Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (4 page)

Chapter 5

Boxing Day passed in much the same manner as Christmas Day. I watched as the lack of response fro
m
Charlotte'
s
phone seemed to age her before my eyes. She carried it from room to room, stared at it for minutes until she thought one of us was looking. Every time the main house phone rang or James' phone beeped I would see a flicker of hope flame in her eyes.

Saying goodbye to Sarah and Chris later that day I hugged her even harder.

“See you soon” I said

“You bet
,
we've got some wedding dress shopping to do”

“Yes, but let's leave it a week or two until we are certain that nothing awful has happened to Mitchell”

“Ok
,
let'
s
just pray that no news is good news”

Chris could hear our exchange and nodded in agreement as he shook hands with James, the two of them back to being firm friends.

Charlotte waved from the doorstep and then went back inside to the warmth. The snow was starting to turn to slush now as I lingered the longest on the doorstep before shutting the door.

“Shall we go sale shopping tomorrow after I finish my radio show?”

“Sounds like a plan” James replied. I looked across at Charlotte who jumped guiltily and put her phone down.

“Ok, I guess. By the way is it ok for Julia to come up for New Year's Eve” Charlie asked.

“Yes, it will do you good to have some company”

Walking into the studio the next morning Naomi greeted me with her usual cheerful face

“Morning, Stephanie. Did you have a goo
d
Christmas?”

“Yes thanks, did you” I replied, trying to keep my tone light, despite the heaviness in my heart.

“It was fantastic, I spent most of it with Leon” she blushed as she turned back to her computer screen. I walked on through grabbing a coffee on my way to the office. Once my emails were dealt with and my programme plan made I sat back and tried to relax. I could not help but think that in this instance no news about Mitchell was bad news.

My cheek muscles ached from trying to keep things cheerful at home, but the strain was starting to show. Greg appeared in the doorway about fifteen minutes before the start of my show.

“Mornin
g
Steph, had a good break? Want some good news?”

“Yes and yes”

“Our sponsorship has almost doubled since the launch. I will get Lesley to email you the figures and names so I think we need to decide on a few high profile competitions for January to keep things at this pace”

I nodded and smiled.

“In fac
t
Zac
h
has offered us a set of VIP tickets to his exclusive New Year’sEve party to give away so I think we need something sorting ou
t
asap”

“Ok, leave it with me I'll think about it while I am on air”

Standing up I moved towards him and through the door as he stood aside. He caught my arm and stopped me for a moment.

“Are you sure you're ok, you look at little down”

“Just a small family matter, it will pass”

“Well, if you need to talk I'm here for you, no strings”

“Thanks Greg, I'll bear it in mind”

Entering the live studio I waited quietly for Leon to finish and leave so that I could sit and get started. It was like there was a little switch inside me that once the green light turned red for “on air” I could forget about everything else in my life and just concentrate on the music.

James and Charlotte were waiting for me in reception when I finished the show.

“The coat looks lovely on you” I said, linking my arm through hers and trying to garner a smile from her pale face. James looked equally morose but was trying his best to cover it with a cheery grin. Out in the town the bustling crowds jostled us along the pavement. Everyone else seemed to know what they wanted or where they were going as we lingered by shop windows, gazing at the displays or sale signs.

We chanced upon a bridal wear shop and I hesitated.

“Go on Mum, you should at least have a look” Charlie urged.

“Absolutely, I'll wait for you both in the pub at the end of the street” James said, giving me a quick peck on the cheek. I turned the handle and a bell jingled to notify the single shop assistant inside, apart from her it was deserted.

“Can I help you?” She asked, smiling brightly.

“We're just looking” I murmured.

She turned away as I wandered across to the first rack of gowns.

Charlotte was across the shop looking through the numerous bridesmaid dresses in various styles and colours. I turned away from all the pure white gowns as they tended to be too stark against my pale colouring. The cream ones were slightly better but I found I was drawn to the more golden hues at the end of the rail. I stopped and pulled out a beautifu
l
Grecia
n
style gown in a pale coffee colour. It was fitted just below the bust line and then the chiffon material fell like a waterfall. I turned to see where the changing room was and saw Charlotte glance over, a few dresses hung over her arm.

“Shall we” I said, a smile sprang to my lips.

“Yes” she replied, a bloom of pink from the heat of the shop graced her pale cheeks.

The shop assistant hurried over and helped Charlie with her numerou
s
gowns
,
I only held the one as we walked towards the large changing room.

“Go on Mum, you first” Charlie said, sitting down on a chair in the corner. I pulled the curtain across and started to undress before pulling the material over my head. It fitted almost perfectly, the hem dragged on the floor as I had removed my boots to try it on but that was it. The scooped neck line showed a hint of my breasts and supported them beautifully. Before I even stepped out I knew it was the perfect dress.

As I drew the curtain aside I watched Charlotte's mouth drop open in delighted surprise.

“Wow, that’s beautiful” she breathed, as I walked towards the large mirror at the end of the room. Gazing at my reflection I gasped as well, my heart pounded in my chest and a slight blush stained my cheek. This was it the price didn't matter when a gown made me feel like a princess.

“Would you like to try some shoes to give you a better idea if you need to have it shortened” the shop assistant asked.

“Yes thanks” I replied.

I watched her bustle back through into the shop which gave me a few moments alone with my daughter.

“What do yo
u
think?”

“It's perfect Mum” she looked at the pile of dresses she had bought in with her and pulled out the chocolate brown one, in almost the same style.

“I think I should try this one on” she said, and hurried into the other cubicle. I was still waiting for the shop assistant to return as Charlotte stepped out and came to stand next to me.

The neck line on hers was more daring and the hem stopped on her knee, showing her shapely legs to perfection.

“It needs taking in a bit” she said, lifting her arms to show the loose material beneath.

“Do you like it or would you prefer something else” I asked.

“No, it just contrasts with yours and I love it” she declared, spinning around. Although her lips smiled I could still see the pain in her eyes, they were not as vibrant as usual. I put my arm around her shoulder as we both looked in the mirror.

With a pair of heels on and a simple gold tiara in my hair I admired my reflection.

“Perfect” the assistant crooned.

“We'll take it all” I said, watching the shock cross her face.

“We have a special offer on which includes accessories at half price and any alterations you may need”

“Is it ok if you hold them for us today as my husband to be is meeting us” I asked.

“Yes, certainly and if you can call back after new year our dress maker will be in and she can see and make any alterations you require”

I gave her my credit card while we changed. Before we did Charlie pulled out her phone.

“Come on Mum, you need a photo to show Auntie Rah”

I indulged her and then reluctantly undressed, mourning the loss of the sensation of the fabric on my skin. Back out in the street we hurried to the pub on the corner and ducked inside just before the rain began to fall. James looked up and tapped his watch, but he was grinning as we sat down.

“All shopped out?”

“Yes, but that's all I can divulge” I said, my turn to kiss him on the cheek.

“Shall we stop for some food” James asked. I nodded and looked at Charlie.

“I'll try” she said, before pulling her phone out once more and checking the empty screen. The menu was pretty good and we all found something to tempt ou
r
taste buds. Then we walked back down the street to collect the car from the compound behind the radio station studios. On the way home Charlie's phone beeped and I looked around but she shook her head

“It’
s
just Julia, saying she'll be coming up on the train and can I meet her there”

“No problem, if it’s New Year's Eve I can pick her up when I finish work” I said.

Charlotte tapped the information in and then a few moments later she nodded.

“I hope you're going out” James asked

“Yes, I guess so” she murmured. I knew that unless she had some news about Mitchell a night out was going to be a struggle for her. Arriving home Charlotte went upstairs to her room and I paused until her music started to play. I knew she wasn't dancing as she had barely ventured into the studio.

James checked the answer phone and then his emails and met me in the lounge with the now usual shake of his head.

“You know that Charlie will be on at you tomorrow, as its three days”

“Yes, I had hoped we would hear from him” he sighed “I suppose I could drive out to Felicity's tomorrow before my shift starts”

“It's an option” I replied, handing him a cup of tea. The rest of the evening passed and when we went to bed James wrapped his arms around me. We kissed a few times but when I tried to instigate anything more he gently pushed me away.

I awoke with a start later that night to hear footsteps on the stairs. I just made out a faint bark from Jester in the kitchen. James felt me sit up and opened his eyes.

“Is everything alright?”

“I think so, just heard Jester bark but I think Charlie may have gone down” I replied. I waited, when I still heard nothing I slipped out from the duvet and wrapped in my dressing gown I went downstairs. Jester looked at me from his basket and then across to the door into the garage dance studio. A sliver of light escaped from the bottom of the door and as I crept nearer I could just make out faint music.

Inside Charlie was dressed in her dance outfit but her feet were bare. The cold from the wood crept up through her legs to meet the heat from her muscles as she warmed up.

“This is for you Mitchell” she whispered into the silence.

Then as the familiar chords to “Hungry Eyes” started to flow from the speakers she danced their dance. With her eyes closed she could almost imagine him next to her, his movements took form in her shadow. She didn't know how many times the song looped on repeat, it was only when exhaustion kicked in and she fell onto the hard floor that she knew she would sleep. It had been like that since Christmas Day, as she staggered quietly back up to her room.

Chapter 6

New Year's Eve at the railway station was a mass of people either leaving for parties elsewhere or arriving to meet family and friends. Charlie had stayed at home, still trying to get over the latest news from the police. It was basically the same as before, keep waiting. James had visited Felicity but found no one home apart from her security guards. Apparently Felicity and Daniel had left for a party in Edinburgh but they couldn't recollect either way whether they had seen Mitchell with them. James didn't try to push for entry beyond the gate and came home disappointed.

The competition for Dusk to Daw
n
VI
P
tickets had filled our phone and text lines to capacity on the breakfast show and I had been relived to announce the winners on my show. They had called in to reception to collect them just as I was leaving. Naomi had been excited handing them over and telling the winners that most of the radio station staff had got tickets to the event. I had my pair in my handbag ready to give to Charlotte for her and Julia.

It took Julia waving as she approached for me to see her.

“Hi Mrs Eden, where's Charlotte”

“She's waiting at home, it was easier for me to just come straight from work to meet you” I said, as we pushed through the crowds to the car park.

“How is she” Julia asked, as we travelled through the traffic.

“Not good really, so I hope you can cheer her up”

“I'll try my best”

Pulling into the driveway Charlotte opened the door and waited for her best friend.

I made pizza for tea and then gave the tickets to Charlotte

“VI
P
for tonight at Dusk till Dawn, compliments of our sponsor Zach” I said

“Oh, we were going to stay in wit
h
yo
u
Mum, have a girlie evening watching films” Charlotte exclaimed, not looking happy at all.

“I think we should go, dancing will be fun and I think Simon and some of his friends will be there” Julia said. Charlie processed this information and then she nodded.

“Hey, maybe Mitch will be there”

I looked at her, watching various emotions flick over her features, happiness, pain, worry and back to wild hope.

She pulled Julia up the stairs, at the same time checking her watch.

“We've only got three hours until the doors open” she said.

“I'll drive you over and fetch you later, as long a
s
it’
s
not too late” I called at their departing rears.

“Thanks Mum” Charlie gasped. In the lounge I had a coffee and snatched a quick phone call with James, whose night shift had so far been quiet. I heard the shower upstairs, followed by dance music and hairdryers.

Outside the club I was surprised to se
e
Zac
h
standing on the door. He saw Charlotte and crossed the pavement to meet her and Julia. In doing so he noticed me in the car and leaned down to the open window

“Aren't you coming in” he asked.

“I'm fa
r
to
o
old for New Year Club celebrations” I replied “Just look after my daughter”

“Guaranteed” he replied “Happy New Year Stephanie”

I drove away and in the rear view mirror saw him saunter towards the doors.

The vibe of excitement was evident in the atmosphere of the club. Charlie and Julia pushed through the crowds to the bar and ordered a drink. They had barely walked halfway round when Simon tapped Julia on the shoulder.

“Hey gorgeous” he said, planting his lips firmly on hers. They only broke apart when Charlie coughed loudly.

“Hey Charlie” Simon said, grabbing her in a bear hug before letting her go.

“Is Mitchell with you” they both said at almost the same time.

“No” Simon answered.

“Oh” Charlie managed, her face fell and her lips trembled with the effort of keeping a smile in place.

“He told me he was coming home to you” Simon said, steering them over to a quiet corner.

“When was that” she asked.

“Christmas Eve morning”

“He texted me the same thing that evening but then never turned up. His Dad rang Felicity's place and she said he was staying there”

“Well he hasn't been in touch with me since” Simon replied, worry in his voice.

“Me neither, but the police can't do anything because of his age” Charlotte's voice cracked over the final words, she was struggling to keep it together.

Julia grabbed her arm and gave their drinks to Simon.

“Let's dance” she said, dragging Charlotte onto the floor. The beat of the music helped for a while as each dance track merged into the next before the Ne-Y
o
song started. It was too much for Charlotte as she pushed past the dancing throngs surrounding her and into the open, cooler air of the lobby. Zach discovered her sat there, head in her hands.

“Hey, your Mum told me to look after you” he said, sitting down.

“That's because she doesn't know what you're really like”

Zach grinned at her comment.

“And what am I really like then? I'm curious”

“You're suave, sexy and a charming predator” Charlotte paused for a second, the couple of drinks making her bold

“If my Mum knew this she would be telling me to keep away from you”

Charlotte looked up into his dark, brown eyes. He matched her gaze with his and watched with amusement when she coloured and looked away.

“Why don't we have a little drink in my office, since your friend appears to be busy” he glanced across to the main doorway back into the club. Charlie followed it to see Julia leaning against the wall, Simon's body moulded into her curves.

Charlotte shrugged and allowed Zach to take her hand and lead her through a small, hidden door next to the cloakroom. They ascended the staircase and entered a smaller room that led into his main office. A large corner sofa filled two walls and a flat scree
n
T
V
dominated the other. Charlie noticed it was showing views from the various cameras in the club. Zach walked through to his drinks cabinet whilst Charlotte sat on the sofa, half bold, half scared.

He handed her a tumbler filled with vodka and lemonade, he held his usual glass of Jack Daniels and took a seat next to her. He admired the long line of her lower leg and then crept higher to her thighs, half hidden beneath her short pink dress. She sipped at her drink and savoured the hint of lime in it, the vodka almost unnoticeable.

“So you get to watch everyone in the club from up here” she said.

“Oh, yes
.
It’
s
great for that”

“All the cameras”

“Yes, all the cameras, it can b
e
titillatin
g
and tantalising at the same time”

He smirked and took a swallow of his drink and watched as Charlotte took a longer sip of hers. This in turn made her relax back into the luxurious cushions.

“So you're a voyeur then?” She quipped, the alcohol activating her sarcastic side.

“Yes, some things are worth looking at, but others need to be experienced” his mesmerising stare did not waver.

“So I guess you watched Shelley and me in your changing room?”

“I couldn't help it, you girls put on a good show on that sofa, but I could have been down there in a couple of minutes”

“Oh, it was more than a show, dancing makes you feel like that. The intensity of the music builds and whe
n
it’
s
over you're left wanting.....”

“Wanting what?”

“Wanting release, I guess” Charlie mumbled, blushing like mad at his direct questioning.

“But you wouldn't understand as you don't dance”

“Try me” Zach said, flicking a switch so that music started to flood the small room. He stood up and then reached for her hand to pull her up and against his body. Charlotte didn't recognise the melody but the slow beat started its ascent through the souls of her feet.

“Can you feel it” she asked.

“I can feel you” he breathed. She let her hand find his chest, firm beneath the luxurious fabric of his shirt.

Closing her eyes she thought about the scene from Dirty Dancing when Johnny first tries to explain the feel of dancing to Baby. With her fingers she started to tap his chest to the beat and tried to ignore the very fast fluttering in her own. He reached up and took her hand in his, transferring it and his to her bare skin at the top of her breast.

“So now we start to move to the music” Charlie breathed, moving slightly so that she was on the ball of her feet.

“Like this” he said, slowly starting to sway.

With each song blending effortlessly into the next they remained joined until Zach's phone rang and the mood was interrupted.

Charlie found her glass and drained it, the alcohol fuelling her reckless mood. Finding the music system she flicked through his iPod and found what she was looking for, a fantastic track by Jaso
n
Derul
o
called The Other Side

“Tonight we'll just get drunk, disturb the peace

Find your hands all over me“

Zach finished his call and turned to see Charlie with her finger on the pause button, grinning sexily at him. She pressed play and started to dance in front of him. The alcohol flooded her system, her body feeling the very depth of the lyrics. After all she reasoned
,
she had nothing to lose playing the seduction game? Mitchell had not come back to her so perhaps Zach could be his substitute for the night? She saw his arms reaching for her and quickly spun away out of reach

“You'll have to try harder than that” she teased.

“Will I” he arched his eyebrows and downed the last of his drink.

He watched her for a while, the undulations of her sleek frame hypnotising him. Not for long though as his desire forced the blood around his body. His eyes focused more intently and with his glass on the side he moved towards her. She dodged him again as she changed direction in a slide just beyond his grip. She swung round, sashaying past but this time closer so that his hand caught hers and he reeled her into his body.

“Got you”

“Have you” she giggled, sliding down his body and crawling beneath his legs. Zach let out a deep, throaty laugh as he turned around and reached down to grab her foot. With a quick wiggle her shoe came away in his hand as Charlie turned from her crawl to see his face. She was breathless as she stood up. Her shoe dangled from his fingers.

“Does this make me Cinderella?”

“Well, if you think I'm Prince Charming then you don't know me well enough”

Charlie giggled and held up her glass.

“Any chance of a refill, I'm thirsty”

“Certainly” Zach replied, taking it from her grasp and at the same time letting his fingertips touch hers. He poured generous measures for them both and turned to find she had kicked off her other shoe and was now curled up on his sofa. Sitting down beside her he held the glass out. She reached for it but he pulled it out of reach

“If you want it you'll have to take it”

“You mean like this” as she reached across his body.