Alyona's Voice

by Joan Shirley-Davies

  Fraser frowned, his fingers fidgeted on the table. ‘I wouldn’t describe my feelings like that.’

  ‘I never had trouble with women either, until I fell in love with Lizzy. It’s frightening at first.’ He stared at Fraser, ‘You’ve got some soul-searching to do. This isn’t fair to Claudia. You hardly know a thing about her. Get to know the woman you’re so afraid to love, and stop treating her like a pal who might make a good house-share buddy.’

  Tony’s words hit Fraser hard, but then his cousin was so secure in his marriage. ‘Don’t forget you’re a Franklyn, you’re genetically designed to be locked in passionate, powerful feelings for your wife.’

  Tony sipped his coffee, and then he stared at Fraser. ‘That isn’t an exclusive emotion just for the Franklyn family. Besides, you’ve only got to take one look at Silas to know that it’s a recent trend. It can happen to anybody.’ He then spoke as if he wasn’t sure whether to say any more on the subject. ‘I think she’s in love with you.’

  ‘No, she isn’t, she used to be, but she got over me.’

  ‘Sure she did. Claudia’s strong and independent. She doesn’t need you, but she sure as hell loves you, anybody can see that.’

  ‘I can’t.’

  ‘That’s because she’s hiding it from you. And you try and win her over with an outmoded offer to make an honest woman of her? If you’re not careful, she really will get over you and move on. Then Justin will have someone else to take him for a walk, a swim, a romp on the lawn and shop for a Christmas tree. The little chap will be calling two men daddy.’

  Fraser was shocked. Another man in the equation didn’t sit well at all, Mathew Jay was bad enough. She might even go back to him. She hadn’t really forgotten him, that was obvious. The idea raced around his head like a spiky little spit venom. Some other father in Justin’s life? Some other guy in Claudia’s bed?

  ‘That hit home,’ Tony said with a chuckle.

  Irena approached them and spoke discreetly. ‘Mr Franklyn, you are wanted in the private lounge. It is a matter of some urgency.’

  ‘Something wrong, Irena?’

  ‘I do not wish to speak of it in public, if you would come now please. Mr Gallier should come also.’

  Fraser exchanged a puzzled look with Tony and then followed Irena. He wondered if somebody from the factory had a problem. It was a pity, as he had planned to spend a quiet day at Larchwood, pick up Justin early and spend some time with him. This plan became more pressing after Tony’s tough love speech.

  What actually met them in the lounge was the last thing he expected. His eyes fixed on the tall, sophisticated woman, dressed in immaculate and very expensive clothes.

  She approached Tony and held out her hand. ‘Mr Franklyn?’

  ‘Yes, good morning.’

  ‘Thank you so much for seeing me.’ Her voice was low and authoritative.

  Tony introduced Fraser. ‘My cousin and business partner, Fraser Gallier.’

  ‘Yes,’ she said smoothly, as if she already knew who he was. It made him feel uneasy. She offered her hand in greeting, but, to Fraser, it looked more like an invitation to kiss her fingers. He clasped them very briefly and gave her a polite nod. Neither he nor Tony knew this woman, but she seemed to know them. Could be she was a sleeping investor, in Wainford, come to check on them.

  She looked around the room. Fraser wondered why. It was like any other in a well-run, high-calibre hotel, easy chairs, sofas, coffee tables… She asked about the architecture, the history of the place, if it was originally a mansion house. Tony responded politely and informed her of several interesting facts about its origins.

  Fraser had met enough powerful people in his career to be able to recognise that she meant to be in control, and this pause to discuss her surroundings was to give her time to weigh them up, make them wait for her to speak, a classic controlling technique. But he knew that Tony wasn’t likely to play that game with a stranger, and his cousin addressed her politely.

  ‘What can I do for you, Mrs…?’

  She responded swiftly as if to steal Tony’s advantage. ‘Hamilton, Elsa Hamilton.’

  The name gave Fraser a jolt. He was glad Claudia was out for the day. He had no intention of referring to her. He kept quiet.

  ‘I’m here on a flying visit,’ Elsa Hamilton continued, still owning the room. ‘I came by train from London to Bowbury and took a taxi the rest of the way. Consequently, I arrived very late last night. It was a relief to find a good hotel. I wasn’t sure what would be here to greet me.’

  ‘I hope you had a comfortable night, Mrs Hamilton,’ Tony said. The two of them were like opponents in a poker game, neither showing their hand.

  ‘Unfortunately, I’ve woken up with a dreadful headache,’ Elsa Hamilton said. ‘I’m prone to migraines, so I’ll try and be brief.’

  ‘I’m sorry about that,’ Tony said, ‘how can we help you?’

  Her brow creased, she shook her head slowly, and a wounded look came into her face. It was in contrast to the arrogance she had first displayed. ‘My Claudie,’ she said with a weary sigh.

  Fraser’s insides jerked again but more violently. Claudia had anticipated this. She tried to tell him that this woman would turn up, and how she would use anybody for her own betterment. It sounded incredible, but this visit was beginning to make him doubt his original opinion. He felt the need to see where this was heading, to find out how hard Claudia’s mother was going to push today.

  ‘Claudie?’ Tony was still playing it carefully.

  ‘My lovely daughter, I believe she’s working for you. Can you tell me where she lives?’

  Tony didn’t hesitate to answer. ‘I’m afraid not, Mrs Hamilton. As her employer, I can’t give such details to anybody.’

  Fraser was surprised at Tony’s approach, he seemed to mistrust this woman immediately.

  ‘I must know where she is. She has some valuable property of mine, things that my late mother was saving for me. She hasn’t forwarded them, and I’m growing concerned.’

  Fraser was shocked. The woman’s claims were disturbingly innocent, and not at all like Claudia’s version of the story. Yet, he knew that Claudia loved her grandmother and wouldn’t lie about being a benefactor. He felt for her, she had taken such drastic steps to keep this woman out of her life, and here she was. Somebody had obviously seen the magazine and had made contact. They must have told her that Claudia worked for Tony, he was well documented, so finding out about the hotel wasn’t difficult. But it seemed she hadn’t found out about Larchwood or Heather Brow. He was anxious to know if she had learned any more.

  ‘I can tell you this much, Mrs Hamilton,’ Tony said. ‘Claudia is a very reliable person. I’m sure the property is safe with her.’

  ‘The thing is,’ Elsa Hamilton said with a sudden switch of mood from the wounded mother to friendly associate. ‘There are a number of diaries, a valuable family history, you see. They contain personal details of my great-aunt Alyona’s life with an English gentleman. As you can imagine, I feel responsible for the safekeeping of her personal account of it. I can’t keep flying over to England, to find Claudia. If I could take possession of the property, I shan’t need to bother her again. I’m not sure she realises the true value of them.’ She strolled around a while and then said. ‘I’m flying back to LA, this evening. I don’t have much time.’ She frowned and shook her head, as if Claudia was a naughty child who’d played the wag from school. ‘My girl makes such rash moves. You see there’s some jewellery, handed down from my Russian grandmother. It needs to be in a safe place.’

  ‘Why do you think Claudia hasn’t secured a place of safety for it?’ Tony said politely, but not losing his air of authority.

  ‘Well, she gets over-tired and forgets her medication.’

  ‘Medication?’ Fraser swiftly re-joined the discussion. He wished he hadn’t and knew he’d just fed Elsa Hamilton a glimmer of weakness. After all, this was a person who could coldly take a child’s kitten away. He knew tha
t was how this woman operated, and Claudia was right, she was good at it.

  Elsa Hamilton raised her brow. ‘She’s not going to admit she needs it, is she?’ Then having just dropped the bombshell, she dismissed it as if the damage was now done, and she could move on. ‘But you must ask her about that yourself. I have to insure the jewellery before I can travel back with it.’ She fixed her cold, grey eyes on Tony, ‘Perhaps it’s in your hotel safe?’

  ‘I haven’t heard of any valuables like that,’ Tony said. ‘We don’t know anything about Claudia, other than what you published in the magazine. She just does her work and then goes home―simple as that.’

  ‘I don’t know what to do.’

  By now, Fraser knew that this woman was going to keep on playing her cards, one at a time, until she felt she’d played the right hand. He watched her stealthily, coldly, place the next one. ‘I could get the police on to it I suppose, after all, it should be with me. And then there are the diaries.’

  ‘She’s never discussed this with me,’ Tony told her.

  ‘She’s very well-practised in being a disruption to my life.’

  Fraser was angry to hear of Claudia being discussed in this way. ‘Disruption?’ he queried but remained cool.

  ‘She’s spent her whole childhood working on it. If you saw the magazine, you’d know that she was a child actor.’

  ‘I glanced at it,’ Fraser lied, ‘one of the staff had it here.’

  Elsa Hamilton shook her head ruefully. ‘You should have seen her. She was a little star…amazing. There was nothing you could throw at her that she couldn’t do. When she was four years old, she made her debut. Delivered a considerable amount of dialogue, in Russian…so convincing. It took a little persuasion, she’s very stubborn, my girl. But I bought her a kitten for doing it so nicely. She was so fond of that little cat.’

  Elsa Hamilton then fixed her attention on Fraser. It seemed deliberate. ‘I could have turned her into a bigger star than that sultry, Cardini woman that was all the rage a couple of years ago.’

  Fraser wanted to say, out loud, she already is, but he kept it in his head, he needed all his concentration to keep up with her and find out where this was going.

  ‘I mean, people are already saying, “Paloma who?”’

  The way she fixed her cold, grey eyes on him when she mentioned the name, gave Fraser chilling confirmation that she knew what she was saying. It was aimed at him.

  ‘She threw it away,’ Elsa Hamilton continued. ‘She could have made the transition and had a fabulous adult career. Her genius…wasted, and for what?’ She scoffed. ‘To go and live with a man 15 years older. He seduced her, took her away from the world.’

  It irked Fraser to know how much Claudia treasured the memories of her relationship with Mathew, but she had known him from childhood, they had worked together. Elsa Hamilton couldn’t possibly blame him.

  ‘So you see,’ Elsa Hamilton continued, ‘this latest little escapade is just another chapter in Claudia’s reckless life.’ She cast her eyes up to the ceiling. ‘She’s so chaotic. It probably goes with the talent.’

  ‘I haven’t seen that in her,’ Tony was swift to contradict her. ‘Her approach to her work and her organisation is immaculate.’

  ‘She’s a calm sort of person, I grant you that, but she always is―at first. She gets ideas and then backs out. She wanted English Girl on the Ranch to be available in a box set. I thought it was a ridiculous idea, but she would have it her way. So what could I do? I agreed.’ She raised her palms towards the ceiling. ‘But is she grateful?’

  That moment hit Fraser like bolt of lightning. He was with Claudia when she found out about the box set. She was livid and very hurt. It even caused a row between them when they’d been so happy during the party. If Elsa Hamilton had caused him to doubt Claudia, he most certainly didn’t doubt her now. This woman was a total fraud, lying, manipulating and scheming to cheat Claudia. Now she’d come to try and con Tony into helping her get her hands on the diaries. Fraser knew he must keep this woman at bay until her flight time. Arrange to head Claudia off and warn her. But then Elsa Hamilton still hadn’t got what she came for, and she could clearly operate at a distance and wouldn’t stop until she succeeded. This move, of trying to involve Tony, was a bold one, arrogant and callous. She seemed to have played Plan A, and she hovered as if to regroup, ready to strike again with Plan B.

  Tony and Fraser had an extra sensory instinct to stand close together as she prowled about. She then looked at them and smiled, ‘Your project sounds very exciting.’

  Fraser thought he’d got the measure of her, but this comment shocked him. It was as if she had a repertoire, some order of delivery, like a stand-up comic, but she wasn’t funny. Each level of attack was more probing and severe than the one before.

  ‘What a fine thing to do,’ Elsa Hamilton said smoothly. ‘You must be looked on as a couple of knights in shining armour in…Wainford, isn’t it?’

  ‘We’re not do-gooders,’ Tony contradicted, ‘it’s just business.’

  ‘Situations like that are so fragile, aren’t they? You have to keep the confidence of your workforce and the investors.’ She suddenly widened her eyes as if she’s had a fresh thought. ‘You’re not looking for investors, are you?’

  ‘No,’ Tony and Fraser answered swiftly.

  Fraser knew that was to shock them, and was most definitely in the script. ‘We’ve had a lot of experience between us, so we’re going to make it work.’

  Her mouth smiled, but there was no light in her face, it was merely a patronising smirk. ‘Yes, I’m sure you are.’

  Fraser suddenly felt as though he’d been hit in the gut. She clearly knew, all along, who he was, so what else would she aim at next―Justin? He totally understood Claudia’s fear for their child, and now he felt it too. This was the most devious and dangerous person he’d ever met. The reference to Paloma was aimed at him to let him know that she had something on him. His relationship was in the public domain at that time. That’s what worried Claudia about being seen with him. This cold, scheming woman could start an ugly rumour and have it in papers and magazines in no time, she’d already done it to Claudia. By the time he’d proven his innocence, the Wainford project could be well and truly scuppered. All Claudia’s efforts to keep him out of this were based on the certain knowledge that Elsa Hamilton would use him, and here was the proof staring right at him. How was this to be handled? This woman had virtual talons, poisonous claws that could strike anywhere. She could say anything, lies, rumours, accusations… All she wanted was that dogeared, battered pile of notebooks on Claudia’s desk. It seemed so simple.

  ‘Tell you what, Mrs Hamilton,’ he said, as if he’d come to a decision. ‘I can call Claudia and tell her you’re here. But it’ll take some time, she’s away. Gone to the Welsh border, up in the hills, to buy some hand-spun yarn.’ He knew that Elsa Hamilton wouldn’t be able to even imagine where Claudia had gone, let alone attempt to follow her. ‘Claudia’s very gifted and particular about her work you see. She’s trying to match textures and colour tones perfectly to blend in with the original work. I’ll call her as soon as there’s a signal.’

  ‘That’s very civil of you, Mr Gallier.’

  Fraser chalked up a point for himself for gaining control for the moment. He had to be sure Claudia stayed away from the hotel. He swung into action and called on his gentlemanly charm to play his hand. ‘The way I see it, Mrs Hamilton,’ he said with a polite smile, ‘the sooner this misunderstanding is dealt with the better. I totally understand how frustrated you must feel. The situation has obviously gone on quite long enough.’

  ‘It’s such a relief to find somebody who understands my predicament. Claudie is under the illusion than she’s going to write Alyona’s story, but she’s just not capable. I can get it written.’ She frowned and shielded her eyes from the daylight streaming through the window. ‘Do you suppose it’s possible to have them sent on after I leave this evening?’


  ‘They’re not our property, Mrs Hamilton,’ Tony said, steadily. ‘We can’t answer that.’

  ‘I have to admit I need to do something about this headache, it’s getting worse as we speak.’

  ‘Why don’t you wait in your room,’ Fraser said, ‘and I’ll get back to you when I have news? We’ll do what we can to help.’

  ‘I’m glad you see it that way, Mr Gallier. I’ll do that.’ Fraser escorted her across the lounge and opened the door for her.

  She stopped, still scowling with pain, but she managed to look him in the eye and say, ‘Congratulations, by the way. I understand you’ve made a granny out of me. That was careless, wasn’t it?’

  Fraser’s heart jerked, and he could barely bluff his way out of the shock. She knew about Justin, and that comment, disguised as a joke, was perfectly timed and indicated that she would go to the lengths Claudia feared. He closed the door and leaned against it. When would this woman stop? There were other children at Larchwood, would Stephanie and Eddie be at risk? There was no end to it, except to give her what she wanted.

  Irena emerged from an adjoining room that she used as an office.

  ’Did you hear any of that? Tony asked.

  ‘Yes, I did. I took detailed notes.’

  ‘Now we know for sure what this woman is capable of,’ Fraser said. ‘You weren’t fooled even at the beginning, were you?’ he said to Tony.

  ‘Claudia talks to Lizzy. She convinced me some time ago.’

  ‘And she knows about Justin,’ Fraser said. ‘Now I see why Claudia moved so quickly.’ He was very shaken and breathed steadily to regain his composure.

  There was a knock on the door. The receptionist came in. ‘Sorry to interrupt, Mr Franklyn, but Mrs Hamilton has asked for a doctor. Said to tell you personally that she’s anxious to get rid of her migraine in time for her flight tonight.’

  ‘I will arrange it,’ Irena said.

  The receptionist thanked her and left the room.