The Gift of a Lifetime Page 14

  But then just as the fabric unravelled, Beth discovered something else. The scarf was obviously a part of the next clue too: there was a message carefully embroidered on the fine material. ‘Jodi, look, there’s something written on the scarf,’ she pointed out excitedly. She read the words out loud. ‘It sort of cools the ankles, doesn’t it?’

  At this, the two women stood in silence and then turned to look at one another, baffled.

  ‘Don’t even ask,’ Jodi said. ‘I have no idea.’

  Beth exhaled heavily. ‘Me neither. But I do have an idea of someone who might.’

  Emerging back on the deck, Beth and Jodi had no problem finding Lin and Trevor. They were comfortably seated in the shade, sipping prosecco.

  ‘Hello, ladies,’ Lin smiled coyly. ‘Did you enjoy looking around? Would you like to join us for a drink?’

  But Beth ignored Lin’s pleasantries. ‘I really need to know who left this here for me. Please.’

  Lin smiled like the Cheshire Cat and took another sip of her drink. ‘Ah, so you found it then.’

  ‘Yes. I found it. But I don’t understand. This silk scarf, it has a message on it. See?’ Beth held the scarf up to her audience. ‘And then this hat.’ She opened up the box and displayed the Yankees cap. ‘But I don’t know … I don’t understand the connection.’ She looked imploringly at their host. ‘Who knew I’d be here? Why are you involved? Who’s behind this?’

  Trevor’s brow furrowed, but Lin simply continued looking placid. ‘I’m sorry, Beth, but I can’t provide you with any other information. I was simply asked to provide the location and was told that I would know you when I saw you – and indeed I did – that wasn’t difficult at all, considering. But I don’t have any other information for you.’

  With a deep sigh, Beth sat down and put the box and the scarf on the seat next to her. She supposed she should have expected as much; the assistant at Tiffany’s had given her the same spiel. These women, while playing a part in the whole … charade … seemed to know just as much (or indeed little) about the grand scheme as Beth did.

  She decided to accept Lin’s offer of a flute of prosecco. God knew, she needed a drink. As the bubbles hit her tongue, she gave a bittersweet smile – the beverage always reminded her of her and Danny’s time in Venice, sipping prosecco in the back of the water taxi. Back when they were still everything to each other.

  And then Trevor spoke, lifting her out of her melancholy. ‘Wait. Wasn’t Marilyn Monroe married to Joe DiMaggio at one point?’

  Jodi took a sip of her own drink and wrinkled her nose. ‘Briefly. Their marriage was doomed from the start. Barely lasted nine months.’

  Beth looked at her friend. ‘How do you know that?’

  She smiled wickedly. ‘I happen to be an expert in divorce, OK? But what does that have to do with anything?’ she asked, turning to Trevor.

  ‘Well,’ her partner replied thoughtfully, ‘I was just thinking. The Yankees hat … the name of this boat – The Seven Year Itch. And heck, even that scarf, wasn’t it in that movie that Marilyn wore that sexy white dress?’

  Beth’s eyes grew wide. Was Trevor on to something? Was this indeed yet another movie-related clue?

  ‘Think about it. Marilyn, Joe DiMaggio, that movie, those words written on the scarf – it has to connect to something with that movie The Seven Year Itch.’

  Jodi smiled broadly. ‘Such a smart guy,’ she cooed, giving him a proud kiss on the cheek.

  But Beth was already working it over in her head. The scarf was indeed similar to the material of Marilyn’s dress. And the boat – that was the name of the movie in question. Then the Yankees hat, perhaps a reference to Marilyn’s husband, Joe DiMaggio. It all meant something. It was supposed to point her somewhere, she knew that now.

  But where?

  Then there was that quote, It sort of cools the ankles, doesn’t it? That was the part of the clue that still needed to be solved.

  Maybe it was a quote from the movie? It was certainly the best place to start, she decided.

  While she’d seen The Seven Year Itch, it had many been years ago and nothing she’d found today, apart from the scarf bearing a resemblance to Marilyn’s dress, stood out for her in any way.

  She needed to familiarise herself with the film, figure out what the clues meant as a whole and where she was supposed to go next.

  She also needed to figure out how Lin might be connected to Ryan Buchanan, or the Tiffany’s assistant, or any of these people that had so far been finagled into helping with all this. For reasons Beth had yet to determine.

  But first things first.

  ‘Sorry, but I need to go,’ she said, standing up. ‘I have a movie to watch.’

  Chapter 16

  When Beth returned to the apartment late on Saturday afternoon she found Danny once again absent. He was obviously still in Queens. She picked up her phone with the intention of texting him or calling him to find out when he’d be back, but then decided against it.

  It was because, she supposed, the action felt duplicitous. She had already told him that little white lie about what she’d been doing that afternoon, and while it wasn’t as if she had been out having an affair, she was almost certain now that these clues, this quest … was connected to Ryan. And so continuing with the hunt felt wrong in itself.

  It had to be him, didn’t it? Notwithstanding that there were enough hints amongst the clues themselves, who else would realistically go to such trouble for her? And, quite possibly as he’d intended, as she worked to decipher every clue of this treasure hunt, Beth’s feelings for her work colleague continued to grow – while her time spent with Danny seemed to diminish.

  At this point, Beth was so confused she couldn’t think straight.

  Picking up Brinkley from the floor, she nuzzled the little dog and settled onto the couch. She reached for the remote control, and summoned Netflix on the TV. ‘We’re going to watch a movie, boy,’ she cooed. ‘And maybe, with a little luck, I’ll figure out this clue – and what I’m supposed to do next.’

  She scrolled through the options menu and then entered in the movie title she was looking for. The Seven Year Itch. ‘OK, settle in, this is an oldie but a goodie. Haven’t watched it for a very long time, but by all accounts it’s an absolute classic.’

  Brinkley listened to his mistress for a moment before determining he wasn’t interested. He yawned and closed his eyes, comfortable and content on Beth’s lap. ‘Well,’ she said, scratching the little dog’s head, ‘all right, sleep all you want, but you’re the one missing out.’

  No sooner had the opening credits begun than the front door of the apartment opened and in came Danny. Beth turned to look at him and was immediately struck by his appearance. He looked very dishevelled, and he almost paled when he saw her, as if he hadn’t been expecting she’d be back yet.

  ‘Oh, hey … I didn’t realise you would be home,’ he said, running a hand through his hair. ‘I figured you’d still be out with Jodi.’

  Beth paused the movie. ‘I just got home a little while ago. I hope that’s OK?’ she said with a slight barb in her tone, given that he was hardly greeting her unexpected appearance with open arms. ‘How was Queens?’

  Danny gave a noncommittal shrug. ‘Oh, same as usual,’ he said. And while he was trying to play nonchalant, Beth could feel nervous tension radiating off him. Had he been in Queens? Thinking about it now, she recalled that she’d been so intent on getting out of a potential visit herself that Danny hadn’t actually asked her to come along and didn’t seem too bothered when she’d cried off.

  So had he really been visiting his parents, or was he covering up something? If so, what?

  Beth’s heart plummeted at what was lately becoming an all-too-familiar scenario. And why couldn’t he meet her eyes?

  Mustering up some of Jodi’s backbone, she decided to come right out and say something.

  ‘Danny, are you OK?’ she asked gently. ‘You look … out of sorts. What’s goin
g on?’

  But he simply waved a hand, brushing away her concern. ‘Oh, nothing, I’m fine, just a bit tired. You know how Mom can talk. And I ate so much at lunch my, er, stomach hurts a bit. I’m … going to grab a shower.’

  And with that he was gone, leaving Beth suspicious once again as to why he was so jumpy and evasive. No wonder they couldn’t talk seriously about the problems in their relationship when he was avoiding her all the time.

  Indeed, he had looked totally unprepared for her to be home too. It was as if he had been intent on being alone when he opened the door and her presence had really thrown him. He looked shocked – and guilty too, she realised despondently. Where had he been?

  In Queens … she didn’t think so. But what was she supposed to do, phone his mother to check? Mae Bishop was no fool and would no doubt be full of questions if she realised something was amiss, not to mention that Danny would surely find out she was checking up on him. And the fact remained that Beth wasn’t sure if she did want to catch Danny out in a lie.

  Because if she did, it raised a whole lot of other issues she didn’t think she was ready to face.

  Sighing deeply, yet unsure what was the best thing to do, Beth decided to retreat into what had always been one of her greatest comforts. She pressed play on the remote control, hoping to lose herself and her thoughts in the movie.

  Though she was further interrupted when Danny returned a few minutes later, hair damp from his shower and smelling like soap. Some of his colour had returned and he looked a little more relaxed. It was as if he had needed the shower to regain his composure.

  ‘What are you watching?’ he asked, sounding much more like himself.

  Beth paused the film again, turned to him and considered the sudden change in his demeanour. His behaviour these days seemed as mercurial as the weather. Where he had been tense and anxious fifteen minutes ago – and had looked almost disappointed that Beth was at home – now he appeared calm and at ease.

  ‘Feeling better?’ she asked.

  Danny plopped down on the couch next to her. The movement woke up Brinkley, who opened sleepy eyes to spy the other member of his pack. Bidding him welcome, the dog left Beth’s lap and climbed into Danny’s.

  ‘Hey, buddy,’ he said, affectionately stroking the spaniel’s head. ‘Yeah, a bit. Just this cold and the heat on the train and whatnot. I just needed to freshen up. How did the thing with Jodi go? Was her boyfriend nice? Brave dude,’ he added, shaking his head, though he was smiling.

  ‘Danny!’ Beth chided, but it felt good to be having a relatively normal conversation. ‘He was nice, actually. And he obviously adores her.’

  He chuckled. ‘Speaking of adoration … I was talking to your Scottish buddy on the way in. He mentioned he was a bit worried about you, and asked if everything was OK.’

  Beth looked at him, surprised. ‘Billy? What do you mean?’

  ‘What? You haven’t noticed the googly eyes he’s always making at you?’

  She was genuinely shocked at this. Billy the concierge?

  ‘No way. Of course not. And Billy’s not like that. He just looks out for all of us residents, that’s all. Some messenger guy made a comment the other day, and I suppose he just wanted to check that everything was above board.’

  But then she remembered how flustered Billy had been acting around her lately. And she wondered where all of this was coming from, and more pertinently whether there might be anything to it – especially given what was happening now.

  Who’s to say a ‘messenger’ had delivered anything at all? Now Beth was really confused. If what Danny was suggesting was true, and Billy did have a bit of a crush on her …

  The package he was wrapping the other day, could it possibly have been the same one she’d found on the yacht earlier?

  She was still trying to make sense of this strange and completely unexpected piece of news when Danny said, ‘So I’m assuming this is a Marilyn kind of afternoon. The Seven Year Itch, huh?’ He turned to the screen and nodded towards the famous blonde bombshell. ‘Are you trying to tell me something? Gonna run away to Scotland with your friend the concierge?’

  ‘Stop it,’ Beth joked, though she couldn’t help but feel a swell of guilt balloon in her heart. He was obviously referencing their relationship. Seven years together – seven-year itch indeed. It was as if he knew something was up.

  Was all this teasing about Billy his way of trying to raise the issue?

  Thank goodness he didn’t know anything about Ryan then. Not that there was anything to know, Beth corrected herself. Nothing had happened between her and Ryan, or indeed with Billy. Was Danny trying to turn the tables on her? Or was he simply hoping to change the subject? Now more than ever she wondered what was going on with their relationship.

  She turned and looked straight into his eyes for the first time in what seemed like weeks. ‘Danny, seriously, are you OK?’ she asked softly, her tone serious. ‘This conversation feels … strange. What’s going on with you lately?’

  Danny cast his gaze directly on Brinkley, avoiding Beth’s eyes. ‘What? Nothing is going on with me. Everything is fine.’ He swallowed hard, and this wasn’t lost on her. However, she felt that if she pressed him on the subject, it was possible they may in fact end up having a ‘big talk’. That would be too much to face when she was having such conflicting thoughts about their relationship, and her growing feelings for Ryan. Never mind the mystery of the treasure hunt.

  She turned her attention toward the screen and pressed play. ‘I suppose it is a Marilyn sort of day, and no, I’m not trying to tell you anything,’ she laughed nervously, finally answering his question.

  ‘Do you mind if I watch it with you?’ he asked, and Beth felt immediately sad that he was asking her for permission.

  When did that start happening? When did they start tiptoeing around each other? She turned to him and gave him a small smile, wondering if Danny too felt the strangeness hanging in the air between them. And she considered the distance between them on the couch. She was at one end, he was at the other. There was a big gaping divide between them.

  Again, when did that happen?

  ‘Of course you’re welcome to watch it with me. That would be nice,’ she said, meaning every word. Still concerned about the distance (metaphorical or otherwise) between them on the couch, and looking for a way to close it without being awkward, she jumped up. ‘I think I’m going to have some wine. Would you like a glass?’

  He nodded. ‘Sure. That would be good.’

  She made her way to the kitchen and selected a cabernet from their wine rack. Opening the bottle and pouring two generous glasses, she came back, handed Danny his glass and curled up next to him, her thoughts in a muddle.

  While she felt happy that she had been able to casually close that space – at least the physical one – she still wasn’t sure what to do about the non-tangible void that existed in their relationship.

  They settled into watching the movie and Beth felt somewhat comforted when Danny began playing with an errant lock of her hair. They hadn’t relaxed together like this, in a physical sense, in a long time.

  She tried her hardest to push away the thought that by watching the movie with Danny she was inadvertently making him party to this treasure hunt of hers – an adventure likely started by another man. But who? Ryan? Billy, even? Beth felt a bit taken aback, not to mention uncomfortable, at having possibly two other men competing for her affections.

  Like Bridie always said, ‘feast or famine’…

  ‘Did you know that Marilyn Monroe was quite well read?’ Danny commented idly. ‘She actually took literature classes at UCLA. People always assumed that she was just this vapid sex symbol. I’m sure that drove her crazy.’

  Beth nodded as she tried to tune back in to the dialogue of the movie. ‘I did know that. It must have been hard. I mean, she was beautiful and sexy and adored by men and women alike, but misunderstood too. You can’t help but feel bad for her, especially since
it ultimately led to her dying so young.’

  ‘Yes, and she was unlucky in love, to boot,’ he said.

  Beth thought about the Yankees hat, and the information about Marilyn’s marriage to DiMaggio that Trevor had provided earlier. ‘Did you know her marriage to Joe DiMaggio only lasted nine months?’

  ‘I did know that. He apparently had a bad temper,’ Danny replied. ‘And he was incredibly jealous too. Not the best combo if you are married to a world-renowned sex symbol, I’d imagine.’

  Beth sat up straighter and looked at him. ‘Since when do you know so much about Marilyn Monroe?’ she asked with a smile on her face, though it was no surprise. He had always been a fount of knowledge about this kind of stuff, and was a dab hand at pop quizzes, she thought fondly.

  ‘Well, I’m with you, aren’t I?’ Danny chuckled. ‘I’m obliged to know a thing or two about movie trivia.’

  She laughed and settled back down next to him. There was something very comfortable about this at the moment. When she was like this – close to Danny, feeling normal – Beth could almost forget about the feelings that had lately been developing for Ryan.

  ‘And did you know that DiMaggio and Marilyn divorced practically right after this movie was made?’

  Beth’s ears perked up. No, she hadn’t known that. She hadn’t even known that the couple had been married at the time of this movie. So perhaps things were starting to make sense …

  ‘Did they really?’ she asked in an easy tone, wondering if this connected to the clue somehow, yet at the same time feeling guilty for allowing the hunt to intrude on the cosy intimacy they were now enjoying. She focused her eyes on the TV, waiting for Danny to respond, but he remained quiet. Apparently he too was focused on what was happening on the screen.

  Marilyn was wearing the famous white dress – possibly the most recognisable dress in all of film history. As ‘The Girl’ she meandered over to the subway grate, just as a subway train passed underneath, blowing her dress up around her thighs.

  ‘Do you feel the breeze from the subway? Isn’t it delicious?’ she asked Richard Sherman, played by Tom Ewell.