The Blackwell Lessons (12 page)

35

Marc drives me to the Peacock Lounge, but doesn’t accompany me inside.

‘I’ll pick you up at ten,’ he says, fixing me with those intense eyes of his. ‘Don’t be late out Mrs Blackwell. Or I might have to put you over my knee.’

I throw him pretend innocent eyes. ‘You wouldn’t do that, would you?’

His lips curl into a smile. ‘I would.’

‘Maybe I’ll be late then …’

I kiss him lightly on the lips, but Marc pulls me to him and kisses me hard.

For a moment I’m lost in him, barely able to pull away. But I manage it.

‘I have to do this. Okay? I know you’d rather I stay home.’

‘How did you guess?’

‘Oh just female intuition.’ I smile. ‘Look, I get it. I know you care about me. I know you want me to rest. And I know I haven’t made the best choices in the past. I’ve worn myself out. I’ve been stupid. I’m lucky to have your trust. But believe me Marc,’ my hands drop to my stomach, ‘our baby could be inside here. I’m as anxious as you to play it safe.’

Marc takes my hand and puts his palm to mine, watching my hand as he dances it up and down. ‘I know. It’s just hard. When you love someone so much.’

The Peacock Lounge is by the River Thames, with a panoramic window overlooking the water.

Bright blue lights illuminate the bar and red velvet chairs are dotted around.

I see Leo, Baz, Ruby and Sigourney sitting with Nadia and the crew by the window. The girls sip cocktails, while Leo and Baz drink beer.

As I walk towards the table, I feel the bar crowd watching me.

I hear murmurs.

‘Is it her? I think that’s … Sophia Rose. Is that the girl from Beauty and the Beast?’

I smile shyly, muttering ‘excuse me’ as I weave through.

Before I reach the table, Leo leaps to his feet.

‘Sophia!’ He pushes through the crowd and grabs my arm. ‘You made it. There was a fuck up. This should have been a private party, but the bar mixed the dates. It was packed when we got here. So we’re doing the goldfish bowl thing – sitting with everyone staring at us. Not much we can do about it now.’

He steers me through the gawping crowd and sits me at the table.

‘Hey.’ Leo taps a cameraman on the shoulder. ‘Mind if we switch? Sophia and I have some catching up to do.’

As I sit, I feel Sigourney glaring at me across the table. But when I turn to her, she puts on a big fake smile.

‘Sophia!’ she calls, taking a sip of some clear, bubbly drink with artistically cut lemon slices in it. ‘How are you? How’s Marc?’

‘We’re good,’ I say, as calmly as I can manage.

‘Honey bunch!’ Nadia moves her chair next to mine. ‘I am SO sorry about this mess. None of these people should be here.’ She waves her hand at the crowd. ‘But the bar made a mistake. They double booked. I didn’t want someone to get fired so I just said … okay! We’ll work with this. All right?’

‘It’s fine,’ I say, managing a smile.

‘It bloody isn’t,’ Sigourney shouts, taking another sip of her drink. ‘I fucking hate members of the public. Always wanting a piece of you.’

‘Do you want a drink?’ Nadia asks me, ignoring Sigourney’s comment. ‘Oh wait! No cocktail for you, right?’ She winks.

I glance around the table, hoping no one else heard and is putting two and two together.

Sigourney watches me carefully, an eyebrow raised in thought.

36

‘Just an orange juice for me,’ I say quietly.

‘Oh we can do better than that!’ says Nadia. ‘This is the best cocktail lounge in London. They do all sorts of virgin drinks. Here.’

She grabs a red-velvet bound menu and flicks through. ‘Ah ha! Perfect for you. Vanilla Chocolate Malt without the vodka. You like hot chocolate right?’

I smile, a little embarrassed. ‘I’m a child at heart. How did you know I liked hot chocolate?’

‘Marc called the movie caterer this morning. To check if there was any hot chocolate for you. And to personally order some for tomorrow.’

‘Vanilla Chocolate Malt sounds great,’ I say. ‘Thank you.’

Nadia slaps the menu closed and clicks her finger at the waiter.

‘Hey!’ Sigourney calls across the table. ‘If you’re ordering, I’ll have another.’ She taps her half-full glass.

‘Someone’s drinking quickly,’ Nadia whispers.

‘Soph.’ Leo grabs my hand. ‘Listen – you know about Sigourney and Marc by now. Right? I mean, he told you all about it. Didn’t he?’

‘Yes.’ My stomach turns over. ‘I wish someone had told me before though. I felt like an idiot.’

‘I would have but … it just didn’t seem relevant to anything. I mean, Sigourney has hardly been short of high-profile boyfriends. The Hollywood crowd … there are so many matches. You’d get dizzy if you tried to remember all of them.’

‘Marc wasn’t her boyfriend,’ I say, wishing I sounded calmer.

‘Whoa. Calm down. Just a figure of speech. Please don’t tell me that little Miss Perfect is jealous.’

‘I am in no way perfect, Leo.’

‘Oh come on. You’re a little bit perfect.’

‘No I’m not.’

‘Does it bug you? That Marc was with Sigourney?’

‘Of course it does.’

‘It shouldn’t.’

‘Wouldn’t it bother you? If Jen was with someone you had to work with?’

Leo laughs and sucks a triangle of pineapple from a cocktail stick. ‘Not me. I’m enlightened. I don’t do that possessive jealousy shit. I mean, look at me. I’m sitting two seats away from my ex-girlfriend.’ He lowers his voice. ‘Who completely broke my heart, by the way. Did I mention that?’

‘You mentioned it. While we were doing
Beauty and the Beast
.’

‘She ripped up my pride and stamped all over it. But hey – life will throw you a few of those bad moments. And I’ve got nothing but gratitude. Because she’s helped me grow.’ Leo drops the cocktail stick to the table and swigs from a beer bottle. ‘The past is the past. I live in the moment.’

‘Good attitude,’ I say. ‘I wish I could feel the same way. I just hate it, you know? The thought that Marc has been with someone else? Especially someone I’m going to have to see every day for a while.’

‘You didn’t strike me as the jealous type,’ says Leo. ‘So I guess you must really love this guy.’

I laugh. ‘I married him.’

‘But seriously Sophia. Jealousy? From someone so beautiful? It doesn’t suit you. Let the past go. It has nothing to do with your present.’

‘Did it ever bother you?’ I ask. ‘That Sigourney was with Marc first?’

Leo laughs. ‘I don’t get into all that high school bullshit. You know me. I’m not an alpha male “get off my girl” type of guy. Like I said. The past is the past. But I’m glad Marc filled you in about the whole Sigourney thing. I didn’t like you not knowing.’

‘He told me she wasn’t important.’

‘There you go then.’

My drink arrives – a tall, chocolate concoction with a swirled black and white straw and a chocolate curl balancing on the rim of the glass.

A clear, fizzing drink is placed by Sigourney’s elbow, and she takes a long gulp.

‘Wow. This is delicious,’ I say, taking a sip of my drink.

‘It looks it,’ says Leo, dipping a finger into my glass.

I laugh and swat his hand.

Leo grabs me in a playful headlock and rubs my hair.

‘Hey!’ I yell, pulling myself free. ‘Enough with the little brother stuff. I’ll tell Jen on you.’

‘Jen has changed my life,’ says Leo, suddenly serious. ‘I’ve never been out with such a cool girl. She doesn’t care what the newspapers say or if I’m kidding around with you. Or anything. She is just totally secure.’

‘She is,’ I agree. ‘Jen has a thick skin. She’s very sure of what she’s worth. And she’s worth a whole lot. So I hope you’re being nice to her.’

‘Nice to her? I love the girl.’

‘You should. She’s amazing.’

I get the sense that Sigourney is listening. When I glance at her, she gives me another horrible false smile.

‘So what are you two talking about?’ Sigourney shouts across the table.

‘Nothing important.’

‘Really? I don’t believe it.’

She grabs her drink and strides towards me.

37

Sigourney’s eyes are swimming a little and slightly red. She really is too thin – bones sticking out everywhere and legs like broom handles.

‘So,’ she says, placing her drink next to mine. ‘We’re both new girls on the movie set.’ She sways a little, and Leo grabs her arm to stop her crashing into a waiter.

‘I can stand,’ Sigourney snaps, shaking her arm free.

‘Could have fooled me.’

‘You’re still doing that Leo? You’re still patronising me?’

‘And you’re still drinking too much?’

‘Oh let your hair down for once. Stop being so prim and proper.’

Leo laughs. ‘You can accuse me of many things. But being prim and proper …’ He shakes his head. ‘It’s kind of sad, don’t you think? That we were together so long, but you never really knew me.’

‘Oh I knew you,’ says Sigourney. ‘I knew exactly what you liked.’

‘Maybe once,’ says Leo amiably. ‘But not any more. Hey – did you get to see Sophia here in
Beauty and the Beast
? She was pretty incredible.’

‘Ugh, I hate musicals,’ says Sigourney. ‘But I’m sure Sophia and I are going to be great friends. Right?’

‘Um … sure,’ I say, not feeling at all comfortable. There’s something about Sigourney that feels a bit dangerous. I don’t think she wants to be my friend at all. This is some big act.

‘So.’ Sigourney puts long, slim fingers on my shoulder. ‘You and Marc … how long’s it been now? Just a few months?’

‘We only married a few days ago.’

‘Honeymoon phase,’ she says. ‘God – when Marc and I were in that phase we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.’

‘You and Marc never had a relationship,’ I snap.

Sigourney raises an eyebrow. ‘Touch
ee
!’ She gives Leo a ‘what the hell is her problem?’ glance.

‘Sigourney,’ says Leo. ‘Sophia just got married. Have some tact for fuck’s sake.’

‘Okay, okay.’ Sigourney holds up her hands. ‘I just thought we were all grown-ups. But if I can’t speak honestly—’

‘You know what I mean, Sigourney,’ says Leo. ‘Have a bit of consideration. The girl doesn’t want to hear about you sleeping with her husband.’

‘Oh I get it,’ says Sigourney, signalling a waiter and pointing at her drink. ‘YOU, Falkirk, are
still
fucking bitter. It was
years
ago Leo. When are you going to get over me?’

Leo laughs. ‘I got over you years ago.’

‘After months of stalking me.’

‘I didn’t
stalk
you.’

‘Calling me ten, twenty times a day.
Where are you baby? I need you. Come back to me
.’

‘Hey.’ Leo’s grip tightens on his beer. ‘You left. I had no idea why. One day you were there, one day you were gone. What did you expect me to do?’

‘Be a man about it.’

‘I
was
a man about it. When I found out you’d cheated on me with that French guy I could have broken his nose. But I didn’t. Live and let live.’

Sigourney’s eyes go all wide and girlish. ‘You would have done that for me?’

‘At the time, yes.’

‘And what about now?’

‘After you cheated on me and married someone else? Uh … I think that ship has sailed. Anyway, I’m with the best girl I ever met.’ He puts a brotherly arm around my shoulder. ‘One of Sophia’s friends, as a matter of fact.’

‘God! You’re kidding me.’ Sigourney grabs a fresh drink from the waiter. ‘It’s so fucking incestuous around here.’

‘We’re living together in London and everything’s great,’ says Leo. ‘A perfect fit.’

‘So far,’ says Sigourney. ‘Relationships always feel that way at first.’

Leo shrugs. ‘This girl is forever. Well – probably. I guess you can never really say forever.’

‘Probably?’ snaps Sigourney, her eyes narrowing. ‘How romantic. You never told me
probably
. It was always you and me forever.’

‘You never know how life’s going to go,’ says Leo. ‘You taught me that. I never would have guessed you would have done what you did. Life can be funny. But hey – everything worked out for the best.’

Sigourney glances at me. ‘Not yet. Not for me at least.’

She strides away and jumps onto Baz’s lap, throwing her hair around and laughing.

To my surprise, Baz looks happy. He slides his arm around Sigourney, and she leans into him giggling like a little girl.

I notice Leo watching them.

‘Hey,’ I tell Leo. ‘Jen doesn’t get jealous. But don’t give her a reason to be.’

Leo snaps his head away. ‘A reason? She doesn’t have a reason.’

‘You said that a little quickly.’

‘I couldn’t care less about Sigourney.’ But Leo’s gaze keeps pulling back to his ex-girlfriend, who’s now fondling Baz’s chest and gazing into his eyes.

‘Leo. Are you sure about that?’

Leo frowns. But he doesn’t answer.

We watch as Baz whispers something in Sigourney’s ear. Then he pushes her off his lap, slaps her bottom and swaggers over to Leo.

Baz wears well-worn jeans and a grey hoody. His scarred, stubbly face looks every bit the gangster.

‘Evening all.’ Baz grabs a seat beside Leo.

Sigourney sneaks glances in our direction, whilst pretending to laugh with a cameraman. She doesn’t look happy. The cameraman, on the other hand, looks like he’s died and gone to heaven.

‘Bit fancy this place, isn’t it?’ says Baz. ‘Give me a proper boozer any day. I hate all these poncey glasses.’

‘How’s it going buddy?’ says Leo, suddenly sounding tired.

‘Not bad.’ Baz nods at Leo’s beer bottle. ‘I’m glad someone else is having a beer. I can’t stand all this fizzy pink stuff.’

‘Can I help you with something?’ Leo asks. ‘You were talking to Sigourney. So … is she causing trouble again?’

‘That Sigourney,’ Baz says, leaning in close. ‘She was one of yours, wasn’t she?’

‘She was,’ says Leo. ‘A long time ago.’

‘How long?’

‘Years.’

‘She says you still like her.’

Leo laughs. ‘I’m
living
with Sophia’s friend Jen. I think it’s fair to say I’ve moved on.’

‘Sigourney is a beautiful girl,’ says Baz, pulling up a chair and sitting on it sideways. ‘I’d understand if you still had eyes for her.’

‘She doesn’t change,’ says Leo, shaking his head. ‘Always stirring up trouble.’

‘So do you still like her or what?’

‘Listen. Baz. I’m living with the best girl I ever met. Sigourney cheated on me and broke my heart – oh like a decade ago. She’s old news. What’s she been saying?’

‘Just like I said. That you still like her.’ Baz scratches the back of his neck. ‘I was … checking. You don’t shit on your mate’s patch do you?’

‘There’s no patch to shit on. If you want to be with Sigourney, go right ahead, Baz. With my blessing. But listen – unless she’s done a hundred per cent personality change in the last few years I’d handle her with care. She’s what you call a live wire.’

Baz grins. ‘That’s what I’m counting on.’

Sigourney is still throwing us the occasional glance. Her expression has changed from fierce to puppy-dog sad.

Baz slaps Leo on the back. ‘So you’re okay if I …?’

‘I’m okay.’

‘Rock and roll.’

Baz strolls back to Sigourney and lifts her onto his lap.

Sigourney looks happy with the attention. But every so often she shoots Leo a sad glance.

I catch Leo watching her again.

‘Are you really sure there isn’t unfinished business between you two?’ I ask.

‘What?’ Leo tears his eyes away. ‘With Sigourney? No. Hell no. It’s just …’ Leo shakes his head. ‘It’s been so long. Yet she’s still screwing with my mind. After all these years.’

‘Leo? Is there something you want to talk about?’

Leo tips back the last of his beer and slams the bottle on the table.

‘Nope. Absolutely nothing at all. At least, nothing to do with Sigourney. I’m offski. See you tomorrow.’

‘Uh … okay,’ I say. ‘Say hi to Jen for me.’

‘Yeah,’ says Leo distractedly, slinging his denim jacket around his shoulders. ‘See you all,’ he calls out, waving as he retreats into the crowd.

Ruby is just a seat away, and she slides into Leo’s empty red-velvet chair.

‘Hey. Your drink looks
divine
. What’s in it?’

‘Um … I’m not sure really,’ I say, taking a sip. ‘I think maybe chocolate ice cream?’

‘No booze?’

‘Not for me.’

Ruby raises her glass of water and chimes it against my drink. ‘Glad someone else is being sensible. I don’t know how these guys do it – drinking alcohol and then filming and acting the next day. It
ruins
your skin.’

‘There’s makeup for that,’ I say.

Ruby laughs. ‘Hey – is Leo okay? He seemed to leave a bit quick.’

‘I’m not sure,’ I admit. ‘He did seem a little mixed up. Maybe because of Sigourney.’

‘They were big news, those two,’ says Ruby. ‘I mean, I love my gossip magazines and … Sigourney Seymour and Leo Falkirk – they were everywhere once upon a time. The dreamy Hollywood couple. Hot surfer actor and beautiful supermodel. Are you okay?’

‘I’m fine.’ I force on a smile. ‘Just thinking about something. That’s all.’

‘Your hot new husband?’

‘Actually yes. In a way …’

Ruby frowns. ‘But not in a good way? Hun, are you sure you’re okay?’

‘Really. I’m fine. I just … something you said about gossip magazines.’

‘What.’

‘Did you know that Marc and Sigourney had … um … a thing?’

‘They did?’ Ruby’s eyes widen. ‘I had no idea. Wowsers! Are you okay with her being in the movie? I mean … you two just got married didn’t you?’

I nod. ‘I can’t be jealous though. I’ve already given Marc a hard enough time about jealousy.’

‘Ah yes. The intense Marc Blackwell. He always struck me as the sort of man who’d make it his business to scare off other guys.’

‘But you really didn’t know Marc and Sigourney had a thing a few years ago?’

‘No idea. Why?’

‘Just what you said. About the gossip magazines …’

‘You’re wondering why it wasn’t in the newspapers?’

I nod. ‘I mean they’re both so famous.’

‘Maybe nothing much happened between them,’ says Ruby.

‘That’s what Marc said. But …’

‘Or maybe Sigourney wasn’t so much of a star when she was together with Marc.’

‘I think she was.’

‘You know what?’ Ruby stirs her water with a colourful straw. ‘You can think too much about that sort of thing. You know – ex-girlfriends. Probably best to just forget about it. The past is the past.’

I laugh. ‘Funny. That’s exactly what Leo said. Wait. What’s the time?’

‘Five past ten. Why?’

‘I promised I’d meet Marc at ten.’

‘What’s five minutes? Men love it when you make them wait.’

‘Maybe,’ I say. ‘But most likely Marc will be pacing around outside, worrying that I’ve been kidnapped.’