Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (46 page)

Chapter 57

I was awake bright and early the next morning, it was Saturday 1
s
t
December. Love Shack radio launch date had arrived. James snored beside me as I crept from our bed and pulled on my dressing gown. Downstairs I let Jester out as I waited for the coffee machine to drip its way into the glass pot beneath. I heard footsteps on the stairs and waited to see who would walk though the door.

“Morning gorgeous”

I melted inside as James folded me into his embrace and I was home once more.

“Morning babe” I murmured as his hands crept into the opening of my dressing gown. “I wish I had time to play but today’s really important” I said, reluctantly stepping away from him and pouring us both a coffee.

“I know Steph and I can’t wait to hear you on air this afternoon”

“You know that I will sneak a song in for you”

Sitting down on the chair James beckoned to me and I found his lap.

“I think you need a good cuddle before you get dressed”

“And I think you need to stop poking me with that erection of yours” I giggled.

“I can’t help it if I think you are so delectable that I want you all of the time”

I turned and planted kisses on his hot lips that tasted of warm coffee.

“So who’s coming to this launch party tonight” James asked.

“Loads of people, mostly business associates, sponsors of the station oh and some lucky listeners”

“I’ll look forward to getting you on the dance floor later. I may not be Mitchell but I can still pull some 80’s dance moves”

I laughed at his comment before I swallowed the last of my coffee.

While I dressed James made some toast and I grabbed it on my way out through the door. I was the first to arrive, closely followed by Naomi and Leon. Their smiles said it all as I noticed that Naomi still wore the dress from last night. Love was definitely in the air and I only wished that Charlie and Mitch had been here to share this moment in my life. More coffee was passed around a
s
Leo
n
headed into the studio and cued up the very first song, it could only be the one.

              “
If you see a faded sign at the side of the road that says

              15 miles to the Love Shack”

The office continued to fill up through the morning, Greg appeared carrying a large celebration cake and a party atmosphere filled the studio building. The competition phone lines were busy. Naomi monitored our likes on Facebook as they rocketed from 10’s into the 100’s. Jack’s big brunch show went down a storm and as we changed over I hugged him tightly.

“You did it; you’ve made the semi big time”

“Yeah, Radio Two just called” he chuckled “But I told them I could only work for you”

Taking the chair for the first time in the new studio I tried to decide upon the best year for my flashback feature, before the usual drive time section of the show. I found the song that I knew would speak to James too as the first few bars of music filled the studio air, dancing around me in invisibility.

              “
Trying to catch your heart

              Is like trying to catch a star

              So many people love you baby

              That must be what you are”

A whole year of memories filled my mind as I played various songs from the year that bought James into my life for the first time.

In the lounge at home James, Sarah and Chris cracked open a bottle of champagne and toasted my success. As Rick Astley, Five Star and Whitney Houston tracks filled the air they reminisced about a time when they were all much younger and life was so much simpler. Over in the States Charlie and Mitch had managed to get online in time for the afternoon show as they shared the experience listening to songs they had heard their parents play or talk about.

“I kind of wish we were there” Charlie sighed.

“Me too, but perhaps we should just have our own celebration later”

“Yeah, well we are still in bed recovering but I think I could manage something a little strenuous simce you’re asking”

She moved over him and her lips claimed his, he didn’t argue.

I finished my show and handed over to Mickey who was in charge of the last show for today before he would have to head over for the launch party at Dusk till Dawn. Greg was waiting outside the studio door for me and enveloped me in a huge hug

“Fantastic, absolutely fantastic”

“Thanks Greg, just doing my job” I responded.

“Well I’m glad that you’re doing the job for us”

He managed to sneak a quick kiss near my lips before releasing me. It was Jack’s turn next

“You were brilliant”

“Thanks Jack and to think I owe it all to you showing me how on Hereford Hospital Radio”

“Well you’re the one I have to thank for this break”

Wrapping our arms around each other we hugged for ages as the music played on.

Greg cut the cake and shared it out around the whole team, a team I was looking forward to working with in the future. I eventually managed to slip away and head home to the other party that was going on. Walking in through the door Jester bounded towards me, closely followed by James.

“Sweetheart, you were the best on there”

“Nah, Jack pulled in the most listeners, our Facebook page went up by almost double during his show” I replied, taking the offered glass of champagne.

“Touché, he was hilarious we couldn’t stop laughing here”

“That’s why he’s on at lunchtime”

“And that’s why you’re the station manager who planned it” James finished, pulling me into his embrace.

With the champagne bottle empty Sarah and I went upstairs to get ready leaving the guys to clear up. Pulling the clothes on I surveyed the image that faced me in the mirror. Nothing was going to spoil my mood tonight as I sat down and started to copy the iconic make up look from the cover of the single for Wake me up before you go-go. Sarah appeared in the doorway.

“Thank god you’ve got the single” she said, as I moved off the stool and let her start her own eye shadow. When she was ready we looked at each other.

“Pepsi and Shirley eat your heart out” I said

“Too right” Sarah replied, giving me a hug. Heading down the stairs we wandered into the lounge and James and Chris turned to gasp.

“You look fabulous” James said, with Chris nodding in agreement.

“Well you guys had better head off and get ready as I need to be there for doors opening” I said.

“Ok boss” Chris said, flicking me a mock salute.

Grabbing a glass of wine we sat back and waited.

“This is great, thanks for inviting us up” she said, tapping her glass against mine.

“Without you guys it would not have felt the same” I responded, before my phone beeped.

I looked down and saw a message fo
r
Charlotte.

“Hi Mum, we got to listen online to your show, wish we were there with you all. Have a good night and think of us…we’ll be on the beach” Another message came through and I looked at a picture of the two of them stood with the bright blue sea behind them.

“Thanks Honey, we miss you but have a great time and we’ll be there to collect you from the airport” I typed.

“Was tha
t
Charlotte” Sarah asked.

“Yeah” I said handing her my phone so she could see the photo of the two of them.

Our conversation was interrupted by the entrance by our men. I was shocked to see them not in the obligatory suits of Madness but instead dressed in white trousers and Choose Life t-shirts.

“I guessed you would choose Wham” James said “So I thought I’d better be your George Michael.

“Yes and I’m Andrew Ridgeley” Chris piped up “His fault”

I watched Chris pull Sarah into his embrace and James did the same to me.

“We make a great team” James said “I think it’s time for a photo”

Just then we heard Jester barking as the patio doors slid open and Pam and Peter appeared.

“Wow, you look brilliant” Pam breathed “I take it you’re supposed to be a band from the 80’s”

“Yes Wham, except I don’t have the dark Grecian looks for George” James said.

James handed his Dad the phone and we all grouped together.

“Strike a pose” Peter said, and we all dissolved into fits of laughter at his use of a line from the Madonna song Vogue.

“We heard your show, Stephanie” Pam said.

“Thanks, our first day has gone really well” I replied. Suddenly I spotted the time and looked across at James.

“Under control the taxi is on the way” he replied, reading my expression of panic perfectly. I sighed and smiled at him as Jester happily followed Pam and Peter back to their house for the evening.

The club was still quiet outside but a couple of doormen greeted us and after checking the guest list we were allowed inside.

“I don’t think I’ve been to a nightclub since my thirtieth birthday” Chris said.

“Same here” Sarah and I agreed. James remained silent and I squeezed his hand to say I understood. We still had so many memories to fill each other in on.

“Tonight is going to be full of our memories” I said.

In a split second Zack appeared in the main doorway, his musky, sensual aftershave filled the space and I saw Sarah take a slight breath of admiration for his fine form.

“Welcome Stephanie and all your guests. I’ve reserved the best booth for you if you’d like to follow me”

I could see James scrutinising him as we followed into the darkened club beyond. The interior was decorated with neon balloons and banners with the Love Shack radio logo emblazoned on them. The music was already pumping but at a level that was quiet enough for conversation, I knew that by midnight it would be hammering the ear drums of everyone present. As Sarah and Chris slid into the one side of the plush, velvet clad seating James stood aside to let me in.

“Could I borrow you for a few moments” Zack asked “I need to just check that I have all the timings right so the evening runs smoothly?”

“Ok” I said, leaving my friends briefly to follow Zack towards his office.

“Is it me or are nightclub owners getting younger” Chris said, pouring the champagne on our table into two of the four glasses there.

“I did some research, he’s twenty four and it’s partly funded by his parents but he’s made it successful through some hard work of his own. He has another club in the centre o
f
Birmingha
m
that he owns outright” James said.

“Beer” Chris said, heading back towards the bar. Inside the office Zack motioned me to the nearest seat. Sitting next to me he pulled up his computer screen.

“So all the guests should have arrived by eight thirty and the
n
Greg says he wants to say a few words and I wondered if you wanted to do the same?”

“No, I’m good but I will be down in the foyer greeting some of our guests”

“Cool. Then after Greg I have a couple of dancers performing to get everyone going”

I nodded and smiled. Pausing I wondered whether I should say anything about his burlesque nights but then I changed my mind, this event was not the time or place for that conversation.

“Well, I’d better go and check that the bar staff have all the free drinks ready for our guests arriving” Zack said, standing up and offering me his hand. I took it and our eyes locked briefly, and I was sure that he knew that I knew abou
t
Charlotte.

Back in the club I stopped by the table and spotted that some of the other staff had appeared and were lounging at the bar. James handed me a glass and it slipped down quickly.

“Sorry I’m going to have to leave you all again briefly as I’m on door duty to greet the guests” I said. Sarah and Chris nodded as James stood up and held open his arms.

“Quick hug before you go-go” he asked. I didn’t need to say anything as I filled them and he hugged me tight.

Laughing I had the time to do a quick swing of my arms into the click, click of my fingers from the intro of the song.

Pausing by the bar I admired everyone’s efforts on the dressing up front. Ra-Ra skirts, legwarmers for the girls and skinny jeans and fluorescent gloves and socks for the lads. Jack made me laugh as he lounged by the bar looking every inch Boy George from the Karma Chameleon video.