‘We love you, Jodi,’ they yelled.
Like a true lady, she’d worked the entire semi-circle of railings, calling to people who were three or four rows back from her. ‘I love you too, and thanks for coming to see me!’ she’d said, smiling and waving.
Tugging at his jacket, Mac had appeared, looking mildly hassled. Her smile didn’t waver as she whispered to him, ‘Where the hell have you been?’
‘Things to do, people to see, but I’m here now. Jesus, you look divine. Isn’t my girlfriend the sexiest woman alive?’ he shouted to the crowd. Wolf whistles and cheers gave him the response he needed. Holding his hand to his ear, he urged them to cheer louder.
Jodi waved and blew kisses, then hitched up the front of her dress and began to walk along the red carpet towards the entrance of the Royal Opera House.
Mac had linked her arm and posed like a pro as they halted at the main photographers’ pool.
‘Who’s the gown by?’
‘Dior – isn’t it beautiful?’ Jodi said.
‘It’s the hanger, not the dress,’ one man shouted.
Moving inside, Jodi had wanted to hit Mac. He was as high as a kite and behaving as if he owned the place.
That pattern had continued for another year before she finally called a halt to their relationship.
Heartbroken and feeling as if she wasn’t capable of earning anyone’s love, she had been shocked when Noelle had sat her down saying Mac was threatening to sell their story. ‘He’s planning on spilling the whole shooting match. He even says he’s spoken to some of the people from your old estate and they’re willing to back him up,’ Noelle explained. ‘I know you’re well able to deal with the backlash but, quite frankly, his timing isn’t great. He’s going to say you lost the baby because you drank yourself into a stupor. That he’s never going to get over the loss of his child and he’ll never forgive you. The low-life he’s hooked up with from the Dayfield Estate remembers your mother. Mac has convinced him that you’re your mother’s daughter.’ Noelle sighed heavily. ‘I’ve nearly got this next deal in the bag. Reggie is at nine million pounds right now. So we don’t need that little git messing this up.’
‘What do you suggest?’ Jodi was terrified.
So had begun the years of paying Mac to keep quiet. Her marriage to Darius had taken place soon after that.
None of them had anticipated how much Jodi and Darius would come to love one another.
Now, as Jodi dumped her handbag on the kitchen counter in her cottage, her mobile rang. ‘Hi, Darius,’ she said, instantly smiling.
‘Don’t keep me in suspense. I’m dying here for you. How was it? How was he? How are you, more to the point?’
‘It wasn’t that bad,’ Jodi admitted. ‘It’s done now and I know the next couple of weeks are going to be a total pain, but I’ll get through it.’
‘You’re so strong, honey.’
‘Mostly down to you, Darius. You and Saul are my angels.’
‘I’m so proud of you.’
‘Thanks, sweetheart,’ Jodi said. ‘I’ll keep you posted but I’m oddly calm about it all. I know I should be tearing my hair out right now and biting my nails to the quick about what’s going to explode in the press. But I’m in a whole new zone.’
‘I can hear it in your voice, darling.’
They chatted for a few minutes until Darius had to go.
‘Call me any time, day or night. God only knows what’s going to kick off with this story,’ he said.
‘Let them have their field day,’ Jodi reiterated. ‘The hiding is over, Darius.’
She hung up with a head full of mixed emotions. Relief, sadness, new-found happiness and, above all, excitement and hope for the future.
Chapter 34
Francine and Carl arrived home with a car full of their own hope. The children weren’t fighting quite as much – Howie had spent the entire journey passing wind, uniting them in disgust.
‘He’s just done another ripper,’ Cara had screamed at one point. ‘All take cover!’ Amid giggles, they held their noses and opened the windows.
‘That was a good one, boy,’ Cameron said, patting the puppy’s head and grinning.
‘He’s going back on his proper food this evening,’ Francine said firmly, as Carl and children dissolved into more giggles.
‘Here we are, home, sweet home,’ Carl announced. ‘I for one am delighted to be free of the car and Stinker Howie.’
‘It’s not his fault really,’ Craig said, defending him. ‘Mrs Clear gave him scrambled eggs for breakfast. I don’t think dogs are meant to eat that.’
‘You’re right,’ Francine said. ‘And I’m going to get Howie some charcoal biscuits.’
‘When can we put up our Christmas tree?’ Craig asked, as they all piled into the house.
‘Well, I usually prefer to wait until the second weekend in December but I could make an exception, if you like,’ Francine said. ‘I’ll tell you what, we’ll decorate it on the first of December. Deal?’
‘Deal.’ Craig grinned.
‘We’ll have to do our Christmas lists too,’ Cara said.
‘For sure,’ Francine agreed.
‘Howie will have to get a stocking,’ Cameron pointed out.
‘He’s already helped himself to so many, along with shoes and other things from the house, that I don’t know if Santa will think he deserves another,’ Francine said.
‘Maybe he could get a present of a cork for his bottom to stop all that farting!’ Conor laughed.
Life in Verbena Drive went forward at a more even pace after the family trip. Cameron saw Nuala twice weekly, and although he was still prone to meltdowns, they were all learning how best to deal with them.
Mr Matthews had been brilliant too. He’d phoned and talked to Nuala so they could help Cameron together. ‘It’s best that we’re all consistent. Once Cameron knows we’re all on the same page, it’ll make things smoother all around,’ he had pointed out.
Francine was still baking, but most of her delights were now produced in daytime hours.
‘Francine, will we be having our Christmas bazaar this year or would you rather leave it? Of course, Jane and I could take on the organisation if things are too fraught for you,’ Andrea said, at drop-off time one morning.
That had been the prompt Francine had needed to get herself back into her previous routine.
She’d gone to the hairdresser’s for the first time in months and relished having polished, properly coiffed hair once again. When she’d got home, she’d gone straight to her office and selected her Christmas trimmed-with-tinsel file. She’d call a parents’ committee meeting that day and get on with delegating the jobs. Although it was an annual event, Francine was well aware that none of these things happened by themselves.
Glancing at her watch, she saw that she needed to speed back to the school and collect Cameron.
As she drove there, her mobile phone rang.
‘Francine, this is Nurse Gillian at the Bakers Valley old folks’ home.’
‘Hello, what can I do for you?’ Francine asked cheerily.
‘We’ve had a bit of a catastrophe. Our oven has given up the ghost and I’ve been on to the health service and they’ve told me there isn’t any funding to replace it,’ she said, sounding devastated. ‘I know you’re fantastic at organising fundraisers and I was wondering if you could help.’
‘You couldn’t have phoned at a better time. I’m meeting the parents’ committee either tomorrow or the next day to discuss this year’s Christmas bazaar,’ Francine explained. ‘We haven’t assigned a charity for our proceeds yet so I’m delighted to inform you that I’ve just taken an executive decision to appoint the home as the recipient.’
‘Oh, Francine!’ Nurse Gillian gasped. ‘I don’t know how to thank you.’
‘No need. We’ll be thrilled to help. Leave it with me and I’ll keep you posted. I will, as usual, issue an invitation to all your residents to join the party on the day. There’
ll be tea and mince pies, of course, and the children’s choir always brings a smile to their faces.’
By the time they’d hung up and she was making her way to the classroom door Francine had a spring in her step. There was a sizeable gathering of mothers outside the classroom.
‘Ladies, how are we all today? Now, I’ll ring the others, but there’s an emergency Christmas bazaar meeting in the hall here tomorrow morning at nine after drop-off. I’ve had a call from Nurse Gillian at the old folks’ home. They’re in dire straits and need our help.’
There was a bit of chatter and the women agreed they’d all be there the following day.
Francine knew she had a long and arduous battle ahead with Cameron. Nothing would be plain sailing with him, but she also knew her entire world didn’t have to stop either. She felt more like her old self than she had for months.
Chapter 35
The dust settled amazingly quickly for Jodi. She’d made the front page of most of the papers and, other than a couple of expected nasty comments, that was it.
The only person she was still concerned about was Darius.
‘I can’t believe it’ll be the first of December next week,’ he said. ‘I’m looking forward to getting back to London and coming to you guys for Christmas.’
‘Saul is counting the days and so am I. We’re going to have the most amazing Christmas,’ she vowed. ‘There might be an extra couple of people at the table – I like to look after my neighbours, you know!’
‘It’s a good job you live in the middle of nowhere with only one house nearby or you might end up being the topic of gossip.’
‘Imagine people gossiping about me!’ she said sarcastically.
Sebastian and Saul arrived back from a couple of hours on the farm as Jodi put the phone down. ‘Hi, boys,’ she said.
‘Hi, Mum.’ Saul pulled off his wellies and ran to hug her.
‘That was Dad on the phone,’ she told him. ‘He’s so excited about seeing you.’
‘I can’t wait to see him too. Maybe this time he can meet Sebastian properly.’
‘Sure,’ Sebastian agreed.
‘Can he go up to your house and watch the mirror television?’ Saul asked.
‘Of course he can.’
Saul ran off to his bedroom to play with his Lego.
‘I had such a sense of Blake at the school today when I collected Saul,’ Sebastian said. ‘Christmas always brings fresh sadness.’
‘I wish I’d known him,’ Jodi said.
‘Thanks. I’ve come a long way this year, Jodi. It’s made such a difference to me, having yourself and little Saul in my life.’
‘Well, your friendship has given me the confidence to believe that all men aren’t awful,’ she said simply.
‘Your faith would’ve been restored before long. I don’t think I should get the credit for that.’
‘It’s taken me a long, long time to realise that I was in love with someone who never actually existed.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Mac was there for me once upon a time,’ she explained. ‘He helped me make the transition from backstreet urchin to movie star. Full stop. All the rest was my yearning for love. When I lost that baby I felt it was God’s way of showing me that I wasn’t worthy of happiness.’
‘Oh, Jodi …’
‘It took the move to the cottage for me to see myself from the outside. I know I’m successful and I’m bloody grateful for the opportunities I’ve had. But living a “real” life has made me see that I could dare to wish for real friendship too.’
‘Of course you should,’ Sebastian agreed. ‘You deserve to find love again too, Jodi.’
The landline rang and Saul charged from his bedroom to answer it as Jodi walked away from Sebastian, running her fingers through her hair.
‘Hi, Uncle Tommy!’ Saul said, bouncing up and down. ‘Why aren’t you on Skype?’ Jodi was beside Saul now, a little concerned about her brother, but her son’s huge smile and shouts of delight reassured her everything was all right.
‘I have a baby boy cousin!’ he said, hurling the phone at Jodi.
‘Hey,’ she said, as she caught the phone. ‘Tell me everything!’
Tommy explained that Maisy had gone into labour a few weeks early and baby Liam had arrived an hour ago. ‘He’s tiny but so perfect, Jodi!’ Tommy sounded exhausted but ecstatic.
‘Oh, darling, I’m so delighted for you both. And you’ve gone with an Irish name!’ she said, through happy tears.
‘We thought he should fly the tricolour flag if he’s going to grow up an Aussie!’
‘That’s fantastic,’ Jodi said. ‘Give Maisy our love, won’t you? How is she doing?’
‘She’s brilliant, Jodi. I’m the luckiest man alive,’ Tommy said.
By the time they’d hung up, Saul and Sebastian had gone off to make a tank out of Lego in the bedroom.
‘That’s great news,’ Sebastian said, with a grin.
‘I couldn’t be happier for him,’ Jodi agreed. ‘Although I’d love Tommy to live right beside me, I’m glad he’s going to have his own life down under. He’s physically and mentally thousands of miles from the grim life he began.’
‘You both are,’ Sebastian said evenly.
Jodi sighed happily. For the first time ever, the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that was her life were finally slotting into place.
Chapter 36
A couple of weeks later, as Francine helped Carl put on his beard and settle in the big armchair at the school’s grotto (which was actually a four-man tent from Lidl with a large sheet of red felt draped over the top adorned with several yards of cotton wool), she had pep in her step once more.
‘Where will I put the mistletoe?’ Jane asked, as she wrestled with an enormous bunch.
‘Glad you asked me that,’ Francine said, with a twinkle in her eye. ‘I’ve added a new feature this year! A kissing corner! I thought it would be a fun way of raising another few euro. It’s fifty cents a kiss and people can stand under this … Ta-da!’ Francine produced a cardboard sign in the same shape as the top of a pagoda. She’d painstakingly decorated it with red and green fabric, cotton wool and glitter, and had even included a hook for the mistletoe to hang from. ‘I’ve woven lights through it too, so once I hang it from the hooks on the ceiling above the stage and plug it in, it’ll be amazing,’ she said. ‘I wanted it to go above the stage so that people can give each other a kiss in full view of us all so that we can clap and have a bit of a giggle.’
‘That’s a great idea,’ Andrea said. ‘I’m dragging John up there in a while. He’ll probably want to box me afterwards but it’ll be worth it.’
‘Yeah, my Richard’s going up, even if I have to drag him.’ Jane laughed.
Once the PA system was hooked up, the Christmas music was pumping out and the fairy lights were switched on, the atmosphere was fantastic.
‘There’s nothing like the smell of mince pies to make you feel festive, is there?’ Francine was buzzing around, putting the finishing touches to the cakes table.
‘How much should I charge for second-hand CDs?’ a woman asked Francine. ‘Maybe two euro?’
‘Whatever you can get,’ Francine said practically.
There had been an overwhelming response to the call for gifts for the stalls that year. As well as donating money to the old folks’ home’s oven fund, Francine had asked for new toys to be placed in a special area for the St Vincent de Paul. As people filed through the doors, the pile of toys grew higher and higher.
‘Isn’t it wonderful to see what a generous community we have around us?’ Francine clasped her hands in delight.
Jodi and Saul were waiting impatiently in their car for Darius to emerge from the airport.
‘I wish I could go in there and see him,’ Saul said, his eyes pleading.
‘Me too, but it’s such a busy time that if Daddy and I are spotted it’ll take us ages to get out of there. We’ll miss the Christmas bazaar.’
A tap on the window sent Saul into excited screeches. ‘Daddy!’ He flung open the door and Darius jumped in, laughing.
‘Hey, dude! Oh, my God, you’ve grown huge!’ he said, genuinely startled. ‘What’s Mum been feeding you?’
‘It’s the country air,’ Saul said, and Jodi did a double-take: he’d sounded exactly like Sebastian.
She hugged Darius and they clipped Saul into his booster seat between them. As they drove to the school the car was filled with excited chatter.
‘Here’s my school gate!’ Saul shouted eventually, pointing wildly. Although Darius had passsed by as he’d made his way to the cottage for the photo shoot a couple of months previously, he’d only seen a flashing glimpse of the place.
‘We’ll drop my bags at the cottage first. You and Mum stay in the car, and we’ll be back here before you can blink,’ Darius promised.
When the couple walked into the school hall a few minutes later, the villagers gasped. They were getting used to seeing Jodi, but they were unable to hide their awe at her and Darius turning up together.
Jodi had done her hair and makeup and was wearing a navy glittery dress with sky-high Louboutin shoes, topped off with an ink-coloured fur shrug tied in a large satin bow to one side. Darius was head to toe in Paul Smith and tanned to perfection after months of filming in the sun.
‘Oh, sweet Jesus, I think I’m going to wet myself,’ Jane said, grabbing Francine’s arm.
‘They look like something …’ Francine hesitated.
‘From a Hollywood movie?’ Jane finished.
‘Yeah!’ Francine giggled.
Saul was thrilled to have his dad there and dragged him over to a group of little boys. ‘Dad, these are my friends,’ he said proudly.
‘Hi!’ they chorused.
‘I saw you on a DVD. But you had a warrior costume on and a big dagger. Have you got it with you?’ Max looked hopeful.
‘Not today, I’m afraid,’ Darius said. ‘I just came on the plane and they’re not too happy about daggers or guns in airports these days.’
Perfect Wives Page 36
