CHAPTER NINE #2
I have no idea at this time how M and I are going to move forward in our marriage.
One day I feel it’s better for it to end, the next I can’t bear the idea of letting him go.
He’s a very complex and conflicted man, as you know, but he has so much beauty in his soul and kindness in his heart that he is impossible not to love.
He is, of course, still very much in love with you – he doesn’t tell me this, but I can sense it – and I want you to know that I’m not jealous or insecure about it, because I love you too.
I wish you would consider coming here to visit for a while.
The house is very big with plenty of rooms, and we have an extra car you can use if you’d like one.
Daddy can also get VIP passes to Universal Studios and Disneyland, and I’m sure lots of premieres and things will be happening so you’ll be invited to them too.
Sorry if this message is going on too long. I’m so enjoying talking to you, I just wish you were here so I could see your lovely face as we share your memories of becoming a mother for the first time.
I hope you write back.
With love,
Marley
‘She’s clearly bonkers,’ Meena stated after reading the email later. ‘Why the heck would you want to go to Universal or Disneyland, for God’s sake? How old does she think you are?’
Cristy shot her a look.
‘OK, not the point, but honestly, the things she comes out with … She’s so … I don’t know how to describe her … Clueless!’
Cristy sighed. ‘She’s definitely not properly in touch with the world, or how people tick. Still, at least she’s not asking me to bring the baby up, the way she was a couple of months ago.’
‘Shame for him,’ Meena muttered, ‘at least then he’d get a proper name.’
Chuckling, Cristy picked up her wine and took a sip. They were still at the office, in Meena’s upstairs suite where a bio-fuel fire was burning in the old Georgian hearth and a cosy arrangement of sofas was making them too comfortable to move very far on this stormy evening.
‘She’s terribly lonely, isn’t she?’ Cristy reflected sadly.
Meena nodded. ‘It certainly comes across that way. Have you shown the email to Matthew?’
‘No, not yet. I’m in two minds about it. On the one hand he probably ought to see it, for any number of reasons, but on the other I’m trying not to initiate contact with him unless I have to.’
Seeming to understand that, Meena stared into the flames as she said, ‘Harry and I had dinner with him last night.’
Surprised, Cristy said, ‘That’s nice. How was he?’
‘Complex and conflicted,’ Meena quoted. ‘Clearly in a horrible dilemma over his new son, and worried about the older one …’
‘Why is he worried about Aiden?’
Meena shrugged. ‘Apparently he’s spending more time on building bands than he is on his studies, but, as we know, that’s typical of your lad. He’s always got something going on somewhere, and his schoolwork seems like a side issue until it comes time for exams – and he sails them.’
In spite of knowing this to be true, Cristy said, ‘He shouldn’t take it for granted that everything will just fall into place because he wants it to. One of these days he’ll get a rude awakening and I fear it’ll be when it comes to his A levels and getting into the university of his choice.’
‘If he goes to uni at all.’
Stalled by that, Cristy shook her head in despair, and said, ‘I guess we won’t know until the time comes. You never do with him. Anyway, back to Matthew …’
‘Actually, I was hoping we could talk about David.’
Cristy’s heart flipped as she frowned. ‘Why? There’s nothing to say apart from apparently it’s over, and, to paraphrase you, better sooner than later.’
Meena simply looked at her.
Cristy threw out her hands. ‘Sure it hurts,’ she admitted, ‘and I’m … disappointed. But we weren’t together for long, and I’ve dealt with worse, so let’s move on, shall we?’
Meena began shaking her head. ‘I’m still not convinced …’
‘Please, Meena. I don’t want to talk about him now …’
‘You struck up a lovely bond with his family.’
Not enjoying the reminder given how she was feeling the loss of them too, Cristy said, ‘I daresay I’ll stay in touch with them, for a while, but I’m certainly not going to use any attachment I might have to them to keep one going with him.
Now, if it’s OK with you, why don’t we talk about the new series and Iz’s involvement … ’
Meena’s hand shot up. ‘I know, I know, she’s driving you mad, she has the same effect on me, but I urge you to think of the money and everything else she’s bringing to the table.
We’ve never had exposure like it before, and you guys deserve full recognition for the brilliant podcasters you are.
You were hitting the top spot at the end of the last series, and there’s a lot of buzz out there already for Who’s That Girl.
So, you have to admit, annoyingness aside, she’s good at what she does. ’
With a smile, Cristy said, ‘She’s certainly that – although I have to say dubbing us the Dream Team during yesterday’s photoshoot made us all cringe.’
Laughing Mia said, ‘But you loved it really and the shots were fantastic. All four of you at work in the office, walking along the harbourside – I especially loved the one of you laughing at only you know what. She staged it really well, and she’ll have umpteen possibilities up her sleeve of where to run them and when. ’
‘All with the logos of First Family Bank, Rapid Retail Initiative and Open Destiny Holidays in the background …’
‘What’s wrong with that?’
‘Nothing. I’m happy for it.’ Cristy gave herself a moment to choose her next words carefully.
‘It’s no one’s fault but mine,’ she continued, ‘that we weren’t properly prepared for this series.
I should have been firmer about needing to know more about the story before we committed to the proposed timeline. ’
‘But it’s shaping up to be a terrific—’
‘It’s shaping up, yes, but when it comes to execution and delivery …
I’m worried about where we could end up – and I’m not only thinking egg-on-face, and public humiliation if the story comes to nothing …
Actually I don’t think that’ll happen … I just keep getting the feeling we’re being played in some way. ’
Clearly confused, Meena said, ‘By whom? Surely not Sadie?’
Cristy shook her head. ‘The dead aunt was once suggested to me.’
Meena’s eyes widened in astonishment. ‘You mean from the grave?’ she exclaimed.
Understanding how ridiculous it sounded, Cristy said, ‘I’m not saying she’s controlling us, our production, but Sadie, yes, and even her sister, although I’m sure Mia knows a lot more than she’s letting on.’
After sitting with that for a moment, Meena said, ‘Hasn’t Mia agreed to talk to you?’
‘She’s yet to commit and she doesn’t want to answer anything we send by email.’
Meena threw out her hands. ‘You just need to share your suspicions, or reservations, even the spooky bit … OK, maybe not that … with the listeners. They’ll lap it up.’
Knowing that to be true, Cristy said, ‘Connor and I have already laid something down on that score. I’m not sure yet where we’ll use it, a lot will depend on what we can uncover in the next couple of weeks, but it’s there as a kind of padding, if needed.
There’s just no knowing if Lottie, through her writing, or in the chaos of stuff she left behind, has planted the truth of what really happened twenty-three years ago.
Or if it’s all some kind of ruse to steer us in completely the wrong direction. ’
After a beat, Meena said, tentatively, ‘Aren’t you going to Exmoor tomorrow?’
Surprised, Cristy said, ‘I had no idea you were so up to date with our schedule.’
‘Iz,’ Meena explained. ‘Anyway, I’m told you’re meeting the ex-housekeeper and her son who apparently remembers the sisters and the child. That’s got to be a good lead, something to give the story … stronger legs?’
Hoping so, Cristy said, ‘We’ve already googled Robert Brinkley and he’s …’
As she searched for the right word, Meena said, ‘Impressive?’
Cristy had to smile. ‘You’ve looked him up too?’
‘I had a spare few minutes earlier, and well, wow! Not what I was expecting, that’s for sure.
Leading heart surgeon down under, regular assignments for Médecins Sans Frontières …
And, I get this isn’t important, but you know me …
’ Her eyes twinkled. ‘You have to admit, with those looks he could give Avan Jogia a run for his money.’
‘Who?’
Rolling her eyes, Meena said, ‘The Indian/English—’
‘Poet, yes, of course, who’s probably half Robert Brinkley’s age and isn’t he part Irish as well? But OK, I can see the similarity, especially around the eyes.’
‘Smouldering,’ Meena purred mischievously. ‘I was so mesmerized I was tempted to ask if I could tag along tomorrow, but I wouldn’t want to distract him.’
Laughing, Cristy said, ‘You are shameless, Meena Quinn.’
Meena grinned, and raised her glass. ‘What’s important,’ she said seriously, ‘is that I don’t think someone like Robert Brinkley would be giving you his time if he didn’t have something to say that matters.’