Love Me Till Wednesday (Sapphire Stars #1)

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‘I’m Allegra, Jed’s assistant. We’re almost ready for you,’ the woman said as she walked out of the radio studio and into the waiting area. Lisa could see Jed through the glass, talking into a large microphone. He was in his early thirties, she guessed. Too young to be a Stars fan. He waved at her and smiled. Lisa waved back.

‘I could do with the bog,’ Ed announced.

‘Bog? ‘ Allegra asked. Judging by her upper-class accent, Lisa guessed she’d never referred to the toilet as a bog in her life.

‘It’s just down the corridor on the left,’ Lisa said. ‘We passed it on the way here.’

Allegra looked concerned as she watched Ed walk off. ‘Don’t be long. You’re on in a few minutes,’ she called after him.

Lisa’s phone beeped.

Allegra spun round to face her. ‘You might want to turn that off.’

‘Sure.’ Lisa looked at the notification. It was a message from Mel.

How did it go last night?

She showed Pete.

‘What are you going to say?’ he asked.

‘Nothing. Not now. She’s on a hen do in Spain until Monday. I’ll confront her when she comes around for our Tuesday night run. I might have got my head around it all by then.’

Pete nodded. ‘It’s about time.’

What an odd thing for him to say. ‘What’s that meant to mean?’

Pete fidgeted in his chair. ‘Well, she’s always been a bit, you know.’

‘No, I don’t know. What do you mean?’

‘Manipulative?’

Twenty-four hours ago, Lisa would have argued with him about that, but after mulling things over last night, she was starting to realise there was another side to Mel.

‘Why did you spot that and not me?’

‘Because she didn’t want you to.’

Lisa looked around. Allegra was deep in conversation with Jed in the studio, and Ed was still in the toilet. She whispered to Pete. ‘But to lie to me and deprive Jim of his father. That’s plain evil.’

‘Yeah. Even worse than making a pass at your boyfriend.’

‘What boyfriend?’

‘Me, of course.’

‘When?’

‘About six months before we split up.’

‘Why didn’t you say?’

‘You two were as thick as thieves. We were going through a rough patch. I didn’t think you’d believe me. I thought it was a one-off. She came round to our flat when you’d gone home for your mum’s birthday.’

‘And? ’

‘She bought a takeout with her. And some beers and a video. She said I didn’t deserve to be alone on a Saturday night.’

‘And you let her in.’

‘She’d brought my favourite curry. I didn’t want to let it go to waste.’

Lisa had no difficulty imagining that the promise of a free Chicken Bhoona would have easily turned Pete’s head. ‘You didn’t find it odd?’

‘Not initially. Not until she started snuggling up to me on the sofa.’

‘And then what happened?’

‘I told her she’d got the wrong impression, and I asked her to leave. She was seriously pissed off. So she tried to make out I was in the wrong, that I’d led her on, but I swear to god, I hadn’t. I’ve never fancied her. I was half expecting her to lie to you about it when you came back.’

‘I wonder why she didn’t.’

‘Our first single charted a couple of days later. She must’ve thought telling you could split the Stars up, and having a friend in a successful band was more useful to her than getting her own back on me.’

After a long, hot shower, Nick felt more human again. He was still knackered, but he was so on edge about meeting Jim there was no way he could have a nap now.

As he walked out of the bathroom, he caught sight of a red patch on his shoulder in the wardrobe mirror. A legacy from the journey in the hearse, no doubt. That would turn into a cracking bruise later.

It wasn’t the only part of him that was bruised. His ego had taken a pummelling from his discovery about Adrienne. But the more he thought about it, the more he realised their relationship had been doomed to failure. He wasn’t enough for her. Just like he used to think he hadn’t been enough for Lisa.

Oh Lisa. All those years apart and now this. Their enforced proximity in the hearse had been another reminder of just how much he missed her.

He checked his watch. She’d be doing her radio interview now. It might be on one of the channels on the hotel TV. He found the remote and scrolled through the guide on the screen to the radio options at the bottom.

He pressed a few more buttons. Pete’s deep voice came out of the speaker. ‘We’ll be back in the studio soon. Lisa and I have already written half the new album.’

‘Our listeners are looking forward to that, I’m sure. But what they’re all dying to know now is, was the hearse video a stunt?’

Nick sat on the sofa and listened. Ed waxed lyrical about the benefits of a hearse as a mode of transport while Pete tried to get the conversation back to their music. And then the host strayed into dangerous territory.

‘We get to watch you being interviewed on the Mr Friday Night show tonight alongside the great Nick Nixon. Our audience might remember that you and he dated back in the 90s, Lisa. What was it like sitting next to your ex on the sofa? Nick’s done pretty well since he left you.’

‘Are you saying I held his career back?’

Lisa’s tone was jokey, but Nick could sense the hesitation in her voice. She must be wondering where this was going. So was Nick.

‘It must’ve been difficult living in your shadow. Is that why he went to the States?’

‘You’ll have to ask him that. It was all a very long time ago.’

Good answer .

‘Does he see much of your son?’

Nick clenched his fists. Bastard. How was she going to reply to that?

‘Which one? I have two sons.’

Clever. Good to see she still had her wits about her.

‘The eldest. He looks remarkably like Nick.’

He heard Lisa’s distinctive laugh. ‘Nick can afford excellent lawyers, so I’d be careful where you’re going with this line of questioning.’

Not a bad reply considering they’d had no time to work with Suki on how to handle the Jim situation. Was Jed going to risk probing further? He might be tempted. A scoop like this could give him a boost in his listening figures.

‘Well, it’s been great meeting you guys. We’re going to finish with your biggest hit.’

Thank God he’d chickened out. Lisa had probably given him one of her ‘don’t mess with me’ glares.

Nick relaxed back into the sofa cushions as the first few notes of ‘Love Me Till Wednesday’ played. He grabbed his phone. Was texting Lisa now a good idea? If it popped up on her phone when someone at the studio was watching, it might add fuel to the Jim question. He put the phone down again. He’d contact her later.

He turned off the TV and checked his watch again. Brad was picking him up in half an hour to drive him to Jim’s. He better get his packing done. It would take his mind off worrying what Jim was going to say to him. They hadn’t got off to a good start last night but that was hardly surprising given they were both in shock. Lisa had said she was sure he’d come round.

Nick walked over to his suitcase, which was resting on a stand next to the wardrobe. The metal fastenings snapped open with a satisfying clunk. He ran his fingertips over the top of the smooth leather towards the reinforced corners and gently lifted the lid, releasing the familiar sweet smell of suede mixed with expensive cologne. After all these years, it still felt extravagant to own a piece of luggage that cost more than his first car.

This was usually his favourite part of his trips to the UK, the part that signalled he’d soon be back home in the warm LA sunshine. But this time, it felt different. He didn’t want to leave London, and not just because he wasn’t looking forward to confronting Adrienne about her infidelity. There was so much he still wanted to do here. Like getting to know Jim and his family. And spending more time with Lisa. Talking to her this morning had been so easy. The downside of fame was he rarely felt relaxed with anyone these days. They all wanted something from him. Everything from cash to introductions to people who could help their movie careers. He couldn’t blame them. After all, that’s how he’d got to the top. But it was still refreshing to be with someone who just enjoyed his company.

He picked up his handmade brogues from the floor, slipped them inside their protective cloth bag and fitted them down the side of the case.

He put on his thin chinos and a plain T-shirt, then pulled his favourite cashmere jumper over his head. The next two minutes passed quickly as he expertly folded the rest of his clothes and neatly filled the case.

Then he spotted the photo album. He’d intended to put it in the bottom of the case, where it would be less likely to crease his clothes. He picked it up and looked at Jim’s name on the front. It should read ‘James Nixon’.

‘You keep it. I’ve got a spare.’ Lisa had said when she handed it to him earlier. At the time, he’d wondered why anyone would have a spare copy of a family photo album. But now he realised she’d always intended it for him. He could risk looking at its contents now there was no one here to watch his reaction. He sat on the sofa and tentatively opened the cover. A large picture of a beaming baby smiled back at him, looking just like so many other babies. The caption underneath said, “Born 4 July 1992, 8 lbs 2oz”.

Nick took a deep breath and turned the pages. He slowly took in the images, a mix of artistic photos and family snapshots, all featuring Jim at various ages.

Nick paused at a photo of Lisa holding Jim. The caption said it was taken on his first trip to the seaside at Weston-super-Mare, aged two. It reminded him of an almost identical photo taken in the same spot many years earlier, featuring a remarkably similar little boy and his mother. That photo usually stood on the sideboard at his mum’s house in Birmingham. He’d check if it was still there when he visited this afternoon.

That was another thing to worry about. How was he going to explain Jim’s existence to her? She was going to be horrified that she’d missed out on Jim’s childhood, too. Worry about that in the car on the way to Birmingham. Right now, you need to concentrate on Jim.

As he turned more pages the little boy grew taller, and his smile less angelic. Surly teen pics gave way to graduation photos, followed by all the milestones of growing up into a responsible adult: Jim leaning on a car throwing a set of L plates in the air; Jim holding door keys outside a run-down terrace, a formal work portrait; a posed shot with his fiance, Ally, probably at a wedding judging by their outfits; and finally Jim looking tired but elated holding his own newborn baby, Sophie. Nick’s granddaughter. He’d felt old in the makeup chair yesterday, but the reality of being a grandfather was making him feel even more ancient now.

Thirty years of family life. Thirty years where Nick had been on the other side of the world, wasting his time on drink or drugs or women, when everything he craved had been here all the long. The reality of everything he’d learned in the last 14 hours finally hit home. He carefully put the album down on the coffee table, put his head in his hands and sobbed.

When his tears finally subsided, he made a decision. He dried his eyes with his sleeve, walked over to the phone and dialled zero.

A cheerful woman answered. ‘Reception. How can I help you today?’

‘I’d like to extend my room booking until Tuesday, please.’

Lisa put on her coat and strode purposefully down the corridor with Pete and Ed in hot pursuit.

‘Wait! Wait!’ Allegra called after them. ‘There’s something you should know.’

‘And what might that be?’ Lisa said, turning round and folding her arms.

‘There are several people from the press outside.’

‘Did you call them?’ Lisa had already worked out that Allegra was behind Jed’s intrusive line of questioning.

‘No. People do listen to our breakfast show. They must be aware you’re here. Everyone wants to know the truth about Jim and Nick.

‘Do they indeed? And how do you know that?’

‘It’s all over social media. Look.’ Allegra showed Lisa her phone. She saw a shot of Jim and Nick sitting next to one another on Andy’s interview couch. It had been posted on a showbiz gossip blog’s Instagram feed. The image was slightly blurry and, judging by the angle, taken by someone in the front row of the audience. From Nick’s expression, it was seconds after he’d realised who Jim might be. The two of them looked even more alike in 2D .

Lisa sighed. Speculation about who was Jim’s father was going to be everywhere now.

‘Can I enquire about your rear exit?’ Ed asked Allegra, giving her his best cheeky grin.

She looked less than impressed. ‘We haven’t got one. There’s a side door, but they’ll easily see you if you leave that way.’

‘I guess we wait till they get bored,’ Pete suggested, eyeing up the mound of cakes and pastries that were sitting next to the coffee machine. ‘It’s not like we’re going to starve.’

That was absolutely plan B as far as Lisa was concerned. ‘I’m not being imprisoned here. We’ll walk out the main exit with our heads held high and ignore them.’

She marched down the stairs and into the foyer.

‘We’re going to need sharp elbows to get through that crowd,’ Ed said.

Lisa guessed there must be at least twenty people gathered in front of the glass doors, some with professional cameras and some making do with smartphones. Come on, Lisa! You’ve had to deal with this before. ‘They’re not going to bar our way,‘ she announced, more to convince herself than Pete and Ed. ‘They won’t get a decent shot if they’re that close. Ready?’

Pete shrugged and turned to Ed. ‘Have you got the hearse keys handy?’

‘Yep. Ready when you are, Lise.’

Lisa squeezed into the small seat behind Pete in the hearse and closed her eyes while Ed started the engine. Several of the journalists had followed them across the road and were now knocking on the window, shouting ‘Lisa, tell us about Nick’. The knot in her stomach grew tighter. Try to relax. They’ll lose interest in a day or two.

Ed accelerated away from the kerb, slammed his foot to the floor and careered around the corner into a side street before anyone could follow them. Lisa opened her eyes again.

‘They already know where I live,’ she pointed out.

‘Don’t spoil my fun,’ Ed said as the hearse screeched to a halt at a set of traffic lights. ‘I’m having my Sweeney moment.’

‘That reference is older than your chat-up lines,’ Lisa laughed.

‘Women love my banter.’

‘I don’t think Allegra was impressed with you.’

‘Don’t you? We’ll see.’ He turned another corner into a traffic jam.

Pete looked puzzled. ‘Technically, the Sweeney chased people, but we’re the ones on the run here.’

‘I wouldn’t overthink Ed’s analogies if I were you.’ Lisa looked out of the back of the hearse. ‘I can’t tell if we’re being followed. I’ll text Jules to see if anyone’s still outside my house.’

Jules replied straightaway

All gone. Looks like a normal peaceful Friday morning in Paradise Crescent now.

Lisa wished that were true. There was nothing normal about this morning. Would anything ever be normal again?

She texted Jim

You ok? xx

He didn’t reply, but he was probably busy taking Sophie to holiday club .

She ought to update Nick about the interview. If anyone was used to dealing with this kind of attention, he was. She sent a text.

Just been quizzed about Jim’s parentage on the radio. Then had to dodge more reporters outside the building. We need a plan of action x

Three dots appeared immediately and remained there for a while. It seemed like forever until his reply finally came through.

I listened in. You did a great job. On my way to Jim’s. Suki still working on it. Try not to worry. It will blow over - these things always do. I’ve decided to stay in London for a few more days. Can we have dinner together tonight? Xxx

Dinner? Three kisses? What did that mean? Visions of a candlelit dinner for two floated into her mind. No, she didn’t want that. This was confusing enough without throwing romance into the mix. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t attracted to him, but he was spoken for. Just because he seemed to be having a row with his fiancée on the phone in the cafe earlier didn’t mean they weren’t still together. All couples had arguments. But they had so much more to catch up on, it was perfectly reasonable for him to suggest having a meal together.

Yes please to dinner. Where can we go where we won’t get hassled?

He replied quickly this time .

My hotel suite? Brad can chauffeur you Xx

Now she was imagining them eating oysters washed down with champagne, all next to an enormous bed that was begging to be put to good use. Stop it! He’d said suite. He would be staying in the penthouse in a palatial set of rooms. There would be no bed in sight. And the alternative was takeaway at hers.

Sounds good. What time?