The story of Catherine Lawrence is in 15 parts and I apologise for such a long story but it got out of hand. All 15 parts are completed and for those who like to print the story so you can read it in bed, I will have all 15 parts posted soon.
Carmenica

 

Catherine Lawrence

by Carmenica Diaz

Part 13

 

Bel rang me and woke me the next morning. 'Hello?' I said sleepily.

'Late night?' she asked cheekily.

'Um, not really. The filming in Paris just caught up with me.'

'And someone else caught up with you, a certain man?' she teased.

I sat up, holding the phone closer. How did she know? 'Well, yes, we had a lovely dinner…'

'And a lovely kiss, I see.'

I was suddenly wide-awake. 'Well, seeing you guessed…'

'No guess, Cate,' she giggled, 'I saw the picture.'

'Picture?'

'In the newspaper in the celebrity page, it looked like a really yummy kiss, you've got your eyes closed.'

'It's in the newspaper?' I groaned. 'Oh no.'

'Look on the bright side, it's not every girl who gets her first kiss in the newspapers.'

'Saucy bitch!' I grumbled and she laughed happily.

Belinda came around and took great delight in pointing out the photograph of Stephen kissing me goodnight and giving me the bracelet at the restaurant. Even though the photographs were a little grainy, everything was visible and yes, I had my eyes closed.

'The beautiful Catherine Lawrence, renowned actress has a new love, a mystery man who presented her with a gift at a romantic dinner for two,' Bel read with glee. 'Was it an engagement ring? And what about that romantic kiss goodnight?'

'Stop it,' I said, throwing a cushion at her. 'What must poor Stephen think of this? And his mother?' I added, instantly alarmed. I told Bel about the weekend and she wriggled her eyebrows at me.

'Separate bedrooms?'

I ignored her. 'How am I going to get down there? I'll have to hire a car with a driver. I can't drive.'

'We'll take you, Rodney and I have been planning a weekend in the country and we'll find a small romantic Bed and Breakfast.'

'Separate bedrooms?' I shot back.

'I hope not,' she said, 'I want a dirty weekend.'

 

I rang Stephen later in the day. 'I'm so sorry Stephen, that the photograph appeared in…'

'Don't be,' he said warmly, 'I'm the envy of every man in London. I'm quite chuffed about it actually.'

'I'm so glad you're not upset, it's a nuisance but…'

'Don't worry about it, Cate.'

'What about your mother?'

'She doesn't read those sort of newspapers, of course.'

'Thank goodness.'

'So I telephoned her and told her to get a copy.'

'You didn't!'

'I'm afraid so, I'm rather tickled about the whole thing.'

 

I was suddenly nervous about the whole weekend but couldn't actually say anything to Bel as Rodney was driving. She sensed my anxiety and reached over and squeezed my hand. I was seated in the back with my overnight cases next to me. Bel had laughed when she saw that both cases were overflowing. 'I thought it was just for one night.'

'I have to be prepared.'

'Of course,' she said with a wink and I flushed. Nothing was going to happen, was it?

My mouth dropped open when Rodney steered the car through the gates and down the gravel drive, past the manicured lawns, beautiful gardens beds and statues.

'This can't be it, can it?'

Rodney shrugged. 'It's the address you gave me, Cate. I'd say your boyfriend has a bob or two.'

Boyfriend? A small voice inside me demanded to know exactly what I was doing but I chose to ignore it. The car stopped at the front of the house and an older man in a black suit opened the door. 'That must be the butler,' Bel murmured and I glared at her.

Tentatively, I got out and Rodney helped me with the bags. I had chosen a charcoal grey roll neck pullover, simple black skirt, tights, boots and olive green blazer. My hair was loose and brushed out and I wore simple earrings. 'Trying to impress the future mother-in-law?' Bel had said with a wink when she saw me.

Stephen came bounding down the stone steps, and hugged me. He shook Rodney's hand and kissed Bel's cheek like they were old friends. The elderly man whisked my bags away before I could say anything.

'Ring me tomorrow on the mobile when you're ready to go,' Bel said as she kissed my cheek goodbye. 'You'll be fine,' she whispered in my ear and I waved goodbye to them as they drove down the driveway.

Mary was standing on the top of the steps, beaming as I walked up, Stephen's hand around my waist.

'Cate,' she greeted me, 'lovely as usual.' She kissed my cheek and I smiled nervously. 'Stephen, why don't you show Cate to her room, she may want to freshen up before some tea? Bernard has taken the bags up.'

I walked slowly with Stephen through the oak panelled halls with walls covered with old portraits of, I guessed, his ancestors. 'Well,' I said at last, 'this is a nice little weekend cottage.'

He grinned wryly. 'Perhaps I didn't give you entirely the whole picture. This has been in the family for rather a long time.'

'And now you're going to tell me you're an earl, a lord or something?'

'Goodness gracious no! Here's your room, I hope it will be acceptable.'

My mouth fell open for the second time at the expansive room with a magnificent four-poster bed. It was a beautiful room and even had a small bathroom attached.

'Oh, it's acceptable,' I said dryly.

'We're having morning tea at ten in the drawing room downstairs, just come down and you'll find it.'

'I might get lost.'

'I doubt that.' He smiled. 'I'm glad you came down, Cate, I really am.' He kissed my cheek and departed.

I managed to find the room and Mary smiled when she first saw me enter and then again when she saw Stephen leap to his feet. There were other guests and Mary introduced me. One woman smiled and commented that my photos don't do me justice.

'Which photograph?' a male guest asked with a wink at Stephen. 'The one in the newspapers?'

'I was talking about the posters in the Tube station. I haven't seen you act as, unfortunately, George,' she said, shooting her husband a glare, 'doesn't like the theatre.'

'I think Cate has just completed a movie?' Stephen said, steering everyone away from the subject of photographs.

That brought a chorus of questions and I politely explained. Tea was served and I gradually ceased being the centre of attention, which was perfectly fine by me.

Later, Stephen took me for a brisk walk around the estate and I was amazed at the size of the place. We held hands as we walked around the miniature lake, watching the swans and the ducks. 'You're not cold, are you?'

I shook my head. 'No, it's lovely. You have a beautiful house.'

Dinner was formal and I wore my black dress and I noticed that poor George couldn't keep his eyes off my chest. Unfortunately, his wife noticed as well.

One of the couples had their children with them and they ate at a smaller table. Poor darlings, I thought, they look bored. Both the boy and the girl were dressed up and probably only five or six.

The mother kept glancing at them and then back at Mary and I guessed she was afraid of upsetting Mary. After dinner, we retired to the drawing room for port or brandy and the young girl was looking miserable, so miserable my heart went out to her when I saw her mother being rushed on by her husband.

I picked her up and smiled at her. 'What's your name?'

'Lizzie,' she said, big eyes watching me.

'What a pretty name, my name's Cate.' We sat on a chair in the hall and I began to make up a story about the people in the portraits and she was giggling madly at the stories and the funny voices I did to go with them.

Her mother came back, smiled gratefully at me and took Lizzie away. I walked back in and Mary smiled at me. 'Entertaining our younger guest?'

"She seemed a little sad, that's all.'

Mary gave me a port, took my elbow and led me to a corner. 'I'm so pleased that you and Stephen are getting along. I quite enjoyed the newspaper photograph,' she said with a twinkle in her eye and I blushed.

'I don't know why they follow me around,' I murmured.

'I'm sure you can see the funny side of it, Cate I'm particularly pleased that you like children. You know Stephen is an only child?' I nodded and she continued. 'Stephen is the only heir. It's vital that when he marries, the line continues.'

'I suppose it is,' I said slowly and she smiled.

'I knew you'd understand.'

 

After dinner, Stephen helped me to escape the boring conversation and we wandered hand in hand around the terrace. Stephen suddenly kissed me and, ignoring the nagging voices inside my head, I kissed him back.

'I'm afraid you're making quite an impact on me, Catherine Lawrence.' He smiled down at me and I felt my heart pound. 'I'm becoming quite serious about you, I'm afraid.'

'Stephen…'

'Oh I know it's early but I've never felt this way before. It's all very new to me.'

'It is to me as well,' I said truthfully.

He took my hands and kissed me lightly on the lips. 'I've never met anyone like you,' he murmured. His arms swept around me and we kissed deeply and such feelings coursed through me, I felt like I was going to fall over. I began to wonder if he was going to sneak into my room. That thought made me suddenly afraid.

'Oh my,' I breathed, tottering back and he gently pulled me into his arms, my head on his chest while his fingers played with my hair.

'Stephen,' I began, 'your mother made a point of talking about children.'

'Did she?' Stephen laughed. 'She's rather fixated on grandchildren, I'm afraid.'

'I sensed it was important as if she was telling me that children were necessary.'

'I imagined you liked children, Cate.'

'I do, I adore them but…'

'You would choose a career over children?'

I was on the verge of asking why not both but it hit me that I had no such choice as I couldn't have children! 'No, I wouldn't,' I said slowly, my stomach churning.

'Then, there's no problem, is there?' Stephen said cheerfully.

I stared at him. No problem? In his eye, there could be no relationship without the prospect of children and it was obviously impossible for me.

'Stephen,' I said my mind arriving at a hurtful conclusion, 'I believe we are moving a little quickly.'

'Cate, what have I said?'

I managed a weak smile. 'Nothing but I have a frightful headache and I think I'll retire. Goodnight, Stephen.'

I walked quickly away, went straight to my room, closed the door and fell on the bed, sobbing. The blunt reality of my situation cut through me like an axe. I was fooling myself and, what was worse, fooling Stephen, it was wrong and I couldn't go on.

 

My head was swimming and my heart churning and when I was all cried out and no further tears came, I finally fell asleep. In the morning, I packed and sat on the bed, writing a farewell note to Stephen, thanking him for his kindness but we could not go on. I reread it and then slipped the bracelet into the envelope with the note, sealed it and put it in my handbag, addressed to Stephen.

I called Bel when I thought she would be awake. 'Yes?'

'I'm ready to go when you can come by,' I said softly.

'Are you ok?'

'Not really Bel, but can I tell you later?'

'Of course,' she said quickly. 'We'll be there soon.'

'Thanks, Bel,' I said quietly.

'Keep your chin up, Cate.'

Taking a deep breath, I walked downstairs and found Bernard in the hallway. 'Could you please arrange for my bags to be brought down? A car is coming for me soon.'

There was a momentary flicker of surprise in his eyes but it vanished quickly. 'Certainly Miss Lawrence.'

I found Mary in the drawing room but there was no sign of Stephen. 'I wish to thank you for a lovely time,' I said with a forced smile, 'but I'm afraid I must leave, something has come up.'

She was obviously startled. 'I see, of course if you must go…'

'I must. Thank you again and please, give this to Stephen.' I gave her the envelope and walked quickly to the front door where Bernard stood with my bags.

I stood on the steps nervously waiting and I sighed with relief when I saw Rodney's old car driving down the drive.

'Are you all right?' Bel asked as they both loaded my bags in.

'Yes,' I said as I sat in the back, 'but drive like the clappers.'

When Rodney drove through the gates and onto the main road, I began to silently cry. 'Cate?' Bel whispered.

'Did he hurt you, Cate? Did he try something?' Rodney asked fiercely. 'I'd kill him if…'

I shook my head. 'He was a perfect gentleman. It's just me.'

When we arrived at Lucy's, Bel wanted to come in and told Rodney to go home. He kissed my cheek and I apologised for spoiling their weekend. Lucy was home when we walked in and she saw immediately something was wrong, glancing at Bel.

'Cate, what's happened?'

'I don't want to talk about it,' I said, tears streaming down my face. 'Ok?'

'Of course, love,' Lucy said, hugging me and I knew she was making eye contact with Bel, sending messages. 'Of course, now, let me make you a nice cup of tea while you have a nice bath.

I stared at myself in the bath, half man, half woman, in reality a freak. The reality had been driven home to me inadvertently by Mary and Stephen, a reality I had ignored for the last six months.

I was a fool, a complete fool and I should know better than to start dreaming impossible dreams.

Lucy and Bel listened as I explained and Bel pointed out that not all women could have children. 'It's not automatic, you know.'

'I know that. I just realised that I was getting involved with something that has no future, it's impossible and I was dreaming. I've ended it before it begun and now I'm going to move on, be happy with what I've got,' I said and burst into tears again.

'Of course you are,' Lucy said ironically.

'I'm sure you'll feel better in the morning,' Bel said and the three of us hugged.

I slept badly but knew I had to do something; I had to stop hiding in the townhouse.

It was as if Lucy sensed this and became very businesslike. 'Luc and I found an apartment, it's in St. Germain and beautiful. We'll go over this week and look at it. The premiere of the movie is on Friday night in Paris so it will be nice timing. Bel will work on the dress for the premiere, I suggest a French designer, as it will win a few brownie points with the French media. Any questions?' I shook my head, she was like a whirlwind and that's what the week felt like, as both Bel and Lucy didn't give me a moment to myself except for my visits to Helen and the psychologists. Their files on me were getting bigger and bigger. Helen changed the prescription slightly and, after examining me, said my body was, to the observer, almost completely female. We both knew what 'almost' meant.

I discussed the incident and my over-reaction with both doctors who listened sympathetically. The psychologist asked if my decision to break off any relationship with Stephen was a flight from becoming a woman. Had I changed my mind?

'No,' I answered, 'I am a woman, I feel like one and it's how I see myself. Frankly, I can't remember what it was like to be male.'

The Paris apartment was beautiful and I signed the papers immediately. Luc nodded approval and asked me if I would do interviews for the The English Woman with the French media. I agreed and spent a day doing ten to twenty minute interviews in French, which impressed the hell out of the journalists and television crews.

My photographs began to appear in the papers and journals and it appeared the French media had taken me to their heart, especially since I spoke fluent French and had made the decision to live in Paris.

The premiere was a glittering affair and it took ages for me to make it down the red carpet. The movie received rapturous reviews and Luc and Lucy were pleased. 'You are a grand star in France now, Cate,' Luc said in French to me. 'They love you.'

We returned to London to promote the movie for the English premiere and it was also a glittering affair but some of the journalist appeared peeved that I was moving to France. 'Don't forget you're British, Cate,' Laura Wood reminded me.

'Of course not,' I smiled.

I was lazing around Lucy's townhouse when she appeared with Sarah Wright. After we greeted each other, Sarah glanced at Lucy and then to me. 'Cate, I've a big favour to ask you.'

'Anything,' I smiled.

'No,' Sarah said with a serious expression, 'wait until you hear it. A movie is going to be made of Silken Memories, right here in London and I was hoping you would play Simone. The big favour is that I want to direct it and the backers will only say yes if I can get the original cast. Humpy will say yes and I'm sure Wade will once you agree. I know I'm not experienced as a director but I know this play, I know how it should appear on film…'

'Yes, I'll do it.'

Sarah stopped, eyes wide. 'Really?'

'Of course, I would love to.'

Lucy prepared the contracts and I signed. Humpy signed in a flash but Wade had difficulties. The American studio that had him under contract wouldn't release him.

'Damn yanks!' Lucy said and Sarah scowled as we sat in a café drinking coffee. I was now used to signing autographs and decided I wasn't going to hide, I was going to live my life.

'You should be able to negotiate, Lucy,' I said calmly. 'You represent Wade and myself.'

'And Luc,' she added and then blushed.

'Oh, really?'

'Well, he likes the way I handle things…'

Sarah and I burst into laughter and Lucy blushed even more deeply when she realised what she had said.

Then I had an idea. 'What about a trade?'

'What do you mean?'

'They release Wade for Silken Memories and they get an American movie with Wade and directed by Luc.'

'Not bad,' Lucy said, eyes narrowing, 'but it needs more?'

'Such as?' I asked but I could tell what she was thinking.

'A romantic comedy starring Wade Thompson and Catherine Lawrence, directed by Luc Benoit. It'll be great for all your careers.

Sarah looked at me hopefully. 'Ok,' I agreed with a smile. The deal was done and the script for Vital Statistics magically appeared and I wondered if the Americans had wanted this all along.

 

I spent four weeks in Paris, settling into my apartment. I was recognised more in Paris than I was in London but the French were a little different, almost blasé. They would smile and nod, sometimes call greetings but gave me my space. The paparazzi liked to take photographs of me in the markets or drinking coffee but it was a game and after I gave them a good picture, they would leave me alone for a while.

It was when I was stacking books in my bookshelves that Stephen telephoned. 'Cate?'

His voice swam down the phone and went straight to my knees via my heart and stomach. 'Stephen,' I answered in a small voice.

'I'm sorry Cate; I hope this isn't terribly inconvenient? I could call at another time?' His precise way of speaking suddenly seemed to be even more formal.

'No, this fine, how are you?'

'I'm healthy and busy, I understand you've moved to Paris?'

'Yes, I'm unpacking now.'

'I see. Look,' he said, sounding very businesslike but underneath I sensed he was nervous, 'frankly I'm rather puzzled. I've been mulling over your letter but I'm afraid it's not that clear to me. I must be rather thick or something, I know, but I did think we had strong feelings for each other and I'm rather sorry to let it all end like this. I know I'm being a terrible bore but I must know what it is I did.'

I cleared my throat. 'Stephen, you're right about strong feelings but we were moving fast…'

'You're right, of course, absolutely correct and I'm a bloody idiot. I'm afraid I was too eager, rather foolish of me, I know. I can slow down, Cate, happy to take as long as you wish.'

'There's more, I'm afraid,' I said gently.

'Oh…'

'You recall the conversation about children?'

'Yes, of course.'

'Stephen,' I said, my eyes filling and I knew I would have to get off the phone quickly, 'I can't have children. Medically, there's nothing that can be done.' There was a long pause on the other end and I felt the tears running down my cheeks. 'I must do some more unpacking,' I said in a bright but brittle voice. 'Thank you for calling, it was lovely to hear your voice.'

 

It was wonderful to catch up with Wade and Humpy again and the five weeks that we would spend filming Silken Memories would be great fun although, the first weeks, Sarah drove us hard and extracted marvellous performances from us all.

We had a day off and Lucy innocently suggested Wade and I go shopping and he eagerly agreed, so eagerly I looked at him suspiciously. 'Ok, what's up, Lucy?'

'I just thought it would be good publicity for the paparazzi to get a few shots of you and Wade together? Good for Silken Memories and also good for Vital Statistics.'

Wade and I looked at each other and I shrugged. 'Why not.'

I don't think Wade enjoyed the shopping that much but he always perked up when he saw paparazzi lurking and then he suddenly became affectionate, one arm around me, the other struggling to hold my bags.

At one store, he sat outside on a small seat, bags piled around him while I tried on some skirts and he smiled in relief when I came out and said, 'That's it, all done.'

'Thank god,' he said with a laugh, 'I need a drink.'

He put his arm around me as we walked down the high street and I looked around. 'Are there photographers about?'

'You never know,' he said with a mischievous smile and softly kissed my cheek. That photograph as well as the one of him seated dejectedly outside the store was in the newspapers.

'Catherine Lawrence has moved onto a new love,' I read and Lucy giggled, 'out with the old, in with the new and the new is the handsome Wade Thompson.' I threw the newspaper onto the sofa. 'They make me sound like a tart,' I said crossly.

'It's publicity, that's all,' Lucy soothed but I still grumbled.

I finished Silken Memories, said my goodbyes and was relieved to unlock the door to my apartment in Paris and relax. For the next few weeks, I did nothing, absolutely nothing except live a normal life. I chatted to the neighbours, went to the markets and sat in a café reading the newspapers and drinking coffee. Although Stephen hadn't called and I knew he had decided to walk away when he learned of my inability to produce children, I still found myself hoping it was he when my phone rang.

The English Woman was the biggest movie in France and was beginning to accumulate good results in the English, Canadian, Australian and American box offices as well as the other European capitals.

I knew I should have been over the moon about its success and, even though I was happy for Luc and the team, I really couldn't care less about it. A feeling of loss and sadness was my constant companion and I had spoken at length about it to the doctors when I visited them after finishing Silken Memories.

'You love him, don't you?' Helen had gently asked.

'I don't know,' I had answered softly. 'I don't know but I miss him terribly. Or it's the reality of my situation.'

'Situation?'

'Children and being halfway between a man and a woman…I don't know, Helen! I feel miserable, that's all.'

 

Vital Statistics was the next item on the agenda and I flew out to America. I should have been excited but I wasn't, I just wanted to get the movie over with but Lucy had other ideas. 'We need to spend some time in America and to work the media. Wade has been on the David Carnegie show and there is a great deal of interest in you.'

'Why? No one's heard of me,' I said moodily, staring out the window of the plane.

'Oh yes they have. The English Woman is slowly taking off so your name has recognition.'

'Whoopee,' I said sarcastically.

Lucy stared at me. 'Cate,' she said finally, 'you have to put it behind you, and you have to move on.'

Although I didn't like to admit it, she was right and I smiled. 'You're a good friend, Lucy and you're right. I have to stop being a moody bitch, don't I?'

'It has been like you've had PMS for two months!'

We flew into New York and Lucy made me watch a tape of Wade's interview on the David Carnegie show. Carnegie had one of those huge grins that only Americans seem capable of and he had a great deal of fun at Wade's expense. Wade grinned and bore it and seemed to be reasonably popular with the audience.

'So tell us Wade, who's this little lady?' the photograph of Wade kissing me as we shopped filled the screen.

'Oh my,' I said, tucking my feet under me, as the picture seemed so big.

'That is the great Catherine Lawrence, my co-star in the stage production of Silken Memories and that photograph was taken during the filming of Silken Memories, we were out shopping.'

'You like shopping?' David raised an eyebrow and the audience laughed.

'Well, actually no,' Wade smiled, 'but it gave me the opportunity to spend a day with her so why not.' The audience laughed again.

'Is she really as beautiful as they say?'

'She is absolutely the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen but she doesn't seem to be aware of it which makes her even more charming. She's very talented and will be, mark my words, an enormous star.'

David nodded and the photograph of Wade seated outside the store, surrounded by shopping bags and a dejected look on his face was flashed up.

'Oh Lord,' Wade groaned and the audience laughed.

'You don't seem to be enjoying yourself, Wade?'

'Well, it was the last shop and I was exhausted. Where do women get their energy from when shopping? I think Cate tried on at least ten skirts and only bought one.'

'She was trying on clothes and you were outside?' David asked with an exaggerated leer.

'I am, of course,' Wade said with a smile at the audience, 'a gentleman.'

'I don't think I like Mr. Carnegie much,' I said to Lucy when the tape finished.

'You'll have to, I'm afraid. He wants to interview you as do the press. It will be a busy few days. Oh don't worry,' Lucy smiled when she saw my panicked look, 'Bel's flying in tomorrow.'

Bel arrived and we spent time just catching up. 'Cate,' she said hesitantly, 'I know you've been feeling pretty low for the last months…'

'I'm much better now,' I said with a smile. 'Aren't I, Lucy?'

'She is but the 'old' Cate isn't completely here yet.' Lucy held my hand. 'We miss her.'

'I'm trying,' I said blinking.

'Anyway,' Bel said taking a deep breath. 'We've set the date for the wedding and I was hoping…'

'That's fantastic,' I said excited. 'Have you got your dress?'

'Can I get a word in?' Bel stood with her hands on her hips, pretending to be angry.

'Sorry,' I said with a smile.

'I want you two to be my bridesmaids,' she said with a rush. 'If you don't want to, that's ok but I would really…'

Lucy and I looked at each other, mouths hanging open for a moment until we jumped up and hugged Bel. 'Are you joking?'

'Me, a bridesmaid!'

'Yes! Of course I want to.'

'I can't wait!'

'Ok,' Bel laughed with relief, 'calm down, you two. It's months and months away.'

'It will go in a flash,' Lucy said.

 

'Ladies and gentlemen, from England, Miss Catherine Lawrence.'

David Carnegie was standing with a broad smile over his face as I walked onto the set, dressed in simple burgundy knee length dress, heels, hose and jewellery. Bel had done my hair and face and, even though it might sound immodest, I looked fantastic.

I smiled at the audience, gracefully took his hand, leaned over and gently kissed his cheek. The audience went wild.

'You are beautiful,' he said wryly as I sat, 'Wade was right.'

'What could Wade be possibly right about?' I said with a wink.

'He said you were even more beautiful in person than the movies?'

'Wade, is rather dishy himself, I think,' I said with a smile to the audience and the women laughed. 'As you are, of course,' I said and the audience laughed loudly.

'I bet you say that to all the interviewers,' David said, playing along.

'Only the dishy ones.'

'I'm going home tonight and I'm going to tell my wife that I'm 'dishy',' he said with a laugh.

I looked at the camera and said softly, 'I'm sure she knows.'

We spoke about theatre and movies and he surprised me by saying he had seen The English Woman. 'I understand you speak French and live in Paris?'

I nodded and he showed a clip from the movies. When it finished the audience applauded, I smiled in relief and he noticed. 'You don't like watching yourself, do you?'

'I'm afraid not,' I smiled, 'I become rather uncomfortable.'

He laughed and then we spoke about Silken Memories and the filming of Vital Statistics. 'Are you and Wade more than friends?'

'We're just good friends, David,' I smiled.

'Is that what you say to all the interviewers?'

'Only the dishy ones.'

'I'm glad that's over,' I said as I slumped in the chair so I could take my make-up off.

'You were terrific,' Bel said, 'so cool, so elegant and charming.'

'And beautiful,' Lucy said as she came in. 'David is raving about you and wants you back.'

'Do I have to? I groaned.

'Hey, he doesn't ask everyone back, you know.

 

The next eight weeks flew by as we filmed Vital Statistics and I did the round of all the media outlets. The movie was set in Los Angeles so I spent some time there and hated it immediately. Of course, I didn't tell anyone but I also didn't gush 'I absolutely looove L.A.' rubbish to the interviewers.

Finally, it was over and exhausted, I arranged to get on the first available flight to Paris. Luc and Lucy were going down to Mexico with Bel and Rodney and begged me to come but I declined. Bel and Lucy exchanged knowing looks and I smiled. 'I'm perfectly all right, I'm just tired and after all this time in hotel rooms, I want to get to my own place. Ok?'

'Are you sure?' Bel whispered, hugging me.

'Of course, besides, I'm the odd one out,' I said with a tight smile. In more ways than one, I thought. 'You've got your blokes and I would just be a spare wheel. You go and have fun.'

 

End of Catherine Lawrence Part 13 by Carmenica Diaz

  

  

  

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