Hollywood Ever After

by Sasha Summers

  “Can we sleep first?”

  He nodded. “Thank you for sharing your bed with me,” he whispered in my ear.

  “I like sharing my bed with you.” I slipped down, burrowing under the duvet with a sigh. He burrowed down beside me, throwing an arm over my side. I wriggled back, pressing against him. “You can come a little closer if you want.”

  He slid up behind me, molding against my back and sliding his arms around me. “Much better,” he whispered against my neck.

  ***

  We made it into Stratford that evening, starving. It was a brisk walk into the village, the chill in the air keeping us moving swiftly. We talked the whole time, laughing at each other’s stories and holding hands.

  The White Stag was a grand old-world pub. It, like most of the buildings on the village square, was done in the Tudor style with white walls and dark wood bracing. All in all, I was in awe of how enchanting Stratford was, but I was too hungry to explore now.

  The White Stag’s menu was posted in front. Fish and chips, their specialty, sounded divine so we pushed the door open and stepped inside. I felt a moment’s concern over Josh being recognized, but no one looked up as we came in. It was crowded enough to make blending in a possibility. I hoped so. I was enjoying being completely caught up in each other for the time being.

  I stood, holding his hand, as we surveyed the crowded pub. He pointed. “Come on, then. There’s a table in the back.”

  We moved quickly, making our way to the table. “It’s really crowded.”

  “Saturday afternoon,” Josh said in explanation. “Lots of tourists and families having an evening out.”

  “So it’s not that the food is fantastic?” I asked. “Not that it matters if the food’s fantastic or not. I’m starving.”

  He smiled a self-satisfied smile. “You should be. I am as well.” He touched my cheek. “Shall I order dinner?”

  I nodded. “Oh, yes, please.”

  A cheer went up from the bar. The rather rambunctious group sang something loudly before cheering again. I laughed.

  “Rugby. Want a pint?” He raised his voice to be heard over the noise.

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll be back.” He stood and made his way toward the bar.

  I let my eyes travel over the wood-paneled pub. Families sat around tables eating food, a group of teenage boys were throwing darts, and the bar was lined with middle-aged men watching rugby on the only television.

  Josh made his way to the bar and spoke to the bartender, ordering our drinks. He laughed at something the man said and I smiled. I glanced away, scanning the faces quickly. Would he be recognized here? Would it matter? If he was recognized, he’d be gracious about it. That was the way he was. Giving and kind.

  Josh turned and brushed past a man at the bar, bumping his elbow. Josh said something to the man, smiled and moved on to me. The man turned, watching Josh with narrowed eyes. The man’s eyes, pale blue, met mine briefly and he smiled at me.

  Oh God. It was Daniel.

  I closed my eyes, fought the fear clawing at my chest. I felt sick.

  Daniel was here.

  Josh stepped around a table, blocking my view of the bar. “Your pint.” Josh sat at the table, smiling.

  I stared, my eyes scanning the bar frantically. Daniel wasn’t there. My eyes traveled the room quickly, but I didn’t see him. Was he ever there?

  “Claire?”

  “Did you see that man?” My voice sounded strange, thin and brittle.

  “What man?” Josh took my hands. “Your hands are like ice.”

  “The man…the man you bumped.”

  “Was he angry? I think I spilled his…” His hands rubbed mine as he mumbled to a stop. His eyes settled on my face, worried.

  “He…it was Daniel,” I said quickly.

  Josh stared at me, his face stiffening and his hands growing still on mine. He stood up, tugging me against his side. “Where is he?”

  My eyes searched the room again, hesitantly. I wasn’t sure which was worse, not finding him or finding him. “I don’t see him now. I don’t know.” I had to keep control. I couldn’t afford to fall apart now.

  “He left? He knew you saw him?” His eyes continued to scan the crowd.

  “Yes. He smiled at me.”

  Josh’s arms wrapped about me and he pulled me against him. “Come on. We’re calling the police.”

  “What will you say? He’s done nothing wrong.” As terrifying as his presence was, I knew he’d broken no law.

  Josh pulled out his phone and began dialing. I didn’t hear what he said, but I caught, “Yes, at the White Stag. My name is Josh Wiley.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  In other news, Josh Wiley and his lady love are once again in the news. And this time, law enforcement was involved. According to eyewitness reports, Josh and Miss Collins were disturbed by a patron at Stratford pub the White Stag. While there’s been no statement or explanation issued at this time, there are numerous rumors circulating. Is Miss Collins involved with another man? Could it be that Josh Wiley isn’t enough for her? Or could this mysterious patron be—

  Josh turned off the television. “Enough of that.”

  I nodded and took a sip of my tea. Tea was growing on me.

  The morning sunlight peeked through the intermittent gray clouds. It looked like the rain was going to stay, which was a fitting reflection of my mood.

  I peered out the back window, startled by the immense form of one of our new security escorts patrolling the back garden. Two large men, Angus and Jim, had arrived less than two hours after I’d seen Daniel. Meg was quick. While they were solid and quiet and came highly recommended by other celebrities, they made me feel nervous.

  “Did you get any sleep?” Josh asked me, sitting in the chair next to me.

  I nodded. “A little.”

  “You were restless.” He pulled me into his lap.

  “I kept you awake?” My forehead rested against his. “I hate that this happened. I know you don’t want me to say I’m sorry, but…”

  He put his hand over my mouth. “I needed security, Claire. I’ve put it off because I’m a bit of a procrastinator.”

  I laughed. “You’re being sweet again.”

  He kissed me. “I’m not sweet. Selfish, remember? I need to feel safe, to know you and the children are safe. That’s why they’re here, and Roman has gone to accompany Nat and Will and your mum here this afternoon.”

  “You are a sweet, sweet man.” I kissed him.

  “Josh? Hello?” Helen’s voice called out from the front door.

  “Who are the giants milling about the gardens?” Nathan asked.

  Before I could slip from Josh’s lap, Helen and Nathan joined us in the kitchen.

  “Are you both all right? We caught the news this morning, and there was something in the papers, too.” Helen ruffled her brother’s hair and hugged me.

  “What’s this all about, anyway?” Nathan sat at the kitchen table with us.

  Josh looked at me. “Claire’s ex-husband has decided to give her a bit of a scare.”

  Nathan’s eyebrows formed a single line as he scowled. “What the devil is he playing at?”

  “I’m not sure,” I replied softly.

  Helen busied herself in the kitchen, putting out the teacakes and sweets Josh and I had purchased this morning. We’d planned to shop for our time at the cottage, but being followed through the store by photographers and reporters ended that rather efficiently. And that was with our giant protectors keeping the press at a distance. I couldn’t imagine what kind of nightmare it would have been if we hadn’t had them with us. We’d managed to get a few things to nibble on and decided it was time to retreat.

  “I think it’s good you’ve got them. The bodyguards, I mean.” Helen poured tea for everyone and sat at the table. “When do your mum and Nat and Will arrive?”

  “This afternoon.” I shook my head as Helen offered me a tea cake.

  “Then
you’ve time to take a nap before they get here. From the look of it, you both need one,” Helen said.

  Nathan added, “Helen and I will go do a proper shop while you two sleep a bit.”

  Josh squeezed my hand. “I think that’s an excellent idea.”

  I nodded, making my way to the bedroom with a quick smile all around.

  I lay on the bed and closed my eyes, trying to relax. I heard the bedroom door open, felt the mattress shift, and the warmth of his hand as it slid around my waist. Josh’s breath stirred my hair as he leaned close to whisper, “Sleep, Claire.”

  I woke up three hours later to Josh’s kiss. “Time to head to the train station.”

  I rolled over to find him bleary-eyed and sleepy. I smiled at him. “You can stay. Get some more sleep.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve missed them too, you know.”

  It was a short ride. We probably would have walked it, but the rain was falling heavily. We ran into the station and onto the covered platform as a train pulled up on one side of the platform. A crush of people exited the trains, heading off the platform and to their homes. Others, tourists, milled about to check the wall maps or their guidebooks.

  Another train pulled up on the opposite side of the platform. Josh turned me toward it.

  “Hey, Mom!” Will bounced across the platform. “Hi, Josh.”

  Little arms wrapped eagerly around my neck and I found myself burying my face against him. The sense of relief was overwhelming. I hadn’t realized that I was so worried about them until now, when they were safely in arm’s reach. “I missed you,” I said, a smile firmly in place as I pulled back to look at him.

  “I missed you too.” Will kissed me quickly.

  “We were crazy busy. Can we just do nothing for the next twenty-four hours? Please?” Natalie hugged me. “Hey, Josh. Hey, Helen.” The last two words were more of a squeal. Helen and Natalie hugged and began talking ninety-to-nothing.

  My mother hugged me then. “I’m exhausted. Those women don’t know what ‘slow down’ means.”

  “Like you do, Grams?” Natalie teased.

  A tall blond man appeared at my mother’s elbow, holding her knitting bag. “Oh, I almost forgot that, didn’t I? Thank you, Roman.” She took the bag from him.

  “I’m glad you had a good time, Mom. Sorry you had to cut it short.”

  “Did you miss me, Josh?” Will asked as he stretched from my arms toward Josh.

  Josh took Will in his arms. “I sure did. Your mum and I did nothing but mope about, we missed you so much,” he teased.

  My mother shook her head. “I have a hard time believing that.”

  While luggage was located, Will and Natalie continued to fill us in on the trip. Mom eyed the wall-like presence of the other bodyguards, but didn’t say anything. I was thankful for that. I had no doubt that the after-dinner hours would be a lengthy question and answer session. But that was fair; she had a right to know what was going on.

  As the trains began to pull away, we made our way inside the station where we made sure all the luggage was accounted for. With a suitcase in one hand and Will’s hand held in the other, we jumped over puddles on the way to the van Nathan had rented.

  “Did you have fun?” I asked Will as I pulled the seatbelt from between the seat cushions.

  He nodded. “I did. Did you? When did Daddy get here?” Will asked as I buckled him into the seat.

  It took every ounce of control I had not to react. My hands tightened on the buckle, but I forced myself to finish securing him into the seat.

  “Why would you say that, Will?” my mother asked.

  I felt Josh’s hand on my back. “He’s not here, Will.” My voice was surprisingly calm.

  “But I just saw him. He was getting on the train.” Will shrugged.

  Josh’s hand left my back and I heard him speaking in low tones to someone. To one of our security guards, I assumed. I didn’t look back.

  “It was probably just someone who looked like him, Willy,” Natalie said. “Dad’s working in India, remember? He called us the other night and he sent us that picture of the elephant.”

  Will nodded. “But I thought maybe he’d come here. Because it seemed like he was watching us. And he looked like Dad.”

  “All buckled?” I asked.

  My mother was watching me closely. “We’re all good, Claire.”

  Josh waited until the van doors were closed before he spoke. “I’ve sent Roman to check, Claire. Let’s get them to the cottage. If he was here, and Will did see him, maybe he was leaving.”

  I nodded. Somehow, I wasn’t reassured.

  ***

  Nathan decided to make dinner. My mother helped. I could sense trouble brewing between the two of them immediately.

  “You don’t boil them first?” My mother was questioning Nathan’s method of preparing his roasted potatoes.

  “No. I prefer them not to be mush, Marty.” He wasn’t fazed.

  “Mush? You’ve never had my roasted potatoes, Nathan. My potatoes are never mush.”

  “And we’re not having yours tonight, are we, Marty? We’re having mine.” He smiled, a lopsided smile that made my mother narrow her eyes.

  Josh and I watched them with interest.

  “Are they going to kill each other?” Helen whispered.

  “Or kiss each other,” Josh said.

  I stared at him with round eyes before turning assessing eyes on my mother. Her cheeks were red, her eyes narrowed, and her hands were hovering above the cutting board. It wasn’t in her nature to allow anyone else in her kitchen. The fact that Nathan obviously knew his way around the kitchen wasn’t helping her mood.

  “Kiss him?” Natalie stuck her tongue out. “Aren’t they a little old?”

  Josh laughed. “Can you get too old for kissing? I hope not.”

  I shook my head. “Mom, if you’re going to keep picking on Nathan, he might not cook for us again. And I think it’s very kind of him to offer to cook since you’re so tired from your trip. It’s gallant, really.”

  Nathan smiled at me.“Quite right, Claire. I pride myself on my more gentlemanly qualities.”

  My mother rolled her eyes. Wait. My mother…rolled her eyes… Was she flirting?

  “I might be a little rusty in the gallantry department, but when did insulting a person’s culinary skills fall under gallantry?” she asked, smiling a little too sweetly at Nathan.

  “If I’ve insulted you, dear Marty, I apologize.” He inclined his head while peeling a potato. “I was only clarifying the proper way to prepare roasted potatoes—”

  “Proper?” Now her entire face was red.

  “Grams?” Natalie called, concerned. “It’s your turn. We’re all waiting on you.”

  Our game of Monopoly had paled next to the drama unfolding at the kitchen sink. But Natalie was right; enough was enough.

  “I can’t believe Will is sleeping.” I glanced at the clock.

  “He wasn’t in bed until ten last night. He’s probably wiped out.” Natalie rolled the dice.

  I shot a look at my mother. “It was his vacation, Claire,” my mother explained. Then it was her turn to roll the dice. “Aha! I want to put houses on Park Place and Boardwalk.”

  Helen and Natalie groaned. “Is it okay if we declare bankruptcy?” Natalie asked.

  “Can I take Natalie in to one of the shops? Just for a bit?” Helen asked.

  I looked at Josh, who was looking at me. “Yes, but you have to take Roman with you.”

  “That’s fine with me.” Natalie was all smiles.

  My mother moved back to the sink as Josh went off to find Roman and the girls prepared to leave. She hovered, silently watching Nathan prepare the roast.

  Josh came back in and settled beside me, taking my hand in his and kissing me.

  “What happened, Claire?” my mother asked without preamble. “One minute we’re sitting around the table playing Mahjong and the next we need a bodyguard.”

  “Daniel sh
owed up,” I said.

  My mother turned, Nathan and the cooking forgotten. “Here?” I nodded.

  “I bumped into him in the pub. If I’d known who he was—”

  I cut Josh off. “I’m glad you didn’t. Anyway, he just kind of disappeared.”

  “Did you call Regina?” Mom asked.

  “Who is Regina?” Nathan cut in.

  “My lawyer,” I said. “Yes, I called her. She contacted Daniel’s office and they said he had been checking in remotely from the drill site he’s stationed on.”

  “But how can that be? Since you’ve both seen him here,” she asked.

  “She’s trying to verify his presence with the site manager, Marty. Without proof that he’s not where he’s supposed to be, Claire doesn’t have the legal grounds she needs to pursue things,” Josh said softly, rubbing my back with long, soothing strokes.

  “Hasn’t he broken his probation by coming here?” my mother asked.

  “Yes. And the restraining order, too.” I paused.

  “The flowers were from him. He’s been doing his best to make this trip as miserable as possible for Claire. And scaring the shit out of her as well.” Josh squeezed my hand.

  Marty looked back and forth between the two of us. “So what will you do, Claire?”

  “I’ve asked Regina to look into how we go about suspending his parental rights. He needs help, that’s obvious. But I know he won’t look into getting it on his own.”

  “I know I’m going to sound like a bastard for saying this, but you don’t need to help him get help. You need to take care of you and the children. Your safety is all that matters, Claire,” Josh said urgently.

  “He’s right, Claire. I know it’s instinctual for you to try to make things better for the kids’ sake, but that’s not going to work this time.” My mother shook her head as she spoke, her face troubled.

  “It sounds like he needs to be locked up. For some time.” Nathan regarded each of us. “Is he dangerous?”

  My mother nodded. “Very.”

  “Then it’s a good thing you’ve acquired the giants to look after everyone, Josh.” Nathan turned back to the sink. “Marty, do you know how to make proper Yorkshire pudding?”

  My mother turned narrowed eyes on the man’s tall back. She stood and went to his side. “I know how to make delicious Yorkshire pudding, Nathan Wiley. Whether or not it’s proper.”