by Jemma Forte
‘Shit,’ said Jessica, who had got rather carried away. Purging herself of so many truths was rather like having a detox. ‘Forget I even said that. Anyway, the point is that in life, nine times out of ten, you only have yourself to blame.’
‘What point about me are you trying to make exactly?’ said Paul, feeling defensive yet choked.
Jessica sighed. ‘You won’t believe this, I’m sure, but in some ways I feel envious of you. I don’t even know them yet, but just hearing you talk about Lucy and your mom, you sound like such a close unit. A close family is all I’ve ever wanted and just because you’re from Staines and I’m from LA, just because your dad was a lousy father and mine happened to hit the jackpot, how the hell does that have any bearing on us?’
Paul blinked and swallowed hard. He knew she was right. She had uncannily managed to know exactly what demons he was battling with before he knew himself. He did have a habit of blaming everything on his dad and of weighing up people’s circumstances before he’d given them a chance to show him who they were.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said sadly. ‘You’re right. I’ve been a twat and I know I can be a bit … down on myself sometimes.’
‘Well, it’s better than being arrogant, I guess,’ said Jessica quietly.
Paul stepped towards her tentatively. ‘I think maybe I’m just a bit, you know, scared about losing you,’ he admitted finally.
Jessica sniffed and gave him a watery smile. ‘Well, you’re not going to.’
Paul looked away, his hands stuffed firmly in his pockets. ‘I know you think I’m a berk …’
Jessica laughed. ‘I don’t, although if that’s the best that one of London’s top comedy writers can come up with then …’
At this, Paul grinned. ‘At least I’m not going out with a Bender any more,’ he said.
Jessica punched him on the arm.
‘Ow,’ he said, rubbing his arm, before finally giving her a very welcome grin. He took her hands and, as he stared at her, his face grew serious once more.
‘I love you, Jessica.’
Jessica gasped and looked upwards as her eyes brimmed with tears. She’d waited a long time to hear those words and for a minute there had thought she may have blown her chance of ever hearing them.
‘I love you too,’ she replied, ‘so, so much.’
‘Thank you for finding me,’ said Paul, pulling her in for a hug.
‘You’re very welcome,’ said Jessica, burying her head into his shoulder briefly before pulling away again to gaze into his eyes. ‘Hey, are you … crying?’
‘No,’ said Paul immediately, though in truth he was on the verge. ‘Fuck it,’ he said. ‘I do not do crying. What have you done to me?’
‘Oh, don’t worry about it and don’t bother holding it in either,’ laughed Jessica, so happy she thought she might explode and squeezing him tight. ‘Just go with it, let it all out, because when it comes to men crying, I promise you I’m used to it.’
Epilogue
Seven Months Later
‘Are you OK?’ asked Jessica.
‘No,’ replied Paul truthfully. ‘I’m bloody bricking it.’
‘Well, I don’t know why you watched Meet the Parents on the plane. That can’t have helped,’ Jessica chastised, her own nerves getting the better of her.
‘It’s one of my favourite films,’ Paul protested. ‘One of the best pieces of comedy writing of all time. Besides, you don’t think it’s going to be like that, do you?’
But Jessica didn’t have time to answer because at that moment Consuela opened the door, revealing the most palatial hallway Paul had ever seen.
‘Jessica,’ Consuela shrieked. ‘It’s so good to see you, sweetheart.’
‘You too, I’ve missed you,’ replied Jessica, embracing her warmly before drawing away to include her boyfriend in the proceedings. ‘Now, I want you to meet Paul.’
‘Ah, Paul, I’ve heard so much about you. Come in, come in and welcome.’
‘Thanks,’ said Paul shyly, entering the house just in time to see the man who had made many a Boxing Day bearable appear through a set of double doors. He gulped. Despite all the pep talks he’d given himself over the last few weeks, any good intentions he’d had about viewing Edward Granger purely as Jessica’s dad had flown out of the six-foot windows. It was James Bond and while he’d expected him to look handsome, dashing, tall and pleased to see his beloved daughter, what he hadn’t expected was for the world famous actor to break into a trot, pick Jessica up and swirl her about the place like she was twelve years old.
‘It’s good to see you, kitten,’ he said fervently, his eyes looking suspiciously misty. ‘I’ve missed you so much, my pumpkin.’
‘Me too, Dad, me too,’ replied Jessica happily, wriggling out of his vice-like grip. ‘Now, Dad, I’d like to introduce you to Paul Fletcher.’
‘Aha, so you’re the famous Paul we’ve been hearing about for months,’ he said smoothly, sounding much more like Bond than when he’d been throwing words like pumpkin and kitten around. ‘It’s wonderful to meet you at last.’ He extended a hand.
‘Great to meet you too, sir,’ said Paul, shaking it in a slightly stiff manner. Nerves were making him sweat profusely and he was suddenly rather worried about marks on his T-shirt. Jessica grinned goofily at the pair of them, her heart pounding in her chest with a mixture of pride and nervous anticipation.
Half an hour later, cold drinks in hand, the three of them were sitting in the shade at the huge outside eating area. Paul surveyed his surroundings, trying to look as if it were perfectly commonplace to be sitting outside a Malibu mansion with an A-list superstar.
‘So the course is going well?’ Edward was saying as he caught up with his daughter’s news.
‘Really well,’ replied Jessica happily. ‘I love it and I can’t tell you how good it feels to finally find something I’m actually good at. It’ll take years to achieve being a therapist but I’m learning so much, so I know it’ll be worth it. And in the meantime I’m still really enjoying working for Diane. Although she’s so much better now, I know she’ll be OK when I move on too.’
‘It just seems so extraordinary that you had to go all the way to England to discover this vocation,’ teased Edward. ‘Don’t you think, Paul? I mean, it’s not like there are any therapists out here in LA or anything.’
Paul and Jessica laughed. He had a point.
‘Ah, here’s Ange,’ said Edward suddenly, shading his eyes with his hand. ‘Over here, darling,’ he yelled across the garden. ‘Did it go well?’
‘Yes, yes,’ said Angelica, picking her way delicately across the lawn as fast as she could in her heels. She’d been at an important meeting with Universal Studios, but had spent most of it fretting about the fact she was missing her daughter’s arrival.
In fact, so impatient was she to reach her that now she abandoned her heels altogether and started to run. Equally excited, Jessica flew to meet her halfway. ‘It’s so good to see you, ma chérie,’ Angelica squealed as they hugged. ‘And Paul, how marvellous to see you too,’ she added as he approached somewhat nervously. She was determined to make him feel as comfortable as possible. ‘I’m so sorry I was not here to greet you both when you arrived.’
Paul went to shake her hand but Angelica flapped it away, kissing him warmly on both cheeks instead. ‘It is so nice to meet you properly and tonight we will have a lovely dinner together, unless you already have plans with Dulcie? Do you?’
‘No,’ Jessica replied. ‘We’re keeping out of her way, aren’t we, Paul? With only two days to go till the wedding she’s like a headless chicken, so we’re going to wait and see her at the rehearsal dinner.’
Having greeted everyone else, Angelica strolled over to Edward and planted a kiss on his lips. Lazily, he reached an arm out and extended it round her waist, pulling her down so she was sitting on his lap.
‘Hello, my darling,’ he said lovingly.
‘Hello, my sweet,’ she purred.
/> ‘So, Dad,’ said Jessica, rolling her eyes. The two of them were worse than her and Paul. ‘Paul and I are picking our friends up from the airport tomorrow and I wondered if it would be OK if they came here for the afternoon? I know they’d love to meet you guys and then we could hang out by the pool.’
‘Of course they can,’ said Edward. ‘I’d be cross if they didn’t. Who’s coming again?’
‘Well, Isy, or as Dulcie likes to call her, “the little wolverine”. Seriously, those two are as odd as each other. Anyway, Isy’s a bridesmaid, along with me. Then Dulcie’s also invited Kerry, her boyfriend Luke, and Vanessa. In fact, Natasha’s the only one who didn’t make the list. Much to her disgust.’
‘Well, I’m glad,’ said Angelica, getting up from Edward’s lap to give her daughter another hug. ‘I didn’t like the sound of her very much.’
Paul glanced across at Edward. He was blinking hard as he took in the happy scene, clearly choked about seeing mother and daughter so comfortable in each other’s company, which was understandable. Given their previous history, it was touching. Still, Paul found himself respectfully trying to smother a grin as he realized Jessica really hadn’t been exaggerating Edward’s sentimental streak.
‘So,’ said Edward, clearing his throat as the two women launched into what was obviously going to be a long and detailed wedding natter. ‘I believe your mother and my sister are having a great time together.’
‘Yes, watch out Vegas,’ said Paul.
‘Quite,’ agreed Edward. ‘Well, this new friendship Pam’s struck up with your mother seems to have done her the world of good.’
Paul nodded. It had done both women the world of good. Over the last few months his mother and Pam had become inseparable and when Edward had insisted on treating Pam to a well-deserved holiday, she’d immediately invited Anita to come with her.
‘When they picked up their car at the airport to go to Vegas it was like the Saga version of Thelma and Louise,’ joked Paul.
Edward roared with laughter. ‘That’s very funny,’ he chuckled. ‘I can see why you’re such a good comedy writer.’
Delighted by the compliment, Paul tried to look modest.
‘So what have you got planned while you’re over here?’ asked Edward.
‘Well, I’m primarily here for the wedding and to meet Jessica’s family, of course, but I’ve also set up a couple of work meetings, just on the off-chance. I know Jessica wants to move back here sooner rather than later, so I thought it might be worth putting a few feelers out.’
‘Good,’ said Edward, resisting the urge to punch the air. This was music to his ears. He could grow to like Paul but only if he wasn’t the one thing preventing his little girl from coming home. ‘So who are you seeing?’ he asked casually.
‘A few people at various networks,’ replied Paul. ‘Though the one I’m really excited about is Bob Chambers.’
‘You should be,’ exclaimed Edward, impressed. Bob Chambers was responsible for some of the greatest shows ever, on one of America’s biggest and most prestigious networks. Edward’s mind whirred away. ‘I don’t know Bob directly,’ he said eventually, ‘but I know someone who does. In fact, if I were to put a call in to my old friend Steve I reckon I could help swing your meeting in the right direction.’
‘Um, oh, well …’
‘What are you saying, Dad?’ interjected Jessica, suddenly wary, having caught the tail end of their conversation.
‘Nothing,’ said Edward.
‘Edward?’ said Angelica sternly. ‘What are you up to?’
‘Nothing,’ repeated Edward vaguely.
‘Paul?’ said Jessica, who didn’t believe her father for a second. He had guilt written all over his face.
Paul wondered what to do. He didn’t want to be rude and tell on Edward, but at the same time he wasn’t about to start lying to Jessica. In the end it was left to Angelica to help him out.
‘Edward, what are you up to? We know what you’re like, so if you’re putting Paul in some awful position you’d better tell us now.’
‘Oh, bloody hell,’ Edward blustered. ‘Since when should a man be questioned all the time in his own house?’
Paul tried not to smile. There was something about Edward that was naturally funny.
‘Since that man has never known when not to interfere,’ replied Jessica firmly.
‘I’m not interfering,’ replied Edward, but the game was up. ‘Oh, all right. Paul’s got a meeting with Bob Chambers and I just thought I might be able to help by putting in a good word with someone.’
Jessica hesitated. On the one hand she would love Paul to get a job out here. It would save them from having to solve some fairly agonizing problems, but if he was going to do it she wanted him to do it on his own. He was talented enough not to need her father’s help, but it was up to him. Maybe having worked so hard all his life he might welcome a helping hand for once.
‘Christ,’ said Edward, laughing at all their stricken faces. ‘Anyone would think I was coercing him into becoming a drugs mule or something.’
‘Shut up, Dad. It’s important to me that Paul doesn’t feel like you’re interfering. After all, I know how that feels.’
Suddenly, all eyes were on Paul, who could sense it was time to tell it how it was. Time to be honest, even if being honest meant risking being impolite.
‘OK,’ said Paul. ‘In all honesty, it does feel a little like you’re interfering. Although I’m sure you’re probably only doing it in the hope that, if I get a job here, Jessica will return home quicker.’
Edward tried to look like that wasn’t the case, but failed miserably.
‘But – and I hope I’m not offending you when I say this – I’d rather you didn’t put a call in. You see, if you put a word in and I get the job, I’ll feel like that’s the only reason I’ve been given it and I like getting things on merit. I do really appreciate the offer though,’ he added hastily.
Jessica was so proud she thought she might burst. However, she and Angelica were also holding their breath, waiting to see whether Edward would respond reasonably.
For a second his expression was so solemn it looked like he might be rather offended. Then his face slowly broke into a broad grin and he stood up and went to shake Paul’s hand.
‘Well done,’ he said, pumping it vigorously. ‘You’re a good lad and, though it pains me to admit it, you’ve done the right thing.’
Jessica squealed with delight. Then she ran at Paul, jumped up and wrapped her legs around him, smothering him with kisses.
‘Easy, tiger,’ said Edward. ‘Don’t forget, your mum and dad are here, you know.’
Jessica broke away for a second, laughing. ‘Yeah well, as Pam would say, pot kettle black.’
‘Right,’ he said, conceding defeat and turning almost as pink as Angelica had just done.
‘Thank you for understanding,’ said Paul.
‘At last!’ quipped Jessica cheekily, before enquiring, ‘Hey, are you crying, Dad?’
‘No,’ snapped Edward, searching in his pocket for his hanky.
‘My soppy date is still as soft as ever, eh?’ laughed Angelica.
‘Oh, shut it you,’ said Edward, briskly wiping his eyes and clearing his throat. ‘I’m not bloody crying. It’s the grass, it’s making my eyes water.’
‘Or maybe they’re reshowing Cheaper by the Dozen?’ joked Paul, forgetting who he was taking the piss out of for a second.
Jessica and Angelica looked stunned and pretty quickly Paul realized he may have crossed the line. ‘Sorry,’ he muttered.
Edward narrowed his eyes and paused, milking the moment just long enough for Paul to think it might be a much shorter trip than originally planned. Then he threw his head back and roared with heartfelt laughter. ‘You cheeky bugger,’ he said good-naturedly. ‘Though don’t you dare go spilling any of my less than macho secrets to anyone else,’ he instructed.
‘Oh, I won’t, Mr Granger, I promise,’ said Paul, relieved
beyond belief.
‘And none of that Mr Granger business,’ Edward chastised. ‘You can call me –’ He changed his mind. He wanted to see the look on Paul’s face.
‘You can call me Bond,’ he said, ‘James Bond.’
It was worth it. Paul’s face was a picture of surprise, so caught off kilter was he by such a brilliantly surreal moment. Angelica giggled and Jessica grinned. Her dad was priceless, and for once his showing off filled her with nothing but affection and pride. In fact, standing here in the hot sunshine with the people she loved, at that precise second she was filled with an overwhelming sense of happiness, hope and pure joy at simply being alive. She went to Paul and kissed him on the cheek and her optimism must have been contagious for Paul found himself pulling her towards him and bending slightly to whisper something in her ear.
‘And you never know,’ he said, ‘maybe one day you’ll be Fletcher, Jessica Fletcher?’
‘You never know,’ she agreed.
Acknowledgements
Huge thanks must go to everyone at Penguin who believed in this book enough to publish it and then made it happen. Particularly Kate Burke, Mari Evans, Anthea Townsend, Karen Whitlock, Debbie Hatfield and Beatrix McIntyre.
Many thanks to my wondrous agent Eugenie Furniss. I am truly grateful for all your hard work, words of wisdom and endless enthusiasm. Thanks also to the uber-efficient and very lovely Claudia Webb.
A big heartfelt and special thank you to Debi Allen, a force to be reckoned with who has championed me through thick and thin. (And I mean that literally. After having Lily I had to wear Bridget Jones support pants on my first job back.) You’re amazing, the most hard- working person I know. I’m extremely lucky to have you in my life.
Thanks, as ever, to all my fantastic family. Especially to Mum and Mauro who, after a hell of a year, still managed to come out the other end smiling. Also to Dad, Sally, Imogen, Isabel and Jessica, thank you for all your invaluable advice, time and support. Forget ‘the knights of the round table’, ‘the readers of the rectangle table at Madrid Road’ are where it’s at. Harry, you have to get a mention too of course, (despite the fact that you haven’t even read the first one yet) as do my darling Lily and Freddie. They haven’t read it either, though in fairness they probably have more of an excuse.