Dreaming of Venice

by Dreaming of Venice (retail) (epub)

  ‘Really? You see her on TV and you’d never imagine for a moment… Anyway, from the sound of it, nobody questioned your identity and, apart from a few old friends pitching up and the incident with your friend Jimmy, it all went well. Mrs B-W’s not one for giving credit to anybody, but she had no complaints, which is just about as good as it gets with her.’

  Penny thought it was about time she did a bit of digging for information, but she lowered her voice just to be on the safe side.

  ‘Tell me about the Foundation, Caroline. What does it do?’

  ‘Olivia’s father set it up thirty years ago. At first they provided scholarships for children from poor backgrounds to go to good schools but then, as the environment climbed the world agenda, the Foundation turned more and more towards saving the planet. There are universities all around the country benefiting from BWF grants to do research into the extent of global warming and ways to slow it.’

  ‘So there’s no question that global warming’s a thing, then?’

  Caroline grinned at her. ‘Don’t let anybody in Brighton hear you asking that. You can be quite sure that every single person at the conference this weekend believes in global warming with every brain cell they’ve got.’

  Penny smiled back at her. ‘Right, duly noted. So, the Foundation’s pretty important to the climate change lobby, then?’

  ‘Very definitely. You’ll see for yourself. However stroppy Olivia’s mum may choose to be, nobody’ll dare say a word against her for fear that she’ll take offence and suspend their funding.’ She turned towards Penny. ‘It’s pretty distasteful, to be honest. It was never like that in her dad’s day.’

  ‘That sounds pretty uninviting.’ Penny reflected that the conference wasn’t likely to be too much fun if this was the way things were. ‘Ah well, so be it. Now, who runs the Foundation?’

  ‘It’s run by a man called Nick, Doctor Nick Greaves. He’s a specialist in climate research. You’ll meet him tonight.’

  ‘And what’s he like? Is he likely to realise that I’m not the real deal?’

  Caroline snorted. ‘No way. He and Mrs B-W don’t get on, so I’m sure he’ll keep as far away from us as possible.’ There was a wistful edge to Caroline’s voice that Penny couldn’t miss.

  ‘Would you like to be nearer to him?’

  Even in the limited light provided by the street lights, Penny was able to see that Caroline was blushing as she answered. ‘Um, maybe. I think he’s rather nice.’

  ‘I’ll look forward to meeting him then. And am I right in understanding that it’s Olivia, not her mum, who’s taken over from her father since his death?’

  Penny saw Caroline glance at the driver’s head once more. Clearly these were dangerous waters into which they were now sailing. ‘That’s right, but it hasn’t quite worked out as he wanted so far. Olivia was very attached to him, and when he died she had a sort of breakdown. She’s spent most of the past six months in her room, she’s hardly been out of the house and, even then, it’s only under protest. Mrs B-W’s been representing the family on the board in her place.’

  ‘And she hasn’t been making too many friends?’

  They heard a faint ringing sound and then the driver answered the telephone. They could see his lips moving, reflected in the rear view mirror, but couldn’t hear a word he was saying. Encouraged by this proof of the efficiency of the glass barrier, Caroline answered the question. ‘Mrs B-W isn’t Olivia’s real mother, you know.’

  This was news to Penny.

  ‘Olivia’s birth mother died when Olivia was quite young and she’s been brought up by a series of nannies. The present Mrs B-W came along about ten years ago and it can’t have been easy for Olivia.’ She paused for a moment. ‘Mind you, she and her stepmum used to get on really quite well before Mr B-W died. Since then, for whatever reason, Mrs B-W’s been getting very bitter and twisted.’

  ‘What’s she got to get bitter and twisted about?’ Penny suddenly remembered what she had learnt from Olivia’s old aunties. ‘Is it because her husband left control of the Foundation to his daughter, not her?’

  Caroline shook her head. ‘I suppose that might be part of it, although the truth of the matter is that she’s not the least bit interested in the goings on of the Foundation. Never has been. I think she’s probably just miffed that it’s been taking up her time. But there’s got to be more to it than that. Whatever it is, she’s become increasingly grumpy and bad-tempered.’

  ‘Poor kid. So Mrs B-W’s a stepmum. That explains why I couldn’t see any kind of family resemblance. It must have been really tough losing her mum like that. What was that about money buying happiness?’

  They got to their hotel at six o'clock and were escorted to their rooms. These were side by side and overlooked the sea. They were large and comfortable but, if Penny had felt like being picky, she would have said the furniture and fittings were just a bit tired. Mind you, she thought to herself with a smile as she lay in the huge bath, with bubbles threatening to engulf her, it beat the crap out of her current dwelling with its leaky roof, its resident rat, and one bathroom shared between seven occupants. Here, at least, she had a bathroom to herself and the water was hot.

  She dried herself with a huge fluffy towel and changed into the other evening dress as instructed by Caroline. This was as low cut as the top she had chosen for the Southbank Centre party and although she was gradually getting more used to Olivia’s dress taste, she had already relegated one or two of the newly-purchased outfits to the only with a T-shirt underneath category. All delegates had been issued with name badges on blue ribbons and she found that by tying a knot to shorten the ribbon, she managed to position her badge at a perfect strategic height to further protect her modesty. Even so, she felt very conspicuous as she and Caroline exited the lift at ballroom level and went through the double doors into the welcome party. She whispered across to Caroline as they entered the room.

  ‘I’m not obscene, am I? I feel like I’m about to fall out of this dress.’

  Caroline grinned and shook her head. ‘Olivia’s said the self-same thing to me on many occasions. Her stepmum has a big say in choosing Olivia’s wardrobe and she likes that sort of thing. You should be okay, but if you drop a canapé on the carpet, whatever you do, just don’t try and bend down to pick it up.’

  Penny nodded. ‘You bet your life. And, Caroline, you will help me out if somebody comes along and I don’t know what to say, won’t you?’

  Caroline gave her a wry smile. ‘Don’t worry. Everybody’s scared stiff of Mrs B-W, so they’ll avoid us like the plague. It’ll be fine. You’ll see.’

  The place was already full of people and there was a hubbub of background noise that made conversation difficult. For Penny in her role as Olivia, it couldn’t have been better. Everybody had a name badge so identification was simplified, and there was so much noise it wouldn’t really matter what she said. Her heart sank as she spotted Olivia’s stepmother, surrounded by a number of delegates. In fact, Mrs Brookes-Webster was hard to miss. She was wearing so many diamonds that the light sparkled and danced about her as she moved, not unlike one of those old disco balls that used to hang in dance halls back in the mists of time. As Mrs B-W spotted her in her turn, she produced a charming smile. Penny used her hitherto undiscovered acting talent and smiled back as Caroline led her across to join her group.

  ‘You all know Olivia, don’t you?’ Penny was pleased by the civility of the introduction, but was immediately dismayed by the reaction of the people around her. Some managed to muster weak smiles, others nodded formally, while a couple just looked away. Only one man, wearing a smart dark blue suit, held out his hand. He was quite good-looking, maybe in his late thirties, and he looked apprehensive. Penny reached out and shook his hand. She saw from his name badge that this was the CEO of the Foundation, Dr Nick Greaves. She could see from his face that although he was doing his best to be cordial, he was far from comfortable in her company or that of Mrs B-W.

 
; ‘Good evening, Olivia. I hope you’re feeling better.’

  Penny could sense Mrs B-W’s eyes on her as she replied. Although she had been told to stay fairly taciturn, she saw no reason to shun common courtesy, so she smiled at him as she answered. ‘Yes, thank you.’ He looked surprised at her cordial response, while Mrs B-W looked disapproving. Clearly, exchanging pleasantries with inferiors was not on her agenda. Penny turned towards Mrs B-W and, ignoring her expression, asked sweetly, ‘Is there anybody you want me to meet or anything you want me to do?’

  Olivia’s stepmother shook her head. ‘No, it’s all such a bore, but we’ll just have to make the best of it. Caroline, do you think you could find us a glass of something palatable?’

  Caroline immediately headed off in search of drinks and Penny noticed that Nick Greaves went with her.

  It was an excruciating evening and Penny couldn’t help but feel the hostility of most of the other delegates towards Mrs B-W and, by extension, to Penny herself in the role of Olivia. Nevertheless, nobody had an impolite word to say to either of them, treating them both with fawning respect. It looked and felt completely phoney and by the end of the event, Penny had a pretty unpleasant taste in her mouth. She did her best to be friendly and to counteract Mrs B-W's negative attitude, but it was clear that the other woman’s surliness had soured relations badly.

  It was only half past nine when Penny and Caroline got back to their rooms, but Penny felt close to exhaustion after the stress of the deception she had been performing. Mrs B-W had disappeared some time earlier for dinner with a couple of benefactors from other charitable foundations. Penny had been nibbling canapés all evening and she didn’t really feel like any more serious food. They found a box of peanuts and a bag of crisps in the minibar, along with a half bottle of champagne that they opened. As they drank it, Penny queried Caroline about Nick.

  ‘So, do you think you and Nick are going to get it together? He’s a good-looking guy.’

  Caroline blushed. ‘I do like him a lot, I have done since the very first time I met him, but I can’t risk hooking up with him for fear of Mrs B-W finding out. The mood she’s in these days, I’m afraid she might object out of spite, and she might even sack me as a result. I really do enjoy this job, not least because Mrs B-W’s away on holiday more often than she’s in London. And I get on fine with Olivia. She’s really nice underneath the flashy clothes, or at least she used to be until her dad’s death.’ She gave Penny a weary smile. ‘He was a lovely man, you know. Everybody liked him, and his daughter idolised him. His death was a crushing blow to her and she’s only just starting to come out of it now.’

  ‘So, just what is your job, Caroline?’

  ‘Good question.’ Caroline took a sip of wine. ‘My official title is Personal Assistant to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation. That was Olivia’s dad and now, theoretically, it’s Olivia. But, because of her depression, she’s been out of it, so it’s been down to me and her stepmother to keep on top of things. To be honest, since Olivia’s father’s death, I’ve spent a lot of time acting more like a nursemaid than a PA, but I don’t mind, just so long as Mrs B-W keeps out of my hair.’

  ‘So, once Olivia’s up and running again, you’ll be able to take things to the next level with Nick?’

  Caroline blushed. ‘I sincerely hope so, but for now, I can’t take the risk. I get a really good salary and I can’t jeopardise that. Not with mortgage payments to make.’

  ‘You’ve bought a house in London?’ Penny was impressed.

  Caroline nodded. ‘In Crouch End; you know, poor man’s Highgate. It’s not huge, but it’s very nice. You’ll have to come round and see it.’

  ‘I’d like that.’ Penny reflected that she really would like that. She was rapidly coming to think of Caroline as a friend, and a good one at that. ‘And so, what’s my job? I mean, the real job. Whose idea was it to employ me like this?’

  Caroline reflected before answering. ‘To be totally honest, Penny, it was my idea. You saw what it was like here tonight. The atmosphere’s putrid. In Olivia’s dad’s day, everybody got on, everybody was happy, and happy people do the best work. You must have felt the animosity; it’s all down to Mrs B-W. She’s always been a bit snobby and a bit stuffy, but ever since her husband died, she’s been getting worse and worse. It’s almost as if she enjoys making people unhappy.’

  ‘You can say that again.’

  ‘I’m no psychologist, but I wonder if it’s because she’s unhappy, and subconsciously she wants everybody else to suffer as well.’

  ‘What’s a multi-millionaire got to be unhappy about, apart from the Foundation thing?’

  ‘She really loved her husband, you know. I’m sure of that, and she’s bound to be grieving, but the problem is she’s not the kind of person to show it. I think the grief’s burning her up inside. If she were able to communicate her feelings a bit better, things would be a lot different, I’m sure.’

  ‘So, where do I come in?’

  ‘When I saw your photo on social media, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I’ve been doing my best to get Olivia back on her feet and back on the job before her stepmum sours things completely, but she’s still a sick girl.’ She looked across at Penny. ‘Don’t get me wrong. Olivia’s getting better. In fact, I’m seeing improvement almost on a daily basis now, but I know it’s a long haul. When I saw you, I realised that you might be a way of letting us give the illusion that Olivia was back on the case, and so we could begin to redress the balance and start cheering people up again.’

  ‘Aha… and does Mrs B-W know that’s why I’ve been hired? That would explain why she’s been so rude to me.’

  ‘I doubt it. As far as the rudeness is concerned, it’s not just you. Let’s face it, Penny, over the past few months she’s been rude to pretty much everybody. I imagine she must suspect something, but when all’s said and done, her heart’s not in the job, so she’s probably not sorry that your arrival frees her up to do other things.’ She caught Penny’s eye. ‘Mostly with a coffee cup or a glass in her hand.’

  ‘Thanks. Now that I know the background, I think I should be better able to do something to help.’

  ‘Well, just take it slowly. You don’t want to piss her off any more than necessary, otherwise you might find yourself out of a job.’ She hesitated. ‘As might I.’ Then she changed the subject. ‘Anyway, what about you and men, Penny? Is there a special someone in your life?’

  Penny shook her head. ‘Not now.’ She went on to tell Caroline all about Rick, and she read sympathy in Caroline’s eyes. She thought about mentioning the man with the pirate beard at the National Gallery, but she was coming round to convincing herself that he might, after all, have just been a figment of her imagination.

  ‘And before Rick? Have you had lots of boyfriends? I mean, you’re very pretty, you know.’

  ‘A few. I was seeing this boy, Sam, on and off for the best part of a couple of years, but it fizzled out. But, come to think of it, I did go to an exhibition with a very nice guy just last week.’ She was quick to explain. Maybe too quick. ‘He’s another artist and I bump into him from time to time. I’m supposed to be seeing him again this coming week.’ She paused, wondering once more if that relationship was actually going to lead anywhere. ‘And what about Olivia? Any men on the horizon there?’ She grinned at Caroline. ‘I suppose I shouldn’t say it, but she is rather good-looking, you know.’

  Caroline smiled, but shook her head. ‘There’ve been a few, but Olivia’s bright enough to realise that a lot of men are going to be attracted by her wealth, rather than by her for herself. As a result, she’s been very resistant to any kind of serious involvement, although I think there was one boy that she liked but, of course, since her dad died, she’s hardly left the house.’

  ‘Girlfriends?’

  ‘Nobody really close. I’ve met a few, but they’re mostly out of the same mould as her stepmother. You know the type.’

  Penny remembered Tiffany fr
om the Southbank Centre. There was no need to say more. She nodded. ‘Being an heiress isn’t as great as it’s cracked up to be, is it? Well, I’ll do my best. Here’s hoping I can make a difference.’

  ‘Just remember what I said about taking it slow, Penny, and for God’s sake don’t start rocking the boat too much.’ She glanced at Penny. ‘I mean, from what you’ve said, it sounds like this extra cash is coming in very handy.’

  ‘You aren’t joking. I’ve already spent almost all the money you gave me the other day. I had so many outstanding bills, even without student loans, of course, which I haven’t even started to pay back. But now at least I can breathe again. Next month, if all goes well, I should be able to afford to go to the dentist. I haven’t had my teeth looked at for years.’

  ‘Oh, Lord, I’d forgotten about that.’ Caroline pulled out her phone and started writing. ‘I’ll get that fixed up for next week. A full check up and a bit of tooth whitening. And that’ll go on the Brookes-Webster account as well.’ She looked across at Penny and smiled. ‘See what I mean about not being able to take the risk of losing our jobs?’

  Chapter 10

  When Penny got back home, as ever, the first thing that attracted her attention was her new painting. Over the previous week she had been filling in the colour and defining the shapes and she was beginning to feel really excited about this new more abstract direction in her work. With the remains of the money she had been given by Caroline she had bought more canvasses and had already started to sketch out another. She did not, however, intend to rub this one across her naked body.

  She glanced at her watch. It was still only eight o'clock so she would have a few hours to herself now to carry on painting. She shrugged off her smart coat and reached for the zip of her dress. Her phone whistled and she saw that she had a text from Caroline.