Now on full alert, Beth turned again to look across at where the Bethesda Fountain proudly stood overlooking the lake. What Jodi had just said had sparked a memory involving the fountain. But not just a memory – an actual scene. From a movie. A very famous clip from another New York romantic film she recognized.
‘Oh my goodness…’ she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. ‘How did I not think of it before?’
Jodi sat up straighter in her chair. ‘What? Oh. You’ve figured it out, haven’t you? The movie, I mean. What is it?’
Beth smiled triumphantly. ‘One Fine Day,’ she told her, delighted. ‘I remember it now. Michelle Pfeiffer’s character Melanie says that line, “You’re the most important thing in the world to me,” to her son, Sammy. He just wanted to go to his soccer game, which was to be played here in Central Park.’
Jodi listened to Beth’s synopsis. ‘I honestly don’t think I have ever seen that one. And what about the marble?’
Beth extracted the red marble from the pocket in her purse where she had placed it and set it on the table. ‘It was Jack’s – the hero – played by George Clooney. He let Sammy play with it and the little boy stuck it up his nose.’ Jodi made a face and stuck out her tongue in disgust. ‘Oh, Jodi, it wasn’tthismarble – at least I don’t think so,’ Beth added hurriedly. ‘But in any case, it was one of the warnings that Melanie had given Jack earlier in the day: that her son liked to stick things up his nose. But Jack wasn’t paying enough attention and that’s exactly what happened. Sammy stuck a red marble just like this one up his nose.’
Jodi was nodding as she listened but then shrugged. ‘OK, so that’s all very well and good, but now where do we go? Bellevue Hospital? Lenox Hill? The ER? Not very romantic.’
But Beth was already shaking her head and standing up. She took some money out of her purse and placed it on the table to cover their drinks.
‘No, not the ER.One Fine Dayis one of those movies that did a particularly great job portraying New York as a backdrop. I remember watching it back home and being captivated – not by Clooney but the location. New York itself is as much a character in that movie as any other – it held a starring role. And there were lots of other famous city locations featured in it – Carnegie Deli, the Lincoln Center, Elizabeth Arden. But I don’t think the answer is at any of those places, Jodi,’ she said, eyes shining with anticipation as she realised she’d got this clue figured out too. ‘I don’t think I’m supposed to go to any of those places, because the hero and heroine, Jack and Melanie, realise that they are falling for each other in one very pivotal scene.’
Jodi knocked back her drink and gathered her things, sensing Beth’s urgency and guessing that they would soon be departing the Boathouse.
‘OK, OK, so you got me – where?’
Beth smiled and pointed across the lake.
‘Over there. The fountain. Jack and Melanie splash in the puddles of water around the fountain with their kids. It was the turning point in the story.’ She bit her lip. ‘And call it a gut feeling, but I think that it’s going to bemyturning point in this adventure too.’
Chapter 30
‘Beth, wait up – I can’t run in these shoes,’ Jodi called out as she struggled to keep pace with her friend while tottering unceremoniously in Lucy Choi heels. Beth was effortlessly running around the lake in boots, headed straight towards the Bethesda Fountain. ‘Why do we have to rush?’ Jodi moaned.
But Beth wouldn’t be delayed. She ran as quickly as her legs would take her and as she rounded Terrace Drive, the Bethesda Fountain was presented before her. Her eyes frantically searched the space – the crowd – hungrily as she gasped for air after her sprint.
She was on high alert for something – anything – to indicate that she was indeed in the right place.
She knew she had just solved the clue. But, like before, what she was supposed to be looking for next, she had no idea. However, as with the rest of this hunt, Beth felt certain that she would know it when she saw it.
She stopped for long enough that Jodi had a chance to catch up. Out of breath, her friend approached from the right and followed Beth’s gaze, searching the open terrace.
‘OK, Sherlock,nowwhat are we looking for?’
Beth took in the scene. There was a small festive-themed art exhibition of sorts taking place in one area of the terrace, couples drinking coffee on the benches, people walking their dogs and enjoying the last remnants of the day. But, truth be told, nothing out of the ordinary stuck out or grabbed her attention. It was essentially just a pretty typical evening in Central Park. ‘I have no idea, Jodi. I just feel like I will know it when I see it.’
At that moment, Beth’s phone beeped, signalling an incoming text.
Weird timing. Or convenient timing, perhaps? But as she grabbed her phone and looked down she saw it was just Danny.
‘Just’Danny,she repeated, feeling numb. Funny how the brain modified its internal language.
She looked at the message. He was telling her that he was going back to the office; that he had to work late. Again.
Right. Again. If anything wasconvenient,it was Danny’s message. She hated the fact that her imagination immediately conjured up the worst-case scenario. That he was going back to his girlfriend’s place. Maybe to make up after this afternoon’s drama.
She typed a terse reply. ‘No problem. Have a good night,’ and pressed send without another thought.
But within seconds, another text came through – again from Danny.What are you up to – working late maybe? I’m so sorry again, that I have to bail, but I’ll make it up to you, I promise.
Make it up to her? That was just the kind of thing a cheat would say, wasn’t it? Talk about a cliché. Beth focused on the screen and had to work hard at batting away some of the replies that came to mind, but then she realised it was neither the time nor the place for this. She kept her response neutral.Finished work. Just out for a walk in Central Park with Jodi. No problem. Talk to you later.
She hit send, secretly hoping that he wouldn’t respond, but still feeling her spirits sink when indeed her phone remained silent. She guessed he was probably happy she didn’t fuss. He could enjoy his time with the dark-haired woman and sleep easier tonight.
