When I walk downstairs, I hear Jessica walking inside. She has about 20 huge bags that are already all lined up in my hallway.
“Are you sure that I need all of that?”
“Yes, believe me, you do!”
If I have learned something growing up, it is not to argue with a woman when she has her mind set on something, that’s why I just answer “Okay”, take some of the bags and carry them upstairs.
Then I walk back down and carry the rest of the bags upstairs.
“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” I ask Jessica as I lay the last bags on the floor of my bedroom.
“No, go! You would only interfere and I don’t need that. You can come back when I am finished and see the end result,” she answers and pushes me out of the door.
“Okay, okay, fine,” I say with my hands in the air like I am giving up and walk downstairs.
It’s already five pm now. I am starving, when is Ryan going to be here? I can’t even finish my thought when my doorbell rings. I go to the phone because it must be Ryan standing by the gate.
“Hello?”
“Hey mate, it’s me. Open the gate!”
I press the buzzer to let him in. I walk to my front door and open it. Ryan jumps out of the car and his driver takes off again. Ryan walks up to me and we give each other a pat on the shoulder.
“Nice to see you, man,” Ryan says as he walks into my house.
“Thank god, you brought the food. I am so hungry.”
“I bought so much mate, I couldn’t decide, so I nearly bought everything on the menu.”
“Oh, no worries, my assistant is still here, maybe she’ll want something too,” I answer and shout up the stairs.
“Jessica! JESSICA!”
“Yes? What’s wrong?”
“My friend Ryan just came round and brought curry. Would you like some?”
“No, thank you. I have dinner plans.”
“Oh, so you have a date?” I ask her in a teasing voice.
“None of your business, Henry!”
“Okay, I guess you and me will have to eat all of this food then,” I say to Ryan.
“We will never be able to!” Ryan replies and starts opening up the boxes that are filled with food.
We sit down at the kitchen counter and start eating.
“So, how has everything been? I haven’t seen you for ages. I think the last time was after the Brit awards.”
“Yes, it was. Oh gosh, time sure does fly!”
“So anything new?”
“Well, I have a new album coming out, which I wrote on the road whilst touring the other album. That was a first for me and it is very stressful but it’s okay,” Ryan answers.
“I know what you mean. You are completely exhausted, but you feel bad if you complain because you actually are living your dream. I get it. I have the same issue,” I assure him.
“So, tell me about this girl you mentioned.”
“Ali, yes, she is my best friend’s cousin. She currently lives in Germany but also comes from the UK. She just started her own fashion business, and is going to open a hotel both together with her best friend Poppy,” I start bragging.
“Wow, that sounds amazing and very ambitious for a girl that age.”
“She isn’t my age. She is four years older than me but still, yes, it is pretty amazing what she does at 26!”
“I wish I could meet someone like that. Of course I love my fans but I really just want to meet a girl who wants to get to know me. Just me not me the musician and that seems like impossible, unless she is also out of the industry and I don’t want that,” Ryan explains himself.
“Well, actually Ali’s best friend Poppy who is also coming tomorrow is that kind of woman. I think you two could be a great match,” I suggest.
“Please, don’t set me up, Henry. I don’t like that.”
“I won’t, mate. No worries, I’m just saying. Maybe keep an open mind if you meet her tomorrow.”
“I will keep an open mind, Henry!”
We eat our food and chat about work and catch up. It’s getting pretty late, so Ryan calls his assistant to come to pick him up.
“So, see you tomorrow, mate,” Ryan says whilst putting on his coat.
“Yes, we can come and meet you at your hotel and have dinner there,” I suggest.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. See you!” Ryan replies and heads out through the door.
◆◆◆
◆◆◆
Chapter 18
Alison
I woke up way before the alarm I set. I’m just so excited to see Henry again. I sneak out of my bedroom because I don’t want to wake up Poppy. It’s so funny after all these years and now having a big house with guest bedrooms, we still mostly sleep in the same bed when we visit each other. Something we used to do when we first started hanging out and somehow still keep on doing. I walk in the bathroom and turn on the shower. When I step into the shower I let the hot water run down my body. I try to calm myself down and it works. I take the shower foam and cover my entire body in it. Enjoying the smell. I go over my already packed bags in my head, to make sure I haven’t forgotten to pack anything.
I step out of the shower, put lotion on my entire body and get dressed in a robe. I walk in my make-up room and apply my make-up. I love playing around with make-up, I actually am a certified make-up artist and for me, it is a form of art. Many people who paint say they do it as a form of therapy. Applying make-up has the same effect on me, in the end, it’s nearly the same thing, but instead of painting on a blank piece of paper I paint on a face. I’m just putting fixing spray on my face as Poppy walks in.
“Good morning. Why are you already up and ready? Oh my god, did I oversleep?” Poppy asks me with wide eyes.
“You didn’t oversleep, love. Don’t worry. I just was too excited to sleep, so I decided to get up early.”
“Oh, thank god,” Poppy says whilst walking into the bathroom.
“I’ll take a shower and get dressed,” she shouts over her shoulder before closing the bathroom door behind her.
I walk into my closet and get dressed. After that, I walk downstairs and make some coffee. I have way too much time on my hands, but that’s just how it is now.
When Poppy is also ready, I call a driver to pick us up and drive us to the airport. Poppy is also very excited now.
“So, by the way, Poppy. Henry has a friend that came to visit and we will hang out all together is that okay with you?”
“Sure, what kind of friend?”
“I don’t know to be honest, although Henry did say you and him could be a good match!” I reply with a wink.
“Oh hell, no, don’t you even dare try to set me up. That is so uncomfortable,” Poppy says and means it.
I just laugh it off.
“Don’t worry. I won’t and neither will Henry, just maybe stay open?” I suggest.
Poppy rolls her eyes at me and stares out of the window saying:
“Whatever.”
I know she isn’t really mad at me just a little annoyed, but I was serious. Neither of us have planned to set the two of them up. We finally arrive at the airport. We grab our bags and head straight into security check after that time runs really fast, we buy some coffee and before we have even finished it, we are already waiting in line to board the plane. As soon as we sit in the plane, I text Henry that we are about to take off before I put my phone in plane mode. Poppy and I smile at each other and take our hands.
“To our little trip, love,” I say.
“To our trip, love. It’ll be amazing!” Poppy replies and then the plane takes off.
Two hours later we land in London Heathrow. Poppy and I leave the plane and stand in line for border control. I text Henry to let him know that we have arrived.
“How are we going to get to his house?” Poppy asks me.
“I think his assistant or someone is picking us up,” I reply.
When we walk out we are greeted by a man
in a suit.
“Hello Miss Thomson,” the man says and walks towards me.
“Mister Green sent me to pick you up.”
“Oh, thank you, Sir.”
“May I take your and your friend’s bag?”
“Sure, if you insist.”
He takes our bags and leads us towards the parking lot underneath the airport. When I step out of the lift somebody grabs me from behind and covers my eyes.
“Guess who it is!” The person says.
I can tell by his voice that it’s obviously Henry, but I decide to go along with his game.
“I don’t know, are you one of my many lovers?” I ask to tease him.
“One of them? Well how many do you have?” he returns my question.
“That depends are we talking continents or just different countries?” I keep on going.
“I see, you have a lot on your plate, Miss.”
“Which one is your most favourite one?” he asks.
“Well, that’s easy. That would be Henry Green. I don’t know if you have ever heard of him though, he doesn’t get out a lot.”
Henry lets go of me, turns me around and kisses me.
“I missed you,” he whispers in my ear.
“I missed you too.”
“Hello, Henry!” Poppy interrupts us.
“Hey Poppy, sorry for not greeting you sooner. I was a little occupied,” Henry apologizes to Poppy.
“That’s okay,” Poppy returns with a smile.
“Mister Green, the car is ready. Shall we return to your house?” the man in the suit asks Henry.
“Yes sure, thank you.”
We all sit in the car. Poppy wanted to sit in the front, and I don’t mind it at all to take a seat in the back with Henry. And then we drive off.
“So, you have an army of men in black suits working for you?” I ask Henry pointing to the man behind the steering wheel.
Henry chuckles,
“No, he works for the music label and any artist under contract can borrow a driver etc. for his needs. Also when I fly privately it is not my plane, but it belongs to the label,” Henry explains.
“So, let’s say you feel like having a really good pizza from Italy, you can just call the label and rent a jet to fly to Italy and eat one?” I ask curiously.
Henry starts laughing and shakes his head.
“Love, I think you watched too much MTV when you were growing up. It’s not like that at all. I live a pretty normal life. But let’s say I go on tour and play in a different country every single night then yes, the label will give me and the entire crew a jet for that,” Henry lets me know.
“Ah I see, that makes a lot of sense,” I say and smile at him.
I cuddle myself in his arms and enjoy feeling them around me. I missed feeling him, hearing his voice, and his smell. He smells so good. It doesn’t take long and we arrive at his house. We drive through the gates and underneath the house into his garage. Henry turns to the driver and thanks him.
“I have everything covered from here. I won’t be needing you any longer, sir. Thank you,” he tells the driver and the driver leaves.
Poppy and I stand in the garage and can’t believe our eyes. There are ten cars in his garage, one nicer than the other.
“I guess one car isn’t enough?” I say pointing to all the cars around me.
Henry rubs his neck a little embarrassed.
“Ah, I guess one would be enough, but I just like cars,” he tries to explain.
“It’s fine, babe. I’m not judging you, just teasing,” I say laughing.
I turn around to look at Poppy, but she is no longer behind me. She is jumping around the garage looking at every single car like a little girl in Disneyland.
“Oh my god, have you seen this one?” she shouts out, standing next to a Mercedes Old-timer.
“No, I haven’t,” I say not very impressed. I mean, yes, it is a really nice car. Absolutely, but I have never been fond of old cars. I prefer new cars.
“I love this!” Poppy says to Henry.
Henry walks up to her and they both admire the car. Apparently, it is his favourite one as well, and they both talk about it like it’s some kind of lost treasure. It’s adorable even though I can’t understand it.
“Shall we go inside then?” I interrupt them after a few minutes.
“Of course, I’ll take your bags,” Henry replies, takes Poppy and my bags, and leads us to the lift.
I look at him with bright eyes.
“What?” he asks me.
“You have a lift in your house?” I ask flabbergasted.
“Oh, come on, stop. I really am not that posh. It was already in when I bought it,” Henry replies still trying to convince me that he is just an ordinary boy.
“Oh, well. That explains everything. Who doesn’t have a house with a lift,” I reply laughing.
“Well, I think it’s beautiful!” Poppy chimes in.
“Thank you, Poppy. I appreciate that” Henry thanks, Poppy.
They both smile at me, and I just roll my eyes in a fun way.
“So, how many staff members will be greeting me?” I ask as a joke.
“Not that many, just my assistant, my housekeeper and my chef but they aren’t here all the time,” Henry replies.
“Really?”
“Yes, why?” Henry returns my question not realizing that I was joking before.
“I love it. I could get used to this,” Poppy says.
And we all laugh. We exit the lift and stand in a gigantic hallway. I have never ever seen anything like this except in movies.
“Wow,” Poppy and I say at the same time.
“Do you like it?”
“Like?” Poppy replies in shock.
“I mean, this is a beautiful little house babe,” I reply sarcastically but also seriously.
Of course, it isn’t little, but it for sure is beautiful. In the hallway, there are some beautiful pictures hanging on the walls. I stop to admire them because I love art. I know Henry does too, we have talked about it, but now seeing the beautiful works he has on his walls I admire his taste. Henry walks towards me and looks at the painting I’m currently staring at with me.
“We should go to an art gallery together sometime,” he suggests.
“Yes, let’s do that!”
We walk up the stairs and Henry shows us Poppy’s room. It’s a beautiful guest bedroom with big windows and a really nice bath.
“Will it do?” Henry asks Poppy, who is out of words admiring the room.
“Will it do?” is all she replies, “I think this is the nicest room I have ever slept in. You will probably have problems getting me to leave ever again,” she says and we all smile.
“Do you want to see your room?”
I am a little surprised but don’t show it.
“I get my own room?”
“I mean, do you want to see the room you will be staying at, which is obviously my bedroom!” Henry replies and I must admit I’m kind of relieved.
I smile at him, “of course.”
“Poppy, do you want to come?” Henry asks Poppy.
“No, I’m good thanks if you don’t mind. Like I said I’m probably not going to leave this room ever.”
“Okay, well. Just call us if you need anything,” Henry tells her, we walk out of the room and close the door behind us.
Henry leads me up another staircase which leads to his bedroom. I walk inside the door and see a beautiful bedroom. It’s huge and so nicely decorated, he really put some thoughts into the details.
“Henry, this is beautiful,” I say and turn around to look at him.
“I’m glad you like it,” he replies.
“I do.”
“So, if you feel comfortable enough, maybe you could imagine living here someday,” he says in a shy voice.
I walk towards him and kiss him. I look into his eyes and say,
“I can definitely imagine living with you no matter where,” Henry lets out a brea
th of relief and kisses me.
I hear a knock on the door. It’s Poppy.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I am a little curious what the rest of the house looks like,” she says.
“Of course you are,” I say smiling.
Henry shows Poppy around the top part which is his bedroom, his amazing closet and huge beautiful bathroom. Then I hear somebody walking around downstairs and my heart sinks.
“Henry,” I call him.
“What’s wrong?”
“I think there is somebody in your house,” I say panicking.
“Relax love, it’s probably my assistant. She has a key. Jessica is that you?” Henry calls out into the hallway.
“Yes,” she shouts back.
“See, everything is fine, love,” he calms me down and takes me into his arms.
I feel so stupid. I thought it must be an intruder, and never thought about him having an assistant with a key. I don’t think I will ever get used to his lifestyle.
◆◆◆
◆◆◆
Chapter 19
Poppy
I am sitting on the bed of this amazing room. Henry is so nice, he put a lot of effort into making Ali and me feel welcome. I text my mum to let her know that we arrived safely. I unpack my bags and freshen up. Then I decide to go and look where Ali and Henry are. I walk upstairs and follow the sound of their voices. When I see them Henry shows us around the top floor of his house. Everything in this house is gigantic and so beautiful. I know for sure that one day I am going to live in a house like this.
Henry’s assistant has just come over, so we all walk downstairs to meet her. Her name is Jessica and she is really nice. Jessica is about to go into town and do some shopping and as I want to let Ali and Henry have some time on their own, I ask Jessica if she would mind me coming along. I haven’t been to London as often as Ali has, and I love this city so much that I can’t wait to have a walk around town. I’m glad that Jessica is happy to take me along, and so we walk outside the door to her car.
“Wow, you have a lovely car. Henry must be paying you well,” I say as I sit in the Range Rover.
Keep It Secret: Time Starts Now (Part Book 1) Page 11