Where did your heart go? (The Heart Trilogy Book 1) (21 page)

“Have you had a good day?” I asked

“Yeah, the bike place has closed down so we just
walked around the lakes instead, it was a lovely day” she said, smiling over at Mitch.

“Chinese or Indian takeaway for tea?” I asked

“I don’t mind” Mitch said “I like both”

We both looked at Charlie “Indian please Mum” she said

“Ok, I’ll get it ordered for delivery around seven if that’s ok” I said, as I handed them the menu to choose from.

“Do you want a cold drink?” I asked

“It’s ok Mum I’ll sort some out, if it’s ok for us to go up to my room and I can show Mitchell the spare room” Charlie said.

“Sure, I’ll shout you when the food arrives” I said, as I watched them both walk into the kitchen before hearing their feet on the stairs. I smiled to myself and went through to the dining room to lay the table ready for later.
I hoped that my daughter was not rushing things with Mitchell as the last thing I wanted was another broken heart in a short space of time and judging by the look in Charlie’s eyes my daughter had fallen hard and fast.

As Charlie walked up the stairs Mitchell couldn’t help but admire her long legs and shapely curves, she was fantastic to look at and wonderful to dance with and kiss. Charlie felt aware of his gaze as they crossed the landing and she showed him to the spare room

“You’ll be sleeping in here tonight if you want to put your bag down” she said

“That’s cool, I hope the bed is comfy” Mitchell replied.

“Anyway, let’s go to my room instead and we can put some music on” she finished, leading him across the landing. Charlie was pleased that she had taken the time to do a proper clean up and as she put some music on
and kicked off her trainers she realised he was having a good look around.

“Who’s this?” he asked as he picked up one of the photographs on her dressing table. She wandered over and realised that he was looking at a small frame and a picture of her in a pink tutu.

“That’s when I passed my Grade One
, with distinction” she said proudly.

“Let’s s
ee” he replied, as he watched her perform a pirouette and then dipped into a graceful curtsey. He grinned at her “You are good” he responded “But I prefer something a bit less controlled than ballet”

Charlie realised that he had recognised the music from the CD he had given her from the Salsa Club
.

“You like it then?”
he said.

“Oh yes, she replied
as he grabbed her around the waist and spun her away from him before pulling her back in and with his hand on the small of her back they moved together. Downstairs I heard the music and the feet on the wooden floor above ‘Well at least they’re standing up’ I thought and knowing Charlie dancing.

Chapter 25

After dinner and some extremely lively conversation about dancing with Charlie and Mitchell I was amused to find they wanted the lounge so they could watch Dirty Dancing together. Obviously the music was proving to be the strongest bond between them and I was pleased as dancing had played a huge part in Charlie growing up and although she had other career ambitions, dancing was the favourite by miles.

I retreated to the conservatory even though they had suggested I watched it with them, I didn’t want to cramp their style so I left them to
it. Later on in the evening I walked past the door and looking through the glass I noticed that they were dancing along to the images on the screen and making such a good job of it. I was mesmerised as if the film had come to life in my own front room. They looked wonderful together as I snuck away and put the kettle on for some Hot Chocolate.

When I pushed the door open they were sat, hot and sweaty on the sofa and I just couldn’t help but smile.

“What’s so funny?” Charlie asked

“Looking at you two on the sofa, if I hadn’t known you had been dancing I would be thinking lots of other things” I replied, laughing.

“By the way you both looked fabulous dancing together” I said “I spotted you as I passed by the door”

“You really think so” Charlie asked.

“Yes” I
said, as I handed them the mugs.

“Well, I’m off to bed now so I’l
l leave you to clear up your mugs to the kitchen” I said “Goodnight Mitchell, night Charlie” I finished, as I left them too it and retired to my room.

“Well, what shall we do now” Mitch murmured, placing his mug on the coffee table and reaching to take Charlie’s from her and putting it next to his own.

Charlie just gazed up into his eyes and smiled as she watched his lips capture hers in a kiss that was by far the most earth shattering yet. She let herself go with the flow as they both started to explore each other’s bodies through their clothes and even though they had danced closely with each other earlier this was much more intense. But Charlie remembered her Mum’s diaries and reluctantly pulled back enough for Mitch to stop and give her a puzzled look.

“What’s wrong” he enquired

“Can we go slowly with this stuff, I don’t want to rush things even though it feels amazing” she breathed, hoping that he wouldn’t reject her like Craig had.

“Sure, I’ve no problem with that, even though I’m going to find it hard to keep my hands off you” he grinned. She smiled up and him and then realised that it was nearly one in the morning they agreed that it was time for bed.

On the landing he pulled her into his arms for one last embrace.

“Come wake me up in the morning?” he said
.

“
Its morning now” she replied.

“So it is” he responded, drawing her close for a goodnight and good morning kiss.

“Later Mitchell” Charlie finished, as she reluctantly left his arms for a final time.

“Later Charlie, I’ll be dreaming about you” he murmured
.

“Me too” she breathed, as she blew him a kiss and entered her room. Lying there in the darkness she struggled to drift off, hoping he might try and sneak into her room, but being a true man of his words he didn’t appear. Even though she was disappointed she was also pleased that he was willing to wait for her despite the physical attraction that lay between them. She found him waiting in her dreams as they danced together
surrounded by golden leaves that were gently falling around them as he lifted her and she glided towards the warmth of the sun.

I woke up first and crept down the stairs to put the coffee pot on, I had slept fitfully all night. I guess worrying that Charlie and Mitchell had spent the night together but after a coffee I dismissed these thoughts. I decided that I had to trust Charlie; after all she had read my diaries and knew what I used to get up too. So I hoped that if this relationship continued between them then I would allow them to share a bedroom together and I would treat them like the adults they were.

I was startled from my thoughts as Mitchell entered the kitchen and perched on the nearby stool

“Morning Stephanie” he said “Is Charlie not up yet?”

“Afraid not, she’s not known for early mornings at the weekend, however if I turn the radio up she might hear it and come down” I said, as I poured Mitch a mug of coffee and turned up the radio. It was tuned to Love Shack Radio, the station where I worked so a mixture of hits bounced around ranging from the sixties through to the nineties.

“I love this gr
oup” Mitch said, as the distinctive bass of ‘Our House’ by Madness filled the room “I saw them on the television for the Golden Jubilee celebrations” he finished.

“
Yeah, they are great I remember dancing to their hits when I was young”

“They are one of my Dad’s favourite groups he looks so funny when he jumps around to this telling me that this is h
ow dancing was in the eighties”

“We definitely weren’t as sophisticated in those days as you are today but maybe that’s how music and dancing progress” I said
.

“Charlie tells me you’re a DJ that is such a cool job, playing music all day and chatting” he remarked.

“Yes it is, it keeps me sane and allows me t
o play music that I love”

“So you had to choose eighties
tracks for the final of the dance competition” I continued.

“Yes that was a bit of fun, I love Michael Jackson but thought it would be great to reinterpret something different, especially as the dance for Thriller is so well known” he finished, as we both turned around to see Charlie had arrived dressed in her pj’s and fluffy slippers.

“Morning sleepyhead” I said, turning to pour her a mug of coffee as she took the stool next to Mitchell.

“Yeah, I’ve been up for ages” Mitch said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

“You could have shouted me” Charlie replied “What have I missed?”

“Oh, I’ve been telling Mitchell all about your annoying habits” I laughed, as I watched her turn to look a
t Mitch with horror on her face until she realised that I was teasing her and she gave me a look that said it all.

“We’ve been talking about music and dancing” responded Mitchell “although I would like to hear about your annoying habits” he finished.

“So what are your plans for the day?” I asked

“Thought we might go round the town and Mitch can see what a boring place we live in, then I have dance practice this afternoon for a couple of hours so Mitch can come along if he wants”

“Is t
hat wise, he is your rival in the dance competition”

“Yes, but I trust him not to steal our routine, anyway I may have a plan for him to help us out” Charlie said cryptically.

“Oh yes” said Mitch “And when were you going to tell me about this?”

“Well
later when we’re out” she replied, smiling shyly at him.

“Bacon sandwiches then?” I asked “since you will need to eat to give you some energy for later”

They both nodded and I left them to their conversation as I set to work at the stove, pleased to see my daughter so happy.

“What time are you heading home Mitchell” I asked
.

“I promised I would be home by nine
so as long as I leave here about eight that should be fine” he replied.

“Ok I’m doing lasagne for tea so I’ll feed you before you head off” I finished.

Walking into town Charlie knew it would be pretty deserted on a Sunday but it was nice to just
walk around together as she shared her knowledge of the different places. They walked through the car park towards the swimming pool so that they could continue through to the river bank.

“My dad used to work there?” Mitchell suddenly said, looking
at the tired façade of the leisure centre.

“Really” Charlie said “My Mum met her first boyfriend there, isn’t that strange”

“Yes” Mitchell said “What was his name again?”

“James” she replied, as the sudden realisation hit her “
What’s your Dad’s name?” she said, holding her breath.

“James” Mitchell replied

“Do you think that my Mum’s James is your Dad?” Charlie exclaimed.

“That’s just what I was thinking, how weird if it was”

“I know a way we can check” Charlie responded, after a large pause as they both considered this information
.

“We’ll need to go home as I have a photograph of the two of them together” she finished, grabbing his hand as they turned and quickly headed back to the house.
The river bank walk postponed until further notice.

Grabbing a cold drink they headed upstairs, her Mum had gone shopping so the house was deserted. As Mitch sat down on her bed Charlie pulled the photo album out from under her bed and turned to the back page before handing it to Mitchell.

“Oh my God it is my Dad” Mitch breathed, almost dropping the photo album from the shock of this realisation “This is so mad” he finished.

“So do you think that my Mum was his true love then?” Charlie said, sitting down beside him and gazing at the now familiar photography.

“I guess so as my brother Darren is 23 and the diaries are from 1988 and he was born in 1989 and then me in 1991 before my Mum left us” Charlie watched the shock in his eyes; this was a massive discovery for both of them.

“I think I need to read some more of Mum’s diaries to see what happened between them before we dare mention this” Charlie breathed “but I haven’t got that far with them yet and it’s such a compelling story that I don’t want to spoil it by just turning to the end pages” she finished.

“Ok, but I think you had better start reading faster as the dance competition is not far away and my Dad is coming to watch”

“Yes, so is my Mum” Charlie responded.

Looking at the clock Charlie realised that it was time to head over for her dance session and she hadn’t even talked to Mitch about what she was planning. Grabbing her dance bag and Mitch’s hand they started back down the stairs

“Can we go on the bike?” she asked Mitch

“Sure, is it far?”

“No but I want to be there before a
nyone else so I can talk to Mrs Grantley about what I am planning”

“Yes, and I would quite like to know what I’m letting myself in for too” Mitch replied
as he grabbed the helmets and they headed for the bike.

Once they arrived at the school and were walking towards the entrance for the main hall Charlie turned to Mitchell.

“Ok, what I want to do as part of our dance is to fall from a fair height and have someone catch me but as we are a group of girls there is no one who would have the strength to do this
so I wondered if you step in?”

“I would catch you any day” Mitch replied
, as we both thought back to yesterday’s visit to the lakes

“I would love to do it” he finished, grinning down at Charlie and giving her a quick kiss on the lips, before they headed through the doors.

Inside Mrs Grantley was already there and setting up the music system so she looked startled to see Charlie heading through the door accompanied by a tall young man who looked vaguely familiar.

“Hi Charlie, you’re early?” she said, as they crossed the hall.

“Hi Mrs Grantley, this is Mitchell” she said, introducing them.

“I’ve had an idea about our dance to Take my Breath Away and I want Mitchell to help us with it. By the way he is in the dance group from the college in Rugby who are also in the finals” she finished, glancing nervously between the two of them.

“Ah, that’s where I recognise you from?” Mrs Grantley said smiling “Ok tell me what you are thinking then” she said.

Putting the CD in the system Charlie found the music and played the song through highlighting
the section at the end of the song where she thought the drop would fit in.

“I like your idea” Mrs Grantley finished, “It will certainly give our dance a dramatic ending”

“I’ll just pop and change into my dance clothes and can we have a couple of practices before anyone else turns up” Charlie asked, eager to put her idea into practice.

“Ok” both Mitchell and Mrs Grantley said at the same time.

When she returned Charlie explained that they may require some stage props at the
London venue and then the music started. Charlie couldn’t help but run through the first part of the routine as she built up to the point where the drop would come in. As she flitted up the steps at the side of the stage area and taking this as a cue Mitchell headed to the point below Charlie on the floor.