by Wendy Louise
Josh shakes her hand, “Of course Ms Drake.” Before I can turn my head, he heads off towards the café in search of her requested beverage.
Elizabeth Drake turns her head towards me and looks down at me over her nose. She subtly eyes me up and down and then fixes a smile to her face while she extends her hand. “Hello, I’m Elizabeth Drake.” Her hand is covered in large jewelled rings.
“Nice to meet you.” I say, totally intimidated by her, especially with both Madeline and Ethan looking on. I gather myself and realise that she has no idea who I am. “I’m Ava Lucas, Olivia’s Personal Assistant.” We shake hands, and she dismisses me immediately, turning back towards Madeline. Obviously I’m of no use to her.
“Madeline darling, it was lovely to see you again, please say hello to your father for me. Ethan dear, let’s go and decide where to take these shots.” She starts to walk down the corridor and gestures towards Ethan with her fingers to follow her.
Ethan gives me a tight smile and follows behind her. As they round the corner I can hear him raising his voice at her but I can’t catch what he says. He’s definitely pissed.
Joshua comes barrelling down the hallway with the Perrier in his hand and looks left and right trying to see where they have gone. I point to the right and say, “that way.” He nods and follows to try and catch up with them.
I head back to my computer to try and pick up where I left off. This really is a different world that they inhabit. Elizabeth Drake is obviously very used to having people at her beck and call. She didn’t think twice about asking Josh to fetch her drink. She greeted Madeline like royalty because they live in the same universe, yet she looked down her nose at me like I wasn’t worth her time.
In that one gesture she demonstrated the attitude that I have seen many times since starting here with Liv. Madeline was the first to show it to me. If you aren’t someone that can make a difference to them, then they don’t give you the time of day. Clearly Elizabeth Drake and Madeline are cut from the same cloth.
The concept is a strange one for me.
I’ve always belonged in the world I inhabit. Back home I lived a middle class lifestyle. I went to an expensive private school and University, but none of that changed the way I behaved or lived, because I knew that my parents had worked their butts off to afford those schools. I socialised with people of similar background and status. There was never any us and them mentality. We all just fit.
To be looked upon by Elizabeth Drake as a lesser being is quite a new concept for me, and one that I don’t appreciate.
Ethan didn’t seem at all happy to have his mother here and even less happy about having to take photos with her. I wonder what that was all about anyway! I’ve not had a chance to even speak with Ethan today after what happened last night. After all that, it’s probably a good thing. I have just been well and truly reminded of where I sit in the social scheme of things by his mother.
I shake my head and try to clear my thoughts so I can get back to the task at hand. I need to complete all this scheduling today so that I can pass Olivia’s diary details on to the Producers. I remind myself that I’m here to do a job. I’m Olivia’s PA and that is my purpose for being at the Studio and in the States.
As long as I don’t forget that, I will be fine.
I’m so pissed at my Mother for showing up like she did. How dare she do that to me at work? As always, she thinks she can swan in and order everyone around. She held up production by thirty minutes thanks to her little photo fest. Of course, everyone on set was so excited to meet the Elizabeth Drake that they were all quite happy to put everything on hold for her.
She had the photographer taking photo after photo of her and me, Madeline and Olivia. She signed autographs and played the role of Hollywood star to perfection. Of course, that is what she’s been doing for years so it comes as second nature to her. Now we wait for the photos to hit the magazine racks next week, and the accompanying story will be all about what a wonderful mother she is and how supportive she is being of me in my first big role.
What a load of shit!
I’m heading in the only direction that I can think to go right now, to see Nanny Grace.
Whenever my mother has pissed me off over the years, Nanny has always calmed me down. I need to grab my phone and keys from my dressing room and head to the nursing home. She’ll be able to talk me around.
I notice that Ava is standing in the entrance to Olivia’s dressing room next door to mine. She’s on the phone and smiling at whatever is being said to her on the other end. She turns as she sees me and looks up. Her smile fades slightly but she holds my eyes. I give her a small smile back and head in to grab my keys and phone. As I exit the room she is walking towards me, placing her phone back in to her pocket.
“Ethan, what is it?” she asks me.
I don’t know whether she is referring to what happened last night or whether she can read me well enough to see that I’m pissed about what happened with my mother. Either way, it’s been a long time since anyone has noticed me enough to see that my emotions are swirling like a fucking tornado. The fact that she gives a shit means more than she could know.
“Something’s bothering you. I can see it on your face. Can I help?”
She has a genuine look of concern on her face. Her eyebrows are pulled together and she has that little crease on her forehead again - that is totally kissable.
Why would she care if something’s wrong with me?
As far as she knows I’m just some guy that has made out with her a couple of times, and ran out on her with no worthy explanation last night. I’m not worth her worry or concern yet here she is trying to help. The expression on her face causes my stomach to churn and my heart to race.
Who is this girl? What is she doing to me?
I school my face in to a tight smile and take a deep breath. “I’m fine Ava, just a rough day. I’m on my way out. I have a date with Nanny Grace.”
She smiles shyly and turns to leave. Before she steps off she looks back at me over her shoulder. “If you need anything, just ask Ethan, I’m happy to help. After last night I’m glad we can be friends. Friends help each other out - right?” She shrugs her shoulder and starts to head back towards Olivia’s room.
“Wait!” I call out without thinking. Just being with her has calmed my raging blood in a few short minutes. Usually Nanny is the only one that can affect me like that.
Ava stops and turns back to me, smiling that beautiful smile of hers and folding her arms across her chest while she leans against the door jamb.
“Do you want to come with me?”
Why would I ask her that?
I need to talk to Nanny about my mother and I don’t want to do that in front of Ava. I wanted to see Nanny to calm myself down, but I think Ava has already had that effect on me. It’s like she’s my own brand of valium.
I’ve wanted Ava to see me with Nanny to see that I can be a nice, normal human being. But this is more than that. I want Ava to meet Nanny and I want Nanny to meet Ava. The importance of that is not lost on me, and it kind of freaks me out.
I didn’t like the way my mother interacted with Ava earlier. It was like Ava was dirt beneath her shoe. She couldn’t have looked at her with more contempt if she’d tried. I hate the fact that my mother did that to her because Ava is ten times more special a person than my mother will ever be. My mother has no right to speak to Ava, let alone look at her the way that she did.
“You want me to come and meet Nanny Grace with you?” she asks narrowing her eyes in confusion.
“Yes.”
I say that with absolute conviction, because I do. I want these two women to meet because Nanny is the most special person in my life and Ava is….I don’t know.
She’s different.
I don’t know how or why, but she is.
I want her to come with me. I want her to meet Nanny and see that not everyone in my life is like my mother. I need her to see that some part of me is n
ormal. My relationship with Nanny is that part.
“Okay,” she says.
“Okay?” I ask.
“Yep,” she nods. “Olivia and I were about to head home anyway. I’ll just let her know and grab my things.”
She disappears in to Olivia’s dressing room to get what she needs and I wait in the hallway thinking about what I have just done.
Why can’t I leave her alone?
Ava follows behind me in to the nursing home. She’s been really quiet on the trip over here, and come to think of it - so have I. I think we both want to address what happened last night but neither of us is sure how to go there and what to say. As I approach the Reception desk, the lady behind it looks up and smiles at me. She’s on the phone and holds up a finger to indicate that she’ll just be a minute. I smile down at Ava while we wait.
She wraps up her call and replaces the handset into its holder. “Hi Ethan. Welcome back. Grace will be pleased to see you.” All the staff here know who I am. I think I’m one of Nanny’s few regular visitors. “Please sign in here,” she says as she pushes a large log book towards me.
I sign in for myself and Ava and hand the pen back to the Receptionist. I think her name is Mary, but there are so many different people working here, I’m too scared to call her that in case I’m wrong.
She smiles warmly at both Ava and I. “Grace is in her room right now. She’s just finished a round of lawn bowls. Enjoy your visit.”
I smile and thank her, and turn to head towards Nanny’s room. I put my hand out to Ava and she takes it. I don’t know why I did that but it just felt right. Now that she’s holding my hand on the way down the hallway, a strange calm has washed over me. I can’t describe it, but it’s like everything in this very moment is exactly as it is supposed to be.
Friends can hold hands right?
We arrive at the doorway to Nanny’s room and she is sitting in her large lounge chair, knitting and listening to classical music. I’ve never liked classical music. Nanny tried to get me to at least appreciate it, but it has never been my thing. She looks up, and a smile lights up her features as we enter.
Nanny is tiny. She’s been a good foot shorter than me since I turned fourteen. She is round but not big, just right. She always says she is padded in all the right areas, and I guess that’s probably true.
She wears her grey hair pulled back in to a tight bun. I don’t think I can even recall a time when I haven’t seen it like that. She has always dressed impeccably and today is no different. She has tailored navy pants on, with a pale blue cashmere twin set, and her signature pearls. They were given to her by the love of her life - her words, not mine. They are a permanent fixture on her, along with a diamond bracelet that I bought her from Tiffany for her sixtieth birthday. That never leaves her wrist. She always has her pale pink lipstick in place and her cheeks are perfectly bronzed. She takes pride in how she looks. Always has.
“Hey Nanny. How are you? This is my friend Ava.”
Ava smiles at me with that introduction. No doubt she heard my subtle emphasis on the word friend. I gesture towards Ava and say, “Ava, this is Nanny Grace.”
Ava moves further in to the room and heads for Nanny. “Hi Nanny Grace, it’s great to meet you.” She leans forward and shakes Nanny’s hand. What she doesn’t realise is that Nanny won’t have a bar of that. She quickly pulls Ava in for a hug, in true Nanny Grace-style.
Nanny gives Ava a squeeze and pulls back to take her in. She leaves her hands on Ava’s upper arms as she appraises her. “Lovely to meet you Ava, and thanks for bringing this one to see me,” she says gesturing in my direction. “Come and give me a hug Ethan.”
Nanny releases Ava and pulls me in.
I lean down and give Nanny a big hug. When I pull back, she releases me and holds up the blue wool that she has been using for her knitting. “Glad you came down Ethan, I need to fit this to you.”
Nanny has been knitting me jumpers, scarves, and hats since I was a baby. Every year she knits me something new. This is obviously her latest project. I never really wear any of them, although I have worn a scarf or two when skiing before. I don’t tell her that though, because making them for me gives her so much pleasure. They just don’t look great on me. I’m more of a sweatshirt kind of guy.
Ava and I sit side-by-side on the sofa that sits next to Nanny’s arm chair.
“Turn that music down for me a bit, will you Ethan?” I rise and lower the volume of her music.
Nanny looks back and forth between me and Ava as if she is trying to read in to what is going on. I can see the wheels turning. Before she can reach any conclusions I speak up.
“Nanny, Ava has only been here a short time from Australia. She is Olivia Lucas’ sister and is here working as Olivia’s assistant.”
Nanny narrows her eyes and smiles. She’s always been able to read between the lines when it comes to me. Once when I was in Junior High I had a crush on a girl in my class - Ruby Jones. Nanny knew I was crushing on her before I had it worked out. I couldn’t understand why my palms got clammy and my heart raced every time Ruby came near me. She used to look at Ruby and I in the same way that she’s looking between Ava and I now. It’s making me nervous.
Ava speaks up first. “This is a lovely room you have Nanny Grace, the views over the garden are beautiful.” Ava rises out of the chair and moves to stare out the window to the courtyard. Residents of the nursing home are sitting out there arranging floral bouquets. Obviously one of the many group activities that they can participate in here. The sunlight is pouring through the glass, playing against the auburn highlights in Ava’s hair. She is beautiful.
“It is Ava. I love the view from the window. The garden is special and I’ve personally planted most of the herb section. The chefs in the kitchen use my herbs to prepare our meals, so it gives me much joy.”
Ava moves back to the sofa beside me.
“Ethan dear, would you mind going back to the kitchenette down the hall and grabbing some tea for us all?” Nanny gives me a wink. I think that’s my cue to leave the girls alone.
Nanny has always made a mean cup of tea. I don’t like coffee at all because I was raised on her tea concoctions. She used to mix all types of herbs and spices together with black tea, green tea, herbal teas…. I guess tea has always been our thing.
“Tea for you Ava?” I ask. I’m sure she’s probably a coffee girl.
“I’ll have a green tea if you have it,” she says.
“Make green tea for all of us Ethan,” Nanny says. “Add some jasmine to it dear.”
I make my way towards the kitchenette and leave the two women to get acquainted. I can hear them both chatting away from where I am. Ava seems very comfortable in these surroundings. Not everyone likes coming here. God knows, the one time I brought Grayson in, he was terrified. I couldn’t understand how he could be so scared of old people, but he is. I can hear Nanny talking about her garden, her knitting and her love of music.
As I’m pouring the tea I hear Ava giggling. I don’t know what Nanny has said, but I love the sound of her laughter. It’s hypnotising. I want to hear it all the time. I round the corner with the tea and find Nanny showing Ava photos of when I was young.
Great!
Nanny is pointing at one of the many shots she has of me post-bath, when I was a toddler. Apparently I used to run around naked a lot.
It seems not much has changed!
Ava sits patiently as Nanny parades what feels likes thousands of photos of me, my mother and all the grandeur of our lifestyle as I was growing up.
So much for trying to show Ava that I’m a normal person and not some stuck up Hollywood brat.
Ava listens to every word that Nanny says and shows interest in every picture she sees. The photo presentation goes on forever. The more time they spend together, the more I sense Nanny relaxing. She’s like a lioness protecting her cub when it comes to me. She’s always very wary of people trying to take advantage of who I am and what I have.
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I can sense that she’s warming to Ava. That makes me feel good. It means that my radar is on the money - Ava is one of the good ones.
“Ethan dear, would you mind taking my menu order back to the front desk for me? I was supposed to do that by now and I forgot. I don’t want them feeding me anything that I haven’t selected,” she says with a grimace.
I’m not sure if she’s trying to get rid of me again or if she genuinely needs me to do this for her.
At any rate, I don’t argue.
Nanny is the warmest person I know, but when she gives you ‘the look’, you don’t dare argue with her. That ‘look’ would stop me in my tracks when I was younger.
I take the menu from her and head out the door, leaving them alone.
Again.
The World according to Nanny Grace
Nanny Grace is so sweet. She is also very funny.
The comments she has been making under her breath as we look at the photos of Ethan are hilarious. He hasn’t heard any of them - thank god! She has some spit and fire about her and I like it. She really seems to love Ethan too. I imagine that she is probably like a grandmother to him and very protective.
She turns towards me. “Now that he has left us alone let’s do girl talk,” she says.
I love her! She is so cheeky and playful, young beyond her years.
I smile.
“My Ethan has never brought a girl to visit me before, so I know there must be something special about you Ava. It’s not every day that he lets people in to his world. How long have you known each other?”
I sense the third degree coming, so I’m careful about what I tell her.
“I’ve only been here a few days Nanny Grace, but we have seen each other a few times. We’re usually at the Studio together, so it’s hard not to run in to one another.”
She shakes her head and gives me a smile. “No. It’s more than that. I sense it. I may be old but I am far from stupid.”