Skinner: London
(Direct sequel to Biebe: Thanksgiving)
By Atonia Walpole
Part 1: Temporary Week
On Sunday, the Thornes, Max and Connie flew back to London after their Thanksgiving trip to Maine at John and Donna’s house. The Thornes went home to their house in Battersea and Max and Connie went to his flat. Max had promised to get John out of his financial crisis by investing $100,000 of his own money and growing it to its maximum then transferring the profit to John. It was a generous offer on Max’s part and the risk was entirely his own. Success depended on manipulating the market to his own end, a practice possibly illegal and at the least unethical. Max, however, had performed this maneuver once before at his bank and learned a few things about the people employed there. They were all greedy bastards.
It would take him a few days to get things in place and to cover his arse should the need arise. He was focused and concentrated and after two days of this and a frantic call from her father regarding her sister’s bookkeeping, Connie decided to go home.
“You know the reason he won’t hire a bookkeeper,” Connie said on the way to Heathrow. “He can’t account for it all. Questions would be asked about where the real source of his profit came from.”
“I have no sympathy for him at all. He makes an illegal wine.”
“It’s not actually illegal. He just can’t sell it on the open market.”
“What’s the difference?”
“A fine line.”
Max had never stopped to consider what he was doing with the market was very close to what Connie’s father was doing. It was always the end result for him but due to a dispute over using Max’s grapes for the wine her father sold at an enormous profit, he was blind to the similarities.
“I’m going to miss you terribly, Connie.”
“You won’t even know I’m gone. You barely recognized me in bed last night.”
“Bollocks! I knew who you were,” Max grinned and reached over, picking up her hand and kissing it.
“How long do you think it will be before you’ll be able to come home?”
“I’m thinking first part of next week, all going well.” He pulled his Aston Martin up to the passenger drop off and jumped out, retrieving Connie’s bags and delivering them to a sky captain. He kissed her good-bye and was back on the road, heading for London.
Having got all his ducks in a row, Max presented himself to the bank manager and was greeted with a hardy handshake. He explained what he wanted to do in the best terms he could manage but the manager knew exactly what he wanted…access to the trading floor.
“You know, Mr. Skinner, the offer is still open and even more so now because my group leader has left us. We have someone acting as leader on the floor now but…well, you can imagine.”
Max smiled a little smile. “I don’t mind filling in whilst I’m in London but I’m a winemaker now.” He knew the longer he had access to the floor the more money he could make, not only for himself and John but also the bank and it’s investors.
“How long do you plan to stay in London?” the manager asked.
“I thought a week,” Max replied
The manager’s face fell. “You couldn’t perhaps extend that week at least until I can find a replacement?”
“Let’s give it that week and then we’ll see,” Max smiled and shook his hand. He was to start on Thursday.
Max left the bank and stopped for a drink, now wishing Connie hadn’t left. He had no one to play with. He checked his watch and decided to call Terry Thorne. Terry was now working in the London office of Securities International, the company he owned. Terry agreed to meet him for a drink at a pub they both knew.
With drinks in hand they found a table. “So you’re a working slob now, eh?” Terry said.
“Temporarily anyway. I almost feel obligated to help them out. They do accommodate me.”
“You’re such a nice guy,” Terry smiled and took a drink from his glass. “How long do you plan to be employed?”
“I don’t really know for sure. I gave them a week.”
“What does Connie think about this?”
Max winced, “She doesn’t know. She went home yesterday and I’ve not called her today.”
“I got the impression she doesn’t much care for London.”
“She used to live here with her ex-husband, lived here for six years and never felt at home.”
“But she’s at home in France, isn’t she?”
“Yes, oddly enough, she is. Speaks the language fluently.”
“Unfortunately I’m going to have to break out my Spanish. I’ve got a trip coming up next week. Dino is setting up a meeting with the South American branch in Miami. I just found out about it today and I haven’t broken the news to Toni yet.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Probably a week, weekend to weekend.” Terry leaned back in his chair. “Why don’t you keep her company?”
“Are you serious?”
“I’d rather ask you than have you do it on your own. You know what I’m saying?”
“You don’t trust me at all, do you, Terry?”
“About as far as I can throw you.”
“You’re about to hurt my feelings and I was having good thoughts about you, invited you for a drink.”
“No harm intended. I just know you.”
“I’m beginning to think you don’t trust anybody. This all started with Jack, didn’t it?”
“Maybe. For the first time I faced the possibility of losing her and I’m not going to let that ever happen again.”
“Well, brother, let me put your mind at rest. I’m not going to do anything that would cause me to lose Connie. My life is in France with her, not here in London. I shall be temporarily employed and temporarily with Toni. Now, may I buy you the other half?”
“You didn’t buy the first half.”
Part 2: Sweet Sunday Afternoon
The traders who remembered Max from the last time he was on the floor began rubbing their hands together in anticipation when he came in with the manager, who explained he would be working with them for a week, maybe longer.
Max began slowly and cautiously but once he found his feet he was off. He didn’t have to accomplish his goal in the first day. He played with it enough to pique interest. Today was make money for the bank day. By the end of the day he was their golden boy and went out to celebrate with a few of the traders. It was late when he got back to his flat and he’d forgotten to call Connie.
He called on the way to the bank the next morning. “Sorry, love, I was taken out and drowned in drink last night.”
“I’m glad you’ve come up for air. Do you know when you’ll be home?”
“Um, I meant to tell you about that. I’ve somehow become temporarily employed and really I felt a little obligated. They are letting me play in their court. It will be at least another week, Connie.”
“Oh, Max, now I’m really missing you. I’ve enough work to keep me busy for awhile. I’m staying at my father’s”
“Don’t get too cozy over there.”
“No danger of that, not when you’re home. I love you, Max.”
“I love you, too, Connie.”
On Friday Max put his own money into play and began to work on John’s fortune in earnest. He still played it safe, not wanting to raise any eyebrows, but he made a good start. He felt good when he left the bank for the day. He’d been invited to the Thorne’s for dinner and he stopped and bought Terry a bottle of scotch and a bouquet of white roses for Toni.
Sunday afternoon found him with nothing to do. He’d read the papers, worked the crosswords and worked out his strategy for the next week at the bank. He’d called Connie and had a long conversation with her and that left him feeling a little antsy. He went to his lock up and took his car out. He hadn’t made any plans as to what he was going to do but his car took him to Battersea. Terry had flown out early that morning for Miami.
Toni answered the door in her lounge clothes. She was down and blue because Terry had left and she hadn’t bothered to dress for the day.
“Max.”
“Hello, Toni. Is it bad timing?”
“No, come in.” She closed the door behind him. “What brings you out here?”
“I don’t know. My car, I think. It just brought me here. Did Terry get off?”
“Yes, he did.” She led the way into the lounge room.
“Where’s Jacky?”
“Asleep.” She picked up the baby monitor, wagged it at him and went over and switched off the TV. “Are you at loose ends today, Max?”
“I must be. I’ve run out of things to keep me occupied. I tried to talk Connie into coming over for the week.”
“She’s not coming? Sorry, Max. Have a seat.” She sat on the sofa and tucked her feet up underneath her.
“She doesn’t mind it for a few days but with me working she’d be alone and she’s not up for that.”
“Connie could come out here and keep me company. I feel very much alone right now. I hate it when he’s gone.”
“I thought I might take you out for a meal or something.”
“Honestly I don’t feel much like going out and there’s Jacky. Have you eaten?”
“No, not since breakfast.”
Toni smiled, “Well, follow me down to the kitchen and I’ll see what’s cooked.”
Max had not been in their kitchen, a long low room with many rooms off to the side. The ceiling was beamed and hung with baskets and herbs. The room had a pleasant, warm smell about it. A large well-scrubbed table dominated the center of the room and was sat about with comfortable chairs. Glass doors on one end opened into a tiled area with a bench and coat rack. Beyond that, French doors opened into the garden. He walked over to the doors and looked out.
“You’ve got a nice garden, Toni.” She had a pot garden by the back door and the smell of rain-washed herbs reached his senses.
“It is nice, Max. Do you like quiche?” She couldn’t remember if he’d ever eaten it at the House of Four Seasons.
“Um, yes, I do. What kind is it?”
“I don’t know but it looks like its loaded with good stuff. I’ll just put it in to warm.” She stuck it in the gas oven, the large vanilla colored Aga being beyond her comprehension. Back in the fridge she found endive and celery and began to put together a salad.
“I thought you had staff.”
“We do but it’s the weekend. That’s family time.” She stopped and blinked back tears. She would not cry over Terry being gone.
Max came over and sat at the table, watching her work on the salad. Here in Terry’s home he had a glimpse into his domestic life and it pleased him. “Anything I can do to help?”
“Open a bottle of wine. You’ll find it there in the cooler. You choose.”
Max chose a chardonnay and found glasses on a rack above the cooler. “I like this room. It reminds me of something but I can’t think what.”
“I think it has the same feel about it as the kitchen in the House of Four Seasons. Doesn’t look anything like it, though. Blue cheese dressing okay?”
“That’s good. Yeah, maybe that’s it. We’re about to do a major renovation on the Chateau kitchen.”
“It needs it.” She smiled across the table at him, glad he'd come by. Just having him here made things better for her, chased away that dark cloud that had descended upon her when Terry left.
“I know. The handle on the fridge fell off.” He smiled a crooked smile. “Had a devil of a time getting the thing open.”
Toni chuckled, “Oh, Max, I’m so glad you came by!”
Max smiled. He felt at home with Toni here in her warm cozy kitchen. Outside the rain splattered against the windows and it was cold and gray ,but inside was filled with warmth and love. Just what he needed on a Sunday afternoon.
They finished their meal and Toni went up to get Jacky. Max stacked the plates in the deep sink. He would have liked to stay in the kitchen but he went upstairs to the lounge with Toni and Jacky. He played with Jacky, who was now standing and walking around, holding onto the sofa and coffee table.
“This is what life is all about, isn’t it, Toni?”
Toni tilted her head. “Yes, it is. It’s what you want, isn’t it?”
Max nodded his head. “It is. I got caught up in working for the last couple of days and even had a thought about it,” he smiled slightly. “It’s not what I want anymore. I spent too much time at the House with you to want to go back into that fast-paced life. La Siroque suits my pace now. It’s where I belong.” Jacky was trying to climb on the sofa and he picked him up.
“Will you have children, Max?”
He twirled Jacky’s curls in his fingers. “Eventually I will.” He was treated to a Jacky smile. “How could I not want one like this?”
Toni smiled. She could not have loved him more if he’d been trying to take her to bed, which he hadn’t. He was in need of something else today. Later Toni went to feed Jacky and get him bathed and in bed for the night. When she came back downstairs Max was asleep on the sofa. She covered him with an afghan, found a book and curled up in the big oversized chair to read.
A while later he made some little sound and she turned to see him awake and looking at her. She put her book down and went over and lay down beside him. He tucked her up close and kissed the back of her neck. “What time is it?” he asked, unable to see his watch.
“About half past nine.”
“Umm, why didn’t you wake me?”
“You were too comfy looking. You’re welcome to stay, Max.”
Max thought about it, sleeping with Toni…but not in Terry’s bed. “I’ll go back to my flat. Tomorrow I will be at work. Sounds odd, doesn’t it?”
“Mmm, it does coming from you.” She turned in his arms and he kissed her.
“I’m going to get up and go. It’s been a wonderful afternoon and evening. Thank you, Toni, you’re just what I needed today.” He kissed her again.
“Anytime, darling. You know I’m here.”
He held her closely for a moment and sat up. “Jacky’s asleep?”
“Oh, yes. I’ll give him a kiss for you.” Toni got off the sofa and pushed her hair back. Max got up, stretching. She wanted to hold him and lay her head against that soft cashmere sweater he had on. Their eyes met and a look passed between them. Max took her hands.
“Not in Terry’s home,” he said quietly. "Tomorrow may I take you to dinner?” She nodded, unable to speak. She knew what she needed to do and she would because she loved him that much.
As soon as he left, she picked up the phone and called Connie.
“I know it’s late, Connie. I don’t know what your problem is with London but I’m telling you right now to get yourself over here for Max. He needs you.”
“Why, what’s wrong?”
Toni was near tears. “He wants to be loved…if you don’t get over here and take care of him…I will.”
“Toni, has something happened with Max? I don’t understand.”
“He’s got to be number one in your life because he can’t be in mine. He needs you. And, no, nothing has happened except a quiet afternoon here. Terry left this morning for Miami. He’s going to be gone for a week. Don’t…let me…just come, will you?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll need to make flight arrangements in the morning and get to the airport. I’ll call and let you know, Toni. I’m sorry if something has upset you.”
“I’m okay and, Connie, don’t tell him I called you. Let him think you missed him enough to come.”
“I do miss him, Toni, and I will come. I just left because there was nothing for me to do. I didn’t know at the time he would be gone as long as he will be.”
“You can come hang out with me during the day. I want to talk to you anyway.”
“All right. I’ll call you and let you know when my plane is coming in. Can you pick me up?”
“Yes, I’ll be happy to."
Part 3: Business Proposals
The quiet, contemplative Max was nowhere in evidence the next morning when he stood on the trading floor. He had five days to make John’s fortune and realized quite early on he was swimming with sharks. He just had to be a bigger shark. He seriously watched the trading, certain stocks rising and falling, none of which he was interested in at the moment, but still someone was playing the game. That, of course, made it more interesting for him. He played, weaving in and out, making money for the bank's investors and near the end of the day he struck. Whoever his opponent was had hit on a stock he wanted and he got it. Cheers went up from the traders when he called it a day. He heard quite distinctly, “Amis won’t know what hit him! Ha ha!”
Amis. Max smiled…he should have known his old nemesis was real. Well, it was nice to know who one was playing against. He checked his watch as he left the building. He’d worked late and was supposed to pick Toni up for dinner. He gave her a call.
“Sorry, love. I’m just leaving the bank now and on my way.”
“No problem, Max…I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh, really? Looking forward to that,” he grinned.
Toni hung up the phone and turned to Connie. “He’s on his way.”
She’d picked Connie up around 4:00 and taken her home with her. She wanted to talk to Connie about Max.
A pot of tea and she began. “You have to understand, Connie, how much I love Max. I almost took him out for my husband. If he hadn’t hesitated at a crucial moment, I would have. It was that close and he has explained since then what he was about that day. Now I don’t regret for a moment choosing Terry. We have a wonderful, loving relationship and a child. But…I know in my heart I don’t need to spend a lot of time with Max, and it's not his doing…it's mine. We don’t need to spend a week together in London and I know that we would. We just would. So that’s why I called you.”
“You called me to come save both of you.” Connie reached over and touched Toni’s hand. “I love Max, too, Toni. It’s not easy for me to know how Max feels about you but I’ve accepted it. Terry is a very good negotiator, you know,” she smiled. “He spent a month with us and I got to know him. I know what you have, Toni. I guess in a way I envy you. You have the love and devotion of four of the most remarkable men I have ever known.”
“But you have Max, Connie, and there is no one like him. I can’t tell you what to do and maybe you have valid reasons, but I think you need to marry him, bind him to you. He needs that; he needs home and family and only you can do that for him.”
“You know I was married before. I think he must have broken every vow he made and I was supposed to stand and take it as his wife. I swore I would never be in that position again. If Max and I don’t make it, I can walk away…anytime I want to.”
“Max is not like that, Connie. Do you know Sunday evening I wanted him to stay, yes, I did, and he said no, not in Terry’s home. I don’t know what you think but I’ve only been with him once since we left the House. I will always love him but I don’t want it to be in that way, I really don’t. I wonder, Connie, do you love him enough?”
“Enough…we’ve been together for over a year. Yes, I love him enough. Maybe I’ve been selfish and not thinking about him and what he really needs?”
“With Max, he has to be first. Take care of him and he will take care of you, oh, so well, Connie. Marry him. He needs that commitment. He will honor it, I know he will.”
Half an hour later Max knocked on Toni’s door, expecting to take her out to dinner and back to his flat. Connie opened the door. “Connie?”
“Hello, darling Max.” She gave him a quick kiss and grabbed his hand, pulling a bewildered Max inside.
“What…are you doing here? Where’s Toni?”
“Upstairs with Jacky. I didn’t realize how much I missed you and I thought, well, I’ll surprise him, and so here I am.”
“I like surprises.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
“Have you booked a table somewhere nice?”
“I have actually.” He managed a sheepish grin, knowing somehow Toni was involved in this.
Connie smiled, “What are we waiting for? I have my bag here, only one. Toni and I are going shopping tomorrow for London clothes so I don’t have to pack every time we come over. Was there something?”
“Oh, no, nothing at all.” He picked up her bag and followed her out of the door.
Toni watched from the window over the landing upstairs as he led her to the car and opened the door, stowing her little bag in the boot. She smiled to herself and said aloud, “Terry, you will be so proud of me.”
“Terry did ask me to keep her company.” They were seated in the restaurant and Max was trying to explain the dinner invitation.
Connie was way ahead of him but she looked at him seriously. “That’s very sweet of you, Max, and now that I’m here we can both keep her company.”
“Good idea,” he blinked and smiled, reaching for his wine glass.
“Oh, by the way, I was over at your chateau yesterday. They've begun to demolish the kitchen.”
“Lord, how many months do you think we’ll be without?”
“I don’t know. It's France. Ludivine said she would cook for us and bring our meals over.”
“You know, Connie, I like it when you say 'us' and 'our' much better than 'your chateau'.”
“But it is yours and the meals are ours because you share with me.”
“I’m sharing my life with you. I think of it as yours, too.”
“But it isn’t, is it? If you decide tomorrow that you don’t want me around anymore or we have a big fight and I don’t want to be around anymore, then it’s still yours.”
“Connie, I can’t conceive of not wanting you around and we’ve been together for over a year. No big fights have happened. It’s almost like…”
“We were married?”
“Something like that.”
“I look at Toni and Terry and how much in love they are and Donna and John how happy they are and I know some marriages are very good. It takes a strong love to make such a bond.”
Max caught her eyes with his. “How strong are you?”
“Strong enough.”
“You didn’t want a piece of paper.”
“It’s not the piece of paper that impresses me, it’s what it stands for. It has to be honored, the saying of…things.”
“Promises and vows. Do you think I wouldn’t honor those I make to you?”
“There may be some that you couldn’t, Max. Forsaking all others, how could you do that with Toni?”
“There is a special bond between us that you know all about. That can’t be broken; it’s for eternity. I respect the fact that she’s married to Terry and we’ve been in situations where it was awfully hard to respect that fact. I’ve been to bed with her once since she left the House. I can’t sit here and promise you that it won’t happen again. But there has been no one else, Connie, nor would there be.”
“And if I accept that? I’m trying to be reasonable about it. I know the history there.”
Max took a drink from his wine glass. “Are you trying to get me to propose…again?”
“Why is this so hard? No, I’m not. I’m asking you, Max. Will you marry me?”
“Only if you’re sure, knowing what I am and who I am. If you’re willing to take a chance with me, Connie, I would love to marry you.”
Connie smiled broadly, “Let’s don’t tell Daddy.”
“Deal”, Max smiled and touched her glass with his. They took a sip and he leaned over and kissed her right there in the upscale trendy restaurant in full view of everybody.
Part 4: Clarity of Purpose
Max was on the floor early the next morning and caught one of the traders he’d heard the day before. “Did you say Amis yesterday?”
“Oh, yeah,” he chuckled, “ran into him last night at the pub. He wanted to know who was leading the floor over here now. I said wouldn’t you like to know, ha ha.”
“I’m sure he would. Let’s don’t tell him,” Max smiled.
“Do you know him?”
“I went to school with the bastard.”
“Ah, ha, ha, ha!” The man moved on down to his station.
Max was on top of his game. Now that he knew what particular species of shark he was dealing with, he enjoyed himself. He was also making a bundle of money for John and, despite the pull and the rush he got from what he was doing, that was the sole purpose of his being on the floor and he didn’t forget it. When the trading day was over, he left the building quickly.
He drove out to Battersea to pick up Connie, who had spent the day shopping with Toni. He was let in by the nanny. Toni and Connie were downstairs in the kitchen.
Connie was explaining to Toni how they were envisioning their new kitchen. “Well, you know that warren of rooms? We’re going to take two of them and the existing kitchen. It should end up about the size of yours. I want it to be a gathering place, like this.”
“We don’t gather down here all the time but I know what you mean.”
Connie spotted him coming down the steps. "Max!”
“Hello, ladies, and I use that term loosely." He kissed them both.
“Are you implying that we’re loose women?” Toni asked.
“Gosh, I hope not. Did you tell her?” he asked Connie.
“Yes, I did and she wants to know where and when and can she do something.”
“I am so happy about this, Max!” Toni beamed.
Max cocked a brow at her. “I wonder why?”
Toni winked at him and went over to the wine cooler. “I think this calls for a toast. Max, will you do the honors?” She handed him the bottle and a corkscrew.
“I suppose we’ll need to go to the registrar's office together.” He looked up at Connie while corkscrewing.
“I suppose we will. I’d like Toni and Terry to be our witnesses, so we’ll have to wait until Terry gets back.”
“He’ll be back Sunday night,” Toni said, setting the wine goblets out. “A civil ceremony then?”
“As long as it’s legal.” Max poured out the wine.
“I can’t wait to tell him. He’s supposed to call me tonight. He will be so pleased.”
“I’m sure he will,” Max chuckled.
“Let me say this as a toast to you. Here’s to happiness and love. It’s what we all strive for, what we need, and what I hope for the two of you.”
“Thank you, Toni.” Connie sipped her wine.
“You’ve taught me well, Toni. I think I know what is necessary for a good life. You gave me the blueprint. Now it’s up to me to make it happen.”
“Max is going deep.” Toni met his eyes and smiled.
“He’s adorable, isn’t he?” Connie said, smiling at Max.
“Yes, he is. Well, what shall we do tonight? Surely something special. I’ve got Anna to look after Jacky.”
“You know what I would like to do, and I know this is crazy, but I’d like to ride on the London Eye.” Connie raised her brows looking from one to the other.
“Love it!” Toni said and laughed.
“Of all the places we could go and things we could do…” Max was out-voted.
They were near the top in the gondola when Toni got her phone call.
“Terry, darling, I have the best news.”
“Where are you? The reception is terrible.”
“I’m on the London Eye, almost to the top. Guess what? Max and Connie are getting married.”
“What are you doing on the Eye? Bloody hell, Toni.”
“I’m with Max and Connie. Did you hear me?”
“Max and Connie are with you?”
“Yes, they’re getting married!” Everybody in the gondola turned and laughed. Toni thought louder made it clearer.
“Max is getting married? Well, that’s great, Toni.”
“I’ll tell you all about it when you get home. Oh, and Jacky took a step all by himself. You just need to get home, love. There’s too much happening.”
“Sunday, honey, I’ll see you on Sunday. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” The Eye reached the top and stopped a moment. Toni was wishing Terry was with her to see this. She felt Max’s arm slide around her and pull her over with him and Connie. “It’s beautiful, Max, all lit up like this.”
Max looked down on the city and realized he did love it, maybe not the way he felt about La Siroque, but London was in his blood. The hustle and bustle of the city fueled him so that he could coast when he went home to the chateau. He had three more days to work and then he was done for awhile. Awhile? He smiled to himself. Once in awhile, just to keep his hand in, keep Amis on his toes, to keep from getting rusty himself.
It occurred to him it was near the Christmas holidays. He wondered if Connie might spend Christmas in London. They hadn’t a kitchen and there were his nephews and niece to buy gifts for. He thought he’d ask her after they were married. Married, he could hardly believe it. He looked town at the top of Toni’s head and knew she’d somehow engineered this, but he was okay with that. She knew what he needed and so did he. He gave Connie a squeeze and placed a kiss on the top of her head.
“If we ever touch solid ground again you two owe me a drink.”
“You’ve got two coming,” Toni answered. “Terry couldn’t believe where I was.”
“I don’t believe where you are.”
“Max?”
“Um hm?” Max leaned down to Toni.
“You’re about the best brother-in-law a girl could ever hope for.”
“We’re thinking like that, are we?”
“I think so. We have to, don’t we?”
“Um.” He ran his hand up her back. “Don’t be so sure of that.”
“Max?”
“Yes, darling?” He bent down to Connie.
“I was thinking since the chateau is torn apart…”
“Torn apart?”
“Well, you know, there will be workmen in and out, we hope, anyway. I thought if it was okay with you we might stay until after the holidays?” She looked up at him.
Max smiled, “If you’d like to, darling, I think we can do that.”
Life was good.
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