Always Something There to Remind Me (12 page)

‘I was half expecting it, actually. You couldn’t really let him spend the day on his own.’

‘You don’t mind then?’

‘Of course not. I’m getting used to the idea that you two come as a package these days. Now, tell me all about last night.’

I didn’t need any further encouragement, so I filled her in about the concert and the meeting with Angela while she prepared the vegetables and I got to work on making special Christmas stuffing to go with the capon that was slowly roasting in the oven. As I finished my tale, she looked at me.

‘You do realise you’re totally obsessed, don’t you?’

‘So what’s new? I’ve been obsessed with Josh for thirty years.’

‘Oh dear! You really don’t know, do you? I’m not talking about Josh. I’m talking about your “good friend” Des.’

I was confused. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Last night you went to the gig of a lifetime to arrange a lunch date with your teenage idol, right? So how come, when you’re telling me about it, every other sentence is about Des? What he said, what he did, what he thought … I tell you, girl, you’re obsessed.’

I thought about it for a minute and then nodded. ‘Well, maybe just a little. I mean, I am very fond of him.’ I knew I was blushing, but I also knew there would be no point lying to Trudi. She knew me too well.

‘And has he fallen for you too?’

‘I didn’t say I’d fallen for him.’

‘You didn’t have to. Well, is it mutual?’

‘I don’t know. I know he likes me and we’re good together in so many ways – but we never talk about our feelings.’

We adjourned to the living room with a couple of glasses of sherry to chill out until it was time to start cooking. We sat in silence for a few minutes, but Trudi couldn’t let the subject rest.

‘You should tell him. It isn’t healthy to keep things bottled up, you know.’

‘You don’t know what you’re talking about,’ I snapped. ‘Things are just fine as they are. If I say anything he’ll probably run a mile. We’re having a good time at the moment; I don’t want to spoil it.’

‘I’m sorry, Lyd. I didn’t realise it meant that much to you.’

‘Neither did I, until recently. I’m trying not to make an idiot of myself here. Des and I have something going on, but don’t ask me what it is because I don’t know. Now, let’s change the subject before he gets here, OK?’

‘OK. Have you started rehearsing for your next audition yet?’ Sometimes best friends know when it’s time to do as they’re told.

‘Not yet. We’re going to work on it tomorrow; well at least we’re going to think about possible songs.’

‘When you first started on this mission I thought you were crazy, you know.’

‘And now?’

‘I think you’re fabulous and I’m proud of you. Going after the things you want is great.’

The atmosphere lightened up and we hugged as the doorbell signalled Des’s arrival. Trudi let him in. He was wearing a Santa hat and carrying a bag from which he produced a sprig of mistletoe.

‘Who’s first?’ He held the mistletoe above his head and closed his eyes, so we both gave him a peck on the cheek.

My guests succeeded in burying their usual animosity and we spent the afternoon in the traditional British manner. We ate too much and left the washing-up piled up in the sink so we could stretch out in the living room and drink too much. We’d decided to leave exchanging gifts until later. Trudi sprawled in the huge armchair and Des sat on the sofa.

‘Come and sit down now, Lyd. You’ve been on the go for hours, and you’ve been the perfect hostess. Time to relax.’

‘Are you sure you want me to sit next to you?’ I teased. ‘In the green room last night you preferred to sit next to Angela.’

Des spluttered with laughter and almost spilled his coffee. ‘I did, didn’t I? And you couldn’t work out why?’

‘I thought you were trying to impress her or …’

‘Or that you fancied her.’ Trudi added.

‘Aha! So it was OK for you to get all hot and bothered watching Josh onstage, but you didn’t like it when I sat beside Angela? A pattern is emerging here, my dear.’ He was mocking me gently. ‘Ah, Lydia, you’re such an innocent at times. Isn’t she, Trudi?’

‘I have no idea what you’re talking about,’ Trudi responded. ‘But why don’t you tell us? Then Lydia can stop fretting about it and I can go to sleep for half an hour.’

Des laughed again and addressed his reply to Trudi. ‘It’s simple really. The two sofas were facing each other; sitting with Angela I got a much better view of Lyd. Last night was only the third time I’ve seen her wearing a skirt and she has great legs.’

‘You’re such a sexist,’ Trudi began, then she started to laugh. ‘But your logic is faultless. You’re also a wind-up merchant.’

‘So you were ogling my legs?’ I tried to sound shocked.

‘Well, if you have to put it so bluntly, yes. Can you ever forgive me?’ His pretended contrition was hilarious.

‘OK, you’re forgiven.’

He put his arm around me and I leaned against him. He kissed the top of my head and we sat in comfortable silence for a while. A few minutes later I realised that Trudi had fallen asleep. Des noticed too and whispered, ‘Come closer.’ He didn’t wait for an answer before his lips found mine and I savoured the now familiar taste of his kiss. ‘I’ve been dying to do that all day.’

‘Me too,’ I said, kissing him again. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’

‘There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.’ He held me close and whispered in my ear. ‘Do you know what I’d like to be doing with you right now?’

‘Tell me.’

Then the man who couldn’t write an erotic story a few weeks ago spent the next twenty minutes describing in detailed whispers what he’d like to do, and what he’d like me to do. It was the hottest thing I’d ever heard. I almost forgot that we weren’t alone in the room ‘Can I stay here tonight?’ he asked.

‘Yes please,’ I gasped. ‘Now I think I’d better do the dishes before I explode.’

Des let out a sigh. ‘Later, then. I’ll help you with the dishes as soon as I can stand up.’

By the time Trudi opened her eyes, we’d done the washing-up and Des had made a pot of tea and cut some slices of fruit cake. We weren’t hungry, of course, but overeating on Christmas Day is traditional. We decided it was time to exchange presents.

I gave Trudi a bottle of her favourite perfume and Des gave her a box of chocolates.

‘I wasn’t expecting anything,’ she said, although she was clearly delighted. ‘Sharing the day with you was enough.’ She reached into the bag she had brought with her and produced a bottle of wine for Des and a blue silk scarf for me.

‘It’s beautiful,’ I said, draping it around my neck.

‘It brings out the colour of your eyes.’ Des was smiling.

I went to my desk and took out an envelope, which I handed to Des.

‘I didn’t know what to get you. I hope this is OK.’ I’d struggled to find the perfect gift and eventually I’d stumbled across ‘Track Days’ – the opportunity to drive a racing car on a Formula One track. I’d bought a voucher that Des could exchange for a session in a Lamborghini any time within the next six months. His eyes opened wide as he looked at the documents.

‘Wow! This is amazing. Honey, you shouldn’t have, but thank you. I love it!’ He kissed me and then gave me a similar envelope. My hands were shaking as I opened it and looked at the paperwork inside: email printouts confirming that Des had spent a lot of time organising my gift. I stared at him, speechless.

‘What is it?’ Trudi was bursting with curiosity. Still unable to speak I handed her the papers. ‘A week in New York!’ she said ‘That’s what I call a present! Hotel reservations, theatre tickets, flight confirmation – it’s all here. You lucky girl!’

Des put his arms around me. ‘What’s up, Lyd? Did I do the wrong thing?’

‘No, of course not.’ I was sobbing now. ‘I think it’s wonderful and I’d love to go, I really would, but I can’t fly. You know I can’t.’

‘Baby, that’s just not true. In the last few weeks you’ve proved beyond doubt that you can do anything you set your mind to.’

‘You certainly have.’ Trudi agreed. ‘This is all booked for your birthday, so you have until April to get over your fear. And it’s not like you have to do this alone; these arrangements are for two people, so I assume that Des intends to be there to hold your hand.’

‘But of course,’ he replied. ‘Unless there’s someone else you’d rather go with?’

Who on earth could I possibly want to go with? I’m flying already. Superman has scooped me up in his arms just like Lois Lane in the film.

‘Oh Des, thank you. I’m going to try to do this.’

‘That’s my girl!’

I love being your girl.

Chapter 23: Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Trudi left around nine o’clock. She claimed she was tired, but I think she was being discreet, sensing that Des and I wanted to be alone.

‘I’ve had a lovely day, Lyd. Everything was perfect,’ she said as she hugged me. ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’ She turned to Des and shook his hand. ‘Make sure she relaxes now. She’s been on the go all day.’

‘Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.’ He put a protective arm around my waist and we waved as Trudi got into her taxi. The temperature was already below freezing and when we closed the front door I was shivering. Des cuddled me.

‘Alone at last,’ he said. ‘Have you got any cocoa?’

‘The last of the great romantics!’ I laughed. ‘I haven’t got proper cocoa, but there’s some “el cheapo” drinking chocolate in the cupboard.’

‘Romance and hot chocolate aren’t necessarily incompatible. We’ve got all night, unless you’ve changed your mind and want me to go home?’ He pouted and fluttered his eyelashes.

‘No, I want you to stay, but I also want to have a hot bath, so you’re on chocolate duty, OK? I won’t be long. You know where everything is.’

I had just immersed myself in lavender-scented bubbles when there was a knock on the bathroom door. Suddenly feeling a little shy, I sat up and drew my knees up to my chest before saying ‘Come in.’

‘Should I close my eyes? I brought your chocolate. I thought you might like to be decadent and drink it while you soak.’ He didn’t close his eyes, of course, but perched on the side of the bath and offered me the mug.

‘Thanks. I feel pampered.’ I sipped the chocolate. ‘It’s perfect.’

‘Naturally. I’m an expert. Do you know what else I’m good at?’ He grinned.

‘I’m sure you’re going to tell me.’ I gave him the empty mug and he put it on the floor.

‘No, I’ll show you,’ he said, rolling up his sleeves and taking the sponge which was floating in the foam. ‘Lean further forward and relax.’ He squeezed the sponge, allowing the warm water to trickle down my spine, then he dipped it into the water and repeated the action several times, before kneeling down beside the bath and gently rubbing the soapy sponge in a circular motion across my back. ‘Is that nice?’

‘It’s very relaxing.’

‘Am I reaching the parts you can’t get to yourself?’

‘In ways you can’t begin to imagine,’ I replied. ‘My back hasn’t been so clean in years.’

Des smiled and leaned across to kiss me. ‘Can I do anything else to help you, madam?’

I closed my eyes and lay back in the water, no longer shy. Des pretended to cover his eyes with his hands but peeked through his fingers. I couldn’t help laughing.

‘Pass me the towel; I think it’s time I got out. The water’s getting cold.’

He took the warm bath towel from the radiator and I stood up and let him wrap it around me. I stepped out of the bath and into his arms.

We woke late on Boxing Day and lay in bed, cuddling and chatting, until hunger forced us to get up and seek sustenance. Des took my list from the fridge and studied it while we breakfasted.

‘You’re really getting there, aren’t you?’ he said. ‘I always said you would.’

‘I couldn’t have done it without you, you know. But there’s still a long way to go.’

‘We’ll find your next audition piece after breakfast, if you like. We need to look at the requirements again too.’ He sounded so businesslike that I laughed.

‘You’re the boss.’

‘Not the boss, Lyd.’ His tone was almost solemn. ‘I’m your facilitator.’

‘Come on then. We have our work cut out, Mr Facilitator.’

We browsed YouTube for ages without really having a clue what we wanted to find. We searched for all the female singers we could think of who had voices similar to mine, but none of the songs seemed quite right. The first audition had only needed me to prove I could carry a tune, but this time it would have to be a real performance if I was going to get through. I tried a couple of Alison Krauss numbers, but the ones I sang best weren’t going to be showstoppers.

‘This isn’t going to happen,’ I said. ‘Unless a miracle occurs, my shot at fame is about to evaporate.’

‘Fame! That’s it. I’ve been trying to think of it for ages. You remember the TV show from the eighties?’ Des was suddenly very animated as he typed into the search bar.

‘Every Thursday at nine o’clock? Yes, of course. It was compulsive viewing.’

‘Remember the episode where they said goodbye to Mr Crandall?’

‘The drama teacher? That was so sad. I cried when they all joined hands and sang to him.’

‘Exactly! And what did they sing, Lyd?’ He didn’t wait for an answer, but clicked ‘play’ and the screen sprang to life with the scene I remembered so well. Des was smiling.

‘
Starmaker
. Oh yeah! Fabulous song.’

‘OK, baby. Let’s see what you can do with it.’

I sang along with the track a few times and then we found an instrumental version that wasn’t actually a karaoke track, and after a while it began to sound almost acceptable.

‘That’s it, then. There’s your next audition. We have the next two weeks to perfect it, but right now we should call it a day and I should go home. You must be sick of the sight of me.’

‘Not quite.’ I kissed him. ‘I like having you here.’

‘I like having you anywhere,’ he said with a grin. ‘But I need to shower and change my clothes and phone my sister, stuff like that.’

I walked him to the door, and he hugged and kissed me. An icy blast of air greeted us as he went out. He turned to wave before getting into his car.