Between The Sheets (22 page)

'It is total fiction, isn't it?' Dana said sadly. She had thought Gus was such a hero. But it had turned out he was just an ordinary man. He didn't notice when she'd got her hair done, or lost a few pounds. When he was sick he was a difficult and grumpy patient. Though he was handsome enough to be a model, he still left the toilet seat up. And, on occasion, he even snored loudly in bed.

'You are great at what you do, Dana,' Sylvie was saying quietly and seriously. 'And you have so many fans. They love you because you let them have a glimpse of a life that they will never know.'

Dana shook her head. 'So I'm showing them some-thing that they'll never have? Surely that should make them suicidal.'

'No, it's not like that. People aren't like that. I mean, I watch all those programmes about stars in Hollywood and their fabulous homes and huge cars, and I love it. It's so glamorous and the women are all stunning.' She shrugged. 'They fascinate me. It's like a fairy tale. Do I think I'm ever going to have a life like that? No, of course not, but that's okay.'

'Oh, come on, Sylvie, you're doing your damnedest to secure a life like that,' Dana couldn't help teasing. 'As soon as you're introduced to a man you want to know what he does for a living, what he drives and where he lives.'

Sylvie reddened. 'That's not fair.'

'Then tell me something, Sylvie. Which would you choose — a poor man you were in love with, or a rich man you only liked?'

Sylvie stiffened. 'Some of us can't afford love.'

'What does that mean?'

'Nothing.' Sylvie looked away. 'Sorry, my turn to go to the loo.' She stood up and hurried out of the room.

Alone, Dana picked half-heartedly at her food and finished off the champagne. Maybe they should call it a night. The atmosphere had gone from bad to worse and now Sylvie had obviously taken offence. Which was ironic. Dana should be the one feeling hurt and insulted after what the girl had said about
The Mile High Club.
Except it was all true. Dana even agreed with the word Sylvie had used. 'Tame' was exactly what her work had become. Tame, boring and predictable.

Walter had done his best to help and inspire her. He sent encouraging little emails each day, but she just couldn't come up with the goods. What's more, when she'd searched through her old books for ideas, she'd found herself criticizing and even ridiculing her own work. She seemed to have lost all of her confidence. It didn't help that she couldn't stop thinking about her own story. Dr Corcoran would be proud of her. He said write it all down, and that's exactly what she was doing. And once she started, it was as if she couldn't stop. Deep into the night, she'd sit there, her fingers flying over the keys. The compulsion to write everything down was intense. Dana felt she had no control over it. The story seemed to come from the dark recesses of her brain straight to her fingertips. Some nights she would actually find herself sweating by the end of a session. Some nights, crying. She always felt drained by the time she switched off the machine yet, still, sleep evaded her. Invariably she'd end up in the conservatory staring out into the darkness, dragging herself to bed in the early hours or falling asleep in the chair.

Iris had found her like this a couple of mornings, and huffed and puffed that it was an unhealthy way to live.

'Don't fuss, I'm fine, Iris,' Dana told her before traipsing upstairs to sleep for a couple of hours. Then she showered and returned to her desk, to tap desultorily at the keyboard.

Sylvie returned from the loo.

'I'm sorry for being a bitch,' Dana said.

Sylvie shook her head. 'I shouldn't have said any-thing. It's my fault.'

'No! I can't say it's nice to hear, but I appreciate your honesty, Sylvie.'

'Really?' Sylvie eyed her warily.

'Really.' Dana looked at her PA's face and realized there was more. 'What? Come on, Sylvie. Don't stop now.'

Sylvie's eyes met hers. 'I read some of the other book you've been writing,' she admitted.

Dana froze. 'What?'

'I didn't mean to pry. I just came across it and, well, I couldn't resist.'

'I don't believe this.'

'It's brilliant, Dana.' Sylvie hurried on. 'I've never read anything so moving. If Walter saw it, he wouldn't care about
The Mile High Club.
You're so talented.'

Dana shook her head. 'You went into my computer? You looked through my files and then read something that was very obviously private?'

'I — I — didn't mean to pry.' Sylvie baulked at her boss's furious expression.

'How dare you! You have abused my trust and your position.'

'I just wanted to help,' Sylvie cried, drawing looks from the surrounding tables.

Dana looked around for a waiter. 'Where the fuck is everyone?'

'The manager's at the front desk. Will I go and ask him for the bill?'

Dana glared at her. 'No, I don't need your help, thank you very much. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Not ever.'

Sylvie stared at her, white-faced. 'But Dana—'

Ignoring her, Dana stood up and strode through the restaurant to the front desk. She was rooting angrily in her bag for her wallet when the front door of the restaurant opened, letting in a gust of cold air. A pretty blonde girl came in, laughing up into the face of her partner. Dana gasped as her eyes met his.

'Come on,' Gus said to the girl at his side. 'Let's go somewhere else.' And with an apologetic look at Dana, he guided the other woman back out on to the street.

Sylvie was at her side in an instant. 'Are you okay?'

'It was her, did you see?' she whispered.

Sylvie nodded. 'Yes. I'm sorry, Dana.'

Dana looked at her. 'Are you? Are you really, Sylvie?'

'Yes.' Sylvie was close to tears.

Dana gave the manager a curt nod as he handed back her card. She pushed open the door and stepped out on to the pavement, Sylvie on her heels.

'I'm so sorry.' Sylvie was crying openly now. 'I just wanted to help.'

Dana watched her, unmoved. 'Well, you can help. Come in first thing tomorrow and clear your desk.'

'No!' Sylvie shook her head. 'Please, Dana. I know you're angry. But I'm sorry. I'll never do anything like that again.'

'You're right about that. You won't get the chance.' Sylvie, tears pouring down her cheeks, opened her mouth to say something, but seeing the look on Dana's face she turned and stumbled away.

Dana stood watching as Sylvie tottered away in her ridiculous heels. Whereas moments earlier she'd been close to tears too, now Dana just felt numb. Reaching into her coat pocket she pulled out her phone and sent a text.

I NEED R DRINK AND I'D LIKE SOME COMPANY.
INTERESTED?

Within seconds, Ryan responded.

TELL ME WHERE.

'I need juice.' Ryan groaned as he rolled over. 'My mouth is like the Sahara and my head feels like it's about to explode. You are very bad for my health, Dana De Lacey.'

'I didn't pour it down your throat,' she retorted, pulling the covers over her head.

'So, do you have any?'

'What?'

'Juice.'

'No idea. Check the fridge.'

And so it was that Ryan was padding across the hall in his boxers, carrying two glasses of juice when Iris walked in. 'Morning,' he said, as she looked at him, horrified. It was just as well he wasn't naked, the old dear would probably have keeled over.

'Your housekeeper's in,' he said, climbing back into bed.

Dana sat up, rubbing her eyes. 'Iris? Great, that's all I need.'

He chuckled. 'She's not your mother.'

'No, she's worse.' Dana glanced at the clock. 'Don't you have a job to go to?'

He raised an eyebrow. 'You just want me for sex, don't you?'

Dana smiled and took his hand. 'You gave me a lot more than that last night, Ryan.'

He leaned over and kissed her on the lips. 'Any time. And you're right, I do have to go. But are you going to be okay? If you want, I could always phone in and tell them I've been delayed.'

'No, really. I'll be fine.'

He'd listened patiently while she'd ranted and raved about Sylvie — though she didn't go into any details. It was bad enough that Sylvie had discovered she was writing her autobiography; she didn't want anyone else to know. She had, however, admitted to him that
The Mile High Club
was a disaster. He'd grinned when he'd heard the name and offered to help her with the research.

'So, what are you going to do?' he asked now.

'Sleep,' she told him, snuggling back down under the covers. 'I'm exhausted.'

He shook his head sadly. 'And that should be down to me. But, sadly, it's because we talked so much and you've had less than three hours' sleep.'

'We didn't
just
talk,' she reminded him. 'Do you think you'll get any work done at all today?'

'I'll manage.' He swung himself out of bed and headed for the shower. 'Why don't you come over to my place tonight? Chelsea are playing Liverpool.'

'Do I have to?' she groaned, pulling a pillow over her head. 'We agreed no soccer.'

'Oh, come on. It will be fun.'

'You think?'

It was after twelve when Dana made her way downstairs, confident that Sylvie would have been and gone by now. She peeked into the office and saw that Sylvie's desk was indeed bare save for an envelope propped up on the keyboard. Dana opened it and read.

Dana swallowed hard. As notes went, it was gracious and moving. But what was this about her parents and brother? Dana had imagined Sylvie lived alone in one of those cool new city apartments, spending all of her money on make-up and clothes. The girl had never mentioned family before. Perhaps she was just trying to make Dana feel guilty. Maybe she thought a sad story would win her back her job. Well, she was wrong. Dana couldn't forgive her for what she'd done. Sylvie had always had access to Dana's files and computer. This might not be the first time the girl had looked at something she shouldn't have. How could Dana possibly trust her again?

Feeling very fed up and more than a little sorry for herself, Dana went out to the kitchen to get a strong cup of coffee. It was odd, now she thought about it, that Iris hadn't brought her one earlier. She must have heard Ryan leaving. Dana pushed open the door and stopped at the sight of Iris sitting at the table, wearing her hat and coat, her handbag in front of her. 'Iris, is everything okay?'

The woman looked up and met Dana's eyes, her face grim. 'No, Ms De Lacey.' She pushed an envelope across the table. 'I'm afraid I must tender my resignation.'

'What?' Dana looked from the envelope back to Iris. This really couldn't be happening. Not today. 'But why?'

Iris reddened. 'You're a grown woman. What you do in your private life is your own business—'

'Yes, Iris, it is,' Dana said firmly, realizing that this was all about Ryan.

'But it's my decision as to whether or not I want to witness it,' Iris said quietly. 'And I don't.'

'Look, Iris, I had no intention of embarrassing you. I'm sorry. Please don't resign; it won't happen again.'

Iris shook her head sadly. 'I'm sorry, but I've made up my mind.'

'Is this because I slept with another man? Because I was unfaithful to your beloved Mr Johnson?' Dana laughed bitterly. 'You might be interested to know that he was out on the town last night with a very young blonde. What do you think of that?'

'It's not for me to say,' Iris murmured but Dana saw the look of shock that crossed the housekeeper's face.

'But you're happy to condemn me.'

'I have not condemned you and, I assure you, I feel anything but happy.'

Dana smiled sadly. 'Then we have one thing in common.'

Doubt flooded the housekeeper's face. 'If you like, I could work my notice—'

'Don't bother. I'm sure I'll have no problem finding a replacement.'

Iris looked hurt but she just nodded politely. 'I'll say goodbye, then, Ms De Lacey. And good luck.'

'I make my own luck/ Dana retorted to the woman's retreating back. 'And I don't need your help, or my beloved husband's, or my dishonest PA's either. I'll do just fine on my own. Do you hear me?'

Iris didn't reply, just closed the door after her with a gentle but firm click.

Dana sank into a chair and put her head in her hands.

She was still sitting there some time later when the phone rang. It kept ringing and she suddenly realized that there was no one to answer it. It stopped and then started again. With a heavy sigh, she decided she'd better go and answer it.

'Hello?'

'Dana? How is my gorgeous girl?'

'Hi, Wally,' Dana said and immediately started to cry.

'Dana? Dana, my darling, what is it?'

It took her a moment to answer. 'Oh, Wally, why does everyone hate me?' she hiccupped.

'No one hates you! Who's been upsetting you like this?'

'I had a row with Sylvie and sacked her. And then Iris walked out.'

'Your housekeeper?'

'Yes. She came in this morning and Ryan was here. So she handed in her notice and left.'

'Silly old bag. So, you and Ryan are an item?'

'No. We're just friends.'

He laughed. 'Oh, right.'

'Stop it, Wally. I'm not in the mood.'

'I'm sorry, darling. But why did you sack Sylvie?'

Dana hesitated a second. 'She accessed some of my private files without my permission.'

'No!'

'Yes. I don't think she was going to actually do anything,' she added hurriedly, 'but I couldn't possibly trust her after that.'

'No, I understand. We're going to have to find a replacement though, and quickly/ he said worriedly. 'You'll need help to finish the book.'

Dana heard the note of panic in her agent's voice. 'Don't worry, Wally. I'll finish it.'