The Club (8 page)

Motioning with his head for her to follow, he walked off the dance floor and found a quiet corner in the shade of a potted palm tree.

‘I’ll see what I can do,’ he said when she joined him seconds later. ‘There’s a guy I know who might have something, but you’ll have to give me time to find him. See that door?’ he said then, nodding at the door to the offices. ‘I’ll leave it on the latch. My room’s on the first floor, halfway down the corridor.’

Smiling slyly, Melody reached up and stroked his cheek. Laughing softly when he jerked back, she waggled her fingers at him. ‘See you in ten, then. And make sure you’ve got it, or I won’t be a happy bunny.’

Rushing to his office when she’d gone, Fabian took out his stash and chopped two thick lines on the mirror. Snorting one quickly, he cursed her under his breath. He hadn’t intended to do any more tonight, but his nerves were shot to pieces thanks to her.

Tapping on the door a few minutes later, Melody let herself in without waiting for an answer. Seeing the line he’d left for her on the mirror, she gave a triumphant smile.

‘I see you managed to find your friend, then?’

‘Yeah, but I nearly got caught,’ Fabian lied, giving her a resentful look. ‘Do you know how much trouble I could get into for this?’

Sighing remorsefully now, Melody flopped down on the visitor’s chair and crossed her legs, giving Fabian a flash of sheer black panties.

‘Sorry, Babe, I didn’t mean to heavy you like that, but I was desperate. I’m having the shittiest night
ever
. When Tony gets on a roll, he just goes on and on, and I might as well be invisible for all the attention he gives me. We’ve been here two weeks now, and all he’s done is . . .’

Listening as she poured out her woes, Fabian felt the anger that had been holding him rigid melt away. It sounded like she’d been having a rough time of it, and she was only kicking out at him because she couldn’t kick out at her boyfriend. She looked so vulnerable – he felt a wave of protective indignation wash over him. Tony Allen must be some kind of idiot if he couldn’t see that bagging himself a prize like Melody Fisher came at a price. Stars needed more attention than normal people – and there were thousands of men out there who would gladly give Melody Fisher the attention she was craving. If Tony Allen wasn’t careful, it would be nobody’s fault but his own when Melody found what she was looking for in somebody else’s arms.

Well, why not? What man in his right mind would refuse if she was offering it on a plate?

‘Am I forgiven?’ Melody peered up at him with little-girl-lost eyes.

‘Yeah, sure, forget it.’ Smiling, he handed her the rolled-up twenty note he’d been using as a straw.

Snorting her line, Melody leaned her head back and inhaled deeply as Fabian’s gaze slid over her body. He’d had more women than the average teenage boy had had hot wanks, and most had been way up there in the looks department, but this one was something else. With the added bonus that she was almost really famous. How cool was that?

Smiling as if she could read his mind, Melody passed the note back to him and stood up. Putting a hand on his cheek, she kissed him softly on the lips.

‘Thanks, Babe, I really needed that. You’re a star.’

Reaching for her, Fabian’s hands hit empty air when she backed towards the door, biting her lip and waving her fingers at him. He had a hard-on to die for – and another attack of paranoia coming on. Now that she’d had what she wanted, she’d have nothing to lose by dropping him in it. It might be her idea of fun.

‘Hey, you’re not going to do anything stupid, are you?’ he asked, panic rich in his voice.

‘
Would
I?’ Melody teased. Then, shaking her head, she said, ‘Course not, Babe. He’d kill you. And where would that leave me? I could be stuck in this stinking place for months the way he’s going on, and I’m going to need you to keep me sane.’ Blowing him a kiss then, she opened the door and slipped out, whispering, ‘Don’t worry, it’ll be our little secret.’

Locking the door behind her, Fabian leaned back against it. She’d said that Tony would kill him if he found out – and he had no doubt that the man was more than capable of it.

But, no, come on. This was
England
. That kind of thing might happen every day in America, but Allen couldn’t be crazy enough to think he’d get away with it over here –
could he
?

Whether or not he could, one thing was sure: Fabian would have to tread very carefully until he knew that Melody could be trusted.

Looking down when his dick gave a plaintive throb, he shook his head disbelievingly. Scary as it was to think of the trouble she could cause him, he had to admit that the hard-to-get act was a turn-on. But it was a very rare woman who could resist him for too long once he’d set his sights on her, so he wasn’t worried about that. And, who knew – if their little secret
stayed
secret, Fabian might get to see a fair bit more of her than Allen had bargained for when he’d told him to keep an eye on her.

Avril Drake was bored, and becoming increasingly irritated. So much for Leonard’s belief that he was as well known and popular as ever: nobody had so much as said hello to them since they’d arrived, apart from the gushing manager and the pretty young owner. And Leonard had a face like a wet weekend in Wigan. But at least it should make him think twice about dragging her back here in a hurry.

Sighing heavily, she stared wistfully down at the smiling dancers below. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy music and parties, because she did. In fact, she’d been quite the life and soul – once upon a very long time ago. But Leonard had soon stopped that, because he didn’t
do
dancing and partying, claiming that it didn’t suit his image. So, apart from the occasional waltz at some stuffy political do or other, she hadn’t had the pleasure in a good long time.

She resented Leonard for robbing her of her best years, but there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it now because she was far too old to start again. Too settled with her life – such as it was – to face the upheaval.

Glaring at her when she released yet another heavy sigh, Leonard hissed through clenched teeth, ‘Are you just going to sit there pulling that miserable bloody face all night?’

‘Why?’ she retorted sarcastically. ‘Are you worried it’ll outdo yours?’

Tutting loudly, he shook his head.

‘Careful,’ Avril muttered. ‘You’ll have people thinking that we’re not quite as
together
as you’d have them believe.’

‘I don’t care what anybody thinks,’ he grunted – blatantly lying, because that was all he’d
ever
cared about.

‘If you’re not enjoying yourself, why don’t we just go home?’ Avril suggested hopefully, feeling a sudden longing for the warm, cosy solitude of her bed.

‘And make myself look a complete idiot?’ Leonard snapped. ‘I’m not going anywhere, so give me a break and make like you’re having fun, for God’s sake.’

‘Fine,’ she replied, a hint of hurt in her eyes. ‘If you’re sure that’s what you want?’

‘I wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t,’ he said, folding his arms over his belly.

‘Right!’ Pushing her chair back, Avril stood up. ‘I’m going to dance.’

‘On your
own
?’ Leonard looked at her as if she’d gone mad. ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’

‘You told me to have fun.’

‘With
me
.’

‘Is that possible?’ Avril replied coldly.

But who was she kidding? She’d no more dance alone than Leonard would walk into a room full of strangers without her, and they both knew it.

Shoulders slumping, she pushed her chair under the table, saying resignedly, ‘I’m going to the toilet –
if
that’s all right with you?’

‘Fine,’ Leonard grunted with satisfaction. Then, looking around for a waiter, he said, ‘I shall have to have words with that Jenny girl. Let her know that her staff have been neglecting her guests.’

‘Don’t make waves,’ Avril cautioned wearily. ‘And while I’m gone, could you please think about going home, because neither of us is enjoying this.’

Flicking her a dismissive glance, Leonard turned his head, his face all false smiles now as he nodded to the music and gazed around the room. He had no intention of slinking away like an unloved dog before the party was over.

Shaking her head, Avril walked calmly away. She didn’t really need the toilet, she just needed a break from her husband’s miserable company. Tapping a waiter on the shoulder en route to the stairs, she pointed out their table and asked him to take a very large Scotch rocks over to Leonard, in the hope that he would get drunk and cheer up.

Self-conscious by himself, Leonard agitatedly tapped his fingers on the table. He would never admit it to Avril, but she was right about him not enjoying himself. He didn’t know what he’d expected when he came here tonight, but it certainly hadn’t been to sit in virtual isolation. And while he knew a lot of the faces around him, having seen them on TV or in the papers, he found it quite wounding that they obviously didn’t recognise him.

But, then, maybe they did, he told himself consolingly. Maybe they knew exactly who he was, but were put off approaching him because of Avril’s uninviting face.

‘Your drink, sir.’

Glancing up in surprise when the young waiter placed a large Scotch on the table, Leonard said, ‘Oh, right . . . thank you. Just a moment.’ Pulling a ten-pound note out of his wallet, he placed it on the tray.

‘You don’t have to pay,’ the waiter told him, holding it out. ‘Everything’s complimentary for invited guests tonight.’

‘Yes, I know that,’ Leonard blustered, having completely forgotten. ‘It’s a tip.’

‘Oh, no, sir, I couldn’t.’

‘I insist.’ Leonard was smiling now. ‘I
want
you to have it.’

‘Okay, thanks.’ Returning the smile, the waiter pocketed the note. ‘I’ll be around if you want anything else. Just give me a wave.’

Watching as the boy walked away, Leonard shook his head, wondering how on Earth these kids managed to squeeze themselves into such tight clothing. Oh, to be young and fit again. He’d have given these boys a run for their money in his prime – before Avril got her claws into him and sucked all the joy out of his bones.

Sighing wistfully for his lost youth, he sipped at his drink and let his gaze wander. The room was packed out, but there was a particularly large gathering at a table across the room where a loud American was holding court, making everybody laugh with stories that Leonard couldn’t hear.

Pursing his lips thoughtfully, he peered at the man’s face. He must be very famous, judging by the way the other stars were hanging on to his every word, but Leonard couldn’t quite put his finger on where he’d seen him before.

Clicking his fingers when it suddenly came to him, he thought,
Of course!
Lord Kimberley’s charity auction-cum-dinner at The Lowry last week. Tony Allen – that was his name.

Feeling a small thrill of excitement when it occurred to him that it might break the ice with some of the other guests if he were to go and say hello to Allen, Leonard eased himself out of his seat and strolled over.

Edging casually in among the people who were hanging about on the edge of the circle, he manoeuvred himself in until he was close to Allen – who was too busy telling a joke to notice him. Coughing to attract his attention, the blood rushed to Leonard’s cheeks when everybody turned and looked at him.

Irritated by the interruption, Tony frowned up at him. ‘Yeah?’

‘Oh, sorry . . . didn’t mean to disturb you,’ Leonard said, suddenly nervous because Allen obviously didn’t recognise him. ‘I, er, just saw you and thought I’d best come and say hello.’ Grinning then, he added, ‘Wouldn’t want you thinking I was ignoring you, or anything.’

‘Do I know you?’ The frown deepened.

‘We met last week,’ Leonard reminded him. ‘Lord Kimberley’s do.’

‘Kimberley?’ Tony repeated slowly, narrowing his eyes.

‘At The Lowry,’ Leonard prompted, embarrassed now because people were beginning to smirk. ‘Auction and dinner in aid of the dialysis unit? Lord Kimberley introduced us.’

‘That the old dude with the horse-face wife?’

‘Maureen,’ Leonard affirmed, smiling again. ‘Yes, that’s them. I was sitting across from you on the long table at dinner. We discussed some of the lots.’

‘Can’t say I remember too much about it.’ Tony shrugged. ‘It must have been boring.’

‘Those things often are,’ Leonard agreed disloyally. ‘So, I, um, guess you won’t be going to his
Poloquet
party next week?’

Repulsed by the smarmy conspiratorial grin, Tony said, ‘Whatever the fuck that means –
no
, I won’t be going.’

Excusing herself just then, Brenda Thompson got up and squeezed her way out from behind the table.

‘Do you mind?’ Leonard indicated her vacated seat.

‘Free country, last I heard,’ Tony grunted. ‘Wouldn’t be here otherwise.’

Leonard laughed, but quickly stopped when Tony flicked him an irritated glance.
Okay, keep it cool
, he told himself, squeezing onto the chair.
Don’t get carried away and make a fool of yourself when everything’s going so well.

Over at the bar, Kalli was casting disapproving glances in Leonard’s direction as she washed a pile of glasses. She’d seen the leering way he’d followed Austin with his eyes when Austin had taken him a drink a short while ago, and she hadn’t liked it one little bit.

Austin would say she’d imagined it, but she hadn’t – and she knew better than most about men and their disgusting ways, having been forced to cater to all manner of filthy pigs when her father had sold her to the brothel owner in Hong Kong. Just like that fat man,
those
men had smiled like angels while making their deals with the Devil. And Austin, with his cute dimples, bleached-blond hair and baby-blue eyes, was prime meat for that kind of man.