Laura Verona

By Nev White

The author releases a gripping, compelling, exciting story peppered with pockets of humora story relevant today as it will be tomorrow about the abuse of actors and film stars from people trespassing upon their fame to fund their political dogma and terrorists operations.

The terrorists lust and greed for funding their ideology drives them to murder, and the international terrorism, with their corrupt and violent demands, promotes government intervention.

Laura Verona is a spin off from the book Blame, with a family living with a sick and brutal father suffering with bipolar disorder. The family makes good and achieves stardom, only to witness that all is not what it seems to be in the world of entertainment.

Laura Verona is written with incidences of sadness and disbelief in her quest for stardom. This is a beautifully observed novel with humor and accepted mannerisms that will appeal to all age groups.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Nov 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524595883

Nev White

Nev White is a keen author and an artist who has travelled extensively through Europe while in the Royal Air Force. He has seen many areas of the Second World War conflicts in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. With that experience, he can write about actual places and dates. He is widowed with a family and grandchildren in mind. They encouraged him to write a series of books entitled “The Grandad Series.”

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Copyright © 2016 by Nev White.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 11/17/2016

Xlibris

800-056-3182

www.Xlibrispublishing.co.uk

748362

CONTENTS

Dedication

Preface

Chapter 1 Chin Up and Smile

Chapter 2 Laura Verona

Chapter 3 Murder of Claud

Chapter 4 Riots and Demonstrations

Chapter 5 Goodbye Claud and God Bless

Chapter 6 The On-and-Off Engagement

Chapter 7 Bene Special Agent

Chapter 8 We Are Sailing

Chapter 9 An English Rose in America

Chapter 10 Laura We Need to Talk

Chapter 11 Catch Me If You Can

Chapter 12 Sing and Be Happy

Chapter 13 Laura It’s All About You

Chapter 14 In Fear of Love

Chapter 15 Scared of Being Frightened

Chapter 16 Laura, Stop, Listen, and Learn

Chapter 17 New York, New York

Chapter 18 Page for Laura Verona

Chapter 19 Albert, What Do You Know?

Chapter 20 You Do Your Job, I’ll Do Mine

Chapter 21 The Shoot Out

Chapter 22 Mary’s Little Lambs

Chapter 23 Albert, No Fooling

Chapter 24 The Final Score

Chapter 25 Otto Sharma

Chapter 26 Amongst My Souvenirs

Chapter 27 Welcome

Chapter 28 Shooting in the October Sun

Chapter 29 Otto, Safe Journey and Thank You

Chapter 30 Venice and Its Splendour

Chapter 31 Laura, I’m Not Sure

Chapter 32 Holistic of Bipolar

Chapter 33 Rose You Are Sick

Chapter 34 Laura Why Me?

Chapter 35 Marriage Is Out of the Question

Chapter 36 Jack, It’s Not the Money

Chapter 37 Rose there are lessons to learn

Chapter 38 Laura You’ve Lost the Script

Chapter 39 Plain sailing from here

Chapter 40 Homeward bound Laura

Chapter 41 Albert, you can give it but can`t take it

Chapter 42 I deserve a long vacation

Chapter 43 We tell lies to avoid the truth

Chapter 44 I was expecting Paris

Chapter 45 Albert hold, me tight

Chapter 46 A Can ta-ta for the Troops

Chapter 47 Goodbye Otto

Chapter 48 From Cyprus to Paris

Chapter 49 An Eiffel in Paris

Chapter 50 Arranging the future

Chapter 51 When the talking stops

Chapter 52 I am in love with love

Chapter 53 Marriage the right thing to do

Chapter 54 Thank You, My Family and Friends

DEDICATION

To all my readers of ‘Blame’ who inspired me to write part two.

PREFACE

LAURA VERONA is another gripping tale from the author of BLAME that depicts a violent sick father called Len who gave little except pain and suffering, a man so sick and hateful that no tears or sadness were shown from Rose and her family on his death. It is eight years on from Len’s death and Rose, their mother, only wishes for her children to pursue their careers in acting, sports, and singing.

Laura, Henry, Sal, and Margret are determined to make good of their inherited talents from their mom and help from Auntie, Uncle, and Granddad before his passing to overcome their difficult years of brutality and struggle and to prove doubters wrong.

Success appears all rewarding for Laura on her travels to London, Europe, Middle East, and America but not without its problems. Laura, known as Laura Verona, an actress, spearheads her career to public demand only to find agents and film directors troubled by activists and terrorists seeking funds to support their political dogma.

Henry, a professional footballer, remembers well of his father and of his brutal ways so much that he endeavours to protect his sister and in doing so finds things are not what they should be.

Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely a coincidence. My intentions are not to offend and all material in this book is to be accepted as a story designed for good reading for all age groups. Also, I do not intend to offend or embarrass anyone of any race, religion, colour, or physical makeup. If anyone is offended, I apologise for this is unintentional.

Chapter 1

CHIN UP AND SMILE

Auntie, I remember it well. When I was a boy, Granddad would say, ‘Henry, chin up and smile.’

His encouragement meant a lot. I was lucky in having family love, apart from Dad who only gave me pain and suffering, a man who suffered from bipolarity and refused treatment only to end his life in prison.

It is eight years since his death, we care not where he is buried—harsh words but true for he was a monster to all of us.

My twin sisters never speak of him. Laura, my older sister, is too busy with her acting career, if it’s not appointments and engagement then it’s films.

I never doubted her in achieving.

We all deserve an Oscar for what we endured. Now my two younger sisters help Mom in her tea rooms and shop when they are not performing in their singing careers at the song and dance academy.

It only seems a short time, not eight years, when we were yelling and screaming at each other with fear of Dad showing his unwanted presence and Mom crying in despair and frustration.

Those were cruel sad days, but we have made good in our task of achieving.

We talk about our achievements, but when we do, it’s Laura who is the main attraction with her acting. It’s all Laura with her good looks and ability to attract boyfriends. Her hard work and devotion has promoted her career that she is well known under the name of Laura Verona and Auntie, the film studios are desperate to secure her in contracts that require much thought, but Auntie, it is Granddad we miss.

Mom often says if it’s only to do a bit of negotiating, but we learnt fast, we had to—it has been difficult in these last few years, we had little money, we struggled and achieved and proved those wrong who broadcasted doubt.

‘You, Auntie Joan, you constantly remind me but ask for nothing in return. I used to run to you for pocket money. I grew fast and muscular. You bought me clothes to help Mom out. I now look back with horror thinking how we ever managed.

Now we go to the concert next week to see my sisters sing, and that shop Granddad bought for Mom was a wise move, do you think he knew what would happen when he left us to go to heaven?’

‘Henry, he knew many things; he anticipated what might happen by observing people and their mode of life.

He thought hard and did opposite things or unexpected things.

He took different views to many but maintained dignity and a good standard in life.’

‘Auntie Joan, it is Laura we have to watch.’

‘Why?’

‘Auntie, it’s the men chasing her.’

‘What is wrong with that?’

‘I’ will tell you there better not be anything wrong with that. She deserves the best and if he is wrong and then I’ll step in.

‘I am not going to see a repeat of the past, the same applies to the singing duo. Sal and Margret.’

‘Henry, you cannot choose their partners. It’s their life and they are old enough to do as they wish.’

‘Auntie, you may think that they are, 18 or is it 19?

Mom may think that and they may think that but not me, oh no not me. I want the best for them. I will not stand by and see them mistreated like they were when they were children.

These last eight years, we have worked hard to achieve, but it’s Laura, all Laura because she has the talent and good looks and more men than we have in our football team and not many of those get past me, yes, I’ve seen them eyeing her up and down.

Well she has not met the right one yet no matter what she thinks, the same applies to the twins. I am protective of them, I cannot stand back and watch them suffer like they did when Matchstick was alive eight years ago.’

‘You mean your dad.’

‘No, I do not mean Dad, I mean Matchstick.

He was never a dad to me.

He was burnt out so Mom called him Matchstick, never refer to him as my dad, better still, don’t mention him.’

‘Henry, when you start courting, who will tell you whether you have the right one or not?’

‘That’s simple, Auntie, you will.’

‘What about your mom?’

‘She’s not courting, is she?’

‘No, your mom will tell you.’

‘Yes, perhaps so, but you can see more at a distance, do you think I can find someone like Mom?’

‘Henry, you will know when the time is right.’

‘Auntie, you are talking like Granddad did.’

‘Henry, we were talking about the singing duo and heartthrob Laura.’

‘Auntie, I have the tickets, for the Royal Theatre in London, what a night we can have.’

‘‘Henry, they have worked hard and studied well like you, they deserve it. As for Laura, I suppose it’s America next.’

‘We’ll not see much of her then.’

‘Hooray.’

‘Henry, will you worry about her?’

‘’Auntie, I worry now.’

‘Why?’

‘Why, because she is courting and if what I hear is true than I see trouble ahead.

‘If there is something wrong I will be the first on the plane to America, yes with a few of the boys but who said she is going to America? It’s all news to me and we have the twins costing us in having an expensive tutor for their singing and dancing.’

‘Henry, you cost us plenty .’

‘I know Auntie, but I sometimes worry about them from their

torturous past with Loony Len.’

‘Henry, you can help us with their singing and dancing duo.’

`Why and how?’

‘Auntie, they are professionals; now their schooling is over, they are managed by Claud Duval and booked up for the next year at some great theatres and Auntie, they are booked by the football club to sing thirty minutes of communal singing popular songs that all can join in and get the crowd motivated.’

‘Henry they will get paid so, forget what it cost in achieving but, I see you are concerned about Laura.’

‘Auntie, Laura’s is courting and I am not happy with it and Mom will not be when she hears about it, ‘. . .and give Joe this ticket for football on Saturday’.

‘Henry, he misses your Granddad in going with him.’

‘Well you go with him.’

‘I would but I don’t know first thing about football, but theatres, I love them and Henry, our Sal and Margret sing classical songs, so how will they perform at singing at football matches?’

‘Auntie, if you go, you will know.’

‘Henry, are you going down to the capital with Laura?’

‘Yes, I think she likes me to be around and what I hear I ought not to be far away.’

‘Henry, you are always falling out with each other.’

‘Auntie, what it is she is protective of me I don`t need it maybe a eight years ago but not now it is me watching her, that’s why we differ, Auntie you`ve only seen her a few times. Believe me, Auntie, she is great, they love her no matter what part she plays and, work is coming in all the time.

Her agent has all on in sorting the best offers out.

it’s not easy for actors, there are many actors out of work but our Laura is in great demand. I tell her to make the best of it whilst it lasts, she tells me to be careful in not getting injured at football, just like Mom.’

Auntie, ‘It’s not easy having three sisters all doing well and telling me of their plans and progress not bothered about me but I think they talk about my earnings behind my back and my career is much shorter than theirs. I will be retired from football much before them and have plans with my sports analyst degree for when my football days are over.

Mom is thinking of expanding ’her premises at the shop and asked me to help I think she wants to make good use of my earnings, and Sal and Margret are planning to go into dress-ware and supply for theatres. Mom will tell you more when you see her

I know she has been planning something with the shop, in having it painted and changing the name to Just Look In. A funny name but try arguing with a house full of women.’

‘Henry, I am one so watch it.’

‘I know, but they come up with the ideas and I have to implement them, and another thing, Mom’s tea rooms,

‘What next, I wonder?

Whose mad idea was that?’

‘It was mine.’

‘Oh, yes with my money.’

‘Henry, you had plenty out of us, you just keep your chin up and smile and we’ll take care of the rest.’

‘Auntie, get Laura to chip in.’

‘Henry, can you see her helping out in the tea rooms? Because I can’t.’

‘Auntie, she is too busy courting.’

‘Henry, she is a star and in big demand with little time off. She is here, there, and everywhere; and we never asked you to help with the business.’

‘Look Henry, your Mom can manage the business side of things, you stick to football and Laura will act and play her part.

‘Auntie, it is an act with Laura’, of course it is, ‘and she is rehearsing in the Old Play House.’

‘Auntie, don’t tell Mom about our Laura courting for I want to find out more because, what I have heard it is not pleasant to know.

‘Henry, it is hardly any of my business but you ought to stop reminiscing about your past eight years, for most of them were painful years; I know Auntie I have the scares.

‘Auntie, I worry a lot, I know Laura is bragging about her boyfriend and he plans to be her agent.’

‘Henry, your Mom and Laura are here and Laura looks in distress.

The police are here too.’

‘Mom, what is it?’

Chapter 2

LAURA VERONA

‘Laura, why the police, what’s going on?’

‘Henry, I was in rehearsals in the Old Play House when a bomb went off across the road from the theatre, smashed the foyer, and injured the doorman. The police escorted me home. It happened about two hours ago.’

‘Mom, I didn’t wish to ring you and upset you, Laura, it was on television, it never showed you.’

‘No, Mom, I was rehearsing in the theatre when it happened. No one knew our public showing is in another theatre about ten miles away, we just borrowed that one for rehearsals, but our lives have been put at risk so give the police some refreshment and I’ll give any help I can.’

‘Laura, your life was at risk?’

‘Mom, I don’t know what to think.’

‘Mrs Otley, please inspector, it’s Rose, call me Rose’

‘There is one dead and two injured, a bomb was placed under a car, now enquiries are ongoing, but for now all Laura`s work is curtailed, she might be at risk, we don’t know but cannot dismiss it.’

‘Mom, I’m alright, and Claud my agent is coming around soon so we may get to know more. Can we use the parlour? I have to make a statement.’

‘Laura, shall I sit in with you, and why should this happen to you?’

‘Mrs Otley, we don’t know whether it was directed at Laura.’

‘Look Inspector, if Loony Len could get vengeance, he would.’

‘Mrs Otley, he has been dead some eight years, we are likely to be looking at terrorists.’

‘Then Inspector, `why should Laura be targeted?’

‘Henry, we don’t know enquiries are ongoing.’

‘Inspector, there is a lot of jealousy in the entertainment world, some actors do well whereas others struggle, it is who you please most. Mom you don`t know that.’

‘Laura, have you any enemies?’

‘I have a lot of appointments to meet and this is frightening.’

‘Claud, here you are.’

‘Laura, it is me they want. .’

‘Then Claud tell the police, not me.’

‘Officer, someone is wanting my business and I refuse. Laura is box office, I have her contracts and these people want what I have. I refuse because these are not business people, they are terrorists. They are prepared to kill. Claud you don`t know that I, do Inspector.

Yes, my life is in danger.’

‘Laura, they want me not you.’

‘Claud, then why haven’t you informed the police instead of waiting?’

‘Laura, I was not to know what would happen.’

‘Claud, it is your job to look after my interests you have failed me.’

‘No, I am your contract manager, not your security manager.’

‘Claud, you failed me, you knew what was happening and did nothing to protect me.’

‘I think it’s something to do with Loony Len.’

‘Mom, keep out of it, that idiot is long gone. He knew many shady characters in Bradford.’

‘Mom, make us a cuppa whilst we talk to the inspector.’

‘Laura he had many friends in prison.’

‘Mom, please leave us. Inspector, she had a bad time with Loony Len.’

‘Yes, we know. We remember it well, it was a difficult time for her and made her ill. It takes time to get back a life from living a life of hell. It is you we are here for. Now tell us what you know, and you, Claud, for you are hiding something.’

‘Laura, I have tried to handle this alone to keep things away from you. I know your Mom worries I didn’t want her upsetting.’

‘Claud, there has been an attempt upon my life, don’t you understand, what is it with you?’

‘The bomb was outside and you were safe inside, I was in the foyer nearer to it than you it is me they want.’

‘Claud, how do you know that?

Inspector these people will stop at nothings.’

‘I am constantly under pressure from outsiders, Claud the bombers have no bearing on your business.’

‘How do you know that? The bomb, I believe, was meant for those soldiers in the café across the road they only got as far as the parked car.

They had no idea to where you were performing or rehearsing. Inspector, these people looked like French/Algerians then you saw them?’

‘Yes, they were loitering around for some time looking suspicious.’

‘Inspector, it is a terrorist attack aiming to disrupt our mode of life and kill as many people as possible. Claud, this was directed at soldiers, why do you think otherwise?’

‘Claud, we take no chances, it appears a terrorist is dead. You, Claud, now come out with other things relating to your safety and welfare of Laura and how do you know this could be linked?’

‘Inspector, I came to UK about twelve years ago from Jerusalem.

My family had business in travel and entertainment, my father died there and is buried there; his religion and status gave much concern. He was a Judge for the State and had many executed for activities against the State.’

‘My father was hated by the militants for his swift actions in the Holy Land. I, too, became a peace envoy now retired.

What is happening now in my country is what happened many years ago in this country UK. Yes, the Catholics and Protestants, the crown against the people, but today is more violent with bombs and bullets.

The question is, what are we doing about it? Laura, you are perfectly safe.’

‘Claud, you would say that, it doesn’t seem it to me. I should be on stage acting and all you do is talk about history and why now?’

‘Next week, I am doing some outdoor scenes and very much open to the public.’

‘Laura, its’ not you, it’s me they want it may not be terrorists, some people object to the storyline you are doing.

They blame me, for promoting you into doing a controversial film. Inspector, thank you but this trouble was not directed at those soldiers, it was me.’

‘Claud, we shall be making more enquiries. could be linked and because of that you will go elsewhere, this is serious, so clear out from here.’

‘Claud, where are we going?’

‘Otto wants you to go to his studios to where it is safe. This way, transport is waiting.’

‘Otto, it was awful.’

‘Laura, you can do some scenes in the grounds of the large house.’

‘Claud, what is it with you? This has nothing to do with you, why are you here?’

‘Laura, I’m in trouble. I fear it is me they want.’

‘Claud, I am filming, go away, go to your office before you are escorted away.’

‘But I am scared, I know who they are.’

‘Claud, they don’t know where you are.’

‘They do.’

‘My God what is it with you? Tell the police, not me.’

‘Laura, I have done and at end of the lane there are protesters against your filming.’

‘I thought this was a safe area what is going on?’

‘Laura, they followed me.’

‘Well thank you, Claud, now what do we do? It’s the director that is going to give you trouble for losing him time and money and the inspector is here. Claud, go home clear off and stop exaggerating, you are deluded with your father’s past and unnerving me. Your problems are not mine, go home or to the police.’

‘Perhaps you are right, Laura, see you later.’

‘Inspector, I have been here about forty minutes just drinking tea. What is happening?’

‘When Claud left you, he was attacked and tied and bound to a tree with a notice attached to him saying Be warned. We have taken him to hospital’

‘Inspector, this is Otto our director who wishes to talk to you.’

‘Good, shall we talk over coffee?’

‘Laura my dear, you are safe here so listen to me and the inspector it is us they are after.’

‘Why you? What have you done?’

‘Laura, just listen.’

‘No I will not. I feel I am being used, I am surrounded with fear, it is scary who are these people and what are you doing inspector?

Look at those protesters in anger and hate, what is it all about? Get me away from here, I want to go home and clear the protesters away, what do they want?

Otto is it you?’

‘Laura, it is, now listen to me.’

‘You are well known on stage and in films. Claud is agent for you and your sisters in their song and dance routine, so what’s that got to do with you?’

‘Laura, we are of a Jewish faith and I am a peace envoy involved in the Middle East conflict and in the struggle for recognition of land rights and things are getting nasty and your acting role in the film for God’s sake is biased against the struggle for freedom religion and the establishment we are portraying you in the leading role.

Claud is a big supporter of our struggle in the Middle East and contributes well to the cause and our enemies are many, our lives are in danger.’

‘Otto, you direct and I feel vulnerable.

I am bringing my brother along, Henry, I, want him to be around. Otto, I am non-political but my part is sensitive like War And Peace or Dr Shivago and to various religious believes, you portray me as a ruling upper-class doctorial bitch pushing two fingers up to the working class.

The church and the establishment in this film is very controversial and debatable, I don’t want any trouble, and I thought they targeted the soldiers.’

Chapter 3

MURDER OF CLAUD

‘Laura, you are an actress, you get paid to act irrespective of the part or subject.’

‘No, Claud, I choose what I want.’

‘You should be resting not here, go home.’

‘You are my agent, you are responsible for finding me work, that is what I pay you for, not to dictate to me in what work I should be doing. I feel all is not what it should be.’

‘Laura, you don’t understand, you have to take what is offered or no work, you are not in a position to choose. I have your contract, if you want to pull out, it will cost you.’

‘Claud, you have my contract, that’s a laugh, I am not under contract, you are my agent.’

‘Laura, don’t give me trouble.’

‘Give you trouble, why you have been tied to a tree and beaten and now try to dictate to me.’

‘What is it?’

‘Claud, you’re ripping me off and pooling money with Otto to fund your cause in Israel or is it Jerusalem?’

‘It’s Israel.’

‘Whatever. You have been using my money, cheating me out of my true earnings. Henry wants a word with you.’

‘Laura, I have your contract, you signed it and you have another year to go rubbish, you are frightened, what is it?’

‘Well I’m not performing anymore until this is sorted. I want my rightful dues and other monies that you put aside and the pool set aside for security now where has that gone?’

‘There is not a pool, it is all lies. Your cheating ways have caught up with you. How do I know? Well, Otto has told me he thought I was aware of me contributing to your course and there is no contract, now you speak to Mom or Henry.’

‘Laura, you get well paid, I get you constant work you get 70 per cent of all takings that is your agreement, you signed it.’

‘No Claud, you are missing the point. I get 70 per cent of what? These figures are yours, false figures, made-up figures, you have lied to me time after time, I’ve been supporting your cause with my money, you thieving swine, you better come up with the outstanding money you owe me about £8,000 try explaining it to Henry.’

‘Laura, your offers and stage work are past to me. I am an agent and manager, two jobs and I only charge for one, you are saving money with me but complain. Laura, it is you who is greedy.’

‘Stop it, Claud.’

‘Laura, you are getting more independent. You think I am robbing you, we have an agreement and now you wish to break it, our pooled money is in an account you know that it’s there to look at, I owe you nothing and someone is stirring it, someone who wants you on their books and enticing you to break your contract.

It is not Otto for we have a good understanding, he directs you on stage and screen, he offers a purse and we agree, you know that sometimes I am given a bonus as back hander, all agents do, but I am not ripping you off nor am I a thieving swine; those are not your words, someone is convincing you to break your contract.

Laura, who is it?’

‘Claud, what contract are you talking about, and is it true Otto supports Israel like you?’

‘Laura we have been fighting for peace for years, you are lucky in Britain you have no conflict on your land, only little social problems, little pockets of disputes,