A Talent for Surrender (2 page)

Jo was sceptical by nature and, given Dan’s reputation, she found it hard to take his letter at face value. She hadn’t even bothered to reply, but Dan had followed it up with a phone call several days later and had been so charming and courteous that she’d finally agreed to meet him.

From their chat on the phone and their brief exchange outside her office he didn’t seem what she had expected. He was handsomer in the flesh; more manly and well groomed. On screen he always came across as slightly dishevelled, as if he’d got ready in a hurry. Another aspect of his façade, she assumed.

She got up and went to the door. Dan turned to look at her as it opened and, for a moment, he looked up into her eyes. Because of his low chair Jo could almost imagine he was kneeling at her feet. His head was tilted back slightly to meet her gaze and the expression in his eyes was of naked adoration. Either that or wishful thinking on her part, but either way her nipples grew hard and sensitive inside her bra and an icy tingle, like Jack Frost’s fingertips, slid up her spine.

Dan picked up his laptop bag and got to his feet. His body seemed to uncoil, as if he’d had to fold himself up to fit in the chair, then Jo found herself looking up at him. He was uncommonly tall and slender. He stuck out his hand and she shook it. His grip was firm yet sensitive. She hated it when men felt the need to prove their strength by crushing your fingers when they shook hands.

‘Pleased to meet you properly at last, Mr Elliot. You’re very tall.’

Dan laughed and Jo noticed that he had even white teeth.

‘Yes I am, though I was just thinking the same about you. Not as tall as me, of course, but pretty tall for a woman.’

‘Yes. It’s a very uncommon experience for me to have to look up at a man. But it’s a welcome change, I assure you. A constant vista of bald spots and dandruff does tend to pall after a while.’

‘Well, if nothing else, I’ve been able to provide you with a refreshing change of view.’

‘Shall we go through to my office?’ Jo held the door open.

Dan whistled as he walked into the room. ‘This is impressive. Not at all what I imagined. Very Victorian and imposing. You can imagine Matthew Arnold’s study at Rugby looking like this, can’t you?’

Jo sat down behind her desk and gestured for Dan to take the chair opposite.

‘Yes, it was like this when I took over and it seemed a crime to change it. And, to tell you the truth, I think the old-world formality works in my favour. Kids daren’t lie to me in a room like this.’

‘I know how they feel. Do you know, when I was waiting for you outside I felt fourteen again? Instantly in the wrong and expecting a caning.’

‘I’m sorry, the Education Authority no longer allow me to oblige you on that score.’ Jo smiled. ‘You went to public school, of course?’

‘Of course? Is it that obvious?’

‘I think so. There’s something about that deliberate, bumbling charm you project on screen. Somehow you have to have had a public-school education to pull it off, because there’s actually a lot of confidence and privilege underneath it. Sort of like Hugh Grant. He can afford to look a fool because underneath it all he knows he’s quite a catch.’

Dan looked at her silently for a long moment and Jo knew he was weighing her up. She noticed that behind his fashionably slim-line glasses he had bright-blue eyes. The knowing intelligence she saw there belied the calculated boyishness of his appearance.

‘You’re right. When I’m working I deliberately cultivate awkwardness. If my subjects see me as a little bit innocent, there’s no threat and they’re much more likely to open up. That’s the theory, anyway, but I must admit it’s a bit strange sometimes because how I come across on film doesn’t represent who I am at all and that can take some getting used to. Do you know what I mean?’

Jo nodded. ‘I do. In fact I often have a rather similar thought about myself. I put on a professional persona at work but it’s not necessarily who I am. Not entirely who I am, anyway. It can be very unsettling when the way you look doesn’t accord with the way you are.’

‘Don’t tell me you are a Janus too?’

‘Janus? I can’t place the name.’

‘Roman God. The month of January is named after him; he had two faces. I named my production company after him.’

‘Of course, I knew it sounded familiar.’

‘Actually, I feel as though I’m giving away all my trade secrets. Probably not a good thing when I’m trying to get you to agree to make a film with me.’

‘Yes, I must admit, that is my main concern. I mean . . . your films are never about what they say they are, are they? There’s always a secret subtext. You don’t hoodwink your subjects exactly – after all, they know your reputation before they agree to it – but there is an element of deception, isn’t there? You always manage to get them to reveal more than they intend to, or something they hadn’t intended to. You can understand my reluctance I’m sure.’

Jo looked at Dan as she spoke. His hair shone in the light and there was a slight shadow of stubble visible on his jawline. She bet he was one of those men who had to shave twice a day otherwise he ran the risk of looking like his namesake Desperate Dan. His eyes were remarkable; the same shade of blue as cornflowers and shining with wit and insight.

‘You make it sound manipulative and . . . I don’t know . . . rather dishonest?’

‘Of course it is. And you know it. You can’t tell me that you consciously play the innocent and then expect that act to work on me.’ Jo thought she saw a momentary flash of emotion in Dan’s eyes, shame possibly or alarm.

‘I’m sorry, Ms Lennox. It’s become something of a habit but, as you’ve been direct with me, I owe you the courtesy of responding in kind.’

‘Please, call me Jo. Ms Lennox is the persona I put on during the day, my mask if you like. Out of office hours I’m just Jo.’

‘Thank you. And you must call me Dan. Let me tell you about the project. Hopefully, that should put your mind at ease.’

‘Please.’

‘You’re right when you say my films usually have a hidden agenda. It’s always my intention to get my subjects to reveal more than they intend, because that’s what the public wants to see; the real person, not the public face they hide behind.’

‘It’s interesting that you achieve that by hiding your true self then.’

‘Yes, I suppose it is. But I’m full of paradoxes and contradictions, I always have been. And it gets results.’

‘I must say, this isn’t inspiring me with confidence. You admit you have a secret agenda and still expect me to agree to it . . .’

Dan shook his head. ‘I think you misunderstand the intention of the film. You see it’s the kids I’m really interested in, not the school as such. I want them to show me their true selves. Teenagers embody the kind of paradox we’ve been talking about. They show one face to their parents, another to teachers and yet another to their friends; different faces to different groups of friends, in fact. They’re in the process of discovering who they are and trying to fit into a world they don’t understand. They try on different personas, they keep secrets as a matter of course; that boy Josh who was in here, for example – that’s what I’m interested in. The school itself doesn’t come into it.’

‘That’s interesting. Of course, I’d have to get permission from the parents.’

‘I understand that. I want to contrast two differing groups of kids; the other group will be from a comprehensive school. Public schools are even more of an anachronism these days than they used to be; completely removed from most people’s experience so I didn’t want to go for that. Hall Croft is ideal because it’s a small private school; the kind of thing more and more parents can afford these days. I want to get them to tell me how they feel about sex, drugs and life in general, then discuss what they say to their parents about those things. I think it has potential.’

Dan’s eyes glistened with enthusiasm as he spoke. He was leaning forwards slightly in his chair, legs crossed and hands folded in his lap. Jo noticed that his fingers were long and slender and he had a gold signet ring on his right little finger. Though he was simply dressed in black trousers and sweater, she was fairly certain the sweater was cashmere and she recognised his watch as a Rolex.

‘And you’re certain nothing in it will reflect badly on the school?’

‘Not at all. If you like, we don’t even need to identify it. I’ll agree to whatever terms you feel necessary.’

‘OK . . . I’ll have to think about this for a while. If I decide it’s feasible I’ll have to arrange a meeting of the governors and run it by them. How does that sound?’

‘It sounds wonderful, thank you. Would you want me to come to the governors meeting? I’m perfectly happy if you think it would help.’

‘Yes, thank you. But, as I say, I need to sleep on it. I’m curious. What made you interested in Hall Croft in the first place? There are plenty of private schools, why mine?’

‘Actually, it was my sister’s idea. I was talking to her about the project and told her we were trying to find a suitable school. Her kids come here; Emma and Alex Colston. Emma does her GCSEs next year and Alex just sat his A-Levels. He’s got a place at Durham in October.’

‘I had no idea, but now I know I can see a family resemblance between you and Alex. He’s definitely inherited the height gene from your side of the family.’

‘Yes, he’s going through a terribly gangly phase at the moment. I remember it well. I was growing so fast I felt like a stork; it was hard for my mind to keep up with my ever-lengthening limbs.’

‘He’s also something of a charmer. I can see where he gets it from now.’

‘You flatter me.’ Dan waved the compliment away with the back of his hand. ‘Anyway, Alex speaks very highly of you.’

‘Really? What does he say?’

‘Well . . . as a matter of fact he reckons you’re pretty sexy for a teacher and I have to admit that now I’ve met you I agree with him.’ Dan leaned forward and looked at her over the top of his glasses. ‘Is it true that you always wear stockings, never tights? That’s what Alex says anyway, but I’m perfectly willing to believe it might just be wishful thinking on his part. After all, eighteen-year-old boys do tend to have one-track minds.’

Jo smiled. Dan was still leaning towards her. His glasses had slid down his nose a little so she could see straight into his eyes. Without the barrier of the lenses, they were even more captivating. The swirling patterns in his irises reminded her of old-fashioned glass marbles. The hairs on the back of her neck were erect and sensitive and, as she opened her mouth to speak, she realised she’d been holding her breath.

‘No, I don’t. In fact sometimes I’m completely naked.’

He raised one eyebrow like a villain from a Victorian melodrama but the interest and arousal she saw in his eyes was genuine.

‘Are you wearing them today?’ He mimed twirling a waxed moustache.

‘Why? Do you want to borrow them? They might be a bit small for you but I’ve got some at home that are your size . . .’

Dan laughed out loud. ‘Actually, you might be nearer the mark than you think. The film I’m working on at the moment is about sex. I’ve got involved with a group who call themselves Hellfire 2000. They’re . . . well . . . kinky, for want of a better word. They’re people who believe in dressing for the occasion – and not just the women.’

‘And were you tempted to join in? I can see you in suspenders and high heels.’

‘Not yet, but when we start the filming I’m definitely going to give it all a try. Otherwise I’m only going through the motions.’

‘Sounds like fun. I hope you enjoy it. And you never know, you may discover your inner pervert.’

‘Do you think we all have one of those? Even the vicar and those people who campaign against pornography on TV?’

‘Especially them.’ Jo put her elbows on the desk and rested her chin on her steepled fingers. ‘I expect you’ll find it interesting, if nothing else.’

‘I’m open-minded about it anyway and I certainly intend to give it a go.’

‘Suck it and see . . .’ The way Jo pronounced ‘suck’ made it sound utterly obscene.

Dan sat there silently, never breaking eye contact. He was smiling slightly and Jo noticed that his lips were dark and unusually full for a man. The sensuality of his mouth gave his angular face a softness and a hint of sin; as if he’d just got out of bed with his legs still wobbly from orgasm. There was no mistaking the confidence and challenge in his eyes, or the arousal that had darkened his cheeks and made his breathing shallow.

‘I brought this for you to look at.’ He picked up his bag and took out a DVD. ‘It gives you an idea of the kind of thing we do.’ He stood up and laid the DVD on the corner of her desk. ‘Good to meet you at last. And I’ll look forward to hearing from you.’ He held out his hand for her to shake.

Jo leaned across the desk and took his hand, noticing that the palm was damp and, this time, his grip was less firm. He let himself out, leaving Jo looking at the door.

Maybe she’d hit a raw nerve with her ‘suck it and see’ remark. Whatever had unsettled him, he’d clearly felt the need to reassert his authority; to change the balance of power back in his favour.

She’d been right; he was an intriguing man. He was as intelligent as he was charming and undeniably sexy. He was funny too and humour in a man went a long way.

But it was his honesty and openness she had found most appealing. Once he’d dropped his on-screen façade she’d found him unpretentious and candid. She’d liked his willingness to try everything Hellfire 2000 had to offer. He was perfectly willing to be vulnerable and didn’t see any weakness in it. She picked up the DVD and put it in her bag.

Jo left her office and walked through the building towards the residential wing. The school was housed in an old manor house. It had been built by a noble medieval family, the Halls, from whom it had got its name. The building had been much amended over the years, receiving a new façade, or wing, or interior redesign every time architectural fashion changed.