The Flag of Freedom – part 1
Thursday 19th November
10 am CET
George V Hotel, Paris
“I had not realised
what an event this is,” Tony said as he sat with Abby, “only twenty five of you
get invited?”
“That’s right – both
Angel and I privileged in that respect.
We have to be here on Friday at 9 am, so we will celebrate Thanksgiving
and then catch the evening flight over next Thursday.”
“Well, at least Judy
and her family are celebrating with you next Thursday – makes things a little
easier,” Tony said with a smile. “So why
are we here this week?”
“A little pre-event
shoot – given neither Angel nor I are using one of the French fashion houses,
we’re doing them a favour by allowing them to film all of us visiting them.”
“In other words, to
keep the people who want to dress you happy...”
“Got it in one, good
morning Mamma.”
“Good morning,” Diana
said as she and Mandy Carrow joined her, “Angelica will join us shortly, and
then we shall do what needs to be...”
“Well, such a pleasure
to see such a vision of beauty this morning!”
“Nikolai – it is a real
pleasure to see you as well,” Diana said as she stood and kissed him on both
cheeks. “How are you?”
“I am well – as I can
see you all are. So you are been presented
next week, Abigail?”
“I am, Uncle Nikolai,”
Abby said with a smile.
“Good – well, I must
go. Do say hello to the delightful
Jeanne for me when you see her, and tell her I hope to see her again soon.”
“But have you not...”
“We will be delighted
to pass on your greetings,” Diana said over Abby as she hugged and kissed
Nikolai again, as April came in.
“Ready to go?”
“We are, darling,”
Mandy said as she stood up.
11.30 am CET
YSL Headquarters
“Ladies – welcome to
the headquarters of Yves Saint Laurent, and thank you all for gracing us with
your presence today...”
"So these are the
select 25 eh?" Will whispered to Tony.
"Indeed...so many
beautiful girls in this year’s debutante grouping reduced to just these
few."
"La creme de la
creme."
"Distinguished by
their families, as well as their beauty."
"Indeed
Tony."
"All this press
and publicity though. I think even professional models like Abby are a bit
overwhelmed by all this interest."
“Very likely...”
“Momma, I know this is
necessary, but seriously – this is worse than a Memories event!”
“Just swing with it
dear.” Diana looked round.
“I understand how you
feel Darling,” Mandy said as she stood next to Diana, “it almost makes the
Italians look civilised.”
“Abby has a point,
Mum,” Angel said, “this is almost intrusive... “
“Angelica?”
“Oh my goodness,” Angel
said as she turned round, “I did not know you were coming here as well
Samantha.”
“Surprise – will you
introduce me?”
“Of course – Abigail,
meet Sam, or if you want to be formal Lady Samantha Gordon. Her father owns the estate next to ours in
Scotland. Sam, this is Abby de Ros,
technically for all this Abigail, Countess de Ros.”
“Pleasure,” the tall
brunette said as they kissed each other on the cheek. “I’ve seen you in the magazines, but in the
flesh you easily beat all of us.”
“It’s nice to meet you
as well,” Abby said with a smile. “So
how do you feel about all this?”
“Scared – how do you
cope?”
“Practice...”
“Samantha, darling who
are you... Good morning Amanda, I was
hoping you would be here today.”
Abby looked at the tall
brunette, with grey flecks in her hair, and then at her mother as she wondered
why Diana looked so perplexed.
“Hello Victoria
darling,” Mandy said as she kissed the newcomer on both cheeks. “I must say young Samantha looks
fabulous. I do not know if you remember
Diana?”
“Of course I do,” Lady
Victoria Gordon said as she looked at Diana.
“It has been a long time, Diana.”
“Indeed,” Diana said in
a cold voice, “a very long time. My daughter
Abigail – Abigail, this is Lady Victoria Gordon.”
“A pleasure to meet
you,” Victoria said as she looked at Abby, but as she and Samantha walked away,
both she and Angel looked at their mothers.
“Later, please
Abigail,” Diana said quietly, “later...”
3 pm CET
The debutantes and
mothers were sitting in the reception room, talking as they shared stories and
got to know each other better.
“I sometimes wish I’d
paid more attention when my family talked about friends and relatives.” Abby
looked down at her cup of coffee and smiled. “So many of these inter-family
relationships and rivalries always seem to be surprises.”
“You mean the looks
between Diana and Victoria?”
Abby nodded as she
looked at Angel. “There’s a story there,
you know.”
“Isn’t that what Ingrid
and Cari said last year?”
Abby looked at Angel for
a second, and then burst out laughing.
“True, Angel, very true...”
“Do you know Trina
Culver the other American deb?” Angel asked.
“No, she’s old money
from San Francisco. Her ancestor was one of the discoverers of the Comstock
Lode.”
“The mountain of
precious metals in Nevada?” asked Tony.
“That’s the one…anyway
our paths have never crossed until now.”
“Well she seems rather
nice.” Angel noted.
“If you like redheads
with figures to die for.” Abby sighed. “Nature wasn’t exactly dividing things
up fairly you know.” She glanced down at her own bust.
“She probably wishes
she had legs as long as yours.” Angel laughed.
“True.” Abby laughed
also.
“Well, I love you just
the way you are,” Tony said as he patted Abby’s hand. “So what of some of the others, do you know
many of them?”
“A few Tony.” Angel said
as she sipped from her cup.
“I know a couple of the
French girls.” Abby smiled. “Louise de Melcourt has done some modelling, and I’ve
done a couple of the same shows she has. Brigitte Karonsky is a distant cousin
of mine on Mama’s side of the family.”
“I know Samantha of
course,” Angel said as she looked round, “but I also know Fi from school.”
“Fi?” asked Tony.
“Fiona Treharran, her
family owns half of Cornwall.”
“She’s the rather
striking blonde who keeps walking into things?” Tony enquired.
“Yes,” Angel giggled,
“she’s far too vain to wear her glasses at times, this used to happen in things
like school plays, we’d walk on stage and she’d just walk into the scenery.”
“Oh dear.” Abby
laughed.
“Isn’t her brother Mick
Harran?” asked Tony.
“The lead singer with
Lemachine?” Abby asked.
“That he is, and yes Fi
is his baby sister.” Angel answered.
“I once had such a
crush on him.” Abby sighed. “Lemachine were the greatest boy band ever.”
“Not exactly my taste,
but each to their own,” Angel said with a smile.
“Oh – and who do you go
for, Lady Angelica?”
“With parents like
mine? Who do you think?”
“ABBY!!!”
“BRIGGY!!!”
Abby stood up and
embraced her cousin as Angel and Tony watched.
“I am sorry I missed
Tante Tasha’s wedding last year. How long has it been?”
“Far too long – let me
introduce you to Angelica Fitzstuart and Tony McNally.”
“Pleasure,” Brigitte
said. “May I introduce someone?”
“Sure.”
“Abby this is Her Royal
Highness Princess Charlotte of Ruritania,” Brigitte Karonsky made the
introduction.
“Your Royal Highness.”
Abby went down into a bow.
“I wish people wouldn’t
do that,” the vivacious young girl with the chestnut coloured hair smiled.
“Please just call me Charly,” she continued in heavily French accented English.
“Alright Charly it is,
and I’m Abby.”
“So how do you know
Brigitte?”
“We are fairly distant
cousins…”
“Oh that is right, you
are both descended from Romanov’s”
“That we are.” Brigitte
smiled.
“Can you believe all
this fuss?” Charly looked round. “Anyone would think that my Papa is a real
king, and not just the descendant of one forced to abdicate by the communists.”
“You need to meet a
good friend of mine, Cari Huntingdown,” Abby said.
“She’s a model like you
isn’t she?”
“Yes she is – but she
discovered last year who her father was, and now she grimaces every time her
full title is given.”
“And that is?”
“Her Serene Highness
Princess Carina Diana Huntingdown von Furstenheim.”
“Oh my,” Charly said
with a smile, “I can understand her pain now.... Will she be here?”
“No – she was a
debutante last year, and came out at the Opernball as well. But if you are coming to New York in January,
you might meet her there.”
“I think that is on the
calendar – I’ll look forward to that,” Charly said with a smile.
As Abby turned round,
she saw two very familiar faces in the crowd of people going round and talking
to the other guests.
“Mama what is Missy
doing here?” Abby said as she joined Diana, and pointed to a face in the crowd.
“What half of the model
agents in the western world are doing Cherie…scouting the girls here at Le Bal
for models.”
“Oh!”
“Didn’t you know that
it was after this event I was offered a modelling contract?”
“Ah so that is how it
happened?”
“Yes, I can guarantee
you that any girl here who isn’t currently signed to an agency very soon will
be.”
“Should we go over and
chat with Missy?”
“We probably should.”
Diana smiled. “Mandy,” she whispered in her friends ear, “Missy is out front,
we had better go chat.”
“I’d seen her darling.
Juliette is also out there as well.”
“I wonder how she got
on in Munich?” Diana said as the four women wandered over.
“Ah, four people I
always like to meet,” Missy said as she saw them come over.
“We’re off the clock
here Missy darling,” Mandy said as she greeted her old friend, “and probably
the four safest people here from both of you.”
“Apart from Louise,”
Juliette said with a smile. “How’s the
trip so far?”
“Not bad, with a cloud
on the horizon,” Diana said as she looked across the room.
“Oh? Who?”
“Samantha Gordon is one
of the twenty five,” Diana said quietly.
“Oh my,” Missy said
quietly, “which means Victoria is here, correct?”
Diana simply nodded as
Angel and Abby looked at each other.
“Victoria Gordon,”
Juliette said quietly, “was Victoria James when Diana and I first met her.”
“I’ve heard Jeannie
talk about Victoria James,” Abby said.
“She was a model at the same time as you and Mamma, Aunt Ju, and then
she retired suddenly. What happened?”
“A little bit of a
scandal,” Mandy said, “but this is the first time we’ve seen her in years. She looks well, all things considered.”
“So any possibilities,
Missy?”
“Always possibilities,”
Missy said with a smile, “but we will see later..,”
"So who interests
you among the debutantes Missy darling?" Mandy drawled.
"Other than these
two lovely young ladies?"
"Yes."
"Oh,” Missy said
as she looked round, “there might be a couple with potential."
"Darling you
didn't come all the way from New York just for potential." Mandy rolled
her eyes.
"Am I that
obvious?"
"YES!" Abby
and Angel answered in sync. “Especially
with Ju coming here from Munich!”
"So spill
darling,” Mandy said, “who is your target?"
"I was hoping the
Princess,” Missy said, “but I heard IMG may have beaten me to her."
"Do you want me to
ask Charly?" Abby asked.
"Please...I'm also
interested in the Californian girl and your cousin Abby."
"I'll have a quiet
word with Brigitte's mother if you wish." Diana spoke.
“The others? We shall see...”
7 pm CET
“So who is doing what
balls on the circuit?” Fiona Treharran asked as the select 25 were ushered
backstage to change.
“I’m doing most of the
big New York ones and Vienna.” Abby answered as she brought out her diary.
“Otherwise I’m tied up with school and work.”
“What about you Ange?”
Fi asked her old school friend.
“Most of what Abs is
doing, plus some London events, unlike her I don’t have schooling to worry
about.”
“No just your modelling
gigs.” Abby spoke again.
“What about you Trina?”
Louise de Melcourt asked.
“I’m doing a couple of
New York things, but my big ones are back home in California.”
“No Vienna?”
“I haven’t been
invited.”
“I’ll have a word with
Mama,” Charly nodded, “We can’t have you missing that.”
“Thank you,” the
American redhead smiled.
“So did you see the
model agents out among the press?” Abby asked the other girls.
“Were there any?”
Brigitte asked.
“Hey I thought I was
the one who most needed her glasses.” Fi giggled as she retrieved her eyewear
from her handbag.” Even I could see them…Hmmm…” she paused as she looked at the
other debs. “Alright now I can see you all clearly, I know I rank 25th in
looks.”
“Nonsense,” Abby said,
“we each have our own talents and ways of looking. Now let’s get this done – I’d love to be on
the plane to get home tomorrow.”
“These look good,”
Angel said as she selected the hanger with her name on it, “and at least it
will be quick.”
“Who has steadies they
are being escorted by?” Diane de Malois asked as she slipped into a pair of
jeans.
“Well I do.” Abby
smiled as she zipped up her boots.
“And I sort of do.”
Angel also replied.
“Didn’t I read in Hello
about you and Prince Alfonso of Bourbon Charly?” Fi asked.
“Strictly gossip,” the
princess laughed, “I do know him, but he has bad breath and cannot dance.”
“Well scratch him
then.”
“What about you Fiona?”
Sophia Verrigno asked.
“No…I’m sort of not
available…”
“Are you married?”
Louise de Melcourt asked. “Do the organizers know?”
“No it’s worse then
that…”
“She’s a lesbian
girls.” Angel laughed aloud.
“Hey Ange, NOT FAIR!
You spoiled my fun.” Fiona joined in the laughter. “No my brother will be my
escort.”
“Ooooh!” a couple of
girls exhaled.
“Can someone honestly
explain to me what they see in him?” Fiona shook her head.
“You’re family – no way
you’re ever going to see it Fi,” Angel said with a laugh.
“Can we agree on
something else? We’re from all over the
place here – do we have to speak French here?”
“Not unless you want
to?”
“I don’t mind,” Louise
said, Brigitte nodding in agreement.
“So do we keep using
English girls?”
“Diane if you knew how
bad my French sounds you’d not ask me that question.” Trina looked skyward.
“My French is pretty
grotty as well.” Samantha smiled as she pulled on a pair of jeans.
“Well that settles it,
English it is.” Louise smiled.
“Mesdames, s’il vous
plait?”
“Showtime, ladies,”
Abby said as she and Louise led the girls out, to a huge round of applause.
Friday 20th November
1 pm
The Refectory, St Angela’s
"So do you think
Abby is enjoying her extra days off school?" Pepsi asked as the girls
lined up for lunch.
"I can tell you
she won't be enjoying the travel." Jeannie looked upwards. "Flying to
and from Europe just for a couple of days is a bitch."
"Even in first
class?"
"Even in first
class Nikki. All that gets you is leg
room, somewhere to crash before the flight and decent food."
"Well I just think
it's amazing that of the twenty five most outstanding debutantes of the year I
just happen to know two of them." Doc spoke up.
"I know, that's
pretty cool isn't it?" Jeannie wheeled herself forward as the line began
to move.
"Very cool!"
Pepsi took a tray. "It's nice for a few moments to imagine being a
jet-setting international debutante, because as sure as hell I won't ever be
one for real."
"No,” Doc said as
she selected a wrap, “the only two of us who will probably be debs are Nikki
and Becca."
"An international
one I won't be Jeans." Nikki shook her head. "I might get invited to
a couple of New York balls, but no more."
"And even having a
father who's a congressman,” Becca said, “I'm pretty sure that like Bobbi I'll
only be doing New York as well."
"Well I might be a
famous model, but with my family background, I won't get invited even to a ball
here." Jeannie took a salad from the counter.
"Well you have
more chance Jeans then Peps and I do." Doc took some juice. "Anyway
changing the subject how are you doing with your Shakespeare essays?"
"Not well."
Jeannie looked up and smiled as she paid for her lunch. "I'm not enjoying
trying to pull Macbeth apart."
"Other then Doc...Who
is?" asked Becca.
"Hey just for once
I'm with you guys, even I'll admit this is tough."
"Damn I never thought
I'd hear that." Pepsi shook her head as she too paid for her lunch.
"She is human
after all." Ama laughed.
“I heard about that
girl on the news,” Jess said as she sat with the others, “the same age as us,
and to die like that.”
“She wasn’t always that
way,” Erica said quietly, “she just seemed to change overnight.”
“So you’re definitely
moving out?”
“Yeah – we’re going to
stay with a friend downtown until the New Year, and then move into a place near
you Dawn?”
“Oh yeah – I’ve seen
the workmen in the apartment building,” Dawn said. “Means we can pool more easily for homework.”
“A lot closer for the
rest of us as well,” Pippa said. “So who
fancies hitting the sales next Friday?”
“Unsupervised? You got a death wish girl?”
“Nah – mob rule.”
1 pm
Bishop Walden School
"The root of the
problem is that I have seen a pair of boots in Saks that I really want, the
only solution though is fighting the crowds on Friday to get them."
Shawnee complained as they found a table in the cafeteria.
"You can't afford
to pay full price?"
"Sands,” Shawnee
said as she sat down, “unlike you, most of us don't quite have the financial
resources to just buy what we want, when we want."
"I'm in an even
worse position then you are Shawnee, remember I'm the one who gets financial
aid even to come to this school." Katy spoke. "My Mom though has a
definite NO BLACK FRIDAY rule. She's determined we are going to hole up in our
apartment and just watch other people fight the crowds on TV."
"I might venture
out." Liz said as she looked up from her meal. "I have had my
eye on a coat in Macy's for weeks. If it's still there on Friday and it's
discounted a decent amount then it's mine."
"What about you
two?" Sandy asked Laura and Cassie.
"I have more
sense." Laura laughed, "I've done Black Friday sales with Mom and
Helga before...NEVER AGAIN!"
"Where is your
bravery girl?" Cassie questioned her bestie. "Come out with me and
Maria on Friday."
"Uh Uh NO
WAY!" Laura shook her head.
"So where is
everyone actually eating their turkey on Thursday?" Sandy spoke with half
her food in her mouth.
"Oooh that looked
GROSS!" Katy complained.
“Sorry – so with
families?”
“I certainly am,” Katy
said, “Mom’s big day for cooking. Even
Grandma gets kicked out of the kitchen that day.”
“I think we’re all with
our families – why don’t we all meet up on the Saturday anyway, whatever
happens?”
“Agreed,” Sands said
with a smile.
4 pm
The Richmond Mansion
“That’s appalling,”
Emma Carlton said as she looked at Denice, “gunned down in the street?”
“Yeah,” Denice said as
she held her mug, “so I guess we’re making the right move, getting out.”
“Did Erica know her?”
“Yes – they were in
junior high together, but when Erica got the scholarship something
changed. She’s given both me and Erica
trouble since then, but – well, after the party...”
“Hey everyone,” April
said as she came in, “how are you Denice?”
“Better now than the
other day,” Denice said with a smile, “Caroline has cleared everything and
found a secure storage for our books and furniture for a few weeks, and I
signed the lease just now on the new apartment come January. So until then, we live downtown with Mary
Thomas.”
“Where does Mary live
anyway,” Heather said. “I’ve never
asked.”
“Downtown – she has two
floors of a brownstone near Lafayette Street,” Caroline said. “Nice place – even if, in her own words, up
until now it’s been mainly a place to crash out between work times.”
“Not any more – I think
she’s going to have fun next weekend,” Sandy said with a smile. “We all are – Jo and Curt joining us on
Wednesday.”
“Can we make a pact
this year, in that case,” Barbara said quietly.
“And that is?”
“None of us – NONE OF
US – goes shopping on Friday next week.
Are we agreed?”
“We are agreed,” the
table said as one as they looked at each other.
“We can’t anyway,”
Caroline said, “my grandfather is visiting, as is Ama’s friend and her parents
from the west coast.”
“What’s Annie doing?”
“Joining Juliette and
Klaus – who flew back in at lunchtime, and called me to tell you all to reserve
the weekend of 2nd April next year in your diaries. Big wedding you’ll all be invited to.”
“Sounds like a way to
end the Easter vacation,” Emma said with a smile, “where?”
“Munich – get your
passports ready ladies, and those of the girls as well.”
“Ah Bavaria in the
spring...”
“NO – don’t go there,”
Caroline said as she looked at April, “it is a silly place.”
“Anyway, ignoring that
for the moment,” Heather said, “what are everyone’s plans for next week?”
“We gather again with
the local shop owners – so a big meal all round.”
“We’re visiting my
in-laws this week – first year with only Nikki as well, now that her sister is
on the west coast.”
“Judy is joining Diana
with the families next week – that I know, because the have to fly to the ball
that night.”
“So it will be a fun
time all round,” Sandy said as she sat down.
“Are the girls looking forward to it?”
“I think so – an
interesting time to be sure...”
8 pm
The Village
“Another week over
with,” Harriet said as she put the last of the dinner dishes away. “I think the Jazz Orchestra are going to be
good for the Christmas party.”
“I saw the calendars
today as well, Grace – that picture of you in the blue dress for October is
amazing.”
“I agree – Luke did a
fantastic job,” Harriet said as Grace smiled.
"I overheard some
of the girls moaning about Macbeth over lunch Sarah, seems you are stretching
the intellectual resources of even Anna Carlton."
"I know Grace. I’m pleased she’s finding it tough as well –
do her some good."
"Well I know my
chemistry class isn't stretching her." Harriet said as she sat down.
"That girl leaps ahead quicker then I can think up things for her to
do."
"I got a phone
call from her mother about her options for next year," Grace said as she passed
around coffees, "I told her that it would be pretty straight AP classes in
everything other then maybe English Lit."
"That sounds about
right to me." Sarah nodded. "Anna is really a mathematician/science
type, Literature is slightly outside her comfort zone."
"She will probably
be an amazing doctor one day."
"Agreed
Harriet." Grace nodded.
"So tell me all
about Thanksgiving Grace." Sarah sat down.
“Ah Thanksgiving – you
have to understand that for our American cousins, there are three big big
holidays – Christmas, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving. So, last Thursday of November, they give
thanks by having a big Turkey dinner, meet as families and have fun.”
Harriet and Sarah
looked at each other, and then at Grace.
“Okay, family bit
doesn’t count here,” Grace said with a smile, “but friends count. We’re invited to join Juliette and the others
for Thanksgiving dinner this year. In
New York, that also means the Macys Parade, and watching the big game on the
television if you’re interested.”
“So basically cook out,
drink and make merry?”
“Yeah – Christmas
without the presents,” Grace said with a smile.
“I said we’d bring the pies as well.”
“What sort?”
“I’ve got some recipes
– we can try them this weekend. I like
the idea of pecan and pumpkin myself...”
8 pm
The Huntingdown Apartment
“Oh it is so good to be
home,” Juliette said as she put her keys in the bowl by the door, and put her
case down.
“Indeed,” Klaus said,
“so do you have any plans for the weekend?”
“I need to pop into the
office tomorrow, but apart from that...
Coffee?”
“Oh yes please,” Klaus
said, “in fact, why don’t you let me make it while you see how Carina is?”
“Sounds wonderful,” Juliette
said as she opened her laptop and logged in.
A few minutes later, she smiled as she saw Carina and Judith on the
screen.
“Hey Mom – how was the
trip?”
“Very good – both of
you are going to be bridesmaids at the wedding, but I’ll tell you all about it
when you come on Sunday. I’m looking
forward to hugging both of you.”
“Judith wants to hug
you Mom.”
“That’s good – so what
else did I miss?”
“You spoken to Sandy
yet?”
“No – why?”
“You probably should –
there have been a few things happen this week you may have a view on.”
“Hang on,” Juliette said
as there was the sound of the apartment doorbell. Walking over, she opened the door and smiled
as she said “Sandy – we were just talking about you.”
“I’ll bet – Hi Cari.”
“Hey Sandy – I’ll leave
you two to chat. See you Sunday Mom.”
“Hello Sandy,” Klaus
said as he came in, “I’m making coffee if you want some.”
“Thanks – have Diana
and Abby got back safely?”
“They did indeed – we
came in on the same flight as them and Missy.
Some interesting names for the belles of the ball – including a real blast
from the past.”
“Oh – who?”
“Vicky James.”
Sandy placed her coat
slowly on the stand, and then looked at Juliette. “You’re kidding?”
“I’m not – Lady
Victoria Gordon’s daughter Samantha is one of the chosen few.”
“Diana?”
“Was the epitome of icy
cool.”
“Want to drop round for
coffee tomorrow?”
“Sounds good – all
ready for Thanksgiving?”
“Yeah – Mom’s invited
George and Jennifer to join us, as well as Mo and Tony Gardiner.”
“We’ll have Annie, as
well as Grace and her housemates.”
“Should be a good day
then,” Sandy said with a smile.
“So what else has
happened? Cari hinted a few things I
need to be aware of.”
“Nothing that can’t
wait - tell me about Munich...”
Saturday 21st November
11 am
New Haven
"So what are the
best of the best like Abs?" Carina asked as she, Joanne, and Ingrid held a
four-way conversation.
"Not too bad.” Abby smiled as she said “I think we will have
a lot of fun next weekend."
"So anyone we
might know?" Ingrid asked.
"I don't know
Ingy,” Abby said as she sat back, “do you know Charly Elphberg?"
"The Princess of
Ruritania?"
"That's her."
"Only via the
gossip columns then."
"What is she like
Abs?" Jo asked.
"Gorgeous, hair just
like Shirley's, great figure, very, very friendly."
"She sounds
nice." Jo nodded.
"She's coming to
town in the new year, so you'll all get the chance to meet her."
"Nice." Cari
nodded.
"So who
else?" Ingy asked.
"Trina Culver from
San Francisco, she's a killer redhead. A couple of British girls that Angel
knows, Samantha Gordon and Fiona Treharran. Fi by the way is les Cari."
"Well statistics
say there had to be at least one in the 25."
"You've all met
Louise de Melcourt,” Abby said, “and Cari didn't you once meet my cousin Brig
Karonsky?"
"I did..."
"I know
Brigitte," Ingy interrupted, "I never knew she was your cousin though
Abby."
"My mother is her
fathers third cousin."
"Okay now I get
it." Ingrid smiled.
"Who else?"
Cari asked.
"Sophia Verrigno
is the cousin of your friend Giovanna Cari."
"Gio said she had
a cousin coming out this year."
“So like I said, a good
bunch of girls.”
“Well, you’re all back
next week anyway. Wednesday for you Jo?”
“Yeah – on the plus
side Curt comes, on the minus we can’t set off until Wednesday morning.”
“But we will see you
Tuesday night,” Ingrid said.
“As will the twins –
and we are going to eat pizza and talk.
Just have something ready for us Abby?”
“Oh – what?”
“Calendars girl – we
have pre-orders for a hundred or so...”
11 am
The Richmond Mansion
“I have to say,” Diana
said as she put her coffee cup down, “I would have supported Susan had she
consulted me. And young Anna did come up
with a good plan, to use the current unrest to cover our tracks.”
“I have to agree,”
Juliette said, “so this was one I cannot blame Susan for. Using Katy however...”
“Well, it proves she is
one of us,” Sandy said, “but still...”
“I wonder if Mary knows
what she is letting herself in for,” Juliette said as she shook her head, “but
at least we know Denice and Erica will be safe.
Good move on your part Sandy.”
“I’m only supplying the
final destination – Caroline has a secure store in place for their furniture,
and... Actually, we realised none of us
had ever been to Mary’s place, Ju.”
“Haven’t you? Caroline and I have.”
“And?”
“She lives simply – and
well. I think they will be genuinely
surprised.”
“So come on – what are
the plans?”
“Definitely April 2nd,
Munich Cathedral – we spoke with the Cardinal, who agreed to Cari and Judith as
well as all the other bridesmaids and the initial plans.”
“For which we are truly
thankful,” Sandy said with a smile. “So
now the crux question – who gets to design the gowns?”
“Ah,” Juliette said, “I
need to decide that one over the next couple of days. I’ve narrowed it down to three people.”
“Alice?”
“She’s one of them,”
Juliette said. “So, you heard about who
we met?”
“I did – have you told
Abby yet Diana?”
“No – I do not wish to
spoil her week. I have however informed
Father and Valeria – they needed to be told.”
“Well, that should be
an interesting meeting. How do you
feel?”
“I was surprised to see
her, but it passed. I had to remember
Mandy is not aware of what happened.”
1 pm
Washington Heights
Mary Thomas, the
supreme power all models bow to when she produces a show, was showing the same
skills as she took charge of a very different operation...
“Is that the last?”
Mary shouted towards the movers, as they finished loading their truck.
“It is Ma’am.”
“You know that it is
all going into storage?”
“That we do.”
“Good.”
“Okay that is the keys
dropped off with the Super.” Denice came walking out in her jeans, jumper and
jacket. “Going to be strange living
somewhere else after all these years.”
“Well after all those
girls got killed out here last week I’d have thought you would have been glad
to see the back of it?” Doc asked as she helped Mary load the last cases in her
car.
“Yeah,” Denice said as
she looked round, “I must admit - that definitely made me realize I was making
the right decision in taking up Mary’s offer.”
“Rochelle was a victim
of this place as much as she was of the bullets.” Erica walked over from saying
her byes to a couple of people. “She really thought the gang was her future,
her ticket out.”
“Murder and drug
dealing aren’t solutions Erica, just symptoms of the disease.” Mary looked
grave.
“Yeah, I know,” Erica
said as she looked round and pulled her coat around her, “but it doesn’t make
it any easier leaving.”
“So all your goodbyes
said?”
“Other than Tracy,”
Erica said to her mother, “and I can’t find her anywhere.”
“Perhaps you’ll see her
later sometime.” Doc said, turning as she smiled from her extra knowledge.
“I guess so,” Erica
said, “but it would still have been nice to say goodbye...”
“Lady we need to go,
else youse’ll be payin’ overtime.” The truck driver climbed in his cab.
“Alright.” Denice
looked round one last time before climbing into Mary’s car.
“Goodbye.” Erica
whispered to herself as she climbed in behind Doc in the back seat.
“Okay downtown here we
come.” Mary smiled as she turned the engine on.
As the car drove off,
Tracy watched from the coffee shop as she sat with Susan.
“I wish I’d had the
chance to say goodbye,” she said as she sipped her coffee.
“I know – but I’ve
their address so you can send a good luck card.
Tonight Madame wishes to see you – she gets back in a couple of
hours. Then back to London
tomorrow. You did a fantastic job,
Tracy, and they owe you a lot...”
1 pm
Joe’s Diner, Times Square
"So how has Katy's
training been going Jan?" Heather asked as they both found a booth in the
cafe. The two women were in jeans and
bomber jackets, looking round as they sat down.
"Not badly at all.
I took home some actual robbery reports from work and we sat and looked at them
while Mom was out at her Daughters of Erin meeting."
"What did she make
of them?" Heather said as she tried to attract a server’s attention.
"Actually quite a
lot. Besides what we do, she actually has the instincts to make a first rate
cop."
"Oh?"
"Yes,” Jan whispered, “she diagnosed very quickly what the thieves did
wrong and what they did right. She actually made me think quite hard in
places."
"So does she want
to be a cop?"
"No,” Jan said as
she shook her head, “she has her sights set a bit higher, she wants to be the
lawyer I never got the chance to be."
"Hey good for that
girl." Heather smiled as the guy came to take their order.
"As I was saying
she has excellent forensic instincts, I'm just trying to build upon that."
"And other
skills?" Heather whispered after the waiter walked away.
"They are coming
quickly. I took her over to Diana's to use her range a couple of times, weapon
handling is coming easy to her."
"So when is she
doing the farm?"
"First Saturday in
December."
"I hope there is
no snow on the ground." Heather giggled, "Wouldn't want it to be even
tougher for her would we?"
“Bad enough she’ll be
the youngest,” Jan said with a smile.
“She’s doing it with Susan’s assistant and a couple of other newer
recruits.”
3 pm
Downtown – Lafayette Street
“Well, be it ever so
humble…” Mary said as she unlocked and swung open the door to her apartment.
“Oh dear God!” Denice
spoke as she looked inside. “Mary this looks amazing.”
“It’s not really
amazing, but it suits me.” Mary looked round after she closed the door with
everyone inside. “Gives me a place to
relax and be myself.”
“I have to agree with
Mom.” Erica shook her head. “Just look at all those books Mom,” she said as she
pointed to the one entire long wall covered from floor to ceiling with
bookshelves.
“I could spend a week
just looking at these books alone.” Doc said as she looked at some of the
titles.
“Well you all browse
around and I’ll go make coffee, then we will start on bringing your suitcases
up.”
“Sounds like a plan to
me Mary.” Denice slipped herself into one of Mary’s plush armchairs while Mary
disappeared into the kitchen area.
“Is this where you get
your ideas from Miss Thomas?” Doc yelled out as she pulled an Imperial Russian
Coronation Album out to look at. “These illustrations are marvellous.”
“Fashion is like
history, it has a way of repeating itself,” the shout came from the kitchen.
“I can totally get
that. I mean, look at what was in
fashion for the older woman this summer – no offence Mrs Burton.”
“Doc come look at
these.” Erica waved her friend over to the opposite wall.
“Are all these pictures
of you Miss Thomas, with all these rock stars?”
“They are Anna.”
“Wow, so many famous
faces.”
“I like the one with
Mick Jagger.” Erica called out.
“Mick is an old and
dear friend.” Mary smiled as she brought a tray in from the kitchen. “All those boys are – even Keith.”
“Thank you for letting
us stay here Mary.” Denice smiled.
“Well it’s my pleasure
to help out while your new place is being got ready.”
“I knew apartments like
this existed, but well I never expected to see inside one.” Erica looked round
as she took a cup of coffee. “So much style and taste, and as the girls said,
all those books.”
“Well it’s not huge
really. I have about 1,800 square feet, wait till you see Pussy van Roon’s
place overlooking Central Park, now that is huge.”
“Well I’m impressed by
this,” Denice sipped her cup. “I’ve been in Sandy’s place and that is a huge
mansion, but she inherited it. You earned your way up to this.”
“Yeah I haven’t done too
badly for a girl from Steelbridge.” Mary glanced round as she sat down. “So
most importantly though do you think you can be happy here for a few weeks?”
“Do you need ask?”
Erica glanced round from reading the inscriptions on photos.
“Well come and drink
some coffee girls and then we will start unpacking.”
“Looks like you’ve got
some messages Miss Thomas,” Erica said as she looked at the flashing light on
the phone.
“Hmm – let’s see,” Mary
said as she pressed the button.
“Mary, it’s Juliette –
can you let Denice and Erica know Caroline will still pick Erica up in the
mornings? Talk to you Monday.”
“I guess you heard
that,” Mary said with a smile as she deleted that message.
“Miss Thomas, I am
ringing to confirm you will be expected at the British Embassy at 11 am on
Tuesday for the investiture. Formal
dress required.”
“What’s that about,”
Erica said as she looked at Doc.
“Just something I need
to attend,” Mary said as she went to the last message.
“Mary my darling! I will be in town Tuesday – come and see me
at the Waldorf, and we’ll drink a toast in your honour!”
“Was that...”
“Ai,” Mary said as she
looked at Denice, “Tom just wants a drink and a chinwag...”
The two girls looked at
each other as Mary sat down. “What –
can’t a boy from the valleys offer to buy a friend a drink?”
5 pm
The Village
“So who was calling,”
Sarah said as she came into the apartment, seeing Grace replace the telephone.
“That was Mary,” Grace
said as she sat down, “she was just saying she needs to fly down to Washington
first thing Tuesday to collect her gong, and asking if I’d like to accompany
her.”
“Why ask you Grace?”
Harriet replied.
“I guess,” Grace said
as she rubbed her eyes, “because the ambassador is my uncle and she thinks it’s
time I made my peace with my family.”
“She has a point you
know.”
“I know…I cut them off
as badly as I did the modelling world when I disappeared. I suppose it’s time
we made up.”
“Well no school Tuesday,”
Harriet said, “so you can easily do it.”
“I know, that is why I
agreed.”
“So who exactly is the
ambassador?”
“Sir Charles
Gresham-Fox, he’s my father’s youngest brother. Eton, Oxford, the Grenadier
Guards, then into the Foreign Office.”
“He sounds rather
grand.” Sarah said as she emerged from her bedroom.
“Her entire family is
rather grand Sarah. Our Grace kept an awful lot from us all those years.”
“I’m sorry.” Grace looked round and said “As I keep
saying, when I disappeared, I DISAPPEARED!”
“By the way it just
occurred to me - is that why you always weaselled out of supervising school
trips to Momford Place?”
“Yes, far too strong a
chance of being recognized by someone.”
“Momford Place?” Sara
looked a little puzzled.
“Grace’s ancestral home
near Saffron Walden, her grandfather was Lord Standerton.”
“As my Uncle Stephen is
today.”
“Damn you are fancy.”
Sarah laughed.
“Well I think the fact
that you played football for England would impress more people today back home
then my family title Sarah.”
“Probably.”
“Okay – enough family
drama,” Grace said, “let’s head out for the night – someone check what’s on at
the cinema please...”
6 pm
Mary Thomas’ Apartment
“Erica is just
finishing her unpacking,” Mary said as she came into the main room.
“I hope you don’t mind
me looking Mary?” Denice asked as she sat at Mary’s work area. “I saw these lying here...”
“Not at all…but
disregard my little scribbles please.”
“Why?” Denice looked at them and said “they are very
good.”
“Not really,” Mary
shook her head. “Susan’s young cousin Kylie has far more talent than I ever
had.”
“I haven’t met her yet
have I?”
“No, she’s at school in
Hong Kong, but she spends her holidays with Susan so you will one day. That
young lady will one day be a real top designer.”
“She sounds something.”
“Very much so,” Mary
said as she picked up a sheet of paper.
“Just look at this drawing she sent me a few days ago.”
“Wow! You are right she
does have talent.” Denice paused, and then picked up a sheet with a drawing of
a skirt and jacket. “But really you know
I’d adore wearing this,” she said as she waved the drawing in front of Mary.
“Well maybe for you
I’ll get someone to make it up.”
“No,” Denice said as
she shook her head, “that is too much to ask.”
“Nonsense, look on it
as a birthday present.”
“My birthday is in
May.”
“Well an early birthday
present then. Now, let me make a call,
and we can see about dinner.”
“At least let me
cook...”
“Tomorrow – tonight is
kick back night. Let me make one call,
and then we can decide.”
“All right – I need to
sort a few things out, and thanks again Mary.”
The older Welsh woman smiled
as Denice walked off, and then went to her phone.
"Sandy it's
Mary."
"Hey hi Mary, how
has settling in gone?"
"Not too
bad."
"That sounds
good. Anyway what can I do for
you?"
"Just a heads up,
put plenty of bookshelves in the new apartment. Both Denice and Erica are
bibliophiles I think."
"Right tip duly
noted." Sandy scribbled a note to remind herself.
6 pm
Park Avenue
“Ah – it is good to be
back,” Shirley said as Clint put her cases into her room, Maisha removing her
coat and hanging it up.
“So we are here for two
weeks, Aunt Shirley?”
“Indeed – and then we
will spend Christmas and New Year in London this year. But for now, let us enjoy the holiday here.”
“I have put the bags in
your rooms, Shirley, Maisha. Susan and
Tracy will drop in at eight to see you.”
“Excellent – thank you
Clint,” Shirley said as he walked off.
“Well, John does not arrive back from Mexico City until tomorrow, so why
don’t we have some food delivered for when our visitors arrive.”
“I’ll find the menus,”
Maisha said with a smile as she went into the drawing room, Shirley smiling as
she opened her laptop.
“Good evening,
Juliette.”
“Welcome back
Shirley. I trust you had a good flight?”
“Very pleasant, thank
you. I wanted to let you know the
payments have cleared, and your accounts have been adjusted accordingly. Now, this new trust fund for payment?”
“Ah – yes,” Juliette
said, “we have a new junior member.”
Shirley raised an
eyebrow as she said, “So I have been led to believe. I see we have much to discuss. Care to join me tomorrow night?”
“I have the girls for
lunch tomorrow, but I’ll come round with Diana after that. We’ll bring you up to speed then.”
“I look forward to it,”
Shirley said as Maisha came in, “until then.” Looking at her ward, she said “I
trust to your judgement, Maisha – place the order while I unpack.”
8 pm
“Thank you, both for
the food and for the kind words Madame,” Tracy said as she sat back at the
table.
“Well, from what both
Susan and Dominique have told me you provided invaluable assistance in ensuring
the Burtons were kept safe,” Shirley said as she wiped her mouth and stood
up. “Maisha, would you bring coffee into
the drawing room for all of us please?”
“Of course, Aunt
Shirley,” Maisha said as she went to switch the coffee maker on, the others
heading through and sitting in the leather armchairs.
“My jet will take you
home in the morning, with my gratitude and thanks, and there will be a bonus in
your wage packet this month Tracy.”
“Thank you Madame – my
one regret is I did not get to say goodbye properly.”
“I understand – Susan?”
“Their temporary
address,” Susan said as she passed Tracy a card. “I leave it to you to contact them.”
“Thanks – so they will
be safe now?”
“As safe as anyone is
in this city – perhaps more so, given who is watching over them,” Shirley said
as Maisha brought the coffee in. “I hope
you and your team will come into London for the company Christmas party,
Tracy?”
“So long as we have no
guests, I think that will be possible Madame.”
“Excellent – I wonder
if you would accompany Maisha for a few minutes Tracy. She will show you some of the rest of the
apartment, while Susan and I discuss confidential business.”
“Of course, Madame,”
Tracy said as she and Maisha left the room, the young girl closing the door as
they went out.
“I see a bright future
for her,” Shirley said. “So, young Katy
Carter?”
“We tried to avoid
using her, but she uncovered her mother’s involvement, and in the end the
ladies decided it would be easier to bring her in.”
Nodding, Shirley said
"so if I asked you for an instant analysis on Katy what would it be
Susan?"
"Stone cold."
"Really?"
Madame lifted her eyebrow as she removed her glasses, looked at them and cleaned
the lenses.
"She has little or
no conscience about what she's already done. She might still be a little over
eager, but those rough edges will soon be knocked off, and I have to say she
will be a formidable Pussycat. It’s also
worth remembering she accidentally allowed a scenario to be created that helped
remove the problem for Erica and Denice."
"Indeed?"
Shirley put her glasses back on. "I take it that she's booked into the
farm?"
"Yes, first
Saturday in December."
"I might ask Diana
if I can be one of the instructors so I can assess her for myself."
"I'm sure Diana
would welcome your participation Madame." Susan smiled.
9.45 pm
Mary Thomas’ Apartment
“Well darling are you
happy?” Denice asked as she sat on the edge of Erica’s bed.
“Yes…” Erica put her book down and removed her
glasses, before saying “I’m going to miss our old place, but it’s like entering
St Angela’s, this is exploring a whole new world.”
“It certainly is.”
Denice smiled at her daughter as she brushed her hair away from her face. “We
are so very lucky to have such good friends as Mary looking out for us.”
“Yes we are.” Erica
looked round.
“What did you make of
her little library darling?”
“Oh Mom, just so many
wonderful books. I’m going to try and read as many as I can before we move to
our own place.”
“I must admit,” Denice
said, “there were a few titles that caught my eye as well.”
“And it was so nice of
Doc to help us with moving.”
“That it was.” Denice
smiled again.
“We are going to have
so much to give thanks for this year.”
“I know Erica darling,
we have been showered with blessings.
But sleep now – and dream pleasant dreams.”
“I think I will Mom,”
Erica said as she lay down, “for the first time in a while.”
Denice nodded as she
kissed her daughter’s forehead, and then walked out of the room, turning the
light off.
Sunday 22nd November
11 am
The Huntingdown Apartment
“Gramma,” Judith said
as she toddled across the floor, grinning as Juliette lifted her up and kissed
her cheek.
“I swear you get bigger
every time I see you,” she said as Carina came in with her bag.
“Well, a couple more
days and she’ll get all the cuddles she wants all day,” Carina said as she sat
down. “Come and let me take your coat
off Judith.”
“Yes mamma,” Judith
said as Juliette put her down and she toddled over, Carina taking off her coat
to reveal her grey dress and leggings.
“So it’s April? And no problems with the proposed wedding
party?”
“Well the Archbishop
was fairly amused by the idea of my having a priest give me away.”
“I bet he was.” Carina
giggled.
“And he agreed on all
of us as bridesmaids?”
“He did…oh and before I
forget Ingy your Aunt Sigi is preparing the documents for your formal adoption
by me.”
“She very much liked
the idea.” Klaus said as she looked up from reading the newspaper.
“I guessed she might,
she adores Moms.”
“Well by Christmas you
should be my legal daughter darling.”
“Thank you.”
“So how is university?”
Klaus said to change the subject.
“Challenging Pops.”
Cari replied. “The work is harder this year, but I’m enjoying it thoroughly.”
“I must admit that I’m
needing to study hard as well Father. Princeton stretches your mind in so many
ways.”
“Well you both have A
averages so you must be doing something right.” Juliette put Judith down on the
floor.
“Well it requires
effort.” Carina smiled.
“What is hardest
darling?”
“Oh that is easy my
German Language course, by far the most difficult thing.”
“Well you aren’t doing
badly,” Ingrid looked at Judith playing happily.
“It helps having you to
talk to in German most days dear sister.”
“You two sound like
twins now.” Juliette smiled happily.
“So a family
Thanksgiving?”
“With guests – I
invited Grace, Sarah and Harriet to join us this year.”
“Sounds good – doesn’t
it little one?”
“Yes,” Judith giggled
as Carina tickled her.
1 pm
Central park west
"So what are the
girls’ plans for Black Friday?" Pepsi asked her sister as they sat in
Katy’s room.
"Which
girls?"
"Your Super Six."
"Oh is that what
you call us," Katy giggled. "We are pretty mixed, three might venture
out, three of us know better. What about you Peps?"
"I got some
amazing bargains last year,” Pepsi said as she stood up, “but there is nothing
I particularly want or need, so I might just skip it this time."
"Well it will
prevent a few bruises."
"That is so
true." Pepsi laughed at a memory, "you should have seen Jeannie's
mother last year, she really was like a woman possessed as she fought her way
into the crowds."
"That I might have
paid to see," Katy said as she lay back.
"Yeah it was a
sight." Pepsi paused, "no unless one of the girls wants cover as she
fights for something I might just curl up with my Shakespeare and do some
work."
"I was thinking of
the same with my elementary calculus."
"Damn aren't you
two being conscientious." Adam said as he spoke from the doorway.
"The coffee is
fresh Adam,” Katy replied, "and yes we are turning DULL!"
"That we
are." Pepsi looked up. "What
about you Uncle Adam?"
"Now if she can
say it why can't you Katy?" Adam laughed as Katy stuck her tongue out.
"No I'm doing some family business...a few things need clearing up."
“Nothing serious I
hope?”
“Nothing for you to
worry about,” Adam said as Jan appeared behind him. “All right you two – I need to talk to Adam.”
As they went through to
the drawing room, Jan said “I’m glad you know about Pepsi now.”
“I was surprised,” Adam
said, “but I see the resemblance now, and it was a long time ago.”
“Listen – this family
business. Can I be of any help?”
“Maybe – I’ll let you
know,” Adam said, “it could be something or nothing.”
7 pm
The Huntingdown Apartment
“Juliette dear,” Klaus
called up the stairs, “you have a visitor.”
“And who would that
be,” Juliette said as she came down, and saw Alice McKinnon standing in the
drawing room.
“I think I will leave
you ladies to talk,” Klaus said as he slipped out, leaving Juliette to say,
“Hello Alice – what can I do for you?”
“Oh it’s what I can do
for you,” Alice said with a smile, “and I think you know what that is.”
“Now Alice, I have a
number of offers to consider...”
“Oh I know you have,”
Alice said with a smile, "but before you go making snap judgments,
remember dear Juliette I know a secret about you..."
"You wouldn't?
Would you Bats?" Juliette looked panicked as she sat down.
"Hey all's fair in
love, war, and the fight to design the most highly visible wedding dress of
2016 Pelican."
"BITCH!"
Alice smiled – a wide,
contented smile. "Just think what
Carina and Ingrid might say if they knew? Oh and what would Klaus say if he
knew about your...little weakness?"
"You swore you'd
take that secret to your grave Bats."
"Hey let me design
the dresses for your wedding and I will darling."
“Dammit – all right,
you have the deal,” Juliette said, “but this has to be your masterpiece.”
“Now have I ever let
you down Ju?”
Juliette shook her head
and smiled. “No – but I swear Alice if
that ever, EVER becomes public knowledge...”
7 pm
The Village
“Ama, would you see who
is at the door,” Heather called out as the doorbell rang.
“Of course,” Ama said
as she walked down the stairs and looked through the security hole. The smile on her face broadened as she opened
the door and said “hello grandfather – welcome back to New York.”
“My goodness – you have
grown,” Dan Jameson said as he hugged Ama, the young girl returning the embrace
before they walked up the stairs.
“Caroline,” Annie said
as they came into the main room, “visitor.”
“Hello,” Caroline said
as she came out and hugged her grandfather, “how was the flight?”
“Tiring – at my age I
have to take it easy you know.”
“You’re not that old,”
Caroline said with a smile, “can I offer you some coffee?”
“Thank you – so how are
you doing at school Ama?”
“I am doing well,” Ama
said as she sat down, “although I am struggling a little with English
Literature at the moment.”
“Oh?”
“Their teacher has them
studying Macbeth,” Annie said as she sat down.
“Oh my – have you seen
any versions on stage or film?”
“Miss Nightingale
suggested a couple of ideas – I have not been able to find them.”
“Hmm – perhaps seeing
versions based on the original may help.
We’ll go shopping tomorrow.”
“What have you got in
mind,” Caroline said as Annie brought the coffee through.
“Throne of Blood and
Joe Macbeth, if we can find them.
Especially Throne of Blood.”
“Hmm – good
thinking. Let’s see what that does for
your understanding...”
8 pm
Park Avenue
“Welcome back,”
Juliette said as she and Diana hugged and kissed Shirley, “recovered from the
jet lag?”
“I have learned to cope
with it,” Shirley said as they sat down, “but it would appear I missed more
than just a pair of robberies during my absence.”
“Indeed,” Diana said
quietly, “much of which was rather forced on us by circumstance, but which has
turned out well in the end.”
“So I gather – I spoke
with Susan and Tracy yesterday before Tracy returned to the UK. But let us start at the beginning – how did
Katy work it out?”
“Observation mostly,”
Juliette said as she accepted a drink.
“Jan has been extremely careful to hide things from Katherine and Adam,
but hadn’t realised how much her own daughter had seen.”
Shirley nodded as she
handed Diana a drink, and sat down. “So
when did she tell Jan?”
“Of all times, while
she was talking to Sandy on the link.
She went to talk to Katy, Sandy called me, and we decided that afternoon
basically that it may be time to bring Katy in.”
“If we could have
avoided using her, we would have – but after the liquor store test, the
situation changed dramatically.”
“So Susan told me –
that must have come to a shock to Jan as well.”
“I’m not sure what was
the bigger shock to her – that Katy killed that girl, or the young adult porn
star that flew to Montreal with her on Thursday night.”
“I see young Katy is
one to watch,” Shirley said quietly.
“Diana, I wish to offer my services for the first weekend in December.”
“You want to see her at
work for yourself?”
Shirley nodded as Diana
said “very well – it will be yourself, me and Jo on this occasion.”
“So this gang war
worked to solve other issues as well?”
“It did – there were
was an incident at a party that convinced Doc that the girl threatening Erica
Burton had to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. So she asked Susan for some help, Susan roped
in JD, and Anna Katy. So Katy is a
killer twice over now, and officially one of us.”
“Agreed,” Shirley said,
“does she know about me?”
“She knows about Susan,
Penny and Caroline, and she’s a bright kid.
I’d talk to her and gauge her.”
“I’ll invite her and
Jan to call in one day this week,” Shirley said, “for a little chat.”
Monday 23rd November
8.45 am
St Angela’s
“So your grandfather
arrived safely,” Jeannie said as Ama walked alongside, the two girls making
their way to the English Literature room.
“Indeed – I am meeting
him later to see if we can find some more information to help with the
Shakespeare assignment.”
“Well, any help that
can be given, I’ll take it,” Doc said as she joined them, “I think I may have
finally found my Achilles’ heel.”
“All right class,
settle down,” Sarah said as she came in, “now, we had reached Lady Macbeth’s
soliloquy in the hallway. Let’s have
your thoughts...”
“Miss Nightingale, may
I ask a question first?”
“Of course, Ama.”
“My grandfather is
visiting, and he suggested watching something called Throne of Blood. Will that help?”
“It might – Throne of
Blood is a Japanese film, directed by Kurosawa, which used the story of Macbeth
as the basis. So in the sense of seeing
one artist’s view, it will help, but it must not be the only one. If you can, go onto YouTube and look for the
BBC Shakespeare version – Nicol Williamson was a fine actor and a most
enigmatic Macbeth. For now, however,
Lady Macbeth – Nikki, will you begin?”
10 am
Complete Style
“Mary – how are the
houseguests,” Juliette said as Mary Thomas came into her office.
“Settled in – we dined
on fine food yesterday, and then discussed the merits of the World Cup.”
“Ah, the joys of the
locals,” Juliette said with a smile. “So
are you ready for tomorrow?”
“Oh lord no – but I
have the flights for both of us booked, and I’ve been invited out for a drink
when I get back tomorrow night.”
“Oh yes – I heard he
was in town. So how is Grace feeling?”
“More nervous than I
am, I would imagine. It’ll be the first
time she’s seen her uncle for over two decades.”
“OH she’ll be fine, I’m
sure.”
“So - I heard a rumour
that Mrs McKinnon has the bridal order?”
“She made a most
persuasive argument,” Juliette said with a sigh. “So now that that is settled, and the
bridesmaids are settled, it’s Klaus who needs to make a few phone calls.
“I was wondering –
given he is royalty, who else will be at the wedding?”
“I do not even wish to
think about that yet,” Juliette said with a sigh, “the people who run his
estate are going to take care of the logistics for us.”
“Great – one less thing
for you to worry about. Look – will you
take an old friend’s advice?”
Juliette nodded as Mary
said “You’ve had a hell of a fortnight – enjoy the break, and relax. Now, you need this.”
She put the tribute
issue of Complete Style on Juliette’s desk.
“Available now – let’s see what the pundits say?”
1 pm
Park Avenue
“Klaus,” John Hammond
said as Maisha showed the prince into the drawing room, “what brings you over
here today?”
“Well...” For the first
time he could remember, John could see that Klaus was nervous.
“Care for a drink? It’s a little early, but...”
“Thank you,” Klaus said
as he sat down, waiting until John poured him a drink and handed it over. Taking a sip, he said “John I have something
I would like to ask you.”
“And what might that be
Klaus dear chap?”
Taking another drink,
Klaus said “would you…?”
“I’d be delighted to
take your wedding photos,” John said, “I was rather hoping you might ask.”
“Well,” Klaus said with
slight embarrassment, “actually I’ve asked Jack to do it.”
“Oh?” John looked
perplexed.
“Look John we have
known each other less than a year, but in that time I think we have become the
best of friends.”
“Well it helps that our
ladies are such good friends. Klaus,
what are you trying to say?”
“I’m making a worse
mess of this then I did proposing to Juliette…” Rubbing his head, Klaus said “look,
John - would you stand up with me at the wedding?”
“Be your best man you
mean?”
“Yes.”
“Oh Klaus old chap I’d
be delighted to.” John smiled broadly.
“Not too disappointed
at missing out on doing the photographs?”
“No!” John smiled, “but
I will have to tell Jack what is my best side.”
“Will he listen?”
“I have no idea,” John
said as he burst out laughing.
Tuesday 24th November
9.40 am
Ronald Reagan Airport, Washington DC
“Well, first stage
over,” Mary said as she and Grace came through the arrival doors.
“Not the worst flight I
have ever had,” Grace said as she looked nervously round. The tall blonde was wearing a white jacket
and skirt with a black camisole underneath the jacket, a black hat and gloves,
and black leather stilettos.
Mary looked even more
comfortable – she was wearing a grey jacket over a dark blue jersey dress, dark
hose and grey heels, with a blue hat perched on her greying hair. As she looked round, clutching her purse, she
said “so what do we do now – take the Metro or a cab.”
“Let’s see if we can
find a halfway house,” Grace said as they walked over to a desk to one
side. Mary watched as Grace talked to
the smartly dressed girl behind the counter, before she said “Five minutes
outside.”
“What on earth am I
doing here, Grace?”
“Receiving a well
earned award,” Grace said quietly, “and I’m more nervous than you are. I have no idea how Uncle Charles is going to
react when he discovers I am in the building.”
“Maybe he won’t be in
residence?”
“With Charles doing
this today? Oh he’ll be there – protocol
demands it,” Grace said as they stepped outside, and a black car drew up.
“Good morning ladies –
where are we going to today,” the smartly dressed man said as he opened the
door for them.
“3100 Massachusetts
Avenue North,” Grace said as she got in.
“The British Embassy? Settle back and enjoy the ride ladies,” he
said as he closed the door.
“Easy for him to say,”
Mary said as he drove off, leaving the airport and heading north on the George
Washington Memorial Parkway.
“Penny for them,” Grace
said as they went along the tree-lined road.
“My stomach is doing
more turns than a roller coaster,” Mary said quietly as she looked out of the
window.
“You and me both,”
Grace said as she watched the road and the greenery go by. Eventually, to the right she saw the Potomac
start to appear, “Have you ever been here before, Mary?”
“Back when Mister
Clinton was in charge, I had to come and supervise a shoot here. Didn’t like it much then, not really
now. You?”
“No – my experience of
this city is limited to watching West Wing.”
The road turned slowly
to the left and then to the right as they started to cross the river on the
Rochambeau Memorial Bridge on the I-395.
To the left, both women could see the Thomas Jefferson Memorial as the
car turned right, and past the US Internal Department and National Central
Region offices before the car turned onto Buckeye drive, then left after the
tennis centre onto Ohio Drive.
“There’s the White
House in the distance,” the driver said as Mary and Grace looked ahead. “Planning on going there today?”
“I’m not sure if we’ll
have time,” Mary said as she fiddled with the cuff of her sleeve.
The road then turned
left and went through the park, Grace looking at the Smithsonian on the right
before the car moved past the John Paul Jones Memorial, and then along the
river on the left.
“To those who gave so
we may live,” Grace said quietly as they passed the war memorials, Mary nodding
as they them went round the Lincoln Memorial.
“Is it too late to run
away?”
“Yes it is,” Mary said
as she looked at Grace, the car now heading north until they passed the John F
Kennedy Centre.
“Watergate – you’re too
young to remember that story Grace.”
“I vaguely remember it
– and I’ve seen All The President’s Men,” Grace said with a smile as the car
headed past the complex.
“Embassy Row,” the
driver said as he looked in the mirror.
“Where did you ladies fly in from anyway?”
“New York,” Mary said
quietly as she looked out of the window.
Eventually, the driver
swung round and pulled up outside a large redbrick mansion, surrounded by a
fence. A guard in full dress uniform was
standing by the main entrance gate, alongside a man in a dark suit, who was
checking a list as people approached.
Mary looked up to see
the Royal Standard flying as Grace thanked the driver.
“Well, this must be the
place,” she said quietly as she stood by the smaller Welsh woman. “Shall we?”
“Ai, best to be getting
on with it,” Mary said as they approached the two gentlemen.
“Good morning ladies,”
he said in a clipped accent, “may I be of help today?”
“I’m here for an
investiture.” Mary said as she fiddled nervously with her collar.
“And your name is?” the
guard asked as he looked at his clipboard.
“Mary Thomas.”
“Oh yes Miss Thomas,”
the man smiled, “welcome to the British Embassy…and your guest is?”
“Grace Gresham-Fox,”
Grace replied for herself.
“Oh?” the guard lifted
an eyebrow. Any…”
“I’m his niece.”
“Well, if you will wait
a moment?” The man turned and whispered into his radio.
“Don’t you always hate
it when they keep you waiting,” Grace whispered, making Mary laugh as the guard
signalled to the officer, watching as he turned smartly and the gate opened.
“If you will go
through, ladies, someone will come and direct you to the waiting area.”
“Childe Rolande to the
Dark Tower came,” Mary whispered as she and Grace walked into the courtyard.
“This way please
ladies,” a young woman came out of a door.
“I will escort you to the reception area.”
The smartly dressed
woman led them through the door, and down a panelled corridor, before she
opened a pair of large oak doors.
“If you will wait in
here,” she said as Grace and Mary saw various people inside, “someone will come
and collect you when it is time Miss Thomas.
Miss Gresham-Fox, the guests will be taken to their seats before the
start of the ceremony.”
“Thank you,” Grace said
with a smile as various people turned and looked at them.
“Are they looking at
you or at me Grace?”
“Don’t worry,” Grace
said as she guided Mary over to a table, “let’s both see what passes for coffee
here and try to drink it quietly.”
Mary nodded as she
accepted the cup, and then looked round.
“I recognise one or two – mostly from the West coast,” she said as she
sipped her coffee, and then grimaced slightly.
“I do apologise Miss
Thomas – somehow we British seem to think everything we do is always perfect.”
Mary noticed Grace
stiffen slightly at the sound of the voice, before she said “it is a fault
true, Mister?”
“Actually, it’s Sir
Charles Gresham-Fox – Ambassador of the Court of St James. It is an honour to meet you, Miss Thomas.”
“Likewise,” Mary said
as she shook his hand, and then looked at her friend. Grace looked at her – the same look she had
at the O2 arena – before she slowly turned around and said “Hello Uncle Charlie
– long time no see.”
“Hello Grace,” he said
with a smile, a warm, welcoming smile, “I am so glad we finally had a chance to
get together. I admit, an invitation to
dinner when I was in New York would not have gone amiss.”
“I know, and I am
sorry, but – well, baby steps Uncle Charlie.”
“I agree – look, have
you made arrangements for lunch today?”
“Not yet, no.”
“Good – I know a
perfectly acceptable trattoria a short distance from here. Let’s get the formal stuff out of the way
first, and then we can eat. I’ll even
arrange a car to the airport for you.”
“Well, I am merely here
as Mary’s friend, Uncle Charlie...”
“I would be honoured,”
Mary said quietly. “As would my slightly
shy friend here?”
“Shy? You have changed Grace,” Sir Charles said as
the woman appeared in the doorway.
“Forgive me – I have a visitor I have to show due reverence to. Enjoy the ceremony.”
“Ladies and gentlemen,”
a man in morning dress said as he went out, “will all who receiving nonours
please follow me?”
“See you later,” Mary said
as she put her cup down, Grace smiling as she went out.
“Well, that wasn’t so
bad,” Grace said to herself as she walked to the window and looked out.
A few minutes later,
the smartly dressed woman came back in, and said “May I ask you to follow me to
the Grand Ballroom, where you may take your seats for the ceremony?”
Grace followed the
other guests as they walked into a large high ceilinged room, taking her seat
in the two rows of high backed seats as a smartly dressed young man sat beside
here.
“Forgive me,” he asked
quietly, “but are you Grace Gresham?”
“Busted,” Grace said
with a smile. “And you are?”
“Thomas Ford –
Annabelle Ford is my mother.”
“The costume
designer? I thought I saw her leave with
my friend Mary. You must be very proud of
her.”
“I am,” Thomas said as
he looked round the room.
“Good morning Ladies
and Gentlemen.”
Mary and the other
guests looked at the man in the dress uniform of an RAF Wing Commander.
“If I may have your
attention for a moment,” he said quietly, “I am Wing Commander Dunkirk, and it
is my honour to be the Sergeant at Arms for today’s ceremony. What will happen is, in a moment, His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales will be entering the room, and the ceremony will
begin with the National Anthem.
“Each of you will then
be called forward, in the order you are now in, and asked to wait by my
colleague while His Excellency the Ambassador reads the citation. When he is done, you walk forward and turn to
face His Royal Highness. Men may make a
small bow, women a curtsey.
“You then step forward
while His Highness presents the award, unless you are receiving a
knighthood. If you are, you will kneel
on the stool as he taps you on the shoulder, and then stand to receive the
award. He will say a few words, and then
you step back, bow or curtsey again, and turn to your right before leaving the
room on the other side. As you leave,
you have our permission to breathe again.”
There was a small round
of laughter as he said “Just relax, and enjoy the ceremony,” as the clock
struck eleven.
“My Lords, Ladies and
Gentlemen,” the master of arms said in the ballroom, “please be upstanding for
his Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.”
Grace and the other
guests stood as the side door opened and Prince Charles walked in, accompanied
by two Gurkhas, and took up his position at the centre of the stage as the
soldiers stood behind him.
A small military band
started to play as the National Anthem was sung, and then the guests sat down.
“Please be seated,” Sir
Charles said as Grace took her place, noting the two Yeomen of the Guard who
stood with the Gurkhas and other officials.
“Your Royal Highness,
My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Honoured Guests,” Sir Charles said, “attend
as I ask our honoured guests to step forward in turn and receive their award.”
As Grace watched, a
small velvet footstool was placed in front of the stage, as Sir Charles said “Elaine
Forman, for her services to the film industry, is awarded the honour of
Knighthood.”
The tall dark haired
woman walked forward and knelt, as Prince Charles took a sword and tapped her
on both shoulders, waiting as she stood and had a ribbon hung round her neck
while Charles shook her hand and said a few words.
As she stood in the
line, Mary took several deep breaths, controlling her nerves as one by one they
group went in.
“Annabelle Ford, for
her services to the film industry, is awarded the honour of Member of the
British Empire.”
“You’re next Miss
Thomas,” Wing Commander Dunkirk, “ready?”
“No,” Mary whispered as
Annabelle walked forward, and she took several steps forward, waiting until her
name was called.
“Mary Annabeth Thomas,
for services to the fashion industry, is awarded the honour of Member of the
British Empire.”
Grace watched, beaming
as Mary walked forward, turned and made a small curtsey, before she stepped
forward.
“Miss Thomas,” Prince
Charles said as he pinned the award to her jacket, “I always find a particular
honour to give these to someone from Wales.
My daughter in law is a reader of your magazine, and she asked me to
give you a message.”
“Thank you, Your
Highness,” Mary said as they shook hands, “and the message is?”
“To wish Fiona McKenzie
God speed and healing.”
“I will pass on those
kind words,” Mary said as she stepped back, curtseyed again and turned, walking
out of the room as Grace watched her.
“And breathe, Miss
Thomas,” the young woman said as Mary went out.
“We have your certificate of presentation and a case for your award
here, to be collected when all have left.”
“Any chance of a strong
drink?”
“You will find a
selection over there,” she said with a smile as she indicated a small bar.
Eventually, as the last
award was presented, Sir Charles waited until the last person left before he
turned and bowed to Prince Charles. He
bowed in return, before joining him and leaving the room, the Gurkhas and
Yeomen following them as the guests stood.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
we invite you to rejoin those granted awards through these doors,” the woman
said a few minutes later, Grace making her way in and finding Mary with two
scotches in her hand.
“I figure you may need
this as much as I do,” Mary said as she handed Grace a glass.
“I think so yes,” Grace
said with a smile. “So how do you feel?”
“He’s really nice you
know,” Mary said with a smile as she looked round. “But I still feel really out of place here.”
“Well, let’s see what
happens next,” Grace said as a photographer approached. “Miss Thomas, Miss Gresham, may I take a
photo for the press corps?”
“Oh why not – but how
will you manage the height difference?”
“Oh Jack, Antonio and a
few others told me what to do,” he said with a smile as Mary stood with Grace.
“I smell a stitch up,”
Mary said.
“No, I really am
press,” the young man said as he showed them his pass, “but – well, they heard,
and...”
“I will have words with
them,” Mary said quietly as Grace started laughing.
1.30 pm
Trattoria Alberta
506 8th Street, Washington DC
“Interesting place,
Uncle Charlie,” Grace said as she looked around, and then took a forkful of
Linguine alla Vongole into her mouth.
“It has that old world
charm that makes me feel at home,” Sir Charles said as he wiped his chin. “So, if I may be so bold...”
“Where was I?”
As he nodded, Grace
looked at Mary, before she said “I was a teacher – Cornwall, then Harlow. Turns out one of my pupils was one Jeannie
Brewster – and thanks to her, Mary outed me at a fashion show in London.”
“Not exactly outed,”
Mary said as she wiped her chin. “We
literally passed in a corridor, and Fiona recognised her. Fiona recognises everyone she meets.”
“Were you happy
though?”
“I was,” Grace said
quietly, “and I wasn’t. Something always
was missing – and there, I found it.”
“Good – and now?”
“I’m the Dean of
Students at a school in New York – ironically, the one Jeannie attends. I split my time between that and modelling
now.”
“Well I have to say, it
seems to be agreeing with you,” her uncle said with a smile.
“So how is Aunt Roberta?”
“She is well – she’s
visiting your uncle at the moment, but I will pass on your good wishes when I
talk to her tomorrow.” Taking another
piece of his chicken, he then said “have you spoken to him yet?”
“You’re the first,”
Grace said, “I guess I need to face Uncle Stephen and the rest of the family at
some point.”
“Well,” Sir Charles
said, “his seventieth birthday is coming up in January. Join us in going over for that.”
“When?”
“Last weekend – the two
of us are visiting New York next weekend.
We can talk then if that is all right?”
“Business or Pleasure?”
“Pleasure – Roberta
wishes to attend the evening gala at the Metropolitan.”
“Well then, name the
place and time.”
7.30 pm
Park Avenue
Jan nodded to the
doorman as she and Katy walked into the apartment block. While Jan was wearing her long coat and
boots, Katy was wearing a black dress with a V-necked front showing some of her
impressive cleavage, and knee length black boots with five-inch heels, a
leather jacket over the top. Both of
them were wearing full make-up, Katy looking round as the lift doors opened.
“In we go,” Jan said as
they stepped inside.
“Okay you’d normally
have a fit at me going out dressed like this mom.” Katy looked at the
reflection in the mirror. “You’d say this dress is too tight, or that my heels
are far too high, or I have too much makeup on…What gives?”
“You need to meet
someone tonight,” Jan said as she looked at Katy, “and I want you looking at
your very best.”
“Another one of…us?”
Katy whispered.
“Not precisely. This
lady is rather special.”
“Any clues Mom?”
“Not until you meet
her.”
As the elevator doors
opened, Jan led her daughter down the corridor to an apartment door and
knocked.
“Once this door opens,”
Jan said as she looked at Katy, “you will begin to discover everything we are
involved in, to a greater or lesser degree.
There is still time to turn round.”
“No, there isn’t,” Katy
said as she heard the door unlock and saw the handle turn.
“I was expecting you,”
the auburn haired woman smiled as she opened the door.
“Aunt Shirley?” Katy stared at Shirley as she stood there,
wearing a cowl necked sweater and pants.
“Not for today Katy,”
she said as they came in, and closed the door behind them, “today you address
me as Madame only.”
“Katy darling,” Jan
said as she removed her coat, “can I introduce the legendary Madame X.”
“WHOA!”
“As with so much of
what you now know,” Shirley said as Jan took Katy’s coat, “that name goes no
further Katy.”
“Yes aunt…I mean Yes
Madame.”
“Good!” Shirley ushered
her visitors into the drawing room. “I
wanted the opportunity to meet with you and Jan privately, given everything
that has happened over the last few weeks.”
As Katy sat down on the
leather couch, Shirley sat on the other end while Jan sat in an armchair.
“Forgive me Madame,”
Katy said eventually, “this has just come as one of the biggest shocks in a
line of big shocks.”
“That is
understandable,” Shirley said. “Katy,
you have to understand by joining your mother, you have joined a bigger thing
than just the Pussycats. My organisation
and Juliette’s work very closely together, and as such it is important I talk
with you as well.”
“So Susan and Penny,
when they work for you...”
“They really do work
for me in every way, as does Caroline when she is on business for Xavier
International. It helps if you think of
my company as one that has many different operations – some of which are less
public facing than others.”
“I see,” Katy said
quietly, “I think.”
“Janice, I wonder if I
could have a word with Katy on her own?
You can wait in the den for a few minutes.”
“Of course,” Jan said
as she left the room, stopping in shock as she saw who else was in the den,
sitting and reading a magazine.
“Now Katy,” Shirley
said as she looked at the young girl, “I would like to ask you some questions,
and I would appreciate honest answers.”
Katy nodded slowly as
Shirley took her glasses off, folded the legs and placed them on the coffee
table.
“Does murdering people
worry you Katy?”
“Honest answer Madame?”
“Please.”
“Then the answer is no.
Why should it?”
“Because,” Shirley said
quietly, “it is the ultimate moral taboo.
I am sure Caroline told you that it is never an easy decision to take a
life.”
“She did, and I know I
did it those times to protect someone, Madame.
I guess if that is the case, then I don’t have any morals - just a warm
feeling inside knowing that I have over 10 and a half million dollars sitting
in a bank account in my name.”
Looking at the young
girl, Shirley said “Would you say you are greedy Katy?”
“Madame, if you mean
are there things I want in life, then the answer is yes, and if your next
question is what am I prepared to do to get them, well then the answer is
anything I have to.”
“Well, I can understand
that feeling.” Standing up, Shirley
turned and said “while your mother is out of the room Katy, can I ask - are you
still a virgin?”
“Yes Madame, I promised
Mom that I wouldn’t fuck a boy yet, and I keep my promises.”
“And do you want to…as
you put it…fuck boys?”
“I’d rather fuck a man,”
Katy said with a grin, “but yeah, as you can tell I’m one horny little bitch.”
“Oh.” Shirley sat for a
few moments and contemplated the young girl.
“I’ve made George cum
stroking his cock with my hand, and I’ve let him cum in my mouth, but no I’ll
stay a virgin until Mom releases me from my promise.”
“I see,” Shirley said
as she sat down. “Does crime give you a
sexual feeling Katy?”
“I might ask the same
of you Madame, but yes,” the young girl smiled, “crime so far has given me some
incredible sexual highs.”
“I have a little secret
Katy.” Shirley smiled, “it does the same for me as well, and it never goes away
or gets old.”
“Oh good.” Katy
laughed.
“Well, I see you have
the same drive that brought your mother into our group.” Looking at Katy, Shirley said “now you know
who I am, do you have any idea of the other operations that I run?”
“The illegal ones?”
“Yes.” Shirley nodded.
“I’m only guessing, but
robbery, fencing stolen goods, extortion, protection rackets, brothels…”
“No I don’t deal in sex
or drugs Katy.”
“Alright.”
“But yes we are
involved in all the others.”
“Cool.”
“Very little shocks you
does it Katy?” Madame asked.
“Not really Madame.”
“Well, then I have other
things to tell you that will surprise you,” Shirley said as she stood up, “come
with me Katy.”
Katy stood up and
walked through to the den with Shirley, stopping as she saw Cassandra Stone
sitting with her mother.
“Hello Katy,” Cassie
said as she held out a bottle of coke, “I see your world view was blown wide
open tonight as well.”
“To say the least,”
Katy said as she sat down, “May I ask a question Madame?”
“Of course.”
“How did your two
groups come together?”
“Ah,” Shirley said as
she say down, “thereby hangs a long and interesting tale, but for now, let us
say we had a mutual target. We helped
each other out on another occasion, and then last summer, there was a mutual
problem we worked on together. One that
led to many – interesting changes.”
“Such as?”
“Me joining them for
one,” Jan said, “then there was the public appearance of Shirley, the arrival
of Annie in the group, Caroline meeting Ama, Maisha – want me to go on?”
“What... You mean you were responsible for bringing
down that slave ring mom?”
“In part – but as a
late addition,” Jan said as she looked at Cassie Stone. “That is why I know so much about the
Pussycats – they pulled me in as well.”
“Pulled in is a good
way to put it.” Cassie smiled. “In my case I’d not have got in other then
recognising that ring of Ju’s even through a glove.”
“Well I was told I’d
have been invited in months before if I hadn’t been an FBI agent.”
“They said that Mom?”
Katy shook her head.
“Well if nothing else
their group is built on strong and binding friendships Katy.” Madame sipped her
drink as she spoke.
“So just how many
people are in the gang, Mom?”
“Depends on the job at
hand, but you’ve met most of us,” Jan said.
“There are, however, one or two things you also need to know.”
“Firstly,” Shirley
said, “neither Ama nor Maisha are Pussycats, but they know who they are. Ama, as you know, is very protective of her
adoptive mother and the others, and keeps our secrets.”
“And as for Maisha,” Jan
said, “Shirley is her guardian and mentor.
She is a strong, capable young woman and just as protective as Ama is of
Caroline.”
Katy nodded as she held
her bottle. “I guess I really am in
now,” she said quietly. “What else do I
have to learn?”
“Pace yourself, darling,”
Jan said, “pace yourself...”
7 pm
JFK Airport
They looked like an
ordinary family as they came through the arrival doors – the teenage girl
looking round appeared to be a little nervous, but as her mother squeezed her
hand she looked round and smiled.
“Never been here,” the
tall man said.
“Then I hope you enjoy
the stay.”
They turned and looked
at the tall blonde woman who was standing beside them.
“Welcome to New York –
I’m Caroline Jameson, Ama’s mother.”
“Dave West,” the man
said as he shook Caroline’s hand, “my wife Sonia, and this is Nyala.”
“I’m very pleased to
meet all of you,” Caroline said with a smile.
“Did you have a pleasant flight?”
“Time difference is
tough,” Sonia said, “are you all right Nyala?”
“I will be – it is just...”
“The last time you were
here, it was very different, at least from what Ama has told me,” Caroline
said. “This time, it will be
different. If you will come with me, I
have a car waiting to take you to your hotel, and then I hope you will join me
tomorrow for brunch, Ama and Maisha will both be there.”
“It is incredibly
generous of you to invite us, and to pay for us,” Sonia said as Dave pushed the
luggage along.
“It’s not a burden,”
Caroline said, “when I heard what had happened, I wanted them to have a chance
to re-connect, and this is the best way of doing that. Thanksgiving is a time to do just that – give
thanks, or so I’m told.”
“You’re not from around
here, are you?”
“No – English I’m
afraid. You’ll meet my grandfather on
Thursday – but for now, let’s get to my car.”
Wednesday 25th November
11 am
The Huntingdown Apartment
“Come in Shirley,”
Juliette said as she held the door open, “I understand John has gone somewhere
with Klaus.”
“Gone to lay schemes
and stratagems,” Shirley said with a smile as she took her coat off, “it’s very
quiet here all things considered.”
“Carina has taken
Judith to a young mum’s coffee morning at Natasha’s place. I believe young Jennifer and other assorted
babies will be there. Coffee?”
“Please,” Shirley said
as she followed Juliette to the kitchen.
“I spoke with Cassandra last night – a most impressive woman.”
“Indeed - so what did
you make of Katy Shirley?" Juliette asked as she passed a mug to Shirley.
"I have to say I
was rather stunned."
"Most of us have
had that same impression."
"Her determination
to pursue this life is pretty incredible, and her maturity as she answered some
of my questions made it hard for me to remember she is only just 13."
"She has matured
so quickly in so many ways."
"And she is so
cool about it all,” Shirley said as she sat down. “She was initially I think a trifle shocked
that I was Madame X, but she very quickly got over it."
"Diana told me
that you want to supervise her weekend at the farm?"
"I do...if you
have no objections?"
"None at all, I
think you'll find it interesting, we have refined the process quite a
lot."
"So I have read in
the reports."
“So how are you
intending to spend tomorrow?”
“I’m playing host to
Penny as well as Susan and her family, while George is going to join
Caroline. I understand she was concerned
at the lack of men around, so he will provide some company for her grandfather
and Nyala’s father.”
“We’re hosting Grace
and her friends, and Diana has Judy and her family, before they head back to
Paris for the ball.”
“And Sandy?”
“Very good question... Let me see who that is,” Juliette said as she
heard the knock on the door. Shirley
watched as she walked off, and then heard a familiar voice say “Hello Juliette
– is Shirley here?”
“Good morning Janice.”
Shirley smiled as Juliette brought the FBI agent into the drawing room. “How
are you today?”
“Eager to hear your
opinion on my daughter Madame.” Jan sat
down, her skirt splitting as she crossed her legs.
“I thought you might
be,” Shirley said as Juliette gave the new arrival a coffee, “I was honestly
expecting an early morning phone call.”
“I considered it,” Jan
said, “but then I decided that you wouldn’t be able to speak freely with John
besides you in bed.”
“Nor you with Adam there.”
“No.” Janice smiled as
well. “So what were your impressions Madame?”
“I was exceedingly
impressed, Katy is a formidable young woman, very much like her mother.”
“Thank you.”
“She’s tough, ruthless,
and adaptable. We will see how she copes with the farm before I have a final
opinion, but at the moment I can safely say I think she will be of value to
both organisations.”
“Well that is
wonderful.” Janice looked proud.
“I’d make just one
recommendation to you though.” Putting her cup down, Shirley looked straight at
Jan and said “release Katy from her vow of virginity so she can get it out of
the way before it becomes an issue.”
“Oh?”
“She told me last night
she has given George, both hand jobs, and a blow job…”
“SHE HAS WHAT?”
“Don’t get over stressed
Jan.” Juliette returned with more coffee.
“Look speaking as your
friend Shirley, not as Madame, Janice. She is driving herself crazy. Katy has
the body of a young goddess, and if I read between the lines right then the
thoughts of sex are driving her crazy.”
“She’s told me that,
and I know she spoke to Barbara, but really she’s barely 13, and she’s my
little girl.”
“She’s not so little
Jan.”
“Juliette is right
Janice.” Shirley nodded in agreement.
“Karen is in town, take
Katy to see her tonight, I’ll make the appointment if needs be, and once she is
on birth control, then let her get this out of the way, make it a non issue any
more.”
“I agree.” Shirley
nodded again. “Let her get sex out of the way, and then she can concentrate on
all the other things she has in her life.”
“And what will Sandy
say?”
“Well, best ask her as
well,” Juliette said, “and George senior.
But do it quickly Jan – for both their sakes.”
Jan shook her
head. “I suppose there is one thing –
this will be her choice.”
“Exactly.”
11 am
The Village
“This is the place,”
the cabbie said as he pulled up, Dave paying him as the three of them got out
of the car. As Nyala looked round, the
door opened and a young blonde came out, Ama following in a pair of jeans and
an Angel’s hoodie.
“I will see you on
Friday Pepsi,” she said as she saw the visitors standing there. “Welcome,” she said with a broad smile,
“please, come in.”
“Thank you,” Nyala said
as they came in. She was wearing a long
brown jersey dress, while Dave and Sonia wore jeans and leather jackets. As they came up the stairs, they saw Caroline
in a white jumper and black leggings, smiling as she said “welcome to my little
home. Please, make yourselves
comfortable.”
“You have a nice
place,” Nyala said as she looked round, “small, but comfortable.”
“Well, living here, space
is at a premium,” Caroline said, “but it meets our needs. My roommate, Annie Kelly.”
“Pleasure,” Annie said
as she shook Dave and Sonia’s hands.
“Hello Nyala – Maisha, your friend is here.”
“Welcome sister,”
Maisha said as she came in, wearing a brown jumper, jeans and knee length
leather boots, “would you help Ama and I to prepare the meal for serving while
the others talk?”
“Of course,” Nyala said
as Ama took her arm, and returned with a pot of coffee.
“Please, sit,” Caroline
said, “the food will not be long in coming.”
“Thank you,” Sonia
said, “so may I ask how you met Ama?”
“Well,” Caroline said
as she poured, “as the scandal broke last year, I had just left the world of
security I occupied and, if you like, embraced my own history as the daughter
of a model. So I knew a bit of tragedy
at a young age – my own mother died when I was barely their age.
“I had the good
pleasure to meet Jane Molloy, the journalist, through mutual friends, and
through her I met Ama. You might say
there was an instant connection, and I offered to become her mother and help
her have the life I missed out on.”
“Still, to take on a
teenager...”
“So how did you come to
adopt Nyala?”
“A similar story, I’m
afraid,” Dave said, “I lost my parents as a teenager, and – well, we couldn’t
have children. Then we heard what had
happened, and our priest offered to put us in touch with the centre here...”
“So your mother adopted
you after you were rescued?”
“That is right,” Ama
said, “the people who rescued both Maisha and I asked Jane Molloy to interview
us, and then when the story became public we aided as much as we could given we
were also like you.”
“And the she-devil who
owned you?”
“It was a cruel time,”
Ama said quietly as she placed some sliced bread on a plate, “but I was freed
and rescued, and now I am my own woman.”
“What of you Maisha?”
“I was more fortunate
than both of you – I too was sold, but the person who bought me did so to free
me, and now Aunt Shirley looks after me and teaches me.”
“So was she the one who
freed you?”
“You have spoken the
oath?”
Nodding, Nyala said “I
will always be grateful to you – both of you – for ending the horror. I pray you continue to do so and we can work
together.”
“As do we all,” Ama
said quietly. “So, shall we eat?”
11 am
The Richmond Mansion
“We had an early start
and a good run,” Jo said as she put her coat in the wardrobe, “and a clear
road. For once.”
“Well, you made it, and
that’s the main thing,” Heather said as she stood in the doorway. “So how is training going for the big event
Little Sis?”
“Which big event?” Jo
looked round from checking herself in the mirror. “I’m not running anything I’d
call big before Christmas.”
“I wasn’t talking cross
country, I was thinking of your match with Annie.”
“Oh THAT match.” Jo
laughed, “I’ve slipped out a few times, and done some houses.”
“Susan said she’d been
sending one of her girls up to see you.”
“Yeah,” Jo said, “it’s
nice knowing a friendly neighbourhood fence who gives me top dollar on my
take.”
“You’ve got the virgin
break-ins out of your system?”
“I have, and I should
be ready to go on the big night…any clues on how Annie is doing?”
“Oh let’s just say the
Black Cat has been out a few times as well.”
“Good, we should both
be in top form then…Okay I’m ready for brunch Big Sis.” Joanne checked herself one
last time in the mirror.
“Let’s go,” Heather
said as they walked down, finding Curt talking to Sandy in the dining room.
“Hey you two,” Jo said
as she hugged the children, “have you both grown in the last couple of weeks?”
“Maybe,” George said in
a slightly deeper voice.
“Oh-ho – someone’s
voice has started to break, I think. You
are growing up, young man.”
“Yes he is,” Curt said
with a smile, “he’ll be starting to shave next.”
George blushed and
shook his head as they sat down.
11.30 am
The Village
“Okay,” Harriet said as
she took the pie cases out of the oven, “I think these are ready.”
“Looks like it,” Sarah
said as she looked them over, “so now we need to consider fillings.”
“Okay – let’s draw
lots,” Grace said as she wrote on three pieces of paper, folded them up and put
them in her hand, shaking them round before holding them out.
Harriet took one,
opened it out and said “Lemon meringue.”
Sarah took the second
one, looking in it as she said “Pumpkin.”
“So I get the
pecan? Well, so long as we can get the
ingredients today.”
The sound of someone at
the front door made Grace put her paper down and leave them for a moment,
returning with April Broadhurst.
“Hey,” she said as she
came in, “I wanted to ask if you would take something to Juliette for me
tomorrow?”
“Of course – what is
it?”
“She asked for some
quotes on decorating a room for a bridal party,” April said as she held out an
envelope. “If you could let her have
them?”
“Oh – her bridal
party?”
“I think so – not that
I know it is scheduled for January or anything...”
“I think not,” Grace
said with a smile. “I’ll get them to
her. So how was Washington Grace?”
“Interesting – very
formal, but I got to meet my uncle for lunch.”
“Your uncle?”
“Uncle Charlie – nice
guy, and he was pleased to see me.”
“Good,” Harriet said,
“so, where do I get pumpkin around here?”
“Come on, I’ll show
you,” April said as she waited for Harriet to get her coat, and the two women
walked out.
12 am
The Village
"So Ama do you
have a boyfriend?" Nyala asked as they ate their food.
"I do, his name is Nick." the black girl both smiled and blushed.
"Like her he is a
soccer player, and he is also white." Maisha added.
“So you still play?”
“Ama is the captain of
the school team,” Caroline said with real pride. “What sports do you play, Nyala?”
“I play volleyball at
my school,” Nyala said, “we are currently top of our league.”
“So you teach math
Annie,” Dave said as he refilled his coffee mug.
“That’s right – Ama is
one of the girls I teach, along with her friends.”
“And what about you
Maisha?”
“I believe the term is
home schooled,” Maisha said, “my guardian Aunt Shirley has tutors visit to
teach me what I need.”
“That sounds
fascinating,” Sonia said, “why are your favourite subjects?”
“Well,” Maisha said as
she wiped her chin, “I enjoy history and business studies. Aunt Shirley has been most helpful in both.”
“You were very lucky to
have someone like Shirley Xavier to support you,” Dave said, Maisha nodding in
agreement.
5 pm
Temple Hill
“If you will come in
here,” the nurse said as she showed Jan and Katy into the surgery, Katy still
in her school uniform.
“Hello Karen, thank you
for seeing us at such short notice.” Jan kissed the doctor on both cheeks.
“Hi Dr. Boyd,” Katy
waved as she stood still looking round.
“Alright,” Karen said
as she looked over, “even in that unflattering school uniform I can see that
your body has matured fast Katy.”
“Thank you Doctor.”
Katy blushed.
“As I said on the phone
Karen, Katy is starting to be more then just aware of boys, and boys are
certainly aware of her.”
“I can see why.”
“Well, I’ve had her
promise me she’d stay a virgin, but I hear that she is going as damn close to
the line as she can without giving it up…”
“Aunt Shirley has a BIG
mouth!” Katy interrupted.
“Be that as it may,”
Jan continued, “I’d rather that if sex is going to be such a big issue, then I
want her to at least be safe when she does lose her virginity.”
“I’m supposed now to
get all moral and warn you of the dangers of sin now Katy,” Karen turned to the
younger girl, “but I can say from experience I know what you are going through
and that the chemicals in your body have your mind twisted in knots.”
“Pretty much doctor.”
“Well I lost my
virginity when I was 13, and like you I was an early maturer physically. I’ve
also seen the psychological damage that can happen to girls like us if they
repress their sex drive…”
“It can cause damage
Karen?”
“It can if it becomes a
phobia Janice.”
“Wow.”
“So while legally I
know I am aiding and abetting a crime, for your own sake Katy I will proscribe
birth control for you. Just don’t go hog wild and let every man in New York
have that amazing body.”
“I won’t doctor.”
“And that’s another
thing, if you are mature enough for sex, then you are mature enough to call me
Karen.”
“Yes Karen,” Katy said
with a smile.
“So who is the lucky
boy likely to be?”
“That’s next on the
agenda – after the holidays. Thanks
Karen –how’s John?”
“Growing bigger every
day,” Karen said with a smile. “There –
enjoy the holiday, both of you.”
“Alright Katy darling,”
Jan said as they got into the car, “you are safely on birth control, now what
are your plans, and please - be honest with me.”
“Well I could seduce
Adam…get him to…”
“KATY!”
“Alright,” Katy giggled,
“how about we offer him a threesome?”
“KATHERINE CARTER!”
“You are too easy Mom,”
Katy kept on giggling.
“Well I don’t find the
subject very funny.”
“But your face is…”
“Katy darling,” Jan
fought for self-control, “be serious…please!”
“I am, I’d like my
first time to be with someone who knows what he is doing, and isn’t going to
cum immediately and leave me disappointed.”
“And George?”
“As yet has very little
control. Don’t get me wrong Mom I am going to have sex with George, the only
way he will get better is with practice, but really and truly, I’d like my
first to be with a real man.”
“Oh my Goddess, you’ve
really thought this out haven’t you?”
“Everything but the
face of the guy who is going to commit the crime of having sex with jailbait.”
“Damn…Shit…FUCK!”
“Exactly mom…so any
ideas if I can’t do Adam?”
Jan rolled her eyes and
said “Katy, you are going to be the death of me,” before they drove off...
Thursday 26th November
Thanksgiving
7.30 am
Central park west
“Good morning, Jan,” Katherine
said as she heard her daughter walk in, “Coffee?”
"Mom we need to talk."
Jan sighed as she slumped into a chair at the breakfast table.
"Oh and about what
darling?" Katherine looked over her shoulder.
"I got Katy put on
birth control pills yesterday."
Smiling, Katherine said
"I see. Well it doesn't surprise
me."
"It doesn't? I
know I damn well surprised myself Mom."
“Here,” her mother said
as she handed Jan a mug of coffee. "Katy
has the body of a very sexy young woman, I guessed you'd take a safety first
approach. I just wish my mother had been able to get me on the pill back in
60's Ireland." Katherine smiled.
“I know, I know,
but...” Jan looked at her mother as what
she had said sank in.
"Didn't I ever
tell you that the reason we came to America was that I was 14 and pregnant.
Your grandparents ran from Waterford because of the shame I'd brought on the
family."
"Oh my Goddess
Mother...Oh FUCK! Ummm...Uh...what happened to the baby?"
"I lost it."
"Oh crap, why
didn't you tell me all this when I got..."
"Raped darling?
Your father never knew about my sordid little past, can you imagine he'd have
ever married me if he'd known I got knocked up aged just 13?"
“Dad? I guess not.”
“Don’t get me wrong –
he was a good man, but very traditional.
So I never told him.”
“Goddess Mom – you’ve
carried that around all these years...”
“You had your own cross
to bear Jan, so did I,” Katherine said.
“Now, bacon and eggs before we get started?”
“Yeah – let’s forget
about this for today, agreed?”
“Agreed,” Katherine
said with a smile.
10 am
Mary Thomas’ Apartment
“And what do you think
you are doing,” Mary said with a smile as she came into the kitchen, to see
Denice with her hands in a large bucket.
“I told you Mary,”
Denice said as she looked up, “I am cooking today, so the turkey needs to be
soaked. It’s a big one too.”
“Well, I hope you don’t
mind, but I invited Pippa and Poppy to join us today as well.”
“No problem,” Erica
said as she looked over from the kitchen sink, “we’re cooking for six anyway.”
“Why?”
“We always do – ask
Mom,” Erica said. “Now, would you like
some coffee?”
11.30 am
The Richmond Mansion
“Now that was a
parade,” George said as he came into the mansion, holding Jennifer’s hand, “and
I cannot thank you enough for inviting us to spend the day with you Sandy. It means a lot.”
“Well, after the year
you have had, it makes sense for you to join us,” Sandy said with a smile.
“Orlanda, you are off
duty today,” Heather said, “but I could use your help with the soup.”
“George my boy,” Alex
said as he came in, “Ready for the game?”
“Can I watch too Uncle
Alex,” Little George said as he came down.
“Of course you can –
but soft drinks only, all right?”
“Yes Dad,” George said
with a smile as they went into the front room.
“Let me grab some beers
and I’ll come in as well,” Curt said as he came in with Jo.
“Hey – you’re not
abandoning me are you?”
“You could join us, you
know...”
“Maybe later – I need
time with my sis,” Jo said as she followed Heather into the kitchen.
Noon
The de Ros Mansion
“Welcome Rachel,
George,” Diana said as the McNally’s came in. “I’m so glad you could join us
today.”
“Well, it means we see
you off later – it was good of Shirley to offer the use of her jet for the
journey over.”
“She insisted,” Diana
said as Tony left his case in the corner, and accompanied Judy in with David, “to
save us hassling through security and get us there quicker.”
“Come – we will have
drinks in the drawing room,” Diana said as they walked through.
Noon
The Huntingdown Apartment
“Where would you like
these,” Grace said as she carried the pie plates in, Harriet and Sarah
following them in.
“Head to the sound of
the mother cursing,” Carina said as Judith waved at the new arrivals. “Stick around if you want a job.”
“Sounds fair,” Harriet
said as they headed to the kitchen, to find Juliette and Ingrid working on the
food.
“Hey – put them over
there,” Juliette said as she looked up, “and then join the others. I’ll bring some coffee through in a few
minutes.”
“You sure, Juliette?”
“Trust me,” Annie said
as she looked over, “she’s sure...”
“Happy Tanksgiving!”
Judith said as she toddled over to the guests.
“And Happy Tanksgiving
to you little one.” Grace lifted her up. “I swear you get bigger every time I
see you.”
“She does.” Carina
smiled.
12.15 pm
Central park west
“Hey,” Adam said as he
came into the apartment, “I did a bit more than potato salad this year.”
“You did,” Katy said as
she looked out of her room. “What have
you got there?”
“Pecan pie – and the
potato salad,” Adam said as he held the two dishes up. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“Not bad – can I get
you some coffee Uncle Adam?”
“Oh – we’re back to
Uncle Adam? Did your mom have a talk to
you?”
“Yeah – I’ve been a bit
of a bitch recently, and I’m really sorry.”
“Apology accepted,”
Adam said with a smile, “so do I get a hug now?”
“Yes you do,” Katy said
as she hugged him round the waist, Jan and Katherine watching from the door to
the front room.
“Come on Adam – I’ll
get you a drink,” Katherine said as she took his arm, Janice smiling as she
nodded at Katy.
12.45 pm
Park Avenue
“You are turning into a
very fine young lady, yes you are,” John said as April sat on his knee,
gurgling happily away as she bounced up and down.
“She certainly is,”
Penny said as she stood with Susan. “I
love visiting this place, but forgive me for saying I can’t wait to get back to
my pad.”
“I can understand that
feeling,” Shirley said as she sat with a brandy, “but more and more I am
realising I have two homes – here and in London. So I spend this holiday here, and then
Christmas in the Chelsea house.”
“Which is fine by me as
well,” John said with a smile. “Are you
sure Clint doesn’t want our help?”
“Trust me – he demanded
he did this,” Susan said. “It’s a bit
like Juliette at this time of year – enter at your own peril.”
12.45 pm
The Huntingdown Apartment
“Thanks,” Grace said as
she accepted the mug of coffee, “are you sure you don’t want help with
anything?”
“No it’s all in hand,”
Juliette said as she sat down. “Nothing
to worry about.”
“Yet,” Carina whispered
to Ingrid as she played with Judith.
“I hear Alice won the
right to do the bridal party outfits,” Grace said as she sipped her drink.
“Yeah – she made a very
persuasive case,” Juliette said quietly.
“I think she’s relishing the challenge.”
“So whilst we look
gorgeous in Bats finest creations, what do you get to wear for the wedding
Pops?”
“Military uniform my
darling Carina,” Klaus said quietly.
“What military uniform?
I didn’t know you had service connections?”
“He doesn’t…he has his
own private army.” Ingrid said as she brought in a tray of drinks.
“Private army? Now I am
totally confused.”
“Along with the Duke of
Athol in Scotland Cari, I’m one of only two aristocrats in Europe who may
maintain their own troops.”
“Whoa I never knew
that.”
“So as he maintains the
Athol Highlanders, I maintain the Furstenheim Jaegers.”
“How? Why?”
“Your ancestor raised
the regiment originally to fight Napoleon alongside the Austrians. They and he
fought so extremely bravely that the Emperor granted the von Furstenheim's in
perpetuity the right to keep and maintain a small independent body of troops.
Our overlord the King of Bavaria wasn’t originally too happy, but we have
always maintained the tradition, and today the regiment has about 50 men and
women recruited from the estates.”
“So Papa will wear his
uniform as Colonel for the wedding.” Ingrid smiled.
“And I have no doubt he
will look extremely handsome.” Juliette came in with Judith.
“Well I live and
learn.” Carina shook her head.
“We are both nominally
members of the regiment Cari?”
“We are?”
“Yes,” Klaus smiled,
“and that reminds me. I need to get
uniforms made for you, Annie, and of course Dearest darling Juliette.”
“Thank you…I think,”
Juliette laughed, “and don’t forget this little one,” she added as she picked
up Judith.
“How could I ever
forget her?”
“Did you tell John he
will need dust off his old Irish Guards dress uniform?”
“I did my love.”
“Shirley will be so
proud as well...”
1 pm
The Richmond Mansion
"It's lovely of
you to have us over Sandy." Barbara kissed her friend.
"Our second
Thanksgiving in America." Jeannie called out as her grandfather took her
coat.
"It's starting to
get cold out there." John remarked as he hung it up.
"I'm thinking we
might be in for an early winter." Sandy led her guests into the drawing
room. "Can I get drinks?"
"I'd kill a
beer." Barbara laughed.
"Okay beer for
Barb, same for you John?"
"Please."
"And you
Jeans?"
"Can I beg a glass
of chardonnay, I'm not really the worlds greatest beer drinker."
"Two beers, one
glass of wine coming up."
“Ah good – welcome,”
Nessa said as they came in, “how was the park?”
“Quiet and peaceful for
once,” Barbara said as she went to join Jo and Curt
"So how is project
wheels coming along?" Heather asked Jeannie and John.
"Well it looks
feasible that I can have built a car for myself with just hand controls."
Jeannie smiled. "The idea of not being dependent on anyone else for rides
means a lot to me."
"I have a few
friends in the trade who are assessing just what Jeannie needs, but I am
hopeful." John smiled.
"What does Barb
think?"
"I think the
thought of me driving scares her stiff, she keeps murmuring about me hiring a
full-time driver instead, But I want the independence of having my own car if I
can."
“She’ll come round –
and the calendar?”
“Second printing
already – it’s amazing...”
1 pm
Mary Thomas’ Apartment
“Something smells
amazing,” Pippa said as she and Poppy handed their coats to Mary.
“Not my doing – Denice
has taken over the kitchen,” Mary said as they went through. “Can I get you both a drink?”
“Wine if you have it,
and yes Poppy you can have some as well.”
“So what is on the
menu,” Mary said as Denice came through.
"Well since most
of us are not pure-bred Americans, I thought we'd have Thanksgiving with a few
British twists." Denice smiled at Mary. "So I've prepared leek soup
as a starter."
"Proper leek
soup?" Mary asked.
"My fathers
recipe."
"Well that sounds
good to me." Pippa smiled contentedly.
"Now leeks are
sort of like onions…right?” Asked Poppy.
"They are Pops,
and my Mom's leek soup is amazing." Erica encouraged her friend.
"Well I'll at
least try it then."
1.20 pm
The Village
“Hello Grandfather,”
Ama said as she opened the door, “come on up.”
“Thank you,” Dan said
as he came up, to find Ama entertaining other visitors.
“Grandfather, this is
Nyala West, and her father Dave, as well as Uncle George.”
“George Sanders,” the
grey haired man with the neat beard said as he shook Dan’s hand. “I’m Caroline’s chief assistant in Jameson
Security – she took pity on me and invited me to join her today.”
“Good to meet you
George,” Dan said as he turned to Dave and shook his hand. “So where do you know Ama and Caroline from,
Dave.”
“Ama and I come from
the same village originally, Mr Jameson,” Nyala said. “We met again when Ama visited my new home
recently.”
“Really?”
“That’s right
Grandfather,” Ama said as she hugged Nyala.
“Well then, I am very
pleased to meet you young lady.”
“Oh hi Granddad,”
Caroline said as she looked in from the kitchen. “George, can you get Dan a drink please? Sonia and I just about have things under
control.”
“So what part of the UK
are you from George,” Dan said as he accepted a can of beer.
“North West – but I
moved around a lot,” George said as he opened a second can. “You girls mind if the menfolk watch the
game?”
“Of course not,” Ama
said as she and Nyala sat at the table, “do you need any help Mom?”
“No,” Caroline and
Sonia said in unison as the girls laughed.
“So what game are they
showing?”
“Watford against Man
United from last weekend – do you like soccer Dave?”
“I don’t mind it – I go
to the games with Nyala sometimes...”
“Soccer?”
“I will be honest,”
Sonia said as she chopped some carrots, “Soccer is not really Dave’s game, but
we want to do anything and everything for our daughter.”
“Oh trust me, I know
that feeling,” Caroline said. “Do you
mind if I ask a question Sonia?”
“Of course.”
“How bad was it when
you met Nyala?”
“We knew she had
suffered a great deal – when we spoke to the FBI officials, they told us she
was about to be killed when they rescued her and arrested her – well, her
owners. When we first met her, she was a
bundle of nerves. How bad was Ama?”
“She still has
nightmares from time to time,” Caroline said as she looked to the main
room. “But she is a remarkable young
woman, and she is coming through it. As
she grows older, the memories get less painful.”
“I can see you care for
her a great deal. It’s almost as if you
rescued her yourself.”
Caroline nodded as she
said “Yeah – it can feel like that. Now,
let’s get that turkey on...”
1.30 pm
Central park west
“There you go Katy,”
her grandmother said as she passed her a drink of coke.
“Thanks Gran.” She took a sip from her glass, and then said “Gran...”
“Yes dear?”
"Gran, did Mom
tell you that she took me to see Karen Boyd yesterday?"
"That she did Katy
darling."
"Were you
shocked?"
"Not really, I
could see it coming...” Sipping her own
coffee, Katherine sighed and said “now, did your mother tell you about
me?"
"Nope," Katy tilted her head.
"Katy,” Katherine
said quietly, “when I was only a few months older then you, and we still lived
back in Ireland, I fell in love with a boy called Jacko Kelly. He was 17, tall,
he was on the county hurling team already, and every girl in Waterford town
wanted him so bad."
"I sort of get the
picture. The local Justin Beaver, if you
like."
“Except he could not
sing to save his life,” Katherine said with a smile. “But he was a hunk, the David Beckham of his
day.” Taking another drink, she said “well,
I was like you, a very big girl for my age, and to get him I used everything I
had to offer, including my virginity."
"Okay. So what happened Gran?"
"Well it was the
usual sad story of back then, no birth control, no condoms, and I soon found I
was pregnant."
"SHIT!"
"Well HE was soon
forgiven and he ended up with Mary O'Shea the local beauty queen. I was
labelled as a whore and my family was practically ran out of town."
"Oh dear God
Gran."
"Eventually, Dad
decided we'd emigrate to America to escape the shame I'd brought on the family,
but on the boat over I miscarried and lost my baby.” She stopped for a moment, Katy watching with
a stunned expression as she wiped away a tear.
“Anyway, when we
arrived in America we started with a clean slate, and until I told your mother
earlier I had no one about what happened,"
"Oh Gran!"
Katy said as she walked over and hugged Katherine.
“So Katy darling,”
Katherine said, “I know what your mom did, and we’re there for you – but all I
can ask is you take care, and do not rush into something. Will you do that for both of us?”
“Of course I will
Gran,” Kate said as she looked into Katherine’s eyes.
“So what are they
talking about in there,” Adam said as he stirred the soup.
“Not sure,” Jan said as
she basted the turkey, and then closed the oven door. Putting the oven gloves to one side, Jan
picked up her glass of wine and took a drink.
“Adam?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you know of any
nice, decent, paedophiles Adam?”
“Isn’t that a
contradiction in terms?” Adam laughed.
“Yeah I know it is,”
Jan sighed.
“Can I ask what is at
the root of all this darling Janice?” Adam said as he put the spoon down and kissed
his lover, “I get the feeling that while I was attending to family business, I
missed something important.”
“Yeah you sort of did,”
Jan kissed him back, “I’ve given into the inevitable and got Katy on the pill.”
“Inevitable?”
“Oh come on Adam,” Jan
said, “she’s as hot as a smoking gun, and she wants it so bad I guess its
hurting her.”
“Well I’ve never heard
a mother quite say that about her daughter, but I guess it means George gets
lucky.”
“If only it was that
simple!”
“Complications?”
“Yes.”
“Anything I can help
with.”
“NO!”
“Okay,” Adam said as he
rubbed his chin, “why so vehement?”
“Adam,” Jan said, “how
long did you last the first time, you well…well use your imagination?”
“About 30 seconds…Why?”
“Did the girl?”
“Nope…Look Jan what is
this leading to?”
“Katy wants her first
time to be memorable, she wants to do it with a man who knows what he is doing,
so she gets to enjoy it as well…”
“Oh my God,” Adam
interrupted in shock.
“Exactly…”
“That was why you asked
did I know a nice paedophile?”
“Well,” Jan said
quietly, “I’d rather it was someone I know could be trusted, and not just some
guy she picks up at random.”
“Oh dear God,” Adam
said as he shook his head, “that young lady and I must have serious words.”
“Well at least I talked
her out of her original idea?”
“Which was what?”
“She asked if she could
seduce you…”
“SHE FUCKIN” WHAT!”
Janice clasped a hand over Adam’s mouth to silence his scream.
“And her idea about she
and I doing you together”
“JAN…!”
“Keep quiet and calm
down,” Janice clamped her hand harder over his mouth.
Adam stared at her and
then nodded, before she said “Look, I don’t like this any more than you
do. But I am literally out of ideas.”
“Okay,” Adam said as he
looked at Jan. “The answer is no, I
don’t. But I will help you find a way to
help her, all right?”
“Thanks Adam,” Jan said
quietly.
“Besides, I’ve got a
problem of my own I need your help with.”
“Oh? What?”
“You’ve met Harry and
Eve haven’t you?”
“Yeah – Is that where
you’ve been these last couple of weeks?”
“In a way – they had a
problem and asked my help, and now I need yours. But I want it to wait until tomorrow, if
that’s all right...”
“Of course it is,” Jan
said, “now stir that soup – it’s starting to burn...”
2.30 pm
The Huntingdown Apartment
“Lord save me from Diet
Coke,” Annie said as she sipped her drink, and looked round the room.
“Endure, lover,” Cari
said as she put her arms round Annie’s neck, “the time will come.”
“So how is the baby,”
Ingrid said as she looked at the young blonde.
“Looking good – we have
the scan next week, so we may know more then,” Annie said with a smile.
“So no word yet on
whether it is a boy or a girl?”
“Not yet – we’ll find
out soon enough though.”
In the kitchen, Grace
watched from the breakfast bar as Juliette checked the turkey.
“So Bats got the
commission? How did she manage to beat
everyone else out?”
“She made a very
persuasive offer,” Juliette said as she closed the oven door, “and I’m not
saying anything over than that. Mary
told me you had an interesting time with her in Washington?”
“I did? Oh – you mean the family reunion. Yeah – that was the easy bit. Uncle Stephen is the fun one.”
“Oh I’m sure you’ll
cope.”
“Maybe,” Grace said
with a smile.
2.45 pm
The de Ros Mansion
“so you really have to
be there from nine tomorrow morning – their time?”
“I’m afraid so,” Abby
said as she sat with Judy, “at least the chairs in Shirley’s jet make good beds
as well.”
“So what time are you
heading off?”
“Mamma?”
“At about seven – we
take off at eight, and arrive at about six tomorrow morning.”
“So we eat in a short
while,” Natasha said as she came in, Willy carrying Alain in his bib shorts and
shirt.
“Hello little one,”
Judy said as she looked at the young man, “you are getting bigger as well,
aren’t you?”
“Not as big as young
John Boyd,” Willy said as he handed Alain to Abby, “but there is time, there is
time...”
“Madame?”
“Yes Edith?”
“Telephone call for
you.”
“Thank you,” Diana said
as she went outside, the guests looking at Alain as he waved his arms round.
3 pm
The Richmond Mansion
“So Winston has just
one regular season game left to play this season Jeannie?” Alex asked as he
fetched himself another beer.
“Yes - Notre Dame at
home on Saturday.”
“Did you consider
going?”
“I did,” Jeannie said
as she sipped her wine, “but mom pointed out I’m in LA next weekend, and that
maybe two trips west and back in just over a week might be one too many. So I just need to wait three more weeks.”
“She has a point.” Alex
popped his can.
“Strange seeing you
drink beer and not wine Father.”
“Well it’s
Thanksgiving, and it’s football, the two sort of go together.”
“That’s what Winston
says as well.”
“Well, we have time to
eat before the Panthers and Cowboys game starts at 4.30 and then we have the
Bears and the Packers at 8.30 for a nightcap.”
“If we are all still here.”
Barbara joined the conversation. “You know I still don’t get American
Football.”
“Well get Father
Richmond to explain it Mum.” Jeannie chuckled, “he knows far more about it then
I do.”
“Ten minutes people –
get washed up if you haven’t already,” Sandy called out from the dining room.
3.30 pm
Mary Thomas’ Apartment
“Alright, why have I
never had Leek soup before?” Poppy asked.
“Because it’s very rare
here.” Mary ventured as she put her spoon in the empty plate, “but I must admit
that it is a taste of home Denice.
Really creamy.”
“Well I’m glad you all
liked it.” Denice wiped her chin before she said “Let it get down for a few
seconds and then if the girls help me I’ll bring in the turkey.”
“You have to give me
that recipe Denice.” Pippa sat back and sipped her wine, “I will have to try
making it.”
“Be careful Pippa, we
will have you speaking Welsh next,” Mary chuckled.
“A bit too difficult
for me.” Pippa smiled and said “I think
I’ll stick with the 5 languages I do speak.”
“You speak 5 languages
Aunt Pippa?” Erica asked.
“In the fashion world
you sort of have to, darling. I used to model in Paris and Milan, but I also
worked in Germany and Spain, so you sort of have to learn or sink.”
“I so envy you having
been all those places.” Erica looked at Mary, “Do you speak all those Aunt
Mary?”
“No, just Italian and
French…”
“Plus English and
Welsh.” Denice interrupted. “Okay girls time to bring in the main course.”
“I struggle enough with
Spanish and German,” Poppy said as she shook her head,”and as for English, well
you’ve met my gran and aunt...”
3.30 pm
The Huntingdown Apartment
“Here is yours Judith.”
Carina said as she cut up her dinner for her daughter, and then gave her the
plate.
“Fank you Mommy.” The
little one smiled as she picked up a piece of turkey and started to eat it.
“So how does she sleep
Carina?” Harriet asked.
Carina looked over at
the teacher, and said with a smile “on her back.”
“Alright I walked into
that one,” Harriet smiled as everyone else laughed or groaned at the pun.
“Seriously though, she
sleeps well most nights. I get the odd bad night with her, but they are rare.”
“Well that’s good.”
“So what is it like
seeing yourself as a pinup Sarah?” Klaus asked the English Lit teacher.
“A bit strange,” Sarah
said as she swallowed some potato, “we considered doing one when I was with the
England team, you know a girls of football calendar, but it never got done
because too many of us said it was sexist. I think I’ve changed my mind
though.”
“Well Luke has done an
amazing job with the pictures and blurred the line for them between being
photos and being traditional pinup drawings.” Juliette spoke. “I was more then
impressed by his concept.”
“Talking of concepts, I
have to congratulate you Juliette, and all the models on the Tribute Issue,”
Harriet cut herself some turkey. “Just so many, many, wonderful pictures.”
“I agree.” Sarah
nodded. “I know it’s probably hard but do you have a favourite?”
“I think that one with
all the girls dressed in the styles of 1959 taken out on the street.” Juliette
smiled.
“I loved that as well.”
Carina looked up from feeding Judith, “being right in the middle, and being
shorter then everyone I’m easy to spot.”
“I think I look great
in that as well.” Ingrid sipped her wine.
“The truth is you all
do.” Klaus smiled happily.
4 pm
The Village
“May I say something,”
Dave said as Caroline brought the turkey in.
“Of course.”
“I just wanted to say
Sonia and I are so glad you invited us here, and that Nyala and Ama have met
again. For that, we give thanks.”
“As do we,” Ama said as
she looked at Nyala. “Grandfather, will
you carve please?”
“Of course,” Dan said
as he put turkey on the plates, George passing them round.
“If it is all right
with you,” Nyala said as she looked at her adoptive parents, “I would like to
go with Ama and Maisha to meet some of their friends here.”
“Will it involve
shopping?”
“No,” Ama said with a
laugh, “we will meet in Central Park as opposed to the shopping areas.”
“I may have a look,”
Sonia said as she looked at her husband.
“If I have a brave protector.”
“Rather you than me,”
Caroline said, “I learned my lesson last year.”
“Black Friday?”
“That’s right, Dan – an
experience to be enjoyed once. Once...”
6 pm
The de Ros Mansion
“Well,” Diana said as
she stood in the doorway, “I think we need to be on our way. We will call you when we return on Sunday, Rachel.”
“Enjoy the trip, and
have fun,” Rachel said as the driver took their cases and bags to the car, Jack
and Abby heading down as Diana looked at Edith.
“The mansion will be
safe in your absence, Madame,” Edith said with a smile, “as it always is.”
“I have complete faith
in you Edith,” Diana said with a smile.
“Please, feel free to stay as long as you like.”
“Thanks Diana, but we
said we’d drop in on the Morse’s. Have a
safe trip.”
Diana smiled as she got
into the cart, Judy, Dave and her parents waving them off before they went back
inside.
“We must be on our way
Edith – may we have our coats please?”
“Of course Madame,”
Edith said as she fetched their coats, and showed them out. Locking the front door, she returned to the
kitchen and made sure the dishes were put away, before she went out into the
back garden, smiling as she entered the firing range.
Putting on a pair of
ear protectors, she selected a Magnum and aimed it at the target, firing six
rounds off before she brought the target to her, looking at the neat placement
on the head and heart.
“I give thanks again
for you, Madame de Ros,” she said quietly before she left, turning off the
light and locking the door behind herself.
9 pm
Central park west
“Hey,” Adam said as he
stood in the doorway of Katy’s room, “have you got a few minutes?”
“Sure Uncle Adam,” Katy
said with a smile as she looked over, “what’s wrong?”
“Listen,” Adam said as
he came and sat on the bed, “your mum told me she’s put you on the pill.”
“Does that bother you,
Uncle Adam?”
“Given everything I’m
dealing with at the moment, Katy, probably not half as much as it should do,”
Adam said with a weak smile, “except for the bit where you say you want me to
be your first.”
“Oh – Mom told you did
she?”
“Yeah, she did – Katy,
you’re still only 13. Every rule in the
book says it’s wrong, no matter who the person is, and...”
“Uncle Adam,” Katy said
quietly, “I know, and I’m sorry I even suggested the idea. It’s just that I’m being driven half crazy by
these feelings...”
“Well, I can kinda
understand that,” Adam said as he rubbed the back of his head, “but...”
“I know it’s wrong,
Uncle Adam,” Katy said quietly, “but this isn’t about love or laws to me right
now. Right or wrong, it’s about
pleasure, about my own lust been sated.
I know that is hard to understand, but it really is me being unable to
cope unless it happens.”
“I see,” Adam said
quietly. “Well, if you need to talk, I’m
there, but that’s about as far as it can go where I’m concerned, all right?”
“All right – and I’m
sorry if I upset you Uncle Adam.
Thanks.”
He was taken by
surprise by the strength in her hug, as he slowly patted her back, Jan watching
from the doorway.
“Bed Katy,” she said as
she came in, tucking Katy in and kissing her on the forehead before turning the
light off, and closing the door.
“Thanks,” she then said as she kissed Adam.
“She is in some
torment, isn’t she?”
“Yeah.”
“Look – let me make a
phone call, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
We can see if we can at least make her feel like a lady, all right?”
Friday 27th November
8.30 am CET
Hotel Raphael, 17 Avenue Kleiber, Paris
“Feeling better now
Abigail,” Diana said as Abby came out of the bathroom, towelling her hair.
“Much – at least I got
some sleep on the plane,” she said with a smile as she picked up a pastry and
bit into it. “What time am I expected
downstairs?”
“At nine, you have time
for coffee and food before you dress,” Diana said as she looked out of the
window of the suite. “Mandy arrived last
night, so Guy and I will dine with her and Will while you and Tony are
otherwise occupied.”
“And we meet with
Valeria and the others tonight?”
“Indeed – now, go and
dress. This is a special day for you as
well.”
10 am CET
“Honestly, an hour just
of deep cleansing,” Brigitte said as she sat next to Abby, “they really mean
business on this, don’t they?”
“Please ladies,” the
make-up artists from Mac Cosmetics said, “it is time to make you beautiful,
non?”
“We are in your hands,”
Abby said as she put a smock over her, “hi Charly.”
“I got a note from your
agent Abby asking me to have lunch with her before she returns to New York next
week.” Charly sat in the chair next to Abby before taking her shoes off to rest
her feet.
“She thinks you have a
future modelling Charly.”
“Well,” Charly said as
she sat back, “from all the invitations and notes I’ve received it seems a lot
of agents believe so.”
“They are all intrigued
in case you haven’t signed with IMG yet.”
“I haven’t. I promised
my father I wouldn’t consider offers till after this ball.”
“Oh?” Abby lifted an
eyebrow.
“He wanted me to get
this out of the way first.”
“Without being rude,
have you made up your mind Charly?”
“Being honest,” Charly
said as the artist started to add the foundation, “I’m still not even sure I do
want to model, and as to deciding on an agency…well?”
“With your title,
height and looks, you know you can have your pick. You are guaranteed to be a
star.”
“So the gentleman from
IMG told me.” Charly smiled.
“But I will say this –
Missy will only do the very best for you...”
1 pm CET
“Good afternoon
Ladies,” Stephane Bern said as he stood in front of the line of debutantes,
their make up and hair done, “and welcome to the day from hell before the day
of beauty. In a few minutes, we will ask
you to go and prepare in your dresses for the official photographs, but first
we invite you to have some food, some drink, and I will have a quick word with
each of you.”
“So how was
Thanksgiving,” Angel said as she stood next to Abby.
“Great fun, even if we
had to fly over and arrive at five this morning,” Abby said as the girls
started to make their way off the low stage.”
“Yeah, yeah, I can
imagiiiiiiiwhoaaaaaaa!”
The other girls looked
as Angel fell sideways onto the floor, Fiona Treharran staring ahead as she
said “what happened?”
“Fi put your damn
glasses on before you hurt someone seriously.” Angel picked herself up from the
floor and dusted herself off.
“I’m sorry Ange,” the
Cornishwoman said as she pulled her spectacles from her clutch and put them on.
“You walked straight
into me,” Angel complained as she rubbed her arm. “I swear your eyes are
getting worse. Either get contacts…”
“You know they irritate
my eyes.”
“…Or be like Abby and
don’t be over-sensitive that you have to wear glasses.”
“I know, I know.” Fiona
shook her head.
“To quote from
Ecclesiastes ‘vanity of vanities! All is vanity’.”
“You’ve told me that
quote before Ange.”
“Well I wish you’d
remember it, I’m going to have a bruise I’ll need to cover with makeup.”
“So sorry.”
“Don’t worry,” Abby
said as she looked at it, “it’s not too bad, and the elbow gloves will hide
most of it.”
1 pm CET
Cafe Marais
“Will, Mandy, how good
it is to see you again,” Valeria said as she kissed Angel’s parents. “Please, take a seat.”
“Thank you Darling,”
Mandy said as she sat at the table, “how was the flight Diana?”
“Not as bad as it can
be, thanks to Shirley, and I managed to get some sleep. An early night tonight and I should be fine.”
“You still manage to
look fabulous without the help of sleep,” Guy said as the waiter came over,
“but I am, of course, biased.”
“So I take it all went
well for the holiday yesterday?”
“Indeed – but this
promises to be a memorable weekend as well – which reminds me,” Diana said as
she looked over, “one of the young ladies is Samantha Gordon.”
Valeria looked at
Diana, before she said “is her mother here?”
“Yes – I felt you
should be forewarned.”
“Thank you, Diana,”
Valeria said, “but it was a long time ago, and I have learned the hard way to
put the past behind me.”
“Good – this is the
time for Abigail and the other young ladies, not for the past to rear its ugly
head.”
“So when are the
dancing lessons?”
“Seven until nine –
perhaps a little late supper after?”
“In the hotel, if that
is all right papa,” Diana said as she yawned, “so that I do not have to travel
too far.”
“Of course – I will
make a reservation later,” Guy said with a smile.
3 pm CET
Hotel Raphael
“Gotta say, we look
hot,” Angel said as the girls stood for a group shot.
“Oh yes we do,” Abby
said with a smile, “I wonder what our cavaliers are going to say when they see
us.”
“They will be proud and
wondrous,” Alice said from the side of the room.
“Did I hear a rumour
you had the Furstenheim order Bats,” Angel called out.
“It is the truth,” Alice
said with a contented smile. “And I have an idea already in mind that is going
to astound everyone.”
10 am
Central Park West
“Hi Mom,” Pepsi said as
she came in, “I’m on my way to meet the girls in the park, with Ama and her
friend as well as Maisha, but Katy asked me to bring her something.”
“She’s in her room,”
Jan said as she closed the door, “go on in.”
“Hey sis,” Pepsi said
as she came in, what’s... Katy is that
what I think it is?”
“Yeah, it is,” Katy
said as she put the small pill in her mouth, had a drink of water and then
locked the strip in a drawer. “Mum
agreed on Wednesday I could start.”
“So has she removed the
embargo?”
“Yeah – now the
question is who,” Katy said as she sat on the bed.
“Still dreaming of that
real man?”
“Pepsi,” Katy said, “what
was your first time like?”
“Different,” the older
teenager laughed. “Making love with Doc, as well as Jack was pretty
unforgettable.”
“She’d already had
hadn’t she?”
“Yes she wasn’t a
virgin…nor for that matter was Jack.”
“Did he make you
orgasm?”
“Oh Goddess Yes!” Pepsi
closed her eyes at the thought.
“Now THAT is the sort
of memory that I want from my first time.”
“Well I’m not lending
you Jack sister mine…That hunk of English lord is MINE ALONE!”
“Oh,” Katy said as she
folded her arms, “this from the girl who a few days ago said he was history?”
“I forgave him…as you
knew damn well I would.”
“I love George,” Katy
said, “but Peps I want this first time to be as memorable for me as yours was
for you. George getting inside and cumming immediately, where is the fun in
that for me?”
“I know,” Pepsi put an
arm round her sister. “The problem is whoever you chose you know he’s breaking
every law if he has sex with you.”
“I know.”
“Your problem is
finding someone who won’t tell, but you know for sure will give you the
experience you are looking for.”
“Exactly Peps.”
“Sorry to disturb,
girls,” Jan said as she looked in. “Come
on Katy we are going out to hit the stores?”
“What happened to your
no Black Friday rule Mom?”
“Abandoned due to
necessity,” Jan said. “We both need sensational evening gowns because we have a
date for tomorrow night. I rang some of the girls they can help with the
extras, but we do need find gowns.”
“Well I’m up for it.”
Katy grinned.
“My cue to get going –
see you later Katy.”
“A date?”
“Adam called – he and
his nephew Harry are going to take us to a very special restaurant.”
1 pm
Central Park
“All right,” Doc said
as she clapped her hands together and blew into them, “I know we said we
weren’t hitting the stores, so what are we going to do?”
“All Ama said was she
would meet us here with Maisha and her friend,” Pepsi said, “and we wouldn’t be
cold for too long.” Both girls were
wearing thick padded coats over their jumpers, boots pulled up over the legs of
their jeans.
“Where’s Jeannie today
anyway?”
“Meeting with Missy,”
Becca said as she arrived with Nikki.
Their long duffle coats were fastened up, the Ugg boots visible under
the hem.
“Hello,” Ama said as
she, Maisha and Nayla came over. While
Maisha, like Becca and Nikki, had on a long duffle coat and boots, Ama was
wearing a black leather bomber jacket over an Angels hoodie, jeans and
sneakers. Nyala was wearing a green
jerkin over a hooded top, a scarf wrapped round her neck, and grey pants. “Nyala, these are my friends Anna, Nikki and
Becca, and you know Pepsi already.”
“Very pleased to meet
you,” Nyala said with a smile, “even in so cold a place.”
“Perhaps we can find
somewhere warm to sit and have a drink?”
“I know just the
place,” Doc said, “follow me.”
Twenty minutes later,
the girls were sitting round a table in the Park Cafe, steaming mugs of hot
chocolate in front of each of them.
“So tell me,” Nyala
said, “apart from football, what else is Ama good at in school?”
“Well, she’s a good
person to talk to, and she has some very good insights in history and English
Lit,” Nikki said with a smile.
“But like us all, she
bows down before the power that is Doc Carlton,” Becca said as they all made a
small bow in Doc’s direction.
“Oh cut it out,” Doc
said with a smile, “you know there are things I struggle with.”
“This is true,” Pepsi
said, “a very few things. Talking of
which, your grandfather’s suggestion really paid off Ama.”
“Oh? You mean the adaptations?”
“Yeah – I found that BBC
production Miss Nightingale talked about, and it really made the play come
alive for me.”
“How was the party
yesterday anyway Pepsi?”
“Oh it was great fun –
Dawn and I ended up leading the post-meal Karaoke off with a version of Way On
Down...”
“You? Pepsi, you hate singing!”
“Yes, yes she does.”
Nyala looked at the
young girl in the wheelchair who joined them, her mouth open as Doc said “hey
Jeans - glad you could make it. This is
Ama’s friend Nyala from the West Coast.”
“Hi – I’m Jeannie,” she
said as she held her hand out, Nyala slowly shaking it as she said “you’re...”
“Yes, Nyala, this is
Jeannie Brewster,” Ama said. “Please
forgive her Jeannie, she always could be a little slow to react.”
“It’s all right,”
Jeannie said as the waitress brought over another mug of hot chocolate. “So, what were we talking about?”
“School,” Ama said
quietly. “Sorry Maisha.”
“Not a problem, I may
be home schooled, but I do enjoy hearing of how others approach this,” Maisha
said with a smile.
"So you are going
to have a custom made car Jeans?" Becca asked.
"I most assuredly
am,” Jeannie said with a smile. “Granddad
has found a place out in Nassau County that specialize in doing it. We are
going to go out there after school one day this week."
"So any thoughts
on what make of car?"
"I was thinking
about a Ferrari..."
"Seriously?"
Becca's jaw dropped.
"No, but it's a
lovely thought," Jeannie smiled. "A minivan is the most practical
type of vehicle, with lift access so I can get myself in and lock my chair into
the drivers position. My birthdays not till spring though, so I'll not be able
to legally drive till then."
"Who's going to
teach you to drive it Jeans?"
"My Granddad Peps,
can you imagine him trusting anyone else to?"
"No not
really." Pepsi shook her head.
"Well my birthday
is soon, and I hope I'll get my license quickly." Doc looked up. "And
yours is approaching as well Ama."
"I know, Mom has
talked to me about getting a car.”
"You are so
lucky," Nyala smiled. “I have
another six months until my birthday, and I still need to convince my parents
to allow me to drive.”
“Have you started
Driver’s Ed at your school yet Nyala?”
“In the New Year – and
I hope I can persuade Dad to give me some lessons.”
“So what do your
parents do to earn a honest crust Nyala?”
“My mother helps run a
cafe, and my father drives a delivery truck locally. What about the rest of you? I know what Caroline and Shirley do...”
“Mum’s a medical
administrator at Temple Hill,” Jeannie said as she sipped her drink.
“Mine runs the florists
near where Ama lives,” Pepsi said, “while Doc’s is a receptionist. Dad works for the Transit Authority.”
“When he’s not worrying
over the horse,” Doc said with a laugh.
“The horse?”
“I will explain later,”
Ama said with a smile.
“And you Becca?”
“Well, Mom does charity
work and other things, but Dad’s a congressman.
Nikki?”
“Dad’s a stockbroker,
and Mom sells real estate.”
“We’re a real mixed
crew,” Pepsi said, “but what are we more than anything?”
“ANGELS,” the others
said, Maisha and Nyala looking at each other and shaking their heads.
2 pm
APCO 5th Avenue
“It’s Black Friday, but
you would not know it around here,” Jan said as she stripped off in the
changing area.
“You should have been
here earlier,” Betsey said from outside, “but we tend not to cut our prices as
much as the rest of the stores. Alice
never really liked the idea of doing that.
Something about quality does not come cheap.”
“I can understand her
saying that,” Jan said with a smile as she came out, “so what do you think?”
“Well, as a friend, not
a store manager who has to maximise sales?
You make the dress, Jan.”
Jan smiled as she
looked at herself in the full-length mirror.
The strapless dress was made of dark purple silk with a black lace
overlay, the waist gathered by a black
sash around the stomach, the skirt flowing out from her knees to the floor.
“Oh yeah – teamed with
the gloves and the right look, and Adam will be putty in my hands.”
“What about me?”
“Oh,” Betsey said
quietly as Katy came out in her black silk gown. The strapless model hugged her like the
gloves on her arms, while the skirt had material falling in soft waves from her
thighs to the floor.
"We are going to
look like walking cliché’s in these Mom," Katy said as she stood next to
Jan and looked at herself.
"We know it’s a cliché
dressing like this darling,” Jan said quietly, “but thank the Goddess men still
think it’s the highest form of sex appeal."
"Beautiful women can lead them around by their..."
"Yes WE can."
Janice smiled.
"You think I'm
beautiful Mom?"
"Well if she
doesn't, then I do,” Betsy said quietly as she watched them. "Katy you
look incredible in that gown."
"Thank you"
Katy blushed.
“We’ll take them,” Jan
said. “Thanks Betsey. Katy, get changed and we’ll go grab a coffee
somewhere.”
8 pm CET
Hotel Raphael
“And... One two three
One two three One two three...”
“Do you think my father
would have done this with me Grandfather?” Abigail asked as she and Guy spun
round the floor practicing their waltz.
“Without being too
cruel,” Guy said, “I think I can safely say your father would have been more
interested in charming the other debutantes Mon Cherie.”
“So Mama told me. Was
he really that bad?”
“He was, probably the
only decent thing he ever did in his life was to father you.”
“Mama said Grand’Mere
over indulged him.”
“Yes Valeria did.
Trapped in a passionless marriage, she put all her hopes and emotions into that
boy.”
“Is it true she hired a
fille de joie to initiate him when he was only 12?”
“I think that might
just be a myth,” Guy chuckled, “and I’ve never had the courage to ask Valeria
if there is any truth in it. But it is certainly true that from a very early
age your Papa was charming and abusing women in equal measure.”
“I’m glad I never knew
him then.”
“Alright swap
partners,” one of the dance teachers called out.
“I thank you for this
dance,” Guy said as he bowed, and Tony took over while he joined Will and the
other fathers at the side of the room.
“Good evening, your
grace.”
“Victoria,” Guy said
with a small bow, “it has been a long time.”
“Indeed – Will, how are
the pigs?”
“They keep well – how
is Archibald?”
“As well as can be
expected,” Victoria said as she watched Samantha. “Abigail is a true beauty.”
“As is Samantha,” Guy
said. “You should know that Valeria will
accompany me tomorrow.”
“The past is the past,
Guy – shall we keep it that way?”
“I would prefer it to
be that way,” Guy said quietly.
Eventually, the
instructors said “thank you, ladies and gentlemen – rest and we will see you
tomorrow.”
"So are you having
fun?" Tony smiled.
"My feet hurt
worse then doing catwalk." Abby shook her head as she sat down, "and
this is just the practice."
"Just think of all
the other balls you are doing that require practices."
"Oh don't remind
me." Abby groaned. “The stories
Cari and Ingy tell of the Opernball...”
"Still think this year is going to be fun Abs?"
"Bitch!" Abby
glared at Angel.
"Just think,”
Angel said with a grin, “everyone says we will look back fondly at this one
year as the happiest of our lives."
"Ask Pussy her
memories of her deb year some time Angel." Abby smiled as she sipped her
drink.
"You doing okay
Trina" Angel asked the other American.
"If my father can stop
treading on my toes."
"I noticed he's
not a great dancer." Abby remarked.
"He's not, but
Clint sort of makes up for it."
"I know,"
Angel glanced across the room at Trina's partner. "How did you score a
date for the weekend with the hottest young hunk in Hollywood?"
"I know his
sister, she set it up."
"You have great
friends." Abby looked over at the actor.
"Well I hear you
do as well Abs. Doesn't your friend Jeannie date Winston Brewster?"
"She does...do you
know Winston?"
"Slightly, I've
been out with his roommate a couple of times."
"So you are at
Stanford as well?"
"Yeah, for my
sins. I wanted to go to school back east, but well you know what family
tradition can be like."
“Oh yes – that’s why
I’m here,” Abby said as Guy stood up.
“Now, shall we join the ladies for supper?”
3 pm
Macy’s Coffee House
“Mom, why are you doing
this?”
“Adam is inviting his
nephew, I think to try and distract you – but, and I can’t believe I’m saying
this, I think you’re right Katy. Until
you get this out of your system, nothing else is going to matter.”
“What are you saying
Mom?”
"If we are going
to get Adam to pop your cherry tomorrow night darling, then we are both going
to have to seduce him."
"I know Mom."
"Well it might not
be as easy as you think darling."
"Thank you for
being so cool about this Mom."
"Well I can't
believe I'm doing it, but I'd rather you did it with Adam then some unknown
stranger. Drink up – you need an early
night."
Saturday 28th November
10.30 am CET
Hotel Raphael
“All right, ladies,
chevaliers and fathers – we start rehearsals in thirty minutes. Please enjoy the refreshments while you can.”
“Sleep well last
night,” Angel said as Abby walked over.
Both girls were wearing blouses and knee length skirts, with heels, as the
other girls, partners and parents milled round.
“Like a log – is that
proper coffee?”
“Turkish,” Angel said
as she poured Abby a cup, and they started talking to Brigitte. On the other side of the room, Guy and
Valeria entered, Guy in a suit and open necked shirt and Valeria in a grey jersey
dress with dark tights and heels.
“Certainly more relaxed
than the balls I remember,” she said with a smile as Will approached, bringing
with him a tall, fair haired man in a Saville Row suit.
“Guy can I introduce
Sir Charles Treharran of Penhaddow,” Will said as he introduced Fiona’s father.
“Charles and I were at Harrow together.”
“You’ve known each
other a long while then.” Guy smiled.
“We have indeed,” he
replied, his soft Cornish accent clearly heard.
“Sir Charles, may I
introduce my partner Valeria Countess de Ros.”
“Enchanted,” Charles
kissed Valeria’s glove. “Your vinery
continues to prosper I trust?”
“It does, and thank you
for the compliment. Treharran of
Penhaddow is an ancient title isn’t it Sir Charles?”
“We were created
baronets in the early 17th century, and please call me Charlie. Charles makes
me feel old, or like my late father.”
“Charlie it is.”
Valeria smiled.
“Valeria is a genealogy
specialist Charlie.” Will said as he accepted a drink, “she probably knows more
about your family history then you do.”
“Oh I would not say
that.” Valeria smiled.
“Can I beg an
introduction Charlie?” a tall bespectacled blonde asked as she came over.
“Of course my love,
Olivia, this is the Duc de Grechy and the Countess de Ros, Valeria and Guy this
is my wife Olivia.”
“Enchante.” Guy kissed
her.
“So you would be
Abigail’s grandparents? I thought I saw
her earlier, but could not be certain.
Is Diana here as well?”
“Olivia? It is so good to see you again!”
“Diana darling,” Olivia
said as the two women embraced, “how long has it been?”
“Far too many years –
Charlie, Fi is a true beauty.”
“That’s Olivia’s genes,
not mine,” Charlie said as Abby stared across the room at them.
“No one told me your
mother was Olivia Savage Fiona.” Abigail said more then slightly in awe.
“Didn’t we darling.”
Mandy interrupted before laughing…”I wonder why?”
“Now how the hell do
you know the name Olivia Savage?” Fi asked.
“Abby is another
fashion history buff darling,” Mandy said, “and I’ve seen her bedroom…”
“I have two HUGE
pictures of your Mom on my wall.”
“You have? My Mother only modelled a short while.”
“But in that time she
was SENSATIONAL!”
“Abby can be something
of a fan girl.” Angel said as she brought over drinks for her mother and
friends.
“I am NOT!”
“Not what Lily says.”
Angel giggled.
“I’m not as bad as
Jeans.”
“True – I don’t think
anyone knows as much about history as Jeannie Brewster,” Angel said as she
sipped her drink.
“Your Mom was the face
of so much sophisticated fashion in the early nineties Fi. Why did she quit?”
“She met my father, and
her eyes got bad. I inherit this almost total short-sightedness from her.”
“The truth is that
Olivia is legally blind darling.” Mandy said quietly. “She can see just about
with those thick glasses of hers, but she was beginning to be unable to
function as a model, that’s why she packed the biz in.”
“That is so tragic.”
“Talking of tragic,” Fi
said as she looked closely at her watch,” he has exactly ten seconds before
I...”
The doors flew open as
two very good looking men walked in, the sounds of screaming girls suddenly cut
off as the doors closed.
“Alright brother dear,
you finally made it.” Fiona stood hands on hips and glared at her brother.
“Autograph hunters,”
the smaller of the two men said as he stood in his tweed jacket, t-shirt and
jeans. “Clint Webster and I were both
trapped outside signing.”
“Well it’s an excuse,
not a great one, but still an excuse Michael.” Fiona stared through her
glasses. “You know you missed practice last night.”
“And you know very well
we had a gig in Oslo.”
“Well I better
introduce you to everyone.” Fiona sighed.
“Hey,” he said as he
looked round the room, “I’m...”
“Not that way,” Fi said
as she grabbed her brother and dragged him over, “Abigail de Ros, may I
introduce my charming brother Michael Treharran.”
“Mike Harran,” Abby
whispered, “you look much more handsome in real life.”
“I like this one,” Mike
said with a smile. “Angel darling – you
look as cute as ever.”
“Flatterer,” Angel said
as he kissed her on both cheeks. “So who
else is here today?”
“Sam Gordon for one.”
“Come on Fi, introduce
us,” Brigitte and Charly said as they came over.
“Mike, this is Brigitte
Karonsky and Princess Charlotte of Ruritania.”
“Charly,” she said as
Mike bowed and kissed her hand.
“Ladies, Chevaliers, to
the ante room please.”
“Showtime,” Abby said
as Tony took her hand, the parents and other family members entering the rehearsal
room as they went with the organiser.
“If you will line up in
alphabetical order, we will walk you in and then you can practice the main
waltz,” the organizer said. “So shall we
begin?”
1 pm CET
“Well, I know at least
two men who have their dance cards for tonight already filled,” Abby said as
she sat with Diana, eating the salad while watching Mike and Clint.
“Do not seek to judge,”
Diana said, “you have already put your name on it, oui?”
“Oui,” Abby said
dreamily as Fi came over with her mother.
"Mummy since she
spotted who you are, Abigail has been dying to be introduced."
"Hello Stick,”
Olivia said as they shook hands, “I very much admire your work."
"And I'm a huge
fan of yours Lady Treharran."
"Call me Bandit
please." Olivia Treharran smiled.
"Oh is that your
PTA name?"
"Well really it is
Love Bandit, but it always got shortened."
"I
understand?" Abby grinned again. “You
and your husband must be very proud of Fiona.”
“Oh we are – almost as
proud as Diana must be of you.”
“I am,” Diana said with
genuine pride.
“Well, if you will
forgive me, I must circulate,” Olivia said as she walked off with Fiona.
“Mama,” Abby asked, “did
you know Fiona’s mother when she was modelling?”
“I did, Olivia was
probably the best catwalk model I ever saw work. Even Mary could find nothing
to fault in her walk”
“Until her eyes went?”
“As you say until then.
It got to the stage where Olivia couldn’t even see where the runway went, let
alone the end. She fell off more than a couple of times, and it was then that
Mary talked her into quitting.”
“Aunt Mary did?”
“Yes,” Diana said
quietly, “she was one of Mary’s favourite girls, and it broke Mary’s heart, but
she couldn’t continue.”
“Not even doing photographic?”
“Similar problems,
without her glasses on she couldn’t see the photographer.”
“Poor woman.”
“Well she retired to
Charlie’s family home in Cornwall, and she had 4 children. She doesn’t go to
London often, but I think most of us old-timers remember her with total
affection.”
“Angel was telling me
that Fiona has the same disease.”
“It’s called Leber
hereditary optic neuropathy,” Diana nodded.
“Her vision will go
almost totally as well?”
“Probably.”
“Poor Fiona.”
“True, but Olivia copes
magnificently, and I am sure she will as well.
So, what happens to you now?”
“We go and get ready,
and do more interviews, while the rest of you get to relax,” Abby said as she
nodded to the organiser. “I will see you
later mama – look fabulous.”
“Not as fabulous as
you, Abigail,” Diana said with a smile as she watched her daughter leave with
the others.
9 am
The Huntingdown Apartment
“What are you reading
Mom?” Carina said as she put Judith in her chair and sat at the breakfast
counter.
“Oh,” Juliette said
without looking up, “some outraged letters about our forthcoming spread
featuring your Aunt Cin’s daughter.”
Looking up from handing
Judith her cup, Carina said “why are they worried about Kaia?”
“Because she’s still
only 13.”
“Do you get the same
reaction when you use Jeans?”
“Less,” Juliette said
as she put the laptop lid down, “people focus on her being disabled, not that
she’s 15.”
“I was going to say,
under 16 or not, even Vogue worldwide has used her, despite the official
policy, and I don’t think Lerrabella have got much bad publicity.”
“No darling, while
models like myself stretch the upper age limits of what is ‘acceptable’, people
still get outraged that we use younger girls.”
“Didn’t I read
something saying that in the Times back in the summer?”
“You did,” Juliette
shook her head, “and if you remember they published an op-ed from me a few days
later trying to explain why we still call models girls, and not women.”
“Have you been in touch
with Missy and Mary regarding all this?”
“I have, and Missy’s
attitude is simple, that while advertisers still want fresh young faces, she’s
going to sign them, and make sure they aren’t exploited.”
“What did Mary say?”
“Other then a lot of
words in Welsh that I’m sure I do not want to know the meaning of?”
“Yes – although you
could always ask Denise for the clean version if she heard her...”
“Well, that CS and its
overseas editions will continue to use the models it thinks suit the layout,
regardless of their age.”
“Good for her.”
“The two Anna’s though,”
Juliette said quietly, “I hear are under pressure from corporate about models
ages…”
“Again?”
“Yes, well anyway I
think we just ride out the storm.”
“As usual.” Cari
nodded.
“So did you hear from
Abigail?”
“Only a text that said
something like ‘I hate you Princess Carina – you could have warned me!’ I transcribe because of young ears.”
Judith looked up and
smiled as her grandmother shook her head.
“Still, she must be looking forward to it.”
“Well,” Carina said as
she took out her phone, “Tony sent me this.”
“Oh – oh my,” Juliette
said as she looked at the picture, “she looks stunning.”
“Yup – Alice the
dressmaker strikes again.”
“So what plans for
today?”
“Not much – what about
you?”
“Well, we could take a
family day out if you wanted – start Christmas shopping now the panic is over.”
“Sounds good to me,
want to go shopping Judith.”
“Yes mamma,” Judith
said as she picked up a biscuit and started eating.
3 pm CET
Hotel Raphael
"So any idea where
we are going to end up tonight?" Angel asked as the stylist from Alexandre
de Paris worked on her hair.”
"Not a clue.
Charly says she knows this marvellous club in Montmartre where we can all maybe
escape the press."
"You have to be
joking Abs, these people are like bloodhounds."
“You have never dealt
with the Italians, have you?”
“Not yet – Missy wants
me to do a shoot in Florence in the New Year...”
"What are you
talking about?"
"Where we are
going to go clubbing Louise?" Angel answered.
“Is there a place we
can avoid the media?”
“Sounds like my cue to
help.”
“Hello Aunt Jeanne,”
Abby said as she saw Jeanne Beckman standing by the tables. “Got any ideas?”
“I’ll call a friend,
get you girls some breathing space after the ball,” she said with a smile, “in
return for ten minutes with any top girls here.”
“We got me, Angel,
Brigitte and Louise – and a couple of old friends as well?”
“Oh- like who?”
“Olivia Treharran and
Victoria Gordon?”
“Really? Now there’s two women I haven’t seen in a
while,” Jeanne said. “I’ll do that
favour, then see you girls later.”
“I’ll spread the word,”
Abby said as Jeanne left them to finish getting ready.
4.30 pm CET
“Ladies, may I
introduce Payal Mehta, of Payal New York.”
“Good afternoon
ladies,” the young dark haired woman said as she looked at the debutantes, “I
have here the case containing the jewellery I have designed for each of
you. I take great pride in presenting
them to you today.”
Each of the girls came
up and took the box, Abby opening hers and gasping as she looked at the diamond
drop earrings and necklace.
“Now, media outlets
await you.”
“Goddess I hate this
part,” Abby said as she went to talk to French Television.
“Are we ready?”
The cameraman nodded as
Jeanne started.
“This is Jeanne
Beckman, reporting for the Beckman Report from the annual Crillion ball in
Paris. This year the choice of
debutantes is as sparkling as ever, but also graced by the mothers of the
debutantes as well. I am very pleased to
have with me now Diana de Ros, Mandy Carrow and a very dear old friend, Olivia
Treharran. Ladies, thanks for spending a
few minutes here with me today.”
“It’s our pleasure
darling,” Mandy said in her soft drawl as Jeanne smiled.
“Diana, how does it
feel to be back where you were first discovered?”
“It actually is a real
privilege to return, Jeanne. Our family
has a long tradition of supporting these events, and the fact that Abigail was
invited to form part of this year’s set is a great honour.”
“I believe you and
Abigail are following in the footsteps of Juliette and Carina Huntingdown, and
are wearing dresses designed by Alice McKinnon.
What can we look forward to seeing you wearing tonight?”
“With deepest
apologies, Jeanne, I am not allowed to say.
It is meant to be a total surprise, but I will say that Alice has not
let us down.”
“Olivia, how does it
feel to have your daughter here today?”
“I must say, Jeanne,”
Olivia said with a smile, “I think my husband is prouder than I am, but I know
she will be one of the stars off the night.”
“We’ve seen the likes
of Alice, Juliette and others return to the world of modelling recently. Any regrets that you are not joining them?”
“Not really,” Olivia
said with a sweet smile. “I’m happy
being the proud mother, both of Fiona and of Michael tonight.”
“Indeed – the
chevaliers at this year’s event have been drawn from the worlds of show
business as well as royalty. Mandy, you
have seen the lucky twenty five for this year – do you see any potential new
stars.”
“As always, darling,
you are asking the wrong person,” Mandy said as she leaned forward, “but I am
enjoying the opportunity to catch up with old friends and see how they have not
changed over the years.”
“And we cannot ask for
more than that. Ladies, thank you all
for sparing some time with us.”
“Countess, may I beg a
favour of you?”
“Of course Rocket, what
is it?”
“I understand you see
Palomino on a regular basis?”
“Yes, that is true –
she is the dean of students at Abigail’s school, and I am the chair of the
board of governors.”
“Would you tell her I
look forward to seeing her in January? I
understand she may be coming over for her uncle’s birthday, and I will be
attending as well.”
“Of course I will,” Diana
said as they embraced.
“I think we need to get
ready ladies,” Mandy said as she stood up, “we need to be on our way by seven
thirty.
Noon
5th Avenue
"You look
incredible darling." Jan looked at her daughter as they left the beauty
parlor. Both women had had a full
treatment, and their hair had been cut and fashioned so it fell in soft waves
down their heads.
"Will he want me though?" Katy for a second had a moment of doubt.
"Looking like that
and in your dress...don't be silly darling."
"Thank you so much
for your help Mom."
"Tomorrow I will
regret this, but at the moment you feel like my sister and that we are getting
ready for a special joint date."
“So what now?”
“Now, a light lunch,
and home to get ready – for a night like this, we need time to prepare.”
6.45 CET
Hotel Raphael
“I suppose this is the
first of a few for you Tony,” Mike Harran said as he stood in the waiting room
with the other chevaliers. All were
wearing black tails, with white waistcoats and shirts, their white ties
perfectly symmetrical, their shoes highly polished.
“It is indeed – Abigail
has New York and Vienna to come, and London has not been ruled out.”
“Indeed – I know Fiona
is already invited to London, as is Samantha.”
“I just got word,”
Clint said as he walked over with a glass of champagne, “that Trina has an
invite to Vienna now as well.”
“At least this is close
to home,” Harry Cameron said as he joined them, “I love New York, but a week
there?”
“That’s a real fun one,
or so I’m told,” Tony said as he sipped his glass.
“Chevaliers!”
They all looked to the
double doors, where their dance tutor stood.
“You are called to
escort your debutantes to their vehicles.”
“Here we go,” Mike said
as they made their way through to the next room, Tony gasping as he saw
Abigail.
“So,” Abby said with a
smile, “what do you think?”
“What do I think,” Tony
said as he looked at the tall blonde.
Abby was wearing a Coral Pink strapless dress, the bodice covered in
small jewels at the breast and around the waist, while the skirt flowed in soft
ripples out in a three tiered skirt, each layer gathered and ruffed. Her blonde hair was arranged in soft
ringlets, as the diamond earrings and necklace sparkled in the light.
“Good, then it worked,”
Abby said as she took his arm. Angel followed, also wearing a strapless dress,
hers in soft peach silk with a jewelled bodice, the soft skirt flowing in soft
pleats to the floor. She smiled as she
took Harry’s arm, while Fiona took her brother’s. She was wearing a cream silk dress with
puffed shoulders, the bodice in a Victorian style while the skirt was slightly
higher at the front than the back, revealing her gold shoes.
“Let me guess – so you
don’t trip,” Abby whispered, Fi nodding as the couples made their way out to
the waiting Twingo’s, the press taking photos as they got in and were driven
off.
7.30 pm
Palais de Chaillot
“My dear, you look
amazing,” Guy said as he held Diana’s hand while she got out of the
limousine. While Guy and Will were in
formal wear, Diana was wearing a gold strapless dress, with a bolero jacket,
the collar turned up as her hair fell over it.
“Thank you Papa,” Dana
said with a smile as Mandy got out, wearing a black dress with a deep neckline
and capped sleeves. Valeria wore a grey dress
with a long silver coat over it.
“Well darlings,” Mandy
said as she looked at the press-lined approach to the hall, “I guess this is
the most difficult part of the evening?”
“Onwards and upwards?”
“Once more unto the
breach, dear friends, once more,” Will said as he took Mandy’s arm, and they
started the approach.
As they entered the
reception room, Diana looked round at the variety of costumes and people
filling the room.
"It always amazes
me the cross section of girls from round the world get invited to this thing
Papa." Diana spoke.
"Well Abby is a
rarity as yet,” Mandy said, “a second-generation Le Bal debutante."
"I know. I wish they would talk of
Abigail as more than a debutante. I just
hope Monsieur Bern has an appropriate introduction."
"At least you don't call them celebutantes Diana." Valeria huffed,
"unlike a certain very rude reporter who just tried to interview me."
"Well it's a
horrid term, but with so many of the parents having famous parents...is it
totally inappropriate?"
Valeria raised an
eyebrow as she said "I believe it is."
"You believe what
Aunt Valeria?" a dark haired woman in a blur robe asked as she walked over.
"That celebutante
is a nasty word."
"Oh, well I
suppose it is a trifle vulgar."
"Hello
Katerina," Diana said as she kissed the newcomer.
"Hello yourself. I
heard from Brig you wanted a word?"
"Missy asked about
me having a word with you so that she can maybe talk to Brigitte."
"Well it would be
fine with me, but its Alexander you need convince."
“And where is he,” Guy
said, “I could try and convince him.”
“Good luck – but talk
to him after the first dance.”
“So who is accompanying
Brigitte tonight?”
“Claude Dupois.”
“Nikolai’s great
nephew?”
“Indeed – he should be
here somewhere as well...”
In the small anteroom,
fifty young men and women were standing nervously round, sipping on their
cocktails.
“So do you have a
girlfriend at the moment Fi?” Abigail asked as they stood to the side.
“Not really,” The
Englishwoman adjusted her glasses. “I broke up with the girl I was seeing about
a month ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh don’t be,” Fi said
with a smile, “we were arguing far too much, and she was hitting me sometimes.”
“Ouch,” Abi said as she
screwed her face up, “that’s not good.”
“I know,” Fiona sighed.
“It was becoming a very abusive relationship, I’m better off without her.”
“Sounds that way to
me.”
Looking over at the
boys, Fi smiled and said “Tony seems really nice, I think he’s the type of boy
my parents once had in mind for me, especially as he went to Harrow, my Dad
would very much approve.”
“He’s wonderful, his
cousin setting us up was the best blind date I ever had.”
“Does he know you are
bi?”
“How the hell did you
know that Fiona?” Abigail turned and stared.
“I heard it on the
international lesbian winds…is it true?”
“Yes,” she whispered, “but
Tony doesn’t know and never will.”
“Well,” Fi said as she
turned and faced her, “you are more honest about it then most.”
“It happens rarely, and
it’s never a real commitment. I love Tony, but…”
“Occasionally you like
a bit of variety?”
“Yes.” Abby blushed.
“Well we are going to
see a lot of each other this year.” Fiona moved in close.
“Meaning?”
“Oh I think you know
what I’m getting at.” Fiona lightly kissed the American.
“Speed things up
ladies,” someone shouted.
“I thought I was,”
Fiona giggled.
“It is time for the
presentation,” the organiser called out, “will Debutantes line up in
alphabetical order, cavaliers on the left please.”
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