A Face To Die For (15 page)

Anyway, my earlier intake of scurrilous gossip from the
Morning Sun
had given me quite a taste for meeting such infamous people. After all, it seemed I was almost on the verge of becoming one myself.

CHAPTER 11

Back at work, I got involved in a wrangle with Edward over my new designs for the next Autumn/Winter Collection. I wanted to include a few trouser suits, and he wouldn't agree.

'Far too masculine,' he said, tossing my sketches to one side. 'Even with your modifications, Courtney clients simply won't like it. It's not what they're used to.'

‘
Exactly! That's why we should be catering for
now
and the future, not yesterday; we need to be diverse for once,' I asserted. 'Anyhow,
Miss Courtney
designs are mostly aimed at the younger clients. They'll love it. Elegant tailored trousers for smart women will soon be big news. You mark my words!'

'I don't doubt that, Annabel, but I still think we should avoid such gimmicky trends.'

Edward was digging his heels in again, as only he could.

I looked across at Lynda. Come on now; please back me up over this, my expression pleaded.

'Honestly, I can't believe how inflexible you can be at times, Edward!' I exploded, determined to make my point. 'Look... Ricci, Courreges, Quant, as well as loads of other houses, are all featuring trousers in one form or another this year. Why the hell shouldn't we?' I handed him a magazine open at a coloured picture of Jean Shrimpton modelling a Nina Ricci updated thirties style trouser suit in honey beige shantung. It demonstrated exactly what I was aiming at… chic, but also youthfully trendy. 'I wouldn't say that's gimmicky, would you? In fact it's one of the biggest statements to come out of the last collections. Don't you ever look through
Vogue
to see which designs from the shows they choose to feature? Trouser suits are here in a big way. We really must move with current trends, or we'll lose our clientele.'

To my surprise Lynda began nodding in agreement, although up to now she been reticent to say much; unlike our early days working together when she would have eagerly backed me to the hilt.

'Annabel's right you know, Edward, I think we should feature
some
trousers ... a couple, anyway,' she appealed.

'Thanks, Lynda,' I flashed. 'So come on, Edward, give me the go ahead, please. I promise you won't regret it.'

In the end he relented, reluctantly agreeing to just two designs; a soft version of a masculine shaped, wool suit with a narrow satin collar and belted back, in a choice of three colours with topstitched pockets and brass buttons, and an evening trouser suit in heavy cream Guipure lace, lined in chocolate silk. This design also offered an alternative long skirt with a side split to the knee. I'd won through this time, but it so frustrated me to have such a battle royal in order to get my way.

Lynda was in a somewhat evasive mood all afternoon, once Edward left. Whilst she and I still worked well together she had become quite distant on a personal level. It dated back to our embarrassing confrontation and she said very little since about her involvement with Edward. I respected her wishes up to a point, but it saddened me she felt this way. The stilted silences between us at times were horrible.

This resulted in me saying nothing to her about the current worry I had over the leak to the British press about Susannah. Things were so different now between us that I felt no desire to even attempt to discuss how the story might have got out. In any case, she might easily assume I was accusing
her
of leaking it.

Leaving her at her desk to get on with ordering some fabrics and trimmings for several new designs, including the trouser outfits, I attempted to wade through the remaining spicy scandal pages of the
Morning Sun
once more. She asked no questions, nor queried or made any comment about my task in hand. Until, suddenly, exactly what I was looking for stared out at me.

'Bingo!' I yelled.

Looking across, Lynda laid down her pen. 'What on earth have you been scouring those papers for, Annabel? What have you found?'

The ice had been broken at last. I was pleased. Her curiosity in the end must have beaten her as she came across the room to look at the piece I was reading. I moved aside to allow her to see. It was a small section of a large column called Gloria's Gossip; much like the American one had been. It read...

On the grapevine
: During a recent visit here, an uncorroborated story was leaked disclosing that Susannah Karos, estranged wife of business tycoon, Alex Karos, is allegedly having a lesbian relationship with her English secretary, Mel Robson Gray. If there is any truth in it, then Susannah and Alex can expect to have some acrimonious divorce details to sort out. For instance; what about their small son? It is considered highly likely that joint custody of the child will be granted. But because Alex spends his life jetting between London and New York, the burning question remains; how will his unnamed paramour here in London feel about the possibility of taking the child on for some of the time? And therefore will Alex eventually make an honest woman of her?

I was horrified. Although my name wasn't mentioned I was clearly known by whoever had divulged the information.

'How the bloody hell did this get out!' I exploded, looking at Lynda, angrily. 'You and I are the only ones aren't we, to have suspected Susannah relationship with Mel? I discussed it with Vanessa, but she'd never speak to the press!'

Lynda snorted indignantly. 'Well I sincerely hope you don't think
I
had anything to do with it!'

'Have you mentioned it to Edward by any chance?'

'No, of course not. In any case he wouldn't disclose such a thing either, even if he did know about it.' Her face was red, but I had to believe her. The atmosphere between us had been bad enough lately without this adding to it.

'Of course I know it wouldn't have been you, Lynda. Just as long as you've told no one else, that's all.

'I assure you I haven't.' She eyed me briefly with a touch of animosity. Then, as if thinking better of it, her look became one of deep concern. 'What does Alex say about it all then? I mean, isn't he angry? And where does it leave you and him now?

'We haven't discussed it yet. He only returned from New York last night.'

'What!' Lynda stared at me. 'Doesn't he know
anything
yet about you being aware of Susannah and Mel's relationship?'

'No. I haven’t had the chance to talk to him about it yet. If you recall he was away at the time it all happened, and since then I've had the emergency with my mother. The opportunity's just never presented itself yet.'

'I see.' Lynda frowned, pointed to the newspaper. 'So how did you know about this then? Did someone else tell you?'

'No. Let me explain...' I then told her all about the New York newspaper page I'd found in Alex's pocket and what it had said about the scandal being reported in the British press.

'I simply wanted to find out exactly what the English rag had said. And as luck would have it, it was amongst this pile up in the work-room.'

She gazed at the pile of papers. 'Oh, I'm with you now. I wondered what you were doing with all these. But to get back to Alex, you'll discuss it with him now of course? Perhaps you'll get the truth then.'

'Unless he chooses to put up a smoke screen. He has serious business problems at present. He didn't mention any of this to me last night anyway. And that's confused me.'

'He might not even talk now unless you ask him outright. You
must
, Annabel. I can imagine how bewildered you are though.'

Lynda and I seemed back on our old footing with one another. She made a cup of tea and we reverted to ‘chewing over’ everything in detail again; including Edward. I learnt that a few weeks ago he'd taken her to an Evangelical meeting and as a result she'd now also converted to the faith. It seemed it was because of this she'd become so distant and evasive with me; imagining I would disapprove.

'I was so scared that, being a non church-goer, you'd think I'd gone nuts,' she laughed.

'Of course not!' I assured her. 'Lynda, I'd never decry anyone who chooses any particular religious path. Just don't try to convert me, that's all. If you and Edward have a good thing going, it makes sense I guess, that you both have similar interests, even religion. Honestly, I'm pleased for you.'

I did however wonder how having rampant sex on my office carpet had anything to do with it? But in the end I chose not to ask the question; I was simply overjoyed to be friends with her again.

*

The phone was ringing as I let myself into the flat but it stopped just as I reached it. Alex was obviously not back. It might have been Philip. So I telephoned him anyway, to ask after Mum, knowing she was due out of hospital any day.

'Maggie's here, Anna. She came home this morning,' said Philip cheerfully. 'She's fine; I'll get her for you.'

'Hello, darling!' Mum's voice was strong and determined. 'It's wonderful to be home again.'

'I'll bet.'

'The specialist says I'm doing really well. I get tired, that's the only thing but Philip's spoiling me no end, which is lovely.'

We chatted on a bit and I asked whether Philip had any news about the sale of the restaurants? Mum passed me back to Philip so he could fill me in.

'It’s looking promising, Anna. If Valoir can raise enough capital he wants them both, which is great as far as I'm concerned. I'll keep you informed anyway.'

It was wonderful to know Mum was home and recovering well, and of course if the restaurants were soon sold then Philip could devote more time to her. She was to begin radium treatment in a few weeks and I knew that wouldn't be pleasant for her. I tried to reassure her that it was all worth it, and promised to visit again soon.

Alex arrived just as I was ringing off. Kissing my cheek, he affectionately patted my bottom. Then walking on, he spoke in an unusually serious tone. 'Come through into the sitting room, honey, I've something to tell you.'

CHAPTER 12

‘
Sit down, honey.' Alex patted the sofa beside him.

His eyes were intense and troubled, his heavy, dark eyebrows shading his eyes. As he gazed at me alarmingly, his olive complexion appeared swarthier than ever.

'What?' I ventured timidly.

Leaning forward he lit up a Marlboro, inhaling deeply. He cleared his throat. I sat still, hardly daring to breathe.

'Susannah's divorcing me. And, before you get excited, it's
not
the good news it sounds. Not straightforward by any means.'

I was about to butt in to say I already knew about it, but he put his hand up. 'No, don't speak ’till I've finished, Annabel. My father arrived today, and he tells me Susannah is threatening to throw all she can at me, and I think it's possible that
you
could get involved. You see a malicious exposé has been released accusing her of having a lesbian relationship with her secretary, Mel. You probably met her?'

I gulped and nodded, gazing at him blankly, not daring to speak now until I'd heard him out.

'Well, it's utter nonsense of course, but she thinks that I… or someone connected with me, must be to blame for such a story being leaked here in London where it was first reported. She has an idea I have a lover here but she's no idea it's you. So far I've managed to keep your name from her, but now she means to get back at me over this malicious story. She's utterly convinced I had something to do with it you see! The woman's quite mad, of course.'

Crikey! This was yet another slant on the situation.

Alex took another drag of his cigarette. 'So, she's about to financially take me to the cleaners and I'm not sure if I can do a thing about it. You see I'm afraid sooner or later her detectives will learn who you are and then we won't have a leg to stand on. It can hardly be denied and you are sure to be named. I'm so sorry, honey.' He looked at me with worried eyes.

I took his hand. 'Alex, why has she never queried whether you have a lover here before? After all you've spent enough time apart from her. It's a bit odd if you ask me. Are you sure she has nothing to hide, or that this scandal about her
is
nonsense, as you put it? I wouldn't be quite so sure. No smoke, and all that…'

He flashed me a sharp look. 'What do you mean?'

I poured out everything I knew, his eyes growing wider by the minute. The only thing I couldn't tell him was who had leaked the story here to the press.

He sat thinking hard, gazing through me with a sad, almost bereft expression. Then he stubbed out his cigarette and looked into my eyes.

'So, from what you're saying it could be true then about Susannah and Mel? You’re sure Lynda knew Mel at school?'