“Anything.”
With lowered eyes, I ask the question that has been burning into my mind for a while now. “How does Jonny feel about America?”
Helena’s face remains relaxed. “As in the general country or one particular place . . . say New York for instance?” She knows exactly where I am going with this!
“Exactly.” I nod with a smile.
She thinks for a moment. “I don’t know really, have you asked him?”
“No, not yet.”
“I know Jonny always wanted to crack America, but I think you will find that all his hopes and dreams have changed since meeting you.”
“Maybe, but . . .” Helena thrusts her arm out of the water with such force; falling drips splash hard onto the bubbling surface. Her scolding finger points in my direction.
“No buts, Jessica . . . think about all that you’ve been through together. Do you honestly think he would risk all of that now?”
I guiltily look out at nothing in particular. “No, but he’s an actor and this is his first big role out there. What if they want more and more of him? I could never live out there and leave my girls,” I argue back.
“I can’t answer for Jonny, but as his mother, I know his heart rules his head. It always has and it always will, Jessica.”
“What if Jay really wants him to pursue America?”
Helena laughs. “We both know that Jonny ultimately only does what he wants to do. He is a grounded boy who isn’t interested in getting globally famous. He loves the normality he has within his celebrity lifestyle here. You are his normality, Jessica. I honestly think you are jumping way ahead of yourself here, my lovely. So what if more overseas roles do come his way? It may mean he is away a little more, but I honestly can’t see him wanting to ever live out there,” she emphatically says.
I whimsically let my hands drift on top of the almost fizzy water. Maybe I am overreacting for no apparent reason. Without talking to Jonny first, I have absolutely no idea of where he stands on this. It is stupid to be worrying over something, which may not be a problem at all. I make my mind up, right then and there, to talk to Jonny about it later.
I glimpse someone out of the corner of my distracted eye. Stephanie is in her swimsuit, carrying three flute glasses and a bottle of champagne.
“Room for one more? I come bearing gifts.” She flashes a big dazzling smile.
“Champagne is a sure fire way to gain entry.” Helena taps the edge of the hot tub, gesturing for Stephanie to jump in beside her.
“So what are Harry and Jonny up to?” I ask, watching Steph as she lowers herself into the wonderful water.
She hands us each a glass, filling each one with champers. “Jessica, put it this way. I had my cue to leave when they started talking about golf.” We all laugh, taking a sip of the refreshingly chilled bubbly.
“Now this is definitely better than talking birdies, albatrosses and bogeys.” Stephanie leans back with one arm outstretched around the rim of the tub.
Helena taps her on the arm. “Will you and Harry be joining me for a lift back home tomorrow, Steph?”
“Yes, I was going to ask you whether that would be okay, Helena?”
“Of course it is, my lovely.”
“Great. Are you excited about seeing the flat, Jess?” Steph asks.
I quickly swallow down a mouthful of champagne so I’m able to answer. “I am. It’s going to be so handy having somewhere to stay in Cheltenham when I’m working and seeing the girls.” I reply with a wide grin.
“Have you missed working?” Stephanie asks.
“I have. I love my job and I love working with Lydia.”
“She is great, isn’t she?” Steph smiles. Lydia does have a knack of leaving her mark on people, whether it be for the right or wrong reason.
“She has been one of my rocks throughout all of my difficult times. I love her to bits,” I coo sweetly about my dear friend.
“So, how long has she been with Jake then?” Steph asks.
“Not that long, actually. They met the day Jonny and I did, but she had liaised with him a lot over the phone beforehand. The passion was apparently simmering during those calls.” I smirk.
Steph nods, taking a sip of her drink. “They make a good couple.”
“Yes, they do.” I reply, stretching out my legs in the water.
That was the prompt Helena needed. She moves closer to Stephanie, almost splashing her as she does so with the wave which follows her.
“Speaking of couples, what is going on with you and Harry then?” Helena questions.
“Nothing much.” Steph quickly gulps back some more of her champagne, trying hard not to gain any eye contact with Helena.
“Don’t be shy. I have known you both before and after puberty, I can tell when something is going on,” Helena persists.
Stephanie has this irrepressible, crooked grin on her face. “We have feelings for one another, that’s all.”
Helena’s loud laugh echoes around us. “And you’ve only just realised this?”
Steph honestly looks confused. “I think so?”
Helena raises her arms out of the water, holding them in the air. “Well, hallelujah for that. It has been a long time coming.”
Stephanie twists round. “You knew as well?”
“God. Yes!” Helena exclaims.
Steph looks at Helena, then back at me more confused than ever. “Was I the only one unable to see what has been going on?” she asks innocently.
“It would appear so,” I reply with a huge grin.
Helena faces Stephanie. “Sometimes, we don’t always see what is right underneath our noses. Thank goodness, you have both realised how you feel. Many don’t, until it’s too late.”
“I am still reeling from it all, if I’m honest,” Steph admits.
“Just go with what feels right in here.” Helena’s own hand is on her heart, gently tapping.
“I intend to.”
Raising my flute in the air, I start a celebratory toast. “Let’s drink to love, new beginnings and friendship.”
Helena shuffles closer to me, putting her arm around my shoulders. “Here, here to that. Cheers, my lovelies.”
After another wonderful evening, I retire to bed earlier than Jonny, Stephanie and Harry. Helena went up to bed just before me as she has a lot to do the next day. I left the three old friends nostalgically talking of memories from their past and, as much as I longed to stay awake to fondly listen, I found my lids getting heavier and heavier with tiredness. I am not even sure what time Jonny came up in the night, but I am woken up by the strands of sunshine reaching across the room. Jonny is curved around the back of me, contentedly asleep. I slide slowly out of the bed, not wanting to wake him. He looks so peaceful yet ruggedly handsome while he heavily sleeps.
I shower in one of the other bathrooms, dressing quietly before heading downstairs for breakfast. Not surprisingly, Stephanie and Harry are not up but Helena is.
“Morning, Helena,” I greet her, kissing her warmly on the cheek.
“Morning, Jessica. The kettle has just boiled.”
I settle myself on one of the kitchen stools. “Thank you.”
“What time did the three amigos get to bed last night?” Helena asks, sipping on her coffee.
I shrug. “I haven’t a clue. Jonny is still asleep.”
Helena laughs. “Well, I suppose they were making the most of being together.”
“I expect so. I do love hearing all of their stories, but I just couldn’t stay awake. The last thing I heard was when Stephanie’s pyjama sleeve caught on fire on the gas hob when she tried to cook the boys bacon and eggs.”
Helena nearly spills the milk she is pouring into my mug from laughing. “She was a very lucky girl! We laugh about it now, but she could have had a lot more than just a few singed forearm hairs that day.”
“Life certainly didn’t ever sound dull when they were all together.” I start to peel a banana, taking a bite of it with
a grin.
She clasps her hands together. “Oh, Jessica, there was always something that happened.”
“It’s great to see they are still such good friends.”
Helena nods. “It is, again Harry and Steph are Jonny’s normality within his crazy life.”
With raised brows, I smirk. “Although, when all together they are pretty crazy themselves.”
“Yes, like staying up until stupid o’ clock when they know they need to be up early,” Helena playfully scolds the sleepyheads upstairs.
“What time is Beef picking you up?” I ask as Helena passes me my welcomed sweet tea.
“About ten . . . what time are you going, Jessica?”
Wrapping my fingers around the hot cup, I reply, “Simon’s picking me up in an hour.”
Helena tidies away her breakfast things. “Well, I’d better wake up love’s young dream. They will both want to shower and have breakfast before leaving.”
“I’ll take a coffee up to Jonny before I leave.” I say, pouring him a fresh coffee to take upstairs.
Helena leaves the kitchen with a smile. “I’ll see you in a bit then.”
Jonny is still peacefully sleeping. Part of me wants to wake him as I don’t have long until Simon arrives, but I decide to quietly put the coffee on the bedside table beside him. As I lean across to place a kiss on his tousled hair, he stirs. He softly moans before returning to a tranquil slumber. I tiptoe quietly out of the door.
Helena is still the only one up with me when Simon arrives. He is fresh-faced as always, broadly smiling.
“Morning, Simon.” I say, putting my new flat keys into my bag.
“Hi, Jessica. Are you ready to go or do you want to hang on a bit?”
“No, I’m good. Let’s go,” I answer as Helena takes me in her arms, tightly squeezing me.
“Take care, my lovely. I will call you to fix up meeting you in Cheltenham and have a bloody good Christmas, won’t you?”
“Thanks Helena, you too. We will speak soon, okay? Can you say good-bye to Steph and Harry for me? Tell them I’ll call,” I say, making my way to the lift.
“Will do.” Helena says, waving me off.
I walk into the lift with Simon, excited to be seeing the flat and to see the girls. It feels like days have passed since last seeing them, although it was only yesterday that they returned home to Shawn. They both sent me separate texts last night, telling me how much they loved me. I am delighted to be spending more time with my beautiful girls today.
“Is this it, Mum?” Lottie asks.
I lower my head to look out of the car window, as she strains to look over my shoulder.
The flat is part of what once was a large Regency house. The perfect frontage in white stucco along with the tall, thin multi-sashed windows, give it the classic Georgian look. I love the plainly elegant shallow porch, and the beautifully arched doorway over a glossy navy blue door.
Inside does not disappoint either. The flat is simply stylish in an oatmeal colour throughout. It is perfectly small with contemporary furnishings. Devoid of personal clutter, yet has everything we need. In the lounge, there is only a comfy tanned leather suite, a glass table and chairs, a flat screen TV and a quaint focal fireplace. The two bedrooms are cosily furnished in teal and beige with bedside tables on either side of the double beds. An off-white fitted wardrobe sits on the left hand side of both rooms. The bathroom is again neutral with floor-to-ceiling biscuit coloured tiles with a stunning roll top bath and luxury power shower.
When I walk into the kitchen, although there is no window, it is deceptively bright and airy with white units and speckled grey granite worktops. Overall, it’s a perfect part-time pad.
“What do you think, girls?”
“I love it, Mum.” Lissy is busy familiarising herself, stroking the worktops and opening the kitchen cupboards to see them bare and empty yet beautifully clean.
I open the oven door and take a peep inside. “It’s just what we need, isn’t it?” I say cheerfully.
“We are so close to the town centre, too.” She inquisitively opens a draw to peek inside.
“It’s absolutely perfect for us, not far from your dad, my work or your school.”
“Jonny has good taste, doesn’t he Mum?” Lottie states matter-of-factly, she never fails to raise a smile.
“Yes, he does, darling.”
“So, what are we going to do now then?” Her young, enthusiastic eyes search my face.
“Well, I think we had better get some food in for starters. Nothing which will perish though as I won’t be back here until Sunday.”
“Can we come and see you on Sunday, Mum?” Lissy asks.
“Of course you can. That’s the whole point of why Jonny got us this place, so we can see as much of each other as possible. Why don’t you ask your dad whether you can stay here with me on Sunday night? When Lydia picks me up for work on Monday morning we can drop you back.”
“I think that will be okay with Dad.” Lissy replies. I stroke her silky hair, brushing it across her left shoulder.
“Good.” I smile.
That afternoon, we shop for food and toiletries needed in the flat. After a light lunch of pesto pasta salad, we all snuggle in front of the television and watch repeated yet uplifting Christmas films. I am sat between the girls and they both have their youthful legs draped across my lap. I am feeling on top of the world. I still find Jonny to be unfathomably amazing for sorting out the flat for my girls and me. He has enabled us to enjoy some quality time together just like we are now. Thinking of him, I decide to send a text.
“Lissy darling, could you pass me my bag please?” Once in my grasp, I search my bag and retrieve my mobile. I notice that I have already missed a text from Jonny.
Despite you not waking me up to say good-bye this morning, I still find myself missing you. Hoping you and the girls are happy with the flat ... love you.
J X
A warmness fills my insides from his sincere yet amusing text. I promptly tap in a reply.
Mr. Sleepy Head. I figured you could do with the beauty sleep as you were up so late last night! Big bags under the eyes don’t look good on anyone, even you, Mr. Riley! The girls and I adore the flat. It is perfect ... as are you.
Jessica xxxxxxxxxxxx
I feel like I am glowing with the luminosity his love gives me. I am not even aware I am smiling until Lottie comments on it. “What’s so funny, Mum?” she asks.
“Nothing, darling. Jonny is just asking whether we like the flat, that’s all.”
She pops a handful of popcorn into her mouth. “Did you tell him we love it?”
I look at her, smiling. “Yes, I have.”
“Say hi to him from me,” she requests.
“I will.” I am typing words to that effect when I receive another text from Jonny.
You’ve not forgotten about me then, Dimples?
J X
I smile. Like that could ever happen! I speedily reply.
I couldn’t even if I tried!
Jessica xxxxxxxxx
Straight away another message is sent by him.
I miss you
J X
Oh, I’m missing you too. More than you’ll ever know! I think to myself, quickly tapping in my reply.
I miss you too and the girls say hi!
Jessica xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The text messages keep on coming.
Say hi back ... what time do you think you’ll be home?
J X
I respond quickly.
I should be back about seven.
Jessica x
A smile forms across my lips, once I have read his reply.
Finally, we will have some US time ... I have a little surprise in store for you Mrs. Neel!
J X
I wonder what he could mean? I am more than a little excited about what exactly Jonny has lined up for me later this evening. I reply with over enthusiastic tapping on my mobile.
How very intri
guing?
Jessica x
I get a bubbly, giddy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Thoughts excitedly run through my mind with lightheaded wonder. What exactly does Mr. Fuckable have in store for me?
After dropping the girls off. The drive back down to Chelsea doesn’t take as long as I thought it would. Simon was telling me all about his plans for the rest of the evening and for the few days he has off, which involve dividing his time between his family, friends and Mitzy.
I was telling him all about my afternoon. How great the flat is and reminiscing about some of the places I used to go to in Cheltenham. Then we chatted for ages about the Christmas party. Laughing about how Helena tried to get Beef to dance with her, but he flatly refused despite her constant badgering. We were also in hysterics about the amount of times that Jake had to catch Lydia from falling over in her divine killer heels. All that we talked about, certainly made it a much more enjoyable journey.
“Have a lovely Christmas, Simon. I am very grateful to you for giving up your Christmas Eve to take me to Cheltenham and back,” I say as he holds the car door open for me.
“That’s what I am paid for, Jessica.” he warmly replies.
I smile. “That may be so, but I’m still very grateful.” I reply as he takes my hand, helping me out of the car.
“My pleasure. Make sure you and Mr. Riley have a great Christmas.” Simon says, closing the car door behind me.
“Thank you, we will.” Yes we will . . . no fear about that! I think with a naughty little smirk.
Simon looks around to see if there are any paps hanging about. There aren’t. Our story is now old and tired news. The press has had their pound of flesh from us. They have now moved on to more important and newsworthy celebs to adorn their front pages. “I’ll walk you in.” he says, walking protectively behind me. I know he is nowhere near as big as Beef, but I still feel safe with Simon.
A Famous Affair Page 46
