The Principle Of Chance (14 page)

‘What do you mean, last time?’ 

‘It wasn’t his first time in our
clinic.’

The things she didn’t know!

‘Al has taken an overdose – he
passed out.’ The doctor continued.

‘Overdose?’

‘Al was taking drugs Monica. We
treated him for drug addiction before.’

‘Drug addiction? Is he ok?’ She
managed to say.

‘He's fine now. I suggest you go
home and try to get some sleep.’ He said. ‘Are you his partner?’

‘Why?’ She asked puzzled.

‘On our records, you are his only
contact.’

‘Oh God!’

‘Has he got any family?’ The doctor
was filling out a form.

‘I think he has a mother who he is
very close to.’

‘I see, do you have her number?’

‘No, I don’t.’ Monica was
speechless. The nurses locked up the house.

‘What will happen to Al?’

‘It will largely depend on him. Do
you want to stay as the main contact?’

‘Uhm….’

‘Your decision Monica, I will call
you with an update.’ He shut the door and walked off, leaving Monica in a
sticky situation.

She should’ve known Al was on drugs.
What, was she blind? There were the signs …. damn!

Monica dived into her work, she was
impressed with Justin’s script and was looking forward to working with him.
Moreover, she had a new friend in Amy, who opened up more to Monica and they
found they had a thing or two in common.

On a warm, sunny morning she visited
Al in the clinic. Initially she was apprehensive but felt that she needed to be
involved to help him get better. At the clinic she was told he was doing
exceptionally well. This was good news.

Al greeted her in his usual pleasing
manner and tried to apologise for what had happened, but refused to talk about
it. They chatted about everyday things while they enjoyed a walk in the park
within the clinic grounds.

Monica left feeling upbeat, as Al
was on the way to recovery. A few days later he called Monica informing her
that he was ‘cured’ and invited her to a newly opened restaurant.

Her first reaction was to refuse. She
was glad Al was back on track but she didn’t want to get involved with him
again, but, she said yes. Why again?

They had a satisfying evening, Al
was buzzing with plans for the future. He told her that he had a lot of work to
catch up with for the next few days, but would take her away somewhere for a
long weekend.

No, no don’t let him near…. A voice
was screaming in her head. A week had passed and there was no sign of Al. When
Monica called his house a woman answered the phone.

‘Who are you?’ She asked in a stern
tone.

‘Monica, is Al there?’

The woman took a deep breath before
she answered. ‘Al isn’t here,’ She paused. ‘Not anymore.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Al died, two days ago.’ The woman
informed Monica. ‘I am his mother, you are the girl who he wanted to marry -
right?’

‘Oh my God I’m sorry!’ Monica
managed to say. ‘How? What happened?’

‘He jumped off the Hudson bridge.’
Al’s mother said emotionlessly.

‘I am so sorry…..’

‘It was inevitable, he was a
disturbed man addicted to drugs! Al has been in and out of clinics for the past
ten years. I tried to help him but everything failed. When he started to talk
about you and planning a wedding, I was overjoyed.’

‘What are you saying? What wedding? We
never actually talked about marriage!’ Monica said surprised.

‘You haven’t?’

‘No!’

‘Al told me you set the date for
next month?’

‘We didn’t, I have only known him
for a very short time!’ Monica was in shock!

‘I see,….’ The disappointment in her
voice was too much for Monica.

‘I have to go, sorry.’

‘Doctor Hollbrog told me you
arranged his admission to the clinic.’

‘I did help him to check into a
clinic – yes.’

‘It is much appreciated Monica.’

‘I didn’t do much ….’ She said after
a long pause.

‘You get on with your life now, and
forget him. Al was a troubled man who lived in an unreal world.’

She couldn’t believe what had
happened. What a shocking story – she didn’t know he had problems all those
years. She blamed herself for not being there for him and that she could’ve
done more. Now, it was all over – another life lost.

Chapter Eighteen

The airplane landed quietly at the
airport. There was an army of people greeting them; Frank’s team organised and
planned everything perfectly.

Two
shiny black Range Rovers were waiting, with engines running. Frank directed the
guys towards one and asked Monica and Amy to share the other.

Monica loved the spacious car. ‘This
is luxury, don’t you think Amy? I don’t actually care for these showy beasts,
but I love this one.’

‘I suppose it’s needed in this
weather.’ The cars moved off, leaving the runway, turning onto a brightly lit
road lined with glistening, snow covered trees.

‘First impression – another world, I
don’t know how I will manage
this
snow and cold.’ Monica pulled a
sheepskin throw over her body.

‘I think it’s magical.’ Amy was
slowly getting into the spirit of the snow white country. They were driving
through the city with its bright, neon billboards, tall buildings and many
shopping malls.

‘They have more advertising boards
here than we do back at home!’ Monica peered out of the window.

‘I read somewhere that filming can
be inexpensive here.’ Amy volunteered.

‘I’ve heard that too but would these
people not want to be paid more?’ Monica was baffled.

‘The money they get for a week’s
filming is still a lot more than they would make out of a month of tourism.’

‘Really?’

‘I suppose, I don’t like to think
they aren’t treated fairly.’ Amy was speaking as a true lawyer.

Monica nodded. ‘You are in the right
job girl.’

The assistant in the passenger seat
indicated the flashing car phone. Amy pressed the loudspeaker button to answer
the call.

‘Girls, we’ll be driving for about a
couple of hours.’ Frank informed them. ‘Your car will provide you with all the
luxuries you might want – I hope.

‘We love the sheepskin throws!’ Amy
announced.

There was loud laughter coming from
the other car. ‘We are glad you agree!’ They heard Jack saying. ‘Wrapped up in
these cosy throws, imagine girls … quite a sexy picture …’ His voice trailed
off. `           

‘You, and your dirty mind Jack.’
Monica cut the line. ‘You wouldn’t think that Jack’s mind caters for such
thoughts at his age.’

‘Never underestimate them, Monica. I
have only known these guys for a short time but they can leave you with an open
mouth.’

The journey continued at a steady
pace. The full, clear moon was lighting up the road ahead; Amy could even smell
the frosty fresh air. Monica had fallen asleep draped in the throw.

Amy wondered about the trip. The
crew were already at the house; they’d arrived days earlier and organised the
set up. Only a week’s work was scheduled in Hungary. The crew were to move on
to the next location straight after completing the shots. Frank requested that
Amy and Monica stay on for a few days after the filming finished.

She heard someone calling her name.
Oh God! She must've fallen asleep. When she opened her eyes, there was Justin
looking at her.

‘We are here Amy.’ He said lightly.

‘We are?’ She tried to move, but he
was blocking her way. She could feel the heat coming from his body mixed with
the scent of his aftershave.

For a moment Justin forgot where he
was, he leaned over to kiss her but realisation hit suddenly; Amy shrank back.

‘What a long drive.’ He said pulling
away quickly. ‘You must be exhausted.’

Justin outstretched his hand, to
help her out of the car. She seized it, his touch sent trembles through her
body.

The Hunting Lodge was a surprise. It
was a small palace with many tall towers. A competent butler stood by heavy oak
double doors with a well-rehearsed pleasant expression.

‘Frank described this place as
small
.’
Amy remarked.

‘He said that.’ Justin agreed. ‘He
also said Hungary was around the corner. After sixteen hours of travel, I
cannot agree.’

Amy was feeling the length of the
journey catching up with her.

‘I need a bed.’ She announced,
suppressing a yawn.

‘Wanna share mine?’ Justin teased,
and then backtracked. ‘A joke Amy!’

‘I was going to say yes.’

‘What an outstanding sense of humour
you have Amy.’ Did she mean it? – he wondered, probably not!

‘I meant it Justin.’ For one mad
moment she wanted to share his bed. Then the thought was gone.

Justin stood there rooted to the
ground. ‘Can I ask again?’

That was the moment Frank arrived.
Amy was saved from answering.

‘I am sorry the journey has taken a
long time, but the roads were treacherous. The house is all at your disposal,
it isn’t a hotel but we have people here looking after you. Need anything –
buzz the desk. The house is just ours there will not be anyone around who isn’t
working on the movie. Pool, sauna, gym, pampering for the girls, - whatever you
want. The film crew have already set up and are located in the East wing which
has a separate entrance. I am off to bed! Good night.’ He walked away with the
butler in tow.

There was no sign of Monica and
Jack.

‘Where are the others?’ Amy watched
the staff unloading the car.

‘I suppose they are in bed.’ Justin
answered as a petite woman arrived.

‘Can I show you to your rooms Miss
Ronay, Mr Blakes?’

‘Yes, by all means show us the way
Ms…?’ Justin responded.

‘Call me Kate.’

‘Kate? It is an attractive house.’

‘Yes, Mr Blakes, it is. It was built
in 1875 for a family called Tolgyesi and remained their home for a long time.’

Amy noticed the ancient oil
portraits on the wall as they walked up an elaborate staircase. ‘Who owns it
now?’

‘It is privately owned by a …
businessman.’ Kate stopped in front of a door on the first floor. ‘This is your
suite of rooms Miss Ronay.’ She moved across the wide hallway. ‘Mr Blakes, your
rooms are opposite Miss Ronay’s.’ She produced a card with a code printed on
for each of them. ‘You will need to tap the code in to open the door and also
to close. Enjoy your stay and good night.’ She turned away and left.

Justin tapped the code in. The door
opened with a quiet buzz. He felt he needed to say something but he couldn’t
find the right words.

‘Good night Amy, nice to have you
nearby.’

She flashed him a smile. ‘Nice?’

‘Yes!’

Amy stood in the doorway for what seemed
a long time. How easy would it be to ask him to come in under some pretence….
another day.

‘Good night Justin.’ She tapped the
code in and stepped inside, firmly closing the door.

Justin's head was aching, what was
he doing? Here was a girl he wanted, he needed to up his game before she
slipped away.

Chapter Nineteen

The morning was fresh, crisp and
Justin felt on top form. His rooms were expensively decorated with antique
furniture, oil paintings, large couches and a roaring fire. He’d had a good
night’s sleep in an enormous four poster bed.

Frank and Jack were already
downstairs in the morning room when he joined them. He exchanged a few words
with the guys puffing on their cigars, grabbed a cup of steaming coffee and
decided to look for his sister. Yet, - where was Amy?

In the East wing of the house he
found Monica sitting in the director’s chair, reading. She introduced the crew
to Justin and the main two actors who played Frank and Jack. They were signed
via Eleanor’s agency and she provided the best.

The huge, well prepared set was
perfect. A big wooden barn full of straw, was as he imagined, there was the
street where Frank grew up, with small houses scarcely filled with furniture
standing on the earthy floor. The set designer had done his job. On the
exterior set, he could see a wooden cottage surrounded by fields under a thick
blanket of snow.