Chapter 17
It was the final day of filming before the cast and crew finished for the autumn break. A cheery atmosphere filled the air, with everyone looking forward to a rest. As there would be no more filming in the hall, Emma decided to display the flowers she’d picked in there, avoiding any changes to the set. The bright blooms cheered the place up. She also put the Tiffany lamp Felix had bought in Lancaster on the console table. As expected, it looked perfect.
‘How lovely,’ said Polly as she entered, admiring the many vases dotted about. Then her eyes caught the Tiffany lamp. ‘Is that new?’
‘Yes,’ replied Emma.
‘Who put it there?’ Polly knew she hadn’t seen it before.
‘Me and Felix, well, I spotted it in an antique shop and he bought it,’ came her reply, knowing full well what the response would be.
‘Of course,’ Polly winked, then for devilment added, ‘very cosy.’
Emma just shook her head in good spirit, not bothering to rise to the bait. Madeleine however had overheard the exchange and couldn’t resist chipping in.
‘ Oui , they make a good team.’
Emma turned abruptly, taken by surprise at her comment. They were interrupted by Felix’s loud voice.
‘OK everybody, let’s get on and wrap this up by lunch time. Emma, very kindly, is putting on a good spread, so let’s get cracking.’ He smiled at Emma in gratitude, and she returned with one back.
‘Like I said, very cosy,’ whispered Polly mischievously in her ear.
The place was hectic and Emma had a job in overseeing the front entrance as well as providing refreshments. Thankfully Madeleine was on hand to help, much to Emma’s relief. She’d proved most helpful assisting in the kitchen.
‘What are you doing over the break?’ she’d asked Emma, whilst arranging sandwiches onto plates. She automatically assumed Emma would be having some time off too.
Emma shrugged. ‘I’m not sure if it’s a break for me too… but anyway my dad’s going away for a few days on his narrowboat with his lady friend, so—’
‘Then you must have a break here! And a rest from all the household chores,’ Madeleine instantly replied.
‘Oh, but—’
‘ Non ,’ Madeleine raised an elegant hand to silence her, ‘you must stay here, Emma,’ then continued, ‘and I shall cook.’ She gave a firm nod as if to end the subject.
Emma knew better than to argue with Madeleine, but she was actually glad. She’d half envisaged herself at the cottage, alone.
Emma stood back to assess the kitchen table. It was brimming with sandwiches, savoury tarts, salads, pastas and cakes.
‘There, now to get it all up to the dining room,’ she said.
‘I’ll help,’ replied Madeleine.
‘No, it’s fine, honestly I can manage.’
‘You must allow me to assist, Emma,’ she told her in a stern voice.
‘Thank you,’ Emma grinned, thinking what a formidable woman Madeleine was. Only slight in build, yet full of energy. Her appearance was always impeccable, from first thing in the morning to retiring to bed in the evening. Her slim, petite figure looked good in the tailored trouser suits and smart dresses she wore. Emma compared this to her mum’s wardrobe and how she’d mainly been comfortable in jeans and sweatshirts, clothing she could throw on without a second thought. A pang of emotion jolted through her, which Madeleine noticed.
‘Are you alright, Emma?’ Her perfectly make-upped face creased with worry.
Emma liked the way she pronounced her name, with emphasis on the first syllable, Em -ma. Her own mum used to shorten it to simply ‘Em’. This memory made her even more sentimental and to her horror she could feel her eyes fill.
‘Emma?’ Madeleine asked with urgency.
‘I’m fine, really,’ she quickly pulled herself together, ‘I… was just reminiscing.’
‘About what?’ Madeleine asked directly, eyes locking with hers, straightforward but inviting.
‘My mum,’ came the quiet reply.
‘Ah, I see.’ Madeleine came and put an arm round her shoulders. ‘Yes, Felix explained that she passed away some years ago. It must have been hard for you, non ?’
Emma was touched by her concern. ‘To be honest, me and Dad usually cope OK. I think it’s because things are different now, with me living here.’
‘But you like living here, do you not?’ Madeleine gently enquired.
‘Oh, yes, very much,’ Emma hastily replied.
‘Good, because I know Felix likes you living here.’ She stared straight into Emma’s face, then hesitated before saying, ‘Tell me—’
‘Need a hand?’ Felix suddenly appeared, making them turn round sharply. He rubbed his hands together. ‘This looks terrific.’ He looked at them both. ‘Thanks, much appreciated.’
‘Yes, Emma is worth… how you say, her weight in gold, non ?’ Madeleine smiled affectionately at her.
They all carried the buffet to the dining room, where the actors, camera men, runners, costume and make-up assistants eagerly awaited them. Felix wanted a celebratory gathering and had supplied several bottles of wine. Once everyone’s plate was full and the drinks flowed, Polly suggested some music.
‘Emma, why don’t you sing for us?’ she asked.
‘Good idea,’ smiled Felix, who was standing nearby. ‘I’ve heard her latest set and it’s amazing.’
‘Hmm…’ Emma wavered.
‘Oh, go on!’ cheered Polly, full of bonhomie.
‘Alright then,’ she grinned and went into the hall to the piano. She was soon followed as her voice began to fill the place. Felix fixed his eyes on her. She sang with a natural confidence, no awkward inhibitions, just an innate talent shining through. Her sweet voice was breath-taking, making all who heard it stop in their tracks. His gaze once again travelled down her swan-like neck to the swell of her breasts that rose and fell with her singing.
Polly, who’d had quite a few glasses of wine by now, clocked how Felix’s gaze once more locked onto Emma. Sidling over to him, she murmured, ‘So when are you going to make a move then, Felix?’
Without turning he gave a slow smile. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about,’ he replied.
‘Oh, I think you do,’ Polly chuckled softly.
Madeleine had also witnessed her son’s look of yearning and gave a calculated smile to herself. A sense of liberation passed over her. After the nightmare which had been Anika Genness, it was such a blessed relief that Felix had met Emma. She had warmed to the girl immediately and a mother’s intuition was never wrong. Madeleine had never liked Anika, but had remained silent in her opinion, until Felix had come clean about his relationship with her. She’d been both appalled and angry at what her son had had to endure. Emma, it was blatantly clear, was the polar opposite to Anika. She was down-to-earth, uncomplicated. The fact Emma was Felix’s housekeeper Madeleine found rather amusing. Where better to meet someone than on your own doorstep? Much preferable then at some fancy film premier, full of pretentious or fame-hungry actresses. No, Emma was just what Felix needed. It never occurred to Madeleine that Emma might not see Felix in a romantic light. Which girl in their right mind wouldn’t?
After a few more songs, the party lunch was winding down. The cast and crew were mindful of the tidal road and wanted to get back to their hotel to pack and go home.
As Emma locked the front doors, she bent down to collect the post. A few envelopes were addressed to Felix, apart from one, which was addressed to her. Surprised, she carried them into the hall and put the envelopes on the piano stool and opened the one with her name on it. Unfolding the white A4 paper she inhaled sharply. There, in bold black writing read the words:
Stay away from him, bitch. Or else.
The nasty warning couldn’t have come at a worse time. Emma was shaken to say the least and she had to perform that evening. The gig at Red Rose Brewery loomed and instead of feeling upbeat and energised like she usually did, Emma was extremely nervy and unable to focus.
After showing the message to Felix, he had gone ballistic and rung the police immediately. Madeleine was horrified and anger seethed inside her. How dare Anika Genness continue to ruin her son’s life and threaten Emma?
‘I… I don’t know if I can sing tonight,’ Emma stammered. They were all sat in the drawing room.
‘Of course you must. Do not allow this woman to distress you, Emma,’ Madeleine said firmly.
Easier said than done, thought Emma, knowing Anika’s past behaviour. Like it or not, the fact was that Felix’s deranged ex was nearby. She was clocking their every move. Her warning of ‘keep away from him’ meant that she had obviously seen her and Felix out together. She must be watching the place, their comings and goings. Fear tingled down Emma’s spine. Flashbacks of her and Felix going shopping in Lancaster came to mind. Anika must have witnessed it. Was she spying on them now? Her eyes dashed to the big bow window, but darkness was falling and she couldn’t see very much.
Felix, following Emma’s stare, got up to draw the curtains. He, too, had been thinking along the same lines.
‘This is all my fault,’ he said in a flat tone, sitting back down to face them. He hated seeing Emma like this, so pale and drawn, and tonight of all nights, when it was the gig she’d been building up to.
‘It is not your fault, Felix,’ interrupted Madeleine crossly, losing patience, the whole situation beyond absurd. ‘What exactly are the police doing about this mad woman?’ she demanded.
Felix gave a hard sigh and ran his hand through his dark hair. ‘They’ve taken it very seriously. This time Anika has made actual threats, physical threats, and it’s classed as harassment under the Public Order Act. Technically she could be sent to prison for this,’ he stated.
‘Your security cameras, have they not picked anything up?’ asked Madeleine.
‘Not since Anika delivered that framed picture in a hoody and dark clothing,’ replied Felix.
‘Nothing else?’ asked Emma.
‘No, we’ve checked,’ he answered, looking regretful. He so wanted to put things right, for Emma as much as himself. Adamant she wasn’t to miss the gig, he said, ‘Listen, I’ll escort you tonight and make sure you get home safely.’
‘But… you could be recognised, and—’
‘ Non . I will drive the pair of you to Lancaster and book a taxi for your return,’ cut in Madeleine.
‘But, Mum—’ Felix tried to reason, really not liking the idea of his mother in this big house alone.
‘No buts!’ Madeleine’s hand came up in objection. ‘I insist. You two,’ she pointed at Felix then Emma, ‘are to go out together to enjoy yourselves,’ she finished resolutely.
Emma watched her and not for the first time admired the lady’s spirit. She was right. Why should Anika Genness ruin things? The band’s gig was a big deal to her and the rest of its members. If she let them down at such short notice, they’d never forgive her. Well, perhaps they would if they knew an obsessive lunatic was after her; but this was their Gig, the final one of the year. There was no way she could gib out. No, the show must go on, she concluded.
‘You’re absolutely right, Madeleine, it’s business as usual,’ Emma stated, shoulders back.
Felix looked at her, approving her attitude. My God, she was beautiful when she was angry.
‘That’s my girl,’ smiled Madeleine, then turned to Felix, ‘and you, my boy, are to go out tonight and… how do you say, let your hair down.’ She nodded with conviction.
Bunty was at Perry’s cottage. They too were going to see Emma’s band
at Red Rose Brewery that evening. Perry couldn’t wait to see his
daughter perform; he’d so missed hearing her sing. Bunty smiled at his
attire. A red silk waistcoat over a collarless shirt, complete with a
neckerchief. He certainly had it. For a man of his years, Perry still
cut quite a dash.
‘I know.’ He winked, noticing her admiring glance.
‘Know what?’ said Bunty.
‘How good I look,’ he replied, then broke into laughter.
‘And don’t you know it,’ replied Bunty, raising an eyebrow.
‘But nowhere as good as you,’ he said, then put an arm round her waist and kissed her cheek. True, Bunty did look great in her long denim dress and navy jacket. Together they made a very stylish older couple.
The sound of a horn outside interrupted them.
‘Come on, the taxi’s here,’ Perry ushered Bunty to the door. He fully intended to enjoy tonight’s gig and had no intention of driving or letting Bunty either. They, in his own words, were going to ‘get plastered’.
Alcohol was the last thing on Jasmine’s mind. A nauseous sensation
kept drifting in and out of her stomach. Whilst she and Robin had made
plans to go to the gig, her body really didn’t feel up to it. She felt
tired, worn out. Although Jasmine had been working hard to meet various
deadlines, this was alien to her. She was used to tight timetables and
couldn’t fathom why the recent schedule had affected her so badly. But
it had. Jasmine was washed out and had now started with a migraine.
‘Sorry, Robin, I don’t think I’ll make tonight,’ she said, reaching for the paracetamol tablets in the kitchen cupboard. She ran a glass of cold water and downed them. Robin looked at her pale white face and frowned.
‘You look awful, Jas,’ he said in concern.
‘Thanks.’ She gave a faint smile.
Robin got up and peered closely at her. ‘I think you should ring the doctor in the morning,’ he told her.
‘No, I’m just tired, that’s all,’ she dismissed.
‘Well, come on then, I’m tucking you into bed. You need sleep,’ Robin replied assertively.
Jasmine didn’t refuse. She didn’t have the energy. The thought of a nice, warm, comfy bed was too tempting. It wasn’t long before Robin was pulling up her bedcovers, after installing a hot-water bottle.
‘Now sleep.’ He bent down to kiss her on the lips. Jasmine closed her eyes and within minutes fell into a deep slumber. Robin hovered by the doorway, not wanting to leave her. He was worried. He suspected something was off kilter with Jasmine the other day when, even though she’d been pleased he’d brought them a lovely lunch and prosecco to her studio, she’d hardly touched it. He noticed her wince at the first sip of drink, which was far from her usual reaction. He remembered how Jasmine had thrown it back in London, enjoying every minute of the fizz he’d provided at their hotel, on The London Eye, then at dinner. He also recalled their unrestrained lovemaking… so wanton he’d not always been as careful as he should. A startling thought unexpectedly hit him hard.
His eyes fixed on Jasmine, softly breathing, her chest gently rising and falling. Then his eyes slid further down to her abdomen and he gulped.