Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (27 page)

“Yeah I know, he gave me a heart shaped sapphire necklace at the airport and its beautiful” Charlie said “I’ll put a picture up on Facebook shortly”

“You’re so lucky to have a guy love you that much, nothing much is happening here for me and as for Simon” Julia’s voice trailed off.

Charlie suddenly felt sorry for her best friend.

“I’ll pop into the bike shop this week and see if I can’t help you out at all” Charlie replied “And we must sort out when you can come over and visit as Mum and James are abandoning me on Friday for ten days”

“Well how about I catch the train and come up on Saturday so you’re not lonely” Julia replied, cheerfulness had returned to her voice.

“Cool, we can hang out and there’s this fab club just down the road we can go too” she enthused, already excited about seeing her best mate again.

“Well, I’d better go and get on with preparing for college tomorrow and waiting for Mitchell to call me when he lands”

“Ok well call me anytime and I’ll drop you a text and let you know what time my train is on Saturday”

Feeling much better Charlie lay back on the pillows and breathed in the scent of Mitchell that still lingered on the pillowcase.

Downstairs I started to prepare some food for tea; cottage pie seemed a good idea as I felt we all needed some comfort. James had headed into the lounge with his laptop and I realised that perhaps he needed a little time alone. Finding all the ingredients I set to work and danced around to the various tracks on the radio. James listened to the music in the background and thought about both of his sons, now miles away, but he guessed happy as they pursued their chosen careers. He clicked on his emails and noticed two, one from Rob and one from Felicity. Choosing his mate first he was eager to see what he had found out about the murder.

Sitting back in the chair he read through Rob’s initial summary of the facts and the things he thought the Police had missed in the investigation. Rob’s professional opinion was that Mark had been the target for someone who had planned it to ensure that it looked on the surface like a random attack. However with no further details or evidence he had no idea who might have been responsible. James sat back and rubbed his forehead, he had his suspicion but how to prove it was going to be impossible. After a quick response back James opened the mail from Felicity and read it quickly.

             
“James, I will be in town tomorrow and wondered if we could meet up as I have something important to talk to you about and it’s not something that can be discussed over email or the phone. Please let me know if this will be ok and I will book a table at La Figaro wine bar. Felicity”

Sending a suitably short reply James decided it was best to just bite the bullet and see what she wanted, after all he didn’t want anything un pleasant coming up and hurting his fledgling relationship with Stephanie. Anyway she was going to be nearby in her meeting with Greg at the radio station so he might be able to meet up with her afterwards for a quick drink before she drove back home.

Returning to the kitchen he crept up behind me and I turned to kiss him.

“Mmmh smells good and I didn’t mean the cooking” he laughed.

“It will be ready soon, I hope Charlie will come down and eat as she hardly ate anything last night or this morning” I replied, enjoying his attention.

“So what time will your meeting finish tomorrow” James asked.

“About four I think, why?”

“Shall I meet you for a quick drink before you desert me back to Ross-on-Wye”

“Sounds good to me” I replied.

James turned and started to open a bottle of Pinot Noir so that it could breathe before he poured us both a glass.

“I think there’s a wine bar just up the street” I said, inhaling the intense plum aroma’s rising from the rich glass of red.

“Sounds good I’ll meet you there, just in case I’m running a little later than four”

The rest of our evening passed with a delicious dinner, Charlie appeared and apart from looking pale she managed to eat and then headed back to her room.

Chapter 39

In the middle of the night Charlie heard her phone start to ring and quickly reached for it to answer.

“Hey Baby, I’ve landed and navigated my way out of the airport to the hotel where I’m staying” Mitch’s voice sounded tired but excited.

“Hi Mitch, it’s the middle of the night and there’s a big space next to me in this bed right now” Charlie breathed. It was lovely to hear from him but all it served was to remind her how much she was missing him.

“It’s glorious sunshine here at the moment, but I wish you were standing in this hotel room next to me instead of just this wonderful photograph you  managed to sneak into my case” he replied, hearing the anguish in her voice.

“Me too” she said “Send me some pictures so I can see what it’s like”

“I will later, I’m going to grab a quick shower and then I have to head to the studio to find out what the rehearsal schedule will be like and then I think I’m going to crash out” Mitch replied.

There was a brief pause and Charlie spotted a couple of pictures appear on her screen, the last one of Mitch blowing her a kiss made her eyes brim.

“I’ll let you go then, drop me a text when you are next free to talk and I will give you a call, but don’t forget about the time difference” she said.

“Ok lucky, you take care tomorrow at college, no speaking to any strange men”

“I won’t I am yours alone” as she blew kisses down the phone at him “I’m meeting Shelley at the gates so she will look after me” Charlie replied.

“Ok, that’s cool and I love the piccie” Mitch said, as Charlie had sent him one of her cuddled up under the duvet. “You always look cute when you’ve just woken up” he breathed.

“And you always say the best things, I love you Mitchell” she finished, her hand instinctively grasping her necklace.

“I love you to
o
Charlotte, tell Dad I’m ok and speak later” Mitch finished, suddenly the line went dead.

Holding it tightly in her hand, Charlie let a few tears roll down her cheek and then wiped them away so she could gaze at the picture of him. Then with it still on the screen she lay back down on the pillow and somehow managed to fall asleep. Her alarm sounded early and after showering she pondered what to wear. In the end she plumped for her tight white jeans, grey jumper and boots and she quickly took another photo with her phone and sent it off to Mitch. Then she headed down for breakfast with her Mum and James.

“Morning Charlie, are you nervous” I asked.

“A bit Mum, but Mitchell called me last night to say he had landed and was ok and would speak to you later James” Charlie replied.

“That’s good news I’ll look forward to having a quick chat with him” James said.

After some toast and a cup of coffee Charlie was ready to leave and so was I.

“Here’s the keys to the car I’ll be right out” I said. Grabbing her bag she headed out and I paused to say goodbye to James.

“So I’ll see you later then” he said, pulling me into the frame of his body.

“I’m looking forward to it already” I replied, reaching up to coil my arms around his neck.

“Me too and then it’s a four day long wait until I whisk you away on that plane” he replied, as his lips captured mine.

“You look far too hot to be going to work, I wish you were staying home with me” he murmured. His glance took in my tight tailored trousers, fitted shirt and heeled boots.

“Thanks babe, I’d better go and I’ll see you later” I replied. As I left the room I gave my ass a little shimmy and he whistled.

Grinning like a girl I practically skipped out to the car and noticed my daughter trying not to laugh at me.

“Come on Mum, I don’t want to be late for my first day” Charlie said, when I climbed in.

“Ok” I replied, starting up the car and trying not to get distracted as James stood waving in the doorway. The journey was fairly easy once the Sat-Nav kicked in and I got used to the heavier traffic.

“Drop me here Mum” Charlie said, as she spotted Shelley waiting for her.

“Is that your friend” I asked, curiously. She looked older than Charlie and so different in comparison with Julia.

At the curb I stopped the car and Charlie scrambled to collect her bag.

“See you on Friday then Mum” she said “Don’t worry I’ll try not to be a pain for James” She dropped a quick kiss on my cheek and then she was out and heading up the street. I was pleased to see her looking more cheerful after the previous day. The rest of the journey passed slowly in the traffic queues but I was soon turning into the parking area and noticing the red Porsche belonging to Greg. I was not particularly keen on being in his company again as I still felt on edge with his advances.

Walking into the studio I immediately spotted the further work that had taken place since my last visit. Pictures of celebrities lined the walls and the furniture and desk for reception had arrived. Wandering on past the finished studios I spotted my office door and looked inside. Greg had splashed out on a large canvas of an opening rose for the wall and I had to admit that it looked fantastic. I was still looking at it when I felt arms around my waist and I turned to see Gregory looking down at me.

“It’s been too long Stephanie” he murmured, talking as if he was my lover and not my boss.

“Hi Greg, I like the canvas and the rest of the office” I replied in my business like voice. At the same time I placed my hands on his and prised his fingers off in a gentle but firm manor.

“Absolutely, we don’t need the rest of the staff knowing about us” Greg said.

Turning away I watched him stroll out of my office as if nothing untoward had happened. I took a breath and straightened my shirt. Greg was obviously under the delusion that there was something between us and I needed to think about the best way to handle it. I could hear more voices next door as I entered our staff room and headed for the kettle.

“I’ll get that” a cheerful voice said from behind me. I turned to see Naomi enter and bound across the room to the kettle.

“Tea or Coffee” she asked.

“Why not do a pot of both as I guess everyone will want a cup before we start the meeting” I said. Just then a familiar laugh made me turn again.

“Steph” Jack said “Greg asked me and Leon to come and see the place, it’s awesome” he said, as he hugged me close
.
Leo
n
filed in behind him and greeted me too. As Naomi handed me a coffee I spotted Lesley and Amy sat together in the corner, chatting and flirting with Greg.

Suddenly the volume in the room lulled and Greg stood up and headed towards me.

“Is everyone ready to get started, we have lots to get through today and I don’t want to be here any later than necessary” he said. Lesley and Amy giggled at the comment and Naomi handed him a cup of coffee.

“Thanks Naomi, I’m so glad I hired you” he said, bestowing a sparkling smile upon her. I watched her blush before she quickly grabbed her own cup of tea from the side. We filed through to the meeting room and took our seats, I sat the one side of Greg and Lesley managed to grab the other chair. Everyone took turns to explain what they had been doing to help prepare and promote the launch date. Platters of sandwiches and cake appeared for lunch and then we continued through the afternoon. I tried to keep my mind present in the meeting but as Lesley started to rattle off projected advertising contracts I wondered what James was doing with his day.

Watching Steph and Charlie reverse out of the driveway James turned to Jester.

“Come on boy, let’s go for that walk you’re waiting for, I need some time to think” In the park as Jester ran around exploring James found a bench and sat down. He should have told Stephanie that he was meeting Felicity for lunch but something inside him held back as he didn’t want her to worry about what was being discussed whilst she was in an important meeting. Felicity hardly ever spoke to him but somehow the tone in her email had sounded important and also he needed to know what she had on her mind. She was dangerous and as the saying went it was best to keep your enemies close. He was also slightly concerned about the black car that had pulled off from the other side of the street and had followed Stephanie’s car until they were both out of sight.

Since the suspected lurker in the garden and his worries about the murder of Stephanie’s husband perhaps he had got a little paranoid. But his gut feeling was telling him that something was not quite right. He hadn’t managed to see the number plate of the car but he would be vigilant from now on. Back at home he hurried upstairs to shower and change, in his room he could still smell her perfume as it drifted around on the hidden currents. Stepping under the shower he closed his eyes and hoped that Felicity would be brief as all he wanted to do was be with Steph again. His reverie was shattered by the sound of the phone and he quickly grabbed a towel and headed through to the bedroom.

“Hi Dad” Mitchell said.

“Hi Mitch, are you ok” James asked, sitting down on the bed.

“Fine Dad, everything is going great so far. The people are friendly especially when they hear my English accent. I’m half way through the first rehearsal at moment which is tough but exciting” Mitch enthused.

“That’s good news, when do the concerts start” James asked.

“Next week I’m i
n
Los Angeles, the
n
San Francisco. Basically it’s one evening of work then the next evening off as we travel” Mitch said “I’ve emailed Charlie a copy of the schedule so just ask her” he said, his voice trailing off at the mention of Charlotte.

“Ok, I will. She’s fine by the way Stephanie dropped her off at college this morning and I’ll be here when she gets home later” James said.

There was a slight pause

“I’d better go Dad, they’re giving us a call now” he said.

“Take care Son” James replied.

“You too Dad” and then the phone connection died. Getting dressed James decided that the day was now going better than perceived and he only had to survive lunch for a couple of hours before he could share a final drink with Steph before she headed back to Ross for the rest of the week. Then it was a couple of night shifts for him before catching the plane t
o
Jamaica.

Shelley noticed Charlie getting out of the car and she waited on the pavement for her to catch up.

“Hey Charlie, are you ready for your first day” Shelley asked, engulfing Charlie in a huge hug.

“Yes I think so, it’s a good job we’re in all the same classes so I won’t feel alone” Charlie replied, as they headed on along the path. They soon entered a larger throng of students and Shelley seemed to be forever waving or saying hello to various people too many for Charlie to keep count of. Once in through the doors Shelley waited with Charlie at the reception so she could pick up her locker key.

“Hi Mrs Lynch, are there any spare lockers near G15” Shelley asked, as a middle aged woman appeared at the desk.

“Hi Shelley, I’ll check for you now, is it for you?” she asked, turning toward
s
Charlotte.

“Yes, I’
m
Charlott
e
and it’s my first day”

They waited as she disappeared to a cupboard at the back of the office before returning with a key for G20.

“Will this one do” she asked, holding out the key.

“Yes that will be great thanks” Charlie said.

“Well, if you have any other questions just drop by and I’ll endeavour to help you out if Shelley can’t” Mrs Lynch replied.

Walking down the corridor Charlie looked about and tried to gather her bearings as Shelley continued to chat about all the teachers for their various classes.

The morning passed in a blur of academic subjects before the pause for lunch. Charlie quickly grabbed her phone and spotted a message from Mitchell that she could ring him when she was free. Shelley had found a spot in the canteen so Charlie excused herself and found a quiet spot in one of the stairwells.

“Hi Mitch, oh my god it’s so nice to hear from you” Charlie breathed.

“Hey Lucky, how are you, how’s college going” Mitch asked.

“First day today and ok so far but that’s ‘cos Shelley is in most of my classes and its dance this afternoon so I can’t wait” Charlie replied “What about you?”

“Everything is going ok, I’ve been put in the main section of male dancers so I don’t have to adapt to dancing with a new partner and I can pick up the steps quicker” Mitch said “There are some incredible dancers here so it’s really pushing me”

Charlie had been unaware of holding her breath but she silently let it out now that she knew he had not been partnered with any glamorous American girls.

“Sounds amazing, when do you start hitting the stage then?” she asked.