“That’s the idea.”
“You’re such a catch, Natalie. I bet he feels he’s in over his head.”
“I don’t think so. He’s very confident and pretty cocky.”
“Well, he’s met his match in you.”
She giggles. Natalie never giggles. “Am I that bad?”
“You can be pretty formidable.”
“Is that what your father said about me?”
“No, Not at all.”
“The truth is, there was no way I was going to move to an island in the middle of nowhere and leave New York – it would never have worked out with your dad.”
“I know. My dad got that. Speaking of moving to Hawaii …no, never mind.” I walk over to the window and look down at the street. People are rushing this way and that, buzzing about in the post-holiday sales.
“What? I hate it when you do that – give me half a secret and then take it away again.”
I turn around. She’s still swiveling in my chair. “How do you know it’s a secret?”
She glares at me playfully. “I can tell by the look in your eye.”
“I’ll tell you when it’s a sure thing.”
“See? There you go again, Pearl.”
I hesitate. Would Daisy mind me telling Natalie? No, she wouldn’t. I say, “Well, okay. It looks as if Daisy might have something going on with someone she met there.”
Natalie claps her hands. “That’s fantastic! Who is he?”
“A surfer dude. But very cute.”
“You see, there was no way I could be part of that world. I guess I’m a city girl at heart. About your dad – I’ve been feeling a little guilty, you know, like I was a bit unfair to him. I didn’t call him because I didn’t want him to think we were…you know…still on. But I realized that I was being a bit cold.”
“He’ll live. He knew you’d never settle in Hawaii. You don’t want some zen hippie like him, anyway – that’s not your style.”
“A New Yorker born and bred - that’s me.”
“Exactly. My dad wouldn’t last more than three days here.”
“Can you envision Daisy there, though?”
“When she came to visit, she was like a duck to water. It might be just the thing for her and Amy.”
Natalie’s smile fades. “What happened to Johnny – she doesn’t want to get back together with him?”
“He’s repentant.” I feel my hackles rise on Daisy’s behalf. “But he’s too late.”
“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” Natalie chirps.
I’ve heard her quote that before. Shakespeare? No, the Restoration playwright. “Congreve, I believe?”
“You’re a poet and you don’t know it,” she replies, laughing at my rhyme and making another.
“Actually, Daisy’s being very nice to Johnny. Considering. But she can’t trust him anymore. Plus, I think she’s up for a real lifestyle change.”
Natalie inspects her manicured nails and then raps them on the desk almost as if she’s playing a tune. “What about you and Alexandre? You told me there were issues with the ex.”
“Resolved,” I say quickly. “You know what, Natalie? I really think we need to go through the credit titles again. We’ve been chit-chatting way too long – we should get back to work before the day’s gone. I’m so thrilled for you about Miles. Keep him guessing – keep him on his toes.”
She springs from my chair and picks up her tablet. “Oh, I will.”
“I still can’t get over those donations that came out of the blue.” I’ll need to find out what Alexandre has been up to.
We start our slow amble as we exit my office. “You don’t mind that Miles isn’t a six figure earner?” I ask, wondering if Natalie remembered the vow she made a year ago.
“He’s a nice guy and that’s what counts most. My daughters like him.”
“They’ve met him? Okay, I see this really is serious.”
Then she whispers, “The truth is, Pearl, he’s a magician in bed. He takes his time, he’s so into me, you know – he makes me feel like I’m the most incredible woman who’s ever walked the earth.”
I nod knowingly. “Yup, you’re hooked, alright.”
Then we both burst out at once, “HookedUp!”
I add, “It amuses me no end, the name HookedUp Enterprises. It’s like Star Trek, you know, as if we’re on a space ship.”
“We’re on a journey alright. The journey of our life. They say ‘life begins at forty’ and you know what? I think they’re right!”
***
A few hours later, just as I am grabbing my coat to leave the office, my landline rings.
Jeanine informs me, “The person wouldn’t tell me who she was.”
“A woman?”
“A British woman.”
“Thanks Jeanine, put her through.”
I hold the receiver with trepidation. “Hello?”
“Sorry to bother you at work, Pearl, but I had no choice.”
It’s HER.
“What do you want, Laura.” No question mark.
“I realize I was rash when I told you my secret about your mobile.” Mobile…ah yes, British for cell phone.
“So you couldn’t spy on me anymore, you mean?”
“Just keeping tabs.”
“Well, I’m no longer using my ‘mobile’ anyway.”
“So I gathered. That’s why I’m calling you at work.”
“I know what you’re up to, Laura. Alexandre’s told me everything.”
“Ah, yes. The hip replacement. And the rather sorry-looking teeth. Why is it that Americans have such perfect knashers and we sad Europeans get lumped with bad dental care all our lives? Well, not blowing my own trumpet, or anything, but mine were sorted out and are in mint condition. But, you know, in general. Especially the French. Not Sophie and Alexandre, though, their sparkling white teeth are pretty perfect, except for that oh so slightly crooked one he has, but that, of course, is part of his charm—”
I cut her short. “Why are you calling, Laura?”
“I feel lonely. Left out. Alexandre’s not answering my calls and I want to know what he’s decided.”
I take a deep breath and tell her, “He doesn’t love you, Laura.”
“He loved me once and he can love me again. Once I’ve had his child then we can be happy again. I mean, let’s face it Pearl, that’s something you can’t give him. He wants to be a father.”
“He’s going to be a father,” I blurt out.
“Come again?”
“I’m pregnant, Laura. Alexandre and I are going to be parents.” Oh God, why did I say that? Why did I let her know that? I feel instantly foolish – this woman is nuts. This information could drive her over the edge of reason.
There’s silence and then she replies with a hiss, “Bollocks. You’re just saying that to rile me up!”
I don’t answer.
“Pearl? Are you there?”
I want to hang up on her, but also don’t dare to.
“Pearl?” Her voice sounds tearful. Laura crying? That I cannot imagine.
“I’m still here,” I answer.
“Did you do IVF?”
“No, Laura. He fucked my ARSE with an R off, and his sperm shot inside my womb and I got pregnant naturally.” Oh no, now what have I said?
She slams the phone down on me.
My moment of triumphant glory is overtaken by an overwhelming feeling of stupidity. Uh, oh. I’ve really gone and done it now. My heart’s racing. That little payback instant felt sooo good….but….
The telephone rings again. I grab it, morbidly curious as to what will happen next. I hope my outburst isn’t going to land Alexandre’s mother in jail.
“It’s the British woman again,” Jeanine lets me know.
“Thanks, Jeanine, we got cut off, please put her through.” I sit down in my swivel chair.
“Okay,” Laura begins, “I’m willing to negotiate.”
Negotiate? “I’m listeni
ng.”
“This relationship seems to be far, far more serious than I had imagined.”
“What relationship?” I ask tentatively.
“Yours and Alex’s, of course.”
“We’re in love, Laura.” Ooh, that felt good, too.
“His dick has obviously got the better of him. But that’s by the by. I’m not a home wrecker, whatever you may think of me. How far gone are you?”
“Three months,” I lie. “It’s all happening, Laura. The doctors are delighted with the scans. I’m carrying a very healthy fetus – no chance of miscarriage now.” I hope I haven’t jinxed my pregnancy by saying that. I wince at my words.
She puffs, “I see. Well, that will change the course of events somewhat.”
Somewhat?
“Look Pearl. I’m willing to do a deal. You can keep Alexandre and your baby. But I also want a baby. You know, James couldn’t have children and before that…well, I was in a bloody wheelchair, thank you very much. Having a child has been a dream of mine and I want that dream to come true at any cost. Do you understand, Pearl? I am not giving up on my dream. We can do IVF. Alex won’t even have to have sex with me. Just his sperm, that’s all I want.”
This woman is a real nut-job. If this were a movie, I’d be laughing by this point. “Why don’t you go to a sperm bank, Laura?”
“Ugh, that’s disgusting. Some smelly old sperm from someone I don’t know?”
“Don’t you have a handsome gay friend who could help you out?”
“I’m not a fag-hag. I don’t go round with poofs, and besides, d’you think I want my baby to have homo genes in his DNA?”
“Well, what about a one-night stand with some gorgeous guy?” I suggest.
“I want brains as well as beauty. I want it all for my baby.”
I propose an idea which I’m sure she’ll shut down. I go ahead and suggest it anyway, “There are lots of clever, handsome men. You can afford it – advertise – you could even do it on eBay. I’m sure Alexandre would pay for any costs involved. Or I can help out.”
“You think I’d degrade myself like that, Pearl? Purr…lease.”
“There must be a better way, Laura - a way that doesn’t involve Alexandre doing something against his will.”
“Pearl, I think you’ve forgotten something key here. I hold the cards. I have the power. I want Alexandre’s sperm in that little test tube - and nobody else’s - and if I don’t get it I might just be inclined to make a very big scene!”
“Don’t do that, Laura! You’ll break his heart if you…you know….say anything.”
“What about me? What about my bloody broken heart! I look at myself in the mirror and I see a fuck-off, babelicious blonde looking bloody good for her age – then I see you with your big forty year-old arse and wonder…what the fuck does he see in her?”
Big ass? I have to tread carefully here. I mustn’t let this woman get to me. I force myself to remain calm and take another deep breath. Breath in, breath out. “We’re both into dogs, Laura…things like that. We have a connection. A bond.”
“Look, Pearl, I think I’m being bloody magnanimous as it is - I’m letting you keep Alexandre. All I’m asking for is his bloody semen!”
I’m speechless – I can’t think of how to reply.
She carries on in her posh drawl, “You talk to him. Tell him that if he doesn’t agree – in writing by the way – to come to the clinic with me, then I’ll be perfectly happy to spill the beans about ‘you know who’, and what that ‘you know who’ did.”
“Where is the ‘you know what,’ Laura?”
“The ‘you know what’ is in a safety deposit box in a fuck-off vault in one of London’s most protected banks, so don’t even think about fucking with me.”
I try to sound composed. “I’m sure you wouldn’t do anything rash, Laura.”
“I always hated that silly cow anyway. To be honest, she’s got it coming to her. What kind of a person would do what she did? Not the topping off part but abandoning her children.”
I hate to say it, but Laura does have a point. I have never met Alexandre’s mother but she doesn’t sound like the most stable of people. Nor, the most loyal.
But I say, “We mustn’t judge her. And whatever we might think, Alexandre loves her.”
“Anyway, you need to have a chat with him and let him know where I stand. I’m thirty-three years old and I want that baby A.S.A.P. I’ve already started the hormone therapy and I want that French fuck’s sperm in that test tube within the next few weeks.”
“Laura, if you think he’s a ‘French fuck’ why do you want his baby in the first place?”
“Because he happens to be the most intelligent person I know. He’s a genius, Pearl. Do you appreciate how clever he is? His mind is like a quantum theory computer. He is also stunningly handsome with a perfect, well-proportioned body. With his brains and his beauty and my brains and my beauty we’ll produce a wonder child.”
She sounds like the baddie in one of those mad, science fiction movies. “And then what?” I ask.
“I get his sperm, wait until I have the actual baby - just in case. Might even have some extra frozen for the future just for good measure. I’ll also want a nice trust set up for the child - several million’s worth – several million – and then he can have everything in that vault and we’ll never speak of the subject again.”
“What about the child? You’ll want it to have a father, surely? Is Alexandre expected to play daddy?”
“I haven’t thought that part through, yet. I have to ponder what’s ‘best for baby’. Now you’re pregnant. Pearl, it really puts a spanner in the works.”
“What about James?” I ask, half imagining him lying dead somewhere, poisoned by her.
“I was getting geared up to divorce him but he could come in handy. Good point, Pearl. I need to mull all that side of things over. I really had imagined myself back with Alex until you and your fat arse got in the way. I’m sure he’ll get bored with you, eventually. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
I want to scream and shout at her but I also don’t want to rock us both out of the very wobbly boat we’re in – we could capsize and end up drowning, the pair of us.
“What if the IVF doesn’t work, Laura? There’s only a fifteen percent success rate, you know.”
Silence.
Then she replies chirpily, “I feel very confident. Oh yes, and Alex will need to do his bit, too. A multivitamin. He’ll need to stop drinking, no soy products, eat organic, no food from plastic containers. The positive thing about you being pregnant, Pearl, is that it’s proof that his semen is working just fine. I mean, it must be extra powerful to have got you, a forty year-old pregnant. I’ll give him a list about the do’s and don’ts when we speak later. Well, bye then. Nice chatting. Tell Alex to call me A.S.A.P.”
“I will,” I answer, my blood boiling. I hang up. What a basket case. She really must have fallen hard on her head in that accident.
***
As soon as I get home, I search for Alexandre. He’s in his study talking on the phone. Deadly serious. He shoots me a ‘do-not-interrupt’ glance. Normally, I’d slip away and come back later, but I hover. He’s wearing a hand-tailored, charcoal gray suit and looks extremely dapper. I have to say, he really is one of the most handsome men I have ever seen in my life.
“No, I didn’t say that. What I said was that we need to invest another twenty million. You know how these things are. If you want quality, you have to pay for it, and what we need is…what we need…look, what we mustn’t skimp on is talent. If that’s what his fee is, then that’s simply what we have to pay. Green-light that, Jim, yes, we have to. She said what? That’s bullshit. There’s room out there for games that don’t involve shooting people. You see, Jim, that’s what I’m talking about. That’s what I liked about it. It has an epic heart-tugging story, glorious environments, kind of a sweet light magic and dark magic and a simply stunning soundtrack.”
/>
I observe my fiancé as his face reveals a gamut of emotions between smiles, frowns and furious brow creasing – animated by this conversation which is obviously about the next big video game. I have gathered that their budgets are bigger than blockbuster movies.
Alexandre loosens his tie. “That’s right. What consumers want are handhelds that run Android so they can have a nice portable emulator. Okay, Jim. Speak to them and get back to me in the next few hours. Thanks.”
“Sorry to bother you, baby.” I’m lingering at the doorway.
“You never bother me, chérie; I’m always glad to see you. Come here and sit on my lap - just give me a couple more minutes – I need to write something down before I forget.”
But I can’t hold it in. His wheeling and dealing may be important but nothing as life-changing as being, or not being, a father. I blurt out, “Laura called me. We need to do something. She’s on the warpath, still.” The sperm warpath.
He closes his lids as if that will wipe her from his mind. “I keep hoping she’ll give up and go away.”
“Not a chance. But things are looking up a little,” I say, hopefully, as I settle on his knee.
He puts his arms about my waist and breathes in the scent of my hair. “What d’you mean?”
“She’s given up on wanting you, yourself, although she still wants part of you.”
He shakes his head. “She’s such a nutter. What did she say?”
“She wants you to go to the IVF clinic with her.”
“Oh Christ.”
“Well at least she’s stopped harping on about marriage with you and living happily ever after.”
He raises his eyebrows.
“I told her I was pregnant.”
He furrows his temple. “Was that wise? She’s so off the rails she’s capable of anything. I really want her to keep away from you, Pearl – she could get consumed by jealousy.”
“Strangely enough, I think it’s had the opposite effect – it seems to have cooled her down. She’s delighted your semen is so potent. She says she’s not a home wrecker.”
“She’s a wrecker, period.”
I nuzzle into his embrace and squeeze my arms about his broad chest. “Maybe you should—”
Shimmers of Pearl (The Pearl Trilogy, Part 3) Page 14