Always With Love (17 page)

‘Well, you’ll have no luck with that one,’ Billy tells her, gesturing towards me with a broad smile on his face. I’m relieved he is finally coming to my aid before I lose my mind and sign my life away.

‘So I see,’ Rhonda says, looking at me from the corner of her eye while talking to Billy. ‘Still, can’t be greedy. At least I have one of you.’

‘So, what’s the plan moving forward?’ asks Julie in her newly found meek voice, eager to get in on the conversation and, no doubt, hear that Rhonda has huge things lined up for Billy already.

‘We take one movie, one role and one project at a time,’
Rhonda shrugs, as though it’s an obvious way to manage things. ‘I know Billy’s last manager worked him to the bone, but we don’t want people getting bored of his face and feeling like they’re seeing too much of him. Sometimes less is more.’

‘Pick and choose your projects to maximize your potential,’ chimes in Richard, eagerly nodding along to what we’re hearing. ‘You’re more than a fad.’

‘Quite,’ says Rhonda, turning to Julie. ‘I know a lot of people are interested in working with Billy right now, but
not
working with them will make them hungrier for him in the long run.’

‘I see,’ Julie nods, sucking in her bottom lip at the statement that’s the total opposite of the one she used to try and persuade Billy back into the studio.

‘Although he’s definitely right to be working with Richard right now,’ she laughs, making Julie smile at Billy in an ‘I told you so’ fashion.

‘But moving forward, sustainability is what we’re after,’ Rhonda continues smoothly, her tone serious and business-like. ‘We’re working on a lifelong career, not putting Billy into a fleeting popularity contest that can have a million different variable outcomes.’

I look over at Billy and watch him listening to Rhonda’s every word. I can see why he decided to be looked after by her. She’s smart, direct and really seems to know what she’s talking about.

‘What about him living in London?’ Julie asks, looking up at Clive who, rather uncharacteristically, gives her a sterner expression than I’m used to seeing from her peace-keeping husband.

Rhonda screws her nose up as her shoulders bounce in response. ‘I appreciate that things might’ve been different when Billy first moved over here with
Halo
, but now location really doesn’t matter. Billy won’t be going to an endless number of auditions with the rest of the LA cattle. He’s at the point now where he gets to pick the roles. End of.’

‘That’s my boy,’ Clive says quietly, winking at Billy while clenching his fist with pride.

‘Quite,’ Rhonda smiles, turning to Billy. ‘As I said before, your base can be wherever you please. The most important thing is that you’re happy and inspired. No one is that when they’re forced to live in one place and their heart is off elsewhere. You’ll do your best work when you’re happy, Billy. I can make the rest of it fit around that.’

Billy turns to me and grins, clearly as pleased as I am with everything that’s being said.

For once I feel as though it’s really possible to have everything.

Now, wouldn’t that be nice.

Rhonda
and Richard don’t stay for much longer. As they both seem to be at the top of their professional games, I’m sure they have a million things to be getting on with aside from making small talk with us – even if we are linked to one of their hottest talents.

Once they’ve gone, Julie releases a lungful of air as she places her hand on her chest, visibly relieved that the encounter went well. Seconds later, Dee enters the room with several glasses of champagne, a sight that is welcomed with a coo of delight from Julie.

‘I’m so proud of you,’ she sings, going over to Billy and pinching his cheeks with one hand while simultaneously downing the contents of her glass in one.

‘What’s he done this time?’ asks Hayley as she and Jenny appear from downstairs in comfy clothing with rollers in their hair – clearly getting ready for another evening out.

‘Billy’s just signed with Rhonda Wilson,’ Julie squeals, holding out her empty champagne glass to Clive, who silently takes it from her, refills it and hands it back without flinching.

‘Now that calls for a celebration!’ exclaims Jenny, looking impressed.

‘Yes! In fact there’s a new club opening tonight in West Hollywood. Anyone who’s anyone is going to be there.
You two should totally come with us,’ invites Hayley, looking as though she’d love nothing more than to turn up at this exclusive event with her brother by her side.

My insides instantly knot at the thought of going anywhere like that. I know I’ve never been out on the Hollywood scene (I’ve barely ventured on to any ‘scene’), but all I can envisage in my head is dozens of paparazzi clicking away as we arrive and leave, standing uncomfortably in a loud, dark, cramped room, and having to watch while Billy gets cornered by millions of tipsy girls who look utterly perfect – like the twins. Not one part of that image fills me with the desire to go get my glad rags on.

‘I’ve got to film tomorrow …’ Billy says apologetically, something I’m rather thankful for.

‘That’s always your excuse,’ retorts Hayley, her face collapsing with annoyance as she rolls her eyes in Jenny’s direction.

‘That’s because the studio is working me hard,’ reasons Billy.

‘And once again that’s paying off!’ chimes in Julie, although I think the only people listening are Clive and I.

‘But we never get to see you,’ Jenny pouts.

‘I know, but … maybe another time,’ Billy suggests, uncomfortably shifting his body on the sofa.

‘Promise?’ challenges Hayley, giving a little jump of excitement.

‘Yeah,’ Billy laughs, shaking his head at them, happy he has lifted their moods and sidestepped a confrontation.

‘Yes!’ giggles Jenny, as though he’s offering them something far more special than he has.

His promise might fill them with excitement but it does
the opposite to me. In fact, even though it’s a very loose agreement, I can’t help but think of the Billy Buskin the press used to love writing about – the one with a love of clubs, alcohol and women. I know he’s here to work and that one night out doesn’t necessarily equal a never-ending party, but still, it unnerves me to think of him back in the environment that he used to love.

Not that I’d want him to feel he can’t do as he pleases here. I certainly don’t want to be the nagging girlfriend from across the pond, stopping him from having fun. After all, he’d be with his sisters and I’m sure they wouldn’t want him to get up to no good. Not that I think he would, anyway. He’s not an impressionable teenager any more. These days he’s a grown man with his own mind.

I guess this is just another case of us finding enjoyment in different things and I know there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as that enthusiasm doesn’t create a conflict of interest in terms of our long-term desires … and one night out on the town couldn’t do that. Not to us.

‘
Rhonda, huh?’ Lauren mutters, walking into Billy’s room a few hours later. Looking absolutely shattered from a long day at work, she throws herself on the end of the bed where we’ve been curled up chatting for the past half hour. ‘Mum just told me. I missed about ten calls from her today. Honestly thought someone might’ve died.’

‘Gladly not,’ Billy grins, reaching behind him and chucking his pillow at her.

‘Oof!’ she laughs, grabbing it and placing it under her head, snuggling down and making herself comfortable. ‘Seriously, though, well done.’

‘I didn’t realize management was such a big deal,’ I say, not meaning to voice the thought out loud.

‘They can make you or break you,’ says Lauren sleepily, closing her eyes.

‘So they say,’ smirks Billy.

‘I have some news,’ Lauren says, prizing one eyelid open to find us both staring at her.

‘Oh?’

A cheeky smile spreads its way across her face as she enjoys holding our attention as we wait for her to speak.

‘Tell us,’ I say, an unexpected bubble of suspense washing over me.

‘I’m going on a little trip with my editor Patricia,’ she teases.

‘Where to?’ I ask.

‘London!’ she grins, pushing herself up off the bed and performing a crazy little dance in the middle of the room – her hips wiggling from side to side as she waves her arms around wildly and shakes her head.

‘No way,’ Billy laughs. ‘How come?’

‘There’s some fashion event she’s going to and she needs a couple of lowly interns there to boss around,’ she says, happily out of breath and looking extremely pleased with the gloomy description she’s just given.

‘When?’ I ask.

‘In a few weeks.’

‘That soon?’

‘And I’m flying economy,’ she says to Billy with a panicked expression, although the little sparkle in her eye tells us the thought of it actually thrills her. ‘I don’t think I’ve done that since I was a kid.’

‘You’re such a brat.’

‘Totally!’ she laughs.

‘You’ll have to come see me. You could even stay,’ I offer, knowing Mum and Colin would love to meet her.

‘Ah, thank you. I would’ve loved to but they’re putting me and another intern up right next to the venue – just to ensure we’ll be available to wait on Patricia hand and foot. I’ll only be there for a few days, but nothing will stop me sneaking out to see you,’ she says, jumping back on the bed.

‘You’re such a rebel,’ Billy grins.

‘Don’t you know it!’ she laughs. ‘It’s going to be so much fun!’

‘I didn’t even think you liked London,’ Billy continues, raising a questioning eyebrow at her.

‘I love London,’ she gasps, acting shocked that he’d assume such a thing. ‘I mean, the weather I can take or leave, but …’ She stops and thinks for a second or two before continuing. ‘Actually, I’m just so happy to be getting away and doing something different.’

‘You’ll be an editor before you know it,’ Billy encourages.

‘All right, Mum,’ she mocks, shaking her head at his enthusiasm. ‘Let’s lower those expectations of yours …’

‘Let’s raise yours!’

She rolls her eyes at him before grabbing hold of my hand. ‘I was just going to turn up and surprise you, but I couldn’t contain it. Although it’s a shame it’s not for longer. It would’ve been lovely to have some proper time over there. Maybe next time.’

‘Even catching a glimpse of you would be better than nothing,’ I beam.

‘Aaaaah …’ she squeals as she dives on top of the covers and squashes my body underneath her own, making me howl with laughter.

The thought of having her in London causes a surge of giddiness to fly through me. I’m not sure whether it’s because of my fondness for her, or simply knowing that a little bit of Buskin will be close by even though Billy will still be stuck over here on set. Either way, I can’t wait to have her on English soil.

‘Peter said he might pop in today,’ says Rachel, once she’s delivered a chicken salad roll to June Hearne and is making her way back to the counter.

‘Oh, really?’ I ask merrily, flashing a smile I’ve not stopped wearing since I walked in this morning. It feels so good to be back.

It’s nice to hear Peter’s popping in too. I’m so grateful to him for helping out while I was away. He actually ended up doing both of the Saturdays so that Mum and Colin could drop me off at the airport on the first Saturday, meaning neither of them had to do the long drive back on their own. He might have only worked two days, but having him there meant I didn’t have to worry too much about anyone working a full six-day stretch, or Mum having to take time off from the library so that she could slog away at the shop. Plus, I’ve no doubt Mum will be wanting to save up her holiday, as she’s got a honeymoon to be thinking about.

Realizing I’ve not heard anything about them taking a romantic getaway yet, I make a mental note to ask her about it. Depending on when they go, Billy and I could always have the kids so that they can have a proper break. I think that actually sounds like fun for all of us.

‘He left his coat here,’ Rachel says. ‘Phoned yesterday
and said he has a lunch meeting in town today so will head back after that and get it before we shut.’

‘Must’ve been a cold commute without it!’

‘I’d say. Spring my arse!’ Rachel laughs, looking out of the shop window and shuddering at the sight of the cold weather that’s lingering and refusing to leave.

Laughing at her response, I pour us both a cup of hot tea.

It’s my first day back since landing from LA yesterday and I’m in dire need of the caffeine. Although I’m fine when I’m doing something, it’s when I stop that I get light-headed and tired. Which is funny, considering I had a week of doing half the amount I do here and managed to sleep the whole flight back.

‘I probably won’t be able to stick around past three today, though,’ Rachel adds, grimacing, as though she’s sorry for knocking off early even though she’s just worked a full week without me. ‘The boys made me promise I’d pick them up from school today.’

‘Of course. Don’t be daft. I asked enough of you last week,’ I say, shaking my head at her and feeling guilty for working her so hard it’s made her boys miss her.

‘Thank you,’ she smiles, looking relieved. ‘I’m sure Peter will be happy to lend a hand if things get busy. He was great.’

‘Well, he did say he has a bar back in Oz, so I guess he’s used to serving and everything that comes with it,’ I offer, realizing I’ve not specifically asked how things went with him, yet. Although I’m sure she would have mentioned if he’d been awful.

‘That’ll be it,’ she nods, with a smile as she waves
goodbye to one of her mummy friends, who’s heading out the door, dragging her uncooperative two year old along with her.

‘Were the ladies all gushy?’ I ask, taking another gulp of my drink and thinking about how they still act around Billy, even though they’ve known him for a couple of years now. I always find it funny that our dainty little shop causes any human with a higher testosterone level and a slightly deeper voice to stick out a mile and get fussed over.

‘Actually, no. It was sweeter than that. It was as though they just really wanted to talk to and confide in him. And he listened,’ she gushes, as though caught in the memory.

‘Is it only them he won over?’ I ask with a grin, finding her smitten reaction funny.

‘What?’ she asks, looking at me with a confused expression before the penny drops, the way she’s been talking about him dawning on her. Her cheeks might redden slightly, but she brushes it off, screwing her face up in the process. ‘Now, Sophie, I’m a happily married woman! That said, we all know how much us ladies love to be listened to, and to have something pretty to look at,’ she laughs.

‘I’m sure Colin had the same effect?’ I chuckle, raising a playful eyebrow at her.

‘You know what, your mum had better watch her back with him. He’s just delicious with a heart of gold,’ she coos, putting her hand to her chest as she turns on the hot tap and starts doing the washing up.

‘Couldn’t agree more,’ I nod, not giving too much thought to the idea of Colin running off with one of my
old dears. I know they say you never can tell, but I’m pretty certain he’s not the sort to do such a thing.

‘How is it that I was in LA sunning myself for a whole week, yet you’re still more tanned than me?’ I laugh when Peter walks in that afternoon. I’m in the middle of prepping for a big afternoon tea party the following day and making sure I have everything I need. My hair is sweatily stuck to my head beneath my headscarf and my matching turquoise apron is covered with flour … it feels so good to be back in my comfort zone!

‘It’s deeply ingrained,’ Peter laughs in response, his hand rubbing along the afternoon shadow on his face before he rests his elbows on the counter and leans over to see what I’m doing. ‘You’ve got a lovely golden glow, though. I’ve got that rugged, rough Aussie thing going on. If we’re honest it looks a bit like I need someone to give me a good scrub.’

‘No, you don’t. You look great,’ I say, feeling slightly mortified as the words leave my mouth. Clearly he does look fab, he’s a handsome man. I just didn’t mean it in the dreamy way it came out.

‘Ta,’ he says, shrugging it off – much to my relief. He straightens up and scratches the back of his neck, just underneath the collar of his white shirt. ‘So how was it?’

‘Good!’ I nod, getting out a mug and filling it with tea for him before gliding it across the wooden worktop.

‘Yeah?’ he asks, winking in thanks as he picks up the tea and takes a gulp. He clearly has a mouth made of steel when it comes to boiling water. I prefer to let my drinks
sit for a bit to avoid burning the roof of my mouth and ruining my ability to taste for the rest of the week.

‘Well, the weather wasn’t quite as hot as it was at Christmas, but I still managed to spend the majority of the week working on my non-existent tan and reading,’ I laugh, giving an accurate account of the majority of my time over there. Even though I managed to explore a lot more than I had when I was previously there – it was great being able to do the touristy bits like the Hollywood Walk of Fame without worrying about Billy being recognized and badgered – basking in the sun’s warmth was still a novelty compared to how chilly it is in Blighty right now.

‘You probably needed the break. It’s exhausting working here,’ Peter says, before turning around and walking over to a table that’s only a few feet away. He pulls out a wooden chair and slumps down on to it, as though the very thought of what I put him through over those two days here as our ‘Saturday girl’ is shattering enough.

‘Oh gosh, was it tough?’ I fret, hoping he didn’t completely hate it, especially as it seems everyone else loved seeing him.

After Rachel’s glowing report, every regular who came in mentioned how wonderful it was to have Peter here, many asking whether it’s going to become a regular occurrence. Honestly, the way they react around and talk about Peter and Billy makes me wonder whether they’d still come in here if it wasn’t for the occasional promise of rather attractive male company. Although I’m sure the temptation of cake and a hot drink helps lure them in too.

‘Well, I thought dealing with drunks was bad,’ says
Peter, widening his eyes and giving a little shake of the head, his mouth twitching into the tiniest of smiles. ‘But your customers are something else. Boy can they natter.’

I laugh loudly at his observation and the difference between how he felt compared to everyone else. There he was making customers feel special, but in truth he was probably just too polite to end conversations and walk away. I know they love to talk, and I expect that can be quite jarring if you’re not used to it.

‘You should’ve just said you had work to do and kept things short. That’s what I have to do when we’re busy,’ I admit, although I always feel rotten when I do it. I love fussing over them all, just like Molly used to do. It’s what makes this place special and different from the chain cafés on every high street around the globe. Not only do we have heart, but we take the time to value our customers when we can. What we do here is about far more than money.

‘Nah, I actually enjoyed it to be honest,’ Peter shrugs, shifting in his seat. ‘It was great hearing their stories. Plus, especially with the older ladies who live alone, that might have been their only bit of interaction for the day, so I’m definitely not complaining. I’d rather they chewed my ear off than felt an ounce of loneliness that day.’

‘So you’ve not quit yet, then?’ I ask, quite taken aback by his sentimentally thoughtful response and pleased that he understands what Molly founded here all those years ago.

‘Nope, still here as the emergency cover as and when you need me,’ he says, knocking the table with his knuckles.

‘That’s good to hear,’ I smile, taking some glass bowls out of the cupboard and laying them out on the kitchen
side, in piles according to when I’m going to need them, along with all the dry ingredients. I’m quite used to chatting while getting my chores done now. If anything, I think the distraction can actually make a conversation flow more easily for me. It always gives me something else to focus on and moves my attention away from the interaction I’m having.

‘Did you know I used to know your mum and Colin?’ Peter asks after taking another slurp of his tea.

‘Oh really?’ I reply in surprise, proving that I didn’t. Funnily enough, in the handful of times that I’ve met him they haven’t been about. Plus, this is a village where everyone knows everyone, so if anything it’s more strange that me and Peter never met when we were younger. He is a little bit older, so I guess that by the time I was playing in the park or out on the street (believe it or not there was a time in my childhood where I was sociable), he’d probably have moved on to pubs and clubs.

‘Well, me knowing your mum isn’t a big shock. Every local child of school age in the last twenty years or so must know her from the library because we used to go in there every Tuesday for a monitored study class.’

‘Don’t tell me, she was always telling you to keep the noise down? Librarians are renowned for that,’ I half joke. My mum is meticulous about keeping things clean and tidy, but also about adhering to rules – like only whispering when surrounded by wonderful books and others trying to enjoy them. I’ve no doubt my timid mum can be quite stern when faced with a library full of teenagers.

‘Ha! No, not at all. She was great actually. I was useless at finding the books I needed but she always helped out.’

‘Well, that’s sweet,’ I reply. It’s great to think of all the kids Mum has encouraged with books and reading over the years. She’s certainly the reason I’m an avid bookworm.

‘And I knew Colin and Pauline. You know, his first wife.’

‘Seriously? Your mum never said,’ I say, before realizing I actually found out about Colin and Mum after I’d left for London, so he never really came up in conversation between the pair of us before she passed away. The thought makes me sad. She’d love to know Mum was now happy and has found companionship with someone as great as Colin.

‘I used to wash their car,’ Peter laughs at the memory, while loosening his navy tie and undoing the top button of his shirt, slowly unwinding and coming out of office mode. ‘I should clarify that it was when I was around thirteen, but they used to give me a couple of quid for it.’

‘Not bad going.’

‘It all started one summer when me and a mate wanted to earn a few bob. He came up with the idea and was happy to do it for a day, but gave up after that – not everyone gave us hot water to work with,’ he says, shaking his head at the lunacy. ‘I think I kept doing it for over a year, though,’ he adds, almost to himself, as he tries to recall the details correctly.

‘You’re a hard worker, then,’ I say, leaning on the counter and resting my chin on my hand, finding myself drawn in by him.

‘Knowing my mum, are you really that surprised?’ he laughs. ‘Plus, doing it on my own meant I didn’t have to split the earnings. I was rolling in it.’

‘Lucky you.’

‘Exactly, I could buy all the football stickers I liked and I even managed to save up for a Game Boy,’ he grins. ‘Anyway, Colin and Pauline had only just started living together back then. They didn’t have kids or anything, obviously. Still, it took me ages to remember where I knew him from when I saw him at the weekend. It only clicked when I left.’

‘I’m not surprised. You’re talking decades!’ I laugh, picking myself up off the counter and looking around to see what else needs doing.

‘Yeah, I might’ve changed a bit since then. I don’t think he recognized me. I’m no longer that little lanky boy with braces and a dodgy haircut,’ he shrugs, making me wonder what he’d have been like as a boy. ‘Make sure you send him and your mum my love.’

‘I will.’

‘They’re awesome folks,’ he nods, thoughtfully. ‘Obviously I don’t know them together yet, but from what I know of each of them separately, they’re a perfect match.’

‘They are,’ I say, beaming with pride.

We’re interrupted by Georgia and her friend Danielle (two fourteen-year-olds who have recently started coming in late on a Monday afternoon after hockey training) as they wave goodbye and walk out of the shop with their heaving PE kits slung over their shoulders. I love seeing fresh faces popping into the shop. I know I’m a novice at running a business, but even I know it’s important to attract new trade in a bid to keep interest up and remain current – that’s a huge reason why we opened our social media accounts too. I was hesitant at first (hardly
surprising, I’d definitely describe myself as a shy and private person away from this shop) but some of the other local teenagers talked me into it. I think it’s really made a difference, even if it does mean my inbox occasionally gets spammed by Billy’s fans. Thankfully, though, that is simmering down thanks to him being many miles away.

It’s so funny having people coming into the shop asking for a slice of the cake I’d posted a picture of on Instagram earlier that day, but it seems to get people’s taste buds fired up. It’s like the TV advert that makes you want to indulgently lie on the sofa while munching on chocolate, or gulp down a sugary drink while gawping at the male office window cleaner – it all helps to trigger a thirst or hunger that you need to quench. It’s amazing that little businesses like mine can now be a part of that advertising space for free!