Sing a Song of Love

by O'Grady, Sian

  “We are just about at the box so you can ask them.” And he opened the door and ushered me in.

  I was greeted by a round of applause and I felt the grin stretching out even further. Dad swept me up into a hug and he didn’t need to say a word for me to see how proud he was!

  “Jess you were spectacular out there and by the time you were in your dress I hardly recognised you as the same person. I’m so proud of you darling.”

  “Thanks Mum. And isn’t the dress gorgeous? It was pure genius whoever came with the idea of the detachable skirt. Right I’m off to quickly get changed as I want to see the boys do the Haka.”

  I slipped away and changed into some jeans and was back in time for the Haka. The All Blacks looked fierce and by the time they kicked off the park was back to full volume.

  We had a fantastic view from the box and it was fun to relax and watch the game. I would like to say the game was close but the All Blacks were always a step ahead of the Scottish team and by full time the score was twenty seven to ten.

  I said goodbye to my folks with promises to come up and visit before I left for Australia.

  “You are lucky to be working with such a great group of people Jess.”

  “I know Dad, I couldn’t be happier. Really feel like my luck has turned around!”

  “You turned your luck around my girl. You have worked hard to get to where you are so enjoy your success.”

  Dad gave me a warm hug and I could feel his kiss on the top of my head. I thought, as I had a million times before, how lucky I was to have such great parents.

  “Hey Batgirl, are you heading into town with us tonight?”

  Lance looked at my doubtful expression and tried harder.

  “Oh go on, it’s been ages since we all had a drink and a dance together.”

  Robbie and Josh joined in at that point and my resolve waivered til I found myself agreeing to come out with them.

  “How about you Mack, you up for a few drinks?”

  “Sounds good, give me a few moments to tie up some loose ends and I’ll be right with you.”

  Mack

  We arrived at the Viaduct around eleven and the queues outside the bars looked long and tedious. I wished for a moment that I had whisked Jessie back to the hotel and just ordered champagne from room service. But the boys were right; we hadn’t been out for a drink for ages and it was important to celebrate our successes together. Thankfully our names were on the door and we were taken straight through.

  We headed for the bar and I gave the staff my credit card and opened a tab.

  “What’s everyone fancy?”

  The boys wanted Kilkenny and Cam, Jess and I decided to share a bottle of champagne.

  The promoters had reserved the back room at the bar so we could mingle with the crowds but escape when it got too much. I found a table and we all sat down to toast our success.

  I looked round the group and almost didn’t know where to start. They had come so far since we left Scotland. The biggest crowd before Queenstown was about five hundred, at a local dance hall in our home town. To rise to where they were in such a short space of time was nothing short of miraculous.

  “To the High Land Boys and their terrific sidekicks Tonto and Batgirl!” And I winked at Jessie.

  We all burst out laughing before Cam added indignantly, “It’s Iron Man!”

  “All for one and one for all!” Robbie added and we all raised our glasses laughing, in a toast to us.

  It was a great feeling to get to the end of the first half of our tour amid such raving reviews. We had one last concert tomorrow night and then I had organised for everyone to stay up at Matapouri for four nights.

  I wanted to talk to Jessie too, and see whether she minded if our relationship went public between the six of us. It no longer felt right keeping it a secret from them. Also it was damn hard to keep my hands off her and act all platonic while they were around. And I was pretty sure Alina had said something to Lance, which meant Robbie and Josh already knew. So that really only left Cam to tell.

  “You feel like a dance Jessie?”

  “Sure.” And I lead her to the dance floor before drawing her in close.

  I was a master at picking the right songs for a slow dance and it was good to have her safely wrapped in my arms. I had loved my time in New Zealand but was looking forward to getting Jessie safely away. That crack pot sending the letters was keeping me on edge and I was over it.

  “Do you think we should tell the guys about us?”

  “Cam already knows and he seemed to think Lance did as well.”

  Mack laughed, “Well I’d say everyone knows then so it’s just a matter of getting it out in the open. What do you think?”

  She smiled up at me and her eyes were alive, like they had been the very first time I had seen her on the demo tape.

  “I’d like that. Hate pretending around them.”

  “Well that’s settled.” And I pulled her in for the remainder of the dance.

  After the song ended we made our way back to the bar for a quick shot to fortify ourselves, then made our way back to our table and sat down.

  “Got a feeling you guys already know this, but for the record, Jess and I having been seeing each other for the last few weeks.”

  I looked round at them gauging their response and was pleased to see everyone looking happy.

  “Well that’s a relief, wasn’t quite sure how that was going to go down!”

  Lance laughed, “Wondering when you were going to come clean. Though it was amusing watching you pretend to be friends. You’re an appalling actor Mack!”

  “Glad to be of entertainment value!” I added drily. “So I’m guessing Alina told you.”

  “Nah Gina told me you were ‘mooning’, her word not mine, about some girl and I put one and one together!”

  I could see the others were amused by this and even Jessie was trying to cover her smile; talk not going exactly as I planned!

  “Alright jokes over and topic is closed. I’m heading to the bar, anyone need a refill?”

  I could hear them chuckling as I headed to the bar and tried not to feel pissed! Trust Gina to tell her brother verbatim what I said. Though I guess if it had been anyone else I would be laughing as well.

  I ordered a shot of tequila with the round of drinks and downed it before heading back to the table. I slipped in beside Jess, “Shall we get going soon?”

  “Did you really say you were mooning about a girl?”

  “I might have done in passing. Be careful where you go with this as there will be consequences!” I already had my hand on the top of her thigh and gave her a wee horse bite to reinforce my words.

  I must not have pulled off the menacing tone as it didn’t deter her one bit, “I like the thought of you mooning about me!”

  “Well I’ll moon about you a bit more if you stop with the teasing. You’re ruining my reputation!”

  Jessie giggled, “I guess mooning doesn’t sound very manly.”

  I looked at Jess closely, “You’re quite tipsy. Think it might be time to get you home.”

  “Mmmhmm and it feels really good!”

  “Hey guys we are going to head back to the hotel, try and get to bed at a decent hour. Last concert tomorrow and then I promise you can have a few late nights!”

  They were refrained in their teasing as we left. It had been good to clear the air and in a few days, I was sure, Jess and I would be ancient history.

  Security was waiting for us outside and within twenty minutes we were back at the hotel and enjoying the peace and quiet of our room.

  “You can pay me more now that we can save on the expense of two rooms!”

  “Can I just and what will you do to earn that extra money?”

  “Oh I’m sure I can think of something. We kiwi girls are renowned for our resourcefulness!”

  Jessie was drunker than I had realised and was undressing in the middle of the room and flinging her clothes for Africa. It
was a sexy strip tease, though very wobbly and by the time she had gotten down to nothing but her boots my cock was hard. But I knew I was out of luck as she had gone a weird shade of grey a few items ago and I had a feeling she wasn’t far off talking to the bowl. Right on cue she made a dash and I left her to it.

  When it was all quiet I went in with a warm flannel. She was out cold on the tiles so I gave her face a wipe, pulled her boots off, and picked her up and carried her to bed.

  Jess

  The next day was agony and I cursed myself for going over my two drink limit. I hadn’t been a big drinker since my University years and any more than six and I was toast as I had amply proved last night. The last hour was a bit foggy but I did vaguely remember ripping my clothes off to some song that was playing in my head. Thankfully Mack wasn’t too perturbed by my drunken escapade and was enjoying paying me back for teasing him last night.

  I lay back against the pillows to wait for breakfast. I had woken earlier to Mack ordering it and had been glad when I had heard the words full cooked breakfast; just what I needed to get into third gear and make it through today.

  At some point over the next four days while we were taking some time out I wanted to talk to Mack about us. I needed to clarify what this was as it was doing my head in not knowing. Was it all over after Australia or did he want to go the distance and see where this relationship took us? I mean I didn’t want him to propose or anything, but I did need to know we were on the same page and his feelings for me weren’t just being influenced by great sex on tap.

  Sometimes when Mack looked at me or murmured something while we were making love, it wasn’t hard to jump to the conclusion that his feelings were as strong as mine. Then the moment would end and we would be back joking and teasing or talking about work and I would wonder if I wasn’t reading too much into it.

  It was so much easier in the olden days when there seemed to be a natural progression of what came next in the courtship ritual; now days it was all casual and fly by the seats of your pants. Sleep with the man and figure out the rest afterwards! No wonder the modern woman was stressed; you needed a psychic ball to navigate the mine field of love.

  Or you could forego the status of being easy going and sit the guy down for a serious talk!

  I had decided to go for option two as the first option was no longer working for me. Part of me was scared to broach the subject, as depending on how things went, this could be a deal breaker. And the end of my time with the High Land Boys because if Mack saw no future past Australia then I knew I wouldn’t be able to continue the tour. It would be too hard drawing out the inevitable and also it would put an end to us sleeping together. Then we would be back at the beginning, fighting the attraction, losing the battle, and of course being miserable!

  It had taken a while to admit to myself the strength of my feelings but I knew without a doubt that this was the real deal. This was love, the right sort of love. And I knew this because I could even contemplate living in Scotland or Timbuktu if it meant I would be with Mack. What I couldn’t imagine was a life without him in it.

  All I had to do now was figure out how I was going to tell him this without freaking the bejeebers out of him. I tried to put it out of my mind and have faith that the words would come to me when the time was right. Also I was a great believer in denial. Deny the need to do something until it was absolutely necessary that you needed to do it. Worked for me anyway!

  I heard Mack closing the door and could smell the aromas of the breakfast tray.

  “This is going to save my day! Hope my plate is loaded high with grease!”

  Mack smiled indulgently, “Sure is with doubles of hash brown as they always work for me!”

  We tucked in and all conversation stopped for a while.

  “Have you ever been to Australia, Jess?” Mack enquired between mouthfuls.

  “You going to think I’m really backward but I have never left New Zealand! I almost toured with a Kiwi band once around Aussie but at the last minute the plug got pulled. But I have been around the North Island umpteen dozen times!”

  “I hope you have a passport then!”

  “Brand spanking new. I almost considered roughing it up a bit so I would look more like a seasoned traveller.”

  As usual it was never hard to fill in time with Mack. Even if we were abandoned on a deserted island for a month I think we would still be chatting at the end. I sighed and pushed away the remainder of my breakfast and headed for the shower. The worse thing about hangovers was they always made me feel morose!

  I felt better after a shower and almost fully restored by the time I had brushed my teeth. I definitely was not going to break my two drink rule again in a hurry though.

  Even though I had a hangover I felt more relaxed than I had been in a while and I put it down to no weird letters for almost a week. And the fact that it was the last concert tonight and then we had ten days off. I was really looking forward to getting out of the city and eating some home cooked meals. Goodness I was actually looking forward to cooking them as well. Anything to break out of the routine of hotel living.

  The last concert went off without a hitch and it felt great to be officially on holiday. I grabbed my stuff and headed down to where the boys were waiting. They sounded excited to be on holiday as well and I could hear them organising celebratory drinks. I had a look around for Mack and saw him talking to the roadies and wandered over.

  “Are you heading out for a drink with the boys?”

  “Was thinking about it? You keen?”

  “No I’m dreaming about sleep. Was a long day! But you should go and celebrate with them. Lance especially will want you there.”

  “You ok about heading back to the hotel on you own? I’ll organise one of the security guys to escort you all the way back to your room.”

  “Sounds good.” I reached up and gave him a hug and whispered in his ear, “You can wake me when you get home!”

  “Was already planning on doing that!”

  Mack smiled down at me before giving me a long lingering kiss.

  “Almost wish I was coming straight home. Text me when you’re safely back to your room.”

  With promises that I would I left with one of the security guards, who escorted me to an unmarked car. He opened the boot and told me to drop my bags in, before he escorted me into the back of the car.

  Soon as I had discarded my handbag I felt naked as I no longer had access to my phone. I tried to laugh at myself but I had an uneasy feeling and it seemed to be connected to the fact that it was the same guard who bumped into me yesterday. I shrugged it off and focussed again on my ten days off!

  Mack

  There was something bugging me about the security guard’s response when I had asked him to escort Jessie home. He had said he would see her safely back to our rooms. It just seemed odd, as I hadn’t thought our relationship status was known to anyone other than the High Land Boys and Cam. And even they didn’t know we had interconnecting rooms, though it probably wasn’t hard to guess.

  I put a call through to the head of security to see if it was common knowledge, as my mind wasn’t going to let this go until I had checked it out. I knew how quickly gossip travelled so was thinking it was probably an unprofessional slip of the tongue.

  “Hello George, its Mack. I have a quick question. Is my relationship with Jessie common knowledge with your guards?”

  “Well its news to me but often I don’t hear what’s circulating seeing as I’m the boss! Why?”

  “One of your guards just said an odd thing when I asked him to escort Jess back to her room. He said he would make sure she got back safely to our room. I’m probably over reacting but after the letters I just wanted to check up. Jess and I do have interconnecting rooms but I didn’t think it was common knowledge.”

  “Give me five to talk to the other guards on duty and I’ll ring you back.”

  By the time George rang back I was starting to panic as Jessie wasn’t answ
ering her phone. I knew I was probably being irrational but I couldn’t shake this feeling.

  “Hi Mack, I’ve contacted the police as a precaution as I spoke to my guys and they had no idea about you and Jessie. Also I can’t get hold of Pete, that’s the guard she is with, and they should be back at the hotel by now. It could be nothing to worry about but I have given the police the plate number of the car and they have orders to pull it over if they see it.”

  “Fuck, I knew something was wrong. Do you think Pete could be the person behind the letters?”

  “Could be Mack, but we did do full police clearance on our guards and they all had clean slates. We just have to wait and see. They may just be caught in traffic, though it is weird he isn’t answering his phone.”

  “Christ, I didn’t see this coming. I hired you guys to protect her and it sounds like the creepy bastard writing those letters may have been one of yours all along. I can’t believe this.”

  “Mack, please try and stay calm. It could all be nothing. But I need to go as I have calls to make and I need to mobilise our guys as well. I’ll ring you as soon as I hear anything. Also can you round up the guys and head back here as I want all available guards out looking for Jess.”

  “Ok we will be back in ten and George, find her for me. And don’t let anything happen to her.”

  I felt like I had been soccer punched and could hardly breathe. Fuck why had I let her go back to the hotel on her own. All I could think of was Jessie, all alone, and how scared she would be feeling.

  I walked over to where Cam and the boys were waiting for me and filled them in on the situation. The colour drained from their faces and they looked as shocked as I felt.

  “Which guard is it? Fuck, this can’t be happening?”

  Cam looked grey and his face was conveying his need to deck someone, which was pretty much how I felt.

  “Do you know a guard called Pete?”

  “Yeah I was talking to him the other day and he was asking all sorts of questions about Jess, but I didn’t think anything of it. What an idiot I am, it should have set off alarm bells considering the letters.”