Chapter 5

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Karen found Eileen stalking back and forth in the corridor. Poor Tilda was still crumpled in the corner. Karen sensed Tilda's reaction was more to do with Ivy's reappearance rather than what just happened. She decided she would speak to her after she spoke to Eileen.

"Eileen? What just happened?" Eileen spun on her heel. "I do NOT have a gambling problem. I thought I was making an investment and I was swindled out of my personal money. But don't worry I have enough to sort myself out. I'm not out yet. Can't believe that snake has the deeds to my building. Argh!"

Karen was dumbfounded. She didn't know what she could do or say. Luckily Derek appeared. He had hunched down to check on Tilda and stayed there while Eileen was getting things off her chest.

"Victon Media was your only choice? You could have rang us or Tom or Julia. We would have come and helped you. Wait. Bill? Bill Levitt? Tom's dad? Oh no Eileen, this is a can of worms none of us needs." Said Derek who dropped his head.

"I know. I know. But I thought the family connection would keep me from selling to someone I didn't know." Tilda and Karen watched Eileen and Derek go back and forth.

"Eileen, Bill may be Tom's dad. But he disowned Tom once he wanted to go into lyric writing. Never mind when Tom came out. And he holds grudges. He never did forgive me for helping Tom and what happened between him and my father. My father still can't mention Bill's name." Finished Derek.

"Derek who else was I going to sell to? And now that weasel of an ex has the deeds! Urgh! Though something still feels wrong. Who is still going after Bombshell? And why doesn't Jerry know about it.

...

Derek was still sitting with Tilda who had gone very quiet. "Tilda, darling what's wrong? Something is bothering you. You can tell us."

"When Ivy came into the building she came straight toward me and started to remind me of our childhoods and what she thinks about me now. It was evil. Venomous. I was gobsmacked. And then she took out her cell and punched in a number. She put it on speakerphone. I recognised the voice and it brought back horrible memories from when I was younger. It was like someone was standing on my grave.

"You are not one of us anymore. You are something that we would find on the sole of our shoes. Stay out and never come back. If you think you can come back, we will be waiting and watching just to have some fun with you." After that I pretty much blocked the rest out. Ivy was grinning like the cat had got the cream". She finished.

Derek was staring at Tilda. Something was clicking in his head. It was the description of the voice. It clicked. It was Ivy's father, Richard. He had disappeared when Ivy was young. Well that's what her mother had said. But why say that to Tilda?

...

Karen could see the wheels turning in Derek's mind. He had realized something. But just when she was going to ask what the matter was, Tilda's cell rang. Tilda went white and dropped the cell. Derek saw the number and knew it was Richard. He grabbed the cell and put it on speakerphone.

"Tilda, I am assuming you got the message earlier? I just wanted to make sure." "Oh we got the message Richard! What have you got against this lovely girl? I can't believe all the things you called her. What is your problem?" Derek practically shouted. "Ah Derek. Blast from the past. I said those things because I meant it. She doesn't deserve a life, she needs to disappear. She's stealing Ivy's thunder by being who she is. Why else would I go after Bombshell? It's Ivy's."

"What are you talking about?! Tilda isn't even on the stage. And if you must know, the show is actually my baby. And my daughter is the director, so whatever you agenda it won't work." "I knew your daughter was involved and that's why I went after it. I didn't think daddy dearest would come back."

Karen, Eileen and Tilda couldn't believe what they were hearing.

But Eileen had to know. "Why give it to Jerry through Bill, and not tell him?" There was a laugh on the line. "And miss all the fireworks. No chance. You are looking rather chic tonight Eileen." Richard finished.

Everyone was suddenly on their guard. Looking to see where he was. It was only then Richard stepped out of one of the offices. "Oh Jerry..?" He sang out. Jerry appeared and stood open mouthed at the man before him.

"Richard...?" Asked a very stunned Jerry.