When he was asleep she rose and went to sit by the window, watching his still form on the bed. Common sense was still raging at her, and she knew she must tell it to stop its nonsense once and for all.

You did it. You gave in, settled for second best.

Travis could never be second best.

But what he’s offering you is second best, and you know it. Is it coincidence that it happened tonight? You proved your usefulness again with that Moscow suggestion, and now he’s definitely not going to let you go.

I don’t want him to let me go.

But what’s he offering? Love?

I don’t know.

Yes, you do. He’s not in love with you, not the way you are with him.

But he needs me, and I’ll be there for him. And if…if one day it’s over, I’ll still be glad of the time we had together.

This is the twenty-first century. What happened to liberated woman?

I guess I’m not very liberated where Travis is concerned. And that’s fine by me. I’ll love him and cherish him, and give him whatever I can. And if he’s happy, that’s all I ask. Now go away and don’t come bothering me again.

Silence!


* * *

Back in Los Angeles, everything was humming as preparations were made for the big night. Rumours had gone around about what was to happen, and the announcement about the film that was expected afterwards. Everyone who was anyone was determined to be there.

One disappointment was that her grandparents couldn’t make it. Their holiday would be over just two days before the award ceremony, and they would be too tired from the long flight home to embark on another to Los Angeles.

‘Could they change the flight?’ Travis suggested. ‘Come straight here from Africa, then stay with us for a while to get their strength back before returning to London?’

But when Charlene suggested this to Frank on the phone, he thanked her but refused.

‘Emma’s worn out. She needs to get home. We’ll watch it on television. You’ll hear us cheering.’

‘What a shame,’ Travis said. ‘It would have made everything perfect to have them there, especially when we tell everyone our news.’

He planned to cap the evening by announcing their engagement.

‘I’d better do it when I receive the first award,’ he mused, ‘in case there aren’t any others.’

‘You know how many there are going to be,’ she said. ‘This is going to be your night.’

His night in every way. Two days before the event, his family began to arrive. Amos, Janine and Freya dined with them and Charlene was struck by the look of pride and satisfaction on Amos’s face.

He’s got what he wanted from his father at last, she thought. At least, he’s nearly got it. Don’t let anything happen to spoil it now.

Her dress for the evening was a magnificent dark blue velvet with a tight waist and long flowing skirt. Travis helped her on with it, and zipped it up.

‘I like that blue,’ he said. ‘It goes well with this.’ He showed her a ring of diamonds and sapphires.

‘Let me wear it now,’ she begged.

‘No, we agreed I’d give it to you when I make the announcement.’ His eyes were teasing. ‘Until then, you’ll have to be patient.’ He kissed her.

‘I’ll try. Oh, Travis, I hope tonight is everything you hoped for.’

‘If you’re there, it will be. Hell! What’s that?’

‘My phone. Hang on, I’ll get rid of them quickly.’

‘Charlie?’ It was her grandfather’s voice. ‘Something terrible’s happened.’

‘What?’ she asked, but she knew the answer before he spoke.

‘Emma’s had a heart attack, a big one. Oh, darling, they say she might not last the night.’

‘Sweet heaven,’ she whispered.

‘Can you come? It could be for the last time. She said I wasn’t to call you because you had this other thing happening but-’

‘Of course you were right to call me,’ she said, almost violently. ‘I’ll be on the next plane. Which hospital?’

She wrote it down and said, ‘Tell her I’m coming. Tell her I love her.’

‘Emma?’ Travis asked as soon as she hung up. He’d been watching and listening, motionless.

‘She’s had a heart attack. She’s dying.’

‘Then we’ve got to get over there fast. There’s a flight this afternoon.’

‘We-? No, Travis, you can’t come. You’ve got the awards ceremony and those people will be there-your family-’

He stared at her. ‘Are you seriously saying that you think I’ll put all that stuff first? Before you?’

‘You must. You can’t miss tonight when there’s so much hanging on it. I know you’d come with me if you could, and I’ll treasure that. But you can’t. Surely you can see that you can’t?’

‘What I can see-’ he said slowly ‘-is something I never saw before. I didn’t understand-but I do now.’

‘You know I’m right,’ she said. ‘This is your big moment. I won’t let you lose it because of me.’

He moved away from her. ‘You’d better get ready while I make the arrangements,’ he said. And walked out.

While she threw some things together in a small bag she concentrated fiercely on the task in hand. If she let her thoughts get out of control she feared she would break down. Travis had said the right things about wanting to come with her, but he’d let her talk him out of it more easily than she could have dreamed.

And that was how things were between them. She’d told herself that she was willing to settle for second best, but she hadn’t expected the reality to become so brutally clear so soon.

She changed into sensible clothes, taking just enough to manage. When she emerged, Travis was sitting at the table hurriedly writing something.

‘It’s all settled,’ he said, folding the paper into his pocket. ‘I’ve called the airport and fixed your ticket. Rick will take us.’

‘Us?’

‘I’m just coming to see you off.’

He opened the door, ushering her out before she could protest. She was struck by how cool and businesslike his manner had become. This was a practical man who’d dealt with the emotion, brushed it aside and was ready to get on with the important things in life. She felt a chill run through her.

The car was waiting, with Rick at the wheel. Once inside, she dropped her head in her hands and sat motionless. Travis put his arms around her, drawing her close. She reached out slightly, trying to respond, but she felt abandoned in another world, one that he wasn’t part of, no matter how much he pretended.

‘We’re nearly there,’ he said.

She pulled herself together. In a few moments they would part. She would return to her world, he would return to his, and who could say if they would ever meet again? At this moment she doubted it.

Now the rest of her life stretched ahead, empty because she would lose him, but even emptier because he would no longer be the man she loved and believed in.

As he helped her out of the car he called to Rick, ‘Wait for me in the car park. I won’t be long.’

‘Perhaps you should go back now,’ Charlene said.

‘No, I’ve got time to see you into the Departure Lounge. Sit over there while I collect your ticket.’

He returned a few minutes later, handing her the ticket.

‘Luckily you’ve only got hand luggage,’ he said. ‘So we can go straight to Check In.’

Closer and closer, the final moment approached. At the Check In desk she showed her ticket, received a boarding card and turned to say goodbye. But Travis wasn’t looking at her. He was leaning over the desk, showing another ticket, receiving a boarding card.

‘Travis, what-?’

‘You didn’t really think I’d let you go alone, did you?’ he said.

‘But you can’t- The awards-’

‘They’ll have to do them without me.’

Joy and horror warred in her: joy at his generosity, horror at his sacrifice, rendering her speechless. While she floundered he urged her forward, brooking no resistance, and by the time she could think clearly they were in the Departure Lounge.

‘Travis, how did you-?’

‘A little bit of stage management. When I booked your ticket I booked one for me as well. Then I called Rick, told him what I was doing. He’ll be halfway back to town by now.’

‘But you told him to-’

‘To wait in the car park, yes. But he knew I didn’t mean it. It was just to fool you, so that you wouldn’t suspect until it was too late.’

‘Travis, please, be sensible. The studio bosses will be furious-’

‘Let them.’

‘Your family-’

‘I called Darius. He said I was doing the right thing and he’s going to explain things to the others.’

‘And your father?’

‘I’ll have to call him separately. In fact I’ll do it now.’

But he was saved the effort by the ring of his phone. It was Amos, speaking in a voice so sharp and loud that Charlene could hear it from several inches away.

‘Have you gone mad?’ Amos raged.

‘Father, I’m sorry to let everyone down like this, but I had no choice.’

‘Of course you had a choice. You’ve risked everything you’ve worked for, you’ve insulted me. What kind of a fool do I look now, turning up to see you win prizes and you can’t be bothered to be there?’

‘I never meant to insult you. I hoped you’d understand.’

‘I understand that you’re doing something criminally stupid. That any son of mine-’

‘Right this minute I don’t feel like your son,’ Travis interrupted him. ‘And that makes me glad.’

‘Stop talking like that and get back here at once. I’m telling you, no woman is worth it-’

His voice stopped suddenly. Travis had hung up.

‘You cut him off,’ Charlene said, aghast. ‘He’ll never forgive you.’

‘And I will never forgive him for insulting you.’

‘But listen-’ she seized him ‘-it’s wonderful of you to be prepared to do this for me, but you mustn’t do it. Go back. It’s not too late.’