February Or Forever

by Juliet Madison

  ‘So, Damon will take over my other class?’

  ‘Yes. Consider Mr Williams your top priority from now on. Well, until he leaves the country on the 1st of March. I told him we could arrange afternoon sessions in addition to or in place of the morning class if he prefers, but he’ll see how he goes.’

  Chrissie nodded with a little too much enthusiasm, or perhaps nerves, and wondered if this was some kind of dream and she hadn’t even left the house yet. Maybe she was still tucked up in bed and she’d wake any minute and laugh at the fantasy she’d created.

  Chrissie looked at the forms that Helena placed in her trembling hands. A lot of legal mumbo jumbo, but the gist of it was that she would not tell anyone that Drew Williams was staying at Serendipity, or that she had anything to do with him.

  This was no dream. Her favourite celebrity was right outside and she’d be meeting him in less than two hours. She wanted to call her friend Melinda in Sydney and brag, but couldn’t. She would be the envy of every woman her age, and she couldn’t tell a single soul.

  Thoughts bounced through her mind as Helena ducked out to make a call, leaving her alone to peruse the document and add her signature, which would probably look nothing like her real signature on account of the shaky hands. She read and re-read the document, her mind not really taking in the information, but she knew what it meant. She took a deep breath and put the tip of the pen to the paper, and scrawled C Burns, complete with the little flourish at the end of the ‘s’.

  There. Done. I can keep a secret.

  ‘Yes of course, see you then. Bye.’ Helena ended her call and placed the phone on the desk, raising her eyebrows to ask if Chrissie was done.

  ‘Signed, sealed, delivered,’ Chrissie said, handing over the forms.

  ‘Fantastic. Thanks, Chrissie. I’m so glad you’ve joined us here at the retreat. Perfect timing, huh?’

  That was yet to be determined. Such an important role so soon after starting a new job, in this town of all towns. She had no idea if she could handle it. But somehow, she had to.

  ‘Now, you had a look through the V.I.P. quarters only recently during your staff orientation, so you should be familiar with where everything is?’

  Chrissie nodded. ‘I hadn’t expected anyone to be staying there so soon.’

  ‘Me neither. Usually we have a fair bit of notice, but this was a spur of the moment arrangement, apparently. Luckily Ms Kidman didn’t happen to be here at this time.’

  ‘Nicole Kidman stays here?’

  Helena smiled, then unlocked a drawer under her desk. ‘This is a bit different to teaching in the hall above the drycleaners, I bet?’

  Hell yeah. Chrissie had spent a good five years running classes there in Glebe, both before and after Kai was born, and had only been at a slightly more upmarket fitness centre for just over a year before the opportunity at Serendipity came along. The fitness centre’s own V.I.P. program had given her experience in one-on-one sessions and program design, but the V.I.P.’s were mostly well paid execs and spouses of the well-off rather than…famous people.

  ‘I’m really happy to be here.’ Chrissie smiled.

  ‘Here you go.’ Helena handed her a key card suspended from a lanyard. ‘The key to the V.I.P. quarters — the general rooms that is — obviously the sleeping quarters have a separate key.’

  Sleeping quarters. Bedroom. Drew Williams…naughty thoughts crept into her mind and, her cheeks becoming hot, she willed them to disappear. She had to remain completely and utterly professional at all times. But you wouldn’t be a woman if you hadn’t at least imagined Mr Williams in a more personal nature at some stage in your life.

  Then another thought crept into her mind…

  How will I teach him without…touching him?

  Stop it, Chrissie!

  She took hold of the key card, its cold, hard plastic cooling her heated fingertips. This was the key to the most exclusive part of Serendipity and, symbolically, the key to a new world which, although temporary, would no doubt be challenging, exciting, scary, amazing, and unforgettable — all at the same time.

  Chapter 3

  Chrissie put the remaining wedges of orange in the fridge of the staff lounge. She’d only eaten one after her morning class and couldn’t eat another. Her nerves were in no state to tell her body how to digest food. Besides, yoga was best on an empty stomach. Although when you taught three or four classes a day, you couldn’t exactly go without food all day in order to follow the recommended principles. At least the lunchbreak allowed enough time to have a decent healthy meal — all cooked by award-winning gourmet chefs too.

  ‘I’ll have that, if you’re not going to eat it?’ Damon asked before Chrissie could close the fridge door.

  ‘Sure, go ahead. I’m not that hungry.’

  ‘Nerves will do that to you.’ He winked, and bit into an orange wedge. ‘All ready to meet your special student?’

  ‘Oh, you know who it is?’

  ‘Yeah, all the main staff have been briefed. I signed my legal doc. I just hope Lisa can keep her mouth shut, she likes a bit of gossip.’ He held a hand below his chin to catch any drips of juice.

  ‘I guess she’ll have to.’ Chrissie replied.

  ‘Are you going to ask for his autograph?’

  ‘Autograph? No!’ Chrissie flicked her hand as if the idea was ridiculous. She wasn’t an obsessed teenage fan. At least, not anymore.

  ‘Well, you’ll have something better: one-on-one time with the star. Pretty good perk for first week on the job.’ Damon’s grin added a sparkle to his dark eyes.

  ‘Yeah, I never expected this.’

  Damon ate the remaining orange wedge, rinsed his hands under the tap, and turned for the door. ‘Adios, Chrissie, enjoy!’ He waved and disappeared around the door. Chrissie chuckled. After he’d finished his shift last Friday he’d said ‘Sayonara’. Which language would he embrace next?

  The good thing about working in a health retreat was that everyone was happy and friendly. The atmosphere was laced with a calm, positive buzz. Of course, like Chrissie, people had their bad days, but it gave her comfort that she was in a supportive environment for the duration of her workday.

  Chrissie raised her wrist and a fluttery sensation in her belly raised her heart rate a notch. Ten minutes to go. Should she head up there now? What if he wasn’t ready yet? What if she looked too keen? Maybe she should wait till five to eleven. But what if the key malfunctioned and she had to call the reception staff to help, and then she’d be late and things would get off to a bad start with him?

  Okay, I’ll go up at seven minutes to eleven. She focused on her watch and willed her heartbeat to match the ticking of the second hand on the clock face, when in reality it was more like double the speed.

  Breathe, Chrissie, breathe. He’s just like any other student, he’s only human, he’s… Oh who am I kidding? He’s Drew freaking Williams!

  Chrissie used the same technique she used for her panic attacks and hoped for the best. She took a quick glance in the mirror and tightened the elastic on her ponytail, lifted her singlet to wipe the sheen of oil from her nose, and grinned wide to check her teeth.

  Right, time to go.

  She grabbed her bag and hooked the lanyard with the V.I.P. key around her neck, then exited the staff lounge and walked down the inconspicuous corridor behind the café. She passed the door to a storage room and turned the corner to face another door.

  ‘STAFF ONLY’, the sign read, but it was really the secret entrance to the V.I.P. quarters. Drew had his own private entrance that led outside the building, but this was how he could get in and out from inside if he wished, and how the necessary staff could get in.

  Chrissie’s hand poised above the electronic lock, and she plastered a smile on her face.

  ‘Hi, Drew, I’m Chrissie,’ she practised.

  Urgh. Too casual.

  ‘Good morning, Mr Williams. It’s a delight to meet you.’

  Too serious and old-fashioned.


  ‘Drew Williams, what an honour. My name is Chrissie and I’m absolutely thrilled to be your yoga instructor. I’m here to help in any way I can.’

  Strike three. Oh c’mon, Chrissie. What are you trying to do, convince him to put you in his will?

  She pushed out a breath and slid the key card down the slit in the lock. It lit up green and she pushed open the door, letting it slowly close behind her.

  Suddenly aware that now, beyond this door, it was only herself and the multiple Grammy award-winning artist, she felt a tad underdressed in her Lycra outfit and comfortable rubber slip-on sandals. An occasion like this should call for a nice dress, or even trousers and a classy top, and definitely heels. But no, she’d be meeting her favourite singer in the clothing she wore every day. At least the requirements of her job had allowed her figure to regain its sculpted firmness after the birth of Kai, combined with eating a healthy diet and doing circuit sessions at the gym.

  Why am I worried about how I look? Yoga is not about appearances, it’s about the unity and oneness of everything. Aesthetics don’t matter when we’re all the same on the inside.

  Chrissie tried the whole ‘talking herself around thing’, but couldn’t help feeling exposed, vulnerable, uncertain. Was she really cut out for this job in her sensitive emotional state of late?

  A sound from above yanked her back to the present moment, and she realised there was no time or point in pondering such things. She had a job to do, and she had to get on with it. Now.

  She straightened her shoulders, convinced her facial muscles to relax into an ‘everything’s cool and I do this all the time’ expression, and walked past the V.I.P. dining and lounge area which opened up and merged into the private garden. She turned the corner and walked slowly up the stairs. Each footstep seemed too loud, obtrusive, like the floor was warning its resident of an unfamiliar visitor. She made it to the top of the stairs and breathed deeply. Luckily Drew wasn’t standing at the top, or she might have tumbled backwards and ended up sharing a hospital bed next to Rachel and her broken leg. The hallway was encased in rich, inviting, earthy red walls, and a warm, yellowy glow formed arches on the wall above each light fitting. The yoga studio was on the right, and around the corner to the left were the sleeping quarters; requiring, as Helena had mentioned, a different key. This place was practically a prison. Albeit a luxurious one.

  Is he in there waiting? Or is he yet to come out of his room? Chrissie prepared herself just in case, easing her mouth into a soft smile and pushing open the door to the studio.

  The light flooding the room washed over her eyes, and she blinked a few times to adjust to the brightness. Empty. Her shoulders relaxed and she set her bag down on the table in the corner and placed her key inside, then withdrew a couple of high-quality floor mats from the storage shelf, and placed them on the floor. She eyed their closeness, bent down, and moved them further apart. Satisfied she had the most appropriate distance calculated between the two, she turned and took her class notebook out of her bag, writing the day’s date at the top, followed by the words, Drew Williams, private session #1. She didn’t know what level he was at in terms of ability, but his sculpted physique assured her he was no stranger to exercise. Not many men admitted to being fans of yoga, but Drew seemed different. From what she’d seen of him in the media, which wasn’t much since she’d left her career as a journalist ten years ago, he was very much an outdoorsy, earthy, natural type. No fancy hairstyles, multiple piercings, or excessive tattoos covering his body like third-degree burns; he was just himself. The boy next door, blessed with natural good looks, no accessories required. Drew Williams was the true-blue Aussie superstar the whole country — hell, the whole world — adored.

  ‘I should have brought my sunglasses.’

  Chrissie spun around at the sound of his voice, and her breath halted at the sight of him in the doorway; his hand shading his eyes from the glare of sun invading the room, and a small smile arching into his cheek and peeking behind the shadow his hand had created.

  Ba-boom, ba-boom, her heart pounded. ‘Oh, I’ll adjust the blinds for you.’ Chrissie scurried over to the windows and swivelled the rods.

  ‘It’s okay, might help me stay awake and shake off this jet lag.’ Drew stepped into the room and walked towards her, each step he took making Chrissie’s heart beat faster in anticipation. ‘You must be Chrissie?’

  ‘Yes. And you must be Drew?’ Oh God. Duh, Chrissie!

  He smiled and held out his hand. Chrissie hoped hers wasn’t sweaty and held it out to meet his. He grasped it gently but firmly, his warm skin sending a shot of adrenalin up her arm.

  I just touched Drew Williams! Inside she had succumbed to fan girl hysteria, while on the outside she hoped she appeared nonchalant but friendly. ‘It’s great to meet you,’ she said.

  ‘Likewise.’ He withdrew his hand, his eyes still fixed on hers. ‘So is Chrissie short for Christine?’

  ‘Christina, actually.’

  No one had called her Christina since…well, since she didn’t want to be called that anymore.

  ‘Nice name,’ he said in a deep, soulful tone as hypnotic as his singing voice. ‘Funny, how we like to shorten our names. No one calls me Andrew anymore except my mum.’

  ‘Mums are like that.’ Chrissie smiled, even though the word ‘mum’ shot a painful arrow through her heart. She’d never hear her own mother call her name again. Chrissie scratched her arm even though it wasn’t itchy. ‘Do you have family in this neck of the woods?’

  Did that sound too nosy? What was she supposed to do; forget the pleasantries and go right ahead and tell him to drop and give her twenty salutes to the sun?

  ‘Sure do, my parents have lived in Tarrin’s Bay all their lives.’ As he spoke, the sunlight reflecting off his face made the hint of stubble framing his jaw sparkle. He was the type of guy who looked even better with a sprinkling of facial hair. He had just the right balance of hair to skin; enough to accentuate his features and give him that masculine look, but nowhere near enough to make the thought of kissing him akin to a trek through the Himalayan jungle.

  Hang on — kissing him? What am I thinking? Get your mind out of the jungle — er — gutter, Chrissie!

  ‘I could have stayed with them of course, but sometimes you just need a bit of time on your own, don’t you?’ he said.

  Chrissie nodded. She’d probably agree to anything he said at this stage…he could tell her that toothpaste on toast was a delicious breakfast and she’d still nod.

  Chrissie, you’re thirty-seven, not seventeen. Be professional. ‘Well there’s no better place to have some down time than Serendipity.’

  ‘I’m looking forward to it, and can’t wait to get my body limbered up after that long-haul flight.’ He swung his arms forwards and backwards. ‘I’ll definitely be taking advantage of some massage too, while I’m here.’

  Oh wow, those massage therapists would be in their element.

  ‘That’s a good idea.’ Chrissie cleared her throat. ‘So um, how much yoga experience do you have?’

  ‘I did an intensive retreat in Bali a few years ago, learned the ropes. Continued to practise through an instructor in L.A., but after a while I got out of the habit. Life, especially in this job, can be all over the place at times,’ he said.

  ‘I can imagine.’ Well, not really. Chrissie had no idea what living the life of a world famous musician was like, but she did know what motherhood was like. It was often ‘all over the place’ too, in a different, domestic kind of way. ‘All the more reason to make it part of your life,’ she added. ‘Yoga can be a constant. Something you can count on to ground yourself when things get chaotic.’

  ‘Exactly the reason I’m here.’

  ‘Well, I hope you have a relaxing stay.’ Chrissie offered her best smile.

  ‘I hope so too.’ His gaze fell to the left before connecting with hers again. ‘Though I’m not overly proficient at taking holidays. I can’t go a week without playing my gu
itar or working on a song.’

  ‘I guess it’s just part of who you are,’ Chrissie said. ‘Something you can’t cast aside.’

  Like her ex-husband who couldn’t cast aside his propensity for angry outbursts. ‘It’s just my personality,’ he’d said. ‘I’m a feisty, passionate person. Take it or leave it.’ And leave it she did. She’d loved his exciting nature when they’d first got together, but after marriage and a child, domestic responsibility and commitment didn’t agree with him.

  ‘True. My guitar is like a limb to me. I feel naked if I’m not carrying it.’

  Why did he have to say that word? Another image flashed in Chrissie’s mind, one she certainly shouldn’t be indulging in. ‘Unfortunately you’ll need both hands to be guitar-less for the next hour or so.’ She attempted a laugh.

  It wasn’t that funny, but he seemed mildly amused. ‘I think I’ll survive.’

  ‘Right, well let’s get started.’ Chrissie clapped her hands together like she did when it was time for Kai to go to bed. Geez, can I stop acting like a mother for once?

  ‘Ready when you are, boss.’ He grinned, and placed his hands loosely on his hips, awaiting her instructions.

  Boss? She chuckled, flicking her hand. ‘The only boss here is the one downstairs. In this room, we’re equals. I’m simply the facilitator.’

  He held out his hands wide. ‘Facilitate away. I’m all yours.’

  His eager openness sent a tingle of excitement through her nerves. He might just turn out to be the perfect student: positive, uncomplaining, and willing to be challenged. Oh, and bloody hot.

  ‘Right, well first of all I need to know if you have any significant medical conditions or injuries?’

  ‘Nope. Perfect health. As far as I know. My only issue is I get a bit of neck pain and stiffness, here…’ he rubbed the side of his neck, ‘and down that side of my back,’ he twisted and pointed. ‘Maybe from the way I hold my extra limb?’

  ‘Ah yes, the tension of your left arm as it holds the guitar could create some stiffness down that side.’