by Maggie Brown
Lindsey sat quietly, studying Kirsty as she talked. The wisp of humour was gone, replaced by a melancholy in her friend’s face. Along the way, her dreams had been shattered too. What a mess they’d made of their friendship. They should have been there to support each other. “Are you happy now?” she asked quietly. The transition from stage-star hopeful with starry-eyed dreams to housewife in the ’burbs must have been challenging.
The slim shoulders shrugged. “Anyone would envy my life.”
If they hadn’t been such close friends, Lindsey wouldn’t have caught the edge to the words. It was ever so subtle, but it was there. It suddenly dawned on her that perhaps there was trouble in paradise. “Yes,” she said blandly, “you do have everything. But that’s not what I asked you.”
“You always could read me like a book, Lin.” She patted her stomach. “I’m pregnant again. Sixteen weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy about it and Isabelle needs a sibling. It’s just that I’m never going to be anything but a housewife now. I spend my time between playgroups and luncheons, which doesn’t do much for any ambition I might have. Martin has his work and doesn’t understand. We’re going through a rough patch at the moment.”
“You’d like to work?”
“I’d love to, but every time I suggest something, he gives some reason why I can’t.”
Lindsey regarded her thoughtfully as an idea formed. It would be a great way to rekindle their friendship as well as assisting them both. “Perhaps I can help. You were always an expert social organizer. Would you like to work for us as an event coordinator? We have a few new products almost ready to launch and we’ve been asked to run seminars on our work in robotics. I’ve always shied away from the public arena, but my designers are becoming insistent that we make a better effort with our marketing. If I don’t let them get more of an international profile, I may lose them. It would be a part-time position and you can do most of the organization from home.”
“Are you serious?” asked Kirsty, the flush on her cheeks showing her interest and excitement.
“Yes I am. You’d be doing me a big favour. I’m too anxious with strangers, so you can handle all our social business. As well, I trust you. I allow very few people in. Too many trade secrets—industrial espionage is rife.”
“It all sounds so cloak-and-daggerish,” Kirsty said with an amused glint in her eye.
“You’d be surprised,” said Lindsey with an answering gleam. “So…would you be interested?”
“Very much so.”
“Good. Come out next week to my home and I’ll show you my work. We’ll put a plan in place then.”
Kirsty rose from the chair with a bounce in her step. “I’d better get lunch and that little girl away from the TV. Come on through.”
As Lindsey walked with her inside, Kirsty poked her in the ribs. “Did you ever fancy me?”
“Behave!”
Chapter Twenty-Five
When Lindsey reached home that evening, the sunset had changed the grounds to mauve and gold like the painted sets of an old Hollywood film. It suited her mood. She was energized in a way she hadn’t been for years. The revelation that Amy hadn’t died in the crash had freed something inside, her initial anger replaced by enormous relief and irrepressible elation. For the first time since the accident, she felt her life had turned for the better.
Bernice hadn’t returned from the weekend with her sister, so she popped a frozen meal into the microwave. Then armed with a flat white from the coffee machine, she sank into one of the tubular chairs in the loungeroom and propped her feet up to reflect quietly on the events of the day. On the way home in the car, her mind had been a jumble of thoughts, but in the tranquillity of this special space, everything fell into an orderly pattern. It was her calming room, designed specifically to control her PTSD. An idea she had worked on after studying autistic children—soothing visual aids were most effective in the treatment of their anxiety.
Kirsty and she had talked all afternoon, reliving old times. They’d pored over old photo albums that went right back to their first day in primary school when they had bonded in the playground. Kirsty’s family weren’t exactly top-of-the-tree. Nevertheless, Lindsey’s mother had accepted her as a suitable playmate for her well-heeled daughter. Her many stiff little parties and carefully organized outings became a standing joke between them when they were older.
Although Kirsty was back in her life, Lindsey knew their friendship would never be quite the same. Too many years had passed and they had pursued their own lives. Today though, had been a step in the right direction with Kirsty agreeing to be the company event manager. Not only would it go a long way to repairing their bond, Lindsey knew it would be the perfect job for her very social friend.
A sharp ding from microwave scattered her thoughts. She was dying to discuss the day with Daisy, but didn’t want to appear needy. The meal finished, she ignored her embarrassment as she dialled.
“Hi, Lindsey,” came the familiar voice almost immediately. “I was hoping you would call. How did the day go with your friend?”
Lindsey stretched back in the chair, feeling a little breathless. Daisy had wanted her to call. Wow! “I hope you don’t mind me ringing. I know this might seem an imposition, but I just needed to talk to someone.” She gave a small cough. “Well, not just anyone…I wanted to tell you what happened.”
“And I’m dying to know. Tell me everything.”
For half an hour, she chatted about Kirsty’s house, Isabelle, the next pregnancy, and her job offer, while Daisy threw in a question or remark now and then. Finally, when Lindsey reluctantly said, “I guess I’d better let you go,” there was silence at the end of the line. “Are you still there?” she asked.
“Come on, Lindsey. You left out the important bits.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do. I’d take a punt from the tone of your voice that you ironed out some of your personal problems. Am I right?”
“Yes.”
“What happened between the two of you to cause the rift? Was it about Amy? Who was she?”
Lindsey felt all the old hurt and humiliation build up inside her again, rising like steam inside a pipe until the pressure was unbearable. She heard herself spitting out the entire painful story of the accident and the aftermath.
“And how do you feel about learning it was all a lie and that Amy had survived,” asked Daisy, her voice filled with concern.
“Very happy. Relieved. Furious with my mother,” she replied gruffly. “Disappointed in myself. I didn’t even try to contact Kirsty all those years.”
“But she didn’t either. It wouldn’t have been hard to find you.”
“I know. In her defence, she did spend years in London,” Lindsey said. “But I suppose when it comes down to it, we both should have tried harder.”
“Never mind. It’s in the past so no use beating yourself over the head with it. Time to move forward. You’re back in each other’s lives again and you should be able to pick up where you left off.”
She took a long breath. Why did Daisy make everything sound so simple? “I hope we can.”
“You will. Now, I was meaning to ask you yesterday. Would you like to go to the symphony on Wednesday night? They’re playing a selection of Mozart. Allison gave me tickets.”
A wave of pleasure coursed through Lindsey. She had become used to their outings and she adored Mozart. “I’d love to.”
“Great. I’ll ring you tomorrow night with the time. Bye.”
With a little satisfied smile, Lindsey clicked off.
* * *
On Tuesday morning of the following week, Lindsey woke on tenterhooks. The article was due out today. She hadn’t dwelt on it—the last ten days had been too full. She and Daisy had slipped into the routine of talking on the phone each night, and it had only seemed natural after the concert to spend more time together. The weekend was filled with a day at the New Age Science expo, dinner at Daisy�
�s flat Saturday night, then a leisurely stroll through the Art Gallery on Sunday afternoon to see the French Impressionist exhibition. The epiphany had struck Lindsey between a Matisse nude and a Degas ballerina—for the first time in her adult life, she was completely happy. And she wasn’t lonely anymore.
Nothing could pierce her happy glow over the next few days. She wafted around the house on a cloud, with Bernice’s questioning looks and comments bouncing off her like bubbles. But when she crawled out of bed this morning, reality set in. Crunch time. Today the whole world was going to know her secret.
At breakfast Bernice, eyeing her half-hearted attempts at eating, asked testily, “Whatever’s the matter with you, Lindsey?”
Lindsey lifted her head up from her plate and replied after a pause, “There’s an article about me today in this week’s Woman’s Day. I’m rather nervous.”
“What do you mean an article? You hate the press. When did you agree to an interview?”
“A couple of weeks ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Not that I’m surprised…you’ve been acting very oddly lately. When did you start keeping important things from me?”
“I didn’t want to bother you,” Lindsey mumbled.
“I thought you trusted me, but apparently you don’t as it turns out.”
Lindsey winced. The usually placid Bernice sounded very annoyed. Not that either one of them would ever raise their voices at each other. Even though their relationship was far more than employer and employee, they still practised a certain level of decorum. It was ingrained.
“Okay, here’s the truth so settle down. I didn’t tell you because it was a decision only I could make for myself.” She cleared her throat, which had suddenly become hoarse, before continuing. “I’m sick of living like this. I want a relationship…someone to share my life. I needed the loss of my arm to be common knowledge to save any embarrassment when I ask someone out, hence the press article.”
“What about poor Daisy?” asked Bernice sharply. “You’ve been thick as thieves this last month. And don’t think I don’t know you talk to her every night on the phone. I’m disappointed in you, playing with her affections like that. She’s a lovely girl and doesn’t deserve that treatment.”
Lindsey pursed her lips. Things were getting far too complicated. Better to come right out with an explanation before it accelerates. “Our friendship is not what it seems. She’s employed to be my personal social assistant for a while. It’s strictly business.”
Bernice’s eyes widened. “Business?”
“Um…yes.”
“Well that explains the new hairstyle and clothes and why the two of you have been gadding about,” Bernice stated flatly. “But not why you’ve been mooning about the house.”
“Don’t be absurd. I haven’t been mooning. I’ve had a lot on my mind. And the outings were Daisy’s idea to ease me into the social scene.”
“Then all your dates were purely business?”
Lindsey placed her fork onto her plate with a calm deliberate movement. “Yes. Daisy is simply my employee. Now let that be the end of the inquisition.”
“I don’t—”
To Lindsey’s relief, the phone ringing cut off the next probing question. When Daisy’s number appeared, she walked out into the hallway to take the call. “Hi. Is it out yet?”
“Yes. I’m at your gate with a copy. I’ll see you in a couple of minutes.”
“I didn’t expect you to bring it out. I was going down to the local news agency after breakfast.”
A chuckle burbled into her ear. “I want to be there when you read it.”
“Is it any good?”
“You’ll see. Bye.”
Although she had deteriorated into a bundle of nerves, Lindsey couldn’t help feeling a thrill that Daisy was bringing it out all this way herself. It would be nice to have support when she read it. By the time she pulled open the front door, the red Nissan was already nosing to a stop in the courtyard. When Daisy stepped out of the car, Lindsey’s stomach flip-flopped. Casually dressed in faded jeans with an unadorned white sleeveless shirt, two emerald studs winking at her ears and curly hair blowing in the breeze, she looked more appealing than she had ever seen her.
Suddenly tongue-tied, she gestured her in with a wave. With a bound Daisy was beside her at the door, bringing the warm spring air with her. Instinctively, Lindsey wrapped her arms tightly around her until she realized what she was doing and quickly let her go.
“Sorry. That was a bit too enthusiastic,” she muttered. “I’m just glad to see you.”
Daisy grinned. “Hey, no probs. I love hugs.” She waved the magazine in the air with a whoop. “Just wait ’til you read this, you celebrity you.”
Consumed with curiosity, Lindsey followed her into the house. Daisy certainly seemed more than happy with the article. Trying to curb her impatience, she put on her reading glasses and sat ready at the dining room table while she waited for Daisy to greet Bernice in the kitchen. Then when the magazine was handed over with a theatrical flourish, she could only stare in astonishment at the cover. The picture of her was astounding. She stood with arms crossed in front of her desk, radiating power and poise. Though the photograph was incredible, the caption above it captured her attention more. “Australia’s Own Wonder Woman.”
Impatiently, Lindsey flipped to the article on page four and studied the series of photos. Mac certainly knew her stuff. They were excellent. Daisy slid her chair closer and draped an arm over the back of Lindsey’s as she read. Mac had portrayed her as a woman who had overcome adversity by sheer talent and determination to become both a scientific leader and a humanitarian. In so doing, she had subtly made her artificial arm a badge of honour rather than an impediment.
By the time she finished the three-page spread, Daisy had moved even closer until their shoulders brushed. “Well?” she asked. “What do you think?”
Lindsey felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. “It’s way over the top.”
“But it’s great, isn’t it? Come on…admit it. You love it.”
“Okay. I do and I’m very flattered.”
Daisy chuckled, looking smug. “I told you she was good. This should set you up very nicely to start socializing. Have you told Bernice yet?”
“At breakfast.”
“What did she say?”
“She was upset I hadn’t discussed it with her.” She cast Daisy a sideways glance. “I told her I’d hired you as a personal social assistant. She doesn’t know you’re a matchmaker.”
“And she won’t hear it from me. Shall we call her in to read it?”
Bernice was quick to appear at the door as soon as she was called. When she took a seat opposite them, Lindsey pushed over the magazine. As she read, it seemed natural that she and Daisy remain side by side. When a myriad of emotions flitted across her old friend’s face and her eyes filled with tears, Lindsey wriggled even closer to Daisy until their thighs pressed together. The feel of the warm leg sent goose bumps tingling over Lindsey’s skin. Without thinking, she began to stroke Daisy’s knuckles with her thumb.
It was only when Bernice lifted her head and stared at their hands, did Lindsey realize what she was doing. Hastily, she straightened up and shifted away. Her body protested the loss of the contact though she managed to ignore it. “What do you think?” she asked.
Bernice pressed her hand to her chest, her voice quavering. “It’s wonderful.”
“A little unrealistic,” murmured Lindsey.
“No, it’s not. It’s about time you are recognized for your achievements. I’m so proud of you.”
“Here, here,” piped in Daisy. She gave Bernice a wink. “What say we celebrate with a cuppa?”
“I’ll go and put the jug on.”
After she disappeared out the door, Daisy tilted her head to study Lindsey. “I guess it’s time to move on to the next phase of the program.”
“Dating?”
“Yes. You might like to ask Ni
colle out for that drink if you still want to. I’ll ring my friend about a night out at the Beauvoir Club and we’ll take it from there.”
Lindsey digested this in silence. “Okay,” she said after a moment. “I’ll give Nicolle a ring tonight and see if she would like to have lunch at the Chelsea on Saturday.”
Something flashed in Daisy’s eyes, but she couldn’t tell if it was annoyance or just the reflection of the fluorescent light. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to hear from you.”
“I hope so. Shall we adjourn to the kitchen for that cuppa?”
Daisy didn’t stay long, pleading work commitments for her quick departure. When Lindsey returned to the kitchen after seeing her off, Bernice didn’t look up but by the tight set of her shoulders, Lindsey knew she was in for a grilling.
“Well, I guess I’d better get back to the office,” she said cheerily.
Bernice put the tea-towel on the rack then turned to face her. “I thought you said you had only a professional relationship with Daisy.”
Lindsey bit back a sigh. The old girl wasn’t going to let it go. “Yes, but we have become friends. I value her advice.”
“From the way you were touching her, it looked like you wanted more than advice.”
Lindsey felt an uncomfortable prickling across her skin. Maybe she was getting too familiar with Daisy. Hadn’t she had complained that one of her clients had become obsessed with her and given her a hard time. Was she doing the exact same thing? Perhaps it was time to pull back. She would definitely call Nicolle today. “I like Daisy. Okay? She’s fun and non-judgemental. We get on well and she’s easy to be with because that’s her job,” she said gruffly.
“She’s also a desirable young woman. Watching you together today, I realized I was wrong. I was worried that you were playing with her affections, but you’re the one becoming attached. Just be careful, dear. You’re very vulnerable at the moment. What you see in the friendship mightn’t be what she does. You could get hurt.”