Читать книгу: «One Fine Day»

Chapter 1

Sunday 6th October

Steve stretched and yawned. He was only half way through his eleven-hour flight to London. At least, travelling first class, he could sleep for some of it, but he never truly allowed himself to fall into a deep sleep. He had to keep his wits about him, especially as he’d left his bodyguards behind. The stewardess had come along and put a blanket over him and constantly checked he was comfortable.

Of course she would do, he was Steve Mason, after all.

Like all stewardesses, she wore perfect make-up and precision styled hair. She looked pretty, but he did wonder what she’d look like with the cosmetics removed. Yet it made the flight pleasant. He wasn’t going to complain when a pretty girl gave him attention. She had to be around her mid-twenties. Some of the flight attendants were older, but this particular stewardess was his, it seemed. All the other travellers could whistle; she only had eyes for him.

When he couldn’t snooze he put his nose in a book or watched the in-flight movies. His latest movie, Perfection was available but he skipped that one. How vain would it look to be watching your own movie?

However, a glimpse of Erica would have been nice.

He couldn’t believe how much he still missed her.

“Are you ready for some breakfast, Mr Mason?” the stewardess said, in her beautifully British accent, which was from somewhere around the London area.

“Yeah, sure,” he said, sounding very American. He adjusted his chair with the ever-helpful stewardess assisting. He checked her name badge. “Thank you, Suzie,” he said, giving her his best smile. He had been fortunately blessed with straight teeth.

“So is this trip for business or pleasure?” Suzie placed a breakfast tray in front of him. She was flirting, he knew that, the way she looked at him out the corner of her eye, the smile in her voice. He was used to women flirting with him, he preferred it to them reacting oddly, acting either incredibly shy, or throwing themselves at him, claiming they loved him and wanted to have his babies.

At least she hadn’t done that yet.

He used to get plenty of attention from the ladies before he was famous – now it was a given. He was up there with Robert Pattinson, having women’s underwear thrown at him.

“I’m going to see my sister.”

“You have a sister in London?”

“Not quite in London, no.” Maybe it was best not to give Ruby’s location away, he didn’t need the press chasing after him. The idea was to lay low for a bit. “But not far.”

“Well, I hope you brought your winter jacket, we’re having a cold October.”

“Yeah, I’ve packed my sweaters.” He winked, and she coyly smiled.

Suzie attended to another passenger – who had been huffing loudly at all the attention Steve had been getting – then returned with a coffee pot. Steve had started eating his breakfast, welcoming the food. For some reason, although he found others complained a lot about it – especially the celebrities – he really liked in-flight food. But then he’d been brought up never to be fussy – and to clear his plate.

“Coffee, sir?”

“Please, need something to wake me up.”

“You know, I’m sorry you and Erica Kealey didn’t work out. I thought you made a beautiful couple,” Suzie said, pouring him a cup of coffee. Steve’s expression must have shown surprise. He closed his mouth and blinked. “Oh, I am sorry.” Even with her heavy make-up Suzie couldn’t hide her blushing – he watched her neck flush pink.

He laughed and waved it off. “Hey, I wasn’t expecting someone to comment, that’s all. The whole affair wasn’t too pretty.”

And he wasn’t quite over Erica. He still missed her – loving her, and being loved back. He’d hoped she’d be the one. She’d left a huge void in his life.

“I’m sure you won’t be on your own for long.” Suzie said, not quite meeting his gaze.

His stewardess was persistent, he’d give her that. But he didn’t mind, she was actually talking to him like he was a human being and not a god. She was prying, but then, they were all nosy when it came to fame and fortune. Suzie, albeit flirty and unprofessional, was still pleasant to talk to.

“No,” he said, laughing it off. “If I was, wouldn’t you know? The press know our secrets before we do.” He raised his eyebrows knowingly as he dabbed his mouth with a napkin.

“Oh, you celebrities have a way of hiding things, you never know what to believe in the press. I don’t read the papers myself.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t. Most of it isn’t true.”

“Or it’s blown out of proportion,” she said.

“Yes, that’s true.” He sighed. “Basically, I need a vacation. Preferably without the press hounding me.”

He never thought he’d say this but he needed time out of LA. He needed time away from Hollywood and the limelight. His popularity had erupted suddenly and he still hadn’t adjusted. Hopefully, in the UK he might fade into the background a little, if he kept a low profile. Even his agent had suggested him taking a couple of weeks off, seeing the fallout from Erica’s betrayal.

He’d just finished filming his next movie, Nothing Happened, which was due out next summer, plus all the other stuff that went with a movie release. He’d still had to do the rounds for Perfection; TV chat shows, magazine interviews, radio shows. His schedule had been hectic over the last few months, and he wanted to remove himself from it, slow things down.

Steve had locked up his Hollywood apartment, handed the keys to his personal assistant Marie, and told her he was taking a vacation. While he sneaked out of LA, his PA arranged for a guy who’d doubled for him on Perfection to spend a couple of weeks sunbathing in the Caribbean at an exclusive resort with a private beach, in the hope of fooling the tabloids. Steve had some time before he started shooting his next movie, so this was a good time to get away and catch up with Ruby.

He’d last seen her at their mother’s funeral, and that had been fleeting. Although the paparazzi wouldn’t gatecrash the wake, he’d had to return to LA, back to filming, so he hadn’t stayed as long as he’d have liked. Ruby felt like a stranger to him.

For a moment sadness and regret filled him. His mother. He’d hardly seen her in the last fifteen years, intent on making it big in Hollywood, plus flights home weren’t cheap when he hadn’t been making money. And then it had been too late, cancer took her in her prime.

He clenched his fists, reliving his anger. He should have been told sooner. He would have come home.

Thankfully, Suzie left him to eat his breakfast in peace, remembering that there were other first class passengers to attend to – especially the huffy old dear a row behind him – letting him dwell. The flight wasn’t busy – there weren’t many people flying in first class. He hadn’t made a fuss, wanting to retain a low profile, and it had worked. The cabin crew had been very surprised when the actual Steve Mason had boarded their plane.

After the breakfast trays had been cleared away, Steve must have dozed off, because he was gently woken by Suzie checking his seatbelt was fastened, and telling him they were approaching Heathrow.

About to disembark, Steve slipped his hand into his jacket pocket and felt a piece of paper in there. He didn’t remember having anything in his pocket. He took it out and read it: a note from Suzie, apologising for being unprofessional but providing him with her number, ‘in case he was staying anywhere near Richmond and needed company.’

He turned, winked, which made her blush and giggle, then walked off the plane.

Nothing personal, but he wouldn’t be calling Suzie, although he couldn’t just throw away her number, so he left the note in his pocket for now. He’d discard it later, discreetly. However much he would like to find love again, he knew Suzie wouldn’t be the one. She was in love – well, lust – with the star, the glamour, the money; not the real Steve Mason.

In pursuit of his luggage which he’d put through fast track, Steve tried Ruby’s work number. She was manager at a small hotel in the posh end of Bristol, as she’d put it.

“Good afternoon, Durdham Lodge, you’re speaking to Lydia. How can I help you?”

“Oh, hi, could you put me through to Ruby Fisher, please?”

“I’ll try her number for you. Who’s calling please?”

“I’d rather not say, I want it to be a surprise.” Steve wondered if he should have waited until he was out of the airport, the noise and bustling of people was making it hard to concentrate. He held his hand over his other ear. He’d wanted to call before boarding his plane, but with the time difference and everything, the need to just get out of LA, (he was the prime example that men couldn’t multi-task) – it had been the middle of the night in England – he had decided to leave it until landing.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I do need a name to transfer you. It’s company policy. What is the call regarding?” What did Ruby do that ensured her calls needed to be vetted? Even his own PA, Marie wasn’t this tough on private callers.

“I wanted to surprise her. Lydia, it is Lydia, yes?”

“Yes.” She had a soft voice. She sounded young, and he imagined her to be pretty…as pretty as Suzie, but telephone voices could be deceiving. Probably about fifty, married and looked like a dragon, knowing Steve’s luck. He’d have to ask Ruby about Lydia.

“My name’s Steve, and I’m family. We’ve not seen each other in a while; I’d like to surprise her, even if it is on the phone,” Steve said, trying to convey his smile down the line. “Can you trust me on this one? I’ll owe you big time.” A loud tannoy sounded over the arrivals lounge.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear you. There’s a lot of noise in the background,” Lydia said.

“Sorry, I’m at the airport. I’ve just landed.”

“Oh, okay.” Steve had to hand it to Lydia, he understood why she was doing her job properly. He’d often relied on a good receptionist’s vigilance to keep the prying paparazzi from finding out he was staying in a hotel. “So you’re definitely not trying to sell something?” She giggled. It was infectious. If only she knew who she was really speaking to, would she be so at ease?

Steve chuckled. “I promise, hand on my heart, I’m not trying to sell her anything.”

“Okay, I’ll try her line for you.” There was silence, then Lydia came back on the line. “I’m sorry, sir, she’s not in her office at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?”

“No, no, I’ll try again later.” Steve grabbed his case as it finally passed him.

“She’ll be leaving around six tonight. Try her at home after then, maybe?”

“Yes, I’ll do that, thanks for your help. Oh and please don’t mention that I called. Like I said, I want to surprise her.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” Lydia said, then, more hesitantly, “Will we get to meet you?”

“Um, I’m not sure yet. That’ll be up to Ruby. But if we do, I owe you a drink. Thanks for your help, Lydia. It’s been nice talking to you.” Even though disappointment lingered in his thoughts, his spirits had been lifted with his brief conversation with Lydia. She hadn’t known who he was, so had reacted to him normally. If only life could be that simple, maybe he could find a girlfriend.

Steve slipped his phone into his inside pocket and headed through passports and customs. When planning his journey, he’d thought about catching a domestic flight to Bristol, but instead decided he’d hire a car. Driving on the motorway was a better way to stay low and get lost in a crowd.

Steve had ensured he’d drunk enough coffee to keep him awake for the two hour car journey. He needn’t have worried. Concentrating on staying left whilst fighting his way onto the M4 was enough to keep him fully alert. He didn’t remember the British as maniac drivers. Wasn’t the speed limit seventy?

How come they were all doing ninety?

He turned the radio on, tuned into Radio One, and although he no longer recognised the DJs, turned up the volume. It wouldn’t be long, and he’d be home.

***

Alone in his hotel suite Steve took his phone out of his pocket, and checked for messages. None.

Why did he keep thinking he’d see something from Erica? For Christ’s sake, he needed to get a grip. Erica didn’t want him back, she’d moved on. So should he.

Maybe this proved his skin wasn’t thick enough, he wasn’t used to being a celebrity yet. His fame still hadn’t sunk in. Which was ridiculous; he’d had three big movies now – okay, so he’d only been the male lead in one of them, Perfection, which had increased his profile. It had taken a while to get there, some bad films, some bit parts, his career starting with television shows and adverts initially, earning him a keep, but this was it. He’d just finished filming another lead role, and he had another film lined up on the horizon. His agent promised him filmmakers would be knocking on his door wanting Steve Mason, the new Hollywood hunk, in their movies. He’d never be out of work.

Perfection had been a mixture of action and romance, a box office smash putting him up there with the best of them. Instead of chasing for parts, film makers were chasing him. He’d finally done it after a damned hard slog.

His fame would only grow further now. At the moment, he still had an element of freedom; not everybody knew the face of Steve Mason like they knew Tom Cruise. His name was only starting to spread around Hollywood, and that’s why it was important to see Ruby now. His next movie, Nothing Happened was due out next year and after that, everyone would know Steve Mason’s face.

A quick glance at his watch told him it was half past six. His sister should be home from work. He dialled, and waited, praying it wouldn’t go to her answer phone.

“Hello?” The voice sounded dubious. He was lost for words, momentarily, and she cut in, “If this is one of those bloody sales calls, will you just piss off!”

“No, it’s not a bloody sales call.” Laughter laced his words.

“Who’s that?”

“Ruby, it’s me.”

“Who’s me?” she said impatiently.

“Steve.”

“Steve…Where are you?”

“The Hilton in Bristol.”

“No you’re not. Where are you really?” she said dryly.

He laughed. “I am. I swear, The Hilton, Bristol.”

“Which one?” She still didn’t believe him, her tone dubious.

“The one just off the M5.” He sighed, losing his patience.

“Bloody hell! I’ll be right over. I assume you’d prefer to be tucked away in your room?”

“Yeah, for now. We’ll have dinner here, I’ve got a suite.”

“Oh, um, what name should I ask for?”

“You won’t need a name, just come up.” He gave her the room number and ended the call, then started unpacking his things. Not that he’d be able to stay here long. Someone would work out who he really was and before he knew it, the paps would arrive.

***

“Where’s my British brother gone? What’s with the accent?”

Ruby had turned up half an hour later and hugged him. She’d changed so much since the last time he’d seen her. Lost some weight, and cut off all of her hair. It suited her though; she looked like a younger version of their mother with her tomboy hairstyle.

“Well, you tend to pick it up…and I needed to sound less British to get better parts. I have been living in LA fifteen years.”

“Don’t I know it, and you’re brown as a berry.” She gently prodded him. “Is it fake tan?”

“No.”

“Oh, well, you’ll soon lose that here. It’s turned so cold. So, what brings you home?”

“You.”

A stab of guilt hit him, realising his agent had encouraged him to visit Ruby. It hadn’t come from Steve; hadn’t entered his thoughts initially, as he was still carrying a slight niggle of resentment about his mother’s death. Damn, he was really glad to be here.

“Me?” Ruby said with disbelief.

“Let’s order some food and then we can talk,” Steve said, finding the room service menu. This was going to be tough. He hardly knew her now, but he wanted to get some time back with her. Catch up, talk about things. Mum, even Erica. Could he tell Ruby about Erica?

The room service arrived and Ruby and Steve sat around the small table. Ruby insisted she didn’t want wine, she’d drive home as she needed her car for work the next morning.

“So,” Ruby put her fork down and rested her elbow on the table, “when does your next film start?”

“Starts shooting in three months. Marie will let me know when they send the revised script through.”

“Marie?”

“She’s my personal assistant.”

“Is she pretty?”

“She’s forty-nine and married with two teenage kids.” He looked at her dead pan.

Ruby rolled her eyes. “Okay, so for someone who’s worth a million dollars, you’re looking pretty miserable. What’s up with you?”

“You read the papers, right?”

“Not really – full of tripe most of the time. Quick glimpse at OK or Hello when I’m in the hairdressers, but that’s about it. Oh, and I might catch the front pages of the newspapers before they head up to the rooms. But I don’t like reading stuff about you.” She shrugged.

“I was seeing Erica Kealey. We met filming Perfection.” During the making of the movie a passion had been ignited within them – it hadn’t helped they’d had a lot of love scenes. On and off the set, they couldn’t get enough of one another. Steve had believed Erica was his soul mate.

“The Erica Kealey? Wow! I did see you were going to marry your leading lady and was wondering where my wedding invite was, admittedly.” Ruby scowled.

“Yeah, well, we broke up.” Over a year later, when they’d made wedding plans for next spring – albeit loose ones, then she’d ended it all. She hadn’t even given him a backwards glance.

“When?”

“About two months ago – and now it appears she has a thing for her current leading man.” After their sudden break up, Erica had drifted to another man’s bed. She had moved on easier than Steve.