Alyona's Voice

by Joan Shirley-Davies

  ‘What is?’

  ‘Us…cruising along the Tuscan roads, in a Bentley Continental. For goodness sake, we’re going to the Flea Market.’

  ‘Well, we’re going to do some posh shopping,’ Lizzy reasoned.

  ‘Hmm! Swanning around with Fraser’s credit card in my bag.’

  Lizzy was swift to reassure her. ‘It’s no shame to let him buy you something.’

  ‘It’s a rite of passage,’ Claudia complained.

  ‘What is?’

  ‘Allowing a man to buy your clothes. I’ve earned my own living all my life. For goodness sake, I even paid for my own baby cereal.’

  ‘Well you can decide when we get there. Shall we do the Flea Market first? Then hit the shops until lunchtime?’

  The Flea Market was bustling and colourful, Claudia and Lizzy scoured the stalls to find interesting trinkets and trimmings. They admired the beautiful and laughed at the grotesque.

  They moved on to the fabulous shops and boutiques, where they discussed the design of the clothes, the quality of the fabrics used. Claudia shopped but couldn’t bring herself to use Fraser’s card. It remained in a small pocket in her bag. She was aware of what she spent but not in the least bit worried, her expenses had been very low recently, and this trip, with Lizzy, wasn’t a time for counting the housekeeping money.

  They had a spring in their step as they walked along the Via del Parione, shopping carriers swinging back and to as they moved.

  Lizzy glanced at her watch, ‘Lunch?’ she suggested.

  Although there were plenty of seats outside, they decided to sit indoors. As they walked into the restaurant, Claudia snatched her breath and whispered, ‘They’ve got a whole display counter for chocolate.’

  ‘It’s just as well Jenny’s not here,’ Lizzy said. ‘This would be too cruel.’

  It was a spacious, genteel restaurant, with a high ceiling and large, old paintings on the walls.

  Lizzy looked around and laughed. ‘Do you think they’d like Silas hanging up here?’

  ‘Perhaps not, the staff might cuss at him and upset the punters.’

  They chatted and laughed through lunch, talked about their plans to work together.

  Claudia sighed and said, ‘I haven’t relaxed like this for…a long time. I feel lazy.’

  ‘Tired you mean,’ Lizzy teased.

  ‘Yes, tired,’ Claudia admitted.

  ‘It’s worth it though, yes? You two actually got your act together.’

  ‘Oh no, does everybody know that?’

  ‘Course not.’ Lizzy reached across the table and clasped Claudia’s hand. ‘I know you have doubts, but Fraser wouldn’t spend the night with you if he didn’t love you. He wouldn’t just be with you for sex, he respects you way too much.’

  ‘I’m sure you’re right. I should have more faith, shouldn’t I?’ She reached for her bag. ‘We’d better do the sights?’

  ‘You don’t sound very enthusiastic.’

  ‘My brain is but my body won’t back it up.’ She drew a deep breath and said, ‘Come on, let’s do it.’

  ‘Why don’t we call it a day? We can go back, chill out by the pool, doze on a lounger…swim even.’

  ‘Are you kidding?’

  ‘I wasn’t suggesting we swim to Dover, just float about.’

  ‘But this is Florence. It seems irreverent to leave before we’ve admired the art. Catherine of Bologna might come back and haunt us for ignoring them.’

  ‘David isn’t short of admirers, and Hercules is big enough to take care of himself. They won’t miss us,’ Lizzy said decisively. ‘Let’s go! Want to drive?’

  ‘No way! I’ve already wrecked one of Tony’s cars. That’s quite enough for the time being?’

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  They arrived back at the villa, mid-afternoon. Lizzy went to find Tony and the children, Claudia went to the cottage. There was nobody there, she presumed that Fraser had taken Justin for a walk to the stream. She decided to go and catch them up. Anticipation made her heart beat faster as she made her way through the garden and on to the footpath that rose upward towards the trees. The thought of an embrace and kiss from Fraser, made her walk faster, even though she was tired and out of breath. As she followed the path through the woods, Justin’s voice echoed through the trees, they were close by. Her feet trod carefully, the snap of a broken twig would spoil the surprise.

  As she reached the curve of the path she saw them―all three of them. Shock exploded in her head, her stomach felt sick but she had the presence of mind to dodge behind a tree. Breathlessly, she leaned against it and clamped her hand tightly over her lips so that the screams in her soul wouldn’t escape through her mouth.

  She willed herself to look again. Fraser was strolling casually with Natalie. He was carrying Justin, and Natalie was holding the child’s hand and talking to him. When did this tall, beautiful, woman become so interested in children? Claudia’s heart ripped apart, her limbs grew weak. She had been here before, watching Fraser and his beautiful girlfriend walking together beneath the trees in the park, only now there were no daffodils. Her decision, that day, to back off and raise her child alone was no longer hers to make. Fraser had rights. Was this why he wanted to set the record straight before she left for Florence? Was it just a loose end to tie up?

  Almost blinded by shock, she ran back to the cottage, snatched up her bag and made for the villa. The pool area was busy, so she weaved her way behind the bushes, past the Firenze kitchen. She ran up the steps, across the reception area and hammered on Irena’s office door.

  Irena was characteristically calm, and she helped Claudia to a chair. ‘What has happened? Has there been an accident?’

  Claudia shook her head, frantically trying to speak. ‘It’s Fraser,’ she gasped, ‘he’s with Natalie.’

  ‘When you say, with…?’

  ‘Walking, I saw them,’ she made a limp gesture to indicate the direction, ‘behind the cottage.’

  ‘I cannot understand that. Natalie was invited earlier in the year, but, since the break-up, it was assumed that she would not be here. No arrangements have been made for her.’ Irena retained her calm, practical attitude in contrast to Claudia’s angst. ‘It is not what I would expect of Mr Gallier.’

  ‘Neither would I, but it’s happening right now.’ Claudia’s voice became bitter as the shock turned to anger. ‘She’s there, laughing and chatting, playing happy families with my baby. Maybe they didn’t break up after all. He spent some time in London, didn’t he? He asked me to marry him, a few weeks ago, but what if he wanted the best of both worlds? He could have a secure family home for his son and a girlfriend for his London life.’

  ‘That does not sound true. You are too upset to try and understand what is happening. We should find out, and then you can confront him.’

  ‘And what right do I have to do that? Nothing’s official between us. Nobody’s made any promises.’ Claudia described the secret phone call that she overheard, relayed Fraser’s words. ‘It all fits now…everything fits. And he made a point of telling me not rush back.’ She could no longer trust that Fraser wouldn’t cheat on her, there would always be a beautiful woman to tempt him. The vision of a happy life, raising their child together, began to crumble into bitter particles.

  Irena put a glass of water in her hand and instructed her to drink it. As the water moistened her dry throat, Claudia began to think more clearly and knew exactly what she had to do to get hold of her own life once again.

  ‘Claudia?’ Irena’s voice pierced her thoughts. ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘Yes.’ Claudia braced herself and added, ‘Yes, I’ve got this.’

  ‘Got what?’

  Claudia’s determination didn’t prevent the tears that spilled as her voice wheezed through her throat. ‘I’ve faced this one before. I know exactly what I’m going to do.’

  ‘Please tell me how I can help you.’

  ‘I’ll be fine. Fraser’s cosy little walk with Natalie
was a shock, but at least it’s helped me make up my mind. I’m done with casual, amicable arrangements. Fraser will have to apply for access.’

  ‘I will help you. What do you want to do? I could arrange accommodation for you in Florence if you wish to be alone to think.’

  ‘Thank you, Irena, but I’m going to LA, and I’m going now.’

  ‘You think your mother can help you through this?’

  ‘No, but I have a long, overdue showdown with her. I’m tired of waiting for a dignified solution. Life isn’t dignified, it’s just plain cruel and callous, so that’s what I must learn to be. I’m going to get my life in order. I’m going to hit my mother with plan zero.’

  ‘I do not understand, what is that?’

  Claudia raised her head high and looked at Irena. ‘The answer,’ she said bitterly, ‘the one thing I can use to silence my mother once and for all, but it needs to be delivered her way— her cold, calculating way.’

  ‘You are too upset to make a decision about this. You must rest.’

  ‘I’m leaving now,’ Claudia insisted, ‘before they get back. I don’t care how long I have to stay in the airport, I just want to get out of here. Fraser will take care of Justin, and he’s surrounded by people to help him. I won’t be away long. I only need a short time to do this.’

  ‘You sound very sure.’

  ‘I was poleaxed back there in the woods, but I know what to do now. I don’t mean for you to be disloyal, but I really could use your help to get me on a flight. And I need a taxi to get away. I must do it quickly, please, Irena.’

  ‘I was instructed, by Mr Gallier, to do all I could to help with your problems concerning Elsa Hamilton. He said that I should not wait for permission to do that. So I will arrange a flight plan for the company plane.’

  Claudia shook her head in protest. ‘Don’t risk it, Irena. It’s against their policy to use it for only one passenger?’

  ‘It is allowed in a family emergency. Go quickly to the cottage and pack a few overnight things. Then come back here. But I must tell somebody what is happening.’

  ‘Tell Lizzy and Tony, but please, nobody else.’

  Claudia was hyperventilating as she dashed back to grab an overnight bag. It made her light-headed. Natalie disliked walking, so Claudia couldn’t imagine they would be much longer. It took several minutes, but it felt like hours.

  When she returned to the office, Irena was talking to Lizzy, who was brimming with tears.

  ‘Claudia,’ Lizzy hugged her. ‘I can’t believe this. What does he think he’s doing? I spoke to Tony, he’s terribly shocked. He thinks there should be some explanation…Fraser isn’t normally sneaky like that. Come to our suite, Claudia, we’ll try and find out what it’s all about.’

  ‘It is uncharacteristic,’ Irena said, ‘but it is happening.’

  ‘I’ll be gone very soon, so that should take some of the embarrassment out of it,’ Claudia said.

  Lizzy’s breath jerked in her lungs. ‘But we had no idea she was coming. Nobody invited her.’

  ‘I guess we weren’t supposed to know,’ Claudia said. ‘I have to stop myself getting jerked around. I need to take control…starting with my mother.’ Her throat choked up, but she continued. ‘I was so afraid I’d turn out like her. I didn’t want to do things her way, but it’s my only option now. If she wants to fight dirty, so will I.’

  ‘Oh no,’ Lizzy sighed and put her arms around her again. ‘This isn’t your way of dealing with things.’

  ‘It is now. It’s time I showed her what she’s taught me over the years. Don’t worry, Lizzy, I know exactly what I’m going to do. I’ve had the speech in my head since I was 14 years old.’ She braced herself and added, ‘I’m going to nail my mother to the wall. And then I’m taking my baby back to our peaceful life in London. Fraser will just have to sort out his access through a lawyer. Of course his legal backup will be better than mine, but I’m an actress, if necessary, I can hold myself together in court. I’ll match any move he can make on me.’ She picked up her bag and then hugged Lizzy once more. ‘This won’t change anything between you and me. I’ll finish my work at Larchwood, of course. And we can still work together…yes?’

  Lizzy nodded.

  ‘People are going to ask questions,’ Irena said. ‘You can tell them the truth that Claudia needs to visit her mother urgently. And I have gone to accompany her.’

  ‘Irena,’ Claudia gasped, ‘I can’t let you do that. I’ll be fine.’

  ‘I have leave to use any means at my disposal. I will come with you.’

  *****

  Fraser sighed heavily as he parked the car. Life was certainly giving him a hard time. He needed to talk this over with Claudia. When he arrived at the cottage, he called out, ‘Claudia, sorry I’m late, darling, I had to deal with something. Claudia, are you there?’ She was nowhere to be found in the cottage, so he made his way to the villa.

  Tony was hovering in the main entrance, his angry glare aimed at Fraser. ‘Board meeting,’ he said brusquely, ‘Irena’s office.’

  Fraser was concerned about the possibility of a problem at Wainford, but he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to deal with it now. ‘What’s this all about?’ he said as Tony closed the door behind them. ‘Will it take long? I need to find Claudia.’

  ‘Where the hell have you been? You left Justin with Diana and Graham, and never even told them where you were going.’

  ‘I needed some time to deal with something.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I really ought to go and get Justin.’

  ‘There’s no need. They’ve prepared for him to spend the night, he’s asleep now.’ Tony looked wounded. ‘So are you going to tell me what’s been going on this afternoon?’

  Fraser’s heartrate increased. ‘I see what you’re getting at now. I couldn’t avoid it, Tony. I had to deal with it.’

  ‘Yes, we know. We kept it on a strictly need-to-know basis.’

  Fraser was taken aback when he realised that he had been seen with Natalie. ‘Somebody saw us?’

  ‘Just one.’

  ‘Well, that’s a blessing.’ He looked at his cousin and the definite sign of pain in his eyes. ‘Tony, I’ll discuss this with you, but I really should talk to Claudia first. It’s a very difficult thing to explain.’

  ‘Explain what? That all men are tempted sometimes?’

  ‘Just let me find Claudia.’

  ‘She was the one person that saw you walking with Natalie, in the woods.’

  Fraser gasped as a sharp dart of shock pieced his insides. ‘Oh, God!’

  ‘You might well pray, Fraser.’

  ‘I must find her, make her understand.’

  ‘She’s already formed an opinion. You’re in big trouble.’ Tony paced about, his exasperation showed clearly in his body language. ‘You bloody idiot. You could have had it all. Claudia wasn’t going to give you a hard time over access, but now you’ve blown it, it’s visitations for you now. She’s gone!’

  ‘What? Gone? Gone where?’

  ‘To LA, to nail her mother to the wall. And that’s Claudia’s terminology, not mine.’

  ‘Claudia said that?’

  ‘Yes. Needless to say, she’s devastated but very determined. She’s going to deal with Elsa Hamilton, once and for all. Irena’s gone with her, she’ll take care of her. They’re already airborne. They’ll be gone for three days, tops.’

  Chapter Thirty

  ‘Jet lag is not going to interfere with your schedule,’ Irena said to Claudia. There was no emotion in her tone. She behaved like a coach who was preparing an athlete for a big event. ‘Drink some coffee and then take a shower. That will wake you up. As for your love life, it does not exist until you get back to Italy.’

  Claudia sighed and sipped her coffee. She felt lethargic and unmotivated. ‘You’re being very bossy.’

  ‘I am from Ukraine, I do not see things from a British angle.’

  ‘I know, if there’s a job to be done, you go straight for it with
no hesitation. Lizzy told me.’ She frowned. ‘You’re amazing―it annoys me.’

  ‘Hmm!’ Irena shrugged. ‘When you have changed, we will take a stroll along the boulevard and find Elsa Hamilton’s agency.’

  ‘Now?’

  ‘It is just a recce, so we can go directly to it tomorrow. That way you will not be frustrated and stressed. Call it a rehearsal if you wish.’

  The way Irena told her about the schedule reminded her of her childhood, when Elsa would relay the day’s events to her. But Irena wasn’t doing all this for her own sake, as her mother had done. ‘Yes, you’re right…good idea. I should have thought of it myself, shouldn’t I?’

  ‘I will take care of the schedule. Your job is to do what you came here to do. When we have located the Elsa Hamilton Agency, we will visit Lennie.’

  Claudia looked more alert. ‘Lennie?’

  ‘He owns a ranch-style diner now, it is not far away.’ She raised her brow. ‘I am surprised you did not already know this. He is your special friend, is he not?’

  ‘I haven’t seen him since I was 14. It’s kind of you to think of it. I’d love to see Lennie.’ She stared at Irena. ‘You’ve been busy.’

  ‘It is all part of the plan to keep you focused. Today, you also have to go shopping.’

  Claudia scowled, ‘Shopping for what?’

  Irena raised her palms toward her. ‘Please do not be angry with me. I am not your mother.’

  ‘I’m so sorry. That was awful.’

  ‘Do you think you are going to defeat her looking like that? She will squash your self-esteem into the floor at the first opportunity. It is important that you wear smart things to show her that you are formidable and successful, also high-heeled shoes to give you more height. Your mother is taller than you.’

  ‘I can’t afford to go shopping here. I already spent a fortune in Florence. Lizzy’s right, I should have used Fraser’s card.’

  ‘Do you still have it?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then you must use it today.’

  Claudia looked horrified. ‘This is my fight, not his.’