The Boleyn Effect (The Boorman Ending) Page 7

  George watches me sign and with a deep breath gets to his feet and signs his name also. This is it. The game is well and truly on. We are about to help some woman hang her husband and I'm just the rope to do it.

  'So it's all official,' I say trying to keep the tone light.

  'I suppose it is.' He says. 'Look Leigh, your safety is paramount. If you want out then we tear this up and forget it.'

  'Why would I feel unsafe?' I ask.

  I am getting nervous. Why didn't he mention this before I signed?

  'I mean emotionally hurt,' he answers.

  I start to laugh with relief. 'Don't worry. It's a game. Trust me this heart is well and truly guarded.'

  'Make sure it is. Leigh it's really important that if you do this that you understand timing is important. You can't rush this. It's six months for a reason. It took Anne Boleyn three years. He has to love you, none of this lust shit, but real love. Six months is your deadline any earlier and it won't work and you still lose.'

  I don't really understand what he means, but I am sure it's all about this thesis. He wants it to be authentic. A real case study and so it's got to be right.

  'I understand,' I answer.

  'And Leigh, when this is over then it's over. Harry can't keep you.'

  'OK,' I whisper.

  'Leigh!' he warns.

  'Yes, it's over. He can't keep me.'

  Later that day, I have no choice but to contact Katherine and arrange another meeting. To my dismay she asks me to meet her at her office that day. Shit, the gods must have it in for me. Maybe that is my sign. The contract is still fresh in my mind and I am nervous about seeing her. But I must remember that I am doing her a favour, she doesn't know it yet.

  An hour later, I am standing in the most amazing office I've ever stood in. I thought the Gaskills stank of money, but here is where money and power really sits. This is an empire and I'm messing with half of it. No wonder Harry quipped about him being the gold digger.

  After being led into the room by some high heeled pencil skirted secretary, I have no choice but to take in my surroundings. There are the usual Apple products on display upon a glass and chrome desk. Also I spy a few framed pictures of Katherine and Harry on some boat looking sun kissed and happy and another one of them at some posh party. This is the reality of the situation. My competition. The woman I need to outshine.

  The door opens and in she walks. Dressed head to foot in a navy blue suit with black patent high heels. With her hair tied neatly and tight on her head, I find myself aware of my cheap casual Primarni clothes.

  'Have you been offered a drink?' she asks as she sweeps in.

  'Yes, thanks. I'm sorry I've had to cancel. I've had some unexpected appointments,' I say.

  Katherine sits down with a warm smile on her face.

  'It's not a problem. I know what it's like running your own business. So have you managed to put some ideas together?' she asks.

  Sitting down, I start to go over the ideas I've come up with. This has been one of the hardest things I've ever done. But this is business. My business and I take it very seriously, because my reputation as a good photographer is vital. But planning how I am going to make this woman look seductive and sexy for the husband I'm trying to snare proves difficult.

  I tell her that I am able to make an arrangement with an hotelier who would loan me one of his suites for an afternoon. There, using the four poster bed, I'd create a tasteful portrait for her husband. Her excited face tells me that I've hit gold with my idea. She asks me if I need her to bring anything and I just tell her to go underwear shopping and we'd take it from there.

  'You know if this comes off, I would love to invest in a gallery show for you. I can create so many contacts for you.'

  What is it with everyone throwing money at me today?

  I can't go into any more business with her, even though I know I will benefit so much from her friendship. This is the bit I hate, where business and pleasure clash. I am not a total bitch. Even if it will benefit me, I am not into using people.

  'That would be great, but you don't have to,' I say.

  'Leigh, it would be my pleasure. Now are we going to set a date for this shoot?'

  I grab my phone and check my free dates. The quicker I do this the better it will be.

  'I can do next week if that's ok. I'll have to double check about the room, but it should be fine.'

  Katherine doesn't even look at her diary as she confirms the date. Wow, I'd love to that be that organised. It's the reason I need Clair.

  'I also hear that you have put a bid in for the graduation gig?'

  'Yes I have,' I say.

  'Did you know my husband is the Dean? Maybe I could swing it to your advantage. A wife always has ways of convincing their husbands,' she smiles.

  The words are sticking in my throat. With everything going on, the graduation contract had slipped my mind. As well as the mere fact that I could manipulate Harry myself for the same outcome. Could I really use this opportunity to further my own career?

  'Thank you,' I manage.

  'Now I'm hungry. Have you got time for a bit of lunch?'

  'I'm a little snowed under,' I start to say, but seeing disappointment in her face I begin to soften.

  I have no idea how she manages to do it. Both her and Harry have so much charm offensive, I would hate to go up against them both full on.

  'I'm sure I can shuffle things around.'

  'Great,' she smiles.

  Sitting the restaurant, she talks and talks. I wonder if she's got any real friends to talk to. It's confusing to feel sympathy for her, never mind like her. She seems so warm and open. She just wants to be friends.

  She's found something in me that she can connect with and that disturbs me a little. Despite wanting a way to leave her husband, there's a part of me that wonders how much she must still love him. And if that's the case then I am the last person she should be connecting with. As an intelligent woman she should sense the threat, but then being a brunette maybe that's why she doesn't see it.

  'Mary has a lot of good things to say about you,' she says. 'I know she would love it if you and George got together.'

  I must say I am surprised that Mary likes me that much. I just figured she just put up with me so not upset her son. But to wish she and he got together is another thing altogether.

  'I don't think Thomas would be too happy,' I say. 'It's only just bearable that George and I are just friends in his eyes.'

  'So if not George is there someone else you've got your eye on?' she asks.

  An innocent question, but still I wonder if she can see right through me.

  'Men just get in the way when you're building an empire,' I joke.

  She giggles into her wine. She never struck me as a giggler, but Harry causes me to giggle. Maybe it's him. Anyway, she's opened the questioning so here I go with mine.

  'Tell me about you and...Harry is it?'

  'What can I tell you? We met and it was love at first sight. Well for me anyway. He was such a catch, young and rebellious and very very good-looking. Still is...in my eyes at least. He was with someone else when we first met, and then a year later and both young free and single we got together. Six weeks later we were married. My father was furious and didn't think it would last, but here we are,' she answers. 'Still in love and still as rampant as ever.'

  The glass freezes at my lips mid sip and I find myself forcing the glass back to the table. That I didn't expect. These mixed signals from both her and George are confusing. This is not a woman who wants to leave her husband. Maybe she just wants to catch him with his trousers down and give him a large sharp shock.

  'What about kids?' I manage to ask.

  A dark shadow passes in her eyes and I swallow down my sudden nerves. A sore point no doubt and I wonder where the problem lies.

  'The only thing we've not been blessed with. Not through want and trying,' she says.

  'I'm sorry,' I mutter, feeling a little
bad.

  'Don't worry about it. Sometimes Mother Nature can be cruel. We could have adopted, but we decided to focus on just being with each other,' she smiles. 'Look, I've an idea. One of my friends is having a fancy dress birthday party at the weekend. Would you come and be the photographer. I'll pay you; it'll be my gift to her. Bring a date or George whichever.'

  'That sounds great. What is the theme?' I ask.

  'Fairy Tales; she's a little obsessed,' Katherine answers.

  'That's not a problem. I can do a video slide show in that theme and put it on disk. What do you think?'

  'That's why I asked. You just seem to know what people want. I'll email you the details. She will love it.'

  My phone beeps. I quickly glance at the message preview and my heart nearly jumps into my mouth. It's from Harry.

  'Missing you. When can we do lunch again? Always your friend. H xx'

  'You ok?' Katherine asks as I push the phone into my pocket.

  I need to change the settings on this damn phone so there is no message preview. It was damn lucky I'd left it in my pocket, because I usually would have chucked it on the table. That would have made things awkward.

  'Yes, it's just my assistant wondering where I am?'

  'Well I'd best let you go and continue with your empire building,' she smiles indicating to the waiter for the bill.

  Grabbing my purse, she stops me.

  'Go, this is my treat.'

  'No I can't,' I protest.

  'Seriously, go and sort out your assistant. I've got this and when you make it big then you can repay me.'

  I rush out of the restaurant and gasp for air. I really believe my heart is going to stop, but I am also excited. The thrill of getting caught is exhilarating and the problem with thrills is that they can quickly become addictive.

  I pull the phone out of my pocket and re-read the message and the thrill ripples through me once more. I can't wait for this party.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  I don't answer Harry's text, purely because I know I will see him that weekend. I want him to be eager to see me. The anticipation can make the whole thing so much sweeter. I am making him wait. My feelings towards Katherine and those towards Harry are conflicting interests that I'm struggling to get my head around.

  I know Harry is a cheating arsehole, but his presence is addictive and I can't get enough of it. My body responds to every bit of him when we are close. I've never known sexual connection be that strong before and it's unnerving and a little unsteadying. I must remember that this is all for Katherine and Harry is just a target. With the party now in sight there's a plan that I can't wait to put in action.

  George has arranged for me to take a date to the party. Someone he knows fancies me like hell. It's really a simple idea. I take a date then it will surely stir up jealousy within Harry and so up the stakes. When jealousy comes into the mix, it makes the person realise their feelings, but it also a dangerous emotion to play with, but I think I can handle it. This wouldn't happen if I took George, because Harry already knows that George is no threat, but someone younger and fitter will make him sit up and notice.

  Anne Boleyn was in love with another man before Henry and he was Thomas Percy. It was rumoured that they married in secret, only to have it annulled by Worsley. When she had the King's attention, she also had many other men's in Court. This drove jealous Henry mad. But there is no Percy in my life or an over ambitious Cardinal and Harry by no means is a king or may not even be a jealous man. I am just one of many girls he could have. Maybe not even that special yet in his mind. He's just some rich intelligent man, who is now in the middle of a game created by myself and George. This gamble is all in the hope that we have read Harry's personality right.

  My costume is Red Riding Hood consisting of a skimpy little red dress, hooded cape and white over-the-knee stockings. Innocence mixed with naughty is always a thumbs up when it comes to men. They love it.

  My partner will be the wolf of course. His name is Jamie who takes the same classes as George and that's all I really know. It makes me nervous, because he has no idea of the game and I hope that he was not going to end up putting me at risk.

  When he arrives, he holds the wolf head under his arm and he seems a nice, good looking guy in a model sort of a way. Too square jawed for me and another guy who has succumbed to the floppy hair in order to appeal to the younger woman. We both climb into the taxi and engage in polite chit chat, talking about what we both do, interests, even the damn weather.

  'I couldn't believe it when George said you wanted to take me to this thing,' he says.

  'I'm really working, but I thought it'd give us chance to get to know each other,' I answer. 'George said you like me.'

  'Yeah, you're not short of admirers. Every guy is jealous George has a friend like you.'

  I feel myself growing smug, but my insides are also turning as we drive. I am as nervous as hell. This is the first time since this truly began that Harry, Katherine and I will be in the same place. Would he acknowledge that he knows me? It would be interesting to find out.

  Admittedly, I am excited to the bone. I do want to see him again. I love the chemistry. I want to feel the thrill what happens when we are together, but I am also nervous at the possibility of rejection.

  Can I handle him ignoring me as though I wasn't there? Well I suppose I will find out soon enough. I realise that I am picking and tugging at the weave of my basket on my knee and force my fingers to still.

  'Whoa, this is top end,' Jamie admires.

  I look out of the taxi window and agree. A four story town house that stands within a quiet upmarket street of Heslington. It's a place that is close to the other university and in my words leafy. Trees everywhere and open greens. Very posh and a world away from my shambles of a shop and flat.

  A moment of nerves suddenly makes me question my outfit. I'm here as a professional, not a guest. I should have thought about that and not about impressing Harry. This isn't like me. I always need to make a good impression when working, but my sexual ego has taken over. Well it's too late now. I am committed.

  The taxi stops outside and Jamie is the first out, leaving me to pay the fare. I catch the driver's eye through the rear view mirror and he raises his eyebrows.

  'Great,' I mutter. 'How much?'

  'Twelve Fifty, love,' the driver says.

  'You better give me a receipt,' I say handing him over the fare.

  He writes one out and hands it to me. 'I suggest you dump that one love,' he chuckles.

  Seeing Jamie waiting, I realise I'm not even going to get my door opened. I've been pampered by George most of my adult life and I need to realise that not all men are the same. Cursing, I let myself out. If this guy thinks he's getting anything from me then he's in for a shock.

  Katherine is the first to greet us and I start a little at her dress. Wearing a silver fairy godmother costume, she looks stunning and I find that I almost look childish beside her. She greets me warmly and comments about how great I look. I introduce Jamie who is now wearing his wolf head.

  'I'll introduce you to Liza, she is excited as hell.'

  She leads us through the house and I see with relief that there are a few skimpy Snow Whites and Cinderella's. I'm not the only one. The whole house glistens in white and silvers. Even the floors look like polished marble. This Liza must be loaded. I shouldn't really be surprised. During my friendship with George, I have mixed in wealthy circles, but this feels on another level altogether.

  This is feels almost like celebrity wealth. One which can easily snatched away at any moment. There are pictures of who I presume to be Liza. I guess that modelling is the career choice by how professional her poses seem. If I make this good then the contacts created will be immense. Just as a photographer can make a model the same can be said for the other way round. A successful model's endorsement can open plenty of lucrative doors.

  Jamie is at my side and I feel a hand touch my back. He's pushing his luck, but
I don't do anything, because we are meant to be dating and Harry could be anywhere watching.

  'By the way, I know I don't have to say this, but my husband is here—dressed as some old king He doesn't know what I'm planning for our anniversary.'

  'My lips are sealed,' I answer.

  'Liza,' she shouts out and a woman who looks like she was desperately clinging on to her youth turns round. I now see she was once a model. Her younger glory days over and now she's living on what she's sown.

  She is dressed as some princess, but the botox face suggests the evil stepmother wearing the wrong clothes. She looks me up and down and I can see I've become a threat to her. She sees a pretty young thing raining on her parade. The smile she wears is fake as Katherine introduces us.

  'So what will you be doing?' she asks.

  'I'll just be on the outside taking different shots of the party, some individuals etc. Is there anything in particular that you want?' I ask.

  'No, Kat said to trust you, so trust you I will. Help yourself to drink and nibbles.'

  That's it, dismissed as she returns to her more important guests. Katherine takes my arm and gives me a warm smile.

  'Don't take it personally. She's just gone through a messy divorce. Husband ran away with her niece so she's a bit prickly. Make the pictures of her look good and you'll win her round. Now let me introduce you to the king.'

  My heart jumps at both her reference and the fact I will be meeting Harry as his wife's friend. I grab hold of Jamie and place his arm around my waist and I get a surprised look. I need this to look real and he needs to catch up.

  We weave through guests and make our way outside where a chef is cooking at a huge barbeque. The smell of burgers and sausages make my stomach grumble, but it's also nervously twisting as I spot Harry sat chatting to a group of men with a glass of beer in hand.