Scandalous Women by Gill Paul

Author:Gill Paul
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2024-06-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 29

Jacqueline

Manhattan, 1969

Jacqueline was pleased when Nancy rang one morning saying she needed advice. It had to be in person, she insisted; she couldn’t explain on the telephone.

“Meet me for lunch at Sardi’s,” Jacqueline suggested. “It’s not far from your office and their cannelloni is the best in New York City.”

What could it be about? Was Nancy finally going to confide in her about the mystery boyfriend? By her estimate they had been dating for almost two years but she still hadn’t met him. Maybe he had proposed and Nancy was deciding whether to accept? Jacqueline had strong views on the choice of husbands. She’d advised many a girlfriend on that score, and she had never been wrong.

Jacqueline got there first and watched Nancy arrive and glance around at the caricatures of celebrities that lined the walls. Her clothes were still old-fashioned but slightly more presentable than they’d been when she had arrived in the city. Today she was wearing a cute navy-blue dress with a white Peter Pan collar and cuffs, but she’d styled it with schoolgirl-style T-bar sandals. Ugh! She must take her shoe shopping one weekend.

As Nancy sat down, she commented on the caricatures. “Who did these? They’re wonderful!”

“Most are by a Russian émigré called Alex Gard, who drew them in exchange for free meals,” Jacqueline told her. “I like the tradition of restaurant owners supporting artists.”

“He should do a cartoon of you,” Nancy suggested, but Jacqueline wasn’t sure she liked that idea. Cartoons were never flattering.

They ordered, then Jacqueline cut to the chase. “What did you want my advice about? I’m all ears.”

“It’s my cousin Louise,” Nancy replied.

Jacqueline was crestfallen. Not the boyfriend then. “What about her?”

“She’s been behaving erratically since she came back, and doesn’t seem her old self at all. George says she’s a drug addict, but Louise denies it and says she just gives herself vitamin shots for energy when she’s working nights.” Nancy paused. “I wondered if you knew anything about vitamin shots and whether or not they’re addictive?”

“For sure they are,” Jacqueline said straight away. “They contain amphetamines, which are highly addictive. I’ve used them as a pick-me-up from time to time, but I always got the shots from a doctor, who does a full medical before administering them. There’s no way Louise should be injecting herself.”

“I thought as much.” Nancy looked worried. “I think she got hooked on them in London. George says he caught her injecting herself in his hotel room.”

Jacqueline nodded. George had told her. “I gather she was involved with a shady crowd there.”

“Was she? How come George knows shady people?” Nancy asked.

Jacqueline hesitated. “He was making a documentary about London clubland when he met Louise. He mixes with all sorts when he’s making his films.”

“I’d like to watch that,” Nancy said. “I haven’t seen any of George’s shows, but I’m staying in his spare room now and there’s a television in the living room so maybe I’ll catch one.”

George had told Jacqueline about Nancy moving in.

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