A Family Affair

by Marilyn McPherson

Chapter Ten

  It was one week later on a cold but sunny Saturday morning in Melbourne. The sun streamed through Tom's windows, and Ellen lay on the couch enjoying every ray. Her work with Satinol had been moving fast and every day of the last week had been busy. Luckily, there was time this morning for a quiet breakfast with Tom and relaxation afterwards on the couch.

  Ellen couldn’t resist browsing Internet pages which mentioned Tom's love life. The media had taken eight whole days to work out that Tom Bradley had a new love in his life. Ellen and Tom had been photographed leaving a restaurant together holding hands on Thursday night, and a number of the papers ran stories about Tom's date with a younger woman.

  “You shouldn't look at that stuff, Elle,” Tom warned her, while not taking his eyes off the paper. “I learned to ignore it all years ago.”

  “This site calls you a millionaire playboy,” Ellen teased. “And it says you have dated hundreds of women, including models and actresses.”

  “Don't believe a word of it. Although come to think of it, technically you are a model now.”

  “Uh huh,” said Ellen, believing the stories more likely to be true than not.

  “It's incredible how much they just make up. Really.”

  “I just looked at this one page which had a photo of us from Thursday night inside the restaurant. How would they have taken that shot?”

  “They're sneaky jerks, those photographers. That's how.”

  The past week had brought Tom and Ellen closer together. Ellen felt content as she looked over at Tom, and sighed happily. Right now, he seemed to be the perfect man.

  They had eaten dinner together every night, mostly at Tom’s house, apart from the one night when they were photographed out. Each night, Tom had driven her home and kissed her on the doorstop.

  Ellen put the laptop down. “I probably need to get going soon. What's the time?” she asked, sitting up, checking her own watch.

  Tom was surprised. “I was thinking we might go for a drive this afternoon. Somewhere down the Peninsula. We could rug up, find an empty beach and go walking hand in hand...”

  “Oh really?” Ellen was touched that he had planned a day out for them. “Did I forget to mention that I have to work today?”

  “Yes, you did.” Tom put the paper down, looking a little disappointed. “What's happening today?”

  “I'm due at the office by eleven o’clock for a wardrobe fitting. On Monday, I'm scheduled to go out with Leo, the photographer, to do some scouting for a location along Beach Road. We’ll be shooting on Tuesday and Wednesday. So, today’s session is apparently quite important.”

  “That's a shame, but it sounds like you have to go in.”

  Ellen decided to change the topic. “By the way, thanks for finding Chloe a job. She is really looking forward to starting on Monday.”

  “My personal assistant Elizabeth tells me she needs an assistant herself. What can I say? We'll give Chloe a trial. This could be a whole new career for her.”

  “Well,” Ellen said, grabbing her bag and starting to kiss Tom on the forehead. “I'll see you later if you're free.”

  Tom obviously wasn't happy with the kiss about to land on his forehead, and grabbed Ellen around the waist, pulling her on top of him. He kissed her passionately, before letting her go. “That's how you say goodbye,” he instructed.

  “Not fair. Now I want to stay, Tom.”

  He laughed. “Give me a call when you are finished, and I'll pick you up in the car. Ask Robert downstairs to drive you into the office as well.”

  Robert was Tom's butler, although no one said the word 'butler' out loud. He managed the home and staff, and drove Tom's car when required.

  “Okay, bye then.”

  Ellen found Robert in the front garden giving instructions to two of the gardeners. It was a large garden, and there were a lot of staff working that day.

  “Ms Jackson,” Robert said, seeing her there waiting, when he turned around. “I beg your pardon. I did not see you there.”

  “Good morning, Robert. I’m sorry to bother you, when you seem to be busy, but would you mind driving me into the Satinol office. I'm expected at eleven o’clock.”

  “It’s no bother at all. I'd be pleased to drive you in. Give me a moment and I'll bring the car around.”

  It was a short drive to the office from Tom's house. The building was shut on Saturdays and Ellen had to use a security pass recently allocated to her in order to enter the building at ground level.

  Ellen recognised the wardrobe ladies from a distance, as she had seen them in the office last week. They were waiting near the lifts, with coffees in their hands, and designer handbags across their shoulders. Ellen found them rather comical; they were all so impeccably presented and colour-coordinated.

  “Ellen, hi,” the tall one called out. The other two ladies looked at Ellen in unison, perhaps somewhat less impressed. Ellen tried to remember their names unsuccessfully. She had been told the other day.

  “Hi,” Ellen said dumbly, meeting them half way.

  “Come with us, Ellen. We've been waiting for you. We're are going to have a lot of fun, even though we're at work on a Saturday.”

  One of the ladies looped her arm around Ellen's and pulled her along, the three of them continuing their lively chatter.

  The next five hours were not what Ellen would have described as fun. The time was spent dressing and undressing her, dressing and undressing again. Every time they found an outfit that all three liked on her, a polaroid was taken, and pinned up. Ellen felt a little embarrassed the first time she was naked in front of them, but they didn't even seem to notice. It was like she was their own personal full-size Barbie.

  There were some slightly hurtful comments along the way as well. “She looks hideous in this colour” and “No, no. She looks awful. Absolutely awful!” But these comments were balanced by some compliments as well. They were having a great time working together. At least, they were enjoying their job here, Ellen thought.

  The ladies were snacking along the way on food they had brought in, but no one offered her anything. Ellen wished she had eaten more breakfast. By four o’clock, she was very hungry, and there was a pin board covered in polaroids, plus a white board filled with ideas. She had tried hundreds of outfits on, including designer dresses and jackets. An assortment of expensive looking jewellery and handbags which had been used as accessories for some of the outfits were now strewn across the floor.

  “So ladies, we need to whittle this board down to ten styles for Tuesday. What does everyone think?”

  “Let's go have a cigarette and come back for the final decision.”

  One of the ladies turned to Ellen. “My dear, you are finished here. Thanks for all your patience.”

  Thank goodness. Ellen smiled, and felt a little embarrassed. “Um, do you know where my clothes are?”

  The ladies looked around the room. “Over there - in the corner. Let me get them for you.”

  The old clothes seemed so much plainer now after all the expensive outfits of the past three hours.

  “Oh, wait a sec. I almost forgot,” shrieked one of the ladies, just as Ellen was starting to change.

  “Oh yeah,” said another. “I forgot too.”

  “What is it?” asked Ellen, who was almost dressed in her old clothes.

  One of the ladies collected a large box from behind the door. “This arrived for you about an hour ago.”

  Ellen looked surprised. She hadn't noticed its unannounced arrival. The box was large, white, and surrounded by a big pink bow. The ladies left Ellen alone with her box, and she slipped the bow off, and it fell to the floor. Lifting the lid revealed a note from Tom.

  I have a surprise planned for you tonight, but you'll need something nice to wear. Put this on, give me a call, and I'll meet you out the front.

  Ellen pulled back the layers of tissue paper gently, revealing a creamy coloured silk material. Ellen lifted it out, letting the material unravel onto
the floor. It was the most delicate and beautiful evening dress she had ever seen. She quickly checked the tag to see if it was her size.

  “Oh, he is good,” Ellen whispered to herself.

  There were even matching shoes underneath all the tissue paper. Ellen discarded her own clothes into a bag and slipped into the dress and shoes. Checking her hair and makeup in the mirror on the way out, Ellen realised she had never before looked quite so nice.

  Before pressing the lift button in the hallway, she reached for her mobile, dialling Tom.

  He answered straight away. “All finished?” he asked.

  “Yes, um.. thanks for the dress. It's stunning and beautiful, and so soft. I can't believe you bought it for me.”

  “Are you happy to come out tonight?”

  There was nothing Ellen would rather be doing than spending time with Tom. “I'd love to. Do you think we can get something to eat though. I'm really hungry.”

  “Yes, I've organised something nice for dinner. Don't worry.”

  Ellen giggled. “Thanks, Tom. So, what have you planned for us?”

  “Ah, well you will have to wait and see. I'll meet you downstairs out at the front of the building in five minutes.”

  “See you soon,” Ellen said excitedly.

  She was expecting to exit the building, find a seat and wait five to ten minutes for Tom to arrive. However, as soon as she left the security door, she saw Tom's distinctive black sports car. He was standing outside the car, waiting for her. She could just make out Robert in the driver's seat.

  “Wow, you look amazing, Ellen,” a voice said from behind her. Ellen turned her head. It was one of the wardrobe ladies. They were gathered together, still smoking and chatting.

  Ellen smiled. “Thanks.”

  “Is that Tom Bradley waiting for her?” one of the ladies asked quietly.

  “Yeah, I heard they were dating.”

  “Shit.”

  Ellen decided to ignore their chatter and hurried quickly towards Tom, with a bag full of clothes.

  Tom's jaw dropped when Ellen came into range. She realised that he was seeing her in the dress, and obviously liking it.

  He gave her a smile and wave. “Let me take those,” Tom said, opening the boot, while grabbing Ellen's bags. He turned around after closing the boot. “Hi, hello. Sorry, I should have said that first.”

  “Hi, Tom,” Ellen said softly. “Thank you for the beautiful dress.”

  “Wow! My God! You look too good to be real. I'm blown away, really.”

  “It's just the dress.”

  “No, sorry. I don't think so. It's all you.”

  Ellen blushed under his admiring gaze.

  Tom looked back towards the wardrobe ladies who were now intent on staring at them.

  “Let's get out of here, Elle. Somewhere more out of sight I think,” Tom said, while opening the door to the backseat for her to sit down. He quickly scurried around to the other side, and Robert sped them away without any instruction from Tom.

  “How was the wardrobe fitting anyway?” Tom asked.

  “Fine, all right,” Ellen responded, without too much enthusiasm.

  “Modelling is probably seeming harder and more boring than you'd imagined by about now.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Poor, Elle.”

  “No, it was fine, really,” insisted Ellen.

  “Better tell me all about it.”

  “It's just that I felt like their own personal Barbie doll. They made me change clothes, like, hundreds of times. No kidding,” Ellen said, laughing at herself.

  “That does sound dull. I'm sure you did fine in any case.”

  Just at that moment, Ellen realised that she wasn't sounding very grateful. “I'm still really thankful for the opportunity though. Please don't misunderstand me.”

  Tom laughed a little, leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. Changing the topic, he whispered into her ear, “I bought a little something for you today.”

  “You did?” Ellen wondered what more there was left to give her. Tom was the most generous man.

  He reached into his jacket pocket to remove a small red velvet box.

  Ellen's eyes bulged at the sight of it.

  “I know what you're thinking,” Tom said reassuringly. “So, don't worry. I won't propose marriage until we’ve known each other a little longer.”

  Ellen breathed deeply and tried to pretend that she wasn't thinking it was a ring. “Oh, I didn't think...”

  Her sentence was interrupted by Tom opening the box, revealing a ruby ring, surrounded by small diamonds.

  Tom spoke slowly and carefully, “I do want you to know that I care about you, however. So, this is a friendship ring from me to you. Please tell me you like it?”

  It was the most beautiful ring that Ellen had ever seen. “I love it,” she whispered to him, wiping away the happy tears that were forming.

  Tom placed the ring on the third finger of her right hand. “Look at that. It even fits properly. Amazing!”

  Just at that moment, the car pulled into the Port Melbourne marina. Ellen looked out the window in surprise. She hadn't been paying attention to where they were going.

  “What are we doing here, Tom?”

  He didn't answer straight away, instead looking secretive. “It's a surprise. Can you wait a little longer please?”

  Robert drove through the parking lot to a locked gate. He spoke briefly to the security guard, and the gates opened. The car drove forward, parking in front of a black helicopter.

  “Tom?”

  “Just a step along the way to somewhere nice for dinner,” he said reassuringly.

  Ellen didn't feel reassured. Tom squeezed her hand. She had never been inside a helicopter before, and looked at it in awe.

  “Wow,” she said quietly while stepping out of the car. She wasn't scared exactly, just a little overwhelmed. Her new ring sparkled in the sunlight. It was then that Ellen heard her handbag buzz. She checked to see who was calling. It was Chloe.

  Tom looked over, seeing her phone. “It's okay, answer your phone. I have to talk to the pilot anyway.”

  Ellen nodded. “Hey, Chloe,” Ellen said, answering quickly and taking a step backwards.

  “Hi. Just checking how you went with the fitting.”

  “Yeah, it was all right. Thanks. Tiring though.”

  “Coming home for dinner? I thought we might cook together tonight. I feel like I haven't seen you for ages.”

  “No, sorry. You wouldn't believe where I am though.”

  Chloe paused. “Where?”

  “Well, we are at some marina in front of a helicopter, and Tom just gave me a ring.”

  “He did what?” Chloe screamed into the phone.

  Ellen realised how that must have sounded as soon as the words left her mouth. “Sorry, I mean he gave me a friendship ring. He didn't propose or anything. But you should see it. It is so beautiful.”

  “Shit. I mean, well, he seems to be spending a lot of money on you, Elle.”

  “It's not a money thing, Chloe. I mean, why do you have to look at it like that?”

  “Men don't give rings for no reason. What does he want from you? I mean, of course you've slept with him already?”

  “No, we've agreed to take things slowly.”

  “He must want something.”

  “Why do you say things like that? Can't you just be happy for me?”

  “I don't understand why all this is happening to you, that's all.”

  Ellen looked over to Tom, and saw that he was waiting on her now. “I’ve got to go, Chloe. We can talk tomorrow okay?” As she hung up, Ellen realised that her friend was starting to feel more and more distant every day.

  Ellen boarded the helicopter, holding Tom's hand. He led her to her seat, and showed her how to buckle her seat belt. This was clearly not his first time flying. The helicopter was loud and rougher than she'd expected it to be. It was fast though. Ellen was given a headset, and could push a button t
o talk to Tom and the pilot.

  The two men spoke continuously to her through the flight, pointing out various landmarks as they left Melbourne, flying across the bay towards land on the other side.

  Ellen recognised the heads and the town of Sorrento. They seemed to be heading for the Point Nepean National Park, located at the tip of the Mornington Peninsula.

  The light was starting to fade outside, but Ellen could make out a small patch of light through the window. The helicopter landed, and Tom beamed at her, looking excited. “Looks like everything is ready here,” he said.

  “What's ready?”

  “Come on, come and see.”

  Ellen exited the helicopter to see an amazing sight. On the edge of the cliff, about twenty metres from where the helicopter had landed, was a candle-lit table for two. There must have been hundreds of candles, lining the path and surrounding the table, which was laden with food.

  The bay below was still visible in the fading light and the city lights were starting to twinkle across the bay. It was a still night and pleasantly warm in the outside air.

  The table and candles were the most spectacular sight Ellen had ever seen. “How did you organise this, Tom?” she said almost breathlessly. “It's absolutely beautiful.”

  “I did have to pull a few strings, ask a couple of favours.” Tom was still grinning. “The pilot will wait for us. Let's have some dinner.”

  Tom held her hand, leading her down the path to the centrally-lit table. Ellen's eye's widened in awe when she saw the gourmet food specially prepared for the night. There were prawns, caviar, sushi, lobster, wine, chocolate-dipped strawberries, a fruit and cheese platter, and fresh crusty bread.

  “Wow!” exclaimed Ellen.

  Tom pulled a chair out from the table for her to sit down. “I wanted everything just perfect tonight,” Tom said, sitting opposite her.

  “It is,” confirmed Ellen, still amazed at the array of food.

  Tom helped serve a number of the dishes onto Ellen’s plate and they both helped themselves to a little bit of everything until they were both full.

  “This is such a magical night,” said Ellen looking around. “Look at the stars.”

  Tom looked up briefly, but returned his eyes to Ellen quickly. “I'd rather look at you.”

  Ellen threw a strawberry at him playfully and he took a bite, making her laugh.

  “I want to tell you something tonight, Ellen.”

  Ellen stopped giggling and moved her chair closer to him.

  “Well, the thing is, I love you. I think this is it for me. I think you're the one.” Tom reached across the table to hold Ellen's hand. “I'd do anything to make you happy. I've never felt like this for someone before. You know, I thought there was something wrong with me. Being my age and all, and not having fallen in love. But now, I know. I was just waiting for you to come along.” He paused for a moment to catch his breath, “I'm so happy, I really am.”

  Ellen was overwhelmed and happy to hear how he felt. She felt the same way too, but was momentarily stunned into silence.

  Tom continued, “Please tell me if you feel the same way, even if just a little.”

  “Sorry, I do. I absolutely feel the same way. Oh Tom,” Ellen said happily. “I think I love you too. I mean, it's too early to be saying things like that to each other, but, I mean, I am thinking them yes.”

  Tom looked relieved, and rushed to her side to kiss passionately, pulling her onto his lap in the process.

  “Will you stay tonight, at my house?” Tom asked, while kissing her neck.

  Ellen pushed him away slightly, but it was enough for him to notice. He carefully held her face in his hands to read her expression.

  Ellen tried to explain, “I thought we talked about that already. I just need more time to get to know you before that. I, um, I hope you understand that it's not you or anything. I'm sorry.”

  “No, I'm sorry, Elle. Please don't apologise to me. I just keep forgetting how young you are. There is no rush here. I have waited half a lifetime for you to come along. I can certainly wait until you are ready.”

  “Really? Are you sure that's how you feel?”

  “Yes, of course. I always want you to tell me how you are feeling as well. And please never apologise for feeling something different to me.”

  “I'm just a bit confused. Chloe said something about you wanting something from me, and then with what you just said...”

  “Listen, when you are ready, that is the right time.”

  “Thanks, Tom.”

  “But, you will tell me when you are ready?”

  Ellen smiled. “You'll be the first to know.”

  A cool breeze wafted through, and Tom shivered slightly. “Let's get back to Melbourne before it gets too cold out here. Have you had enough to eat?”

  “Yes, thank you. I don't know what to say about tonight. It was the best night of my life,” Ellen said sincerely.

  “I'm glad to hear that.” Tom took Ellen by the arm, and they slowly walked back to the helicopter. Ellen was full of food and happiness and basking in the glow of Tom's love being so openly declared.