‘You’re a bitch and you’re a bitch!’ he screamed at Katie and Claire. Then he ran into the small booth where Jodi was sitting and dived under the table.
Francine burst into uncontrollable sobs, burying her face in a teacloth.
Several people rushed to comfort her.
‘Well, I’ve heard it all now!’ Andrea said. ‘You should take that child home, Francine.’
‘Steady on, Andrea,’ Jane remonstrated. ‘Francine, don’t you fret. Our house is like a war zone. Cameron’ll get over himself in time. My eldest boy is the same. The other two were angels in comparison.’
‘Your eldest causes havoc in the village. Don’t try to condone Cameron’s violent, foul-mouthed behaviour!’ Andrea shouted.
‘Pay no attention to her, Francine,’ Jane said. ‘Some day one of her children will tell her to feck off in front of the mayor or, worse, they’ll hit their teens and get addicted to cocaine.’
‘My children will not end up like that, thank you very much.’ Andrea retorted. ‘Just because you two are making a bags of motherhood doesn’t mean I have to.’
Jodi began to giggle. ‘Wow!’ she said, standing up with Saul in her arms. ‘I sincerely hope your children all make it to medical school or wherever you think they should go.’
‘Sorry?’ Andrea reddened.
‘You clearly reckon they should all be perfect,’ Jodi said. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly not perfect.’
Cameron was sitting cross-legged with his arms folded under the table. Carl attempted to drag him out. ‘Come out here and don’t even think about wrecking the place or making this any worse for Mum and me. If you step out of line once more tonight I won’t be held responsible for what I’ll do to you.’
‘Don’t touch me!’ Cameron screamed.
‘Good Lord!’ Carl said to Jodi. ‘I’ve never seen such blatant defiance. I have to admit to being unnerved by this fella.’
‘Could you take Saul to get a drink?’ Jodi asked Carl. ‘Cameron might come out for me. A different face?’
‘It’s worth a try. Come on, Saul,’ Carl said, gazing helplessly at his son.
‘Go with Carl, Saul. I’ll come over to you in just a second, okay?’ Jodi promised.
Cameron was curled into a tight ball, sobbing.
Jodi sat on the floor, cross-legged, under the table holding her arms out. The little boy peeped through his fingers at her, then crawled towards her. ‘It’s okay. I feel like hiding some days too,’ she said soothingly. ‘Let’s just sit here for a bit and let the others get some food.’
Francine knew she was beyond salvaging the situation. If people wanted to judge her harshly and point the finger at her, she’d have to live with it. She decided she might as well make herself useful so she went to dole out cake with Jane while two other women poured coffee.
‘This is delightful, dear,’ an elderly lady told Francine. ‘You’re a wonder, and I hope all the other parents appreciate you.’
‘Thank you.’ Francine forced a smile.
‘Did you make any of these cakes yourself or does someone else do that?’
‘I made them all,’ Francine said wearily.
‘Well, you’re ever so talented.’
‘It’s just a pity I’m not so good as a mother. Perhaps I should open a café and put my children in a crèche,’ Francine said sadly.
‘Not at all, dear,’ the old lady said. She laid a hand on Francine’s. ‘Children are meant to have spirit. They’re like tiny sponges. They soak up the world and try to process it as best they can. My first child was silent. We discovered he was severely autistic. To this day he’s totally non-communicative. I’ve never known what he’s thinking or feeling. Embrace your little fella’s spark.’
Francine had a lump in her throat. She’d never seen Cameron’s behaviour in a positive light. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to his violent fluctuations but that wise woman had given her a sharp dose of reality.
Jodi was leading Cameron to the apple bobbing. Before long he was sitting at a low table with Saul and two other children, munching brack and watching the older children dunking their faces in the large vats of water. Jodi was making them giggle as she pulled faces and told them a story.
‘Isn’t she the most lovely person?’ Jane murmured. ‘I’d say the only reason she doesn’t have tons of children is because of her career. She’s an amazing mother.’
‘She really is,’ Francine agreed listlessly. ‘It’s astonishing the pre-conceived ideas we can all have. I assumed before I met her that she’d be a total diva with little or no interest in kids. But she’s incredibly keen to set down roots for herself and Saul.’
‘I guess it’s easy to forget she’s a regular person when the world thinks we own her through her acting.’
By the time Francine pulled up at the house, the clearing-up complete in the school hall, Carl was carrying Cameron up the stairs.
‘He’s out cold after all the shenanigans.’ Carl shrugged.
She followed them into the bedroom, where Cameron crawled on to his father’s lap.
‘Sorry, Mummy and Daddy,’ he said, peering up at them.
‘It’s okay, son. These things happen. We’ll have to try and work out some sort of system to stop you getting so cross. Nuala says she knows lots of ways of doing that,’ Carl explained.
‘Okay,’ Cameron said, into his daddy’s chest.
‘Hop under the duvet there and we’ll tuck you in,’ Francine said gently. ‘As Daddy says, we’ll go and talk to Nuala a little bit more and see if she can help us with a little plan to keep away the crossness.’
‘It just jumps out and does what it likes.’ Cameron yawned.
‘We’ll try and fix it together.’ Carl bent to kiss him.
Chapter 22
Early the next morning, Jodi boarded the plane with Saul.
‘I can’t wait to see Daddy!’ he said.
‘It’s going to be brilliant,’ Jodi said, patting his head.
‘Hello, Jodi,’ the excited stewardess greeted them. ‘I’m a massive fan! It’s great to meet you.’
‘Thank you,’ Jodi said, shaking her hand and smiling.
‘We’re going to see my daddy. He’s very famous too,’ Saul said.
‘Oh, I know.’ The stewardess laughed. ‘Will you tell him Emily said hello?’
Saul chatted nineteen to the dozen for the entire flight, as Jodi nodded and smiled.
‘You’ve a real little character there,’ a nearby passenger said, as they disembarked.
‘Don’t I know it!’ Jodi said cheerfully.
The neatly dressed chauffeur had already found their small bags and was waiting patiently at their usual spot in Arrivals.
‘Hello, ma’am, Saul,’ he said politely.
‘Hey, G!’ Saul gave him a high five, complete with a leap in the air.
‘Hi, George,’ Jodi greeted him.
‘How was your flight?’
‘Good, thanks,’ Jodi said, as they settled into the back of the car. She had used George all the time since her career had taken off. His darkened windows and pleasant, unobtrusive manner made for a combination she appreciated. They always used the same drop-off and collection spots in the airport so she knew he’d be there to whisk her away before a crowd had time to follow.
The traffic was light for central London and they arrived at the apartment quickly. Letting them in with her key, Jodi inhaled the familiar smell of furniture polish mixed with cologne.
The press would’ve assumed Jodi had been in charge of the décor, but in truth this place was Darius all over. From the pony-skin rug to the accents of acid green and fuchsia pink, the place screamed drama and plush excess. It had made Jodi giggle the first time she’d seen it. ‘Jeez, Darius, all that’s missing is a flock of flamingos and Barry Manilow crooning ‘Copacabana’ in the corner at a white baby grand piano,’ she teased.
‘Why a baby grand? What about a full man-sized version with crystal-encrusted legs?’ D
arius had said, with a cheeky grin.
‘I wouldn’t put it past you,’ Jodi had replied. ‘I’m worried that I’ll arrive here some day soon and you’ll have bought one!’ Smiling, she dragged her bag into his room. Thankfully, there was still no piano.
‘Can I get a drink, Mum?’ Saul called out.
‘Sure, lovie. You know where the kitchen is.’
The kitchen was more like a cubbyhole with a couple of expensive accessories. The fridge was gigantic, usually stocked with booze and the odd bottle of sparkling water. It was really only for show. Like Jodi, Darius was never going to win any awards for his culinary skills. ‘I wouldn’t even consider cooking in here,’ he said, waving a hand dismissively. ‘Apart from the fact it might make a mess, imagine if my three-thousand-pound rug got to smell of onions!’
The two bedrooms were just as dramatic as the entrance area and living room. Darius’s room was dominated by a huge leather-headed bed with enough silk cushions in graduated shades of green and cream to create a seascape for a large movie set. Little seahorses in twinkling palest green adorned everything from the bedside lockers to the curtains.
‘What’s with the seahorse obsession in here?’ Jodi had once asked.
‘Male seahorses bear the babies and are in some sense the mothers in their species, so this is my nod to being a nurturer,’ Darius explained. ‘I told the designer to make this room like a mermaid’s palace.’
Jodi found Darius’s view of the world extraordinary. He believed that it would be a better place if everyone allowed themselves to dream. In that, he was the exact opposite to her. His bubble would never burst. He would drift through life with hope shining from his soul. ‘That’s why you and I were destined to be together, darling,’ he often said. ‘You lean towards tragedy and I believe in fairies!’
‘You are a fairy!’
Jodi had been born in a popped bubble with the harshest side of life on her doorstep. While Darius had played on beaches and been loved, Jodi had sat in pubs or A&E departments, waiting for her mother either to get drunk or to sober up.
Darius brought an element to Saul’s life that she couldn’t offer. She simply didn’t know how to teach their son about rainbows and stardust and was eternally grateful to Darius for providing that extra bit of magic in their world.
‘Hello, hello, hell-ooo?’ Darius was home.
‘Hi!’ Jodi said, dropping the things she’d rooted out of her case and running to hug him.
‘Daddy!’ Saul shrieked, rushing to his arms.
‘Are you two ready to party tonight?’ Darius said to Saul. ‘Jodi, my darling, how are you?’ He carried Saul over to her so they could have a family hug.
‘When are we going?’ Saul asked.
‘Soon!’ Darius said. ‘You know how much my friend Garrison loves giving parties and this year he’s going all out! There’ll be loads of other children there. Mummy and I are going to dress up, and you are too!’
‘No, I’m not!’ Jodi protested.
‘Yes, you are!’ Saul and Darius shouted in unison.
‘I have your costume all ready. You’ll be Dorothy, I’m the Lion,’ Darius made a pretend paw swipe, ‘and Saul is the Tin Man. Everything’s organised!’
‘Where are the costumes, Dad? Show me!’
‘In your room. Come on!’
A moment later, Saul couldn’t contain himself. ‘Look, Mum! Mine’s just like the one in the movie!’
‘Super cool! I’m not too sure about mine, though,’ she said, picking up the blue and white gingham dress.
‘That cost a fortune, I’ll have you know,’ Darius scolded her.
‘It’s more the wig with the two wired plaits I’m bothered about.’ Jodi grinned.
Saul was thrilled when his parents zipped him into his Tin Man costume. ‘It’s so comfy,’ he said. ‘It looks like tin but it feels like my pyjamas.’
Darius covered his own face in an orangey colour. ‘Wait until you see my nose and whiskers!’ he said.
Jodi stepped into the glittering red shoes Darius had provided. ‘I’ve always wanted to follow the Yellow Brick Road. If only we could walk into the living room and find hundreds of Munchkins!’
‘Shoot!’ Darius said, clicking his fingers. ‘I knew I forgot something.’
The buzzer sent Saul cavorting to the door. ‘The car’s here!’ he shouted.
They piled into the limo for the short ride to the venue.
When they arrived, Jodi peered out of the window. ‘The place is thronged with paps.’
‘I figured it might be.’ Darius looked pleased. ‘I can’t wait to show them my costume!’
‘You’ll have to get someone to take Saul around to the back,’ Jodi instructed.
‘That’s all arranged,’ Darius assured her. ‘Ah, here she is now.’ Rolling down the window, Darius asked if she was there to mind Saul.
‘Yes, I am. I’ll usher him to the back once you two have emerged from the vehicle,’ she said. ‘Garrison will meet us there.’
‘Okay, honey, you know the drill,’ Jodi said, and kissed Saul. ‘You wait a couple of minutes until Dad and I are out having pictures taken and the lady will take you to meet Uncle Garrison. We’ll be in as soon as we can, okay?’
‘Okay, Mum.’ Saul pulled a fed-up face.
‘What’s up?’
‘I want to be in the magazines too. Why can’t I have my picture taken?’
‘We’ve told you before, dude.’ Darius took over. ‘We think it’s wrong for little children to be in pictures like that. When you’re older, if you want to be in photos, it’ll be up to you.’
‘’Kay.’
‘See you in five, sweetie,’ Jodi said, and opened the door to a seizure-inducing array of camera flashes.
‘Jodi! Darius!’ the photographers called. ‘Over here! Gorgeous! Amazing!’
Jodi and Darius came together and performed beautifully for the press, prancing, giggling, stroking each other’s faces and hugging. They even kissed quickly.
‘Do you think we’re in Oz yet?’ Jodi said, raising a hand to her mouth and gasping.
‘I can feel my courage seeping through my paws so I guess we are, sweetie,’ Darius answered loudly.
They stood for a few more minutes to make sure each photographer had at least one shot. They were known in the business for being generous to press and fans alike.
‘Great to see you back on British soil, Jodi,’ someone called out.
‘We’ve missed Darius but our son is happily settled in school in Ireland,’ she said. ‘We’re thrilled to be reunited for the midterm break while Darius continues with the shooting of his new movie, The Devil’s Children.’
‘We’d better go inside or they’ll send out a search party!’ Darius said. He waved and led her away. ‘Nicely done, darling. We love a good movie plug,’ he whispered, as he gave her an oh-so-nonchalant kiss on the cheek and hooked her towards him in a protective arm.
Pausing pointedly, they gazed into each other’s eyes, offering the paps a ‘wonderful moment’ picture before the automatic doors of the hotel swallowed them.
Saul was running up and down with two boys he’d met many times before.
‘Okay?’ Jodi called to him. He replied with a thumbs-up and an impish grin.
‘Oh, me! Oh, my! There’s no place like home!’ Jodi and Darius heard behind them.
‘Garrison, darling!’ Darius exclaimed. ‘You look utterly obscene! Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, with nothing left to the imagination.’
‘I do try. It’s not my fault I’m hung like a donkey.’
‘Too much information, thank you!’ Jodi said, pretending to be disgusted.
The place was decorated to look like a cave, complete with spooky music.
‘This is lavish even for you,’ Darius teased.
‘Old age is making me eccentric,’ Garrison said, with a heavy sigh.
‘You were born bats, sweetie,’ Jodi laughed, ‘but you’ve surpassed yourself here!’
<
br /> ‘How are things? Are you loving the country-cottage chic of Ireland?’ Garrison asked Jodi. ‘It suits you. You look ravishing. If I wasn’t gay I’d want you.’
‘You really know how to compliment a girl,’ she said, chucking him under the chin.
For the longest time Jodi had tried to convince Garrison and Darius to fall in love.
‘If we could, we would have aeons ago,’ Darius had said. ‘But the electricity just isn’t there.’
‘We love each other but it’s brotherly rather than va-va-voom!’ Garrison sighed.
He was one of the only people in the world who knew about the marriage arrangement. He was Saul’s godfather and a fabulous support to both of them. An amazing success in the acting industry, he was always flamboyant and in-your-face gay, but he’d never been any different.
‘If only I’d taken a feather from your glittering cap way back when,’ Darius had lamented, ‘I could be out there as my true self.’
‘But you wouldn’t have Jodi and, more than that, my godson wouldn’t exist.’
‘True. I wouldn’t swap either of them for all the gay kudos in the galaxy.’
‘Besides,’ Garrison had flicked his hair, ‘this town ain’t big enough for two queens.’
The atmosphere was jovial and relaxed as Garrison ensured his guests’ glasses were topped up and the canapés plentiful. Face painters and a magic show kept the children occupied while the adults mingled.
‘Do you need me to come and sit with you?’ Jodi asked Saul. She was so used to using him as a crutch when they attended such events, she found it mildly unnerving to discover he wanted to hang out with the other kids on his own.
‘I’m fine, Mum. You go and talk to Daddy and the grown-ups.’
Ever since they’d met, Jodi had loved the way her husband looked after her at social gatherings. Darius could barely contain himself at parties and press events. He lived for the buzz, so all she needed to do was find him, link her arm through his and she’d be safe.
That had been the main reason she’d stayed with Mac for so long. That, and the fact that she’d fallen head over heels in love with him.
‘Boo!’
Jodi knew the voice before she turned around.
Perfect Wives Page 23