You Got It Wrong - Party Thirty Four

Chapter Thirty Four

 A/N Sorry for the slowness of this story, I'm in a kind of half block half not 

happy with how this is going. I'm re editing a lot, not sure I'm happy

but hope you enjoy...would love to know how you are finding it. 

As she marched up the road, wobbling in her awkward heels, eyes scanning the horizon for a taxi, Nina wondered what the hell had just happened. SHE was the one who’d had a hard time, not Theo, when she’d spotted him there, in her peripheral vision she’d been so glad, almost happy. He was the silver lining to the dark cloud of the day, that was for sure. Instead...she shook her head. She had no idea what he was so aggrieved about, she hadn’t lied, she honestly thought of Lilah as her family, it was a long time since she’d thought of James as her brother. That was the truth.

Tony was staring in a bewildered way at Theo as he appeared in the aftermath of Nina who’s waltzed past him hanging on to her dignity, so obviously fighting tears.

                “What the fuck Theo? Please tell me you didn’t...” When his friend groaned he shook his head, “what is WRONG with you? Three years you’ve lived like a saint, not drifting from a position when you protect yourself. Finally a feisty and might I add extremely hot woman...”

Theo could feel his face redden at Tony’s surmise of Nina, then scowled when his friend laughed, “you don’t talk about her. Ok?”

Tony laughed again, “Me? I think I can talk about her, but you, YOU have just thrown ten tons of your quite frankly pathetic insecurities on her, in a room full of what she would describe as the enemy. You ever thought she hasn’t mentioned her brother because she hates him? Or is ashamed of it? He’d tick both of those boxes if I was his sibling.”

Theo was fighting nausea, anxiety, when had the form sold ground under his feet moved, he felt as though he was in a nightmare where his feet were sinking into the ground, the room threatening to engulf him.

                “Swallow your pride, get over and go get her before she disappears you clot!”

He turned to look at Tony for a moment, then grunted. He almost knocked over three waiters in his need to escape. 

It was cold outside which surprised him, it was early autumn, but there was an icy kick in the air. Looking frantically up and down the street he once again cursed the volume of traffic that seemed to occupy London’s streets even at night.

Then he spotted her, a hint of black between cars further down the road, slowing a taxi.

                “Nina...NINA...wait!”

She glanced up; she looked at him, but still disappeared into a taxi. Theo had moments to react, and like a Hollywood Hero, he threw himself in front of a black cab that skidded to a halt, almost hitting him. Ignoring the curses of the petrified driver, he turned to him, “FOLLOW THAT CAR!”

He couldn’t relax, he was pensive leaning forward pointing the other taxi out to the driver, geeing him along from the back seat. The driver dodged through the traffic obeying Theo’s instructions, but also negotiating just how expensive this trip was going to be. Theo didn’t care. He’d been a bastard...again; the money for the fair was a drop in the ocean compared to what he owed Nina.

Her cab disappeared for a moment, but then reappeared as it stopped outside a large hotel in Kensington. As the taxi pulled up across the road from where she alighted, he tossed a wad of notes at the driver.

                “Thank you SO much, you are the best!”

Then he dived out of the vehicle and started to dodge his way across the road.

Nina had never been more glad than to enter the hotel. She had so much to do, and all she needed was a drink. Detouring from the reception, she made for the bar nodding to a waiter as she found a seat in the corner away from everyone. Sat at the table, she ordered a whisky, she wasn’t in the mood for beer or wine, she needed something far stronger. Then she got her phone out and called Larry, her father’s lawyer.

                “He’s going through with it.”

Her words sounded cold even to herself, but here she was about to turn the screw on her brother’s demise, she had to be sure that SHE was ready to go through with this.

                “I didn’t think he’d back down Nina, that isn’t his way. He’ll sink trying...” They paused, and then Larry asked, “so you really want to sell?”

                “There’s no other choice, he’ll lose my part if he’s not careful.”

She could hear Larry rifling papers along the phone line before he said, “well even if they block it you’ve got both legal power of attorney, and the majority of the capital.” She knew that, every time that her brother and Imelda took money from her father’s estate, Larry arranged for it to be released from the equity in the house. Now Nina owned more than ninety percent of it. In fact the last three years they’d been living there on her goodwill. They had no plan B, she was sure they had no money saved, no secret stash, and as she listened to Larry agree to sell the house, she realised that without the facade of a beautiful and large house, her brother could not pretend to be wealthy, powerful, and this whole farce of an engagement would fall apart. But she reassured herself in case there was any hint that she might feel guilty, some young girl didn’t need to find her fiancé sleeping with his step mother, because that WAS happening, and it could ruin the other woman for a long time, like the sight of Josh writhing under the naked Imelda had haunted her for years.

But not for ages.

No, she shook her head, now she was haunted by the way Theo had snubbed her, looked at her as though she was dirt, judged her...the only man she’d let in since Josh.

The whisky appeared in front of her, a ten year old malt that was extravagant, but had the capacity to warm her to her toes with just a sip.

Placing the glass down on the table, she leaned back in the chair, and it was then she spotted the two feet planted in front of her. Nina groaned, she didn’t need this, not now.

Slowly she lifted her eyes over the immaculate black trousers, the ice white shirt that moulded to a body she remembered like a glove, the strong shoulders, every inch of him conjuring up a zillion memories of a delightful and intimate time. He was a handsome man, in a slightly unconventional way, his collar length unruly hair the contrast to his full lips and soft features, but it was those piercing eyes that made her breathless, all seeing, studying her right back.

                “I know that words are useless. But I was out of order...again. I’m sorry.”

She shook her head, “once too many Theo. I have SO much shit going on in my life; I can’t deal with YOU adding to that.”

He lowered himself into the seat opposite her, “that’s a fair comment. I was shocked. I’m truly sorry.”

                “Shocked at what? That I hadn’t explicitly shared the dirty details of my so called family. I never lied; everyone I cared about IS dead. That man trying to rip off a young girl and her family whilst sleeping with his step mother ever day...THAT is not something I associate with, that is not a person I care about, and it is NOYT my family. And you are not qualified to question me, to judge me on that, on them...on anything.”

She was aware her voice was rising and the exclusive bar was quiet, so she relaxed back from her tense aggressive position.

                “We spent two days together; we had sex...that will never give you the right to have any judgment over me, or any right to question me. We are not having another conversation and you are NOT worming back into my good books, so you can quit now.” She glanced to her left and realised that several people had heard her raised voice, with a groan she returned to a hushed whisper. “I have no obligation or duty to you.”

He gave a nod, “I can’t argue with that, you don’t owe me anything, but I just want to tell you that I’ve been like a hormonal teenager, since you left the hotel two weeks ago. I have been desperate to see you again, I’ve missed you more than I thought possible, I don’t remember ever being so frustrated. Not that I am asking for reasons, wanting to know where you’ve been. It’s not that...but when I saw you walk in to the room earlier.” He placed a hand on his chest across his heart, “it hit me here, and it scared me. YOU scare me. Then I heard you...your family...it felt like a kick in the teeth. For a very selfish moment I saw me as giving everything, my heart and soul to a woman who...I don’t know.”

She stared at him, not sure which part of the speech stunned her more. “Heart?”

He nodded, “me, the most hurt, the most undone, the least trusting man in the world, funny hey?”

She reached for her glass and nursed it for a moment before looking up at him, “more like ironic.”

That made him smile, a little hint that she didn’t hate him. “I don’t expect you to forgive me, not just like that.” He clicked his fingers, “but I just ask that you think about it. Please?”

He stood before the waiter came to take his order, and with a nod made to leave, and it was then she spoke.

                “Theo...stop. At least have a drink...something to eat; you’ve just walked out of that party. You must be hungry.”

It was a neutral request, not giving anything away of how she was feeling, what she was thinking, but for Theo it was another small sign that maybe, just maybe she’d give him another undeserved chance.

They ordered steaks, she assured him that the chef there did the best, and they ate them with a bottle of red wine as they talked more neutral topics, weather, work...anything but feelings, each other, or what happened after the meal. Nina was still livid, he’d made her feel so worthless, so dreadful that she wasn’t sure she could get past it, but then he was charming, interested and very humble over the whole thing.

She wasn’t good at these things, judging people, situations, that was where she missed Lilah; she was the opposite, so worldly, so intuitive. She thought about her crumpled traumatised friend and then wondered how she’d ever recover from what happened. Someone who was usually so clued in got caught out, and that was as devastating to Lilah as the actual assault.

                “You seem preoccupied...”

Nina sighed hearing his voice, “it’s been a weird day.”

                “Before me going all psycho on you?”

She nodded, “I’ve just condemned my brother to possible poverty...and I should feel victorious, but...”

He leaned back and let out a deep exhalation, “wow, that’s...wow. So you’re really not close to him then?”

Shrugging she reached for her glass of wine, and took a drink for a moment, “I wasn’t lying when I said I have no family, I really don’t class him as that.”

                “My friend Tony said he’s an ‘unusual’ character.”

Laughing out loud Nina nodded, “unusual, that’s one way of putting it. My father...” she hated that mentioning him made her choke up. “We never saw eye to eye, James was always the apple of his eye, but then he’s a lot older than me.” She wasn’t about to share all her demons, but she couldn’t ignore the issues, “I fell out with them all over my brother, my stepmother...they were horrid. My father defended them...so I left home. I didn’t come back from my travels until I heard my father died.” She sipped at her wine again blinking at the tears that threatened to fall, “alone...they put him in a nursing home miles away when he got Alzheimer’s, apparently it was aggressive, he went downhill quickly.” She looked up at him, “he left me a letter, telling me he was sorry he didn’t believe me about how conniving James and Imelda were...he caught them in bed together...just as I predicted. But he was too proud to let people know, and to proud to tell me.” She hated that a tear fell down her cheek, “so he died...alone.”

Theo had been on the back foot all evening, and as he watched the complex, beautiful and extremely honest woman in front of him, he hated that she was falling apart, that she was unravelling in front of him. He liked her strong, and he wanted her to accept him on her terms, not like this. He wanted to reach out, show her he cared, but he didn’t think she’d cope with that.  So he watched her drop her head, wipe at a tear, try to hide her emotion from him. Before he knew what he was doing he’d reached out and placed a hand over hers.

                “That’s why you volunteer. That’s how you met my grandfather...god I am SUCH a dick. How the hell can I do this to you?”

That made her look up, and she offered a half smile, “you do right by Mansell. I did wrong by my father...no amount of volunteering can make up for my OWN flesh and blood dying lonely and alone...” she angrily swiped at her tears. “So please don’t sit there making out that I’m such martyr. I left him to the actions of two of the most selfish and self-centred people that exist. I KNEW that, I KNEW that they were lying to him, and I went off, abandoned him. I’m such a heartless bitch!”

He scooted across the seat to be closer to her, “don’t think like that. You’ve already told me that he didn’t believe you, he picked them over you...” He didn’t know half the story, she was feeding him emotional ramblings, but seeing her brother, the confrontation they’d had had obviously triggered all this off. “Why do you think he wrote you a letter? To tell you that HE was wrong, never you.”

Nina felt Theo’s fingers touch her jaw, tilt her chin so she had to meet his eyes, those bloody hypnotic eyes, she wanted SO much to hate him, but instantly he understood, he was making her belief that she didn’t need to carry that guilt around with her, not anymore.

When he offered a nervous smile, and suggested, “maybe you need to go a little easier on yourself?” she lost it. Sliding her arms around his neck, she lifted her lips to his, and for the first time in days, she felt at home, relaxed, for that moment trouble free. How could something so special be wrong?

You Got It Wrong - Part Thirty Three

Chapter Thirty Three

Short notice a dark cocktail dress was as good as it got, Nina hung it on the back of the bedroom door, then made for the shower, she was no makeup artist, but she had a couple of hours to make herself as glamorous as she could, because she knew that tonight’s event was going to be lavish.  She’d booked a taxi to arrive fashionably late, after all she still had to decide what she was going to do when she got there.

Her shoes glowered at her from the doorway; it had been ages since she’d forced her feet into torture items like the spiky heels that rested elegantly on the carpet. She giggled; they wouldn’t be elegant for the rest of the night, that was for sure.

Theo tugged at the tie at his throat and groaned, he was beginning to hate all the pomp and ceremony of life. He owed Tony, and this wasn’t the greatest favour he’d ever done, a posh party, but as with them all, there were the predatory mothers, eyeing up single and eligible men for their ‘darling’ daughters like the Bennett’s did centuries earlier, time moved on, but in some sections of society marrying well was still the most important thing for parents to ensure for their child. Fortunately he didn’t have fame, a name or the reputation to put himself on their map, but he’d seen how different things were when Daniel arrived, a known political player, a known family name, people conveniently forgot that their father was a first class bastard, a drunk, a womaniser.

Tonight the room was full of dignitaries and wannabes in equal amounts. For Tony there was a huge chance to network, but for him it signified boredom.  As he grabbed a whisky from the bar, he noticed a message blinking on his phone, Daniel.

His brother was invited tonight, after all the man getting married to London’s most well known society daughter was the son of Jack Willoughby an infamous political big voice from the last generation and the old boy’s club meant that the current political army would be automatically invited to any occasion. But Daniel had shirked it at the first opportunity; apparently Willoughby junior was an arrogant bastard, a chancer and a loose cannon. Even more reason for Theo wanting to be anywhere but there.

He thought of Nina and the flop their liaison had become, after their secret afternoon of love she’d disappeared like an enigma and other than a few “Sorry, but I have to go away” messages he knew nothing else. Almost two weeks had passed and he’d started to doubt he’d see her again, which was a disaster as he’d really enjoyed their time together...more than enjoyed.

Tony swaggered across the room towards him carrying two drinks, whisky he presumed, a beam of satisfaction on his face.

                “What made you so happy?”

Tony shrugged, “the whole ridiculous of it all. I’m just had to witness the signing of a PRE-engagement prenup, can you believe that?”

Theo shrugged, he was disinterested and disillusioned, he’d used up a rare babysitter opportunity for what was a farcical flop of an evening. Tony was definitely back in the debtor role in their friendship, “why marry if you have to do that?”

                “There’s a lot of money involved on both sides...” When Theo shook his head in amazement, Tony added, “love doesn’t always work better.”

                “Touché! I just thought society arranged marriages were a thing of classic Bronte novels.”

Tony laughed, “the upper echelons of society are a complete confusion, don’t ever forget that.”

They were all milling around in the restaurant prior to sitting for the dinner that was being prepared, large groups of people, the noise of multiple conversations causing an uncomfortable din, when a kind of hushed silence took over the room. All heads turned to look at the doorway and Theo gasped. Stood there looking the epitome of classy in a dark cocktail dress and heels, hair smoothed into a pixie cut, eyes wild with fire, was Nina, the subject of his dreams.

                “What’s she doing here?” He hissed under his breath.

Tony looked at him, “is that?”

Theo nodded, it was a long time since he and Tony had bumped into her in that hotel months back, but it seemed that it wasn’t just he that found Nina unforgettable.  

As he started to march towards her torn between wanting to shout at her for being SO absent, and smothering her in passionate kisses when he felt Tony’s hand on his arm restraining him.

                “Look...”

They both, with the rest of the room, watched as James, the betrothed and host of the party reached for Nina and secreted her off through a door to his left.

                “What’s he doing to her?” Theo turned to glare at Tony, “if he hurts her I’ll kill him.”

Tony was shaking his head, “there’s something going on here.” He wanted Theo to calm down...but Theo was having none of it. Storming across the room, he threw the closed door open, aware that everyone in the room was watching him now. But the sight he saw in the other room stunned him, Nina had her hands on her hips and was definitely the one in control of the situation. James was staring at her, pale worried. And another woman, one he didn’t recognise was stood between them all three talking at the same time.

At the sound of the door opening all three looked in his direction, but whilst two didn’t know him, he saw the hint of recognition, the hint of a smile, but then she turned back to the others, dragging their attention from him.

                “I’m not letting you do this, I’m not letting you lie...does she know about you both?”

Theo was bemused, as he watched the other woman a staggeringly attractive woman gasp, “NO. There’s nothing too know Nina.”

                “If that is the case darling Imelda, then why wouldn’t my darling brother and dear step mother invite me to said engagement party? Huh?”

As the two looked po-faced, unable to answer that, Theo was desperately trying to decipher all that he was seeing. Nina was the sister of this man? She’d said she had no family, but then there appeared to be no love lost between them all, then there was the second realisation that Nina was the daughter of Jack Willoughby...he placed a hand to his head, he’d not realised, but then why would he? She’d not told him...if anything she’d avoided any talk about her family, her life.

He stepped back, suddenly realising he knew very little about the woman he’d come so close to letting into his heart. Women, with their lies, their subterfuge...he groaned, he’d just about had enough of conniving women, lying and cheating. He wouldn’t succumb to it again. The argument in front of him wasn’t as colourful as the one in his own head, so he turned and made for the door, leaving the three alone once more.

Nina could feel Theo retreat in her peripheral vision, but that was not her battle tonight, staring at her brother she watched him trying to find an answer, “James, I thought I’d seen you reach the depths of depravity many years ago,  but I have to say, that this...” She gestured around her, “you’ve now drawn another family into your shit. And I suppose the money you desperately needed was to pay for this? Your last grab at my father’s estate was to pay for a farcical engagement party.”

                “Nina, it’s not like that.”

Imelda’s plea fell on deaf ears, “it is EXACTLY like that! You two...” Her anger had reached fury level.  “You railroad through life uncaring WHO you hurt. And now another chunk of the fortune our father spent his life working for has been burned, literally. But then what do I expect of the people who put a sick man in a nursing home miles from any family or friends. You two are despicable and disgraceful.”

Neither looked sad or ashamed, but the fact that after she left home at eighteen days after finding Imelda in bed with her then boyfriend, and hours after her father laughed, refused to believe her and told her to “grow up and stop making up stories”, her father was taken ill, possibly Alzheimer’s, but instead of him being diagnosed, managed, treated...he was literally abandoned to a home for mental health patients. Left to die in solitude. When Nina found that out, AFTER he’d passed away, she’d been consumed with guilt. The letter he’d left her outlined that he knew everything, Imelda was a bitch and guilty of all that Nina had accused, James was a selfish bastard who had no time for anyone but himself, and that as a father he was interminably sorry that he’d not listened, not been there for her, never listened. She had cried when she read it, huge body wracking sobs, that all fell several months too late to count or be heard.

And now she was expected to watch and listen when the only family she had made a farce of their name and squandered their future.

Theo was livid, he’d never felt so usurped, so overthrown. Was everything that he knew a lie? Tony must have spotter him because he came across the room to meet him, leading him to a corner.

                “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Theo reached for a drink then downed the whole thing, “sure feels like that.”

                “That was Nina? From the hotel?”

He nodded, “Nina who I thought wanted more from me...seems that I know NOTHING about her. Nothing at all.”

                “What do you mean?”

He ran a hand through his hair, “James is her brother, she’s Jack Willoughby’s daughter.”

Tony’s eyes widened, “that’s a turn up for the books, forgot old Jack had a daughter. You didn’t know?”

Theo laughed, “and there it is! I ASKED her about her family, she told me they were all dead. I trusted her with my daughter, with my life...and all the time she was lying?”

                “Don’t over react Theo, would you admit to that wastrel being your brother?”

He laughed again dryly, “I admitted that my bastard of a father was just that, I’ve always been honest. Why can’t women be the same?”

Tony laid a hand on his forearm, “take stock for a minute, she’s NOT Sadie, not everyone has an agenda like that...”

Theo wasn’t convinced, shaking his head he reached for another drink, hating that he’s led his guard down. What was he thinking?

                “You can’t change things.” James had changed attack, “no one will believe you.”

Imelda to his left nodded suddenly looking pleased with herself, and that caused Nina to laugh, “you think that I need them to listen? Cos I don’t! I called our solicitor earlier; apparently you have mortgaged the house to over ninety thousand pounds! Far more than you could ever manage. So now...I’m the one in control, and by eight am, the FOR SALE sign will be up over the front door to Dad’s house, so any bargain you’ve made based on the house...well, you don’t need me to spell out what that means.”

                “But you can’t!” James stood mouth agape. And suddenly Nina realised how this was working. He needed the house to keep up the facade to his ‘fiancée’s’ family, he needed the wealth of his in laws to be to survive. She should feel sad that she was bringing him to his knees, but she didn’t, not at all. Instead she gave her head a sad nod, and turned and left them to their own hell.

Theo.

That was her priority, she’d not acknowledged him when he’d burst in on them a little earlier, she should have stopped what she was doing to speak to him, but it was arguably the most vital conversation she’d ever had with her family, closure, the final point in a horribly long and until now one sided relationship. She’d had to put them to bed, it was time to move on, once and for all, and selling her family home wasn’t a pleasant thought, because that truly WAS closure. The end of her childhood, the end of her family. With a sigh, she perused the room. She had to find Theo.

A waiter walked past her carrying a tray laden with champagne, and she reached out to take a glass, she should feel a million dollars, finally moving on, and finally having some sort of comeuppance but she felt hollow, empty. Pasting on a smile, she ignored the eyes that watched her; no one knew who she was, ironically, so she was like an outsider as she made her way through the restaurant.

Theo was stood at the far side, talking to a man who was vaguely familiar, when he glanced in her direction, saw her approaching, his face contorted into a scowl. And taking a deep breath she walked up to him.

                “Theo...”

He gave a nod of recognition, but a silence sat between them that was more than awkward.

                “Can I talk to you?” When he shrugged, she added, “in private?”

With a reluctant “excuse me” to the other man, he took her elbow and led her in the direction of the bathrooms, once they were away from prying eyes he pulled her to stand in front of him and scowled, “what?”

She shook her head for a moment, then offered, “I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch...there’s a lot going on...”

He shrugged, “you obviously don’t owe me any explanations.”

That stopped her in the tracks, “what?”

He gave a sardonic laugh, “your brother...” he spat the word out, “you made out that all your family was dead, we may not have had a lengthy relationship but I liked you, I let you in to my world, you met my daughter...all the time you were keeping what you were, who you are a secret. You made out that your family were all dead. What else are you hiding?”

Nina took a step back, she’d had a traumatic day all things considered, the last thing she needed was recriminations and accusations, especially unjust ones. She had to get outside, take stock, and breathe fresh air. Taking a step back she looked up at him, “if you know anything about the man hosting this party you’d know that I don’t think about him as family, he is nothing but a leech to me, to society and to the air we breathe. Same for her...” she spat out the words. “But YOU. I thought you were different, I thought you cared. This...” she waved around herself gesturing at the air between them, “this is ridiculous. Pity that I wasted time and my heart on you!”

With that she spun around and marched out away from him.

You Got It Wrong - Part Thirty Two

 Chapter Thirty Two

                “Are you sure you’re going to be ok here?”

Nina looked at Lilah and was really relieved to see she was looking more like herself. It was ten days since her meltdown in London, and Nina had immediately taken her home, but that wasn’t enough. So for the last three weeks they’d been ensconced on Lilah’s parents’ estate in the hills outside Edinburgh. The fresh air, the walks, the horse rides, everything seemed to have helped ease her from her purgatory. She was a million miles from her vibrant and happy self, but she wasn’t the pasty, pallid and terrified woman she’d found in the garden of Amelia’s London home.

Lilah’s response was a shrug, she’d not shared her trauma with her parents, they knew something had happened, but their love for her was unconditional...as it should be, and they’d done everything in their power to help her.

But Nina had deadlines, there were three sets of outstanding rings to be finished, and Amelia had been calling with more contacts. If interest in her work kept growing at the rate it was they’d have to employ someone to field calls, make appointments, neither of the three of them could give that time, they were all so busy. Lilah was the greatest advert for the business, there was no way that Nina could meet with potential clients, not in the same way. She hoped that her commitment there would go some way to draw Lilah out of her misery. But she wasn’t sure, so Nina had to take advantage of the fact that Amelia was in town to do that job.

                “I’ll be fine; Ma and Pa are over the moon I’m here.”

Nina nodded packing the remaining items into her bag, she had the task of driving her Beetle back to Brighton...literally the length of the country, but when Lilah was at rock bottom there was no chance of Nina getting her onto a plane, or train, so she’d made the mammoth drive. Now she had the return version.

                “Talk to them? See a therapist. Do whatever it takes? Promise me?”

Lilah had started to come to terms with what happened, she was someone who’d lived a glamorous life, always jetting around, she presumed that she could cope with unwanted advances, and that single night changed all that. Suddenly she was vulnerable, and that scared her. And that for Nina was the most worrying; she only hoped that she’d regain that independence, the confidence that was such a trait of her friend. But at least over the last few days she’d wanted to try, she finally wanted to start to recover. A huge sign.

Nina knew that she couldn’t do this for her, and now was the time to withdraw, leave her with her parents, but she also had work commitments, that was a convenient excuse.

As she threw the last bag onto the backseat of her Beetle, she turned back to Lilah, “I love you girlfriend, you know that?”

Lilah nodded, “I know, and I owe you everything...I mean you...Theo...”

Nina smiled, “he had some afternoon delight, he has nothing to complain about.” She blushed, “if he can’t cope with me being absent, then he’s not worth it. You come first darling, ok?”

Lilah chuckled, “but it’s the first time you’ve dated...”

                “This is NOT dating, I can guarantee. We’ve both got far too much baggage.”

As she opened the car door, Lilah wrapped her fingers around Nina’s wrist, “don’t make it nothing. You like him, he likes you. Don’t let it dwindle to nothing, and don’t make it cheap. Life is hard, but you can make it work. Really.”

Nina had a long time to think about that as she headed south.

Tony sat across the office from Theo and sighed, “she has a right to see Melody. The best you can do is insist on a neutral venue, a contact centre...but you can’t stop her completely.”

Theo ran a hand over his eyes hating that Sadie could keep causing so much trouble, “but she...”

Tony held up a hand to silence her, “even the law thinks she deserves another chance, but a SAFE one. You can’t stop this, but you can wait for it all to go wrong.”

                “At what cost to Melody? Anything could have happened to her last time. She could have got out, left the house, got snatched, run over...and what if no one had come to the house, how long would Melody have gone without food, drink?”

Tony reached out and placed a hand on Theo’s forearm, “I didn’t say it’s right, but this is the way the law works, and everyone has a second chance, ok? We can’t stop it, but we can control it, we can make it as difficult as possible, if that’s what it takes, but to be honest, don’t you think Melody WANTS to see her mother?”

Theo couldn’t fight with that, she did ask about her mother, that didn’t mean he wanted to let her go, but this wasn’t essentially about just him. That was what he’d learned in the time he’d been a parent. It didn’t mean he liked losing control, but Tony was right, and as best friends went, he was always right.

                “Thanks Tony, I don’t know how to thank you. I may not always seem grateful...but I am.”

Tony smiled, “well you coming to that party tomorrow night goes a long way to helping.”

Theo groaned at the thought, “you honestly want me to come?”

He nodded, “I can’t get out it, you know that. But of all the clients I have these are the most impressive, the daughter is one of the biggest catches this side of the Royals. I HAVE to be there, and you owe me.”

The thought of an engagement party was torture to Theo’s ears, but he’d dragged his friend and lawyer to SO many bad places over the years that he owed him.

                “I haven’t got childcare...”

Tony had that covered, “you know that my sister is MORE than happy, she’ll stay at my house with Melody, she knows the place, she knows my sister. What can go wrong?”

Nina hadn’t been in the house for five minutes when the phone rang. Picking it up she expected it to be Lilah, and was surprised to hear her brother’s voice.

                “Can you meet me...in London?”

Nina groaned, “James I have no intention of coming into the City, I’ve been away...”

                “But it’s really important...I HAVE to see you.”

She sighed, “I am NOT doing it, can you please leave me in peace?”

                “Nina, I need to speak to you.”

She’d always avoided him coming to her house, and whilst it would be easy to invite HIM to travel to her, the thought of him invading her world gave her goose bumps.

                “Tomorrow, there’s a cafe on Parker Street, a few doors along from the tube station. I’ll be there between ten and half past. After that I will be gone. THAT is all I’m offering.”

With that she hung up, it had been several months since she’d last seen her brother, the time she’d released the last instalment of money that he’d asked for. Now she had to go and see him again. And it was the last thing she wanted.

She went straight to bed, she’d driven for eight hours, what with delays after a car accident on the M25, and she couldn’t even muster up the energy to make any food. Not even a piece of toast.

James was in the cafe before she arrived. That didn’t bode well. On her way to meet him she’d called to her father’s lawyer, and basically they’d agreed that if he wanted any more money, then she had to force the sale of the house. It was worth a hefty amount, but it was also a status symbol for her brother and step mother. Even if they took their combined shares, they’d struggle to get anything in greater London. And that for them was the important point.  

She waved to Giovanni the patron, “a two shot latte please Gio.”

He gave a grin and a nod, “I’ll bring it over.”

Which meant there was no delay or distraction in her crossing the room to her brother. He was nursing a large mug of coffee and he looked morose. Not that she was about to feel sorry for him.

                “So what do you want this time?”

He grumbled under his breath for a moment, then looked up at her, “we took the instalments you arranged. We invested most of it...but there was a collapse in the Japanese market, we were told it was the strongest place to invest.”

She shook her head in despair, “so you’re telling me that you and Imelda are the unluckiest, most ill-advised people in London?” He gave an awkward shrug, and she glared at him, “I spoke to Larry, Dad’s lawyer, you’ve been in New York for a month, and stayed at the St Regis. So tell me, why do you and Imelda need a three bedroom master suite with a kitchen, lounge and a personal butler?”

He floundered, “we were on business...”

                “I went to New York a few years back and stayed in a four star hotel, normal room...BECAUSE I DON’T THINK I’M THE DOG’S BOLLOCKS.” She glanced at Gio who’d looked up once she’d raised her voice. “Sorry Gio.” She leaned back in her seat, “you are a drain on society James, and even our father would be disgusted at your behaviour. Five grand A NIGHT! That’s what you wasted. Have you got an answer for that?”

                “Look I’ve got a big payout coming next week; I just have a bill to pay first.” James was so oblivious that he didn’t notice her lean back, the cold glare settle on her face, the tension in every inch of her body, “I just need ten grand, next week I’ll pay you back.”

                “You want ME to loan YOU money...after taking in excess of fifty grand from Dad’s estate in the last few months? Is THAT what this is about?”

He looked shocked, not embarrassed or angry, “it’s just short term...”

Nina leaned forward, her voice icy cold, “I can loan you that money, but it will be the last penny you get from me, and it will see the house go on the market tomorrow morning at nine am. The choice is yours.”

James’ face curled into an indulgent grin, “next week I’ll be able to buy the house from you.”

That made her open her eyes, “really? Well then, I will get the cash transferred to you once you sign the paperwork. I’ll get it written up by Larry.” Looking up to the counter she called to Gio, “can I get that coffee to go please?”

Nina’s day was getting worse, she sat opposite Larry Stonewell, the lawyer who was joint executor to her father’s will and stared at the newspaper he’d handed her.

                “He’s getting married?” It was ridiculous to think that her brother world marry someone other than Imelda, because whilst she had no real concrete evidence to prove it, she knew they’d been in a relationship, a mutually self-indulgent one since she was a child. But according to The Times he was marrying someone else.

Larry nodded, “seems that way. Monica Ellingham is daughter of one of the richest and influential men in the city; he is titled, but also successful in his own right.”

                “So why is he letting James marry his daughter?”

Leaning back in his chair he shrugged, “your brother is a charmer.”

                “But Imelda...What the hell is he planning?”

                “I don’t know, but I do have a few contacts.”

She lifted an eyebrow and stared at the older man, “ooh, how devious!”

He giggled and it was an unusual sound coming from the usually sombre and serious man, “I don’t know what you mean. But there is an engagement party at that Blumenthal restaurant across town tonight. Maybe he has to pay for it, James that is.”

Nina shook her head, “you think he’d do that? Pay for the engagement party, or a chunk of it, then wangle money out of the Ellingham’s?”

Larry shrugged, “do YOU think he’s capable of that?”

Nina was furious, James was taking her money but also taking the piss, she was back  home, she should be calling Theo, arranging a rendez vous with him, as it was she hadn’t spoken to him other than the odd text message for the duration of her time in Scotland. The afternoon she’d spent with him had been so special, but things had definitely lost their impetuous since and instead of seeking out her man, who wasn’t really her man...yet, she was humouring her brother, and working out the best way to disrupt his plans, because after googling Monica Ellingham, she felt sympathy and pity for the young girl, who at nineteen was a lot younger than her and fifteen years younger than her estranged brother.

No, visiting a few shops on the way to the hotel she’d booked in SoHo, she managed to find a dress, she had to get to the engagement party and work out EXACTLY what her brother was up to, and surprise was the name of the game.