‘Tis The Season – Part 1
Wednesday 23rd December
7.30 am
The Carlton Home
Anna Carlton opened her
eyes and sat up, looking round before she got out of her bed and walked over to
the window. She had slept in a pair of
blue cotton pyjamas, her legs tucked into a thick pair of bedsocks, so as she
walked across the room and opened the curtains her feet felt toasty warm.
Which was just as well,
as she looked out across the street, and the light snowfall that was starting
to cover the road and sidewalk. “Happy
birthday to me,” she sang to herself as she looked at her cell phone, glancing
at some of the messages, “Happy birthday to me.
Happy birthday Dear Anna...”
“Happy Birthday to
YOOUUUUUUU...”
“Hi Mom,” Anna said as
she saw her mother standing in the open doorway, “I see it’s snowing.”
“Good – makes today
interesting,” her mom said as she looked at her, “come and have some breakfast,
and then I’ll maybe – maybe – tell you
what’s going to happen today...”
“So this is going to be
a day of miracles?”
“Maybe – maybe
not. Come on down.”
As Anna came down the
stairs, she saw a small pile of cards sitting on the breakfast table, as well
as a number of small boxes.
“Who are these from,”
she said as she looked at the cards.
“Your aunts and uncles
– and at least one of those boxes is from your grandparents,” Emma said as she poured
two mugs of coffee, and handed one over to Anna. “I imagine you may get other presents
throughout the day, and in due course.”
“Where’s Dad?”
“He had to go out, but
he’ll... Well, you’ll find out,” Emma
said as the door opened and her father came in.
“Dad? Mom just said you had to go out?”
“I did – and now I’m
back,” he said with a smile as he took his coat off. “Is that fresh coffee?”
Emma handed him a cup
as Anna started to open some of the cards, smiling as she read the messages and
put them to one side.
“Don’t lose those
pieces of paper,” her dad said as he sat with her, “they’re important.”
“Oh, right,” Anna said
with a smile as she looked at the cheques and gift tokens. “I forget just how big our family really is
at times.”
“Lot of cards,” Emma
said, “so you go and shower, put some clothes on, and then you and I need to
take a trip.”
“Mom?”
“Hmm?”
“You’ve said nothing
about my party – what’s going to happen?”
“You’ll see,” Emma said
with an enigmatic smile, “you’ll see...”
9.30 am
Saks, Fifth Avenue
“All right Mom,” Anna
said as she and Emma walked into the lobby of the famous department store, “why
are we here?” The birthday girl was
wearing a blue sweater under her padded jacket, a woollen scarf wrapped round
her neck, blue jeans and a pair of brown knee length boots, while her mother
was wearing a pair of black boots, visible under her camel coat.
“Well, it is your
birthday, Anna – so I thought you might like to pick a present.”
“Mom...”
“And then she had a
better idea.”
Anna turned suddenly to
see Pepsi, Nikki, Becca and Ama standing behind them. All four girls were wearing leather jackets,
jeans and boots, and smiled as Ama said “You will be spending today with us,
Doc, while your mother and father take care of a few things.”
“What’s going on...”
“Well, since you ask,”
Emma said as she took an envelope out of her Jameson bag, “it’s a treasure
hunt. Here’s the first clue. I will see you girls later at the appointed
place and time.”
“Gotcha Mrs C,” Pepsi
said as Emma walked into the store, Doc looking at her friends as she said “A
Treasure hunt?”
“Apparently,” Nikki
said as she opened the envelope and read the first clue.
“Your first place is in
a far off land, but as of now is somewhere near to hand.
The image may come from
the East, but you must find the beauty in the beast.”
“What on earth is that
meant to mean,” Becca said as she looked at the others.
“Well, let’s think it
through...” Doc looked round, and then
said “Where are Catherine and Helen staying?”
“The Waldorf – but
she’s a business woman,” Pepsi said.
“What would she have to do with an image...”
“But there is that
exhibition at MOMA – the Chinese paintings.
Is that what they were talking about?”
“Well, only one way to
find out,” Doc said, “let’s cut through Central Park...”
10.45 am
Metropolitan Museum of Art
“Every time I come to
this place,” Ama said as the five girls walked in, “I am amazed at what I have
not seen before.”
“Indeed – so where is this
exhibition,” Doc said as they looked at the notice board, and then
frowned. “It says here you need tickets
to get in – have we got any?”
“Well, that might just
have been arranged.”
Doc turned round to see
Helen standing there with Penny, both women wearing long dark coats and black
boots.
“Happy birthday Anna,”
Penny said as she handed Doc an envelope, “this will get you into the
exhibition, and I hope you find what you are looking for there.”
“What are you girls
going to do,” Doc said as she looked at the others.
“Don’t worry – we will
be in the cafeteria when you are ready,” Ama said as they watched her head to
the lift, and get in.
“So, you know what else
is happening today?”
“Oh yes,” Nikki said,
“but we’re telling her nothing...”
“These are truly
magnificent,” Doc thought to herself as she looked round the exhibition, taking
note as she looked at the catalogue she had been handed as she came in.
“Now what is this
piece,” she eventually said as she stopped in front of a large print. It depicted a young maiden, dressed in
traditional clothing, who was secured by rope to a tree, and was being menaced
by a large dragon. If you looked
closely, however, on the chest of the dragon could be see the face of a young
man.
“What is the name of this picture,” Doc said to herself as she looked at the brochure. “Zài yěshòu dì měi. Now what on earth does that mean?”
“Literally, darling, it means the beauty in the beast.”
Smiling, Doc said “hello Kittycat.”
“Happy Birthday Kitten,” Kylie said as she stood by her friend. “Congratulations on reaching the first stage of the treasure hunt. Your reward.”
She handed Doc an envelope, watching as she opened it and read the message inside.
“By the wide road and the olden man,
You will find a thing that always ran.
A lady made her debut here,
Now you must go and find a cheer.”
“Oh, and before I forget darling,” Kylie said, “You get this.”
She handed Doc a quarter of a sheet of paper, which was blank on both sides.
“Hold on to that, all will become clear soon enough,” Kylie said with a smile. “I will see you later, darling – enjoy the exhibition and your day.”
As she walked off, her bottom swaying in her jeans and her bomber jacket done up, Doc smiled and shook her head.
“There she is,” Becca said as she came into the cafeteria. “Well?”
“I got the next clue,” Doc said as she showed the other girls. “Any ideas?”
“On this occasion,” Becca said, “Yeah – yeah I do. We need to take the subway.”
12.30 pm
The Wall Street Bull,
Broadway and Morris
“I don’t get it this
time,” Pepsi said as they got out of the subway station and approached the
large metal bull. “Why here?”
“Bobbi showed me the
copy of Complete Style where Abby made her debut,” Becca said as she looked
round, and the group looked round the iconic statue. “The shot of one Abigail, Countess de Ros,
was a classic.”
“So when they say to
find a cheer, what do they mean?”
Looking round, they saw
a pop-up shop for the New York Jets. Ama
walked over, and then beckoned to the other girls to join her.
“What do you see in the
window, Doc?”
The young blonde looked
through her glasses, and then smiled as she looked at the picture of Juliette
Huntingdown – but a fifteen year old Juliette, in a cheerleader’s outfit.
“You know, I really did
not suit that outfit.”
“Hello Aunt Juliette,”
Doc said as she turned round, “I thought you were welcoming Sigi and her family
today?”
“Later – right now I
have to give you this.” She handed Doc
another small quarter of plain paper, and then another envelope.
“Another clue?”
“I believe so,”
Juliette said as she looked at the girls, “good luck.”
“So, what cryptic clue
have we been left this time Velma?”
“Which of us is Scooby
then?”
“I suspect I am
Shaggy,” Ama said, the girls laughing as Doc looked at the third clue.
“Round and round the
people go,
And where they stop
nobody knows.
But if you wish to find
a clue,
You need to find the
woman in blue.”
“Round and round the
people go? Could be a merry-go-round or
a skating rink – does anyone know how many of them there are in Manhattan?”
“Why Manhattan? Could be down in Little Odessa or Coney
Island?”
“Not today Pepsi,” Doc
said, “we’re sticking to this area – the question is, which one would they
direct me to?”
“Well, if we are
talking friends and family,” Ama said, “there is really only one logical
choice. If you will follow me...”
“Ama, where are we
going?”
“To a tradition I know
the older girls keep. However, we have
some time – why don’t we treat Doc to lunch on the way. Mom told me about this amazing hot dog
stand...”
2 pm
Central Park
“Okay,” Doc said as she
licked her fingers, and then put her gloves back on, “I will grant you, that is
an exceptional hot dog. So, why are we
here in particular Ama?”
“Well,” the tall
African girl said, “this is where Carina, Abigail and Joanne come on the day
after Christmas every year. I think this
would be as good a place as any to consider who the lady in blue is.”
Doc nodded as she
slowly walked round the outside of the ice rink, and then smiled as she saw a
familiar face sitting, watching the skaters go by.
“Miss Jeannie
Brewster,” she said as she sat by her friend, dressed in a blue all in one
suit, “I sense a pattern in this day.”
“Oh? And where else have you been this fine day?”
“Oh, here and there,
round and about – so, just out of pure interest, do you have something for me?”
“Well...”
“Let me rephrase the
question,” Doc said with a laugh, “do you have some paper for me?”
“Of course I do,”
Jeannie said as she handed Doc a third square of paper, and another envelope.
“Lovely – where am I
going to this time,” Doc said to herself as she opened the envelope.
“You were told you
would make friends for life,
When you came through
the gates that day.
Now if you wish to know
what’s right,
Go back to where your
dreams were made.”
“Freeform verse, how
poetic,” she said with a smile. “But the
easiest of the clues. Will I be seeing
you later?”
“Could be,” Jeannie
said as she started to wheel herself off, Doc smiling as she walked back to the
others.
“So – where to boss?”
“East 87th
Street ladies – let’s see who is waiting for us there.”
3 pm
E 87th Street
St Angela’s
“You do know, Miss
Carlton, that the last place I want to be during a holiday break is here?”
“Oh come on Becca,” Doc
said as they approached the gates, “where is your sense of adventure?”
“Heading rapidly back
to a warm room and a cup of cocoa,” Becca said as she looked round, “so who
might we be looking for here?”
“That is an incredibly
good question,” Ama said as she looked round, “for I cannot see anyone here.”
“Well, let’s review,”
Pepsi said as she looked at Nikki.
“First clue, at the MOMA, Kylie.
Second, at the bull, Abby. Third,
at the ice rink, Jeannie. So we’re here
at the school, and looking for someone who...”
“Oh for the love of,”
Doc said, “Who was the first person we saw each week last year?”
“Ah, so you do
remember,” Annie said as she walked over.
“I have been asked to give you this.”
She handed over a final
square of paper, smiling as she said “you all look cold. May I suggest the cafe down the road – they
have lovely candles on the tables.”
“Right – I think. So what happens now?”
“As I said, go to the
cafe,” Annie said as she wrapped her coat over her bump. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have somewhere
else to be.”
“Thanks, Annie,” Doc
said as she walked off, and she looked at the pieces of paper.
“Blank paper?”
“Can’t be just that,”
Doc muttered. “Let’s find this cafe –
maybe a light will go off in...”
“Oh I know that look,”
Pepsi said as she looked at Doc, “What are you thinking?”
“Lemon juice.”
“Lemon Ju... OH sweet
lord you may have something,” Nikki said, “let’s go to the cafe.”
The five girls were
soon sitting round a table, watching as Doc held one of the squares of paper
over the top of the candle, and smiling as brown writing started to appear.
“Lemon juice –
invisible ink,” Doc said as she set the square down, and started to heat a
second one up, Ama and Pepsi grabbing two more candles and heating the other
squares of paper.
“It’s an invitation,”
Doc said as she put the four squares of paper together.
Master Chet van Roon requests the
pleasure of Miss Anna Carlton to celebrate the occasion of her sixteenth
birthday.
Transport will arrive to collect her at 4
pm, to take Miss Carlton to a location to prepare for the event.
“It’s four o’clock
now,” Doc said as she looked at her watch, “where am I meant to be?”
“Right here.”
She looked at her friends,
before she said “you... You all knew
already didn’t you?”
“Good afternoon, Miss
Anna.”
They then turned to see
the older gentleman standing by the table, smartly dressed and smiling.
“Thomas,” Doc said, “so
you are the transport?”
“Of course – if you
would follow me?”
“I presume I’m seeing
you girls later?”
“Could be,” Pepsi said
with a smile as they watched Doc get into the limousine, and Thomas drive off.
“RIGHT,” Nikki said as
she finished a drink, “Cab to the Waldorf and we start to get ready?”
“Indeed,” Ama said as
she put some money on the table, “let’s go...”
5 pm
The van Roon Apartment
“Well, if it isn’t the
birthday girl,” Blair van Roon said as Thomas opened the door and Anna came
in. “How’s it been so far?”
“Very strange,” Doc
said as she removed her coat, Thomas taking it and hanging it on the coat
rack. “Are you parents visiting as
well?”
“Yup – but they’ve gone
out with Pussy and Frieda to see Aunt Paulie and Uncle Gus, so you have the
apartment to yourself – for now. Go
through there.”
As Anna walked into the
front room, she found Chet standing there, opening a bottle of champagne as he
said “there you are – happy birthday Doc.”
“Well now, fancy
meeting you here,” Doc said, smiling as she walked over and took a glass. “So how long are you in town for?”
“The holidays –
surprise,” Chet said as he filled both their glasses. “We wanted to tell you in advance, but the
elders asked us not to. So, allow me to
toast you, Anna Carlton.”
“Why thank you, Sir,”
Anna said as they clinked glasses, and she took a sip. “So, are you finally allowed to tell me what is
happening tonight, as in a party?”
“I am allowed to tell
you here is a party,” Chet said, “but I can’t tell you where.”
“Why not?”
“Mainly because I don’t
know,” Chet said as he shrugged his shoulders, “none of us do.”
“Then how are...”
Doc’s protests were
silenced as Chet kissed her, and then looked at her.
“Okay,” Anna said with
a smile, “don’t ask, just go with the flow.
So do I get to dress up?”
“Eventually – why don’t
you have a look at my present first.”
He put his glass down,
and handed over a thin box. Doc took it
and opened it, before she took out the diamond pendant.
“Chet, it’s beautiful –
but this must be expensive, you can’t...”
“I can and I have. You’re only sixteen once after all,” Chet
said with a smile. “I’d like you to wear
it tonight, if that is all right.”
“Of course I will – so
what else are we going to do?”
“Oh, I think we can
find a way to pass the time...”
6 pm
“Ah there you are,” Gus
said as Chet and Anna came out of the room, “no time to lose. You are to go up the stairs young lady – your
dressers await.”
“I need to change as
well – see you later,” Chet said as he took Anna up, and then showed her into
one of the bedrooms.
“Sarah? Where’s H?”
“Probably getting ready
with Chet,” her friend from Chicago said as she stood up. She was wearing a strapless silver dress and
high heels, her hair cut short as she looked over. “As for you – into the shower, birthday
girl.”
“And quickly,” Kylie
said as she appeared from the bathroom, “we need to make you look fabulous
darling.”
“So what am I actually
wearing?”
“First shower,” Kylie
said as she cleared the doorway, “and then we show you.”
The clock showed seven
as Chet and H were standing at the bottom of the stairs, wearing smart suits,
shirts and ties.
“So, where are they,” H
said as he looked up the stairs, and nudged Chet.
Kylie had put on a
white long sleeved dress with a tight knee length skirt, and white pumps, as
she and Sarah accompanied Anna down the stairs.
The birthday girl was wearing a cream coloured sheath dress, the slit
from waist to hem allowing her to move, and white heels. The diamond pendant hung from her neck, as
Thomas held a white fur coat for her to wear.
Sarah and Kylie put on
brown fur coats, as Thomas said “this way, ladies, gentlemen...”
“So I finally get to
find out what the theme is,” Anna said as the limousine made the way through
the evening traffic.
“Oh yes – and I think
you’re going to like it,” Kylie said, “it has been so wonderful to be part of
the arrangements of this.”
“So where are we
going?”
“We’re here Master
Chet,” Thomas said as he pulled up outside the Astoria-Waldorf, and got out,
opening the door to allow the five of them to walk in. As they entered the lobby, Doc saw two people
waiting for her.
“Mom? Dad?”
“There you are,” Steve
Carlton said as he kissed Anna. He was
wearing a double breasted suit, shirt and tie, while Anna was wearing a red
forties style dress and shoes. “Shall I
open the doors?”
“We both shall,” Emma
said as they opened the doors, Anna and Chet walking in to a chorus of “Happy
Birthday to You,” from everyone who was waiting inside.
Anna stared at the room
which was decorated in white and silver, a huge banner saying “HAPPY 16TH
BIRTHDAY ANNA CARLTON” hanging over the stage where the bad was playing. Ama, Pepsi, Nikki and Becca came up to her,
all four wearing short white evening dresses, and walked her and Chet to the
centre of the room as everyone applauded.
“The theme is White
Christmas,” Pepsi said, “and you – you are the star of the night!”
“It’s... It’s fantastic,” Anna said as Chet took her
coat, while Sarah held H’s arm and Kylie slipped round to join Marina at a
table with Susan and Chet, April looking round.
“Let me take that,”
Juliette said as she came over, and Chet took her arms. The band started to play, as they danced
round, Ama and Nick joining them as others followed suit.
“Ju, I don’t know where
to begin thanking you and the others for this,” Emma said as she and Steve
stood with Juliette and Klaus, “you’ve made a very special young lady very
happy.”
“Hey it’s our
pleasure,” Ju said as Doc danced past, “by the way, Klaus and I have a favour
to ask of you and Steve.”
“Oh – and what is
that?”
“I would be honoured if
Anna would form one of my party in Munich in April.”
“You want Anna to be
one of your bridesmaids?”
“I do Steve – and we
want you both to come and celebrate with us as well. Klaus and I want all our friends to be there
if possible.”
“I... I don’t know what to say...”
“We say we would be
honoured,” Steve said as he shook Klaus’ hand.
As the music finished,
Chet took Anna over to a small table, where a number of presents had already
been placed.
“Our big present,” Emma
said as they walked over, “is waiting at home – but cannot be used until you
get your licence.”
“I’ve got a car?”
“A Beetle – it will do
you as a first car,” Steve said as he looked at the pendant. “A gift from Chet?”
“Yes,” Anna blushed as
the guests started to bring over their presents.
“I can’t believe who’s
here,” she said as she looked round, “is that Georgia-May and some of the other
models over there?”
“It is,” Abby said as
she gave Anna a gold box, “a number of them were in the area, so we arranged
for them to come as well.”
“I hope you have a
wonderful evening,” Diana said as she kissed Anna on both cheeks.
“I don’t believe it,”
Jean Brooks said as she and Tom Stennit sat at a table with Grace and Sarah
Nightingale. “I knew you taught some
famous girls, but to see them here, in the flesh, just as friends...”
“It takes a little
getting used to,” Sarah said with a smile as she watched Jeannie hand a parcel
to Anna. “But believe me, the right
thing to do is see them all as friends, whatever they do.”
“Still,” Tom said as he
sipped his wine, “so many supermodels...”
“Top girls,” Grace said
as she looked at him.
“Sorry – so many models
and all talking as if they knew each other.”
“Well they do,” Grace
said as Annie walked over with Judith.
“Hello, little one,”
Grace said as she picked her up, and put her on her knee, the skirt of her
party dress covering her knees, “is it a good party?”
“Yes,” Judith said as
she nodded, “presents soon.”
“That’s right,” Annie
said, “you must be Grace’s colleagues from the UK. I’m Annie Kelly – I teach Math at St
Angela’s.”
“Jean, and this is
Tom,” the redhead said as they shook hands.
“Is this your daughter?”
“My partner’s
daughter,” Annie said as she looked at Carina, who was talking to Judy and
Bobby. “I’m carrying our second child.”
“You’re Carina
Huntingdown’s partner? I saw her in the
tribute issue.”
“A lot of the models
from that issue are here,” Annie said, “but I’m glad you could make it.”
“It’s certainly
different from watching Strictly with the family,” Tom said as he looked round.
“Thank you, Juliette,”
Anna said as she looked at the history of fashion books Juliette had given her,
“I’ll make sure Dad doesn’t hide it away.”
“Well, I am sure he
will enjoy it as well,” Juliette said as Steve looked at the front cover.
“Hey Doc,” Nell said as
she and Ally came over, wearing white floor length dresses with halter necks,
“happy sweet sixteenth.”
"These are
beautiful girls," Anna said as she proudly showed her parents the gift
from the Rochermann twins.
"Well one is a
watch, the other just a straight bracelet, but wear them opposite wrists and
they match."
"I'd guessed that. Thanks," she said as he put them on the
table and hugged them both.
"Do I need up my insurance?" Steve Carlton asked as he looked at the
growing pile of gifts.
"I think that's
where I come in," Caroline said as she hugged the birthday girl. "Yes
you need to, and I'll come over after the holidays and update your security for
you."
"Thank you
Caroline. We’d really appreciate that."
"And now,” she
said as she handed Anna a parcel, “this is the present from me and Ama."
"Oh My God!" Anna looked in the box, and said “you both
remembered!”
"Remembered what
darling?"
"This Mom, I joked
about getting some at a sleepover at Jeans ages ago," she held up the
sheer satin lingerie. "Oh this is magic," she hugged Caroline and
Ama.
"Well just don't
show your Gran, or maybe even your father." Emma glanced at Steve.
"And this is my
present Anna," Missy Auerbach said as she pressed an envelope into the
young woman's hand.
"What is this...OH
MY SHITTIN" GODDESS!"
"What is it?"
her parents tried to get a look.
"It's a two-year
contract with Norstar.” Missy smiled as
she said, “I thought it was time Anna cashed in on her fame as a pinup and did
some serious modelling."
"You aren't
bullshittin' me are you Miss Auerbach?" Doc asked in wide eyed amazement.
“Nope – your parents
need to check and sign, but I hope you’ll take advantage of it.”
“Welcome to our world,”
Jo said as she hugged Doc. “Come and
meet some of the others.”
“Just think, this time
next year this will be you,” Mary Thomas said as she sat with Denice and Erica.
“Well, a few months
on,” Erica said with a smile, “who knows what I’ll do for mine.”
“Let’s get through
Christmas first, and into the new job and the new apartment,” Denice said as
she sipped her wine.
“Ai – I am so proud of
you for getting that job,” Mary said as she put her hand on Denice’s.
“This is some party,”
Poppy said as she came over, “I wish Jess could have been here for it.”
“Did she arrive
safely?”
“She called me from
Barcelona – tired, but she made it.”
“So I hear your
grandmother and aunt are going to stay for Christmas?”
“They are – the body
still hasn’t been released, so they need to hang around for a little while –
what are they doing?”
They looked to the
stage where Pepsi was standing by the microphone.
“Anna Carlton, this is
for you,” she said as Ama, Becca and Nikki came up and joined her.
The room turned and
watched as the music started, and they all struck a pose, legs bent, hands by
their knees.
“Oh my goddess,” Anna
said, shaking her head as they began to sing...
“Sisters, Sisters,
There were never such devoted sisters
Never had to have a chaperone ‘No, sir’
I'm there to keep my eye on her”
On that, Ama turned to
look at Pepsi, and Nikki at Becca, shaking their heads and smiling at each
other.
“Caring, Sharing,
Every little thing that we are wearing
When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome
She wore the dress and I stayed home.”
They then started to
walk towards Anna, bringing her with them to the stage as they continued.
“All kinds of weather,
We stick together,
The same in the rain or sun.
Four diff'rent faces,
But in tight places,
We think and we act as one.”
“That’s true,” Katy
Carter called out as she sat with George and Sands.
“Those who've seen us,
Know that not a thing could come between us
Many men have tried to split us up but no one can
Lord help the mister
Who comes between me and my sister
And Lord help the sister
Who comes between me and my man!”
They ended by taking a
bow before hugging Anna as the room applauded.
“When did you find time
to rehearse that,” Anna said as they walked off the floor.
“We found the time,”
Nikki said as they sat at a table.
"So we both have
cars now?" Pepsi delivered a glass of white wine to Doc.
"Well in neither
case anything too fancy,” Doc said as she took a sip, “but they will get us
from A to B."
"As will my van
after my birthday." Jeannie wheeled herself over to join the group.
"Are the
modifications complete?"
"Yep, and I start
lessons in the new year...and when I can start driving to school, whoa betide
the girl who pinches my disabled parking spot."
"So where is the
big guy?"
"Still at
Stanford,” Jeannie said with a sigh, “with them making it to the Rose Bowl, no
one even gets time off for Christmas."
"That's the
problem with them having such a great year Jeans," Chet came over bringing
food and setting it down, before he said, "And I saw he was named an
Honourable mention All American in a couple of the lists."
"House thought with
Christian McCaffrey getting all the attention mere linemen like him would be
passed over."
"So from that we
can take it he was both pleased and surprised Jeans?"
"That you can Doc. But it means I won’t see him until the middle
of January – he’s told me he’s definitely going to be here on the 10th
Ama."
“Well, I hope you all
will be there,” Ama said with a smile.
“We both do,” Alex
Richmond said as he appeared with Nessa.
“Happy Birthday Anna – I have put our present on the tables with the
others.”
“Thanks, Father,” Anna
said with a smile as the band started to play again.
“Excuse me,” he said as
he walked over to where some of the mothers were sitting.
“Alex,” Barbara said,
“ready for the holidays?”
“Sermons prepped and
ready. So will Jeannie be watching the
big game on TV Barbara?"
"You mean New
Years Day Alex?"
"I do."
"She probably
will. She wanted to fly to Pasadena, but
we'd already committed to New Years Eve here in New York, and we’re in London
Sunday to Wednesday anyway."
"I'll admit,” Alex
said with a smile, “I thought of ducking out and going to the game, but my
sister threatened to do something to me she hasn't done since we were
children...It made me change my mind."
"OUCH!" Barbara
laughed.
“Adam, would you be
insulted if I took Jan onto the dance floor,” Jack Linklater said as he walked
over in his suit.
“Of course – but she’s
no idea about the dance off on New Year’s Eve,” Adam said as Katy went onto the
dance floor with George.
“So Missy gave Anna a
contract? Good for her,” Jack said as he
looked over, “I think she may have a small future.”
“She’s a good looking
young woman,” Jan said as she looked in Doc’s direction.
"Talking of
models, have you given any further thought to Katy's potential career,"
Jack asked as he danced her round.
"A little, and
I've talked it over with Mom and Adam too."
"And your
thoughts?"
"Jack my daughter
is discovering herself, finding what she likes and what she doesn't."
"That's pretty
obvious."
"Well, would modelling
be the commitment too far? She has her school work, her shooting, her friends,
a steady boyfriend, a modelling contract on top of that might be..."
"She doesn't need
to sign yet, just let her do a couple of shoots with me and Luke, and see what
happens. Then if things still look good, and she's interested, I will
personally take her into see Missy."
"Well I like that
idea I will admit, she's not obligated then to do something she may quickly
dislike."
"Exactly Janice
darling."
The band finished as
Abby said “Doc, come over her for a minute will you please?”
“Sure, Countess de
Ros,” she said as she came over.”
“Girls, this is Anna
Carlton, Doc to her friends. Doc, meet
Emma Ferrer, Georgia-May Jagger and Lily Cole.”
“I’m overwhelmed,” Doc
said as she shook their hands.
“Don’t be – Abby felt
the same way,” Emma said. “Welcome to
our world...”
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
may I have your attention please?”
“Oh God, Dad’s going to
embarrass me,” Anna said as Steve came on the stage.
“We have a special
guest to entertain us tonight,” he said, “who needs no introduction. Please, welcome him.”
"Oh my FUCK!"
Anna's mouth gaped open as the man took the microphone, looking round the room
as he said "It's been a bit of a while since I played birthday parties,
but when I was approached by both my daughter, and by such an old dear friend
as Mary, well how could I refuse?"
"THAT'S MICK
JAGGER!"
"Of course it is,
or as I call him Dad," Georgia-May laughed as he started to sing
Satisfaction, the crowd gathering and cheering as he did so.
“Thank you,” he said as
he finished, “Keith and the boys got the night off, so you get me unplugged
with the band backing up. Now, I've been
told that you guys have another singer who can warble a bit when she tries. Can
I ask Mrs. Richmond to join me up here please?"
“Me?” Nessa was pushed up onto the stage as Mick
talked to the guitarist.
“Now then,” Mick said
as he looked at Nessa, in her fur trimmed dress, “we’re going to sing an old
song, one of the first Keith and I wrote.
We didn’t think much of it, so we gave it to a friend to record. So, ready?”
Nessa heard the opening
chords as some of the older party goers cheered, and said “yeah, ready.”
Mick nodded as he
started.
“It is the evening of
the day,
I sit and watch the
children play.”
He nodded to Nessa, who
smiled as she put the microphone to her lips.
“Smiling faces I can
see, but not for me.
I sit and watch as
tears go by...”
They nodded as the
guitar played, and then Ness sang
“My riches can’t buy
everything,
I want to hear the children
sing...”
Mick nodded as he
smiled and sang
“But all I hear is the
sound, of rain falling on the ground,
I sit and watch as
tears go by.”
“They’re amazing
together,” Alex said as he stood with Klaus.
The guitarist played
the instrumental part as Mick whispered into Nessa’s ear, then they sang
together.
“It is the evening of
the day,
I sit and watch the
children play.
Doing things I used to
do, they think are new.
I sit and watch, as
tears go by.
La la la la la la, la
la la...”
The music ended as Mick
kissed Nessa’s hand, clapping her off the stage before he said “Anna – your
choice of song!”
“How about Paint It
Black?”
He nodded as the band
started, and the crowd started dancing...
“So tell me Miss
Thomas,” Georgia-May said as she handed Mary Thomas a drink, “just what did
happen between you and my father all those years ago?”
“Ah that is between me
and him,” Mary said with a smile, “but your mother has never said anything to
me to say she objected.”
“I don’t think she
would – it was years before they got together by all accounts,” the young model
said, “but it’s one of those great unanswered questions.”
“As it should be,” Mary
said with a smile as Nessa started singing Dancing in the Streets with Mick.
“Hey,” Jo said as she
sat with Abby, “how’s the phone message count?”
“It’s gone down a bit –
I guess she’s in Cornwall and being kept busy.”
“Well, Missy said she
had arranged a shoot at Treharran Hall for the last two days, and then it’s
Christmas, so hopefully you’ll get a peaceful Christmas. Heard from Tony?”
“I have – he’ll be back
for the New Year party,” Abby said with a contented smile.
“Oh yes – my darling
cousin returns early,” Judy said as she sat down. “At least David and the family will be over
then as well.”
“Hey Simon,” Abby said
as Becca came over with Simon Leventhal, “how’s life at Cambridge?”
“It’s going well – but
at least we survived the first meeting of the parents,” he said as he sipped
his wine.
“Where are they
tonight?”
“Mom and Dad have taken
them out for a meal – you’ll meet them tomorrow,” Bobby said.
“So how are you
enjoying New York this time, Simon?”
“It’s much colder than
I thought – but it’s so alive,” he said with a smile.
“So why was Andrew at
the house when I came back this morning, Lover,” Sandy said as she sat with
Heather.
“Oh – he dropped off
some quotes for the furniture restoration you were asking about,” Heather said,
“he was sorry he didn’t see you, though.”
“And the kids got their
presents sorted out?”
“Oh yes,” Heather said
as she looked at them talking to Katy and Pepsi.
“So we get a quiet day
tomorrow?”
“Err – you may have
forgotten the small matter of our party lover?”
“Oh I haven’t – it’s
all in hand...”
“Nessa is in her
element tonight,” Heather said as she finally came off the stage with Mick.
“Oh yes – it’s amazing
compared to how she was this time last year.”
“And so much for the
better...”
"So did you never
consider singing for your supper Vanessa,” Mick said as he handed her a drink,
“you had the voice to."
"From you Mick that is the ultimate compliment,” Nessa said as she
blushed, “and it's Nessa please."
"Your voice
reminds me of Beverly Bivens..."
"Oh I wish,"
Nessa interrupted, "I adored her singing."
"Well I'm bein'
straight with you, your voice has the same quality...And anyway returning to my
original question why did you never try singing professionally? Because you
went away to college?"
"No,” Nessa said,
“because my parents put me in a lunatic asylum to rid me of such ideas."
"No seriously...” Mick looked at her and then said “Oh Jesus H
Christ you are being serious!"
"Totally Mick, and
it had their desired effect. It's only in this past year I finally escaped the mental
straightjacket I allowed them to put me in."
“Well, I’m glad you
managed to break free, even if it took a while.”
“Thank you, Mick me
boy,” Mary said as she came over and kissed her on the cheek, “you made a young
lady very happy.”
“Hey, I loved it,” Mick
said, “and if you ever want to play Old Maid again...”
Mary blushed as Nessa looked
at her. “Mick, you promised...”
“I know – but to see
you blush like that, it’s worth it.”
“Miss Thomas?”
Mary turned to see a
young man standing behind her in a dark suit.
"There is a Sir
Thomas Woodward from Pontypridd outside Miss Thomas, he asked me to ask you if
it might be okay for him to come in?” one of the assistant managers discreetly
asked.
“Sir Thomas is here,”
Mick said, “this could be fun.”
“You know who he is
talking about,” Nessa asked as she looked at them.
“You may be singing
again later,” Mick said as Mary shook her head.
"Let me just ask please..." Mary walked over towards Anna and her
mother.
"Enjoying yourself
Mary?"
"Immensely...look
an old friend of mine is outside, can he come in?"
"Certainly...the
more the merrier."
"Alright,"
Mary turned towards the man from the hotel, "tell Sir Thomas to come in
please." Mary smiled as she paused till the crowd in the room recognised
the gatecrasher.
“Oh my god,” Erica said
as she saw the white haired man, “I thought Mary was joking...”
“Mary, my little love,”
he said as they embraced, “I heard you were in here. Am I interrupting?”
“No, of course not Tom
me boy. Anna here is celebrating her
sixteenth birthday, and this is Emma and Steve her parents. Folks, meet...”
“Tom Jones,” Emma
gasped, “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“Tom, me boy!”
"Hey Boyo, don't
say they had a relic like you doing the entertainment." Tom hugged Mick.
"There's hope for my career still."
"What career you old has been?"
“Anna, many happy returns
– will you allow me to give you a small present?”
Anna just nodded mutely
as Tom took the stage, and spoke to the band leader. “Hey Boyo – want to go for a walk round the
park?”
“Later – hit it!”
As the band started to
play It’s Not Unusual, Anna walked slowly over to the other girls.
“Okay, you topped me,”
Pepsi said as they listened to the song, “cheers!”
“CHEERS!”
“I can’t believe it,”
Ingy said as she stood with Carina and Annie, “I had heard the rumours of who
Mary knew, but to have both of them in the same room at the same time?”
“I know – I mean, I’d
heard the stories as well, but this?”
“Hey, Nessa,” Mick
called put, “get up here a minute will you?
Tom, meet Nessa Richmond. Nessa,
Tom Jones.”
“I’m sorry,” Nessa
giggled, “it’s just becoming a very surreal evening.”
“And it’s about to get
better,” Tom said, “Mick here says you sound like my old friend Bev. Want to give one of hers a try?”
“Alex,” Gus said as he
and Paulie stood by the bar, “have you ever seen her look so happy?”
“No – this has been a
transformative year for her,” Alex said with a smile.
“I wonder how she’s
going to react tomorrow at the party when she sees the special guests we’re
bringing?”
“We’ll find out
tomorrow – listen,” Gus said as Nessa nodded to the guitarists, Mick taking a
guitar himself as he and Tom stood by a microphone.
Taking a deep breath,
Nessa closed her eyes and began singing
“When I woke up this
morning
You were on my mind
And you were on my mind”
“Oh I used to love this
song,” Valeria said as she put her arm round Guy’s waist.
“I got troubles, whoa-oh
I got worries, whoa-oh
I got wounds to bind
So I went to the corner
Just to ease my pains
Yeah, just to ease my pains”
Mick and Tom looked at
each other and started to sing the backing vocals as Nessa closed her eyes and
held the microphone.
“I got troubles, whoa-oh
I got worries, whoa-oh
I came home again.”
They them harmonised as
Nessa continued.
“When I woke up this
morning
You were on my mi-i-i-ind and
You were on my mind
I got troubles, whoa-oh
I got worries, whoa-oh
I got wounds to bind.”
“Key change,” Mick said
as they continued.
“And I got a feelin'
Down in my sho-oo-oo-oes, said
Way down in my sho-oo-oes
Yeah, I got to ramble, whoa-oh
I got to move on, whoa-oh
I got to walk away my blues
When I woke up this
morning
You were on my mind
You were on my mind
I got troubles, whoa-oh
I got worries, whoa-oh
I got wounds to bind!”
As the song finished,
the partygoers whooped and clapped while Emma came onto the stage.
“You know, when we
started thinking of what to do for Anna’s birthday, the last thing I think we
expected was to have this amazing group of musicians. Please thank Nessa Richmond, Tom Jones and
Mick Jagger.”
Anna came back in and
joined her mother on the stage as she said “and I think Anna wants to say
something now.”
“I just want to say,”
Anna said as she looked round the room, “thank you, each and every one of you,
to make this such a special day!”
“Three cheers for
Anna,” Emma said as the group cheered, and she turned to talk to Tom and Mick.
“Look – I want to thank
everyone here for this amazing evening,” Emma said, “but one person in
particular.
"When Steve and I
started to think about what to do for Anna’s birthday, two things were decided
first. One, it had to be a complete and
total surprise for her, and as her friends will tell you, that is not
easy. The other was it had to be a way
of all of us telling her how much we loved her.
“So it soon became
apparent the question was what do you do for an exceptional daughter on her
16th birthday?" Mrs. Carlton smiled. "Well thanks to both her
parents, and Anna herself, having such exceptional friends, the answer is you
turn into an EVENT!" She paused, "and when our little group is
planning an event there is really only one person you consult, So can I here
and now get you all to applaud the wonderful social skills of the amazing Nessa
Richmond."
At this moment everyone
burst into cheers as Judith toddled forward holding a bouquet of flowers which
she gave to Nessa.
"OH" Thank
you Judith, Thank you all, it was really nothing." Nessa blushed.
“Please, everyone,
enjoy the rest of the party,” Emma said as Anna waved to everyone.
"What are
they?" Ama asked a beaming Doc as she came over with a folded silk pad.
"My panties,” Doc
said, “signed by Mick Jagger and Tom Jones, if that isn't the ultimate souvenir
of my 16th birthday, then I don't know what is."
"You
never..."
"I went in the
powder room and whipped them off...No way I was missing this opportunity."
"You know that is
an idea?" Nell looked at her sister.
“After you,” Ally said
as they slipped out...
As Tom looked at the
girls mingling with the other teachers, he turned to his former boss.
"Teacher-Staff
relationships seem far more relaxed here then back in England Grace?"
"I think they are
by and large, especially at a school like St Angela's."
"So any major
disciplinary problems?"
"No," Grace said
as she pulled Letty into the conversation, "thanks largely to this young
lady."
"What?" Letty
looked bemused.
"Meet Letty
Kinman, one of our head girls, and all round good egg."
"Oh I wouldn't say
that." Letty blushed.
"No you wouldn't
but as Dean of Students, I'm allowed to...By the way did you look at some of
those scholarship options I brought over?"
"One in particular
caught my eye."
"The one at Penn
which goes to descendants of Benjamin Franklin wanting to study Pre-Med?"
"And are
you?" Grace looked at Letty and
raised an eyebrow.
"It just so happens
that via my father’s grandmother that I am. What's better is that it hasn't
been claimed in five years, and it’s a full ride, so just maybe I might get
it."
"Well even I know
the prestige of their medical school." Grace nodded.
"Yeah and while I don't
precisely want to be an MD, its perfect prep for the grad school work I'd want
to do."
"Fingers crossed
for you," the English teachers smiled.
“This has been an
amazing party,” Juliette said to Missy as Judith dozed on Carina’s lap.
"It certainly
has.” Missy took a drink, and then said
“Well. Did you see the session they shot on the America's
cup boats out on San Francisco Bay Ju?"
"I did,” Juliette
said with a smile, “and they were pretty damn near perfect."
"Near
perfect?"
"Hey Missy you
know me," Juliette laughed, "I make it a policy NEVER to tell new and
young models they are absolutely perfect. It gives them room to grow."
"That is true, but
on your terms Mary and Trina got pretty close out there."
"I'll agree on
that, two exceptional young models wearing beautiful sweaters, hunky young yachtsman,
Anna was more than pleased and she upped the layout to 7 pages this
afternoon."
"Well I know Mary
has already spent her fee ensuring her family have their best Christmas since
they lost their Mom."
"I'm glad for
them, they are such nice people." Juliette watched as the DJ cranked up
the music. "Has Mary handed in her notice at the hotel yet?"
"No, she's still not convinced that this isn't just a dream."
“Give her time Missy –
she’ll see the truth soon enough.”
Eventually, Anna came
to the stage and said “Folks, I’ve had an amazing day, but it’s time to go
home. Here’s to the next party, and once
again, thanks to all of you for everything.”
“Three cheers for Anna
Carlton,” Kylie called out, “Hip hip...”
“HOORAY!”
“Hip Hip...”
“HOORAY!”
“HIP HIP...”
“HOORAY!!!”
Thursday 24th December
Christmas Eve
9 am
The Carlton home
“Well, good morning,”
Emma said as Anna came into the kitchen, “I didn’t think you’d be up so early.”
“I know, but I woke up
and could not get back to sleep. Can I
get some coffee please?”
As her mother handed
her a cup of coffee, her father looked over and said “We’ve put all your
presents upstairs for the moment, locked away until Caroline can come round and
sort things out.”
“And my panties?”
“Oh I washed them...”
“MOM!”
“Only joking,” Emma
said, “they’re up there with them as well.”
Doc shook her head as
she looked at her phone.
“Who is it?”
“Chet – he wants me to
meet him with Sarah and H in the park before they head back later. Is that okay?”
“I think so – so long
as you’re back before it’s too dark,” Steve said as Emma sat down. “Can we talk about Missy’s present?”
“The contract – that
was out of left field.”
"Well,” Emma said
as she held her mug of coffee, “you have done two pinup calendars, and walked a
couple of high profile fashion shows."
"I know Mom, but
I'm still pretty surprised, at five eight I'm borderline on height, I am short-sighted..."
"But not as bad as
Carina," Steve looked up from the paper.
"That's
true," her mother nodded. "Also have you thought that it might help
you from getting bored out of your skull while you finish St Angela's? Grace
Brand thinks it will give you something else to think on beyond your
studies."
"It might."
Doc thought to herself if they knew what else really went on in her life. “It might at that. Okay – what do we do?”
“We? You call Missy at her number,” Steve said as
he tossed a business card over, “and find out what her initial plans are, while
I get the family attorney to look it over.
I need to see Bert about our insurance policy anyway.”
Doc nodded as she
drained her mug, and went into the front room.
Picking up the telephone, she dialled a number and waited.
“Norstar Agency, how
can I help you?”
“Anna Carlton calling
for Missy Auerbach,” Doc said as she settled into the armchair.
“One moment,” the
female voice said, and Doc was left listening to Burt Bacharach.
“Anna, my dear. Recovered from your party?”
“Beginning to,” Doc
said with a smile.
“Well then, how can I
help you today?”
“I’ve been considering
your present. Mom and Dad seem to think
it’s a good idea, and I hear Grace thinks so as well.”
“I know – I told her in
advance.”
Taking a deep breath,
Anna said "So Missy if I do sign, what sort of work would I be
doing?"
"Well,” Missy said,
“I can promise you a gig doing teen clothes for one of the big catalogs."
"That sounds
interesting, where are they shooting it?"
"Buffalo..."
"BUFFALO!"
Anna half-screamed. "Abigail gets Rio, Jeannie gets London, and I get
offered Buffalo?"
"I know,"
Missy laughed, "but unfortunately that's where the shoot is."
"Alright, well we
know a lawyer who's going to look things over for us...When should I
pencil...YUCK!...Buffalo into my schedule?"
"January 3rd, you
fly up early, and get home late. I want you to do some go sees though before
that, and work with Jack to learn some tricks of the trade."
“So forget next week as
a holiday?”
“Well, not quite. I’ll let you know where and when. I think you’ll love it Anna.”
“Okay Missy. I guess you’ll hear from us soon.”
“Excellent – and don’t
worry about Jeannie. I think she’ll be
exhausted next week anyway.”
“Anna – muffins are
ready,” she heard her mom call out as she put the phone down.
“Coming,” she said as
she walked through, grinning broadly.
Noon
The Village
“Hey Grace,” Annie said
as the door to the apartment was opened, “thanks for inviting us round for
lunch.”
“Glad you could make
it,” Grace said as Annie, Ama and Caroline came in, removing their coats and
hanging them up before they made their way up the stairs. All three were wearing thick jumpers, jeans
and snow boots, while Grace was wearing a blue jersey dress and slippers.
“You remember Jane and
Tom from last night – guys, meet again Annie, Caroline and Ama, our
neighbours.”
“Hey,” Tom said from
his seat, “all ready for tomorrow?”
“As ready as we will
ever be,” Annie said.
“You know, it shouldn’t
be weird, but hearing you with the only American accent in the room, and that
not a local one...”
“It is everyday life
for us,” Ama said as she sat down, while Caroline handed a small bag over to
Sarah.
“Presents for both of
you from us,” she said as she looked at the small tree, “to go on the pile.”
“Thanks – I think Grace
has some for you as well, before you go,” Sarah said as she placed them to one
side. “Want some coffee?”
“Please,” she said as
she sat down. “So how are you enjoying your
stay so far?”
“It’s certainly
different,” Jane said as she crossed her legs, and sipped her drink. “Harlow’s a quiet little town, and this...”
“It does take a little
getting used to,” Sarah said as she sat down, “but it’s – what four months
now?”
“Just over,” Grace said
as she brought a tray of cookies through.
“On the other hand, Christmas in New York is as special as I remembered
it being. And as cold.”
“What are you looking
forward to, Ama,” Tom said as he looked at the young girl.
“A very special day,”
Ama said with a smile, “with my mom and family.”
1 pm
Central Park West
“And – there we go,”
Katherine said as she put the star on top of the tree, Katy smiling as she
stood back.
“Now it really is
Christmas,” Katy said as she looked at the lights.
“Indeed – so what are
you going to wear tonight?”
“I thought I’d wear the
black evening dress – if mom will let me,” Katy said with a giggle.
“I’m sure she will –
it’s amazing how much you have grown up since this time last year Katy.”
“I know Gran,” Katy
said as she sat on the stool, “I can’t believe it either. I don’t think mom can quite believe it
either.”
“Still, you’ll always
be my little girls,” Katherine said as she kissed her granddaughter’s forehead.
1.30 pm
Long Island
“Deck da halls wif bous
of holly...”
Tommy the Fish was in a
particularly good mood today. He had
completed a deal that ensured the finest fish available would grace the tables
of the main hotels that night, made sure the accounts were all settled, and had
given notice he would not be open for business again before Monday – a fact his
clients accepted with good humour.
He had one more piece
of business to conduct, and then it was home where Annie was waiting with
Tammy. They’d go to mass at the church,
and then have a real family day opening presents the next day.
“But first,” he said as
he drove into the barn, “business...”
He stopped his pickup
opposite the Daimler, and got out, watching as Miss Panther and Miss Leopard
got out as well. Both women were dressed
to impress – long black coats with fur lining, sleek leather boots and gloves,
and as always the scarves round their necks, and the stockings holding their
short dark hair down.
“Good afternoon,
ladies,” he said as they walked over, “season’s greetings at both of ye.”
“And to you, Tommy,”
Miss Panther said. “Thank you for
fulfilling our request before the holidays.”
“Always a pleasure –
you’ll find what you need in da back as usual, nice and untraceable.”
Miss Leopard walked
past, smiling at Tommy as Miss Panther said “I presume young Tammy is looking
forward to her first Christmas?”
“I don’ fink she quite
understands it, but she likes the tree – keeps reachin for da lights,” he said
as Miss Leopard walked back.
“Excellent as always,
Tommy – if you will do the honours?”
“Of caus,” he said as
he lifted the two bags out and carried them to the trunk of the Daimler,
placing them inside and retrieving two holdalls.
“Your payment,” Miss
Panther said as he carried them round, “and also some gifts for us. The usual rules, Tommy?”
“Sure fing – and may
you have a Happy Holiday, all of youse,” he said as he put them in the pickup,
and drove out of the barn.
“I hope she likes the
play centre,” Diana said as she removed the stocking and wig.
“I’m sure she will – do
you have time to get them up to the farm and get back to the party?”
“I have – and I shall
see you all there,” Diana said, “but let me take you to your car first...”
6.30 pm
The Richmond Mansion
“Do you think I look
all right in this dress, Sandy?”
As she looked over at
her mother, wearing a halter neck blue velvet dress, and nodded as she said “I
think you look wonderful in that, and I am sure you will be the belle of the
ball.”
“One of several,” Nessa
said as she looked at Sandy, in her gold evening dress, the cap sleeves
covering her shoulders.
“Can you help me with
this, Mom?”
“Of course I can,”
Nessa said as she same over.
"Well Mother, do
you think we can outdo last night?" Sandy asked as she got Vanessa to fix
the clasp on the choker she was wearing.
"From my personal
viewpoint,” Nessa said as she fastened the clasp, “nothing will ever surpass
the thrill of getting to sing with Mick Jagger and Tom Jones my Darling."
"You did seem to
be enjoying yourself."
"More then I think
even you can imagine Alexandra."
"Oh I think I
understand Mom," Sandy said as she stood up and hugged her parent.
Looking in the full
length mirror and smoothing her dress down, Sandy put on a pair of opera
gloves. "We are going to have an
even fuller house then normal this year."
"Well with George and Katy now being a couple I thought it right to invite
her family."
"And Gus and
Paulie are bringing their family as well." Vanessa inspected herself in
the mirror.
“Tom and Claire are
bringing their house guests over...”
“And Diana is coming
with her family.”
"Klaus and
Juliette are going to the function at the German consulate first, but they will
be here later, and Carina and Annie will be early arrivals."
"They are such a
nice couple of girls."
"Mom,” Sandy said
as she looked at her, “you know there was a time not too long ago that their
being lesbians would have shocked you to the core."
"I know,” Nessa
said, “but I think I've grown as a person since then. Talking of which, where is Heather?"
“She went to see how
the kids were coming along...”
“All right, pillow talk
all done with Curt?”
“Is that a hit of
jealousy I here, O sister of mine,” Jo said as she put her earrings in.
“Are they new?”
“A Christmas present
from a certain guy,” Jo said with a smile as she stood up, the skirt of her shorty
black evening dress falling to her knees.
"Heather do I look
alright?" Little Sandy called from her bedroom.
"I don't know
until I see...” Heather walked down the
corridor, and stopped in the doorway, looking at the young woman standing
there.
“OH DARLING! You look incredible."
“I do?” Sands looked at herself in the mirror and
smiled. "Well Holly took me to APCO
today and we got this new dress, it's just that I'm not used to wearing a long
evening dress."
"Take it from me
you look beautiful, your Mom and Gran will certainly approve."
"And the makeup,
did I get it like Holly does hers?"
"Yes you did."
Heather hugged her young charge.
"Holly was such a
help."
Heather looked closely
at her young charge. "You are
developing a little thing for Holly aren't you?"
"Well she's so
beautiful, and so stylish."
"I
understand." Heather smiled. "Anything else?"
Sands blushed as she
said "I think I have a girl crush on her...does that mean I'm like you and
Mom?"
"Not
necessarily," Heather hugged the young girl again. "At your age
getting little crushes on older girls is pretty normal. Just see how it develops
in your mind."
"Well just please
don't tell Mom eh?"
"I Promise."
Heather looked serious for a second. "You know a pair of opera gloves
would really complete that look."
"But I don't own a
pair."
"Luckily I have
spares. Let's go and look shall we?"
“Hey,” Jo said as she
came downstairs to find George pouring himself a soft drink, “starting early
aren’t you?”
“Very funny,” George
said as he put some ice cubes in, “do you want a drink?”
“I’ll wait – you look
sharp in the suit.”
“Thanks – with Katy
coming, I wanted to look good.”
“It’s serious between
you two isn’t it?”
“You could say that,”
George said with a smile as Sands and Heather came in. “On the other hand – you look fantastic sis.”
“Well thanks, Bro,”
Sands said with a smile as Sandy and Nessa came in.
“Oh my - we’re all dressed to the nines, aren’t we?”
“Showtime,” Nessa said
as the doorbell rang, “let’s see who is first...”
“I trust we are not too
early,” Carina said as she came in, handing her fur coat to the maid and
revealing her black evening dress. Annie
removed her own coat to show her green dress, the design cut to cover her
growing bump.
“No, your timing is
great,” Heather said as she kissed them both on the cheek. “Hello Judith – are you looking forward to
tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Judith said as
she held her mother’s hand, wearing a blue party dress.
“She’s looking for
brightly wrapped parcels,” Annie said as Jo handed her a glass of diet
coke. “Remind me to be nice to Susan,
will you?”
“You’re nearly half way
there, Coach,” Jo said, “endure. How’s
junior coming along anyway?”
“All looking good,”
Annie said with a smile. As they went into the room, the door was
opened to allow Diana and Abigail to come in, both of them wearing ivory silk
gowns that reached to the floor.
“Well, if it isn’t the
deb of the year,” Carina said as she handed Abby a drink, “where are the rest
of the family?”
“If you mean Grandpa
and Grandmama, they are coming with your relatives,” Abby said with a smile.
“Aunt Natalya and Uncle
Willy?”
“In the flesh – so
how’s thing chez Huntingdown?”
“We’re all good to go
for tomorrow – she is going to love it,” Carina said as she looked at Judith,
who was dancing with Sands. “And talking
of love – look at Sands.”
“I know – she’s really
coming out,” Abby said with a smile.
“My my, and who is this
vision of beauty I see before me?”
“Hello Uncle Alex,”
Sands said as she looked over, “do you really think I look that good?”
“Of course I do – you
are so much your mother’s daughter,” Alex said as he kissed her on the cheek,
“and as for you, you grow more graceful every day.”
“Flatterer,” Heather
said, “I hear you have Mass tomorrow.”
“I do indeed – and I
wanted to tell you all, with her permission, that Ama’s christening is now set
for the 10th, after I spoke to her this afternoon.”
“Well that is good news
– I’m sure we’ll all be here for that,” Heather said as she looked round.
“Tom, Claire, we’re so
glad you were able to make it,” Sandy said as she greeted the latest arrivals.
“Thank you for inviting
us – you know Simon of course?”
“Of course I do,” Sandy
said as she kissed the young man on the cheek, while Bobby held his arm. “And these must be your parents.”
“Mum, Dad, allow me to
introduce Alexandra Richmond. Miss
Richmond, may I introduce my parents, Sir Colin and Lady Yvonne Leventhal.”
“Please, can we
dispense with titles tonight,” Simon Leventhal said. He was tall, thin, and grey haired, and wore
his dinner jacket with true style.
Yvonne was wearing a grey dress that flowed to the floor.
“Only if you agree to
call me Sandy – my partner Heather.”
“I hope you’ve enjoyed
your stay so far,” Heather said as she greeted the new arrivals.
“Very much so,” Yvonne
said, “this is such a contrast to Chelsea.”
“So where do you hail
from, Heather?”
“Upstate New York
originally,” she replied as Jack and Becca made their way over to Carina and
Abby.
“You made it,” Carina
said. “How was meet the parents?”
“Not as bad as you
might think. I heard you all had fun up
in Stowe last weekend?”
“Nobody complained,”
Abby said as she saw her grandfather and grandmother come in, and talk to the
Leventhal’s. “Elder relative alert
Cari.”
“So I see,” she said as
Natalya and Willy came in, Natalya wearing a red gown and Valeria a green one.
“Guy – it is so good to
see you again.”
"And where else
could I possibly spend Christmas Eve dear Vanessa," Guy kissed his hostess
on both cheeks. "This has become part of the tradition of the season now,
and besides there are so many beautiful women here."
"Down boy,"
Valeria laughed, "remember you are a reformed character now."
"I know," Guy
sighed.
"Valeria,
Guy."
"Alex dear
man." Valeria laughed as the priest kissed her.
"I brought 6
bottles of that Lafitte-Rothschild you so admired down from Curragh Park for us
to drink tonight."
"Oh lead on
Alexander," Guy's attention switched to wine as they walked off.
“I will release Alex
later,” Valeria said as Natalya walked over.
“Nessa, it is good to
see you again,” she said as they kissed each other, “I understand you had a
most entertaining evening last night.”
“It was fun, yes,”
Nessa said with a smile. “So you are
spending Christmas here instead of Bavaria?”
“Well, with our family
here now, it made sense,” Willy said, “and besides, certain other ladies wish
to consult Natalya for the Opernball next month.”
“Of course,” Nessa said
as she looked at Abby. “How are Sigi and
the family?”
“Well, and noisy – they
send their love,” Natalya said.
“You seem very relaxed,
Natalya?”
“I had a short break in
Switzerland recently – it was most refreshing,” she said with a smile as she
sipped her drink.
George smiled and
walked over as he saw Katy arriving in her black evening dress, Jan in a grey
one and Katherine in a more modest blue one while Adam was in a dinner jacket, dark
trousers, white shirt, bow tie and
shoes.
“Hello Katy,” he said
as she turned round, “you look wonderful tonight.”
“So do you,” Katy said
as they kissed. “Sands – my goddess
girl, you look fantastic!”
“Thanks,” Sands said
with a blush as they walked into the room.
"Adam,” Nessa said
as she walked over, “you look particularly handsome."
"Thank you Vanessa, the dinner jacket is rather me I think."
"Distinctly,"
she paused, "Now which do I say, Happy Holidays? Merry Christmas? Or Happy
Hanukah?"
"Happy Holidays
covers everything," the FBI man laughed. "So most people just say
that to me."
Nessa nodded as she said,
“then I wish you a happy holidays,” as an unexpected couple walked in, the
young man wearing a smart suit, the blonde haired woman a green evening dress
with matching gloves.
"Hello Tommy,
hello Holly. We weren’t expecting you?"
"I'm sorry we are
crashing the party for a few moments," Holly looked round, "we are on
the way to Tommy's parents, but when I thought of the dress Sands and I bought
today, I thought we maybe need to add these." Holly held out a long thin
box with a white ribbon round it.
"Sands, Holly is
here to see you." Nessa called out.
"Hey Holly, Hey
Tommy," the youngster smiled as she came out.
"Oh I see someone
had the same idea," Holly laughed as she handed the box to her protégé.
"There are long gloves in here."
"Well these are on
loan from Heather, but Thank You so much for the gift of a pair of my
own." Sandy undid the box and then kissed the bespectacled blonde.
“Will you stay for a
moment and have a drink with us?”
“We’d be honoured,”
Tommy said as Nessa showed them in, Sands following behind them. Heather watched from the other side of the
room and then tapped on Sandy’s shoulder.
“Hmm?”
"Your daughter has
a crush on Holly Lover."
"She does?" Sandy looked at Sands as she talked to Katy.
"You can't
tell?"
"No, I can’t. My mind has been on other things I
guess."
"She asked if it
meant she was like us."
Sandy looked at Heather
before she said "And you replied?"
"Probably not. I
told her crushes are part of growing up."
"Well if she's
going to chose a girl to have a crush on, then Holly is a pretty good
choice."
"I agree."
Heather nodded.
"Did I hear my
name being mentioned?" Holly asked from behind.
"Did you hear what
we were saying?" Heather asked a trifle embarrassed.
"Yes, but I'd
guessed anyway." Holly laughed lightly. "I'll be gentle I promise and
not let her down hard."
"Well if she's
like me she'll soon find another crush." Sandy sipped her wine.
"Well,” Holly said
as she sipped her wine, “I think it’s rather a compliment to me."
"It is
Holly," Heather nodded, "but as I think you know, please just be
careful with her."
"I promise I will
be, and besides she's a bit like the kid sister I don't have."
“Aunt Natalya,” Carina
said as she walked over, “it is good to see you again.”
“And you my dear,”
Natalya said with a smile. “Judith seems
to have grown so much since I last saw her.”
“Indeed – she is so
looking forward to tomorrow, and we all look forward to April.”
“As do we.”
"So, Switzerland
Aunt?" Carina whispered.
"Oh it was just a
trifling thing." Natalya smiled.
"How
trifling?"
"Let me just say
my creature sated her needs shall we." Natalya sipped her wine. "I
must say this wine is quite intoxicating. Not maybe as nice as human blood, but
still very satisfactory."
"Oh Goddess,”
Carina said as she looked round, “those two bankers in Zurich who had their
bodies drained...?"
"Hush dearest
niece."
"One day you need to
tell me just how you did that."
"When I'm sure we
are in private and we can both let ourselves open up...then maybe I will."
"You had better
dear Aunt. I am – intrigued."
“Will our cousin be
here tonight?”
“No – she has gone to
visit Tom’s family for Christmas, but we will have the chance to talk together
next week.”
“Good – I hear she is
doing very well,” Natalya said with a smile.
“Chet! Thanks for coming,” George said as Chet van
Roon arrived with the rest of his family, “at least this year we get to be with
the adults.”
“A relief for all of
you, I am sure,” Chet said as Blair went to talk to Abby and Jo, while Pussy
and Frieda went to see Heather and Sandy.
“I am so glad you could
come,” Nessa said as she hugged Paulie, “are they all here?”
“Oh yes – and look, I
hope you don’t mind, but a couple of old friends called today on me, so I asked
them to come with us as well.”
“Oh – and who might
they... OH MY GOD!!!”
“NESSA!!!”
Alex looked over as the
three older women came in and embraced Nessa, a smile growing on his lips.
“Where did you dig them
out of, Gus my man,” he said as he old friend came over.
“Paulie called them,
asked them all to come tonight.”
“Who are they,” Sandy
said as she saw her mother acting like Liz and Tonia.
“Sandy, that is Miranda
Court, Julia Deckard and Yvonne Dew.”
“Also known,” Paulie
said as she came over, “as The Monsters.”
“As in Ness and the
Monsters?”
“The very same,” Gus
said as they watched the old friends.
"So what are you
drinking Young George?" Adam asked as he refilled two glasses.
"Some cider that
my Gran brought along. It looks like champagne but is non-alcoholic. Katy and
my sister are drinking it as well."
"Don't tell your
Uncle Alex, I'm sure he'd condemn it as an abomination."
"That is pretty
certain." George giggled.
"So is your father
dropping in?"
"He said he would
try. He's got to drop our presents off, and he wants Jennifer's Gran to drop in
and say Hi as well."
"What about Orlanda?"
"I think so, she's
become a friend of Heather's."
“What did you get him
as a Christmas present?”
George looked round,
and then said “Orlanda arranged with Adam Cabot to take a family portrait of
me, Sands and Jennifer to be taken. I
loved the one Jack did of Katy for me, so I thought we’d repeat it this time.”
“Good thinking, and
Katy seems to be behaving herself,” Adam said as she looked at the
teenager. For a moment, he had a flash
in his mind of her stripping off a similar dress, but shook that off.
“So Sir Colin, what do you do to earn an honest crust?" Natalya asked as
she and Willy stood with him and his family.
"Honest?"
Simon laughed.
"What my
unfortunate son and heir means,” Sir Colin said as he raised an eyebrow in
classic Roger Moore style, “is that I'm an investment banker, a profession he
will probably enter one day, despite his current anti-capitalist
leanings."
"Oh you are one of
those Leventhal's? My late father was a customer of yours."
"Well there are a
couple in this room actually.” As he
looked round, he said “Guy has been an old customer, and the Richmond Trust
also has some of its capital invested with us."
"Not
Valeria?"
"No she's a strict
Rothschild customer."
"Oh of course she
is related slightly."
“And what my heir also
needs to remember is, his political leanings aside, we do a lot of good for the
country as well.”
“You know, it is a
genuine pleasure to be here amongst such good friends this year, with fine wine
and good conversation,” Guy said as he stood with Jan, Diana, Valeria and
Katherine.
“And it has been a
successful year on all counts?”
“Indeed – the vineyard
has produced a record harvest, and the stud has begun to come into profit ahead
of plan. Not to mention the success of
Saints’N’Sinnerz and your success on the race track, my dear Janice.”
"My father has
replaced his interest in young beautiful women, with interests in racing and
fine wine." Diana spoke.
"Well a lovely
filly has such beautiful legs..."
"Now are you
talking horses...or women Guy?" Katherine laughed.
"Oh strictly
horses," Guy replied with a twinkle in his eye.
"You had better
be." Valeria gave him a glare that turned into a grin.
"So where are your
children?" Katherine looked round.
"At the party at
the United Nations, but we might see them later." Valeria looked at her
watch.
"It's what my dear
sister-in-law calls the works party."
"Isn't that an
English idiom?" asked Valeria.
"It is, but we
Irish say the same thing." Katherine added.
"So where is Susan
spending her Christmas?"
"She's going to
her in-laws, and her mum and Maeve are coming over for New Years Diana."
"They've taken
Kylie and Marina with them to California." Katy joined the chat. “I heard Helen is spending the holiday with
Caroline and Annie tomorrow.”
“I presume Shirley will
be back for the New Year as well,” Valeria said.
“She gets back on
Monday I believe. I know Ama is really
looking forward to seeing Maisha again.”
"My point is that
all the capital that is represented in this room, how much is actually being
put to use for the common good?" Simon posed a question as he stood with
the other young adults.
"Well my family
has a lot of its capital tied up in land, vines, and wine." Abigail ate a
delicate cucumber sandwich. "We are the biggest employer in our little
region."
"Okay that I will
give you," Simon laughed. "But how much do you have in the banks
simply earning profits from the insidious modern banking practices?"
"Me personally? Or
the family?"
"Hmmm.” Simon rubbed his chin and said “well I'm not
sure."
"Oh don't say
you've stumped my 'red' boyfriend Abs?" Bobbi laughed.
"Not stumped, just
made me think dearest." Simon paused "Abigail as we can guess earns
millions, but again her image generates sales, which generate earnings for
workers, which puts bread on peoples tables. And hey I'm not a true red, I just
wish that we were using the billions held simply as capital, or as paper
assets, to generate real things, and real jobs for ordinary people."
“I actually agree with
you,” Jo said, “but the issue we have is the American dream is built on a philosophy
of earn all you can and enjoy the gains.
Find a way to change that, that manages to please everyone, and I think
there is a Nobel Prize waiting for you.”
"You know you
should be very proud of young Simon." Guy looked across as he and Alex
stood chatting with Colin Leventhal. "The boy has a very big heart, and a
strong conscience."
"I know,” Colin
said as he smiled. “He may spout some
absolute rubbish sometimes, but he is doing it from a sense of justice, and
what is right and wrong. If that can be
channelled in the right way, we may have a real force for social justice
standing there."
"Speaking
personally,” Alex said quietly, “and not for the church, I do find his views
somewhat in line with my own."
"I guessed you
might Father."
"Oh just call me
Alex please Colin. It's such a bore being called Father when I'm off duty so to
speak."
"Alright Alex it
is."
"I think all of us
in the near future will need simply to look beyond our own personal comforts,
and to decide what we can do to help our fellow man."
"You sound like
Rabbi Lowenstein Alex," Colin sipped his wine.
"Well I'm hoping I
do, Isaac and I are close friends, we sit on an inter-denominational committee
together. His books have been a big influence on me, and we share a taste for
good wine as well."
"Do you get to
London a lot then?"
"Oh I'm in Europe
for a month a year usually. Isaac and I often have taken the chance to just
hire a car and follow our nose round a wine growing area."
"Don't let the
good rabbi hear you say he follows his nose." Guy laughed.
"Oh I think Isaac
long since made peace with that proboscis of his." Colin laughed.
“And what is amusing
you so much, Father?”
“Ah Willy,” Guy said as
he turned to see his son and daughter-in-law standing there.”And how was the
party?”
“Boring – and the
Russian delegation were about to lead a round of choral singing, so we took the
opportunity to duck out,” Natasha said.
“Where is mother?”
“Talking to my darling
sister and her old friends,” Alex said as he pointed to the small cluster
laughing in a corner.
“Well, we shall
circulate and catch up with her later,” she said as they walked off.
“Good evening Lady
Leventhal, I’m Janice Carter,” Jan said as she held her hand out.
“Hello I’m Yvonne,” the
Englishwoman said as she shook hands. “Now let me remember, our hostess did
tell me who relates to whom... You are
the mother of that young girl in the black dress, the daughter of that lady
over there, and the partner of that amazing hunk of man over there.” She
pointed to each in turn.
“Guilty on all counts,”
Jan laughed.
“So,” Yvonne said as
she sipped her champagne, “do you plan to convert when you marry him?”
“Ummm convert, marry
him?” Jan blushed as she said “neither
question has popped up so far.”
“Oh I can assure you
that it will Janice, take it from someone who has been married over 20 years,
Jewish men move cautiously, but they will pop the question eventually.”
“They do?”
“Definitely,” Yvonne
Leventhal sipped her champagne again. “As for conversion, your mother’s accent
betrays Irish roots, and unless that is a false track guarantees you are a
Christian, and probably a Catholic.”
“Again, very good
deductions.”
“I was in the same
position, I was raised Anglican, but Leventhal men generally marry Christian
women so that the inbreeding gets no worse than it did with all the cousin
marriages in the nineteenth century. I converted to Judaism before our
marriage.”
“It’s funny,” Jan said
with a smile, “but religion is one of the few things Adam and I never have talked
about.”
“Have you met his
mother?”
“No.”
“Well be assured she’s
discussed your religion with him. I’m an expert on the subject of Jewish
mothers-in-law.”
“You don’t get on?”
“Oh Helen and I get on
famously. It’s the mothers-in-law of my friends that I know.”
“Okay Gotcha.” Janice
laughed. “But seriously, I do not think
marriage is on the agenda.” Sipping her
own glass, she said “so if what you say is correct, how do you feel about Simon
and Bobbi?”
“Now that is somewhat
different. I know this may sound cruel,
but we are not related in any way, shape or form to the Morse family.”
“So it would be similar
to me marrying Sandy Richmond’s brother if she had one?”
“Precisely. She is a delightful young woman, and they do
make a wonderful couple.”
Jan nodded as she
looked at Adam. She had only met his
sister Eve in passing – what was his mother like?
“So are the stories we
have heard of Nessa in her youth true,” Valeria said as she looked at Miranda.
“That depends on what
you have heard,” Miranda said with a giggle, “certainly she was one of the most
modern women at St Angela’s at the time.”
“Which wasn’t easy,”
Nessa said, “when you had the Dragon as the principle.”
“The Dragon?”
“Mrs Augusta Tremayne,”
Julia said as she sipped her drink, “the Principle of St Angela’s at the
time. A real old school battleaxe - like
Margaret Rutherford in those old British films without the sense of humour.”
“I can still hear her
to this day,” Yvonne said, “I do not expect young ladies of this academy to conduct
themselves in such a deplorable and offensive manner.”
“Didn’t stop us though,
did it,” Paulie said, the five of them laughing.
“Seriously though,”
Miranda said, “Yes, Vanessa Richmond was a trendsetter, as you may have
heard. Hey, you still sing?”
“Oh you should have
heard her yesterday,” Paulie said with a smile, “she brought the house down at
a Sweet Sixteen party for a young friend of Sandy’s.”
“Oh really,” Yvonne
said, “who were you singing with?”
“Oh nobody special,”
Nessa said as she blushed.
“Just a couple of old
singers – guys called Mick Jagger and Tom Jones.”
“NO!!!” Julia looked at Nessa, who blushed and
nodded. “How did that happen?”
“Long story – turns out
a friend of a friend of Sandy’s actually knows both of them, she arranged for
Mick to sing, then Tom turned up, and the next thing you know, we’re singing
You Were On My Mind...”
“Oh now that does take
me back,” Miranda said.
“So where on earth did
Paulie find you?”
“Well,” Miranda said,
“I’m retired now – I live down in Florida, but when Paulie called, I came
running.”
“I had a bit of a trip
too – up from Houston.”
“And as for me,” Yvonne
said, “I live in Philly.”
“And partners?”
“All widowed, I’m
afraid,” Miranda said, “Paulie’s the lucky one.”
“Yes, but how many children
and grandchildren have you got between the three of you?”
The three looked at
each other, before Julia said “Okay – I THINK we have seven children and
fifteen grandchildren.”
“And one Great-Grand
child on the way,” Yvonne said with a smile.
“So, why Nessa and the
Monsters?”
“Oh that was a fun
thing – what did we sign at our Senior Prom?”
“You were Head Girl,
Miranda – you must remember.”
“I think we all do –
Nessa, want to remember those days?”
“Why not – if you don’t
mind a capella,” she said as the four of them stood up, Nessa facing them.
“Is she really going
out with him?” Yvonne looked at Julia
who said “Well, there she is. Let's ask her. Betty, is that Jimmy's ring you're
wearing?”
“Mm-hmm,” Nessa said as
the guests gathered round them.
“Gee, it must be great
riding with him,” Miranda said, “Is he picking you up after school today?”
“Uh-uh”
The three then said in
unison “By the way, where'd you meet him?”
Nessa took a deep
breath, and stated to sing
“I met him at the candy
store
He turned around and smiled at me
You get the picture?”
The trio said “yes, we
see,” before Nessa sang “That's when I fell for,” and they sang back “the
leader of the pack.”
“My folks were always
putting him down...”
“Down, down.”
“They said he came from
the wrong side of town.”
“Whatcha mean when ya
say that he came from the wrong side of town?” they sang as they looked at each
other.
“They told me he was bad
But I knew he was sad
That's why I fell for...”
“The leader of the
pack!”
“One day my dad said,
"Find someone new"
I had to tell my Jimmy we're through.”
“Whatcha mean when ya
say that ya better go find somebody new?” they sang back to Nessa as they
danced from side to side.
“He stood there and
asked me why
But all I could do was cry
I'm sorry I hurt you...”
“The leader of the
pack!”
As Miranda, Yvonne and
Julia hummed, Nessa lowered her head and said “He sort of smiled and kissed me
goodbye
The tears were beginning to show
As he drove away on that rainy night
I begged him to go slow
But whether he heard, I'll never know
Look out! Look out!
Look out! Look out!”
There was a moment’s
silence, before Nessa sang again.
“I felt so helpless,
what could I do?
Remembering all the things we'd been through
In school they all stop and stare
I can't hide the tears, but I don't care
I'll never forget him...”
“The leader of the
pack!
The leader of the pack
- now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone...”
As they stopped, the
room applauded as they looked round.
“That’s my mom,” Sandy
said as she went to see who had arrived.
“What happened to you,”
Sandy said as the group of four came in from the falling snow.
“Believe me, I have
been thinking the same thing,” Ingrid said as she shook herself down.
“You made it.”
"I'm sorry we are
late Vanessa, but the Consul-General droned on and on." Klaus apologized
then kissed his hostess, whilst a maid took his and Adam's overcoats.
"It was a trifle
boring to say the least," Juliette also kissed Nessa whilst the maid took
hers and Ingrid's furs.
"Well duty can
sometimes be irksome." Nessa smiled.
"So who is
here?" Juliette asked.
“Well, Natasha and
Willy arrived a little while ago, and I think you know almost everyone else...”
“I see the rest of your
family finally made it,” Jo said as she handed Judith a glass of juice.
“GRAPPY,” Judith said
as she toddled over to Klaus, his arms wide open in greeting.
“Yeah – how’s Curt?”
“Honestly – wishing he
was here,” Jo said. “On the other hand,
it could be awkward for Saturday night if he was here.”
“True, very true...”
"I have to say
young George is looking rather spiffy as they used to say."
"Isn't he just
Valeria," Sandy smiled proudly.
"So who does he
inherit his taste and style from?"
"Oh I wish I could
say me,” Sandy said, “but he's definitely his father's son. George started
taking him to his tailor two or three months ago, and they definitely share the
same idea as to what looks good on themselves."
"Well George
should be proud..."
"Proud of
who?" Diana butted in.
"We were talking
about Young George and his sartorial taste Diana."
"He is looking
particularly handsome," Diana paused and looked closely, "maybe a bit
conservative in his dress, but he carries himself so well, just like..."
"His father, it
was what I was saying." Sandy smiled again. "It seems I'm doomed to
have little sartorial impact on my own children. My daughter sees Holly
Berryman as her model, and my son his father."
"Poor you,"
Valeria laughed lightly, "but at least you are not forcing upon them the
negative stereotypes I forced upon my daughter."
“And yet she has become
a beautiful wife and mother Valeria – and for the record, George has his own
views on what looks good.”
“I recognise that
voice,” Sandy said as she turned round. “How
are you?”
“Very well thank you,”
George said as Nessa greeted Maureen and Tony Gardiner. “I have a bag I need to leave here – Orlanda
is talking to Heather with the details.”
“Where is Jennifer?”
“Babysitter – you may
know her. Letty Kinman?”
“Good choice,” Sandy
said with a smile, George doing the same.
“I just want to say it’s good to see you smiling again.”
“It’s been a while,
hasn’t it?”
“It’s been a tough
year,” Sandy said.
“Hello Dad.”
“Alexandra? When did you become such a beautiful young
woman?”
“Dad...”
“It’s all right, we’re
all thinking the same thing...”
“She really has
blossomed, hasn’t she,” Orlanda said as she looked at Sands talking to her
father.
“They all have – look
at them,” Heather said as she looked at Katy and George walking over.
“Well, when Jennifer is
their age,” Orlanda says, “I hope I will be as proud of her as you are of
them. You have done a wonderful job with
them Heather.”
“That’s my sister, the
wonder Nanny,” Jo said as she handed Orlanda a drink. “Don’t praise her too much though – it’s her
turn to wake up early if they do.”
“Somehow, I don’t think
they will,” Heather said with a smile.
“Juliette, it is good
to see you again,” Natalya said as she kissed Juliette on both cheeks.”
“And you – I trust you
had a good flight?”
“Passable – Willy slept
for most of it. Judith is so charming
tonight.”
“I think she’s getting
a little tired,” Annie said as she picked her up, Judith resting her head on
the older woman’s shoulder.
“So tomorrow, is it all
right is we arrive at lunchtime?”
“That will be perfect.”
"So how are you
keeping yourself amused Carina?" Valeria asked.
"I'm reading the
photocopy I made at Furstenheim of Grandma Lexa's diary."
"Now that would
make interesting reading."
"Oh it is. I've
just got to a piece where she is talking about her grandmother."
"Which one?"
Valeria asked with genuine interest.
"Lady
Sawchester."
"Oh HER!"
Valeria laughed. “I believe Alexa
inherited a lot of her character.”
"She's telling a story of going shopping in London with her grandmother.
In it she says that she wasn't sure about a certain dress. Her grandmother
declared it perfect and after Lexa said maybe I need get another opinion, she
delivered the crushing line, 'all things are either right or wrong, but since
I'm never wrong, then why would you need ask anyone else?'."
"Oh that sounds
like what my grandmother told me about old Lady Sawchester." Valeria
laughed again. "I can see why you are enjoying reading the diaries, you
will learn an awful about a lost world from them."
"So what is going
on over there?" Heather asked Juliette as they watched the group of young
people.
"Something to
avoid, my step-daughter to be is adding the weight of her arguments to Simon's
in support of social investment by capitalists, whilst Adam and Bobbi are
arguing the other side, and everyone else is chipping in the best they
can."
"Oh it sounds like
the arguments we used to have in the dorm at Yale."
"Exactly, and as
always with younger people it’s best to let them educate each other with
arguments."
"You sound like a
university tutor Ju?"
"Do I?” Juliette
shook her head and said “Damn I must be getting old."
"Never,"
Klaus brought her and Heather some more champagne.
"Well you are
biased my love." Juliette kissed her man.
“Have we got a good old
fashioned debate going on over there,” Pussy said as she came over and joined
them. “I could have sworn I just heard
Blair having a small dig at Bobbi.”
“There certainly seems
to be,” Heather said. “Do you remember
the ones we had back in ‘08?”
“Oh lord yes – Dubya,
Misunderstood or Misogynist? That ran
for months up to the election that year...”
“It amazes me that in
this, they discover the people they truly are and will become,” Diana said as
Sandy came over.
“And they are the
better for it,” Sandy said with a smile.
“Look at them – just two years ago they were treating my kitchen like
their den.”
“They still do at
times, lover,” Heather said with a smile.
“I know – but they have
come so far.”
All the older woman
nodded as the party went on round them....
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