Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (14 page)

“She is so like her Mum” Peter said.

“Although with a little more fire in her belly” Pam said, sitting down beside him.

Under the gloomy sky Charlie stopped to look up, trying to find any stars in the sky. She remembered her Mum’s diary entry when they had made love under the stars, somewhere beneath their feet.

“What are you thinking” Mitch asked, pulling her into his embrace.

“Just my Mum and your Dad, they made love on this very grass years ago” she said.

“Maybe I’ll have to take you outside somewhere” Mitch replied “But not here, I don’t fancy my grandparents as audience” he laughed.

“I’ll hold you to that Mitchell Cooke” Charlie said, grinning back at him. On tiptoes she could just manage to reach his lips with hers as she softly kissed him.

“You can hold me to a lot of things” he whispered, kissing her back.

Chapter 22

As I looked out at my dark house I hesitated. Part of me wanted to just turn around and head back to the light and happiness I felt when I was with James. When we were younger we were separated by the physical miles, now we were restrained by our respective careers. Grabbing my case and a carrier bag of clothes tha
t
Charlott
e
thought she wouldn’t need for the rest of the week I unlocked the door. The house felt musty and unloved and when I turned the light on my gaze caught my husband’s eyes as he stared out of the photograph.

I spotted the light flashing on my land line phone and wondered who had left me a message here rather than on my mobile. I pressed play and listened.

“Hi Stephanie its Gregory Hall here, just wanted to let you know I will be down in the studio tomorrow and really wanted to catch up with you after that wonderful Rock on the River event. Anyway see you in the morning”

Well tomorrow was going to be an interesting day, it wasn’t often that the head of Love Shack radio called in to see them.

Stepping into the kitchen I put the kettle on and found my mobile phone and rang James. He answered on the second ring and I sat on the stool letting his smooth deep voice penetrate my ear.

“Hi babe, I’m home” I said.

“That’s good, I’ve been worrying about you ever since you left” he replied.

“Why, I’m a perfectly good driver” I retorted.

“Yeah, it’s the other idiots on the road that worry me” James replied, laughing as he said it. “What are you up too?”

“Waiting for the kettle to boil then I’m probably going to take my cup upstairs and soak in some hot bath water”

“Wish I was there” he mourned.

“So do I but we only have to wait until Wednesday evening and then how long have I got you for” I asked.

“Five days if you want”

I filled my mug with hot water and a herbal tea bag and then continued.

“I got home to a message from Love Shack radio station manager. He’s visiting our studio tomorrow which is great as I can talk to him and see if he has any contacts on local radio stations in your area” I said.

“Excellent, I can only go so long being apart from you. I want us to be together, forever” he replied. I grinned at the use of the Rick Astley song and decided that he would be my music of choice on the bathroom stereo tonight.

“It may still take a while” I replied, caution stopping us both from getting carried away on the wings of our dreams.

“Yes, I guess so” he replied “But I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed tomorrow and if you need me to speak to him and tell him about all your amazing talents then you know my number” James said.

“I really don’t think he needs to know about my personal life” I replied, giggling at the innuendo.

“Yes, I’d like to keep you all to myself”

Still clutching my phone I picked up the mug and headed for the stairs.

“Drop me a text before you drop off to sleep” James said.

“I will, now off you go and do something productive with the rest of the evening” I chided.

“I will sit on the sofa and think of you in the bath, covered in bubbles” he sighed.

“Night honey, I love you” I said, softly matching the tone of his sigh.

“Night for now,” James said. As the line went dead I lit a candle in the bathroom and left the bath to run as I unpacked my case. Just before I put my pink dress into the laundry basket I lifted it to my nose. I could just make out the scent of James’ aftershave on the shoulder from when we had danced together.

Sinking into the water I replayed all of the events of the weekend. I tried to get my mind to skip over the party but unfortunately it remained stubbornly fixed on Felicity’s smiling face. If only they didn’t share children? If only she was no longer anywhere near James as I knew what she was capable of and I realised that Charlie’s showdown with her at the party had only aggravated the situation. It was nearly midnight when I slipped under the covers of my own bed and quickly sent James a goodnight text. He replied immediately and then I flicked off the light switch.

I was surprised to have a dreamless sleep and woke as my alarm sounded feeling ready for the day and the opportunities that I felt sure were out there for me. I had only one goal now and that was to secure a job closer to James so that we could live together and see how things went. I would worry about Charlotte and Mitchell when the time came; life was too short to waste.

Pushing open the office doors I waved at Paul who started to motion wildly at the door to the far office and kitchen area. I nodded and mouthed “I know” through the glass as I wandered through and turned the kettle on.

“Morning Greg, would you like a coffee” I asked, as I spotted him sat at the desk, head behind a laptop. He looked up and flashed me a brilliant white smile.

“Hi Stephanie, that sounds good. Milk and one sugar” he replied, before returning his gaze to the screen. I took a mug through for Paul and then headed back with mine and the one for Greg. Placing it on the desk, I hesitated wondering whether he would mind talking now.

“Would you have a moment to talk” I asked. Greg looked up and then shut his laptop.

“Sure sit down” he said, smiling kindly.

“Well, I’ll cut to the point I am about to start looking for another job on a radio station somewhere in the Midlands as I am planning to move in the not too distant future and wondered if you had any contacts you could talk too” I asked. I watched the shock spread over his face; after all I had worked at the station for twelve years now and was one of his more experienced DJ’s.

The silence seemed to stretch as I watched him fire up his laptop again and then he turned to me.

“What perfect timing you have as I wanted to talk to you about a proposal I am looking into at the moment” he said. He turned the laptop screen towards me so that I could see a map of the country.

“The counties highlighted in yellow are the ones we already broadcast in” Greg said. I nodded as I spotted Herefordshire, Monmouthshire an
d
Shropshir
e
amongst others dotted around.

“The areas highlighted in blue are where we don’t have a presence at the moment but that myself and my business associates are interested in” he continued. I realised that much of the blue was in the Midland areas, aroun
d
Birmingham
,
Coventr
y
and Warwickshire.

The smile spread across his face as he leaned forward slightly.

“How would you feel about being Station Manager for our newest Love Shack Radio in th
e
Birmingha
m
area” he asked. Now it was my turn to be struck dumb by the opportunity he was offering me.

“I would definitely be interested if you think I am capable” I stammered.

“You are the person I wanted, but I thought you might have been too happily settled here” he said.

“Well things have changed in my circumstances” I replied. Outwardly I was calm but inside my heart was beating rapidly at the wonderful timing of this offer.

Greg reached across the table and held out his hand for me to shake

“Well I need to sort out the paperwork and I am hoping tha
t
Leo
n
might be interested in heading that way too as he has family in the area. The rest will be up to you with regards to recruiting staff. The promotions team are already  working on getting the name out there to advertisers ready for a launch on the 1
s
t
December” Greg continued “I am happy for you to take some time away from here to start the recruitment and training process and of course to see the studio too”

“Great, when can I get started as there is quite a bit of work to do between now and then?”

“I will just need to get all the paperwork done and an official letter and we should be ready to go”

Glancing over his shoulder I checked the clock and stood up.

“I’ll have to go and prepare for my show as I’m on air in ten minutes” I said.

“I’ll be here all day, perhaps I can take you out for a drink when you finish, talk a little more about the new station” he said, standing up too.

“Yes that would be great, I’ll see you later” I replied, leaving the office. I was so happy at the thought of moving a big step closer to James that I didn’t see the way he was admiring my ass. I made another cup of tea and then as the news started I headed into the studio and met Paul on his way out.

“You look happy, good weekend” he asked.

“Yes thanks and it’s just got a hundred times better” I saw his quizzical look as I took my place at the desk and started to cue up my first couple of songs.

“So what’s happened then” Paul asked, staying in the studio with me to find out.

“Greg is looking at opening a new station i
n
Birmingha
m
and he wants me to be Station Manager which is great as it means I can start to look at moving in with James” I said. I could feel the grin trying to split my face with its power.

I watched as Paul looked at me in shock, surprise and then rushed to give me a hug.

“That’s amazing news, but I’m going to miss you around here”

“I’m not going anywhere until November at the earliest but I’ll know more this afternoon as Greg is taking me out for a drink when I finish the show” I replied. I saw a slight cloud fall over his expression.

“Just keep your wits about you with Greg” he said, turning to leave the studio. I didn’t get the chance to ask Paul about his comment as I went live on air and started the show. As the first few songs played I grabbed my mobile phone and dropped James a text.

“Hi Babe, I have some great news to tell you later so I’ll give you a call this evening”

“Hi Steph, sounds intriguing looking forward to chatting later. By the way I am listening to your show” he said.

Realising this I looked through my screen of songs and found the perfect one to sum up my mood.

“Here’s our next song and it’s for a special friend of mine, you know who you are. It’s the Pointer Sisters with I’m so excited” As the song filled the studio with the high energy beat and vocals I spotted Greg outside in the main office staring through the glass and grinning back at me.

             
“I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it

              I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,

I want you, I want you”

As the song played James listened to it and apart from it reminding him of the Crunchie advert from years ago he couldn’t start to guess what had made her so excited at work. Greg wandered back to the far office, he knew he had made the right choice and he also couldn’t wait to spend some more time with Stephanie. Even though their paths had crossed a number of times over the years he had suddenly noticed her for the vibrant, sexy woman that she was. He knew that the previous year she had been single at the party but he had been with someone but that all changed now he was single.

My show soon came to an end and as I swapped over with Ian I noticed Greg was waiting by the doorway.

“Ready for a drink, I think you need it after that hectic show” he said.

“I’ll just go and freshen up and I’ll be right with you” In the small bathroom cubicle we all shared at the studio I pulled out my lipstick and touched it up. I stared at my reflection in the mirror and could hardly believe the transformation that a fortnight it love had done for me. My complexion glowed with a slight smudge of pink across my cheeks. The sparkle had returned to my clear blue eyes and I could now only see the small hint of shadow that was my guilt over Mark.

Leaving the office the weather had turned and rain fell from the dark skies above. Greg quickly produced his umbrella and held it aloft so that it sheltered both of us. Pausing he turned to me

“So where is the best place for a drink” he asked.

“We can head for my favourite wine bar near the Cathedral” I replied.

“I’ll stick close to you then” he said, as I felt his hand on the small of my back, resting lightly there so I almost didn’t feel it. We walked along the road and then cut through Cathedral Green and into the small cobbled street. Once inside Greg ordered a bottle of red wine and I wondered how long he thought we were staying, after all it was only supposed to be a quick chat.

Suddenly alone I felt nervous and unsure of his motives, especially after Paul’s comments earlier.

“So Stephanie, I never knew you were old enough to have a college age daughter” he said. I watched him pour me a glass of wine and pass it across the table.