A Not So Happy Return

12 November

I stood just inside leaning back on the door trying to compose myself and catch my breath. I couldn't believe I'd just done that in front of everyone. The look on Colin's face was almost contempt, just this side of. It wasn't like I'd said he was my inspiration; he was my Giles, he was my Coleman. It wasn't like I said why he was responsible, was it? Or maybe I hadn't the need. Maybe they all got it. But I'd never said a thank you to him when I'd been up there, in the limelight, on a stage. Not that I had never wanted too. I had had to keep that inside me. This time I'd let it out, albeit in a very minor way. No one outside that table knew or heard. And it hadn't been a grandiose declaration after all.

I walked to the bedroom and threw my shoes over near the bed. I'd had enough of heels for a lifetime. So what if I was now in hose, I was in my temporary abode and I was going to be comfortable. We were taking a meeting. Usually for these I was in jeans and a nice top. Tonight I would be uncomfortably in a long evening dress. Nope, the shoes were gone. By the time I got back to the living room and stood staring out towards the balcony I figured I had about fifteen minutes to get set up before everyone else got back here from the ballroom. I went to the spare bedroom and started gathering Hilly's stuff, my stuff and the info from Working Title. I decided we could do the talking over all the mundane details in the sitting room. I went there and laid everything on a table. Tim and/or Eric could use the other for whatever they had with. Next I filled the ice bucket, filled a tray with glasses and set those on the bar. Last I put the food on the dining table. We'd set the plates and such out earlier, so it was an easy thing to prepare. I was almost spot on time wise.

So, here I was, ready for a meeting I didn't want. The one I wanted, was that going to happen? He had indicated he was coming too, even if he had nothing to do with the screenplay. It was a good sign, wasn't it? My timing proved out when I heard the front door open.

I walked in with Eric, Tim and their dates in tow. Colin was bringing up the rear, still sullen and silent. I stepped aside to let our guests in and asked Colin if he would mind talking everyone's coat, he nodded assent. I looked over to Diane, she seemed tense, no surprise there. I gestured to her in Colin's direction, I knew she would understand.
"We can put those in the spare room. I'll show you."
We walked down the short hallway and I opened the door. Hilly had given me my first shot at saying something, anything, to work on getting us back to us. Colin made quick work of placing the coats and walked back past me before I could utter one word. I had gotten a hand on his arm, but he pulled off and headed back to the others. I was left momentarily stunned, but shook it off and joined our guests.
Colin returned way too soon. I knew that any meaningful dialogue between him and Diane had not transpired. At this moment it was neither the time nor the place to contemplate that issue. I went into hostess mode and began offering refreshments all around.
When I got back Colin had made himself at home at the bar, already fixing, what I could tell was scotch - straight up. I shook my head at Hilly, she knew.
"So, bars open, apparently. Please help yourselves to whatever."
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I think I need to get some fuel in me first before I can even begin to look at anything close to legal."
I made my way to the dining area and picked up a plate, watching Colin the whole time. He came across as totally disinterested in the fare of edibles spread out. Instead he'd found one of the glass doors and walked out on the balcony and set himself in a lounge. His head was back and his drink was in his right hand, dangling off to one side.
I grabbed some food and settled myself at the table with Eric and Tim. I knew Diane would need some time to settle herself and Colin was not making that effort at all easy. But this was my arena and I could diffuse any inkling of distress by focusing on business.
"So Eric, Tim, I assume you have the paperwork at hand. Let's take a look, shall we?"
"Hilly, let the guys eat first would you?"
I wasn't ready to do any of that crap yet, so we sat back and relaxed a little. There was small talk and the guys loosened up; telling jokes and stories that I knew at another time and place would have me rolling. Right now I couldn't help watching Colin as he stayed on the periphery; pacing around the balcony and coming in on occasion to refill his drink. It was after midnight when Eric broke this up to get us going.
"Diane, you ready? We've a lot to go over."
"Sure, sure, Eric. I have our stuff in the other room, did you want to go there or bring it in here?"
"No, that's fine. Let's get to it then."
As we got up to move the entourage I saw Colin stop and take a drink as he stood, looking in at me, at one of the balcony windows. I gave a quick glance and kept moving. Tim, who seemed to have the vigor for the negotiations opened up an attaché and pulled out some papers; lots of them, and a copy of 'Untangled Webs.'
"Sorry ladies, I've got quite a mess in here. Give me a moment."
"Tim?"
"Yes?"
"Call me stupid, but...ah. Why do you have a copy of my book there?"
"Oh that, yes. Well, we'll get to that."
I looked over at Hilly, then leaned in to her.
"I won't do it. Not that one."
I leaned into her and whispered back, "you just may have to."
"Eric, pardon my obtuseness here, but, what happened to my deciding on the three you'd sent?"
"That, yes. Sorry we hadn't gotten back to you on this. We thought this would be a better genre for you to give a go. We've got you a co-writer. But let's get this a step at a time, shall we?"

"Did you?"

"Yes."
"A co-writer?"
"Yes. As I said, one step. Now I suppose we had best get the legalities worked on first. So this would be you stepping up then Hilary?"
I looked at Diane and told her to let me take it from here.
"I need a drink. Be right back."
"Ok gentlemen, as you said one step at a time, but this better be good."

I was staring them down. This was unexpected and I was not pleased. Diane was not pleased and they got that immediately. Ok I could handle this decidedly left turn. However, Diane could not at this point. She was too distracted, not by their bombshell, not in the least. It was Colin's pacing and the wall he seemed to have erected.
I picked up my drink and found a place to park myself against the wall next to the bar. I put my head back and closed my eyes. I didn't want this. What I wanted was for this future project to instantly be in the past. I took an occasional glimpse at Colin. If I was into movie comparisons, and I was at times, Darcy was at the Bennet's with Bingley trying to ignore the mom, aka me. Though he was actually shutting everyone out. Hilly? I wasn't worried, she would get this right for me.
"Diane is this alright with you?"
I turned to the voice.
"Sorry Tim, what?"
"We wanted to procure a residence for you in Islington."
"Islington? What the hell do I want to go there for?"
I looked at Hilly pleading for an explanation I was sure I had missed and didn't really want.
"Tim, I specifically told you I would discuss that with Diane."
"I'm sorry Hilary, but some things have to be taken care off straight away. We need an answer now."
"Will someone please explain?"
I almost felt like I wasn't even around. I probably could have gone to bed. I fixed another drink and walked back in the room standing in the middle of the three of them.
"Well?"
I was livid with Tim. Although in all fairness to him, he really didn't know why I wanted to tell Diane.
"Diane - they want to secure for you. Islington seems apropos."
"Why are we even talking about Islington? Don't you think I can write in Austin? I can you know. I do it all the time. If you think I need help, I can get someone local from the guild to help me."
"Gentlemen, let me talk to Diane - in private."
"No. You tell me here and now."
"Di, you need to be in London. However, where exactly remains to be decided. Your co-writer is Nick Hornby. That's why Austin is not possible."
I just looked around at each of them and shook my head. I felt defeated.
"I don't want to go to London. Find somebody else. Did you say Nick?"

"Yes, Nick."

"Nick of the I can't find enough time to get through one of his books? That Nick?"
"That Nick."
"He lives in like Highbury, right? Like Paul Ashworth? Course he would, Paul is Nick."
I waved off Tim and Eric to get more refreshments. Maybe not in the most gracious manner, but they got it.
"Diane, focus with me."
"But why would I want to be in Islington? Can't I just be anywhere in London? Is this a problem? Can I decide something as concerns me?"
"Location is not an issue."
"Oh...sorry."
"Location will be sorted out. Di, this is tremendous for your career. If you want this, it can happen."
I hadn't seen, but Colin had come in and was again standing off to one side, being silent.
"Perhaps something further out to the west of the city? More open, relaxing."
It was the first thing he had said in over an hour. It was getting on toward two in the morning. I was tired, I wasn't thinking. I turned in his direction and copped an attitude.
"No way in hell Colin."
I'd seen that face before. The one that came out at my statement. He disappeared down the hallway.
"Diane...you're bad there."
"Hilly, you don't know..."
No one missed the bedroom door slamming shut as he came back where we all were and the glare settled on me. He had his coat on his arm.
"Gentlemen.......Hilary."
That was all he said. Without looking at me or anyone else he went to the door, opened it and left. I then didn't give credence that anyone else was there. I gave Hilly my glass and headed down the hall to my bedroom. I grabbed my backpack purse and shoved jeans and a shirt inside, then the door opened. I looked up and met Hilly's eyes.

"I'm going after him -  going to Long Beach."

I looked up at her as we both stayed focused and calm.

"I don't know what's going to happen. How long I'll be. If I'm taking the flight back with you."
"It's about the fuck time. Talk to him Diane, apologize and put it all right. Get yourselves back on the same page. Don't worry about Eric and Tim, I'll take care of them."

I snatched up the backpack, grabbed the keys and went directly to the door, never looking back and making no excuses or apologies to our guests.

"Diane, your shoes."

I looked down at my bare feet, not caring that they were, opened the door and left.
"Gentlemen it seems that we will need to postpone the remainder of this meeting for another time."
I was gathering up the paperwork and putting it into my portfolio.
"I'll review all of this with Diane and get back to you. From what I see it seems fairly straightforward and standard. I anticipate no delays in finalizing the contract."
Both Eric and Tim were looking at me astounded. Of course they were looking for an explanation as to what the hell just happened and my calm demeanor only served to confuse them.
"Colin has had a hard time in coping with all the negative publicity. A first for him in his entire career and Diane seems to be able to put it in perspective for him. She's handled it better and he welcomes her advice. She advised me in the kitchen earlier that she felt he was still having a time. That she wanted to sit and talk with him; hit him over the head with one of her books if need be. Get him to snap out of it."
They both murmured agreements to that statement. Whether they believed me or not, I couldn't say, but it seemed to be what they could accept. I showed them to the door and told them they'd hear from me as soon as possible.