by Helga Jensen
‘It wasn’t my fault, okay. They ran off. They were there one minute and gone the next.’
‘Well, you shouldn’t have taken your eyes off them, you idiot. Why would you not watch them? How could you trust that horrible woman to look after them? She couldn’t look after the flaming tortoise,’ I scream.
‘Because I thought they were old enough to behave for one minute. I didn’t know they’d run off,’ Dick says. ‘I’m so sorry. I’m really sorry.’
For a moment my anger starts to subside. I can hear he is very upset and it must be difficult for him too, but I still can’t help but be furious with him for leaving them under her watch for a second. Those parks are so busy, anyone could have come along and grabbed them while that floozie wasn’t looking.
‘Where are you now?’ I ask.
‘In the security office. The staff brought me in here while the police and security check everywhere. They’re not letting anyone in or out of the park now,’ he explains. ‘Oh, hang on, the policeman’s coming,’ he adds.
I hear voices mumbling in the background, and then Dick says, ‘I’ll call you back in a minute. There’s been some kind of development.’
Chapter 28
Two sides of the States – seeing is believing
Jamie and I stare in disbelief at the photo that has been sent to my phone. There in front of me is Jasper, looking through a glass window, with Rupert helplessly watching on the other side – their hands touching through the pane.
The good news is that they have both been found. The bad news is that Jasper was discovered inside a claw machine in an arcade and the staff can’t find the keys to open it.
‘What on earth is he doing?’ I ask Jamie.
I honestly don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I am so relieved they are safe that my emotions are everywhere and I am a little hysterical. I think once he gets out of the machine then I might be able to laugh about it, but for now, I am immensely concerned that the staff can’t find the keys.
‘They’ll have to get the fire brigade out; can’t someone call them?’ I say anxiously.
‘I’m sure they’ll find the keys in a minute. You don’t want them to smash the glass. It might injure Jasper,’ says Jamie rationally.
I try to figure from the picture if Jasper is in any discomfort. I mean, is there enough oxygen in a claw machine for a nine-year-old? It is not like this is a subject taught at school, ‘how to survive being trapped inside a claw machine’. Perhaps I will petition for this to become part of the curriculum when I return.
I simply have to pray that they find those keys. Isn’t there a master key somewhere? My phone is practically glued to my hand now as I wait for the next bit of news.
‘Come on, why don’t we go to the bar and get a drink while we wait?’ says Jamie. ‘I’m pretty sure it’s time for a drink after the day you’ve had.’
‘I don’t think I should be heading to the hotel bar when my child could be suffocating in a grabber machine, Jamie. My god, you can tell that you’re not a parent.’ I regret the words immediately even though Jamie doesn’t show any hint of emotion.
‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t know what I’d have done without you today. I owe you, really. But, look, I should get on the next flight and get home. I’m not even in the mood for a holiday now. My poor boys have been through so much trauma. I wasn’t even there for them in their hour of need.’
‘Your flight is in 48 hours; I don’t think it’s going to make much difference now. Plus, I’m on your flight back – you never know, I might be able to upgrade you.’ Jamie winks at me, but I am in no mood for his flippancy. My child is stuck in a claw machine, possibly struggling for oxygen and about to get hypoxic. I really couldn’t care less about business class.
‘I should never have left them. Everything is all my fault. They’d be safe at home if I hadn’t come to New York. Perhaps they wouldn’t be in Florida right now. Maybe they’d have gone at a different time and this wouldn’t have happened,’ I say. The guilt hits me again.
‘They wanted to go on holiday, Amelia. Come on, they were allowed to go on holiday with their dad. You did nothing wrong. Dick probably didn’t really either; it’s that silly woman. Look, stop with all the guilt, will you? We all know what you’ve been through with Dick and how unhappy you’ve been. Come on, stop all of this, you deserve a break and you’re a great mum,’ says Jamie.
‘Really?’ I ask. I don’t feel like it right now.
‘You are such an amazing mum. You live for those boys and do everything you can for them. Don’t be so hard on yourself,’ he says.
The phone rings and I see it is Dick. Please let him be calling to say that Jasper is finally out.
‘He’s out. They got him out!’ he says with relief in his voice.
‘Oh, thank God. Don’t ever let that woman be on her own with them again, do you hear me?’ I say. I signal to Jamie that Jasper has been released from his temporary prison.
‘Are you away? Your phone ring’s funny,’ says Dick, taking me by surprise.
‘Yes, I decided to take a break in New York,’ I say.
‘Was that what Sian was whispering about like some school kid at the castle? Oh my god, you planned this, didn’t you? No wonder you wanted me to take the kids to Disney. Have you got a new man?’ says Dick.
‘First of all, I asked if I could take them to Disney, so no, it was not planned. And would you really care if I did have a new man?’ I say. ‘You can’t have it both ways, Dick. Remember you’re getting married.’
‘Oh,’ I hear down the line.
‘Is that a hint of jealousy?’ I ask. Dick doesn’t answer.
‘Can I speak to Jasper now, please?’ I am beyond desperate to hear my baby boy’s voice. I hear Dick grunt something, and then Jasper comes on the phone.
‘Mum, that was seriously cool,’ he says excitedly.
‘What on earth were you trying to do?’ I ask.
‘I bet Rupert the candyfloss money that I could climb in and get the big SpongeBob SquarePants out. I was trying to be fugal, like Daddy recommends,’ answers Jasper.
‘It’s frugal,’ I say. ‘And technically that’s actually stealing, Jasper. I can’t believe you would do such a thing.’
‘Sorry, Mum. I thought Dad would be happy that I saved a few dollars and got a free SpongeBob. Rupert said it was a good idea.’
‘No, I don’t think even Daddy would be happy with that money-saving idea,’ I scold him. ‘I will speak to you when you’re back and Rupert too. Neither of you are out of trouble yet, young man.’
‘Ohhhh,’ he groans. ‘By the way, can I put the video on YouTube? A nice lady videoed it.’
‘No, you cannot put it on YouTube,’ I say sternly. ‘Now give the phone back to Dad.’
‘Sorry we gave you such a shock, but I had to let you know they were missing. Anyway, no harm done. All okay now,’ says Dick.
‘I’m glad you told me. You can’t keep something like that from me,’ I say. ‘I suppose you must be pretty shaken up too,’ I add.
‘I’m all right. Had a bit of a scare. Remember when you thought Rupert wasn’t breathing in his cot that time? We sat in the nursery watching his chest, waiting for it to rise. Then it finally did and the relief was immense. Well, that’s how I’m feeling right now,’ says Dick.
‘I’ll never forget it,’ I say. ‘Now try and relax. Just don’t take your eyes off them again.’
In that moment, all the hatred I have ever had for Dick subsides. We are both the parents of these wonderful boys and have that common bond. Neither Tanja nor anyone else will ever take that away from us. I finally feel at peace with him, even if I am slightly smug that he could be a teeny bit jealous at the thought of me meeting someone else.
‘Everything okay?’ asks Jamie once I put the phone down.
‘You know, I am actually,’ I say. ‘I never thought I’d say this, but everything’s going to be okay.’
No sooner have I pu
t the phone down than there is another bleep. I have the shock of my life as I see a photo of a huge diamond ring on the incoming message.
‘Jamie! Oh my god! As if there haven’t been enough surprises for one day. He’s just proposed,’ I scream in excitement.
‘He’s proposed,’ says Jamie shocked. ‘Patrick has proposed?’
‘Oh, sorry, no, no. Not Patrick. Rob. It’s a message from Sian. Rob’s just proposed,’ I say. ‘I’m so happy for her. I know it’s a bit sudden, but they’re so well suited. She says they’re going to get married in Gretna Green, and she wants me to be her chief bridesmaid,’ I add. ‘He’s only just given her the ring. She doesn’t waste time that one,’ I say, laughing.
‘That’s so awesome,’ says Jamie.
‘I know, isn’t it?’ I agree.
‘I tell you what, why don’t we upgrade that drink I suggested? I know it’s only 4pm, but let’s go for a drink somewhere special to toast them,’ says Jamie. ‘There’s a champagne bar not too far away some of the guys on the conference were talking about. Fancy a glass? My treat.’
‘After the day we’ve had, why not?’ I answer with huge relief.
* * *
The Champagne Bar at The Plaza is absolutely stunning. This is the most beautiful hotel I have ever seen. I feel as though I am on a movie set. Wherever I look is perfect.
I order a Kir Royale while taking in the splendour of it all.
I send Sian a photo of our drinks.
To you and Rob
My tongue tingles with the beautiful bubbles of the Kir Royale as we sit by a window overlooking Fifth Avenue. I can just imagine coming here with Patrick; in fact, he is probably a regular. Maybe the barman even knows him. I wonder if I should ask him. I would definitely imagine this to be his type of place.
‘Same again?’ Jamie asks.
‘Oh, go on then,’ I find myself saying automatically.
Dick has messaged to let me know that the boys are back in the hotel safe and sound and it is as though nothing has happened. Having this information means that I can now unwind a little, plus my bubbles are so delicious that I can’t resist another.
Jamie comes back with the drinks and our conversation turns to his ex-wife, Melinda. I suppose she was in my head because of the doppelganger flight attendant.
‘Do you ever see her?’ I ask curiously.
‘No, the last I heard she had three children. She moved to Spain after the divorce and that was the end of it,’ Jamie responds.
‘Do you ever feel sad about not being a dad yourself?’ I ask. I still feel awkward about my earlier remark and try to judge whether I hit a nerve.
‘Honestly, for a few years after the divorce… Ah… Well, that’s why I took myself off to London at the time and threw myself into my career. Now I’ve climbed the IT ladder as it were, I won’t deny there’s an empty gap in my life, especially now I’ve lost dad, but who knows what’s in store…’
‘I always wondered why you never married again.’
‘Well, between work and my dad it didn’t occur to me… and I don’t want to get hurt ever again.’
‘Hah, I know that feeling.’ I smile. It seems Patrick, Jamie and I are all deterred by the same thing, unlike carefree Sian.
‘I hope you’re not too sad about Megan,’ I say.
‘No, we both knew that wasn’t going anywhere. We had completely different interests. It’s a complete put-off when you go for dinner with someone and they just pick at a salad. I’d much prefer to go out with someone like you, who loves her food. I don’t mean go out with… I mean… You know, dine with and I don’t mean who loves her food… I mean.’ Jamie sits there awkwardly. ‘What am I on about? Must be the champagne. I’m making no sense. I’d better be going before I say something I shouldn’t,’ he says, standing up.
‘What do you mean, “say something you shouldn’t”?’ I ask.
‘It’s absolutely nothing,’ he says.
‘What? Are you okay? You’re not sick too, are you?’
First Perfect Patrick, now Jamie. I’m starting to worry about everyone.
‘No, I’m not sick,’ he says reassuringly.
‘Well, what are you talking about then?’ I ask.
‘Absolutely nothing. Look, we really should be going,’ he says, getting up to leave.
‘But we haven’t finished our drinks. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked those questions… It was rude of me.’
‘No, it’s fine. Honestly. You need an early night anyway. Go and chill in your room maybe. Aren’t you planning some beauty appointments early tomorrow? You have to get ready for that big date in that fancy Japanese restaurant, after all,’ says Jamie.
‘I do indeed,’ I say.
I quickly swig the last drop of champagne, there was no way I was going to waste that. I look at Jamie’s glass and am very tempted to lean over and finish that one too, but think better of it. We are in a swanky place, after all.
I am so happy when I get back to my room that I sing the Alicia Keys ‘New York’ song to myself. How amazing life is suddenly. My best friend and I have drunk champagne in the swankiest bar I’ve ever been to and, more importantly, my boys are safe and well. Tomorrow, I have a date with a very handsome man and I have some pampering to look forward to before that. Life suddenly feels very perfect indeed, I think to myself.
Chapter 29
A back street salon – a little pampering
Following a very early night, I find myself lying on a white, paper-towelled couch the next morning. I close my eyes and relax. I haven’t been pampered for ages. In fact, I think the last facial I had was in the lead up to my wedding.
A tall Eastern European therapist, with heavily pencilled eyebrows, scans my pores and prods my skin around in the quest to discover quite how dehydrated my epidermis is. Naturally, it turns out that it is very dehydrated, and she has already recommended that I buy all the moisturising serums and creams that she suggests. After a lot of tutting, she mixes lotions and potions together and meticulously prepares my facial scrub. My skin is going to look as good as new after this.
‘Okaaay, I see vat I can do, but I not magic person,’ she says as she begins slathering my skin with some kind of tingling concoction.
‘You’re not a magic person?’ I repeat.
‘Don’t think you look after skin?’
‘Well, um, yes, I do but…’
‘You need more than vacial – you need cosmetic surgeon. Botox for shuuur. I making peel now. Better for you, before you leave maybe you have some Botox shot. Ve have special deal and you need this very bad.’
I thought I was going to come out of here pampered and polished; I feel like I am being scrutinised and tortured. I do try my best to look after my skin. Though, of course, there was the one night I had too much to drink and slept in my make-up. This must be the reason for the open pores she is complaining about.
‘Also, too much hair on lip,’ the direct lady suddenly says. ‘Better ve do vaxing after. I can do upper lip and Brazilian, two for price of one. For special offer today only,’ she adds.
‘I don’t want a Brazilian. I only came in for a revitalising facial. No, no, please,’ I insist.
‘Okay, ve do another special offer of leg and lip vax. Ve do that, yes?’
‘Okay, well, I guess my legs are in need of waxing.’
I had planned on shaving them before dinner, so I find myself agreeing to the waxing. I must be crazy, but she is very persuasive.
After my facial, she places the hot wax on my upper lip. It feels as though it is searing through my skin, similar to a steak on a hot griddle. I am sure after a peel, or any kind of facial, you shouldn’t wax, but she has assured me that I will be okay as they have some kind of special wax that can be used.
‘Ouch!’ I scream as she violently tears the waxing strip off my delicate skin.
‘Quiet, you vant to go about with micetache? We have to do zis,’ she says, pulling my face towards her harder.
> I feel myself dig deeper into the couch, trying to squirm my way further down to escape the clutches of this mad woman. It reminds me of when I go for a smear and shimmy up the bed as the clamp thing appears in front of me. Unfortunately, as with my gynaecologist, this squirming about only makes her grip tighter.
Eventually she shows me a mirror and I can see that my lip is definitely hair free. A little red, but definitely hair free. Maybe it was worth the pain after all.
‘Now legs,’ she says. I swear she is laughing to herself. I am left in no doubt that she is definitely enjoying herself a lot more than I am.
I get up feeling light-headed after all the anguish, but I am immensely proud of the fact that I have managed to have my upper lip and legs waxed without passing out. I also succumbed to the Botox but, as she used numbing cream beforehand, this wasn’t anywhere near as bad as the waxing.
‘I have a manicure and pedicure booked next,’ I say. At least that has to be enjoyable, surely.
I soon realise that I will never come back to this salon, as although my toes are now a beautiful shade called ‘romantic rose’, my toenails have been filed and cut into a round shape and I do fear that this will cause ingrown toenails when they start to grow. My cuticles have also been cut down to the max and are bleeding in places. So, I certainly will not be giving this place a five-star review. I only came in for some pampering but am leaving in pain and bleeding. No wonder they have so many special offers on.
The girl on reception looks at me in shock when I pay my bill. I think perhaps they were expecting a massive tip, but there was no way after that experience that I would give them anything extra. I am relieved to open the door to the outside world, after breathing in the pungent aroma of acetone and nail polish for too long. I decide to take a short stroll and get some fresh air to clear my lungs, although I don’t know that the pollution of the city is much better for you. I am going to have a little sleep before meeting Patrick tonight, so I don’t want to be too long meandering about the city. I still get moments of jet lag, as my sleep pattern is all over the place and then when I finally get to sleep, I have to get up to catch the hotel breakfast.