The Vow (8 page)

‘
Did he marry her for her money do you think?’ Lucy asked.

‘
Maybe, who knows? But they were always portrayed as a very close couple, the marriage lasted over twenty years and he was said to have been devastated by her death.’

‘
Do you know how she died? I don’t like to ask.’ Lucy looked at her mother expectantly.

‘
I’m pretty sure it was an embolism, one of those things that come out of nowhere and wham, you’re dead.’

‘
Oh dear,’ murmured Lucy.

‘
So how did it go last night, did you enjoy yourself?’ Amelia asked, changing the subject.

‘
It was really good fun, I was a bit intimidated at first, I’ve never been anywhere so jammed full of the rich and famous.’

Lucy went on to list all the celebrities she’d seen and describe the guests at their table. Amelia listened with interest and had to laugh when her daughter said naively,
‘Marcus spent a lot of time talking to the minister. I suppose they may have met before.’

‘
Lucy, you are such an innocent! You obviously have no idea how it works do you?’

‘
Well no,’ admitted Lucy. ‘How what works exactly?’

‘
Marcus’s world is that of communication,’ Amelia explained. ‘He owns several well read magazines, a radio station, a string of regional newspapers and is currently in the process of taking over a national one, Newsline. He uses these as mouthpieces, the editorial content of all of them is pro-government and he reaches millions of voters. Of course politicians court him, he wields a lot of power. I’m sure I mentioned before that he and the Prime Minister are close friends. The next thing you know you’ll find yourself being invited to Chequers for the weekend!’

Lucy looked horrified.
‘Oh Lord, I hope not!’

Amelia smiled and asked,
‘Lucy, do you really like this man?

Expecting yet another lecture on her love life Lucy replied defensively,
‘Actually I do, yes.’

‘
And do you find him attractive? You’ve never shown any interest in older men before.’ Amelia kept her tone even, she wasn’t looking for a fight.

‘
No, I know but he does have a certain something. He looked very handsome last night in his dinner suit.’

‘
Most men look good in a DJ but I know what you mean, he’s always had charisma. He was awfully popular at Cambridge.’

Lucy was intrigued.
‘Tell me about him back then, Mum.’

‘
Tall, good looking, athletic and always surrounded by girls! His crowd were a bit wild, always into something new, always partying. From what I heard I must have been one of the few girls he didn’t sleep with, I was far too much of a blue stocking to interest him. Just as well really seeing how things are turning out now!’

Amelia was amused at the expression on Lucy’s face as she pondered how she could now have been dating someone who had slept with her mother.

Over the rest of the weekend there was no further mention of Marcus. Amelia had promised herself, and James, that she would not make an issue of it. Anyway, knowing Lucy it would be a two-minute wonder and she didn’t want to waste this time with her daughter arguing about her choice in men.

The weather continued warm and sunny, they all worked together in the garden, went down to the local pub, barbecued and ate outside talking about life in general. Lucy didn’t think about Marcus but she did think about Laurent.

Bumping around the large lawns on the sit-on mower, she found herself wondering what he was doing this weekend. Was he thinking of her or missing her at all, or had she already been replaced, perhaps by the stunning redhead who had provoked their final row? He seemed a long way off, in another world and their time together unreal now. But when she closed her eyes she could still see the smile that had lit up his face when he looked at her and she felt almost bereaved. Would that feeling ever go away she wondered?

~

The phone was ringing as Lucy let herself into the house and she nearly didn’t answer it. Amelia had dropped her at the station on her way into work and she had caught a packed commuter train into London, standing all the way. The journey across to Finsbury had been just as bad, unused to the hustle and bustle of rush hour crowds all she wanted was a cup of tea. What if it was that man Culver again? Then deciding she couldn’t go through life not answering the phone, she picked up.

‘
Ah, there you are, Lucy. I’ve been trying to get you on your mobile but it doesn’t seem to be switched on.’

Relieved, she replied,
‘Hi, Marcus, sorry I forgot to take a spare battery with me and I ran out of charge. How are you, did you have a good weekend?’

‘
Fine. Look, I didn’t think to say on Friday evening but I’m going to a cocktail party at the American embassy on Wednesday. I like to show my face at these things occasionally, as you never know when something useful could come up. If you’re free perhaps you would like to come. We could go for dinner afterwards.’

I am going up in the world, thought Lucy.

‘Yes, I’d like that. What time is it?’

‘
We need to be there around seven, shall I send Saule to Finsbury or Camden for you?’

‘
Oh there’s no need to do that, give me the address, I can find my own way there,’ she replied.

‘
I’m sure you can, Lucy, but I do not care to be seen awaiting your arrival on a number nine bus,’ he informed her somewhat testily.

The image was an amusing one.
‘You could always wait for me inside.’

‘
Lucy, without me you won’t get through the front gate. Saule will collect you.’ His tone was firm.

Well that told me, thought Lucy ruefully. She offered no further objection and the arrangements were made. He then asked,
‘One more thing, have you been talking to that gossip columnist, Culver?’

‘
No, definitely not, although he has been trying to contact me, I’ve managed to avoid him so far. I meant to speak to you about it the other night.’

‘
Well, he’s obviously found a source of information. I assume you saw his piece on Saturday? If he calls again just tell him you don’t speak to reporters and refer him to my company’s press office, they will know how to deal with him. So, I’ll see you Wednesday then.’

‘
Before you go Marcus, who is Lydia Fanshawe?’

He sounded surprised.
‘She’s an old friend; we sit on a couple of committees together. Why do you ask?’

‘
I overheard two women talking Friday night and apparently she’d like to have her wicked way with you!’

He gave a snort of laughter.
‘Are you jealous?’

Arrogant sod, she thought and replied with great dignity,
‘Well, I’d take a guess she is past child bearing age and I’m reliably informed she has a pointy little nose so, no, I’m not jealous. I must go now, Marcus, I’m very busy today and don’t have time for idle chitchat. See you Wednesday.’

She put the phone down quickly before he had time to say any
more, pleased she’d managed to have the last word.

Marcus was left listening to an open line, not something that happened to him very often. Annoyed at first, a slow smile spread across his face as he replaced the receiver.

~

Amy came through the front door and called out,
‘Hi Lucy, I’m home, where are you?’

Lucy came out of the kitchen and smiling, Amy told her,
‘You look lovely and cool. Let me grab a shower, I feel all hot and sticky, then we’ll have a nice glass of wine in the garden. I want to hear all about your big night out.’

As she trotted off up the stairs, she called out,
‘Did you have a good weekend, how are your mum and James? I’ll only be five minutes, you can be opening the wine.’

Barefooted, Lucy padded back into the kitchen and took a bottle of Chardonnay out of the fridge. She was surprised, this was a very different Amy to the one who was virtually hissing and spitting as she left with Alex on Friday evening. She took the bottle and two glasses out to the garden and Amy joined her with hair still wet from the shower.

They chinked glasses and Amy said contentedly, ‘Cheers! Isn’t this weather wonderful? They say it’s here to stay, we’re going to have a really lovely summer.’

‘
I’ll drink to that,’ responded Lucy.

Sitting back Amy looked at her friend.
‘Luce, I’m sorry about the other night, I was a real bitch. Alex gave me a right ticking off and I deserved it. I’ve no right to give you grief about Marcus. I’m still not sure you’re being very wise but I won’t do it again. Bygones?’

Lucy laughed to hear their childhood way of making up and agreed happily,
‘Bygones!’

‘
So come on, tell me all about the ball, was it terribly glamorous? You did look lovely, you know. Was Marcus bowled over?’

Lucy was so pleased to be able to share it all with Amy and launched into a detailed description of the evening, and soon the two of them were laughing and joking like old times. Lucy told her about the Duchess’s impersonation, the minister’s wife’s anecdotes and the actress who had shown such an interest in her work. She recounted the conversation she had overheard in the cloakroom and when she described the trip to the
Paris fashion show Amy shrieked, ‘Oh Lucy, how exciting, lucky you! Well, he certainly seems to know how to treat a girl but tell me what he’s really like, the man behind the money. Are you getting to know him do you think?’

Lucy gave this a moment
’s thought before answering.

‘
Yes and no. He doesn’t seem to want to talk about himself very much which makes it harder of course. He’s charming, good company, got a dry sense of humour and is, obviously, very generous. He can be a bit autocratic though.’ With a wry smile, she added, ‘But then I’m used to being bossed around by all and sundry.’

Amy smiled, watching her friend’s earnest face she felt a pang of guilt at deceiving her but she was convinced it was in Lucy’s best interest.

‘What about, you know, the physical side of things?’ she asked.

‘
Oh Amy, give us a chance! But I have to say so far he’s been the perfect gentleman.’

‘
Waiting for the right moment to pounce perhaps,’ suggested Amy.

‘
Maybe. We’re spending this coming weekend at his country house perhaps he’ll make a move then.’

‘
I was just about to ask when you’re seeing him again.’

‘
I’m going with him to a cocktail party at the American embassy on Wednesday evening,’ Lucy told her.

‘
Wow, how grown up!’

‘
Yes, isn’t it? I hope I can find something intelligent to say to people, I’m not very good at small talk.’ Lucy sounded slightly worried.

‘
Oh don’t worry, you’ll be fine. I’m sure Marcus will look after you,’ Amy reassured her.

The conversation moved on to their respective weekends and they sat chatting in their usual accord.

~

The car swept out of the embassy car park. Lucy sighed with relief as she slipped off her shoes which had been pinching her feet for the last hour and a half.

She looked at Marcus, who was jotting things down on a leather bound pad and asked sweetly, ‘Is it just me or was that mind-numbingly boring?’

Capping his pen and sliding it, along with the pad, into a slim briefcase he smiled.
‘That was diplomats, politicians and businessmen checking they aren’t missing a deal, and that no one is screwing their wives.’

Lucy smirked, and he continued,
‘Not very interesting for you but a good place for us to be seen together. Wear more comfortable shoes next time.’

‘
I will. Never mind, the canapés were delicious!’

‘
Well I hope you’ve left enough room for dinner. I thought I’d take you to my favourite Japanese place.’

‘
Marcus, as you come to know me better you will learn that I have always, always, got room for dinner. Japanese would be great. I’ve only ever had sushi.’

‘There’s much more to it than
that, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.’

She was struck by a worrying thought. Looking down at her knee length dress she asked,
‘I won’t have to sit cross-legged on the floor will I? I’m not really dressed for that.’

‘
No, don’t worry, you don’t have to do that but while we’re on the subject, nice as it is, is that the only cocktail dress you have?’

Lucy’s hand smoothed the skirt of the velvet dress she had worn to their first dinner together and said defensively,
‘Well yes, it is actually. Sorry, my wardrobe’s not very posh.’