The Postman Always Purls Twice (2 page)

“That's awful. I've never heard that.” Lucy put her knitting down. “When was this? I don't remember.”

“Oh . . . about fifteen years ago. He got off without any big legal problems. I don't even think the girl's family sued him. But it was pretty messy, tarnished his reputation for a while.”

“Interesting.” Maggie looked over her sushi, selecting a next bite. “But some celebrities have a way of smoothing over rough patches that would derail mere mortals.”

“They do,” Lucy agreed. “Maybe he paid the girl's family to keep it out of the courts.”

“And not discuss it openly,” Dana added. “Reporters refer to the incident from time to time, but he's pretty much shaken it off and moved on.”

“Few people are untouched by tragedies. Even if their lives seem golden from a distance,” Maggie noted.

“How true, and Trina's had some tragedies in her life, too. Her father and older sister were killed in a car crash when she was only a teenager.” Dana had set her plate aside and was already back to work, counting the pale yellow stitches along one needle, just about the color of her straight, chin-length hair. “It's no wonder she has so many issues now.”

“Trina is a walking cry for help,” Phoebe agreed. “But I heard she's been in rehab. This is her first big movie clean and sober.”

“Well . . . good luck to her,” Maggie said sincerely. “It's awful to see someone that young, with such great opportunities, throwing everything away.”

Dana nodded. “I think Hollywood actors lead a hard life. So much pressure and temptation.”

“Jennifer Todd seems to be completely the opposite. So down to earth, the type of person you could talk to. Or even be friends with. I think she even knits.” Lucy sounded as if Jennifer was already their friend, Maggie noticed.

“Absolutely,” Dana agreed. “Except for her chauffeur, housekeeper, chef, personal assistant, fitness trainer . . .”

“Okay, not
exactly
like us. But you know what I mean. She's a real girl-next-door type. Though she's probably about forty?” Lucy guessed.

“I just read she's thirty-seven, and she is—or was—the girl next door. Didn't you know that she grew up around here?” Maggie was surprised her friends didn't seem aware of that connection.

“I heard that somewhere, too.” Dana looked up from her knitting. “Is she from Plum Harbor?”

“Newburyport,” Maggie recalled. The village a few miles north was the last town on the Cape Ann coast and practically a metropolis compared to sleepy Plum Harbor.

Lucy seemed cheered by the news. “Maybe they'll hold a Welcome Home, Jennifer parade.”

“I wouldn't be surprised. ‘Any excuse for a parade' is the motto around here,” Maggie said.

“So . . . that means she graduated high school almost twenty years ago,” Phoebe calculated aloud. “Was she ever one of your students, Mag?”

Maggie shook her head. “I was at Plum Harbor High. Newburyport has its own secondary school.”

It seemed like another lifetime, her days as a high school art teacher. She had been teaching more than twenty years when her husband, Bill, had unexpectedly died. Maggie was paralyzed with grief at first, but eventually decided to pursue her “someday dream” and turn her love of knitting into a full-time career.

A wise choice, she often reflected now, five years after she'd opened the doors of the Black Sheep Knitting Shop. She'd been devoted to teaching, but she loved owning her own business, too.

“I'm sure there are plenty of people around here who did know her well. Or will claim they did,” Maggie added.

“I wonder how many Jennifer Todd will actually remember. Or if she keeps in touch with any friends she grew up with,” Dana mused. “I always think it's a sign of good character when people do.”

“Yes . . . but her life must be so demanding compared to ours, I think we can cut her some slack,” Lucy replied.

“I hope you're all talking about me,” Suzanne sang out from the front of the shop. “Letting me off the hook for being so late and not even sending a text?”

“Don't worry . . . we still love you,” Phoebe called back sweetly.

“Maggie saved you some sushi. That says it all.” Dana pushed a clean place setting over to an empty spot at the table.

Maggie rose and headed for the storeroom, which doubled as a kitchen. “Sit down and relax. I'll get it for you.”

“Thanks. You're a pal.” Suzanne dropped her big leather tote and landed in the seat with a sigh.

“Were you stuck with a client?” Lucy asked.

Suzanne worked in real-estate sales for a busy agency in town, Prestige Properties, somehow managing to fit her career around caring for her three children and her husband. Amazingly, she seemed to thrive on her demanding, fragmented schedule.

“I wish. Clients are fun. Most of the time. I was stuck figuring out some mix-up with the extra insurance on the house the movie crew is renting. It's still not straightened out.”

“We were just talking about that,” Maggie called from the next room. “Do you know how long they'll need the shop? Will they do all their scenes in one day, or do they need to come back? There's really so much they haven't told me yet.”

Maggie knew she sounded anxious, but she couldn't help it. She emerged with Suzanne's dinner and set it down near her place.

“What service, thanks so much. All my favorites, too . . . yum.” Suzanne surveyed her dinner, chopsticks poised to attack.

“Enjoy.” Maggie took her seat, eager to hear more details.

So were the rest of their friends, who all sat quietly now knitting and waiting for Suzanne's report.

“I've had a few emails with the location manager today. As far as I can see, the schedule seems to change from day to day.”

Maggie shrugged. “I can go with the flow. As long as I have some idea which way I'm flowing.”

“Here's the scoop. The cast and crew are flying into Boston and New York over the next few days. I think Jennifer Todd and Nick Pullman are staying at the Copley Plaza for a night. Everyone is due in Plum Harbor on Friday night and your shop is the first stop on their schedule. They say now they only plan on shooting here for one day.”

Maggie liked that news. “That's a relief.”

“But of course, that can change. If they don't get all their scenes done,” Suzanne reminded her. “I think the town will be insane. I'm picturing a big caravan of trucks for equipment, and fancy trailers for the movie stars rolling in. I also heard they've booked most of the Lord Charles Inn.”

“That makes sense. It's the only really nice place around here.” Lucy frowned down at her knitting, counting stitches on the needle. She didn't look happy, but hadn't called out for rescue yet. Maggie gave her a moment to sort it out herself, knowing that built knitting confidence.

“What's the name of the movie again?” Dana asked.

“
Love Knots
. I heard it's a thriller, but there's a romance in there, too. I'm not really sure of the plot.” Suzanne dipped another bite of sushi into some soy sauce.

“Maybe there's a website. Let's take a look.” Lucy reached for Maggie's laptop, which sat on the table near her place. She slid it over and began typing.

Lucy was a graphic designer who worked at home, and her computer was her best friend . . . next to her two dogs and her boyfriend, Matt. She did tend to search online for the answer to every question her life posed. Which was not always the best approach, Maggie sometimes reflected.

“Let's see . . . no official website yet, but there's loads of publicity. ‘Partners Off Screen and On: Jennifer Todd and Nick Pullman Team Up for
Love Knots
. How will this Hollywood couple handle the knotty mix of producing, directing, acting . . . and marriage?' ” She looked up from the computer. “I didn't even know they were married.”

“They're the iconic LA power couple.” Suzanne sounded positively offended by Lucy's ignorance. “Where've you been? Living on a desert island?”

Lucy laughed. “Sorry . . . I fell behind with my celeb marriage scorecard. I'm still stuck on Brad and Angelina.”

“What else does it say? Anything we should know?” Maggie asked.

“Let's see . . . ‘This romantic thriller is the couple's first collaboration in over ten years, though Nick Pullman has made three feature-length films with Todd's costar, Heath O'Hara. Trina Hardwick also gets top billing in a supporting role.' ”

“I guess that means she doesn't get the guy?” Suzanne speculated.

“Or she gets killed off.” Maggie shrugged. “They do say it's a thriller. Someone must get murdered. Or close to it. Don't you think?”

Lucy scanned the rest of the article. “Doesn't say much about the plot. A lot of effusive adjectives, though. ‘The windswept shores and winding lanes of a coastal New England village provide the moody backdrop for this dark drama, centered around the owner of a knitting shop, played by Todd, who is tempted by the crosscurrents of a passionate love triangle. Love, jealousy, and betrayal prove a dangerous mix . . .' ” Lucy looked up. “Wow, that sounds good.”

“But not a temptation I've had to resist lately,” Maggie said, laughing. “In my experience as a
real
knitting shop owner.”

“Never mind dull, old, real life. That sounds pretty juicy. I can't wait to see it,” Suzanne countered.

“I bet Trina Hardwick plays the ‘dangerous crosscurrents,' ” Lucy added.

“She was born for that role,” Phoebe agreed.

Lucy laughed. “Here's what they say about her: ‘As Hardwick prepares for her first role in a major motion picture in over three years, the young star will be tested to prove she remains a box office draw and a bankable commodity.' ”

Dana shook her head, her gaze fixed on her knitting. “Goodness. That's awful. They talk about the poor actors as if they're cattle. No wonder they all have self-esteem issues and turn to drugs and alcohol.”

“I was thinking race horses,” Suzanne offered. “But we're on the same track . . . no pun intended. Filmmaking is a big-money business, and a flaky movie star is a high risk for investors.”

“Looks like the biggest investors in this film are the power couple . . . along with Heath O'Hara.” Lucy still studied the computer screen. “They've formed their own production company, Three Penny Productions.”

Lucy looked up at her friends. “Matt and I can do yard work together or even grill. But I'm not sure how long the relationship would last if we tried to make a movie.”

“Kevin and I can't even do yard work . . . and he knows better than to come into the kitchen before the food is on the table,” Suzanne replied. “Enough of this business stuff. What about Heath?” She drew out the name on a breathy note. “Besides being the sexiest, yummiest man alive, I mean.” Her friends laughed, but she remained unfazed. “You all know what I'm talking about. Lucy . . . don't even try to hide that little smile.”

Lucy did not reply as she typed a bit more, though Maggie noticed a flush of color in her cheeks. “Here's the official Heath O'Hara website. Feast your eyes, Suzanne.”

She turned the computer around for Suzanne to see, but the rest of the group looked over just as eagerly, Maggie noticed.

Suzanne was not embarrassed to let out a loud, long sigh, worthy of any love-struck fourteen-year-old. “The man is just so gorgeous. Who cares if he says a word?”

“Luckily . . . because he's not a very good actor,” Dana practically whispered. “Rather one note, I'd say.”

Suzanne glared at her, then replied in her tough-love-Mom tone. “Dana . . . I want you to go to your room and think about that.”

Dana laughed. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. No argument, my friend.”

“Look, his hobbies are listed. Maybe he's not just a pretty face,” Lucy offered. “Let's see if you two have anything in common, Suzanne.” Lucy clicked the link and read aloud: “ ‘Heath devotes his spare time to many passions—rescuing wild horses, helicopter skiing, fund-raising for humanitarian efforts around the globe, and vegetarian cooking.' Oh, and he knits! Look, here's a picture.”

Lucy laughed as she turned the computer around again. “Do you think any of that's true?”

“Of course it's true,” Suzanne insisted. “A lot of men knit. Especially actors. They have a lot of time on their hands, waiting around on the movie sets.”

Maggie shook her head. “Suzanne, you're such a loyal fan.”

Dana was trying not to smile, but couldn't help grinning a little. “I suppose it could be true. The story includes a knitting shop. Maybe he was chosen for his role because he already knows how?”

Suzanne didn't look happy about that comment, either. “How about he got the role because he's the hottest actor in the world? They can always find some extra person to knit and then just splice in the hands or something.”

“So . . . now you
don't
think he knits? I'm confused,” Maggie teased. “Do you think he's really a vegetarian, or does helicopter skiing?”

Suzanne lifted her chin, a bit self-conscious now that she'd defended her idol so fiercely. “You know what I mean.”

Maggie laughed. “I'm sorry . . . I couldn't help teasing you. But it is hard to sort out all the hype from reality. If there is any. I guess we'll find out what all these celebrities are really like on Saturday. And draw our own conclusions.”

“Yes, we will,” Suzanne agreed. “We'll find out a lot of things.”

“I bet the entire town is here, looking for autographs,” Lucy predicted. “Or just plain looking.”

“And the local news outlets. The newspaper and TV stations,” Dana added. “This is a big story for Plum Harbor.”