The Triumph of Katie Byrne (23 page)

James Nelson was silent for a moment, wondering the same thing. Finally, he responded. ‘Katie, I honestly don’t think Mrs Smith understands the difference. She’s just convinced Carly is in a deep coma…’ He looked
at Katie helplessly, and shook his head. ‘It’s odd, I admit that.’

‘Thanks for explaining all this to me, Dr Nelson. I realize Carly is still truly out of it, that her condition is terrible, irreversible, but on the other hand it doesn’t seem quite as bad as a coma.’

Katie hesitated on the steps of the hospice, shading her eyes against the sun with her hand, looking for Niall. But the BMW was nowhere in sight. It was such a sunny morning, mild even, and so she went and sat on the low wall to wait for him. She knew her brother wouldn’t be very long. Like her, he was always fairly prompt.

A moment later a shadow fell across her, and she turned her head slightly, then lifted it, found herself staring up at Christopher Saunders, who was hovering over her anxiously.

‘Hello again,’ he said, gazing down at her with that same intensity of earlier, the huge smile on his face touching his eyes, filling them with warmth and laughter.

‘Hi,’ Katie murmured, gazing back at him, wondering if he had been hanging around waiting for her.

As if reading her mind, he said, ‘I’ve been waiting for you. I hope you don’t mind, but I did want to apologize to you again. I’m such a clumsy fool. I could have hurt you, the way I came hurtling through those doors.’

‘It’s okay,’ she said and finally pulled her gaze away
from his, not wishing to look into those mesmerizing eyes any longer. There was something very compelling about this man, and it troubled her. She didn’t want to be compelled by anybody, least of all this stranger.

‘I hope the person you came to see didn’t mind squashed flowers, and that he or she is feeling better,’ he said, sounding as if he really cared.

Katie sighed. ‘She won’t ever get any better, I suppose. And she didn’t notice the flowers, as far as I know. But at least Dr Nelson told me a few things that made me feel, well, less depressed about her.’

‘Jamie’s the best doctor in the world, you know. Brilliant guy. So it’s a neurological problem, is it?’

‘Yes. You call him Jamie. Is he a friend of yours?’

‘Sure is. My best buddy. We grew up together, went to the same school in New York. Trinity.’

‘Oh, I see. So that’s why you’re here. Or did you also come to visit a patient?’

‘No, I brought something for Jamie from New York.’

‘Oh.’

‘I’m sorry someone in your family is ill,’ Christopher now said, trying to make further conversation with her. ‘It’s very worrying, I know.’

‘It’s not a family member, it’s my best friend. Or she was my best friend until she was violently beaten and went into a coma. Now she doesn’t even know me.’

‘Oh my God, how awful!’

‘Dr Nelson says she’s not in a
true
coma, but is actually
locked in something called a vegetative state. But in a way, that doesn’t give me much hope, because she’s still lost to the world. And she will be for the rest of her life.’

‘I’m so sorry.’ Christopher again sounded genuinely sympathetic, and he went on, after a brief pause, ‘How did it happen? Was your friend mugged, or what?’

When she didn’t answer, he sat down on the wall next to her, and murmured, ‘I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry.’

‘She was beaten on the head by a fiendish psychopath, beaten until she was unconscious. And my other best girlfriend was raped and murdered by the same guy. At the same time.’

Christopher was staring at her stupefied, an expression of total horror settling on his face. There was a long moment before he responded. Then he finally said, ‘How truly horrible. I’m very, very sorry. It’s a pretty rotten thing for you to have to cope with.’

‘Yes, it is. But at least I’m okay physically and mentally.
I
didn’t get hurt. Not like them.’

They sat together in silence. Neither of them felt like talking. And so they fell down into their own thoughts for a short while.

Katie could not believe she had told a total stranger about Carly and Denise, and she was startled, furious with herself for being so indiscreet, for confiding in him.

Christopher Saunders, for his part, was reeling from the things she had just said. He wondered whether or not she had been present, had been somehow hurt but had now recovered. He didn’t dare to ask her what she’d meant. He wanted to invite her for a drink, or better still, lunch, but he was afraid to do so. After all, she had seemed cold earlier, standoffish. On the other hand, he
had
almost trampled her underfoot. Nevertheless, he didn’t want to say the wrong thing, and blow it.
Blow what
? he asked himself, suddenly baffled. He didn’t even know Katie Byrne. But he wanted to, and badly. She’s prickly, he thought, and hurting inside. She needs careful handling. I hope I get the chance. He remembered only too well how much he had been taken with her when he had seen her in the revival off-Broadway, in the play about the Plantagenets, one of his favourite historical families. Dysfunctional, all of them, to say the least.

Glancing at him, Katie asked, out of the blue, ‘Is Dr Nelson married?’

‘No, he’s not. And neither am I. Are you?’

‘No.’

‘Listen, Katie…you don’t mind if I call you Katie, do you?’

‘No, everyone calls me Katie.’

‘Listen, would you like to go for a drink?’

‘I don’t drink.’

‘A coffee then? Or better still, how about lunch?’

‘Oh no, I can’t, my mother’s holding lunch for me.’

‘Where do you live? Can I drive you home?’

‘Thanks, that’s nice of you to offer, but someone’s picking me up. Oh look, there he is now. Nice talking to you, Christopher. Bye.’

She jumped up off the wall and hurried over to the BMW, which was pulling up just ahead of them.

Christopher, following her down the short path, was filled with disappointment, and he chastised himself for being so stupid. It was more than likely this woman was taken. She might not be married, but she most certainly would have a boyfriend. She was far too beautiful, special and talented to be on her own. His disappointment spiralled.

‘Hi, Christopher,’ Niall exclaimed, as he got out of the BMW. ‘I didn’t know you knew my sister Katie.’

As they shook hands, Christopher felt a surge of relief rush through him. ‘I don’t, not really, we just met at the hospital. I was there to see my buddy, James Nelson.’

‘I hear he’s a great guy,’ Niall said. ‘Great doctor.’

‘Goodbye again, Christopher, nice talking to you,’ Katie muttered and got into the car swiftly, putting the door between them.

As he closed the door for her, he said, ‘My friends call me Chris.’

Niall said, ‘See ya, Chris!’

‘Sure thing, Niall,’ Christopher replied, and stepped away from the kerb as the BMW pulled away.

‘How do you know Christopher Saunders?’ Katie asked, settling in the seat, glancing across at her brother.

‘We did his parents’ house, Dad and I, the company. You know, we did a restoration and remodelling job.’

‘Oh, I see. Where do his parents live?’

‘In Washington. They bought that big old barn of a place that once belonged to Jessica Rennard, and then to her niece, Patty. It was really dilapidated, but the basic bones were good, and it has spectacular views, plenty of land attached.’

‘Is it the place we always believed was haunted?’

‘That’s it.’ Niall laughed. ‘You should see it now, Katie, Mrs Saunders has a great eye. It’s gorgeous. Mind you, we gave her the canvas to work with.’

‘Do they live there all the time? Or do they commute?’

‘A bit of both. In the summer they spend a lot of time up here. But yeah, I guess they commute. They have an apartment in New York.’

‘And Christopher? How did you get to know him?’

‘Because he was always around. I’m going back about four years now. He and his sister, Charlene, seemed to have quite a lot of input in the design of the house, if I remember correctly.’

‘Oh, so he must live in New York too, I guess?’

‘I don’t know.’ Niall frowned. ‘Yeah, possibly. But there was some talk about a job abroad.’

‘What does he do?’

‘I don’t know. Something
odd
, though. Hey, Katie, why all the questions about this guy? You got a yen for him?’

‘Don’t be so stupid, Niall Byrne!’

‘Everything sounds so exciting, Katie.’ Xenia smiled across the dinner table at her friend, and added, ‘Aren’t you glad now that you took the part?’

‘Of course I am, and it’s thanks to you that I did. And thanks to Rex, as well. Because he gave me such great insight into Emily Brontë, and that helped me to have confidence in myself, the confidence I was lacking.’

‘I knew he’d be able to help you, and I was really pleased that he came to spend the weekend with us at Burton Leyburn.’

‘I’d love to know the truth about everybody there,’ Katie ventured, eyeing Xenia speculatively. ‘There seem to be so many mysteries, and everybody’s very intriguing, to say the least.’

‘They are indeed, and of course there are many mysteries, ’ Xenia confirmed in a very matter-of-fact voice, then she added, with a small, knowing smile, ‘One day I’ll tell you everything, reveal all of their secrets.’

‘Oh come on, don’t be a spoilsport, Xenia, tell me now.’

‘It would take far too long.’

‘Shame. I’d love to hear. But another time, yes? Promise?’

‘I promise. How are rehearsals going?’

‘Very well. It’s the final dress rehearsal tomorrow night, then previews for three weeks until the opening in February. Mom says you told her you’re definitely coming.’

‘As I said to your mother, I’ll be there with bells on.’

Katie smiled at her. ‘I’m glad. I want you to be in the audience so much.’

‘You told me on the phone that Melanie’s been very kind to you…in what way?’

‘She’s been extremely helpful in that she encouraged me to give my own interpretation, for one thing. Now she says I’m not only word perfect, but that I’ve got the part down pat. And the director seems to agree.’

‘Hey, that’s praise indeed, Melanie’s tough. A great producer, but tough.’

‘She has to be, there’s a lot of money at stake, and she has investors to answer to, a fiscal responsibility, is how she puts it. And actually, she’s as tough on me as she is on everyone else. She doesn’t play favourites.’ Katie took a sip of white wine, and continued, ‘It’s very hard work, and there have been days when I’ve been totally exhausted. But that’s just the way it is. Acting is so much harder than most people think, especially civilians.’

‘Civilians meaning us chickens, the non-theatricals, right?’

Katie laughed at Xenia’s expression. ‘Yes, that’s who civilians are, non-theatricals. But Chris says the public are not supposed to know how hard the work is. He says the illusion of ease and naturalness has to be preserved.’

‘Who’s Chris?’ Xenia asked, frowning slightly in puzzlement, not having heard the name before.

‘A friend. A new friend. He’s very nice.’ Under Xenia’s sudden, intense scrutiny Katie felt herself growing warm, felt the flush rising from her neck to flood her pale face.

‘Ho hum!’ Xenia cried. ‘Why, you’re actually blushing, Katie. I’ve never seen you do that before. So Chris is the new boyfriend, eh?’

‘Oh I wouldn’t say that!’ Katie exclaimed. ‘I only met him last weekend. Last Saturday. He’s not a
boyfriend
as such, but a
friend.
’

‘Where did you meet him?’ Xenia probed, intrigued.

‘At home. In Connecticut, I mean. I went to the hospice to see Carly. That’s where I met him.’

‘How is she? Just the same, I suppose.’

‘Yes. But the doctor told me she’s not actually in a
true
coma, but that she is locked in a vegetative state.’

‘What’s a vegetative state?’

Katie explained, and then went on, ‘Anyway, Dr Nelson’s a friend of Chris’s, and Chris practically knocked
me over coming through some swing doors. So he waited for me to come out, to apologize again.’

‘I’ll bet he did!’

‘Why do you say that? And in that tone?’

Xenia shook her head, staring at Katie in astonishment. ‘Haven’t you looked at yourself lately? Katie, you’re gorgeous.’

‘Oh come on, I’m not.’

‘All that fabulous red hair, those sapphire-blue eyes, cheekbones to die for. It’s my turn to say,
oh come on.
Anyway, getting back to Chris. He waited for you outside the hospital, and then what?’

‘We sat on a wall and chatted. I was expecting Niall. He was coming to pick me up. Chris wanted to take me to lunch, but I couldn’t go. Anyway, when Niall arrived it turned out they knew each other. His parents bought an old wreck of a house in Connecticut…in Washington, and it was Niall and my father who did the restoration and remodelling, and our landscaping company did the grounds.’

‘So he’s a family friend?’

‘Well, he knows Niall and Dad.’

‘So have you seen him again?’

‘Yes.’

‘In New York presumably?’ Xenia raised a brow.

‘Yes. The thing is, he phoned me later on Saturday afternoon, and asked me out that evening. I didn’t want to go. Then Mom got in the middle, and she made me call
him back and ask him to supper. So I did. He accepted and then that evening he offered me a lift to the city on Sunday afternoon, and I sort of felt…well, obligated to accept, because otherwise Mom was going to have to drive me in. So it kind of took off from there.’

‘Took off? What do you mean?’

Katie bit her lip, and shook her head. ‘He’s very much a sort of a take-charge person, not domineering or a control freak, but down to earth and practical. And when we got back to New York he said let’s go and have dinner, you’ve got to eat, keep your strength up, etc…and so we went to Elaine’s and had spaghetti.’

‘And then?’

‘There’s no
and then
, Xenia. He drove me home to the West Side.’

‘Have you seen him since?’

‘Yes. He was waiting for me when I came out of rehearsals. Waiting to take me to dinner.’

‘When? On Monday?’

‘Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.’

‘Ho hum indeed!’ Xenia cried, her eyes twinkling, her face lighting up with pleasure. ‘And tonight you dumped him for me.’

Katie smiled, and said, ‘I didn’t really dump him, Xenia, because I invited him to join us for coffee. I knew you wouldn’t mind, and I do want you to meet him.’

‘I can’t wait. Now, tell me all about him.’

‘He’s thirty-three, and he’s an ecologist. He’s based in
Argentina, in Buenos Aires, that’s where he lives. But he keeps a small apartment in New York.’

‘Oh dear, don’t tell me this is going to be a long-distance romance. Problems, problems, Katie.’

‘It’s not a romance.’

‘Oh come on, don’t be so ridiculous! This is me you’re talking to. Of course it’s going to be a romance, and I personally think it’s wonderful. How do you feel about him?’

‘I like him a lot. He’s a really nice person, and intelligent, very well read, interesting to talk to. He’s very knowledgeable about a lot of things, Xenia. I mean, who’d expect someone like Chris to know all about those nineteenth-century novelists, the Brontës, but he does, and he knows British history. He reads a lot, and he writes. He started out thinking he’d be a writer and journalist, but then he got caught up in ecology.’

‘He wants to save the planet? Well, I do too. My hat’s off to him.’

‘Mine too,’ Katie agreed. ‘And let’s face it, the planet does
need
saving.’

Xenia nodded, looked thoughtful for a moment or two, then she murmured, ‘You’ve always been so wary about men, very cautious. Yet you don’t seem to be worrying about Chris.’

‘I know, and I find that strange,’ Katie quietly confided. ‘I’m usually so on edge when I meet a new man who shows interest in me. But with Chris I’ve felt so at
ease, right from the beginning.’ She grinned. ‘It’s only a week, but I
have
seen him every night, and I feel I know him…’

‘And?’

‘No
and.
We’re just good friends.’

Xenia laughed lightly. ‘But you could be more?’

‘I think so,’ Katie confessed, and suddenly looked bashful.

The waiter arrived with their black sea bass on a bed of leeks, and they fell silent while the food was being served. But once they were alone, Katie glanced around her, then said, ‘It’s so nice of you to bring me here, Xenia. I like Le Cirque and I love the food. I’ve only been twice before, though. Once with Aunt Bridget and my parents, and on Wednesday with Chris.’

‘Goodness, Katie, Le Cirque twice in one week! Aren’t we getting posh.’

Katie smiled, and dug her fork into the bass, made no comment.

Xenia said, ‘I’m very partial to this place myself, and I felt like giving us both a treat. You’re about to open in a play that I know is going to be a big hit, and we’ve just signed a big contract to do four parties a year for a beauty product company.’

‘Which company is it?’

‘Peter Thomas Roth, who makes clinical skin care products. They’re really great, and he’s very go-ahead, not only in his products, but also in his promotion. He’s
going to give four really big, and rather fancy, parties a year, and Celebrations has been hired to create them.’

‘Congratulations, Xenia!’ Katie cried, lifting her glass of wine. ‘This is great news.’

Xenia did the same, and they clinked glasses. Xenia grinned and said, ‘Thanks. I have a feeling the year 2000 is going to be good for the two of us.’

The two women had just finished their main course when Christopher Saunders was shown to their table.

After the introductions had been made by Katie, Christopher took a chair opposite the banquette where they were seated, and ordered a cup of coffee.

Xenia liked the look of him at once. He was of medium height and build, slender really, with dark-brown hair and warm brown eyes, and she found his looks attractive. He was handsome in a clean-cut, boyish way, and extremely well dressed in an impeccably-tailored darknavy suit that smacked of Savile Row to her, a pale-blue shirt and a blue-on-blue striped tie. Old money, privileged background, waspy upbringing, she decided as she listened to him talking to Katie.

‘Would you like to come too, Xenia?’ Katie asked.

‘I’m so sorry, I’m afraid I was day-dreaming, and I missed that, Katie. What were you talking about?’

‘Tomorrow night: it’s the final dress rehearsal. It’s what they call an
invited dress.
In other words, the actors can invite family or friends. I decided not to
even mention it to Mom and Dad, because I really do prefer them to come on opening night. But I just invited Chris, and I’d like you to come too, if you can.’

‘I’d love it. I’m not going back to London until Sunday morning, and I’m free Saturday night. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Thanks, Katie.’

‘Shall I come and pick you up, Xenia?’ Chris asked. ‘We might as well go together, don’t you think?’

‘Yes, I’d like that. Thanks.’ Xenia smiled at him, then turned to Katie. ‘Just think, I’ll be able to tell Rex about your performance. He’s been dying to know how it’s all been going. In fact, everyone at the hall will be anxious to know about you, Katie.’

Unexpectedly, Katie thought about Dodie, the housekeeper, and she went very still inside, remembering her words that Saturday night at Burton Leyburn Hall.

Xenia said, ‘What’s wrong? You’ve got a funny look on your face, Katie.’

‘I suddenly thought of Dodie, and those things she said to me when I was in Yorkshire with you. I told you at the time.’

Xenia nodded, but made no comment, knowing Katie had more to say.

‘If you remember, she said I should go home, that my future was there, and that I was needed. When she used the word
home
I assumed she meant America, or perhaps New York. But now I think she meant
home.
Where I grew up. In other words, my parents’ home in Malvern.’

‘Who’s Dodie?’ Chris asked.

‘Oh, she’s my sister-in-law’s housekeeper, and she thinks she’s psychic. She’s a bit daft in the head,’ Xenia explained.

Looking thoughtful for a moment, Chris then said, ‘When a person thinks they are psychic, they usually are. They know when they have The Gift.’

Both women stared at him.

Chris said, ‘I’m sure this Dodie is psychic. Of course, she could be daft in the head, as well. One thing doesn’t preclude the other.’

Katie and Xenia laughed, and Katie said, ‘Dodie told me my future was here, and it
is
, if you think about the play. She also said I was needed, and I think I am. And if –’

‘Absolutely!’ Chris interjected. ‘Carly needs you, your mother needs you, and I need you.’

Katie gaped at him, and so did Xenia.

Immediately aware of their surprised expressions, Chris laughed, and addressed Xenia. ‘How about that, hey? What a declaration for a man to make to a woman he’s only known for six days. Although it does seem much longer.’ He smiled at Katie. ‘And it happens to be true.’