Plain Jane in the Spotlight

CHAPTER FOUR

TRAVIS rubbed his eyes again. ‘I guess you just never know what’s around the corner, and… Charlene?’

But he’d lost her attention. Her gaze was fixed on the far side of the room where Lee was entering with Penny on his arm. They were smiling at the world and at each other, looking around the room, then back to each other. A photographer positioned himself before them and they twisted and turned as expected, before making their way to their table.

Travis observed Charlene, noting how she never moved, but sat clasping the stem of her glass with tense fingers. At last she relaxed and looked away. He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. She squeezed back. There was no need to say anything.

The evening began. A lavish banquet was served to the long table up high at the end of the room and the twenty smaller tables spread out around the room. As she ate the delicious food Charlene wondered what had possessed her to speak as she had done. She’d implied to Travis that she was here for him and only for him, to take care of him and be ‘big sister’ to his ‘big brother’.

But that couldn’t happen. She was here for Lee. Soon they would talk, she would tell him her news, they would become a couple and her usefulness to Travis would end.

She searched the room. Lee was sitting with Penny, not far away but half obscured by other tables. She watched him, willing him to see her. Yes, now his glance had turned her way. But no, now it had turned away again.

‘Charlene,’ Travis said quietly. ‘Are you all right?’

‘I’m fine,’ she said, smiling at him, giving the performance they had agreed. ‘It’s going to be a really wonderful evening.’

He’d seen what had happened. He understood what she was doing, and his admiration grew.

As the meal neared its end people rose and drifted from table to table.

‘Come on,’ Travis said, taking her hand and drawing her across the floor, calling, ‘Lee, good to see you here. And Penny. You look lovely, darling.’

Penny received his kiss with delight, glad to give the show’s star her whole attention, leaving Lee no choice but to talk to Charlene.

‘Fancy seeing you again,’ he said brightly as she sat beside him.

‘You speak as though you never expected to see me again,’ she said. ‘But we weren’t going to leave things there, were we?’

‘I didn’t mean to dash off the way I did. Things just happened suddenly.’

‘I know. I’m glad for you. But I had to see you again because…after we were so fond of each other…’

‘Yes, we were. I remember that well, but…life moves on. Things are so different now that it wouldn’t have been fair for me to try to drag you in, and-’

‘But you didn’t drag me. I’m here because I wanted to see you.’

‘That’s sweet of you, but I hate to think how much it must be costing you. This town is so expensive.’

‘Well, it is a bit, yes, but-’

Surely he would offer to help her with the cost? She waited for the words.

‘Look, Charlene, perhaps-’

‘Yes?’

‘Perhaps you should go home. You can’t afford it and I shall worry about you.’

‘You don’t need to worry about me.’

‘Well, I know that really. You were always the strong one, weren’t you? Nothing happens that you can’t cope with.’

His smile was like a steel mask.

‘Lee, I need to talk to you. There’s something-’

‘Attention, everybody!’ The cry came from the top table. ‘Can you all return to your seats, please? The best part of the evening is about to start.’

Charlene sat still, feeling as though dead weights were dragging her down, until Travis’s gentle hands drew her to her feet. He paused to smile back at Penny, saying, ‘I’ll claim that dance later. Keep it for me.’

‘Oh, lovely!’ she cried.

Images flickered through Charlene’s consciousness. Penny, thrilled by attention from Travis, Lee disgruntled because she was focusing on another man.

At their table, Travis drew out her seat and ushered her into it, as theatrically attentive as a servant. He was doing it for her, she knew. Just as he’d fixed it so that she could talk to Lee, he would fix it again by dancing with Penny. But it would all be for nothing. Lee was embarrassed to see her. He’d made that very plain.

She should never have come here.

Charlene laid her hand softly over her stomach, then moved it away quickly, unaware that Travis was watching her with kindly, troubled eyes.

The speeches began. Denzil Raines praised Brenton to the skies, wished him happy birthday and presented him with a costly gift. More gifts, more speeches. Brenton accepted it all with an evident sense of entitlement. Charlene reckoned this was a man used to getting his own way, who didn’t easily give up.

It was time for the dancing. Travis claimed Penny at once, thus freeing Lee to talk to Charlene. But when she approached his table it was empty.

It offended her pride to go searching for him, but pride was something she couldn’t afford right now, so she looked around until she saw him deep in conversation with Denzil. There was no way she could interrupt him now, as he must have known. Heavy-hearted, she began to return to her table.

‘Got a few minutes to spare for me?’

Brenton was standing there, a grim smile on his face.

‘So Travis has dumped you already, has he?’ he asked. ‘That’s what you must expect. He’s just making use of you. When you’ve served your purpose you’ll be out.’

‘And you know all about using people to serve a purpose, don’t you, Mr Brenton. Who do you think you’re fooling?’

‘And just what does that mean?’

‘It means exactly what you’re afraid it means. I know what you did. You’re not so on top of the situation as you think you are.’

‘Everything all right?’ That was Travis’s voice. The dance had ended and Penny had already gone in search of Lee.

‘Everything is wonderfully all right,’ Charlene declared. ‘Mr Brenton has just made his meaning plain to me, and I’ve made my meaning plain to him.’

Very deliberately, she stepped closer to Travis and slid her arm around his neck. Her message was plain. Brenton could do his worst. Travis was under her protection now and everyone had better remember that.

Travis reacted on cue, putting his arm around her waist, drawing her close, echoing her message. Brenton made a face and walked away.

‘Let’s go outside for a while,’ Travis said.

‘Oh, yes,’ she said gratefully. ‘Let’s get away from here.’

The hotel garden was full of trees hung with lights. As they strolled beneath them, music reached them from a distance.

‘I’m not sure exactly what I walked into,’ Travis said, ‘but I reckon you just sent the enemy packing for the second time tonight. Was he giving you trouble?’

‘Not as much as I gave him. He warned me that you’d dump me when I’d served my purpose.’

‘I won’t get the chance. You’ll dump me first. Did you fix things with Lee?’

He sensed her reluctance to answer. ‘Not really,’ she said. ‘We need another meeting.’

‘And will that be any different?’ he asked ironically. ‘No, no, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry, I’m sorry!’

‘Probably not,’ she admitted. ‘I can’t kid myself that he was glad to see me, but I can’t leave things as they are.’

‘Well, one thing will definitely change. You’re not staying in the Howley. You must move in here.’

‘I couldn’t possibly afford this place,’ she protested.

‘But I can. You’ve helped me, and now I’m going to help you. You won’t even ask me about the bill.’

‘Won’t I?’

‘No. That’s an order. You’re moving in here and living like a star. It’s the only way to be taken seriously in this town. We’ll book your room now, then collect your things from the Howley. That’s settled. No argument!’

She surveyed him tenderly. ‘So you really can do macho?’

‘Well, sometimes-if someone else writes the script. Come on, let’s get this sorted.’

A hundred pairs of eyes watched as they left the restaurant, arms about each other’s waists. At the reception desk there were more curious eyes to see Travis order the room.

‘I want the best suite you have,’ he said. ‘Make sure it’s ready in an hour. And please give this note to my driver, who’s in the canteen at the back, so that he’ll know I want the car.’

‘Are you sure you should be leaving?’ she asked as they headed out of the hotel. ‘Perhaps you should stay for the rest of the celebration.’

‘The things I’m celebrating have nothing to do with this place. And I’m not letting you out of my sight in case you vanish,’ he said, looking alarmed. ‘You saved me from disaster.’

As if to prove it, Denzil appeared, smiling to see them together, and waved them on their way.

‘See what I mean?’ Travis said. ‘That was the official seal of approval. Ah, there’s Rick!’

When they were settled in the car and moving off, Rick said over his shoulder, ‘I watched the arrivals on TV. You sure looked good.’

Travis grinned and gave Charlene a thumbs up. She returned the gesture.

At the Howley, Travis accompanied her up to her room, waited while she packed, then picked up her luggage and headed downstairs.

‘Oh, no!’ she said, in dismay. ‘The desk is closed. How can I pay my bill if there’s nobody there?’

‘You’ve already paid the bill,’ Travis said.

‘But how-?’

‘Rick saw to it while we were upstairs.’

‘But how did he know to-? That note you sent him. You told him to-’

‘Let’s get out of here,’ he said hastily.

‘You went behind my back.’

‘I didn’t want to waste time arguing, and I still don’t. Come on, let’s go.’

As they went out she said, ‘Of course I’ll pay it back. How much do I owe you?’

‘Just get in the car.’

‘How much?’

‘Get in the car!’

On the journey back she tried to feel indignant, but it was impossible. The feeling of being protected was like a draught of magic. Even her sadness about Lee faded before it.

‘You know what you are, don’t you?’ she murmured.

‘Something terrible, I guess.’

‘A male chauvinist porker!’

He beamed. ‘That’s the nicest compliment anyone’s ever paid me!’

Rick roared with laughter over his shoulder.

They reached the hotel to find that the revelries had ended and the place was quietening down for the night. Travis escorted her to her suite.

It had a luxurious bathroom, a huge bed and vast windows overlooking Sunset Boulevard. Charlene stared, trying, unsuccessfully, to imagine her ordinary self in these palatial surroundings. But she made no protest. Clearly Travis had a plan in mind, and now she must leave everything to him.

She knew that some people would say this was foolish. How could she draw Lee back to her by being seen with Travis?

But in her heart she knew that a few short hours had changed everything between herself and Lee. He hadn’t missed her and didn’t want her. Only a woman determined to delude herself could think otherwise. He was ambitious, which was one reason for escorting Penny, who was more established and could inspire the interest of the press.

But the really big star was Travis. It was he who made headlines, and the fact that Charlene had apparently secured his interest had made Lee gape with astonishment.

She didn’t know what the future held, but having Travis as her champion saved her from humiliation and she would cling to him.

As though he’d read her thoughts, Travis said, ‘Don’t worry. If Lee comes knocking I’ll fade into the background.’

‘I wonder if he will,’ she mused.

‘And if he did, would that make you happy? Do you really want him?’

‘Let’s say I’m seeing him with new eyes, but…it might be complicated-’

He put his hands on her shoulders. ‘Are you pregnant?’ he asked quietly.

She looked up and the misery in her face made him catch his breath.

‘I don’t know for sure,’ she said desperately. ‘When I was late I did a pregnancy test, and it was positive. But then someone told me that shop-bought pregnancy tests aren’t always one hundred per cent accurate so I did another one and that was negative. But I’m still late. Perhaps I should have waited until I was more certain before I came here, but I was so happy, and I thought he might be happy too.’

She choked off into silence. Travis wasted no more words. Instead he drew her close, his arms around her in a warm hug.

‘I’ve got a doctor friend who’ll help you,’ he said. ‘We’ll get a definite yes or no. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything. Now, I’m going. Go to bed and get some sleep. I’ll call you in the morning.’

He placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, and left.

She went to bed but couldn’t sleep. Her thoughts seemed to be fighting each other. One saying that she’d expected better from Lee. The other asking if it was really such a surprise? Hadn’t she, in her heart, known that he wouldn’t welcome her?

She laid her hands over her stomach, wondering what she should tell him; wondering if there was anything to tell.

Her eyes were closing when a soft knock at the door made them open wide. Throwing on a robe, she hurried to answer, half expecting Travis.

But it was Lee who stood there, looking anxious.

‘Are you alone?’ he asked.

‘Quite alone,’ she said, standing back to let him in. ‘What else did you expect?’

‘Well…he might be with you.’

‘He?’

‘Travis. They say he never passes up a chance.’

‘Well, you’re wrong,’ she said with a touch of anger. ‘I came to Los Angeles to see you.’

‘Yes, but after the way he’s been haunting you tonight, I thought… Well, you’ve really got his attention.’

‘Lee did you come here to insult me, because-?’

‘I’m not insulting you. That guy lives in the spotlight, and if he’s interested in you then you’ve got the spotlight as well. This is LA. These things matter.’

‘And you wouldn’t mind me sharing his spotlight?’ she demanded. ‘Even though you and I have some unfinished business?’

‘I thought we sorted that out earlier.’

‘Then you must think it was very easily sorted. We made love, Lee, and sometimes that can produce results. Have you thought of that?’

The sheer blank horror in his face answered every possible question.

‘Are you saying…? You mean you’re…? Are you sure?’

‘No, I’m not sure. It isn’t definite yet.’

‘Phew! So things might still be all right.’

‘That depends on what you mean by all right.’

‘Charlene, I swear I didn’t want to leave you in trouble. If the worst comes to the worst I’ll help you fix it. There are places where these things can be arranged discreetly.’

‘And that would make everything…all right?’ she said slowly.

‘You won’t have any problems, I promise you. Just call me when you know for certain, and we’ll do what’s necessary. But let’s hope for the best. It may be a false alarm.’

Suddenly she couldn’t bear the sight of him. Every word he uttered seemed a blow to her heart.

‘You’d better leave,’ she said. ‘Go!’

‘Ah, you think he may still turn up? Right. You don’t want him to find me here.’

‘I didn’t say that. I’m not expecting him.’

‘Oh, come on! He was good to you. Don’t tell me he doesn’t want something in return.’

Her eyes blazed. ‘Get out before I do something violent.’

He escaped. As the door closed behind him it took all of her self-control not to hurl something at it.

Could he be right? she wondered. Would Travis arrive and demand ‘payment’, thus proving himself as cynical and self-seeking as every other man?

As the night wore on she tensed at every sound outside her door, waiting for the knock. But it never came, and at last she realised that Travis was better than her fears, better than Lee’s spiteful accusations.

Somehow after that it was easier to sleep.

Next morning she rose very early and ordered breakfast through room service. As she was finishing, the phone rang.

‘It’s me,’ said Travis. ‘Can I come up or will I be in the way?’

‘I’m alone,’ she said, correctly interpreting this. ‘Do come.’

She was waiting for him with the door open, and shut it quickly behind him.

‘I came up the back stairs,’ he said. ‘Nobody will know I’m here so if Lee…you know…’

‘If Lee asks any jealous questions you won’t have compromised me,’ she said, bitterly amused. ‘Don’t worry, he won’t. And he’d actually be glad you were here.’

‘Why would he…? Oh, no, tell me I’m wrong.’

‘You’d relieve him of a problem. He was here last night. Not for long. He escaped as soon as he could.’

‘You told him about the baby?’

‘I told him there might be one. He was horrified. He’s probably calling abortion doctors this minute.’

Travis drew in a sharp breath. ‘Would you-?’

‘No, of course not!’ she said passionately. ‘Never, never! If I’m pregnant I’ll have the child, and if its father isn’t interested…I’ll manage.’

She began to pace the room, clenching and unclenching her hands until he took gentle hold of her.

‘Calm down,’ he said. ‘We’ve got to find out the truth. We can’t do anything until we know one way or the other.’

‘You’re kind but it’s me that’s got to do something, not you. I won’t drag you into this.’

‘I’m already part of this. You “dragged me in” when you socked me on the cheek yesterday.’

‘I didn’t sock you. It was a light tap and there isn’t the slightest mark-’

She stopped. His eyes were full of kindly humour, telling her that he was joking, and she should have realised.

‘Just shut up and let me look after you, OK?’ he said.

‘I don’t know what to do next. Perhaps I should go back to England.’

‘Before you’ve established the facts? Surely not.’

‘What difference will it make either way if Lee… I don’t know… Wait, let me give you this now.’

She took out the expensive necklace he’d loaned her.

‘I ought to have given it back to you last night, but there were so many things on my mind-’

‘That’s all right. I understand.’

‘Take it, take it.’ She was pushing the necklace into his hands as though desperate to get it out of her possession. It might have been some fearful thing, full of horrific memories, he thought, dismayed.

‘All right,’ he said, putting the jewels into his pocket. ‘Now, let’s talk this over calmly.’ He drew her to the bed and sat beside her. ‘Running away isn’t a good idea. I’m not letting you out of my sight until we know what’s going to happen. Is there anyone at home for you?’

‘No, I live with my grandparents but they’re away at the moment.’

‘What about other family? Brothers, sisters?’

‘Nobody, but that doesn’t matter. I’m strong, I can cope. Please don’t worry about me.’

He got up and strode to the window, standing with his back to her while he tried to get his head round what was happening. Before him stretched Sunset Boulevard, a glamorous place that seemed to typify the world he took for granted; a world in which presentation was all-important and most things had a price, even if it was often dressed up with tinsel.

Take whatever life offered, give as little as possible in return. That was the conventional wisdom. He’d gained much from Charlene’s presence. Now she was obligingly offering to vanish, causing no trouble, asking no favours, even handing back jewellery that many women would have tried to claim. It couldn’t be better and a shrewd man would seize what she’d given him, pack her onto the next plane, bless his luck and forget about her.

Travis made a slight turn, glancing over his shoulder at where she still sat on the bed. She wasn’t looking at him, just staring blankly into space.

This was how she would cope, he thought; sitting alone in an empty house, looking into the distance. Abandoned by her lover, abandoned by the man who’d called himself her friend and brother.

Common sense demanded that he get rid of her while she was still doing him good and before she could become awkward.

But common sense had never been his strong suit, he thought wryly. Almost everyone who knew him agreed about that.

‘So now we have to get moving,’ he said, returning to sit beside her. ‘Hurry up and pack.’

His businesslike tone sent a faint chill through her. He was dumping her, and she couldn’t blame him. But somehow it wasn’t what she’d expected.

But she should have expected it, she thought, depressed. Clearly he was as unreliable as Lee!

She pulled herself together. ‘Time I was going.’

‘No, you’re not,’ he said firmly. ‘You’re coming to stay with me.’

‘With you-where?’

‘In my apartment. Nobody will know you’re there and you’ll have privacy as long as you want it. And don’t give me any more nonsense about how strong you are because every time you say it I believe it less and less. And if you really think I’m the kind of rotten friend who’d abandon you when you need a hand to hold, well-thanks for the insult.’

‘I never meant to insult you. I just didn’t want to be a burden. I have no claim on you.’

‘Except the claim of gratitude. After last night I owe you big-time. Brenton’s flaming mad, which is great. It means he knows he’s losing the fight and it’s due to you. You’re my best defence, and there’s no way I’m going to let you leave Los Angeles. I’m taking you prisoner. Get used to it. Do as you’re told!’

Without warning, she was flooded by tears. Whatever he said, the truth was that he was protecting her out of kindness. The macho words were just a smokescreen.

‘Hey, come on,’ he said, taking her into a firm hug. ‘No need to cry.’

‘I’m not crying,’ she wept.

‘Of course you’re not. You’re much too strong for that, aren’t you?’

In despair, she shook her head.

‘I’m going downstairs,’ he told her. ‘I’ll be back in a moment. Don’t even think of locking me out, unless, of course, Lee appears, in which case I’ll vanish.’

But that wouldn’t happen, and they both knew it.

When he’d gone she packed her things, moving mechanically. What happened now was beyond her control. She was in Travis’s hands, his dependant, even perhaps his victim.

The thought should have troubled her but it didn’t. Stronger than anything was the feeling of having landed safely in the middle of a storm.