Shimmers of Pearl (The Pearl Trilogy, Part 3) (17 page)

“Absolutely,” I reply, curious as to why she’s paying me a visit – usually we meet in the editing room.

Ten minutes later, she bursts through the door, looking stunning, as usual, yet with a girlish restlessness about her which I haven’t noticed before – Natalie is usually so composed, such a ‘grown-up’.

“Hi Natalie. You look amazing – like ten years younger or something.” I rake my eyes over her outfit: tight jeans; not Natalie’s usual attire.

“Or something,” she says with a laugh. “Do you want to hear the good news first, or the good news second?”

“The good news second.”

She sets her tablet on my desk and plunks herself in my swivel chair giving it, and herself, a little spin. Boy, is she in a good mood. “Actually, I can’t make up my mind which is better,” she gushes.

“Tell me either way, the suspense is killing me.”

“Okay. Firstly, your fiancé has started this foundation for us – a charity.

“Oh yes?” I ask with curiosity.
How come he never mentioned this?

Natalie goes on, “It’s called the Jane Doe Foundation. It has been set up for sexually abused girls and young women. Because of all our research and experience with the girls we’ve met through our project, he thinks HookedUp Enterprises is the perfect vehicle, although I have been sworn that HookedUp Enterprises will never be mentioned at any time. The Foundation is financially independent.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s rich; he can afford to give money away to worthy causes – good for him.”

She nibbles on a pen lying on my desk. “No, that’s what’s so cool. This isn’t his money but has come in from four, other, private sources.”

“Jane Doe, you say?”

“That’s right. Because abused girls are handled like Jane Does, identities unknown, or treated like they haven’t got a name; they are victims, not just because they’ve been abused but because so many people don’t even know who they are. Or worse, they don’t care.”

“Jane Doe,” I repeat. “Was that his idea?” Natalie has no clue about what happened to me all those years ago. Primarily, ours is a working relationship.

“Yeah, not even I could have come up with such an original name.”

I raise my eyebrows. Is she being sarcastic? I study her expression.

“No, really, I think the name is cool,” she says, tapping her legs eagerly as if she’s ready to talk about her other good news.

“Who are these benefactors?”

She beams at me. “Anonymous.”

“And they all came in together with the money? At one time? Or was this charity set up a while ago and this is the first we’re hearing of it?”

She’s still grinning. “It was set up, oh, I think less than a week ago.”

“And we are to distribute the funds as we see fit?”

“That’s right.”

Revenge is a dish best served cold.
What has Alexandre been up to?

“Do you want to hear my other good news?” Natalie asks, impatience dancing in her eyes.

I blink to concentrate on what she’s about to say. “Yes. Yes, of course.”

“I’m dating someone new.”

I give her a cheeky smile. “Hence the sexy jeans?”

“You like my new look?”

“Any look suits you, Natalie,” I say, trying to get Alexandre and his Robin Hood shenanigans out of my head. I wonder how he did it. The coincidence is too much. Four benefactors, Jane Doe…

Natalie jiggles her boot. She’s wearing heels. “Aren’t you going to ask who it is?”

“Let me guess. That lawyer guy you saw last year that you kind of liked?”

“No-o,” she sing-songs.

“That doctor who your friend, Gail, wanted to send you on a blind date with?”

“Not even close.”

I throw my hands in the air. “Okay, I give up.” Natalie swore she would only ever date a man who earned a six figure salary. With all the commotion with her aunt after Hurricane Sandy, I’m amazed she has even found time to date anyone at all. In fact, this is the first time I have seen her so giddy with happiness – she deserves it after the Sandy aftermath and all that she has been doing for her family.

“A firefighter,” she says and then laughs. “I know…not what you expected.” She gives the chair a three hundred and sixty degree swivel.

“Probably not what
you
expected, either,” I joke.

“He was cleaning up the devastation where my aunt used to live. Broken gas pipes, et cetera – the place was dangerous, you know. He told me to clear off. Then we got talking.”

“What’s his name?”

“Miles. After Miles Davis.”

“I’m so happy for you,” I tell her, trying to hide my surprise.

“You don’t think I’m crazy?”

“Are you kidding? They’re the bravest, coolest bunch of people in the world. Not to mention…” I trail off.

“What?”

I try to suppress a grin. I think of Alexandre in his firefighter get-up and a sexy-memory frisson runs up my spine.

“You have such a dirty mind, Pearl.”

“Well, let’s face it - a guy in uniform? A
firefighter
in uniform is every woman’s fantasy.”

“Well, I have to say…” she arches a neat eyebrow.

“You
haven’t, you didn’t
?” Natalie and I rarely talk about anything other than work. But she’s in the mood to reveal all, obviously.

She widens her hazel eyes. She looks like a little girl who’s had way too much candy. “He was very apologetic. I went to his house for dinner and he hadn’t had time to change. I flung myself at him.”

“I bet you did. So what does he look like? No, that’s wrong – I should be asking you if he’s kind and caring—”

“Imagine a young Denzel Washington with a bit of Wesley Snipes thrown in.”

“Very nice, indeed.”

“Miles is a sexy cocktail, alright.”

“Yeah, you look a little tipsy,” I joke, “that’s for sure. How old is he?”

She sighs. “A little younger than me.”

“Join the club. So is this serious, like
relationship
serious or just….exercise?” I ask.

“That’s what’s so crazy. At the beginning I thought it was just for fun but he’s like…so sincere, so genuine. I think I’m falling for him.”

“Does he know that?”

“No way! I’m not like you, Pearl. I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m playing it cool. You know, not always available. Making sure he knows he has to book an evening with me way in advance. No last minute dates.”

I think of my rock climbing date with Alexandre…so last minute. Boy, was I easy. “Poor guy,” I say making a face, “You’ve probably got him pining for you.”

“That’s the idea.”

“You’re such a catch, Natalie. I bet he feels he’s in over his head.”

“I don’t think so. He’s very confident and pretty cocky.”

“Well, he’s met his match in you.”

She giggles. Natalie never giggles. “Am I that bad?”

“You can be pretty formidable.”

“Is that what your father said about me?”

“No, Not at all.”

“The truth is, there was no way I was going to move to an island in the middle of nowhere and leave New York – it would never have worked out with your dad.”

“I know. My dad got that. Speaking of moving to Hawaii …no, never mind.” I walk over to the window and look down at the street. People are rushing this way and that, buzzing about in the post-holiday sales.

“What? I hate it when you do that – give me half a secret and then take it away again.”

I turn around. She’s still swiveling in my chair. “How do you know it’s a secret?”

She glares at me playfully. “I can tell by the look in your eye.”

“I’ll tell you when it’s a sure thing.”

“See? There you go again, Pearl.”

I hesitate. Would Daisy mind me telling Natalie? No, she wouldn’t. I say, “Well, okay. It looks as if Daisy might have something going on with someone she met there.”

Natalie claps her hands. “That’s fantastic! Who is he?”

“A surfer dude. But very cute.”

“You see, there was no way I could be part of that world. I guess I’m a city girl at heart. About your dad – I’ve been feeling a little guilty, you know, like I was a bit unfair to him. I didn’t call him because I didn’t want him to think we were…you know…still on. But I realized that I was being a bit cold.”

“He’ll live. He knew you’d never settle in Hawaii. You don’t want some zen hippie like him, anyway – that’s not your style.”

“A New Yorker born and bred - that’s me.”

“Exactly. My dad wouldn’t last more than three days here.”

“Can you envision Daisy there, though?”

“When she came to visit, she was like a duck to water. It might be just the thing for her and Amy.”

Natalie’s smile fades. “What happened to Johnny – she doesn’t want to get back together with him?”

“He’s repentant.” I feel my hackles rise on Daisy’s behalf. “But he’s too late.”

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” Natalie chirps.

I’ve heard her quote that before. Shakespeare? No, the Restoration playwright. “Congreve, I believe?”

“You’re a poet and you don’t know it,” she replies, laughing at my rhyme and making another.

“Actually, Daisy’s being very nice to Johnny. Considering. But she can’t trust him anymore. Plus, I think she’s up for a real lifestyle change.”

Natalie inspects her manicured nails and then raps them on the desk almost as if she’s playing a tune. “What about you and Alexandre? You told me there were issues with the ex.”

“Resolved,” I say quickly. “You know what, Natalie? I really think we need to go through the credit titles again. We’ve been chit-chatting way too long – we should get back to work before the day’s gone. I’m so thrilled for you about Miles. Keep him guessing – keep him on his toes.”

She springs from my chair and picks up her tablet. “Oh, I will.”

“I still can’t get over those donations that came out of the blue.” I’ll need to find out what Alexandre has been up to.

We start our slow amble as we exit my office. “You don’t mind that Miles isn’t a six figure earner?” I ask, wondering if Natalie remembered the vow she made a year ago.

“He’s a nice guy and that’s what counts most. My daughters like him.”

“They’ve met him? Okay, I see this really
is
serious.”

Then she whispers, “The truth is, Pearl, he’s a magician in bed. He takes his time, he’s so
into
me, you know – he makes me feel like I’m the most incredible woman who’s ever walked the earth.”

I nod knowingly. “Yup, you’re hooked, alright.”

Then we both burst out at once, “HookedUp!”

I add, “It amuses me no end, the name HookedUp Enterprises. It’s like Star Trek, you know, as if we’re on a space ship.”

“We’re on a journey alright. The journey of our life. They say ‘life begins at forty’ and you know what? I think they’re right!”

***

A few hours later, just as I am grabbing my coat to leave the office, my landline rings.

Jeanine informs me, “The person wouldn’t tell me who she was.”

“A woman?”

“A
British
woman.”

“Thanks Jeanine, put her through.”

I hold the receiver with trepidation. “Hello?”

“Sorry to bother you at work, Pearl, but I had no choice.”

It’s HER.

“What do you want, Laura.” No question mark.

“I realize I was rash when I told you my secret about your mobile.” Mobile…ah yes, British for cell phone.

“So you couldn’t spy on me anymore, you mean?”

“Just keeping tabs.”

“Well, I’m no longer using my ‘mobile’ anyway.”

“So I gathered. That’s why I’m calling you at work.”

“I know what you’re up to, Laura. Alexandre’s told me everything.”

“Ah, yes. The hip replacement. And the rather sorry-looking teeth. Why is it that Americans have such perfect knashers and we sad Europeans get lumped with bad dental care all our lives? Well, not blowing my own trumpet, or anything, but mine were sorted out and are in mint condition. But, you know, in general. Especially the French. Not Sophie and Alexandre, though, their sparkling white teeth are pretty perfect, except for that oh so slightly crooked one he has, but that, of course, is part of his charm—”

I cut her short. “Why are you calling, Laura?”

“I feel lonely. Left out. Alexandre’s not answering my calls and I want to know what he’s decided.”

I take a deep breath and tell her, “He doesn’t love you, Laura.”

“He loved me once and he can love me again. Once I’ve had his child then we can be happy again. I mean, let’s face it Pearl, that’s something you can’t give him. He wants to be a father.”

“He’s going to be a father,” I blurt out.

“Come again?”

“I’m pregnant, Laura. Alexandre and I are going to be parents.”
Oh God, why did I say that?
Why did I let her know that? I feel instantly foolish – this woman is nuts. This information could drive her over the edge of reason.

There’s silence and then she replies with a hiss, “Bollocks. You’re just saying that to rile me up!”

I don’t answer.

“Pearl? Are you there?”

I want to hang up on her, but also don’t dare to.

“Pearl?” Her voice sounds tearful.
Laura crying?
That I cannot imagine.

“I’m still here,” I answer.

“Did you do IVF?”

“No, Laura. He fucked my ARSE with an R off, and his sperm shot inside my womb and I got pregnant naturally.”
Oh no, now what have I said?

She slams the phone down on me.

My moment of triumphant glory is overtaken by an overwhelming feeling of stupidity. Uh, oh. I’ve really gone and done it now. My heart’s racing. That little payback instant felt sooo good….but….

The telephone rings again. I grab it, morbidly curious as to what will happen next. I hope my outburst isn’t going to land Alexandre’s mother in jail.

“It’s the British woman again,” Jeanine lets me know.

“Thanks, Jeanine, we got cut off, please put her through.” I sit down in my swivel chair.

“Okay,” Laura begins, “I’m willing to negotiate.”

Negotiate?
“I’m listening.”

“This relationship seems to be far, far more serious than I had imagined.”

“What relationship?” I ask tentatively.