Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
The elephant was an eight foot masterpiece.
It would look more at home at an Indian wedding than an English country estate but I loved the juxtaposition between the bright colours of the elephant and the classic architecture of Harrington.
Sid and I sat back and watched as the crew got the shots they needed.
I was fascinated by the crew, the whole process of making a show.
I’d always thought my only love would be designing gardens, but Imani had introduced me to the world of sculpture and different art forms. I fell into it with my whole heart.
The crew seemed a little lost without Julia but production was mostly shut down until the contestants returned for the latter half of the week anyway.
She hadn’t returned this morning and I wondered if she would come back at all.
Speaking to Alfie only confirmed I was right, that breaking the rules again only cemented the fact that she had been effectively exiled from her community.
I hadn’t spoken to John again. I wasn’t ready, but the dinner with him and Natalie was tomorrow, I would have to face him again then. I needed to have my thoughts in order before I did so.
I worked until night fell and I tumbled into bed, dirty and exhausted.
With a groan I forced myself up and into the tub.
As I soaked, I was disturbed by the sound of an aircraft.
It got louder and louder until I looked out the window and spotted a helicopter, it lowered and landed on the other side of the trees out of sight.
Alfie.
I smiled to myself and sunk down further into the warm caress of the bubble bath.
Butterflies fluttered when I heard the door to my rooms open.
Their wings settled when he walked in. I reached out and he came to me, not minding my wet hands ruining his suit.
I sunk them into his hair, kissing him deeply.
“Missed me?” he whispered against my lips.
“Too much. This whole being-separated-for-a-few-days thing is not fun. I need daily touch, Mr Tell.” He responded with another kiss.
I tugged at his tie, telling him I wanted him naked.
He obliged and I watched as he began stripping out of his clothes.
“What are you doing here anyway? I wasn’t expecting you. ”
“We’re having lunch with my mother tomorrow, remember?”
“You needed a helicopter entrance for that?”
“I like to be dramatic.”
I rolled my eyes. I knew that already. He stepped into the tub, sitting opposite me, our legs intertwining. I wanted him closer but I stayed where I was, enjoying the view.
“You have that dinner with your father and Natalie tomorrow night.”
“Yeah, you don’t need to be there.”
“I’m coming. I want to meet your father. Don’t fight with me. Please, Lo.”
“Fine. This might be a good thing actually. You’re better at getting the measure of people than I am.” I let my fingers play in the bubbles for a moment. “Do you think Elliot would do me a favour if I asked him?"
“I think Elliot would take a bullet for you if you asked him. Actually, I don’t think you’d need to ask. What do you need?”
“I want him to look into my dad.”
He raised his brows, those sharp eyes studying me. “You’ve changed your tune.”
“He said some things about being involved with gambling and drinking, other stuff but I feel like he’s not being entirely honest. It makes me nervous.”
“Look at you, coming over to the dark side.” He smirked and I winced. “I’m sorry, that was insensitive. Yes, I’ll speak to Elliot. We got the basics on your father when we first looked into him, where he was living, working, but we didn’t dig any further into his history. You ask, and we’ll dig.”
“Dig. Please.”
“Whatever you want.” He took one of my feet into his hands and I moaned as he massaged my sore soles. I relaxed into the water, closing my eyes. “I saw your elephant. It’s looking good.”
“Yeah, I love making them. I thought I’d only ever want to make gardens but getting to make art out of nature is an awesome feeling. And being on set too, it’s fun.”
“Maybe you should have your own show.”
I opened my eyes. “What?”
“What? Are you scared to dream now? I think you’d be a good teacher, or presenter. You’re smart, knowledgeable and easy on the eye.”
I snorted. “Who would put me in a show?”
“Why do you need someone else to put you in anything? Make your own. I’ll back you. Design gardens, sculptures, anything you want. Film it, post it. Build up a following. Pitch a show to a network.”
I stared at him. The idea took hold, beginning to percolate. “I think I need more experience first.”
“I didn’t have any experience when I opened my club or took over my fathers company.
If you’re smart and you work hard, you figure it out as you go.
I just want you to have your dream, Lo. I respect Imani but you’re in her shadow, I don’t like it.
” He tugged on my foot, pulling me to him until I straddled his hips. “You should be the star.”
I kissed him. This man had once tried to keep me from the world, afraid it would take me away from him. Now he was trying to give it to me. “What about you? You know I want you to quit your father’s company, I know you’re not going back to running the club. What are you going to dream about?”
“Marrying you.” My heart skipped a beat.
“And children? You’ve mentioned them before.”
“Maybe.” His perfect brows knitted slightly. “Do you think I could be a good father?”
“Yes.” I didn’t have to think about it. “You would never abandon or harm a child which is more than I can say for both of our fathers.”
“Are children a part of your dream? Tell me the truth.”
I ran my fingers over the blue ribbon on his wrist. “I don’t know. Not right now at least. Maybe not for a long while, if ever. Am I enough for you? Just me, I mean.”
“More than enough.” He pulled me in for a deep kiss. He hadn’t answered my question about giving up his father’s company, but I decided not to push it for tonight.
The owl-faced receptionist blinked at me as I strode into the foyer of the Carlton hotel, hand in hand with Alfie Tell. I gave her a smile. This was a blast from the past.
“Maybe we should go and fuck on the balcony for old times sake,” I whispered, trying to get Alfie to crack a smile. It worked. Barely. He’d been tense the whole ride here.
I wondered why we’d never gone to the restaurant bar of the hotel before. Maybe back then he’d been trying to hide from me how recognisable he was. He certainly attracted attention as we entered.
He didn’t need to give his name to the hostess, she knew immediately who he was. She ignored me entirely as she directed us to a table where a waitress was practically bouncing on her toes. Alfie ordered sparkling water for us both.
“Is it a good thing your mother isn’t here yet?” I asked once the waitress had disappeared to get our drinks.
“It’s a good thing we’re not keeping her waiting,” he said, an edge in his voice. “Lola, please behave yourself today.” I tried not to roll my eyes. He’d said it a dozen times already.
“Why did you let me come if you’re so worried about me being uncouth?” ‘Let’ was a generous word. No way was I letting Alfie face his mother and all those feelings she unearthed on his own.
“Uncouth?” he repeated, looking amused for the first time all day. “I need you here. I always need you.”
“I won’t cause a scene, I promise.” I intended to keep that promise. No matter how much I disliked this woman.
As I sat, rubbing my thumb over the back of Alfie's hand, I thought about Carolyn Tell. About her silence. I wondered how much she knew about what her husband, Joseph had done to Alfie. I wondered how much she knew about Charles’ nefarious activities.
A wave of nausea washed over me as I thought about the years of abuse Alfie had endured, and how much of it Carolyn had ignored.
We didn’t have to wait long for her to arrive. Carolyn Tell was a punctual woman and like her son, she attracted attention when she entered a room. It must be a Tell thing.
Alfie’s mother looked like a movie star.
One of those women from the old Hollywood era, the epitome of the once starlet who had aged out of the limelight but still held onto her beauty with an iron grip.
Her face almost never moved, as if she was trying to protect it from lines.
Her hair didn’t dare budge from its chignon.
I stood to greet her. She eyed my second hand dress that I’d picked up in a charity shop years ago. I had expected Alfie to wrap me up in Chanel this morning, a repeat of the grey dress fiasco, but he didn’t. Apparently he’d wanted to present me exactly as I am. Without the ‘uncouth’ behaviour.
Alfie and his mother air-kissed, then she turned to me. I put my hand out. “Mrs Tell, it’s so good to see you again.” It was a lie but Alfie seemed to appreciate it.
Carolyn took my hand, her skin barely touching mine. “Lola, you look well.”
We sat, our waitress immediately appeared and took Carolyn's order. A dry martini and a nicoise salad. Alfie ordered the same and I ordered a burger for myself.
I watched them exchange pleasantries with the air of mere acquaintances rather than mother and son. It was so strange. I’d thought there was distance between Keira and her parents but this was something else.
“So, how are you enjoying my hometown?” I asked as the waitress served our drinks. “Quaint, isn’t it?”
“It is rather, yes. Though I’ve only seen it through the car window.” She turned back to Alfie. “I believe I’m staying in your old suite. The presidential? You stayed in it when you were here to close the Harrington deal?”
“Yes, how do you like it?” he asked her.
“It’s lovely. I enjoyed breakfast on the balcony this morning.”