Authors: Victoria Connelly
Despite the fact that she adored her new car, and the fact that Fizz was sitting beside her, Molly was beginning to feel quite lonely. She hadn’t had a proper conversation since leaving Eleanora Howard’s in the Cotswolds and she was beginning to wish that she had a travelling companion.
As if she’d sent a prayer up to heaven and God didn’t have any queues, Molly saw a hitch-hiker. She’d never picked up a hitch-hiker in her life. She’d never dared.
‘There are more strange people than sane out there,’ her father had warned, his dark eyebrows drawn together over the bridge of his nose. ‘You do
not
want them in your car.’
But this girl didn’t look like an axe murderer or escaped convict, and it would be nice to have somebody other than a dog to talk to, and it was still a long way to London.
Pulling over, Molly took a good look at the girl. She didn’t look more than about nineteen or twenty. She was wearing a faded black shirt and green combat trousers with more
pockets than a snooker table. Her face was as pale as a
Pre-Raphaelite’s
and she was wearing her long dark-blonde hair in pigtails. Definitely a student.
‘Come on, Fizz, it’s time you were relegated to the back seat,’ Molly said, unclipping his belt and lifting him up before leaning across and opening the passenger door.
‘Gosh!’ the girl said in surprise. ‘Thank you so much. I’ve been stuck here for
hours
. They don’t seem to be very friendly with the lifts round here.’
Molly smiled as the girl heaved her rucksack into the back of the car.
‘I’m Jo,’ the girl beamed.
‘Molly.’
‘Hi, Molly,’ Jo said, extending a hand with at least three silver rings on each finger.
‘Welcome aboard,’ Molly said as Jo scrambled in.
‘This is such a great car!’
‘Thank you!’
‘And your dog’s so cute too!’ Jo said, leaning back to give him a pat on his snowy head.
‘That’s Fizz. I hope you haven’t got any food in your rucksack because he’ll find it if you have.’
‘No, nothing in there,’ Jo said, doing her seat belt up as Molly pulled out.
‘You’re heading to London, I take it?’ Molly asked.
‘Yes. That wasn’t the original plan. I was meant to be going InterRailing with a friend but she’s since found a man and doesn’t go anywhere without him. And I didn’t want to be travelling round Europe with a couple of lovebirds.’
Molly tutted. ‘I
hate
it when girlfriends do that.’
‘Me too. So I thought I’d try travelling round Britain but it
isn’t as much fun as I’d hoped.’
Molly smiled. ‘I know what you mean!’
‘Are you travelling too?’
‘You could say that,’ Molly said, realising that Jo was peering at her closely.
‘You know, you look kind of familiar.’
‘Do I?’ Molly said, trying to sound light-hearted.
‘Yes, you do.’
‘Funny. Everybody says that.’
‘Are you a TV presenter or something?’
Molly took her eyes off the road for a split second. ‘You’re joking, aren’t you? You don’t need to butter me up just because I’m giving you a free ride.’
‘I know that,’ Jo said, ‘but it’s bothering me now. I’m sure I’ve seen your face somewhere.’
Molly winced. It was only a matter of time, wasn’t it? She’d tried to forget that Tom Mackenzie had somehow got hold of a photo of her winning some local florists’ competition, and had published it in
Vive!
as if it were a ‘wanted’ poster. Should she own up and put the poor girl out of her misery or should she drop her off at the next service station and avoid the issue completely?
‘Oh my God – you’re
her
, aren’t you?’
Too late, Molly thought. ‘
Her?
Her who?’ she said quickly, hoping she could somehow bluff her way out of things.
‘Her! You know – the only
her
everyone’s talking about at the moment. That millionaire girl.
Molly!
I should have known as soon as you said your name! Molly Bailey! You’re Molly Bailey!’
‘Shush!’ Molly hushed, waving a hand at her. This fame thing was really beginning to catch up with her today. First
the donkey sanctuary and now this!
‘You
are
, aren’t you? I’m not wrong, am I?’
Molly sighed. ‘You’re not wrong.’
‘Can I shake your hand? Blimey! I’ve never met a millionaire before. Maybe your luck will rub off on me. God knows I could do with some!’
Molly couldn’t help but grin as she allowed her hand to be shaken.
‘Fancy!’ Jo said. ‘Me, being picked up by Molly Bailey!’
‘It’s no big deal.’
‘Not to you, maybe. But nothing exciting ever happens in my life! Just wait till I tell Sally!’
‘Is she your ex-InterRailing partner?’
Jo nodded. ‘I hope she’s having a lousy summer holiday. Then I can get my own back when I tell her about this.’
There was a moment’s silence, Jo sitting with a huge grin on her face. ‘I must say, you don’t seem very excited by it all.’
‘By all what?’
‘You’re a celebrity!’ Jo said, making it sound as if that was something everybody should aspire to.
Molly shrugged. ‘I guess I’ve got other things on my mind at the moment.’
‘How can you be so calm? God, if I’d won the lottery, I’d be screaming from the rooftops!’ Jo’s eyes were as wide as plates.
‘That’s exactly what I couldn’t do,’ Molly said. ‘Besides, I don’t feel that the money is really mine.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘Well,’ Molly said, a slight sigh colouring her voice, ‘I never really wanted money – so much money, I mean.’
‘Are you mad?’
‘Oh, no! Really – I only ever wanted enough to get by.’
‘Nobody ever just wants to
get
by
,’ Jo stated. ‘Everyone wants to be rich.’
‘Not me. I feel that, in a strange way, I’m merely the custodian of this money. It’s just passing through me. Do you know what I mean?’ Molly said, echoing the words of Eleanora Howard.
Jo looked nonplussed. ‘No, I don’t think I do. I think you’re absolutely crazy. Amazing, but crazy.’
Molly laughed. ‘I’m not amazing really. Not with the kind of family I have.’
‘And is that what you’ve got on your mind at the moment?’
‘You could say that.’ Molly chewed her lip. A few minutes before she’d been praying for company and someone to talk to, but was Jo the right person? She glanced quickly at her. She looked honest enough as she examined the split ends of her pigtails.
‘My mother’s in London,’ Molly began.
‘Yeah?’
‘But I’ve not seen her since I was eleven.’
‘Oh.’
‘She left my dad, my brother and me.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Jo said. ‘And you’re going to meet her now?’
Molly nodded. ‘I’ve just been given her address.’
‘Gosh! Are you nervous?’
‘Yes!’ Molly laughed. ‘The thought of meeting her again makes me feel quite sick!’
‘Does she know you won the lottery?’
Molly shook her head. ‘Not unless she’s a
Vive!
reader.’
‘Well, there are a few more of those now that that reporter
has brought you to the public’s attention. Did you know it’s doubled its circulation?’
‘Really?’
‘Heard it on the radio – they were having a discussion about it.’
Molly shook her head. ‘All this fuss.’
‘Exciting though?’
‘I just want a quiet life.’
Jo smiled. ‘You wouldn’t be doing all this if you wanted a quiet life.’
‘I suppose you’re right,’ Molly said. ‘And, do you know what?’
‘What?’
‘I’ve decided to play along with it.’
‘What do you mean?’ Jo asked.
Molly grinned. ‘I’ve had this crazy idea – a kind of grand finale idea that I’m going to try and pull off in London. And it’s going to involve
Vive!
.’
‘Really? What is it?’ Jo’s bright eyes sparkled with excitement.
Molly bit her lip. ‘I’ll tell you later,’ she said. ‘Let’s get to London first.’
The next phone call Tom received had been better news and he’d been quick to respond, arriving at the donkey sanctuary, near Branscombe, within twenty minutes. He was a little bit anxious about leaving the safety of his car, knowing that Flora would make a beeline for the animals. Tom had always been rather wary of animals, ever since a squirrel had run up his trouser leg in Regent’s Park, and he wasn’t too enamoured by the idea of meeting a couple of hundred donkeys.
‘Come on, Daddy!’ Flora yelled in excitement. ‘Let’s go!’
‘Business first, Flo,’ Tom said. ‘We’ve got to meet Amber.’
They made their way over to the visitor centre and were greeted by a rather excitable girl in the gift shop.
‘Tom Mackenzie!’
He extended his hand and she grabbed hold of it, her cheeks flushing scarlet. ‘Amber?’
‘Yes!’ she said, sounding rather breathless.
‘This is Flora, my daughter.’
‘Pleased to meet you!’ Amber said, shaking Flora’s tiny hand.
‘Hello,’ Flora said, instantly warming to Amber.
‘You’re far better looking in real life than on television!’ Amber gushed.
Tom didn’t know what to say. Instead, he looked round the shop, desperate to change the subject, and that’s when he saw the single yellow gerbera that was lying next to the till. ‘I see Molly’s left her usual calling card.’
Amber laughed. ‘I teased her about leaving one for each donkey.’
‘So what else did Molly leave behind?’ Tom enquired.
‘Ah!’ Amber tapped her nose. ‘Well, it was a confidential donation. We can’t disclose that, I’m afraid. I’m not even meant to have called you. She made me promise but I’m sure she won’t mind. She seemed to adore the donkeys and I’m sure she’d like to see us prospering from her visit –
publicity-wise
.’
‘So what
can
you tell me about Molly?’ Tom asked.
Amber beamed. ‘I was just going to make a cup of tea,’ she said. ‘I hope you haven’t got to rush off anywhere?’
Tom shook his head and gulped as she turned on her heels,
her bum wiggling seductively in a pair of very tight jeans.
‘Daddy,’ Flora said, tugging at his sleeve, ‘I haven’t seen a single donkey yet.’
‘No,’ Tom said, ‘neither have I.’ But, he thought, there were definitely some very attractive asses about.
‘Do you mind if we have the radio on?’ Jo asked Molly.
‘Help yourself,’ Molly said. ‘I haven’t worked it out yet.’
Jo fiddled with it and music blared out, causing Fizz to wake up and give a bark.
‘Oh no, it’s that new DJ – Krista Karen, or someone,’ Jo complained.
‘Never heard of her.’
‘Stupid name. Stupid woman,’ Jo said, and they listened as she filled the airwaves with her breathy voice.
‘We’re talking about our new national heroine, Molly Bailey,’ Krista trilled.
Molly almost crashed the car. ‘
What
?’
‘
Shush!
’ Jo said.
‘So, if you’re out there, Molly, give us a ring. We’d love to hear from you. Now, let’s take another call. Hello, is that Marsha?’
‘Hi, Krista!’
‘What’s your question for Molly, Marsha?’
‘I’d like to ask Molly, if she
had
to spend the money on herself, what would she buy and why?’
‘A good question,’ Krista said. ‘Did you get that, Molly? Give us a call if you’d like to tell Marsha, and the rest of us, what you’d spend your money on if you had to spend it on yourself.’
‘This is ridiculous!’ Molly laughed. ‘They’re talking about
me
!’
‘Let’s take another call,’ Krista said. ‘I have Paul on line two. Hello, Paul?’
‘Hello, Krista,’ a very well-spoken voice said.
‘I believe you have a request – another
Molly song
?’
‘I do.’
Molly’s eyes widened. ‘A
Molly song
? What on earth is a
Molly song
?’
‘I think we’re about to find out,’ Jo giggled.
‘It’s “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”,’ Paul said in his softly spoken Oxbridge voice.
‘And why do you think that sums up Molly?’ Krista asked.
‘Because she’s one of the few people who’s giving something back to the world.’
‘Oh! I can’t listen to any more of this,’ Molly said.
‘Shush!’ Jo snapped again. ‘Hear the poor man out.’
‘If we all followed Molly’s lead, the world would be a better place,’ Paul finished, and the sound of the New Seekers filled the car.
‘Good grief!’ Molly laughed.
‘I think it’s wonderful!’ Jo enthused. ‘They’re talking about you! They’re playing your songs. They’re—’
‘Completely mad!’ Molly interrupted.
‘Mad about
you!
’ Jo said.
Eighty-odd miles away, after finally escaping from Amber at the donkey sanctuary having been asked far more questions by her than he himself had had the chance to ask, Tom and Flora were singing along to ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing’, and wondering which song they should nominate as a
Molly song.
‘“Money, Money, Money”!’ Flora suggested.
Tom laughed, thinking of Flora dancing to his Abba album. ‘Shall we ring in?’
Flora nodded enthusiastically. ‘Yes!’
‘Here,’ he said, passing her his mobile. ‘They’ll say the number again in a minute.’
‘You know, you really shouldn’t hitch-hike,’ Molly said to Jo as they got back in the car after filling up with fuel and chocolate.
‘Well, you shouldn’t go around picking people up.’
Molly nodded. ‘Point taken.’
Jo unwrapped a king-size Mars Bar and proceeded to dissect it, layer by layer, with nimble teeth as she sneakily switched the radio on again.
‘Really, Tom? You must be exhausted with all that driving,’ Krista Karen was saying.
‘Oh my God!’ Jo squealed. ‘It’s Tom Mackenzie! You should ring in, Molly!’
Molly stared at Jo in horror. ‘No way!’
‘Why not? He sounds ever so nice.’
‘Why does everyone keep saying that?’ Molly asked, annoyed. ‘Anyway, I’ve spoken to him already.’
‘You have?’
‘Yes.’
‘And?’ Jo leant forward as if to get closer to Molly’s answer.
‘It didn’t go very well,’ Molly said quietly, thinking of Tom’s continual hounding of her.
‘Wait a minute – didn’t you say you were going to get
Vive!
involved in something – once you were in London?’
‘Yes, I did.’
‘Well, why not ring in to the radio station and tell him about it now?’
‘There’s no need to. I’ve got his mobile phone number – I can ring him once we’re in London.’
‘But this would be so much fun, Molly!’ Jo persisted.
Molly was beginning to wish she hadn’t picked Jo up. She didn’t want fun – not just at the moment. She was going to ring Tom, yes, but not yet, not until she’d found her mother.
She looked at Jo. ‘Do you mind if we don’t?’ she asked. ‘It’s just, I’ve got other things on my mind at the moment.’
Jo nodded. ‘That’s OK,’ she said, but there was disappointment in her eyes.
They did their belts up and pulled out of the service area.
‘He does sound nice though, doesn’t he?’ Jo said, a little smile decorating her face.
Molly cocked her head and listened to the laughing voice of Tom Mackenzie.
‘This is the weirdest story I’ve ever covered,’ he was telling Krista Karen.
‘And you have an accomplice, I hear?’
‘Yes – Flora – my daughter. Say hi, Flo.’
‘Hi, Krista!’ a young voice chirped across the airwaves.
‘Oh, sweet!’ Jo said.
‘I didn’t know he had a daughter,’ Molly said, her forehead furrowing.
‘It’s the school holiday,’ Tom explained, ‘so Flo’s come with me for the ride.’
‘Single parent?’ Jo asked. ‘I bet Krista doesn’t ask him what all the nation’s women want to know.’
‘And your
Molly song
, Tom?’ Krista asked.
‘Well, Flo and I have been thinking long and hard about this but we’ve come up with “Money, Money, Money” by Abba.’
‘An excellent choice,’ Krista said.
Molly tutted. ‘Very predictable.’
‘But he sounds so sexy,’ Jo grinned. ‘Have you seen his picture in the papers?’
Molly nodded, remembering the dark-blond hair and
pale-grey
eyes. ‘Not my type,’ she said unconvincingly.
‘Right!’ Jo nodded. ‘You could ski off his cheekbones.’
‘And you could murder him for his cheek.’
‘Is he cheeky?’
‘He’s been following me round the country, bombarding me with questions – I’d rate that as pretty bloomin’ cheeky.’
Jo laughed. ‘Well, I, for one, would adore someone giving me that sort of attention.’
‘You can have him. With my blessing!’
Jo sighed. ‘But he doesn’t want me. He wants you.’
Molly sighed. It was all rubbish and she wasn’t going to listen. Instead, she focused on the road ahead, only half aware that Jo was up to something.
‘What are you doing?’ Molly asked a moment later, seeing that Jo had picked up her mobile.
‘Do you mind if I make a call?’
‘Go ahead,’ Molly said.
Jo smiled. ‘Ta very much.’
Molly made a mental note to buy Jo a mobile phone. She really should have one if she was travelling round on her own.
‘It’s ringing!’ Jo said at last.
Molly gave half a glance, thinking that Jo looked extremely excited at making a simple phone call.
‘Who are you call—’
‘Hello, Tom? Tom Mackenzie?’ Jo said.
‘Jo! What are you doing?’
‘I’m Jo – I’m a friend of Molly’s. We just heard you on the radio.’
‘
Jo!
’
‘Yes, that’s Molly. I’m with her right now.’
Jo glanced at Molly. ‘He wants to talk to you.’
‘I’m driving,’ Molly said. ‘And I don’t really have anything to say to him.’
‘Oh, go on! Just say hello.’
‘Jo, I’m really not—’
But Jo wasn’t taking no for an answer and pressed the phone up to Molly’s ear.
‘Hello, Molly?’
Molly sighed. ‘Hello,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry but I didn’t know Jo was ringing you.’
‘That’s OK. Always good to hear from friends of yours.’
Molly took a deep breath.
‘Go
on
!’ Jo said. ‘Talk to him!’
‘We heard you on the radio,’ Molly said.
Jo rolled her eyes. ‘I told him that already!’
Molly glared at her.
‘Hope you liked our song,’ Tom said. ‘It was Flora’s idea.’
‘Your daughter?’
‘Yes. She’s right here.’
‘Hello, Molly!’ a young voice chirped.
Molly smiled. ‘I didn’t know you had a daughter.’
‘She’s been with me on this whole journey. My ex thought it a good idea to take off for the entire summer holiday with her fancy man so Flo and I are getting to spend some proper time together.’
Molly couldn’t help grinning at the way he’d managed to inform her that he was a single man. ‘And she doesn’t mind being dragged the length and breadth of the country?’ she asked him.
‘She’s loving it, aren’t you, Flo?’
‘Don’t stop, Molly!’ Flora’s voice called. ‘We love following you!’
There was a pause.
‘Molly?’
‘Yes?’
‘You OK?’
Molly nodded and then remembered she was on the phone. ‘Yes.’
‘You sound distant.’
‘Look, if you’re trying to find out where I am then you’ve got another thing—’
‘No, no! I mean, you sound – you know – thoughtful.’
‘Oh, right,’ she said.
‘Is all well in the world of Molly?’
Molly looked at the road ahead. She was heading to London. She was going to meet her mother – the woman she
hadn’t seen for so many years.
‘Everything’s fine,’ she said at last.
‘You’re planning something, aren’t you?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I can tell. Something’s changed, hasn’t it?’
Molly bit her lip. Was this some journalistic trick? Was he trying to get her to confess something that he was just
second-guessing
?
‘I…’ She paused, and there was a part of her that wanted to tell him – there really was. There was something in his voice that let her know that he would listen –
really
listen to her. ‘I have a plan, yes,’ she said, ‘but I can’t tell you yet.’
‘But you
will
tell me?’
‘Yes,’ she said.
‘Promise?’ he said.
Molly found she was smiling. ‘Yes,’ she said.
‘Then I’ll wait for your call, Molly Bailey. Take care.’
‘Bye,’ she said.
‘Blimey,’ Jo said, removing the phone from Molly’s ear and switching it off.
‘What?’ Molly asked, feeling her cheeks flush.
‘My arm would’ve dropped off if you’d been any longer!’