by Julie Archer
Leona ordered the same and they both sat there, blowing on their drinks while they waited for their food to arrive. “So, are you?” she pushed. “I totally would. I mean, not only is he gorgeous, but imagine what it must be like being in a band.”
The sandwich turned to cardboard in Clem’s mouth.
Nate McKenna was about as far away from her usual type as could be.
She briefly thought of her family, her colleagues at the fashion label and the show. Seeing Nate again would be the worst idea.
Then why was it the only thing she could think about?
Chapter Three
Breakfast was the last thing on Nate’s mind as he sat in the Wetherspoon’s at Leeds station. He had around an hour to kill before his train and thought that getting out early to clear his head was a good plan. The crisp morning air had hit him the moment he left the B&B and with his hangover intensifying instead of improving, he’d headed to the station instead.
Mixing tequila and Guinness had seemed such a good idea the previous night. Now, not so much.
He nursed the lager in front of him. Hair of the dog wasn’t helping either. As he watched the people coming and going, he thought he saw a flash of blonde hair that he recognised as the girl he’d met at The Met Hotel. She was running, hair flying behind her, trying to keep up with a brunette, who also looked a little familiar. He shook his head. It couldn’t be her. Why was he even thinking about her in the first place?
He’d arrived in Leeds with a sense of impending doom. Spending a few pleasant hours in the company of a cute blonde had lifted it somewhat.
Now it was time to go back to North Ridge with a new sense of purpose as a single man.
If only his mind wasn’t full of oranges and lemons.
Or rather a certain Clementine in a yellow dress.
He flicked through the Sunday paper someone had left behind on the table, scanning the stories, then moved on to one of the glossy supplements usually full of gossip and tittle-tattle. There was a spread of pictures of various celebrities and hangers-on at parties. Usually, he would flick straight past with nothing more than an eye roll. When his gaze fell on a picture of a blonde who definitely looked like the woman he had met last night, he stopped, his hand hovering as he went to turn the page. Before he had chance to read on further, the station announcer told him that his train was arriving. Nate grabbed his holdall and dashed to the platform, which was, of course, the furthest one away from the bar.
As he settled into his seat, he wished he’d picked up the magazine so he could continue reading. Instead, he fished in his bag for his charger and plugged in his phone in preparation for the long journey ahead. When it burst back into life, he spotted a couple of missed calls from Alik. There was also one message from Poppy and a slew from Rach. He deleted the ones from Rach without bothering to read them, scanned Poppy’s and tapped in a reply. He placed the phone on the table and stared out the window.
The man opposite him tutted and shook his head as Nate’s phone beeped loudly.
It was another message from Alik, asking Nate to call him. Deliberately, Nate dialled Alik’s number and began talking in a raised voice as he smiled at the other man. “Hey, mate, what’s up? Checking up to make sure I’ve done the deed?”
“Something like that. How did she take it?”
“I think she was expecting it, to be honest. I didn’t bullshit this time and told it like it was. She slapped me and cried, but I think we’re done now.”
“Good to hear.” There was a pause at Alik’s end while he spoke to someone in the background. “I wanted to make sure you were going to be back to start discussing the plans for the new stuff.”
“Are we still heading down to Newcomen Farm?”
“Not sure. Parker’s been trying to sort out a couple of things with them, otherwise it might be the Lighthouse Studios again.”
“I think the Farm would be better if we’re trying out new stuff. You know, get away from everything, all the distractions of everyday life.”
“Yeah, you’re right. We might have left it late to book in though, so we’ll have to settle for whatever’s available.”
“Fair point. When we will know?”
“Couple of days, probably. You want to come over when you’re back? Bring a guitar and some beers? I’ve been playing with a few things.”
Nate was happy to hear that. A creative Alik meant new ideas were flowing, and the band were in need of new material for the next album.
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll call you later.”
“Safe travels, buddy.”
Nate hung up and smiled broadly at the guy who had been glaring at him throughout the whole conversation. There was a part of him that wanted to call someone else, just to piss him off even more. Instead, he opened the photo album on his phone and pulled up the couple of pictures that Clementine, no, Clem, had taken of them last night. She was very different to Poppy, seeming more polished and put together, somehow. He wondered what she did. They hadn’t had much in-depth conversation and he honestly couldn’t remember if she’d mentioned a job or anything. He did know she didn’t live in Leeds though. If that had been her he’d seen rushing through the station earlier, had she been going north or south? Either way, he did think that maybe he’d like to see her again.
The train pulled in to Doncaster and the chap who had been so disapproving of his conversation got off. He left behind a newspaper and Nate spotted that it was the same one he’d been reading in the bar. The supplement was nestled between the pages of the sports section and Nate snatched it up and turned to the page he thought he’d seen Clem’s picture on.
He compared it to the picture on his phone. It was the same woman. He read the short caption underneath the shot of her with a couple of men and another girl: The cast of Pretty Rich Things celebrate the opening of Byron Thom’s new restaurant in Kensington. L-R, Finola Bright, 26; Byron Thom, 28; Gordon Melvin, 28; Clementine Cameron, 23.
Nate’s eyes widened. He re-read the caption several times.
The name of the show rang a bell deep in the recesses of his mind. Why did it seem so familiar? He racked his brain, trying to recall where he recognised it from. He’d ask Alik when he saw him; if anyone was going to know Alik would.
Chapter Four
Parker, I need to see you. I think I’m in big trouble. Please, please, PLEASE call me back!!!! Lxxxxx
When his phone screen flashed with a message from his ex, Parker Roberts didn’t know how to react. He and the actress Lexi Bloom had barely spoken since splitting up. There wasn’t much to talk about after Parker had found dick pics of her co-star on her phone. She maintained they had got there by accident and were part of the film the two of them were in. Then he’d seen the bank of messages between the two and discovered there was nothing accidental about them at all.
He wondered idly what she meant by ‘big trouble’, although he had no intention of finding out any more about it. His phone pinged again and he saw it was second missive from Lexi, this one with even more exclamation marks and capital letters. He flicked it to silent and shoved it under a cushion as Poppy McKenna came into the living room.
“I did half sweet and half salty.” She brandished a dish of popcorn at him. “Something for both of us.” Poppy settled onto the sofa beside him and stretched her legs out on the stool in front of them. “What are we watching again?”
It was a rare night in for him and they’d decided to watch a movie together. Parker had been busy working out the next moves for Blood Stone Riot and scouting some new bands for Numb Records, the label he was Artist Development Manager for. He was usually out and about in pubs and clubs listening to bands, deciding if they were good enough to approach to sign. He and Poppy had been a couple for a while now and he had recently moved into her house in North Ridge, to ensure stability for her daughter, India. It also made it easier for Nate to visit and maintain that routine for India too.
The fact he had gotten together with the
wife of one of his band members wasn’t lost on him—it was usually the other way around. Poppy had been going through a hard time when Nate had been out on tour, and Parker found himself looking out for her. After a brief kiss in a London bar, it had swiftly developed into something far more permanent.
Inheriting an almost three-year-old had come as part of the package and he didn’t regret that for one moment. The insta-family was working well.
For a second, his mind flitted back to Lexi. Life with her certainly hadn’t been like that.
“I believe it’s your turn to choose.” He reached for a handful of popcorn and scooped up some of the sticky sweet kernels.
Poppy grinned and grabbed the remote, finding the latest chick-flick-romcom release she wanted to see. Parker was just grateful that it wasn’t one of Lexi’s.
The film washed over him as they sat there, Poppy snuggled in against his body. His hand idly stroked her ribs, occasionally brushing against the curve of her breast. Poppy sighed contentedly and moved in closer, her own fingers entwined in his. It was comfortable, easy and wholly satisfying.
Poppy’s phone chirruped into life, startling them both.
“Sorry! I thought it was on silent.” She pulled away from him and reached over to grab the offending item. Her face creased into a frown as she looked at the number. “Ugh, probably a typical nuisance caller. I don’t recognise the number.”
“At this time of night?” Parker glanced up at the clock on the wall. “It’s after nine, don’t they ever give up?”
The phone rang again.
“Clearly not.” He sighed.
“It’s a message.”
“Leave it. If it was important in the first place, they’ll call you back.”
But Poppy was already listening. “It might be about India’s play date tomorrow,” she added, the phone pressed to her ear. “It’s a new mum and I don’t want her to think I’m ignoring her.”
The politics of parenting was something Parker was still coming to terms with. He knew how important it was to Poppy for her to make a good impression in her circle and if someone new joined, she didn’t want them to be ignored. She’d been through that herself.
Stuffing some more popcorn into his mouth, he surreptitiously pulled his own phone out from its hiding place. There were further messages from Lexi, each seeming to be increasingly more frantic than the last. He didn’t have chance to read them as Poppy ended her call.
“Oh my God!” Her eyes were wide as she reached for the iPad on the table.
“What? What’s happened?” Parker’s immediate thought was that something had happened with the band. He was aware of how quickly things appeared in the public domain, true or otherwise.
“It’s Nate.” Poppy’s fingers flew over the tablet, clearly searching for something.
A feeling of dread settled over Parker. “What is it?” His chest tightened and he leaned forward ready to react to whatever was coming.
“He’s got some bimbo new girlfriend.” Poppy’s voice was strangled.
“Is that it?” Parker laughed in relief. “For a moment there I thought you were going to say something dreadful had happened to him.”
“It’s not funny!” Poppy shoved the tablet at him. “Look!”
Parker scanned the story on The Goss’ website. It showed a picture of Nate, seemingly at a wedding, with his arms around a blonde woman in a lemon-yellow dress. She was kissing him on the cheek. They looked happy, perhaps laughing at something that only the two of them knew. It was a great shot, carefree, untroubled. After everything that had gone on, Parker couldn’t help but believe Nate deserved a bit of happiness.
Clearly, Poppy thought otherwise.
“So what?”
“She looks about twelve!” Poppy sat back on the sofa, her arms folded and her mouth crimped into a disgruntled line.
“Again, so what? He looks like he’s having a good time, that’s all.” Parker passed the device back to her. “What was the call about anyway?”
“It was one of their journalists alerting me to the fact.” Poppy quoted her fingers around ‘fact’. “Wanting me to make a comment. I can think of plenty of things that I want to say, most importantly, how did they get my number?”
“As the manager of Blood Stone Riot, I would advise you against that.” Parker reached over and brushed a strand of her red hair away from her face. “And as your boyfriend, I would definitely advise you against it.” He followed it up with a soft kiss on her lips. “It’s none of your business who Nate goes out with now.”
She remained unmoved. “But she’s young. And pretty. And I bet she doesn’t have stretch marks.”
He suppressed the laugh bubbling up in his throat. “You don’t know the context of the story, Poppy. It might simply be a fan who got a candid snap.”
“Hmm, a fan who happens to be part of a reality TV show and regularly appears in The Goss articles? Nice try, Parker, but I don’t think so.”
“Promise me you won’t call that journalist back? You don’t need the backlash that might come with this, and if Nate has found true love, he won’t want you sticking your nose in.”
Poppy sighed. “Okay. I won’t. I just wish that Nate had told me himself.” She got up. “I’m going to go and check on India.”
Parker stared at frozen close up of Jennifer Anniston’s face on the TV screen. He hoped Poppy would be true to her word and not get involved. The last thing he needed was another Blood Stone Riot press frenzy. Billy Walker’s death and Richey Mason’s cocaine addiction had given him enough to deal with over the past couple of years.
He reached for his phone and scanned Lexi’s messages instead. Certain words jumped out at him. ‘Sex tape’. ‘Threats’. ‘Money’. ‘Career ending’.
He put his head in his hands. Just when he thought he’d escaped one scandal, it seemed another was there to take its place.
Chapter Five
Nate stared out of the train window as it travelled towards London from North Ridge. Anticipation bubbled around his stomach. He hadn’t been this excited about seeing someone in a very long time. Not since he first met Poppy, in fact. Although it had only been a few days following the wedding in Leeds, he and Clem had been messaging each other regularly during that time. On a whim, he suggested they meet for a drink and Clem readily agreed.
Twenty-five minutes later, the train arrived into Paddington. They’d arranged to meet at Smith’s in Sheldon Square, as Clem had a meeting close by and it was an easy place for Nate to find.
He made his way around the back of the station and out by the canal. It was a pleasantly warm evening and there appeared to be a good crowd around the bar, no doubt taking advantage of after work drinks. He looked about the area noticing a high percentage of high-rise buildings containing offices—that explained the early evening drinkers. He saw Clem sitting at a table outside, sheltered by a large umbrella. She had a large glass of wine in one hand and was talking on her phone. She caught sight of him and put her drink down to flutter her fingers at him. Nate motioned that he was going inside to order. He muscled his way past a group of men in suits who were already drinking and waved at the barman.
“Pint of San Miguel and a large Sancerre please.”
A couple of moments later the two drinks were ready. “That’s eleven pounds please.”
Nate winced. It certainly wasn’t as cheap as the drinks he could get in The Indigo Lounge. He headed back outside, squinting against the late evening sunshine and wished he’d brought his sunglasses. Finding Clem again, he placed her drink in front of her and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek, even though she was still chatting.
“Won’t be a minute,” she mouthed.
As she continued to talk, he studied her. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a messy half ponytail and she wore a simple white cotton blouse over deep blue jeans. A tailored striped linen blazer was draped over the back of her chair. She looked like she could just have come from work at one of the nearby offi
ces. He sipped his beer, trying to eke it out. The last thing he wanted was to get drunk too quickly. He would only end up feeling like shit when he had to get the slow train back to North Ridge if he missed the last fast one.
After a few more minutes, Clem concluded her call and put her phone face down on the table. She leaned across and kissed him on both cheeks. “Sorry about that. My business partner had some questions about the concept for the ad campaign for our new lingerie range. It’s lovely to see you again.”
Nate’s mind flashed him with an image of Clem in lingerie. He shook the thought away, now wasn’t the time. Not within the first five minutes of them having an actual date. “You too. I guess you got back okay from the wedding?”
“Only just! Drinking a bottle of tequila wasn’t the best plan, I felt horrific on the journey home.”
“If it’s any consolation, I did too. On top of the beer I drank, it was a pretty lethal cocktail.” Nate reached for his beer, taking another sip and observing Clem across the top of the glass. “You, um, didn’t tell me who you were. I found your picture in a magazine on the train.”
Clem laughed, a bright, tinkly tone that sounded totally genuine. “Neither did you. I found out you were part of a band. Pretty successful by all accounts, maybe not my kind of thing though.” She reached for her wine glass and drained the remains of the first, then went on to start the one Nate had just bought. “I can’t exactly see me getting down and dirty at the Wilde Park Festival. Me and my friends go to one down in the West Country though. It’s much smaller and well, basically we know everyone that organises it as we’ve been going there since school.”
She smiled at the memory and Nate realised how young she was compared to him. School for her was probably only a year or so ago, whereas he struggled to remember what he did for his A Levels.
“Do you think your band would play there?”
He had no idea of the festival that she was talking about. “Don’t know.” He shrugged. “We’ve recently done a UK tour and played pretty much everywhere you can think of.”
