Life Or Something Like It (16 page)

‘Mee!’ chorused the girls.

Charlie gave a small nod. ‘Please.’

‘Okay, let’s go then.’ Cat led them over to the ice-cream stand and the children made their choices. They were about to head back when she heard someone call her name. She turned towards the VIP area and was surprised to see Jesse waving and gesturing for her to come over. She glanced at the children.

‘Who is that man?’ asked Ellie. ‘And why is he shouting your name?’

‘He’s a friend of mine,’ said Cat, feeling her heart lift at the sight of him. ‘Come and say hello.’ They made their way over but a rope fence blocked their path. A sign stated simply, ‘VIPs only’. It was like a slap round the face to Cat – a reminder of a life that was currently out of her reach. She leant across the fence to kiss Jesse just as Alexandra appeared behind him, wearing a slouchy festival-style outfit that made it look as if she wasn’t trying but which only served to emphasise her beauty all the more.

‘Wow,’ breathed Ellie. ‘Is she a princess?’ She and Daisy stared up at Alex in complete awe.

‘Oh you are adorable,’ cried Alex, smiling down at the children. Jesse rolled his eyes at Cat, who gave him an awkward smile. ‘Which one of you is Catereen’s lovely niece?’

‘Me!’ cried Ellie, rushing forwards. ‘I’m Ellie and this is my best friend, Daisy.’

‘Aww, it is so lovely to meet such beautiful ladies.’ Ellie and Daisy beamed with delight. ‘And you must be Charlie,’ said Alex turning to the boy.

Charlie, who had previously been staring at the ground, looked up in astonishment at the fact that this goddess knew his name. ‘That’s right,’ he stuttered.

Alex smiled at him, like an angel offering benediction. ‘Catereen, he is such a handsome boy. Don’t you think, Jesse?’

Jesse looked unsure. ‘Erm yes, very handsome.’

Charlie flushed bright red and Cat felt a jolt of sympathy for him. Just at that moment a security guard approached. He put a hand up to Cat. ‘I’m sorry, madam, but you’ll have to move away from the VIP area.’

Cat took a step back, not wanting a scene or to compound her shame any more. ‘Of course. Sorry. See you later, Jesse.’

‘No, no, no!’ cried Alex. ‘This is not acceptable. Thees are our friends and I will not have them treated in this way.’

The security guard seemed unfazed; he was used to dealing with famous people. ‘I am sorry, Ms Lorenzo. I’m just doing my job.’

‘Alex, you’re making a scene,’ warned Jesse, taking his wife’s arm and glancing round at the people who were beginning to stare.

‘Get your hands off me,’ hissed Alex. ‘Well if you cannot come to us, we will come to you,’ she declared, unhooking the rope and striding through.’ She knelt down in front of the two small girls. ‘Would it be okay if we came and watched the show with you?’

Ellie and Daisy looked as if they might burst with joy and nodded enthusiastically. Alex beamed and held out her hands. The girls grasped hold and skipped along happily beside their new best friend. Charlie followed behind, still puce with embarrassment. Cat and a dumbfounded Jesse brought up the rear as people stopped and stared at the supermodel in their midst.

‘She’s quite a woman, your wife,’ commented Cat to Jesse.

‘Isn’t she just?’ said Jesse with a not altogether complimentary edge to his voice. Introductions were made as they rejoined the others. Cat had to tell Andrew to ‘close your mouth or I’ll tell Melissa’, as he took in Alex’s effortless beauty. Ronnie chatted away to the supermodel as if they were old friends.

‘Is everything okay?’ asked Cat, turning back to Jesse. She noticed that he seemed tired and uncharacteristically tense.

Jesse ran a hand through his dark hair and glanced up at the sky. He gave Cat a rueful smile and was about to open his mouth when the band struck up with the first intro. ‘Tell you later,’ he said.

Cat felt her mouth go dry but was quickly distracted by Ellie jumping up and down in front of her, tugging at her sleeve. ‘It’s Finn, it’s Finn, it’s Finn!’ It was indeed Finn and Cat couldn’t believe how he commanded the stage. He looked completely at home, interacting with the crowd and his other bandmates. They opened with ‘Weather With You’ by Crowded House. It was one of Cat’s favourite songs and she happily joined in as Finn encouraged the crowd to sing the chorus. The second song was ‘Fall At Your Feet’, also by Crowded House and it was at that moment that Cat spotted the name of the band on the drums. They were called ‘The Beautiful Lie’, a reference to a lyric from one of the band’s songs.

‘You didn’t tell me Finn played in a Crowded House tribute band,’ shouted Cat, tapping Andrew on the shoulder.

‘You didn’t ask,’ Andrew shouted back. ‘They’re great, aren’t they?’

‘Yes, they really are,’ said Cat, watching Finn with interest. Ellie, Daisy, Alex and Ronnie were dancing happily. Charlie stood next to his dad, who had a protective arm draped round his son as they watched, impressed.

‘Remember this one, Kit Kat?’ said Jesse, putting an arm around her shoulder.

Cat leaned against him and nodded. She remembered it for different reasons than Jesse did. He was probably recalling nights at university, sat on her bedroom floor, playing cards, drinking and singing along to the hits of the day. She was remembering that one night when they nearly slept together – a distant memory, best forgotten. Cat wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or Jesse’s arm around her shoulder but all of sudden she felt a tear roll down her cheek. She tried to brush it away without Jesse noticing but he felt her body tense and pulled away to look at her. ‘What is it?’ he said. ‘What’s the matter?’

Cat Nightingale felt like a foolish teenager. Andrew glanced round at her, a quizzical frown on his face. Cat shook her head to reassure him and turned away. She felt Jesse take her hand. ‘Come on, let’s get a drink,’ he said.

‘What about the others?’

Jesse glanced back to where his wife was dancing with Ellie in her arms. ‘They’re fine. Come on.’

The champagne tent was empty apart from a few stragglers. The security guard waved them through without a word once Jesse held up his pass. He probably assumed they were a couple and Cat felt her heart surge a little at the idea. Jesse led her to the bar and retrieved two glasses of champagne. Cat didn’t really need another drink and she couldn’t see what they could be celebrating but she sipped it politely. Jesse knocked his back in two swift gulps and picked up another. He looked at Cat’s surprised face and grinned; she saw a glimpse of her old friend once again.

‘How much would we have loved this when we were students?’

‘We would have cleaned them out in seconds.’ She smiled. Jesse was staring at her now. She couldn’t hold his gaze. ‘So, you were going to tell me something,’ she ventured. ‘Are you all right?’

Jesse laughed, reaching out to touch her arm. ‘Dear Kit Kat, always worrying about other people, always worrying about me. Why do you bother?’

She looked up at him. He was still staring into her eyes as if trying to work her out. ‘You’re my friend – my best friend. I care about you,’ she said simply.

Jesse stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. ‘I’m not sure I deserve you.’

Cat shook her head dismissively. ‘Of course you do. Now tell me, what’s going on? How are things with Alex?’ She felt more in control when she was asking the questions, and heaven knew Cat needed to exert a little control over her life right now.

Jesse shrugged. ‘Not great. We haven’t resolved the baby issue.’

‘So Alex still wants a baby?’

‘Oh yes. I thought it would pass but she seems pretty determined. She’s even turned down the modelling contract.’

‘Wow, she must be serious.’

Jesse shrugged. ‘I might get her another chihuahua – see if it takes her mind off the whole thing.’

‘I think you might be
barking
up the wrong tree there, my friend,’ joked Cat.

Jesse grinned. ‘Ho, ho, ho, very funny.’

‘But seriously, I really don’t think a small dog is going to replace Alex’s urge for a baby. She sounds very determined,’ said Cat.

Jesse gave Cat a searching look. ‘You’re not suggesting that we go ahead with it, are you?’

Cat held up her hands as if searching for the right answer. ‘I don’t know but would it be such a terrible thing? Really?’

Jesse peered at Cat, his mouth open in utter shock. ‘Er hello? I’m looking for my friend Cat Nightingale? I think she may have been kidnapped and replaced by Mother Earth.’

Cat shook her head. ‘I’m just saying. It’s a very personal choice. If Alex is determined, you might not have a choice.’

Jesse frowned. ‘Well we haven’t had sex for a month so it’s unlikely. Anyway, why don’t men have a say? I don’t want children, never have done and she always knew that. You can’t move the goalposts in life.’

Cat gave him a reproachful look. ‘People move the goalposts all the time. If you love someone, you have to learn to compromise.’

‘For the next twenty-five years of my life?’

‘I think the phrase is “’til death us do part”.’

Jesse pulled a face. ‘I can’t believe what’s happened to you, Kit Kat. The next thing you’ll be telling me is that you’re up the duff and planning to repopulate Surrey.’

Cat gave a hollow laugh. ‘No way. Motherhood is not for me.’

‘And what about looking after your brother’s children?’

Cat considered this. ‘I’m learning a lot about life,’ she said honestly.

Jesse raised his eyebrows. ‘Well good for you.’

‘Anyway,’ ventured Cat. ‘It’s not going to be for ever. I’ll be back at work before too long, which reminds me, did you catch up with Donald in the end?’

Jesse looked sheepish and Cat knew what was coming before he opened his mouth. ‘I’m sorry, Kit Kat. The Americans are still very twitchy.’ He saw Cat’s face fall and put a hand on her shoulder. ‘But don’t worry. I’ve got a plan. Trust me, this isn’t over.’

Cat looked into his eyes. She wanted to believe him, she really did. He was smiling ruefully, his face full of that boyish hope that she’d always loved. She swallowed and took a deep breath. ‘We should be getting back to the others,’ she said.

Jesse took hold of her hands. ‘I’ll sort this, Cat, I promise.’ She nodded.

By the time they had reached the others, Finn had rejoined them. There was another woman standing by his side. She was tiny, like a bird. She wore a thinly braided headband in her long blonde hair and her features were petite and pretty. She looked as if she’d just arrived from 1970s California.

‘Hey,’ said Finn in greeting.

‘Hey,’ replied Cat. ‘You were fantastic.’

‘Thanks,’ he grinned. ‘By the way, this is Angelica,’ he added, gesturing at the woman by his side.

Angelica only had eyes for Finn but she managed to drag her gaze up to Cat and mutter, ‘Hi.’

‘Hi,’ said Cat. ‘I loved the set by the way. I’m a big fan of Crowded House.’

Angelica seemed infuriated that Cat was continuing her conversation with Finn and wrapped her arms possessively over his shoulder. ‘Hey, baby,’ she whispered in his ear. ‘We should probably get going.’

Finn glanced at her and then back at Cat. ‘Yeah okay. Sorry, Cat, I’ve got to go but thanks for coming along.’ Cat nodded. ‘See you guys,’ he said to the others.

‘Bye, Uncle Finn,’ cried Daisy, flinging her arms around his middle. Angelica took a step back as if she’d been stung by a wasp. Ellie wrapped her arms around Daisy.

Finn laughed and patted them both on the head. ‘Bye, girls.’

As they turned to leave, Angelica glanced at Cat. ‘Nice meeting you,’ she said without much conviction as she linked her arm through Finn’s in a gesture that said, ‘he’s mine’.

Ronnie moved alongside Cat. ‘Can’t stand that little cow,’ she muttered.

‘I take it she’s his girlfriend,’ said Cat.

‘Of sorts,’ scoffed Ronnie. ‘Finn just goes along with it. That’s what I mean about the weirdo musicians he hangs out with. He deserves someone better than her.’

Cat nodded but was secretly relieved. She knew that both her brother and Ronnie would love her to solve the girlfriend problem for Finn but this was not on the agenda for Cat. He was redeeming himself slightly in her eyes but there was something about his casual attitude to life that got on her nerves; it was so completely different to her own world view. Besides, she had enough problems trying to get her life back on track. She looked over at Jesse and Alex who were standing together but not talking. Their body language spoke volumes. All of a sudden, Cat wanted to go home, to get away from Jesse and his problems. She turned to Andrew.

‘Can we go?’

Andrew stared at her. ‘Of course. The kids won’t want to stay now that Finn’s finished. Shall I drop you at home?’

Cat bit her lip. ‘Can I stay at yours tonight, please?’ He put a hand on her arm, sensing her distress. Cat pulled away gently. ‘Don’t be nice to me. Please.’

He smiled kindly. ‘Come on, kids. Home time!’

Cat kissed Ronnie goodbye and they vowed to meet up again soon. They walked back to the car park in silence. Once in the car, Ellie promptly fell asleep and Charlie put on his headphones.

Andrew glanced at Cat. ‘Do you want to talk about it?’

Cat looked out of the window. ‘Not really.’

‘Is it about your job?’

She glanced at her brother. Maybe it was time to talk. Cat took a deep breath. ‘I don’t know if I’m going to be able to go back, Andrew. Jesse can’t convince the Americans. I think my career is over.’ She gasped as she spoke the words out loud and couldn’t stop as a torrent of tears followed.

In the manner of men the world over, Andrew let her cry for a while, paralysed with fear over what to say to his weeping sister. However, he was a father so he always carried tissues. After a time, he fished one from his pocket and handed it to her. This small gesture of kindness brought renewed tears. Cat felt ridiculous as she sniffed and sobbed into the silence of the car.

‘Sorry,’ she said after a while.

‘Don’t be daft,’ he answered kindly.

‘I don’t know what I’m going to do.’

Andrew stole a glance at her. ‘It will work itself out.’

‘How can you be so sure?’

‘Because I can see the future and yours is positively brilliant,’ he said in a silly voice.