Warhol's Prophecy

61

CAROLINE HACKET GAZED at the screen of the word processor, then down at her fingers as they rested on the keyboard.

She reread the words on the screen, then leaned back in her chair, stretching.

There were several books spread out on the desk around her.

Pieces of paper, too, with notes scribbled in biro and pencil.

She worked in one of the spare bedrooms, as she always had done. The room looked out onto her back garden, but her desk was arranged so that she had her back to the view. Some days she found it difficult enough to work anyway, without the distraction of something to look at.

It had been easier in the office when she’d been a journalist. She had always found the seething chaos around her there more conducive to work than the silence and loneliness of this small bedroom. Strange, she thought, how easy it had been to shut herself away mentally in the middle of a newspaper office, surrounded by others of like mind. Easier than this. Easier than the silence she had now.

It was a peculiar paradox. But, she reasoned, not the only one in her life.

She got up from the WP and headed for the stairs. She couldn’t think straight anyway. Perhaps a coffee would help. Some caffeine might kickstart her creative juices. She smiled to herself as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

In the kitchen she flicked on the small music centre that was perched on top of the fridge. The CD began to fill the room with the strains of Celine Dion.

During a break between tracks she heard the doorbell.

Caroline hesitated. She wondered for a second if she should ignore it. Her concentration was wavering enough already, without further interruption.

In the end she decided to see who was calling.

In the kitchen the kettle began to boil.

She pulled open the front door.

Adam Walker smiled at her.

She returned the smile.

‘I hope I’m not disturbing you,’ he said.

‘Not at all. I was having a lousy day anyway. Come in.’

He hesitated.

‘The kettle’s just boiled,’ she told him. ‘Can I tempt you to a coffee? I was making one anyway.’

‘Thanks.’

He followed her through into the kitchen.

‘It’s a nice house,’ he told her, seating himself on one of the high stools beside the breakfast bar.

She smiled again and pushed a coffee mug towards him.

‘Sugar there,’ she informed him, nodding towards a bowl close by.

There was a brief silence, finally broken by Caroline.

‘If it’s any consolation, Adam, I think Hailey was wrong.’

He looked puzzled.

‘What are you talking about?’ he wanted to know.

‘She told me what happened. Said you’d been phoning her. I know she hasn’t returned your calls. So, if it’s any consolation, I think she’s wrong. I told her she should at least speak to you.’

‘What else did she tell you?’

Caroline shrugged. ‘What happened between you at your house,’ she explained.

Walker sipped his coffee, his gaze never leaving her.

‘I didn’t force her into anything,’ he said. ‘I don’t care what she said to you.’

‘Look, I’m on your side.’

She sat down beside him.

‘Then help me,’ Walker said.

‘How?’

‘Get her to speak to me.’

‘She won’t listen to me, Adam.’

‘You’re her best friend, aren’t you?’

She gazed at him for a moment, then looked away almost guiltily.

‘What do you want from her?’ Caroline asked.

‘I just want her to listen. All I wanted to do was apologize for what happened. I didn’t intend all that to happen. I thought it was what Hailey wanted. She was the one who was always going on about what a bad marriage she had. I wanted to be her friend. I never wanted to start an affair with her.’

‘Not even if she was willing?’

He smiled. ‘Well, maybe.’

They both laughed.

‘I just don’t know why she’s become so hostile,’ he said finally. He then told Caroline about their meeting in the car park of SuperSounds.

She listened intently.

‘Well, I wouldn’t have turned you down,’ she said, smiling.

‘I don’t need your pity, Caroline,’ he replied flatly.

‘I’m not giving it.’ She looked directly into his eyes.

‘I shouldn’t have come here,’ he sighed. ‘This isn’t your problem. I just thought that if you spoke to her, told her how I felt, then she might call me back. That’s all I want her to do. It sounds pathetic, doesn’t it?’

‘And if she does call you back, what do you think she’s going to say? “Everything’s all right, Adam. Sorry I wouldn’t speak to you. Tell you what, let’s go ahead and have that affair.” Is that what you want her to say?’

He didn’t speak.

‘Let it go, Adam,’ Caroline said quietly. ‘I don’t normally give advice, and if you told me to mind my own business I wouldn’t blame you, but for your sake forget about Hailey.’

‘It’s not that easy.’

‘Oh, come on, you’d only known her for a couple of weeks. It’s not like you were life-long friends, is it?’

Walker looked at her, his eyes narrowing slightly, and Caroline saw something behind those eyes.

Something like rage.

It vanished as rapidly as it had appeared.

A smile again creased his features.

‘You’re right,’ he said finally, slipping from the stool. ‘But when you see her again, tell her I said hello and tell her I understand.’ He put down the mug. ‘Thanks for the coffee.’

‘Adam, wait. I was just about to have some lunch. Nothing fancy: something out of the microwave. If you’d like to join me . . .’ She allowed the sentence to trail off.

‘Thanks,’ he said, still smiling. ‘But I’ve taken up enough of your time. Besides, I’m stopping you working, aren’t I?’

‘Any excuse is welcome.’ She grinned.

‘How’s the new book coming along?’

‘You don’t want to know.’

‘No, you’re wrong. I do want to know. I really respect what you do. And, by the way, I finished your other book. I thought they were both excellent.’

‘Thanks very much. Why don’t you tell me how brilliant I am over lunch?’ She pointed towards the microwave.

They laughed and Walker sat down again.