Willameana Gilbrey

You Haven’t Changed, By Willameana Gilbrey, she read. Holding the book up for her friend to see.

She slowly sounded out each syllable of the name.

“Surely that’s not a real name” she asked her friend.

“That’s what it says, you can clearly see it” her friend snapped at her. She didn’t want to be at the book fair, but her friend had insisted they com in for a look.

“I know that’s what it says, but it doesn’t sound real” she placed the book back onto the stand where it was being grandly displayed.

“What does she even write, I ask you?” Her friend snapped again.

“Romance, I believe” a deep low voice spoke, causing both women to give a start.

“Sorry, ladies, I didn’t mean to interrupt, it’s just that I’m a close friend of the author Willameana Gilbrey, and as you both seem to be unaware of her works, I thought I may be able to give you some information, that is if you would like some. Perhaps before you make a judgement”

The girls looked to each other. Both slightly flushed with embarrassment.

The first girl recovered herself.

“Sorry, we don’t mean any harm, it’s just a name we are not familiar with” she gushed.

“If we wanted help we would ask for it” her friend spat.

“Oh, here’s Willermeana now” A flowing ray of colours swept up to them, arms outstretched.

“Hello darling, your looking splendid” he took her hands in his and lightly air kissed her cheeks.

“Thank you, your looking fantastic yourself, I’m so glad you could come”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world”

“Oh, do introduce me to your friends, I always love to meet fans” she gushed.

The two friends had turned away trying to make a quick retreat.

“Of course, darling, these two have been admiring your book and your name, I believe” he gave a low laugh.

“Girls, do come over and introduce yourselves” he called to their retreating backs.

The two girls, realising their opportunity for escape was gone, turned to each other, plastered smiles on their faces and headed back to meet Willameana Gilbrey.

With hand outstretched the first girl greeted Willameana.

“Lovely to meet you I’m Kay; I’m looking forward to reading your book”

“Thank you, that’s rather sweet of you “

The second girl stood, arms folded, a strange angry look on her face.

“So Willermeana, is it?”

“Ah, yes, and you are?”

“Don’t you remember me?”

“No, I don’t think I do” Willameana looked uncomfortable.

“Oh, come on, your joking, right? Scoffed the girl.

“Is your friend perhaps, a little crazy” the man asked.

“Not usually” Kay gave a nervous laugh.

“Why are you being so rude” Kay poked her friend.

“For God's sake! this woman’s name is not Willermeana” her friend shrieked with laughter, even managing a few snorts.

“Come on Graham, let’s get away from this crazy woman” Willameana linked her arm in the man’s and tried to pull him away from the two girls.

“Aw come on Daphne, what’s the joke” the girl called out.

“What are you doing” Kay shook the girl's arm.

“It’s ok, her names Daphne, it’s not Willameana, it must be a joke, I told you it wasn’t a real name”

“Shut your mouth, of course it’s my name” Willameana shouted as she charged at the girl.

The girl ducked the first punch, unfortunately she wasn’t quick enough to avoid Willameana’s shoulder as it slammed her to the floor.

“Why did you have to ruin everything”

Willameana shouted as she sat on the girl slamming her head into the floor. The man jumped in grabbing at Willameana attempting to drag her off the girl. Kay threw herself at the man, trying to help her friend, trying to get through him to get to Willameana herself. Security finally arrived, dragging Willameana off the woman. The police were called.

Sitting in the police station, the officer took out his pen and stared at the woman.

“So, let’s start with your name, shall we”

“My names Amber Archer” she snapped.

“So, how about you tell me what’s going on” he smiled.

“How about you go charge Daphne with assault, she attacked me, remember”

“All in good time, how about you tell me why”

“Why ask me, go ask crazy Daphne”

Her head was throbbing.

“How do you know this Willameana, or as you call her Daphne”

“We worked together, a long time ago”

“Where did you work” he raised his pen.

“Rather not say”

“I would rather you did say” he snapped.

“Let’s just say public relations” she gave a laugh.

“Amber, why are you being so difficult?”

“Maybe because my head is pounding, I’ve been attacked by a crazy ass bitch and you're questioning me. Could I at least get some Panadol?”

The officer rose and left the room slamming the door in frustration as he did.

He was searching around for Panadol when his boss called him into his office.

“I have some news for you regarding the case you're on. Seems like we have been directed from the powers above to let them both go and let the whole thing drop”

“Seriously, why”

“Above our pay grade, we just follow orders”

“Just let them both go, leave it an hour between releasing them, we don’t want any trouble between them”

The officer was annoyed. This happened more often than the public knew. Some big wig interfering in their cases. Sometimes because they were family friends, other times to hide bigger secrets. Every-time, it happened it annoyed him.

He entered the room.

“Panadol?” she asked.

“Get your own, your free to go”

“Really? Thanks”

“Just stay out of trouble” he snapped as he opened the door for her.

It was odd that she hadn’t asked if they were charging anyone. It was like she knew it wasn’t going to go any further.

He headed into interview room two. Willameana was sitting biting her nails, looking nervous.

“Look, I’m sorry I lost control of myself, I’m sure we can sort things out”

“Just a few questions, if I can?” He asked knowing full well he shouldn’t be asking.

“Do you know this, Amber Archer?”

“Is that her name? No never heard of her, I just got annoyed with her calling me this Daphne person, obviously I’m not, but she was making such a fuss, and I have my readers to think of”

“She said you used to work together. In the past”

“I highly doubt that” she scoffed.

“Well, I think we both know you are not telling me the truth, as it is your free to go, no charges are being laid against you”

“Good, to be honest I didn’t think there would be” she began to laugh.

“Really, why do you say that?”

Willameana rose to leave.

“Just a hunch, have a lovely day officer”and she was gone.

Three women sat sipping lattes.

“Did you get it?”

“Of course, it was easy to slip it out of his pocket, he was way too caught up in your fight” the woman calling herself Kay held up a USB.

“Good job, but seriously did you have to slam my damn head so hard into the floor” Amber directed her question to Willameana.

“It had to look authentic, you know that, and you’ve got a hard head” she laughed.

A man dressed in black approached. He suspiciously looked like the security who had been involved earlier.

“Hi ladies, did we get it”

“Of course,” Kay handed him the USB.

“Good job ladies, payment being transferred as usual as we speak, see you again real soon”