Finally, Kate picked up the phone again.
‘Lillie, I am going to get you the biggest box of Twinkies I can find,’ she said. ‘I’ll see you in a few days,’ she paused. ‘With Chris!’
They rang off, Lillie’s eyes shining with happiness.
‘So, London then,’ Johnny said. ‘Mmmmm. All those hot British girls with their accents. Hey, doesn’t Tess go to school in London?’ he teased Lillie.
‘Don’t you even think about it,’ she warned and he held up his hands in mock apology. ‘Speak of the devil,’ she said, picking up her phone again and going through much the same conversation with Tess.
They spent the rest of the afternoon refining the songs they’d already written and writing one more, which Lillie was really pleased with. Finally, Jed announced it was time for dinner, apologizing to Johnny that they were leaving him alone as he wanted to take Lillie out to celebrate.
‘No problem,’ Johnny smirked. ‘I think I’ll go out and celebrate myself. You can have the place to yourselves tonight. My gift to you,’ he said, winking at Lillie.
‘Glad to see you’ve got your mojo back,’ Jed said. ‘How about we all go for a drink before dinner?’
‘Yeah, sounds good,’ Johnny said, turning to look at Lillie. ‘You taking first shower, babe?’ Lillie nodded. ‘Cool, gives me time for some press-ups before I get myself cleaned up ready for some lucky lady.’ He flexed his muscles at Lillie and she rolled her eyes, kissing Jed before she headed down the hall to the bathroom. She could hear Johnny and Jed talking about London and couldn’t stop the massive grin from spreading across her face.
In the shower, the chorus of the new song Jed had written for her span round and round her head.
He caught a star, buried it deep in his heart
A light inside for all his eternity, no more dark
Half untruths could not tear him apart
From that pure and shining brilliant spark.
It was exactly how she felt about him. Jed had given her everything, shone a spotlight on her, helped her to be the person she was always meant to be. She touched the charms on her necklace, the key and the heart Jed had given her, smiling. His heart and the key to it.
She sang the words out loud, lathering shampoo into her hair, jumping when she felt Jed’s hands on her waist, turning her to face him.
‘I was thinking it might sound better as a duet,’ he said, his voice low in her ear. She kissed him soundly in agreement.
‘Everything’s better as a duet,’ she whispered, kissing him again.
‘It sure is, Lil’ he replied, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her soapy hair. ‘It sure is.’
THE END
Acknowledgements
First, I’d really like to thank someone who remains nameless to me but, without whom, I probably wouldn’t be a published author. A few years ago, I was lucky enough to get onto the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writer Scheme (highly recommended if you’re an unpublished romance author, by the way) and the feedback I received from my anonymous reader was so encouraging and motivating that it kept me going through several drafts and a fair few rejections. If you read this book and recognise it (it has changed a fair bit), I would love to know who you are!
My second thank you goes to Abingdon Writers, whose constructive criticism and support helped me to write a final draft I was happy with. They shared their knowledge, experiences and research on how to get published as well as their thoughts on my work and provided much needed confidence boosts (and sometimes cakes and biscuits!). I miss you guys!
In particular, I’d like to thank my beta readers, some for really early drafts, a couple from much later drafts – Liah Thorley (who’s read all the drafts – so biggest thanks to her), Nicki Thornton, Jo Wyton, Verity Saegert and Callie Tyler. Thanks for all your comments and suggestions.
Finally, a big massive thanks to my wonderful publishers, So Vain Books. Thank you so much for taking a chance on me – I hope I do you proud!
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Sophie Childs
Behind the Scenes
Bethan Brooks works in London for the ultimate boss from Hell, trying to support her wannabe rockstar boyfriend. But are The Vampire Squirrels really ever going to make it big or is she doomed to be a secretary forever? Luckily, Bethan finds the perfect escape when going to the cinema. There she loses herself in another world and forgets all about the dreaded filing and monotonous office work. Imagine her surprise when one day she encounters her favourite actor on the Tube. Suddenly, she finds herself part of the glamorous movie world she only ever dreamed about. With more at stake than she could ever realise, does she really want to know what goes on behind the scenes?
Out now on So Vain Books, Amazon and anywhere else books are sold online!
Jessica Redland
Searching for Steven
When Sarah Peterson accepts her Auntie Kay’s unexpected offer to take over her florist’s shop, she’s prepared for a change of job, home and lifestyle. What she isn’t prepared for is the discovery of a scarily accurate clairvoyant reading that’s been missing for twelve years. All her predictions have come true, except one: she’s about to meet the man of her dreams. Oh, and his name is Steven.
Suddenly Stevens are everywhere. Could it be the window cleaner, the rep, the manager of the coffee shop, or any of the men she’s met online?
On top of that, she finds herself quite attracted to a handsome web designer, but his name isn’t even Steven...
During this unusual search, will Sarah find her destiny?
Coming out in June 2015
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How to Catch a (Rock) Star: A Story of Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll Page 28
