Whispers of Love (19 page)

‘Come, come, a kiss will do,' Alex admonished ebulliently as Marlene held out her skirts and gave a wobbly curtsy. ‘She's not auditioning you for a film part, so you don't have to try and make an impression!' he added with a laugh.

Over dinner that night, Alex's meteoric rise as a film mogul was a much-discussed topic
and Lilian was so full of news about all the famous people they met that for a moment Christabel felt envious.

‘America is such a forward-looking country that there are a great many outstanding opportunities for those who are prepared to take risks or who have initiative,' Alex stated pompously. ‘Hollywood in particular has so much to offer the entrepreneur.'

‘Perhaps you should stay here with us and find out for yourself,' Lilian suggested.

Christabel bit her lip and didn't answer. America might be a new beginning, but would it bring her fulfillment? Would it ease the deep ache in her heart? she wondered. Seeing Marlene again brought back vivid memories of her own child. Not for the first time she wondered if she had made a terrible mistake in giving up her baby.

‘With your figure, Chrissy, you could make a mint in films,' Lilian went on. ‘Isn't that right, Alex?'

‘Indeed, although it would take quite some time to train you before you would be able to get a part since you have no acting experience whatsoever,' Alex pointed out.

‘Well, that's out of the question, then,' Christabel smiled, ‘I would need a job that paid me right from the start, if I am to stay on here for any length of time. Do either of you have any suggestions?' The pace of life in Hollywood would be even greater than it had been in
Buenos Aires. There would be so much happening, so many new faces all around her, that her days would be filled. Would that ensure that she would be able to forget all her other worries and frustrations? she wondered. ‘I've had enough of nursing and being at everyone's beck and call,' she added.

‘That's a pity, because the job I was going to suggest would entail you being a jack of all trades,' Alex told her. ‘I was about to suggest you became my PA. I think she'd fill the bill, don't you, Lilian?'

‘PA? What on earth is that?'

‘Alex means you'd be his personal assistant,' Lilian explained.

‘You mean his secretary? Oh, I could never do that. I don't write shorthand and I have no typing ability.'

‘He already has a secretary. No, he means someone to do all the fiddly little jobs he hasn't time to do; someone to meet visitors when they call to see him and he can't be bothered to see them; someone to smooth the ruffled feathers of the actors and actresses when he rubs them up the wrong way.'

‘I'm sure you would be perfect for the job,' Alex agreed. ‘Shall we say you'll give it a try?'

‘I'd have to find somewhere to stay first,' Christabel demurred.

‘Nonsense, you can stay with us; it will be wonderful having you around and we will be able to catch up on all the family news when
you're not working,' Lilian pointed out. ‘Lewis's letters are always so brief and Violet never writes at all. I did hope that Kay and Marlene would write to each other now that they are old enough to do so, but Marlene says she can't even remember her cousin. I'm sure Kay must remember Marlene – after all, she is three years older, but then they haven't seen each other for so long,' Lilian sighed.

‘That's another reason why I want you to stay, Christabel, even if it is only for a few months. It's so long since we were last together that I feel isolated from the family. Sometimes I feel I want to come back home.'

‘You've made plenty of friends here and you have a busy life,' Christabel reminded her. ‘Perhaps what you need is a break; a holiday back in Liverpool might do the trick.'

‘Yes, that's true, but of course there is always Marlene's career to be considered and it might hold her back if we did that.'

‘Marlene's career? Heaven's, she's only a child!' Christabel smiled.

‘I know, but she's already on the way to stardom. Do you remember Jackie Coogan who co-starred with Charlie Chaplin in the film
The Kid
? Well, that's what I want for Marlene. She has so much talent that with Alex's connections, it should be possible for her to be a child film star like Jackie Coogan was.'

‘Well,' Christabel floundered, ‘you know more about these things than I do.'

‘A year or so later two young sisters Dorothy and Lilian Gish appeared as Henrietta and Louise in
Orphans of the Storm
,' Lilian went on, warming to her theme. ‘I know Marlene has just as much talent and I'm determined that one day she'll play a leading role and have her name up in lights. In fact,' she added proudly, ‘I've been grooming her for stardom.'

‘I suppose you always dress her in pretty little dresses with matching ribbon bows in her hair like she's wearing now?' Christabel remarked.

‘That's only part of it. I've spent hours encouraging her to do a little dance and to hold out her skirts prettily as she makes a curtsy and a bow. I've also instructed her on how to pose and look coy as she smiles for the camera and I've encouraged her to “perform” for the benefit of our friends whenever they come for dinner. I'll get her to recite the little poems and sing the little ditties I've taught her for you.'

 

With Alex there to introduce her to everybody and to ensure she understood what was expected of her, Christabel's early days at the film studio went quite smoothly.

At first she had difficulty in adjusting to the American idiom, and their different way of thinking. They were all so articulate, so detailed with their descriptions, and so voluble. They regarded her as overly reticent and far too restrained and controlled.

When Alex asked her to check over some publicity copy for the film he wanted to promote, everyone, except Alex, was highly critical of the changes she made. They thought her writing was far too clinical and that it was lacking in fervour. Her words, or so the advertising panel claimed, were devoid of passion.

‘Christabel, it may be in perfect English but it has no selling power,' the Director of Promotions told her.

Devastated, she turned to Alex for an explanation, but he only shrugged aside the criticisms that had been levied at her work.

‘Take no notice; they would criticise you no matter what you wrote,' he said dismissively. ‘We made a great team once, Chrissy,' he added, ‘so perhaps we will do so again, you'll see!'

‘I think you've got it all wrong, Alex. The people in the Promotions department don't like the way I've handled the copy and I know they want me out. They criticise my words, and my approach – everything I write or do, in fact. They say—'

He waved his hand, silencing her and dismissing her words in one gesture. ‘I've already told you it's of no account.'

‘How can you say that? If I can't hold down this job, then I have no alternative but to go back to Liverpool.'

‘No, no, no! That's what I'm trying to tell you. Think of being my PA as the bottom rung! From now on you are going to move so high
up the ladder that people will be writing eulogies about you instead of you struggling to write words of praise about them.'

Christabel looked completely bewildered. ‘What on earth are you talking about, Alex?'

‘You. You are going to be the biggest discovery of the decade. In fact, you are going to be the
star
in my next film.'

‘You really are crazy, Alex. I can't act. I don't even like having my photograph taken.'

‘You have the sort of perfect cut-glass English accent that all Americans envy and admire,' he told her. ‘You also have the cool, sophisticated manner that the camera loves.' He rubbed his hands together. ‘I'm planning for you to play the leading lady in my next picture!'

‘Leading lady, at my age? You simply aren't making sense, Alex. It's a preposterous idea!! Why don't you spend your energy on promoting Marlene's career as a film star? Lilian is longing to see her name up in lights.'

‘Mmm?' He frowned dismissively. ‘Time enough for that.' He placed a hand under Christabel's chin and, turning her face sideways, studied her profile critically. ‘Don't worry, I'm sure the make-up department will be able to work wonders,' he assured her. ‘They'll be able to transform you so that you can look any age from sweet sixteen upwards,' he teased.

Christabel looked sceptical. ‘Why should you want them to do that when there are so many beautiful women already available here in
Hollywood and many of them are already established as accomplished actresses?'

‘I repeat, you have the English elegance, the clear voice and faultless accent, as well as the cool bearing. What is more, it is all without any visible effort because it is the way you have been brought up; it all comes quite naturally to you.'

‘That is something that anyone can achieve with the right training if they have acting ability.'

Alex shook his head. ‘Believe me, no matter how hard they try, the results always look contrived.'

Christabel smiled thinly. What Alex was telling her was music to her ears, balm to her jaded feelings, but she remained dubious. ‘Why have you decided to try and make me a star? Why not Lilian? She's as English as I am.'

Alex laughed uproariously. ‘She may be, but she's hardly leading-lady material.'

‘And I am?'

‘You have elegance, presence, bearing, the ability to assimilate instructions and accept constructive criticism. Christabel, if you put yourself in my hands, I'll make sure you reach the top. I'll make a
star
of you. Your name will be up in lights outside every cinema in England as well as here in America.'

Her thoughts were in complete turmoil. Outwardly she appeared to remain perfectly calm, but her nerves were zinging. She studied
Alex speculatively. He was still attractive and still had the ability to make her pulse quicken.

‘Don't take too long to make your mind up, the opportunity won't last for ever.'

She'd been down that path once before, she reminded herself, and her nerves had been stripped raw when he had deserted her for her sister. For that reason, she told herself firmly, this must be a business arrangement and nothing more.

In her heart she was doubtful if that was going to be possible, even if he did agree with her on that point. Alex was so charismatic! There was an animal magnetism about him which she automatically responded to no matter how hard she tried to avoid doing so. If they were working together, then would their constant closeness cause problems?

She didn't need to take time to think, she told herself sternly. For Lilian's sake she couldn't risk anything happening between them.

Even so, she found it took a tremendous effort to shake her head, signifying that she was not prepared to go along with his proposition.

That evening when Christabel broke the news to Lilian and Marlene that she had decided to return to England, they both pleaded with her to stay on in Hollywood.

‘I thought you were happy living here and working for Alex,' Lilian said in surprise.

‘It's been a wonderful experience and I've most certainly enjoyed staying with you, Lilian.'

‘Then why are you leaving?'

‘Suddenly, for some reason, I feel homesick,' Christabel explained. ‘You know how it is, you said yourself that sometimes you feel you'd like to go back to England.'

‘I want you to stay so that you can see me become a film star,' Marlene sobbed, flinging her arms round Christabel's neck and hugging her tightly.

‘I will still be able to go and see the film you are in at the cinema in Liverpool,' Christabel pointed out.

‘Will you?' Marlene's tears stopped immediately and she gave a beaming smile. ‘You promise?'

‘I promise, and I'll take Kay to see it as well so that she knows you have become a film star.'

‘I didn't know they had cinemas over there, Aunt Chrissy.'

‘Yes, they have several, and I will make sure I see your film,' Christabel assured her.

‘The reason I didn't know was because I can't remember ever being there.' Marlene pouted.

‘You have been there, but of course you were just a baby, so that is why you can't remember. Perhaps one day your mummy and daddy will bring you again on a visit,' Christabel told her.

She looked questioningly at Lilian as she spoke but Lilian shrugged her shoulders noncommittally.

Alex made no comment at all about her leaving and, much to her annoyance, Christabel found she had to ask him for the wages that were due to her.

‘By rights you should forfeit your wages because you haven't worked out your notice,' he told her.

‘I understand, but I would like to leave immediately.'

‘The decision is yours, of course,' he said curtly.

‘I need my wages, otherwise I haven't enough money to pay my fare back to England.'

‘You could always work your passage, I imagine.'

Christabel frowned. ‘Are you deliberately trying to make things awkward for me?' she flared.

‘I thought it might help you to see sense and
to realise you could do very well for yourself here in Hollywood, if you were prepared to take my advice.'

‘I've already made my mind up, Alex, and I've decided that I am returning to Liverpool and I want to do so as soon as possible,' she repeated stubbornly.

‘Ah well,' he shrugged his shoulders, ‘in that case, I'd better help you, I suppose. Here you are, then.' He opened his wallet and drew out a wad of notes and handed them to her.

‘What's all this? It's far more than what is due to me.'

‘The wages that are due to you certainly won't pay for your passage back to England,' he told her cryptically.

Christabel felt uneasy. She knew he was right but at the same time she didn't want to accept his money because she felt it placed her under an obligation to him. She had been intending to ask Lilian if she could loan her some money without Alex knowing.