Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (10 page)

Chapter 14

Back at the house Charlotte was glad of the furry company Jester provided. She took him for a long walk in the park and explained that it would just be the two of them for the next three weeks. He licked her hand and wagged his tail in understanding. Then back home she entered the studio and gave it a proper clean in preparation. Upstairs she pulled on her practice clothes and picked up her iPod. This was the start of her dancing career, she just needed to believe.

Jester followed her into the studio and she let him stay, carrying his bed through so he could reside in the corner. Then she warmed up before starting the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. Sitting crossed leg she listened to each track. Then she realised that to best remember Mitchell she needed to adapt Hungry Eyes. Putting the song on loop Charlotte started off with their original choreography but where there were lifts she improvised with more steps and leaps. By the fourth run through she felt reasonably happy and utterly exhausted.

In the kitchen she discovered a note left on the table.

“Dinner is at five, just come down, we didn't want to disturb your dancing. P&P”

Charlie smiled and looked at the clock and then raced upstairs. She had fifteen minutes to shower and change but she did it and with Jester at her heel she walked down the garden to the delicious smells emanating from Pam's kitchen.

“Good practice” Pam asked, as Charlie entered, her hair still wet from the shower.

“Yes, thanks” Charlie said, taking the chair by the fire.

The evening passed quickly and Charlie was sorry to leave their companionship for the empty house. When she snuggled under her duvet Jester curled up on the end she realised her phone was flashing. It was a message from a number. She opened it and smiled

“Thanks for last night, why don't you come to the club tomorro
w
night
,
you're on the guest list! Z x”

She closed the phone and lay back on her pillows and debated her options. If she went would he be expecting her to put out again? If she didn't go would he lose interest?

At college the next day she got her answer from Shelley.

“So do you want to come to the club tonight, see my new routine?”

“I don't know”

“Please, I'd love your opinion on my choreography”

“Maybe, I've got my own practising to do”

“Oh what for”

“Main part in Dirty Dancing the musical” Charlie replied, smugly “I got a personal invitation from Arlene Phillips”

“Well, if you finish practise and you fancy a night out come along. I'm sure Zach will be happy to see you”

After tea, dog walk and two hours of dancing Charlie was ready to collapse. She showered and pulled on her pyjamas to settle down for a re-watch of Dirty Dancing. Her phone beeped and it was Shelley.

“Are you coming?”

“Sorry I'm too tired, I'll see you tomorrow”
Charlie typed back. A few minutes later another text appeared.

“I'll be over to pick you up in half an hour, don't keep me waiting! Z”

Fuck, now what should she do? She remained on the sofa and waited.

Sure enough at exactly eight thirty the doorbell rang. She opened it to find Zach standing there.

“Did you not get my text?”

“Maybe I did” she pouted, placing her hands on her hips.

“Well, why aren't you ready?”

“Why should I be, you didn't want me on Saturday night s
o
what'
s
the difference?”

“N
o
difference
,
just thought you might like a night out since you're home alone”

Charlotte shrugged and remained defiant.

“You have twenty minutes to get ready before I have to drive back” Zach said, equally stubborn.

The impasse held for a further five minutes before Charlotte gave in.

“Ok, I'll go and get dressed” she moaned, stomping up the stairs. Zach grinned and wandered through to the lounge.

“Wear something sexy” he shouted, before crashing on the couch and watching the remainder of the film. In her room Charlie rifled through her dresses, wondering which one to choose. In the end she picked her red flared mini dress teamed with her black patent leather pumps and black belt that cinched her waist. She didn't have much time for her hair so a high ponytail was the best she could do.

With a slick of scarlet on her lips and a line of black kohl on her eyes she was ready in time to hear Zach shout.

“If you're not ready now I'm coming to help”

She stood at the top of the stairs and paused for effect before sauntering down to meet him at the bottom. He gave her a long look.

“You'll do” his disappointing comment. In the driveway was his midnight blue Ferrari as he opened the door for her and she lowered herself in. The drive was fast which meant there was no time for conversation.

Getting out at the other end he ushered her in through the back door of the club and she followed him through a maze of corridors before they alighted at the side of the main bar.

“Shelley's in the changing room if you want to see her before her performance?”

“I'm good thanks, I'll catch her afterwards”

“So I have to work but Cal behind the bar will look after you”

Charlie snorted “I can look after myself thank you” as she stalked off to find a stool by the dance floor. She was annoyed as she'd forgotten her purse so she couldn't even buy a drink.

Two minutes later Cal appeared with a tall glass in his hand.

“Zach asked me to bring this over for you. Let me know what you thin
k
it’
s
my first attempt at a cocktail”

“Thanks” Charlie said, taking a sip. Through the evening various dancers performed, among them Claire again who Charlie thought was undeniably the best. Shelley's performance was average but the guys in the audience all loved her including her biggest fan Kyle. Zach passed by as he supervised the smooth running of the evening, the only time he stopped was when Charlie started a conversation with one of Kyle's friends. The poor guy didn't stick around when he noticed Zach's hand resting on her shoulder.

As the crowds dispersed Shelley appeared with Kyle in tow.

“So you made it then”

“Zach came and picked me up” Charlie remarked “and he doesn't take no for an answer”

“What did you think?”

“It was good, I think I might be able to help you out with the next one in March as depending on the date I may be able to start performing again”

With the comment barely off her lips Zach emerged from the shadows and sauntered over.

“Well if you birthday is before the 17th March then I am more than happy to have you back on board”

“It is” Charlie replied, the smile large on her lips.

Zach had seen the change for the better in Charlotte, colour in her cheeks and that cute smile back on her lips.

“I have a song I really want to dance too, but I'll tell you later” she flirted.

“Do you want a lift home?” Shelley asked.

“It’
s
o
k
Shell, Zach lives just across the park from me so easier for him to take me”

When they hugged her goodbye Shelley stopped to whisper in her ear.

“Just be careful, he's dangerous”

“It’
s
o
k
Shell, I'm off all relationships at the moment, and there is no room for men alongside my ambitions”

However as her lips aimed for Shelley's cheek she turned and that same weak spark lit up her desire.

“Does that include women” she remarked, before leaving.

With the club empty Charlotte stayed by the bar, watching Cal tidy up and waiting for Zach.

“The drinks were good, thanks” she complimented.

“Glad you liked them” he replied quickly. Turning back to his work as footsteps heralded Zach's arrival beside her.

“Come on then, best get you home if you have college tomorrow”

Inside his car Charlotte turned to watch his profile as he fired up the engine and revved it hard as he exited the car park. She could feel the power like a buzz inside her as he made short work of the journey. Opening the door for her she paused.

“Do you want to come in for coffee?”

“I'd better get back, thank you for your company tonight and give me a call about your idea. I'm intrigued”

Then with a quick peck on her cheek he was back in the car and reversing out of the drive. Charlie watched the tail lights, feeling oddly disappointed with the whole evening. Inside she found her phone and it was flashing. She opened her text.

“Hi Charlie, just to let you know we have arrived in NZ. Take care and speak soon. Love Mum”

“Hi Mum, all good here thanks, enjoy your honeymoon and ring me after the audition on Saturday, Lov
e
Cx”

She let Jester out and poured a glass of water before she took the stairs to bed.

Pulling off the dress she grabbed her favourite t-shirt of Mitchell's which engulfed her before she snuggled under the duvet cover. With Jester taking up position by her feet she was about to flick the light switch off when he phone beeped again.

“Are you missing me Charlotte? Doe
s
you
r
tongue yearn to tango with mine again? Did you want me in your bed tonight? Z”

“Thank you for a lovely evening, my only yearning
s
ar
e
to dance and succeed for Mitchell's memory. Goodnight”

Flicking her phone to silent she turned over and found tears seeping down her cheek, soaking the pillow that once belonged to him. All thoughts of sexual satisfaction buried beneath the glowing embers of her ambition.

Chapter 15

When the plane touched down in Christchurch I squeezed James' hand even tighter.

“I still can't believe we're here” I said, feeling his lips touch mine.

“I can, this is not just the holiday of a lifetim
e
it’
s
our time” he murmured. We had nearly three weeks to meander wherever the mood took us before spending the last few days with my parents in Auckland and a beach blessing. But our first two nights was at a beautiful hotel on the edge of the city.

It was dusk when we left the airport and the warmth touched our skin. The hotel had sent a taxi for us and we settled back in the seat and watched the scenery flit by. It felt just like an English summer evening. Pulling up at the entrance to 'The Chateau on the Park' we were shown in and to our magnificent room. I felt tired after the long flight but the sight of the park and then the city beyond revived me. I felt James' arms coil around my waist as his head rested on my shoulder.

“I'm looking forward to exploring tomorrow” he said “but tonight I only have one thing I want to do”

He took my hand and we moved towards the bathroom, shedding clothes with each step. Then as the water of the shower fell onto our skin we indulged in each other's caress. It seemed like the more we made love, the closer we became and like a never ending circle the more we craved each other's touch. In the bar James ordered cocktails and we took them through to the restaurant for our meal. Then feeling full and jet-lagged we returned to our cosy cocoon. Wrapped in his arms I let out a contented sigh.

“I love you”

“Till the end of time”

With bright sunshine streaming through the blinds I woke, fresh, rested and eager to explore. After breakfast we walked through the park and into the city. The centre was framed by the cathedral as I admired the architecture of it.

“Drink
”
James asked. I nodded and we found a table outside an exclusive looking wine bar. With a chilled glass of chardonnay and tapas I watched the people wander by, but my eyes strayed back to the man sat opposite me. James would catch my glance and return my gaze, his eyes tried to hide their pain but the shadow of loss lingered still. I reached for his hand, stroking it softly, trying to ease the despair.

Wandering back to the hotel I relaxed by the outside pool and watched as James ploughed up and down until he paused. I slipped into the water next to him and grinned.

“I have a surprise for you, but you need to go under the water and shut your eyes”

Holding my hands we both sank beneath the surface, our lips instinctively joined us. After showering and changing we walked back into Christchurch and dinner. Later we stretched out on the bed and I spread out the map.

“So where shall we go first, once we've picked up our camper van?”

Our route would take us down through the mountains to Dunedin, then returning up the coast line to take in our dolphin swim followed by a couple of days enjoying the rich wine growing district of Marlborough. Then we crossed to the North Island and stays in the Capital city Wellington, New Plymouth to see their fantastic library just so I could take pictures for Sarah
.
Then we stoppedoff at Lak
e
Taup
o
and the hot springs of the volcanic centre before reaching Auckland.

“It’
s
going to be fantastic” James said “Especially as I have found some campsites where we can get naked again”

Leaning across the map I placed my lips to his.

“Perfect” I breathed.

I swept the map onto the floor as he drew me closer. Our mouths opened to allow the languid exploration of our tongues. My temperature soared as his fingertips caressed my cheek, neck and then tangled in my hair, holding me closer as our touch strengthened. Every fibre within me sung in response to his, like a symphony of the senses.

“I'm struggling to get over Mitchell” he said.

“We all are, but we have to let go”

“But I bought him the bike, if I hadn't he would still be here”

“If you're thinking that imagine how Charlotte is coping as I'm sure she is thinking the same thing about the two of them splitting up” I soothed.

He sobbed in my arms, it was the first time he had really broken down
.
All the time he had been out there looking, being strong for the rest of the family but now the finality of the situation had hit him full on and reduced him to a broken wreck.

“I'm going to kill her” he hiccupped as his tears slowed.

“But it may just have been an unlucky accident” I could hardly believe that I was defending the bitch but we just didn't know.

“Perhaps this computer file will have some answers”

“Perhaps” I said, my lips kissed his forehead and wet cheeks on a pathway to his lips. Then turning onto my side he spooned up behind me and I relaxed into his solid chest.

The arms that pinned me were not James' when I battled the ghost of Felicity in my dreams that night. This time she was holding me back so that I could watch Mitchell's bike swerve and hit the bridge before both bike and rider toppled into the icy waters below. Shaking violently I opened my eyes and took a few moments to realise that it was James arms wrapped tightly around me. He stirred and loosened his grip but didn't wake. As the dream faded my breathing slowed and this time when I fell asleep there were no nightmares.

The next morning we set off on our adventure in a camper van. James drove and I did a proficient job of the map reading as we drove out of the city into open countryside. With the windows open I rummaged in my bag and found th
e
c
d
I had spent hours burning tracks onto. I pushed it into the stereo system and waited for the first song. It was filled with the original track list that James had put on tape for me years ago. I had found it in a box in the attic and although the tape had worn out the track listing was still printed on the case. With the pop beat of “Wake me up before you go-go” echoing through the cab I looked across at James. He patted his knee and I placed my hand there.

We arrived at our first campsite and were overwhelmed at the friendly reception from the owners. The evening was spent making friends around a roaring camp fire as the beer flowed and I leant back against my new husband. The next few days passed in much the same way, driving the quiet open roads, stopping where we liked for food or shopping. Hooking up at campsites that were friendly and welcoming, eating, sleeping, drinking and where there was a pool or the sea, swimming. By the time we reached our dolphin session we had covered miles of the South Island. We had seen the scenery that transported us to the Lord of the Rings films, gone white water rafting in Queenstown, watched mad people bungee jump and seen baby penguins in Dunedin.

Whale watching had been a highlight, the large plums of water before the dive and the splash of the tail hitting the sea. At eight in the morning we were given our wetsuits and waited to board the small boat that would take us into the bay and hopefully a swim with a pod of wild Hectors Dolphins. Holding James' hand I couldn't stop grinning with pure happiness. This had been a dream of mine since I was a child and now I was going to do it. The guide was informative and once she had determined there were no babies in the group she let us slip over the side and into the water.

With just a snorkel and mask I floated on the surface watching these magical creatures dart to and fro
.
They were swimming around our legs and for that one special moment leaping out of the water in joy
.
The hours passed in seconds as I longed to stay there for the rest of the day. Later on the beach we watched their fins in the distance as we soaked up the sun.

“This day has been perfect” I breathed.

“Yes, even more so as I got to share it with you”

His lips brushed the lightest touch onto my sun-kissed shoulder. His body glistened with sweat and sun-tan lotion and it took me back to another time and place. Standing up I pulled James with me and then finding a stick we wandered to the edge of the shoreline, where the sand was firm and flat.

I drew a heart in the sand and inside it put our initials JC 4 SC. James took the stick from my grasp and drew more hearts. Inside the one he wrote Darren and Sophie, then he hesitated and I placed my hand on his.

“Do it” I whispered “Without them we would not be here”

His hand shook as he wrote Mitchell and Charlotte. Standing back we admired our art work. James went back to our bag and found his phone, the camera snapping a picture for us to keep. The sun was sinking into the sea at the horizon and hues of pink and deep orange coloured our hearts in the sand.

Turning the camera on ourselves James pulled me close

“Smile” he said. I had no difficulty doing that as his fingers were stroking circles on the curve of my waistline. I grabbed the phone from his grasp and returned it to our bag before I ran back down and into the waves. The cold tingled on my toes as I stepped through the first ripples. James was not far behind me and before I could wade in any deeper he lifted me into his arms and carried me through the breakers. With salty water tainting our lips, our kisses tasted even sweeter.

Wriggling free of his arms I stretched my limbs and crawled along the sunlit waves towards the dipping sun. James caught me and swam alongside stopping when I did.

We bobbed on the waves together, watching the last rays of sun touch us before it sank. I wrapped my arms over his shoulders and touched my lips to his once more. Then feeling the depths beneath us cooling we swam to shore and rushed for the comfort of our towels. Back at our camper van we ate a simple supper of bread and cheese, washed down with red wine. We didn't need to talk, our silence and closeness was all we required. Leaving the curtains on the van open the moonlight shone in as we held each other.

After a couple of days visiting vineyards and wine tasting our van was stocked with bottles for our trip up the north island. On the ferry crossing we said good-bye to the South and then welcomed the bustle of the capital city Wellington. We only lingered there a day before winding along the roads to New Plymouth and yet another friendly campsite. I sent pictures on m
y
Faceboo
k
page to Sarah of the wonderful library there before we moved to the volcanic heart of the country and a truly magical campsite nestled in th
e
forest. Driving down the deserted track James turned to me

“Are you sure this is right?”

“This is what the instructions say” I replied, calmly looking for the small wooden signpost with the name 'Rivendell' inscribed.

I almost missed it but the sun burst through the thick tree canopy and there it was just ahead. Arriving at the gate we waited to be shown to our plot, in awe of the magical scenery. A couple appeared as we stopped the van.

“Hi guys, I'm Adam and this is my wife Ellie. Welcome to our little piece of paradise”

I warmed to them immediately as they showed us to our pitch before we undressed and joined them. The air was slightly cooler beneath the boughs but it was a welcome relief on our sun burnt skin.

“We'll show you around the site and then just relax and make yourselves at home” Ellie said.

We followed the pair of them down a path that opened up onto the shoreline of a lake.

“The hot tub is fed from the thermal stream so you may need to top it up with some cooler water from the lake”

Then we wandered up another pathway, barely visible through the giant ferns.

“We partly damned the stream to make a pool here
,
it’
s
warm and a great place to relax with a beer”

The shower facilities were clean and modern but more importantly spectacular as they were open on the one side. A panoramic view of trees and the lake made a perfect window to admire and I wondered if anyone ever wanted to leave.

After supper we grabbed towels and bottles of beer and wandered along the path, lit by fairy lights strewn into the trees. The stream was empty and I slipped into the water, warm like a bath. James followed me in and we leant back upon the moss covered stones that lined the edge.

“I hope Charlotte is ok?” I said “it’
s
so easy to forget real life is continuing without us”

“If she needed you she would call or text”

In a swift movement he pulled me onto his lap as his hands wrapped around my waist and our lips touched.