Where did your heart go? (The Heart Trilogy Book 1) (18 page)

“I have an idea” he said, grinning at me and then taking my hand in his we
wandered across the garden to where the fruit trees were near the bottom.

Then before I could complain he gently started to undress me, my body glowed in the moonlight as I stood
bold and naked in front of him. I unbuttoned his shirt and then removed his trousers to find my silk boxer shorts which I slid down his legs.

Lying on the soft grass he trailed kisses over my body, making me shiver in delight as my body arched to meet his and we came together. Slowly at first but then as the urgency grew, our breath became faster and faster until we cried out each other’s names at almost the same point. Our orgasms joining us together even stronger than before, as we lay in each other’s arms and stared at the endless expanse of stars above us.

“I would give you the world” he breathed

“I don’t need the world just you” I replied “And a cup of hot chocolate” I finished, grinning at him before I started to gather together my clothes so we could dress before heading back to the house.

Before the spell was broken James turned to me.

“If you are ever lonely when we are apart just look up at the stars and know that I will be looking up at them too” His words were so beautiful that I had to gulp back the lump forming in my throat, how had I been this lucky to find him. I truly felt as if we were soul mates at that moment in the moonlit garden together.

I reached for the tissues on my bedside table and let myself cry at
the sentiments I had written twenty four years ago, at the height of our passion. How the mighty fell, how my world had suddenly changed when the mirror splintered. I put the diary aside but something kept drawing me back to it.

Chapter 22

Sunday 10
th
July, 1988

We ended up being the last ones awake as we surfaced in the kitchen at around ten, the smell of bacon was too much for us to resist. I wandered over and sat next to Sarah and although we couldn’t talk I could see from the twinkle in her eyes that something had gone on between her and Chris. I think James realised too as he clapped Chris on the back and they too exchanged a secret look. All was absolute happiness in my world as I glanced around at my boyfriend, best friend, Chris, Pam and Peter. The only problem was leaving James behind yet again as I was going home. Chris had offered to drive me back to save James a journey in his car and although I was disappointed to not be sharing the return drive with him it did make the most sense.

Luckily Chris had booked the day off work so we didn’t have to rush back.

“Shall we have a Bar-B-Q” Peter suggested.

“That sounds good Dad” James replied as we all headed into the garden to enjoy the sunshine. Sitting outside on the various chairs I looked down towards the apple trees and the place we had made love only hours earlier. James spotted me looking and gave me his wicked grin to say without words that he was thinking about exactly the same thing. I blushed as Sarah looked over at me with a quizzical look on her face and I returned the look with a nod that I would fill her in later when we were alone.

As James loaded my bag into the boot of Chris’ car I felt my face fall. Hugging his Mum and Dad goodbye they went back in doors and Chris and Sarah jumped in the car, leaving me with the back seat.

“Thank you again for a fabulous time” I murmured into James chest, as he held my trembling body close.

“Thank you for making my 21
st
Birthday the best it could possibly have been” he replied as his finger lifted my chin. As the tears rolled down my cheeks he kissed them away, one by one.

“Don’t cry I want to only have happy memories of you when we are apart”

I sniffed and smiled between the tears

“Sorry, it hurts so much when I have to leave you, I miss you so much, I Love you so much” I cried, as I kissed him back with a fi
erce longing rising up like flames in my chest.

“Look at the stars later Baby” he crooned, his hand on my cheek being covered in tears “and give me a quick call when you get home so I know that you are safe”

When we eventually drew apart, he handed me his hankie “For the journey home” he said, smiling but I could detect the pain in his heart as it matched mine.

“See you soon” I sniffed

“As soon as I can get away I will be down to see you”

“I’ll write as soon as I get home”

“I’ll be waiting” he finished as we finally let go of each other and I stared out of the back window of the car. I didn’t turn away until he was out of sight.

Sarah looked over from the front seat

“Are you ok?” she asked as her hand reached mine and she gave it a squeeze.

“Yes, I guess” I replied, as I wiped my eyes for a final time with James’ hankie. Breathing in I realised that it smelt of his scent and holding in tight in my hand I closed my eyes and spent the rest of the journey home replaying all the events of the last week we had spent together. These memories would help to sustain me whilst we were apart.

When we reached home Chris helped me carry my bag to the door.

“Shall we meet up tomorrow” I asked Sarah

“Yes, I’ll come over at around ten” Sarah replied.

“See you tomorrow, thanks for the lift home” I finished and then I watched them drive away, jealous that they were sti
ll together and James and I were suddenly miles apart.

After chatting with my parents I excused myself and after a quick call to James to say I was home ok and missing him terribly I headed for my room, which had been
abandoned for over a week. Sitting on the bed I grabbed my elephant and hugged him tight, wishing with all my heart that it was James. Then remembering his words from earlier I crossed to my window seat and stared out at the moonlit night and the millions of stars that littered the black velvet of the sky

“Goodnight James” I breathed silently into the night.

Monday 11
th
July, 1988

After a sleepless night I set about tidying my room before Sarah arrived. When she did we grabbed some cold drinks and settled down outside as it was another warm and sunny day and I was determined to keep my tan topped up ready for James’ next visit.

“So” Sarah said “Spill the beans and I mean everything”

“Ok, I’ll tell you as much as I can but some of it’s personal and I want to keep it between James and myself” I responded

“That’s cool, I understand” she replied “So did it hurt?”

“A bit, but it was just kind of strange really, especially when he was inside me” I paused and remembered the feeling of complete fullness I had experienced.

“The first time was ok but it just gets better the more you do it” I finished, feeling my face flush at the garden experience. “Anyway the whole time we spent together was fabulous, we went to the beach, swam in the sea, dinner out and room service too”

“You lucky thing” she replied, envy in her eyes.

“We also went up the Blackpool tower and then had a ballroom dancing lesson with this elderly couple called Jack and May who showed us how to waltz”

“I thought you both looked a bit professional at the end of James’ party the other night” she laughed.

“What about you and Chris that night?” I asked

“He was a gentleman as I had never shared a bed with him before Saturday night”

“And”

“Nothing much really, we just kissed lots and I made him come and he made me come but we didn’t make love as we don’t want to rush things”

“Cool,
isn’t it great when you get to go to sleep and then wake up next to them”

“Yes, it’s the best feeling in the world” Sarah replied, as we both lay back and enjoyed the sunshine.

Later on Sarah had to go as she was going round to Chris’ flat for the evening to watch a video. She asked if I wanted to go too but I declined knowing that she would much rather spend quality time alone with him than have to share her time with a third wheel.

“When’s your interview for the Hospital radio job?” she asked

“Tomorrow, so I’m going to dust off my records this evening and take them for a spin”

“Well, if you can get a party jumping like on Saturday night then you’ll have no problem amusing kids stuck in hospital” she finished, giving me a hug.

“See you Wednesday…shopping?” I finished

“Yep, definitely” she replied as she headed off down the drive on her walk to Chris’ flat. Once Sarah had gone I grabbed my pen and writing pad and wrote to James before I wandered to the nearest post box and dropped it in.

Tuesday 12
th
July, 1988

I woke early and full of butterfly nerves. I had retyped my CV the previous evening and had found a sensible looking skirt and top to wear. As Mum dropped me off at the reception area she wished me luck before I walked in.

“Can I speak to Mr Ford” I asked the girl on the desk, she quickly buzzed his extension number

“He will be with you shortly” she responded, as she motioned to the chairs nearby.

Sitting there I felt nervous and wished that James was there next to me, his hand in mine would have helped. Instead I shut my eyes and thought of his smiling face. I opened my eyes just in time to look up and see a guy in a suit approaching me.

“Are you Stephanie
March” he asked.

“Yes” I replied, standing up to shake his proffered hand.

“If you’d like to follow me we’ll go and have a quick chat about things and then I can introduce you to the guys who run the radio station here”

“Ok” I replied as I grabbed my bag and followed him down the seemingly endless maze of white corridors.

I could hear the tunes over the corridor speakers and realised that the music they were playing was more like the stuff my Mum and Dad listened too.

Once in his office we sat down and I told him all about the type of music I liked and that kids would be more interested in, along with some ideas for competitions we could run to get some more involvement from them. I watched as he smiled and nodded and wrote some notes

“Well, I think you’ve got yourself a job” he said, smiling as he stood up “But I guess you’d better meet your radio colleagues and decide if you want it before you say yes”

I grinned in amazement as we left the office and set off along some more corridors until we reached a room that said ‘Radio’ I saw that the green light was illuminated which generally meant it was ok to head on in as he pushed open the heavy door and the music hit me at full blast.

“Gerry,
Vic this is Stephanie your newest DJ” Mr Ford said, as I shook hands with two middle aged guys who looked rather amused “Is Jack around?” he finished.

“Nope, he’ll be here in an hour” Gerry
said “We’ll look after Stephanie here until then”

“Ok, that’s good, well I look forward to catching some of your shows over the next few days, if you need me for anything just ask at reception
” he finished.

“Thanks I will” I replied, still feeling utterly amazed that I had got the job.

I spent the next hour being shown the music system in use before the door opened and a
young guy breezed in

“Hi Guys” he said, before he stopped in his tracks and stared at me “Who’s this then?” he asked with a grin on his face

“Hi I’m Stephanie, but you can call me Steph” I replied “And you are?”

“Jack” he responded as we shook hands

“Steph here is going to be helping you with some of the kid’s programmes as she wants to do this full time and needs some experience before she starts her college course in media” Vic said.

“Cool, I have a partner in crime at last” he grinned and I was immediately caught up in his enthusiasm.

“Well, while these two oldies finish their shows shall I take you on a visit to the kids ward to meet your audience” he finished.

“That sounds great” I replied, as I left my bag in the locker and after having a temporary badge
to wear I followed Jack through the corridors.

“I think I’m going to need a map” I said, as I was feeling totally disorientated with all the corridors looking so alike.

“I’ll get you one” Jack replied, “but just ask someone if you’re not sure…well avoid asking the surgeons as they are always too busy” he replied.

Once we reached the ward I took a deep breath before we opened the door and lots of young faces looked up expectantly at the new arrivals. It only took a second before a couple of girls walked over to Jack and each took one of his hands

“Jack you’re back” the blond girl said “Come and sit on my bed” said the other girl, both vying for his attention.

“Why don’t you say hi to my new friend, Stephanie is going to be doing some radio shows with me and she needs to know what you like to listen too the most” he prompted.

Kneeling down so I was on their level I stuck out my hands and sure enough they decided I was more interesting. Soon I was surrounded by young expectant faces as I heard them asking for all the usual favourites – A-Ha, Rick Astley, Sonia, Sinitta, Kylie Minogue, Mel and Kim. It was great fun, as I wandered around the beds and spoke to those that were unable to get out of bed, still smiling despite the pain they were in or the injuries that were healing.

The hours flew by until it was time to head back to the studio so I could sit in on one of Jack’s afternoon sessions. As he showed me again how it all worked I settled in and helped out where I could, but also took notes as apparently I had a week to learn before I launched my own show.

Checking my watch later
I knew I had to head off as Mum was coming back to pick me up. Leaving Jack to his show I headed off down the corridors, trying to read my map and locate the way out. All of a sudden I bumped into a doctor hurrying the other way, I dropped my map and he dropped all his notes.

“I’m sorry” I said, as I quickly knelt down and started to help him gather up hi
s paperwork.

“My fault I should have been looking where I was going” he replied as kneeling beside me we both made quick work of the notes. Looking up into his face I smiled and blushed
.

“
My name’s Stephanie” I said, to break the sudden silence that had fallen.

“Mark” he replied “Nice to meet you”