In The Fast Lane Read online

  The doorbell rang again and Vivi opened the door to see an elegant, sandy-haired lady.

  “Hello Mrs Jackson, do come in.”

  Vivi showed her into a long room with various armchairs draped in red and purple throws. White curtains billowed softly from large open windows and the floor was covered in rush matting.

  “Please sit down.” Vivi pointed to a deep-seated sofa, as she took her notebook from a small desk nearby. “How’ve you been since I saw you two weeks ago?”

  Half an hour later the delicate discussion came to an end. As Vivi opened the door for Mrs Jackson to leave, she picked up a note from Theo. He’d suddenly been called to the Academy to discuss a possible tour of Paris and Vienna after his Moscow appearance. Vivi didn’t know how to feel. She was happy for him but also annoyed. He is leaving us again.

  When he reappeared, Jago was screaming his head off. Bella handed him the boy, who immediately stopped yelling as Theo began singing funny songs.

  “Ahh, you’re back,” Vivi said, taking Jago from him. “Georgie’s just getting out of the bath. Meeting go well?” She hoped her voice sounded calm.

  “Yes, it was an extremely good session,” he said avoiding her eyes before bounding upstairs to see Georgie.

  Chapter Eight

  Kensington

  During breakfast, Lang announced, “We’re taking the office Bentley to Ascot on the 12th. So, it’s all black for Yates’ funeral on the 11th and lovely colourful dress and big hat for the Friday.”

  He beamed as Serena ran around the table and hugged him. The children, scoffing Rice Krispies, were too busy to react. Lang kissed each one as he left in haste.

  “Come on,” urged Serena.

  She gave Alicia her lunch box. Freddie dropped his. The hardboiled egg rolled under the kitchen table collecting pen-cil-sharpener shavings.

  “Oh Freddie, what a mess.”

  Serena wiped the egg, wrapped it in a lettuce leaf and put it back in the box. They said goodbye to little Benjie in Maggie’s arms and rushed out to the car.

  After the usual battle of the school run, Serena walked into an empty office to find her mobile ringing incessantly on her desk.

  “Hello, Mrs Bagshot. Have your builders finished? Oh good. I’ve got various samples to show you. Shall we meet next week, say Tuesday at the flat?”

  “Glad your mobile’s working!” Gems laughed. “It didn’t like being in the waste paper basket getting tangled up in all the rubbish.”

  “I’ve got to buy a dress and hat for Ascot next week due to Lang’s promotion. We’re going in the firm’s Bentley—it’s so exciting!” Serena clapped her hands at the prospect of a spending spree. “Can you answer my calls? And if Le Harvre phones tell her I’m away on business.”

  After three and a half hours, she arrived home in a chic red dress and a large hat with peacock feathers, but no one was in to show off too, so she drove back to the office and paraded about for Gems instead.

  “Wow, now that is fantastic!” Gems exclaimed.

  “I must ring Lang to tell him about the hat,” announced Serena.

  “He rang. He’ll be busy until the evening,” said Gems.

  “Oh hell! Typical!” exploded Serena.

  Chapter Nine

  City of London

  Lang’s office

  Unlocking his desk drawer, Lang read over the documents in a green folder and made some notes before cautiously returning them to the drawer and locking it again.

  “Rosie, would you ask the bookkeeper to bring the last six months’ ledgers in?” he called.

  Five minutes later, a tall, smartly dressed accountant entered Lang’s new office.

  “Good day Mr Ralm. Do sit down.”

  The two men went through the ledgers. Mr Ralm pointed out two rather large accounts, and asked whether they should be marked ‘Overdue’.

  “No. I’ll tell you when,” Lang replied abruptly.

  He spent the rest of the day meeting people directly responsible to him, and discussing various problems but no matter who he was meeting or what he was working on, half his mind was in that locked drawer and on the accounts that should be marked overdue…

  Chapter Ten

  Kensington

  When Lang arrived home, Serena was arguing on the phone with Poppy Le Harvre. “I’ve told you they’re using a special machine to dry the floor out. I’ll be in the office tomorrow at 9am. Please don’t ring me at home again!” She slammed the phone down and shouted to Lang, “Don’t move! I want to show you something,” before rushing into the next room.

  She came sweeping in, adorned in the low-cut red brocade dress with a shimmering hat of blue-green peacock feathers, waving as she tottered on very high heel shoes.

  “You look wonderful, my Fig Tree. Like royalty!”

  Serena beamed, then suddenly said, “That reminds me. We must ring Jonty. He’s got an invitation to discuss his forestry project with Prince Charles next week and wants to stay a few nights.”

  “He’ll see his sister in all her feathers if he’s here on Friday.” Lang laughed.

  “Let’s take him to our special bistro—he’d love Bess and her fish soup. I’ll ring him now.”

  Serena spent a good ten minutes laughing raucously with Jonty over the phone.

  “Do you call him Your Royal Highness or Charlie?” she giggled. “Why didn’t you accept his offer to stay at Highgrove? That’s silly! You’re not shy about trees for goodness sake! You know more than he does, I should think. Yes, see you next Wednesday. Is Cheryl coming with you? Oh, of course… her riding lessons.” After a few moments she put the phone down and exclaimed, “What a hectic time we’ve got coming up; Jonty’s visit, Yates’ funeral, then Ascot.”

  “I’ll have to be in the office early all week, mind you,” Lang said anxiously, as Alicia hurried into the room dressed as a chef carrying a tray of burnt chips.

  “This is what we learnt in our cooking lesson, but the fish cake fell on the floor.” She proudly handed Serena a charred chip on a fork, then gave Lang the others. “There you are, Daddy. That’s your supper. Sorry there’s no salt or tomato sauce. We’re not allowed them at school.”

  “Thank you, sweet girl.” Lang took the chips then hugged Alicia. “You’re going to be a busy bee like your Mummy when you grow up.”

  “Why has Mum got that funny hat on? The shoes look like clown boots,” said Alicia.

  “I’m going to the races and all the ladies wear fun hats,” said Serena and Alicia pulled a face.

  Freddie marched into the room with a saucepan lid on his head, clacking two wooden spoons together. “I’m a guard at the palace.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Chiswick

  When Vivi arrived home, she sighed when she found a note from Theo who’d been called to yet another meeting at the Academy. Her first client wasn’t due for a few minutes, so she wandered into the back garden. Jago was gazing at next door’s cat chasing a bird up the tree. He was giggling and banging his chubby legs on the grass.

  Bella came out with the pushchair. “It’s going to rain soon, so I’ll take him to the playground now.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “That’s Mr Grayton I expect,” Vivi said, planting a kiss on Jago on her way to the front door.

  A small thin man in his forties with a timid face stammered, “Sorry I’m late. Had a bit of trouble getting my boy off to school.”

  “Nice to see you. We’ll go upstairs,” said Vivi gently.

  Having seen four patients that morning, she was mentally exhausted, and went into her meditation corner for half an hour. She wondered how Georgie was enjoying her first day back at school. The difficult problems of her patients had made her rather depressed. To take her mind off everything she went downstairs to prepare lunch.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kensington

  When Jonty arrived on Wednesday evening, Alicia immediately tugged at his sleeve and Freddie zoomed in on his scooter. Serena mouthed ‘so
rry’ for her excited children and Jonty smiled to show it was okay.

  “Wow, what a welcome!” said Jonty.

  “Where’s Auntie Cheryl?” asked Alicia.

  “She’s looking after the ponies and baby lambs, but she sent you this homemade fudge, and some wool for you to crochet, Alicia.”

  “Thank you.” Alicia jumped up to kiss his ruddy cheek.

  “Can we come and see the lambs again?” asked Freddie, accidentally ramming his scooter into Jonty’s left leg.

  “Ow! Come any time. It’ll be lovely to see you.”

  “Are you meeting Prince Charles tomorrow?” asked Serena.

  “No. I’m meeting his group of forest advisers first, who are going to discuss species and show me slides of possible diseases. Then I meet Prince Charles on Thursday,” said Jonty.

  “Will you get his autograph please? He supports my favourite football club,” Freddie asked eagerly.

  “I’ll try.”

  “Come on, bath time,” said Maggie, with Benjie in her arms. “Hello, Mr JJ.”

  Freddie followed her out obediently.

  “Alicia, go and finish your sums. I’ll come and check them in ten minutes,” said Serena.

  Later, Jonty read Freddie a story, played draughts with Alicia, and finally sat down to enjoy a large drink with his sister.

  “We’ll have to wait at least another hour before Lang returns.” Serena sighed.

  Jonty froze at the mention of Lang’s name, but Serena didn’t notice.

  “So, where’s Lang? Does he always work late?” Jonty eventually asked.

  “Yes, unfortunately it’s the same every night,” Serena said sadly. “Let’s have a look at your garden. How are those cuttings I gave you?” asked Jonty, changing the subject.

  They walked through to the back, pushing open the French windows onto a highly scented patio where an overwhelming waft of mint reached them. Wild poppies swayed into lupins and daisies in a slight breeze.

  “Your border is certainly vigorous.”

  “Yes, the gardeners have worked hard at it.” Serena tapped him on the shoulder. “Come and see what’s buzzing at the bottom of the garden.” She guided him to a large shrub behind which there was a hive full of bees. “I bought it for Lang’s birthday but he’s never here to deal with them, so I take off the honey and Lang enjoys it. I’ll give you a pot.”

  “You are an efficient girl,” said Jonty proudly. “You ought to be living in the country like us.”

  Serena looked at him bewildered. Live in the country! No way, she thought to herself.

  “Hi JJ. Sorry I’m so late.” Lang walked tentatively towards them. “It’s been such a hellish day. My boss—ex boss’s—funeral’s coming up and I’ve been asked to be a steward. Anyway, how are you? All ready to meet HRH?”

  *

  The funeral was rather laborious. Lang showed his business friends to their seats but knew none of Bill Yates’ relatives, which made him feel guilty even though he knew he was being ridiculous. He wished it didn’t have to come to this—Yates’s death—for him to move up in the company. Lang sighed. For all he knew, being promoted could lead to everyone finding out his secret. He shook his head. It wasn’t time to think of all that. Instead, he listened to two partners give good speeches about his predecessor.

  Everyone met at the local pub afterwards, sharing stories of Yates, and he looked appreciatively at his wife, who looked elegant in a black velvet suit.

  They got home to find Jonty lying on the floor pushing the controls on Freddie’s train set, as engines whizzed round the sofas and tables. Freddie was screeching with excitement. Jonty hung his face round a chair.

  “Hello you two. Looks like you need a big drink,” said Jonty.

  “Oh, I meant to ask, would you like us to organise transport for your royal do tomorrow, JJ? We’ve got an excellent local man called Mike,” Serena suggested.

  “Yes, please,” replied Jonty. “How about you though? Won’t you need him for Ascot?”

  “Ah, we have other plans,” came his sister’s reply.

  *

  The next morning a shiny black Bentley arrived promptly at 11am. Waving goodbye to Benjie (clutched in Jonty’s arms), Serena slid onto the plush, white, leather seat carrying her colourful, wide-brimmed, feather hat.

  “Shall I take that, madam?” offered the chauffeur, placing it gently on the front seat.

  Lang slipped in beside Serena, looking very handsome in a grey top hat and tails. Smiling warmly, he put his arm round her as the car drove off.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ascot

  As they neared the Enclosure, the buzz of excitement increased while the jockeys paraded their horses.

  “Quick, we must find our box,” said Lang, anxiously pulling Serena along. Her peacock-feathered hat almost took off in the bustle and breeze. “Here we are, Number 118.” He gently guided Serena up the narrow stairway.

  “Hello, I’m Foster James, and this is my wife Mary,” said a tall man who dwarfed Lang and Serena as they shook hands.

  Everyone sat down hurriedly. The starter bell rang, and horses flew out of their stalls to excited yells. Serena found the noise electrifying and started to cheer.

  Lang squeezed her hand trying to quieten her down. “People in the boxes don’t yell—sshhh—you’ve not backed a horse yet,” he whispered.

  “I know, but I’m sure that grey stallion’s going to win.”

  Serena was getting carried away, standing up and waving her scarf as the horse galloped in first.

  “You seem very excited! Did you have a bet on him?” asked Foster James.

  “No,” confessed Serena, “I just knew he’d win. Will you put a bet on Jinko in the next race please, darling?”

  While Lang spoke to the bookie, Mary James chatted to another lady, Mrs Crosby, then introduced her to Serena (who was certainly the most elegant of the three women).

  “What a marvellous hat. Where did you get those divine feathers?” enquired Mrs Crosby.

  “I found it at a charming shop in Richmond. The girl made it for me on the spot,” said Serena proudly.

  Meanwhile, at the Tote, Lang had bumped into a city colleague called Tom. During the conversation, Tom revealed a bit of scandal about a mutual friend of theirs who had been found artificially inflating his firm’s profits and been charged with false accounting.

  “The man is ruined, bankrupt… might even spend some time in jail.”

  Lang went white while expressing astonishment at the news. “I thought they were one of the soundest firms. I’ll come back to you later—must take my wife’s betting slip.” He reached Serena just as the race began.

  “What’s the matter?” she gasped. “You look awful.”

  “Oh nothing,” said Lang quietly.

  Serena’s horse, Jinko, lay fifth when suddenly it overtook all the others, raced ahead by a length, and won. The crowd erupted. So did Serena. Jinko was 30-1. Lang was really screwed up inside but tried to put on a proud grin for Serena’s sake.

  “In the next race I’d like to bet on Rialto. Could you collect my winnings?” enthused Serena.

  Lang went back to the Tote and collected his wife’s winnings but didn’t see Tom this time. Luckily though, he had his mobile number.

  “I’m stuck in my seat. Can’t talk now. Give you a ring tonight,” Tom said hurriedly.

  In the next two races Serena’s choices came third and fourth, but the last race was another triumph and her enthusiasm overruled Lang’s intense anxiety. As he returned to the box, he found Serena jumping up and down, and just caught her feathered hat as it flew towards Foster James.

  They arrived home with a crushed hat and Serena’s handbag bulging with notes.

  “What a wonderful day. Thank you darling.”

  The Bentley drove off as Serena pushed Lang onto the sofa and fell into his arms. Half an hour later, they’d just got dressed again when Alicia and Freddie bounced into the house. Vivi, who had been looking
after the children in the afternoon, placed Benjie in Serena’s arms.

  “Did you have a good time?” Vivi said, raising an eyebrow and Serena blushed.

  “Why are you lying on the sofa, Mummy?” asked Alicia.

  “Come on, let’s have tea,” said Serena as Vivi held in her laughter.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chiswick

  Having said goodbye to her last patient, Vivi went through to the garden, and lay in the hammock. She tried hard to banish all the afternoon’s problems following three complex patients. Shutting her eyes, she drifted off into a light sleep.

  “Excuse me, Mrs Vivi—sorry to wake you, but there’s someone at the door and Mr Theo is in his office on the phone.” Bella stood there with bubbly Jago in her arms.

  Vivi yawned and slipped off the hammock. “Give Jago a swing, Bella.”

  She opened the front door to find a thin, apologetic looking boy of about thirteen.

  “My mum stupidly left her bag in your room—she’s too tired to come back and get it,” he said resentfully.

  “Oh yes—is your mum Mrs Dimet? I’ve got the bag here. Thank you for coming.”

  Vivi handed the bag over, then shut the front door and heard Theo’s agitated voice on the phone. “Yes, if you’ve got a new conductor I’ll be in Moscow on Friday!”

  She hurriedly went into the kitchen and made a cup of green tea, saddened at the thought of Theo leaving them again. She was still there, five minutes later, when Georgie came home from school. “Guess what, Mummy? I’m going to be a Princess in the music show! And I have to sing one song by myself.”

  “You clever girl! Do I have to make a costume?”

  “No, another mummy at school is going to make a long red dress for me. You look a bit sad Mummy—why?”

  But before Vivi could answer, Theo came into the kitchen. “Vivi, I’ve just had another call from Russia. They want me to be there on Friday to start rehearsals,” he said anxiously.