Authors: Lucinda Riley
David stared down at Leon in disgust. ‘So you’re telling me that for the sake of getting a couple of decent close-ups you helped Charles push an emotionally immature teenage girl
– still legally underage, I might add – into the arms of a married man whose reputation stinks even more than your morals?! For Christ’s sake, Leon! I knew business always comes
first with you, but I didn’t realise you were completely ruthless!’
Leon waved his hands in David’s direction. ‘Oh come on, it was a little fling, that’s all. They probably had a kiss and a cuddle, nothing more. Sure, she’s not quite of
age, but what difference does a few months make? You’ve been in show business long enough to know that this kind of thing happens all the time. What could I have done? Forbid Cheska to see
Bobby? It had started way before I arrived in Brighton. I’m sure there’s no real harm done.’
‘No harm done?’ David shook his head in despair. ‘How can you be so bloody naive? Apart from anything else, Cheska has fallen in love with Bobby.’
‘She’ll get over that. We all have to fall in love for the first time.’
‘It’s not quite as simple as that, Leon. I can only guess, but I think part of the reason Cheska is in hospital in a catatonic state is because her mother told her Bobby Cross is
married.’
Leon leant forward. ‘You know, that’s always been the problem with Cheska. She’s been so mollycoddled and protected by Greta that she’s never had to face reality, or make
her own decisions and—’
‘Don’t you
dare
speak about Greta like that!’ David leant menacingly over the desk once more, his hands itching to grasp Leon by the throat and wipe the self-satisfied
smile from his face.
‘I’m sorry, David, really. That was thoughtless, given the circumstances. What I was trying to say was that Cheska is growing up. She’s going to have to face experiences and
learn to deal with them, like anyone else. She’s had a bad time in the past few weeks. But she’ll get over Bobby. I’m sure she will.’
‘She might have done, of course, if she didn’t happen to be pregnant by him.’
‘Oh Jesus!’
David finally sat down. Silence filled the room as Leon took in the enormity of what he’d just been told.
‘I’m sorry, David. I just . . . dammit! I never thought—’
‘I’m sure you did, Leon. And chose to ignore the possible conclusions because it suited you to do so.’
‘Is she going to keep it?’
‘Cheska’s in no fit state to make a rational decision at the moment. She’s being moved in two days’ time to a private nursing home near Monmouth where she can recover
properly and in peace.’
‘I see. I’ll have a word with Charles Day and see if the studio will cover the costs of the place while Cheska recuperates. Under the circumstances, I think it’s the least they
can do.’
‘I hardly care about that, but I want you to get in touch with that idiot of a client of yours and tell him the news. You do know he could be prosecuted for what he’s done to my
niece, don’t you?’
‘Christ, David! Surely you wouldn’t take it that far? Apart from anything else, it would ruin Cheska’s reputation as well as Bobby’s.’
‘Where is the slimy little shit?’
‘Somewhere abroad, taking a private holiday with his . . . wife and kids.’ Leon lowered his gaze in embarrassment. ‘He never tells anyone where he’s going. Not even
me.’
‘When is he back?’
‘Sometime next month. He’s due to record an album before he starts rehearsals for his season at the Palladium.’
‘You wouldn’t lie to me, would you, Leon?’
‘Good God, David! Just remember that Cheska is my client, too, and she happens to be worth far more to me than Bobby. Not to mention your good self, of course. When he gets back I swear
I’ll tell him straight away. I don’t hold out much hope, though. Mind you, pregnant or not, Cheska’s better off without him. She could have the baby adopted or something,
couldn’t she?’
‘Thinking of business again, are we, Leon?’ David spat scornfully.
‘Look, I swear I’ll do anything I can to help. I’m as horrified as you. And how’s Greta?’
‘Still the same.’ David’s eyes filled with sudden pain.
‘Well, please send her my love.’
‘She won’t return it, Leon, as you know.’
‘What are the doctors saying?’
‘I hardly think you’re interested, so I won’t waste my breath telling you.’ He stood up. ‘But what I
will
tell you is that I’m dispensing with your
services as my agent, with immediate effect.’
David turned and left the room before Leon could respond.
The day before Christmas Eve Cheska was transferred by ambulance to the Medlin Psychiatric Hospital just a few miles outside Monmouth. David followed by car and arrived to find
LJ already waiting in reception. After a long phone conversation with his mother, who was desperate to support her son in any way she could, LJ had insisted that she would oversee the care of
Cheska whilst David concentrated on being with Greta.
The Medlin Hospital could have been a hotel. It was a fine Georgian building, set in beautiful grounds, and the entrance hall and other communal rooms had the feel of a smart country house. The
patients’ rooms were small but tastefully furnished and homely. After ensuring Cheska was as comfortable as she could be, David and LJ left her in her room with a nurse and followed the
receptionist to the chief psychiatrist’s office.
‘Good afternoon. I’m John Cox.’ The grey-haired man smiled warmly as he shook hands with David and LJ. ‘Do please sit down. Now, I have Cheska’s case notes from the
hospital but I do want to find out some background information to give me the bigger picture. Do you mind?’
‘Not at all,’ replied David, with a reassuring nod to his mother.
‘Right, I’d like to go back to the beginning. Where was she born?’
David answered the questions as best he could, finding it painful to remember the past.
‘So she went into films when she was four years old?’ asked Dr Cox.
‘Yes. I never approved of it, personally,’ sniffed LJ.
‘I rather agree. It’s a lot of pressure for one so young. Tell me, has she had any problems of a similar nature before this that either of you know about?’
LJ bit her lip before answering. ‘Well, there was one time . . .’ She hesitated when she saw the quizzical look on David’s face, but decided she must continue. ‘It was
when Cheska came to stay with me at Marchmont, when she was still very young. One evening I found her in the old nursery, mutilating a teddy bear.’
‘Come now, Ma,’ interjected David. ‘Isn’t “mutilating” a bit strong? You’ve never mentioned this before and surely all children are sometimes careless
with their toys?’
‘You didn’t see her face, David,’ said LJ quietly. ‘It was almost . . . maniacal.’
The psychiatrist nodded and made notes on his pad before continuing.
‘So, from Cheska’s hospital notes, I see she witnessed her mother’s accident?’
‘Yes, we believe so, anyway,’ said David. ‘At the very least, she arrived on the scene only moments after.’
‘I see. Does she remember anything else about that night?’
‘I honestly don’t know,’ said David. ‘She didn’t utter a word in the first few days after the accident, and since she started talking again she’s never
mentioned it. We haven’t wanted to bring it up in case it upsets her. Her mother is still in a coma.’
‘Well, often it’s best to be honest with patients like Cheska. If the subject arises, there’s no need to avoid talking about her mother, within reason of course.’
David and LJ nodded.
‘Anything else you’d like to add that you think may be of help?’
‘Well, you obviously know from her notes that she’s pregnant. And very much in love with the father of the baby. But, unfortunately, he is never likely to shoulder the
responsibility,’ added David.
‘Poor Cheska. No wonder she’s having problems. Well, thank you very much, Mr Marchmont, Mrs Marchmont, for all this information. Cheska will be having an hour’s therapy every
day. I’ll need to be able to judge her grasp of reality. Do you think she acknowledges that she is pregnant, for example?’
‘Definitely,’ confirmed David.
‘Well, that’s a step in the right direction. Leave it with me, and we’ll see how we go.’
‘Where are you going? You’re not leaving me?’ A look of horror crossed Cheska’s face as David kissed her cheek. John Cox was standing discreetly a few
feet behind David, keen to observe the exchange between the two of them.
‘The doctors want you to stay here so they can keep an eye on you and the baby,’ said David gently. ‘It’ll only be for a little while, I promise.’
‘But I want to go home with you. It’s Christmas, Uncle David!’ Cheska’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Don’t leave me, please don’t leave me.’
‘There, there. There’s nothing to get upset about. LJ will be in to see you every day. I’ll come to visit too, whenever I can.’
‘Promise?’
‘I promise, sweetheart.’ He paused, weighing up in his mind the wisdom of what he was about to say. ‘Cheska, before I go, if there’s anything you want to ask me about
your mother, you—’ David stopped mid-sentence as he saw that Cheska’s face hadn’t even flickered at the mention of Greta. She merely stared at him blankly for a moment then
turned to look out of the window. ‘Well, goodbye, darling. I’ll see you very soon.’
‘Goodbye, Uncle David,’ she replied over her shoulder.
David left the room, closely followed by Dr Cox.
‘Don’t worry, Mr Marchmont. While that little scene may have been upsetting, it is, I believe, somewhat encouraging. The fact that she can express at least some emotion, such as
being upset that you’re leaving, is a positive step.’
‘But I feel so cruel abandoning her here.’
‘Please don’t worry. I’m sure she’ll adjust to it very quickly. Really, she’s in the best place, and you must trust us. You go home and try to have a relaxing
Christmas and we’ll talk again afterwards.’
It was early evening when David and LJ arrived at Marchmont. Completely exhausted, emotionally and physically, he had succumbed to his mother’s suggestion that he at
least spend Christmas with her.
‘Sit down, David, and I’ll make us a strong drink.’
David watched as LJ poured them both a whisky. ‘There.’ She placed the drink in his hands then went to stir the fire.
‘Cheers, and Merry Christmas. You look wonderful, as always, Ma. Younger than me, just now,’ he joked.
‘I think it’s this place that keeps me going. I have so much to do, there’s no time to get old.’
‘Are you sure you can cope with visiting Cheska, Ma?’
‘Of course, dear boy. And Mary said she will too.’
‘But what about when she gives birth in a few months’ time and she has to care for a tiny thing that’s dependent on her for its every need? She’s not capable of looking
after herself, let alone taking on the responsibility of a child. And with Greta as she is, well . . .’
‘Yes, that’s been worrying me, too. But what can we do, other than pray she starts to recover? She has quite a time to go still.’
‘She looks like a ghost. So pale, and with that awful glassy-eyed expression. She’s so fragile, Ma. And she hasn’t mentioned Greta once. She was completely blank when I made a
reference to her mother just before we left.’
‘Well, as I admitted to that psychiatrist this afternoon, I can’t help wondering whether this is all part of a much larger mental problem, rather than just the shock of Greta’s
accident.’
‘I don’t think so. Cheska has always been very stable. She’s coped with years of being in the limelight when other, much more mature people crack under the pressure.’
‘Maybe, but don’t you think that could be part of her problem? I mean, what
is
reality for her? And all that fame to handle at such a young age. You know I’ve never
approved of her doing all those films. It seems to me that she missed out completely on being a child.’
‘Yes, but Greta only wanted what was best for her, you know,’ David said, as usual defensive of criticism on Greta’s behalf.
‘And what about the father of her baby? This Bobby Cross?’
‘The evening of the accident Greta was going to tell Cheska he was married. Whether she did or not, at present, only Cheska knows. Leon is getting in touch with Bobby as soon as he’s
back in the country but, to be honest, it’s a pointless exercise. I’m sure John Cox will broach the subject with her. Maybe we’ll know more then.’
‘What are your plans for the next few days?’ LJ asked, changing the subject.
‘I have to leave on Boxing Day and go to Cambridge to see Greta,’ he shrugged. ‘Her consultant called to say they’ve found nothing in any of the tests they
ran.’
‘So, there’s no change?’
‘Apparently not.’
‘Well, is it really necessary that you go? I don’t wish to appear unkind, David, but the poor woman is in a coma. She’s in good hands at Addenbrooke’s and, besides,
she’s hardly in a state to miss you for a few days more. You need a break from all this, dear boy. It’s too much for you.’
‘No, Ma,’ said David quietly, ‘what I need is to be with the woman I love.’
‘So, Cheska, how are you feeling today?’ John Cox smiled at her across the desk.
‘Fine,’ she replied.
‘Good, good. Are you settling down here all right?’
‘I suppose so, but I’d prefer to go home.’
‘To Marchmont?’
‘Yes.’
‘So you regard Marchmont as your home rather than the apartment you shared in London with your mother?’
Cheska stared at a figurine on a shelf and didn’t reply.
‘Would you like to tell me about your mother, Cheska?’
‘I was once in a film where there was a psychiatrist.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes. He tried to get people to believe his brother was mad so he could lock him away and steal all his money.’
‘But films aren’t real, Cheska. They’re make-believe. Nobody is trying to say you’re mad. I’m trying to help you.’
‘That’s what the psychiatrist said in the film.’
‘Let’s talk about the baby, then. You do know you’re having a baby, don’t you?’
‘Of course I do!’ she snapped.