Follow Me Follow You

by Laura E. James

  She stood upright, and guided Seth into Olivia’s arms. ‘I’m irresponsible and selfish. I’m not fit to be a mother.’ As soon as the words hit the air, she wished she could suck them back. They weren’t what Seth needed to hear. She covered her eyes with her palms, and rubbed away her tears. As she removed her hands, she caught sight of Chris, his eyes wide with concern, and Rick, whose face, previously dappled, was now blanket white. ‘I’m sorry,’ Victoria said.

  Rick took one pace forward. ‘Ma’am? May I say something?’

  Victoria frowned, and then indicated for Rick to continue.

  ‘I’m thirteen, right, and I don’t understand what’s going down between you and Seth, but how can you say you’re a no-good mom? When I was scared because Dad was in that building, and you were out here, scared for your son, you stayed strong and took care of me. Made me feel safe. That’s not easy. I don’t do safe, do I, Dad?’

  Chris supported his son’s statement with a slow shake of his head.

  ‘Your arms told me Dad would be all right,’ Rick continued. ‘So, for what it’s worth, Mrs Noble, I’d say you’re a pretty good mom.’ With his face now glowing with colour, he grabbed Chris’s sleeve, and pulled him in the direction of the castle. ‘See you soon, Seth,’ he shouted.

  Victoria marvelled at her arms: they’d protected Rick.

  Olivia looked on. ‘Who was that? The man looked familiar.’ She marched Seth towards her shop, and opened the door. ‘I’ve got it! He’s Chris Frampton, that stunt actor chap. What’s he doing on Portland?’

  ‘He’s come home,’ Victoria said.

  ‘Do you know him?’

  Victoria’s gaze lifted from her arms, and she stared into the distance. ‘I thought I did.’

  ‘People change, Victoria. Don’t be too disappointed in him.’

  She’d spent half her life feeling let down by him, thinking his actions were those of a coward, loving her, then leaving her, and she had plenty of unmanageable, inexplicable sensations flitting around her body, gratitude being one of the more logical ones, but she detected no disappointment. She gasped. ‘I didn’t say thank you. For getting Seth out.’ She twisted round and studied her son. ‘What would we have done if he’d not been there, Seth?’ It didn’t bear thinking about. ‘We must make sure we thank him next time we see him.’

  ‘Is it bad inside?’ Olivia ushered Seth into the craft centre.

  ‘I’ve not seen it,’ Victoria said. ‘But Chris says it’s uninhabitable.’

  ‘Then I suggest you close the door, and worry about it tomorrow.’ Olivia invited her in.

  ‘That would be nice, but I’m fighting the board tomorrow. Besides, I should call the insurance company. They might send an assessor out today.’ She sighed. ‘May I borrow your phone, Olivia?’

  Chapter Eleven

  There had been little value in going to bed. With Seth crying in his sleep, and Victoria’s mind running over the events of the past day, she’d have fared better staying up. She would have watched over Seth, and avoided the all-too-familiar dreams featuring her and Chris Frampton.

  She yawned and pressed the button on her car door. The window descended into its groove, and the cold air, taking no prisoners, murdered Victoria’s hair. ‘Bloody hell,’ she muttered, flipping the switch to thwart the onslaught. She’d have to carry out major repairs before she entered the boardroom.

  Major repairs. Huh. That’s what the assessor from the insurance company had said about the cottage. Talk about stating the obvious. Still, he was organising three approved builders to provide quotes, and a firm to install dehumidifiers.

  ‘The trouble with water damage,’ he’d said, ‘is the time it takes to dry out. Don’t expect to be in here before six months.’

  Bloody burst pipes.

  ‘So this is what it’s like going back to basics.’ Victoria pulled into her parking space at the EweSpeak office, as the radio announcer brought the seven-thirty news to a close. She’d been on the road a little short of three hours. There were a number of cars on site, including Juliette’s, and a natty Audi Victoria didn’t recognise, but none that belonged to the bigwigs. Good. That gave Victoria and her sister time to prepare their case.

  As she locked her car, and caught sight of the empty passenger seat, Victoria’s thoughts turned to Seth. It had been a wrench leaving him with his granddad. The shock waves from yesterday’s disaster were still rippling around her system. Along with dreams of Chris Frampton, the what ifs of the collapse plagued her throughout the night. Beyond the occasions Seth was crying, Victoria rose three times, concerned for him, but he was tucked up, safe and sound in his bunk. Her behaviour was irrational, but it was a need to know she hadn’t lost her son, and it was a response over which she had no control. Two weeks ago that would have frightened her.

  ‘Morning, Mrs Noble.’

  Victoria returned the greeting to the front desk clerk, congratulated her on her neat appearance, and proceeded to the lift. As she waited for it to reach the ground floor, the main doors to the building swished open, and footsteps click-clacked across the tiles.

  ‘It’s all right, I know my way thanks.’

  Victoria smiled. She knew that voice. She looked back to the entrance in time to see Annabel Lamb produce her most practised smile and breeze past the receptionist, who was staring, open-mouthed. It was a common reaction to Annabel; winning UK Starz had made her an international singing sensation.

  Annabel waved cheerily at Victoria, and skipped into the lift. ‘Are you coming?’ She grabbed at Victoria’s briefcase, yanked her in, and gawped at her hair. ‘Do you want me to get the hedge that did that to you?’ She grinned, then threw her arms around Victoria. ‘Oh my God! It’s been ages. How are you?’

  ‘You mean apart from looking like I’ve been hauled through a bush?’ Victoria laughed. ‘I’ll be fine as soon as I’ve tidied myself up and had a decent cup of coffee. How come you’re so bright and breezy this time of the morning?’ She regarded the perfectly made-up Annabel, in awe of her energy. ‘In fact, how come you’re here this early?’

  ‘It’s a bird and worm thing. Your office?’

  Victoria nodded and watched as Annabel stabbed at the number three button. Not even the starting jolt of a lift unbalanced her from her six inch heels.

  Annabel viewed her reflection in the mirrored doors, flirted with the CCTV camera in the top corner, and winked. ‘That should cheer the old bugger up.’

  The lift halted, the doors pinged open, and Annabel blew a kiss at the lens as she exited.

  Victoria followed, shaking her head. ‘Sid’s retired. That’s our new, young security officer you’ve just ruined.’

  ‘Nonsense. A rush of blood to the head never harmed anyone. I bet you’ll get the best day’s work out of him, ever. I may go and inspect his productivity later.’ Annabel’s eyes twinkled with mischievousness, before she adopted a serious expression. ‘First, I have some business to discuss.’

  ‘Well, both Juliette and I are in today. We have a board meeting.’ Victoria reached to open the office door.

  ‘No. Let me surprise Joo.’ Annabel rapped her knuckles against the wooden frame. ‘You wait there.’ She pointed for Victoria to stand to the side.

  ‘Annabel! What a lovely surprise. How are you?’ Juliette peeped through the slim opening.

  ‘I’m well, thanks. Are you going to let me in?’

  Juliette opened the door enough for Annabel’s skinny frame to slip through.

  Victoria quickly followed.

  Annabel scanned the office, then cocked a brow. ‘Still sticking with the neutral shades? You need some colour in your lives.’ She turned her attention to Juliette, stood straight and tall, and spread her arms wide. ‘This is called “I’m waiting for a hug”.’ She grinned. ‘It’s been a long time.’ She enveloped Juliette in a warm
embrace. ‘And look who I found lurking by the lift.’

  Victoria placed her case on her desk, and smiled. ‘How’s it going?’

  Juliette shook her head. ‘I’m struggling to see a way through. The three hours’ sleep I managed last night hasn’t helped. The details are up on my PC if you want to take a look.’ She approached Victoria and kissed her cheek. ‘How are you?’

  ‘Tired, too. It’s not looking hopeful, is it?’

  ‘No. I think coffee will help, though.’ Juliette brushed her fingers through Victoria’s hair, and smoothed it down. ‘Tell me about Seth and your cottage, later,’ she whispered.

  Annabel clapped her hands. ‘You girls have the best coffee. Still taking yours black, Joo?’ She danced across to the machine and before receiving a reply, made three drinks. She handed them out and then sipped at her own. ‘I don’t understand your choice in décor, but I forgive you. This coffee makes everything right.’

  She wheeled Juliette’s chair to Victoria’s desk, and perched upon it, her back at ninety degrees to the seat. She placed her cup on the inset leather of the desk. ‘I have a problem, and I need your help.’

  Victoria, now seated, leaned on her elbows and clasped her hands together. ‘Go on.’

  ‘I have a stalker. Well, I have several, but this one’s becoming a problem.’

  ‘What are the police doing about it?’ Juliette asked.

  ‘I haven’t told them. I can’t afford for this to go viral. The saying that any publicity is good publicity is rubbish. You and Victoria know that, and that is why so many celebrities bleat on EweSpeak. You understand integrity, and most of all, privacy.’

  ‘Yes. We do.’ Victoria glanced at Juliette. ‘Shame the board doesn’t.’

  Annabel pushed on. ‘Anyway, I don’t think the police would take it seriously at this stage, but I’ve seen it happen before. This needs to be nipped in the bud now.’ She picked up her coffee and drained the cup. ‘You emailed me a while ago about a new add-on. Something to do with rounding up wolves in sheep’s clothing.’

  Juliette nodded. ‘SheepDog. Don’t you have that already?’ She retrieved Annabel’s’ mug, refilled it, and returned to the desk.

  Annabel shook her head. ‘Never followed up the email.’

  ‘Don’t you have people to do that sort of thing? Shouldn’t your manager be looking out for you?’ Juliette was frowning.

  ‘I fired her.’

  ‘It’s not a problem, Anna. I’ll sort it.’ Victoria logged onto her PC, and made a note to fast-track Annabel’s request. ‘You should still tell the police. We can provide documentary evidence of him pestering, and we can track him and block him, but we can’t protect you.’

  Annabel waved her hand. ‘I will if it gets worse. Now, what’s this about the board disrespecting our privacy?’

  Victoria rolled back her chair, and crossed her legs. ‘They have big plans.’

  ‘Like making two departments redundant,’ Juliette added, grabbing her mug and stomping over to the washroom door. ‘Victoria and I built this company together, and they sit on their fat backsides, scheming, and rubbing their hands together, watching their wallets expand with their waistlines.’

  The outburst surprised Victoria. Up until that moment, she had no idea which way Juliette was going to vote. The last time they had spoken, she was offering reasons as to why the board’s ideas were worth considering. ‘Good to hear you’ve come to your senses. I thought I was going to have to twist your arm.’

  ‘I never said I was on the board’s side. I was considering all the facts. That’s solid business practice. You taught me that.’ Juliette clicked down the handle to the washroom, and disappeared inside. ‘Well, I’ve looked at the facts and I don’t like them. This is our company, Victoria, and one fact I hate is that we don’t have control anymore. It gets on my—’ Juliette stopped.

  ‘Tits?’ Annabel supplied. ‘Go on. Say it. I know you want to.’ She looked at Victoria, and grinned.

  ‘To be fair, certain members of the board are chauvinistic, misogynistic men of restricted growth,’ Victoria said.

  Laughing, Annabel craned her neck in the direction of the washroom. ‘So tell me why the sexist dwarves are culling departments.’

  ‘To bump up their pensions.’ Juliette marched back into the office and stood before Annabel, her hands planted firmly upon her hips. ‘How can they be so heartless?’

  ‘But I love EweSpeak. I feel responsible for it. And the people who work here.’ Annabel looked at Victoria. ‘If I’d not asked you to set up the Annabel Lamb support page, none of this would exist. I don’t want people losing their jobs!’

  Juliette rested a hand on Annabel’s shoulder. ‘That’s not the half of it. They’ve told us we need to change direction and actively pursue bleats from the rich and famous, goad them into action. Provoke them to respond. Sensationalise everything.’

  Annabel reached for Juliette’s hand, pulled it down, and contained it in hers. ‘We don’t want to be sensationalised. That’s why EweSpeak works.’ She breathed a long sigh. ‘Do the board have the power to enforce these changes?’

  Juliette nodded. ‘It’s democracy at its finest.’ Her head dropped.

  ‘Victoria?’

  Victoria threaded her fingers together. ‘I know it’s not what our clients want, but we need to convince the fence-sitters to come down on our side. As it stands, we will be defeated. We simply don’t have enough guaranteed votes.’

  ‘I’ve talked a couple of the reasonable members round,’ Juliette said, ‘and two more are erring on our side, but it’s not enough. You were right, Victoria. Money talks.’

  ‘It speaks bloody volumes,’ said Victoria. ‘It’s talked me into many places I no longer wish to be.’ Both ladies looked at her. ‘I’ll explain later.’

  Annabel released Juliette’s hand, and rose to her feet. ‘Can I help? Can we use my celebrity status somehow to sway the undecided? Talk to the board and tell them what a shit idea it is?’

  Victoria circled her thumbs around themselves. Annabel could act as a spokeswoman for the celebrity clients. She could implore the board to reconsider. Convince them the A-listers would quit EweSpeak the instant the changes were implemented. Distract them with her golden hair and glorious figure long enough for them to enter the cross in the wrong box. It would be one hell of a show.

  ‘Thanks, Anna, but we don’t have the time. The meeting will be done and dusted by ten o’clock. Votes will have been cast and counted, and EweSpeak will be rocketing its way to planet Obscurity.’

  Juliette slumped into her freshly vacated chair. ‘The frustrating thing is, I’m confident my two waverers would vote with us if they saw the tide turning. They usually go with the majority. They don’t like to stand out. You know the sort.’

  ‘What would it take to turn them?’ Annabel paced the floor.

  ‘Someone to stand up and be counted. Someone to show them the error of their ways.’

  ‘Damn it! I should have accepted the thirty per cent share you offered me years ago. I’d have kicked ass in that boardroom.’

  ‘Don’t lose any sleep over that. Proportion of share doesn’t give us proportional vote. It’s one vote per person. That was how we set it up. We thought it fair, didn’t we, Victoria?’

  Victoria gave an absent-minded hum. A memory was battling its way through the facts and figures occupying important space. ‘You would kick ass, Anna. You kicked mine when you knocked back my generous offer, but I forgive you. Do you know why?’ She locked eyes with Annabel.

  ‘Because I’m adorable?’

  ‘Yes, that, and because I also recall, vividly now, you saying … and I quote … “If it stops you getting all tight-arsed and anal, I’ll take one per cent”.’

  Chapter Twelve

  A grin swept across Annabel’s face. �
��I did say that, didn’t I?’

  ‘Yes. And my tight arse is ready to forgive.’ Victoria gave in to a smile. Annabel’s growing enthusiasm was contagious.

  ‘I can’t believe I forgot about my share.’

  ‘That’s international stardom for you.’

  ‘What’s your excuse, Vicky? How could you forget?’ Annabel’s tone was playful. ‘I guess that’s what world domination of the social network scene does for you.’

  Juliette joined in with the banter. ‘Having four children is my excuse.’ She chuckled. ‘This is amazing. The answer was under our nose all the time.’

  ‘So, to clarify, I’m entitled to vote?’ Annabel tilted her head.

  ‘Yes.’ Victoria and Juliette answered in unison.

  ‘Look at you all smiley.’ Annabel marched towards them. ‘Right, I’ve thirty minutes to bone up, and ten to lead the hesitant two from the dark into the light.’ She ushered Juliette from the chair, trundled it behind her desk, and settled down. She wiggled the mouse. ‘Let’s kick some butt.’

  Victoria followed suit and called up Annabel’s client notes. She whistled. ‘Your file’s not been accessed in years. No wonder we forgot about your share.’ She clicked on a thumbnail of a document, and an image of the certificate appeared on the screen. ‘Thankfully, we have details of your one per cent. The board are bound to ask for evidence.’ She hit the print button, and reclined. ‘I bet they knew about this.’

  ‘But decided not to mention it?’ Juliette scooted behind Victoria, and examined the information on the monitor. ‘So this won’t be a surprise, after all?’

  ‘Surprise isn’t my word of choice,’ said Annabel. ‘The sneaky buggers.’

  ‘Oh, we’ll still suck the wind from their sails. No Caribbean cruise for the fat cats this year.’ Victoria collected the sheet from the printer and tucked it away in her briefcase. She peered at Annabel. ‘What are you doing?’