by Karen Aldous
She tried to think back to the day at the library. ‘What, I sent it? I don’t remember sending it.’
‘Look, it’s on there.’ Ben reached for a plastic sleeve on his desk and pulled out the contents.
Curious, Evie took them from his hand and shuffled through the pages. ‘Oh, stupid, I thought I’d cut and pasted these. These were the notes I started with. The whole thing is saved on my laptop which is still at home in Colombiers, and on my memory stick which is in my bag, still on the island.’
‘Phew,’ Ben clutched his stomach. ‘I thought you were going to accuse me of doing a Riquet. You know I wouldn’t try to take credit for your work. I got such an insight just from those though. If you have another script, I’d love to see it.’
‘Well, yes if it means I get paid.’
Ben sat on the edge of the desk. ‘Of course, it will save me a tonne of work too. When you get back to France, send it over. As long as I’ve got your signed consent, we can go through and make changes to the script later. And, more importantly for you, signing it will allow you to get paid.’
She fanned her face with the contract. ‘God, I need to sort a bank account out, don’t I.’
‘That would be the better solution, especially if you have other payments owed to you. The magazine will need to pay you. Cash is tricky. I’ll see what you can do before I approach my guys.’
‘Really Ben. It’s essential I get my own. I’ve no intention of being a kept woman any more. I just don’t understand how it all operates with Seb, so I need to find out.’
Ben thought for a moment. ‘Maybe seek a lawyer, some advice at least.’
Her eyes looked up at him and glared. ‘Isn’t that inviting trouble, as well as scandal?’
‘You don’t have to mention names. There may be some guidance on the internet. Search Google.’
She lowered her head and searched the keyboard. ‘Maybe I’ll have a look in a bit. Let me read through this contract and sign it before the wine blurs my vision.’
‘Ask if there’s anything you don’t understand. I’ll leave you while I find the menu for dinner.’
Evie licked her lips and rubbed her stomach. ‘That chicken shashlik was delicious; I’ve not had that before.’ She leaned forward across the breakfast bar and wiped a spot of red sauce from his chin then, wiping her finger on the serviette, met his eyes. As her pulse rushed, she kept her tone steady. ‘It’s gone ten already. The contract is on your desk, signed. I’d better let you get on. Thank you for letting me stay here. I really appreciate your consideration. You have more auditions tomorrow and I need to get home to Charlotte first thing. I’ll wash these up and shower for bed if that’s ok?’
‘I can wash these. You go and have a shower. Would you like a hot drink before you go to bed?’
‘Just water, please.’
‘I’ll leave it here and be on my way. Just help yourself to what’s in the fridge etc., and throw the keys back through the letter box once you’ve locked up in the morning.’
‘Thank you.’ Why didn’t I meet you first instead of Seb? she asked herself.
Chapter 35
Pulling up the blackout blind, the sun poured into the room. Evie watched as commuters hurried past on their daily route to the tube. Something she had never experienced, and now wondered what it would be like to wake up to this bustle every day. Ben was one of them, on his way to casting studios in Hammersmith. It was lovely of him to invite her along, but she’d wanted to return to her daughter and it wouldn’t be fair on her family. She checked her make-up in the mirror, rubbing and smoothing in a little cream still on her chin. She pulled out her brush from her bag and quickly smoothed her hair, twisted it and clipped it to the top of her head. The thought of all that London grime inhabiting it made her baulk.
Leaving the flat, she locked up and hauled her case up the steps. Almost distracted by an orange-lit black cab, she waved and then, realising she still had Ben’s keys in her hand, threw out both palms to cancel it. On the top step she steadied the case against the wall, thinking maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to leave it there… as a figure caught her vision. She fiddled with the handle, waiting for the figure to pass. Something familiar struck her – the walk. She gazed up. He licked his lips and then his arms shot out towards her.
Evie gasped and immediately jarred. ‘Seb, what the fuck are you doing here? I thought you were still in LA.’
‘I was. I just got back and was just coming back to see you. What are…’
‘But you don’t live here, do you? In Notting Hill I mean. I thought your place was Kensington or around that way.’
‘I stayed at a mate’s last night. Anyway, what are you doing here?’
Evie brushed her hand under her nose, trying to think of something quick. ‘I went to see a lawyer. I couldn’t get hold of you and I needed to know what to do.’
‘What?’
His cold, determined eyes almost stripped her strength. Hold it. Fight it.
‘Seb, you abandoned me on that island alone with Charlotte. We’d would still be there and Charlotte would have been dead had I not got help.’
‘I said I’d be back.’ He shuffled closer, feigning his concern by poking her cheek with a fingertip.
Stepping back, she swept his arm away. He glowered, taken aback. She held her chin high while her legs wobbled. Had he heard her? He didn’t seem interested in what she’d just told him. Charlotte was his flesh and blood.
‘You don’t need a lawyer,’ he said, missing the vital piece of information. ‘Look, I’m busy, can we meet later?’ He craned his neck as he scanned the street around him, obviously nervous about making a scene.
Evie continued regardless, ignoring the stares of commuters bustling past, and scowled in his face. ‘Seb. I won’t live like this any more. I’m done with your rules and your paranoia. Your controlling nature. I want answers. Just tell me why you felt it necessary to spy on me?’
‘Don’t be absurd. You’re not…’
‘Seb, you had us followed, you drugged me and abandoned us without even a phone. That behaviour is criminal and you put both Charlotte and me at risk. I need to know where I stand with regards to the villa and Charlotte’s future. Don’t tell me you didn’t see this coming. You’ve behaved like a gutter rat and as far as I’m concerned our relationship is finished.’
‘Fucking keep your voice down. How can you say that? I’ve given you all the support and a beautiful house. And don’t blame me because you can’t hold your drink or don’t appreciate a bloody nice holiday.’
‘You also gave me promises of a relationship, I didn’t think that meant being left to rot on your island. Don’t pretend you care Seb,’ she raged, her words choking her. ‘Clearly you don’t. You’ve proved you don’t. How long did you intend to leave us there? You didn’t even check to put Charlotte’s allergy pen in the bag, after you spiked my drink, nor check the food supplied at the villa was uncontaminated. You know Charlotte’s at risk. Seb, you’re dangerous. And why? What have I done to you? Well, we’re history. I… Charlotte and me… we need to start a new life. Just the two of us.’
He caught her hand, squeezing it hard. ‘It’s that Ben, isn’t it? Ben Aiden. You know you could damage his reputation as well as mine.’
Evie stamped her foot. ‘Damn both your reputations. I’m thinking of the safety of me and my child. And so what if I know him. I’ve done research for him. I’ve met his crew and had a couple of drinks. They’re nice people. So bloody what. That has nothing to do with us.’
‘Ha, I’m supposed to believe that? I have evidence. I know you also went against my authority and got a job. Look, I don’t have time for this now. I have to go.’ He looked around and rubbed his cheek.
‘Well your evidence is incorrect. And anyway, I’m here, not in France. You don’t need to come back to me now. I’m here, Seb. We can settle this now. Where do you have to go?’
He stared, struggling for words. Evie now saw him for what he was �
� pathetic and self-obsessed. He was useless without his team instructing him. He’d lost that controlled, cool seductive Seb interface that he always arrived in France with. This was the Seb Wilde she recalled when she first told him about her pregnancy. A bitter, angry man who couldn’t control his rage or accept responsibility; a person who definitely couldn’t deal with atrocities himself.
‘No, you have to sort this out now. In fact, you have a week, Seb. If you don’t instruct the bank to allow me access or whatever you have done to block me having my own account, then – and I mean this Seb – I will be forced to damage your reputation. And just to be sure, in case anything happens to me, my solicitor has my letter claiming your motives and evidence of the substance you put in my drink.’ Evie felt so convinced by her own performance, it was edging her on. The lies were getting thicker but it didn’t matter, so was her skin. This was purely for effect and it seemed to be working. She loved the pale panic on his face.
Then his eyebrow sprang up. ‘Whoa, blackmail. Well, Evie Grant, my little angelic princess.’ His eyes glinted like they were sharp rocks; the pressure on her fingers made her wince. He came closer. ‘You don’t really know what you want, do you? Never did. Now you think you have me worked out and would like to imagine I’m going to bow to a little pressure. Don’t you think I plan for such emergencies?’
Evie couldn’t feel her fingers but she couldn’t get weak, not now.
‘I’m not sure that you have your emergency strategies in the right order of priority, Seb. And what if your precious fans discover that you drugged me and abandoned your love child on a remote island without any means of communication or any other means of emergency escape?
‘They would think you are a liar looking to exploit me.’
‘Oh, is that right? Your fans would cheer and shout and love you and discard any notion that you could be so evil to a child?’
He smirked.
‘Fuck you, Seb. If you wanted out, why go to all this trouble? Why couldn’t you have just talked to me?’
‘Because…’ he hesitated and searched her face. ‘You would have gone to the press. You have nothing to lose.’
‘So you thought you would find something on me.’ Her hand was so tightly gripped, she was sure gangrene had now set in. A bolt of an idea came to mind. ‘Fine. We’ll put it to the test. I will go in to my bank next Friday and try to… no, will open a bank account in my own name with a new account number. If it doesn’t happen, be warned, then my solicitor will issue a press release.’
‘You really think blackmail is the answer?’
‘It works for you. What would you call your treatment of me and your daughter? And, apart from untying our chains from you and giving me custody of Charlotte, I’m not making any other demands. I personally think it’s a good deal and you should settle.’
‘You know it wouldn’t stop there. Two years down the line, you’d make demands for this and that.’
‘I agree, that’s a possibility. But I’m sure you have lawyers who work out those details for you, putting packages together so that I can’t make future claims.’ Evie had a vision of Wilde Towers’ legal department, sketching out the next agreement on the whiteboard. His mind was ticking, however; she could almost see the cogs turning.
The pressure of his hand lessened and he let go. Seb scratched his head. ‘How can I trust you?’
‘I just want out. You can’t guarantee anyone’s trust. It was my mistake as well as yours. I shouldn’t have been so naïve or sucked in by your pretence of a relationship. You should have thought about your reputation before dipping your wick. I never willed it to happen, the same as you didn’t. Unfortunately for you, I couldn’t run off and have an abortion. You have to have faith. I can’t stay caged.’ She changed her stance, clasping her numb hand. ‘And I’ll take your phone number because it was on my phone and when I lost it I had no way of contacting you.’ She pulled out a pen and notebook from her bag. Seb told her his number.
She slotted the pad and pen back in her bag. ‘So, a week.’
‘Don’t threaten me.’
‘A week.’ She picked up the handle of her case and marched up the street, feeling waves of triumph bouncing through her limbs. Turning, she watched Seb, hunched and gathering speed in the other direction. As soon as he turned the corner, she careened back and posted the keys back into Ben’s letterbox. Wow! She was so impressed with herself. What a performance, and Seb had really fallen for her lies. He couldn’t control her. So great if it worked, and in a week, she’d have her freedom. Would he really fall for it? He had no other reason to suspect why she was in London. She hoped. Hailing a black cab, an exuberance gambolled into her step.
‘Paddington Station, please.’
Luckily Evie was just in time for her train back to Newquay. She texted Cally and sent the message, holding the phone firmly in her grasp.
On my way, lots to tell. Train arrives at 3pm. See you later. E xx
The jubilant mood set her thinking about her future and whether she should could stay in France. She and Charlotte would be homeless and it was something she hadn’t thought to negotiate with Seb. She still had the side-door key and just prayed the locks wouldn’t be changed before she returned. Surely Seb wouldn’t be so vindictive. She wrapped her hair behind her ear. Actually, yes he could. What would she do then? It would be difficult to ask for Suzanne’s help, considering how much she had let her down, but Suzanne was aware of what had gone on – maybe she could help accommodate them short-term. Both her parents and aunt were too cramped, so it would be out of the question right now. Cally only had a small studio. Unlocking the phone, she began a property rental search on the internet. The UK had very little lower than £400 a month. How was she going to earn that amount on a regular basis? She checked prices in Cornwall too. They didn’t fare any better. She would have to double that to include bills and food. She would have to find something temporarily just in case.
She swiped the phone again, and the search history appeared. Just as she was about to close it, she saw Seb Wilde’s name. Cally had been seeking his contact information perhaps? The search engine took her to a Google page. Evie’s heart lurched. It was the Daily Mail one she noticed first. Released six days ago it said. Seb Wilde to wed his not-so-wild bride. Evie cast her eyes on the photo. Bastard! A proud Seb smartly attired with his arms around the beautiful girl. Named as Marcia Witham-Stokes – a well-known US socialite and daughter of an art collector family living in Los Angeles.
Scheming rat! That is why he wanted me out of the way. He had gone to LA to propose! What a bloody fool she was. This must have been going on for some time. An inner deflation took hold. Just last week he was violating her body when he’d promised himself to someone else. What right had he got to accuse her of seeing someone else when he was publicly announcing an engagement and marriage? If only she had seen this last night. There would certainly have been a showdown this morning. The shock still jarred in her throat.
Cally was easy to find. Her father’s car was a bright red Ford that Uncle Brian had purchased before her parents’ return to England. Her father had insisted they get out and about to look for property.
‘Mummy,’ Charlotte called as Evie opened the car door.
‘Oh, darling, I’ve missed you so much,’ She gave Charlotte a huge kiss. ‘Did you enjoy being with Auntie Cally last night? Was it fun?’
Charlotte curled her tongue around in her mouth, and giggled. ‘Fun,’ she said, ‘fun and ducks and splash.’
Evie kissed her once more and got into the front of the car. ‘You had fun in the bath with the ducks did you?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’ve really missed her. Has she been good?’
‘Adorable. I think you might have to leave her here more often. Mum and Dad have been in their element. I think they are in love with her as much as I am.’
Evie leant back and pushed her hair from her face, her throat tightening. ‘That’s lovely to hear.’
Cally checked her mirror and stepped on the accelerator. ‘Well, I’m just itching to know everything. Come on, do tell?’
‘Well, FYI, Ben stayed at his friend’s. Good try, Cupid. Failing to tell me his flat was one bedroomed made no difference. Either he wasn’t interested, or Ben is as smart as I think and knows the situation is far too volatile. He played the perfect host and gentleman.’
‘Huh! You both sussed me out by the sound of things.’ Cally laughed. ‘So what? Nothing? Not even a kiss?’
‘Afraid not. But, you would be very proud of me when I tell you this…’
Cally’s head whizzed round in surprise.
‘Keep your eyes on the road and I’ll tell you.’
‘As you say, cap’n.’
‘The first thing is, I got two travel articles accepted.’ Evie rubbed her hands together as her sister cheered.
‘Awesome, sis. I knew you could do it, and so proud of you.’
‘And, even better, I bumped into Seb and challenged him head-on. I lied and bluffed my way through a conversation and, I think, it may have worked.’
‘Oh really. Wasn’t he supposed to be in LA? Oh, you have to give me all the gruesome details!’
Evie quickly gave her a lowdown of her conversation with Seb.
‘Wow, I mean, wow! I’m impressed. Go you! I’m more than proud. It’s about time you gave him some shit. And it sounds like he has sat up and listened. Oh, so great to have thought to give him a deadline too. Well done you. So fingers crossed for Friday.’
After Evie’s moment of triumph, she allowed her imaginary halo to drop and pondered on Seb’s intentions to marry. As much as she’d felt hurt and deceived, it was good news. She could have her independence. He certainly wouldn’t want any sordid publicity to spill into his future plans. He didn’t want the future Mrs Wilde to discover his sordid secret.
‘I can’t understand why he didn’t tell me about his engagement. That would have made more sense. Ok, so he must have finally fallen in love, but why didn’t he just tell me? Do you think he intended to keep me locked up forever? He didn’t want me working or having a computer and got really agitated when I asked. I wonder if that’s where he panicked, thinking I was making too many demands and would find out about him on the internet. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was going to keep me muted in the background for ever.’
