A Family Affair

by Marilyn McPherson

Chapter Eleven

  The following two weeks cemented the relationship between Tom and Ellen, as they spent as much of their time together as possible. When the first interstate modelling assignment was announced, Tom happily agreed to accompany Ellen on her week in Sydney.

  It was an unusually cold evening as Ellen and Tom left the Sydney airport terminal after catching a late Thursday night flight. Tom planned to work from the smaller Sydney office of Satinol during the week. A chauffeur met them on arrival, and before long they were whisked out of the airport and on their way to a hotel located in the heart of the city.

  Although there was plenty of room in the back seat, Tom moved into the middle seat belt and snuggled into Ellen's new full length woollen jacket, a protective arm pulling her close. He looked happy and alive, Ellen thought, while listening to him whisper silly things into her ear. She giggled as he occasionally kissed her forehead or stole a kiss from her lips.

  Suddenly he seemed a little more serious. “Mother wanted to fly to Sydney to spend some time with us, you know,” said Tom warmly. “I think she would like to get to know you better.”

  “Oh, I didn't realise,” said Ellen, trying not to show any disrespect in her voice.

  Tom looked over to Ellen, trying to read her expression. “She is coming around I think. She told me you were a lovely girl, with a beautiful smile.”

  “Oh, she did?” asked Ellen sarcastically. “She told me that I needed some elocution lessons, and that the art of good conversation must be practised daily until one has achieved it.” Ellen tried to imitate Tom's mother, and he smiled at her attempt.

  “When did she say that?”

  Ellen recalled the time with Tom’s mother from last week clearly. “When we were all having dinner together last week,” she told him. “When you went to the bathroom.”

  Tom laughed. “Sorry, Elle.”

  Ellen continued, “She wants to enrol me in some sort of ladies’ college where they teach you to walk straight with books on your head, and how to use a knife and fork.”

  Tom laughed heartily.

  “It's not funny, Tom.”

  “I'll talk to her. It's not you, you know. It is just that she is still slightly uncomfortable with the age gap between us, that's all. She hasn't accepted the seriousness of our relationship yet. But you know, Mother saw some of the pictures from last week's shoot in the studio, and was blown away.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. So, regardless of what she might think about us as a couple, she is very impressed with the work you are doing.”

  “I'm happy to hear that, and I hope she warms to us soon. I don't want to be at war with your mother for much longer.”

  “She's a good person. She will come around soon when she realises how happy you make me.”

  “And in the mean time, what do I say to her if she enrols me in the ladies’ college?”

  “Don't worry, I'll talk to her.” Tom put his hand on Ellen's leg and shook it gently. “It is good of you to humour her for me.”

  “Yes, I'm a very good girlfriend,” said Ellen jokingly. “So, why did she want to come to Sydney with us?”

  “Mother does know Sydney very well and has some ideas about where we should be shooting for the American campaign.”

  Ellen thought back to a recent conversation with one of the photographers. “Wasn't that all decided a couple of months ago?”

  “Apparently, yes,” Tom confirmed with a murmur.

  Ellen was confused. “So, why isn't she here then?”

  “The old man isn't feeling well, so she stayed home to look after him.”

  “Oh, I'm sorry. It's nothing serious I hope.”

  “No, just the flu I think.”

  “That's good. By the way, did you see today's paper?” asked Ellen.

  “No, why? Do they have another photo of us?”

  “Yep, page eight. The paper called you a playboy today and said I was your newest toy. They photographed us kissing at that Italian restaurant last week, by the look of it.”

  “Have you spoken to your parents yet?”

  “I have. I just told them the basics. That I was dating a very nice man, who happens to be a little older than me. Straight away they asked how much older of course, but I think they are fine about it.”

  “Did you tell them my name?”

  “Of course, but they haven't heard of you, so it didn't matter.”

  “They haven't heard of me?” Tom repeated, pretending to be shocked by the idea. “Oh well, I hope your parents don't see the article from today. I didn't even see a photographer that night, did you?”

  “No.”

  “So, do they want to meet me yet?”

  “They said if we're still seeing each other in three months, they will travel to the city to meet you. That's a big thing you know. My folks hate the city.”

  “Maybe we could take a trip to visit them instead.”

  “Sure, we could do that. We're kind of preoccupied for the next few weeks though.”

  They arrived at Sydney's Hilton Hotel shortly after, and were met by a porter who collected their luggage from the chauffeur. The porter informed them, “Your bags will be upstairs shortly, Mr Bradley.”

  Tom nodded thanks. Inside, they were met by the concierge in the foyer.

  “Tom Bradley and Ellen Jackson,” Tom said to the man.

  “Yes, sir. Come with me please.”

  Ellen nudged Tom, “Don't we have to check in?” she said, while looking towards reception, where there was a line of people.

  “No,” Tom said. “Elizabeth will have taken care of all the minor details for us.”

  Ellen was continually amazed by the pace of her life with Tom. Things just seemed to happen so easily.

  Tom had booked one of the penthouse suites which had multiple bedrooms and a large balcony looking over the city. Tom thanked the concierge, and returned to her side.

  “I know you've got an early morning. How about we order some room service and eat in?”

  “Sounds good to me. I would appreciate an early night.”

  Ellen was in town along with a crew from Satinol, shooting two commercials for the North American market. The close-up video was being done on Friday and Saturday, and the location shots Monday to Wednesday.

  An intensive week was planned, but Ellen was looking forward to it with excitement and enthusiasm.