Page 92

‘Sailing must be in your blood,’ Demetrios said proudly.

Grace turned to Shauna, and said, a little shyly, ‘You know, I saw you once.’

Shauna was surprised. ‘Really? When was that?’

‘In Cannes. My father took me, he had some business in Nice and took me with him. It was only a few years ago. I remember seeing you on the red carpet and thinking how beautiful you were. I never could have imagined that I’d meet you one day or that …’ She broke off, shaking her head in bewilderment.

‘It’s going to take a bit of getting used to, Grace, and I don’t expect you to accept me overnight. I know you need to get used to the idea. You have two brilliant parents already. I’ll be happy just to …’ For a moment Shauna felt overwhelmed by the enormity of what was happening, but was determined to hold it together, for Grace’s sake. ‘… Even if you only ever see me as a friend, I’ll be grateful for that.’

Grace’s face broke into a huge smile and for Shauna it was like a million lightbulbs all turning on at the same time. ‘I’m sure I can do a bit better than that,’ Grace told her and with those words she threw her arms around Shauna and held her tight. Shauna stroked her daughter’s hair, drinking in her vanilla scent. For a brief moment it was as if she was holding her tiny baby in her arms again.

Inside her heart, the empty space that had remained since she and Grace were parted was finally filled and Shauna knew that this time it wasn’t a goodbye, but a beginning.

Chapter 36

Ithos, March 2003

Demetrios scratched at his eyes, he was struggling to stay awake, but he hadn’t sat up half the night like a lovesick teenager to watch the woman he loved on TV, just to fall asleep when it mattered.

He had sat through the endless parade of dresses on the red carpet outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, had laughed as Joan Rivers poked fun at the great and the good, all the time desperate to catch a glimpse of Shauna.

He knew that Roxy had designed her dress for her, but when he first caught sight of her posing on the red carpet for photographers, waving to the crowds and good-naturedly answering the hundreds of questions fired at her by the world’s press, it took his breath away. Her dress was floor-length black ruffled chiffon, with a sheer torso embellished with tiny crystal skulls. With her dramatic eye make-up, it was bold departure from her usual timeless elegance. It spoke of a new confidence and acceptance of herself, able to step out of the shadow of her late husband and the tabloid stories of the last few years and stand proud.

And now here it was – the moment that the world was waiting for, the Best Actress category, arguably the toughest category this year. Shauna was up against the best actors in the business, including Nicole Kidman, the front-runner. The camera panned across the nominees’ faces as Denzel Washington read out their names and the screen showed excerpts from their respective films.

When Shauna’s name was read out, the camera lingered on her face, serene and calm, her green eyes composed and cool, but Demetrios knew that her legs would be shaking beneath her ruffled dress.

‘And the winner is …’ There was a horrible pause which seemed to go on forever. ‘… Shauna Jackson in For the Love of Grace.’

The auditorium erupted and Demetrios was surprised to find himself jumping up and down shouting in jubilation.

Shauna took to the stage. Her hands were trembling as she grasped the Oscar, her fingers moulding around the statuette’s legs.

She reached for the microphone and adjusted it, her voice trembling as she spoke. ‘Thank you so much for this … to the Academy … When this script came in, I knew I wanted to do it more than any other part I’ve ever been offered. Grace Kelly was my heroine. My role model. It was when I was watching High Society with my mother that I decided I wanted to act. Playing Grace Kelly, it never felt like work …’

After thanking the rest of the cast and crew, she went on:

‘I want to say thank you to Grace herself. I once had the pleasure of meeting her, a few months before she died. I was only nineteen, I’m not sure I should have been at the party, but she was as gracious and kind as you’d expect. She also had a touch of mischief.

‘She once said, “experience and age bring wonderful insight”. I don’t think I could have played Grace if I hadn’t known both the joys and sorrows of life. This Oscar is for her.’

Demetrios picked up the remote and switched off the TV. After the euphoria of seeing her win, he felt deflated, knowing that she was in Hollywood and he was here on Ithos. Thousands of miles separated them, but it was the emotional distance he was desperate to close.

He only realized that he was sitting in darkness when the light was switched on, making him blink as his mother padded quietly into the room.

‘Goodness, Demetrios, what is all the racket about?’

‘I didn’t mean to wake you, Mother. Shauna has won the Oscar.’

His mother made a prayer gesture, raising her eyes to heaven. ‘Thank God, now you can stop pacing up and down the house day and night. But I am delighted, she is very talented.’

‘I know.’

His mother eyed him shrewdly. ‘You will have to accept that her working life might come first sometimes.’

Demetrios raised his eyebrows. ‘That doesn’t sound like you, Mother – rather modern thinking, wouldn’t you say?’

She shrugged and said airily, ‘Young women now don’t have to choose the way my generation did. We were stuck in the old traditions when I was her age, but I still found ways to do what I wanted.’