The Passengers(50)
‘Fiona, hello. You are the brave soul charged with saving my life then, are you?’
She watched as Fiona offered a smile that didn’t match her eyes. Her demeanour was bold but her pupils were dilated as if apprehensive.
‘Well, let me make this easy for you, Fiona. I hold no grudge against you or anyone else who chooses not to vote for me. I have led a full, wonderful life, beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. And if my fate is to see out my final hours in front of this delightful audience, then I will die as I have lived. I can’t think of any better way to go.’ She paused to wait for imaginary applause to die down. ‘By the way, this is Oscar,’ she continued, holding up her bemused dog and waving his paw towards the camera. She allowed him to lick the side of her face, hoping it might win over animal lovers.
‘For the benefit of those people who may be unaware of who you are, could you please tell us a little about yourself?’ suggested Fiona.
Sofia took a deep breath and placed the dog back by her side. ‘Of course. Well, where to begin? I’ve been a working actress since I first trod the boards as a girl in the West End, and it’s thanks to my public that I’ve been able to sustain such a long career. I’m not going to tire you all by reeling off everything you’ve probably seen me in or the many awards I’ve been given, so let’s just keep it brief and say that I have been blessed.’
‘Does it concern you that you’re the … most senior … of the remaining Passengers?’
References to her age often left a bitter taste in Sofia’s mouth, but not this time. ‘I might not have as many years left in me as some of the others trapped in these godawful cars, but should it mean that I’m denied the opportunity to live the rest of my life? I do hope not. I believe that I still have such an awful lot to give.’
‘Can you give us an example of what? I know you’ve done a lot of charity work over the years.’
Good girl, thought Sofia. That saves me having to shoehorn it into the conversation.
‘Oh, bless you for remembering,’ she continued with false modestly, before spending the next three minutes of her allocated time recalling the charities and hospitals represented. ‘But yes,’ she said finally, ‘I suppose my charity work is one of the things that I’m the proudest of and it’s what brings me the most pleasure. As much as I enjoy entertaining the people and being – what did Prince Harry once call me … oh, that’s right, a “national treasure”– it’s raising money for good causes that is closest to my heart.’
‘Some of the equipment your money paid for saved my daughter’s life,’ added Fiona.
Sofia edged further towards the screen. This was going even better than she hoped. ‘Oh, really? Tell me more, Fiona, darling.’
‘Nine years ago, Kitty underwent brain surgery to remove a benign tumour using doctors that your money helped to train and in a hospital that you helped to build. So I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you from the both of us.’
‘You are very welcome. When it comes to fundraising, people have thrown around figures like twenty-five or thirty million pounds, but they’re just numbers and who’s counting? I’m so pleased that your little girl is one of the hundreds to benefit from my hard work.’
Sofia became aware of the clock reaching the one-minute mark.
‘Some of the other Passengers are parents,’ continued Fiona. ‘When you obviously care so much about children’s charities, do you mind if I ask why you chose not to start a family?’
Sofia dropped her head, then raised it, tilting it at a slight angle. She hadn’t forgotten how the same manoeuvre had given Princess Diana’s words extra depth during her revelatory BBC interview decades earlier. Sofia altered her tone so that it was softer, almost regretful. ‘For so many years I put my career and my body of work ahead of having a family of my own. And I’ll be honest with you, Fiona, it has been one of my biggest regrets.’
‘I haven’t asked you about your husband. Have long have you been married?’
Sofia curled her toes tightly. ‘My darling Patrick and I have been married for almost forty years now.’
‘And he’s your fifth husband, if I remember correctly?’
‘Yes.’ Her reply was curt before she corrected herself. ‘My twenties and thirties were a busy time,’ she chuckled. ‘But you know what they say, “fifth time’s a charm.” Well, something like that. But like I said to you earlier, I have been very blessed with a long, happy life. I can only hope your little girl goes on to live as many joys as I have, along with all the other children and their families I have supported over the years.’
‘I know we don’t have much time left, so I should conclude by asking why my fellow jurors and the public should support you?’
‘I’d never be as bold as to say people should vote for me, but of course I would like them to. If I am permitted to live, then I will not take one second of it for granted and I’ll continue to put the people’s needs above my own. A priest I knew once told me “a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle”. That’s how I’ve lived my life.’
The countdown clock reached zero and Sofia relaxed back into her seat, stroking Oscar and imagining the audience’s standing ovation. The next voice to speak she recognised as the Hacker’s.