Barbara Taylor Bradford’s 4-Book Collection

‘Aha! Good old Norman! He’s on top of the world for me, of course. And very excited. I’m taking him with me to California, and Penny too; they’re so devoted and loyal, I couldn’t leave them behind. They’re going to be looking after me in their usual loving way. Apart from continuing to be my dresser, Norman’s also agreed to try his hand at being my secretary, and he’ll do a bit of driving. I suppose you could say he’ll be my major domo, or general factotum, whatever,’ Terry grinned. ‘Penny will run the house, a sort of unofficial housekeeper. You see, I’ve decided to rent a place for a couple of years. Hilly thinks Monarch will be able to find something suitable for me, either in Beverly Hills or Bel-Air.’ He stubbed out his cigarette and finished, with a lilt in his voice, ‘I’m really looking forward to this move across the Atlantic. The timing is exactly right, in more ways than one. Do you know where you’ll be camping out, Puss?’

‘Originally Victor was thinking of a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel for me. But then he changed his mind. I think I’ll be staying at the Bel-Air Hotel. He seems to prefer that. I’m not sure why.’ Katharine bent closer. ‘Oh darling, it’s going to be great fun being there together. We will have some fun, won’t we?’ she cried.

‘Yes, course we will, love.’ Terry was thoughtful for a moment, then he remarked, ‘He’s awfully deceptive, isn’t he?’

‘Who is?’ she asked with a tiny frown.

‘Victor Mason.’

‘I’m not sure I know what you mean.’

‘On the surface he seems to be very easygoing, but he’s not really. Victor runs a tight ship, and he’s tough. Bloody hard-headed actually. Lately I’ve seen him lock horns with Mark Pierce more than once, and it’s not always about the spiralling costs, or the budget, even though money does preoccupy him. He wants things done his way. I suspect there’s a bit of the tyrant in Victor, in spite of his lazy, effortless charm.’

‘You’re right,’ Katharine said, ‘but let’s not forget that he’s the producer, as well as the star. He’s only being professional.’

‘I know that, love, and I wasn’t being critical. I was merely making a few observations, and anyone who underestimates him is a downright fool. Victor’s a damn sight smarter than one expects him to be. And I like him; he’s been pretty decent to me on the picture. Incidentally, talking about your admirers, how does his lordship feel about your impending departure for distant shores?’

Ignoring the innuendo, Katharine said, ‘Kim was a little startled when I first told him, but he’s accepted it now, and I’ll only be gone a few months.’

‘Oh,’ Terry said, taken aback. ‘I hadn’t realized that. I thought Victor would have another film lined up for you, after the Beau Stanton comedy’s finished.’

‘He hasn’t mentioned anything, so I’m sure there’s nothing special on the horizon.’

Terry looked at his watch. ‘I’ve got to be leaving, Puss. I have an interview with Estelle Morgan in about ten minutes, and afterwards I’m obliged to take her to lunch. That’s another reason I popped in to see you. I’d like you to join us.’

‘Oh dear, I don’t think I should, Terry. I know Estelle wouldn’t like it. I’m sure she’ll want to be alone with you.’

‘But I don’t want to be alone with her,’ Terry declared. ‘That’s the problem. She makes me frightfully nervous. I keep thinking she’s going to pounce on me at any moment.’ He grimaced and rolled his eyes. ‘A very predatory lady, our Estelle. Be a good sport, say yes. Please, Puss.’

Katharine’s laughter filled the room and she regarded him through merry eyes. ‘Don’t be such a scaredy cat. She’s harmless, and anyway, you’re perfectly capable of looking after yourself.’ But noting the plea on his face, she capitulated. ‘Oh, all right, I’ll come and protect you. But I don’t want to be there for the interview. Now that she would regard as an intrusion. She doesn’t like an audience when she’s interviewing a subject, and I have to respect her point of view. She’s right really. Shall we say one o’clock?’

Terry exhaled a sigh of relief. ‘Thanks, Puss. And one o’clock’s fine. In the bar. That’s where we’re doing the interview, so I’ll –’ Terry paused, his eyes swivelling to the shrilling telephone.

Katharine ran to answer it. ‘Hello, Norman,’ she cried. ‘Yes, he’s here. Just a minute, love.’ She turned to Terry, beckoned to him. He strode over and took the telephone from her, and Katharine returned to her chair. Leaning back, she closed her eyes, listening. Terry had one of the greatest voices on the English stage today, and distinctively his. How many actors had tried to imitate it and failed miserably? Hundreds.

Her lids lifted and she looked more closely at that refined face and at the light blue eyes, so open and guileless. A shiver ran through her and gooseflesh speckled her arms. Terry was such easy prey for the unscrupulous. She was glad Norman and Penny were going with him to Hollywood. They would give him protection. Her gaze pulled back a fraction, and then roved over him swiftly. He was wearing dark grey slacks, a navy blue blazer and a white turtle neck sweater. Tall and lean, he looked casually elegant and debonair. The matinée idol personified, she thought. He would be a sensation in the States, of that there was no doubt in her mind.

Terry said goodbye, dropped the receiver in the cradle, and asked, ‘Why the long stares, Puss? Don’t I look all right for the interview? Should I change, put on a tie?’

Katharine shook her head. ‘Don’t be silly, your clothes are perfect. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sit here and scrutinize you like an insect under a microscope. Actually, I was thinking of the impact you’ll have in Hollywood. You’re going to bowl them over with your talent and your looks. As Victor would say, you’re the whole enchilada, my darling.’

Terry laughed. ‘And as Hamlet would say, “season your admiration for a while”. I’m glad you like my togs. Hilary thinks I look like a German U-boat commander in them!’ He stepped to the door, swung around. ‘I’m going to give a small luncheon tomorrow, at the Red Lion in South Stainley, the marvellous old inn I was telling you about. I’ve invited a few of my close chums in the cast. None of them know about the Monarch contract, but it’s bound to leak out in a few days. So, I thought I’d tell them myself, and it’s a good excuse for a little celebration. We’ll have a real English Sunday lunch, the kind I’ve been promising you since we’ve been here. You know, Yorkshire pud, roast beef and horseradish, roast potatoes and brussels sprouts, the lot. And trifle afterwards. Will you come, Puss? With Kim, of course. And look, bring Francesca along if you want.’

‘Why, Terry, how lovely. Thanks, we’d love to come, and I’ll ask Francesca when she gets here. I’m expecting her in a few minutes.’

‘Good. And I’ll be expecting you in about an hour. Don’t let me down.’ He opened the door and almost collided with Francesca. ‘Sorry, love.’

‘That’s all right, Terry. How are you?’ Francesca asked.

‘Fine and dandy, but late for an appointment.’ He opened the door and let her pass. ‘Toodle-oo,’ he said, waved, and disappeared down the corridor.

Francesca closed the door and came into the room, a striking picture in buff-colour riding breeches, highly-polished black boots, a pink cotton shirt and red silk cravat. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a pony tail and caught at the nape of her neck with a black bow, and her peaches-and-cream complexion looked more perfect than ever. A shopping basket was slung over one arm and she was carrying a large bunch of flowers.

‘Hi, darling,’ Katharine exclaimed, her face wreathed in smiles as she came to meet Francesca. She kissed her on the cheek and went on, ‘I’m so glad you ’phoned.’

Francesca returned her kiss. ‘And hello to you too, stranger,’ she laughed gaily. ‘These are for you. I picked them in the gardens at Langley this morning.’

‘How sweet of you, darling. Thank you so much.’ Katharine took the flowers, buried her face in them. ‘They smell divine. I’d better put them in water immediately. In the meantime, make yourself comfortable. Do you want coffee, or a drink? I can order something from room service.’

‘No, thanks anyway.’ Francesca put the shopping basket on the floor and flopped into one of the chairs. ‘Since I had to come into Ripon, to get a few things for Melly, I thought I might as well stop by for a few minutes.’

‘I’m so glad you did,’ Katharine called from the bathroom. She returned to the sitting room a moment later, carrying a vase of water, and stood by a side table, arranging the flowers in it. ‘I’ve missed you, Frankie.’

‘I know. I’ve missed you too, Kath. Gosh, I see more of you in London than I do when you’re here on location.’

‘Isn’t it stupid! But Mark has been working us awfully hard. He likes to rehearse every scene like a play, not wing it.’ She stepped back, regarding her handiwork, her head on one side, and then rearranged a few blooms. ‘There, that does it.’

‘It is going well now, though, isn’t it?’

‘Oh yes, everyone’s terribly pleased,’ Katharine responded, adopting an off-handed air, not wanting to discuss the film, which had been troubled from the start. She joined Francesca near the windows. ‘Kath …’ Francesca said, ‘come and sit down. I have something to tell you.’

‘You sound excited.’ Katharine gave her a curious look and lowered herself into the chair opposite.

‘Well, yes, I am.’ Francesca’s face was eager with happiness. ‘Daddy and Doris have decided to get married.’

Katharine blanched. ‘But … but … How marvellous …’ She faltered and stared at Francesca blankly, at a loss for words.

Francesca regarded her keenly. ‘You sound funny, Katharine, and not very enthusiastic. I thought you’d be pleased.’ A frown creased Francesca’s smooth brow. She found her friend’s reaction slightly odd.

‘I’m startled, that’s all,’ Katharine exclaimed hurriedly, endeavouring to correct her mistake. ‘I suppose I hadn’t realized it was such a serious relationship. I don’t know how I got the impression, but somehow I always thought Doris planned to go back to the States. I mean, she has such vast holdings there, and she is so very American.’ Katharine laughed nervously. ‘But naturally I’m pleased,’ she now had the good sense to add, even though in all truth she was utterly dismayed. Recognizing it was crucial to allay Francesca’s doubts about her feelings, she reached out and took hold of her hand, squeezing it warmly. Summoning all of her superlative acting ability, and drawing on her immense charm, she said, with that dazzling smile, ‘Oh Frankie, it is exciting. And so wonderful for your father. I’m happy for him, really and truly.’ She shook her head in a reproving way. ‘Kim’s rather naughty. Why didn’t he tell me last night?’

‘He didn’t know then, nor does he know now,’ Francesca explained. ‘Daddy telephoned from the South of France this morning to tell us, but Kim had already left for Skipton. Anyway, there’s going to be an engagement party, at Doris’s villa,’ she hurried on happily. ‘Later this summer, probably in August. Doris is planning to give a supper dance, and everybody’s invited.’

‘What do you mean by everybody?’ Katherine asked, striving to keep her voice light. She wished the tight knot in her stomach would go away.

‘Kim and I, of course, and you too. Oh Kath darling, do say you’ll come. It won’t be the same if you’re not there.’

Katharine managed another of her sparkling smiles. ‘How lovely of Doris to invite me.’ She instantly wondered if, indeed, Doris had extended the invitation, or whether it was solely Francesca’s idea.

‘Doris wouldn’t leave you out! She knows Kim’s potty about you. She also said she’d like you to stay with us at the Villa Zamir at Cap Martin. And for as long as you want. She expects me to spend August there, and I suppose I will. I do hope you can manage a couple of weeks at least, Katharine. It won’t interfere with your preparations for your trip to Hollywood, will it?’

‘No, I don’t think there’ll be a problem. And how really kind of Doris,’ Katharine murmured, amazed at this apparent, but unexpected, show of friendliness from Madame Asternan. ‘When will the wedding take place?’

‘Not until the autumn. November, Daddy said. Here in Yorkshire at the church in Langley. Oh gosh, you’ll be in California. Damn and blast! I hadn’t thought of that. I was hoping we could both be bridesmaids. I was going to suggest it to Doris.’

Katharine began to laugh, picturing, in her mind’s eye, Doris’s face when she was apprised of this particular idea. Me a bridesmaid for Doris. Over Doris’s dead body, she thought with some asperity.

Mistaking her laughter for excitement and pleasure, Francesca said, ‘Even though you won’t be able to be a bridesmaid, I can tell Doris you’ll come to Cap Martin, can’t I?’