Chapter 29
At Whitewood House, Nicholas sat in the study trying to read through the same script. Ordinarily, he’d be reading outside but the weather had worsened. The sky was filled with grey clouds that threatened snow and there was a biting wind that chilled you to the bone. He took off his glasses and laid them on the desk, rubbing at his eyes. All he could hear was banging and drilling as the security team installed cameras and more equipment to secure the house. He wasn’t getting very far and the lines had to be learnt before his trip to Africa.
There was a knock on the door.
‘Yeah, Roger, come in.’ He put the script to one side and swigging back the remains of his cup of tea.
Roger entered.
‘Sorry to bother you. Sasha’s here.’
‘Hey, Sasha. Come on in,’ Nicholas invited as she stepped forward and Roger ducked back out.
‘Would you like a drink?’
‘Oh, well I don’t want to disturb you if you’re busy. I just thought while Freya is out, I’d drop some things round here to surprise her.’ She shook a pair of shopping bags at him.
‘I’m about done. I can’t seem to concentrate with all the noise going on. Would you like some tea?’
‘Well, maybe a quick one. I want to get back to the office before Freya does, though. Don’t want her to think I’m slacking off.’ She checked her watch.
‘I’ll make it quick. Hey, Roger! You and the guys want tea?’ Nicholas called up the stairs.
‘No thanks, Nick. We’re all good up here.’
‘You make everyone tea?’ Sasha exclaimed.
They both moved into the kitchen and Sasha placed her bags on the breakfast bar.
‘Yeah, sure. Why do you sound surprised? You’ve been here before. We don’t have a team of butlers hiding in the closet, you know.’ He laughed.
‘I know. I just… I don’t know. I mean, you’re so famous and…’ Sasha began, blushing.
‘Don’t say that to Freya. She hates the word “famous”, only second to the word “celebrity”,’ Nicholas replied as he switched the kettle on.
‘She told me about the baby. Congratulations.’ She reached into one of the bags and pulled out a white, all-in-one baby outfit.
‘Oh, she told you. Well, we’re just trying to keep it quiet right now. You know what the press is like. And it’s early days so we don’t want to tempt fate.’
‘Do you like the outfit? I got some in white and lemon.’ She rifled through the bags, pulling outfits out and holding them up.
‘Sasha, they’re great. You shouldn’t have.’
‘Well, I wanted to. What with everything that’s been happening to you two, I thought you both deserved a treat. It must be terrible having someone come into your house. And then for someone to send a wreath. Freya must be out of her mind with worry.’ She sat down on one of the stools.
‘Well, I can’t say it isn’t unsettling. But Freya’s coping really well. She’s made of strong stuff and we’re taking all the precautions we can. We’re having a new electric fence installed today and there’s two plain-clothes officers keeping an eye on the house.’
‘How awful. I mean Mayleaf’s such a lovely little town. You wouldn’t think this sort of thing would happen here.’
‘There are a lot of sick people out there. When you’re in the public eye, it’s always a risk. I just never thought someone would do this to Freya.’ He poured the water into the teapot.
‘Why d’you think they’re targeting Freya?’
‘I have absolutely no idea. If I did, I’d be helping the police catch whoever it is.’
‘Maybe whoever it is is jealous of her,’ Sasha suggested.
‘Jealous? What makes you say that?’
‘Well, who wouldn’t be jealous of a woman with everything? She has a successful business and a fabulous home. She’s admired by millions of people and she’s about to get married to a handsome, Hollywood actor who some people would kill to be with.’
‘Freya would probably say the successful business she built up through hard work. She’d say the fabulous home would be more fabulous if it didn’t have so many bolts and sensors on it. The admiration she hates and as for the actor. Well, he’s just an ordinary guy who moans when he doesn’t have a clean shirt to wear and snores at night when he’s had too much to drink.’ He laughed and passed Sasha a cup.
She smiled and accepted it.
‘Freya has an idea who’s behind it.’
‘She does? Someone she knows?’
‘Someone she thought she knew, put it that way.’
‘How awful. Is it someone from Mayleaf?’
‘No, not from Mayleaf. God, the people in this town have been so supportive to us. Jolie from the store has been over here most days to see if we need anything. And Bruce from the Chinese has started sending over food parcels.’
‘It’s nice to have the community rallying around.’
‘Yes it is. It’s really important to me, especially now because I’m going to Africa in a few weeks’ time. I’d hate for Freya to be on her own. Mind you, considering what’s been happening and with the baby on the way, I might not be able to leave her on her own.’
‘How are the wedding plans coming along? I suspect with all the disruption, you haven’t been able to do much organisation.’
‘Well, it’s certainly been hectic. But who knows? We might manage it.’ He smiled.
‘Still planned for December twenty-second?’
‘At the moment.’
‘Good. I’ve ordered a little gift, you see.’
‘Oh, Sasha, you really shouldn’t have. And all these clothes are great. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. Well, I’d better go. I don’t want Freya to find me missing.’ She checked her watch.
‘But you haven’t finished your tea,’ Nicholas remarked, looking at her full cup.
‘No. Well, I don’t want Freya to miss me and I left the answer phone on. I’d really better get back.’
She stood up and headed towards the hall.
‘Well, thanks for coming by and thank you again for the baby clothes. It’s really generous of you and I’m sure Freya will appreciate it.’ He followed her down the hall and opened the front door.
‘I hope so.’ She smiled.
‘I’ll see you.’
‘Yes. See you soon.’ She smiled again and stepped out onto the deck.