He releases my fingers but I hold onto his. I can’t bring myself to let go. I bend, and although I know it’s completely wrong, I gently kiss him. Leo responds with surprising enthusiasm for the kiss, and before I know it, I end up sitting on his lap and we are making out in a laneway like teenagers while the driver waits patiently in the car beside us.
Eventually, I pull away from him. As soon as I do, Leo wraps his arms around me and pulls me close again. ‘God,’ he whispers, and his breath is hot on my neck. ‘You’re amazing, Molly Stephens!’
He doesn’t just say those words – they burst from his lips, as if he couldn’t not say them. When was the last time he said that? When was the last time he even complimented me? I can’t remember, and I doubt he’s thought warm things about me at all over our last miserable months. It’s the reminder I need that the night must end, so I turn and kiss him again – briefly but passionately, and then I say goodbye.
20
Leo – March 2011
For all of her bravado at the function on Saturday night, Molly woke on Sunday morning in a miserable funk. I’d never seen her like that before. She was quiet and pale, and lethargic as if she was physically sick. I had to work hard to convince her to get out of bed, and when she dressed, she wore track pants and a hoody but no make-up. I made an endless series of pathetic jokes to try to cheer her up, but was rewarded with little more than a weak smile each time.
We walked to a café near my house – hand in hand in public for the very first time. I would have been celebrating any other day, but with Molly’s dampened mood I didn’t even draw attention to it. At the café she ordered only a coffee, which she sipped without enthusiasm. We shared the paper, and I silently scanned for any coverage of the scene I’d inadvertently caused. I wasn’t surprised that I wasn’t actually named, but Molly and Laith’s public bust-up was referenced in all of the coverage of the awards night.
The annual Journalism Australia awards ceremony was held last night in a glittering function on Darling Harbour. Rumours are growing of a family rift between Torrington CEO Laith Torrington and his VP daughter, Molly – with a very public family argument played out during the dinner. TM publicity staff declined to comment when contacted today.
‘Leo,’ Molly said suddenly, and I looked up from the paper. She was white-faced. ‘I have to leave TM.’
‘Not if you’re not ready,’ I said cautiously. ‘This will blow over.’
She shook her head, knocking the tears onto her cheeks. I quickly glanced around to check for photographers. It was unlikely, but the last thing she needed was an image of her sitting sobbing in a café to make the news.
‘No, I do. Dad is never going to tolerate…’ she waved a hand between us.
‘Don’t do anything rash, okay?’ I suggested. ‘Don’t jump yet. Wait and see what happens.’
I did want her to leave – but for her own sake. But I didn’t want her to blame me for further damaging her relationship with her father: Molly had to be sure.
That day, it was like Molly’s personality had been forced into mute mode. Her smiles were half-strength at best. I thought it’d pass quickly, but the following day, as we sat down to breakfast, she said, ‘I’m going to resign today.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m sure,’ she whispered, and then she gave me a wobbly smile. ‘This is what I want, what I’ve always wanted – it’s not even about you, I just needed the push. Please don’t try to talk me out of it, I’m not being impulsive.’
I helped her draft the email.
Dad, for the sake of the company but also for my own sake, I won’t be returning to TM. I know this will be disappointing to you but it is something I have been thinking about for a very long time. I will try to touch base with you in a few weeks’ time when the dust settles. I love you, Molly
Laith didn’t respond that day, but the next morning, she woke me with her phone in her hand.
You have deeply disappointed and embarrassed your mother and me. You are welcome to call me when you have come to your senses and are ready to apologise.
I could feel her pain, but I didn’t actually get it. I wanted to, but I just didn’t understand how deeply his disapproval could hurt her. It was as if she’d lost her reason for living, and that seemed ridiculous to me. She still had so much – she still had everything – except for a job that she’d never really enjoyed anyway.