The Angel Tree (59 page)
Authors: Lucinda Riley
Greta switched off the light and lay in the darkness, listening to her daughter’s steady breathing. She touched her cheek where Cheska had kissed it and tears sprang to her eyes.
Simon was already at Ava’s bedside when David arrived at the hospital the following morning.
‘Hello, Uncle David. The doctor says I’m fine and I can go home,’ Ava said, giving him a kiss. ‘You two have met before, haven’t you?’
‘Yes,’ said Simon, exchanging an ironic glance with David.
‘At LJ’s party, and last night at the theatre?’ she prompted.
‘Yes,’ confirmed David.
‘So where’s LJ?’ Ava looked at both of them.
‘Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to ask your mother,’ said David. ‘She didn’t go back to the Savoy last night.’
‘Oh God.’ Ava put her head in her hands. ‘So now we have two missing people.’
‘David, have you seen this?’ Simon said, handing him a copy of the
Daily Mail
.
David looked at the front cover and was stunned to see a big photograph of Cheska looking particularly glamorous, her arms folded around an uncomfortable-looking Ava.
Gigi’s Lost Daughter: The heartbreaking story of how world-famous soap star Cheska Hammond came back to England after eighteen years in search of the baby she’d
left behind. FULL STORY ON PAGE 3.
David turned to page three.
Cheska Hammond, once the biggest box-office draw in England, and more recently achieving worldwide fame as Gigi in
The Oil Barons
, has returned to England to stay.
And the story behind why she has come back is more poignant than any film she has ever starred in.
I met Cheska in her suite at the Savoy. As stunning in the flesh as on screen, yet with a delicacy and vulnerability that make her seem little older than the child she has come home to care
for, Cheska told me her compelling story.
‘I was fifteen when I discovered I was pregnant. I guess I was very naive and was taken advantage of by an older man [she still refuses to name the father]. Of course, my career at the
time was going really well. I’d just made
Please, Sir, I Love You
, and Hollywood was beckoning. I could have done what a lot of girls in my position did and had an abortion, even
though it was illegal at the time.’
Cheska’s lips tremble at the memory and tears come into her eyes. ‘I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t kill my baby. I’d made a terrible mistake, but it was my
responsibility and I couldn’t murder a tiny, innocent thing because of a stupid error I’d made. Then my mother was horribly injured in a road accident and I suppose that made me
even more determined to have my baby. So I went into hiding while I was pregnant and it was arranged after she was born that my aunt should care for Ava. If the studio in Hollywood had found
out about her, my career would have been ruined and I would have been unable to support my child.’ Cheska pauses for breath, choking back the tears. ‘I left her in Wales in a
beautiful house in the countryside, knowing she was in good hands. Of course, I sent every penny I could to help towards her upkeep . . .’
Ava had already read it, so she sat quietly, watching David’s face for his reaction.
‘. . . I was always writing to my aunt, asking if she wanted to send Ava out to Los Angeles on a holiday to see how she’d like it, but my aunt was never very
keen. Of course, I understood why. It would have been very unsettling for a small child. So, even though it broke my heart, I decided Ava was better off where she was. That was until I heard my
aunt was seriously ill. I dropped everything and came back to care for both her and my baby. And this is where I intend to stay.’
I watch Cheska put a hand gently on her daughter’s shoulder. Eighteen-year-old Ava, the image of her mother, smiles up at her. The bond between them is obvious. I ask Ava how she feels
about her mother returning.
‘Wonderful. It’s wonderful that she’s back.’
I ask her if she feels any bitterness towards her mother for leaving her for so long. Ava shakes her head. ‘No, not at all. I always knew she was there. She sent me some lovely
presents and wrote me letters. I understand why she did what she did.’
Then Cheska and I discuss her plans for the future. She shrugs. ‘Well, I hope to start working again as soon as I can. There may be a television series in the pipeline and I’d
like to try my hand at theatre. That would be quite a challenge.’
I ask her about the men in her life, and she looks shy and giggles. ‘Yes, there is someone, but I’d prefer not to talk about it just yet.’
I say goodbye to the actress who was as famed in Hollywood for her high-spirited performances off the screen as those on it. From the calm, contented look of the woman who gazes at her
daughter with obvious adoration, there is no doubt that motherhood has now matured and mellowed her. Welcome home, Cheska. We, like Ava, are glad to have you back.
David finished reading and folded the newspaper firmly shut. He looked at Ava to gauge her feelings.
‘I nearly vomited all over the page when I read it. But I couldn’t, because then the doctor might have thought I was still sick and kept me here longer.’ She laughed weakly,
doing her best to make light of it. ‘More importantly, where has Cheska gone? She wasn’t with you, was she, Simon?’
‘Of course not!’
‘I can confirm that,’ said David. ‘And I’m furious with Cheska for putting you through
that
.’ He pointed at the newspaper.
‘I begged her not to make me, but she’s very hard to refuse. I can’t tell you how weird she’s been these past few weeks.’ Ava shook her head in despair. ‘It
seemed to get worse after she met you, Simon.’
‘Oh great, thanks.’ Simon gave her a smile, then turned to David. ‘But Ava’s right. Last night, when she was attacking me in my dressing room – sorry, Ava –
I’m sure she said something about me being your father. Christ, how insane is that?’
‘Not quite as mad as it sounds, if Cheska believed you were her first love, Bobby Cross,’ David explained. ‘You do look very like him.’
‘Bobby Cross . . . Simon’s impersonating him in the musical he’s in at the moment, aren’t you?’ Ava added.
‘The plot thickens,’ muttered David. ‘Did Cheska come and see you in it?’
‘She was there on the opening night with Ava. I invited her when I met her at Marchmont. I’d given Ava a lift to Wales to see her great-aunt after she had the stroke. I was just
being polite to Cheska, David, nothing more,’ he said pointedly.
‘Of course. And you weren’t to know about her past.’
‘Uncle David’ – Ava had been listening quietly – ‘was this Bobby Cross my father?’
David paused before answering. ‘Yes, Ava, he was. I’m so sorry it’s me telling you and not your mother but, under the circumstances, it’s best you know, because it
explains quite a lot. Poor Simon’s been the victim of a very confused and troubled mind. I’ll never forgive myself for leaving you. What a mess. I’m so sorry.’
‘Don’t be silly, Uncle David. The most important thing now is to find my mother.’ Ava was reeling from what he’d said but decided she would give herself time to think
about it once Cheska and LJ had been found. ‘When did you last see her?’
‘In Simon’s dressing room. I managed to calm her down and was sorting Simon out when she bolted for the door and ran off before I could catch her. Have you any idea where she might
have gone?’
‘No, but . . . I’ve been very upset in the past few weeks. And all I’ve wanted to do is run to LJ. Where would my mother’s safe place be?’
‘I have absolutely no idea. You?’ David looked at Simon.
‘I barely know the woman. She can’t go back to Marchmont, so where would home be for her if it wasn’t there?’
‘Doesn’t Granny still live in the same Mayfair apartment Cheska grew up in?’ asked Ava.
‘Greta? But Cheska hasn’t been near her mother since the accident,’ said David.
‘Still, where else would she run?’ Ava shrugged.
‘Ava, do you know, you might just be right. Simon, can I leave you here to take care of Ava?’
‘Of course.’
‘Where will you two go?’ David asked as he rose to leave.
‘I’m taking Ava to
my
place of safety, in other words my unsanitary bedsit in Swiss Cottage.’ He smiled. ‘Let me write down my telephone number for
you.’
David thanked him, kissed Ava and left, saying he’d be in touch with any news.
‘Simon?’ Ava said quietly.
‘Yes?’
‘You know you just said you were taking me to your home when I left here?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, actually, I need to go to mine. Can you possibly drive me to Marchmont later on, after your performance?’
‘Of course, if you’re sure you’re up to it.’
‘I am. I have to be. Oh God.’ All Ava’s reserve cracked suddenly and tears filled her eyes. ‘It’s all so dreadful! Sorry,’ she muttered, embarrassed.
‘Ava, you don’t need to be sorry. You’ve had a terrible time,’ said Simon, taking her in his arms and holding her as she sobbed.
‘I just . . . promise me that I never have to go anywhere near Cheska again. She’s completely mad, Simon. And I’ve been so frightened because I haven’t known what to
do.’
‘I promise. Your uncle’s back now, and he’ll sort everything out, I’m sure. And later, as long as you’re well enough, I’ll drive you to Wales and we’ll
find LJ, I swear.’
‘Thank you, Simon. You’ve been wonderful.’
‘So have you. You’re amazing, Ava, really,’ he murmured in admiration, and stroked her soft blonde hair.
David knocked on the door of Greta’s apartment. As usual, Greta peered out from behind the chain, saw who it was and gave him a big smile of welcome as she undid it and
opened the door.
‘David, what a surprise! I thought you weren’t home for a couple of months yet.’
‘Well, circumstances have changed. How are you?’
‘I’m fine,’ she said, as she always did. ‘As a matter of fact, I’m rather glad you’re here. I have a guest. She arrived last night in the early hours and we
need to be quiet’ – Greta lowered her voice as she led him into the sitting room – ‘because she’s still sleeping.’
‘Cheska?’ David’s heart flooded with relief.
‘How did you know?’
‘I just did. Or, at least, Ava thought she might come to you. How did she seem?’
‘Well, to be quite honest,’ said Greta, shutting the door behind them, ‘I wouldn’t really know. She was a little upset when she arrived and told me she’d just
wanted to come home.’
‘You said she’s still sleeping?’
‘Yes. In fact, she hasn’t stirred since the moment she closed her eyes next to me last night. She must be very tired, poor thing.’
‘She hasn’t said anything to you, has she?’
‘About what?’
‘How she was feeling? Or what it is that’s upset her?’
‘Not really, no. Goodness, David, you sound almost like a police officer.’ She chuckled nervously. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘Yes, fine.’
‘Well, it’s awfully nice to see you. How was your holiday?’
‘It was . . . incredible, fantastic. But that’s not what I’m here to talk about. Greta, do you think Cheska trusts you?’
‘Well, she seems to. She came to me last night, after all. As you’ve told me, I am her mother,’ she said proprietorially.
‘Do you remember her?’
‘No, sadly, I don’t. But she seems nice enough. And, really, it’s no problem at all for her to stay here with me if necessary. I rather enjoyed looking after her last night. It
made me feel useful.’
‘Listen, Greta, I have something I need you to ask her when she wakes up.’
‘Oh yes? What is it?’
‘It seems’ – David thought how he could explain it – ‘it seems she may have taken my mother out of her nursing home and moved her somewhere else. And, just now, we
don’t know where.’
‘Well, surely you can simply ask her, David?’
‘I can, yes. But if she trusts you, she’s more likely to tell you.’
Greta frowned. ‘David, what is this all about?’
‘It’s complicated, Greta, and I promise I’ll explain more another time. But, for now, I’m concerned that, if Cheska sees me, she may get scared and run away
again.’
‘Honestly, you talk about her as though she were a child, rather than a grown woman of – what must she be?’ Greta worked it out. ‘Thirty-four? She’s not in any
trouble, is she?’
‘Not really, no, although, between you and me, she’s not very well at the moment.’
‘What’s wrong with her?’
‘The best way to put it is that she’s a little confused,’ David said tactfully. ‘I think she may be having some form of nervous breakdown.’
‘I see. Poor thing. She did say that she felt as if nobody loved her, that she was all alone.’
‘Well, obviously, I want to get her the help she needs. But first, could you perhaps take her in a cup of tea and gently ask her if she remembers the name of the nursing home she’s
put my mother in.’
‘Well, of course I can. It’s hardly a question she’ll find threatening, is it?’
‘No,’ David reassured her.
‘Do you want me to go and wake her up now?’
‘Yes. It’s nearly midday, after all.’
‘Okay.’
‘And, Greta, don’t say that I’m here.’
As she walked away from him to make the tea in the kitchen, David crept to the front door, turned the key in the lock and put it in his pocket. If Cheska tried to make a run for it, she
wouldn’t be able to get out. He wondered if it would be better to tell Greta the truth. But given she couldn’t remember anything about Cheska, how would she cope with what her daughter
had become, and what her part in it had been?
David heard Greta knock gently on the bedroom door and step inside. In an agony of tension, he waited for her to come back. Ten minutes later, she did.
‘How is she?’ he asked, turning from the window. He’d been pacing up and down the sitting room like a caged animal.
‘A little tearful.’
‘Did you ask her where LJ was?’
‘Yes. And she said that of course she knew where she was,’ Greta said, a little defensively. ‘She said that she put her in a nice nursing home called The Laurels, just outside
Abergavenny. Although she also said that LJ and you hadn’t been very nice to her recently.’