Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (47 page)

“Looking good Jack” I said, stopping to speak to him.

“So do you, very Wham!!”

“I’ll come back and chat later I’m on door duty for all our sponsors”

“Rather you than me” he groaned before turning back to order another drink.

In the foyer I gasped with surprise and admiration at Greg who had just arrived, resplendent in full Prince Charming – Adam and the Ants outfit. We looked each other up and down and grinned like small children.

“You look amazing” I marvelled.

“So do you, perhaps I should have come as George Michael instead”

“It’s ok, James has that covered”

“Ah the fiancé” he said, as his eyes flitted to my ring “you must introduce me again. I have to say I can’t remember much from the night at the wine bar”

Zack appeared and after a brief pause to admire the outfit they shook hands.

“Everything is ready, we just need to open those doors and let the guests in”

I exchanged a quick glance with Greg and nodded that I was ready.

“Let the party begin” Greg said, as he took up station next to me. With the doors open I shivered slightly in the cold draught but as people started to drift in the temperature warmed up. Shaking hands with various business owners was a little boring but necessary for the future of the radio station. Strangers became friends quickly especially after a few free glasses of wine and the party atmosphere within the club. With the last few people inside Zack motioned to Greg.

“Are you ready for your speech?”

“Sure, let’s go. I’m sure anyone else arriving now will be able to find their way inside” Greg said, taking my arm.

“I can stay here a little longer”

Greg shook his head “You’re coming with me, no arguments”

Feeling resigned I fell into step with Greg and felt his hand on the small of my back. His finger casually traced circles which I tried hard to ignore but only irritated me. Walking past James I tipped him a wink and a smile which he returned. Then heading onto the small nightclub stage the music came to a halt and Greg took control of the microphone.

“I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our friends here tonight helping to launch our new Love Shack Radio Station for the Birmingham area” he paused as cheers and claps rang out.

“I could not have done it without all the staff” he said, motioning to the crowd at the bar.

“I’d like to thank all of the sponsors and Zack who took a chance on us, we won’t let you down” he paused again and I spotted Naomi wandering towards the stage almost hidden behind a huge bouquet.

“Finally I’d like to thank Stephanie for agreeing to be my Station Manager, she has had the controlling hand in all the DJ recruitment and programmes and if numbers increase like they have done today I will be over the moon” he said. Handing me the flowers from Naomi he landed a kiss on my lips before I had chance to offer my cheek. The crowd roared and celebrated as he passed me the microphone.

“I don’t have anything more to add other than in the words of Pink “Let’s get the party started” because “I’m in the mood for dancing”

The club DJ took the cue and lined both songs up and once more music reigned.

Chapter 58

Filing off the stage I felt a tap on my shoulder.

“I’ve let a couple in, the guy is a mate of mine and his other half owns a successful health club business so I hope you don’t mind” Zack said, motioning to the back of the couple stood at the bar. I froze as a chill spread through my blood, draining the bloom of colour from my cheeks.

“Its fine” I said, through gritted teeth as I headed over to James. I was trying to stop my mind going into overdrive with worry as to what Felicity was planning to do. After Charlie had spoilt her son’s engagement party was this going to be pay back time?

Handing my bouquet to Sarah so she could place it at the far end of our table I quickly grasped a glass of champagne and drained it in one. My hand was shaking as I placed it back onto the table. I was about to re-fill it when James reached for me and pulled me onto his lap.

“What’s wrong?”

“She’s here” I whispered.

“You mean Felicity” he groaned. Sarah and Chris leaned closer across the table at the sight of my worried look.

“Fuck” Sarah said, scanning the crowds that seemed to fill the place.

“Apparently Daniel is a friend of Zack’s so he let them in, but how did she know about the party?”

With James’ hand slowly stroking the top of my thigh I tried to relax into the feel of his fingers but it didn’t work. I had finally stopped taking my anti-depressants and for the past few weeks and our time on holiday I hadn’t needed them.

“Look, let’s just enjoy the evening and ignore her” Chris said, his foot already tapping to the beat. I nodded and tried a small smile which almost cracked my face with the effort it took.

“If she attempts anything I’ll speak to Zack and tell him they weren’t on the guest list. I’m sure he’ll understand; especially if I have a quiet word abou
t
Charlott
e
at the same time” James said.

I took a deep breath as I felt his light kiss on the back of my neck, sending shivers of desire through my skin. Slowly my heart beat fell into time with the music and I looked over at my best friend in the world.

“Do you want to dance” I asked.

“Thought you were never going to ask” Sarah replied.

“We’ll let you girls enjoy this track and get some more drinks in” Chris said. Reluctantly James lifted his grasp on me and I slid out to take the hand of my best friend. Stepping onto the dance floor the familiar strains of “Wake me up before you go-go” started and I closed my eyes and grinned. I knew I was no where nea
r
Charlotte’s standards but I could still feel the music flowing through me, its melody translating into the moves of my feet.

Some hands crept around my waist to spin me into a familiar firm chest.

“I couldn’t help it” James said, before he spun me away from him. Laughing as we came together once more I looked across to find Sarah swamped in the arms of Chris. After a couple more dances we left the floor and I spotted Charlie’s friend Shelley waiting beside the stage. She smiled and waved at me before Dexter took to the mic and asked for the floor to be cleared for the dancers. From our booth we had a great view of the dance floor as other surged forward to see

“I wish Charlotte and Mitchell were here tonight” Sarah said.

“If they were then it would be the two of them on the dance floor” Chris joined in.

The intro for I’m still Standing by Elton John filled the atmosphere of hush as Shelley and Kyle hit the dance floor in an energetic jive style dance. Wows of admiration joined Elton’s distinctive voice as Kyle effortlessly lifted and spun Shelley to the beat. It was electrifying to watch and with the final lift the crowd erupted. I spotted Zack head in their direction as they left the stage and he walked with them to the changing room. With Kyle inside Shelley placed a hand on Zack’s and stopped him from leaving. I wondered what was going on as the discussion looked heated for a few moments, before she reached up and putting her arms around his neck Shelley kissed him.

Brushing her off gently Zack looked around and I lowered my eyes. Walking past he raised a hand and I smiled back before James whispered.

“Shall I go and have a word”

I shook my head before heading to the ladies room. On the way back I spotted Greg talking to Felicity and before I could duck in with the crowd and become invisible he saw me and beckoned me over. I took a couple of deep breaths and hoped that my bright make-up would hide the sudden change in pallor of my skin.

“Stephanie, can I get you a drink and introduce my charming companion” Greg said, slurring his words slightly.

“It’s ok Gregory I already know Stephanie, we go back a long way” Felicity purred.

I watched as she poured me a glass of champagne from the half empty bottle on the bar. I tried to remain calm, despite the shiver that ran through me.  My memory of another night, in another bar when Felicity ultimately had the last word and left me soaked to the skin from a glass of cheap white wine. Tonight it would be champagne as I took the proffered glass and hoped that my hand wasn’t shaking enough to the visible eye. Greg grinned.

“Well isn’t this nice, two girl friends together”

“I wouldn’t go that far” I responded, smiling sweetly as I took a long, slow sip. The cold liquid filled the emptiness I felt at facing my worst nightmare, the woman who constantly haunted my dreams.

Greg topped up Felicity’s glass and then his own.

“Felicity owns her own Health Spa chain and would love to be the main sponsor of our lunchtime brunch show with Jack, possibly even pop in once a month and talk about the latest offers”

“Oh, that does surprise me, especially as Felicity seems to think that no one listens to local radio” I let the sarcasm drip from my mouth, like poison waiting to burn her.

“Gregory here has managed to change my mind to the potential local radio could have on my business” she brightly smiled in his direction, sliding her hand over his.

I fought the bile rising inside of me at her overt flirting with my boss.

“So Steph, shall we grasp this wonderful opportunity with open arms?” I grimaced at Greg’s suggestion and thought about where I would like to grip her with my bare hands, and turned to look at Felicity.

“Perhaps tonight isn’t the right time to broker a deal, Monday in the office would be better” I replied in a business like tone.

I really didn’t want Felicity’s Health Spa anywhere near the station but I knew that Greg would make the final decision so I held back.

“Stephanie, I just want to make amends for what I did in the past and perhaps we can at least have a working relationship together, especially while our children are still dating”

“While?”

“Obviously Mitchell will see sense soon, especially with all the news I have to tell him when he gets home”

“What news” I demanded, grasping my glass so tightly I thought it would shatter in my hand.

“Let’s just say that the video footage I have obtained from this club will certainly make Mitchell question your daughter’s scruples and faithfulness” she spat.

The constant thump of the music seemed to be fading away as I faced up to my enemy.

“What footage” I demanded, I knew I was losing it but I just didn’t care. My daughter had defended me in front of this woman and now I was going to do the same for her.

“I’d love to show you, but perhaps you should just ask Zack” her voice barely above a whisper.

“Ask me what” Zack asked. Felicity spun round in shock to see him standing there, Daniel close behind him. I felt hands on my shoulder and looked up to see James standing behind me, the tension in his body transferred through to mine.

I hesitated as some of the other sponsors were within ear shot and clearly enjoying the spectacle of our scene. Greg remained motionless, looking blankly from me to Felicity and then back to me.

“Apparently you have footage of my daughter, Charlotte in this club” I said, my calm voice hardly recognisable to me.

“Of course we have video footage; it’s for the security of the club and all its patrons. If no trouble takes place then I just erase it on a daily basis and it is only ever viewed by me” Zack said “I can show you in my office if you like and I would be really interested in knowing how any video has been seen beyond the walls of this building”

He stared at Felicity, challenging her to say more as he really needed to know if what she had said was true.

I heard James cough as if clearing his throat so I aimed a small dig with my elbow and he stayed quiet.

“She’s so easy to wind up” Felicity giggled, breaking the silence with her splintering laugh. She reached to take her glass again and sipped the champagne. Her blue eyes defiantly stared at me. Zack was gazing at her as Daniel raced to her side in defence.

“Leave her alone Zack, she’s drunk so I’m going to take her home” Daniel said.

Gripping my glass I watched as Zack squared up to his friend.

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re doing with her Dan, but wake up and see sense. She’s old enough to be your Mother”

Daniel just turned to Zack and the rest of us.

“Sorry about all that, enjoy the rest of your evening” then he escorted Felicity from the bar.

“Who is he” Greg finally asked.

“Her boyfriend” James said “And she is my ex-wife”

Greg’s eyes widened with surprise and disbelief.

“I’ll talk to you on Monday but if you go ahead with a sponsorship deal with her then I’m afraid you’ll be looking for a new Station Manager and DJ” I declared. Jack had appeared beside me too.

“Yeah, make that two DJ’s”

When the tension left my body, my grip on the glass softened and it slipped to the floor, smashing into pieces at my feet. I closed my eyes feeling another strong memory engulfing me and I felt James’ hands tighten around my waist.

“Shall we head back to our table” he asked. I nodded and with Jack on my other side I left Greg stranded at the bar. Zack had disappeared from view and by the time I had sat down at the table again the music had been cranked up another level. Looking back across I noticed Lesley had filled the empty gap at the bar and was helping Greg with the final dregs at the bottom of the bottle. She caught my gaze and smiled back in a way that reassured me she would ensure our boss got home in one piece.

As the night drew to a close I returned to a feeling of normality. Felicity’s comments still played on my mind; was she just goading me or did she have footage that would damage my daughter and Mitchell’s relationship? Slow songs started to play and the crowds on the dance floor dispersed into couples James turned to me.

“Shall we dance?”

“Yes” I replied, needed to feel his strong arms wrapped around me. Sarah and Chris stood up too and we filled a gap on the edge of the floor. The familiar strains of a love song filled my ears, tonight was truly a night of memories. George sang to me once more, reminding me that I was now with the one I loved, until the end of time.

             
“So when you remember the ones who have lied,

              Said that they cared but then laughed as you cried

              Beautiful darling, don’t think of me

              Because all I ever wanted is in your eyes and love can’t lie”

Leaning my head against his firm chest I let the music into my heart, calming my mind and soothing my soul. His finger ran gently down my jaw line before lifting my chin to allow his lips to reach down and touch mine. I looked across to see Sarah and Chris locked in their own embrace, contentment on their faces. A cheeky tap on my shoulder from Jack who was dancing with Jeremy and smiling broadly at me as I returned his look with a smile of my own. Amongst the sea of faces I saw Naomi and Leon locked together, oblivious to anyone except each other. A new romance had been born within the radio station family.

In his office Zack took a few healthy gulps of his whiskey. He looked at his computer and quickly turned it on. Had this Felicity really got some footage from the club? Footage of Charlotte and Shelley on the dance floor he guessed. Shelley had collared him earlier and asked about video footage too and he had reassured her that everything had been deleted. He hated lying as the files appeared on the screen and he looked at the two in question. His finger hovered over the delete button but something stopped him. Sitting back in the chair he cast his mind back to the Burlesque night, who was the guy he had been talking to at the bar? He had asked about having a copy of the video yet never got back to him.

Pulling the video of the girls on the dance floor up he looked at the other views collected on the screen during that period. In particular he checked the camera that was focused on the bar area and soon found the guy he had been talking about. Zack shut the file down and paused once more over the delete button. He would save this but after a final look at the changing room clip he did press delete. Stephanie seemed like a decent woman and he was pretty sure she already knew about the burlesque night. O
n
Charlotte’s return he would tell her that she couldn’t dance again until she was eighteen, he couldn’t afford to lose his license with this club. If she was interested she could dance on other club nights, perhaps with her boyfriend Mitchell?