Road Trip – part 2
8 am
Sebring
“Another day of
practice,” Katy said as she met Sands in the pits, “we’d better get cleared up
before they get here.”
“Good idea,” Katherine
said as she handed them some clear bags, “I think they were here until late
last night.”
"When does Jeannie
and the rest of the birthday party group arrive?"
"Over the next day
or two Sands." Katy smiled. "I'm not sure she is 100% happy that Lerrabella
have turned this into a working trip as well though."
"She was and is
under contract to them though," Katherine looked out at the huge crowd of
people. "You know I can't believe all this work goes on just in
preparation."
"I know it's
amazing." Sands said as she finished putting the pop cans in the recycling
bags.
"Did you hear Mom
swearing in her sleep last night Gran?"
"Yes, poor Janice,
this track and its hazards are starting to get to her a little."
"Well touch wood,
they've finished having any more fender benders out there," Clint said as
he walked over with some empty coffee cups.
"Amen!"
Katherine, Katy, and Sands said in unison.
“So when is your dad
coming to pick us up?”
“About eleven – you and
Bev should have your towels ready. Where
is she anyway?”
“Gone to have a
shower,” Katherine said, “she’ll be ready.”
1 pm GMT
Dublin
“Let’s go down here –
there’s something I want to show you.”
"Is this one house
or two?" Jo asked as Eve showed her round the townhouse.
"It's actually two
combined,” the teenager said, “but that is invisible from the front."
"I thought so,” Jo
said as they went down three stairs, “the layout makes no sense otherwise."
"Yes," Eve
smiled, “when Mother started having this place renovated she had the house
behind that had been functioning as offices incorporated and passageways
created and opened up."
"Well she's done
an amazing job."
"And it means that
we can use a lot of things that were put in storage after Lardarn House was
given up." Eve paused in front of a picture of a blonde woman. "Now
just her picture gives me chills, but this was 'Elizabeth the Hungarian'."
"She looks like a
picture I've seen from Germany." Jo spoke softly as she looked at the
woman, recognising the look in the portrait’s eyes.
"Why you are
interested in her I don't know..."
"Hey I want to be
a criminal psychologist...remember?” Jo took off and cleaned her glasses,
before she put them back on. “Serial
killers are my thing."
"That is
YUCKY!" Clodagh wrinkled up her little nose.
“Well, it’s not for
everyone, that’s true,” Jo said as she looked at the portrait again. “Do you mind if I take a picture for my own
research?”
“Go right ahead,” Eve
said as Jo took a picture with her phone, and then quietly sent Carina a copy.
“Girls! Lunch!”
“Coming, Ma,” Clodagh
said as she ran off, Jo following Eve back into the main house.
3 pm CET
Emperador Hotel, Madrid
“Right – I’ll see you
in a few minutes,” Caroline said as she closed the door, and carried her bags
into her bedroom, while the other two girls went in Nikki’s bedroom.
"Oy, I should
remember from shopping with Jeans back home just what shopping with a
supermodel is like," Nikki said as she laid her purchases on the bed.
"I know," Ama
grinned, "so much for Mom thinking she was only famous in the States and
Japan."
"I have never
before received such service," Nikki smiled contentedly. "They were
definitely so keen to impress Caroline."
"Well we got some
great things..."
"Including all
those soccer books you bought, way to improve your Spanish Am, reading books on
a subject you enjoy like that."
"Well it can't do
my school work any real harm can it," Ama said as she pulled out the
official history of Real Madrid and started to flip pages.
"If you are going
to do Italian as well next year,” they heard Caroline say, “then I probably
need buy you some Italian soccer books as well."
"It's an idea Mom."
"So what do you
think of this skirt girls, now we have it home."
Ama and Nikki walked
into the lounge to see Caroline looking at herself in the mirror.
"It's
divine," Nikki said as she stroked the soft leather of the pencil skirt,
"but you need a figure like yours to see it to best effect, me having
practically no ass it would be wasted on."
"Yeah I'm a bit
curveless as well...” Ama looked on
before she said “but on you Mom it it is just SO sexy."
"I will take that
as a compliment girls. Right, purchases
away, and we’ll go for an early dinner before the show."
"Mom will you come
to late Mass with me at the Cathedral tonight please?" Ama asked.
"Of course I will,”
Caroline said, “but why?"
"Because after
enjoying myself so much,” Ama said quietly, “I feel I need to go and Thank God
for his blessings he has brought to me."
"I'll come as well
then." Nikki smiled, "I have a lot to be thankful for."
"I know church
isn't really your thing Mom...but PLEASE?"
"For you Ama my
darling...Anything." Caroline hugged her daughter. “Now put things away and get ready.”
6 pm GMT
Dublin
“Dinner in 30 minutes,”
Paula said as Will and Mandy sat around the laptop.
“There she is,” Will
said as the Skype call connected, and he went to fetch two drinks.
"Hey Mummy,"
Angel's face beamed as she appeared on the screen. She was in a large room, with pictures of
racehorses on the wall.
"Angel darling,”
Mandy said with a smile, “you look like the cat that ate the cream."
"I know," the
English girl almost glowed, "Mr Todd let me ride SaintzandSinnerz in his
workout this morning."
Mandy shook her head
and smiled even more. "I hope Missy
never finds out one of her star models was riding a race horse darling."
"I Know,"
Angel giggled, "but Mummy to have the feeling of all that power under me."
"An ambition
fulfilled," her father looked over Mandy's shoulder.
"Oh yes!"
"So is Mr Todd
happy with your riding Angel?"
"Very much so, he
said I was good enough that I could ride work for him anytime."
"Well done
darling," her Mother shared in her pleasure. “So are you ready for the trip down?”
“I am – I meet up with
the others when I drive to Sebring tomorrow - we’re all booked into the same
hotel. It’s going to be some weekend.”
“Well, you have fun,
and we’ll see you when you get home next week.”
“Have fun in the rain,”
Angel said with a smile as Jo came past.
“Hey Kit – Eve said to
say hello to you.”
“See you in Munich Jo,”
Angel said before the call ended.
“Well she has had fun,”
Mandy said, “now for some good food...”
6 pm GMT
London
“It is good of you to
allow me to stay until Aunt Shirley comes back, Lily,” Maisha said as she
relaxed in the seat.
“Well, it makes sense,
given everyone else is away,” Lily said as she handed her a drink. “Especially as Charlotte and Piet are
busy. So how was the trip?”
“Educational,” Maisha
said with a smile, “but tomorrow I visit parliament.”
“That should be fun as
well,” Lily said as she looked at the clock.
“The casserole will be ready in an hour or so – want to pick a film for
later?”
4 pm
Somewhere south of New York
“That sounds good
Tanera,” George Simpson said as he looked out of the window, “I’ll see you in
the morning to confirm the security arrangements.”
“Another working
holiday, George,” Klaus said as he handed his friend a drink.
“Well, with Caroline
away, I draw the short straw,” George said as Pepsi and April sat with Ingrid
and Judith.
“George – team talk,” Roy
said as he walked past.
“Talk to you later,”
George said as he followed the tall financier to where Guy and Grant were
sitting.
"Alright boys we
have a big decision to make," Roy Razinski huddled with his co-owners at
the back of his private jet, "you've all read Toddy's latest report...what
do you think?"
"I'm more than a
little disappointed in a way," George opened up the conversation,
"though really, it isn't something we hadn't already discussed as a
possibility."
"Basically it's do we take a risk that he might find some stamina under
race conditions," Guy du Grechy closed his eyes “and still aim him at the
Kentucky Derby?"
"Or do we simply
accept we probably have the world’s best horse this year at seven furlongs and
a mile, and design his racing program round that fact?" Grant summarized.
"I know we all had
dreams of that first Saturday in May,” Roy said, “but Toddy is far too good a
horseman to be warning us like this if he didn't really doubt Saintz could go
One and a Quarter with the best."
"Well what races
do we do as alternatives?"
"The Florida
Guineas for certain." Roy smiled. "And so we get our Saturday at
Churchill Downs, the Louisville Commemorative Stakes on Derby Day."
"Eventual aim
being the Breeders Cup Mile at the end of the season."
“Precisely Guy – if we
meet those targets, we will have had a good year.”
“And there is another
advantage,” George said as he looked to the front of the plane, “the race is on
the later afternoon card, well after the wedding breakfast is done.”
"I suppose it’s
that Brigadier Gerard cross in his breeding," Grant looked up from a piece
of paper, "I'd ignored it and rather hoped that the stamina lines would
win out in his pedigree."
"I really am not
totally sure why we are unhappy, we have a horse that our trainer says may be
one of the all-time greats," Guy found some comfort in saying the words.
"I know, but as we
all said at the start, we did have dreams of that Run for the Roses with
him." Roy smiled as Juliette brought back some drinks.
"Only racing men
could be dissatisfied with such a superb horse," she shook her head.
“Ah, but that is the
eternal mystery of women and horses,” Guy said with a smile, “why we find them
both so alluring.”
"So what are they
talking about back there Juliette?" Barbara asked as Juliette came back.
"Saintz,” she said as she sat down, “they are changing his racing
program."
"Dad said they
might need to," Pepsi pulled out her ear buds, "but we can still get
to dress up and go to Churchill Downs on Derby Day, and watch Saintz win the
Commemorative Stakes."
"We hope he will
win it," April said as she sipped her drink, "but as your father has
always taught you, nothing is certain in horse racing."
"True."
"Well at least I
get still to wear this fabulous hat I have," Jeannie looked up from her
mobile device, "I am going to blow everyone away in Kentucky."
"Not if I wear
this little something I got in Paris last year," Juliette laughed.
"That sounds like
a challenge Juliette," Jeannie smiled.
"Changing topics, the
House..."
"Will meet us at
the airport down there," Barbara answered Pepsi.
"Yeah the big lug
owes me, I haven't seen him in ages."
"Well he does have
his studies darling." John joined the conversation.
“I know – and I know he
couldn’t get away before today – but he really does owe me...”
7.30 pm
Chicanes Restaurant and Bar,
3101 Golfview Road, Sebring, FL
“Will this table be
suitable ladies?”
“I think so, thank
you,” Jeanne said as she looked round.
"We haven't done
this enough you know," Annie smiled as the waiter held the chair for her
and she eased herself to the table.
"I know, but with
us all still working until late as we can." Frieda tried to get herself
comfortable, "We have all been busy."
"Well it is nice
that we are doing this tonight." Jeanne contemplated the menu.
“To drink ladies?”
All three looked at the
waiter, as he blushed and said “of course – iced water on the way.”
“If I miss anything,”
Annie said, “it’s a cold beer.”
“Endure – not much
longer...”
"So any regrets
ladies?"
"That I got
pregnant Annie?" Frieda smiled this time, "you know better, both Puss
and I cannot wait to be mothers."
"I meant more like
Jeanne, you are missing out on driving this weekend."
"I know,” Jeanne
said, “but I can look forward to lots of races after baby is born."
"The French can be
very pragmatic," Frieda laughed.
"And for next
year, I'll DEFINITELY be driving here."
“Your cousin seems to
have fitted right in,” Annie said as the water arrived.
“Well, this is more her
style of race,” Jeanne said, “and she is more than a good replacement for me.”
“Have you decided
ladies?”
Frieda looked over, and
said “What is the Soup de Jour?”
“Gazpacho.”
“Excellent,” Frieda
said, “I will have that and the Salmon.”
“I will have,” Jeanne
said as she looked down, “the Caesar salad with shrimp and the Chicken
Sandwich, hold the coleslaw.”
“And for you Madame,”
the waiter said as he looked at Annie.
“Smoking rib tips and
the Tuscan Linguine.”
“Please tell the chef
that all the food has to be cooked thoroughly,” Frieda said as she handed back
her menu.
“I will let him know
you are all pregnant,” he said as he walked off, the three women laughing and
shaking their heads.
“It’s not as if we can
hide it, can we,” Annie said as she looked round.
“Ribs?”
“I fancy some meat,”
Annie said as she looked at Frieda, “and now they know they have three pregnant
women in here, chances are they will charcoal them.”
“Fair point,” Jeanne
said as she sipped her water.
“So what do you rate
their chances at?”
“Very good actually in
terms of their class,” Jeanne said, “but it’s more about not been overawed at
what is happening around them.”
“But you will be there
on Friday?”
“Oh yes – Alice
McKinnon has even made up a special version of the new team dress for me to
wear.”
“Oh yes – the
uniform. What’s it like?”
“Wait and see,” Jeanne
said with a smile as the starters arrived.
"So will baby be a
van Roon Frieda?"
"Yes,” Frieda said
as she swallowed some of the cold tomato soup, “we discussed it, and also
talked to both our parents."
"And they said
what?" Annie asked.
"That with baby
likely to grow up in New York, the van Roon name carries a lot more
advantages."
"Well that is for
sure," Jeanne nodded. "And will your baby be a Huntingdown von
Furstenheim Annie?"
"Yes, I promised
Klaus last year."
“So come on – a boy or
a girl?”
“Yes.”
Both Frieda and Jeanne
looked at Annie, before Frieda said “is there something you wish to share with
us, young Miss Kelly?”
“These ribs are
delicious?”
All three women laughed
before Frieda said “Actually, we do know – we are having a baby daughter, and
we will be naming her Pauline.”
“Paulie will love
that,” Jeanne said as she ate some more salad.
“Well, I suspect Papa
will be happy with a healthy grandchild,” Jeanne said as she finished her
salad.
“So when does the van
Roon clan arrive here?”
“Not until later
tonight,” Frieda said as the plates were cleared away. “Pussy is going out to meet them at the
airport – Augie was flying to New York to pick her parents and Blaire up first,
then coming down here.”
“So Chet is coming as
well?”
“Oh yes – I believe Doc
is flying down with Juliette?”
“She’s here already – I
saw them arrive and meet up with Angel Fitzstuart as I was leaving.”
“There is quite a
gathering, isn’t there,” Jeanne said with a smile as their main courses were
brought out.
“Oh this salmon looks
amazing,” Frieda said as she cut a piece and ate it. “Expertly cooked too.”
As she sat and
swallowed the fish, Frieda smiled, and then suddenly went very still.
“Frieda? Is everything all right?”
“Well, that is a very
good question,” Frieda said as she glanced down, and then gestured to the
waiter.
“Is there a problem
Madame,” the waiter said as he walked over, and then glanced down. “Ah – I see what has happened. I will inform the manager, and we will make
all the arrangements. Is there someone
you need us to call?”
“No,” Frieda said with
a smile, “I merely need to make a phone call, but some transport?”
“Oh goddess,” Annie
said quietly, “don’t tell me?”
Frieda nodded as she
said “I may have made a little mess.
Would you give me a moment?”
Taking a deep breath,
she smiled as she took out her cell phone.
“Puss? I’m afraid you may need to make a teeny tiny
change to your plans for tonight...”
“We have a car waiting
for you,” the waiter said as he came over, “and the manager wishes to inform
you there will be no bill for your meal tonight. She also asked us to pass on the best wishes
for all of us for the rest of tonight.”
“Thank you,” Frieda
said as the three women stood up, Annie and Jeanne supporting Frieda as she
started to pant...
8.30 pm
Sebring Holiday Inn
“You still awake Jo?”
“Yeah – I’ll get to bed
in a little while,” Jo said on the screen as Carina held Judith, “how’s
Florida?”
“Hot – I’ll get Judith
down in a little while, but we’re still getting over the flight.”
“So – Black Betty?”
"Well I ran her
past Aunt Natalya Jo,” Carina said as she put Judith down, “and she has no
doubt with the evidence from the portrait in particular that she was one of
'us'."
"It's slightly
chilling that this has been going on for centuries, and no one has ever made
the link."
"Well within the
family,” Carina said, “I suspect no one has ever dared own up to themselves
before and talk it out with other 'sufferers'...And I know that word is wrong
when you think what we do, but in so far as I can tell this urge to hurt and
kill people is uncontrollable."
"Well look what
happened to Gale Callaghan when she tried to repress it."
Carina nodded as she
looked at her daughter. "It's not
right, it's not good, but unfortunately for the poor bastards who get in our
way, it is what we are."
"You sound a bit
reflective Cari?"
"Oh I'm just
hoping and praying for little ones sake that she doesn't have this sickness
within her..."
"After the
encounter with her ghostly aunt?"
"Exactly! And by
the way,” Cari said, “why don't ghosts come when you call them?"
"You want to give
her a good talking to?"
"And I also want
to know,” Cari said, “what Lexa meant when she said little one would lead me a
merry dance."
"It might help to
be forewarned, and yeah it's a trifle annoying you can't just call them on a
cell phone."
"That's so right
Jo," Carina rubbed her eyes, "anyway on a nicer topic, are you ready
for the shoot?"
"Yeah we tried on
the pieces today, and the makeup and hair ladies worked out the looks for me,
It's now just waiting on Caroline."
"Did you spot
anything at their country place to help her with that problem?"
"A few bits Cari,
but the place is a huge palace."
"Yes but it's the
private quarters she is concentrating on securing for the family."
"Yeah, and I did
notice a couple of doors that probably need alarms, and a good room to convert
into a panic room."
"I'm sure Dom will
listen to you carefully." Cari nodded.
“Right – bed
and...” Jo watched as Cari looked at her
cell phone.
“Problem, Cari?”
“Not for me,” Cari said
with a smile, “but the van Roons are in for a fun time...”
10 pm
Sebring Regional Airport
“Well, that was a good
flight,” Augie said as he and his uncle led the party out, “and now we have a
long weekend ahead of ourselves.”
“Very true,” Paulie
said as she and Nessa walked along, turning heads with their tight blouses and
pants, “now where do you think Pussy and Frieda have got to?”
“Oh I am sure they are
around here somewhere,” Gus said as Chet and Blair pushed the luggage trolleys
out. “Although...”
“Hey, good looking.”
“Doc,” Chet said with a
smile, “and you brought Diana with you?
Where’s my cousin?”
“Funny story,” Diana
said with a smile, “to be told later.
Doc has a car waiting outside for all of you – but Paulie and Gus, you
need to come with me.”
“Where to Diana?”
“Florida Heartland
Medical centre – Pussy and Karen are there with Frieda.”
“Oh my,” Paulie said,
“is she...”
“I think we should
hurry,” Diana said as she took Paulie’s arm.
“Call us when you
know,” Tracey said as they walked quickly off.
11.30 pm
Florida Heartland Medical Centre
4200 Sun’n’Lake Boulevard, Sebring FL
“As soon as I know,
Liz, I’ll let you know,” Paulie said into her cell phone as Gus paced round the
floor.
“This is worse than I
was waiting for you with Liz and Patty,” he said as Paulie ended the call, and
sat down.
“Sit down Gus,” she
said quietly, “I’m sure once there is anything to say, Patty will come in tell
us. Just be glad they allow the partner
to be in the room now.”
“I don’t know,” Gus
said with a smile, “I think I could have stood up to it.”
Paulie looked at the
man she had loved for over 50 years, and slowly shook his head. “Augustus van Roon the Fourth,” she said
quietly, “you are many things, and I love you dearly, but you would never have
survived five minutes in the delivery suite with me.”
“Why – do you think I
would have fainted?”
“No – I think the midwives
would have kicked you out,” Paulie said with a laugh.
The door opened as they
both looked over, Paulie smiling as Pussy came in with Karen.
“How are you,” she said
as she hugged her daughter.
“”I don’t know,” Pussy
said as she ran her long fingers through her hair. “I’ve never felt so helpless...”
“And Frieda?”
“She’s coming along
nicely,” Karen said, “but I could see how fraught this young one was getting,
so I suggested a coffee break for both of us.”
“I don’t think she
needs any more caffeine,” Gus said as he looked at his daughter.
“No – but she does need
a walk in the air – come with me,” Paulie said as she took her daughter by the
arm and walked out of the room.
“How is Frieda?”
“Like any other woman
in labour – hurting and wondering what the heck is going on,” Karen said as she
poured herself a coffee. “Don’t worry –
everything is going well and on time.”
Thursday 17th March
12.15 am
Holiday Inn, Sebring
“There you are,” Nessa
said as she came into the lounge, “any word yet?”
“Not yet,” Blair said
as she stood up. “I sent Chet to bed –
no sense him getting over tired.”
"Has anyone rung
Frieda's parents yet?" Nessa asked.
"I did,” Augie said
as he stood up and kissed her, "Uncle Gus asked me to."
"And they
are?"
"Driving to
Frankfurt Airport as we speak."
"Good, Frieda will
need them to be here." Nessa relaxed, "How bad of a wreck is
Pussy?"
"For a scientist
you think she'd be calmer, but she's a bundle of worry." Tracey van Roon
stood up and kissed Nessa.
"Well I think we
can all forgive her for that."
“I saw Heather on her
way out,” Blair said, “she must have been heading for the hospital.”
“Well, she and Pussy
are old friends – it only makes sense she would be there.”
12.45 am
Florida Heartland Medical Centre
“Hello Heather,” Gus
said as the young woman came in, “Paulie and Pussy should be back in a...”
He looked as the door
opened, and the two women came in.
"Hey Tee,"
Patricia said as she embraced her old college friend.
"Hey Puss, how are
you standing up?" Heather asked as she looked at her friend.
"I'll be better if
they both emerge from this okay...until then..." her voice trailed off.
“Ah – there you are.”
They turned to look as
the masked and gowned Ken Boyd came in.
“I think you’d better
get into the room Patricia – it’s getting close to time.”
“Oh god...”
“Relax – go and be with
her,” Paulie said as she nodded, and walked down the corridor.”
"How are things
going Ken?" Gus asked as the doctor removed his scrubs.
"Well my wife has
chased me out of there...and as I told Frieda, Karen is one of the world’s best
at doing all this."
“How much longer?”
“I’m sure they will be
back as soon as they can,” Heather said as she sat with them.
Holiday Inn
“Still no news,” Blair
said as she sat back down, the other three shaking their heads.
“When they know,
they’ll call us,” Tracey said as Nessa nodded.
“Any word?”
They looked over as
Jeanne and Annie came in.
“Neither of you could
sleep?”
“Nope,” Annie said as
they sat down, “sisterly solidarity and all that...”
Florida Heartland Medical Centre
“Jesus Christus , wie lange
kann das weitergehen?”
“Ich weiß, dass Frieda
meine Liebe , es wird bald vorbei sein...”
“Machen Sie es zu
stoppen, machen Sie es Halt!”
“All right Frieda,”
Karen said as she looked up, “we’re ready.
When it comes – push!”
The German chemist nodded
as she put her head back and grunted while pushing down...
1.30 am
The door to the waiting
room opened, Gus, Paulie and Heather looking over as Pussy came in with Karen.
“Well? Patty...”
Pussy looked at her
parents, before the smile broke out and said “it’s a girl – six pounds ten,
mother and baby doing fine if exhausted.”
“Oh thank the Goddess,”
Heather whispered as Gus and Paulie hugged their daughter.
“Shall I call the
others,” Paulie said as she wiped a tear from her eye.
“In a moment – come and
meet Pauline first...”
2.15 am
Holiday Inn
“That’s wonderful
news,” Augie said, “I’ll let everyone know.
Tell Frieda her parents are due to arrive at about ten, and they’ll be driven
straight to the hospital.”
“Well,” Tracey said as
he husband ended the call.
“Pauline Maria van
Roon, born at 1.10 this morning, mothers and baby doing fine.”
“Yes,” Nessa said
quietly as Annie and Jeanne hugged each other.
“I would say this calls
for a celebration drink,” Augie said with a smile, “but it is late, and we need
some sleep, so I propose we postpone for a few hours, until my uncle and aunt
get back.”
9 am GMT
Dublin
“It’s a baby girl,”
Cari said as Jo sipped her coffee, “born just after one. Annie just called me to let me know.”
“She’s early isn’t
she?”
"They had
everything set up for New York in two weeks time," Carina spoke to Jo on
Skype, "But Pauline decided she wanted some Florida sunshine I
guess."
"Well at least she
wasn't as early as little one."
"No," Cari
laughed, "I've told both Helen and Karen that when Annie gets anywhere
close to her date, they need to be on full alert."
"Yeah babies do
tend to pop out when they aren't expected."
"Yep." Carina
leaned back.
"So are you all
packed?"
"Yeah, I'm flying
down later this morning...commercial...I could kill Missy booking me a shoot so
I couldn't fly down with the gang. Not
worth going back to bed now."
"It happens,"
Jo smiled.
“What about you today?”
“Got the morning off –
then the Spanish contingent arrive at about two.”
“Well, give them my
love,” Cari said, “Now to see how bad early morning television is these days.”
“Try Irish television
some time – makes Canadian look good.”
7 am
St Martha’s Rectory, New York
“That is wonderful news
– but still, another Sinner,” Alex laughed over the phone, “I really do need to
tell the group they need to redress the balance just a bit, we do need a few
Saints.”
“Yes we do,” Gus
laughed as well. “Is it possible to be
exhausted and elated at the same time?”
“I believe it is,” Alex
said.
“Anyway Alex, I presume
we can book a baptism with you?”
“If we fit round
everything then yes.”
“Also, Patricia asked
maybe if we could arrange for you to do it in Europe when everyone is there in
mid-summer so that all Frieda’s relations can make it.”
“I’m sure I can talk
the priest at Rosville to lend me his font.”
“Good, that addresses a
big concern of the girls.”
“Right – go and join
the happy throng. I’ll see you when you
get back – all of you.”
“Thanks, Alex,” Gus
said as he ended the call, and then he offered up a silent prayer of thanks.
8 am
Holiday Inn, Sebring
“There they are,”
Tracey said as Pussy walked in with her parents, “the proud mother and
grandparents.”
Pussy waved and smiled
as the cheer went round the room, and then flopped into a seat as the rest of
the family sat round her.
“How are they,” Blair
asked as Augie opened a bottle of champagne, and poured it into glasses.
“Frieda is exhausted,
my nerves are shattered,” Pussy said, “but she is absolutely gorgeous.”
“Who does she look
like,” Chet asked.
“At the moment,
Frieda,” Pussy said, “lucky for her. So
when do her parents get here?”
“Just before noon –
Diana is going to collect them. You have
time for a drink, a shower, some food and a rest – not necessarily in that
order.”
“Well, this is a good a
start as any,” Pussy said as she took the glass of champagne. “Where did Tee go?”
“She had to go to the
track – they had an early start today.”
10 am
Sebring Ring
“Thanks for filling in
for me Denice… I had a late night.”
“No problems Heather,”
Denice said as she looked up, “I’m just glad to hear that Frieda and the baby
are fine.”
“So what have I
missed?”
“Other then one of the
most amazing displays of the art of swearing from Tonia?”
“Uh Oh, who got in the
way of our car?”
“One of the Porsche’s,
and dear God did Tonia let his people have it.”
“For such a well brought
up lady, she does have an amazing knowledge of the language,” Heather laughed
as she pulled on her headset. “Okay guys I’m here, and for those who haven’t
heard both Moms and baby are doing fine.”
“Good news,” Jan said
over the headphone, “so let’s do this for them.”
In the executive lounge
that had been reserved for RCM Racing, Tanera was standing, looking over the
boxes of items that had arrived from Torware.
“Ah good – I see they
have arrived safely.”
As she turned round,
Augie van Roon walked over and said “my apologies for my lateness, Miss Patel –
Augie van Roon.”
“That’s quite all
right, Mister van Roon – I understand you had a celebration. And please, call me Tanera”
“In a way,” Augie said
as he looked at the marketing executive.
“I trust everything is as expected?”
“Thank you for all this
Mr van Roon,” Tanera said with a smile, “I will make sure that it is
incorporated in with the other things we are giving our guests.”
“Thank you Tanera,”
Augie said with a smile, “and can I compliment you on your arrangements?”
“Thank you sir. Miss Xavier has asked me to tell you she will
be arriving with Miss Harker and Mrs Walker later this afternoon.”
“I understand you
graduated from Cornell’s School of Hotel Management?”
“I did.” He looked at her – smart jacket and tailored
skirt, leather pumps, white blouse.
Every inch the professional.
“Well you learned well.”
Augie looked round, “just one thing I’d say though, warn the bar staff that we
DO tolerate our children drinking.”
“I had already been
told that by Mrs Razinski, and I already briefed them to turn the other eye.”
“Good,” Augie smiled,
“now let us just hope the promotion girls my staff hired for Torware arrive on
time.”
“Well if they don’t
there will be no shortage of young models here from what I’m given to
understand.”
“That is true,” Augie
looked thoughtful.
“Is there anything else
I can do Sir?”
“No, you have things
well in hand – if you will forgive me, I have extra guests to sort bookings out
for.”
10.30 am
Orlando International Airport
They stood out amongst
the tourists and holiday makers – the man tall, thin, impeccably dressed in a
grey suit and open necked shirt, the woman wearing a pale blue tartan shawl
over a darker blue coat dress, dark stockings and low heeled shoes, a porter wheeling
their cases behind them.
As they came towards
her, Diana looked at their faces, and smiled as she said “Excuse me?”
“Can I help you?”
"Am I addressing Count
and Countess von Melz?" Diana asked.
"Yes," the
man replied.
"You probably
don't remember me, but we have met, I'm Diana de Ros."
"Oh of
course," the man smiled, "I'm Paul, and this is Maria my wife."
"I actually do
remember you Diana," the lady said as she kissed Diana on the cheeks.
"Well anyway I've been
sent to ferry you to the hospital."
"How are they
both? We got the message just as we got on the plane."
"They are both
doing fine, though Patricia is still a nervous wreck. My car is this way – if you could follow me?”
Diana led the way to
the waiting car, the porter following as they went out into the spring sun.
“An eventful week
then,” Maria said as the cases were put in the back.
“Indeed – I hope you
will be able to join us for some of the events,” Diana said, “but for now, we
need to introduce you to your granddaughter.”
4 pm GMT
Dublin
“Mama,” Eve called over
her shoulder, “they’re here.”
“Good,” Paula said as
she came to the door, welcoming Caroline with a kiss. “Welcome to our home.”
“It’s my pleasure,”
Caroline said as Ama and Nikki came up the stairs, the chauffer collecting
their bags, “you remember my daughter Ama and her friend Nikki.”
“Of course – how was
your time in Madrid?”
“Amazing, thank you,”
Ama said as they came in.
“Is that you Face?”
“It is,” she said as
she entered the front room, and embraced Mandy and Alice, “I hear we have a
plan for tomorrow?”
“I’m Eve,” Paula’s
oldest daughter said as she shook Ama’s hand, “and you must be Ama.”
“Indeed – my friend
Nicola Colman,” Ama said with a smile.
“Is Jo here?”
“She went with my
brother to visit a museum, but she should be back soon. Come on – I’ll show you your rooms for
tonight.”
“Caroline,” Tom said as
he came through and shook her hand, “thanks for coming and doing double duty
today. Paula and I have looked over your
ideas – can we discuss after dinner?”
“Of course,” the tall
blonde said as they heard the noise in the hallway, and Jo came in with John
and Aileen.
“You made it,” she said
with a smile, “how was Madrid?”
“Hectic and amazing –
the girls have gone to see their rooms, but we can talk later.”
Noon
Holiday Inn, Sebring
It was a typical
Florida spring day – the sun shining down on the people as they sat round the
hotel pool, drinking while they decided whether or not to get into the
pool. Spring Break tended to see
students and young people head for the coast and the water parks – which meant
it was mainly those there for the racing.
And in the case of a
few tables a little set back from the pool, the waiters going to and fro knew
they were dealing both with models, and with friends of models.
“So how are things with
you two,” Doc asked Sarah as they sat by the poolside. Both girls were wearing shorts and vest tops,
sipping their drinks.
“Oh we’re good,” Sarah
said with a smile, “Mum and Dad are a lot more relaxed about things now, which
is good. Glad Chet is here?”
“Oh yes – but we’re
shooting this evening, and tomorrow is all go.
Not counting the news from last night.”
“Yeah – he and H have
gone to buy a present before they head to the garage,” Sarah said as she saw
Augie van Roon walk towards them, muttering to himself.
“Hey!”
“JEANNIE!” Doc stood up as her friend was pushed over by
House, Pepsi and Poppy walking behind them.
“I see he found you yesterday?”
“Oh yes – we got reacquainted,”
Jeannie said with a smile. “What’s got
Mister van Roon flustered?”
“Not sure – I’ll go and
ask,” Sarah said as she got up and walked over.
“What do you mean they
had to cancel? No it is NOT acceptable!
“Right – we will have
words when I get back!”
“Uncle Augie, is
everything all right?”
Sarah watched as Chet’s
dad looked at her, and then said "Sarah... Can I ask a HUGE favor?"
"Sure, Uncle
Augie, what can I do to help?"
"Can you, and a
couple of the girls who model act as Torware's promotion girls? My contact has let me down, and I don’t have
time to get anyone else here."
"Well I'm sure a
couple of the models can,” Sarah said, “but why ask me?"
"Because like the
ugly duckling,” Augie said with a smile, “you've blossomed into a beautiful
swan."
"Thank you,"
the girl blushed.
"So?"
"Would we have to
wear outfits?"
"Yes and they are
here, size 2 Regular."
"Okay I'll ask a
couple of the girls...what would we be doing?"
"Standing
round...looking beautiful, and just generally alerting people about the
company."
"Okay let me ring
Mom and Dad and get permission, but I think I can do that."
"Oh and like the
pro models we will pay you a fee as well."
"Okay, well let me
go do some chatting then."
“So what’s up,” Doc
said as Sarah came back.
“Well – uncle Augie
asked if I would be a Torware girl tomorrow, but I need to find a couple of
others.” Looking at Doc and Poppy, she
smiled and said “interested?”
12.45 pm
Florida Heartland Medical Centre
“Pussy, will you sit
down for a minute,” Frieda said with an exasperated gasp, “anyone would think
it was you here last night, instead of me?”
“I know,” Pussy said as
she turned and smiled, “but I was so worried for both of you...”
As the door opened, she
smiled as she saw Diana look in.
“Ah good,” she said
with a smile, “I have some visitors for you.”
“Mamma! Pappa!”
“My child,” Maria said
as she came in and hugged Frieda, “very well done. How are you?”
“Sore – I had a few
stitches, but I will recover. I am not
the one you wish to see however.”
Pussy gently reached
into the crib and took the baby girl out, wrapped in a pink blanket, before
placing her in Maria’s arms. “This is
your grandmother little one,” she said quietly.
“Maria, Paul, I would like you to meet Pauline.”
Maria looked at the
little girl, her brown hair peeking out from under the cup, and smiled as she
stroked her cheek. “Hello little one,”
she said quietly, “welcome to our world.”
“Pussy, we
brought... Oh thank goodness, you made
it safely.”
“We did,” Paul said as
he greeted Gus and Paulie, “where is the doctor who helped?”
“Karen? Gone to get some sleep. You can meet her later tonight.”
1.15 pm
Holiday Inn, Sebring
Doc listened on her
cell phone as Missy Auerbach said “Just run that past me again, Anna.”
“Augie van Roon was let
down by a firm who should have sent some girls to promote Torware at the
meet. He asked Sarah, who asked me, and
I consulted with Abby who told me I had to ring you Missy."
There was silence on
the other end of the line, before Missy said "Well... Promotions like this, the girls are usually
below your level in the industry Anna."
"I know,” Doc
said, “but it would give me something to do rather than just watch cars go by
in a blur."
"Who else has
Sarah asked?"
"Young
Poppy..."
"Who is of course
still an amateur." Missy interrupted.
"So can I give
Sarah a yes?"
She heard a sigh on the
call. "Get Augie to get his people
to send me a contract for you, and yes I suppose it can't do any harm."
"Thanks
Missy...You are a DOLL!"
“Keep reminding me of
that,” Missy said as Doc ended the call, and nodded to Sarah. “I’m in – Poppy?”
“Mom says fine,” the
young girl said.
“Right – I’ll let Uncle
Augie know...”
1.30 pm
Xavier International, NY
“And that concludes the
business for today,” Susan said. “The
car will be coming to take us to the airport in five minutes. George called to confirm everything is
secure.”
“Excellent. I understand Tanera has impressed everyone
with her efficiency," Shirley smiled.
"So I've been
hearing," Susan smiled back.
"And to think
she's also a first class safecracker?"
"I know,” Penny
said as she looked up, “she had all the right credentials for us."
"Well I understand
Augie has hired some promotions girls, Lerrabella of course have got Jeannie
here, should we be represented Susan?"
"Roy phoned me,”
Susan said as she looked at a sheet, “he proposes that if you say yes that we
do have a couple of girls on duty working for him and us."
"Did he have any suggestions?" Shirley said as they walked to the car.
"He did."
"And they
were?"
"Ask Pepsi and
Becca."
"Well they are
both pretty girls," Shirley thought for a second, "if we put them in
female office suits...?"
"I think they'd
represent us nicely."
“Okay – Tom and Claire
are flying down with us, so we can ask in the plane. We can find out about Pepsi when we get
there.”
2 pm
Sebring
The RCM Racing garage
“Okays boys – overalls
all right?”
“Yes thanks,” George
said as he and Chet fastened them up.
“Good,” Clint said,
“well, this is the new car paint job and design. Take a very, very good look.”
“It’s – different.”
“Exactly – so thanks
for helping with this,” Clint said as the other mechanics finished priming the
paint guns. “Okay boys, mask up – let’s
get started.”
The two teenagers
pulled the paper masks over their mouth, watching as Clint and the boys started
to spray the dark red paint over the car.
“Well, at least we all
get the afternoon off,” Heather said as she sat with the other women in the spa
pool.
“This is the life,”
Denice said as she sat back.
"Oh dear Goddess
Lover, this is supposed to be an afternoon off," Heather looked at what
Sandy was doing, "we are supposed to be relaxing and you are playing a
race simulation game of here at Sebring."
"It helps me
remember the track,” Sandy said as she looked at her tablet, “and by the way
I'm not the only one, both Jan and Toni are doing the same."
"Drivers,"
Heather rolled her eyes.
"Did you hear from
Jo today?"
"Yes Caroline and
the girls arrived today...” Heather said
as she stood up and looked over her lover’s shoulder. “And see - you are doing the same on there
as you do in real life, you brake too early going into that turn."
"I know, I'm trying to learn not to...”
Heather looked pained
as Sandy made another mistake on the game.
“And so they are all set for taking the pictures?"
"Yes, and little
sister for once sounds excited about modeling...and here let me show you how to
do that."
"Who is the racing
driver here?"
"And who is the
computer games whiz?"
“Well, at least they
are stylish,” Doc said as the three girls looked at the white slip dresses they
were wearing.
"Well how are the
outfits girls?"
"Fine Mr van
Roon," Poppy smiled, "we are going to have to nip into town though
and buy white shoes that actually fit us."
"The length isn't
too short?"
"No not really,”
Poppy said, “my Mom looked us over and she said that for promotions girls they
were fine."
"And we all have
good legs anyway." Doc added.
"Well I have the
schedules printed up for where I need you to be."
"Let me have a
look... Yeah, these look fine." Doc
scanned the page.
"Just remember
that you are representing my company girls."
"Blair has said
she will brief us on Torware so we can answer questions." Sarah smiled.
"Okay girls I have
the car outside," Pippa called out.
“We just need to
change,” Doc called out as they made their way to the changing room.
“Ah Jeannie – you look positively
radiant today.”
"Giorgio , come
stai?" Jeannie reached up and let the man from Lerrabella kiss her.
"I am fine
Jeannie, how are you?"
"I'm good, so did
you bring the family?"
“Indeed,” Giorgio said
as he looked over to where Giovanna was pushing Sandra in her wheelchair. “So, are you ready to work tomorrow?”
“Of course I am – you
know the reception on Saturday is a joint sponsors one?”
“Of course – hence our
own cocktail party tomorrow...
"Jeannie you've
worked with Jeff Kovacs before haven't you?"
"Yes, he and I
have done a couple of shoots."
"Hello
Jeannie," the Hungarian photographer smiled. "Are you ready to look
ravishing in a racing car?"
"If Winston can
lift me in and out."
"She's been
practicing poses since she got here," Winston shook the hands of both
Giorgio and the photographer.
"I'm sorry this
coincides with your birthday Jeannie."
"Hey it will keep
me out of mischief while Mum and Granddad set my party up," Jeannie
grinned.
“Hello Jeannie,” Sandra
said as her mother brought her over, “this is an exciting place.”
“A lot going on
certainly,” Jeannie said with a smile as she watched Sandra looking up at
House.
“Is there something I
can help you with, Sandra?”
“I was wondering who
else was here – there are so many...
OH!”
Sandra gasped as Winston
lifted her up and over his head. "Now
hold on tight," Winston continued as he made sure that he had the disabled
young Italian firmly planted on his shoulders.
"It is such a different view from up here," she called out joyfully.
"See he is useful for
some things," Jeannie laughed as she looked upwards at Giorgio's daughter.
“Wow – that is
amazing.”
“Miss Stone – what
brings you here?”
“Hello Jeannie,”
Cassandra Stone said as she stood with Rick, Stevie and Capricorn, Leonora
looking up at the young girl.
“Hey Leonora - long
time no see!”
"What are you
doing up there?" the actress’ youngest daughter called up to her friend.
"Having a
ride," she laughed back, "what are you doing here?"
"Oh my Dad has
this idea for a script set round car racing, and he dragged us all along."
"Okay."
“Cassandra,” Barbara
said as she kissed her friend, “how are things going? We saw Elly singing the song she did for your
film last Saturday.”
“Yeah – she did a good
job on that one...”
"Elly is also composing
the background music as well," Rick turned his attention to the
conversation.
"Well she did play
cello and violin with the Youth Orchestra, as well as her rapping."
Abigail walked over to join the chat.
"Congratulations
on SNL Abby," Cassie kissed her.
"Well you were
better when you hosted,"
"Nonsense."
"But we all had
fun, and the reviews weren't too bad."
"So where is your
mother Abs?" Rick asked.
"Ferrying Frieda's
parents round, Frieda had her baby a little early."
“She did? Boy or a girl?”
“A girl – Pauline
Maria, after the two grandmothers.”
“That’s nice...”
5 pm
The RCM Hospitality Suite
“I must say George,
everything does look wonderful.”
“I am glad you think so
Shirley,” George said as they looked round the room. “We have security discretely set up, but
Tanera has been the real powerhouse down here.”
“Good evening Miss
Xavier,” Tanera said as she walked over, “I hope everything is to your
satisfaction?”
“Very much so Tanera,”
Shirley said as she greeted the young woman.
“The packs are prepared and ready?”
“Indeed Ma... Miss Xavier – we merely await the Lerrabella
items.”
“Can’t fault what
you’ve done,” Susan said as she and Penny came over.
“Ah Shirley – you made
it safely then.”
“I did indeed,” Shirley
said as she saw Juliette walk in. With
her was a young woman, wearing a sleeveless blouse and shorts, her dark hair
pulled back in a ponytail. “When did you
get here?”
“In time for the fun
yesterday – I presume you have heard the news about Pussy and Frieda?”
“Indeed,” Shirley said
as the young woman looked round.
“Working trip?”
“In a way – I got a
call this morning to meet someone, and I thought you may like to meet her. Martina?”
“Yes Miss Huntingdown,”
the dark haired woman said in a voice with a slight accent as she came over.
“Martina, this is my
good friend Shirley Xavier.”
“Of Xavier
International? An honour,” Martina said
as they shook hands.
"Shirley can I
introduce Martina Jayes," Juliette made the introduction, "I believe
you both have ancestors who knew each other."
“We do?”
"Oh yes - HE was
my great, great uncle," the New Zealand girl smiled as Shirley suddenly
realised what her name indicated.
"Oh dear lord,”
Shirley whispered, “I wasn't aware he had any relatives."
"He had a brother
who emigrated to New Zealand and lived in Auckland."
"Well I learn
something fresh every day."
Juliette smiled. "My publisher has asked Martina to help
research my book on my aunts cases."
"I work in the New
York office,” Martina said, “and this is kind of a big deal for me, both
personally and career wise."
"Someone at the
publishers noted the Jayes surname was cropping up in the notes I sent
them."
"And as I was on
vacation down here I thought what better time to introduce myself to
Juliette."
"Well it's lovely
to meet you Martina." Shirley smiled.
“I hope we get the chance to talk more when I am in New York.”
“I’d look forward to
that.”
“Did I hear,” Juliette
said, “that Augie has had to rope in some help from the younger Sinners?”
“Oh yes – Pippa and
Grace are helping them right now...”
"Oh this takes me
back," Grace looked in the mirror to check that Poppy's hair and makeup
was fine for Augie's approval. "Do you remember things like working the
Ideal Home Exhibition when we were still young kids Pip?"
"Uggh don't remind
me Gray," Pippa chuckled as she worked on Sarah's hair. "We thought
at the time it made us such hotshot models."
"Now, Poppy, if he
likes this I’ll do it again for your appearances." Grace fluffed up the
youngsters hair.
"I think we will
look brilliant," Doc said as she slipped her shoes on.
"PTA will
collectively have a fit though at you doing promotions work Doc." Grace
looked happy with Poppy's look.
"I know, but I'm
getting paid, and I'm not going to be bored at least. Besides, I’m not one of the sisters."
“Yet,” Pippa said as
Sarah stood up.
"Did Blair say she
was dropping by?" Pippa asked.
"Yes so we don't
look totally dumb, and so we can answer at least easy questions about
Torware."
"Well when Augie
approves, come back here and we get this all off and you can go relax in the
pool and she can talk to you there."
“Come on girls – like
this,” Doc said as she opened the door, the trio sashaying off as Grace and
Pippa looked on.
“You know,” Grace said,
“some of the girls were asking how long it would be before Missy calls to ask
you about Poppy?”
“Modelling? You know she wants to be a doctor,” Pippa
said, “and before you start quoting Doc and Karen at me, if she wants to do it,
I’ll support her. I just don’t think she
wants to follow in my footsteps.”
5 pm
Complete Style
“Ah there ye are
Alexis,” Mary Thomas said as she came into the editorial area, “all quiet?”
“So far so good – but
hold that thought,” Alexis said as the phone rang. “Miss Huntingdown’s office, Alexis speaking.”
“Alexis, it’s Juliette
- how are things going back there?” Juliette said over the lone as she checked
in.
“Oh it’s quiet, nothing
that Merlin and I haven’t been able to handle.”
“That is what I like to
hear.” Juliette paused. “Alexis I need you to do a job today that will not be
easy…”
“Oh?” the assistant sat
on the edge of her chair.
“I have had an idea for
a story, but it will need photos…”
“Alright,”
“He is going to hate
it, and he will fight you and resist…he might even bite…”
“Who might bite me?”
“Jack Linklater…and yes
I do literally mean he might bite you, but whatever he protests, whatever he says
is wrong with him, no matter how he curses and swears, I need him on a plane
and down here later today.”
Alexis raised an
eyebrow as she looked at Mary, who laughed silently as she scribbled a note.
“Gotcha…Oh and Merlin
who is sitting with me says I need ask you for danger money.”
“Tell her Hi,” Ju
laughed, “and yes you do this well I will pay you a bonus.”
“Okay – give me an hour
and I’ll call back.” As the call ended,
Alexis looked at Mary.
“Jack hates Florida,
and he hates cars, so we need to be sneaky.”
Checking her watch, she said “grab your coat – I know where he will be.”
10 pm GMT
Dublin
“Well, I’m going to
bed,” Ama said as she stretched and stood up, “good night Mom.”
“Sleep well,” Caroline
said as Ama and Nikki headed up the stairs.
“So, my plans?”
“I’m happy with them
all,” Tom said as he sat with Paula, “having a panic room centrally placed is
an excellent idea, but two entrances?”
“One from each half of
the townhouse - and both deadlock from the inside. That way, if something happens, you have
access wherever you are.”
“Fair point,” Paula
said. “And with the enhanced alarms and
sensors, that should provide the additional protection here. The big question is the country house – but
I’ve studied the plans, and we can talk over lunch before the shoot tomorrow.”
Sitting back, Caroline
sipped her brandy, before she said “Tom, forgive me if I touch on a sensitive
subject before tomorrow. As preparation
for this meeting, I checked your family history as well. So I know about Martin. Are you comfortable with the fact we are
using that tree as a location?”
“Comfortable, no. Necessary...
Yes,” Tom said as he held Paula’s hand.
“I’ve let what Martin did be a shadow over us for far too long – and if you
and Jo having your picture taken there dispels that shadow, so much the
better.”
“Well, we can try and
see what happens,” Caroline said with a smile.
6.30 pm
Holiday Inn, Sebring
The side of the pool
had been roped off by the hotel staff, and a barbecue set up, as the Saints and
Sinners gathered for a poolside party.
A DJ was playing some
music, starting with an old Dire Straits number.
We're going on a holiday now
Gonna take a villa, a small chalet
Costa del Magnifico
Yo, cost of living is so low
Yeah, gonna be so neat
Dance to the Euro beat
Yeah, gonna be so cool
Twisting by the, twisting by the
By the pool
We're twisting by the pool
We're twisting by the pool
Twisting, twisting by the pool
Sitting in a small cafe now
Swing, swing, swingin' to the cabaret
You wanna see a movie, take in a show now
Meet new people at the disco
Yeah, gonna be so neat
Dance to the Euro beat
Yeah, gonna be so cool
Twisting by the, we're twisting by the
By the pool
Twisting by the pool
Twisting by the pool
Yeah, twisting, twisting by the pool
And we can still get information
Reading all about inflation
And you're never gonna be out of reach
There's a call-box on the beach
So one, a two
A one, a two, a three
Alright
We're just twisting by the pool
And we're twisting by the pool
You got me twisting by the pool
Yeah, twisting, twisting by the pool
You're gonna look so cute
Sunglasses and bathing suites
Be the baby of my dreams
Like the ladies in the magazine
Yeah, gonna be so neat
Dance to the Euro beat
Oh yeah, gonna be so cool
Twisting by the, we're just twisting by the
Oh, by the pool, twisting by the pool
I'm a twisting fool
Just twisting, yeah twisting
Twisting by the pool
Everybody got to do the twisting by the pool
And we're twisting by the pool
You got me twisting by the pool
Oh, twisting, twisting by the pool
And we're twisting by the pool
You got me twisting by the pool
Oh, twisting, twisting by the pool
Everybody got to do the twisting by the pool
And we're twisting by the pool
You got me twisting by the pool
Oh, twisting, twisting by the pool
Look here
Come on and twisting by the pool
I'm twisting fool
Come and do the twisting by the pool
Twisting, twisting by the pool
“Dance mama!”
Carina smiled as Judith
and Jennifer danced by the table, Annie sitting with a large glass of iced
water as she watched them with Orlanda.
“So how are the happy
moms?”
“Pussy should be coming
in later – Frieda’s parents almost had to force her out of the room according
to Diana.”
“Well, I remember how
it felt when I first saw Judith.”
“I can tell you for
free,” Karen said as she passed by, “she could not take her eyes off Frieda as
she gave birth, and then she looked at Pauline, and she started crying.”
“That is not true –
something got in my eye.”
“Hey there,” Cari said
as she hugged Pussy, “how are you feeling now?”
“Better for some
sleep,” the red head said. “Mom and Dad
are bringing Frieda’s parents over in a little while.”
“I need to go and
change,” Cari said as she stood up. “You
stay here, okay baby?”
“Yes mama,” Judith said
with a smile.
“Okay – I don’t really
think you need to know any more than that,” Blair said as she sat at a table
with Poppy, Sarah and Doc. “Don’t be
afraid to admit if you don’t know anything, and point them in the direction of
Dad or take their business card.”
“So essentially, smile,
be polite and hand out the promotional material?”
“That’s right – Jeannie
will be there for Lerrabella, and I think Shirley has lined two others up as
well.”
“Well, it will pass the
time,” Sarah said with a smile as H, Chet and George came over. “And where were you boys all afternoon?”
“Helping paint a car,”
George said, “is Katy out yet?”
“Not yet – give her
time,” Poppy said with a smile.
"If this turns
into a bikini show I'm SUNK!" Sands pouted, "I still really have
nothing."
"Darling, you are
still just about only 13 years old - give them time," Heather said as she put
her arm round her charge, "and besides think just how Annie would look
today in a bikini?"
"True," Sands
smiled, "but still Katy gets all those looks..."
"And this from the
girl who till recently thought all boys were yucky?"
"I know,"
Sands smiled shyly, "but I'd still like something a little up top."
"Well I hate to be
a Cassandra, but Abby was still all but flat-chested when she was nearly
16," her mother called out.
"That was not
reassuring lover," Heather shot Sandy a glance as she caught Sands again
looking at her own chest.
"And H thinks boys
look at me like they think I'm a walking wet dream?" Sarah nodded as Katy
walked to poolside followed by a small army of young men.
"Katy encourages
them," Pepsi sat up and lifted up her sunglasses, "she knows just
what every movement she is making does to those poor suckers."
"Here comes
competition for her though," Becca laughed as Carina and Holly made an
entrance in microscopic pink bikinis.
"Oh God, that boy
- his jaw just practically hit the ground," Bobbi Morse spoke from where
she was sitting next to her sister.
"I'm not sure the
world wasn't better off when they were enemies," Judy shook her head, as
the two petite blondes turned and laughed as they blew a kiss towards the young
men.
"I'm not even
trying to compete," Blair sat down in her one-piece, "far too many
hot chicks here to tempt me to put my body on display for comparison."
"Well your aunt
and Nessa Richmond aren't backing down..." Doc looked over.
"They
aren't?" Blair looked over as
Paulie and Nessa appeared in gold brief bikini tops and hot pants.
"Oh my God,"
Poppy shook her head, “their age and they still look that hot in bikinis?"
"Dear Lord,"
Blair shook her head, "Oh and worse look at my Mom?"
"Damn she has such
a great body," the words came out of Doc's mouth involuntarily.
“I see the burlesque
lessons are still doing her good,” Pussy said with a smile.
“Are you enjoying
yourself,” Jeannie said as she wheeled herself over to join Sandra.
“It’s certainly
different,” Sandra said as she sat in her sundress, “but I’d really love to
dance.”
“It’s a bit crowded out
there though... HEY!”
Jeannie laughed as
House lifted her onto one shoulder, before he looked at Giorgio smiling.
“Allow me,” he said as
he took a photo, and then looked at his daughter.
“Alley oop!”
Sandra giggled as
Winston managed to lift her onto his other shoulder, both her and Jeannie
putting their arms round his neck.
"Now you on one
shoulder darling, and Jeannie on the other," Giorgio looked through his
lens. "Are they okay up there Winston?"
"Yeah," the
footballer smiled as the Italian snapped some photos.
"Did you see
Winston balancing Jeannie and the Mancini girl on his shoulders?" Gus
asked Augie.
"I did...he is
certainly a big, powerful, young man.
So, the happy grandparents?"
“Paulie is ecstatic,
Pussy is calming down – and here come Frieda’s parents now...”
“Wow – thanks,” Sandra
said as Giorgio put her in her chair, and House lifted Jeannie into hers.
“Well, looks like the
party is well under way!”
"Hey Letty you
made it," Jeannie said as she lifted her head to meet her friends
kiss. "You know Winston of
course."
"I do," Letty
smiled, “and Jason this is Winston Brewster IV, aka The House...House meet
Jason."
"I see you made
Second team All-American Winston?" Jason smiled.
"Well we had a
good year, the other guys made people like me and McCaffrey look good."
"Jason plays
basketball at Cornell..."
"Where I averaged
a measly 2.2 points per game in the past season," he laughed.
"Still you played,
a lot of freshman don't even get on the court."
"True."
“All right – the party
can officially begin!”
“And suddenly, the
missing piece falls into place,” Abby said as she hugged Ally and Nell
Rochermann. “How quiet was it at the
Hamptons?”
“Very quiet – but how
could we refuse the chance to come down here for a weekend of fun,” Ally said
as she looked round. “Wow – I see Tracey
van Roon is still working out.”
“I was going to say – you
two seem to be positively over dressed,” Cari said as she came over, looking at
the small but still tight bikinis the twins were wearing.
“I know – but how do
you compete with either end of the market at the moment,” Nell said as she
looked at Katy and Nessa. “Hey – who’s
the kid with Katy? I don’t think I’ve
seen her around before.”
“That’s Bev – an
English cousin of hers. She came over
for a visit and got roped into helping out with the pit crew.”
“Really? She’s very mature for a thirteen year old,”
Ally said.
“And Katy isn’t?”
“All right – it must
run in the family,” Nell said with a laugh.
“Hey – enjoying
yourself,” Pepsi said as she handed Bev a drink.
“I am actually – it’s
much hotter than I’m used to, but then I’m from the UK,” Bev said as she took
the glass. She was wearing a pair of
denim shorts, but also had a blue bikini top on.
“Listen,” Pepsi
whispered, “Katherine told me who you were.
I just wanted to say thanks for keeping an eye on Katy for all of us.”
“Not a problem,” Bev
said with a smile. “she certainly seems
to be enjoying herself.”
“Why do I always feel
like Mom when I see her doing that,” Pepsi said as she watched Katy dancing
close to George – very close.
“Because you’re a good
friend,” Bev said with a smile as she looked round. Everyone seemed happy, talking in small
groups, or just watching the party from inside the ropes...
Or maybe not just from
inside the ropes...
As she looked at the
main bar, Bev saw someone watching the kids dancing, and he seemed to be
watching Katy in particular. He was in
his late twenties, wearing an open necked shirt with short sleeves and khaki
shorts, as well as a pair of flip-flops.
Taking out her mobile phone, she started to take some photographs of the
dancers, and then slowly moved it round, taking more pictures of the others
until she saw the man. He had walked
towards the roped off area, and was watching Katy intently.
“So are you the guy,”
Bev said to herself as she snapped some pictures of him, before he turned and
looked directly at Bev. She managed to
take one picture before he walked quickly off, Bev nodding as she put her phone
away.
“Have you seen Susan
Walker anywhere Pepsi?”
“I think she was
meeting with the team in the room for tomorrow and Saturday – why?”
“Just curious as to why
she wasn’t here – can you keep an eye on Katy for a few minutes?”
“Why – what’s wrong?”
“Nothing - just need to
go to the rest room,” Bev said as she walked quickly off. As she left the area, the DJ started to play
another song, all the girls getting up and dancing to it.
I said a hey, hey, hey, hey, yeah
(I said a hey, hey, hey, hey, yeah)
I said a hey, a hey, hey, yeah
(I said a hey, a hey, hey, yeah)
A come on everybody take a trip with me
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
They got a honeysuckel growing on a honeysuckel vine
And a love is a blooming there all the time
Well every southern bell is a Mississippi queen
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
I said a hey, hey, hey, hey, yeah
(I said a hey, hey, hey, hey, yeah)
I said a hey, hey, hey, yeah
(I said a hey, hey, hey, yeah)
A come on take a stroll down to Basin street
Listin to the music with that dixieland beat
Well the magnolia blossems fill the air
You ain't been to heaven till you been down there
They got ten vines hanging from a peacock tree
Get outta here Jimmy Vaughan take it
I said a hey, hey, hey, hey, yeah
(I said a hey, hey, hey, hey, yeah)
I said a hey, hey, hey, yeah
(I said a hey, hey, hey, yeah)
Come on everybody take a trip with me
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
Well a honeysuckel hanging on a honeysuckel vine
Well love is a blooming there all the time
Every southern bell is a Mississippi queen
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
Yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Come on take a stroll down to Basin street
Listen to the music with the dixieland beat
The magnolia blossems fill the air
Ya ain't been to heaven till ya been down there
Honeysuckel hanging from a hollow tree
Down the Mississippi down to New Orleans
Hey, hey, hey, yeah
(Hey, hey, hey, yeah)
I said a look out John hey, yeah, yeah
( I said a look out John hey, yeah, yeah)
“Well, I think the
plans are complete now,” Shirley said as she leaned forward. “Pepsi and Becca were more than willing to
act as representatives for us and Roy on Saturday, and Penny will take them
tomorrow to get outfitted. George?”
“Security is in place –
discrete of course, but we also have CCTV set up and monitoring the room at your
request. Local security will take care
of that for us. We’ll be checking
invites as people come in.”
“Good – Tanera?”
“The catering staff
have all been vetted – they will arrive at six tomorrow for the cocktail party,
and the first shift for Saturday at six.”
“Good to hear,” Susan
said with a smile as she looked to the door, and saw Bev looking in. “Unless there is anything else, I think we
are finished here. Tanera, would you
give us a few moments? Company business
I need to discuss with the others.”
“Of course,” Tanera
said as she stood up, George standing as well.
“No – can you hang
around for a moment George? We may need
your input.”
As he raised an
eyebrow, and sat back down, Tanera left by one door as Bev came in the
other. “My apologies if I am
interrupting, Madame,” she said as she came in.
“Not at all – you
showed due discretion,” Shirley said as she looked over, “and I suspect you
would not have come if it were not important.”
“Bev? That is a different look for you.”
“Thanks George – I
think. Did Dom tell you I was going to
be here?”
“She guessed you would
be – this is to do with Katy Carter, right?”
“Yeah – we hoped
whoever was stalking her might have stayed in NY, but I think our hopes just
got dashed.” She took her mobile phone
out and passed it round the four older people.
“Okay,” Susan said
quietly, “forward this to the NY office, tell them we need a name as soon as
humanly possible. In the meantime –
George?”
“Send it to me as well
– I’ll make sure the right people are notified.
Meanwhile, Katy is going to be in the garage all day tomorrow and
Saturday, so we have time to put anything else in place that may be needed for
Sunday.”
“Do I let Jan or
Katherine know?”
“Not at this stage –
they have enough to think about,” Shirley said, “but keep close to her in the
meantime. Good work Bev – remain alert,
we’ll let you know what we find out.”
“Right,” Penny said as
she stood up, “I’ll walk back down with you Bev – bikinis and I tend not to get
on well, so I’m coming as I am.”
“Okay – coming to you
now George, then I’ll send it on,” Bev said, George taking his phone out and
nodding as Penny and Bev walked out.
“I’ll let the others
know – looks like he is a bit wet behind the ears, but you can never tell these
days,” he said as he got up and walked out.
As she rejoined the
party, Bev looked round and noticed something had changed.
“Hey Katy,” she said as
she walked over, “So where have all the guys suddenly gone?"
"To do the one thing could distract from so many beautiful girls...” Katy looked over to where a group were
huddled round The House. “Winston is
talking about what it was like to play in the Rose Bowl."
“WHAT? Sheesh, you’d think he was Jamie Vardy or
Harry Kane.”
“He’s on the same level
in terms of US sport,” Jeannie said as she wheeled herself over. “Sometimes, you just have to live with it.”
“So looking forward to
Sunday,” Pepsi said.
“Yeah – work tomorrow,
work Saturday, fun Sunday. Thank god
they postponed the shoot until tomorrow morning, it meant we could get some
down time tonight.”
“Tell me about it,” Doc
said as the girls gathered together.
“Given I’m working tomorrow morning and all day Saturday.”
“Yeah – Shirley said
you, Poppy and Sarah had been co-opted by Torware.”
“Oh – and that was
when?”
“While Pepsi and I were
being asked to do the same for Shirley and Roy,” Becca said with a smile. “So we can all suffer together.”
“All right,” Tonia said
as she stood up, “stand aside, striplings – let the more mature women show you
how it is really done.”
She grabbed Roy’s hand
and dragged him onto the dance area, Heather grabbing Pussy as the floor slowly
filled up with the slightly older generation.
“Work it!” Jeannie
called out as Juliette and Diana looked on.
“Two weeks, and it will
be you,” Diana said with a smile.
“Two weeks, and Abby
will know what she is going to be doing next year,” Juliette said back.
“Indeed – Father and
Valeria shared some of their plans for her birthday when I spoke to them to
give them the news about Frieda.
Apparently Gus has asked Alex to do the christening while we are over
there.”
“It makes sense – Paul,
Maria, join me please. Juliette, may I
present Count and Countess von Melz, Frieda’s parents. Paul and Maria, this is my friend Juliette
Huntingdown.”
“A pleasure,” Juliette
said as she shook Paul’s hand and kissed Maria, “how is your daughter?”
“Tired and proud – the
hospital says she can be released tomorrow, so she will join us here with
Pauline for the rest of the weekend.”
“I have seen your articles
in the British version of Complete Style,” Maria said, “and I understand your
own wedding is upcoming?”
“Indeed – two weeks
time in Munich.”
“Excited?”
“Very much so...”
As her cell phone went
off, Juliette said “excuse me a minute,” and walked to the side.
“Alexis? Did you manage it?
“I imagined he would
not like it – what did you promise him?
“Okay – I can arrange
that when we’re in Germany. So when does
he land?
“No – I’ll pick him
up. Well done.”
“A new arrival?”
“Oh yes,” Juliette said
with a smile, “Florida look out - Jack is back in town...”
As Shirley and Susan
came down, they saw the girls dancing, and made their way to the other
tables. As Susan went to Clint, Shirley
went to where some of the ladies were sitting.
“Ah there you are,”
Claire Morse said, “have a drink. You
are off the clock for the rest of the night.”
"Where is John
Shirley?" Tracey asked.
"Honestly? He's shooting Niki Lauda, Mario Andretti, and
Henri Marais for his new book."
"Three true
legends," Tonia said as she sipped her drink.
"Yes, John is
doing a book of portraits of sporting heroes after they have retired."
"Well put me down
for a signed copy when it comes out."
"Who else has he
shot and who does he have plans to photograph Shirley?" Kelly Rochermann
joined the group.
"Oh I know Bobby
Charlton, the old England footballer is one, Joe Namath I heard he takes next
week, oh I think its about 50 old stars in all."
"Well I'm just
glad he's not asked me," Winston laughed.
"Oh and why?"
Shirley asked curiously.
"Because it would
mean my career is over and not really just getting started."
"Oh point
taken." Shirley laughed lightly.
“Where did Juliette go
off to? She grabbed Grace and ran.”
“She said she had to
pick Jack Linklater up. Apparently he’s
come down at short notice for something.”
"Did I see you
fraternizing with the enemy darling?" Heather asked Sands.
"What?"
"I saw you dancing
with Steve Clayton."
"Oh yes then I
was." Sands giggled.
"You do know his
father is one of our principal rivals don't you?" Sandy smiled at her
daughter.
"Yes, but Steve is
such a nut bar, he's fun to hang out with."
"He's
insane," Capricorn sipped her 7Up. "That boy will do anything to get
a laugh," she giggled, "but I agree with Sands he's fun to hang out
with."
"It sounds like
you all had a good time then." Heather remarked.
"We did,"
Sands sipped her drink, "and he was awfully good including Leonora and
Sandra in things."
"Yes I saw he had
them roaring with laughter."
“Anyway, what was that
saying we learned in Civics - keep your
friends close and your enemies closer?”
“Juliette, my love, you
know how I feel about this area of the country,” Jack Linklater said as they
walked into the bar, “if it was anyone else other than you, I would have flat
refused.”
“Well, you didn’t,”
Juliette said as she and Grace sat either side of him, “how many drinks did it
take?”
“A couple, and the
threat of Mary Thomas taking me to the Eisteddfod next year. That just reminded me of when Fiona took me
to a Highland Fling – and I was the one who got flung!”
“What will it be Sir,”
the barman said. Jack looked along the
bar and said “Laphroaig – straight up, and make it a large one.”
“Leave the bottle,”
Grace said to the barman as he poured the amber liquid into a glass, “he’ll
thank you for it.”
Jack lifted the glass,
looked at it for a moment, and then raised the glass. “Gianni,” he said quietly, before he drained
the glass and indicated for it to be refilled.
“Have you been back
here since...”
“Grace, darling,” Jack
said, “just as you did your vanishing act, so Florida has been expunged from my
life and soul ever since... Well...”
“What was he like? I never really had the chance to walk for
him?”
“Gianni? Oh he was the life and soul of any party,”
Jack said with a small smile. “He was a
man who knew how to live life, and live it to the fullest extent. I first met him – oh lord, it must have been
about 1978, just after his first collection and the first Versace boutique
opened.
“I was in Milan to do a
shoot, and he happened to be in the same studio block, so he came to
watch. It was a privilege and an
education to meet him – and I really got to know him over the next few years.”
Taking another drink,
he looked round and smiled. “You’d never
find him in a place like this though – only the best for him. When he hooked up with Antonio, they had the
most amazing parties at his house – so whenever they were in Miami, and I was
free, I’d go and pay my respects.”
“I can imagine what
they must have been like,” Grace said.
“Ay well lass – there
may have been drugs there for all I know, but I was there for the men. Let’s just say the word Bacchalian would
underestimate the extravagance at his weekend affairs. Mind you, when the retrovirus became known
about, and we realised just what it was doing to our friends, he was the first
to tone things down and help those he could.”
“It’s funny we never
heard about that side of him,” Juliette said as Jack refilled his glass.
“Well, he had his
private side as well.” Looking at the
glass, he drained it again, Juliette and Grace looking at each other as he
refilled it. “You know I was in Miami
when he was killed?”
The two women shook
their heads as Jack smiled. “Well, why
would you – you were making your name as a writer Ju, and you had
disappeared. I’d come down to do a
bikini shoot in Miami, and let Gianni know I would be in town. He’d just had the treatment for his own black
spot, and he was a little under the weather when we met for dinner with Antonio
and Marcus.”
“Marcus?”
“Jack’s apprentice at
the time,” Ju said to Grace, “where did he go in the end?”
“He works for one of
the film houses – stills and the like.
Nice boy, but never able to get the hang of composition. Anyway, we had dinner, we talked, we drank,
we laughed, and it ended up that we agreed I would call at his house on the 16th
for lunch. Then, for the first time in
Lord above knows how long, he decides to go and get his own coffee and paper,
and...”
Jack drained his glass
again as he looked round. “You both came
back – he never... Never...”
As he started to cry,
Juliette saw John walk in.
“I heard he had
arrived,” he said quietly, “let me talk to him.
I’ll make sure he’s good for whatever you’ve got planned for the
morning.”
“Thanks John,” Juliette
said as she and Grace walked out of the bar...
“Cassie – come over
here a minute will you?”
“Sure Sandy,” Cassandra
Stone said as she walked to where Sandy was standing with a tall, dark haired
man.
"Cassie meet Stev
Clayton, Stev meet Cassandra Stone."
"I'm a fan,"
he said as he kissed the actresses hand.
“When Sandy here mentioned you were at the party, I asked if we could be
introduced.”
"Stev, that's an unusual name," Cassie observed.
"It's a shortened
name, Officially I'm Stephen Clayton the Fourth."
"It was his son
Steve, who was making the girls laugh earlier," Sandy looked at the guy.
"He's Stephen the
Fifth."
"Wow," Cassie
shook her head, "no wonder you change the names slightly, that many of
you."
"It's what the van
Roon's do as well Cassie, hence Gus and Augie from Augustus."
"That is true,"
Stev smiled.
"So how is your
car running Stev?"
"Atrociously! and
yours?"
"We aren't even
sure why we came to Florida it's so bad."
"Alright what is
going on?" Cassie looked from one driver to the other, "I saw both of
your cars going incredibly."
“Just jesting each
other,” Sandy said. “Saturday it’s
completely serious.”
“Once you get the
announcement out of the way tomorrow,” Stev said.
“Oyah – don’t remind
me...”
“Excuse me, I hear the
sound of a wife calling,” Stev said as he walked off.
“Nice bloke.”
“Yeah he is Cass –
unless he’s behind the wheel of his car.”
“So I take it he’s not
New York based?”
“Oh no – the Claytons
are Pittsburgh people, an old US Steel, Bessemer Trust, family."
"Oh Carnegie's
cronies."
"Exactly, they
made a huge fortune back when the US was the world’s biggest steel
producer."
“So not short of a
rouble or two.”
“No – they diversified
and survived the crash. Anyway – I need
to get to bed. Long day tomorrow...”
Friday 18th March
9.30 am GMT
Ireland
Ama and Nikki looked at
each other, trying not to laugh as Jo started to sing what sounded like a
traditional song.
“In Dublin's fair city,
where the girls have big titties
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly's Melons
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow through streets broad and narrow
Crying cocks and muscles alive a-live O!
A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cocks and muscles alive a-live O!”
"That is
disgusting JO!" Caroline shook her head. "Who made that up?"
"Well Curt taught
it to me, but he learned it at his fraternity, so I suppose it’s old."
“Curt’s not THAT old!”
“Oh it’s all in good
fun,” Paula said as she looked round.
"I'm trying to
remember some filthy verses called the 'London Derriere', Eve smiled, “a girl
in school taught me."
"And they say men
have dirty minds," her father laughed from the driver’s seat.
"Fancy bastardizing Danny Boy..."
"Oh no, just the
melody Daddy. Let’s see if I can
remember." She closed her eyes and
started to sing in a soft voice...
“I watch you walk upon the
streets of London.
Your mini-skirt stretched tight, and looking sweet.
I watch you walk, and walk into a lamppost
I didn't see upon the London street.
“So turn your back, and
wiggle softly from me!
With mini-skirt, (perhaps, no underwear!)
Your legs are great! But, by the Gods above me!
I watch your wondrous London derriere!
“The Paris girls are
wonders full of beauty,
And California grows the Long-stemmed L.A. rose,
Berlin nights are full of life, and lovely,
But London girls don’t wear no panty-hose!
“So turn your back, and
wiggle softly from me!
And let me watch, and dream a dream so rare:
In my hotel, you naked there above me.
Sit on my face with your London derriere!”
The car started
laughing as Ama said, “It reminds me of a song by Monty Python, how did it go
again...”
“NO!”
The car looked at
Caroline, as she said “perhaps we can save that for another time Ama.”
“Only if you can come
up with an alternative.”
“Oh lord,” Caroline
said as she looked round. “All right –
but don’t blame me for this. Especially
as we’re in Ireland.”
“Blame you for what,”
John asked.
“This...
“My, my, at the curry
house my stomach did surrender
Oh yeah, and now I've met my dinner meal in quite a similar way
The latch on the door it was week
That stuff in the loo starts to reek
“Vindaloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Vindaloo - Now I'll barf for ever more
Vindaloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Vindaloo - Knowing my crap will be full of you
Vindaloo - Finally facing my Vindaloo
“My, my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight
And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose
“Vindaloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Vindaloo - Now I'll barf for ever more
Vindaloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Vindaloo - Knowing my crap will be full of you
Vindaloo - Finally facing my Vindaloo
“So how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose -
“Vindaloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Vindaloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Vindaloo - Finally facing my Vindaloo”
“I had to ask,” John
said as he finally stopped laughing.
“What is this
Vindaloo,” Nikki asked.
“I’ll tell you later,”
Caroline said as Paula started singing
“Day-o, Day-o
Players they come and they take me home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Me say day, me say day-o
Players come and they wanna me to go
“Wore a skirt that bare
covered me bum
Players come and they take me home
Blouse so tight my buttons all pop
Players come and they wanna me to go
“Come, Mister player
man, play now with my butt cheeks
Players come and they take me home
Come, Mister player man, come and make me feel sweet
Players come and they wanna me to go
“Show six inch, seven
inch, eight inch long
Players come and they take me home
Six inch, seven inch, eight inch long
Players come and they wanna me to go
“Day, me say day-o
Players come and they take me home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Players come and they wanna me to go
“A big strong man to
take me all now
Players come and they take me home
Don’t keep your man from my vagina
Players come and they wanna me to go
“Show six inch, seven
inch, eight inch long
Players come and they take me home
Six inch, seven inch, eight inch long
Players come and they wanna me to go
“Day, me say day-o
Players come and they take me home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Players come and they wanna me to go
“Come, Mister player
man, play with my butt cheeks
Players come and they take me home
Come, Mister player man, come and make me feel sweet
Players come and they wanna me to go
“Day-o, day-o
Players come and they take me home
Day, me say day, me say day, me say day
Me say day, me say day-o
Players come and they wanna me to go”
“MOM!!”
“Ah the hockey field,”
Paula said with a smile as they drove down the road...
Noon GMT
Lardarn House
“April Broadhurst will
need to add this to the list of places to visit,” Caroline said as she looked
over the immaculately laid out grounds.
“Now we met her when we
were over last year – she’s the florist and landscape designer, right?”
“That’s right,”
Caroline said as she was handed a white jumper.
“So what do you call this part of the gardens?”
“They call this the
Bridge of Tears Caroline,” Paula watched as the model carefully pulled the pullover
on.
Caroline looked over
and said “Another place of Gauntian horror?”
“Just for once no…it’s
called that because the cascade that John Wills laid out when he designed this
part of the park reminded the then Earl’s wife of a little row of tears as it
dropped into the lake.”
“Well it is a beautiful
spot,” Caroline stood patiently still whilst the makeup girl redid her face.
“Who was John Wills?”
Jo asked as she awaited her turn.
“He was the landscape
designer who created all this and a lot more of Ireland’s great gardens Jo.”
“I’ve never heard of
him.”
“Well that’s because
our Irish great estates are not nearly as well known as those in England. Wills
had worked for William Kent and that was where he learnt his craft.”
“The same as Capability
Brown…”
“Now how did you know
that Caroline?” Alice asked as she checked the models.
“I don’t know,”
Caroline smiled, “it must be a piece of trivia I picked up from somewhere.”
“Well you are quite
right Caroline, Wills was the leading disciple of Kent to work here in
Ireland.” Paula smiled back.
“Well Alice, Mandy, how
do we look?” Jo asked.
“Wonderful – now go
over and let Kevin work his magic.
As they walked over,
Paula looked over to where her own family were standing, talking to Ama and
Nikki as well as some of the locals who had come to watch.
“Wonderful,” Kevin
said, “let’s go to work girls.”
“Give me some longer
lines please Caroline,” Kevin Ryan hopped from spot to spot as he took
pictures.
“Like this?” Caroline
extended her leg and lifted her chin, the cardigan fastened round her with the
matching belt.
“Perfect.” He continued to take shots as he walked round
the tall blonde.
“This isn’t what I
imagined a photo-shoot would be like at all.” Eve said as she stood by Jo,
while the younger model awaited her turn.
“Yeah, it’s a lot of
hard work,” Jo said, “and out of every 50 frames he shoots he might get one
that Alice will eventually approve for use in the advertising.”
“Wow!”
“So is that the girl
with the boyfriend of the month club?” Jo nodded to a brunette with lustrous
hair standing in the crowd watching.
“It is…and how could
you tell?”
“I know the type,” Jo
giggled, “just a little bit overdone…too much makeup, those jeans are a size too
small, and she looks and smiles at every man.”
“Well yes that is what
my brother considers to be the love of his life.”
“Well I hate to tell
him,” Jo said, “but her type loses her looks quickly. Now The Knight, she will
stay a beauty all her life.”
“Yeah – but tell him
that...”
“Hello Arabella,” John
said as he walked to where she was standing in the crowd, “I’m so glad you
could come and watch today.”
“Well I had nothing
really better to do,” she said in a deep voice, John totally failing to pick up
on the tone in her voice. “So that is Jo
Smith and Caroline Jameson – they don’t look that beautiful to me.”
“Oh I don’t know – they
have an ethereal beauty about them.”
“Always the poet, John
Gaunt.”
“Well, if I only had
words to describe...”
“Hello Arabella – I see
you managed to make it here today.”
“Christine,” the
brunette said quietly, “what an unexpected pleasure.”
“So would you like to
join us for lunch, Arabella? We’re
having a buffet for the crew and everyone else.”
“Oh yes, do please join
us,” Kit said with a fixed smile, “I am so sure the girls will be delighted to
see you.” She looked at the hangdog
expression on John, and quietly shook her head.
“Well, if you insist,
how could I refuse,” Arabella said.
“WONDERFUL! I’ll let them know,” John said as he walked
quickly off.
“If you even think of
hurting him,” Christine whispered under her breath.
“Oh relax – I’m just
having some fun,” Arabella said with a smile, the blonde swearing quietly under
her breath as she looked at John.
8 am
Holiday Inn, Sebring
“Well, if you’re going
to have a party, that’s one way to have it,” Jeannie said as she, Barbara and
John made their way to the restaurant for breakfast.
“True – but you have a
busy day today, so it is best to...”
The three of them
stopped as they looked at one of the tables, and the four women sat round
it. The small blonde girl smiled as she
looked through her glasses, and said “hello Jeannie darling – I see you are the
first to really surface.”
“Kyles? Nobody said you were coming!”
“Well,” Catherine said
as she put her glass of orange juice down, “that is possibly because nobody
knew. As it was, we found none of us had
any commitments that could not be re-arranged between today and Tuesday, so we booked
the flights and accommodation.”
“I suspect you will not
be the only ones that are surprised – good morning Winston.”
“Marina? This is an unexpected pleasure. Perhaps we can take the table next to you?”
“Please,” Helen said as
she helped Marina to move the table over.
All four women were wearing short sleeved blouses and shorts, Kylie
smiling as she said “I wanted to thank you for the present, by the way. I was not even aware the girls knew when my
birthday was.”
“Well, Alice told me,”
Jeannie said, “but I’m glad you liked it.
I figured you would appreciate the designs.”
“So where is everyone
else,” Marina asked.
“Well, we had rather a
good party last night,” Jeannie sad with a grin, “and there was a little bit of
a celebration.”
“Oh – what for?”
“Frieda van Roon had a
baby girl in the early hours of yesterday morning,” Barbara said, “she should
be coming back here today?”
“A baby girl? How wonderful,” Kylie said with a smile as
Janine came out with Juliette.
“Marina? You should have said you were going to be
here!”
“Ah, for that I
apologise,” Catherine said as she greeted Juliette. “I hope we will be able to attend the
hospitality tomorrow?”
“We’ll get all of you
in tonight and tomorrow – there’s a special ceremony today to unveil the new
sponsorship deal for RCM racing by Lerrabella, and a cocktail party tonight.
“Shirley, John – we
have unexpected guests.”
“Hello Catherine,”
Shirley said as she greeted the young Chinese woman, “I’ll get Tanera to add
you all to the lists.”
“How was Jack when you
left him,” Juliette whispered to John.
“He’ll be fine – he
just needs to sleep it off. So why did
you get him to come down?”
“I’ll explain later,”
Juliette said with a smile.
“So is it easier to ask
who is not here than who is, darling,” Kylie drawled.
“Well, Angel arrived
late last night, but essentially everyone who is not in Ireland is here –
except Maisha. She’s back in London,
right Shirley.”
“Yes she is – she has
some exams upcoming, so she wanted the time to revise.”
"Oh I have something to show you Kyles?" Jeannie smiled as she reached
for her mobile, "Jo just sent me these a few minutes ago."
"She sent you what
darling?" Kylie's mouth opened wide as she looked, "Oh dear Goddess
she never told me she was having those made?"
"What made?"
Marina asked.
"Do you remember
those extra long Arran cardigans – the ones that I was playing round with drawing
a few months back?"
"Yes."
"Well,” Kylie said
as she handed Marina the phone, “look darling."
"Oh my God, now
they are VERY special," Marina shook her head.
"Let me see,"
Catherine asked.
"Oh I must buy
myself one of those," Helen said as she looked over Catherine's shoulder.
"Oh me too,"
Juliette looked.
"So
flattering," Shirley approved.
"Well just on the opinion
in this room Kylie you have a hit Kyles." Jeannie grinned.
“Kyles? Okay now I know we are going to have fun!”
“Hello darlings,” the
young Londoner said as she greeted Doc, Pepsi and Becca. “You MUST catch me up on the gossip.”
“Well, there’s the
small matter of Katy’s English cousin coming to stay and helping out.”
“Oh? I did not know she had an English cousin,”
Kylie said as she looked at Doc.
“Well, you can meet her
now – here come the RCM team,” Pepsi said as Jan and Sandy came in with Sands,
George, Katy and Bev. “Hey guys – look
who popped up as a surprise.”
“Catherine – and
Helen,” Jan said as she hugged them both, “come to see us make idiots of
ourselves?”
“No, I have come to see
you do your best,” Catherine said with a smile.
“Hey Marina, Kylie,”
Katy said as she came over and hugged them both, “I want you to meet my British
cousin Beverly. Bev, this is Marina and
Kylie – they’re both based in Hong Kong at the moment, but coming to New York
in the summer.”
“A pleasure to meet you
darling,” Kylie said as she kissed Bev on both cheeks, “so you are young
Katherine’s cousin?”
“Yeah – I got sent over
for a couple of weeks, and ended up in this mayhem. So are you studying in Hong Kong?”
“Oh yes – Marina works
for Catherine here. Listen – I think I
will go and get some food from the buffet.
Would you care to come with me?”
“Sounds good – you want
anything Katy?”
“No I’ll come in a
minute,” Katy said as she sat with the older girls, Bev nodding to Jan before
she went with Kylie.
“Katy’s British
cousin? Beverly darling what are you
doing here?”
“I got hauled over last
week,” Bev whispered as they each put some food on a plate, and then found a
quiet table. “Katy went to see Susan,
because she thought someone was stalking her.
Susan called Lily, and the next thing I know I’m landing in New York at
two in the morning, and acting as Katy’s thirteen year old cousin.”
“I see,” Kylie
whispered, “and were her fears justified?”
“Oh yes – and he’s here
in Sebring.”
“Is he indeed?”
Bev took out her mobile
phone and showed Kylie the picture.
“Susan’s asked the office to try some facial recognition, and George is
keeping his eyes open as well.”
“Then send it to me and
Marina – we will keep our eyes open as well,” Kylie said quietly. “If our help is required, simply ask – I am
sure Catherine and Helen will understand.”
“Thanks,” Bev said as
she put her phone away. “So, you’re
going to be coming to New York now.”
Kylie nodded. “Marina was offered a position as a personal
assistant to Anna Mitchell, and she accepted, so I will be coming here and
attending St Angela’s.”
“Good – you need
friends as much as the rest of us Kyles.
Oh – and happy birthday for a few weeks ago.”
“Why thank you –shall
we head back before...”
“Before I begin to wonder
where you’ve got to?”
Both girls turned to
see Marina standing behind them.
“How do you do that,”
Bev asked quietly.
“Never mind, darling,”
Kylie smiled, “brief Marina, and then we will head back.”
In a quiet corner of
the restaurant, John sat down next to a slightly hung-over Jack Linklater.
“Hey – how’s the head
this morning?”
"Did I disgrace
myself last night?" Jack asked quietly as he sipped the strong coffee.
"Not really,” John
said, “but you hopefully did some of the grieving you needed to do when Gianni
died."
“I know – but I just
shoved it away like so many other things.”
Jack took another drink, before he said, "You and Juliette were
good listening to an old drunk like me..."
"Jack we just did what
true friends do for each other."
"I know."
Jack tried a smile, "but still...Thank you John."
"Did you see the
honeymoon pictures Pru has posted, they'll make you laugh."
"Oh?"
"Yes," John
punched a few buttons on his mobile and showed a picture of the model with her
new husband – somewhat lacking in clothing.
"Oh she never
posted that on her Facebook page?" Jack's laugh returned.
1 pm GMT
Lardarn Castle
As Kevin started to
check the settings for the next shoot, Christine walked round, before she saw
Jo talking to one of the assistants.
“Hey Jo – I see you’re
hard at work.”
"Hello Kit,"
Jo said as she embraced the girl, "Come meet Caroline." She walked her over to where Caroline was
talking to Ama and Nikki.
"Caroline,” Jo
said, “meet the Knight of the Red Knife, or as she prefers Christine, or Kit,
Mahan-Gaunt."
"Hello," Kit
extended a hand.
"You are the
school friend of Eve's she told me about," Caroline said as they shook
hands.
"I am."
"Well it's lovely to meet you. This
is my daughter Ama, and her friend Nikki."
"Hi,” Kit said as
she shook their hands as well. “I just
wanted to say it's lovely to meet someone as famous as you, the girls back at
school will be cursing my luck."
"Oh I'm not that
famous."
"Fly into Heathrow
soon,” Catherine said, “your lipstick advertisements are EVERYWHERE."
"Oh dear,"
Caroline laughed, "I'll need to adopt another persona and wear wigs so I
can just have a private life."
"I suppose you
might have to." Christine looked around, and then glared at John paying
strict attention with a group of other boys to Arabella.
"I take it you
don't like her." Caroline whispered.
"How did you
guess?"
“Instinct – is she the
hated rival?”
“No – just the hated
bitch,” Kit whispered quietly. “Anyway –
what are you going to be modelling next?”
“The Arran jumpers, I
think...”
“Caroline?”
“Yeah Bats?”
"Just for a few
seconds can you come sit on these fallen stones Caroline? Kevin wants to shoot
a couple of test frames."
"On my way
Alice."
"There are just so
many great places to take pictures here at the old castle." Jo took a
sandwich from the tray Aileen was handing round, "and dear Goddess these
salmon sandwiches are to die for!"
"They are aren't
they?" Aileen smiled happily. "And you know I'm seeing this ruin
through completely fresh eyes as I hear everyone talk."
"Aileen aren't you
going to introduce me?" the slinky brunette said as she walked over.
"Jo, this is
Arabella..."
"I'm an old friend
of the family and one of your BIGGEST fans Jo...You don't mind me calling you
Jo do you?"
“Well...”
“Good – so can you tell
me how you manage to look so wonderful...”
"She is such a
two-faced bitch," Kit could not control her rage as she looked on,
"just a few minutes ago she was telling me that Jo and Caroline weren't
that attractive."
"One day she will
get hers." Eve nodded, "that bitch deserves a good thumping."
“Get in line,” Kit
whispered quietly...
“How do you do, I’m
Arabella,” the brunette said as Caroline came over.
“Pleasure – Jo, you’re
up.”
“Time to earn my fees
for next year,” Jo said, whispering “thank you” to Caroline as Ama and Nikki
walked over.
“I said I’m Arabella?”
“Oh sorry – Caroline
Jameson.”
“May I call you
Caroline?”
“No – Ama, Nikki, how
are you doing?”
“We’re having fun
talking to John’s sisters,” Ama said as Arabella looked at her. “Forgive me – is there something on my face?”
“No – no sorry,”
Arabella said as John came over.
“Arabella, I was
wondering if we could meet up later – have a chat or something.”
“Oh very well,”
Arabella said with what she thought was a sweet smile, “when and where?”
“Eight o’clock by the
Hanging Tree?”
“I will see you there,”
Arabella said as she walked off, Nikki watching her.
“Friendly, isn’t she?”
Caroline nodded as John
walked off as if in a dream.
11 am
Sebring
The crowds were dressed
soberly as they stood in the Green Park, a stage set up at one side with a
brass band playing by it. On the stage
Mario Andretti was sat with Nikki Lauda and Henri, as well other drivers. Jackie Stewart was there, as were past
champions of tourist car racing, Formula 1 and other versions of the sport.
A choir were singing on
the stage as well, as a number of ministers at with them. Eventually, one of them came forward and stood
at the dais.
“We are gathered
today,” he said quietly, “to pay our respects and remember one of the greatest
tragedies this sport, and this circuit, have ever known. Fifty years ago, this circuit, this race, was
witness to two crashes. In one, we lost
Bob MacLean, a fine young man who died far too young. In another, four spectators died when a car
spun off the track after an accident.”
Henri put his hand on
Mario’s shoulder as the famous driver closed his eyes in prayer.
“Today, we honour and
remember Bob MacLean, Willis Edenfield Sr, Willis Edenfield Jr, Mark Edenfield
and Patricia Heacock. We ask you now to
join us in a minute’s silence in memory of those five people.”
The crowd fell silent
and bowed their heads, the singers after a minute starting to sing Abide with
Me. As the crowd joined in, Mario and
Henri started to lead a small procession down to where an area of the green was
covered.
As the cover was
removed, a brass plaque was revealed, the inscription commemorating the events
of 1966 and naming those who had died.
Mario took a wreath from one of the girls standing there, walked forward
and laid the wreath by the plague, standing with his head bowed for a minute
before he stepped back.
Henri laid a second
wreath, and was followed by Jeb Bush and other dignitaries. “It is good that they are remembered,” Henri
whispered to Mario.
“I know,” Mario whispered
back, “It is sad that Don Wester could not make it, but I understand the
reasons why he felt he could not come.”
As the ceremony
continued, in the RMC Garage a different scene was unfolding, as Jeannie was
posing by the newly painted racecar, Giorgio watching as Jeff Kovacs took the
pictures.
“I have to admit – it
looks different,” Jan said as she stood with Katy, Sandy and Jeanne.
“I know – still, at
least it is not luminous pink,” Sandy said with a smile. “And she does look fantastic in that outfit
in the car.”
“Whose seat did we put
in?”
“Mine,” Jeanne said as
House lifted Jeannie out and put her in her chair, wheeling her to put the next
outfit on, “it seemed the best fit.”
“When will Henri be
back?”
“the ceremony is not
meant to last long – so soon. The
official unveiling is two o’clock, correct?”
“Yeah – we’ll go and
get changed before that.”
“Alright,” Jack said,
“now I’ve sobered up, just what am I here to do Ju?”
“Just take your camera
Jack, and go out and patrol the place looking for interesting pictures for me.”
“Not just fashion?”
“No,” Juliette said, “but
if you do see women wearing something great remember to get them to sign a
model release, and to…”
“Juliette Huntingdown,”
Jack smiled as he interrupted, “how many years have I been doing this?”
“I know Jack…Sorry.”
“So what is the premise
of your article?”
“I just want to show
that racing cars still have that element of glamour, and international glamour
at that attached to it, especially in this type of race.”
“As opposed to Bubba
and Joelene at Nascar events?”
“Well I wouldn’t quite
put it that way, but yes, show how international racing still draws on the
International elite, as well as the ordinary enthusiast.”
“Well I can try my
best.”
“I know you haven’t
done reportage for a while, but you used to be so great at this type of thing.”
“Why thank you Miss
Huntingdown.” Jack started unpacking his camera cases. “So anyone you want in
particular?”
“Tracey van Roon is
looking amazing. Giorgio Mancini and Jeannie. The Olafsson family…”
“The Norwegian oil guy
with the stunning wife and daughters?”
“Yes, and well you know
the type of person that our reader will recognize in the magazine.”
“Okay, well as I said I
can but try.”
5 pm GMT
Eventon
As the crowd watched from
around the town square, Jo and Caroline stood together, looking at a map and
then up into the distance as Kevin took his pictures.
“All right,” he said
eventually as he looked up, “I think that’s a wrap for today. Let’s pack up and get back to Lardarn. We can review the shoot and confirm plans
back there.”
As his crew started to
pack up, Eve and Christine watched Arabella as she talked to some of the local
boys.
“Wonder what she’s
planning now?”
“Probably to hang out
with them later – it is a Friday night after all.”
“Oh lord yes – Youth
Club.”
“And what are you two
planning,” Aileen said as she came over.
“Christine, Mum and Dad are inviting you to dinner tonight.”
“I’d love to – are you
coming with us John?”
“Yeah – got some things
to do at home,” John smiled as he looked at them, Eve shaking her head...
“So, I think it’s gone
well so far,” Caroline said as she removed her makeup.
“Yeah – apart from one
blot,” Jo said. “By the way, Jeans
texted to say Kylie was in Florida, and she’s shocked at her designs being used
again.”
“One day, I may tell
her in advance,” Alice said as she and Mandy came over. “Well done both of you – down time tonight, a
nice dinner and then an early night.”
“Sounds like a plan to
me,” Jo said with a smile. “Give Ama and
Nikki some time to tell us about Madrid – and Dan.”
Caroline blushed as
Alice said “well, that must have been a nice surprise for you.”
“Oh leave the poor girl
alone Darling,” Mandy drawled, “we were young once...”
“By the way – when do the
RMC items get unveiled Alice.”
Looking at her watch,
Alice said “in about two hours...”
2 pm
Sebring
The other teams watched
from the sides of the pit lane, the press lined up outside the entrance to the
RCM Racing garage as Shirley looked out through a crack in the door.
“Well, there is quite a
crowd out there,” she said as she turned and joined Roy and Augie, “so what do
you think of the car now?”
“I’m happy with what
they have done,” Augie said as he looked at the car. It had been painted a deep red, with the Lerrabella
logo prominent on the front, and the logos of Xavier International, Razinski
Brokers and Torware prominently displayed on the sides and back of the car.
“Thank you all for
coming,” Giorgio said as he and Giovanna came over, “we wanted to show we are
partners in the support of the team with all of you.”
“It’s our pleasure,”
Shirley said as they saw Sandy, Jan, Jeanne and Antoinette come out.
“Oh my – Alice did do a
god job, didn’t she,” Shirley said as she nodded in approval at the classic a-line
dresses three of them were wearing, Jeanne in a maternity version. The dress was in grey silk with a dusky pink
trim, and came to just above their knees.
Each of the women also had a matching grey jacket, and grey pumps with a three inch heel.
“Wait
until you see the girls,” Sandy said as Sands and Katy came out in a matching
outfit, while Heather, Denise, Tonia and Janine came out in grey trouser suits
with dusky pink blouses underneath.
“Very
chic,” George said from the side, “and the men.”
“Does
this answer your question Dad,” George Jr siad as he came out with Henri, Clint
and the crew, in a grey suit, white shirt and pink tie.
“Well,
if we are ready?”
“No
time like the present,” Sandy said as the garage doors were opened up, and
Giorgio went out to where Jeannie was waiting.
“Here
they come, darlings,” Kylie said as she stood with Katherine, Beverly and
Marina.
“Ladies
and Gentlemen,” Giorgio said, “we thank all of you for coming today, and
joining us on this special occassion, here at this famous racetrack.
“As
you can see, we are joined today by Jeannie Brewster, the face of New You
cosmetics, and an ambassador for Lerrabella cosmetics, as we announce this
major new sponsorship deal with another group that promote the image of the
strong, independent young woman.
“Ladies
and Gentlemen, Lerrabella is proud to announce that they will be a major
sponsor of Richmond-Carter-Marais Racing, and we ask you now to welcome the
team – Sandy Richmond, Janice Carter, Jeanne Marais and for this meeting as a
guest driver, Antoinette Marais!”
The
crowd applauded as the four women came out, waving and acknowledging the
applause.
“Also,
please welcome the support team for RCM racing.”
Sands
looked nervous as she came out, but Katy lapped up the attention and the
cameras.
“Bev
darling,” Kylie whispered, “look at four o’clock.”
As Bev
looked over, she saw the man from the previous night. “Watch her will you,” she whispered back,
Kylie nodding as she slipped into the crowd.
“Also,
please welcome the other major sponsors of RCM racing – Shirley Xavier, Roy
Razinski and Augustus van Roon the Fifth.”
As the
trio came out and waved, Bev made her way slowly through the crowd, watching
her mark as she did so.
“Ladies
and Gentlemen,” Jeannie said as she was handed the microphone, “please welcome
the RCM car for this year.”
There
was applause again as four women in pink coveralls wheeled the car out, the
photographers flashing as they took their pictures with the four drivers
standing behind the car.
“We are also proud to
announce that, with the kind help of APCO, a new range of fashion accessories
and designs will be made available.
Details will be announced next week.”
“Samples in the bags
for tomorrow,” Shirley whispered as she watched Bev approaching the man. As she got close, he suddenly turned and
walked off – but not before bumping into Bev.
As he walked quickly away, Bev smiled as she looked at the card wallet
in her hand, and made her way back to Kylie and Marina.
7 pm GMT
Lardarn House
“That was a magnificent
meal, Mrs Brown,” Tom said as he wiped his chin, the housekeeper smiling as she
gathered the plates.
“Would you like some
help,” Ama asked as she looked over.
“No thank you miss,”
the housekeeper said. “You relax, and I
will take care of things.”
“Will you excuse me,
mother, father,” John said as he stood up, “I have something I need to take
care of.”
“Sure, son,” Tom said,
“we’ll go and have coffee in the drawing room.”
“You look tired, mom,”
Ama said as they made their way through.
“Just a long day,”
Caroline said with a smile, “and I am looking forward to bed tonight.”
As they took their
seats, Paula poured coffee into various cups and passed it round.
“So,” Jo said as she
sat with Kit and Eve, “what do we do for fun round here on a Friday night?”
“It’s Ireland Jo –
Friday Night is Misery Night. We get to
make our own entertainment here.”
“Okay – so I suppose
John has gone to do something important.”
“Well, he’s taken the
jeep,” Eve said as she saw the headlights out of the window. “Probably gone to meet a friend or
something.”
“Well, as long as it
wasn’t to try and find Arabella,” Kit said quietly, “she was planning to get
together with some of her ‘boyfriends’ tonight.”
“But he’s going to see
her.”
“What did you just
say,” Jo said as she looked at Nikki, who was sitting with Aileen and Ama.
“Nikki’s right – John
arranged to meet her at eight o’clock in Eventon.”
“Where exactly,” Eve
said quietly.
“The tree on the hill –
why?”
“Because that’s where
she said she was meeting the boys,” Eve said as she looked at Jo and Kit.
“I’ll drive,” Kit said
as she stood up, “come on!”
2.15 pm
Sebring
“May RCM Racing know
success and prosper this year,” Giorgio said as he raised a champagne glass.
"This way please Jeannie."
"Smile
Jeannie."
"Towards me if you
can."
Jeannie turned and
posed for the press photographers. Behind the press she noticed Sandra sitting
in her chair smiling at her. It was nice that she could be an inspiration to
someone like Sandra.
Katy and Sandy smiled
as they stood to the side. Even with her
limited experience, she knew they were there to take photos of the others – but
as she saw Jan walking back into the garage, she followed her in as well.
“Mom? Are you all right?”
“I just need to sit
down for a minute,” Jan said as she went into the Winnebago.
“Jan? Is something wrong?”
Katherine watched as
her granddaughter came in, both of them watching Jan as she sat down and put
her head in her hands.
“Mom?”
“Oh boy,” Jan said as
she raised her head and smiled, “this was meant to be a hobby, a way for me and
Sandy to let off some steam, and now...”
“Now look at us,” Katy
said as she sat down.
“Now look at us – I’m
an FBI agent, I’m meant not to be in the spotlight so much, and yet all those
photographers, all this attention...”
“It’s not really you,
is it Mom?”
Jan shook her head as
Katherine sat at the other side of her.
“Look – tonight, show
your face at the cocktail party for a little while, but then why don’t all four
of us sneak off, have a quiet meal somewhere, and just have some time to
ourselves.”
“Yeah – yeah that would
be nice – but the others...”
“They’ll understand
Mom,” Katy said with a smile.
“Hey – are you all
right,” Sandy said as she looked in.
“I just needed a few
minutes,” Jan said as she stood up, “I’m ready now.”
Return to the Pussycat Gang index