Finn
“Mr Ormond, call on line two, it’s your mother-in-law.”
Damn! I looked at the phone, trying to decide whether to take the call or not. This was the third time this week that Jennifer had called, and it was beginning to grate. I got that she wanted to stay connected to Lilah, especially after what had happened to Erin, but I was a busy man. This was getting intrusive.
I looked out of my office onto the Melbourne city streets. It was a view that I never tired of. An office on the thirteenth floor, with ceiling to floor windows. In between phone calls and appointments, I would often stare momentarily on that view, getting my thoughts together for the next round of negotiations.
That’s how life played out, when you worked in one of the most prestigious finance centres in Australia. I worked long hours, rarely making it home before nine of an evening, and starting before seven. It was the only way to stay on top of the game. Sure, I was a very wealthy man, but I never wanted to rest on my laurels. Besides, work had helped ease the pain, after what had happened to Erin.
The phone buzzed again, the red light flashing insistently. That’s right, the call. Sighing heavily, I picked up the receiver, pressing the button to connect it.
“Jennifer.” I put my feet up on the desk. “Third time this week. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Finn.” Jennifer’s voice sounded crackly, as if she was speaking through a tunnel. Well, she was calling from Washington, in the States. “Michael and I have been discussing things a bit further. I wanted to keep you abreast.” I frowned. What was she up to? Or rather, what were both of my in-laws up to?
“Abreast of what, Jennifer?” I tapped my fingers impatiently on the desk. “I’ve told you everything about how Lilah is coping. I’ve said you are both welcome to come and visit any time you like.”
“Yes, we realise that.” Jennifer paused. I strained to hear. “Only – and don’t get mad at this, Finn – we think that perhaps it should be the other way around. Lilah should come to us.” A pause. “Permanently.”
I swung my legs off the desk, sitting upright. “Permanently?”
I could hear the sigh on the other end of the line. “We know you do the best you can, Finn. It’s been so hard for you, since Erin died. But you work so much. Lilah is left all alone, without her mother and her father. It can’t be good for her.”
“Now, wait a goddamn minute.” I felt a fission of fear prickle down my spine. “You aren’t taking Lilah! She’s just lost her mother, for Christ’s sake. She can’t lose her father as well. She’s only four years old.”
“That’s exactly the point, Finn.” Jennifer’s voice was rising. “She’s only four years old. She’s just lost her mother. She needs stability – which Michael and I can provide. We are both retired now, we have the time to devote to her. You don’t.”
“I spend time with her…” I trailed off. I knew she was right. I didn’t spend nearly enough time with her. But I was a busy man, and she had a nanny, didn’t she?
I thought of Amber, the nanny. Twenty-three years old. American. She had been in our employ for a year now, and was doing an excellent job. Very mature for her age, she had been wonderful with Lilah since Erin’s death.
But she wasn’t her mother. And she would leave one day, like they always did. She would go back to the States to keep studying for her degree from Harvard Law School. She was only taking a break to save up more tuition fees.
Amber. She was an attractive girl, I had always been aware of it. Tall and athletic, she had the most amazing legs. And then there was her hair, long and chocolate colored…
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. What on earth was I doing? Getting distracted by lustful thoughts of the nanny! I suppose it was inevitable, that the old stirrings would return one day. It had been six months since Erin’s death, after all. But it was neither the time or the place.
“Finn?” Jennifer’s voice was impatient. “Are you still there?”
“I’m still here.” What was I going to say to her?
The Morgan’s were a wealthy family in America. They had influence. If they wanted to battle for Lilah, they might win. But I was also influential – I was a billionaire, for Christ’s sake. From one of the most influential families in Australia. I could give them a run for their money. I sighed, wishing it hadn’t come to this.
“Finn.” Jennifer spoke again. “We are going to fight for custody of her. She needs stability.”
“What about if things were different?” I hardly knew where I was going with this. I just knew I needed to pacify her.
“What things?” Jennifer sounded confused.
“What about if I can give her the stability?” I rushed on, not thinking it through properly. “Just give me a little more time, Jennifer. I will call you back before the week is out.”
“Finn…”
“I’ve got to go, Jennifer. We will discuss this further – I’m taking you seriously. Just promise you won’t do anything before I speak to you again, okay?”
I heard a heavy sigh on the other end of the line. “Okay. But Finn – it would have to be something that would set our minds at rest, permanently. Otherwise we will start proceedings. Lilah deserves nothing less.”
“I know.” I balanced the receiver on the crook of my shoulder, thinking frantically. “We all want what’s best for Lilah. Speak soon.”
I hung up, staring out the window. But this time I wasn’t seeing Melbourne’s streets. I was trying desperately to hatch a plan. They couldn’t take her. She was my daughter, the last piece of Erin I possessed. I loved her, and I wanted her with me.
I thought of Amber, the nanny, again. Saving for her tuition fees to her Ivy League school. She would appreciate extra money for that purpose.
I stood up, walking toward the windows. Outside, trams rattled east and west through the city. The trees wavered in the wind, and pedestrians were turning the collars up on their coats. It was going to be another cold winter. Melbourne was famous for them.
My little girl needed a mother. At least for a little while, to get Jennifer and Michael off my back. And Amber needed money.
The pieces of the puzzle were slowly slotting to place in my mind. But would Amber agree to it?