Days Like
These – Part 1
Monday 12th
December
1 pm
St Angela’s Academy for Young Ladies
The Refectory
“So how much
are you looking forward to the weekend,” Doc said as she sat with Pepsi.
“I’m looking
forward to it,” Pepsi said with a smile, but next week – ah. Next week…”
“And what had
got her so happy,” Bobbi said as she and Nikki sat down.
“As I
understand it,” Ama said with a smile, “it may be because she discovered
yesterday that she and the family will spend Christmas at Orford with Mandy and
the family.”
“Oh yeah,”
Bobbi said with a smile, “Mom and Dad told me last night we would be seeing
them on the day after Christmas.”
“And you are
managing this miracle how?” Doc said as she looked over.
“Because we’re
spending the holiday season with the Leventhals, talking upcoming weddings and
births,” Bobbi said with a smile, “so whatever you’re planning for your
birthday, Ms Carlton, we must both give our apologies.”
“Yeah, well,
I’m not doing anything for my birthday, not particularly,” Doc said with a
smile. Her friends looked at each other
as Kylie joined them.
“What is the
matter darlings – is it something on my blouse?”
“No,” Nikki
said quietly, “Party Girl here is saying she is not doing anything for her
birthday.”
“Because I
won’t be here,” Doc said with a smile, “we’ve been invited to Chicago…”
“So we leave on
Friday afternoon?”
“Yup,” Erica
said as she sat with Mel, “we go to the Richmond home and set off en masse from
there. I think Jo and the others get
back the day before this year.”
“So the rules
are?”
“To quote Nell Rochermann,
late of this parish,” Erica said with a smile, “eat, party, sleep, ski,
repeat.”
“Well, it does
sound fun,” Mel said with a smile, “and then the holidays, for which it’s the
family gathering.”
“It’s a pity
you won’t be here for the New Year’s gathering – but you deserve the break,”
Erica said with a smile. “Listen – you
going to be okay for Wednesday?”
“Yeah, don’t
worry – it’s your mom’s big day, after all.”
“Oh yes it is –
and I could not be prouder of her,” Erica said with a grin.
“So what will
you be doing for the holidays, Annie?” Sarah asked as they sat in the teacher’s
lounge.
“Family
gathering at Juliette’s apartment,” Annie said as she held her mug, “with the
usual Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties.”
“Oh yeah – and
I hear this year it is New Year’s at Willy and Natalie’s place?”
“Indeed – it
should be quite a party,” Helen said as she joined them, “and this year we’re
going to be a party here as well.”
“Well, I think
you are going to have a good Christmas,” Annie said with a smile…
7 pm GMT
Benenden School
“Olga?”
The young
Russian girl looked over to the room of her door, and smiled as she saw
Katherine Mahan-Gaunt, Eve Gaunt and Liz Cuthbertson standing there.
“I take it you
have all settled again – if only for a week,” she said as she put her pen down.
“Forget us,”
Liz said as they came in, “what about you?
Are you all right?”
“Strangely –
yes,” Olga said as she stood up. “I was
terrified – don’t get me wrong – but if a result is my mother and father at
least talking to each other, it was worth it.”
“But are you
all right?”
“I only have
one regret – I have no idea who it was who rescued me and brought me back to my
parents. I would want to thank them, if
I had the opportunity.”
“You never saw
them?”
“I was
blindfolded – they told me to keep it on until I was back in the hotel, and I
did. The first person I saw was Mrs
Gresham-Fox. Where is she anyway?”
“She said she
had some business in London with her husband before she came back to the
school,” Kit said. “Anyway – we’re going
to the common room. Someone found a copy
of Love Actually – interested?”
“Why not – I
need to do something mindless tonight.
Got some popcorn?”
“We’ll get some
on the way…”
Whitehall
“And that
concludes my report,” Angela Gresham-Fox said as she sat at the conference
table, “Olga Marakova was returned by persons unknown to the hotel, and
reunited with her parents, while Boronov was found dead in his suite by the
housekeeping staff the next morning.”
She looked at
Kay Cornwall as the grey-haired man tapped his pen against his cheek.
“So Shakespeare
is still active?”
“Their cover is
intact,” Kay said quietly. “I think the
death of Boronov was sufficient to end any questions about them.”
“And removed a
stain on our world,” the man said quietly.
“Very well – thank you, Captain Gresham-Fox. You may return to your duties in the morning
– good work.”
“Thank you
Sir,” Angela said as she and Kay stood up, waiting until he had left the room
before they looked at each other.
“Drink?”
“Oh yes – and a
word, Commander,” Angela said as they made their way to her office, Angela
waiting as Kay poured two whiskeys and handed one to her.
“Those who have
gone.”
Angela raised
her glass in salute before she said “okay, Kay – who the hell rescued Olga
Marakova and returned her to the hotel?”
“Are you sure
you really want to know?”
Angela nodded
as Kay sat back, and said “Silent Death, The Mongoose, The Swan and the Silk
Spectre.”
“The… But they…”
Angela slowly sat down, and looked at Kay as she whispered “Boronov had
upset them?”
“I don’t know,”
Kay said quietly, “they are not only operatives of the Honoured Fathers. They are also Sisters of Maisha.”
“Good lord,”
Angela said as she sat down. “I talked
to Jo and Cassie, and they told me some of the story – but the reach of these
Sisters is truly that global?”
“Oh yes,” Kay
said quietly, “it is that global, and they have contacts everywhere. You must have heard word of them in the
wind.”
“Yes, but… You’re a sister?”
“As are
Captains Frost and Craig, and many other highly placed intelligence operatives
– but we only come into play when nobody else can solve the issue. Which is why I wanted to have a quiet word
with you, Angela.”
Kay pressed a
button on her desk, before she said “I am a sister, and in consultation with
the senior leaders, I have been asked to offer the hand of sisterhood to
you. The reports of the role you played
over the weekend has reached their ears, and they were impressed.”
“And what if
their work contravenes our rules of engagement?”
“Truthfully? They only tend to get involved when the rules
of engagement do not apply. I have told
you I play a role, as did others at the weekend – will you join us?”
4 pm
St Angela’s
“So we are into our last week,” Wilhelmina
Tennant said as Kate Hardistay and Grace Brand sat in her office, “and I must
admit, I am looking forward to a quiet week?”
“Indeed,” Kate
said with a smile, “and we have our usual drinks party on Friday.”
“Well, before
we start,” Wilhelmina said as she handed them each a sherry, “there is
something I need to discuss with you. As
you know, we’ve had a team clearing some of the cellar space out, prior to the
remedial work that is going to be carried out over the vacation.”
“I thought it
was mostly out of date books and materials down there,” Kate said with a smile.
“Well, yes, it
was – but the foreman brought me something they found,” Wilhelmina said as she
walked to her desk, and brought over a red tube, with gold edging on the ends.
“That looks
like one of our commencement tubes,” Grace said as she took the tube and looked
at it, “but it’s old. Why did he bring
it to you?”
“Open it – you
need to see what is inside.”
Kate and Grace
looked at each other, before Grace removed the top, and took out a yellowed
roll of parchment. As she unrolled it,
she read it and whispered “oh my god – is this…”
“It is – the
question is, what do we do about it?”
7.30 pm
The Richmond Mansion
“Sands, do you
have a minute?”
“Sure mom,” the
thirteen-year-old said as she turned from her work table, Sandy closing the
door as she came in, “what’s up?”
“I need to talk
to you about Christmas Eve,” Sandy said as she sat on the bed, “we want to
invite Tommy and Holly – and I need to know if you’re going to be happy about
that.”
“Happy – not
really,” Sands said as she looked at her mother, “but I can cope with it for
one night. That must be why Hols asked
me to come round to the apartment tomorrow night – to talk things over.”
“It could be –
but you’re not going to cause any scenes?”
“No – I’m not
going to cause any scenes, Mom,” Sands said as she rolled her eyes.
“Thanks – so,
looking forward to the holidays?”
“In a way – any
clues as to what I’m getting?”
“Nope – not a
one…”
Park Avenue
“Thank you,”
Maisha said as Penny came into the apartment, “I will let her know Helen.”
“She’s arrived
back safely?”
“Her, Catherine
and Beverley,” Maisha said as she put the telephone down. “She says to let you know she is looking
forward to spending Christmas with you in your home.”
“Good,” Penny
said with a smile, “so what have you been doing today, Maisha?”
“Revising for
this examination that Agnes wishes me to undertake in January.”
“Oh yeah – the
requirement for a qualification in English and Maths?”
“Indeed – a
necessary evil, as she put it. I spoke
to her after she had arrived home today – Laura and Miley apparently went
straight to bed when they got back to her apartment, and Donald is in Paris for
the next two weeks.”
“The busy life
of a diplomat,” Penny said as she walked to the kitchen, Maisha following
her. “You are still free to come into
the office tomorrow.”
“Indeed – I
also have an appointment tomorrow to purchase some things for the weekend – ski
suits and boots, things like that.”
“First time on
the slopes?”
“Indeed –
although Kylie did indicate she and Marina would be willing to show me, as she
put it, the delights of snowboarding.”
“Well, you will
not be the only one, at any rate,” Penny said with a smile. “So, what do you fancy for supper tonight?”
“I did manage
to get some tuna steaks today.”
“Excellent…”
The de Ros
Mansion
“Honestly, it’s
not a problem,” Natalia said as Alain waved his hands in the air. “We are more than happy to hold the party in
our home – give Shirley and John the night off, as it were.”
“Well, Edith
has already indicated she is more than happy to help,” Diana said with a smile
as she let Alain hold her finger.
“And will Henri
be accompanying you?”
“Now why do you
ask that,” Diana said as she looked at her sister in law.
“Because,
Dearest Diana, I want him to come. I am
intrigued by this figure from your past.”
Diana just
shook her head as Alain looked at her, and smiled. “So the creche?” she said to change the
subject.
“Orlagh has
arranged for an agency to take charge – they will keep everyone from Judith and
Jennifer to Rudi and Mags safe and happy, allowing the parents to have fun
downstairs.”
“Well, it seems
fair enough,” Diana said with a smile, “and, as it happens, Henri is in the
city at that time, so he may drop in, if invited.”
“Good.”
Diana looked at
Natalia, and said quietly “has my nephew’s namesake been talking to you?”
“No comment.”
Tuesday 13th
December
8 am GMT
Bayswater Road
“Well now –
feel a bit more awake this morning,” Agnes said as she joined Laura and Miley
at the breakfast table, both of them wearing jumpers and the Sharamel jeans.
“Yes, thanks
Mum,” Miley said as she swallowed some cereal, “so you will be in the office
all day?”
“Sadly yes –
Sue tells me there are important matters to discuss this morning, and I have a
meeting at Shirley’s workplace this afternoon with Charlotte.”
“Miley and I
are going into the school this morning,” Laura said as she sipped her tea, “and
then we’re going to shop for some presents.”
“Oh – for who?”
“Frances, Kit –
and a few others,” Laura said as she winked at her little sister.
“Well, if you
make your way to Aldgate when you’re done, I can let them know to let you wait
for me there,” Agnes said as she sipped her coffee.
“Thanks Mum,”
Miley said with a smile. “We promise, we
won’t spend too much.”
“Or, in other
words,” Laura said, “Can you let us have some money please?”
Agnes shook her
head, and smiled as she said “of course you can – so long as you promise me not
to go to Harrods or F&M…”
“We promise,”
Laura giggled as the two girls looked at each other.
“Right then –
Tippy Toes, what do you think you are doing?”
The girls
looked at the cat as she slinked round Aggie’s legs, and then looked at them
before she moved to her basket.
“Is she all
right?”
“I think so…”
10 am
Nelson Automotive Testing
“Come in!”
“You wanted to
see me Boss,” Denice said as she came into Ian Nelson’s office.
“Yeah, I did,”
Ian said with a smile, “have a seat, Denice.”
“Okay,” she
said as she slowly sat down, looking at the head of the company. “What do you want to talk about?”
“You, Denice,”
Ian said as he took a file from his drawer and put it down in front of
him. “Firstly, to wish you good luck and
to congratulate you for tomorrow.”
“Thanks,”
Denice said as she blushed, “I genuinely never thought this day would come.”
“Yeah, well,
we’re all proud of you – even your supervisor, although she may not show it,”
Ian said as he looked at Denice, “but you may remember when you accepted this
job, I said when you graduated, we would have a discussion around which pool
you would fit into.”
“I do,” Denice
said quietly, “and I’d love to hear your thoughts.”
“Well, I have
reviewed your progress, and also had a long chat with Henri and Clint,” Ian
said, “So, here are my thoughts.
“I want you to
read this new contract, and if you are happy sign it. It offers you a position as an engineer in
our development labs, starting in the new year.”
Denice picked
up the file and looked at it, before saying “Ian, this is…”
“No more than
you deserve – and it means you’re not caught between the groups anymore. So?”
“I accept,”
Denice said as she picked a pen up and signed it. Handing it back to Ian, she said “so I am on
notice for the secretarial pool?”
“As of tomorrow
– welcome to your true home…”
1 pm
Complete Style
“TRICIA!”
“You called,
Boss,” Tricia said as she walked in. The
assistant was wearing a black jumper under a white blouse, black slacks and
ankle boots.
“Alexis still
in conference with Hong Kong?”
“I’m afraid so
– nothing serious, just catching up on what happened last week.” Tricia sat down as she said “So what do you
need Juliette?”, her pen and pad in her hand.
“Okay – did you
manage to arrange the present for delivery tomorrow night?!”
“I did – to
Sandy Richmond’s home?”
“Good – so what
else is in my diary for this afternoon?”
“Editorial
meetings – and I need to remind you of Thursday morning.”
“How could I
forget…” Juliette smiled and shook her
head as Alexis came in.
“Sorry I’m
late, boss,” she said with a smile, “Merlin wants to see you if you have some
time?”
“Tell her I’ll
be down at four – I want to see Kylie anyway about something…”
6 pm
West Central Park
As Kylie approached
the entrance to the apartment block, she heard a call of “KYLIE! Hold up a minute.”
Stopping and
turning her head, she smiled as she said “Katherine, darling – and what can I
do for you this beautiful day?”
Katherine
Carter smiled as she joined the teenager.
“I’m glad I caught you – do you happen to know your plans for Christmas
Day yet?”
“I do not
believe we have any specific plans – Susan and Clint are taking April to
California as usual, but Marina’s presence is required at Complete Style, so we
are in residence instead.”
“Good,” Katherine
said with a smile, “so you can join us on the day.”
“That is a most
generous offer,” Kylie said as they both walked in, and nodded to the
concierge, “allow me to talk to Marina, and I will let you know in the morning.”
“Good – so what
are you doing tonight?”
“An appraisal
of Byron to complete for school – and then a relaxing evening listening to some
music…”
Wednesday 14th
December
10 am
Columbia University Campus
“Well, we’re
here now,” Mary Thomas said as she walked into the large hall with Erica. The Welsh woman was wearing a dark jacket
over a blue dress, with baggy black boots, while Erica was wearing a grey trouser
suit with a white blouse underneath,
“Yeah – and
this really is a day I never thought at one time we would see,” Erica said as
she sat down, others joining them. “Mom
must be as nervous as anything.”
“Ai, but she
has earned this,” Mary said quietly as music started to play. “I’m just glad you were allowed the day off to
be here.”
“Aunt Grace
insisted on it,” Erica said with a grin as more and more people came into the
room, and then a voice called out “will you please stand.” As they did, they saw a group of people come
into the hallway and take their seats at the front. They were all smartly dressed, and wore
academic robes as well as mortar boards, tassels hanging down the side.
Erica grinned
as she recognised one of the more nervous ones, looking round the room.
“Hey.”
“Tracey,” Erica
said with a smile as the young woman sat next to her, “I thought you had flown
back after the wedding.”
“I got
permission to stay for this – no way I was missing this occasion,” she said as
others walked in.
As the last of
them took their seat, a second parade of people came in, all also wearing
academic robes of differing colours and styles, some with caps and some
without. As they sat, the rest of the audience
sat, as one of them came to the dais.
“Welcome,” he
said, “to our Winter Commencement. We
start with Arts….”
“Denice
Crosby!”
Erica, Mary and
Tracey clapped, beaming as Denice walked forward, the black robes over a grey
jersey dress, and took the diploma, smiling as she shook the hand of the Dean
and then walked back to join her fellow students. Denice let out a sigh of relief as the man
next to her said “well done – so what happens for you next?”
“Back to work –
and a new position in the firm I work for,” Denice whispered back before she
applauded the next person to walk up.
Eventually, the
ceremony ended, Denice smiling widely as she walked to where Mary, Tracey and
Erica were waiting.
“Congratulations,”
Tracy said as she hugged her friend, “nobody deserves this more than you.”
“Well, we both
deserve it,” Denice said as she hugged Erica.
“Tracy, can you do me a favour?”
“Sure – what?”
“Take a picture
of the three of us.”
“Oh no, lass,”
Mary said as she shook her head, “this is your day.”
“Mary, you’re
the closest thing I have to a mum,” Denice said with a smile, “no way are you
staying out of this one.”
“Come on Aunt
Mary,” Erica said as she beckoned the older woman over, “please?”
“Ai – all
right,” Mary said as she stood to one side of Denice, Erica standing on the
other side as Tracey took a photo with her camera.
“So what are
you doing to celebrate,” Tracy asked as she put her camera away.
“Nice quiet
meal with friends…”
Noon
Central Park
“I’ll let you
off this once,” Heather said as she stood at the Hot Dog stand with Juliette,
“because the caterers are in situ at the house.
So, are we a go?”
“I think so,”
Juliette said as she walked with her friend to the eating area, “it was
fortunate the boat stayed an extra month, but yes – we can go next Monday night
is everyone is in agreement. We’ll meet
tomorrow once the girls are back, and we can do final briefing over the
weekend.”
“Just the core
team?”
“Agreed – I
understand Adam and Jan have things to talk about this weekend, which is why
Katy is going with you.”
Thursday 15th
December
8 am Local Time
Phuket
“Good Morning,
Mrs Hammond.”
“Good Morning
Mister Hammond,” Shirley said as she walked out, a short wrap round her body as
she smiled, “is that coffee fresh?”
“Just
delivered,” John said as he poured her a cup, Shirley sitting down and looking
over the sea as he did so. “How are you
feeling?”
“Content – a
truly inspired choice of venue, John, as I will keep saying.” She accepted the cup and took a drink, before
she said “any interesting news?”
“No idea,” John
said with a smile, “I’m not looking, and neither are you. Maisha did send a note to say she is enjoying
the down time, and is making sure everything is ready for our return.”
“And she is
joining the ski group this weekend?”
“Indeed – she
said it was going to be a new experience for her.” Taking a sip from his cup, John said “but I
did get confirmation our graduation gift for Denice had arrived.”
“Excellent…”
Wednesday 14th
December
7 pm
The Richmond Mansion
As Heather
opened the door, she smiled as she saw Denice and Mary standing there, before
she stood to the side and said “come on in – so how was today Denice?”
“A day I never
truly thought I would see,” Denice said as Heather took their coats, “but thank
you for inviting us to dinner – Erica and Mel were going to eat with Kylie
tonight.”
“It’s our
pleasure,” Heather said, “why don’t you go through to the drawing room – dinner
should be ready shortly.”
“Ai – come on,”
Mary said as she took Denice by one arm, Heather taking the other after she
hung their coats up before they walked into the drawing room.
“SURPRISE!!”
Denice could
only look round the room silently as her friends applauded, Mary coming over
and hugging her before she said “tonight is your night lass – so no arguing, we
all sit down and celebrate with you.
Understood?”
She saw the
tear in Denice’s eye, as she said quietly “Ai – have a drink, and then we can
go in. Chef Auguste has prepared a
special menu for all of us…”
“Chef… I don’t deserve…”
“Don’t you
dare,” Heather said as she handed Denice a glass of champagne, “just accept
it…”
Upper West
Side
“Chef
Auguste? She is truly blessed darling,”
Kylie said with a smile as she placed the casserole dish on the table, “but I
am as blessed by you joining me here. I
trust it was a good ceremony?”
“Very moving,”
Tracey said with a smile. “And thanks
for inviting me along as well. Where is
Marina tonight?”
“A late meeting
with her Australian colleagues. Please,
help yourself,” Kylie said as she sat and carefully placed her napkin on her
lap, waiting as Tracey took a potato from the dish and handed it round. “So you fly back tomorrow, Tracey?”
“I do indeed –
back to the grindstone of Special Projects,” the young Bajun woman said with a
smile. “Lily probably has something up
her sleeve, especially with Louise heading back to California for the
holidays.”
“I had heard
Rhenia was heading back as well – it is important that family are together for
Christmas. My own mother is going for a
weekend away with Aunt Kerry, Rose and Maeve.”
“If you had
told me a year ago the four of them would agree to a weekend away, never mind a
dry weekend after Christmas.”
Kylie smiled as
she said “a year ago, I was totally unaware of what was coming – but we take
what comes, and we use it to the best of our advantage. Just ask Beverley, no?”
“Yeah – when
you put it like that…”
9 pm
The Richmond Mansion
As Juliette
stood up and tapped on the side of her glass, the room fell silent while Denice
wiped her mouth.
“Well, we are
here today to congratulate one of us, who has finally fulfilled her dream of
completing her degree – and to wish her good luck in her career as she moves to
where she truly wants to be. Ladies, I
ask you to raise your glass and join me in a toast.
“Denice!”
“DENICE!” She blushed as all the women present raised a
glass, and then applauded her as they sat down.
Shaking her head, Denice stood up and said “well – I have to admit, as a
way to celebrate getting my degree, this is far mor civilised than the keg party
that might have happened once.
“But I want to
thank you all for being here, and for the gift – Juliette, where the heck did
you get the Engineer’s manual for the ferry?”
“I have my
sources,” Juliette said with a smile as Mary Thomas looked away.
“Still – this
feels like the end of a journey that started last year, and I want to thank
each and everyone of you for being on that road with me and Erica. Which just leaves one question in my mind.
“Where do we go
to party the night away?”
Thursday 16th
December
12.30 pm GMT
Inns of Court
“Agnes McAdam
on line one for you,” the clerk said as she looked round the door of Catriona Cuthbertson’s
chambers.
“Thank you,”
Cat said as she picked up the handset.
“Agnes – how do I find you this fine day?”
“Busy – but I
hear you have one burden finally off your plate.”
“Oh yes – the
people in charge finally saw sense,” Cat laughed as she looked at the paper on
her desk.
"So in the
end that whole long affair ended with a whimper Cat?"
"Much to
old Nutcase's chagrin," Catriona laughed as she swapped the phone to her
other hand. "I think the crown realised that all that evidence was doing
was creating a perfect cure for insomnia, it was going nowhere, it was proving
nothing..."
"So they
were forced to eat humble pie and withdraw the prosecution?"
"That
about sums it up darling."
"Anyway,”
she heard Agnes say, “the real reason I phoned, what are you and Liz doing for
Christmas?"
"We are
going to Melhorn,” Cat said as she sat back, “Elizabeth asked me after I'd had
a drink too many celebrating the end of the trial."
"Okay,"
Agnes laughed, "I was going to say if it was just the two of you come join
us."
"Thanks,
but no we had several offers of places to go."
“Listen – are
you going to stay up there for Hogmanay?”
“Probably –
why?”
“Come over –
Donald and I are taking the girls to Ardray, to both have a proper New Year,
and to finalize some things for the 25th of January.”
“Sounds fun…”
Noon
The Inn on the Park
Heather looked
up and smiled as she saw the blonde woman walking over, wearing the fur lined
jacket over a jumper and slacks.
“Krystle – I’m
glad you could make it for lunch,” she said with a smile.
“Glad I could
get time to come as well,” Krystle Ernst said with a smile as she joined her
friend.
"So how is
life," Heather asked as she kissed Krys on the cheek.
“Well other
than the fact I just had to turn down a week shooting in Paris because Tommy
has a paper to write...Not bad."
"I heard
Missy was not too happy about that," Heather said with a smile as the
waiter brought some wine over.
"No she
wasn't,” Krys said as she looked over the menu, “but it's hardly like I could
tell her the real reason is it?"
"Why do I
sense life is starting to get complicated?"
"Because
it is," Krys laughed lightly a sshe sat back. “I had to let Holly down gently as well, but
I’m sure she found a way to pass the time.”
"Juliette
said that the shoot with Mary Clarke for CS went well though."
"Well
Merlin seemed more than pleased. I also heard the book covers I did have
attracted a lot of attention. So in many
ways,” she said as she stretched her legs out, “life is good if complicated."
"What
excuse did Tommy use for being away for three days?"
"That he
wanted to go to a bio-chemistry conference in Albany."
"Three
days in Albany in December versus three days in Bermuda," Heather giggled,
"I personally think you made the right choice."
"I just
dread the day when there isn't an event like that to cover my tracks."
“Well, what is
happening for Christmas?”
“Krystle Ernst
is heading north for the season – so please accept my apologies for not coming
to your Christmas Eve party. Tommy, on
the other hand, will be glad to come, as will Holly.”
“How are things
between you two now?”
“We’re – getting
there,” Krys whispered, “she hasn’t said anything to you?”
“About
you? No – Sands doesn’t say much either,
except she will behave herself at the party.”
1.30 pm
Sacred Heart
“You know with
your makeup done that way Britt you look an awful lot like that new model Krys
Ernst you know?" Matilda Urqhart assessed her friend while they got their
books for their next class.
"Well Mom
commented that I've got a similar bone structure to hers," Britt Boynton
smiled, "so I thought I'd try to do my makeup her way. It does suit me, doesn’t it?"
"I’ll say
– in fact, you could almost be sisters."
"I wish,”
Britt said as she closed her locker door, “but I'm stuck with my damn
brothers....no sister."
"Did you
see the adverts she's in for Mexala in the Times?" Elphine Crook asked.
"Yeah I
cut them out and put them in my scrapbook."
"Well
maybe you'll end up modelling as well?"
"With
my father? The man who thinks a B average is failure," Britt shook
her head. "No way he'd ever approve of any of us having anything
other than an academic career."
“So what are
you doing for Christmas?”
“Same thing we
do every year, I guess – listen, I need to go to the bookstore after
school. Anyone want to come with me?”
Complete
Style
“Ju?”
Juliette looked
to the door where Alexis was standing.
“Private call
on line 1 – from Phuket?”
“Phuket? So that’s where she ended up,” Juliette said
to herself, “put it through Alexis.” She
waited for the phone to ring and then picked up the handset as she said “So, it
was Suitcase A?”
“Indeed,” the
deep and warming voice said “not a drop of snow in sight.”
"So how is
the honeymoon going Lady Hammond?" Juliette laughed as she cradled the
phone.
"None of
your business Princess," the voice at the other end giggled.
"That good
eh?"
"It's been
fabulous Ju. John is sleeping at the
moment, but I wanted to feel the night air on my face."
"Well I'm
happy for you both,” Juliette said quietly, “but if it's that great why
ring?"
"Well,”
Shirley said as Juliette heard the sound of waves lapping on sand, “I just
wanted to check that things had settled down since the wedding."
"They are
starting to," Juliette eased herself up onto one of the kitchen bar
stools, "and I know Maisha is looking forward to tomorrow, but a few
things still need to be properly fixed."
"Like
what?"
"Well, Yuri,
Tatiana, and Olga for one."
“Ah – indeed, I
did hear about what happened after we had left.
I was wondering what, if any, sanction I should apply to my Russian
friends.”
“While I can
understand why,” Juliette said quietly, “from what I understand of the steps
taken, the powers that be are presenting the line that Byushin had gone rogue,
and was the source of the leaks to Western authorities.”
“But he was
not, was he?”
“I cannot
confirm or deny that,” Juliette said with a smile, “but you will hear on your
return.”
“Indeed – so
returning to the question you posed, I thought that was all sweetness and light
now?"
"Oh they
are trying," Juliette sighed, "but at best the future looks like a
messy compromise. Olga certainly can't quite work out why her parents aren't
remarrying, and living together as a happy family in London."
"She's 17,”
Shirley chuckled, “at her age life 'should' look simple to fix."
"It's only
when you get to our age that you know that it isn't."
"Yes,
after reality has buffeted you as many times as it did us, you learn
better."
"Shouldn't
that be you learn worse?"
"Point
taken Ju." Shirley paused a second, "so is there anything that
I should really be worrying about?"
“Not really –
enjoy your time away would be my advice.
I don’t think we can do anything…”
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