Chapter 1

1990

Magda landed herself a prime position as a secretary at Simpsons Financial Services. It was her first real job in the City, straight from the Premier Secretarial College.

Her best friend, Emma Fairchild, had a secretarial position in the City too; she had started work for another prestigious finance company. Emma’s father was a member of parliament and knew most CEOs in the City.

Would Emma have got the job on merit alone? Doubtful. The job hadn’t been advertised.

Magda and Emma became friends from day one at the secretarial college. Magda was surprised to find most of the students lived in the inner zone of London, the affluent areas of South Kensington and Chelsea. She had managed to rent a small flat in the outer zone of London and was able to travel into the City by Tube. Aunt Lillian had loaned her money for accommodation and living expenses and had paid the college fees. Magda would have to wait until she turned twenty years old before she would have access to the trust fund left to her following the death of her parents; the money from the insurance company had been substantial.

Magda was a regular visitor to Emma Fairchild’s family home in Putney. She envied Emma’s stable family life; her father protected his family from the harsh realities of the outside world. The Fairchild’s had embraced Magda as one of their own, as she and Emma were inseparable.

Magda had very few memories of her early childhood; she vaguely remembered her parents, just a hazy recollection.

She hadn’t looked at the family photographs since their deaths. Aunt Lillian had put the photographs away. She thought it best; she didn’t want Magda looking at them and pining for her parents. Instead, Magda was encouraged to put it all behind her and focus on her schooling and the future.

Not having parents to be proud of her, protect her and give unconditional love was hard. Aunt Lillian had provided well for her, but she could never fill the emotional void with the affection that Magda so deeply craved.

Magda thought Emma’s father, Charles Fairchild, was an excellent example of the ideal man: he was tall, slim and eloquent, and always appeared in complete control and immaculately dressed. Yes, one day she would marry a man just like him. Maybe he would be a politician. He would adore her and she would never feel, or be, alone again.

1975

‘Magda, darling, time for school.’

The Rainford family lived in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. Mr Rainford worked away in the Middle East. Sometimes he was away for six months. Therefore, Magda and her mother spent a lot of time together.

‘Magda, come along. You’ll be late for school.’

While walking to school, Mrs Rainford thought it a good time to share some news.

‘I received a letter from your father. He said the company have agreed to pay for my flight out to visit him. I don’t want to take you out of school, so Aunt Lillian will come to stay with you while I’m away.’

‘I don’t want you to go.’

‘It’s only for three weeks, then I’ll be back. Would you prefer to stay with Aunt Lillian in Wimbledon?’

‘No. All my friends are here. When are you going?’

‘In two weeks, time. It will fly by …’

‘Oh, look, Mum, Jenny is at the school gates. Don’t walk me all the way there.’

‘Okay, but I will keep watch until I see you go through the gates.’

‘Bye, Mum.’ She ran to meet her friend.

1990

‘My family are attending a Conservative Party dinner coming up. There is a spare seat at our table –Magda would you like to join us?’

‘Sounds interesting. When is it?’

‘A week on Saturday. I know it’s short notice but I immediately thought of you.’

‘I bet it’s a stuffy affair?’

‘I don’t think so – there’s going to be a band and dancing.’

‘Will there be other younger people?’

‘Maybe, come along and find out.’

‘Well, as I have a window in my diary …’

‘Oh, you are funny, Magda. We’ll have fun, we always do. Are you still coming round this evening?’

‘Yes.’

‘Great, we can talk about it then. I’ll see you around six o’clock. Bring a change of clothes and stay over.’

Magda went straight to Emma’s from work. In Emma’s bedroom they put on music, Pet Shop Boys, and caught up on the gossip.

‘Father told me the Prime Minister and all the cabinet members will be attending the dinner dance.’

‘Really?’ Magda tried to put a face to anyone in the Tory cabinet. ‘What are you wearing?’

‘An evening dress, I have a couple if you want to borrow one,’ said Emma.

‘A long dress?’

‘Yes, don’t you have one?’

‘No, I’ve never needed one. Could I take a look at yours?’

Emma opened the wardrobe and pulled out the dresses. ‘The emerald green is my favourite. It’s the newer of the two.’

Magda picked up the blue dress and held it against herself. ‘This isn’t my colour at all. Thanks for the offer. I’ll have to buy one.’

‘Suit yourself.’

‘So, everyone will be in an evening dress?’

‘Of course, except the men.’

Mrs Fairchild came into the room with clean clothing that needed to be put away. ‘What are you two giggling about?’

‘Just one of Emma’s lame jokes.’

‘Magda is going to buy herself an evening dress for the dinner dance. I’ll wear my green velvet dress unless Father decides he wants to treat me to a new dress especially for the occasion.’

‘What type of dress should I look for, Mrs Fairchild?’

‘Nothing fussy. Preferably in one colour – it will look more sophisticated. You don’t need to spend a lot of money; you can add tasteful accessories to make it more stylish. Oh, nothing low cut, that wouldn’t be appropriate.’

Patricia Fairchild breezed out of the room; her fragrance lingered in the air.

‘Lovely perfume.’

‘Chanel No. 5. Mum has always worn it.’

‘Do you think she would mind if I wore the same perfume for the dinner party? It smells so sophisticated and grown up.’

‘She won’t mind. Anyway, the perfume will smell different on you.’

‘Why?’

‘All perfumes smell slightly different on each individual.’

Emma sat at her dressing table, brushing through her long, silky red hair. She was very pretty, with a pale porcelain complexion and large green eyes. Magda watched her, and thought how fortunate Emma was.

Emma had it all.