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Gracedidn’thaveGriff’smobile number. But she did have Bianca’s. The thought of speaking to her again today filled Grace with dread, so instead she tried to find the landline number for the house, only to find it was ex-directory.
She and Hope were with a regular client putting the finishing touches to a birthday party for his sixteen-year-old daughter, being held that night, so Grace didn’t have time to mess around.
In desperation, she Googled Betancourt’s auction house, and after the receptionist put her through to Griff’s secretary, who in turn put her through to someone else, Grace found herself speaking to none other than Russell Betancourt.
‘Grace? Is that you? Is something wrong?’
‘Russell? Oh! Erm. I asked for Griff’s mobile number.’
‘So I’ve been told. He’s at the house. What’s going on, Grace?’
‘Nothing’s going on. We’re just friends.’
‘What? I don’t understand.’
Grace realised he hadn’t meant that question in the way she thought he had and she quickly laughed.
‘That was a joke, Russell. Sorry. It’s been one of those days. Erm. How are you?’
‘I’m good, thanks. You?’
‘I’ve been better. Look. I’m sorry to cut this short, because I’d love to chat. I really would. But I need to contact Griff about the Mistletoe Dance and the festive decorations.’
‘He asked you then? He said he would.’
‘Asked me what? To organise the dance and decorate your home? Yes. Well no. Bianca asked us. And then when I went to meet her to discuss it, Griff was there. Which was a complete surprise. He’s changed. But that’s neither here nor there. Erm. That’s when Bianca sprung the news on me about decorating the house, and we almost came to blows … Sorry! You don’t want to know all this. I’m waffling. Wait. When did Griff tell you about this? I thought it all happened just this morning.’
‘It happened last evening. The company we use called and told Dad that, due to an irreconcilable difference of opinion they found themselves unable to organise our event this year, or decorate our home. They said they wouldn’t sue providing we reimbursed them and didn’t give them a bad review.’
‘What? This is news to me.’
‘Ah. Bianca told you a different story, I assume.’
‘A very different story. Wait. Why would the company threaten to sue? Surely it should be the other way around? You could sue for breach of contract. Russell? Are you still there?’
He coughed down the line. ‘I’m here. Bianca can … be difficult.’
‘Tell me about it!’
‘I’d rather not, if you don’t mind.’
‘Oh. I didn’t mean, tell me about it. I meant,Tellme about it. You know. I was being facetious. Sorry. Not helpful. But then again. We are about to organise an event for you and decorate your house. I think, under the circumstances, perhaps I should ask about it, don’t you?’
‘When you put it like that, I suppose you’re right. Please keep this between us though, Grace.’
‘You have my word.’
He sighed loudly. ‘Bianca and Dad are … going through a rough patch right now and Bianca has been … drinking more than she should, which sometimes makes her … volatile.’
‘Blimey! I mean, I’m so sorry to hear that, Russell. It must be hard for you all.’
‘It is. Unfortunately, she chose yesterday to … drink rather a lot and she lost her temper and smashed several rather expensive decorations. We paid for the damages and for the company’s discretion.’
‘Oh my God, Russell! So Griff thought, why not get the Eversleys to step in and if Bianca does the same to them, who cares? No wonder he said money was no object. Thanks a lot. And I thought he’d changed! All he was doing was being charming so that I’d say yes!’
‘No. That wasn’t it at all, Grace. Griff suggested you and your family because he knows he can rely on you all, and if Bianca does … go off the rails again, you’ll keep it under wraps. But she won’t. Not with Griff there. That’s why he’s home. Dad’s not good with this sort of thing, so it’s up to Griff, and to me I suppose, to make sure it all runs smoothly and the Mistletoe Dance is the success it’s always been. Bianca wants to be involved and she wants to sort herself out. We are trying to be there for her and for Dad. Please help us, Grace. We really need some friends right now. The Mistletoe Dance was Mum’s favourite event of the year. We can’t bear the thought of cancelling it.’
Griff had said something similar. But this cast the event in an entirely different light. How could Grace and her family do their job, knowing that at any minute, Bianca might throw a tantrum?
