In The Fast Lane Read online

  Jonty raised his eyebrows and sat down. “What is it?” he asked slowly.

  “I’ve done something really stupid,” Lang said, holding his head in his hands. “I’ve borrowed way over my limit and I’ve been trying so hard to keep it from Serena.”

  Jonty looked horrified. “Are you serious?”

  Lang looked up and nodded. His face paler than usual. Then he suddenly asked, “You couldn’t lend me a hundred thousand for six months, could you? By that time, I’m sure I’ll be able to pay you back.”

  Jonty abruptly stood up and poured another large drink. “I’m afraid I can’t possibly lend you anything like that much money because all I have is tied up in the farm and forest.”

  “Yes, of course, I understand. Please don’t breathe a word of this to anyone, especially Serena. I shouldn’t have asked,” urged Lang, his bottom lip trembling.

  The phone rang, making him jump. Jonty answered it, breaking the tension.

  “Hello? Who? Yes, he’s just here.”

  Lang froze in terror, hardly able to grasp the phone.

  “Hello,” he said hesitantly. “Yes, hello Mike. Who? Bill Yates? A heart attack?” Lang, whose face showed a mixture of relief and anxiety at this shocking news, seemed unable to think properly. “Tonight? Yes, of course, but I’m in Aylesbury so we won’t get back until about 6pm. I’ll come straight in.”

  After a few minutes he put the phone down, utterly relieved that the call didn’t concern his own money troubles and turned to Jonty.

  “The Chairman has had a heart attack and he’s in intensive care. We’ll have to leave straight away so I can go to the office and see to things. Jonty promise me, whatever happens you’ll look after Serena and the kids, won’t you?” Lang begged.

  Jonty nodded. “Yes, of course. She is my sister after all.” He exhaled hard. “I’m just grateful that Cheryl and I live peacefully with a family of trees instead of children in this lovely countryside. Our only problems happen when some sheep go missing. Mind you, I would have loved to have had kids, a son to take over the farm and leave the forest to.” Jonty smiled sadly. “I guess we all have our own problems to manage… I won’t say a word. I’ll go and get some fresh eggs for you to take home.”

  “Jonty?”

  Jonty turned round and locked eyes with Lang.

  “Please don’t tell anyone what I told you.”

  Reluctantly Jonty nodded his head, “I promised you. I won’t say a word.” As he entered the fresh air outside Jonty breathed a sigh of relief that he didn’t have these issues—or secrets—with Cheryl.

  Chapter Five

  Chiswick

  Theo turned the key and slowly pushed open his heavy front door. It was 4pm. There was an unexpected silence. He felt uneasy. Where were the children to welcome him? The living room door was ajar, and Bella lay on the couch half asleep in front of the television.

  “Hello, there,” Theo said softly.

  She was startled and jumped out of her chair. “Hello, what a surprise.” Bella took his coat. “There’s no one here, they’re all at the hospital with Georgie. She’s getting better now, but she’s still in traction. Oh, it’s been such a worry for poor Mrs Vivi.”

  Bella wrote down the hospital address for him. “Shall I order a taxi for you?”

  Theo was only now realising the enormity of the situation. He didn’t think Georgie would still be in hospital. “Yes please,” he murmured.

  His tall, elegant frame stooped as if carrying a heavy load. Pushing back his thick blond hair he wandered towards the front door. “I’ll wait here, Bella.”

  Once at the hospital, Theo looked around frantically for his family.

  “Could you tell me which ward Georgie Hanover is on, please?” he asked a nurse at the front desk.

  As he climbed the stairs to the third-floor anxiety hung heavy inside him.

  “Here’s Daddy!” shouted Georgie. “You’ve come home at last!”

  “What a lovely surprise,” said Vivi. She was smiling but it looked strained. “We’ve certainly needed you.”

  Theo hugged Vivi warmly then kissed little Jago who pulled his hair, giggling.

  “And how is my little princess?” he asked Georgie.

  “I’m sort of alright apart from my aching arm. I want to come home, Daddy.”

  “You will in a couple of days,” interrupted a smiling nurse, taking the temperature in Georgie’s ear.

  An hour later, having left a forlorn Georgie, Vivi drove them home, handed Jago to Bella to be bathed, then settled down for a quick drink with Theo.

  “So, how was Russia? I haven’t even asked.”

  “Great,” he replied. “I’ve had some very successful concerts and the audiences were fantastic. In Moscow, I played both of Tchaikovsky’s piano concertos.”

  Vivi hadn’t seen him this elated for a long time yet was disappointed he hadn’t asked her about the burglary, so she brought the subject up herself.

  “The police have suggested some safety locks on the upstairs doors and windows,” she explained.

  “You poor, dear girl, it must have been a terrifying experience for you. I’m sorry I wasn’t here,” Theo said sympathetically.

  “Theo, you’ve no idea how scared I was, seeing this face at the window when I was relaxing in the Jacuzzi. He had a knife in his hand and was sneering at me. Bella called the police. I can’t believe the other two had the cheek to get in upstairs where the kids were asleep. I’ve hardly slept a wink since. Must you go away so often?”

  “Oh darling, I know it’s hard at the moment, but Vivi, this could be the biggest concert of my life in Moscow and I’ll probably have to go several more times after that,” he said. “Sergei, my new promoter, has asked me to play in St Petersburg to replace a pianist who’s ill next week. It’s an opportunity I just can’t pass up.”

  Vivi remained silent, amazed that he would be returning to Russia again so soon with everything that was going on at home. “Perhaps I might come with you one time when things have calmed down?”

  There was a gentle knock before Bella popped her head around the door. “Would you like to say goodnight to Jago?”

  Theo readily went up to the nursery where Jago stood eagerly in his bed. Meanwhile, Vivi picked up the phone to call Lang. “Just to let you know that Theo has returned at last! There’s no need to bother your friend at the foreign office.”

  “I was actually meant to call you,” replied Lang. “I found out today that my friend did investigate the visa thing and found there was no problem, the visa was perfectly valid.” There was silence. “Are you still there?” asked Lang gently.

  “Yes, you are very kind to have helped…night Lang.”

  Vivi put the phone down. Her hand began to tremble, so she clenched her fist to stop it. She squeezed tight, so her nails were digging into her hand.

  Why did Theo lie about his visa if there was no issue? And with the burglary and Georgie’s accident, what kept him so long from home when he was needed here?

  Chapter Six

  Kensington

  The next morning, Serena asked Maggie to bring Benjie to the hallway for a quick goodbye hug. Monday mornings were always frenetic. As she drove down to Kensington High Street twenty minutes later, she suddenly spotted a notice, ‘Water works begin Monday morning.’ She cursed under her breath.

  “God, I’m going to be so fucking late.”

  When she finally arrived at the school gate, everyone was battling to park. It was like dodgem cars at the fair.

  “I see your brother has a page in The Times today,” yelled Simon, another parent who Serena had only ever spoken to on the school run.

  “Really, what about?” replied Serena through the car window.

  “A lovely article about the forest he’s planted. Page five in Times 2,” said Simon, now alongside in his car as they inched towards the school gates.

  “Ghastly traffic, I’ve got to be at the office in fifteen minutes,” Serena growled.
/>   “I’ll take them in,” Simon offered.

  “Would you?” Both cars drew up onto the pavement where Serena undid the seat belts and plonked Alicia and Freddie into Simon’s large Land Rover, calling, “Thanks! Bye!” as both kids scrambled onto the back seats.

  Twenty minutes later, when Serena rushed into her spacious office in Notting Hill, Gems, her assistant, approached her looking grave.

  “There’s been a flood at Le Harvre’s penthouse. Plumbing problem. It’s ruined the new carpet you laid on Thursday.”

  “Oh hell! Nothing’s going well in that bloody job, I wish I’d never taken it on. She’s a tricky woman and I think she’ll explode when she hears about this accident.”

  Serena’s mobile rang as she sank into her favourite office chair. It was, as predicted, Poppy Le Harvre, livid about the flood.

  “Look, it’s not my fault. It’s an unforeseen accident. I’m not apologising as it has nothing to do with my interior decorating! The insurance company will pay, and I’ll get the floor dried out as soon as possible.”

  Serena threw her mobile into the rubbish bin, leaving it ringing incessantly amongst the waste paper.

  “Gems, be a love and get hold of the insurance company. Then find the firm that dries out damp with their huge fans. What’s it called? Blow Dry, I think. Ask them to send someone to meet me at the penthouse, 12 Moon Street, tomorrow morning at 9.00. I’m going to Peter Jones now to look through curtain fabrics for Cheyne Street. Leave my mobile in the basket till tomorrow, I can’t bear any more yelling. See you tomorrow.”

  An hour later, Gems received an urgent call from school asking for someone to pick up Alicia. She had been violently sick, and they couldn’t reach Serena on her mobile. Gems reassured the teacher that Serena would be there in about an hour. Luckily, the loyal assistant found her boss in Peter Jones surrounded by masses of samples and talking to the saleswomen.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but Alicia’s been sick. The school want you to collect her now,” reported Gems gently.

  Serena groaned and headed out of the store.

  Half an hour later, with a deathly-pale-faced Alicia in the back seat, they drove home. Amidst the chaos, Lang had left an urgent message on the home phone’s answering machine. Hastily settling Alicia on the sofa, Serena rang him back.

  “Hello, my beautiful Fig Tree. Amazing news! I’ve been promoted to the board as a result of Bill Yates’ death.”

  “Oh Lang, how fantastic. Congratulations! We can book that holiday now!” Serena replied excitedly.

  “Yes, maybe, don’t rush me,” Lang snapped, thinking anxiously about his secret problem. “Of course, I’ll have to stay late this evening and sort out my new office.”

  Serena felt disappointed that her loneliness every night would continue. “Try and be back by 8.30,” she pleaded.

  By 6pm, the office was empty except for the contract cleaners. Lang wondered what he should do about his illegal borrowing and whether they would be discovered now he’d been promoted. He sat in his new black leather armchair internally terrified and anxiously wondering how he could sustain the fraud.

  The new Chairman, Bob Calder, popped his head round the door. “Pleased with your promotion? You’ll find life even more hectic than usual, I’m afraid,” he said, smiling.

  “Mmm…” Lang managed in reply.

  It took a couple of hours to move his things to the new office, in particular the contents of his secret drawer. As he was carefully locking them away he heard a loud commercial hoover in the corridor and quickly pocketed the key.

  The cleaner backed into the office followed by her hoover. “Evening sir. You’re working late. The whole place is empty ’cept for you and the Chairman.” The stout African lady brazenly grinned at him.

  Lang smiled tautly and walked to the lift.

  *

  Langs mobile jangled. “Yes, I’m almost home,” he said before hanging up.

  “Hello my love.” Serena put her arms round his neck as soon as he walked through the door. “Have you seen the wonderful picture and article in the paper about Jonty’s forest? I must ring him.” She handed the paper to Lang.

  “Wow! That’s great publicity,” said Lang impressed.

  “I’m just going to check on the kids.” Serena hurriedly ran down the hall while Lang lay back on the sofa. He felt like his brain was buzzing. He buried his head in a cushion, and fell asleep.

  An hour later Serena was shaking him awake. Jonty wanted to talk to him.

  “Congratulations about your promotion—wonderful news.” Jonty’s elated voice brought him awake fast.

  “Yes, it’s quite a responsibility,” said Lang, then added, “I see you’re in The Times today!”

  “Yes, it was such a surprise and Prince Charles has invited me to Buck House to tell him about the project.” Lang had never heard Jonty so excited. “Mind you, I don’t want people wandering over my forest yet. Everything’s very tender during the early growing years. Publicity isn’t always good.”

  “Of course,” Lang replied pensively. “Oh, here’s Serena, I’ll pass you over.”

  “Big hug, clever brother. I’m going to have to dash, Lang hasn’t even had dinner yet… okay, you too. Bye.” She turned to her husband. “This is an exciting day! How did everyone at the office take it?”

  “Oh… you know. Listen love, I’m rather tired—can we catch up tomorrow?” Lang forced a yawn to emphasise the point and tried to ignore the guilt at the disappointed face of his wife.

  “Aren’t you hungry?”

  “I’m fine,” Lang said, standing up. He kissed her on the forehead before hurrying out of the room, wiping his sweaty palms on his blazer.

  *

  Alicia was sitting quietly in front of Serena’s bedroom mirror, daubing mascara on her eyelashes. She looked like a witch’s daughter.

  “What are you doing, Alicia?” Serena asked, crossing her arms.

  “I’m practising for the school play. I’ve got to look like a Mummy so I’m copying you!” Her serious face made Serena laugh.

  “Oh, little Popsy, shall I help you?” She wiped off the mess and started to outline Alicia’s beautiful dark eyes.

  “Yes, Mummy, but don’t make me look cross like you do on the school run,” stated Alicia.

  “Cheeky!”

  “Can you paint me, too?” asked Freddie, dripping wet from the bath.

  “Oh darling, I’ve only got one pair of hands. Where’s Daddy?”

  “Doing a poo on the loo,” said Freddie.

  Monday night was always chaotic because it was Maggie’s day off. All the kids were enjoying Daddy being around at bedtime; a very rare event.

  Just then his plaintive voice called out, “Where the hell are the loo rolls?”

  Freddie laughed. “I threw them downstairs because they fell in the bath while I was making an engine.”

  “There’s one under the basin,” shouted Serena.

  Eventually, Lang tucked up Alicia and went downstairs to find Serena chatting to Gems on the phone. He poured himself a large martini, sat on the sofa, and waited.

  Once she’d finished, she let out a long sigh. “Sorry, I’ve had a dreadful day and was trying to sort out tomorrow. I had to leave the office early because Alicia was sick at school, then Poppy Le Harvre’s new house was flooded so she was screaming down the phone at me to get it dried out immediately and—” Serena clapped her hands. “Pour me a vodka and tonic, would you?”

  “Well, I’ve been busy too. The new office is big and the phone rings non-stop. Lots of people demanding meetings. I don’t even know half their names.”

  “But at least it means lots of extra money for your Fig Tree to spend,” purred Serena. “Oh! Which reminds me—it’s Ascot next week. I’ll buy a new outfit. Are we going in the Bentley?” She rambled on so excitedly that Lang found it hard to break in.

  “Steady on darling, I don’t exactly know yet how much more I’ll earn, but we’ve also got quite a bit of debt,
remember,” he said seriously.

  Serena jumped on his lap. “Come on. Loosen up a bit. You’re always too cautious.” She raised his chin to kiss him.

  “Okay, we’ll do Ascot. But not on Thursday. That’s Bill Yates’ funeral.” Lang stroked Serena’s neck and they were about to kiss when Freddie ran in.

  “Mummy, I’m so thirsty. You forgot my drink.”

  Serena rolled her eyes, disentangled herself and picked him up.

  “Night night, Daddy,” grinned the boy’s impish face.

  Lang lay back and read the article about Jonty’s forest wishing he could leave a simpler life like his brother in law.

  Chapter Seven

  Chiswick

  Vivi and Theo arrived at the Chelsea & Westminster hospital just after midday. Georgie raced towards them as they entered the ward with her arm still in a sling.

  “I’m so much better now! I’m coming home,” she announced. “Yes, she’s ready to be discharged,” the nurse said.

  Vivi handed her a large bunch of flowers. “Thank you for all your care.”

  “You’re welcome,” said the nurse.

  “You’ve been such a good girl. Let’s buy you a pretty dress on the way home,” suggested Theo as they walked down a long corridor together towards the lifts.

  “Ooh yes, but where’s Jago?” Georgie asked.

  “He’s at home with Bella playing trains,” replied Vivi.

  They all arrived back at the house about teatime, exhausted and happy. Jago jumped into Vivi’s arms.

  “There’ve been several calls for you, Mr Theo,” Bella said handing him a list of messages.

  “Right, I’m off to my study. Let me know when it’s story time,” Theo said and Vivi nodded.

  “The children’s tea is ready,” said Bella.

  “I’m starving. Can I have fish and chips?” Georgie said eagerly.

  The doorbell rang.

  “Special delivery,” said a rough-faced man holding his crash helmet. “Sign ‘ere.” His dirty finger pointed to ‘Theo Hanover.’

  “Thank you.” Vivi signed and shut the door. “Take this to Daddy please, Georgie, then play in your room while I see a patient upstairs for an hour.”