Charlie's Dad

“There are so many things about you, Ellie, which are both irritatingly elusive and reassuringly familiar. About the Author Title Page CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN Copyright

“There are so many things about you, Ellie, which are both irritatingly elusive and reassuringly familiar.

“I want to find out all about you,” Ben continued, “to discover a clue to this intense relationship, for I’m pretty sure...” His gaze was now so dominating she had no power to look elsewhere, no power to move aside as his hand came up to brush a strand of hair from her forehead, no power to hide the shiver as his fingers lingered against her cheek.

“What I can’t work out is why, Ellie, when you have so many adverse feelings, you are here in the first place?”

She sat up, dislodging his hand. Impossible to give an answer, since there was none. If she were to tell the truth she would be humiliated, and if she lied... She was as obsessed with Ben Congreve as she had ever been. And for that she despised herself.

Alexandra Scott was born in Scotland and lived there until she met her husband, who was serving in the British Army. There followed twenty-five years of travel in the Far East and Western Europe. They then settled in North Yorkshire and, encouraged by her husband, she began writing romantic novels. Her other interests include gardening and embroidery, and she enjoys the company of her family.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHAPTER ONE

‘YOU’RE on your way, Ellie Osborne. The past is dead.’

That was the final shibboleth, the only part of her dream which remained in her mind as she struggled to raise her eyelids, which felt as if they had been coated with Superglue. Then, when she at last succeeded, she gasped at the sight of the clock by her bedside.

‘A-a-ah!’ The sigh became a groan as she realised she ought by this time to be up and dressed, not indulging herself in this fashion. It was simply that she was bone-weary after so much travelling. Imperceptibly her eyes were drifting again, her brain flirting with all the intense activity involved since her departure from Heathrow less than a week ago. Making excuses.

Not that it had been unsuccessful, she mused in dreamy satisfaction. Far from it. In fact, the contract signed yesterday in Hong Kong would be the kick-start she needed for expansion, what she had hoped for—and dreaded—over the years. Now all was within her grasp and the future beckoned.

Not that it had been easy. Amusing to recall her beginnings, five, six years ago, when she had set up her machine on the kitchen table and sold her knitted garments at a tiny profit in London’s street markets.

She gave another sighing yawn. No, those early customers had no idea how lucky they had been to be of fered IGRAINE originals for little more than peanuts. Not that the name or the logo had been registered then. Those had come later, along with the chic silk labels and the media coverage led by that very first television interview in Hong Kong. Which in turn had led to her present visit to Singapore instead of heading immediately back to London.

A tap at the door made her look up, and she smiled as Jenny came into the bedroom carrying a cup of tea which Ellie took, sipping gratefully. ‘Delicious. I’m lying here feeling guilty. I just hope I’m not holding things up, Jenny.’

‘You must have been tired. I looked in half an hour ago, but you were so peaceful I decided to leave you till the last possible moment.’

‘Lazy, rather. But this—’ she drained the cup and put it on the bedside table ‘—was exactly what I needed to wake me up. I was just thinking of that interview you did when we first met in Hong Kong.’ She swung long, slender legs over the side of the bed. ‘You’re sure I’m not holding things up?’

‘No, you have lots of time. It will be an hour before the dinner guests arrive.’ Jenny crossed the room, twitched one of the net curtains, then swung round to raise an eyebrow at her visitor. ‘But I’m hoping, with luck, you’ll emerge before then. Robert is so impatient to meet you.’

‘And I’m dying to meet him too.’ With firm determination she got to her feet and stretched. ‘So, I have time to shower and...’ She ran fingers through the mass of dark auburn hair which had escaped from its pins. ‘Time for a shampoo as well, do you think?’

‘If you hurry. You’ll find a drier in your bathroom.’

‘Would you believe, I haven’t washed it since I left home? I meant to be up in time this morning, but my call was late and it was a mad rush to get to the airport.’

‘I’ll leave you then.’ Jenny, small-boned and exquisite in the understated way of elegant Chinese women, reached the door, pausing with her hand on the knob. ‘What were you saying about that first television interview?’

Ellie crossed to the dressing table and began to rummage in her toilet bag. ‘Just thinking about it.’ Smiling, she unscrewed a jar, dipped a finger into the moisturiser, transferred the pale blob to her skin. ‘I was lying, half dreaming, and that was what came into my mind the instant you tapped on the door. You’ve no idea how many times I’ve blessed you for that.’

‘But it was simply chance. We were short of an item for the programme we were putting out live—about people who were coming from overseas and using the local labour force—and someone, I think it was Johnny Teck, mentioned your name. Actually, I was grateful to you for agreeing to come on at such short notice.’

Ellie, making for the bathroom, shook her head. ‘Never refuse the offer of free publicity—one of the first rules of running your own business. Just a mention on TV or radio can mean the difference between success and failure. Oh—’ Just before disappearing, she remembered. ‘Would you mind if I made a quick call to Charlie? I usually try to ring home about now.’

‘You don’t have to ask.’ Jenny waved a slender hand towards the telephone on a side-table. ‘I still can’t understand why Charlie and I have never met. Oh, and by the way, honey...’ Again, Jenny paused ‘One of our guests this evening is Jonas Parnell, the American writer. I’m sure, like me, you’ve read every one of his bestsellers. I’m always so impatient for the next one to come out. His father is a friend of Robert’s.’ And with that the door finally closed.

‘Jonas Parnell?’ As Ellie held her face up into the stream of warm water, began to rub some flowery unguent into her hair, she murmured the name. Vaguely it rang a bell, but since she had little time for reading, apart from balance sheets... On the other hand, there had been that late-night movie a few weekends back—a hectic, fast-paced murder mystery... Jonas Parnell...that name forced itself into her mind. At the time, anxious for bed, she had been half irritated by its compulsion—certainly she had found it exciting enough to keep her glued to the screen till long past her normal bedtime, when sleep was what she needed most.

Rubbing her hair with a soft towel, she stepped from the shower, crossed the bedroom and, reached for the telephone. She began to dial her home number and a moment later she spoke. ‘Charlie, darling.’ Her voice, always soft and melodious, grew still more tender. ‘You wouldn’t believe how much I’m missing you.’

‘Not too bad.’ Surveying her reflection with a critical eye, Ellie turned this way and that before giving a tiny smile of satisfaction. Evening affairs hardly figured in her diary these days, and she had almost fallen out of the habit of making the effort. And now, she was forced to conclude with what was very nearly a grin, that seemed a pity. A successful effort did wonders for one’s ego, quite regardless of any impression it made on others.

Besides, she owed it to Jenny to put her best foot forward. It would be humiliating if she, an up-and-coming designer, were to disappoint her hostess. To say nothing of Robert Van Tieg, whom she would for the first time be meeting.

Much of their story she already knew—how Jenny, very soon after their first encounter, had moved in with the wealthy entrepreneur. Theirs was a perfectly open relationship, and when Ellie had once hinted that it might lead to marriage, Jenny had immediately jumped on such a suggestion, insisting the present arrangement suited them admirably.

‘You see,’ she had explained, ‘Robert has been married twice, both times unsuccessfully, and I had never planned any kind of long-term relationship. Not until I met Robert, that is, then I instantly changed my mind. That I’m still with him is rather against my own principles.’ Here she had grinned, slightly embarrassed. ‘But you see, I just love the guy. Can you understand?’

‘Yes.’ Ellie had disregarded the ache in her chest. ‘Of course I can.’ Who better to understand than Ellie Osborne?

‘And besides,’ Jenny had gone on swiftly, ‘I have my career, he has his business interests. We each allow the other complete freedom, never question the need for this or that, and the funny thing is, between us there is complete trust. Even though I know he is meeting so many fascinating women—many of whom would be more than willing to join him in a fling—doubts about his fidelity never enter my mind.’

Jenny was lucky. Making final adjustments to her make-up, Ellie reflected on her friend’s good fortune with not the least trace of jealousy. Rich, beautiful, with one of the world’s most successful businessmen in love with her, and a television career going strong on both sides of the Pacific, who could deny that fortune had smiled on Jenny Seow? What was still more astonishing was that she was so unspoiled, so unaffected by the huge sums she earned through TV shows syndicated worldwide.

Satisfied at last, Ellie stepped back from the mirror, her attention now wholly focused on her reflection, relieved to confirm it would satisfy the most critical eye. And all credit for that to Jean Muir. What had at the time seemed like quite unjustified extravagance, markdown price notwithstanding, now began to look like a serious long-term investment. All those sleepless nights spent worrying over such unprecedented self-indulgence... she gave a tiny giggle. A sheer waste of effort.

It was undeniable that the overall appearance was timeless and elegant. Quite seriously she could see herself wearing the same outfit twenty years from now: wide trousers in damson scribbled all over with cream, the floaty material giving occasional glimpses of long legs, and a tunic top, matching but plain, neckline and cuffs edged with cream braid. It was so stunning she couldn’t imagine why she didn’t wear it more often, and certainly for a smart supper party here in Singapore it was perfect.

After some consideration, she left her hair loose, abandoning her more usual French pleat for the pleasure of it moving about her face like sensuous silk. Make-up was understated, lips outlined with a soft subtle plum, and eyes—well, those she had always considered the best features in an unremarkable face, and she had summoned all her skill to emphasise the clear translucent grey, just that rim of black round the irises causing the whites to gleam. A last unnecessary touch of the wand to already sooty lashes, a blast of perfume and she was ready. Automatically her hand reached out for the solitaire diamond which she slid alongside the plain gold band on her left hand.

He was nothing like she had imagined. Standing with other guests on the balcony while Robert pointed out some focal points of the city, Ellie found it difficult to avoid comparisons. Jenny, so petite, so slender and striking, and Robert... Well, handsome he was not—short, thickset, and with the powerful shoulders of a prize fighter—although with his air of power and wealth it wasn’t difficult to see how he might attract women.

Impeccable manners and dress—these she had expected—but the heavy features, the shrewd eyes partly concealed behind tinted glasses...no, he was not at all the kind of man she had been looking forward to meeting. There was, she knew, a twelve-year age difference, but he looked a good twenty years older than Jenny. However, in spite of conflicting impressions, she found herself warming to him, enjoying a sense of humour which was dry and sardonic, even slightly self-deprecating. That was something of a shock; high-flying businessmen did not, at least in her experience, take life so lightly.

Then came a diversion. Jenny was ushering a new arrival through the French windows and onto the balcony and was engaged in animated conversation. Ellie caught the deep cadence of a laugh which brought her head jerking up in perplexed alarm, her wide eyes staring, but all she could discern was that the newcomer was male, dressed in a tropical suit in dark grey, a pinkish shirt, and that Jenny was smiling up at him, her face glowing with delight.

Jenny was now trying to attract Robert’s attention and he excused himself, making his way across the expanse of pale-coloured marble towards the window. There was a short silence as his guests watched, a silence broken by Pete, a rangy Australian who had been introduced as a business acquaintance.

‘Robert’s quite a personality, isn’t he?’

Ellie’s eyes were still on the group by the window, slightly aggrieved that the newcomer—the American writer, she supposed—was still hidden by some trailing exotic plants. Reluctantly she dragged herself back to see Pete nod in the direction of his young pretty wife.

‘Babs has never met him before tonight What did you think of him, honey?’

‘Robert’s everything you said, but I guess he’ll take a bit of getting to know.’

‘Like his taste in women, though.’ Raising his glass, Pete drank deeply, as if underlining his approval of Jenny.

Ellie exchanged an amused glance with Babs, who shrugged philosophically and immediately changed the subject. ‘You’ve come from England on business, Ellie?’

Ellie leaned an arm against the wrought-iron balustrade, idly watching the lights of a ship sailing into the harbour. ‘Yes, I have my own small fashion company—knitted garments. I’ve been finalising details with some of the Hong Kong companies who make up my designs. I’m on my way home now, but broke my journey to visit Jenny and Robert.’

‘Using wool from Oz, I hope?’ Pete’s interest was solely commercial.

‘Take no notice of him, Ellie. Just because his Dad’s in sheep...’

‘Well, I’m sorry about that.’ Turning from the view with a smile, Ellie leaned against the balcony, arms extended, face raised to the balmy evening air. ‘But we pride ourselves on using only the best English wools, specially blended for us, occasionally with the addition of silk. But if ever I feel the need to use Australian wools I’ll remember your father. In fact, I have connections with Australia myself, and I...’

The words dried on her lips as Jenny, Robert and their guest moved against the window behind them, the light from the room illuminating the two faces she knew but leaving the other irritatingly half hidden, mysterious. He was well above average height, the new man, and dark. His head was bent towards his hostess, and the casual, easy way he supported himself, with one arm crooked against a pillar... there was something about him, something which made her catch her breath, made her aware of an icy drip of water the length of her spine...

‘You were saying, Ellie...’ Babs prompted.

‘I...’ For a second she stared at the young woman, unable to recall the drift of the conversation. Her heart was beating loudly against her ribs... ‘Ah, yes, what was I saying, Babs? About wools, wasn’t it? England has such a wide range of fleeces that it seems more sensible,’ she gabbled. ‘After all, I doubt that you drink much English wine.’

Oblivious of the puzzled expression which her remark elicited she heard her voice prattle on for a few more seconds, but her mind was engaged with a quite different subject.

Deliberately she kept her attention away from the group she found so inexplicably disturbing, smiling vaguely at her companions, determined to concentrate, to dismiss idle speculation from her mind. But it was such a weird feeling, frightening, as if things long past were threatening to catch up with her, events she would prefer to keep buried...

‘Ellie, I told you we were expecting Jonas Parnell, now I’d like you to meet him.’

Ellie turned. Her intense grey eyes, shadowy with apprehension swept over Jenny and Robert, unwillingly but inevitably drawn to the man who loomed over them all. Jenny’s tinkling laugh rang out.

‘Only his name isn’t Jonas Parnell, it’s Ben Congreve. Ben, this is a dear friend, Ellie Osborne.’

It was all automatic then. Ellie held out her hand, hoping the smile she fixed on her face would conceal her shock, and it was a great help that she saw not the faintest sign of recognition in his eyes. Admiration, perhaps—she thought she could discern a flicker of that—and interest, curiosity. But nothing more. So, it was safe to smile, to relax, or at least to make an effort in that direction. Otherwise she had no idea how she would deal with the hours of torment which lay ahead.

She stood there, taking little part in the conversation washing about her, trying desperately to deal with the raging assault of emotions. For who could have forecast the crossing of their paths like this after so many fraught years? Long, long after she had felt any need—after all, it was a lifetime since she had given up all expectation. Years during which hope had slowly and, oh, dear God, how painfully ... died.

‘You know Singapore well, Ellie?’ Ben Congreve, sitting to her right, waited till she had finished her chat with Pete before demanding her attention, forcing her to look at him so he could check. Mmm. He felt a moment of sheer pleasure as the clear grey eyes flicked him a glance. A slightly nervous glance, he decided, though it was inconceivable such a self-possessed and seemingly successful woman should be either shy or nervous. He had never, he thought in a spirit of self-mockery, seen such eyes... And set in that face... So serene, so astonishingly... well, it was more than merely beautiful—fascinating, rather, with those high cheekbones, that exciting mouth, such a rippling cascade of titian hair.

He caught at himself, smiling inwardly at such an uncharacteristic response, but found he was unwilling to deny himself the pleasure of analysis. Perfect skin too. A bloom like a peach—and that was scarcely original. And for a writer too.

‘Not well.’ Such an effort to keep her voice so calm and even, but no one, she thought, no one could possibly guess that her heart was agitating wildly against her ribs, that her palms were so moist they threatened her grip on her fork. ‘I’ve been here several times but always for very short spells so I can’t claim to know it.’

Now she could return her attention to her plate, spoon some of the delicious terrine into her mouth. ‘You?’ Another glance in his direction confirmed what she feared, that he was still focused on her, bringing a wave of unwelcome heat to her body.

His faint smile told her he had noticed, but he had the grace to look away, to apply himself to the food on his plate and at the same time deal with her question. ‘The same. I don’t know it well, but since the book I’m writing has a scene set here I thought I’d come and do some research before getting down to the grind of actual writing. All writers are like that, you know-any excuse to avoid the tyranny of the word processor.’

‘Mmm. So I’ve heard. But I thought it was invented to make life easier for you.’

‘That’s the theory.’ He slanted another glance towards her; he was surprising himself with his desire to divert and amuse this woman. ‘But I’m wholly unconvinced. I must be honest and admit that writing is a love-hate affair, almost a voluntary slavery. There are times when I want to be rid of the whole demanding business, and then... as soon as I have finished what I had decided was to be my last... something jogs the brain. One or two ideas which have been drifting loose seem determined to come together and so, before I can do a thing about it, I’m off. Back to the treadmill.’

‘Ben!’ Jenny was mildly reproving. ‘You make it sound as if you have to labour over every word, and yet your prose...each word you write... flows so effortlessly onto the page.’

‘Ah...’ He shook his head in self-mocking derision. ‘That is where the genius comes in.’

There was a wave of laughter round the table before the argument was taken up at a more individual level, which gave him the opportunity to turn again to the woman by his side. ‘And now you know all about me, it’s my turn to hear about you.’

She had little choice but to turn and look at him, lips curving into a smile that was more than a little reluctant. He was so very easy to look at, but that had always been so. Tall, good-looking, arresting without being conventionally handsome, dark silky hair... Even now she could feel a throb at the thought of twisting it through her fingers. Shorter now, of course, and the buccaneering look had gone, along with the beard. And those slender well-marked eyebrows, which would arch upwards when he was waiting for an answer... as he was now.

‘But there isn’t a great deal to tell.’ By any standard of veracity that was an outright lie. Her life, though reasonably conventional on the surface, hid a dark and wounded side which she refused to discuss, especially with a mystery writer, and certainly not with...

But he was obviously waiting for elucidation, so in a move which was habitual, defensive—one she found herself using when she felt particularly vulnerable—she raised her left hand to brush a strand of hair from her cheek, displaying her rings before allowing her hand to drop.

‘I don’t know if Robert mentioned it, but I have my own small fashion company—mainly knitwear, until now mostly made in the UK, but an increasing number are now produced in Hong Kong. I was there for several days and Jenny invited me here for a break before going home. It’s a plan which has been thwarted several times in the last two years—’

‘And I’m delighted you were able to make it at last.’ From the other side of the table Jenny interrupted, then there was a slight hiatus as plates were cleared, fresh dishes brought by the unobtrusive maids.

And Ellie, as she listened half-heartedly to what Pete, on her other side was trying to explain, wished with all her heart she had flown back to Heathrow. By this time she would have been with Charlie. All the reawakening heartbreak would have been avoided. Earlier this evening she had been right to decide this was not her milieu, that she was out of touch with this kind of socialising.

She experienced a sensation of despair as she allowed her attention to drift round the sophisticated room: light net curtains billowing in a faint breeze, modern paintings set against cream walls, a green marble dining table. Green marble! And with the most intricate veining in gold. Food arranged with precise artistry on black plates, each a study...

A sudden flash of recollection brought a smile to her lips. She was thinking of the pot of stew she so frequently put on the table—the scrubbed kitchen table—the homely loaf of bread which she might have made during a therapeutic break but which was inevitably lopsided and collapsing, though still ideal for mopping up gravy. The bowl of hastily put together salad leaves...

Light years from this arrangement of skewered seafood surrounded by tiny mounds of saffron rice and compositions—the word was not too extravagant—of vegetables she didn’t begin to recognise. It was almost too artistic to eat, something her own meals never were, but...the contrast of colours was inspired. She had an instant vision of a shift sweater, basic black like the plate but with swirls of gamboge, a touch of shrimp-pink and that particular green... If only her brain could retain the colours. Fingers twitching, she longed for her sketchpad and paintbrush...