by Nikki Ashton
“No, the pub is great. It’s just nice to get out.”
“Good, well let’s go then.” Pete tentatively held out his hand.
Martha, just as tentatively took hold of it, noticing that Pete’s hand was actually shaking. He was evidently as nervous as she was, which calmed her down immensely.
“Don’t look at her and she might go away.” Martha giggled.
As soon as she and Pete had sat down with their drinks they’d noticed Valerie sitting at a table nearby. She was hiding behind the laminated menu and obviously ignoring every word that her husband, Trevor, was saying so that she could watch Martha and Pete.
“She means well…I suppose.” Pete shook his head. “I’m sorry if you felt pushed into this,” he said.
“Honestly, I’m enjoying myself.” Martha liked Pete, in the last hour he’d kept her amused and interested with tales of wanton housewives trying to lure him into their house to deliver more than the post, and lonely old people who insisted on feeding him cake and biscuits. He was good looking, his hair, that he wore a little long, was sexily tousled and he smelled delicious, but the spark just wasn’t there.
“Anyway,” she said. “What about you? Valerie said you’ve just got divorced, was it amicable?” Martha asked.
“Nope, not one bit. She ran off with her trainer from the gym. Some bloody, pumped up peanut head with the IQ of a gnat.” Pete snarled as he lifted his pint. “What about you?”
“What you don’t know, you haven’t heard the gossip then?” Martha smiled, wondering how Pete didn’t seem to know about her and Luke. Gossiping about it was Valerie’s current favourite past-time.
“No, I haven’t. I’ll let you into a secret, I’ve usually got my earphones in listening to music, so when people chat to me as I’m delivering I just nod and smile.”
Martha smiled at his admission. “I don’t blame you. Well, I was seeing Luke Mahoney.”
Pete nodded and didn’t seem fazed by Martha’s announcement. “From the big house, the rock star?”
“The very one.” Martha sighed, a sudden stab of hurt piercing at her chest.
“So, what happened?”
“Luke’s penis happened.”
Pete let out a huge laugh, almost spitting his beer out. He quickly put his hand to his mouth to stop it covering Martha.
“Hah, sorry I shouldn’t laugh, but that was funny. He cheated then?”
Martha nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. It was his ex, well she was supposed to be his ex. The pictures were plastered all over the newspaper.”
“Were you together long?”
“Not too long, almost six weeks. I fell pretty hard, quite quickly,” Martha sighed. It was still tough to think about it.
“I don’t think it matters how long you’ve been with someone, if you love them you love them. I was with Zoe for five years.” Pete looked wistfully into his pint of lager.
“Any children?”
Pete shook his head. “No, she wasn’t ready. Ironically, she’s now pregnant.”
“Oh Pete I am sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it, it’s probably for the best. So, I know you have a daughter, Betty isn’t it?” Pete smiled again, obviously trying to change the subject from that of his ex-wife.
Martha smiled proudly. “Yes, she’s just turned eighteen.”
“Really?” Pete asked with wide eyes. “You don’t look old enough.”
“I was only fifteen, it’s a long and very boring story that just happened to have a happy ending when Betty was born.”
“Well good on you, you’ve obviously worked hard to give her a good life.”
“I’ve tried my best,” Martha replied. “With help from my uncle, she’s turned out okay.”
“Well, I reckon that deserves another drink. Same again?” Pete asked getting up from his seat.
Martha nodded and passed him her empty wine glass. “Could I have a bottle of water as well please?” There was no way she wanted to repeat the dart throwing episode.
As Martha watched Pete talk easily to the locals, as he waited for his drink, she realised that the fluttering stomach and heated groin just weren’t going to happen. She still loved Luke and Pete just wasn’t who she wanted.
After a few minutes Pete placed Martha’s drinks on the table, and sat back down with a frown on his face. “I don’t want to upset you, but Luke just walked in,” he said.
Martha felt her face flush as adrenalin pumped rapidly through her veins. “Is he alone?” she asked timidly.
“Yep, but shit, he’s coming over here. Do you want me to tell him to get lost?”
“No, it’s fine, but just don’t let him rile you. He’s very good at it.”
Martha felt his presence behind her before she saw him. She could smell him, and sorrow engulfed her with the realisation that he was no longer hers.
“Evening, Martha. On a date I see.” Luke said as Martha looked up at him.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but Pete and I are just enjoying a nice evening.”
“On the wine I see. Well I’d watch yourself, Pete,” Luke hissed. “She tends to get a little bit drunk and over the top on wine. She’ll even try and get you into bed more than likely.”
“Luke,” Martha snapped. “Just go away.”
“Yes, I think it’s best you do,” Pete added. “We just want to enjoy a drink and a chat.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t want to act as gooseberry. I just want to give you this.” Luke threw a white envelope onto the table. “It’s a cheque for services rendered,” he sneered. “It was a real pleasure.”
“You could have just paid it into my bank account as you normally do.” Martha snatched up the envelope and pushed it into her handbag.
Pete suddenly stood up. He was a couple of inches shorter than Luke, but he pulled his shoulders back and stared him directly in the eyes. “Look, Martha asked you to go, so please if you don’t mind,” Pete said, his tone hard.
Luke held up his hand. “No problem, I’ll go and leave you to it.”
Luke moved over to the bar without a backward glance.
“Do you want to go?” Pete asked sitting back down.
Martha shook her head. “Not just yet, I don’t want to give him the satisfaction.”
Pete sighed and reached over for Martha’s hand. “Look, I really like you, but I think we both know that the spark isn’t going to ignite,” he said kindly. “You obviously still love him, and to be honest, stupidly, I still love Zoe.”
Martha smiled as tears pooled in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For being honest, and for sticking up for me with Luke.”
“That’s what friends are for. But,” Pete said as he leaned closer to her, “it doesn’t mean we can’t have a bit of fun making him jealous, does it?”
“What?” Martha asked.
“Go with me on this.” Pete moved his chair closer and draped his arm across Martha’s shoulder. “He may not think I’ve noticed, but he’s not taken his eyes off you since he sat at the bar.”
Martha let out a sigh and smiled. “You can try Pete, but I doubt anyone can make Luke Mahoney jealous. He thinks far too much of himself.”
Pete started to laugh, and taking his lead, Martha joined in while sneakily flicking her eyes to Luke who had turned away.
“Well, thanks for tonight,” Pete said as they reached Martha’s cottage. “I really enjoyed myself.”
“Me too,” Martha replied genuinely. “And I’m glad we can be friends.”
Suddenly Pete’s mouth was on hers and he was grabbing her hair in his hands. “Target to the right,” he hissed.
Martha glanced over Pete’s shoulder – Luke was standing at the end of his driveway, watching them. After a few seconds, he disappeared.
“He’s gone,” she whispered aware that her voice might carry in the darkness.
“Well if nothing else I know we are definitely just friends.” Pete laughed as he rubbed his lips with his thumb.
“Oh it’s not that it wasn’t good, it just didn’t make me want to drag you into bed, and vice versa, am I right?”
Martha grinned. “Yes, you’re right.” She thought for a second. “Do you want to come in for a coffee?” she asked.
“Oh go on then,” Pete replied and hugged her to him. “Thanks Martha, and you will get over him you know.”
Martha hugged him back. “And so will you.”
“Oh I got over Luke Mahoney a long time ago,” Pete laughed.
“Come on.” Martha took her key out of her bag and opened the door. “I’ll even let you have a piece of my chocolate shortbread.”
As Martha and Pete went into the house, neither of them noticed Luke watching them from the shadows. He dropped to his haunches and took in a deep breath. His heart hurt because he knew that this was his fault. He may not have slept with Rachel, but he’d put himself in the position to be photographed with her, and he’d acted like a total prick ever since. There was no way Martha would want him back now, and it hurt like hell to realise it.
Chapter 30
Today was the day of Dirty Riches’ performance at Joe Bennett’s wedding. Without a doubt Luke would be feeling anxious about it and, inexplicably, Martha felt nervous for him. She had no idea why it was affecting her, why should she care whether he cocked it up and made a fool of himself? But the problem was she did care. She cared greatly about Luke and the rest of the band. If their performance was a disaster, the chances were that their comeback wouldn’t go ahead, and she knew they were all desperate for it to work.
All day, Martha pottered around the cottage, trying to occupy herself with housework, baking and ironing, but the whole time the band’s evening performance was at the forefront of her mind.
Finally, at almost seven thirty, she gave in and sent Stacey a text wishing the guys good luck. Within seconds, Martha’s phone shrilled out – it was Stacey calling.
“Hi, is everything okay?” Martha asked, tentatively.
Stacey sighed on the other end of the line. “No, not really. I didn’t want to call you, but Skins saw your text and begged me to.” Stacey’s voice broke.
“What is it, is Luke okay?” Martha felt as though the National Lottery machine was turning in her stomach, and it had just shot a ball into her throat. “Has something happened?”
“Nothing’s happened, except…well except he’s refusing to go on. He’s a wreck, Martha, being sick and sweating.” Stacey’s dropped her voice. “The only time I’ve ever seen anyone like that was Skins, when he was going cold turkey.”
Martha gasped. “God, you think he’s on drugs?”
“No, no. Nothing like that, but he’s in a bad way,” Stacey replied.
“But, he was doing so well with his therapy. He even sang to an audience.”
“Well, he’s not doing so well now. In fact, his head is down the toilet as we speak.”
Martha paced across the room, dragging a hand through her hair. She hadn’t been able to shake her nerves for them all day, and now she knew why. This was a disaster for Dirty Riches, for Luke and for Tino, Luke’s cousin, who had arranged it all.
“Why did Skins want you to call me?” Martha asked, suddenly remembering Stacey on the other end of the line.
“Well the thing is…just think about it before you say no…”
“What?” Martha cried.
“Skins told me how seeing you in the studio calmed Luke down, and helped him to sing, so he was wondering whether you could come down here.” Stacey’s voice was anxious.
“Me, come down there, no way. Luke hates me.” Martha sighed heavily. “And I really don’t think that I have that sort of influence on him. It must have just been a coincidence,” she stammered.
“It wasn’t. I know Luke told you what happened and the fact that he hasn’t been able to sing a note since you guys split up kind of proves it, don’t you think?” Stacey asked gently.
The line went quiet as Martha tried to process Stacey’s words. Luke had told her, but even if it was true, he hated her now. Martha echoed her thoughts to Stacey.
“Please, Martha, just give it a try,” Stacey replied. “For Skins and the boys. They need this.”
“Stace, you can’t lay emotional blackmail on me like that.” Martha flopped down onto the sofa and blew out a long breath.
“I’m sorry, but we don’t know what else to do.” Stacey sounded desperate.
“How do we explain why I’m there?” Martha asked. “And what if it backfires and he kicks off and makes a scene, that’s not fair on Joe and his new wife.”
Stacey was silent for a few seconds. “We’ll think of something,” she replied quietly.
Martha knew she couldn’t refuse, if the band seemed to think that she could help them. “Okay, text me the venue. What time are they on?”
“Nine, we’re at Aplington Hall, it should only take you about forty minutes.” Stacey answered.
“Okay, I know it, I’ve worked there a couple of times. I need to get changed so give me an hour, and meet me outside.”
As she rushed around getting ready, Martha wondered whether she had made the most momentous, incredibly, reckless decision of her life.
“How the hell are you going to explain me being here?” Martha asked as she chased down a corridor after a surprisingly sprightly Stacey, who was now five months pregnant.
“Skins and I have already thought of that. You’re here for a job interview.”
Martha stopped jogging and pulled Stacey to a halt by her elbow.
“Erm excuse me,” she said sweeping her hands down her body. “I’m hardly dressed for it, and since when have interviews been conducted on a Friday night during a celebrity wedding?”
“The manager wants you to get an idea of the type of events you’ll be catering for.” Stacey’s eyes then searched along Martha’s outfit of tight black, leather look leggings and a silver sequinned vest top, she was also wearing extremely high silver sparkly shoes to match.
Martha saw Stacey’s inward groan as her shoulders slumped. “Well I didn’t know, did I? I thought that it would be best to come dressed like an evening guest.”
“Oh, I’ll think of something if he says anything,” Stacey replied as she rushed off again.
Finally they pulled to a stop outside a hotel room. Stacey turned to Martha.
“This is the room they’re using as a dressing room,” she whispered. “They are due out any minute. Luke has finally agreed to go on, but Skins is petrified that he’s going to sound awful.”
“So, I don’t need to be here after all that,” Martha hissed.
Stacey nodded her head. “Yes you do. He’s said he’ll go on, but he’s changed his mind five times in the last hour. Please Martha, just try.”
Martha pushed the heel of her hand to her forehead, thrusting the other to her hip. “Okay,” she whispered. “But don’t blame me if this backfires.”
“Thank you,” Stacey mouthed as she glanced at the door that had creaked open.
As the door widened, Stacey smiled widely and gave a brief nod to Martha.
“Oh so you’re thinking of coming to work here then?” Stacey asked with an inane grin.
“Yes, I am,” Martha replied rather stiltedly.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Skins appeared in the door way and winked at Martha. “Wow, how great to see you.”
“Hi Skins.” Martha’s narrowed eyes were in total contradiction to the smile on her face.
“Who are you talking to?” The voice behind the door asked. Suddenly Skins was pushed out of the way and Jake appeared at his side. “Hey Martha!” he cried pulling Martha into his arms. “Thanks for this sweetheart,” he whispered into her ear before pulling away. “It’s great to see you, what a coincidence.”
Before Martha could reply Luke was at the door staring at them all, his mouth open wide
enough to catch a fly.
“What the…”
Martha held back a gasp as a wave of desire swept over her. Luke stood before her wearing a slim fitting, single breasted, tuxedo, white shirt and slim black tie, and his hair was brushed back with just a few strands falling sexily into his eyes He looked amazing and to Martha, at that moment, he was probably the hottest man on the planet.
“Hi,” she gulped.
Stacey stepped forward. “Martha’s here for an interview,” she told Luke. “I spotted her downstairs and just knew that the boys would love to see her.”
Luke didn’t speak, but stared at Martha. If she hadn’t seen it herself, Martha wouldn’t have thought it possible, but Luke’s grey pallor vanished, and his eyes became brighter instantly. There was still a light sheen of sweat on his brow and his hands were trembling, but he looked considerably better than he had a mere sixty seconds before.
Despite everything, Martha wanted to reach out and comfort him, but she knew that although she seemed to calm him, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t be spiteful and rude to her. And anyway, he was a cheating, heart breaker, so why should she? She was doing this for the boys, not him – or so she told herself.
If Luke thought she wasn’t dressed appropriately for an interview, thankfully he didn’t say so. He merely nodded and gave her a weak smile before pushing past her and Stacey.
“We need to get going if we’re doing this,” he said as he turned to Skins.
“Okay. Martha, stay and watch with Stace,” Skins replied, still looking at Luke. “That okay with you?”
Luke shrugged. “Whatever,” he answered before stalking down the corridor.
“Thank you.” Skins reached for Martha’s hand and squeezed it gently.
“I just hope it works,” she whispered.
As they walked past Jake and Tom both gave her a huge hug.
“You’re an absolute star,” Tom whispered into Martha’s ear, kissing her temple. “If this works I promise I will buy you the biggest piece of jewellery I can find.”
“The guys are right, we owe you.” Neil came out of the hotel room slipping his mobile phone into his jacket pocket. “This might only be a wedding and a free gig, but there’s a lot of people here tonight, and we couldn’t risk it getting out if he fucked up, so thank you sweetheart.”