* * *
Nora couldn’t believe her luck when Jack Python arrived with Clarissa Browning. All she had to do was get him with Silver for a picture, and the front pages of the world’s press would be hers. The brother and sister had never been photographed together.
She greeted Jack effusively and tried to guide him in the right direction.
He shook her off with his customary charm. ‘Why don’t you take Clarissa to meet Silver? She can’t wait.’
‘What about you, Jack? Aren’t you going to wish your sister a happy birthday?’
‘Maybe later, Nora.’ He gave Clarissa a gentle push in the right direction. ‘Off you go. That’s what you came here for, isn’t it?’
Spotting Howard, he strolled over.
‘You’re the last person I expected to see here,’ Howard said in surprise.
‘Me too,’ Jack agreed. ‘Hopefully I won’t be staying.’
* * *
‘Hello, Mannon,’ Whitney said in her silky voice, her mouth downturned, no dazzling smile in sight.
‘Whitney.’ He nodded curtly. ‘Chuck.’
Once, the three of them had been close friends. They had lived in neighbouring beach houses and spent all their time together. In fact Mannon could remember going on location and asking Chuck to look after Whitney for him. Ha! What a laugh! Chuck had looked after her all right: he was probably trying to get her in his well-used bed even then.
‘How’re they hangin’, pal?’ asked Chuck.
The bum was stoned as usual. Whitney loathed drugs. Why was she with him again?
‘Have you met my wife?’ Mannon asked tightly, and introduced Melanie-Shanna, who realized immediately this was an uncomfortable reunion.
‘Melanie,’ said Chuck, swaying slightly. ‘What an unexpected pleasure. You’re lovely. But then my old buddy always did have great taste.’
‘Thank you.’
Mannon gripped her by the arm. What was she thanking the creep for?
Whitney began to edge away. She looked stunning. She always did. Melanie-Shanna was pretty, but every woman paled in comparison to Whitney.
Chuck, sensing Whitney wanted to split, dutifully followed her. ‘Nice seein’ ya, pal,’ he said to Mannon. ‘And I liked meeting you.’ He gave Melanie-Shanna a burning look. ‘Come and visit us at the beach sometime.’
‘Goddamn moron,’ muttered Mannon, watching them move off.
‘He seems pleasant enough,’ Melanie-Shanna said, knowing, even as she spoke, that it was the wrong thing to say.
‘Jesus!’ Mannon rolled his eyes. ‘When will you learn!’
* * *
Silver enjoyed playing star hostess. She circulated and smiled and flirted. She posed with the cast from Palm Springs. She gave witty quotes to George Christy from the Hollywood Reporter. She chatted to friends and acquaintances. Eventually she instructed Nora to get rid of the press. Their constant questions and the bright lights of the television crews stationed by the door – they weren’t allowed beyond that – were beginning to annoy her.
‘I want them to get a picture of you and Jack,’ Nora fretted.
‘Who?’
‘Your brother.’
‘Oh God! What’s he doing here?’
‘He’s with Clarissa Browning.’
‘Hmmm… Her taste must be slipping.’
When it came to family Silver was not a warm and wonderful person. Once Nora had asked her about it. ‘We’re not close,’ Silver had admitted. That could be the understatement of the year.
Nora had been observing Jack Python. He always made absolutely sure there was a roomful of people between him and his sister. Obviously he had no intention of getting anywhere near her.
* * *
‘Can we have lunch?’ Howard asked Whitney. His palms were slippery with sweat as he watched her contemplate her reply.
‘Is this about the movie you want me to do?’
‘The film and uh… other things.’
‘What other things, Howard?’ she teased, and her down-turned mouth broke into a wide smile.
‘Don’t get me hot, baby. I think you and I have been heading in this direction for some time.’
‘I can have lunch,’ she decided sweetly. ‘I’ll bring my agent.’
‘Your agent, my ass.’
‘Does that mean his presence is not required?’
‘When?’ he asked urgently.
‘Let me call you.’
Howard glanced outside. Poppy had Chuck Nielson pinned against the bar. ‘What are you doing with that stoned Nielson schmuck again?’ he asked, leaning closer to her smooth outdoor beauty.
‘He’s convenient.’
‘He’s also crazy.’
‘I can handle him.’
‘I hope so.’
Nora cut in. ‘Do you mind, Howard? Whitney dear, the press will kill for a photo of you with Silver. Newsweek wants it for their “Newsmakers” page.’
‘Sure,’ Whitney said pleasantly, kissing Howard on the cheek. ‘Be patient,’ she whispered. ‘I’ll call you on Monday.’
* * *
Mannon said, ‘What were you talking to Whitney about?’
‘Orpheus wants her,’ Howard replied. It wasn’t a complete lie. According to Poppy there was a suitable script, and besides – he was Orpheus and he wanted her. To hell with his twenty-year friendship with Mannon.
* * *
Heaven and Eddie got a ride down the Canyon with a couple in a station wagon who were going into Hollywood to see their first porno movie. They were a young couple, and tried to persuade the teenagers to accompany them.
‘Forget it,’ Heaven said when they hit Sunset, having encouraged them all the way.
Outside The Beverly Hills Hotel, by the bus stop, they hitched a lift with two girls heading for a party at the beach. They got off at the West Gate into Bel Air, and walked for twenty minutes before they flagged a security patrol car. The two guards listened to their story and took them up into the hills, letting them off right outside the gates to Silver’s mansion.
‘Some place!’ exclaimed Eddie, as Heaven informed the sceptical guard who she was.
‘Yeah,’ she agreed. ‘I guess it’s okay.’
‘Why don’t you live here?’ Eddie asked as they traipsed up the driveway to the house – having got the go-ahead from the guard.
‘I dunno,’ she said vaguely. ‘I like it where I am.’
She didn’t care to mention that her mother had never suggested she move in. Not that she wanted to.
‘Jeez!’ said Eddie. ‘I’d be here like a rocket!’
As they neared the house they could hear music playing and the clink of cutlery and glasses.
‘I guess dinner is served,’ Heaven joked. ‘Silver is into all that formal crap.’
‘Are you sure we’re dressed okay?’ Eddie asked, anxiously tugging at his black leather studded jacket.
‘Whadda we care?’ Heaven said defiantly. ‘She’s lucky I’m here.’
They entered the house. Two photographers walked by them on their way out. They did a double-take, but Heaven was used to that. She wasn’t exactly Sally Prom. With her spiky multi-coloured hair, heavily streaked makeup and outlandish outfit, she looked like a cross between Twisted Sister, Rod Stewart and Cher.
She was wearing her red micro-dress with a huge overcoat. The dress was cut out in strategic places, exposing much bare flesh. On her feet were lace-up black boots covering zebra-striped tights. Cheap plastic jewellery jangled from her person like baubles from a Christmas tree. One ear – pierced four times – held four different earrings.
‘Holy shit!’ Eddie exclaimed as they stopped and took stock of their surroundings. ‘This place is a freakin’ palace!’
‘Yeah,’ Heaven said confidently. ‘And I’m the visiting princess!’
Chapter Nineteen
Jade, Antonio and friends demolished four bottles of red wine and all of the delicious Chinese tidbits before leaving for the party at ten. Anton
io’s companions were an animated group. One makeup artist with a pageboy bob and oriental eyes. One hair stylist with the thinnest body Jade had ever seen. And one U.S.C. film student, who was obviously Antonio’s latest love. The student, who had only consumed one glass of wine, drove Antonio’s Cadillac Seville. They entered Bel Air by the West Gate, and immediately got lost. There were loud shrieks of ‘This way! That way!’ Contradicted with ‘Down the hill, not up. We’re going around in circles.’
Jade had no idea where she was, it was all foreign territory to her.
Al Jarreau blared from the car stereo as they drove up and down the hills.
They found the house by accident an hour later.
The guard at the gate glared suspiciously into the car.
‘Spray perfume, darling,’ Antonio stage-whispered. ‘Otherwise he get stoned just breathing our air!’
Jade obliged with a quick spritz of Opium. The Cadillac was alive with the fumes of the joint Antonio’s friends had been enjoying.
‘Thank you!’ squealed the makeup artist.
The guard consulted his guest list, found Antonio’s name, and waved them on.
* * *
When Heaven and Eddie swaggered into the party, Jack had just persuaded Clarissa to leave. Coming across his errant niece on her way in stopped him abruptly. ‘I don’t believe this!’ he said.
‘Uncle Jack. What are you doing here?’
‘God knows. More important, why are you here?’
‘Beats me,’ she shrugged. ‘It seemed like a good idea at the time!’ She giggled. ‘This is Eddie. Y’know, I told you about him. I sing with his group.’
Jack shook hands formally with the dark-haired boy, and duly introduced Clarissa to them both.
Heaven was impressed. She had heard about Jack’s affair with the famous actress, yet she had never met her.
Clarissa was amused by the girl. ‘So you’re Heaven,’ she said, looking her over. ‘A most unusual name.’
‘Yup. That’s me.’
‘I like your hair.’
‘Thanks.’
‘And your coat.’
‘Got it at this brilliant place on Melrose.’
‘You must take me there.’
‘God! Me take you!’
Clarissa nodded. ‘If you’re free sometime, we’ll go shopping and have lunch.’
‘Wow! If I’m free!’
‘Does Silver know you’re coming?’ Jack interrupted.
‘Like I guess so. Nora invited me.’
Jack wondered why Nora would do that. He could hardly imagine Silver begging that her daughter be present. She had never taken any notice of Heaven before, why would she start now? Maybe, on her birthday, she’d had a change of heart. Wouldn’t that be something?
‘We’re going,’ he said. ‘Try and have a good time – although somehow I don’t think this is quite your scene.’
Heaven pulled on the sleeve of his jacket. ‘Uncle Jack. Eddie’s car broke down comin’ over the canyon. How’ll we get back to the Valley?’
She was exasperating, but he loved her anyway. ‘Is that my problem?’
She giggled. ‘It is now.’ One thing about Uncle Jack she knew for sure – he was always there for her, which is more than she could say for her mother.
He groped in his pocket and produced some bills. Peeling off a couple of fifties he said, ‘Have Nora call a cab when you’re ready to leave.’ He peered at his watch. ‘And don’t make it too long. Your curfew’s still twelve, isn’t it?’
‘Yup.’
‘Don’t break it.’
‘Nope.’
‘And if you do something normal with your hair we’ll take you out to dinner one night.’
‘What’s normal?’ she asked innocently.
He touched her cheek affectionately. ‘You’re certainly not. I love you anyway, kid.’ He nodded at Eddie, and said curtly, ‘Look after her, or you’ll have me to reckon with.’
‘Yes, sir!’ replied Eddie, standing to attention.
‘Isn’t he the best?’ Heaven said as she watched him go. ‘And you know something – she’s nice too. Like not big-time or any of that film star crap. Don’t you agree?’
Eddie wasn’t listening. His eyes were popping. He was star-tripping and loving every minute.
* * *
‘How do you like my niece?’ Jack asked, putting his arm protectively around Clarissa’s shoulder as he guided her towards the front door.
‘I think she’s a lost little girl.’
‘She needs her mother,’ Jack said tightly. ‘Only she’s never going to get her. Silver lives only for herself.’
‘Maybe she has to,’ Clarissa replied. ‘She’s created the image – every day she must fuel the fire.’
‘What a wise lady,’ he said, ‘for an actress!’
He handed his parking ticket to an attentive valet who leaped forward. ‘Coming right up, Mr Python.’
‘And you are a rude man, Mr Python,’ Clarissa mocked.
He studied her long pale face and the intense eyes. ‘Let me take you home and show you just how rude I can be, Miz Browning.’
She nodded and allowed the anticipation to begin.
The parking valets were not expecting any new arrivals. They were busy jockeying the cars for departing guests when Antonio and his group drove up.
‘Is everyone leaving?’ Antonio asked, jumping from the car and flapping his hands.
‘No, sir,’ replied a surfer type. ‘Just a few people.’
‘Dahlings!’ Antonio spotted Jack and Clarissa.
They broke away from each other and greeted the famous photographer. He was – as usual – surrounded by a group of eccentric misfits who came piling out of his car. Among them was a great-looking girl Jack knew he had seen somewhere before. He did a classic double-take, and immediately wished he hadn’t, for Clarissa missed nothing.
The girl was tall and slim, with direct, challenging eyes, a sensual body, and a tumble of copper hair piled on top of her head. Her eyes flicked right past his intent gaze as if he didn’t exist. Jack was used to more attention than that.
‘Your car, Mr Python,’ said the parking valet, holding open the door.
‘Divine to see you both,’ sighed Antonio. ‘And such a surprise!’
Jack climbed into his Ferrari, revved the engine, and shot off a little too fast.
Clarissa rested her hand on his thigh. ‘Home,’ she said coolly. ‘And get that bimbo off your mind. You are no longer stud of the year. Remember?’
How well she knew him.
* * *
‘Let’s get out of here,’ Mannon said.
‘Any time you want,’ Melanie-Shanna responded obediently, anxious to be alone with him so she could tell him their good news.
Mannon had endured more than enough of viewing his ex-wife across a crowded party. He wanted her back so badly he could taste it, and he was in no mood to watch her with the likes of Chuck Nielson.
He planned to call his lawyer first thing in the morning and hammer out a settlement to offer Melanie-Shanna. He wanted to be fair about it – she was a sweet kid, but not for him. Things had to be done at once, even if it did cost him. And then he would be free to concentrate on getting Whitney back.
* * *
Nora saw Heaven first. At least, she assumed it must be Heaven, for who else could possibly turn up looking like that? She hurried over, almost speechless, and for Nora that was something. ‘I hardly recognized you,’ she said.
Heaven grinned cheekily and turned in a circle, her long overcoat trailing behind her. ‘I’m an original!’ she said proudly. ‘So’s Eddie.’
Eddie nodded, hungry eyes still scanning the room.
‘I can see that,’ Nora remarked dryly. She hadn’t seen Heaven in over a year. The child had certainly changed. Silver would be horrified.
‘Eddie an’ I, we’ve got our own group,’ Heaven confided. ‘He plays the guitar. I sing an’ write all our stuff. We’ve got a couple of
other guys involved – like a drummer an’ a second guitar. If you’d given me the word we could’ve played here tonight.’
‘Not quite suitable,’ Nora said quickly. ‘Have you seen your… er… Silver?’
‘Nope.’ Heaven ran her hands through her spiked hair, pulling at it to make sure it stood at attention.
‘I’ll take you over,’ Nora volunteered. She knew it had to be done, and she was the one to do it.
‘Sure,’ Heaven said casually. ‘C’mon, Eddie.’
The two of them followed Nora across the room, and outside to the tented patio where Silver held court at a table for ten. She was in the middle of telling a joke, and the other people at the table listened with rapt attention – waiting for the punch line. ‘I don’t recognize Elvis,’ Silver concluded, barely controlling her own laughter. ‘But the one in the middle is Willie Nelson!’
The entire table broke up.
Nora took the opportunity to grab her attention. ‘Look who’s here,’ she said.
Silver turned graciously, ready to greet yet another power broker or fellow star. When she saw Heaven she visibly blanched. ‘Good God!’ she said. ‘What have you done to yourself? You look dreadful!’
Only Nora observed the flash of pain which flitted quickly across the girl’s face. And then a rebellious expression took over, the amber eyes hardened, and Heaven blurted, ‘Gee, Mom, nothing changes. You’re still as old-fashioned as ever.’
Silver didn’t like that. She stood up from the table to prevent her guests from hearing any more, and said in a low voice, ‘And you’re as rude as ever, I see.’
‘I guess it runs in the family, Mommy dearest,’ Heaven replied defiantly.
‘Don’t call me that,’ Silver hissed, and glared at Nora as if to say – I told you so.
Nora shrugged. ‘C’mon kids,’ she said, ‘I’ll get you some food.’
Eddie was not to be shifted so quickly. He stuck his hand in Silver’s direction and said in an awe-struck voice, ‘Miss Anderson, I love your work, you are the very best.’
This was news to Heaven, who shot him a filthy look. Eddie. Her Eddie. Her confidant and friend. And as of that very afternoon – her lover. He was behaving like a star-struck fan. And to her mother of all people! Outrage enveloped her.