Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
"I bet I'll be the size of a house after all this," Mercury said, reaching for a miniature chocolate brownie.
"Don't worry. Once you're free, we can go out clubbing every night until you get in your Armanis again," Bobby replied.
Sunlight streamed through the windows of the restaurant. Another beautiful day in the city.
"We can go for runs if you like," Jeannie said as she picked the smoked salmon out of a sandwich. "We can arrange something for when I'm back from Milan."
She nibbled a tiny piece of the fish and looked at him expectantly.
"Fine," Mercury said. "I might as well detox while I'm at it."
As he took a sip of his champagne, he caught the other two grinning at him.
"Not yet," he added. "When I've adjusted."
"Is it as bad as expected?" Bobby asked. "I still can't believe you were with Lotty when it all happened. How many shitty openings and red carpets have I been to with you and it all goes on at her watch."
Mercury bristled. "This is serious, Bobby. I'm a bloody criminal. As well as being innocent."
"Oh, you're with us now," Bobby replied. "Face it, you lost your temper and now you're paying for being a naughty boy."
"I didn't and it could have a massive impact on my life."
"You're rich and you work for yourself," Bobby replied. "And that reminds me. Still no post. Don't leave it too long, Mercury. Nothing is guaranteed."
The comment hit home because of its truth. The neglect Mercury had shown his professional life had to stop.
"So," Jeannie said. "Tell us about it."
"It's not so bad. Thank you for asking."
Jeannie stared at him. "Something's the matter. Out with it."
Mercury dropped the half-eaten brownie onto the plate. "It started off a bit shakily. There's a nasty little queen there who's taken an instant dislike to me."
Bobby snorted. "Does he know who he's dealing with?"
Bobby's flippant reaction to this whole situation had become very grating. Mercury began to think this afternoon tea had been a bad idea.
"I'm not there to make trouble," Mercury replied. "The guy who runs it, who by the way is absolutely gorgeous, seems to like me being there anyway."
Jeannie and Bobby both sat up a little straighter.
"What's he called?" Bobby asked.
"Nick."
"Nice. Describe."
"A bit like that guy off Bridgerton ."
"Regé-Jean Page," Bobby exclaimed.
People at the neighbouring tables glared.
"Sorry," Bobby said weakly. "Regé-Jean Page is stunning. There was me feeling sorry for you."
"Go on," Jeannie cut in, shooting Bobby a glare.
"We were getting on really well then the kids came in from school. They were asking me all about influencing and he said I'd given them false hope."
"Bollocks," Jeannie said.
Mercury frowned. "Okay. Why?"
"I come from a shitty estate in Bolton and now look at me. We're not all here because of our parents."
As one of the leading models in the industry, Jeannie commanded any fee she liked. She'd been discovered in a fish and chip shop, of all places.
"Anyway, it won't be long and you're out of there, babe," Bobby said. "Fuck that nasty piece of work. As long as the boss likes you, that's all that matters."
Mercury glanced at Jeannie.
"He's right," she said. "You need an easy life for a bit."
"How about focusing on work?" Bobby asked.
Mercury groaned. "Bloody hell, Bobby. Change the record. Are you worried all the freebies will dry up?"
He knew he'd gone too far when a red rash appeared on Bobby's neck. Always an indicator he was upset.
"Actually, I'm worried for you," Bobby said. "If you lose the channel, you'll regret it."
Mercury reached out and took Bobby's hand. "I know that really. I'm sorry. It's just a lot at the moment. I'll do a post this weekend although fuck knows what about. At home with Mercury?"
"Make something of it," Jeannie said. "Do some movie nights or bake frigging bread. It's only the same as lockdown."
She had a point. It might be a good distraction too. He would give it some serious consideration.
Bobby drained his glass.
"Are we having another?" Mercury asked.
"Sorry," Bobby said. "I'm out tonight and need to commence the laborious process of getting ready."
"Jeannie?"
She shook her head. "My driver is coming at five in the morning. I'm going to bed. The last time I did a show for these bastards, Lorenzo said I had bags under my eyes. I might sleep in an ice bath tonight."
Mercury tried to fight the stab of jealousy. He was pleased that his friends were taking life by the balls. Yet he wanted to be doing that too. What the fuck did one do home alone on a Saturday night?
"I wonder if they'll package the rest of these cakes to go."
A rivulet of sweat trickled down Mercury's side and dripped off him. Ever since childhood he had loved the heat. His father's mother had said it was the Syrian in him. That might be true.
When he'd realised he would be stuck in the UK for most of the summer, he had assumed lying underneath warm rays would have to wait until he had the chance for a winter break somewhere lovely.
Yet London had been enjoying a spell of nice weather. Not as warm as the previous summer when everyone had practically melted. Still, he was more than happy to seize the moment.
As usual when the sun came out, Madeline took to the shade like a vampire with bad timekeeping skills. She operated in a world where female ageing remained a cardinal sin. Even a wintery sunny day had her grasping for the high SPF cream.
Today she sat under a parasol in a cerise maxi dress. Such a contrast to Mercury who lay flat out on a lounger in a skimpy pair of striped shorts.
"How was your lunch?" she asked, dropping the copy of Vogue she'd been reading.
"Fine," he replied. "Although I prefer dinner."
"I'm sure you do. That's off the menu for a little while."
Mercury raised his head. "Did you make a pun, Mother?"
"Maybe."
"Good job you have an army of scriptwriters at your disposal."
She took an olive from a little bowl and threw it at Mercury. It ricocheted off his chest.
"Hey," he said, wiping the residue.
"Oh, please," Madeline said. "You have more oil on than any of these olives. Honestly, Mercury. You'll be crying when you're old and look like a raisin."
Mercury grinned. "I'll ring your surgeon when that day comes."
She threw another olive. "You know I only have a little Botox."
Madeline had had two facelifts, a brow lift, liposuction and a Brazilian bum lift. All procedures were banned topics of conversation.
Mercury settled down to enjoy the afternoon. Madeline sighed, causing him to sit up again.
"All right," he said. "What's the matter?"
"Come and sit with me," she replied, pushing a chair out with her foot.
Knowing resistance was futile, Mercury got off the lounger. He dragged the chair out of the shade and flopped down.
"Okay, you have my attention."
"You make me sound like a five-year-old."
Mercury raised an eyebrow. His mother could give any kid a run for their money when she was bored and in need of entertaining.
"I wanted to say how proud I am of you," she said. "You've faced your punishment like a man."
"Punishment I don't deserve."
Madeline waved her hand. "Can we stop all that now? All I'm saying is, you have courage. You get that from my side of the family. Your good-for-nothing father would probably have skipped the country."
Bassem Hussain, famed film director and very distant father, had never taken to parenthood. Mercury had had a good relationship with his grandmother who worshipped both father and son.
"Thank goodness I have the Morrison genes too then."
"Have you heard from him lately?"
Mercury shook his head. "He's filming in Peru. I'm going over to LA in November."
"Nice. Make sure he pays."
He heard Simon and Rodrigo in the garden next door. Simon's son, Luca, must have been staying. Whatever game they were playing made Luca shriek with delight. He made a mental note to ask them about it. The kids at Bodhi House might like it.
Fuck, what's happening to me? I've only been there one day.
"You know, I think I'm going to enjoy this community service," he said.
Madeline shook her head. "You're not supposed to enjoy it. That isn't the point."
"Perhaps that makes me the ultimate rebel."
"What are you going to enjoy about it?"
Mercury considered his answer. It was more a feeling at this point. Also, the fact he hadn't been able to get Nick out of his mind. The disappointment he'd shown still cut Mercury to the core.
"I'm not sure. It's nice being in a different world."
"Oh god, are you going to become a socialist?"
"Of course not. Bloody hell, Mother."
Madeline lowered her sunglasses. "You're worried about something."
Sighing, Mercury sat upright. "I fucked up on my first day. The kids wanted to know about what I do and I told them. The man who runs it thinks that's dangerous talk."
"He's probably right," she replied. "Darling, when your father almost destroyed our lives, I vowed you would never need anything from anyone."
"I know and I appreciate it."
"When you started this influencing, I'll admit I didn't understand it. I don't like you letting people know so much about you."
His mother amazed him at times. "That's a bit rich coming from the author of two tell-all memoirs and the subject of more heart-to-heart interviews than I've had hot dinners."
Madeline pushed the magazine she'd discarded away from her. "Don't be ridiculous. I only give people what they want to know. Not our real secrets."
"Telling them my father caused your miscarriage is kind of personal."
"And bloody true. I don't want to talk about all that. What are you going to do to make things better?"
Mercury settled in his chair. "Just be myself. Maybe an edited version. It is making me think about things though."
"Such as?"
"The whole influencing thing. It's all a bit shallow, isn't it?"
"Does it have to be?"
That was the thing Mercury had been wrestling with. He had this platform that he'd built from scratch.
Am I really using it to the best of my abilities?
"Who knows."
"Anyway, Mitzi in the office says you haven't posted since the incident. If you don't sort yourself out, this will be a moot point. Then what will you do?"
Of course, Madeline wouldn't do her own social media. She struggled to connect a call. Mitzi covered all that for her. She had taught Mercury everything she knew when he'd decided to take the plunge.
"Don't. You sound like Bobby."
"I know. He called."
"Fucking hell."
A bright blue ball sailed over the fence and hit the parasol, momentarily bathing Madeline in sunlight and causing her to screech like the Wicked Witch of the West when it started to rain.
Mercury grabbed the offending item.
"Sorry," Simon shouted over.
"Not a problem," Mercury replied. "Sounds like fun over there."
"Come and join us."
Mercury had almost declined when he really thought about it. Why shouldn't he?
"You're on."
He threw the ball over and grabbed his T-shirt from the lounger.
"Not so fast," Madeline said, taking hold of his arm as soon as he came in range. "We were having a conversation."
"Fine. I'll do a post today. Although people will probably ignore it. They'll be sick of me now."
"Darling, don't say that."
"Of course, if a loving family member were to appear in it…well, that might get the engagement soaring."
Madeline scowled. "You strike a hard bargain."
"Like mother, like son."
"Fine but I'm keeping my sunglasses on. I'm having a makeup-free day to indulge my pores."
Mercury positioned his phone against the bottle of champagne Madeline was also treating her bloodstream to. Once satisfied, he snuggled against his mother and pressed Record .
"Hello, everyone, long time no speak. Mercury here. I'm so sorry I haven't been around much. I'm sure you all know what's been going on. Today is drama-free. I'm sitting with my mother in the garden and all is well. Say hello, Mum."
Madeline waved. "Hello. Isn't it glorious. Perfect preparation for my upcoming shoot in Cyprus for Murder in the Mountains . It will be out this Christmas."
She flashed her winning smile that had been perfected many years ago.
"Subtle," Mercury said into the camera. "As for me, not much is going on now. I'll do a live chat later this week. Let's properly catch up."
He stopped recording.
"You need to learn coy."
"Oh whatever," Madeline said, stretching. "People prefer when you cut to the chase."
Her words barely registered. Mercury was uploading the clip. He had to admit, it felt good to be back in the saddle. Even if it was a tiny little message.
In no time, he'd pressed Send. As he placed his phone on the table, a flash of paranoia swept through him. What if no one cared?
Thankfully, the first ping rang out from the phone almost instantly. Then another. Then another.
"See, darling," Madeline said. "There is still a world out there. Now switch it off, there's a love."