Heart & Soul
Episode 23
By Allan
Craig
Josh woke up next to an alert Jessica. He leant over and kissed
her, wriggling closer until their bodies were touching. He ran his hands
through her hair and under the covers. Jessica barely even moved.
"What’s wrong?" Josh propped himself up with one arm.
"Is it just me, or were Pamela and my dad flirting all night
last night?" Jessica scrunched her face up.
Josh rolled his eyes, letting a small laugh out, "I
suppose…but he’s a grown man."
"He’s a married man! My mom’s back in
"Baby I see where you’re coming from, but can’t we just let
Patrick mind his own business and we can get down to some serious
business," Josh kissed Jessica’s neck.
"Not now Josh, I’m not in the mood," Jessica got out of
bed and put on her robe, "You want a coffee?"
"No thanks," Josh rolled his eyes.
The Abbot House: Matt and
Alex’s Room
Matt closed the door, holding 2 mugs of steaming hot coffee in his
hands. He walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, putting his cup on the
bedside table and placed Alex’s on her side of the bed. She woke up and looked
over at Matt, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Morning sleepy head," Matt smiled, "I made you a
coffee."
"Thanks," Alex yawned, "What time is it?"
"
"Well I got my transfer through, so I start work on Monday, I
thought I’d go and get a few bits and pieces, a few tops, a new bag, maybe some
shoes, I thought I’d Ashley to go with me."
"Sounds good, so how’s she taking being dumped?" Matt headed
over to the window.
"Okay I guess, she went out last night with that girl from
her school, Lisa I think her name is, I wonder what time she got in at."
"
Alex got out of bed and put her robe on, walking over to the
window, "Yeah that’s her."
"Let’s just hope Wesley doesn’t catch her," Matt joked,
taking another drink from his mug.
"He’s at work, I think, he said something last night about an
early start today."
"Hmm, probably wants to get there to see as much of
"Doubt it, she’s not his type," Alex stood up straight,
defensively, almost jealous of the notion that Wesley could be attracted to
The Abbot House
Ashley gently closed the front door and tiptoed over to the stairs
with Lisa following, both holding their shoes in their hands. They started up
the stairs but the sight of Alex standing at the top stopped them dead in their
tracks.
"Morning sweetheart," said Alex, although her face looked angry, "You
look like you need this more than I do," Alex handed Ashley the coffee, "You
two go get changed into your pyjamas, I’ll bring you both some breakfast. I’ll
make some nice, greasy bacon and sausage, a nice fried egg with a runny yolk,
how does that sound?"
Both girls looked at each other and ran past Alex, both heading
for the bathroom before throwing up.
"That’ll teach her," Matt appeared in the doorway behind
her, "But breakfast sounds really good, if you’re offering."
"Well you made coffee, I might as well return the favour,"
Alex smiled.
The
"How’d you get in?"
"I used my key, I hope you don’t mind. I just thought I’d
come and check on how you’re doing, I mean I’m not going to lie and say me and
your mother were…the best of friends," Diane sat down, "but it’s
gotta be hard losing a parent, especially when you’re so young."
Kendall looked at her aunt, puzzled at whether she was being
genuine or not. Her past experiences of Diane had been pleasant, but she’d
heard from Jackie about the other side of her, "I’m fine, really, I mean
who wouldn’t be when you just inherit $20million?"
"If only we were all that lucky," Diane laughed, "Oh
dear god what is she wearing?" Diane glanced at the magazine, "You’d
think with all the money she makes she’d be able to afford a decent stylist."
Kendall laughed, an innocent smile appearing on her face.
"So what are you doing today?" Diane asked, sitting down
next to her niece.
"I dunno, not much to do when your friends are thousands of
miles away."
"Well if you want we could go into the city, do some
shopping. All the fall collections are just coming out and I could use a new
pair of shoes."
"You sure do know a way to a girl’s heart, don’t you aunt Di?"
"Go get yourself ready, I’ll just go up and see Megan, see if
she wants to join us."
"She’s not here…didn’t you know? She’s gone away for the
weekend with Will," Kendall stood up, tucking a lock of her raven hair
behind her diamond hooped ear, "she’ll probably be back later on today."
Diane tried to hide her disappointment at not being told about her
daughter’s reunion with Will, "Oh right…well I’ll go over to the guest
house and ask Carrie, it’s been a while since I had a chat with my
daughter-in-law."
Reilly’s
John sat in the bar with a pint of beer in his hand. He looked
around the place, he hadn't been here since before he got married to Diane, his
bachelor party in fact. He finished off his pint and motioned to the barmaid
for another. Joseph walked in and sat on the stool next to him.
"Drinking? Johnny it’s ten o clock in the morning,"
Joseph took a handful of nuts from a bowl on the bar and started to munch on
them.
"What are you? My mother?" John slid a crumpled $5 bill
across the bar, "Keep the change."
"This isn't going to help, you know, it wont help you get any
of the money back," Joseph put his hand over the pint, "John why not
just accept it. Kendall and Leo are in control and there’s nothing you or me
can do about it."
"You’d be surprised Joe."
"What does that mean?" Joseph looked puzzled, "Jackie’s
will is iron clad, we can’t change it. She screwed you John, and ya know what?
I can’t believe you’d be so dumb to fall for it. You’ve known her all your
goddamn life, you know exactly what she’s capable of and what she does, how the
hell did you fall for it?"
"I don’t know Joseph," John took the pint from out of
his brother’s hand, "I don’t know."
The Abbot House: Ashley’s
Room
Ashley and Lisa sat on top of Ashley’s bed in pyjamas, both
bearing the graffiti of a heavy night. Ashley picked up the remote control and
changed the channel when a commercial came on.
"What else is on?" asked Lisa, dark circles surrounding
her usually bright eyes.
"One Life To Live, I think, I dunno, haven't watched any
soaps since last summer," Ashley’s voice was throaty and dry sounding, her
face pale and ill looking, "But we’ll put it back on As The World turns in
a min, you never know, they might show Mike’s ass again."
"Lets hope so, that guy is so hot," Lisa giggled. Ashley
smiled at her friend but suddenly jumped up and rushed to the toilet. She bent
over the toilet and threw up.
The Sterling Mansion:
Guest House
Carrie hunched over the toilet bowl, wiping the sick from around
her mouth. This was one aspect of being pregnant that she did not like. She walked
out of the bathroom and headed across the bedroom, through the living room and
into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of water. She glanced at Greg’s cellphone,
sitting on the counter, she made a mental note to take it to Greg at work later
on. There was a knock at the door. Carrie walked back through the living room
and opened it to see Diane standing in front of her.
"Hi Carrie, long time no see," Diane smiled, Carrie
almost thought that Diane was being friendly.
"Diane. I suppose you’d better come in," Carrie stood aside
to let her mother in law past.
"So how are you?" asked Diane, the smile still fixed on
her face, "pregnancy going okay?"
"A spot of morning sickness here and there but nothing out of the
ordinary," Carrie leaned against the side cabinet, her hand resting on her
stomach, it was still flat, but she knew it wouldn’t be long until she wouldn’t
be able to see her feet, "Greg’s at work but I’ll tell him you visited."
"Oh no, it was you I wanted to see," Diane sat down on
the sofa, "Kendall and I are heading into the city for a spot of retail
therapy, just wondering if you’d like to come, you know, a time for just us
girls to have a bit of a chat."
Carrie could barely believe what was happening; not only was Diane not
threatening to kill her but she was actually being nice. She didn’t know what
to make of it, on one hand, Diane could be setting her up for a fall, but on
the other, maybe all the stuff that happened with Jackie made her turn over a new leaf, "Um…yeah,
that would be nice…fun even, I’ll just go get changed."
Carrie walked off into the bedroom and closed the door, the smile
immediately disappearing from Diane’s face.
Josh & Jessica’s
Apartment
Jessica stood out on the balcony staring at the river. Josh walked
out through the large glass doors, sliding it closed behind him. The sun was
now shining in full force and a gentle breeze rustled the branches on the trees
lining the street that overlooked the river. Josh stood behind Jessica, putting
his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.
"You know, I can’t believe him," Jessica barely
acknowledged the kiss, "I mean, I really should call my mom but it would
break her heart."
"It was only a bit of harmless flirting," Josh could
barely believe how big a deal Jessica was making about it, "You do it all
the time. Everybody does."
"But he’s my father! He has a wife! He has a family!"
"You guys have all grown up now, him and your mom moved to Florida.
They’re grown adults," Josh rolled his eyes, "You can’t keep them
under control, you’re the kid, not them. Look, Jessica, everybody does it, but
Patrick loves your mom, he always has done."
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Be right back," Josh kissed her again before opening
the door and walking across the lounge, opening the door to see Patrick
standing in the hallway, "Patrick, come in."
Jessica caught sight of her father and walked into the living
room.
"Hi honey," Patrick hugged his daughter, "What’s
up?"
"Care to tell me what the hell you were playing at last night?"
Jessica folded her arms, standing up straight and tossing the hair from out of
her face. Patrick shot his daughter a confused look. Jessica rolled her eyes, "Don’t
play dumb, dad! You, Pamela, Flirt-fest 2004!"
"Ah," Patrick looked down, "I was just being
friendly."
"There’s friendly and then there’s friendly," Jessica turned
around, facing the window with her back to her father, "You crossed the
line big time. Have you totally forgotten about mom?"
Patrick took a deep breath, bracing himself for his daughter’s
reaction, "Your mother and I, we’re…well we’re getting a divorce."
Jessica gasped for air, feeling her legs buckle from the shock.
The Sterling Mansion:
Lounge
Kendall and Carrie sat down on the couch in the middle of a
conversation, both engrossed in each other’s company and each clutching a
bundle of bags from various designer shops. Diane walked in and dumped her bags
by the door before sitting down on one of the deep, comfortable armchairs.
"So what do you think of red highlights?" Kendall ran
her fingers through her hair.
"Hmm I dunno," Carrie bit on her lip, "a bit last
year. Some different shades of light brown and blonde would look really good
though, but to be honest I like your hair the way it is."
"Really? Hey you know that sweater you got, the green one? I
have a belt that would look so good with it, I’ll let you borrow it,"
Kendall beamed, it was the first time she hadn't had such a good time in ages, "Listen,
how about we go out for a few drinks, it’s about time I checked out Oakridge."
"I think I’ll give that a miss," Diane interrupted, seeing John walk
into the mansion, "I’ve got a few errands to run, I better be going now.
We should do it again sometime."
"Yeah thanks for today," Kendall got up and hugged her
aunt.
"Seeya later," Carrie looked up, still unsure about
Diane.
Diane walked out of the living room and pulled John into the study
on her way out, closing the door behind them.
"What is it Diane?" John asked, his breath smelling of
beer.
"Have you been drinking?" Diane sat down.
"What does it matter, do you care to tell me what that whole
thing was about? Since when did you and Kendall become the best of friends? And
you’re hardly Carrie’s biggest fan!"
"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," Diane’s
face was overcome by a blunt, uncaring expression, "If she wasn’t carrying
my grandchild Carrie would be out on her ass and as for Kendall, I’m just
getting her trust. She’s hardly going to suspect me for swindling her out of
her millions, is she?"
"I might have guessed," John sat down, "You really are a sick,
twisted, piece of work Diane, do you know that?"
"I just know what I want," Diane raised an eyebrow, "And
I always get what I want. But you know that, don’t you? In fact that’s why you
married me and you know it."
Jazz & Co
Megan walked into the bar and stopped, scanning the customers in
search of her uncle. Joseph caught her eye and waved her over, Megan smoothed
down her denim skirt and tucked a piece of hair that had escaped her ponytail
behind her ear as she reached the table. She sat down and crossed one leg.
"Sorry I’m late," Megan looked at her uncle, "There
was bad traffic on the highway. You owe me one uncle Joe, I was having a very
relaxing weekend."
"Well this is a little more important than a dirty weekend
with your man," Joseph beckoned a waitress over "Two glasses of your
house red," the waitress walked away, "Megan, this family is in
trouble."
"If this is about money you can just stop right now, I don’t care
about it," Megan slouched down in the chair.
"I suppose you wouldn’t, I mean you’ve got your five million outta your
trustfund. You’re sorted for life. But
think of your father. He worked all his life to make that kinda life for
himself, and it’s all gone just like that."
"I don’t see what you want me to do about it. It’s out of our
hands. Kendall and Leo have the money and I doubt either of them is gonna be willing
to hand over their half."
"We’re not talking a couple thousand here Megan, we’re
talking thirty million dollars," Joseph took the glasses from the waitress
and handed her a crisp ten, "They both inherited twenty. Each. They should
only have got five mil each at the most, and if what your dad says is right,
Jackie conned him outta thirty million bucks. Can you imagine what that’s doing
to the guy?"
Megan gulped, the true extent of what had happened just sinking
in, "You’re right Uncle Joe, but I don’t see what you think I can do about
it."
"You need to get in touch with Leo. It’s pretty obvious that
nothing’s gonna make Kendall give up her stash. Leo will be a lot easier to
crack, he’s not as sharp as his sister."
"You really don’t know Leo then do you? Look I’m not going
into it with you cos what he does with his life is none of our business,"
Megan took a drink from her sparkling glass of deep red liquid and let the
bitter taste travel down her throat, "Anyway I don’t see why you’re so
keen to help, what’s in it for you?"
"Making sure my brother doesn’t drink himself into an early
grave," Joseph stared solemnly at Megan and watched the colour drain from
her face.
Hartford and Stone Law
Offices; Wesley’s Office
Wesley sat at his desk, his wedding photo with Alex resting on a
bundle of files. They had barely changed since the photo was taken; sure- they
had gotten older, everybody had, but Alex was still as beautiful, if not more,
than the day they married. The door opened and Madison strolled in.
"You’re putting in a bit of a late night aren't you Wesley?"
Madison perched herself on the edge of the desk, leaning over to give Wesley a
good look at her ample cleavage.
"Yeah well forgive me if I don’t want to sit and watch my
darling wife and her husband to be acting like a pair of teenagers,"
Wesley lit a cigarette and took a deep draw.
"Green really isn't your colour Wesley," Madison rolled
her tongue over her teeth, "You need to be patient. If we rush this you
could lose everything; Alex, Ashley, you could even end up in jail."
"It’s a risk I’m willing to take," Wesley sighed,
although he couldn’t bare the thought of losing Alex, he knew he couldn’t let
her go with Matt.
"Well then, you need to think of something to fall back on,
something to keep her in Oakridge for the time being, and I think I have just
the thing," Madison smiled, her eyes alive with knowledge. She had Wesley
exactly where she wanted him, eating out of the palm of her hand.
TO BE CONTINUED…