‘You asked me what we are going to do about this situation. I’ll tell you what we are going to do. I want you to pretend that we are both only getting £100,000 to begin with, so that Saffron won’t be worried. Can you help me on that?’
‘That’s fine with me.’
We sit in silence. I finish my pint.
‘And we’ll be getting rid of Hayley, of course.’
I smile. ‘Absolutely. Come for lunch at mine at the weekend. I can help sow the seeds for that.’
170
Miles
Feeling blurred around the edges, after drinking so much alcohol, I stagger through our hallway. Our modern art swims towards me. I weave my way through it.
‘Saffron,’ I shout. ‘I’m home.’
Fingers to your lips, ‘Shush,’ you whisper as you tiptoe through the hallway, dressed in your silk negligee. ‘I need a little peace. I’ve just put the boys to bed.’
You take me in your arms, the scent of your favourite perfume, Juliette Has A Gun, engulfing us. Your body feels warm and comforting. You kiss me, and make me feel like a teenager again. You pull away.
‘How did the trip to the solicitors go?’ you ask.
‘Let’s get a bottle of wine, and I’ll tell you.’
Sitting in the drawing room, I sip white wine with my arm around you. ‘Well, was the will what you expected?’ you push.
‘No.’ I pause. ‘Well almost.’
You look at me quizzically. ‘Come on. Tell me. Explain.’
‘Aiden and I only get the first £100,000 to begin with. We have to wait six months for the rest.’
‘Why?’
I shrug my shoulders, and force a smile. ‘No idea. Bizarre isn’t it?’ I try to speak slowly, and clip the end of my words. I have had so much to drink that I might be sounding slurred. ‘But £100,000 is more than enough to tide us over. To invest some money in BPC if you want?’
171
Saffron
Miles is right: £100,000 is enough to tide us over. And six months to wait for the rest is nothing in the scheme of things. What a weird stipulation. Why? And at least the probate is simple. Nothing in trust. Mainly cash not shares.
I have nothing to worry about. You have done all the damage you possibly can from beyond the grave, Caprice. You are finished. Over. Kaput. As Miles said, we have more than enough to begin to invest in BPC if I want. Oh yes, I want. Of course I want. Yes please. I want my business to succeed. Thank you, Caprice, for dying at the right time and rescuing me. I will hide my desire for my business to succeed, and try not to make my benefits from your demise too obvious. I will wear my smile inside.
172
Aiden
Sunday lunch, at mine for a change. I have sweated over a Nigel Slater vegetable curry to please you, Saffron. And I’m serving it with an Ottolenghi salad, containing too many ingredients, including a herb that I can’t get at Waitrose, but grows in a friend’s garden. I had to drive to Putney to collect it. Burgundy wine. San Pellegrino, your favourite mineral water. You are fussy about that.
Your black net dress shows your red lacy bra. I like your red ankle boots and perfectly toning lipstick. Your Deborah Harry in her heyday look. Punky and delicious.
Miles is his usual self. Complacent and charming, wearing chinos and slip-on mules. I really can’t understand why he was always Mother’s favourite. There is so much more bite about me. I was more rebellious at school. That’s why I wasn’t a prefect. He was a prefect because he was such a yes-man. Didn’t Richard Branson say you should ditch education if you want to be successful? Or was it Bill Gates? Anyway, Miles is too embroiled in intellectual activity to ever be truly top of the pile.
We finish the main course and I clear the plates. I put the homemade vegan meringues, made with chickpea water, into the oven, and step back into my dining room. I sit down, place my elbows on the table, hands together and lean across toward my indolent brother and his feisty wife.
‘Now the funeral’s over, there’s something I need to discuss with you both.’
You put your wine glass down and look at me wide-eyed. Miles necks the end of his glass, and tops it up. He leans back in his chair. ‘Fire away.’
‘It’s slightly sensitive.’ I pause. ‘It’s about Hayley.’ I look straight at Miles. He nods for me to continue. I turn my head towards you, Saffron. ‘One day, when you were in prison, Saffron, I popped to the house hoping to see Miles. But he was out giving a police statement. Anyway, Hayley invited me in for coffee and we got chatting.’ I pause. ‘Did you know she writes a diary?’
‘No,’ you reply.
‘Yes,’ Miles replies almost in unison.
‘Well,’ I continue, ‘Hayley got distracted, having to check on the gardeners. They had a problem with one of your trees. So she inadvertently left me alone with it and I had a quick peek.’
‘Voyeuristic,’ Miles says.
I shrug my shoulders. ‘I’m glad I did. That young woman is a troublemaker. And she seriously has the hots for you, Miles. She would go to extreme lengths to snare you. You both need to be very wary of her.’
You exchange glances with Miles. A frown furrows your brow.
‘Let me show you. I took some pictures of the text on my iPhone.’
I press my phone, and pass it across the table to them. They sit heads together and read. After a while they look up.
‘See what I mean? She’s seriously into Miles, so much so that she lied to me. She told me she thought Saffron had feelings for me. Leading me to hope. Leading me to behave inappropriately, when in fact all she wanted was to cause trouble between you both, so that she could attempt to bag Miles. I’m furious. I feel played.’ I stop for breath. ‘And I’m sorry for behaving so badly. I want to apologise.’
Miles takes a large sip of wine, puts his head on one side and smiles.
‘Well you’ve always been a pain, so I’m used to it, mate.’ He pauses. ‘And you have always been over-interested in my wife, you bastard, so you deserve to be played.’
His eyes shine into mine the way they always do when he is teasing me. I know he loves me. He needs my help. He has forgiven me.
‘And you saw the way Hayley behaved at the funeral,’ I continue.
‘It was appalling,’ you bristle. ‘Totally over the top and inappropriate. And she was supposed to be looking after the boys.’
‘But it was useful. I think it showed she was far closer than we realised to our mother. Look, I couldn’t photograph the whole diary, but it’s a no-brainer. She wants Miles as her partner. She was in cahoots with Mother. Mother set Saffron up. Hayley may well have helped. She’s in love with Miles. What else might she be about to do to cause trouble for Saffron? And Saffron has been through enough. It’s simple. You need to let Hayley go. If I were you, I’d get a new nanny as soon as possible. I suggest you contact the agency immediately.’
173
Saffron
We leave Aiden’s. The Uber driver blasts through Fulham and Wimbledon. He screeches towards the car in front of us at the traffic lights before we get onto the A4.
‘Slow down,’ I scream. ‘Or stop the car so we can get out.’
The driver doesn’t reply. But he tames his driving the rest of the way home.
As soon as we step through our front door, ‘Come on,’ I say to Miles, ‘let’s have some lemon and ginger tea, and sit down to talk about Hayley.’
‘I’d rather have some more wine.’
My heart sinks. I am worried he needs to drink to tolerate what has happened. I take a deep breath. I need to confront him. ‘No, Miles, you’re drinking too much since I came out of prison. Is it because having me home is difficult?’
He shakes his head. ‘No. I’m so pleased you’re home. I love you, Saffron. But I have felt low since Mother died. I do feel better when I drink.’
‘Alcohol’s a depressant. It makes you feel better for a few hours in the evening, but by the next morning it will be lowering your metabolism and your spi
rits. Come on, lemon and ginger tea, and a chat about Hayley. You’ll feel better in the morning if you don’t have any more wine.’
He sighs. ‘OK.’
He makes the tea. I go and check on the boys. I kiss them gently without waking them, on my favourite spot on their foreheads, just below the hairline. My boys, who I am sure you tried to separate me from, Caprice.
I pad downstairs. Miles is waiting for me, sitting obediently at the kitchen table, with two mugs of tea. I join him and take a sip. Then I place my cup on the table, take a deep breath, and start.
‘Hayley will have to go.’ I lean back and twist my palms to the ceiling. ‘It’s a pity because she has looked after the children well. They’ve been happy with her. She’s a good nanny. And it’s always such a drag finding someone else.’
Miles reaches across, takes my hand in his and squeezes it. ‘But Aiden’s right. You can’t be exposed to any more trouble.’ He shakes his head sadly.
‘I think I’ll take some time off work. I’ll look after Ben and Harry and the home for now.’
Miles stiffens in surprise. ‘But … but … what about BPC?’
‘Well, I’m putting the business on the back burner at the moment.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, we’ve only got two clients at the moment and Aristos is very quiet these days, so the small amount of work I’m doing, I can do from home.’
‘That’s a surprise. Why didn’t you tell me?’ He raises his shoulders and his palms.
‘Because you’ve had so much on what with losing your mother. I didn’t want to worry you about my business.’
He frowns. ‘But what about Ted and Julie?’
‘Ted’s freelancing doing a few tax returns, sorting out another friend’s business accounts. Julie’s helping her new partner set up a business. So they are coping.’ I pause and sigh. ‘They’ll be OK for a while, I suppose.’
Miles’ golden brown eyes darken. He squeezes my hand again. ‘We’ll soon get that money from my mother’s estate and then you’ll easily be able to use it to build BPC up again. Is that what you need, some more capital when the loan runs out?’
‘In a word, yes.’
‘Well I can’t think of a better use to put my inheritance to.’
I lean across the table and kiss him. ‘Thank you so very much.’
‘That’s fine. It’s a no-brainer isn’t it, wanting to help my wife?’ He pauses. ‘Are you sure you’re happy to stay home and look after the boys for a while? I don’t want you bored and unhappy at home. You could apply to work for someone else in the meantime. We can get a nanny again anytime you want.’
‘After everything that’s happened I think a short break from a guest in the house will do us all good. And we can use me staying at home as the excuse for letting Hayley go. But yes. As soon as Caprice’s money comes in I’d love to pump it into BPC and go back to work.’ I pause, and sip my tea. ‘So who’s going to tell Hayley?’
‘I’ll tell her,’ Miles says. ‘She’s closer to me.’
174
Miles
Sacking Hayley is a no-brainer this time. The sooner I do it the better. The solicitor has made it quite clear he will inform Hayley about the will any day now. As soon as she knows the situation she’ll be a danger. I do not want her anywhere near our family. So I’m looking for any opportunity to catch her alone. And I do not want Ben and Harry listening to the conversation. They really like her, so they will kick up. And I am not venturing into her bedroom area. She’s so flirty with me, she’ll take that as a come-on.
Every time I have tried to approach her it has been impossible. The boys were glued to her side all weekend. Saturday night and Sunday night she disappeared out with her on-off boyfriend, freaky Jono. His hair is green at the moment. I saw him skulking at the end of the drive smoking a roll-up that emitted a spicy scent. Wearing weird trousers a bit like Ronald McDonald. Monday, she took the boys to school and then went out shopping all day. She returned laden with bags from Primark and Top Shop, the boys again attached to her side. As soon as she had put them to bed she vanished straight into the no-go zone. The red-hot heat of her bedroom.
I am determined to fire her. Whatever happens. Today is the day. I will catch her somewhere. By the swimming pool. Late at night when she returns from Jono’s. I’ll even get in the car with her if she goes shopping again.
Early evening, I look out of the kitchen window. She is walking towards the garden, notepad in hand. I hear the theme tune from X-Men blasting from the playroom. The boys must be watching a film. I bound out of the back door. Out of breath and panting, I tap her on the shoulder. She turns around and her face lights up.
‘Miles!’ she exclaims. She puts her head on one side and treats me to one of her broad, teeth-flashing smiles. Sexy, but contrived.
For a second I feel guilty for what I am about to do. Then I remember why I have to do it, and my guilt is overtaken by resolve.
‘I need to talk to you, Hayley.’ My voice sounds heavy, thunderous.
Her smile sticks to her lips and freezes. ‘Let’s go and sit on the bench in the garden,’ I continue.
‘Is everything all right?’ she almost whispers.
‘Come with me and I’ll explain.’
We walk across the lawn, past the west-facing flowerbed, rich with geraniums, phlox, roses, campanula, jasmine. Past Caprice’s favourite tree, the crab apple that my father, Rupert, gave to her on their silver wedding anniversary. She treasured that tree. A tree is worth a million pieces of jewellery, she said when he gave it to her. After he died she always told us that this tree symbolised their life together. Her favourite book was Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernières. She always quoted what he said, likening a couple’s love to tree roots growing together.
‘That’s how I felt about Rupert,’ she often announced after quoting Louis de Bernières’ haunting words.
Words that moved me. My insides tighten as I think about it. She loved Rupert like I love Saffron. And yet she deemed it all right to cause so much pain and trouble for me.
Hayley and I sit together on the bench beneath the weeping willow. Her eyes simmer into mine. Surely after the harsh tone I used when I asked to speak to her, she doesn’t think I’m about to make a love declaration? My stomach is heavy. I take a deep breath.
‘Hayley, Saffron is leaving BPC for a while. She wants to stay at home and look after Ben and Harry herself.’
Eyes and mouth shape into circles of surprise. She doesn’t look like Hayley Smith for a second, but a cartoon character from South Park. She soon sharpens up.
‘That’s a turn-up for the books. What’s brought that on? Is her business failing?’
Is that why Hayley and Caprice got on? Are they riddled with the same kind of bitchiness?
‘No. She just wants to enjoy some free time with her family. Alone.’ I pause. ‘So, we don’t need you, from tomorrow.’
Hayley gasps. ‘That’s not much notice.’
‘We will pay you a month’s salary. It’s just that we would like you to leave immediately.’
She looks crestfallen. Eyes brimming with tears. ‘Will you give me a reference?’
‘You’ve done a great job. Of course we will, Hayley.’
175
Hayley
I’m packing, so sad to be going. Living here has been like moving through a beautiful dream. I stuff my expensive swimming costume, my designer clothing I bought to beguile you, and my Christian Dior make-up into my scruffy rucksack, grey with dust from my travels. I won’t need any of this in the squat with Jono. It will be jumpers, jeans and trainers. Eating crappy leftovers from the local market, and drinking cider that tastes like methylated spirits. As I leave I steal three photographs from the album Caprice used to show me in her bedroom. No one will notice they are missing. One of you. One of Caprice. One of Ben and Harry cuddling each other in the armchair by the white marble fireplace. I know which male I’ll miss most and he isn’t a chi
ld.
176
Saffron
I’ve just taken Ben and Harry to school, returned home and cleared up the breakfast dishes. I’m sitting drinking Lavazza coffee at the kitchen table. It’s so peaceful in Wellbeck House, without your stabbing grey eyes. Without your sulky lips mispronouncing dear. I do not miss your bitchy ways. Your bitchy comments. And as for Miles, who was my biggest worry, he seems to be getting over your death. His drinking has returned to its normal level. And he has returned to being full-on in bed. A friend of mine, who is a relationship counsellor, once told me that when a man feels in control in the bedroom he feels in control of his life. So maybe our antics between the sheets have helped improve Miles’ perspective.
Aiden is keeping away. I guess he has finally accepted I’m not interested. That has taken another weight off my shoulders. The way he doted on me never pleased me, it just made me feel uncomfortable. Both his presence, and you, my mother-in-law’s, were like a cloud hanging over me.
And Hayley? I miss her in a strange sort of way. She was helpful and kind. Calming and sensible. It just bugged me the way she used to look at Miles.
177
Miles
I didn’t enjoy your comments about my drinking, Saffron. So I’m sitting in the drawing room, drinking my new tipple, elderflower pressé. Looking out of the window, thinking about my mother. She was a beautiful woman. Doe-eyed. Sleek. Elegant. I was nurtured in the hothouse of her love. But why has she caused all this trouble?
Now I have been made aware of the contents of her will, I know you have always been right. My mother was dangerous; and so is her legacy. I won’t let anyone harm you, my beautiful Saffron. I am so relieved Hayley moved out without making too much fuss. For the next six months I’ll be watching out for you like a hawk.
The Unwelcome Guest Page 24
