by Rhoda Baxter
As she passed the entrance, she saw a large cutout of Ashby and the band. Once it would have caused her a twinge of hurt, but now she felt nothing. She didn't even bother to read what it was advertising, and went straight upstairs.
Marsh was frowning as he looked through a row of CDs. He looked 'round when she spoke and smiled. "Hi," he said, and gave her a quick kiss.
"What are you getting?"
He showed her a handful of CDs. "It's been ages since I bought any new music. I'm looking for the band Stevie keeps talking about." He flicked through more CDs. "Ah. Here we are."
"The Electric Beehives," Jane read over his shoulder. "What do they do?"
"Heaven knows. Apparently, they're indescribable." Marsh did a good impression of his sister showing awe.
Jane chuckled. "That could mean anything."
When Marsh had paid for his purchases, he looked at his watch. "We've still got loads of time. Fancy a coffee?"
The coffee shop on the top floor was full of excited teenaged girls. Jane and Marsh found a nice alcove and sat squashed together, drinking their coffee and taking wild guesses what "indescribable" might possibly describe. Suddenly all the teenagers stampeded out of the coffee shop.
"Wonder what's going on." Jane's voice sounded loud in the suddenly empty room.
"A band's doing a signing today," said a waitress as she picked up half empty cups. "It's always like this when there's a signing on. Chaos to start with and then they all run off, leaving half eaten stuff everywhere." She threw a barely touched muffin into a bin bag.
"Perhaps we should get out while the exits are still visible," said Marsh.
"I'd use the side entrance, if I were you," said the waitress. "The bands are usually at the front end of the store."
The upper floors were deserted and there was a huge racket coming from downstairs. As they walked to the escalator, Jane looked over the side and saw screaming fans waving pieces of paper and clothing at a group of people who were being moved through the crowd by big men in suits.
"I wonder who it is." The moment the words left her mouth, she recognised the band. At the same instant, Ashby looked up. He stopped, making Pete, the drummer, walk into the back of him. The rest of the band looked up too. One by one, everyone around him turned to see what Ashby was looking at.
Trapped on the escalator, Jane and Marsh were suddenly the centre of attention. Cameras flashed as she was recognised. They had no choice but to carry on descending, slowly to the ground floor. She felt Marsh's hand close around hers, letting her know he was there.
At the bottom of the escalator the crowd parted to let them through. They ran a gauntlet of whispering people and flashing cameras until they reached the circle of guards, who, at a word from Ashby, let them through.
"Er...Jane," said Ashby, when she came to a halt directly in front of him. He removed his sunglasses.
She had known him long enough to recognise his nervousness, even though he was trying to look nonchalant in front of his fans. "Ashby."
Behind him the band silently nodded their greetings.
Jane linked her arm through Marsh's. "Marsh, this is Ashby. Ashby, Marshall."
The two men eyed each other, unsmiling. Jane remembered Marsh saying that if he ever met her ex, he would punch him on the nose. Her grip on his arm tightened.
Marsh gave her an amused glance and thrust out his hand. "Pleased to meet you." His smile didn't match the expression in his eyes. "I've heard a lot about you."
Ashby smiled back, employing the full force of his charisma. Several cameras flashed. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said with a flourish. "The lovely Jane and her new partner, Marshall."
Jane smiled and waved to the crowd, hoping she looked gracious. Marsh waved too, but didn't take his eyes off Ashby.
"Anyway, babe. I've got to go sign some CDs and things. Best of luck to you both." He caught Marsh's hand for another shake before leaning in to give Jane a swift kiss on the cheek. "No hard feelings, eh?" he muttered in her ear.
Jane was torn between annoyance and amusement. How like Ashby. Irritating and enchanting at the same time.
"Right then." Ashby turned away and strode into the store. "Somebody give me a pen and lets sign some shit."
The noise level went up a pitch as the fans forgot all about the newcomers and surged towards their idol. Jane and Marsh, forgotten, shouldered their way through the crowd towards the exit.
"So that was Ashby," said Marsh, when they reached the street. "Interesting character."
"Yeah," said Jane. "Irritating as hell."
"Hmm," said Marsh. There was a sudden spike in volume from inside. "They seem to like him."
"They're welcome to him. I'd much rather have you."
"Likewise." Marsh put his arm around her waist and together they walked down the street, away from the screaming teenagers.
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Jane and her new man! Surprise confrontation!
There was surprise for Ashby Thornton yesterday when he turned up to meet his fans at a popular music store. Who should be shopping there but his elusive ex girlfriend, Jane Porter, with her new man. Readers may remember that Cause Celeb tried to help heartbroken and remorseful Ashby by finding his lost love for him, but alas we were too late. Jane had already found someone new.
Ashby graciously shook hands with Jane's latest beau, Marshall Winfield--inset--and the two appeared to part on friendly terms.
"I'm glad Jane's found happiness with someone else," said Ashby. "She's a great girl and really deserves it. A part of me will always love her, but I think it's time we both moved on. I'm sure the perfect girl for me is out there, somewhere. I'll just have to keep looking"
So, there you have it girls. The gorgeous Ashby Thornton is single and looking for love!
Chapter 33
Cause Celeb Exclusive Interview: In conversation with Triphoppers
Nearly 8 months after the release of their fabulous second album Swagger! The boys are taking a well-earned break from touring. Ashby, Pete, Lee and Josh talk to our very own Amber Jackson about life on the road, food, sleepless nights and the search for love.
The interview will be available to download as a podcast so that you can listen to it over and over again!
What are the questions you've been dying to ask them? Email your questions to Amber and you might even hear the answers.
* * * *
From: [email protected]
To: All Staff
Subject: Keith Durridge
Keith Durridge will be leaving Ramsdean and Tooze to take up a position as head of patents at the soap manufacturer SolTol International. Keith has been with R&T for 15 years, since he joined us as a trainee.
We congratulate Keith and wish him well in his new venture.
Keith's last day will be Thursday. A presentation will take place in the canteen at 12.30.
Gerry Bently
Human Resources.
##
From: Susan Jameson
To: All Staff
Subject: New Partners
On behalf of the partners, we would like to congratulate Marshall Winfield and Georgina Heath on being nominated to become partners of Ramsdean and Tooze.
There will be doughnuts and tea to celebrate on Friday.
##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: Stevie Winfield
I did it! See attached.
##
From: Stevie Winfield
To: Marshall Winfield
Wow! Well done! You really deserve it after all this time.
I'm so pleased for you, I can't stop smiling. I'll call you tomorrow, when you've finished celebrating.
Love and hugs
Stevie
PS: What about the other thing? Have you asked her yet?
&
nbsp; ##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: Stevie Winfield
Thanks. I'm pretty pleased myself.
Re the other thing, I haven't asked her yet. I was going to wait until after the partners' decision. I didn't want to jinx things after what happened last time.
##
From: Marshall Winfield
To: Stevie Winfield
Okay, wasn't quite the way I planned, but I think the celebratory champagne went to my head.
Anyway. I asked her...
SHE SAID YES!
The End
About the Author
Rhoda Baxter is a former scientist who now works in Intellectual Property. She does all the sorts of things working Mums do and dreams about having spare time in which to read, write and bake cakes. She lives in England with her husband and two kids.
Visit www.rhodabaxter.com to read Rhoda's blog, learn more about the characters and read bonus material. Or follow Rhoda on Twitter @rhodabaxter.
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Uncial Press brings you extraordinary fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Put a world of reading in your pocket.
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