But Olive Docherty deserved none of it.
26
TRESS
Tress was so relieved that Odette was sitting next to her at the huge round table. This definitely wasn’t the quiet, intimate date that she’d been expecting. When Rex had picked her up at the house, her whole body had been trembling with excitement. Or perhaps fear. It had been impossible to tell, because all she could think about was that she was going out. On a date. With an actual man. And a very loud voice in her head was telling her to turn around and go straight back home and spend the night with her son, even though he was in the very caring hands of Nancy, and was fast asleep, with no idea whether she was there or not.
Was this the guilt that all mums felt? Or was it just apprehension as to how this night would go, and, more importantly, how it would end? Sex, was the obvious answer. Rex had kissed her long and hard when she’d first got in the car, told her how beautiful she was, that he couldn’t wait to spend this night with her. She wasn’t sure if he meant dinner, or the overnight part that might come next.
After releasing her from the lip lock, he’d put his foot down on the accelerator of the Ferrari and they’d roared off down the street, Tress praying that the noise wouldn’t wake up Buddy.Rex had swerved to overtake the black limo that she’d spotted earlier, now leaving her street just ahead of them, and in two minutes, they’d been on the motorway and speeding back into town.
‘I hope you don’t mind, but there’s a work thing that I just need to drop in on first. Odette’s management team have organised an exclusive party, just for her closest friends and the top execs at the studio. I only need to stay for an hour or so, and then we can duck out and I thought we could go check out the new suite at the St Kentigern? It’s a penthouse on the top floor and the management have asked me to do a couple of posts to promote it. Five minutes’ work, for a stay in a ten-thousand-pounds-a-night suite. Not bad-going.’
A swanky suite. In a hotel. Just the two of them. He was definitely thinking sex. She’d inhaled deeply, trying to calm her nerves. Of course, she could say no. Walk away. But was this just fear of getting back out there and having a relationship again? Of making another mistake? Was Max Walker looking down on her right now, still finding a way to influence her thoughts and keep her to himself? Sod it, she’d cross the sex bridge and all the potential pitfalls, regrets, and ‘don’t sleep with co-workers’ ethics when and if she ever got to it. First, she had to concentrate on enjoying herself with a gorgeous man, who was proudly taking her to an important event.
‘Won’t it raise eyebrows that you’re there with me? I mean, with the studio bosses?’
Rex had shaken his head. ‘Nope, that’s why it’s perfect. You’re friends with Odette. For all they know, that’s why you’re there. And anyway, I couldn’t care less. What are they going to do? Reprimand me? I’m the biggest name they have now.’
Tress had decided not to share the thought that had just come back for another lap around her mind. They might not reprimand Rex, but what about the effect that dating someoneon the show could have onhercareer? He clearly hadn’t thought about that. She should have said something. Objected. Mentioned that not insignificant concern. But actually, his first point was probably valid, and the thought of a lovely tribute to Odette had won her over. She’d decided to just relax, go with the flow and enjoy herself. Although, it had been a definite struggle to force the knot of anxiety in her stomach to loosen enough so that she could breathe properly.
They had reached the city centre in the shortest time that Tress had ever completed the journey, and Rex had veered to a halt right outside the restaurant. He’d jumped out of the car, thrown the keys to a young, wide-eyed guy at the valet parking stand, then opened the door for her to get out. She’d taken two steps onto the red carpet that stretched to the door, when the flashes began.
‘Rex! This way! Who is your date, Rex? Can you tell us her name?’
Rex had stopped for photographs, but Tress had just kept on walking, face burning. Thankfully, the maître d’ had spotted her coming and swept the door open to let her through, while Rex had spent a few more moments giving the photographers the shots they wanted.
Not the calm, chilled-out start to the night that she’d hoped for, but at least now she was sitting next to Odette, and weirdly, there was a sense of relief that it wasn’t just her and Rex in an intense, intimate setting. Argh, she really had to get over the fear of this stuff. She was a grown woman. She was allowed to date. And later, she would be perfectly within her rights to have wanton, bendy sex with this gorgeous man, should she choose to do so. In the meantime, she was going to eat, drink and celebrate her friend.
‘Would you like some water, Odette?’ Tress asked, picking up one of the very expensive blue bottles that had already beenplaced on the table. She’d seen this brand of H2O in a magazine once and read that it cost £30 a bottle. For water! They’d clearly never heard of a tap.
‘Yes, please,’ Odette replied, and Tress noticed she was looking a bit pale and tired. Not really a surprise. It must have been such an overwhelming day for her.
‘There you go,’ Tress slid the full glass towards her. ‘You must be exhausted. You’ve been on the go since first thing this morning.’ It was easy to forget that Odette was almost seventy, because she was so vivacious and seemed to have boundless energy. Tress thought again what a loss she would be to the show. This would have been such a wonderful opportunity for the writers to come up with a storyline that encouraged the support of older women, but, of course, giving her a brutal death would get much higher ratings.
‘Och, I’m fine, but thank you,’ Odette reassured her, but Tress could see the tightness across her eyes and wasn’t convinced. ‘It’s just been busy. Anyway, I’m so glad you’re here. I know you don’t often leave your son, so I feel very honoured that you came.’
Tress didn’t have the heart to point out that she was only here as Rex’s plus-one. Although, if she’d been invited, she’d definitely have accepted. Odette obviously hadn’t been consulted on the guest list.
‘I don’t, but he was already sleeping and he’s with his aunt tonight, who is one of his favourite people in the world, so even if he wakes up, he’s in good hands. Although that didn’t stop me thinking about turning back all the way here from Weirbridge.’
Tress felt her eyes inexplicably tear up, and she had to mimic a small sneeze to cover it up. What was wrong with her? Her emotions were all over the place. Odette wasn’t the only one who was having an overwhelming day. Maybe doing this tonight hadn’t been a good idea. She’d thought it would stop herdrowning in the memories of what was happening one year ago right now.
She checked her watch: 8.47p.m. This time last year, Buddy had been exactly thirty minutes old. And she was about to hear Noah tell her that Max was critically ill in the building right next to where she’d given birth.
‘Tress…!’
Odette’s voice cut through her thoughts, and came with a bump to the elbow that suggested Odette had been trying to speak to her and Tress had been too lost in her own mind to realise it.
‘Sorry. I was in another world there.’ A world that was beautiful and perfect and horrific and painful all at the same time.
Odette was leaning close to her now, whispering, a very strange look on her face. ‘Did you say Weirbridge? Is that where you live?’
‘Yes,’ Tress nodded. ‘Have I never mentioned that before?’
‘No. I would have remembered because I used to work there, a million years ago. In fact, I was just there earlier, trying to look up an old friend I haven’t seen in decades, but she wasn’t in.’
Tress got closer, enjoying the conversation, allowing it to distract her from the flashbacks to the past. ‘Really? Who’s your friend? It’s a tiny place and everyone knows everyone, so I’ll get you the inside gossip on whoever it is.’
