Flight Of Fantasy

by Parv, Valerie

  ‘Then come down and I’ll give you a ride on my boom microphone,’ he suggested with a questioning lift of his eyebrows towards Eden.

  Eden gave the little girl a playful push. ‘Off you go and enjoy yourself, but do everything Len tells you. OK?’

  With a long-suffering sigh which told Eden that her status as mother was now totally accepted, Katie nodded and went off with Len to the brightly lit studio floor.

  Moments later, Dana Drury dropped into a chair beside Eden, her heart-shaped face shining from the hot studio lights. Ignoring Eden, she blotted her face delicately and sipped mineral water, while watching the activities on the studio floor.

  ‘It’s such a joy working with a professional like Slade,’ she said, the sudden admission surprising Eden.

  ‘Have you worked together before?’

  Dana’s look was almost pitying. ‘Not worked, exactly. But we did know each other...ah... very well.’

  Which was Eden’s cue to ask just how well, she thought. Well, she was darned if she would give Dana the opportunity to needle her with suspicions which were probably groundless. He had married Eden, hadn’t he?

  Taking another sip of mineral water, Dana laughed lightly. ‘You’re dying to ask for details, aren’t you?’

  ‘Why should I? I didn’t ask Slade for a vow of celibacy before we were married.’

  ‘But what about afterwards?’

  The question was asked so softly that Eden wondered if she’d heard correctly. The comment made her feel sick at heart but she kept her expression impassive. She said the first thing which came into her head. ‘I didn’t actually ask for a vow of celibacy afterwards, either.’

  Dana’s finely pencilled eyebrows arched. ‘My, my, such a liberated approach to marriage. No wonder Slade settled on you.’

  Eden was driven to ask, ‘What do you mean, settled on me?’

  ‘As a suitable candidate for the wife he needed.’

  ‘Because of Bob Hamilton and the money, you mean?’

  The other woman shook her head. ‘I don’t know about the money, but I do know that Slade needed a wife so he could go on seeing me without making headlines all the time.’

  Pressure built up at Eden’s temples until she felt ready to explode. It was an effort to keep her tone even. ‘I’m sure he could have found a simpler way than committing himself to me for life.’

  Dana’s full mouth twitched. ‘For life? What a quaint idea. Given Slade’s attitude to marriage, he’s hardly likely to agree with you. But I suppose it is convenient to have a babysitter on tap.’

  Waves of nausea gripped Eden but she fought them. ‘I don’t think this is anyone’s business but ours.’

  Dana’s famous smile was cool, all the warmth apparently being reserved for the camera. ‘Of course, ours includes me.’ She put a beautifully manicured hand to her mouth. ‘Oh, dear, am I talking out of turn?’

  Eden wasn’t fooled by the feigned concern. Dana knew what she was saying, and it took considerable will-power on Eden’s part to conceal her distress. ‘I can’t believe we’re having this conversation,’ she denied. ‘It’s like a bad script out of a soap opera.’

  Dana’s husky laugh rippled through the air. ‘Where do you think soap operas get their inspiration, if not from real life?’

  Eden’s mind refused to accept the idea that Dana was involved with Slade, his marriage no more than a smokescreen. ‘This is ridiculous,’ she said, gaining her feet in a fluid movement.

  ‘Is it? How many times has your husband arrived home early in the last week? Your face tells it all. Not once. And how much energy does he have for you when he is home?’ She examined her fingernails critically. ‘I hope I haven’t exhausted him for you.’

  Eden’s bleak gaze betrayed the truth—that Slade had kept a succession of late nights. When he did come to bed it was to fall into a fatigued sleep.

  Dana’s explanation wasn’t the only possible one but it would explain Slade’s recent lack of interest in their relationship.

  ‘Sorry to break up the girl talk, but you’re needed on the set, Dana,’ Slade said, coming up to join them.

  Dana’s smile was brilliant. ‘Darling, I told Eden that I hope I didn’t exhaust you with our late nights last week.’

  ‘I’m sure Eden understands the pressure of work,’ he drawled, resting his hands on the back of Dana’s chair.

  ‘Yes, she was just telling me what a liberated marriage you two have.’

  His eyes glittered and Eden cringed at the way her words were being twisted. ‘Was she, indeed?’

  Dana gave a provocative laugh. ‘She’s more honest than most, Slade. Not many women would admit to another woman that they married because of money.’

  As she saw his jaw tighten, Eden’s mind screamed a protest. ‘I was talking about the money you wanted Bob Hamilton to have,’ she said.

  His cold expression raked her. ‘Indeed? What other intimate details did you discuss during your cosy chat?’

  He thought she had betrayed his confidence but it was only because she thought Dana already knew about the money. Miserably, she fell silent.

  Dana hooked her arm through his. ‘We talked about lots of things. You, mostly, since we have you in common.’

  The words of denial Eden expected from Slade never came. Instead, he patted the other woman’s hand. ‘We’d better get back to work.’

  Steeling her heart against the ache which wound around it, Eden forced a smile. ‘What time shall I expect you for dinner, Slade?’

  His backward glance was cool. ‘Don’t wait for me. I expect to be tied up until late.’

  As they walked towards the brightly lit circle, Dana stretched up to speak into his ear and her words carried back to Eden, as doubtless they were intended to do. ‘We’re at the Australis Hotel tonight, aren’t we?’

  Eden didn’t catch Slade’s reply. The nod was enough. A sharp pain cut through her and she slumped, crossing her arms defensively over herself.

  It was true, then. Her marriage was nothing more than a smokescreen for Slade’s affair with Dana Drury. Perhaps it was planned from the beginning, the bet with Bob Hamilton providing a convenient cover story.

  It shouldn’t come as a surprise. She’d known all along that Slade wasn’t the marrying kind. Nevertheless, she felt as betrayed as a real wife whose husband was having an affair.

  ‘You look like someone who’s lost a dollar and found ten cents,’ Len Helliger said, coming up to her.

  Katie giggled. ‘What good would that be? Oh, I see, then you wouldn’t look happy, would you?’

  For Katie’s sake, Eden managed a smile. ‘Better?’

  ‘Heaps. Mr Helliger—Len—has invited us to lunch in the comm...comm...’

  ‘Commissary,’ Len supplied. ‘For some reason, canteens in TV studios are called commissaries. It’s traditional.’

  His light-hearted banter was the balm Eden needed to restore her spirits. She agreed to let Len take them to lunch and accepted his offer of a lift home, since he had finished work early. The meal provided the distraction Eden needed. Little was demanded of her, Katie supplying an endless stream of chatter about her experience in the studio.

  At home, Len refused their invitation to coffee and thrust a videotape into Katie’s hands. ‘A souvenir of her screen test this morning,’ he explained gruffly.

  The telephone was ringing as they went inside. Eden picked it up to save Ellen the bother. ‘Well, well, if it isn’t the surprise bride.’

  Recognising the deep voice, she smiled. ‘Bob Hamilton, where are you calling from?’

  ‘Hobart, of course. I’m only in town for one day and I hoped you and Slade could join me for dinner.’

  ‘I’m afraid he’s working late, but I’ll try to reach him at the studio and call you back.’

  She noted the number of his hotel room then dialled the television studio, asking to be put through to Slade Benedict in studio four.

  There was a long silence then the receptionist
said, ‘I’m afraid he’s already left the building. You can reach him at the Australis Hotel.’

  Eden didn’t bother writing down the number she was given. She wasn’t going to call Slade there or anywhere else. If Dana answered the phone, she would die.

  Hanging up, she stared at her image in the hall mirror, hardly recognising her wan reflection. What was going on here? In Katie, and her marriage, she had everything she had a right to expect from life. Why did it matter whether or not Slade was faithful to her?

  Unless...Oh, God, could she have been stupid enough to fall in love with him? It was the only explanation for the turmoil which racked her. Why else would she care how he spent his nights?

  Telling herself it was pure chemistry was no longer enough. The truth had to be faced. She could never have given herself to him with such abandon unless love had begun to flourish between them. No, not between them. On her side, she acknowledged painfully.

  He would be horrified if he knew what she was thinking. Love was a minefield he preferred to avoid. Could he have sensed her growing attachment to him before she did, distancing himself before it became a millstone? It seemed all too likely.

  Bob Hamilton didn’t seem put out when Eden informed him she couldn’t reach Slade. ‘No problem—you and I will have a good night by ourselves. Serve him right for being a workaholic.’

  The word triggered a memory of Dana calling Slade the same thing. Sauce for the goose...but not really, because she had no interest in Bob other than as a friend. All the same, his invitation was an improvement on spending another evening at home alone.

  Marriage had certainly improved her wardrobe, she thought as she dressed for dinner. Since Slade believed that she had married him for money, she had bought the clothes in a fit of pique, almost to justify his suspicions. By the time she regretted the impulse as unworthy it was too late. Slade had seen the clothes.

  Her choice of a tie-fronted surplice blouse over a straight velvet evening skirt was simple and elegant. It was also vaguely nun-like and she wondered if it was an omen.

  Ellen was happy to look after Katie for the evening. ‘She’ll probably go to bed early after her exciting day,’ she said. ‘She must have played that videotape of herself a dozen times.’ Eden nodded, glad that one of them had gained something from the day.

  Bob had made reservations for them in the restaurant belonging to his hotel, a lavish French establishment which might have daunted Eden if she’d been in a less defiant frame of mind.

  ‘Like it?’ Bob asked when they were seated.

  ‘It’s impressive.’

  ‘But out of a country doctor’s budget,’ he said.

  ‘Luckily one of my benefactors is paying the bill.’

  ‘A patient?’

  ‘He used to be, when I had a practice in Hobart. Now I work in the outback, he funds my work there and calls on me for a second opinion when he needs one.’

  She took him at his word, but she had overestimated her appetite. When the food arrived she could barely touch it, earning a look of concern from Bob.

  ‘What’s wrong, Eden?’ he asked, taking the fork from her hand. ‘Is it anything to do with Slade?’

  ‘Every marriage has its ups and downs,’ she dissembled.

  He played with his wine glass. ‘So this is a down; right?’ When she looked away, he nodded. ‘You picked a hard man to tame, I’m afraid. I could have predicted trouble when I first saw you together, even before you were legally married.’

  Realising what he’d said, she felt her eyes widen. ‘You knew? But how?’

  He picked up her right hand and ran his finger along the gold band. ‘No wedding-ring, at least not then.’

  She grinned. In the rush, neither she nor Slade had thought of a ring until the real ceremony. ‘Does Slade know that you guessed the truth?’

  He shook his head. ‘I hadn’t, but your reaction just convinced me I was right.’

  ‘You tricked me.’

  ‘Sometimes it’s the best way.’

  One thing was puzzling her. ‘Why didn’t you say anything at the time?’

  He twirled the glass in large fingers. ‘Slade doesn’t need the money from our bet and my kids do. If his pride wouldn’t let him be honest...’

  She almost choked on a mouthful of wine. ‘His pride? He was worried about your pride.’

  ‘I have none where my kids are concerned. I’d beg in the streets if it helped to fund another clinic.’

  If only Slade had known, it would have saved her so much heartache. Now the damage was done. ‘Men,’ she complained. ‘You are the most contrary creatures.’

  ‘We need to be, to keep up with our womenfolk,’ he said, raising his glass to her in a toast.

  Moments later, they were interrupted by the insistent call of Bob’s beeper. ‘Penalty of dining with a doctor,’ he said with an apologetic smile at Eden.

  He went to a phone and returned moments later. ‘My benefactor and occasional patient is in a bit of bother and he needs my attention.’

  ‘Is it serious?’

  He turned grave. ‘It could be. His own doctor is out of town so he naturally turned to me. I’m sorry about the evening.’

  She waved him away. ‘It’s all right. I’ll take a taxi home. Call me and let me know what happens.’

  ‘You’re an angel. I hope it works out for you and Slade.’

  Still murmuring apologies, he left and Eden was alone. She didn’t feel like drinking coffee without him so she asked the doorman to order a taxi for her. Declining his offer to wait inside, she went out into the cool, refreshing night air.

  Seconds later, a sleek maroon Jaguar purred to a stop alongside her and she recognised Slade at the wheel. ‘What are you... ?’ she began.

  He gestured impatiently through the open passenger door, his expression grim. ‘Get in. I’ve been looking for you.’

  CHAPTER NINE

  EDEN barely had time to settle herself on the Jaguar’s leather seat before the car leapt away from the kerb. ‘Can’t you slow down, please?’ she asked, snapping her seatbelt into place.

  He shot her an angry glance. ‘Advice I could well give to you.’

  What on earth was the matter with him? ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘Isn’t it obvious? Since I wasn’t available to take you out tonight, you wasted no time in finding yourself another escort.’

  He was angry because he thought she’d been out on a date! It was so preposterous that she almost laughed, thinking that it would serve him right for spending the evening with Dana Drury. It wasn’t as if he cared where she was or with whom. He was probably annoyed because she’d taken the initiative. ‘How did you know where to find me?’ she asked.

  ‘Ellen told me where you’d gone for dinner and Dana told me with whom.’

  Her startled glance flew to his face. ‘Dana told you? How did she know?’

  ‘She saw you leave the studio with Len Helliger.’

  ‘With Len? I wasn’t with Len tonight.’

  His hands tightened on the steering-wheel. ‘Don’t lie, Eden. Dana wasn’t the only one who saw you go off in Len’s car.’

  ‘Did they also note that Katie was with us? Len dropped us both off at the house then went home to his wife and family,’ she emphasised, mortified that he could still suspect her of such behaviour.

  ‘So you arranged to meet him tonight for dinner,’ he persisted grimly.

  ‘Why are you doing this? The only person I met tonight was Bob Hamilton, who flew in to see a patient. I only went alone because I couldn’t reach you at the studio.’

  He sucked in a slow breath. ‘I see.’

  ‘What’s more, Bob was called to attend his patient halfway through dinner. When he calls you tomorrow, you can accuse him then of having an affair with your wife.’

  She was so angry she could hardly see. How dared he accuse her of being unfaithful after spending the evening with Dana Drury? Eden was tempted to demand that he stop the car here a
nd now and let her out.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he said quietly.

  Stunned, she released her grip on the door-handle. ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘I said I’m sorry. When I heard that you’d gone off with Helliger, I saw red. I should have given you the chance to explain.’

  ‘It would have helped,’ she agreed, her temper cooling a little. Knowing about Slade’s father, she shouldn’t be surprised if he reacted so badly over her dinner with Bob. All the same, she couldn’t help wondering why he should care so much, when he plainly didn’t love her.

  He spun the car around a sharp turn and the seatbelt cut into her breasts. She looked around, confused. ‘This isn’t the way home.’

  He shook his head. ‘We’re going to Dana’s apartment. She telephoned to say that she needs me.’

  If he had punched her, she couldn’t have felt more shocked. After calling her to account for an innocent evening out, he was openly flaunting his interest in Dana. ‘Wasn’t it enough that you spent the evening with her?’ she asked, unable to keep the bitterness out of her tone.

  His fingers drummed a tattoo on the steering-wheel. ‘We worked late this evening, which is hardly the same thing. The Australis Hotel lent us their facilities for one of the videos. The studio should have told you where I was when you called.’

  A confusing morass of emotions threatened to engulf her. Had he really, been working at the hotel with Dana? Was their so-called affair merely a product of her suspicious mind?

  ‘Did Dana tell you what her problem is?’ she asked.

  Lights from an oncoming car flared through the Jaguar, illuminating Slade’s world-weary expression. Then the interior darkened and his voice reached her out of the shadows. ‘You may as well know what’s going on. Dana wanted something to happen between us tonight and when I wouldn’t co-operate she became depressed.’

  ‘But she has so much.’ Why did she want Eden’s husband? was the unspoken corollary.

  ‘Not as much as everyone thinks. Her career is teetering on a knife-edge. The ratings have slipped lately and the channel is thinking of bringing in a co-presenter to revitalise things.’

  Eden began to understand a little of the other woman’s dilemma. ‘She’s never shared the limelight with anyone.’