In Focus (2009) (21 page)

She frowned, thinking over that time. ‘I think I was less attentive to Jo’s needs than I should have been around then. I was working all hours of the day and night. Maybe that’s partly why she ran away.’

‘And maybe she’d have run away whatever you did.’

‘Could be. We’ll never know.’ She hesitated then added quickly, ‘I won’t mention it again tonight, but has your cousin said anything more about my mother?’

‘Not a word. I’m keeping away from him as much as I can, though. I didn’t even record the TV show tonight. Pete’s trying to persuade me to go back to work for him, but I won’t do that.’

‘I don’t think my mother will let it rest till she’s met him and spoken to him.’

‘I can understand that. She must be desperate to see him. But he definitely doesn’t want to see her.’

She decided it was time to change the subject. ‘What’s he done to replace you?’

‘I doubt he’s even thought about it, if I know Pete. He’s brilliant at interviewing people, has on-screen charisma and the camera loves him, but he thinks things organize themselves.’

They arrived at the restaurant, which was so elegant in an understated way that it took her breath away. There were three celebrities she recognized, two other people whose faces looked familiar, and the food was exquisite. Since Edward was again using taxis, they were able to share a bottle of wine as they chatted.

‘It’s easy, isn’t it?’ he said suddenly.

‘What is?’

‘Us. Chatting. Spending time together. I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed an evening more. I hope we can do this again.’

‘I hope my life settles down and lets me. I’m a bit worried about both Jo and my mother.’

‘You’re not responsible for everyone else in your family, you know.’

‘It feels like it sometimes.’

‘Take time for yourself, Beth. I’m going to. I’ve danced to Pete’s bidding for far too long.’

Later, as they stood up to leave, he asked casually, ‘Want to come back to my place?’

She hesitated. If she did, it would probably lead to intimacy. Did she want that yet?

She looked at him and was lost in his wry, patient smile. Yes, she did. He was right. She did need to take time for herself. And besides, he roused something in her that had been quiescent for years. She felt more alive with him, feminine, softer, happier. It wasn’t a fiery feeling, more a question of like recognizing like.

Five years ago, she’d have dithered. But if she could carve out a niche in the business world, and a lucrative niche at that, she was more than ready for this . . . whatever it turned out to be. She looked him straight in the eye. ‘I’d like that very much.’

‘Good.’ After they’d paid, she took his hand and they walked out, not needing to speak, simply enjoying being together.

Could a relationship possibly be so easy?

She felt the luxury wrap itself round her as they entered Edward’s flat. ‘You have a beautiful home.’

He closed the door and swung her into his arms. ‘Never mind the flat, I’ve been dying to kiss you all night.’

Feeling as if she was in a dream, she raised her face to his and let the warmth of his lips, the closeness of his body fill her with happiness. Returning his kisses and caresses, she felt herself melting into the warmth of shared love-making as if she’d known him for years.

She’d expected embarrassment, awkwardness; she found pleasure, a man comfortable in his own skin who made the loving easy and joyful.

Much later, as they lay in bed nestled against one another, he asked, ‘Are you staying the night?’

She sighed. ‘I’d better not. It sets a bad example to Jo and Ghita.’

‘I thought you’d say that. Pity. Next time, perhaps.’ He planted a kiss on her nose then got out of bed, searching for his clothes, before finding a sweater.

‘There’s no need for you to come out again. It’s too far. I can order a taxi door to door.’

He smiled. ‘I’m old-fashioned. I like to pick my lady up and deliver her safely home again.’

Which made the warmth inside her burn up again, and it was a moment before she could speak coherently.

She’d been on her own for so long. She’d forgotten what it was like to have someone else care about her safety and happiness. Had she ever known this degree of caring?

Not with Shane, for all their early happiness together.

Edward could become . . . addictive.

Pete resented spending the money to keep two security men alternating at his flat, and he grew increasingly annoyed with Fran’s greed. After all, she hadn’t earned the money she was trying to take from him; he had. The divorce laws might be fair to couples who’d supported each other as they made their way in the world, but all Fran had done was be decorative and sexy
after
he’d achieved some success – and spend his money like water. That didn’t make a relationship last, as he’d found out.

In fact, he grew increasingly irritable about this situation, knew it, but couldn’t stop himself. People at the studio stared at him and began to treat him warily.

It took several days and a series of shouting matches for Fran to agree to his terms. It sounded to him as if her lawyer had more sense than she did.

In the end Pete wrote down exactly how much it cost for an hour of a lawyer’s time, extending that to three months. This was money which would not be available for either of them after the divorce. ‘I shan’t change,’ he said coldly. ‘I’d rather spend my money defending what I’ve earned than hand it over meekly to you.’

She stared at him then, anger clouding her lovely eyes, making her lips go thinner, giving her face a predatory look.

‘You’re still beautiful enough to snare some other rich fool, after all,’ he added.

‘We shouldn’t split up. We make a perfect celebrity couple.’

‘I want more than good looks from a wife. I want children and a home.’

‘I didn’t know it till now, but you’ve made me think hard about my future. Do we waste our time and money on lawyers or do we come to an agreement? I’m not being ungenerous, after all.’

‘I could get more if I hung on.’

‘Doubtful. The lawyers would certainly get more, though – a lot more. And I’m not giving you anything except basic money to cover your daily living till we’ve come to an agreement. It could drag on for years. How will you manage without shopping and new clothes?’

In the end he felt it was that argument that was the clincher.

That evening she greeted him with, ‘My lawyer wants me to accept your terms.’

‘Good.’

‘But I still think you’re being mean and I’ll never say a good word about you again,’ she snapped.

‘Better be careful what you say or I’ll be suing you for slander.’

‘I’m not moving out till I’ve found somewhere decent to live.’

The place she found to rent cost more than he wanted to spend, and he was sure Edward could have negotiated better terms for the lease. But without his cousin’s help, Pete was finding details difficult and time-consuming to sort out. He just wanted to get her off his back.

Damn, but he missed Edward! Missed his cousin’s company as well as his efficiency.

Pete made sure he was there to oversee the removal of Fran’s possessions from the flat, making sure she took only what they’d agreed on. This led to some more sharp words, but eventually she clicked her way out, her legs as long and sleek as always in her high heels. Yet somehow he was unmoved by her beauty now.

The security men saw to the changing of the door locks then they too left.

Afterwards Pete walked round the place on his own, making a triumphant fist as he stood on the balcony. He made a cup of coffee, drank it slowly then hesitated, uncertain what to do with himself. Play some music? No, she’d taken the sound system. He must buy another. Read? He hadn’t read a book in ages, must visit a bookshop and buy a few. Call friends? No, he wasn’t in the mood for drinking or for sympathy.

He went out for a meal because he’d never learned to cook, choosing a small local café he’d not used before. Fran would have turned her nose up at this place, but the food was excellent and no one asked for his autograph.

He walked home and stayed in, surprised at how quiet the flat was without Fran. After drinking a couple of beers, he fell asleep in front of the television, waking with a start as music blared out suddenly.

He was in bed well before midnight, back in the master bedroom. For once he lay awake. He might have settled Fran’s hash, but he still hadn’t decided what to do about his mother. He needed answers, but didn’t want to hurt her.

His meeting with his mother promised to be even more painful than his break-up with Fran.

Thirteen

The next morning Beth slept until eight o’clock, which was late for her. She wakened and stretched, feeling her body humming with physical well-being.

When she went into the kitchen she found Ghita clearing up the breakfast things while the boys watched a children’s show on TV, jigging about to the music.

‘Did you have a nice night out?’ Ghita asked.

Beth couldn’t stop herself blushing. ‘Um – yes.’

Which made Ghita blush too. ‘I didn’t mean to pry.’

‘You weren’t. I’m not used to having a man friend, that’s all. It’s been a long time. Is Jo at work already?’

‘Yes. Early shift all week. She’ll be back about two.’

‘Unless I get an emergency call, I’m clear for the day. Perhaps you and I could discuss food and money and that sort of thing, then run it past Jo? Or do you think we should wait for her?’

‘She’ll want to see what we’ve come up with, but she and I usually agree.’ Ghita produced a neatly written list. ‘I’ve checked your cupboards and we need to buy a few things if I’m to do the cooking. Sometimes I make dishes my mother taught me. Would that be all right?’

‘That sounds great. I’ll be happy with anything that comes. I’ve been a bit remiss about eating properly lately.’ She studied the list and whistled softly.

‘Is something wrong?’

‘No, this sounds fascinating. Real home cooking. How about I drive us to the supermarket and we buy what we need?’

Ghita hesitated. ‘Jo and I don’t have a lot of money. You won’t want to eat our cheap food all the time. I was going to cook something different for you.’

‘No need. I’ve been living off tinned soup, sandwiches and takeaways. Anything you cook will be better than that.’ She laid one hand on Ghita’s. ‘Stop worrying. If you’ll take over the housekeeping and cooking here, I’ll pay you for doing it.’

‘I couldn’t accept money when you’re letting me stay here for nothing! You won’t even take rent.’

‘I don’t need the money. Use this time to save a bit. Or consider the housekeeping full payment for staying here. Don’t undervalue yourself, Ghita. You have excellent skills, and if it weren’t for Kaleel and Mikey, I could find you a housekeeper’s job tomorrow.’

Her companion looked so astonished she waited to let it sink in, then casually mentioned how much a housekeeper might earn. ‘Once Kaleel is of school age, there are places where he’d be allowed to live in with you.’

Ghita clapped one hand to her mouth, blinking her eyes furiously. ‘I’ve been worrying about what sort of job I can get . . . later. Jo gives me money to look after Mikey, but she can’t afford much.’ Suddenly she was sobbing.

Beth had dealt with this before, young women working for her, shocked by the realization that they could earn enough money to cope decently. When Ghita had calmed down, Beth spoke briskly. ‘Now, let’s make a full shopping list. There are a few things I want as well.’

She drove them to the supermarket she usually patronized because it was closest, but as she slowed down outside it, Ghita started to say something then stopped.

‘Is something wrong?’

‘We can do better at Tesco’s. This is the most expensive supermarket.’

‘I go to it because it’s close, but I’m happy to use another. Tesco’s is a few streets away. With only one person it doesn’t matter too much, with five of us to feed, I can see it’s more important to keep costs down.’

She took charge of the double buggy the boys were sitting in and watched Ghita move round the supermarket like a professional shopper, making her purchases carefully, studying labels and unit prices. The two little boys seemed to understand that this wasn’t a time to play up and sat quietly for the most part.

Only when they came to the checkout did Mikey ask, ‘We’ve been good, Auntie Ghita. Can we have something?’

Ghita smiled at him. ‘Yes. You’ve both been very good and I’m proud of you.’

They beamed at her.

She controlled them so easily, Beth thought in amazement. Mikey was much better behaved for her than he was for Jo. What a treasure of an employee she’d make!

As they were coming out of the supermarket Ghita grew tense, looking round before she moved into the open and keeping an eye on the cars they passed.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘I’m still a bit worried my father will come after me.’

‘If he does, we’ll take out a restraining order.’

‘That won’t stop him if he thinks the family honour has been blackened.’

‘Does he know where you’ve gone?’

‘No. And I’m hoping he won’t find out. But you’re Jo’s mother and if he wants to find me, he’ll check on her. He is . . . very set in the old ways, and I think my brothers will help him, so I try to be careful.’

Beth decided there and then to consult her lawyer. But she’d not say anything to Ghita about that.

When they got back there was a message from Linda asking Beth to call her.

‘Hi, Mum. How are you?’

‘I’m fine. Beth, dear . . . I’ve decided to move in with Nat, so, well, I thought I’d better let you know and give you my new phone number.’

‘You’re over twenty-one, you know. You don’t have to get my permission.’