suppose that means that things really are over with you two then.’

  ‘Yes, but listen, stop wasting your call credit on me; tell me all about what you two have been up to.’

  ‘Well…’ And as Nina listened to her mother recount tales of jungle treks and Asian scenery, she was relieved that Cathy seemed content with her explanation and hadn’t tried to press her about her circumstances.

  Maybe it was silly not to tell her – not least about being in Lakeview but about …everything, but Nina truly believed that she was doing the right thing. She owed that much at least to Cathy, who had sacrificed everything for her growing up. Anyway she’d know about it in good time she mused, as mother and daughter said their goodbyes;
everyone would know about it in good time. As it was, her pregnancy was still her little secret and no one (other than the doctor of course) knew about it.

  Her stomach twisted at the thought of her ex. Despite being madly in love, she never really knew him at all, did she? She’d been so sure they would get married one day, live happily ever after and have a lovely little family. And although becoming pregnant was an accident, Nina hadn’t been too upset about it initially; she figured it would just speed up the natural course of things somewhat. However, she couldn’t have known, could never have anticipated that their relationship was based entirely on lies. Should she have known? No, she thought, shaking her head; it wasn’t her fault that she’d trusted him, and wasn’t her character flaw, but his.

  She banished Steve from her brain then; she didn’t want to think about him, or his lies.

  She lay back down on the bed and absently patted her stomach. She really was a million miles away from the state of maternal bliss most soon-to-be-mums tended to experience, she thought sadly. Still, despite its parents’ mistakes, this was a brand new life and she would never dream of having an abortion. Even in the aftermath of their break-up, she’d never considered such a thing for even one second. No, there were definitely other options available; all Nina had to do was find one that suited everyone best. That’s why she was here, in Lakeview after all, to help clear her head, gather her thoughts and figure out her life.

  Reluctantly, she pushed herself up off the bed. Gosh she was tired! She could easily go back to sleep for a couple more hours without a problem, but of course Patrick had again knocked on her door at seven a.m. Frustrating, considering he then proceeded to hog the only bathroom, leaving her to twiddle her thumbs while she waited for it to be free.

  Finally, she heard the bathroom door open and her father make his way downstairs. She was just about to head for the door, when suddenly she broke into a cold sweat, followed by an immediate wave of nausea. Propelling herself out of the room, she barely made it to the bathroom in time before emptying her stomach of last night’s dinner.

  Nina held on to the side of the bowl as another wave came and she gagged pitifully, tears forming at the corner of her eyes from the strain. Then suddenly, her face flushed, not just from the strain, but embarrassment. In her rush, she hadn’t closed the bathroom door, and now Patrick was standing in the doorway observing her.

  ‘Um, I was just going to ask if you wanted an egg this morning. There are only two left.’

  Nina gritted her teeth, as the mere mention of food was enough to send her off again.

  ‘No, you carry on and have them yourself,’ she said, knowing that he usually had two fried eggs himself, and she didn’t want to leave him short.

  ‘Grand. Um, bit of a stomach ache?’ he asked awkwardly, and despite herself Nina smiled. He’d just witnessed something akin to The Exorcist and all he could say was ‘bit of a stomach ache?’

  ‘Apparently,’ she said, standing up and wiping her mouth. Stomach ache, no – morning sickness, yes, she thought to herself. Such a thing however, would hardly dawn on Patrick, so she didn’t have to worry. ‘I must have eaten something funny last night.’

  ‘Right,’ Patrick said, still standing there, looking at her. Nina couldn’t believe it. Why couldn’t he just go away, or at least offer to help in some way?

  ‘Is there any chance you could maybe get me a glass of water?’ she urged and Patrick duly headed downstairs. Moments later he returned with the water and she noticed that at least he’d had the courtesy to put ice in it.

  Handing her the glass, Patrick looked awkwardly around the bathroom. ‘Anything else?’ he asked stiltedly.

  Nina shook her head, and happy to be released from his duties, Patrick complied.

  She washed her hands, cursing herself for leaving the door open. Her father wasn’t stupid and if this happened again he was liable to get suspicious, so she’d have to make sure to do it more quietly or get of the house in the morning. Both ideas troubled her; she hated having to sneak around, wished she had her own space and didn’t have to worry about someone suspecting something.

  But for the moment, she had little other choice.

  Having composed herself, Nina once again refused Patrick’s offer of breakfast and went outside for some fresh air. She was still a little peaky so the short walk down town should help somewhat.

  But some twenty minutes later, she felt more stirrings, this time not of nausea but of hunger, and once again she headed for Ella’s café.

  The cosy little room was so much more welcoming than Patrick’s, plus it had the added bonus of providing her with some normal conversation.

  When she walked in this morning, Trish was already at the counter, pouring over a section of newspaper. Her friend had the same fashionably messy ponytail in place and appeared to be deep in thought.

  ‘Hiya Trish,’ Nina said, pleased to see her. She took a seat on a stool close by.

  ‘Oh hey Nina,’ Looking up from the paper, Trish smiled and removed the pen she’d been chewing on from her mouth.

  ‘Am I interrupting something?’

  ‘Oh no, just flicking through the gossip pages. I know its complete rubbish, but I can’t help myself.’

  Nina smiled. It was funny the way people always had to defend their interest in celeb gossip, especially when it was often the first section they went to.

  ‘Anything interesting?’

  Trish looked up. ‘Well now that you ask…’ she purred mischievously. She pushed forward the page, upon which was emblazoned a half-page photograph of a decidedly frazzled-looking Ruth Seymour. ‘Look at this awful picture of our old friend arriving at Dublin airport in the early hours of this morning.’

  ‘No…’ Despite herself, Nina was captivated. Trish was right; it was a dreadful picture. Ruth was pushing through photographers, her sunglasses dangled halfway off her head and strands of her blonde hair were caught in her mouth. The by and large beautifully groomed actress looked almost haggard, and the shot was so close-up, dark circles around her eyes were clearly visible.

  ‘So much for our leading lady,’ Trish groaned as if disappointed. ‘Bag lady is a more accurate description, if you ask me.’

  Coffee pot in hand, Ella leaned over the counter for a better look. ‘Ah Trish, be fair,’ she said. ‘The girl just got off an overnight flight. I’m sure you wouldn’t look so hot.’ Smiling at Nina, she reached beneath the counter and put a fresh cup of coffee in front of her, joined soon after by a slice of toasted, thickly buttered soda bread – exactly what Nina needed to settle her stomach.

  ‘I don’t think that it’s that simple,’ Trish grimaced, pointing to the accompanying story which suggested that Ruth had spent much of the Aer Lingus flight green – not through patriotism, but from her drunken romp the night before. Accounts from people who were supposedly ‘in the know’ in Hollywood outlined the fact that a very intoxicated Ruth and Troy Valentine had practically had sex in public at the Beverly Hills Hotel, before taking their liaison to Chateau Marmont, where the noise they made kept up other hotel patrons for the better part of the night. A second picture accompanied the story; a grainy shot of a couple in the throes of passion in what looked to be a hotel lobby. ‘Apparently our Ruth is quite the screamer.’

  Ella tsked, ‘Stop that Trish, it’s probably all rubbish anyway. Besides, keep your voice down, some of her relations are sitting over there.’

  Trish giggled guiltily. ‘Anyway, she’s supposedly been holed up at the Four Seasons since this morning, afraid to show her face, I’d say. She’s doing the Late show tonight and then she and the family are heading back here tomorrow. You still on for the party tomorrow night?’ she asked Nina.

  ‘Oh yes, looking forward to it.’

  ‘Good, it’ll be fun to have a girl’s night out again. Unless of course your fella’s around, if which case he’s welcome to come too.’

  ‘Oh, I’m not seeing anyone at the moment,’ Nina replied uncomfortably. />
  ‘Really? Sorry, aren’t you still with that guy, what was his name? Steve, wasn’t it?’

  Nina had forgotten that Trish had met Steve briefly that time she’d met up with her in Galway.

  ‘No, that ended a while back.’

  ‘Oh. OK.’ Luckily Trish wasn’t too interested in the specifics. ‘Great, well that means it’s just you and me then.’

  ‘No one on the scene for you either then?’

  Trish’s eyes twinkled. ‘Well, actually there is, but he won’t be around tomorrow night. He has something else on.’

  ‘That’s great Trish. I can’t wait to meet him.’

  ‘I’m sure you will, if you’re around long enough. How long are you going to be here for anyway?’

  ‘Not sure yet, just for a while, we’ll see.’

  ‘Is your dad OK? You’re not here because he’s sick or anything?’

  ‘No, he’s fine, completely healthy,’ she said. Despite his heart-attack breakfasts, Nina thought wryly.

  Trish was silent; she obviously wanted some kind of explanation, so Nina gave her one. ‘It’s just because … well with living so far away and all, it’s important to spend time with your parents, isn’t it?’

  Trish nodded and while Nina wasn’t sure how good a cover story it was, it would have to do. Thankfully at that moment her friend was distracted by two women entering the café. One was carrying a young baby and the other was holding two small boys by the hand. Noticing their entry, Trish turned back to the newspaper.

  ‘Friends of yours?’ Nina asked, noticing her sudden change of mood. The women had taken a table at the further end of the room, one that had enough space around it to accommodate them and all their paraphernalia. Each had a baby changing bag, and oversized handbag as well as some kind of sack containing lots of toys. Another was carrying a type of chair contraption that she was now trying to attach to a baby seat. It seemed an awful lot of gear to be carrying just to go out for coffee. Hmm, Nina thought, figuring all that stuff was likely expensive too; she had a lot to learn.