No Matter What

by Michelle Betham

“I was, Martha. The idea made me feel sick but, coming here ...” She looked at Martha and smiled again. “The time felt right.”

  Martha quickly squeezed her hand. “And Michael?”

  “Oh, Michael’s like a kid at Christmas. You know how much he’s always wanted a baby.”

  “And what about you? Do you want one as much as he does?”

  Martha knew only too well that babies had been the one thing in Michael and India’s relationship that had caused the most tension between them. She just wanted to know that India felt as happy about this as Michael, although she certainly looked as though she did.

  “I do now, Martha.”

  “Ok sweetie. I’m just acting like your mom now, I can’t help it. You do know I’m going to have to tell your dad though, don’t you? This is his grandchild – actually, it’s our grandchild you guys are trying to make here. Oh my God ... I’m gonna be a grandma!”

  India couldn’t help laughing. Martha was certainly going to make a very glamorous grandma that was for sure.

  “Your dad is gonna be so happy.”

  “He’s going to spend most of the time fussing round me, I can see it coming.”

  “Oh, let him have his fun, sweetheart. He missed out on a lot with you so he’s bound to want to spoil his grandchild. Just humour him, ok?”

  India smiled. “Yeah, ok. Oh, and Bobby’s the only other person who knows about this and that’s the way it has to stay. The last thing we need is this becoming headline news, especially as there isn’t even a baby yet.”

  “My lips are sealed, honey.” Martha kissed her cheek and gave her hand another squeeze. “I’ll see you later, ok?”

  India nodded, her attention distracted for a second by the arrival of Layla Boyd, who floated past her in a cloud of expensive perfume and hairspray, oozing Hollywood glitz and glamour with every step of her four inch heels. She stopped suddenly and turned to look at India over her shoulder, throwing her a smile faker than her breasts before gliding off in the direction of her trailer with her newly acquired entourage in tow. India couldn’t help laughing, in amazement more than anything else. She was absolutely positive they hadn’t been around when she’d been here a couple of days ago.

  “Where the hell did they all come from?” she asked, as Bobby appeared by her side.

  “Daddy probably bought them for her,” he replied, checking his ‘phone for messages. “I’ve also heard rumours she’s addicted to the shopping channels and spends most evenings giving her various Platinum credit cards a hammering whilst downing bottles of Sambuca.”

  India looked at him, a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth. “Oh, I so wish that was true.”

  “Who says it isn’t?” Bobby said, examining his nails.

  India sighed. “You know, being around her makes me feel so unglamorous. I mean, look at her.”

  Bobby looked at Layla as she disappeared into her trailer. “She screams tacky to me, angel. And I thought you didn’t do glamour unless absolutely forced to?”

  “I don’t.”

  “So why should feeling unglamorous bother you then?”

  “It doesn’t. Usually. Look, how do I get into these conversations with you?”

  Bobby shrugged, rummaging around in his bag for something. “You started it.”

  India looked over towards Michael, watching as he talked to the crew, smiling and laughing. He was in his element.

  “Isn’t he sexy when he’s in full-on director mode?” she sighed. “I wonder if he’s got time for a quick one before he gets started.”

  Bobby looked at her. “Are you serious?”

  “Why not?”

  “From the state of him it looks like you’ve had him on the go non-stop for the past two days, angel … how much hotter does he look with a bit of stubble, though? I’m surprised he’s got anything left to give you. Anyway, who’s to say you haven’t hit the jackpot already?”

  “Nobody,” India replied. “Do you really think he looks hotter with stubble?”

  “Oh, absolutely. Quite rugged and sexy.”

  India looked at him, trying hard not to laugh. “Ok ... am I turning into a desperate, obsessed mad woman, Bobby?”

  “Of course not, angel. Well, maybe a tad on the desperate side but that’s only to be expected.”

  She looked at him. “Bugger it! I’m going to see if he’s got time.”

  “That’s my girl. Never one to let an opportunity pass her by.”

  She smiled at him. “Haven’t you got work to do, anyway?”

  He kissed her cheek. “Tons of it, princess. And I’m on my way to get started on it right now.”

  She stood on tip-toes and kissed him back. “Love you, Bobby.”

  “Love you too, angel. See you later!”

  While Bobby set off for the office he had in the grounds of India and Michael’s Hollywood Hills home, India found Michael now sitting by himself near one of the catering vans, which was busy serving breakfast. The smell of bacon was extremely tempting but she had other things to think about, and eating wasn’t top of the list.

  “Hey, beautiful,” Michael smiled, standing up as she came over. “I wondered where you were.”

  “Are you busy?”

  “Well, I’m making a movie, honey, so kind of, yeah. Do you want something?”

  She moved closer to him, sliding a hand round the back of his neck, kissing him slowly. “Just sex.”

  “Now?”

  “Well, we are trying to make a baby, aren’t we? And I can’t do that on my own. I need a bit of help from a rather handsome actor.”

  “I can find you one if you like. There should be one or two hanging around here somewhere …”

  “Michael! I’m being serious,” she laughed, punching him playfully.

  “Oh, you mean me? You want to have sex with me?”

  “Not if you carry on like this, no.”

  He looked at his watch quickly and pulled her closer, taking a quick peek down the front of her dress.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m trying to get turned on here, baby. I’m in the middle of a movie set and you’ve just walked up to me and asked me for sex but without a little bit of help it’s not really gonna stand to attention on demand.”

  “What if I tell you I’m not wearing any underwear?”

  He looked at her. “Aren’t you?”

  She shook her head, smiling. “I’m trying to make it easy for you.”

  “Jesus ... ok, come on, let’s go. They can’t really start without me, can they?”

  It was fast, not the least bit romantic, but sexy as hell and India loved it. Michael had to go straight back out onto set afterwards but India hung around in the trailer for a while, wondering if staying still and lying down would help at all. It probably wouldn’t but she was giving it a try anyway.

  “Can I come in?”

  Reece’s voice made her sit up quickly, crossing her legs underneath her as he came in. “Sure. Shouldn’t you be out there, though?”

  “I’m not needed until this afternoon,” Reece said, sitting down on the sofa opposite her. “Martha tells me you and Michael are trying for a baby.”

  She looked at her dad. His reaction was exactly what she’d expected it to be.

  “We are.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we want one.” She suddenly felt about twelve years old.

  “I know Michael wants one, but you? You’ve done nothing but put the barriers up on that subject for years and now, all of a sudden, you decide you want a baby? Just like that? You’re not choosing a new couch here, India.”

  India got up and walked over to the window, looking outside. “I’m well aware of that.” She turned round and looked at him. “And we’ve already started trying so it’s too late to start lecturing me. For all we know I might already be pregnant.”

  “Jesus, India ...”

  “What? Aren’t you pleased that I’m finally going to give you a grandchild?”


  Reece stood up too, pushing a hand through his hair. “If I thought you were doing it for the right reasons I’d be over the moon.”

  She turned away again, folding her arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “India, sweetheart, come on. Look at me.”

  She took a deep breath and turned back to face him, her arms still folded. “I need this baby, dad.”

  He came over and took her in his arms, kissing the top of her head as he held her. “Why?”

  “Because I’m frightened that if I don’t do this I’ll lose Michael. And I can’t bear that thought.”

  Reece tilted up her chin so she looked at him. “Is this because of Kenny?”

  She didn’t say anything, just looked at her dad, knowing he knew the answer already.

  “You have to be careful, India. Having a baby isn’t something you do lightly ...”

  “I know that.”

  “Do you?”

  She was desperately trying not to cry. Her father knew her weakness, he knew the way she thought, he could see through her so easily and that scared her.

  “I want this baby, dad. Please don’t spoil it.”

  He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. He loved his daughter so much but he worried about everything she did every day of his life. She could be impulsive in a way that could sometimes be dangerous. Like now.

  He smiled at her, knowing the lectures were pointless but still wishing things were different. “If you’re sure – really sure – that this is what you want then I’m happy for you.”

  She looked up at him, needing his support and wanting him to be there for her, but he’d hit a nerve and she knew he knew that but she was convinced, totally convinced, that once this baby was on the way everything would feel different. Including the way she felt about Kenny.

  “I’m sure. It’s what we both want.”

  He kissed her forehead again, hugging her tight, really wanting to believe her but knowing she was holding back from telling him everything and there wasn’t anything he could do about that. He couldn’t force her to talk to him.

  “Have you been to see Dr Goldman?” Reece asked, turning from nagging dad into protective father because he knew that if he continued with the interrogation he was only going to push her away.

  She shook her head. “I didn’t even think about that to be honest.”

  He wasn’t sure she’d thought about anything, really, but all he could do now was make sure she was taken good care of. If she was going to go through with this then he was going to make sure she had the best of everything.

  “I’ll give him a call and get him to come over and see you at home this afternoon. Where are you going to be? Malibu or Hollywood Hills?”

  “I’ll be in The Hills.”

  “Good. That’s settled then.” He gave her one more hug. “I’d better get back out there. You ... you take care, ok?”

  She nodded, watching him leave and knowing he knew there was more to this than she was letting on. But this was the right thing to do, and he’d see that. She’d prove to everyone that this was the right thing to do.

  After hanging around the trailer for a few more minutes she went back outside, walking over to one of the catering vans to grab a coffee, where she took a few minutes to just stand and watch everything going on around her; all the activity and noise of a movie set. Familiar ground to her now. She’d be back on her own movie set in a couple of days, and if it wasn’t for the fact she’d have to face Kenny she’d be looking forward to it.

  “How are you, India?”

  India turned round to see Layla Boyd sidle up next to her, flicking her long and very blonde hair over her shoulder, smiling that false, almost sickly smile of hers.

  “I’m fine. Thank you. Yourself?”

  “Oh, I’m doing just great. Your husband is a dream to work with.”

  “Is he now,” India said dryly, wondering if there was a point to this conversation because she was bored of it already.

  “He spends so much time with me and he’s such a professional.”

  “Isn’t he just.”

  “He’s always willing to give me a little - how shall we put this - one on one time. Just to make sure I’m performing at my absolute best.”

  “Well, you must be keeping him extremely busy then, Layla.” India was starting to get a little agitated now. She could see exactly what Layla was trying to do and she wasn’t going to let her get to her.

  “When are you going back to Vegas?” Layla asked, trying to work out just what India had meant by that last remark.

  “Soon,” India replied, staring straight ahead of her now. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

  “You know, I just love your accent. It’s so – quaint. Where is it you’re from again?”

  India turned to stare at her. This girl was unbelievable. She wished Bobby was here to see this. “England.”

  Layla giggled. “I know that, silly. I meant which part of England.”

  India had known what she’d meant, she just couldn’t be bothered to play along. “I’m from the North East of England, Layla. And I doubt you’ll ever venture there in your lifetime.” She wouldn’t last five minutes, India thought.

  Layla looked her up and down and now India really wished Bobby was here. “You have such - individual style, India.” She looked up at India and smiled again. “When you look at Michael’s ex-wives you wouldn’t think you were his type at all.”

  India had had enough now. “Alright, Layla, what’s your point here?”

  Layla smiled at her again and India could have quite happily slapped her over-made up face.

  “You have a very attractive husband, India. But he’s had three failed marriages before you so what makes you think you’ll be the one to keep hold of him?”

  India was so not in the mood for this from some stupid little girl who was obviously playing some kind of game.

  “Just be careful, Layla. I know what you’re trying to do and it isn’t working. The innocent looks, the batting of the eyelids, the pretending to be the simpering blonde, it’s pathetic. He won’t fall for it, I know him.”

  “Oh, you know him, do you?”

  India stared right at her. “I know him.”

  “And what about Kenny Ross?”

  Now India was angry. Very angry. She really just wanted to smack that self-satisfied smirk off her face.

  “If I find out you’ve gone anywhere near my husband outside of this movie set, believe me, you will regret it, Layla. That’s a promise.”

  India turned and walked away without looking back at her, not wanting to carry this on when she had far more important things to be worrying about. Layla Boyd was just a sad and desperate young girl, someone who’d use anyone to get what she wanted but it wouldn’t work with Michael. At least, India hoped not. She really did.

  ***

  Kenny was back in Vegas and it was just where he needed to be. What had happened with India was on his mind constantly but here there was always something to try and distract him from that. Or someone. But after a reckless one night stand following a heavy evening of partying with some friends who lived in Las Vegas he didn’t feel any less bad about what had happened in L.A. Infact, he felt worse. He couldn’t stop thinking about India, the look on her face as she’d spoken to him, but what he’d seen in her eyes hadn’t been final, far from it. He had no doubt she loved Michael, he’d be stupid to think otherwise, you only had to look at them together to see the way they felt about each other, but she still had feelings for him, he was certain of that. He’d seen it, he’d sensed it, and as far as Kenny was concerned there was still something far from perfect with her marriage to Michael. He didn’t know what it was, he couldn’t say for definite, but something wasn’t quite right. If only he could put his finger on just what that was then maybe he stood a chance of winning her back. He’d stopped thinking of that as a stupid out-of-reach fantasy now and in his head he thought it could actually
become a reality. If only India could see that Michael Walsh wasn’t the perfect man she had him out to be. If only Kenny could find out how to make that happen.

  He sat down at The Terrace Bar of The Maine Resort and ordered another beer. He’d spent the day filming scenes that hadn’t needed India and he was tired, but he hadn’t felt much like going to his suite and sitting up there alone. At least if he was down here he felt part of something.

  “You ok, Kenny?”

  Kenny looked up as Vince sat at the bar next to him, ordering a whisky. “I’m fine. Just fine.”

  Vince looked at him. “Yeah. You sound it.”

  Kenny looked into his beer, not really in the mood for a conversation. “How’s Charley?”

  “She’s ok, thanks. She’s working tonight. Kenny ...”

  Kenny looked at him, suddenly desperate for a cigarette and he hadn’t smoked in years. “What?”

  “When India comes back, she is going to talk to Charley, isn’t she?”

  Kenny shrugged. “I haven’t seen her for days, but the last time I saw her that’s what she said she was going to do. It’ll be fine, Vince.”

  “I’m glad you think so … what is wrong with you? Something’s obviously on your mind.”

  Kenny took a long swig of beer. “Nothing’s on my mind. I’m just tired.”

  Vince decided to change the subject. Something was obviously bothering him but he didn’t seem in the mood to talk about it. “When does she get back then? India, I mean.”

  Kenny looked at him, and from that one look Vince knew that whatever was on Kenny’s mind had everything to do with his ex-wife.

  “Friday afternoon, I think.”

  “Right ... look, maybe you should know that since India went to L.A., me and Charley we’re ... well, we’re living together now.”

  Kenny looked at him again. “You’re moving pretty fast aren’t you? From devout bachelor to almost engaged practically overnight. Are you sure about this?”

  “Never been more sure. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before.”

  Kenny drained the last of his beer from the bottle and got off his stool, grabbing his jacket from the bar. “Then I’m very pleased for you. But I’ve had a long day and I’m shattered. See you around.”