The Heart of Winter

by Emma Hannigan

  As she drove back toward Dublin, Jules realised that she wasn’t the only one with a fractious relationship with her mother. She’d meant what she said to Lainey earlier. She was blocking her own mother’s negativity from her life. That would certainly help her situation. But she sincerely hoped Lainey could somehow build new bridges with Holly. Unlike her own mother, Lainey’s was a good person deep down. There was obviously some deep-rooted pain that needed to heal. Jules wanted both women to be happy.

  Pippa

  BRIANNA LOOKED ASTONISHED AS PIPPA WALKED back into the shop.

  ‘Hey, how did it all go? Is Lainey OK?’

  ‘Yeah, I couldn’t get to see her after all,’ Pippa lied. ‘She’s not well enough for visitors so I’m going to see her in the morning. I figured I ought to come back to work.’

  ‘OK, if you’re sure,’ Brianna said looking at her. Pippa was so paranoid. She prayed Brianna would let it drop and stop staring.

  ‘I’m sure you’re very worried,’ Brianna said. ‘If you’d prefer to go home to Huntersbrook, we’d all understand?’

  ‘No!’ Pippa almost shouted. ‘But thanks, Brianna. You’ve been so kind. I’d rather be here. If I’m working, the time will pass quicker.’

  Mercifully, Brianna patted her on the shoulder and began to gather some pieces in Jodi’s size. Guessing she’d be a bit of a diva and probably wouldn’t even talk or make eye contact, Pippa relaxed a little, figuring she could simply stay in the background. All she hoped was that she didn’t make a total fool of herself in front of the actress.

  ‘Pippa, that’s a size ten,’ Brianna said as she lifted a pale blue silk shirt. ‘Would you mind grabbing me the size eight?’

  ‘Sure,’ Pippa said, glad to have something to focus on. Much as she tried, she couldn’t shake the awful nagging in her head that she was letting Lainey and her family down. Missy fell into step beside her.

  ‘Pippa, you’re all over the place. You can barely string a sentence together, for crying out loud. Jodi Ludlum is about to walk in here. You may not care about the reputation of this store, but I do.’

  ‘I’ll grab a pint of water and I’ll be fine. I won’t mess up with Jodi Ludlum.’

  ‘Here, give me the shirt and I’ll get the right size,’ Missy said bossily. Pippa strode toward the back room and filled a glass. Drinking thirstily, she prayed she’d pull this off.

  ‘OK? Feeling better?’ Missy asked poking her head around the door.

  Pippa nodded. Missy hugged her tightly before shoving the shirt in the correct size at her.

  ‘Let’s get back to Brianna before she smells a rat. It’s so brilliant having you as my besty,’ Missy said. ‘We’re going to be so buzzed up once Jodi leaves. Let’s go out for bubbles afterwards! Yay!’

  Missy shot off across the shop, leaving Pippa reeling. She began to sweat. She felt totally claustrophobic and terrified all at the same time. She didn’t like being ensnared by Missy. She’d never met anyone like her and Pippa honestly hadn’t the first idea of how to deal with her.

  Pippa placed the shirt on the clothing rail and grabbed her handbag and did a quick patch job on her make-up in front of one of the full-length mirrors. Sighing, she examined the bags under her eyes.

  ‘Gosh it’s exciting, isn’t it?’ Brianna said as she came to join Pippa at the mirror. ‘I’ve met a few celebs in here over the years, but none as famous as Jodi Ludlum.’

  ‘I’m sure she’ll barely speak to us, but I’m stupidly trying to look my best,’ Pippa said.

  ‘I know what you mean. Just be yourself and I’m sure she’ll be fine,’ Brianna said as she squeezed Pippa’s hand. ‘She’s here to see the clothes after all, not us!’

  ‘Ha,’ Pippa laughed unconvincingly.

  ‘Are you sure you’re able for this in light of your sister being in hospital?’ Brianna asked kindly.

  ‘Yes of course. I’m really worried about Lainey, to be honest, and I’m bricking it. I’ve never met anyone this famous before. I’m scared I’m going to mess up and say something really stupid.’

  ‘She’s just a person at the end of the day,’ Brianna said smiling. ‘You’re well able for this. Have a bit of faith in yourself! And it’ll be a superb story to tell Lainey when you see her tomorrow.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Pippa said appreciatively. As Brianna rushed to straighten a dress, Pippa felt a fresh wave of guilt. She and Missy had been such little witches to her in Paris. Brianna was a genuinely decent woman and didn’t deserve the childish way they’d treated her. Pippa hoped she didn’t know they’d gone off without her.

  At the exact allotted time, there was a rap on the back door.

  ‘She’s here,’ Brianna said, exhaling loudly. ‘Be cool now, girls.’

  Missy rolled her eyes at Pippa and made a face behind Brianna’s back as the other woman opened the door. Jodi appeared. As Brianna was about to introduce them all, Missy barged forward and grabbed Jodi by the hand, pumping it up and down.

  ‘So lovely to meet you. I’m Missy Hassett. My father sends his apologies for not being here to meet you, but he knew he could leave you in my capable hands.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Jodi said smiling sweetly. She glanced over at Brianna as her gaze rested on Pippa.

  ‘Hi, I’m Pippa,’ she said shyly.

  ‘Hey,’ said Jodi. ‘What a gorgeous name. I longed to be called something pretty like that when I was younger.’

  Pippa was rooted to the spot. Sweat was pouring down her spine in a chilly, uncomfortable trickle.

  ‘Thanks,’ Pippa said knowing she sounded kind of silly and wishing she could’ve come up with a more punchy answer. ‘This is my boss, Brianna.’ She motioned toward her and stepped back a bit.

  ‘Hello Brianna, lovely to meet you,’ Jodi said calmly.

  As they began to walk along with Jodi’s entourage, which oddly enough only consisted of two people, a quiet man in jeans and a pale grey T-shirt and a larger bouncer-type, Pippa felt very wobbly.

  ‘You must get totally sick of shopping all the time,’ Missy said. ‘Well hopefully you’ll find some stuff here that you like. I led a junket to Paris a few days ago and we’ve some incredible pieces on the way in.’

  Jodi’s smile never faltered.

  ‘Daddy says I’ve an amazing eye for design. But I’ve always been totally brilliant at spending money, if you know what I mean,’ Missy said dropping her voice an octave and winking.

  ‘I’m actually the world’s worst shopper,’ Jodi confessed. ‘I didn’t have the funds when I was growing up and I guess I never developed much of a talent at it.’

  Brianna took charge of the situation and asked Jodi if there was anything in particular she needed.

  ‘We have a stunning selection of evening dress or plenty of day wear if that’s more along the lines of what you were thinking.’

  ‘It’s really the less dressy stuff that I’m looking for,’ Jodi said. Her voice was so much softer than Pippa expected. Jodi wasn’t brash or abrasive and certainly didn’t act like a diva. As she trailed to the rear of the group, Pippa had a good look at Jodi. She was absolutely tiny. So petite and yet so perfectly proportioned. Her long wavy hair was glossy and bouncy, just like one of the shampoo adverts on TV, only more natural looking.

  As they congregated at the personal shopping area, Brianna invited Jodi to sit.

  ‘Can we offer you a glass of champagne?’ Missy asked stepping forward with her hands clasped, taking on the hostess-with-the-mostest role.

  ‘Sparkling water would be fab if you have it,’ Jodi said with an easy smile.

  ‘That’s right, you don’t drink do you?’ Pippa said before slapping her hand over her mouth. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean for that to be said out loud. I’m a huge fan, Ms Ludlum,’ she said apologetically.

  ‘Aw thanks, Pippa,’ she said easily. ‘No, you’re right, I don’t drink or do drugs. I’m not a very cool movie star now am I?’ she grinned. ‘And call me Jodi, please. I can’t bear formalities. It makes ever
yone unnecessarily uncomfortable.’

  ‘I . . . Oh sure. Thank you, Jodi,’ Pippa stuttered at the mention of drugs. ‘I . . . I actually think that’s kind of refreshing,’ she said. ‘It must be hard to stay sober at some of the mega parties you go to though.’

  ‘I never drank. My mother did enough to last us both a lifetime. I don’t get the draw with alcohol or drugs. Besides I’ve done OK without both so far,’ she said with a shrug. Pippa wanted to laugh out loud. That was the understatement of the year. Jodi was probably the most successful actress in the world right now. Pippa held her gaze for a second before looking at the floor. Did Jodi know she’d done coke that morning? Was she trying to warn her off it? Paranoia crept through every fibre of Pippa’s being. She wished she could somehow stick a pipe cleaner up her nose and remove all traces of the dirty drug she’d inhaled.

  Missy, on the other hand, seemed utterly unperturbed by the conversation and floated away from Jodi oozing with confidence.

  ‘So water it is then. I’ll pop to the canteen and get that for you. Would the gentlemen like a drink?’

  The broad security man with the earpiece shook his head and didn’t speak, placing himself at a lean against a wall. The other man said he’d have water too.

  ‘The last of the crazy ravers,’ Missy whispered to Pippa as she walked toward the back room to get the drinks.

  ‘By the way, this is Harry,’ Jodi said, ‘and that’s Markus. He doesn’t do conversations. We call him Marcel after that famous mime artist, Marcel Marceau,’ Jodi said with a giggle. Markus grinned and remained in the background like a protective blockade.

  ‘So we have lots of lovely day wear,’ Brianna said professionally. ‘If you’d like, Pippa could model some things for you?’

  ‘Oh no, I wouldn’t put you through that,’ Jodi said smiling at Pippa again. ‘Let’s all have a look at what you have.’

  Brianna wheeled the first rail toward Jodi and nodded at Pippa to pick some things out.

  ‘I love jeggings and jumpers for when I’m at home,’ Pippa said. ‘Perfect for throwing on under a wax jacket, yet stylish enough to make sure you don’t look like you’ve come in from a day’s work in the fields! This sweater is so soft it makes me want to pet it all the time. It’s a silk and cashmere mix and I think the purply grey colour would be amazing on you too.’

  ‘You’re obviously a country girl,’ Jodi said holding her head to the side.

  ‘Yeah, I’m from Wicklow.’

  ‘That’s where I live when I’m not filming,’ Jodi said. ‘I bought the house a couple of years ago so my son Saul could go to school in Bakers Valley.’

  ‘Well I’m from a place called Huntersbrook. It’s an estate not a million miles from you, actually. We’re in the process of turning it into a venue for parties and weddings,’ Pippa said. Talking about home brought on a fresh wave of guilt.

  ‘I think I know that place,’ Harry said. ‘It’s got a big horse livery yard, hasn’t it?’

  ‘Yes!’ Pippa said delightedly. ‘But sadly the economic down turn meant my family were forced to change direction. We lost too many of our livery customers to keep going. So this is our way of holding on to the property.’

  ‘Good for you,’ Jodi said. ‘We’ll have to come and have a look some day,’ she said kindly.

  Pippa tried not to fall over in surprise and reminded herself that Jodi was an international superstar and was probably just being polite.

  The time flew as the women fussed and Jodi picked some clothes.

  ‘She’s a cool customer in every way, isn’t she?’ Brianna whispered to Pippa a while later as they packed the clothes in tissue paper. Missy was making it very clear that she was in charge and the others were only there as lowly minions. Pippa and Brianna were leaving her to it.

  ‘I’m amazed by her,’ Pippa said in awe. ‘She’s not up herself at all is she? She’s certainly not a diva.’

  ‘She has that je ne sais quoi though, doesn’t she?’ Brianna said stealing another look across the room.

  ‘She’s so beautiful,’ Pippa breathed. ‘I wish I could be her best friend. I feel like asking if I can go home with her!’

  Brianna laughed. They handed the bags to Marcus and Harry who thanked them and hung back, allowing Jodi to lead them toward the door.

  ‘Thanks so much for staying late to see me,’ Jodi said to them all. ‘I really would love to see Huntersbrook some time,’ she said stopping by Pippa.

  ‘It’s the coolest place,’ Missy oozed. ‘I’m having my birthday party there this weekend. You should come!’ she said. ‘In fact, I’ll give you my mobile number and you can call me.’

  Jodi turned to face Missy and held her head to the side.

  ‘You’re so kind to invite me to your party, Missy,’ she said. ‘But without wanting to sound like an awful bore, I’m really not a party girl. I hope you have a fabulous night though.’

  As she turned to leave, Pippa felt Jodi press a piece of paper into her palm. Jodi was gone before she could even react. Knowing she shouldn’t say a word, Pippa shoved it into her pocket before Missy or Brianna noticed.

  As soon as the limousine pulled away from outside the store, Missy did a little dance on the spot.

  ‘That was totally awesome!’ she said punching the air. ‘Let’s pop a bottle of champers. Dad will assume Jodi or her people drank it.’

  Brianna was just as excited as Missy and rushed after her to collapse on the plush chaise longue in the personal shopping section. Pippa followed, feeling a little dazed.

  ‘She’s stunning in reality, isn’t she?’ Brianna said. ‘Those green eyes! I always thought they made her wear tinted contact lenses on screen. But they’re real. She’s so down to earth, too.’

  ‘Apart from blowing sixteen and a half grand in one fair swoop,’ Missy said. ‘God she’s so bloody cool. Now that’s what I call style. No fuss, no grand gestures but wow, can she shop?’

  ‘Who’s the fella she was with do you think?’ Brianna asked. ‘He seemed quite dull. I wonder if he’s her accountant? He’s not exactly Darius Drew material.’

  ‘Well there aren’t many men in the world like her ex-husband in fairness,’ Pippa pipped up. ‘I thought Harry seemed nice.’

  ‘Yeah, that’s just it though,’ Missy said handing out full-to-the-gills glasses of bubbly. ‘He was too normal.’

  ‘Maybe that’s what she wants,’ Pippa argued. ‘Maybe she’s fed up with Hollywood divas and high maintenance men. Who knows, maybe she wants someone ordinary to hang out with after hours. Like that movie, Notting Hill.’

  It had made worldwide headlines when Jodi Ludlum and Darius Drew announced their divorce. They’d cited ‘location differences’ as the main reason and said they would always be close on account of their son, Saul. Jodi had released a statement saying Darius was her best friend and she would always love him, but it was time to go separate ways.

  ‘I wouldn’t care if Darius was residing in Pluto, I’d fly over every ocean and travel light years to find him,’ Missy said dreamily. ‘He’s probably one of the most divine men alive, don’t you agree?’

  ‘It’s not that simple if you’re Jodi Ludlum,’ Pippa defended. ‘Her career is as strong as his. They really were the golden couple of Hollywood. Maybe it all became too much. Hollywood job . . . Hollywood husband . . . Hollywood overload . . .’

  ‘There’s been surprisingly little mud-slinging since they split, now that you mention it,’ Brianna mused. ‘They really do seem to have managed an amicable divorce.’

  As they drank their champagne Missy called her father to let him know how it had all gone.

  He instructed Missy to put him on speaker phone.

  ‘Well done, ladies,’ Mr Hassett boomed down the line. ‘Needless to say you’ll be rewarded with a nice bonus each in this month’s pay cheque.’

  Hearing their exhilarated boss sounding so thrilled down the phone line made Brianna quite giddy.

  ‘Well done you,’ she said patt
ing Pippa on the leg as they sat on the sofa. ‘She was well on for chatting about the Wicklow hills. Good one. It’s always a fantastic plan to pretend you’re at one with the customers. Even if it is Jodi Ludlum. And you were a bag of nerves as she was arriving. You’re a pro, Missis.’

  Pippa wanted to point out that she wasn’t putting on a show. She’d genuinely enjoyed chatting to Jodi. The champagne went straight to her head as she struggled to act normally.

  As soon as she hung up from her father Missy threw her hands in the air and danced around like a loony.

  ‘Woo-hoo, we rock. Daddy thinks we’re amazeballs. But we’ve to keep schtum about the bonuses or the other workers will be bummed with us.’

  ‘Jeez, Missy,’ Pippa said, sounding rather more scornful than she’d intended. ‘The other workers aren’t some sort of sub-species!’

  ‘Pardon?’ Missy stopped bouncing and narrowed her eyes at Pippa.

  ‘Joke!’ Pippa said, leaping off the sofa and doing a forced little dance. ‘Joke, you silly ninny!’ she said again, rushing over to hug her.

  Missy took the bait and giggled again too. ‘We rock,’ she said swigging the remainder of the champagne from the bottle.

  By the time they were ready to leave, Pippa’s heart was racing once more. She was wired to the moon and knew there was no way she’d get a wink of sleep, but she needed to be alone. The sound of poor Lainey’s voice on the phone earlier was playing on a loop in her head. First thing tomorrow morning she was getting in her car and zooming straight to the hospital.

  ‘Let’s go for a quick celebratory bite to eat and a glass of vino,’ Missy suggested as the security company came to check the alarm was fully set.

  ‘I’m out of here,’ Brianna said. ‘Regretfully, I have a house full of relations who are probably dining on pot noodle as it is.’

  ‘No worries, Brianna. Thanks for everything and see you in the morning,’ Missy said. ‘Yes,’ she hissed while winking at Pippa triumphantly. ‘Just you and me, chick!’

  Pippa thought she was going to cry.