Banner by Noaluvjames

Chapter 15

William drove into Newquay and quickly found the airport.  

It was with some luck that he’d been able to charter a flight so fast – having stepped into the pub to ask Jake for some airport details. The older man had seemed distant at first until William had let slip that he’d only be going to London for the afternoon and would be back sometime that evening. Suddenly, Jake was gushing about his friend who happened to own a small Cessna that he kept in Newquay. A phone call later and William was assured his friend would meet him there in about a half hour. Thanking the barkeep profusely, he left the pub and drove into the city.

Robert, Jake’s pilot friend, was already waiting for him when he arrived. Going over his aircraft with the necessary checklist, he called out that he’d be ready to get underway in about fifteen minutes.

“Is there anything you need me to do?” William asked.

“Nah… been flying so much, I practically know this list like the back of my hand. Just grab your gear and put it in the back.”

“It’s just me, I’m not planning on staying but the afternoon.”

“Alright. Well, I’ll be finished up shortly. You can park your car over there next to mine. It should be fine there.”

“Okay… thanks.”

~*~*~*~*~

With Robert’s cell phone number tucked away in a safe spot, William left the airport and caught a taxi to the Royal Lancaster Hotel. He alternated between excitement and nervousness as he stepped into the hotel’s foyer. He’d been wanting to get this project going ever since he first started acting, but he’d waited, trying to make a name for himself so that he’d have people lining up to back him.

Putting on a bored appearance, he stepped up to the receptionist’s desk and asked for his agent’s room.

The blonde woman was busily typing away at the keyboard and hadn’t looked up yet.

“Oh, I’m sorry…we can’t give out that…” her voice trailed off once she got a good look at who she was talking to. “Oh…um…uh…right. Mr. Johnson.  He’s…uh…”

She looked away and typed furiously into her keyboard. In her nervousness, she mistyped the information several times and it was a few minutes before William finally had the suite number.

He gave the woman a wink and watched as her face flushed even more.

“Thanks, luv.”

She gulped, giving him a slight wave as he left the desk and headed towards the elevators.

~*~*~*~*~

“Spike! So glad you could make it!” his agent, Michael, hollered for the benefit of the three suits lounging inside.

William barely managed to conceal his distaste. His agent was a barracuda in the business and his pretentious manner tended to grate on William’s nerves. He affected a professional smile not letting a hint of his feelings show and stepped inside the suite as his agent pounded him heartily on the back in greeting.

“Come in, come in…Spike, I’d like you to meet Mr. Osborne, Ms. Chase, and Mr. Giles.”

William eyed the motley group of backers carefully. They appeared bored and disinterested, as if they really didn’t want to be there. He stepped forward and stretched out his hand to the shorter man who appeared ready to yank off the tie dangling around his neck. He glanced at his own casual clothes of jeans and a sweater and struggled not to smirk.

“It’s William…nice to meet you.”

“Oz. Likewise. This is Cordy,” he added, gesturing to the tall brunette.

“Hi…William…nice to meet you.”

When he didn’t ogle her figure, but instead looked her in the eyes, some of the woman’s icy demeanor seemed to melt and she gifted him with a slight smile.

“Hi, William, it’s nice to meet you too,” she responded warmly.

“And, that’s Giles,” Oz finished, gesturing with his thumb towards the other man in their small group.

“Giles,” William greeted, shaking the other’s hand.

“William…nice to meet you. Been following your career for a while now. What made you want to do a project like Alexander’s Last Stand? Not exactly the type of stuff you’ve been doing lately. Although, Staying Power – if the gossip is to be believed – looks like it might be a step in that direction,” Giles commented, gesturing for them to sit on the couch.

“That’s exactly why I want to do it. I’ve been sitting on this screenplay for five years now. I’m an actor. The movies I’ve made over the last few years, while box office blockbusters, aren’t what I want to do. Alexander’s Last Stand is the type of movie I want to be a part of. Staying Power was a step in that direction. If all goes well, Hollywood will finally see I’m not just an action star…I do have a bit of substance behind these cheekbones,” he told them bluntly.

William watched his agent almost have a nervous breakdown as he stood behind the others. The man was waving his hands frantically in an attempt to get him to stop talking. Too late – he’d grown to the point where he could speak his mind and not care what others thought.  

From the chair across the way, Oz let out a laugh.  

“I told you, Giles,” he said to the other man. Giles nodded, pleased to have the younger man’s opinions confirmed. “Does this mean I can get out of this damn jacket and tie now?”

“You don’t have to dress on my account,” William smirked. He sensed the guy had the same twisted sense of humor he had.

“Thank God!” he replied, standing to divest himself of the offending garments.

~*~*~*~*~

Sensing the stilted conversation between the small group and his agent, William excused himself to have a word with Michael. He told his agent it would probably be better if he went by himself to dinner.

His agent readily agreed, not used to people failing to kowtow to his power in Hollywood. Didn’t they know he was the best agent in the business? Only represented the best actors – ones that produced hits time and time again? Rolling his eyes at the motley group seated around his suite, Michael waved him off.

Breathing a sigh of relief to be away from the ostentatious company of his agent, William led the others out of the suite.

“You guys wanna change before dinner?”

“Oh God, yes!” Cordy moaned. “These heels are killing me!”

“Well, come on, pet. Let’s get you all taken care of. Can’t have you dying on me. Are you guys staying here?”

“We’ve got rooms on the next floor.”

“How do you feel about Chinese? I know a good restaurant a few blocks from here. Not big on the décor, but the food is great.”

“Sounds fine,” Giles replied.

~*~*~*~*~

William was so deep in discussion with Oz, Giles, and Cordy regarding plans for his screenplay that he completely forgot the time. It was only when Cordy got up to use the ladies room that he took a moment to glance at his watch.

‘Oh my God, is that the time? I’ve got to call Robert and tell him that I’m going to be late.’

“Excuse me. I’ve got to make a phone call.”

Standing, he exited the restaurant to get better reception with his cell phone. The sky had darkened perceptibly in the last hour they had been inside and he shivered slightly as a cool breeze tore its way through his sweater.

Dialing the number he pulled from his wallet, he listened as it rang twice before someone picked up.

“Robert…hi…it’s William. I’m sorry, but I completely lost track of time.”

“Hi, William. Don’t worry about it. While I was going over my flight checklist, I noticed a bad part. Nothing major, but I’ll feel better waiting for the replacement before we take off for Newquay.”

“How long’s that going to be…I don’t want to hold you up.”

“Actually, it’s not going to be in until tomorrow morning. I’m going to get a room in town for the night.”

“Well, let me pick that up for you. I’ll call the Royal Lancaster Hotel now, since I’m going to have to get one for myself. If you go check with the front desk, they’ll have a key waiting for you.”

“Oh, no…I…”

“I insist. The least I could do for getting you to fly me up on such short notice. Remember, check with the front desk. I’ll also leave my room number so that we can catch a taxi back together in the morning.”

“All right. And, thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

William hung up with the pilot and quickly called the hotel and secured two rooms. They happened to have two available on the same floor, and he gave the reservations clerk his information to pay for the rooms.

He’d no sooner hung up with the hotel that a thought ran through his head.  

Buffy.

He had no means of contacting her to let her know that he’d been delayed.

Bloody hell.

~*~*~*~*~

He wasn’t sure what time Buffy had to leave to catch her flight, and he prayed that the cops weren’t out and about as he pushed his Land Rover to the limits getting back to Crackington Haven.  

Parking the car in a rush, he tore out of the car and raced to her front door. He banged a few times and nearly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard footsteps moving towards the door.  

Then it opened… revealing a woman that was definitely not Buffy.

“Oh… uh. I’m sorry. I was looking for the woman that was staying here.”

“She’s gone. Check out was by 11 a.m. I’m sorry… but, I’ve got to get things ready for the next tenants. If you’ll excuse me?”

“Oh… sure.”

Dejected, he walked off towards his own cottage. A sudden thought occurred to him, causing him to turn and trot off towards the pub.

~*~*~*~*~

“Jake,” he called out as he entered the dimly lit pub.

He quirked a brow when the normally jovial man barely greeted him. Was that displeasure in his gaze?  

“Hey, Jake. Have you seen Buffy?”

“As a matter of fact, I have. Came through yesterday afternoon and stopped by on her way out of town…”

Yesterday? She left yesterday?

The rest of the barkeeps words of the poor girl being heartbroken and crying and wanting to tell William bye went unheard as he concentrated on Jake’s initial words of Buffy leaving yesterday after he went to London.

Couldn’t wait until I disappeared so she could take off.

Apparently, it was just a meaningless fling for her.

He curled his lip in disgust at his own gullibility. Turning away, he strode quickly from the pub, ignoring Jake as the older man called out to him.

William walked up the hill to his rented cottage. Grabbing his cases, he threw shirts, pants and other items haphazardly inside as he cleaned out the cottage. No sense in him staying there any longer. He may as well get back to work. He’d make the director happy by showing up early for the shoot. As it was, they’d started production already – working on scenes that he didn’t need to be present for.

He couldn’t believe she’d just left like that, without saying goodbye, left a note, spoken to Jake… something. A crumb. Was that too much to ask?

Allowing his anger to mask the hurt he was feeling, William descended the staircase, his bulging suitcases held firmly in each hand. He passed through the open front door and dropped his luggage by the Land Rover.

He swept through his rented cottage one last time to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. When he was assured that all of his personal belongings were accounted for, he stormed out of the cottage, slamming the front door behind him. He wanted to put as much distance between himself and Crackington Haven as possible.  

If he never saw the place again he’d be too happy.

~*~*~*~*~

Two months later…

William growled in frustration at yet another delay in shooting. He was tired, hot, and just wanted the day to be over. His female costar seemed to have the right idea, waiting out the latest snafu in her trailer to ease the burgeoning heat that had settled over the city in which they were currently filming.

As much as he wanted to say to hell with the shoot for the day, William had vowed never to let his anger and frustration get the best of him. He’d sworn when he was just a nobody that no one would ever be able to say that he was a troublesome actor, prone to tantrums. Instead, with his easygoing manner, directors were eager to cast him in their pictures – citing his unfailing professionalism as one of the main reasons.

Still… just once he’d like to give in to his inner two-year-old and throw a bloody tantrum.

And today would have been the perfect day.

Finally, the director took pity on him and called the shoot for the day. Too many technical issues prevented them getting back to work anytime in the near future.

Heaving a sigh of relief, William left the set and made his way to his trailer.

He needed a drink, and bad.

Today was the two-month anniversary of the day he’d rushed back to Crackington Haven, only to find out that Buffy had left the day prior. Just the thought of that was enough to get his temper flaring.  

William stepped inside his trailer, his arms breaking out in goose bumps as the cool air rushed over his overheated skin. He quickly stripped out of his shirt and made his way to the small refrigerator. He grabbed a beer, opened it, draining half the contents before pulling the bottle away from his parched lips.        

He plopped on the couch, propping his arm behind his head as he worked on finishing off the bottle in his hand.

Unconsciously, his mind wandered back to that rainy day in the cave. The feel of Buffy’s body when she’d given herself to him; her nervousness when she’d awakened; afterwards, when they’d gone back to her place, eating before the fire; making love again and again throughout the remainder of the night.

He fast-forwarded to that morning, the last time he’d seen her. She’d seemed desperate for him, just as he was for her. Scared that if the other were to leave it would be over. But, he’d had to go, and she’d disappeared from his life, leaving him feeling bereft.

‘I’m not bereft, dammit. I’d have to care to be bereft,’ he told himself.

‘You do care, William. That’s the problem.’

‘Sod off. I don’t need you bloody telling me what I feel. It’s over. Finished. She’s gone.’

The ringing of his cell phone abruptly cut off the argument he was having with himself.

“Hello?”

“William.”

“Hello, mum.”

“How’s your project going?”

“It’s fine. We let out early while they deal with some technical issues, but we’ll be back at it first thing.”

“That’s wonderful, dear. I was just calling to check on you. I haven’t spoken with you in a while,” her soft, lilting voice sounded slightly hurt.

“’m sorry, mum. Just been busy with this shoot, is all.”

“I know, dear. But, it’s a mother’s prerogative to nag their children into calling more often,” she joked.

“Yes, it is at that.” He grinned into the phone. This was just what he needed to get his mind off Buffy.

Damn.

So much for that.

“Well, I haven’t talked to you since you left Crackington Haven. Did you have a nice time there?”

“It was alright.”

“Hmmm… Jake told me you left a week early. Did something happen?”

“Jake told you— wait! You know Jake? The barkeep, Jake?”

“Yes, dear. He’s an old childhood friend. Jake, your father and I were very close. Jake was even your dad’s best man at our wedding. But, we’d lost contact not long afterwards, and it wasn’t until recently that he managed to find me again.”

Dead silence greeted her pronouncement.

“Anyway… Jake mentioned this Buffy. Strange name, that. Anyway… what was I saying? Oh yes, apparently you two had formed an attachment of sorts…”

“Mum…” he tried in vain to interrupt.

“…but, you had to go out of town… and she was just devastated when you left…”

“Mum… wait… devastated?”  

He sat up from his reclined position on the couch, gripping the phone tightly in his hand.

“Jake said she was devastated?”

“Yes, dear. Apparently, he’d gone on and on about how she was crying when she came into the pub… poor dear… just breaks my heart… and how she wanted Jake to make sure that he told you goodbye. He’d tried to call after her, but she’d burst into tears and rushed from the pub.”

At that, William blanched.

She had cared.

And she’d spent the past two months probably thinking… hell, he didn’t know what she was thinking. But, damned if he was going to sit around and wait any longer to find out.

He knew she lived in Sunnydale, and that she was a nursing student at Sunnydale University.  

How hard could it be to find her?

“Mum… mum…” William tried desperately to interrupt his mother’s monologue. She was on a roll and it took her a minute to wind down.

Guilt was eating at him, and he needed to get off the phone so he could set his plans in motion.

“Hmmmm?”

“I… uh… I gotta go. They’re calling for me. I’ll call you later this evening.”

“That’s alright, dear. You go on back to work. Call me in a few days when you have time.”

“Yes. I will. Goodbye, mum.”

“Goodbye, William.”

~*~*~*~*~

Anne set the phone back in the cradle and leaned back in her chair. Her blue eyes twinkled as she eyed her visitor.

“You are devilishly evil, Anne Thornton. And, if I wasn’t married to my own sweet Maggie, I’d sweep you off your feet and steal you away.”

“Oh, Jake…stop. You’ll have me blushing.”

Jake continued to eye his best friend while she burst into giggles as he wiggled his eyebrows at her in a leering manner.

“Well, it’s about time someone kicked my son in the arse and got him moving. Two months is too long to brood over the girl. Really! I’ll never get any grandchildren if I leave everything to the men to handle,” she told her friend, abruptly sobering from her laugh.

She leaned over and picked up the teacup resting on the coffee table in front of her. She brought it to her lips, sipping daintily at the steaming liquid.

She was going to get some grandbabies from her son, damned if she wasn’t.

next

Want to leave a REVIEW?