‘Conrad, this is Claudia Parker.’
‘Who?’
‘Claudia Parker,’ she repeated patiently. ‘You can’t have forgotten last night already.’
There was a short pause, then, ‘Oh, yeah, of course. How are you, baby? What can I do for you?’
‘Your secretary called me earlier about seeing you tomorrow night. I was out with this dreary guy, and I suddenly thought the hell with it, what about tonight.’
He laughed, coughed unattractively, and said, ‘Listen, baby, I’m all tied up tonight.’
‘Oh.’ She sounded disappointed. ‘Look, I’m very adaptable. I never find three a crowd.’
‘Do you mean what I think you mean?’ he questioned.
‘Of course I do,’ she purred. ‘You were so fantastic last night, I don’t mind sharing.’
‘Hang on a minute,’ Conrad said, and the phone was muffled. She waited patiently, and soon his voice came back full of interest. ‘Come right on up. We’ll be waiting.’
She hung up, smiling, and made her way leisurely to the powder room, where for the next twenty minutes she touched up her makeup and rearranged her hair so that it fell around her shoulders thick and shiny. She looked very gorgeous, young, sexy and pretty. Her figure was shown off to its best advantage in the low-cut black dress she was wearing.
A half-hour had passed by the time she finally knocked on the door of his suite.
He answered it immediately – wearing a green-and-orange-striped bathrobe. ‘Where the fuck have you been?’ he demanded.
She smiled apologetically, walked into the living room and sat down, crossing her legs carefully to be sure there was the maximum amount of thigh showing. She knew she looked great.
‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘I know you’re going to think I’m terrible. But what I said on the phone about a threesome and everything. Well, I am sorry, but I just can’t.’
He stared at her disbelievingly. ‘You can’t?’ he said thickly.
She shook her head slowly, fluttering long black eyelashes. ‘I guess I wanted to see you again so much that I said it – but really, it’s not my scene.’
‘It’s not your scene,’ he repeated blankly.
‘No.’ She licked her lips, crossed her legs the other way, and waited.
‘Look, baby,’ he said at last, ‘you called me while I was balling this chick’ – he indicated the bedroom – ‘you called me, right in the middle. Nobody asked you to, but there you were on the phone, asking, and I mean asking, to join us. So what happens – you get me all hot over the idea of a scene – I stop halfway with this other broad, wait a goddam half-hour, and then you mince in here saying you can’t make it.’ His voice had been rising excitedly, and now he was almost screaming.
She stood up. ‘What can I say?’ She walked over to him and put her hand on his arm. ‘I was drunk last night, but in spite of that I remembered it as something special. Now I’m sober, and can I help it if I don’t want to share you?’
He looked at her admiringly. ‘You’re a smart little cookie. I suppose you want me to get rid of—’ He gestured toward the bedroom.
She kissed him, pressing herself up against him. ‘That’s the general idea.’
He pushed her away. ‘All right, baby – but don’t think you’re fooling me, because I know exactly what you’re doing. You happen to be a lot sexier than her, so I’ll pay her off. Is that what you want?’
She looked at him wide-eyed. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ she said. ‘Do whatever you like. I’ll still be available tomorrow night. I can always go now.’
His eyes swept over her body. ‘No, you stay. Wait in the john.’
She smiled and walked obediently into the guest bathroom, in the hall. He kept her waiting about five minutes. Soon she heard a shrieky female voice, and then a door slammed.
Eventually he threw open the bathroom door – he had discarded his vibrant bathrobe and stood there with nothing but his suntan and a hard-on. ‘Let’s go, baby,’ he said. ‘I just had to give that broad fifty bucks, so you’d better make it worth my while!’
* * *
David parked his car in the garage and let himself into the house. It was strangely quiet. He supposed Linda had gone to bed early, so he made his way upstairs and looked in on the children, who both slept peacefully. Jane woke up and sleepily requested a glass of water. He got it for her, and she threw her arms around his neck and said, ‘I love you, Daddy.’ He settled her down and went into the main bedroom. It was empty. He was mildly surprised. Where was Linda? He knew the rest of the house was deserted. She must have gone to a movie or something, but it was most unlike her.
He checked through the window and saw her car was not in the drive, and then he looked around for a note – no note.
He went along to Ana’s room and knocked. The maid came to the door clutching her transparent nylon nightdress around her. She had an unfortunate shadow of a moustache.
‘Where’s Mrs. Cooper?’ he questioned.
‘She went out maybe eight o’clock,’ said Ana. Her English was not too good, and she didn’t volunteer any further information.
‘Did she say where she was going?’
‘No.’
‘What time she would be back?’
‘No.’
The conversation was finished.
He went back to the bedroom, showered, and fell asleep reading the papers on the bed.
That was how Linda found him when she came in. She was agitated, he had said twelve o’clock, and he was always later than he said he would be. Fortunately he was asleep, as her makeup was smudged and her hair a mess. She knew if he saw her he would know. She made it into the bathroom quickly, got out of her clothes and into a robe. Then she ran a bath. At least if he woke up now it wouldn’t matter.
David awoke. ‘Where the hell have you been?’ he demanded.
‘I went to a movie. Where were you?’
‘You know where I was. The movies get out at quarter to eleven – where have you been for the last hour?’
‘I suppose you were with Phillip,’ she said, ignoring his question.
‘Yes – you know I was.’
‘I was with him too.’
He stared at her blankly. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘I was with Phillip as much as you were.’
‘Have you been drinking?’
‘No, David, I haven’t been drinking. I called the Abbottson house after speaking to you earlier, and while I was talking to Mary, Phillip came in and he knew nothing about a meeting with you.’
David thought quickly. ‘Yes, things were a bit of a mess. I thought he was coming back later, but then I realized he said he couldn’t, so I had to take those people from out of town to dinner.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘But you just said you were with Phillip.’
‘Yes – well, that was because I knew you wouldn’t understand.’
‘You were right, I don’t understand. Now, please, can I take a bath?’
‘You’re so ridiculous, Linda.’ His voice was becoming louder. ‘Look, I’ve been home for hours. I took these three men to Carlo’s, and I ran into Jay and Lori Grossman. Now do you believe me? They want us to have dinner with them tomorrow, and I said it was all right. You can ask them who I was with. OK?’
Maybe he was telling the truth. ‘Oh, all right,’ she said wearily. She was too tired to fight.
He stalked back into the bedroom. She took her bath. Their thoughts were on separate planes. Neither of them really wanted to get involved in long discussions about who had been where, as it was dangerous ground and they could both end up getting found out.
When she came to bed he thought how good she looked in a long silk nightdress which clung seductively.
He broke the silence. ‘Where would you like to eat tomorrow?’
She was noncommittal. ‘I don’t mind.’
‘Jay says Lori wants to go to the Savoy Grill – a bit convention
al, but I suppose as they are visitors here we should oblige.’
‘I suppose so.’ She turned out the light on her side of the bed and lay with her back toward him.
‘What’s new with the children?’
‘Oh, nothing much.’
He lit a cigarette. ‘I’m not tired,’ he remarked.
‘Why don’t you read? There’s a book on the table you started three months ago.’
‘I don’t feel like reading.’
‘Then turn your light off and go to sleep.’
‘That’s a pretty nightdress. Is it new?’
‘No, I’ve been wearing it for the past two years,’ she sighed patiently, wishing he would just shut up.
He leaned over and cupped her left breast with his hand. She shrank away immediately. Oh, God, no, she thought, not tonight – please God, not tonight. After all those nights I’ve lain here and ached for him, he couldn’t possibly pick tonight.
He lunged across the bed after her. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Nothing.’ She forced herself to turn around and face him.
Fortunately he took her quickly. He had long ago given up on preliminaries with her. The sexual act with David gave her absolutely no pleasure. She felt vacant and used. Vaguely she wondered if all men became like this after you married them. At first anxious to please, thrilled to bits if they got to fondle you for half an hour. But after the marriage – a quick lay and that was all.
‘That was marvellous,’ he said. ‘How was it for you?’
She simulated pleasure. ‘Marvellous.’ She repeated his adjective, unable to think of anything else to say.
He turned the light out. ‘Good night.’
She squeezed her eyes shut to keep in the tears. ‘Good night.’
He lay there and thought about what a bitch Claudia was.
She lay there and thought about how virile and sensitive Paul was.
Finally they both fell asleep.
Chapter Ten
‘I want to stay the night,’ Claudia said, stretching languorously.
Conrad was on the phone to room service. He sat on the side of the bed, rolls of suntanned flesh around his middle, his bald head shining with sweat.
‘This is Mr. Lee, suite 206 – send me up six pieces of lightly buttered toast spread with caviar, the best stuff. Also a bucket of ice, a glass of milk, and a dish of chocolate ice cream.’ He glanced over at Claudia – ‘You want anything, baby?’
She shook her head.
He spoke into the phone again. ‘Add on some chocolate cake and cream – a jug of cream. OK, that’s all. Make it fast!’
‘I’m going to stay the night,’ Claudia announced.
‘What do you want to do that for?’
‘’Cos I want to go to the studio with you tomorrow like you promised. I’m not letting you out of my sight!’
He laughed. ‘Baby, you’re too much! I’ve been married three times, and I thought I knew broads pretty well, but you’re something else!’
She laughed too, throwing her head back so that her hair spread out around her. ‘Wouldn’t you sooner I was honest?’ she asked. ‘I’m not some naïve little piece, you know. I like you. But I don’t see why you shouldn’t help me.’
‘I haven’t promised you anything.’
‘Yes, you have, you promised me a test.’
‘So I promised you a test. So what if you’re lousy?’
‘I won’t be lousy.’ She smiled. ‘I may not be able to act, but I photograph like a dream! And in the sort of movie you’re making, I’m sure you can find something for me.’
There was a discreet knock on the bedroom door. ‘Your order is here, sir,’ a voice said.
Conrad lumbered off the bed and reached for a paisley silk dressing gown.
God – you’re old and fat, Claudia thought. ‘I love your dressing gown, darling,’ she purred.
‘Simpson’s,’ he said, pleased. He grabbed some change off the dressing table and disappeared into the other room.
Claudia rolled across the bed, twining herself around in the sheet. ‘I’m going to get in his damn movie if it kills me,’ she muttered to herself. ‘I haven’t screwed that for nothing!’
He came back into the bedroom munching on a piece of toast. ‘This is lousy caviar – you want to go out somewhere?’
‘What time is it?’ she asked, surprised.
He consulted a large gold watch. ‘One-thirty – what’s open?’
She thought quickly. If they went out she wanted to be sure that she came back to the hotel with him after. She was determined to stick with him until he got her a test.
‘All the clubs stay open till around four,’ she said. ‘And we can stop by my apartment so I can get some clothes to wear to the studio tomorrow. Great idea.’ She jumped out of bed.
He studied her figure. ‘You know, you’ve got a gorgeous body. How would you feel about appearing on the screen nude?’
‘I hadn’t really thought about it.’
‘Think about it. There’s a part you might be right for. I can test you.’
‘When?’ Her green eyes gleamed.
They went to a new discotheque – Charlie Brown’s. It was jammed, but they were squeezed onto an already full table due to the fact that Conrad slipped the headwaiter money. The music was so loud you couldn’t hear yourself speak. On the tiny dance floor couples were jammed frantically together. There was a scattering of well-known people, a lot of girls with long straight hair covering half their faces, and a few representatives of the latest rock groups sporting hair as long as the girls’. It was very dark.
At their table was a photographer Claudia knew. She greeted him with a kiss and introduced him to Conrad. He was with one of the top models of the moment, a tall slim girl who photographed out of this world.
Claudia couldn’t sit still; the music swept over her in great waves.
‘Want to dance?’ she asked Conrad.
He nodded and they struggled to the dance floor, where she broke loose in wild sinuous gyrations while Conrad just sort of stood there jiggling about. It was hot and the sweat started to trickle down his face.
You think you’re a real swinger, Claudia thought. Don’t you know you’re too old to do this?
She said, ‘Darling, you’re a peachy dancer!’
‘Sweetie pie!’ The voice was unmistakable. Right beside them on the dance floor was Shirley, complete with the Honourable Jeremy. ‘Where’s your divine boyfriend?’
Claudia smiled. ‘Thought you were going to Windsor,’ she yelled.
‘We did, but it was absolutely too dreadful. I mean, it was almost empty. Can you imagine anything more ghastly?’
The Honourable Jeremy nodded vehement agreement.
By this time Conrad was sweating profusely. ‘Let’s sit down,’ he said weakly.
‘Sweetie, we will come over in a minute. Where are you sitting?’
Claudia smiled and waved, pretending she hadn’t heard. She didn’t relish the thought of being stuck with Shirley and Jeremy again.
When they got back to their table it was even more crowded, and there was a great squeezing up of people to make room for them.
The model said to Conrad, ‘I adored your last film. Will you be making your new one in this country?’
The photographer asked Claudia to dance. She accepted, not too eager to leave the skinny model chatting up Conrad, but anxious to dance again, and Giles, the photographer, was a wild dancer. She had indulged in a short affair with him at one time, but then they decided it was more fun to be mates. They were too much of a kind to be lovers. Occasionally, if one of them was at a loose end, they would call each other and spend an evening together, and if they felt like it, end up in bed. But it was purely a brother-and-sister relationship with a little sex thrown in. Giles was very good-looking in a dark Spanish way. Women were mad for him, and his services as a fashion and society photographer were in demand.
‘Who’s the father figure?’ he aske
d cynically. ‘Cindy says he’s a big Hollywood mogul, and I think she fancies big Hollywood moguls.’
‘You can tell her to keep her false nails off this one, he’s already been bagged!’
They did a ritual dance together – him standing very still and giving rhythmic sexy twitches and she almost bumping and grinding before him.
‘Fancy a bit of pot?’ he asked conversationally.
She glanced over at their table. More people had joined it, and Conrad seemed quite happy ordering drinks and talking loudly with a lot of arm-waving.
‘Yeah, great idea,’ she said.
They slipped off the dance floor and out onto a balcony that extended along one-half of the club. It was windy and surprisingly quiet, as the windows and doors from the club were all soundproofed.
Giles lit a joint and they took it in turns to drag deeply on it.
‘I’ve got to get in the right frame of mind to screw that bag of bones,’ he said. ‘We’re doing a big layout for Vogue, and I want to have the right atmosphere between us. Christ, I tell you, it’s like banging a skeleton!’
They both giggled. ‘Lots of luck,’ laughed Claudia. ‘How would you like mine? Attractive, isn’t he?’
‘I’d suggest a foursome,’ said Giles, ‘but I know we’d only end up doing it to each other, so what’s the use?’
They both collapsed in gales of laughter, then Claudia said, ‘C’mon, we’d better get back inside.’
‘What’s the scene?’ Giles asked. ‘You going to become a big movie starlet?’
‘Star – baby – star.’
They walked back into the noise and heat and rejoined their table. Cindy was listening attentively as Conrad told a long boring story about how he first arrived in America at the age of fourteen. Shirley and the Honourable Jeremy had also squeezed around the table.
‘Sweetie – what a fascinating man!’ gasped Shirley. ‘Such a history!’ She simpered at Giles. ‘Hello, poppet.’
‘Hello, Shirley – how’s business?’
‘Business?’
He laughed. ‘Forget it, baby.’
‘I say, old man,’ stammered Jeremy, ‘liked those photos you did of Shirley – jolly fine set.’
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