TWENTY-SEVEN
With a film editor either side of her, Jenneen took the stairs two at a time. They laughed as they reached the top and stopped to catch their breath.
“What brings you here so late in the evening?” Richard puffed.
“Just wanted to pick up a few things,” Jenneen answered.
“Bar’s still open,” said Gary. “Tell you what, I’ll let you buy me a drink.”
“Thanks for the honour.”
“I’ll buy,” said Richard.
“Sorry, too much to do.”
“You know what hard work did to Jack,” said Gary.
“And I’m even duller,” she said. “But seriously, I can’t tonight. If you’re around tomorrow lunchtime, I’ll buy you both one then, does that suit?”
“Well, I suppose it’ll have to do,” said Gary. “Give us a kiss then before you go.”
“Tomorrow,” and she started to walk away.
Suddenly she was swept off her feet and they were carrying her towards the bar on their shoulders.
“Put me down,” she laughed, but they walked right on into the bar, and dumped her in front of the counter.
“Two pints and a gin and tonic for the lady,” said Richard.
“Honestly,” said Jenneen. “Don’t you ever take no for an answer? Just a quick one then, and I’ll have to go.”
As she looked around to see who was in there she noticed Stephen Sommers sitting in the comer with several researchers from the Afternoon Programme. As their eyes met he gave her a sour look.
“See your fan club’s in tonight,” Gary remarked, as Jenneen turned back to the bar.
“He’s bloody furious about your new programme, you know,” said Richard, perching on a stool beside her.
“You mean he knows about it?”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
“Silly question. What did he say?”
“I’d rather not repeat it,” said Richard, “but I’d watch him if I were you, he’s got it in for you.”
“Well, that’s nothing new,” said Jenneen. “Stephen Sommers has got it in for anyone female who has the audacity to be above the rank of secretary.”
“True,” said Gary.
They watched Stephen as he stuffed his cigarettes into his pocket, and left the bar. Jenneen shrugged, and raised her glass to the closed door.
When she had finished her drink Jenneen insisted that she really must go now. She went back along the corridor to the production office. The lights were still on when she got there, and looking at her watch she guessed that the late-night news team were probably using it for the last bulletin of the day, as it was nearer the presentation studio than their own.
Sure enough, as she rounded the filing cabinets, she saw a couple of journalists banging away on typewriters, and a secretary busy photocopying the scripts. She said hello to one of the journalists as he rushed out of the office, then walked on round the row of filing cabinets towards her desk. Suddenly she stopped. Someone she had not expected to see was Stephen Sommers.
Normally she would have ignored him, and not even bothered to wonder what he was doing there. But he was standing beside her desk, reading something that he had quite clearly taken from the drawer; he had left it open.
Luckily no one had noticed her come in, so she drew back behind the filing cabinets, and watched him for several minutes. It soon became evident from the way he was rummaging through the desk that he was looking for something in particular, and she wondered what it could be.
She didn’t have to wait long. From the bottom drawer, where she kept everything to do with her new series, he pulled out the small buff file that she had come back for. Quickly he flicked through it, barely giving himself time to read it. Obviously satisfied that this was what he was looking for, he walked over to the photocopier, duplicated the whole file, then replaced the original in the drawer.
She continued to watch as he tucked his copy inside his jacket, and started to walk towards her. Quickly she stepped back into Bill’s office behind her, and hid behind the door until he had passed.
When she was satisfied that he had gone, she walked over to her desk, and took out the file from the bottom drawer. What possible use could that file be to him? OK, she had never discussed the project in the office, but there was nothing to hide. The company had given the go-ahead for the pilot, and he only had to read the studio schedules to see that it was down for recording in two weeks’ time.
She shrugged. Well, if he was so fascinated by her and what she was doing, then good luck to him. Just to know what the idea was would do him no good that she could see, unless it was merely to satisfy his curiosity.
But in the following week or so, she couldn’t shake it from her mind. She had a nagging feeling that there was perhaps more to this than she realised.
Nick was quite taken aback when Kate threw open the door. Her face was covered in smiles, and she was almost jumping up and down with excitement.
“Have you heard?” she said, pulling him inside. “Have you heard?”
“Heard what?”
“About Ellamarie and Bob?”
“What about Ellamarie and Bob.”
“They’re getting married.”
“They’re what!” Nick gasped.
“Getting married.”
“But how? I mean when? I mean, well, how can they?”
“I don’t know,” said Kate, “but they are. Isn’t it simply marvellous! Come on, I’ve got some champagne. Let’s celebrate!” and she skipped off into the kitchen.
Nick laughed. “You’ve got champagne? But it’s them who are getting married.”
“What difference does that make? We can still celebrate, can’t we?”
He shrugged. “Sure, why not?”
“Will you pop the cork?”
He took the bottle from her, and she stood at the ready with two glasses. He filled them up, and they drank a toast to Ellamarie and Bob.
“Mmm, good stuff,” he said. “And now, how about a toast to you?”
“To me?”
“Yes. I’ve been reading the first chapters of your book today, and I think we’ve got something to celebrate.”
“Do you really? Did you like it? Be honest with me, Nick, did you really like it?”
“Yes, I did. Don’t look so surprised, it’s good.”
“But were there any bits you didn’t like? You can be brutally honest, I won’t mind.”
He opened his mouth to speak.
“Well, not too brutal,” she said.
He smiled. “There is one thing I’m unsure of.”
“Oh,” said Kate, unable to hide her disappointment. “What’s that?”
“Exactly when it’s supposed to be taking place.”
“In the seventies,” she said, as if it were obvious.
“But you haven’t said that.”
“Do I need to?”
“Well, I’m no expert, but I’d have thought so, yes.”
“I’ll look at it,” she said. “Come on, let’s go and sit down.”
He followed her into the lounge, and took up his usual chair beside the fire. July it might be, but there was still no real sign of summer yet; in fact it was damned cold outside tonight.
“So,” he said. “Has Bob told his wife yet?”
“I presume so. I didn’t ask. It was just so good to hear Ellamarie back in spirits again.”
“Mmm,” Nick sipped his champagne. “Did you ever find out what it was, you know, why she was like she was?”
“No, she didn’t say. But whatever it was, well, I don’t suppose it matters now really, does it? As long as she’s all right now. I mean, we all get down sometimes, even Ellamarie.”
“I suppose we do.”
“Did you find out today when the real reading for the Queen of Cornwall is happening?”
“Nope,” said Nick. “Couldn’t get hold of Bob. Don’t know why I didn’t think to try Ellamarie’s. Still, under the circumstances it’s probably just as well I didn’t. When did they decide?”
“Yesterday, she called me this morning.”
“Have you ever met his wife?”
“No, never. Have you?”
“No, I haven’t actually met her, but I’ve seen her.”
“Really?” said Kate. “What’s she like?”
“Well, it was quite some time ago now, and I didn’t get a very good look, but from what I saw I’d say she’s probably about the same age as Bob, and about the same height. She’s dark, and rather more glamorous than I’d have expected.”
“I always imagined, from the things Ellamarie’s told me, that she would be sort of quite mousey and plain.”
“I must admit I thought she would be too, but she’s certainly not plain. But I only caught a glimpse.”
At that moment the phone rang, and Kate got up to answer it. From the warmth in her voice Nick guessed that it was her father on the other end, so he went back to the kitchen to fetch the champagne. When he came back again she was still on the phone, so he sat down, feeling uncomfortable. He always hated it when people were on the phone and he was a visitor in their home. It made him feel like he was eavesdropping.
Kate seemed to sense it, and said: “I’ll have to go now, Daddy, I’ve got a friend here.”
Nick felt a twinge of annoyance that she hadn’t said who.
“Well, before you ring off,” said her father, “tell me, how’s the book coming along. Well?”
“Yes, it’s coming along fine I think,” and she winked at Nick.
“Jenneen’s with you, is she?”
“No, she’s coming around later. Nick’s here at the moment.”
She heard her father sigh on the other end. “Is he still pestering you?”
Kate turned the phone into the wall. “Not at all.”
“Darling, he’s an actor, for goodness’ sake. What on earth do you see in him?”
“It’s not like that,” she answered, trying to keep her voice low, thankful that Nick couldn’t hear what her father was saying.
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. So why don’t you tell him straight that you don’t want to see him again. He’s always round there these days, it must be driving you mad.”
“It’s not, and I won’t.”
“Don’t be angry. I’m only trying to make you see sense. All you need right now is to get on with your novel, and you’ll never do it with him hanging round you.”
“Look, I’ll call you later.”
“I’m going out,” said her father. “Call me in the morning. And try and get rid of that moron.”
“No!” she said. “I won’t, and don’t say things like that again.”
“You’re not falling for him, are you?”
“No. Yes, actually, I am.”
“I thought you might have learned your lesson by now, Katherine.”
“What do you mean?”
“Darling, I’m only trying to save you from being hurt again. We don’t want a repeat of the Joel Martin affair, now do we?”
Kate flushed. “Don’t ever mention that again. I don’t ever want to talk about it, and I don’t ever want you to talk about it either. And what’s more, I’ll do as I please, so stop interfering. I’ll call you tomorrow,” and she hung up.
“I’m sorry about that,” she said to Nick, “but sometimes fathers can be so blasted infuriating.”
“I won’t ask what it was all about, I think I can guess. But tell me, who’s coming round later?”
Kate frowned.
“You said on the phone that she’ll be coming round later.”
“Oh, yes. Jenneen. She’s calling in for a drink, and perhaps something to eat. She wants me to look over the first draft script that she’s done for her new series.”
“Oh no, does that mean takeaways again?”
“’Fraid so. But cheer up, I’ll cook you a nice dinner on Saturday night. How does that sound?”
He raised his glass to her.
“I’ve got another treat. I’ve been to Cliveden House today, researching for the series of articles I’m doing on stately homes that don’t belong to the National Trust.”
“But I thought Cliveden did belong to the National Trust,” said Nick.
“They’ve leased it to Blakeney Hotels, don’t you remember? I told you, it’s a hotel now. Just wait till you see it.”
“Oh, I’m going to see it, am I? When?”
“Sunday. We’re going down for the day. I fell in love with it when I was there today, and I know you will too. So we’ll make a whole day of it next Sunday. Let’s just hope the weather cheers up. Ah, that’ll be Jenneen,” she said, as the buzzer on the intercom sounded.
Jenneen came in, carrying more champagne, and laughed when she saw the half full one on the coffee table. “Looks like we all had the same idea.” She took the glass that Nick was offering her. “Well, here’s to the happy couple. Have you seen either of them yet?”
Kate shook her head, and put down her glass. “No. Have you?”
“No, but being love’s young dream, I don’t suppose they really want to see anyone just yet. Has he told his wife, do you know?”
“Don’t think he’s had a chance yet,” said Kate.
“Wonder how she’ll take it.”
“Well, I don’t think they’re very close, are they? Haven’t been for some time. Probably won’t come as a surprise. Might even come as a relief.”
“I wouldn’t go quite that far,” said Nick. “Breaking up is never easy, even if you don’t love someone any more.”
“No, I suppose it’s not,” said Kate. “Well, why don’t we drink to Linda as well. That she can find happiness too.”
So they drank Linda’s health, and then settled down to go over Jenneen’s script.
About eight o’clock Nick went out for Chinese, and by nine thirty they were well fed and quite merry.
“So,” said Jenneen, leaning back in her chair, and closing the script. “You think it’s good?”
“Excellent,” said Kate. “Just those few alterations, and check on whether or not you can actually mention those couple of things in the closing link, and you’re home and dry. It’s a winner!”
“What do you think, Nick?”
“Same as Kate. There are several critics, not to mention directors, I’d like to see in the hot seat. What time of night will it be going out?”
Jenneen shrugged. “It doesn’t have a slot yet. But it will be quite late, I think. Around elevenish.”
“Shame,” said Nick. “Still, once it’s been running a while, they might give it an earlier slot.”
“Might,” said Jenneen, “one can only hope.”
The phone rang and Jenneen looked at her watch. “Great! That’s probably Ashley. I left a message with her service, telling her to ring us here tonight.”
“Hello,” she said, lifting the receiver. “Hello,” she said again. She waited, but there was no reply. She looked at the others and shrugged. “No one there.” The line crackled. “Hello,” she shouted. “Ashley, is that you?” Still there was no answer. She put the phone down. “Probably a bad connection.”
After a couple of minutes the phone rang again, and this time Kate answered it. “Hello, Ash!”
“Hello,” said a muffled voice, quite clearly not Ashley’s.
“Hello? Who is it?”
“Kate,” said the voice. “Hello, Kate.”
Kate frowned, and some of the colour left her face. She turned to look at Nick.
Quickly he jumped to his feet. “Is it him again?”
“Who?” said Jenneen, bewildered.
“I think so,” Kate whispered, handing Nick the receiver.
Nick put the phone to his ear and listened. A few seconds later the line went dead, but he heard all he needed to hear. He could feel both Kate’s and Jenneen’s eyes on him, waiting for him to speak. He turned away, closing his eyes against the feeling of nausea the voice had left him with.
Kate’s face was taut. “It was him, wasn’t it?”
“Who?” said Jenneen.
Nick looked round.
“What did he say?”
“What’s going on?” said Jenneen. “Who is it?”
Nick looked at her, then avoiding Kate’s eyes he started to leave the room. “I’ll get some more wine,” he said.
