CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
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JAMES
“I need your help,” I started saying. I didn’t even give them a chance to have a bite of their food. “Emma’s had people camping outside her flat and was harassed at work. I don’t want this to complicate things for her.”
Jack nodded. “Yes, I read it online and saw a couple of photos.”
“How can we stop it?” I asked. The call I just had with her was gruelling. Her voice, usually cheery, sounded deflated, as if this was taking a toll on her. I couldn’t let that happen.
“Let me ask Jane’s people if we can start the plans. This should take the brunt of focus away and make them forget about Emma,” Jack answered.
Michael piped in, “It doesn’t mean they will leave her alone. As far as the social media are concerned, she could easily be an illicit love affair.”
I sat and held my head between my hands. I had never meant to involve Emma in the craziness of my life. Regret swirled in my gut. What had I been thinking?
“Okay, if we can, start the plans as soon as possible,” I stated, not looking at any of them.
Michael stood and patted my back. “It’ll be fine. Don’t worry. We could maybe even start today. Right, Jack?”
“Yes, of course. We could give the exclusive to the journalist you had a disagreement with. We’ll give the details to Helen as soon as we have them. Until then, don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” Jack winked.
Michael straightened his suit jacket as Jack finished his drink. They then both left without saying anything else, leaving me to finish the shoot. I left the matter in their hands, and I should have felt relieved that it was being taken care of, but I couldn’t stop wishing I was back in Scotland, reassuring Emma that everything would be fine.
Minutes later, Helen called with the details of my afternoon’s commitments. First, it was a walk through the children’s hospital where I’d sign a few autographs and have a few pictures taken. Then in the evening, I had a meal with Jane at a well-known Italian restaurant. Paparazzi would be outside waiting to take pictures of us. It would be only minutes before everyone knew about us. Hopefully the “James isn’t a dick” campaign would work its magic.
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Some people would’ve thought that going for a drink and going wild would be the best way to relieve stress. That was what I would’ve done before. But it wasn’t what I needed, and Ralph knew this.
He drove in silence, both of us struggling with our own thoughts. The long drive, the movement of the car, and the tiredness that consumed me lured me into a fitful sleep.
I woke up with a little cold finger jabbing me in the cheek.
“I think he’s dead,” a voice said. I desperately wanted to open my eyes, but the last couple of days had taken a toll on me and my body begged for more sleep.
“He’s not dead. Look, he’s drooling. Dead people don’t drool,” another voice said, this one with a higher pitch. The small hand that pressed against my cheek made me flinch and open my eyes suddenly. Two little girls in similar checked pyjamas stood in front of me, their eyes wide like saucers.
“Girls, leave him alone.”
“Okay, Daddy,” they both said, and ran inside the house.
“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. I can see you’ve met Paige and Sadie.”
“It was a pleasure to make their acquaintance,” I said, rubbing my neck. Falling asleep in a car was always uncomfortable. “How long was I asleep?”
“Not long, a couple of hours maybe. Although I had to turn up the music. Your snoring distracted me.”
I tried pushing him, but because I was still half asleep, it became more of a nudge.
“Come on, man. My mom has coffee ready, and pancakes and bacon.”
Since Ralph’s wife died, they had been living with his mother outside the city. He needed help watching the girls, and for her to commute every day had become a nuisance.
Ralph had his room in the basement and the girls slept in the converted attic. I’d never been to their house before, but the homey place reminded me of my mother’s. I would have to give her a call soon.
After eating breakfast, the girls ran to the backyard in their pyjamas and wellie boots to play, and Ralph led the way to the basement.
“Prepare to be amazed.” He chuckled as we walked down the stairs. The place was converted into a decent-sized bachelor pad, with an enormous black leather couch and a flat-screen TV that took almost a whole wall.
“Fancy a beer?” he said, standing beside a mini fridge.
“Go on. Did you do this all by yourself?”
“Nah, Hugh helped. I used some of the cash from the sale of the house, and we extended this house. Now it’s big enough for all of us.”
“That’s kind of cool.” I nodded in agreement, while I caught the can of beer he threw towards me.
“Now, this will surprise you.” He left his beer on top of the coffee table and walked towards a cabinet. He opened it and indicated inside, as if showing a prize.
“Voilà,” he said, chuffed with himself. He indicated the new gaming machine.
“How did you get that? They’re not even on sale yet.” Even though I was more of a PlayStation man, I was still surprised. He looked embarrassed.
With a sheepish look, he said, “Helen got it organised for me. She told them it was for you. I hope you don’t mind.”
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing; it was unexpected, but hilarious nonetheless.
“I don’t mind at all. Very sneaky of you. But very clever. Not many people get things for free,” I said, still struggling to drink my beer without choking.
His face was deadpan. “I didn’t get it for free.” He was right; it was already making me feel better. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched his face fall. He must have paid a small fortune for it.
“Next time tell me, maybe I can sweet talk a deal. Now, tell me what games have you got.”
I took a seat on the couch and waited for Ralph to retrieve a small wicker box that contained all the games.
“I have a football one, wrestling, racing,” he said, as he pulled each game out.
“Oh, man, you have the WWE one?”
“Yeah, we’ll play this one. Can you get the controllers while I get it ready?” He pointed to a shelf. “They’re inside that red box on your left,” he said, reading my thoughts.
We sat down on the couch, beers within arm’s length, controllers in hand. As the welcoming music of the game started, the girls burst in the room, the two of them talking at the same time.
Ralph paused the game. “Girls, girls. One at a time, please.”
“Can we go to Marisa’s house? She and Phoebe have a new puppy,” Paige shouted, speaking fast with excitement.
“Do they? Okay, but make sure you’re back for dinner.”
“Okay, Daddy,” they shouted in unison, giggling as they ran up the stairs.
“Who’s Marisa?”
Ralph took a while to answer. I nudged him, knowing he was ignoring my question.
“Just the next-door neighbour. She moved in with her daughter a couple of weeks ago.”
“Oh really? And why are you blushing? You like her,” I said, taunting him. “Ask her out.”
He shook his head and unpaused the game, making it obvious that the subject was closed.
After a couple of hours of Ralph beating me to a pulp, we took a break to order some Chinese food.
“What’s the plan?” Ralph asked, after putting the phone back on the charger.
I knew what he meant, but I deflected, not ready to deal with how much I’d really screwed up. “We could play the football game for a while. It would give me a chance to regain my pride.”
“I was meaning about Emma.” He admitted, “I know you like her.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know, man.”