For The Sake Of His Child

‘Yes-yes, tell him that.’

Gina signed. Mummy says she hopes you’re being a good boy and she loves you very much.

‘Joey says, where are you?’

‘I’m in Los Angeles.’

‘He wants to know if you miss him.’

‘Of course I miss him. He’s my darling little son.’

Gina signed this accurately, and Joey beamed.

It was hard but she kept some sort of conversation going, prompting Angelica when she was stuck. Once she knew what was expected of her, Angelica got into the role, managing to say more or less the right things. And occasionally Gina embellished, to make the other woman’s faltering remarks sound better. Joey was in seventh heaven.

Then the front door opened and Carson came in.

He nodded a greeting to Gina, and headed for the kitchen.

‘Wait,’ Gina called to him. ‘It’s your ex-wife on the line. Just a moment.’ She turned back to the receiver. ‘Joey says-’

Carson seemed to become aware of what was happening. A slight frown creased his forehead as Gina relayed Angelica’s words, suitably edited, back to the child.

‘Mummy has to go now, but she says she loves you-Joey says he loves you too, very much, and he wants to know when-’

She broke off as Carson snatched the phone from her. ‘Brenda, what the hell are you playing at?’

Gina shepherded Joey away. Luckily he was too happy to be troubled by his father’s abrupt action. She tried not to eavesdrop but Carson didn’t bother to lower his voice.

‘I told you to deal through my lawyer-and don’t give me that yearning mother act, because I’m not fooled any more. I was fooled for years-about that and a few other things-but not now.’

He hung up sharply and swung around to Gina. ‘I ought to ask what the hell you imagine you’re playing at,’ he said furiously. ‘Do you think I can’t see through that little farce? Brenda, sending loving messages to her son! I’ll bet she was never so surprised in her life.’

‘But it meant the world to him-’

‘Got his hopes up, you mean. How will he feel when she doesn’t follow through? Did you stop to think of that?’

‘No,’ she admitted, dismayed. ‘I just wanted to give him a little happiness. I didn’t think about afterwards. I’m sorry.’

‘Of all the stupid-!’

Then he realised his son was watching him.

‘Hello, son.’ Joey couldn’t hear the words, but he saw his father’s hand outstretched to him. Carson’s manner was awkward, but there was affection in the way he ruffled the boy’s hair. And when Joey’s arms went around him Carson returned the embrace fiercely. Gina caught a glimpse of his face before he bent it over Joey’s head, and she looked quickly away.

She hadn’t been meant to see the mixture of unhappiness and helpless love in Carson’s face. That was for his child, if he could find the way to show it.

‘We’ve eaten,’ she said, following him into the kitchen. ‘But I’ll make you something.’

‘What’s happened to Mrs Saunders?’

‘She’s in hospital. She went out-to do some shopping, I suppose-and was knocked down in the street. It’s not serious, but she’ll be there for a few days.’

‘A few days?’ he echoed, aghast. ‘Damn! I’m sorry she’s hurt, of course, but she had no right to leave Joey alone here, even for a moment.’

‘I agree. But he managed brilliantly. He remembered my address from the other day, wrote it down and found himself a taxi. He’s a really bright child.’

‘Yes, he knew exactly who to head for, didn’t he?’ he asked heavily.

To her astonishment, she realised that he was hurt. He hadn’t wanted his meeting interrupted, but it hurt him that Joey hadn’t even tried.

‘He knows how busy you are-’ she began.

He flung her a look. ‘Don’t rub it in. Just tell me what’s going to happen now-without Mrs Saunders.’

‘Well, obviously I’m going to be here until she returns,’ Gina said lightly. ‘I thought you’d have decided that already.’

‘I-was going to ask you if you’d consider taking us on for a while,’ Carson said, picking his words carefully. ‘You seem to be able to cope with anything.’

She smiled. ‘I guess I can cope with you and Joey.’

‘What, both of us?’ he asked, rallying his defences.

‘Both of you. Joey’s the easy one.’

‘Thank you,’ he said with a touch of ruefulness. ‘I don’t know how I’d manage if you weren’t here.’

She scribbled a number on a piece of paper, and gave it to him.

‘That’s George Wainright’s home number. You can settle it with him while I put Joey to bed.’

He regarded her askance. ‘Think you’ve got me sized up, don’t you?’

‘Well, it’s not difficult,’ she said indignantly. ‘I just take it for granted that your juggernaut will ride on over us all, and I get it right every time.’

‘And you think that’s all I am? A juggernaut?’

No, she thought, remembering the first day. There was something else in him, something that had seen the funny side of their collision and behaved generously, tried awkwardly to reach out to her, and then drawn back hastily. Something she wanted to know more about.

‘I think you’re a juggernaut when it suits you,’ she said.

‘And you think it suits me a lot, don’t you?’

‘Since you’re virtually my employer now, it wouldn’t be proper for me to answer that question.’

‘And do you always do what’s proper?’

‘You know I don’t. That’s why I’m in trouble at work-because I told you off.’

Suddenly his attractive smile broke out. ‘Say what you like. I won’t tell on you.’

She couldn’t help answering the smile. ‘I’m going to put Joey to bed. Why don’t you make that phone call?’

‘Whatever you say.’

She came down half an hour later, having seen Joey nod off contentedly. Carson was waiting for her. ‘Can we talk?’

‘I’m afraid it’ll have to be later. If I’m going to stay here I’ve got to dash home and get some clothes.’

‘Will you be long?’

‘I’ll try not to be. A couple of hours, maybe.’

‘I’ll drive you-no, I can’t leave Joey alone, can I? It’s a pity he’s already in bed-’

‘Carson,’ she said gently, ‘sooner or later you’re going to have to learn to be alone with him.’

‘Yes.’ He grimaced. ‘I don’t come out of this very well, do I?’

‘You’re trying to do your best.’

‘My best seems to consist of clinging onto you. I guess he’s not the only one holding your hand.’

‘Well, I have a very steady hand,’ she assured him. ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can.’

Her little flat was a world away from Carson’s luxurious mansion, but it was her own, and when she’d hastily packed a suitcase she gave a regretful glance around.

‘Just a couple of days,’ she assured herself. ‘Then I’ll be back.’

The streets were clear and she managed the journey fairly quickly. Even so, she arrived to find him standing in the porch, watching for her anxiously.

‘Joey awoke and found you gone,’ he said. ‘He thought you’d abandoned him. I tried to reassure him, but I-I can’t reach him.’

From behind him Gina could hear moaning. She hurried past and saw Joey sitting on the stairs, his arms wrapped around his knees, rocking back and forth in misery. Tears poured down his face, and at first even she