A Face To Die For (19 page)

'Ah, best not to rush it then. You might as well stay employed as long as you can whilst you sort yourself out.'

I agreed and we chatted on in a relaxed way. I liked his warm, friendly manner. He was one of the most attractive older men I'd ever met and Cleo had taken to him too, allowing him to stroke her as she lay on the sofa beside him. Taking back my previous opinion of him before we'd ever met, I decided Kate really should appreciate him much more than she appeared to.

He then rushed off just before six, explaining he was dining later that evening with the Astors at Clivedon. But as we parted he once more promised to look out for some suitable premises for me. With Rowley's brother also doing the same, I was now fired with optimism.

Later, I was preparing for bed and the TV show
That Was The Week, That Was
had come to an end, when the phone rang. I turned off Millicent Martin's snappy theme song to answer it. It was Alex on the line.

'Hi, honey, I thought I'd let you know I'll be back in a couple of days and give you the latest news. I've tried phoning a few times. You've been busy, I gather?'

I explained quickly where I'd been and then he filled me in with much of the same information I'd already gleaned from Vanessa.

'So where exactly does this leave things now?' I asked.

'Well, the important thing is Susannah has definitely got cold feet so I'm hopeful now that we'll be able keep your name out of things. Obviously it'll be a kind of trade off. My lover won't be named as long as no dirt gets dished up about Mel. Whether there is any truth in the lesbian angle with them I really don't know or care any more, as long as we can reach a reasonable and amicable settlement and come to an agreement over joint custody of Nikolas. She'll probably have him most of the time but I still want the freedom to see him whenever I can, without too many restrictions. In fact the lawyers are thrashing that out as we speak.'

'Even over the weekend?'

'Oh yes! They get paid damn well for it too!'

'I'm so glad Lynda's information was some use,' I remarked cheerfully. 'Mel must've been pretty shocked to know that her past had caught up with her! How was it put to Susannah?'

'It wasn't, not exactly. My lawyers just explained to hers that we have a signed document divulging knowledge about Mel's lesbian background. I guess once she got wind of such damning evidence, Mel herself begged Susannah to keep it out of things. Anyway, it certainly means I'm now in an ideal bargaining position.'

Alex sounded buoyant. I could hear quite a hubbub in the background. He was obviously ringing from a public place. He continued. 'There's still the settlement figure to sort out but I don't anticipate she'll ease up much over that. The figure currently suggested is about two million dollars, as a one-off pay out.'

'Alex, that's an awful lot of money!'

'I know, honey. But her lawyers maintain it must include provision for essentials such as plane fares, clothing, a second home and so on; plus I shall be obliged to pay maintenance for Nikolas of about two thousand dollars a month. Nannies don't come cheap, you know.'

I had no idea what Alex's personal wealth was but I'd read how such divorce cases often place far too much emphasis on accepted reasonable requirements of the wife and any children. This divorce could almost break him.

'Anyway, we'll talk about it when I get back,' he said. 'The good news is that you can relax now, because you won't be involved. I'll have to go, honey, see you soon.'

It was excellent news, and I was relieved things were finally working out more favourably for him even though the settlement figure he'd quoted hardly seemed fair. But Alex was used to talking in thousands and millions of dollars. I realised then I hadn't mentioned my own piece of good fortune. Never mind, it could wait until his return.

Through the telephone I could hear the arrival of a flight from Miami being announcement. 'Are you at an airport, Alex?'

He explained he was meeting a client for his father, and with that he hastily rang off.

As I snuggled down into bed it flashed through my mind that Saturday afternoon - as it would be over there, due to the time difference, seemed an odd time to be meeting a business client. Don't they ever take time off in the States?

*

On Sunday afternoon I put up a few Christmas decorations. As I stood back admiring my finished efforts, I accidently trod on Cleo's tail, she'd been playing behind me with a discarded piece of tinsel. Swearing crossly at me with a yelping meow she darted out of the room. I was about to go after her to sooth her, when the doorbell suddenly interrupted me. It was Norman Parker Brown calling on the off chance. I was delighted and pressed the release button to let him in.

'I hope you don't mind me dropping by, Annabel. Are you busy?' He was again in jeans and leather jacket.

'No. Why?' I ushered him through to the sitting room, where Cleo had returned thankfully none the worse for her tail's contact with my foot.

'I'd like to show you some premises, which I think might just be what you're looking for.'

'Really? Where?'

'Knightsbridge. You could have a look this afternoon, if you've time? I have the keys on me now. Hallo again, puss,' he said gently, crouching to stroke Cleo, who was winding herself round his legs and looking up at him appealingly.

'Wonderful. I'll be ready in five minutes.'

*

The premises in Beauchamp Place had once been Norman's own showroom and studios. He'd used them until he'd moved on fifteen years back to do freelance fashion work, involving so much travelling and living abroad.

'The photographer who most recently rented it from me moved to Australia last month. I couldn't say anything to you yesterday because I'd already offered it to someone else. But I learnt this morning that she doesn't want it. So if you think it's suitable you're most welcome to take it on?'

The place looked exactly what I’d had in mind. Even down to the bay window; large enough to display a couple of garments, and where two empty picture frames now remained from the previous occupant. I also loved the smart panelled door entrance in Oxford blue with its smart brass knocker, letterbox and doorknob.

Initially I thought the reception room might be a bit too small but, finding this led through double doors to a larger showroom and office, I decided the overall area was ideal. Two more fair sized rooms to the rear would provide ample workroom space because I would probably also use outworkers to cut down some of my production costs. The surprise bonus however, was a small studio flat above, which Norman informed me also came with it. This could be an ideal design studio for me, more private than being next to the showroom.

I turned to Norman, who smiled broadly. I think he could see how my imagination was getting to work on the place.

'It's perfect!'

'Good. Well then, why don't you consider it? I shan't offer it to anyone else until you decide.'

'I can tell you now, Norman; it's exactly what I want. I'd love to take it over. But can you possibly wait until the end of January? I won't have my money until then, you see?'

I was also concerned about how expensive the rent might be. After all Beauchamp Place was a pretty opulent area. Supposing it's too much?

I pulled a face. 'Norman, about the rent; I'm worried whether I’ll be able to afford it?'

He flashed me another wide smile waving his hand in the air. 'We'll work something out Annabel. Something that you
can
afford, I promise you. To be perfectly honest this place has never made me a great deal of money, so don't worry about that. The last two occupants were young and hard pushed like you, and just starting out too.'

Pushing his hands deep into his jeans pockets he wandered about the showroom looking at the decor, which was a bit shabby. Then, fingering a piece of wallpaper coming away and some paint peeling off the adjoining door, he turned to me. 'I inherited it from my uncle in any case, so all I worry about is covering the cost of the annual rates and structural maintenance.' He patted the wall. 'It needs decorating, of course, but you can probably do that yourself.'

I nodded, amazed how generous he was. 'Of course!’

A place like this could easily command an exorbitant rent simply because of its location.

'I've never considered letting it as a profit making concern,' he continued. 'Although my accountant gets furious with me over it, it's my way you see? It simply pleases me to give young people like yourself the start they need to establish themselves. Anyway Annabel, it is an excellent address, just what you need. If setting up here will help you to establish your fashion business my dear, then that means more to me than anything. I'll simply be happy to have contributed to the success I'm sure you'll have.'

I was astounded at his unselfish philosophy. Now I could understand how Kate had been so easily influenced by his kindness and generosity. He genuinely adored helping people.

'Look Norman, I must insist I pay you a fair rent whatever you say.' The last thing I wanted was to feel overly obligated to him. 'I do seriously want the place because it's absolutely ideal in every way. But I’ll only take it if we agree on an acceptable rent.
Please
.'

He grinned, took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. 'You strike a hard bargain, Annabel. OK, have it your way if it makes you feel better. But get your money first; work out your master plan for the business, and
then
, when you know what you can afford, we'll talk again. Does that suit you, young lady?'

It was agreed and I thanked him for all he was offering me. This guy was truly a man in a million. Despite Kate's reluctance to express it, I knew now that he must mean a lot to her.

In just over two days not only had I heard I was to be given a large sum of money to start my own business but I had been offered the ideal premises in which to set it up. How lucky could a girl get? It felt unreal somehow. Not just that things were also getting sorted out between Alex and Susannah, and that he’d be home any day, I now couldn't wait to tell him everything. My only reservation however, was would Alex be prepared to take second place in my life once my precious business took off and became a total obsession with me?

CHAPTER 15

Alex returned from the States with the tentative news that his divorce was still taking time to be resolved between his and Susannah's lawyers. We couldn't relax yet; the enormous settlement being talked about was still so massive that he could end up being in financial straits for years.

'Unfortunately some high-risk stocks and shares investments I own have currently performed rather badly. So I don't even have those to fall back on since they are almost worthless at present. Anyway, I've been advised not to touch them in the hopes they do better later on. Other than that, it looks like I might have to relinquish my Karos holdings to Susannah, to meet her demands, and that breaks my heart. It’ll mean with those she already has she'll end up the controlling shareholder. Godammit! As you would expect, it hasn't gone down at all well with my father.'

'I can imagine.' I knew little about such things, but it all sounded pretty desperate to me. However, I still couldn't quite visualise Alex strapped for money. 'Any chance at all, that things might work out more favourably?'

'Not unless we can think of another way to meet her excessive requirements. Considering everything she really is still bleeding me dry, the bitch.'

We eventually got around to discussing my good fortune, which he was genuinely delighted about. However, I felt awful to be feeling so thrilled and full of optimism while he was so down. It completely deflated me for a while.

I attempted on various occasions to talk about my plans for the Beauchamp Place premises but it wasn't easy. He was too preoccupied with his own worries. Long, heated telephone calls to his father, his accountant and his lawyer created a strained atmosphere each evening … all because it was deemed unsafe to discuss any of it in his office. I therefore kept most of my thoughts and ideas to myself. Not surprisingly our love life took a further nosedive too.

Then I came home one evening a few days later to the wonderful news that Susannah had capitulated.

Alex greeted me with a long kiss, hugging me tightly. 'She's agreed at last to accept a staggered settlement.'

'Is that good?'

'Well, it's good in as much as I don't have to let her have all my Karos shares. I honestly don't think she's that bothered about them anyway. Nor does she really need the money. It's a principle that's at stake mostly. Evidently she's been rather swept along by her lawyer’s opinions and demands. She and I actually had a decent conversation about it today and she wants to co-operate. It seems the lawyers have been having a great time at
our
expense. The larger the settlement the more they'll get out of it, of course. Typical.'

'And probably why they've dragged it out so long. Time is money after all to them, I suppose?'

'Exactly. Anyway, it gives me breathing space. One million now, which I can manage, and the rest in two years time, by which time my other shares will have hopefully recovered.'