How to Catch Butterflies (4 page)

But all that didn’t matter now. Tonight had been a nightmare for all concerned especially poor Rebecca. She was just thankful that David was spending the night in a cell.

Lucy was worried about tomorrow, she knew that the Police could only hold him that night, and at some point during that day, he would be released. She could only hope that he would have the common sense to go to his mother’s, which is where he was going when he was arrested.

God she hated David with a passion, with all her heart. The anger coursed through her body. She couldn’t believe what he had done to her Rebecca.
What a fucker
,
she hoped he’d choke on his own vomit in the police cell and do them all a favor and die
.

As the first light of dawn shone through her curtains she thought it was pointless trying to sleep, the adrenalin was still pumping through her body. She knew couldn’t sleep. She crept out to her kitchen to make a quick call to George. She needed to hear a friendly voice.

Lucy had started seeing George six months earlier; it had taken him a whole month for her to actually agree to go out with him.

They had sort of met at one of her work s numerous Charity Events held on the Music Companies Premises. It had been a ‘Wild West’ themed night and everyone invited had to wear fancy dress in some shape or fashion. He was there by invitation from the owner who was friends with his family for many, many years obviously to make a hefty donation to the worthy cause. George was there with a group of friends who had accompanied him.

Lucy had been unimpressed with the antics of his friends throughout the night. Every time he went to talk or approach her she would walk off. He had to ask around for the rest of the evening, about the best-looking cowgirl he’d ever seen, before he found out her name. It had taken a month of daily calls asking if she would go for a drink before she had agreed just to stop the calls. Now they were very welcomed.

Chapter 3

‘Never Tear Us Apart’

George’s place was a town house just off from Belgrave Square that had been in his family for years and years. It was an immaculate white Stucco fronted period featured house. It was set over 5 floors - it was a grand property indeed.

It had five bedrooms including the master suite; it offered a wealth of excellent entertaining space including an impressive reception room nicknamed 'the ball room' a double reception room/entertaining space, which featured three large period windows.

Most of the rooms had great ceiling height and open fire places with double doors for all main rooms. There was an abundance of features throughout the house, such as original parquet flooring, elaborate cornicing.

It had an attractive staircase leading from the basement to the upper levels of the house. The basement housed the large spectacular modern kitchen with an open plan living area attached, plus a laundry room, cloakroom and a wine vault.

The first floor had a beautiful drawing room which had French double doors that led to a west facing private roof terrace. In addition there was a small study, four bathrooms, two of which were en suite, a small cloakroom, shower/steam room and a gym.

Outside to the front of the property there were the ornamental gardens. To the rear of the property there was a pretty courtyard leading to a garage which housed his Aston Martin DB7.

The property also had a spacious media room and two further small patio/roof gardens on upper levels leading off bedrooms. It was a truly magnificent house indeed. He loved staying here. It had all his family’s history and paintings of ancestors who had lived there, still hanging on the walls.

George had remained in his bed in the master suite when Lucy had left him earlier to return to her apartment in West London. He had asked his chauffer John (who had been kept rather busy recently, as she refused to stay the night during the week) to drive her home.

He lay there still listening to the music it was one of INXS’s albums. He loved music. He played quite a few instruments and was by all accounts a very talented musician. He hadn’t changed the selection that had been playing since she had left him only a half hour earlier. The song said it all about Lucy and how he felt about her. “Never tear us apart” came on. As the intro started, he could feel himself automatically getting hard. It was the first song they had made love to. ‘Love’ he thought ...’yes he did love her....’

As the first verse erupted…

“Don’t ask me....what you know is true...don’t have to tell you....I love your precious heart....I.....I was standing....you were there...two worlds colliding... and they could never tear us apart...”

The bass drum kicked in to a thunderous climax, it brought him back to that night two months ago when he and Lucy had first made love....

It had been an incredible evening. He had arranged to take her to ‘Bellini's Norma’, she had mentioned it whilst they were having one of their in-depth conversations regarding their musical tastes.

In the last four months since seeing her he hadn’t had much luck in bedding Lucy. It wasn’t not for the want of trying; he tried as often as he could.

“All good things are for those who
wait
…and
I’m
worth waiting for” she would say with her hands defiantly on her hips starring him down.

“I’m
not
one of those girls,
and
I
suggest if you want one of
those girls,
you’re
definitely
with the wrong
woman
“.

To be quite honest he was rather happy with that as he knew he would have tired of her; if she had given into him sooner, and boy… he loved a challenge.

When she opened her front door that night he was met with a Vision from the heavens. She wore beautiful floor length black satin & chiffon one shouldered gown with an elegant train and her Cashmiena. She looked like a 1940/50’s Screen Goddess he was quite taken back with her style and beauty. She took his breath away.

*

John drove them to the ‘Claridge’s’. He loved the enduring glamour of ‘Claridge’s’, it had been an old family favorite. John pulled the car up and Roman,’ Claridge’s’ door man, stepped into action, immediately opening their door with “Good evening Mr. De Vere” and then he turned to assist Lucy out of their vehicle with a “Good evening madam”. She took George’s arm and they passed through the revolving doors into the glamorous lobby of Claridge’s, with George adding

“Now this is where you get wonderful service.”

She stood there in awe, taking in the sheer Art Deco of the lobby. Her eyes ravished by the dimensions of the lobby. It's wasn’t exactly huge, but it looked a mile wide due to the clever arrangement of the black-and-white marble floor and the graceful sliding incline of the staircase, as they passed she saw the portrait of Marianne Coleridge that was still hanging within the hotel.

In front of them was the Foyer, where visiting Patrons would enjoy their leisurely breakfasts. Lucy thought it was beautiful as she soaked in the cream-and-soft-green hues; they walked past the three dazzling Art Deco arches and the Ionic pillars.

There hanging from the 18ft ceiling, Lucy’s eyes taking everything in, until she stopped below the Ornate Chihuly Chandelier, a Medusa's head of 800 interlocking frosted-glass snakes.

“It’s mesmerizing….look at the way the light reflects” said Lucy spellbound looking up.

“She sure is. Beautiful,” he said all the while gazing at Lucy.

George guided them through the Foyer and past ‘The Reading Room’ restaurant. It is utterly distinctive with its four great red pillars. She likened them to the funnels of an old Ocean- Liner.

Then George stopped and opened a door saying;

“And I give you… ‘The Fumoir Cocktail Bar”…

Tucked away behind a door adorned with its original 1930s Lalique panel, was ‘The Fumoir bar’ it was a marvel of Art Deco brushed steel and Lalique crystal. The walls dominated by William Klein portraits of Anouk Aimée and other French beauties in torn veils and mouthfuls of smoke.

It was luxurious. She felt totally comfortable in this environment, with its marble horseshoe bar that was steeped in history.

She looked around taking in the décor. It was a rich Aubergine with Leather Seating and low crystal casting warm lighting onto the walls and the hanging vintage photographs. The bar itself dated back to 1929, ‘the Fumoir bar’ as the name implies, this is where guests used to smoke – mostly Cuban cigars called Macanudos

They each took a seat at the Horseshoe bar on one of the leather covered bar stools. The young cocktail waiter offered them a menu from the carefully selected unique cognacs, armagnacs, rums, tequilas and ports – cocktail’s inspired by the era there was such an extensive list. George had a dirty Martini while Lucy chose the ‘Claridge's’ Julep (champagne, calvados and raspberry preserve with fresh mint), both drinks were served in a Lalique glasses.

It was utterly wonderful; she soaked up the ambiance of the room and slowly sipped her cocktail.

“Are we staying here for the rest of the evening?” as she would have been more than happy to have done so.

“The night is only young and there’s a lot more surprises to come,” George whispered in her ear having finished his own drink.

When she had finished her drink they got up to leave.

“Should I put these on your account Mr. De Vere?” The bartender asked discreetly.

George nodded in response, taking her hand and leading her out the doors to his awaiting car. Once back in the vehicle she snuggled up to George, it was a short while before she spoke

“Where are we actually going and do I really need my passport?”

He answered only with a long soft kiss before telling her ‘
yes
and
to be a little patient as they were nearly there’.

Lucy was shocked when John drew up to Heathrow Airport. And in no time at all, she was sitting in one of George’s private planes.

They flew to Nice airport. Once they landed, they disembarked the plane. George took her hand leading her to a chartered Helicopter that was waiting. Once they were on board, George told her their destination was Monaco as they were going to ‘The
Opéra de
Monte-Carlo.’ As’
Bellini’s Norma’ was playing that night
.

She was truly amazed at the trouble George had gone to, she had only mentioned it in passing and he must have gone to a lot of trouble to arrange all this.

The helicopter flight only took fifteen minutes. It was her first time in both a private plane and a helicopter, she tried to play it cool as not to show her excitement but she clearly was.

From the moment he had picked up at her apartment she had been unaware as to where they were actually going. He had only told her to bring her passport and to pack a weekend bag. When she had asked
what she should wear and what to pack
he had told her it was a
black tie event
. She was delighted she knew that at least, she had packed appropriately. He had also told her they would not be returning to London until the Sunday evening so she knew how much to take with her.