Back In Time - Part 5
Saturday 20th
November
7 am
Sands and
Holly’s apartment
As he sat on
the bed and rubbed the back of his head, Tommy looked round the room, before he
stood up and walked into the main part of the apartment. “Now where is the coffee kept?” Tommy asked
as he started to look in the cupboards of the well-appointed kitchen.
A good cup of
strong coffee was just what he needed after a night where he'd neither slept
well, nor really badly, a string of interesting, or should that be disturbing,
dreams, the proof he'd never achieved deep sleep state.
“There you are,”
he smiled as he found the Keurig pods and set the coffee maker going, and eased
himself onto a stool while he waited.
What had made the dreams so unusual was that they weren't really his dreams at
all, subconsciously he had dreamed Krys's dreams somehow. Dreams of shopping in
APCO, having a gossipy lunch with the ladies, and worst of all coping with
having her period, weren't his normal thing. Something was screwy and Tommy
couldn't decide whether that was bad...or good.
Slowly he
poured himself a cup of coffee and tried putting the dreams out of his brain.
As he sipped his beverage he looked round. This was actually quite an
apartment. He wondered if anyone would mind if he explored it a bit?
Taking a sip,
he walked round the front room, looking at the furniture and running a finger
along the books on the shelf. “Lot of
fashion books,” he said with a smile as he looked at the CD rack, “and whoever
lives here had very similar tastes to Holly.”
Heading into
the other bedroom, he opened the large wooden doors and entered the walk in
wardrobe. “Very nice – very stylish,” he
said as he looked at the dresses and clothes, “although a few sizes too small
for me, I think…”
8 am
The Richmond
Mansion
“Good morning,”
Sands said as she stood in the doorway
“Did Holly make
it home safely last night sweetie?” Heather turned her head as she stood at the
stove cooking breakfast.
“Yes,” Sands
stretched as she walked into the kitchen dressed just in an over-sized New York
Rangers hockey sweater, “the Brewster's gave her a ride and saw her safely
indoors.”
“Does she have a hangover?” Heather asked as she turned the bacon in the frying
pan.
“She said her
head is throbbing.”
“Too much
champagne will do that for you.”
“I know,” Sands
eased herself up on a bar stool. “Any chance of some coffee?”
“If you pour it
for yourself.”
“Okay,” the
younger woman smiled as she reached for the coffee pot and a mug, “Where's Mom
by the way?”
“Your
Grandmother phoned, she took the call in her work room.”
“Did my brother
also ring?”
“Not yet,”
Heather said as she put a plate in front of her, “but I suspect Katy kept him
awake till late.”
“That was her
plan,” Sand's giggled.
“Jo rang
though,” Heather said with a smile as she went back to her stove, “she was
sorry she missed the party, but she has a race today.”
“Erica
understood that,” Sand's sipped her coffee, “did you see the skeleton Doc and
Bugs gave her?”
“I did. where
she is going to hang it without freaking out Denice I don't know.”
“In a cupboard
I guess.”
“SANDY,
BREAKFAST!” Heather yelled.
As Sands and
Heather looked to the door, Sandy came in – but one look told them something
was wrong.
“What’s
happened?”
“Hmmm – oh
nothing for you to worry about. Sands,
your grandmother would like the two of us to call round this morning – unless
you have other plans?”
“Nothing that
can’t be changed,” Sands said as she looked at her mother.
“Good – we go
in an hour.”
“I’ll get that,”
Heather said as she headed into the hallway, while Sandy looked at her
daughter.
“Something
happened last night…”
“Heather?”
“Are you okay
Krys?” Heather held the phone to one ear while she stirred her coffee.
“I guess,”
Tommy's voice changed to that of Krys as he obviously clicked on the voice
modifier.
“Did you sleep
well?”
“Not totally.”
“Anything you
want to talk about?”
“It can wait
till you get here...You are coming over still Heather?” the voice at the other
end sounded slightly worried.
“I am. Just
give me a chance to get some chores done quickly, and then I'll drive over.”
“Thanks, this
weekend is not going like I thought it would, and I need to talk.”
“Well my lover
and Sands,” Heather said as she watched them walk quickly out of the door, “have
gone over to see Nessa about something urgent, so how about we have a chat, and
then I'll take you out to lunch.”
“Can I get away without wearing towering spiked heels?”
“Only if you want
to eat at BK, or the Golden Arches,” Heather laughed, “the place I had in mind
is dressy.”
“Oh joy.”
9 am
The von Furstenheim Apartment
“So was that
Missy?” Klaus asked as Juliette came back into the kitchen.
“It was,” she said
as she sat down and let out a sigh, “she's still fretting about Krys Ernst and
Mel Eckholm.”
“Why?” Klaus asked with obvious curiosity, “there are millions of beautiful
girls in this world, why have these two in particular got under her skin?”
“I don't know
if I can explain it,” Ju said, shaking her head as she poured herself a coffee.
“There are certain girls who you only have to see for the briefest of times to
know they have what it takes to be a success in the biz, and like Mary Thomas,
Missy is damn good at spotting such talent.”
“As with Mary Clarke?”
“Exactly,”
Juliette took a sip, “she sees both Mel and Krys and exactly that same little
alarm bell goes off in her head.”
“So what is
Missy going to do about it?”
“I don't know,
and to be honest I'm not sure I really want to. When Missy is like this you
don't want to be in the way, she gets very single minded.”
“And we know
what happens when Missy sets her mind to something,” Klaus said with a smile.
10 am
Mary Thomas’ Apartment
Lafayette Street
“It was good of
you to let the family stay for the weekend, Aunt Mary,” Mel said as she sat
down, “it means we can join them for breakfast.”
“Well feed
yourselves everyone,” Mary Thomas smiled as she looked round the kitchen table.
“Oh we will,”
Andy Eckholm reached for the cereal, “things like last night always seem to give
me an appetite.”
“That’s the
good thing about parties – everyone gets to have fun and enjoy themselves,”
Mary said with a smile.
“And it means
we don’t have to wonder about how we get food and wake up,” Denice said with a
smile.
“So what was the best thing about last night, Erica,” Eva asked with a grin.
“Dancing with
Sir Tom – he’s a silver fox,” Erica said with a smile.
“Miss Thomas,”
Mel asked softly, “is it true that Miss Auerbach thinks I can be a Norstar
girl?”
“How did you
hear that?” Mary replied as calmly as she could.
“Poppy and some
of the other girls were saying it at the party.” Mel took another drink from
her mug, and then said “Is it true?”
“Let me say,” Mary said with a smile, “that it's something she has remarked
about shall we.”
“Mel modelling?”
Eva looked bemused.
“Yes,” Mary
took a deep breath, “Missy sees heaps of potential in Mel, but we have all told
her to lay off while Melinda adjusts to her life as an Angel.”
“Is this a
joke?” Andy asked.
“No it isn't Andy.
Mel is a beautiful girl, and those eyes of hers are incredible.”
“But she's a
soccer player Mary?”
“It doesn't
mean she has to be only that,” Denice smiled.
“A lot of top
girls lead multi-faceted lives,” Mary looked at the Eckholm's, “but the
consensus is that Mel could wait before being approached.”
“Well, I guess
I do have to tell you something,” Mel said with a smile, “because it was done
in secret – but there is another St Angela’s calendar this year.
“And I’m in one
of the pictures.”
Park Avenue
“What is that?”
John asked as he looked at the crumpled piece of paper Shirley was looking at
as she lingered at the breakfast table drinking coffee.
“This,” Shirley
said with a smile as she spread the paper out.
“Oh just something I drew many long years ago back when I dreamt one day
of maybe becoming an architect.”
“This isn't bad
darling,” John looked closely, “how old were you when you drew this?”
“Eighteen.”
Shirley sighed. “I used to do a lot of
drawings, this one for some reason I always kept.”
“You ought to work
on it you know,” John smiled, “maybe even get it built one day. It's not like
you can't afford it.”
Shirley looked
at him as she said “you mean design and build my own house?”
“Why not? It would give you an interest outside of work, and as I said that
sketch looks lovely.” John poured himself another cup, “do you own a suitable
plot of land?”
“The house where I grew up near Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire burnt down,”
Shirley shivered at the memory of that terrible night, “but I still own the
land it stood on.”
“That isn't far
from Brocket Hall is it?”
“No, not far at
all.”
“Or where you
went to prep school?”
“No, Footscray
Lodge is also nearby.”
“How much land
is there?”
“Just about six
acres.”
“Well when we
get back to England see if you can get planning permission, and think seriously
about building this place.” John held up the drawing and smiled.
“Maybe.” Shirley smiled as Maisha came in. “Maisha, Kylie wishes to see us at Noon today
– a dress fitting?”
“Of course,
Mum,” Maisha said with a smile.
11 am
Nessa’s Apartment
Sandy and Sands
looked on the screen of Nessa’s phone, and then handed the phone back as Nessa
sat in the armchair.
“Buffy
McGeorge? How can you be sure?”
“Because she’s
cocky enough to sign the e-mail,” Nessa said as she crossed her legs, the hems
of her designer jeans rising up.
“Did you show
it to Lowell,” Sandy asked as she leaned forward.
“No – he left
before I woke up, and then I saw this.”
“Did you tell
Heather anything darling?” Sandy said as she looked at her daughter.
“No I didn't Mom,” Sands said quietly, “you asked me not too and I honored your
wishes.”
“I love Heather Sandy,” Nessa said quietly, “but this is my trouble, and I want
just Richmond women to clear it up.”
“Are you
sure Gran?”
“I am Alexandra darling. Why?”
“Because this
is the second time Buffy has offended me,” Sands said quietly, “and this time
we must do something.”
“The second
time?”
Nessa looked at
her daughter and granddaughter, before Sands said “earlier this year, she
threatened to expose me and Holly unless Holly – helped her with something.”
“Do I want to
know more?”
“No, you don’t,”
Sands said quietly, “but yes, we do need to do something…”
Sands and Holly’s Apartment
“Come in,” Krys
said as she opened the door to Heather, wearing a jumper and pants. “I’ll put the coffee on.”
“Sounds good,”
Heather said as she went into the kitchen with her. “So how are you feeling?”
“How am I
feeling?” Krys shook her head as she said “if I said I have no idea, would “that be dodging the question?”
“Sounds like it
would be honest,” Heather said as she sat at the breakfast bar. She watched as Krys poured two mugs of
coffee, before she said “start at the beginning – you said you didn’t have a good
sleep?”
“More the
dreams I had – well, the dreams Krys had.
Even in my subconscious, I was her,” the blonde said as she took a sip
from the mug. “It’s almost as if there’s
another me that this has let loose.”
“A little
disconcerting?”
“You think –
Heather, this is going to sound like a loaded question, or more likely a stupid
one, but…”
“No.”
“No I can’t
ask?”
“No, I don’t
think you’re gay,” Heather said quietly, “but I think you are learning a few
things, especially about walking that mile in someone else’s shoes.”
“Yeah – how do
you manage that anyway?”
“Practise – how
are your heels?”
“Don’t ask –
Heather, I think I can understand a bit what Holly has been going through,
having to keep a secret, but…”
“Hmmm?”
“Oh I don’t
know – I guess I’m seeing a lot from different angles. So – lunch?”
“Yeah – let’s
get you ready for that…”
4 pm GMT
Near Fleet
“It's a rare
pleasure to see you down here on a Saturday afternoon Lady C,” Penny said as
she opened the door to her home, to find Catriona Cuthbertson standing outside.
“Well you did invite me to drop in any time I was in the neighbourhood
Penelope.”
“I thought you were up to your neck trying a fraud case?” Penny gestured for her
visitor to come into the cottage.
“I am, and I
really should be going over what I'm saying in court next week.” Cat took a
breath, “However something has come up that is more important.”
“And what might
that be?” Penny lifted an eyebrow, “and while you tell me can I offer you a
coffee, tea, or a drink.”
“I'd like a
whiskey, but since I'm driving it had better be coffee.”
“Alright,”
Penny headed to the kitchen, “while I'm making it tell me what persuaded you to
drive all this way?”
“In one word,
Shirley.”
“Oh.” Penny
started the coffee maker, and said “Is something wrong with Madame?”
“Only insofar
as she's re-evaluating her life and thinking about what might have happened if
she hadn't been kidnapped. Juliette Furstenheim phoned me first thing this
morning our time to tell me the kind of mood Shirley was in at a party last
night, and I then took a chance and phoned Shirley myself.”
“Is she alright?” Penny looked concerned.
“She seemed
very quiet and reflective. I think she's thinking it's maybe time she tried to
do some of the things she'd dreamt of doing way back then, of broadening her
life out to include more than being just Madame X.”
“Hence why she
has adopted Maisha, and given me a lot more responsibility and control over the
business.”
“Exactly.”
“So what
exactly is she thinking of?”
“Well – did she
ever tell you what she would have studied if she had made it to Cambridge.”
“No – what?”
“Architecture.”
Penny looked at
Cat for a moment, before she said “seriously?”
“Oh yes – well,
she does have exquisite taste in offices…”
Noon
Sands and Holly’s Apartment
“That should do
nicely,” Heather stepped back and admired her handiwork. “I might not be in
Mary Thomas's league as a stylist, but I have learned a few things since I
moved to New York.”
For a couple of
minutes Krys looked at the reflection in the mirror, she had to admit she looked
wonderful in a chic, dressy, but relaxed style that was perfect for a Saturday
lunch in Manhattan. From the black
stiletto heeled pumps that peeped out under the white satin dress pants with
their slightly flared leg, to the white cashmere turtle-necked sweater worn
under the black silk jacket, her outfit looked perfect. Her hair hung loose to
just blow her shoulders, and the designer sunglasses were the perfect
accessory.
“I meant to
ask,” she said as she looked at Heather, “whose apartment is this?”
“A friend’s”,
Heather said as she opened the door, Krys following as they walked onto the
sidewalk.
1 pm
Dirty French
180 Ludlow
Street
“Alright after
dropping in on a couple of our girls working this morning I think we've earned
a nice long lunch,” Missy said as she picked up the menu.
“Agreed,” Rhenia smiled.
“Do you get why
it's important?”
“I think so, it
gives us a chance to network with photographers, stylists, magazine and
advertising people?”
“Precisely,”
Missy looked up, “we want people who might hire our talent to know who we are,
and that they can contact us if they want to book Norstar girls.”
“Well the
talent side of things is your gig Missy, I'm just here to make sure the
business side of the operation runs smoothly.”
“It's still
important though that potential customers know your face Rhenia.” Missy
relaxed, “now can you see anything you fancy eating?”
“The Meuniere
looks interesting…”
Krys told
herself that she was never going to get used to being looked at like this. At
first she had worried that it was because people could see it was a man under
the wig and makeup, but now she could tell it was other women checking her out
as competition, while men looked at her with looks of desire. It was so
confusing, especially as she caught herself playing to her audience, putting an
added wiggle in her walk, and smiling at people she caught glancing at her.
“Stop it,” Heather both hissed at Krys, and simultaneously giggled, “You are
having far too much fun doing this, despite what you told me earlier while we
chatted.”
“Well I
normally don't get a second look from people, it's...”
“I know very
well what you are feeling Krys, it's just how I felt when I finally learned the
ins and outs of dressing well and presenting myself. Till Sandy, Juliette, and
Diana took me in hand I was pretty bad, they taught me so much.”
“Well you've
taught me a lot,” Krys stopped for a second to think. “Is this how women like
Carina and Holly think?”
“I guess so,
but in their cases I don't think either of them needed lessons, that natural
sexiness and the power they know it gives them, came naturally.”
“This way Miss
Smith,” their server beckoned for them to follow. As they walked to the table, Heather said “We’ll
look at the menu, and I’ll explain a few things.”
“Your menus,”
the waiter said as they sat down, “to drink?”
“de Ros
Chardonnay – the ’03 if you have it?”
“Excellent
choice,” he said as he bowed and walked off.
“You sounded
confident.”
“You have to,”
Heather said as she looked at the menu.
“So – have you
watched Holly eat, really watched her?”
“Yeah – she
prefers salads, things like that, and she eats slowly. I could murder a steak, but not today, right?”
“Right – go for
something you can eat slowly, savour,” she said as the server returned with the
wine, opening it and pouring. Krys
watched as Heather sipped from the glass, then nodded as both were filled. She perused the menu, then said “Share some
crudité?”
Heather nodded,
and said “the Banh Mi to follow.”
“Poulet Roti,”
Krys said as she looked round, enjoying the atmosphere, the quiet conversation,
and then whispering “shit…”
“What?”
“Missy Auerbach
at five o’clock – and she’s seen us…”
“That woman
really does have it all,” Missy stared at Heather and Krys while they ordered
their lunch. “I refuse to miss out on signing her.”
“Oh whom?” Rhenia asked.
“The tall
blonde with Heather Smith over there.”
Rhenia turned
her head slightly and looked over to the other table. “Mmmmm she is pretty special looking,” Rhenia
paused for thought and wondered why this woman had triggered something in her
brain?
“Presentation
and confidence is so important,” Heather grinned as they ate their food, “and
you are already pretty good at it Krys.”
Krys raised an eyebrow and said “I am?”
“Yes, why do you think Missy is hot on your trail, you project so well. I know
enough models to know that you compare very well to them.'
“So she really
is interested in me as a model?”
“I think we are
about to find out,” Heather said as she stood and kissed both Missy and Rhenia
on the cheek.
“Heather – I
didn’t think we would bump into each other.
Hello again, Krys – my I introduce the NorStar comptroller and business
manager, Rhenia Trapp.”
“It is a real
pleasure to meet you,” Rhenia said as she looked at Krys, “Missy and I were
just talking about the fact she had made you an offer?”
“And, as I said
to Missy last night, I’m not really interested,” Krys said with a smile as
Missy’s phone went off.
“I need to take
this – I’ll see you in a minute,” Missy said as she walked off, Rhenia shaking
her head as she said “well, I can see what Missy sees in you, and one other
thing.”
“And that is?”
“Heather,
whoever this is good – damn good.
Something I don’t want to know about?”
“How did you…”
Rhenia smiled
as she said “I hope to get to meet you another time – I’ll tell you then”
before she returned to her table.
“Oh my god,”
Krys said quietly as she sat down, “how… I thought…”
“You are,”
Heather said quietly, “but – well, I know Rhenia’s sister.”
“Her sister?”
“Now – her
brother originally. He transitioned a
few months ago, but it meant Rhenia is – well, attuned to people like you. Don’t worry – she is a very rare breed…”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh yes – trust
me, I can read people extremely well…”
The von Furstenheim Apartment
“So where is
Heather?” Carina asked as she looked out from Juliette’s screen, Judith playing
in the background.
“She's taken her friend Krys to lunch at Dirty French.”
“Since when can
a nanny afford to eat at places like that?” Carina laughed.
“Cari darling you know that Heather's status is purely nominal...and I know you
have a pretty good idea what she has in her bank account.”
“I could make a
rough guess.”
“Anyway,”
Juliette said, “to return to Shirley's party weekend, Heather as I said is
doing the detailed planning of how to get everybody there.”
“And thanks to Gus van Roon owning a jet charter company amongst all his other
holdings, it's not going to cost us a fortune.”
“Exactly
darling.”
“So who is working on the final guest list and invitations?”
“Maddie and
myself. Klaus is more than happy to look
after Judith for the weekend…”
1.30 pm
Merlin's Cave, Complete Style Magazine
“So any news from Heather about how Krys is doing Merlin?” Kylie asked as they
waited while Shirley and Maisha changed.
“Only that after a disturbed night’s sleep, and a long chat while they made
Krys look presentable they were going to have lunch at Dirty French.”
“That's a nice place to eat,” Kylie smiled, “Alice and Duncan took me and
Marina there.”
“It's the sort of place where Krys can see and be seen.”
“Yes her
education proceeds darling.”
“Kylie you are a miracle worker,” Shirley's upper class English tones were
heard from the dressing area.
“Well I
wouldn't quite say that Shirley darling.”
“I would,”
Madame's smile brightened the whole room as she came out in the wedding dress.
“Mum you look
amazing,” Maisha shook her head as she followed her out.
“As do you
Maisha darling – so last minute adjustments…”
2 pm
Nessa’s apartment
“So why the
hell is young Buffy such a nasty piece of work?” Nessa asked quietly as they
sat at the table, “I've known Sukie since she was a baby and I've always found
her to be rather nice.”
“Sukie is Mom,” Sandy replied, “but Buffy is impulsive, greedy, tough, and
rather ruthless going after just what she wants.”
“And she's not
always afraid about hurting, or using, people to get what she wants,” Sands
added.
“It's time then
that maybe she was taught a few lessons then.”
“I agree Mom,
but the question is how?”
Nessa looked at
both of them, before she said “Is there something either of you wish to tell
me?”
“No Mom – just
that we may both be thinking of something illegal,” Sandy said with a smile.
“Don’t rule
that out just yet – I do have one thought.
Would it be possible to ask Nell Rochermann for some help?”
3 pm
Park Avenue
“Well it sounds
like the dress fitting went perfectly darling,” John said as he brought in
fresh coffees.
“It did,”
Shirley sighed, “Kylie is making one of my dreams come true.”
“Mum and I were also talking about her house idea,” Maisha smiled.
“And our
daughter has just one request,” Shirley laughed.
“And that is
that you build her a tennis court?” John broke in.
“Yes.”
“Am I that
predictable?” Maisha started to giggle.
“In a way
darling,” John looked at the black girl affectionately, “but it isn't exactly
hard to envisage you wanting to invite some of your friends for a weekend
tennis party.”
“If you both
tell me what you'd like I can include them in my plans,” Shirley sipped her
coffee. “I presume some studio space for you darling?”
“Actually no,” John smiled, “if this is to be our retreat from London it would
be nice we made it a no work zone.”
“Mmmmm,”
Shirley said with a smile, “that sounds nice.”
“It applies to you as well Mom,” Maisha looked serious for a second, “you don't
get to do business there either.”
“But…”
“No excuses,”
John laughed, “a complete sanctuary, all right?”
“All right,”
Shirley said with a smile, even as she considered how to make it secure as
well…
5 pm
Sands and Holly’s Apartment
“So what do I
wear to have dinner with my girlfriend, and her girlfriend Heather, all while
I'm disguised as a woman myself?” Krys said as she looked in the wardrobe.
“You keep it simple, you keep it classic.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning this,”
Heather smiled as she held up a dress. “Every woman's best friend in her
closet, a little black dress.”
“Is this a
little too severe?” Krys held the dress up against herself.
“No it's
perfect. Mary really did know what she was doing when she chose these bits for
your weekend wardrobe.”
“So I boost up
my makeup a little for night-time?”
“You are
learning,” Heather smiled again.
“I think I am,”
suddenly Krys looked serious. “I'm also thinking that I may not be able to just
put Krys away and forget about her come Monday.”
“I was starting
to wonder,” Heather sat down on the edge of the bed, “you do seem to have
discovered something inside yourself.”
“I guess I
have.” She turned round, putting the
dress on the bed, before she said “I also know that I want, no I need what
being Krys gives me to stay part of my life.”
“Oh?” Heather
raised an eyebrow.
“And I guess
I'm also starting to see something about Holly.” Krys took a deep breath. “She
needs Sands in her life, she needs her love, but she also needs to keep it
secret because most people wouldn't understand...”
“Including
Tommy?” Heather interrupted.
“Yes,” Krys
nodded and smiled a small smile, “I don't think he could understand that
sometimes our desires, loves, and choices, mean we have to keep secrets”
“So are you
going to come out to her as Krys?”
“Am I allowed
to say that I don't know?”
“Yes you are,
and don't worry about Sands blowing this all up, I'll warn her not to tell
Holly anything.”
“Thanks…”
6.30 pm
The Richmond Mansion
“Welcome to my
home, Krys,” Sandy said as she held the door open, allowing the blonde to come
in on her four inch heels.
“Thank you,
Miss Richmond…”
“Oh please,
it’s Sandy,” she said as Krys removed her coat and hung it up. She was wearing a blue dress, and smiled as
Heather came in, wearing a grey dress.
“Hey – come on
in, we’re just having some drinks,” she said as she walked Krys into the main
room. “I think you met Holly last night,
and Sands, but this is her brother George.”
“Pleasure to
meet you,” George said as he kissed her hand.
“So you knew Heather at Yale?”
“Indeed – hello
again Holly. How are you feeling
tonight?”
“Better than I
did last night, thanks,” the petite blonde said as she held Sands’ hand. Both girls were wearing black dresses as
well, while George was in a suit, shirt and tie. “I hear you had an interesting encounter with
Heather at lunch?”
“I did?”
“I was telling
them about bumping into Missy and Rhenia at lunch?”
“Oh that – that
was a surprise as well,” Krys said as she accepted a drink from George. “She must see something in me I do not see.”
“We all have
hidden depths,” Sands said as she smiled – then saw the warning look in Heather’s
eye. She then smiled and said “Well,
shall we go in and eat?”
“I don't know
what she's seeing in me?” Krys sipped her wine as she walked into the dining
room.
“I do,” Sandy
smiled, “there is a young Dutch model called Romee Strijd who Abby knows and
who has done the VS show the past couple of years. That perfect face and full
lips of yours are very reminiscent.”
“I'll have to look her up on Google some time.”
“You'll see there is more than a little similarity Krys.”
“And you think
that is why Missy seems so keen on signing me?”
“Among others.”
“I have to say
I envy you your height Krys,” Holly looked at her, “I've done some odd bits of modelling
but I'm too short really to make a career of it.”
“Carina is
doing so,” Sands spoke.
“I know but the
difference is that she has always wanted to be a model just like her Mom
whereas I'm just not that driven.”
“So what are
your ambitions Holly?” Heather asked as she served the food.
“Well not to be
either a doctor like my Dad, or to be like my Mom and mix charity work with
being a socialite.”
“So what then?”
Krys asked with genuine interest.
“I have to say
I’ve never heard you say want to do after college either,” Sands spoke quietly.
“I'm interested
in fashion, but I don't see myself modelling or doing fashion journalism.
However the courses I'm doing in marketing at NYU do really interest me, and
I've been thinking about maybe trying to get a job in fashion retailing, then
maybe one day owning my own little store.”
“You do know
APCO offer a graduate training program?”
“Yes,” Holly
smiled, “and I've thought that maybe when I'm a senior I might apply for a
place.”
“I say go for it,” Krys smiled, while inside Tommy wondered why Holly had never
told him any of this.
“Well, let’s
eat…”
7.30 pm
The von Furstenheim Apartment
“Sorry I should
have got you to sign these at the office Juliette,” Alexis looked tired as she
sat in her boss's kitchen, watching Juliette as she looked through the papers.
“Well I'm sure
these could have waited till Monday morning, so what really brought you to my
door on a Saturday night? No date or
party?”
“Yes… No… I
think I needed to talk to someone...”
“Are you still not sleeping well, and having those 'Ripper' dreams?” Juliette
interrupted slightly.
Nodding, Alexis
whispered “yes.”
“Didn't talking to Carina help?”
“We didn't get
to chat,” Alexis said as she held the mug, “she had to stay in New Haven for
the weekend and she cancelled our Friday lunchtime chat.”
“Yes she decided that she had to work on a paper,” Ju nodded.
“I don't know
what's happening to me, boss,” Alexis said as she looked over the breakfast
bar. “I'm beginning to let this effect
my work. I'm starting to get afraid you are going to fire me.”
“Well don't worry about that...”
“You know what
is worrying more,” Alexis spoke over her boss, “it's no longer just Carina's face
I'm seeing, it's other women...including your friend Mrs Callaghan. Why am I
having these dreams?”
Juliette looked
at her, before she said “I think you do need to talk to Carina, and a couple of
others. Gale is coming next weekend as
well – and so are you…”
8.30 pm
The Richmond
Mansion
“Well I
personally think that both Heather and I experienced something that none of you
did,” Krys smiled as they sat round the table, “I'm willing to bet we are the
only ones who ever got labelled as nerds and saw themselves as outsiders when
compared to the 'cool' kids.”
“I think even at Yale we were both pigeon-holed as 'Plain Jane's',” Heather
nodded her support as she sipped her wine.
“Oh come on,” Holly rolled her eyes, “just look at you both, you are both
gorgeous.”
“In my case
only because Sandy and her friends took me in hand and did a makeover,” Heather
said with a smile.
“While in my
case I put myself in the hands of a professional 'coach' who taught me to make
the most of myself,” Krys smiled, “I was sick and tired of the fact that I'd
gone through all those years studying, not getting invited to parties, etc. So
before I went to BU to do my masters I made a decision to make a complete
change.”
“Can I say it
has paid off incredibly,” Sandy spoke, “I can see just what about you has Missy
Auerbach in a tizz.”
“That amazes
me,” Krys blushed.
“So what are
your grades like this year Holly?”
“Would you
believe that they are a lot better,” Holly cut her food, “I'm actually
maintaining an A minus average so far this semester.”
“Good for you.”
“It helps that
Heather has been tutoring me for the computing class I have to do, but because
I'm now a junior and I have most of the required stuff out of the way I'm
largely doing electives that I enjoy doing.”
“And your
grades are reflecting that?” Sandy asked.
“I think so.”
“Well
congratulations.”
“Thank you
Krys,” Holly for a second laughed, “I'm not sure my parents don't think I'm
cheating, they've always rather stereotyped me as a dumb blonde.”
“You don't
strike me as dumb.”
“I think my
problem has always been motivating myself in subjects I don't really enjoy.”
“I was the same,” Sandy smiled as she took a sip of wine. “At Smith my grades
in my core courses were always higher than in the ones I was forced to take.”
“You have to keep that overall average up though,” Heather spoke, “it's why Jo
fights so hard with math even though she hates it.”
“Talking of
your sister, how did her race go today that you mentioned?” Krys asked Heather.
“Not badly, she
didn't win individually, but William Smith did when the team race.”
“Well, that’s
good news. I'm dying to ask Holly some
things about her and Tommy, and Sands,” Krys whispered in Heather's ear, “is it
safe to do so while George is in the room?”
“Wait till after we have finished eating, he will probably go ring Katy, raise
the topic then.”
“Alright I can wait.”
“So tell us
about your boyfriend Krys?” Sandy asked.
“Well he's
someone I met in Boston. He just
finished his masters last semester and is starting on his doctorate.”
“What subject?”
Holly asked.
“He's a
botanist,” Krys replied, while inside Tommy remembered the guy who he was using
as a template for a boyfriend, and wondering if he'd be flattered, or
displeased, at being talked about like this.
“He sounds nice,” Heather smiled.
“Yes he's
wonderful,” Krys let out a little sigh.
“There is a
problem with him?” Sands asked.
“Oh only that
he is dedicated to his studies and that there are nights when I want to be
taken out and he says he has to work.”
“Oh I know that
feeling,” Holly rolled her eyes.
“Really?”
“Yeah – my
boyfriend, Tommy, he gets so into his studies he develops a tunnel vision, and
there have been times when I was the one who lost out…”
8.30 pm
Yale
As Judith lay
on the seat, sleeping, Cari looked at her mother explaining what had happened.
“So?” Juliette
stared at the screen after she finished telling her daughter what Alexis had
said. She could see the concern on
Carina’s face as she sat back.
“If she's seeing Gale's face,” Carina finally said, “then I'm willing to bet
that the other faces she's seeing are other 'daughters'.”
“You think so?”
“I'd bet on it,”
Carina said as she leaned forward, “and I'm prepared to go further and say that
she is seeing faces of women even I don't know about.”
Juliette sat for a moment, before she slowly said “Meaning what Cari?”
“That she's tapping into that invisible connection that somehow seems to bind
us all together. I've never told you this Mom,” Cari said quietly, “but
occasionally I can sense they are out there myself.”
“Have you
talked to Natalya about it?”
“Not really,”
her daughter said quietly, “but I guess with what is happening I must.”
“I agree,” Juliette paused for thought. “Alexis thinks she's going insane.”
“To most people
she would probably sound that way, but when you know just what many of us are
capable of, then actually she's pretty normal in comparison.”
“So what needs
to be done darling?”
“I wish I knew
Mom. I like Alexis, but the last thing I want is her talking to outsiders about
this and then someone investigating.”
“You'd kill
her?”
“Not willingly
Mom, it would be like killing part of myself, but things continue going as they
are and I may have no choice.”
“Has this
situation never arisen before?”
“How the hell
would I know Mom?” Cari said as she threw her hands in the air. “It's not like there is a book recording this
aspect of family history.”
“So what are
you going to do?”
“Call Aunt
Natalya – and in the meantime, Mom, get Alexis on that plane on Thursday.”
“Okay then,”
Juliette said, “call me when you’ve talked to her.”
As the screen
went blank, Carina went to the couch and picked Judith up, kissing her on the
head before she carried her to her bed.
Coming back in, she made some fresh coffee, and then placed a new call.
“Carina – this
is an unexpected pleasure?”
“My apologies
for the late hour, Aunt Natalya – did I wake you up?”
“No, I was
taking care of some business,” the German noblewoman said. “Let me guess - you are calling to talk about
that assistant of your mother Carina?”
“How did you guess Aunt?” Carina asked as she sipped her coffee.
“I could sense it,” the German lady smiled, “so I take it the situation has
developed?”
“You can say
that. Alexis is now seeing a variety of faces as belonging to the Ripper,
including our 'Cousin'.”
Natalya looked
at the screen, before she said slowly “Is she now?”
“Yes and I get the impression from what Mom told me, she's seeing faces of
women I'm unaware of.”
“That would be logical.”
“I've never asked Aunt,” Carina said, “but when our Cousin first made her
presence known you said that if it had been happening in Europe that you might
have known who was responsible. Are there others that you know and who you've
never told me about?”
“There are... Our cousin in Paris for example – you did not
meet before we dealt with Bretz, remember?”
“And you never
told me who they are?” Carina interrupted.
“Darling it's
safer for us all that as few people as possible know.” Natalya took a deep
breath, “and it's safer for us all that we don't know who each other is.”
“When we first
met in Vienna I could sense it in you Aunt, have you sensed it in others?”
“Carina I'm not
going to answer these questions,” Natalya said quietly, slowly, as her voice
took on a dangerous edge. “It is neither
appropriate or safe to do so. Do you understand?”
“There's no need to get angry Aunt,” for a second Cari was shocked at hearing
her aunt speak that way.
“We need to
concentrate on doing something for Alexis?” Natalya eventually said as she composed
herself.
“Yes but what?”
“I will talk to
someone I know, and yes she is a fellow daughter. I respect her opinions and
she is more understanding of our collective psyche and history then I am. I
will seek her guidance.”
“And in the
meantime?”
“She is still
coming this weekend? I will speak to my
friend tomorrow – she is near to here.
And pray, Carina – pray she is still ready by the weekend…”
Sunday 20th November
3.30 am CET
Munich
Natalya sat in
the chair, her eyes closed for a moment, before she felt the phone vibrate in
her hand. She looked at the screen, and
then said “Mistress – it has been a long time.”
“It had indeed,
Natalya – why do we need to talk on this occasion?”
“You are aware
of the American branch of our family?”
“Your niece and
the others? I have heard of them – is
there an issue there?”
“A situation –
we have a distant relative, who has somehow managed in her subconscious to
access the network.”
There was a
moment’s silence, before the voice said “A very unusual occurrence – is she
aware?”
“No – there has
been no blossoming, merely the feeling of one covered in shadow. May I ask – has this happened before?”
“It has – join
me for coffee tomorrow at my favourite café.
We will talk then.”
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