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interested. Hell hath no fury and all
that, hey?"
    Carrin
schooled her features, determined not to let Olivia see how she
felt. No one must know, ever! Especially a close friend of Mark's,
who would tell him.
    "No, you're
wrong. I've seen the way he treats people, that's all, and he seems
cruel."
    "Cruel! Mark?
Never." Olivia looked thoughtful. "To whom?"
    Carrin wanted
to shout, 'To me! He's using me, but I don't know what for!'
Instead she shrugged. "I've heard things about him, that's
all."
    "Ah, from
Helen, no doubt." Olivia leant closer. "I don't know why he puts up
with her, you know. She's been trying to get her hooks into him for
a long time, but he won't fall for her charms, and that's driving
her nuts. Don't let her poison your mind; she's bitter."
    Carrin
sniffed. "I suppose he'll marry Jenna one day."
    "Ha!"
Olivia gave a bark of laughter. "Never. That tramp doesn't stand a
chance with him. If I was twenty years younger, I'd be after him
myself, dear. Unlike most movie stars who hop in and out of
marriage, he's waiting for the right girl, and that's rare. He
won't marry for anything but love, you know. Jenna’s just
window-dressing. Something to keep the press happy; a date when he
needs to go to a function, that's all."
    Carrin looked
amazed. "You mean he doesn't love her?"
    "Let me tell
you something about Mark Lord, Carrin. He was an orphan, abandoned
as an infant. When he left the orphanage at eighteen, all he wanted
was to be rich and famous. He felt that he was worthless, you see.
Unloved. Even his mother didn't want him. That's hard to live with.
He put himself through acting school by working as a labourer. He
struggled for years to get a good part, and eventually he did. Do
you know how many millions he gives to charity? He supports at
least five orphanages and dozens of soup kitchens. He employs
hundreds to staff his homes. Why, he's a walking benefactor to all
who need him, including you."
    Carrin fiddled
with her teacup. "I think he needs a good screenplay."
    "Posh!" Olivia
banged the table. "You're not listening, and I haven't finished.
When he received your letter, he phoned me, and he was excited. Not
about doing another movie, but about helping a struggling writer.
He needs another movie like he needs a hole in the head. He's
turned down five offers in as many months. He doesn't need the
money or the aggravation."
    Carrin stared
at her. Well, that blew one of her theories out of the water, but
what other use could he have for her? Olivia watched her, and
Carrin felt foolish.
    "Maybe you're
right," she murmured. "You know him much better than I do."
    "Damn right
I'm right, and I think you owe him an apology."
    Carrin nodded,
deciding that the sooner she got out of this web of intrigue and
deception the better. Olivia obviously liked Mark Lord, but from
what she had overheard in the garden, Carrin knew that he was not
as innocent as Olivia liked to think. Olivia relaxed as Carrin
nodded and poured more tea.
    "Now, dear,
what did you need help with?"
    They spent the
rest of the day working on Carrin's screenplay. Olivia proved to be
a font of wisdom on writing and all its difficulties. After lunch,
John collected Carrin, whose head was abuzz with new ideas. A few
tired-looking paparazzi still hung around the gates, but John
barely slowed down, and left them running after the car in obvious
frustration.
     
    Back at
the mansion, Carrin asked Helen where Mark was, only to be told
simply that he was out. She located one of the many computers in
the house and settled down to work on the script. At around seven,
Helen brought a tray, and said that Mr Lord was sure that Carrin
would rather eat alone while she worked. The maid looked smug and
triumphant, which Carrin took to mean that Mark was not happy with
his guest. At around ten o'clock, she decided to go to bed, and
wandered into the garden to enjoy a breath of fresh air first. She
stretched and yawned, then spotted a dark shadow by the pool. She
turned