Page 29 of A Class Act

‘Well, it’s of the utmost importance you speak to Julius before you go, Fabian,’ Gillian Carrington said, almost crossly. ‘Youknowwhat about. He’s looking for you.’

‘I’d really quite like to have some time off work…’

‘You know as well as I do that the Carringtons pride themselves on always being available for their clients.’

‘Not today they don’t,’ Fabian said firmly. ‘I’ve shown my face here, Mum, and I’ll mingle and be polite, but I’m not extending that politeness to any work business?—’

‘As you wish, Fabian,’ Gillian interrupted icily. ‘Your mind is obviously on other things this afternoon, but Iwouldappreciate your having a word with Lucinda, and you absolutelyhaveto speak with Julius. Now, I need to get back to overseeing the food – people will be becoming hungry. And, donotforget, Fabian, you’ve the speech to make re the charity for which you’re the patron.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Shall we say in an hour? Over by the pergola?’ And without another word, or eye contact, she walked quickly away from us.

Fabian was angry. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here,’ he snapped. ‘I’m sorry to put you through that. She’s insufferable – always has been.’

I shrugged. ‘You can’t go anywhere. You’ve your speech to make. Look, I don’t mindanyoneasking about my heritage – it’s something I’m very proud of and more than happy to explain – but, unfortunately, it’s the way that some people – including your mother – use the question to belittle as well as to reveal their ignorance and prejudice. And,’ I went on as Fabian put out a hand to me, ‘I’m sorry if on first meeting your mother I’ve ended up calling her ignorant…’ I trailed off. ‘It wasn’t my intention.’

Fabian put both arms around me, kissing the top of my head, obviously upset at his mother’s behaviour.

‘Fabian, it’s fine,’ I said, ‘really, but you need to know that your continuing in a relationship with me is not going to be easy. Already, I’ve encountered quite unpleasant disapproval from your brother, and now your mother as well. All I’m saying is that you’re probably better off with a private-school-and-Oxford-educated southerner whose father’s something in the City.’

‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, stop it, Robyn, you’re doing it again:Pride and Prejudicecould have been written about you – you’ve got both in spades. Ignore my brother and my mother. They’ll adore you once they get to know you, and if they don’t…’ He broke off as Julius Carrington appeared in front of us.

‘Hello, Robyn, how lovely to see you again.’ He slurred the words. ‘And, goodness, don’t you look stunning?’ Julius’s hand was immediately on my backside, alcohol-laden breath on my cheek. ‘I can certainly see what my brother sees in you,’ he whispered wetly into my ear, ‘although I bet you’ve not got round to telling him?—’

‘Get your hands off her,’ Fabian snapped, pushing Julius roughly away so that some guests standing nearby turned and stared.

Julius stumbled slightly but stood his ground, both hands held upwards in apparent supplication. He moved further towards Fabian, one finger now pointing and almost touching his half-brother’s collar, determination emanating from every aspect of his stance and voice. ‘Fabian,’ he growled, lowering his voice to exclude me from the conversation, ‘you appear not to be answering my phone calls. I need to know – we, the family, need to know – what your intentions are regarding Henderson-Smith…’

Henderson-Smith? My head shot up instantly at the name that had been splashed across every newspaper. Rupert Henderson-Smith, who had finally been tracked down andarrested after the savage rape and murder of six women in London.

‘Henderson-Smith?’I stared at Fabian. ‘The Soho Slasher? You’re not going to be defending Rupert Henderson-Smith?’

‘Not now, Robyn.’ Fabian took my shoulder to steer me away from Julius.

‘How interesting, Fabian, thatsheof all people appears quite horrified at the thought of you?—’

‘“She of all people”?’ I hissed furiously, all the pent-up nervousness from the afternoon now morphed into the anger I was feeling, not only at the treatment of myself by both Gillian and Julius Carrington, but also the utter dismay that Fabian was even considering taking on the defence of this high-society alleged murderer. ‘What the hell do you mean, “she of all people”?’

‘You need to ask that?’ Julius sneered. ‘Withyourfamily history?’ He shook his head in apparent mock despair.

‘What family history? What are you talking about?’ Fabian turned to me. ‘Robyn?’

I closed my eyes for a second before taking Fabian’s hand in my own.

And waited for the sky to fall in on me.

11

‘What, you mean you’ve not told him, Robyn?’ Julius tutted dramatically, his eyes gleaming, not only with the excess alcohol he’d obviously put away, but the sheer malicious delight at being the one about to spill the beans.

‘Robyn?’ Fabian said once more. ‘What? Whatis it?’ He let go of the hand I’d placed in his.

Julius actually laughed out loud now. ‘I suppose telling your barrister boyfriend that you come from murdering stock isn’t the best way to cement a relationship. Oh no! And not great for his career and the Carrington family name. Hmm?’ Julius returned his hand to my backside, patting it lasciviously. ‘And I can see you’ve got your claws well into Fabian… seen where he comes from.’ Julius now moved his hand in the direction of the beautiful house, gardens and swimming pool. ‘Bet you didn’t want to give up on all of this, or the chance it might come your way one day? Yep,’ he added as Fabian started to propel me away, ‘ask her about her murdering grandfather – not one, but two?—’

‘Fuck off, Julius.’ Fabian grabbed my hand, ushering me down to the car, oblivious to friends and guests who put out hands of greeting, wanting him to stop and chat.

‘Get in,’ he snapped.

‘Don’t order me about,’ I retaliated.

‘Why is everything such a fight with you, Robyn?’ Fabian was pale apart from two spots of colour in his cheeks. He turned the ignition and reversed quickly, ignoring a well-dressed middle-aged couple with a beautiful redhead – the newly called to the bar Lucinda? – who were on the point of knocking on the car window to get his attention, scattering them to one side instead. Fabian turned out of the gate and set off at speed before indicating and parking up in a lay-by as soon as he saw the opportunity. He killed the engine.

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