by Jemma Forte
‘Who?’ asked Angelica, curious to know.
‘Juliana Sabatini,’ said Edward.
‘No!’ exclaimed Angelica. ‘She’s a baby.’
‘Tell me about it,’ said Edward, ecstatic that finally someone was on his wavelength. ‘That’s what I said. Stupid bastard said it was perfect casting.’ Edward rolled his eyes at the memory. ‘I’d like to wriggle out of it, but Jill’s insisting I do it.’
‘Have you expressed your concerns?’
‘Oh, yes,’ said Edward wryly. ‘The other day we met again and the producer said “Juliana’s gorgeous, you should be grateful.” Well, you can imagine how that comment went down. I ended up raging at him, shouting, “Grateful? What, like an old lech at a Christmas party? Like a big, fat sex tourist who picks up young prostitutes while kidding himself that they like being humped by someone old enough to be their father?” ’
Shocked, Angelica covered her mouth with her hand.
‘Anyway, there you have it.’
‘There you have it,’ agreed Angelica, stifling a giggle. Silence descended once more.
‘Anyway,’ said Edward.
‘Anyway,’ repeated Angelica.
‘Come to my party,’ Edward said on impulse.
Angelica looked very unsure.
‘Look,’ said Edward, his face gravely serious, ‘I’m not saying things between us are by any means sorted out or resolved, but our daughter has put up with years of us playing silly buggers and not talking, which I’ve only realized recently has affected her a great deal. Don’t you think that for her sake we should attempt to be at best friends, at worst civil? So come to the party. It’s on Thursday night, at the house, and you’d be very welcome.’
Angelica paused. This was a huge decision. The thought of seeing people like Vincent and Jill after all these years was terrifying, but how could she say no? She owed it to her daughter.
‘I’ll be there,’ she said simply.
37
The next morning, Jessica hugged Paul. ‘I can’t believe I’m leaving you,’ she said, despairing at the mere thought. ‘I’ll call you every day.’
‘As much as that would be wonderful, I don’t want you getting a phone bill you can’t afford,’ replied Paul, kissing her cheek tenderly.
She’d have to be on the phone to Australia for months before she couldn’t afford the bill, but there wasn’t much she could say to that. Damn him for being so practical.
‘I can’t believe Pam’s coming with me. My dad will be so excited,’ she said, giddy at the thought of everything that had changed recently. She still couldn’t believe her scheming had paid off. Her mom was actually coming to Edward’s party. She realized now her notion about them maybe being more than friends had been totally far-fetched, but if they could at least handle being in the same room as one another, she’d be happy. It would be a start and would make life so much easier, happier and pleasant.
‘How did Pam get over her fear of flying?’ asked Paul.
‘Well,’ said Jessica, suddenly coy, ‘she said it was all tied up with the fear of doing anything without Bernard, but that since I’ve been on the scene she’s felt a lot stronger for some reason and has gained a new lease of life, which is amazing.’
‘It is and I sort of know how she feels. I’m going to miss you,’ said Paul gruffly, desperately trying to stick to his plan of not getting completely attached. After all, this was like a dress rehearsal for the day when he’d have to say goodbye for good.
‘Me too,’ said Jessica with feeling.
It was only when Jessica took her seat on the plane that she realized quite how exhausted she was. It was as if all the tension of the past couple of weeks had finally caught up with her and she and Pam both slept the entire flight, though Pam’s drowsiness was less to do with tiredness and more to do with the knockout Valium she’d swallowed earlier. The two of them walked through Arrivals still trying to shed the inevitable post-sleep shroud of groggy confusion, but as soon as they got into the waiting limo that Edward had sent for them, excitement perked them up.
‘Ooh,’ squealed Pam as they turned on to the freeway, the sunshine practically blinding them, the blue sky stretching endlessly into the smog-filled horizon. ‘I’m glad I didn’t pack my vest.’
Jessica grinned. It was good to be home.
The next few days zipped by. Edward was so excited to see his sister on his home turf he wept with happiness when she arrived (not that this came as a great shock to anybody) and deemed her presence to be the best present he’d ever had. However, as soon as Pam had had time to settle in, he took her to one side and asked her directly if she knew anything about any letters from Angelica. He simply had to know.
Pam, who had been filled in on a lot of things by Jessica, was livid that he could ever think she’d do such a thing and said as much. ‘I might not have liked what she did to you, Teddy,’ she raged, ‘but I would never keep something as personal as a letter from anybody and I’m furious you think I would. Besides, I’ve been feeling a bit bad about Angelica if you must know. I didn’t realize she’d been so ill.’
Edward raised an enquiring eyebrow.
‘Jessica told me.’
Still clueless about the missing letters and not entirely convinced they’d ever even existed, Edward decided to try and forget about them. If Angelica was lying to him, it was probably because she felt so ashamed. Unfortunately such a lie made it impossible for him to totally forgive her, but seeing her again had been so wonderful that he wanted being friends to still be an option. They’d had two long conversations on the phone since Claridge’s, raking up what had happened all those years ago, which had been painful and at times tense, and yet finally having an explanation to hold on to was like healing balm for the emotional wounds he’d suffered from for so long.
Over the next couple of days Edward charged around the house, feeling more energized than he had in years, making last-minute arrangements and trying not to get wound up by the campest party planner Jessica had ever met (and that was saying something). It was hard not to be infected by Edward’s exuberance and, after everything Jessica had recently gone through, being back in sunny Malibu was like taking medicine. She felt carefree for the first time in a long time, even with Edward nagging her about when she was coming home for good.
‘I don’t know, Dad,’ she replied one lunchtime for the nineteenth time. Edward had given Consuela the day off and had fired up the barbecue. ‘It depends what happens with Diane and stuff, and Paul.’
‘Ah,’ said Edward, poking a piece of chicken rather viciously with his tongs. ‘The famous Paul who doesn’t even know I exist. Do you know how hurtful that is?’
‘Don’t take it personally,’ answered Jessica, trying not to laugh at Edward’s churlish expression. ‘I’m going to tell him soon and if it were possible I’d love you to meet him, though the reality is we’ll probably have to split up at some point, I guess. Long-distance relationships are usually doomed to failure.’ She shuddered as she said this, refusing to confront the possibility this might actually be true. ‘Still, if you do meet him, I just hope you like him as much as I do.’
‘Even if I were into “man love”, I’m not sure that would be possible,’ suggested Edward wearily. ‘I just thought you might be bored of this whole “being normal” thing by now.’
‘Do you want to know the truth?’ said Jessica. ‘There are things I am sick of. The climate is pretty unpredictable in London and I am so over getting the tube every day, to the point where I can’t believe there was ever a time I actually enjoyed it. I feel unhealthier than I have in years and I’ve never needed a break from working like I do now. I’ve put on eight pounds, I’m utterly exhausted and yet, you know what? I also feel fulfilled for the first time in my life and needing a holiday is probably how it should be, isn’t it?’
‘Well, I suppose …’ ventured Edward.
‘Seriously, Dad, this trip is the best thing I ever did. I feel like I have a purpose
. Just having a job that I need to be at gives life meaning. Yes, it can be tough out there and I realize I still don’t really know what it means to have it hard, but at least I’ve proved that there’s more to me than being your daughter. I also truly appreciate for the first time just how hard you must have had to work to achieve all this.’
‘Chicken kebab?’ offered a rather choked Edward, who was suddenly feeling terribly proud.
The next day Jessica spent the entire day with Dulcie. Having kept in regular contact by phone and email, they were already up to speed on what one another had been up to. It was wonderful to speak face to face, however, and as with all true friends, it was as if they’d only seen each other yesterday, especially since Jessica was launched straight into bridesmaid duties once more.
‘It’s as if I’ve never been away,’ Jessica teased happily while waiting patiently for her friend to emerge from the changing rooms in the bridal department of Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills.
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ joked back Dulcie from behind the curtain. ‘I’ve never heard you talk about a guy so much. Paul this, Paul that. It’s like you’re obsessed.’
Jessica felt quite indignant at this. Just then, however, Dulcie stuck her head out, winked and said, ‘Only joking, honey. You talk away; let’s face it, I kinda owe you.’
Placated, Jessica flashed her a grin, though it soon faded when the shop assistant finally flung the curtain back and Dulcie made her entrance. A vision in Reem Acra lace and silk. Jessica clapped her hand to her mouth, gasped and burst into soppy tears.
‘Oh my God, I’m such a cliché but, Dulcie, you look absolutely beautiful,’ she cried, genuinely choked.
‘Do I?’ her friend asked shyly.
‘Hell, yeah, I mean I don’t even believe in marriage, but if it meant wearing a dress like that I could almost be tempted. You look like a princess. Your mom would be so proud.’
Which was exactly what Dulcie had been hoping to hear.
There was so much going on around her that it took Jessica, to her shame, an entire two days to realize she wasn’t the only one who’d been busy making some life changes. She had noticed Betsey’s absence, but had assumed her stepmother must be at one of her yoga retreats or something.
‘We’ve split up,’ Edward explained after Consuela had let the cat out of the bag, prompting Jessica to finally ask the question.
‘Oh my God,’ Jessica exclaimed, genuinely shocked.
‘It’s fine,’ said Edward calmly. He was in the study, taking a break from Pierre’s histrionics, watching Bridge Over the River Kwai. ‘To be honest, it was on the cards for a while and actually now we’ve split up we’re getting on much better. I think the end came as a relief to both of us. You’ll see her at the party anyway. She’s still coming because we’ve agreed not to tell anyone until after.’
‘Was there someone else?’
‘No,’ said Edward hastily, blushing red, and Jessica didn’t enquire further but hoped her dad’s ego hadn’t taken too much of a battering. She’d always worried that Betsey would dump her dad for some young beefcake one day, but took no pleasure in having been proved right.
Jessica had forgotten how easy life in LA was, hanging out by the pool in the sunshine, not having to think about anything at all mundane, so it was a testament to her feelings for Paul that she still missed him desperately. He was the one missing ingredient that prevented the trip from being perfect and she’d done a ridiculous amount of texting since she’d arrived. She longed for him to be there, sharing it all with her, and her heart ached as she wondered how on earth she would cope when one day they had to say goodbye. She loved him and hoped he felt the same, though neither of them had said it yet, both too unsure of what the future held for their relationship. It was simply easier and more sensible to drift along, enjoying the ride while they could.
On Thursday, as Jessica climbed into the new Phillip Lim dress she’d bought earlier that morning on Rodeo Drive, she grinned at her reflection, wondering what Paul would make of her looking so ‘done’. Her hair had been blown out, her nails were painted pink and on her feet were a kick-ass pair of Manolos. She wasn’t the only thing that had been transformed either. An army of caterers, florists, musicians, waiting staff, barmen and security had all descended upon the house to do their jobs and it was pretty clear that the party was going to be one to remember.
It was due to start at eight and at seven thirty Betsey turned up early in order to pretend she was still living there. Jessica had to smother a shocked grin when she saw the inappropriateness of her outfit.
‘Hey, Betsey. Wow! That’s some dress.’
‘Thanks,’ Betsey replied, wondering for the first time if maybe her dress was too much. Or too little? What she was wearing was more a scrap of material than a dress. It was white, halter neck, backless and very, very short. If she wasn’t with someone already, she clearly didn’t intend to stay single for long, thought Jessica. Though what type of guy did she think she was going to attract? What kind of guy wouldn’t she attract, more like? Thank God she didn’t have to introduce her to Paul any time soon.
Just then Edward made his entrance down the staircase, dressed in a pale pink shirt, linen trousers and Tods. A Ralph Lauren jersey was knotted round his neck.
‘Hey, Granddad, I see you’ve reverted to type fashion-wise,’ drawled Betsey. Shocked, Jessica looked at Edward to gauge his reaction to this insult but he didn’t look even remotely put out.
‘Ah, hello, Betsey. I was going to ask you if you wanted to dance later but I can see the only thing you’ll be dancing with is a pole,’ he said good-humouredly before making his way over to her, kissing her on both cheeks and ruffling her hair. ‘How are things at the Sunset? Are you still happy there, because if not, you know you’re welcome to stay here until my realtor finds something?’
‘I’m fine,’ said Betsey. ‘In fact, I’m kinda hoping the perfect place doesn’t turn up anytime soon. I’m having a fabulous time and meeting some great people. At the moment every night is cocktail night.’
Jessica couldn’t believe what she was hearing, but seeing as Edward was so cool with things she could hardly begrudge Betsey having a good time. As she watched the two of them gossiping away amicably she realized he really hadn’t been lying. Whatever had happened between them had obviously ended cordially and when Betsey cracked a gag about trying to pull another movie star that night, only a younger model, Edward didn’t even bat an eyelid. He just roared with laughter. How modern, thought Jessica, who was left feeling faintly perplexed, a feeling which turned to amusement when Pierre the party planner raced by in an emergency state of neuroses about something. He was almost foaming at the mouth.
Pretty soon the first of the guests started trickling in and amongst them was Angelica, arriving uncharacteristically punctually, beautiful in peach chiffon, diamonds and silver Jimmy Choos.
‘Hi, Mom,’ said Jessica, greeting her with a warm hug. ‘I can’t believe you’re actually here and thanks so much again for coming on the show last week.’
‘Yes,’ said Angelica wryly. ‘You had me well and truly duped, but I don’t mind. It’s good that your father and I are on speaking terms again.’
‘And, Mom, I’m so pleased you didn’t marry Graydon.’
‘Me too, Jessica, though not as pleased as my waxer is now she’s back to only doing me,’ she said, giving her daughter a cheeky wink. ‘Now, where is Edward? I should say hello.’
‘Through there,’ said Jessica, laughing as she pointed in the direction of the loudest room in the house where she’d last spotted Edward running in with Vincent, like schoolboys who were planning trouble.
The party went with a swing. It wasn’t your average sixty-fifth birthday party and at one point Dulcie and Jessica had to laugh as they watched their fathers jiving away as if their lives depended on it, sandwiched between breasts all younger than their owners. Later, Vincent and Will Smith performed the most brilliant live duet to
gether and afterwards, when Edward proudly introduced Jessica to Will, a flicker of recognition passed across his handsome face as he tried to recall where he might have met her before. Heady on champagne, Jessica giggled, but didn’t help him out. Instead she headed for the gardens in search of fresh air and her friends, only to find Angelica and Pam having the most almighty row, at which point she wished she hadn’t bothered.
‘Why would I waste my time keeping your wretched letters? Yes, you’re right, I did think you were a lousy mother,’ Pam was shouting, ‘but that doesn’t mean I would resort to anything so low.’
‘Mom, Pam,’ said Jessica, rushing over to stand between the two women. ‘Stop this. Now!’
Angelica’s eyes were blazing and Jessica had never seen her so riled. She was so caught up in what she was saying to Pam that she hardly even registered Jessica’s presence.
‘I knew you had a problem with me. You were so protective of your little brother, you couldn’t even bear the fact that he might actually care about a woman properly for once in his life. You couldn’t boss him around quite as much any more and I know you resented me because of it –’
‘Utter tripe. I don’t know what you’re talking about and another thing …’
Jessica looked from one woman to the other. They looked like two animals who were about to pounce, and she realized she needed back-up. Leaving the two of them screaming at each other, she ran back to the house to fetch her dad.
Minutes later, the troops had gathered and Edward, Vincent, Jill and Jessica were all trying to make themselves heard over the din of Angelica and Pam’s argument.
‘Quiet,’ said Edward, but to no avail. By now the two women’s insults had reached fever pitch.
‘You come in here, thinking you can wipe the slate clean after twenty-odd years –’ screamed Pam.
‘Stop it!’ hollered Jessica.