Sex, Lies & Serious Money

14

They were at Teterboro by seven-thirty, where they stowed their luggage and went through the emergency gear Don had ordered: three dry suits, GPS locator, handheld aviation radio, food, and water. Laurence had already ordered a life raft as part of the airplane’s original equipment. Don showed them how the suits worked and how to handle an emergency ditching in the North Atlantic. To Laurence’s surprise, Theresa took it in stride.

At nine AM sharp, Laurence began his takeoff roll, then rotated, got the landing gear and flaps up, and set a course in the flight management system for St. John’s, Newfoundland. They climbed to flight level 410 — 41,000 feet — and Don checked the range ring on the GPS. “Good tailwinds today,” he said. “We might be able to make London after St. John’s without stopping in Ireland for fuel.”

They refueled in St. John’s, then climbed to altitude. Don pointed at the range ring. “Unless that changes, we’re nonstop to London.” He pulled the power back a little, and the range ring moved outward. “Just in case we want to go to Norway,” Don explained. “It doesn’t hurt to have some extra fuel in reserve. I’m going to stretch my legs.” He got out of the cockpit.

A moment later, Theresa took the right seat. “I’m still alive,” she said. “I can’t believe it.”

“We’re in good hands with Don,” Laurence said. “He has a world of experience.”

“I feel I’m in good hands with you.”

They would be landing in the dark. Don, back in the right seat, talked Laurence through the setup for the approach. The weather was uncharacteristically clear, and Laurence saw the runway as they turned final.

“The autopilot knows the way,” Don said. “Stand by for a steeper-than-usual final leg — it’s a characteristic of this particular approach.”

Laurence devoted himself to slowing the airplane for the steep descent, with flaps, landing gear, and, as necessary, speed brakes. They touched down exactly where he had aimed the airplane and taxied to the ramp, where there was a car waiting.

“You go ahead,” Don said. “I’ll find a hotel and move the airplane to Oxford tomorrow. I’ve reserved hangar space there.”

“That’s perfect — half an hour from my folks’ place in the country.”

“You can always reach me on my cell phone,” Don said. “Let me know when you have a departure time, and I’ll make the arrangements and get the paperwork filed.”

They shook hands, and Laurence and Theresa got into the hired Jaguar. “Wilton Crescent, Belgravia,” he said to the driver.

“I know it well, sir.”

Three-quarters of an hour later, Laurence was letting them into the house. He put their luggage on the elevator and they rode up two stories. “You’ll have your own room,” he said.

“That’s very considerate,” she said, “but unnecessary.”

They turned in together and fell quickly asleep. She woke him in the morning, and the ravishing was accomplished.

Laurence’s mother had breakfast waiting for them, and he made the introductions. “Theresa, this is my mother, Dorothy, who likes to be called Dot.” The two women got on well immediately.

“Derek had a good night and will be walking around today,” she said. “I’ve hired a private nurse to help him in the country. His private insurance pays for part of it.”

“Don’t worry about the money,” Laurence said. “Dad left me well fixed.” Somehow, he didn’t feel ready to tell them about the lottery. He hadn’t told anyone, so far, and he wasn’t sure how to handle it.

“I didn’t know he was all that well off.”

“He made some very good property investments in Palm Beach.”

“Good for him, and good for you. I’m relieved that you can help. Derek has always made a lot of money in advertising, but he’s spent most of it in living well. I expect he’ll sell out to his junior partners, and that should see us right. We might have to part with some property, though.”

“Don’t worry your head about it.”

“Why don’t you and Theresa drive down to the country today or tomorrow and settle into the cottage? You can take Derek’s car and have some time together.”

“Tomorrow, perhaps. I want to make sure you’re all right here.”

Laurence took Theresa shopping at Harvey Nichols and bought her some clothes and a new suitcase to hold them, then, the following morning they set out for Berkshire in Derek’s Aston Martin Rapide, a four-door sedan with just room enough for their luggage. After an hour’s drive, Laurence drove through the gates to the property, which was called Westward Ho! past the handsome main house and to his cottage. Theresa found it completely charming.

Two days later, his mother arrived, driving her Jaguar XJ with Derek in the passenger seat.

“You look very good,” Laurence said, giving him a hug.

“Just a little tired,” Derek replied. “One more good night’s sleep, and I’ll be fit.”

“Don’t rush it.”

They dined at home, on a dinner prepared by a local cook who served them most weekends at the country house. Derek excused himself before dessert, and Laurence helped him to his bed.

“It’s good to see you, kiddo,” Derek said, as Laurence tucked him in.

“You too.”

“All this happened a little before I was ready for it, you know.”

“I guess it’s always that way.”

“The boys at the shop are taking care of things. I’ll make an appearance as soon as I feel up to it, to calm the clients, but I think I’m going to pack it in as soon as we can work out a price and a smooth transition. I hear they’re already looking for financing.”

“You can spend more time out here, then.”

Derek shook his head. “I won’t be able to afford it without a big salary coming in, so I think it will have to go. We might be able to manage the London house, but if not, then we’ll sell that, too, and take a flat.”

“Derek, don’t trouble yourself about all that, just rest and get well. I can help you.”

“You, help me?”

“Dad left me well fixed. Trust me, I can help.”

“And I thought you’d be playing piano in some dive for the rest of your life, while teaching pubescent schoolboys in the daytime.”

“Maybe not.” He kissed him on the forehead and went back downstairs.

“Was he talking about selling everything?” his mother asked.

“Yes, but don’t worry, you won’t be moving house.”

“We won’t? That’s not what Derek was saying.”

“Please trust me, Mom. Derek and I will sort it all out together.”

“If you say so, darling.”

“I do say so, and it will be so.”

They had a cognac together, then everyone went to bed.

Laurence and Theresa walked back to the cottage in the moonlight. “They’re such nice people,” she said.

“They are, and I’m glad to have them as my family.”

“I envy you that,” she said. “My family has always been such a mess.”

“Butch, too?”

“Especially Butch. I worry about him.”

“You’ll have to tell me all about it when I’m sober,” he said.