Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (35 page)

“Oh my god, is it really you?” He lopped over and the two guys clasped each other tightly. Then Simon saw Charlotte and his beaming smile increased as he joked.

“That's quick work!” he gave Charlie a light hug and looked down at her belly “Does Julia know yet?”

“Not yet, they only let me out of hospital last week” she said “Told me to eat more and rest”

He beckoned them through the show room and Charlie spotted the sad look on Mitchell's face as they passed a bike just like his old one. Simon made coffee and the three of them sat down.

“So have you got any shifts you need covering?” Mitch asked, straight to the point.

“Yes, of course you can start back on Monday, do Wednesday morning, Friday afternoon and then every other Saturday”

“He can't do this Saturday coming as we have plans” Charlie butted in. Both guys looked at her and Mitch took a swallow, guessing it meant Zach's plan.

“Yes, all the other dates are fine, thanks for this”

“Anything to help a mate out, how was that file I got unlocked for you?”

“Good, the police have it but I'm not sure how the investigation is going” he turned away, taking a gulp of the coffee.

Charlotte shrugged as Simon looked at her, trying to tell him without words to lay off the subject of Felicity. She finished her coffee and stood up.

“Shall we get going I'm feeling tired” she said, taking Mitch's hand. He nodded and Simon followed them out.

“I like the new wheels” he ran his hand over the bonnet.

“Picked it up today, its ok, miss my bike though”

Charlotte shuddered, recalling the broken helmet that was hidden in the attic, along with her own and their leathers. Maybe one day she would be back behind him, holding on tightly as the countryside sped by.

“Don't tell Julia, I'll give her a call this evening”

Walking back through the door Charlie sat in the kitchen and helped her Mum with the rolls and salad, happy to hear that her Aunt and Uncle were on their way over. Mitchell had taken Jester for a walk.

“Everything ok” I asked.

“Yeah, suppose” my normally sunny daughter seemed downhearted. I sat down next to her.

“What's up?”

“It's the babies and what will happen when they're born. I want to go back to dancing and performing but I can't just dump them on you and James and then what if Mitchell gets offered something without me and...”

“Look, we'll cross those bridges when they appear” I hugged her shoulders as she wrapped her arms around my waist “you'll have us all to help and probably Sarah and Chris when they move up here”

“What?”

“Yes, they got the unit they put in for and are going house hunting on Monday”

“So that's why they're coming over?”

“Yes and to catch up with us all” I looked at my watch and jumped up. “They'll be here soon I'd better get the cocktail made up.

Charlotte wandered into the garden and sat down on one of the deckchairs. Mitchell appeared and let Jester bound over to greet her before starting his hopeful vigil next to the BBQ. The colour was back in his cheeks as he got them all drinks, shouted Pam and Peter and started to ferry all the burgers to James waited to get everything cooking.

When Sarah and Chris arrived I ushered them into the garden. I watched with amusement as Chris guided Sarah to a chair and made such a fuss about whether she was comfortable.

“Hey, Chris are you trying to make me look bad” James joked, watching this over protective display of affection.

“She's the only wife I have so gotta make sure she's happy” he retorted, trying to hide the news he so wanted to tell them.

I grinned at Sarah as I carried the jug and glasses out.

“Here, have a drink it’s a mocktail so no alcohol” I said “So Charlie doesn't feel left out” I winked at her and we both laughed.

“Thanks Mum, you didn't have to I'd have been fine with juice or water”

Tucking into the burgers and hot dogs we listened to all the plans. Chris had three months before he retired from the army and by then they hoped to have the building work well underway.

“So Mitchell, I could do with your help on the dance studio plans as James told me you did your own in the garage”

“I'll show you later but I know a good company for the mirrors and barre”

“Great, because in six months I want to be ready, open and I'll need an instructor for the dance classes. I'm going to run the gym and do induction and specialist training so perhaps you'd like to come on board Mitchell?”

Charlie smiled as her Uncle and Mitch shook hands, the deal done. Sarah beamed and I watched her glance at Charlie's large bump before sneaking a look at her slightly expanded waistline. I knew it was only me that had noticed.

“So does anyone want strawberries and ice-cream?”

Chapter 47

Sunday was a relaxed day, although I was pleased to see Mitchell and James getting wrapped up and excited about the plans for the Gym and Dance Studios with Chris. Charlotte lay on the sofa and listened, part relaxed but I saw a raw tension in her eyes. I knew she was frightened of being a Mum but there was something else. I just couldn't put my finger on it. Sarah and I pulled up the property websites and started to browse. We had a shortlist of five for Monday, one of which was only round the corner.

“Shall we take Jester for a short walk and check it out?” I suggested.

“We'll have to sneak out though as Chris thinks I should be lying around all day. He's driving me mad”

I showed Jester the lead and we both snuck out of the door. We walked along the pavement fast until we reached the corner and burst into laughter.

“I feel like a naughty school girl” Sarah gasped, holding her side.

“Do you think we'll get into trouble”

“Yep, but I'm sure we can get out of it”

We wandered along the road and saw the For Sale placard in the garden.

“It looks nice from the outside” Sarah murmured, as we stood on the opposite side of the road.

“Yes and think how good it will be to just pop in for a cuppa and a chat”

“Back to old times”

We linked arms and crossed the road before turning and taking a short stroll back and through part of the park.

“How are you feeling” I asked.

“Pretty good, a bit tired and hungry”

“Well, you're hopefully eating for two”

“Fingers crossed, soon I'll be as fat as Charlotte”

“Then you'll be lapping up all the attention from Chris”

Slowly opening the front door we snuck in and crept back to the kitchen table. Sitting down we tried to act casual when James and Chris walked in.

“Where have you been?” Chris asked.

“Yes, girls we need to know otherwise they'll be punishment in order” James joined in, trying to keep a straight face. I looked at him and smothered my giggles with my hand.

“Just out” Sarah squeaked before she grabbed a tissue to dab her eyes. We were both overcome with laughter and each time I looked at the guys they were trying to stop from joining in.

Charlotte and Mitchell came to the doorway and peered in at the laughing adults.

“Have you all been drinking” Charlotte asked.

“Nope, just coffee” I stuttered.

“Mitch thought we could take Jester for a short walk, maybe just across to the park”

Her comment just set us all off again but Jester padded to the door, registering the 'w' word and Mitchell picked his lead up off the windowsill in the hall.

“Come on, before your Mum says no” Mitch said, grabbing her hand.

Letting Jester run loose Mitchell steered her to the bench and they sat down.

“So you'd better fill me in on the plans for next weekend. I'm not happy about it but equally I want to make sure that she's put away for what she did to me and maybe what she did to your Dad”

“I think that now we have the car we can travel down to London and meet Zach and Sasha at his flat, probably have to stay overnight”

“I'll book a hotel, I don't think I can stay there, you know with you and him...”

“Mitchell, can we try and forget all that, we were never in love. I guess we both just needed each other at that point. Without Zach you'd still be in America”

She stood up and started to march back towards the gate of the park, angry that Mitchell had to keep bringing the past up.

Charlotte didn't get far before a sharp pain wrenched through her and she staggered and turned back to Mitchell. Her face turned white as she dropped to the floor.

“Mitch” she gasped “Quick”

He shouted Jester and ran to scoop her up.

“Shall I call the ambulance”

“Just get me home” she said, the pain starting to subside.

He carried her across the street and somehow pushed open the door.

“Dad, Steph” he shouted as he took Charlie through to the lounge and placed her on the sofa.

“Honey, is everything ok?” I said, Sarah right behind me looking pale and as if she might throw up.

Charlie nodded and tried a small smile that looked more like a grimace.

“Just a sharp pain again” she rubbed the bump and then felt the kicks and knew the babies were ok “Guess I over did the walk”

“Do you want to go up to bed, it will be more comfortable there” Mitch suggested. She nodded and tried to stand up but he shook his head.

“I'm taking no chances” he lifted her into his arms and made the stairs look easy. Sarah followed and walked straight into the downstairs loo, Chris heard her heaving and slipped through the door.

I looked at James who stared past me.

“So do I need to know something here?”

I walked into his arms and whispered in his ear.

“Sarah's pregnant too, about 3 months but it’s around this time in the past that she has lost her previous. I guess seeing Charlie must have dredged up a few unwelcome memories”

Pressing me tighter he brushed a kiss onto my hair before I looked up and our lips met. It was a kiss that soothed our worries about both Charlie and Sarah.

“I'll go and put the kettle on” I said. Chris came out of the cloakroom and looked at me and then James.

“I guess I'd better tell you the news, Sarah's pregnant” he said. His smile lit up his face as James shook his hand and I walked over and gave him a hug.

“Tea” I asked.

“Yes, I'll be out in a minute” Sarah replied. Apart from still looking pale she took Chris' hand and the option of the sofa.

With mugs in hand I took the stairs up to Mitchell and Charlotte's room.

“Can I come in, I've bought you a cuppa”

I opened the door and found both of them in bed together, Charlie asleep on Mitchell's chest. Mitch smiled and I placed them on the bedside table.

“I'll come down in a bit, when she wakes up”

“No rush” I whispered “Just look after her”

He nodded and I withdrew, feeling calmer. A quick visit to the Doctors might be in order so I rang up and booked her an appointment for Tuesday afternoon so I could go with her.

Zach and Sasha had spent a relaxed morning together, taken lunch out at the local pub but now it was time for the drive home. Zach had never been in a long distance relationship, in fact he was out of practice full stop since they split up. While the car ate up the miles they talked.

“So I'll see you next weekend, I'll be down Saturday morning and you can stay at the flat after our night out”

“Sounds like a plan, it will be good for us to take it steady for the first couple of months”

“Yes, but I don't want it to be like this forever, I want you to live with me. We can buy a place together”

“Steady Zach, I love your enthusiasm but step at a time. Sam will need to get used to you and then we'll have to tell him that you're his Dad”

Zach sighed; he didn't want to waste time. Sasha was his chance to become the man he always used to be before that night. Yes a business man but also a family man and in time a husband and maybe a father again? The world was filled with so many possibilities since Charlotte had opened his eyes and heart again. He had so much to thank her for, more that perhaps she imagined. Feeling a touch on his thigh he glanced down and found her hand there. He took his foot off the gas slightly, not wanting their time together to end.

At the door she hesitated.

“I can't let you in this time as Mum is here looking after Sam and I haven't filled her in on us getting back together yet”

“No problem, this is all at your pace Sash”

“Thanks Zach” she leaned in and captured his mouth with hers, a sweet, seductive kiss that left them both wanting more.

“Till next weekend”

“Yes” he watched her step inside before returning to his car and driving to Lexie's house.

“Hey Sis” he said, stepping into their town house and nearly falling over a cuddly toy on the floor. His sister picked it up.

“Welcome to the mad house, Em's being such a pain in the ass today”

Zach followed his sister into the large open plan kitchen and lounge and picked up Emma from her spot on the floor.

“How's my favourite niece today” he asked, feeling her cubby two year old arms around his neck.

“Unkie Zach, sweeties” she asked, smothering his face in wet kisses.

“I'll have a look in my pocket” he said, putting her down and finding a small bar of chocolate “but only if your Mum says you can”

“Yes, it will keep her quiet until tea time” Lexie sighed, handing him a coffee in return.

“Is Duncan in, I need a quick chat about next Saturday”

“You're not trying to avoid my interrogation are you” Lexie joked.

“Oh as if I would, just delaying it” he grinned.

“Staying for tea?”

“Yeah, thanks if that's alright?”

“Depends on how much gossip I get!” She watched as he wandered through to the office and stepped inside. She already knew too much about Saturday but if this was the best way for Zach to move on then she was in. After an hour in the office, Zach and Duncan emerged to the smell of Shepherd's Pie.

“Everything sorted?”

“Yes” Zach said, watching his brother-in-law nod and open a bottle of red.

“Drink” He asked. Zach and Lexie nodded and he poured them a glass to enjoy over dinner.

“So how's that dancer you were seeing, the one who collapsed on stage?” Duncan asked.

“She's good now, we were just friends”

“Huh, friend’s right, she was too gorgeous for you not to have gone there?”

“Ok, we were friends with benefits, anyhow I'm back with Sasha now” Zach blushed and swallowed some wine.

The rest of the evening passed with light hearted chat, each of them avoiding Felicity and the weekend to come.

“See you soon Lex”

“You too, don't be a stranger you and Sasha should come round for a meal soon”

“I'll get through next weekend first before I commit to anything” the one glass of wine feeding his sombre mood. She kissed his cheek and let him go. Zach drove to the London flat for the night, collecting a parcel on his way up. He opened it to find what he needed for next weekend, he had primed the courier to leave no delivery note and David was discretion incarnate. The only person who knew the full plan was Dan and that's the way Zach wanted it. He poured a drink, downed it and went to bed, alone and missing Sasha.