To my surprise Lynda began nodding in agreement, although up to now she been reticent to say much; unlike our early days working together when she would have eagerly backed me to the hilt.
'Annabel's right you know, Edward, I think we should feature some trousers ... a couple, anyway,' she appealed.
'Thanks, Lynda,' I flashed. 'So come on, Edward, give me the go ahead, please. I promise you won't regret it.'
In the end he relented, reluctantly agreeing to just two designs; a soft version of a masculine shaped, wool suit with a narrow satin collar and belted back, in a choice of three colours with topstitched pockets and brass buttons, and an evening trouser suit in heavy cream Guipure lace, lined in chocolate silk. This design also offered an alternative long skirt with a side split to the knee. I'd won through this time, but it so frustrated me to have such a battle royal in order to get my way.
Lynda was in a somewhat evasive mood all afternoon, once Edward left. Whilst she and I still worked well together she had become quite distant on a personal level. It dated back to our embarrassing confrontation and she said very little since about her involvement with Edward. I respected her wishes up to a point, but it saddened me she felt this way. The stilted silences between us at times were horrible.
This resulted in me saying nothing to her about the current worry I had over the leak to the British press about Susannah. Things were so different now between us that I felt no desire to even attempt to discuss how the story might have got out. In any case, she might easily assume I was accusing her of leaking it.
Leaving her at her desk to get on with ordering some fabrics and trimmings for several new designs, including the trouser outfits, I attempted to wade through the remaining spicy scandal pages of the Morning Sun once more. She asked no questions, nor queried or made any comment about my task in hand. Until, suddenly, exactly what I was looking for stared out at me.
'Bingo!' I yelled.
Looking across, Lynda laid down her pen. 'What on earth have you been scouring those papers for, Annabel? What have you found?'
The ice had been broken at last. I was pleased. Her curiosity in the end must have beaten her as she came across the room to look at the piece I was reading. I moved aside to allow her to see. It was a small section of a large column called Gloria's Gossip; much like the American one had been. It read...
On the grapevine: During a recent visit here, an uncorroborated story was leaked disclosing that Susannah Karos, estranged wife of business tycoon, Alex Karos, is allegedly having a lesbian relationship with her English secretary, Mel Robson Gray. If there is any truth in it, then Susannah and Alex can expect to have some acrimonious divorce details to sort out. For instance; what about their small son? It is considered highly likely that joint custody of the child will be granted. But because Alex spends his life jetting between London and New York, the burning question remains; how will his unnamed paramour here in London feel about the possibility of taking the child on for some of the time? And therefore will Alex eventually make an honest woman of her?
I was horrified. Although my name wasn't mentioned I was clearly known by whoever had divulged the information.
'How the bloody hell did this get out!' I exploded, looking at Lynda, angrily. 'You and I are the only ones aren't we, to have suspected Susannah relationship with Mel? I discussed it with Vanessa, but she'd never speak to the press!'
Lynda snorted indignantly. 'Well I sincerely hope you don't think I had anything to do with it!'
'Have you mentioned it to Edward by any chance?'
'No, of course not. In any case he wouldn't disclose such a thing either, even if he did know about it.' Her face was red, but I had to believe her. The atmosphere between us had been bad enough lately without this adding to it.
'Of course I know it wouldn't have been you, Lynda. Just as long as you've told no one else, that's all.
'I assure you I haven't.' She eyed me briefly with a touch of animosity. Then, as if thinking better of it, her look became one of deep concern. 'What does Alex say about it all then? I mean, isn't he angry? And where does it leave you and him now?
'We haven't discussed it yet. He only returned from New York last night.'
'What!' Lynda stared at me. 'Doesn't he know anything yet about you being aware of Susannah and Mel's relationship?'
'No. I haven’t had the chance to talk to him about it yet. If you recall he was away at the time it all happened, and since then I've had the emergency with my mother. The opportunity's just never presented itself yet.'
'I see.' Lynda frowned, pointed to the newspaper. 'So how did you know about this then? Did someone else tell you?'
'No. Let me explain...' I then told her all about the New York newspaper page I'd found in Alex's pocket and what it had said about the scandal being reported in the British press.
'I simply wanted to find out exactly what the English rag had said. And as luck would have it, it was amongst this pile up in the work-room.'
She gazed at the pile of papers. 'Oh, I'm with you now. I wondered what you were doing with all these. But to get back to Alex, you'll discuss it with him now of course? Perhaps you'll get the truth then.'
'Unless he chooses to put up a smoke screen. He has serious business problems at present. He didn't mention any of this to me last night anyway. And that's confused me.'
'He might not even talk now unless you ask him outright. You must, Annabel. I can imagine how bewildered you are though.'
Lynda and I seemed back on our old footing with one another. She made a cup of tea and we reverted to ‘chewing over’ everything in detail again; including Edward. I learnt that a few weeks ago he'd taken her to an Evangelical meeting and as a result she'd now also converted to the faith. It seemed it was because of this she'd become so distant and evasive with me; imagining I would disapprove.
'I was so scared that, being a non church-goer, you'd think I'd gone nuts,' she laughed.
'Of course not!' I assured her. 'Lynda, I'd never decry anyone who chooses any particular religious path. Just don't try to convert me, that's all. If you and Edward have a good thing going, it makes sense I guess, that you both have similar interests, even religion. Honestly, I'm pleased for you.'
I did however wonder how having rampant sex on my office carpet had anything to do with it? But in the end I chose not to ask the question; I was simply overjoyed to be friends with her again.
*
The phone was ringing as I let myself into the flat but it stopped just as I reached it. Alex was obviously not back. It might have been Philip. So I telephoned him anyway, to ask after Mum, knowing she was due out of hospital any day.
'Maggie's here, Anna. She came home this morning,' said Philip cheerfully. 'She's fine; I'll get her for you.'
'Hello, darling!' Mum's voice was strong and determined. 'It's wonderful to be home again.'
'I'll bet.'
'The specialist says I'm doing really well. I get tired, that's the only thing but Philip's spoiling me no end, which is lovely.'
We chatted on a bit and I asked whether Philip had any news about the sale of the restaurants? Mum passed me back to Philip so he could fill me in.
'It’s looking promising, Anna. If Valoir can raise enough capital he wants them both, which is great as far as I'm concerned. I'll keep you informed anyway.'
It was wonderful to know Mum was home and recovering well, and of course if the restaurants were soon sold then Philip could devote more time to her. She was to begin radium treatment in a few weeks and I knew that wouldn't be pleasant for her. I tried to reassure her that it was all worth it, and promised to visit again soon.
Alex arrived just as I was ringing off. Kissing my cheek, he affectionately patted my bottom. Then walking on, he spoke in an unusually serious tone. 'Come through into the sitting room, honey, I've something to tell you.'
CHAPTER 12
‘Sit down, honey.' Alex patted the sofa beside him.
His eyes were intens
e and troubled, his heavy, dark eyebrows shading his eyes. As he gazed at me alarmingly, his olive complexion appeared swarthier than ever.
'What?' I ventured timidly.
Leaning forward he lit up a Marlboro, inhaling deeply. He cleared his throat. I sat still, hardly daring to breathe.
'Susannah's divorcing me. And, before you get excited, it's not the good news it sounds. Not straightforward by any means.'
I was about to butt in to say I already knew about it, but he put his hand up. 'No, don't speak ’till I've finished, Annabel. My father arrived today, and he tells me Susannah is threatening to throw all she can at me, and I think it's possible that you could get involved. You see a malicious exposé has been released accusing her of having a lesbian relationship with her secretary, Mel. You probably met her?'
I gulped and nodded, gazing at him blankly, not daring to speak now until I'd heard him out.
'Well, it's utter nonsense of course, but she thinks that I… or someone connected with me, must be to blame for such a story being leaked here in London where it was first reported. She has an idea I have a lover here but she's no idea it's you. So far I've managed to keep your name from her, but now she means to get back at me over this malicious story. She's utterly convinced I had something to do with it you see! The woman's quite mad, of course.'
Crikey! This was yet another slant on the situation.
Alex took another drag of his cigarette. 'So, she's about to financially take me to the cleaners and I'm not sure if I can do a thing about it. You see I'm afraid sooner or later her detectives will learn who you are and then we won't have a leg to stand on. It can hardly be denied and you are sure to be named. I'm so sorry, honey.' He looked at me with worried eyes.
I took his hand. 'Alex, why has she never queried whether you have a lover here before? After all you've spent enough time apart from her. It's a bit odd if you ask me. Are you sure she has nothing to hide, or that this scandal about her is nonsense, as you put it? I wouldn't be quite so sure. No smoke, and all that…'
He flashed me a sharp look. 'What do you mean?'
I poured out everything I knew, his eyes growing wider by the minute. The only thing I couldn't tell him was who had leaked the story here to the press.
He sat thinking hard, gazing through me with a sad, almost bereft expression. Then he stubbed out his cigarette and looked into my eyes.
'So, from what you're saying it could be true then about Susannah and Mel? You’re sure Lynda knew Mel at school?'
I nodded. 'Yes, quite sure.'
'She's not fabricating or exaggerating this story?'
'No, it's just as she remembers it. And before you ask, Lynda did not go to the press with it.'
He sighed heavily and leaned back. 'Well, this sure throws an entirely different light on things. Can't see how we can prove it yet though. But it might just work in my favour; if Susannah is told I have knowledge about Mel's murky past... which of course indicates that there could after all be an atom of truth in the lesbian allegation. It might put her in quite a spot, I'd say. Why the hell didn't you tell me about this before, honey?'
'Oh Alex, I'm sorry. It was so difficult. You were away for over three weeks during that time remember? And then, when you eventually got back, I didn't want to spoil our reunion talking about Susannah. Then Mum had her operation and I rushed off to Wales, and don't forget you were away again on my return. Most recently of course there have been all your business worries too. There's really been no chance to talk ’till now.'
I then explained how I'd seen the paper cutting in his jacket, and about discovering the report myself in a back copy of the Morning Sun today.
He accepted it all without a word, and then went on to say he would be returning to the States on Monday to see what could be sorted out with his lawyers. But now, armed with this latest information, he was far more hopeful of dissuading Susannah from being so hard on him.
'There's still one thing you haven't made clear to me yet, Alex, and I think you should now. Why have you and she lived such separate lives, especially since Nikolas was born?'
Susannah had always been such a taboo subject, but now I was determined to get a truthful explanation.
He shifted his position, and took a deep breath. 'Well, what I've always told you has been basically true. Our marriage really was one of convenience for both our families ... for business and financial reasons mostly. And I'm not exactly proud of being drawn into such a union. She's never appealed to me physically, but she could sometimes be quite amusing company ... before she started drinking, that is. Anyway, it now turns out, the family alliance hasn't been such a great help to us after all, particularly in our recent financial crisis. But that's another issue.'
He lit another Marlboro. 'Sex was always lousy between us. She's frigid, you see.’ He grunted. ‘Now we know probably why! But my father insisted we produced an heir. So when she got pregnant we agreed between us that if a son were born, that would be the end of any sexual obligation towards one another. In other words, Nikolas's birth meant I no longer needed to share a bed with her.' He looked away and sighed. Talking about Susannah was clearly painful.
'But didn't she want to know how you satisfied your needs?'
He shrugged. 'I guess not. But to avoid family embarrassment on both sides, I always chose to be discreet and she's never questioned me or made an issue of it.'
'Of course that could be down to the fact that she's had a happy little thing going with Mel, don't you think?'
He nodded, his mouth set glumly. ‘Could be, honey.’
'Alex, did you have other girlfriends, when you were in the States?' I was recalling the long gaps there'd often been in the past between his visits to London.
'Yeah, I did and I'm not proud of it. But not since we've been more permanently together here.' He squeezed my hand tightly, gazing into my eyes. 'You believe me, honey, don't you?'
'I want to...' I paused there, wondering tentatively about his most recent long spell in New York. I drew my hand away. 'Oh, it's all such a sordid business! I'll get dinner. I need time to digest all this.'
I went into the kitchen and began frantically chopping onions and mushrooms, whilst Cleo went mad for some meat titbits. I heard Alex go off to have a shower. My mind was swirling, with the all details we'd discussed. I was worried sick about the possibility of my name being drawn into the divorce case. There was no certainty that I could be kept out of it, despite Alex hoping to avoid it. I wondered about the lesbian story and whether we were right about Susannah and Mel? What if we were proved wrong? Should I have kept it from Alex? On the other hand it could be invaluable to him now with his divorce negotiations.
I must have been on automatic pilot, because when Alex reappeared the meal was somehow ready and the table was laid; even wine glasses hadn't been over-looked.
There was nothing exactly to celebrate though, I agonised. I'd always thought the idea of Alex finishing with Susannah would be such a joyous occasion, hardly the case now.
Over dinner I casually mentioned Kate's dinner invitation at Parker Brown's and to my surprise Alex instantly agreed.
'Why not? It's hardly going to make much difference who knows about us now, is it?'
I shrugged, feeling little consolation in knowing he was probably right.
When I phoned Kate to tell her, she'd just arrived in.
'Fab! Oh, I'm so glad,' she said. 'Norm will be too. Be here for drinks at about eight-thirty and we eat at about nine. By the way, tell Alex, dress is optional.
Lynda was off with a bad cold next day so I couldn't discuss any of my worries with her; that any time now I could be named as co-respondent in Alex's divorce. I prayed it would be kept out of the British press for several reasons really, and not all my own. To be ill thought of by my employers was bad enough, but mostly I was thinking of my family. They'd be so embarrassed by it all. My heart was leaden with worry.
Somehow I managed to get through the day, but it wasn'
t made any easier realising my relationship with Alex had suddenly begun to lose a little of its gloss. Our lovemaking last night had been a disaster for me yet again. What the hell was happening to us?
*
Parker Brown's flat in South Kensington, near the Natural History Museum, was large and spacious with elegant Regency decor and furnishings. Massive old paintings, luxurious Chinese rugs, delicate china ornaments and several antique clocks gave the place an air of tasteful opulence.
Norman Parker Brown put us both immediately at our ease, as Alex handed him a bottle of Chateau Neuf du Pape. To my complete surprise, he appealed to me instantly.
Not once did I feel inadequate or out of place as we were introduced to the other four dinner guests, none of whom I recognised initially. Alex, of course was used to moving in such affluent circles, but this was quite a new experience for me.
Parker Brown was a good looking, well built man in his mid fifties; with thick, longish, silver grey hair combed back off his forehead. He sported a well-cultivated beard and square silver rimmed spectacles. Kate, dressed delectably in figure hugging crimson velvet, appeared relaxed, as she chatted to everyone in the large entrance hall. If I hadn't known otherwise, I'd have assumed she adored this sort of occasion; quite the actress in fact.
'You look lovely, Annabel!' she remarked, as I handed her my coat and smoothed the skirt of my black crepe Miss Courtney dress which had become a little creased in the taxi. Alex, of course looked his usual dishy self, in a black tie and dinner jacket.
As Kate and he met, I sensed an instant sign of mutual appreciation pass briefly between them. Only to be expected, really. Socialising with Alex would, I imagined, always be like this. I'd require the confidence of steel to rise above it, because all women were sure to find him attractive. Likewise, no man could fail to be captivated by Kate's beauty.
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