by Mandy Baggot
Isla stood back for a moment, her attention going to the drunks who were now starting to sing a rendition of ‘Fairytale of New York’ and laughing hysterically at the line about the drunk tank. Hannah needed to express her anger and frustration, whether Isla liked it or not.
‘So, you knew Verity and John then! It was all a pretence inviting them for lasagne?’
‘No.’ Isla shook her head. ‘I didn’t know them. They were brought on board for this project by Breekers International.’
‘And Chase is over here to tear down our home.’
‘Yes,’ Isla replied. ‘But also no, not now.’
‘Well, that sounds confident,’ Hannah continued. ‘Has he changed his mind about it now he’s got in your knickers?’ She took a breath then blasted, ‘I’d be careful about that if I was you. Who knows what he could really be doing. I hope you didn’t give him any information … like the square meterage of Sugar High … or our house!’
And then Hannah burst into a torrent of tears, folding into herself, hugging her useless knees and putting her hands over her face as she sobbed.
Isla went to her then, bending over her, rubbing her back and trying her very best to console her sister. She had had this news for a while. It was all new to Hannah and it was going to come as a massive shock. But she really did need her sister to be the raging force of nature that she was.
‘Hannah, I promise you, faithfully and sincerely, that we are going to do everything we can to stop this happening.’ She stroked Hannah’s short crop of hair. ‘Chase is breaching all sorts of protocol letting anyone outside of Breekers know about the super-hotel, but he wants to find another site for it just as much as I do.’
Hannah slowly raised herself up until she was able to look Isla in the eye. Her make-up was streaked all across her face and her lips were still trembling.
‘You think we have a chance of fighting an international company on this?’ Hannah asked. ‘The company you work for.’
‘I know it’s going to be tough, but they are business people. We just have to find a way to make another site much more appealing, or we have to make Notting Hill much more unappealing.’
‘And how are we going to do that?’ Hannah asked with a sniff.
‘I don’t know yet,’ Isla admitted. ‘But I do know I’m going to need your help.’ She smiled. ‘You’re the ideas girl. I’ve always just been the implementer.’
‘That is true,’ Hannah admitted, softening a little.
‘So, concentrate, let’s save our corner of London,’ Isla said, clapping her gloved hands together.
‘Not yet,’ Hannah said, turning her wheelchair around to face the centre door. ‘There’s no way I can see Raj looking like Harley Quinn’s eviler twin.’
Seventy-Four
Beaumont Square, Notting Hill
Isla and Hannah’s living room was as festive as it could get – the decorated white feather Christmas tree, the numerous greetings cards Sellotaped on walls and mantelpiece, the fir cone and holly displays just like Hannah made in the florists – but the people sitting in it, poring over the giant plan Chase had pinned over the bay window, looked like funeral guests. Only Maddie seemed happy, playing on the floor with Hannah’s old Barbie dolls that Isla had claimed from the chest of old things in her sister’s room.
‘I don’t get it though,’ Raj said, sipping at the cup of peppermint tea Isla had made him. ‘How they gonna fit all these things ’round Portobello Road, man?’
‘Raj, that’s the whole point!’ Hannah exclaimed. ‘There won’t be a Portobello Road. There won’t be a Beaumont Square either, or a Larkspur Gardens. This thing would be just built right on top of it.’ At the end of her sentence was a sign of hyperventilation and Isla passed her a glass of water.
‘I do like a zoo,’ Mrs Edwards remarked. She stroked Purdy who was nestled into her lap looking more comfortable than she had that morning.
‘Me too,’ Maddie piped up. ‘Brooke likes them as well. One time she had a face-off with a real grumpy camel.’ She nudged her sister’s foot.
‘Hey! Get off!’ Brooke exclaimed.
‘Guess who won?’ Maddie answered, grinning.
‘We all like the concept of the zoo,’ Chase broke in. ‘But I’m now of the mind that it needs to be somewhere else.’ Isla studied him. He was standing by the plan, brow furrowed and despite the cold and heating-on-a-budget control he was perspiring a little.
‘Haringey, I told you,’ Aaron announced. ‘Big parcel of land there was bought by someone called … Solloway Limited and they’ve gone bankrupt. It’s ripe for development. They were going to build houses on it I believe, so consent has been given for that. Perhaps it’s worth a discussion about adapting that idea, maybe building some of those needed houses in exchange for the hotel going right next door.’
‘Enfield was good too,’ Chase replied. ‘It was good, right?’ He looked to Isla.
‘Yes,’ she agreed. ‘Enfield was a great alternative. But that’s what you pitched to the board already.’ She swallowed. ‘And they didn’t go for it.’
They seemed to just be going round in circles and it was as frustrating as it was terrifying.
‘I had a beau from Enfield,’ Mrs Edwards told them. ‘He used to take me up the Pally.’
Aaron coughed.
‘Where?’ Maddie inquired.
‘The Palladium, dear. All the great variety acts performed there. Such class. I used to dress up in my Sunday clothes and when the show was over we would go dancing.’
‘What if we did something about the fire routes?’ Chase spoke suddenly.
‘What?’ Isla asked. ‘You told me that had been thoroughly considered.’
‘It has … I just mean … maybe we could suggest to the planning department that it hadn’t.’
Chase swallowed as he looked to Isla. Right now he was all out of ideas. He had told her he had a plan but this was it, asking for help, brainstorming, trying to think of anything that would work to hold this project off. He needed more than that. He needed to give her security, hope, assurance. But could he really cripple an idea he himself had brought to the table?
‘Chase,’ Isla said. ‘We can’t scupper this plan completely. It’s your plan. It might be off the wall and not to my taste but if it makes business sense … if Breekers want to run hotels …’
‘Yeah,’ he breathed, hands going to his head. ‘Yeah, you’re right.’
‘You need a dead body.’
Everyone in the room looked to Brooke then; even Purdy seemed to suddenly take a keen interest, her furry face perking up.
‘What did you say?’ Chase asked.
‘I said you need a dead body,’ Brooke repeated. ‘You find a body hidden in one of the areas they’re planning to build on and they’re gonna change their minds pretty quick about digging up a whole serial killer’s collection of skin and bone.’
‘God, she’s right!’ Aaron exclaimed. ‘Where can we get one from?’
‘Well, I know someone who—’ Raj began.
Hannah reached out and thumped his chest, shaking her head.
‘I had a friend who worked in the mortuary,’ Mrs Edwards stated. ‘Lovely girl but she did look quite grey after a while. I think that misery rubbed off on her.’
‘This is insanity,’ Chase remarked. ‘You know that right?’
‘So is sabotaging the planned-for fire exits,’ Isla replied.
‘Come on,’ he responded. ‘That was a better idea than burying a body.’ He shook his head. ‘And I’m starting to wonder about what my teenage daughter is watching on TV.’ He still needed to take Colt to task about the NC-17 movie.
Mrs Edwards suddenly let out a sob. ‘And to think, at the beginning, I thought we were going to get a visit from Time Team.’
Chase watched Isla leap to her feet, like someone had just given her a caffeine shot. Hands to her mouth she exclaimed, almost a whoop, eyes bright, looking at everyone then looking at him.
‘Chas
e,’ she said. ‘That’s it!’
He was none the wiser but he just wanted to carry on seeing her lit up like this, twinkling like the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.
‘What’s it though?’ Raj asked.
‘I know,’ Hannah said, wheeling herself towards her sister. ‘I know exactly what she means.’
‘Well, please, enlighten us because I was all ready to head down the cemetery,’ Aaron said, biting at his nails.
‘Old things,’ Isla said.
‘Ancient relics,’ Hannah added.
‘Still not getting it,’ Aaron replied. ‘Are we going to suggest a Notting Hill episode of Antiques Roadshow?’
‘We might not be able to get an ancient Roman body but I think we can get the next best thing,’ Isla said, grinning.
‘Mrs E,’ Hannah began, addressing the old lady. ‘How many old coins and artefacts have you got left from Mr E’s collection?’
‘Oh,’ Mrs Edwards began. ‘I’ve got lots of the rubbish, tonnes of it, in the cupboard under the stairs. It’s mainly Roman coins although there is some earthenware and a few axes and anvils. He used to work for a museum, you see, but it closed down, no one came and the things they couldn’t relocate were just left.’
Chase couldn’t believe this. He was absolutely dumbstruck. This was something tangible to hold on to. A real, bona fide reason for development not to happen. The British loved their history and a find like that, several finds would make the press here and over the pond. If they could make it work. If experts were convinced enough.
‘That is genius!’ Aaron exclaimed. ‘Most developers run a mile in the other direction as soon as the words medieval or neolithic are mentioned.’
‘Breekers won’t want the delay while an archaeological dig is undertaken. Time is money, right?’ Chase stated.
‘This is it, isn’t it?’ Hannah said, excitedly. ‘This is how we are all going to come together and save Notting Hill.’
‘I think it is,’ Isla said, looking to Chase. Did she want his confirmation?
He nodded, a smile crossing his face before he turned to Mrs Edwards. ‘So, Mrs Edwards, can we go see what your husband left us as his legacy?’
Scooping Purdy up, Mrs Edwards got to her feet. ‘Anything for you, young man, you know that.’
Seventy-Five
There were two chipped earthenware pots, three broken pieces of what looked like an ancient jug, two bits of wood that could pass for olden-day spoons, a rustic makeshift axe and a whole bag full of terribly old-looking coins. Some of them were almost paper thin, but there was a head of a man and an uneven band of trim, a couple even said the word ‘Caesar’. They were the real deal and Isla was sure, if Mr Edwards was looking down upon them, he wouldn’t mind his precious treasure being used to save his wife’s home and the area in which they had spent their entire lives together.
Isla took a breath as she observed the items on her dining table, hoping with all her heart that this plan was going to come off.
And then she felt a reassuring pair of arms go around her waist and she relaxed a little, settling into Chase’s body.
‘God, I’ve been wanting to hold you all night,’ he whispered.
‘Where are the children?’ she asked as his fingers toyed with her hair.
‘Trying to beat the ass off of Raj at MarioKart in the garden. He’s got some hand-held Nintendo they’re all wowing over,’ Chase informed.
‘They’re not too cold out there?’ Isla asked.
‘Hey, they’re fine,’ he said, turning her around to face him. ‘And I’m here, not feeling cold at all.’ He kissed her lips and she felt herself slip into that twenty-five-year-old-with-no-responsibilities Isla. ‘In fact,’ he continued. ‘I think I’m getting a fever.’
She blushed as his lips trailed a path to her shoulder then they returned to her mouth for one more, long, lingering kiss. She smiled at him then plucked one of the coins from the table.
‘It feels almost ironic that the British history you disparaged so readily when you first arrived here might just help us save Notting Hill.’
He shook his head, a wry grin forming. ‘I knew that would come back to bite me,’ he admitted. ‘But right now I am so cool with that.’
‘Do you think it’s going to work?’ Isla asked him. ‘I mean, really. Or are we going to get caught out, then fired and make things utterly worse?’
‘I can’t answer that,’ Chase replied. ‘But I do know we’re all gonna give it our best shot.’
‘Tomorrow night,’ Isla said.
‘Tomorrow night,’ he agreed. ‘Dressed in the black hoodies Raj is getting.’
Isla smiled. ‘It’s best not to ask where they’re coming from. He’s a good person but I think he has friends who run with the wrong crowd.’
‘Hey,’ Chase replied. ‘I have a brother just like that.’ She watched his eyes cloud over for just a second and then the look was gone again.
‘So, Holland Park,’ Isla said. ‘You’re sure that’s the best place?’
‘It’s right on the edge of the boundary of the map and Raj said they’re in the middle of constructing a new monument so they’re doing groundwork already. We can’t just dig up a patch of grass and throw this stuff in there. It has to look real.’
Isla nodded. ‘Yes. It does.’
Almost all her worries seemed to be subsiding. Apart from the Breekers’ Christmas Party. Aaron had had no luck finding alternative catering arrangements or a venue. But now the weight of the super-hotel was relenting a little she was going to put her all back into it tomorrow.
‘What’s on your mind?’ Chase asked, reaching for her hand.
‘Nothing,’ she answered.
‘Come on, Isla, I can read you,’ Chase said.
She shook her head. ‘Poppycock.’
‘Poppy what now?’
‘You know I don’t believe in all this telepathy nonsense.’
‘Hey, it made me a living and it’s not telepathy. It’s knowing people’s “tell”.’
Isla smirked. ‘I don’t have a tell.’
‘You do,’ Chase answered.
‘Really, I don’t.’ She was the one who had googled it in order to read him. She tried to solidify her face.
‘Really, you totally do.’
She swallowed, immediately thinking of the horror of the mess of the organisation of the Christmas party and trying desperately not to let that seep into her expression.
‘You’re worried about something,’ Chase continued. ‘Something other than planting ancient artefacts in Holland Park.’
Now he was just annoying. But perhaps she should share her woes. She had never had anyone to share anything with like this. As close as she was to Hannah, she had always shielded her from anything too contentious. And it was her baby, this party, the given-success, the ultimate annual zenith.
‘It’s the Christmas party.’ Her voice was barely a whisper.
‘Ah,’ Chase said, smoothing his hands down her arms. ‘This amazing festive fiesta people can’t stop talking about.’ He smiled. ‘Three women were discussing nail polish in the office kitchen yesterday as if the wrong shade could destroy their whole night.’
She closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath.
‘Isla, tell me,’ he urged. ‘Whatever it is can’t be unfixable.’ He locked eyes with her, those warm, hazel coloured eyes. ‘We’re about to outplay the international company we work for, remember?’
‘I have no venue,’ she stated calmly, almost as if it was someone else talking. ‘There was a flood, a burst pipe, and they had to cancel.’
‘O … kay …’ Chase said. ‘We’ll find somewhere else.’
She ignored him and continued, ‘I have no caterer. By all accounts they’ve gone bust and run off with the deposit.’
‘I see,’ Chase answered.
‘So, no venue, no food or drink … and I have a band and a vast array of decorations coming and I don’t know where they’re coming to, or if
I even need them at all, and it’s just days away, days.’ Now she was starting to lose control. Now she was finally giving in to the fear that had taken it in turns with the Notting Hill issue to permeate her nightmares.
‘Hey, stop,’ he ordered, tightening his hold on her arms. His strength seemed to still her for just a moment. ‘Take a breath.’
She shook her head. ‘The “taking a breath” trick doesn’t work for me.’
‘It works for everyone,’ he reassured.
‘I can’t fail at this,’ Isla admitted. ‘I might not win every contract or solve every problem completely to my satisfaction and that’s okay, but the Christmas party … it’s faultless. It’s always faultless and the staff here who have worked so hard all year round, they deserve faultless.’
Chase nodded. ‘I agree. So what’s the problem?’
‘Chase, I don’t know anything about New York during the run-up to Christmas but venues have to be booked months in advance, years sometimes, so there isn’t going to be anywhere big enough to hold all the guests that’s available.’ She let out an anxious sigh. ‘And the same goes for the catering. Everyone is booked solid.’
‘Everyone?’
‘Everyone I’ve had a chance to contact. I started with everyone I used before, then went through Yell.com.’
‘Okay,’ Chase said. ‘So, it’s gonna be a challenge.’
‘It’s going to be a disaster!’
‘How can you say that?’ Chase asked her. ‘You’re my Go-To Girl,’ he reminded her. ‘The London office’s trouble-shooter. You get things done, Miss Winters. That’s who you are.’
It was a pep talk. She knew that. It was close to being something a business coach might say … but it was true. She was always calm in the face of adversity. But it was just so personal. Notting Hill and the party. It seemed to be a direct hit on the things she held dearest, all at once.
‘Do you want my help?’ Chase asked her.
Did she? The answer she wanted to give was no. This was hers. She didn’t let anyone in on the theme, she didn’t let anyone help. And it was her success to revel in afterwards. But the real answer had to be yes, didn’t it? Because if she didn’t have some sort of assistance then this party wasn’t going to happen at all. The fact that the CEO of Breekers International was offering the aid still seemed bizarre, coupled with the fact she had seen him naked …