by Anna Jacobs
He grimaced. ‘I sometimes wish I were like him, that’s for sure. Life might be easier if one could be totally ruthless about other people’s feelings. As it is, I was brought up not to create waves and to maintain a calm public face, whatever my personal feelings.’
‘My mother was a bit that way. She always used to say, “What will the neighbours think?” as if that was crucial to any situation.’ Jessica saw him relax still further.
‘Did she really care about the neighbours?’
‘Oh, yes! And she hasn’t changed. She still worries about them and the people at her church, too.’ She hesitated, then couldn’t help adding, ‘The press goads you into losing your self-control sometimes, though, don’t they?’
‘Unfortunately, yes. And certain members of the press are particularly good at it. There’s a man called Frenton, a friend of my ex, who seems to take great delight in treading on my tender spots.’
‘I’m not trying to be inquisitive, Jivan, but if I decide to accept your offer, if we’re going to live together, I’ll need to understand how you really feel about things, if only so that I won’t tread on your toes.’
He looked at her, his face expressionless suddenly. ‘And the same applies to me. But I’ve been able to talk to you more easily than to most people. I think we’ll both gradually learn where to tread lightly.’
And although she admired the hero he’d created, the totally self-contained Sam Shere wasn’t the sort of man who would ever have attracted her. Underneath the public Jivan, she rather suspected there was a badly hurt boy who had hungered for love all his life, and then married a cold-hearted woman who had ripped his feelings to shreds. The wounds might not show, but they were there nonetheless.
Jessica remembered how she’d retreated into herself when she’d been dragged back to England as a child. She’d become more an observer than a participant at the family gatherings.
That sudden loss of her sunny childhood had set her on the path she was now following. Tomorrow’s path might take her in another direction entirely – well, it definitely would if she took up Jivan’s offer.
She spoke without thinking. ‘I’m glad you’re not like Sam Shere, Jivan. He’s too hard, too perfectly in control of himself. A person like that would be impossible to live with.’
‘I’m not sure sometimes that I am possible to live with,’ he said in a low voice.
‘You seem very reasonable to me.’ She could feel her cheeks grow warmer as he stared at her. ‘And you can’t get much closer quarters than this small unit to test that out.’
A reluctant smile spread across his face, ‘Merci du compliment, chérie.’ He blew her a mock kiss. ‘Turning to a more mundane subject – may I have another helping? You’re obviously a talented cook, as well as a brilliant writer. This sauce is not from a packet.’
She smiled. ‘No. It’s an old family recipe. Auntie Ida’s Beef Pot. I’m glad you like it.’
There was a sudden banging on the door.
Jivan frowned at her. ‘Expecting someone?’
‘Definitely not.’
‘I’ll answer it, then.’
‘Thanks.’ She turned to face the door. Something told her that this interruption did not bode well.
‘Press.’ A camera flashed.
‘How dare you!’
The anger in Jivan’s face and voice made her rush across the room before he could do something the press could twist the wrong way. ‘Darling!’ She clutched his arm. ‘Don’t get upset! We knew this was bound to happen.’
The man stared through the fly screen door, his eyes flickering from her face to Jivan’s. ‘I could keep your address secret if you give me an exclusive interview. How long have you known one another?’ The way he said ‘known’ was an insult in itself.
Jivan set Jessica firmly aside and spoke to the reporter. ‘I’m about to close the door. I shall not open it again.’
Jessica stared at him. Years of aristocratic breeding suddenly seemed to radiate from him. Not to mention powerful anger.
There was a moment’s absolute silence, then he started to close the door. The camera flashed again, through the window this time. She came out of her shock and ran to draw the curtains.
When she turned back, Jivan was still standing with his back pressed against the door, hands clenched by his sides. He looked so bitter and unhappy, she walked across and laid her hand on his shoulder.
With an inarticulate murmur, he pulled her into his arms, resting his cheek against her hair, as if he needed comfort. ‘I’m sorry, Jessica. I shouldn’t let them get to me like that. But nowhere seems to be safe from their prying, not even here, where I felt as though I’d found asylum.’
‘It is annoying to have them poking their noses into our lives like that.’ She could have stayed in his arms for ever, but when he moved his head away from hers and stepped back, she forced herself to follow suit.
‘Did the public “darling” mean that you’re going to accept my offer?’ he asked, his voice so low that she could barely hear him.
‘Yes, I am. If you haven’t had second thoughts.’
‘It’s definitely what I want.’ He looked into her eyes, his own very serious, very beautiful and very sad. ‘Are you sure, Jessica? It’s your reputation that’ll suffer, for I have none left.’
‘I’m sure.’
‘I feel I’m taking advantage of your troubles and that doesn’t seem at all fair.’
From somewhere she managed to summon up a smile and say calmly, ‘Don’t be silly! I’m old enough to be responsible for my own life decisions and you’re offering me a golden opportunity to write full-time.’
‘Then I’m honoured, Jessica, and I can’t resist accepting. I think we’ll deal very well together, don’t you?’
‘It won’t be my fault if we don’t. What do you want to call our relationship in public?’
He ran a hand through his hair, rumpling it. ‘People have partners all the time these days. Would that term suit you?’
‘Fine by me. And if they ask about the future, why don’t we just smile and insist we’re getting to know one another better?’
‘Yes. What will your family say? Your mother particularly.’
‘She won’t be pleased, but it’s my life, my decision. I’ll phone them in a day or two. Better if they hear the news from me. Um – I’d prefer to let my family think we’re in love, if you don’t mind.’
‘What will your parents think of my being part Indian?’
Her smile was rueful. ‘I don’t think my mother will mind that aspect. It’s the living in sin that will upset her.’
‘You don’t mind my background at all, do you?’
‘What, after all the aliens I associate with?’ Then she saw that he was in no mood to turn something so important to him into a joke, so she added softly, ‘No, I don’t care one way or another, Jivan. I’m more concerned that you’re a nice person to be with.’
‘I’m not sure I’m even that. When I’m writing, I lose touch with the things and the people around me for days on end and become totally immersed in my tale.’
‘How wonderful! Can I do that, too? I’ve never had the opportunity to lose myself in a story for hours on end, let alone days.’
His smile became warm and friendly again, and he leaned across to clasp her hand. ‘Then it’s agreed. Do you have any champagne? I think our decision calls for a toast.’
‘Only some cheap Aussie champers.’
‘Cheap Aussie champers will do very well, thank you.’
‘It’s in the fridge. Barbara got it for me when she did the shopping. She knows it’s one of my favourite drinks.’
‘Talk about the lucky country.’ He laughed as he crossed the room. ‘Only in Australia would champagne be regarded as a cheap drink, one to be apologised for.’ He returned a few minutes later with two brimming glasses. ‘You’re not having more than one glass tonight, young lady. You’re only just starting to recover.’
She raised
the glass in a toast. ‘Here’s to us. And thank you, Jivan. Thank you for everything.’
He clinked glasses with her and his eyes held hers for a moment. ‘Here’s to our friendship, Jessica!’
And with that she had to be content. It was all he had to offer. Or all he thought he had to offer. She didn’t know whether there was hope for more, but she intended to find out.
Thirteen
By the weekend, Jessica was feeling a lot better. She felt they both needed a break, so suggested a drive out and lunch somewhere. They wound up in Mandurah, the holiday town an hour’s drive south of Perth that she visited occasionally, and stopped to explore it.
As they strolled along the foreshore in the autumn sunshine, they saw dolphins frolicking in the water. One had a baby with it, swimming next to its mother’s side as if held in place by elastic. Jivan stopped, his face alight. ‘Oh, look! How gorgeous!’
They exchanged glances. ‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’ she asked cautiously. He’d told her on the way down that it was time he changed houses.
He nodded. ‘Yes. Let’s find an estate agent.’
There were plenty of ordinary houses to let, but Jivan insisted they needed a larger than average place, and that was more difficult. The third agent they spoke to, a laconic man called Ed, who didn’t seem particularly interested in helping them, shrugged and said dubiously, ‘You might look at some of the canal properties, but all the best ones on our books are for sale, not to rent. I’ve only got a couple of houses to let there and the rents are high.’
‘We’d like to see them,’ Jivan said. ‘My – um, employer won’t mind.’
‘Easier if I drive you.’ Ed heaved himself out of his chair and led them out to the back, where a late model Mercedes was parked out of the sun. He clearly hadn’t recognised Jivan.
They visited the two rental houses but weren’t satisfied. They were on small blocks of land, very close to the nearby houses.
‘Pity you aren’t buying,’ Ed said. ‘I’ve got a cracker of a house going for a bargain price.’
‘Show us,’ Jivan said. ‘It won’t hurt to look.’
Within ten minutes they were there. Ed eased himself out of the car and gestured to a large white house in a very modern box shape. ‘Owner built it for his retirement and died of a heart attack before it was finished, poor sod. His wife doesn’t want to live here on her own. She’s not short of money, so she just wants to get rid of it as soon as possible. Any decent offer will secure it.’
Jessica didn’t think much of the outside, but was delighted with the inside. All the main living areas overlooked the water and were large, airy rooms. The two main bedrooms upstairs had en suite bathrooms and also overlooked the man-made canals. Pelicans swam past, moving this way and that in a perfectly synchronised ballet.
Jivan had to nudge her to continue their inspection of the house, which had five bedrooms in all, a games room, huge casual living areas and elegant formal entertaining areas.
When they’d finished the tour, Ed said, ‘Why don’t you two go round again? Take your time. I’ve got my iPad with me.’
Jivan turned to Jessica as the door closed behind Ed. ‘Your face has already given you away. He knows perfectly well that you love the place.’
‘Oh, dear. I’m sorry.’
He chuckled. ‘I like it, too. Let’s walk round again and decide how we could divide it up if we lived here.’
‘But you didn’t want to buy a house, just rent.’
‘I can afford it.’
‘What about the press?’
‘The street side of the house is the rear, and the whole place is like Fort Knox, so there’s poor access unless people come past on the water. And even from there I don’t think they’ll be able to see into the rooms on the canal side. Didn’t Ed say they have some special sort of glass on the windows to keep the sun out?’
‘Yes. Do you really, truly want to live here? Since you’re paying, it has to be your decision.’
‘I’ll buy it, then.’
She gaped at him. ‘Just like that?’
‘Exactly like that. There are some advantages to being a bestselling author. But my agent will complete the sale for me so that my name isn’t on any of the papers people see.’
‘That’s wonderful.’ She couldn’t resist it. She twirled round, spreading her arms out and making happy noises, then realised how silly she must look and stopped, blushing.
He stepped forward and held out his arms. ‘May I have the next dance?’
She walked into his arms. ‘Certainly.’
He began to hum a waltz tune and they circled the room solemnly, then he let go of one of her hands and pulled her towards him. Without hesitation she lifted her face for a kiss. It was only the lightest touch of his lips, but it seemed to set the seal on a very happy day.
When he moved away and offered his arm, she tucked her hand in it and they went round the house yet again.
‘Now, let me see if I can still drive a hard bargain,’ he said. ‘I’m pretty sure I get that skill from my father.’
When they got back to Perth, Jessica was still radiating happiness and Jivan watched her in both surprise and amusement. He had never met a woman who took so much pleasure in simple things.
The fact that he was becoming fond of Jessica was beginning to worry him a little. He realised she’d said something and was waiting for an answer. ‘Sorry. I was miles away.’
‘How soon can we move in?’ she repeated patiently.
‘I’ll have to go back to Queensland and sort things out there first. Not to mention getting a removal firm in to transport my personal effects a few thousand miles.’
‘We can move down to Mandurah as soon as you get back and camp out on my furniture to start with.’ She looked round her villa and pulled a wry face. ‘That house makes this seem even more poky, doesn’t it?’
‘Mmm.’ He hesitated, then gave in to temptation. ‘Will you come across to Queensland with me, Jessica, and help me decide what to keep and what to sell? Apart from anything else, a holiday would do you good.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, I’ve never been to Queensland, so I’d like that. Only I don’t want to cause you too much expense.’
He laughed and pulled her towards him for a hug. ‘Jessica, you are the least expensive female I’ve ever met. It’ll be really good to have your company.’
‘Then I accept.’ She moved out of his arms. ‘I’ll have to pack up my own things as well. I’ve bought a few pieces since I came here, because it was so minimally furnished. We could use my furniture in the unimportant rooms like my office, to save a bit of money.’
‘Would you be offended if I said I’d prefer to get new furniture? I don’t like rooms to look … ad hoc.’
‘Isn’t that a bit of a waste?’
‘I’m not exactly short of money and I feel I more than earn my creature comforts.’
‘I’ll give the things to my favourite charity, then. And I’ll resign from my job tomorrow. I’ll keep my car, though, so that I have transport of my own in Mandurah.’
He hesitated, then shook his head. ‘I’m afraid you can’t do that. They’ll be able to trace your car. I’ll lease one for us.’
He hated to see her pleasure fade. ‘I did warn you there would be downsides to living with me.’
To Jessica’s astonishment, cameras began to flash at Brisbane airport and a small group of reporters barred their way. She looked sideways at Jivan and saw him frown, as if he hadn’t expected this either.
The reporters, she noticed, were not in the friendliest of moods. It was as if they took Jivan’s hostility so much for granted that they were annoyed by it before the questions even started.
‘Are we going to be hearing wedding bells again, Jivan?’ one of them called mockingly.
‘Does she know about your temper?’ asked another.
Jivan’s hand tightened on Jessica’s arm and sh
e pressed closer to him. ‘I don’t like this!’ she whispered.
‘Do you think I do?’
The anger on his face worried her, so she decided to try to divert his attention. ‘All right, JC, let’s see who can look the most smoochy and loving. Bet you I win!’ She draped herself against him and gazed soulfully into his eyes. To her relief, he chuckled and then gave her a hug and a warm, sexy look.
Of course the cameras caught it.
A microphone was thrust near their faces. ‘Tell us about your wedding plans,’ said a man with an acne-scarred face and a cynical expression.
Jivan’s hand jerked in Jessica’s, but his smile stayed more or less put. ‘I didn’t know you were in Australia, Frenton.’
‘Oh, I like to get around. Well? When’s the wedding?’
‘We just want to – er – get to know one another better first.’
‘You seem a lot more relaxed today, Jivan,’ someone else called out. ‘Is that a woman’s magic touch?’
Jivan was staring down at Jessica so intently that the noise around them seemed to recede for a minute. Then the long furry microphone waggled for attention right under their noses and he took a deep breath. ‘You could say that.’
A woman’s voice called, ‘How did you meet? Jessica, how about you answering some questions? Give us a woman’s point of view on the great Jivan Childering.’
‘Did you fall madly in love with him at first sight?’ It was the sneering voice again.
‘Jivan presented me with a prize. That’s how we met.’ She was immediately angry with herself for sounding so feeble.
‘Jessica was the winner of the British Write A Bestseller competition a couple of years ago, a major coup. Her book One Small Planet is brilliant. She also won the Australasian Star-Writer Award recently with the ongoing series.’
A woman’s voice exclaimed, ‘That’s where I know her face from. I covered that function. It’s Jessica Lord, isn’t it?’
She nodded.
‘So it’s a meeting of minds, as well as bodies?’ the hostile voice sneered.
