Lucy Gordon - The Diamond Dad

by Lucy Gordon

  An announcer appeared on the screen. ‘Melkham, of course, is no more than a wholly owned subsidiary of Clayton Properties, the fast growing empire of Garth Clayton. We tried to contact Mr Clayton to ask how he Iclt about being beaten to the post, but he wasn’t available for comment…’

  Adrian turned slowly and stared at Faye. ‘He means Daddy, doesn’t he?’

  ‘That’s right,’ Faye said. She sat very still, knowing that she was the only one who’d heard Garth’s arrival. She was aware of him crossing the hall to stand just outside the open door, listening to every word.

  ‘But— I told him—’ Adrian stammered. ‘I gave the whole game away— He could have—’ He paled as he realized the full implications.

  ‘Yes, he could have made use of what you said,’ Faye agreed. ‘But that would have been dishonourable, and your father wouldn’t do it.’

  “Course he wouldn’t,’ Cindy said scornfully to her brother. ‘Daddy would never do anything mean or dis— dishorrible!’

  Adrian was deep in thought. ‘Mummy,’ he said at last, ‘Uncle Ken is one of the good guys, isn’t he?’

  ‘Definitely.’

  ‘And Daddy’s quite different to Uncle Ken. But Daddy’s one of the good guys too.’ His forehead creased. ‘Isn’t he?’

  ‘There’s more than one kind of good guy,’ Faye explained. ‘There’s Uncle Ken’s kind, and Daddy’s kind. But they’re both good.’

  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Garth back away into the shadows. She longed to talk to him, to tell him how happy she was that he’d put his son’s feelings before his profits. But that must wait.

  A moment later the front door opened and closed noisily and Garth’s cheerful call of ‘Where is everyone?’ made Cindy and Adrian rush into the hall. Cindy threw herself joyously into his arms. Adrian held off a little, studying his father with a puzzled frown. But at last he, too, snuggled against him.

  Nobody mentioned the matter until the children were going to bed. Then Adrian looked Garth full in the face and said quietly, ‘Thanks, Dad.’

  ‘You can always trust me,’ Garth said, returning his son’s gaze.

  Adrian nodded before mounting the stairs with Cindy. He didn’t speak but, as he turned away, Faye just glimpsed his smile.

  ‘Thank you from me, too,’ she said, laying a hand on Garth’s arm.

  He looked elated, as he’d sometimes looked before when he’d found the key to a tricky situation.

  ‘It should be me thanking you,’ he said. ‘I was about to make the biggest blunder of all time and you stopped me. I’m grateful, and for the things you said to them about me. I appreciate fair dealing.’

  There was something not quite right in his voice, a hint of calculation that troubled her. But she tried again.

  ‘I hate you and Kendall being enemies—’

  ‘In the circumstances, we could hardly be anything else.’

  ‘But couldn’t we say that the battle’s finally over?’

  His air of elation was undimmed. ‘Of course it’s not over. It’s just moved into a new phase. I know my enemy now. He’s a subtle man and I was blundering about. But not any more. Now I’ve learned subtlety too.’

  ‘And just what does that mean?’

  ‘You can hardly expect me to tell you when you have one foot in the enemy camp.’

  ‘Meaning you don’t trust me?’ she asked, letting her hand fall away from him. ‘Despite our differences, I think I’ve earned better than that from you, Garth.’

  ‘I told you, I appreciate your coming to my defence just now. You’re a decent person, Faye, I know that. It’s just that I never entirely trust my business partners. Now, I have a lot of work to do. Unless you want me for something?’

  ‘Not a thing,’ she assured him in a toneless voice.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  ‘Daddy, you will look after poor Barker, won’t you?’

  ‘I’ve already promised I will.’

  ‘Yes, but really?’

  ‘Really. My word on it.’

  It was time for Cindy and Adrian to go to the school camp in Cornwall but, on the morning of departure, Cindy had qualms about leaving her friend.

  ‘He’s not very well,’ she explained for the tenth time. ‘He was limping last night and I think his legs are hurting again.’

  ‘Then I’ll take him to the vet,’ Garth assured her.

  ‘This morning?’

  ‘This morning.’

  ‘You won’t make him wait?’

  ‘Cindy, get into the car!’

  ‘But you won’t make him wait, will you?’

  ‘I won’t make him wait.’

  ‘You’re sure?’

  ‘I’m sure.’

  ‘Sure sure?’

  ‘Cindy, I’ll take him to the vet.’ Garth was beginning to sound frazzled.

  ‘Promise?’

  ‘Get into the car.’

  ‘Promise?’

  Garth tore his hair. ‘I promise, I promise. Now, get into the car, both of you, or we’ll be late and they’ll go without you.’

  But she couldn’t depart without reassuring Barker that he would be all right because Daddy had promised.

  ‘Cindy, I’m leaving in exactly one minute,’ Garth said, at the end of his tether. ‘With you or without you.’

  Both children kissed Faye and scrambled into the car. As they drove away Faye was sure she could hear Cindy’s voice faintly, saying, ‘Daddy, you’re sure you won’t forget…?’

  She enjoyed a private chuckle. As Garth had said, he was handling his task with subtlety. He’d even gone to watch Adrian playing football. His team had made it to the final of the inter-schools trophy and the whole family had been there for Adrian’s big day.

  Everyone had enjoyed it enormously, and when Cindy had kissed her father goodnight at the foot of the stairs she’d whispered, ‘Thank you for coming, Daddy. You made it really special.’

  ‘Hey, what about Mummy?’ he’d queried. ‘She was there too.’

  ‘That’s different. Mummy’s always there.’

  Faye had overheard this exchange from the kitchen and had come out, smiling quizzically at Garth.

  ‘Don’t take that the wrong way,’ he’d said hastily.

  ‘How should I take it?’

  ‘She didn’t mean to put you down.’ Through his awkwardness she had detected the attempt at kindness.

  ‘I didn’t take it that way. Garth, Cindy has just said the nicest thing about me that any child can say about a parent. I promise you, I don’t feel put down.’

  ‘The nicest thing—?’ She’d watched as comprehension dawned on his face. ‘She said you’re always there. Yes—yes, I see.’ He’d sounded heavy, and she’d felt a stirring of pity for him. He was trying so hard, but something constantly eluded him.

  Now it was the great day of departure for Cornwall. Garth returned from dropping off Cindy and Adrian, looking weary. ‘I watched the coach go and Cindy was at the window, mouthing “Barker” at me,’ he said.

  ‘Don’t worry, I’ve called the vet. His appointment is in an hour.’

  ‘Faye—actually—’

  ‘I’ll take him,’ she said, smiling.

  ‘Thanks. And by the way, before I go, will you make a date in your diary for next Monday, at noon? I’m having a press function for the anniversary range and I need you there.’

  ‘You mean I’ve got to meet journalists and talk to them?’

  ‘It’s no big deal. It’s not the proper launch. That will be on the exact date of our anniversary. This is a kind of teaser, to let the property press get a hint of what’s in store. We’ll have models of the houses on display. I’ll give you some booklets about them in advance, so that you can discuss them knowledgeably.’

  ‘I’m just kind of shy about being on show,’ she demurred.

  ‘But you promised to help me out,’ he reminded her, ‘and this is the sort of thing I need you to do.’

  ‘Of course it is,’ she said, pull
ing herself together. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll turn up and do my stuff.’

  ‘Great. And buy a new outfit. The best of everything.’

  ‘So that when they look at me they’ll say, “Boy, must he be doing well if she can afford to dress like that!’”

  He grinned. ‘You’re developing a real talent for this.

  Miss McGeorge examined Barker thoroughly and said his painkillers weren’t quite strong enough. She prescribed some different pills and gave him the first one immediately. By that afternoon he was moving more easily and by early evening he was as mischievous as ever.

  ‘I see he’s back to normal,’ Garth observed when he returned. ‘Down, boy! This suit’s just been cleaned.’

  ‘The vet gave him stronger pills,’ Faye said. ‘I think they’re doing the trick.’

  ‘Good.’

  ‘But it’ll be a few days before we’re certain. I’ve made another appointment—’

  ‘You’re doing a great job, Faye. Now, I’ve got a pile of work to get on with—’

  ‘But you need to know all this. You’re supposed to be caring for Barker.’

  ‘Of course, and I promise you I’m taking it very seriously. But you can brief me later. Tell Nancy to bring me a snack in the study, will you?’

  ‘But Cindy will—’

  ‘By the way, I brought this home for you.’ He handed her a thick folder. ‘It’ll tell you everything about the anniversary range.’ He vanished.

  Faye glared at his study door, then sighed. When she’d spoken to Nancy she returned to studying a list of traditional anniversary gifts.

  ‘Paper after the first year,’ she mused. ‘He gave me a book that I’d been longing for. It was terribly expensive, and he starved himself to pay for it. The next year it was cotton and he gave me that lovely summer housecoat. The third year, leather—that was a shoulder bag—’

  How his eyes had shone as he offered his gifts to her! How happy he’d been when she was pleased! She drew a breath and firmly dismissed the memory.

  At last came the call from the children to say they’d arrived safely. Adrian told her all about the journey, before saying, ‘Cindy’s here and she—’ His voice faded, there was a slight scuffle and Adrian hissed, ‘Let me finish, you little brat.’

  Then Cindy’s voice. ‘Hello, Mummy.’

  ‘Hello, darling. Is it nice in camp?’

  ‘It’s super. Mummy, how’s Barker? Did Daddy take him to the vet? What happened? Is he any better?’

  ‘Just a minute.’ Faye pressed a switch to connect the call to Garth’s study, and walked in.

  ‘Pick up the phone,’ she said. ‘Cindy wants to talk to you.’

  She stayed there while he answered. She could tell that the little girl must have launched straight into her favourite topic. Garth became slightly defensive, while trying to sound in control.

  ‘Yes, darling, of course I took— That is, Barker’s been to the vet and he’s much better— Well, because the vet gave him stronger pills,’ he finished, repeating Faye’s words. From his frown it was clear that he was trying to recall the rest.

  ‘They seem to be working,’ he continued gamely, ‘but it’ll take a few days to be sure— Well, on his next appointment— That’s right, he’s booked in for—’

  He signalled wildly to Faye, who mouthed, ‘Next week.’

  ‘Next week,’ he repeated into the phone. ‘The exact day? I forget—’ He appealed silently to Faye, but she shook her head and backed out.

  Listening from the hall, she had to admit that he improvised pretty well for a man who didn’t know what he was talking about. But the way he slammed the phone down made his feelings clear.

  ‘I suppose you’ve been standing out here, enjoying yourself,’ he grunted, emerging from the study.

  ‘Don’t blame me,’ she said impishly. ‘I tried to give you a full briefing earlier, but you were too busy to listen.’

  ‘So you landed me in it.’

  ‘You landed yourself in it. After all, you know the saying.’

  ‘No, I don’t, but I’m sure you’re going to have fun telling me.’

  ‘If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘If you can’t keep the promise, don’t make it. If you want to take the credit, you’ve got to put in the work. Cindy asked you to care for Barker, not me, because it matters to her that you should do it.’ She smiled at him cheekily. ‘So do it.’

  ‘Thanks! Thanks a lot!’

  He would have died sooner than let her suspect that she’d startled him, not only with her challenge but in what she’d learned about tough dealing. As a tough dealer himself he respected that. He wondered where his wife had learned all these disconcerting lessons.

  Faye finally bought herself a matching blue silk coat and dress. It cost a fortune and looked it, which she knew would satisfy her husband. On the whole she was pleasantly surprised by her own appearance.

  She rejected his offer to send his chauffeur-driven car for her and drove herself there. A parking space had been reserved for her. Doors opened at her approach and she was instantly conducted to the top floor, where Garth reigned.

  She was interested to see his new London premises, which he’d acquired since their parting. She found them much as she’d expected, quietiy luxurious and efficient.

  Money had been spent, but not on frills. Garth got value from every penny.

  As she stepped out of the lift an overpoweringly gracious young woman was waiting for her. Faye knew at once that this could only be Lysandra. Everything about her fitted the superior voice she’d heard on the telephone. Lysandra was tall and slender, dressed in an elegant charcoal business suit. With her shoulder-length red hair and gold accessories, she looked stunning. Faye had felt stylish until that moment, but next to the super-chic Lysandra she could sense herself retreating into dowdiness.

  ‘Good morning, Mrs Clayton,’ she said, advancing with her hand outstretched. ‘I’m Lysandra Bates, Mr Clayton’s Director of Publicity. We’ve all been looking forward so much to meeting you.’

  ‘We?’ Faye asked, surprised.

  ‘Everyone in the Publicity Department. It’s such a coup for us to have you part of the campaign.’ Her tone implied that Faye had no other existence.

  ‘Mr Clayton said you were a little hesitant at first, but I was sure you’d be glad you agreed when you knew how much this mattered to us,’ Lysandra continued. She led the way into a room that was luxuriously furnished with pale grey leather armchairs, offering her tea, coffee. Nothing could have been more gracious or deferential than her manner, yet Faye detected a faint hint of contempt. This smooth, beautiful young woman had sized her up and found her wanting.

  Garth appeared and greeted Faye with a polite smile and a kiss on the cheek. She responded in the same way. They were like two actors performing their roles perfectly on cue.

  ‘Lysandra will show you the models and explain everything,’ he said. ‘The press will start to arrive in about an hour.’

  ‘Everything is quite ready,’ Lysandra told him. ‘Press packs, free samples—’

  Faye attempted a mild joke. ‘You give free samples of houses?’

  Lysandra’s laughter managed to combine weary courtesy, exaggerated patience and restrained derision in equal measure. ‘Naturally not. But there are many smaller items, which the construction press appreciate. It’s part of my job to know them all personally and to select free gifts to suit the individual.’

  ‘I’m sure you’ve covered every detail admirably,’ Garth told her. ‘You never let me down.’

  Unlike his wife, Faye thought.

  ‘I try not to,’ Lysandra told him with a smile that excluded Faye. ‘I’ll fetch you when they’re all assembled.’

  ‘Come into my office as soon as it’s over,’ Garth said. ‘We have a lot to discuss.’

  Faye was about to say that she preferred to leave at once when she realized he was talking to his beautiful assistan
t. When he did address her it was to say, ‘Lysandra will look after you. Leave everything in her splendid hands.’

  He disappeared.

  ‘It’s this way,’ Lysandra said, pointing across the corridor. Faye followed her and found herself in a huge corner room with windows on two sides. Six other people, power-dressed women and men in business suits, were already there, crowding around something in the centre. Lysandra introduced them as members of the Publicity Department, and showed Faye what they were looking at. On a large display plinth stood six models of houses, each one about two feet wide by eighteen inches high.

  ‘These are our very newest designs, and top secret at the moment,’ Lysandra explained. She flashed Faye a beaming smile, revealing small, perfectly white teeth. ‘Not secret from you, of course.’ Everyone laughed at this witticism. Faye smiled.

  ‘There are two for those with more modest incomes, two for the executive class, and these two are de luxe,’ she continued smoothly. ‘And you’ll be delighted to know that we’ve finally managed to find the right name for them.’

  ‘How thrilling!’ Faye said.

  ‘Yes, isn’t it? It’s going to be called the Diamond Range. We all had to put our thinking caps on but, with it being your tenth anniversary, of course the name had been staring us in the face all the time.’

  Any minute now she’s going to pat me on the head, Faye thought. Aloud, she said, ‘I’m afraid I don’t see the connection with my wedding anniversary.’

  ‘Your tenth wedding anniversary,’ Lysandra corrected gently. ‘The time when husbands give their wives diamond jewellery. That’s why we’ve called this the Diamond Range.’ She said the last words slowly, as if to an idiot.

  ‘But there’s some mistake,’ Faye said. ‘The tenth anniversary gift is tin or aluminium. Diamonds are for the sixtieth.’

  Lysandra’s perfect smile barely wavered. ‘I think not,’ she said sweetly. ‘I have the list here.’

  Faye studied it with bewilderment, unable to recognize anything. Instead of the traditional paper, cotton, leather of the first three years, she read clocks, china, and crystal.