Carrie faced her. She could hear Oliver breathing furiously down her neck. He placed his hand on the indentations left by Milana’s overlong fingernails and squeezed Carrie gently, offering his support silently. She could see Jessica’s exhausted face, pale and drawn behind Milana’s furious one. She saw Jessica narrow her eyes and shake her head just once.
Carrie didn’t need to be told by Oliver or Jess not to tell Milana a thing. There was no way that she would ever betray Daniel Lewis. She lifted her chin defiantly.
“I’m sorry Milana, but I can’t. I can choreograph a dance routine if you want, but it won’t involve those moves.” She squared her slender shoulders at the statuesque diva.
Milana’s face began to discolour. It changed from a flushed pink to a darker red and then to purple just before her lips turned blue with rage. The slack skin at the underside of her jaw began to shake visibly. Carrie wondered for a moment if she was having some kind of seizure but she eventually opened her mouth and spat out.
“Why you little…Don’t you know who I am? I’ll see that you never work in this industry again. You cannot speak to me like that.” The loose skin covering Milana’s throat wobbled like an unset jelly.
Carrie almost laughed at her.
“Milana, I won’t teach what isn’t mine to show. It would be totally unprofessional. You wouldn’t sing any of Kylie Minogue’s songs without her permission, so don’t expect me to put anything of Daniel Lewis’s in your show.”
Milana’s eyes suddenly grew wide. And then her expression changed completely. She laughed delightedly flipping her hair as she pulled a new cigarette from the packet she dug from her pocket. She lit it quickly.
“Oh, they’re Danny’s moves.” She drawled. “Well, why didn’t you say so in the first place? I know Danny personally. I have done for years. He won’t mind you telling me. I’ll fix it all up with him when I see him in September. I’m taking my tour to the States and if you want to be part of it, you had better start showing the dancers right now.” She blew smoke over Carrie again.
Carrie fixed her with a disbelieving look.
“Danny?” She exploded with laughter and shook her head as she wafted the vile smelling fumes out of her face. “I’ve heard him called a few things but Danny is certainly not one of them. You are such a liar Milana. There’s no way that you know Daniel Lewis. Apart from the fact that he’s been in Atlanta for the past two and a half years and you haven’t set foot in the place, he’s about half your age and went to school with me. I actually do know him quite well. He detests people who are weak enough to smoke but besides that, he wouldn’t give someone as self-serving and small minded as you, the time of day.”
She bit her lip as she suddenly understood what she had done but Oliver guffawed loudly behind her and Milana’s face fell as she realized that her bluff had been called. Oliver rammed his hand over his mouth and tried to stop himself but couldn’t. He bellowed with infectious laughter and the other dancers began to join in.
Milana stared in complete outrage as sniggers erupted from all around the floor. Her neck wobbled even more as she shouted around the room.
“None of you will ever work for me again! You are all fired! As of right now. Get out, the lot of you! You’ll never work in this industry again,” she fumed and swirled away in a haze of smoke towards her dressing room.
The other dancers quietened down fairly rapidly and Jess spoke to the room in general.
“Do you think she meant that? Do you think we’re really all fired?” Her voice was half way between scared and delighted.
Oliver pulled in a deep breath and controlled himself at last. He spoke to the dancers as they all looked to him for advice.
“I don’t care whether she meant it or not. We were paid yesterday so there’s nothing holding us here. I’m getting out before she changes her mind and makes me do these last ten shows. I’m completely done in so I’m going to take this fabulous opportunity and travel to pastures new. I’ve just about enough money for the bus fare from here to London. Maybe I’ll start teaching in Covent Garden. Whatever I do has to be better than putting up with this old cow. I know the bus will take a couple of days, but it’s not as though we’re not used to travelling and at least it’s cheap. Anyone coming with me?”
There was a moment’s stillness in the hall and then a collective breath as the whole company dashed for their dressing rooms. There were several shouts of, “Book a seat for me Oliver!” They all shoved their outfits and shoes in their bags and started leaving in droves.
Carrie picked up her small bag and caught up with Jessica as she was making for the door.
“Hey! You going without me?” Carrie linked her arm through her friend’s.
Jess smiled a little hesitantly.
“I hope we’re all doing the right thing here Carrie. We could end up being very sorry about all of this.”
Carrie shrugged.
“No, I don’t think so. There are loads of bigger fish in the sea than Milana. I somehow don’t think we’re going to be sorry at all. I’m going to collect my stuff from the hostel and then I’m taking a sightseeing tour on the way home. I’m not sorry that I’ve done all the travelling, but all I seem to have seen is the inside of one theatre after another, and they all look exactly the same after a while. I’ve managed to save a little and I want to see the sights we missed on the way here and then go home and get ready for university in September. I want to spend a little time relaxing first.”
Jess grinned widely.
“When you put it like that, it sounds brilliant. I wonder if there are any opportunities at university for oldies like me.”
Carrie spluttered back at her.
“Oldie? At twenty four! Come on Jess, of course there will be something. I think you just have to take the bull by the horns and go for it. Now let’s go and clear our digs before Milana really does change her mind and keep us here as her prisoners.”
Carrie couldn’t help the laughter in her tone as she left her message to Daniel while on the bus later that night.
“Hey! I hear you have friends in high places! I just gave up my day job because of you! I hope you haven’t grown a head or arse as big as Milana’s! I love you Danny!”
Chapter Twelve
July 3rd 2010
“Carrie! Over here!” Her mum was waving madly from behind the barrier.
They fought through the crowd and hugged tightly as they reached each other at last.
Carrie kissed her mother’s soft cheek.
“Sorry I’m late. The train was delayed in Paris for over half an hour. Where’s dad?” Carrie asked craning her neck as she peered through the crowd for a glimpse of her father. They hadn’t left each other on the best of terms, and the atmosphere had been a little frosty at times over the Christmas break, but she was now desperate to see him.
“He’s bringing the car round to the front of the station. I asked him so we didn’t have to walk miles with your suitcase, and I wanted to have a quick private talk with you too.” Helen glanced up as the moved along the concourse.
“What’s the matter mum? Is there some kind of problem? Don’t tell me they have turned down my university place after all.” Carrie started to panic. Now that she had made the decision, she was looking forward to going.
Helen flapped her hands.
“No, silly, nothing like that. I just wanted to warn you so you didn’t get a shock if you see the adverts. Daniel is coming home.”
Carrie gasped and stopped dead in the corridor. A man bumped into her back and mumbled an apology as he stumbled past. She picked up the pace again.
“When? Come on mum, when?” She was desperate to know.
Helen pulled her over to the wall where they could speak without being trampled on.
“It was on the television. He’s giving his first interview just after he gets off the plane tomorrow. Apparently he’s travelling straight to the studio from the airport. It’s been advertised for days on the local
news because that scheming ex-friend of yours is doing the interview. You remember, the one that was bullying you. She’s had a right makeover and made a bit of a name for herself. Calls herself Jenna now, but I’d know her anywhere after that article she wrote about you last year. Lying bitch!”
Carrie could barely breathe. She ignored her mum’s indignation. She couldn’t care less about Jennifer Crane. She needed to hear more about Daniel.
“Is he coming home really? I mean, did he say anything about coming home here?” Her mind was whirling with the information.
“Jenna didn’t say, but Lisa and Paul are definitely coming to see you. They’re bringing little Tommy. Won’t that be lovely! I can’t wait to see our godson for real. I know that you both keep in touch normally, but since you’ve been sightseeing Lisa has been calling here. She rang last night to confirm that it was okay to drop in. They’re coming over straight after the interview, so I suspect Daniel’s coming too.” Helen was smiling widely.
Carrie suddenly bent forwards feeling slightly faint. She put her head between her knees and took some deep breaths, desperate to calm her pounding heart. It had been nearly three years since she had seen Daniel Lewis and she had thought that by now she would be able to control her feelings. It was obvious that she couldn’t. She was suddenly more than relieved that she hadn’t agreed to a quick trip into Belgium with Jess before coming home. She might have missed him. She looked up at her mother and then gasped as she realized how little time she had to prepare.
“Tomorrow! Oh God mum. I’ve spent the last few weeks sleeping practically rough while Jess and I were touring. We were on a tight budget and those hostels are very basic you know. I look a right state. Just look at my hair, and my nails!” She threw up her hands in despair. “Why is he coming so soon? Surely the football season hasn’t finished yet? I didn’t think I’d see him until September.”
Helen brushed her hand over her daughters flushed cheek.
“Calm down a minute. The football season may not have finished, but his visa has run out. He only went to the States as a student and the college term finished at the end of June. He has to come back here and reapply if he wants to stay longer. But don’t worry about how you look. I guessed that you’d be doing this sightseeing on less than nothing. I’ve booked us a session at the spa for this afternoon. Can’t have my daughter looking like something the cat’s dragged in, just as her boyfriend gets home. I wouldn’t like him to think that you hadn’t bothered. And I fancied a bit of a pamper myself. It’ll be a lovely way to spend the afternoon catching up together. I want to hear everything about all the countries you have been to.”
Carrie stood up straight again. She could feel the pulse in her throat throbbing deeply.
“Thanks mum. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Helen tucked her arm through her daughter’s.
“No, I’m sure you wouldn’t, but please don’t mention the spa bit to your father. He’s still prejudiced against Daniel, though not for the same reasons as before. I think now it’s more that he couldn’t prove that he was either a womaniser or gay. The most he’s come up with so far is that Daniel might be a bit boring because he likes to go fishing on the odd occasion.” Helen gave a small laugh. “I think he’s really disappointed that he can’t say, “I told you so.” And I don’t suppose he’d like it if he thought we were going to any special effort for Daniel.”
Carrie started walking again. She could see her father standing outside the car waving at her. She quickened her step and soon he was hugging her madly.
“I’ve missed you so much. Carrie, I’m so sorry we fell out about that Daniel kid. Do you think we can forget how stupid I was?” He sounded slightly choked.
Carrie nodded into his shoulder as she squeezed her father tightly.
“Of course dad, but you have to remember that if he wants to be, he will still be my friend when he comes home, no matter what.” Carrie pulled herself out of his grasp and looked up at his face.
Jim shrugged.
“Well, as your mum put it once before. Now you’re over eighteen, there’s not much I can do about who your friends are anyway, but it wasn’t that I didn’t like him Carrie. I just didn’t want him to mess you around.”
Carrie eyed her father sceptically but then decided to give it up. I wasn’t worth the argument right now. Right now she wanted to get herself looking her best in the hope that Daniel still wanted something, anything to do with her.
“I know that dad, but you should trust people a little more. Daniel would never mess me around. He’s not that type of man.” She picked up her case and threw it into the boot of the car.
Jim opened the car door for her.
“Huh, trouble is, now that he’s been away for so long, none of us know what kind of man he’s grown into. He’s doing some kind of interview thing tomorrow and even if he does stay here after that, I don’t suppose he’ll have time to be friends with the likes of us anymore. He’s a multi-millionaire now Carrie. Not only a famous footballer but into all the modelling and advertising, way above our league.”
Carrie rolled her eyes at her mum. This was going to be harder than she had thought. She climbed into the car as her mum spoke again.
“I don’t know why you would think that Jim, after all, Lisa and Paul are coming to see Carrie tomorrow to introduce Tommy. I’m so excited! He’s only just over two. I bought some toys for him to play with.”
Jim snorted indignantly.
“You should have just filled the fridge with food. If that Paul is going to be here, he’s going to eat us out of house and home. I bet that’s one thing that won’t have changed about that Daniel, if he bothers to come over at all. I bet he can still eat mountains of food. I’m going to move some of the furniture tonight so we can fit them all in.”
Carrie laughed at her father and sat back in the car. She was so glad to be home. The train journey from Paris had been quick, but she still felt exhausted. She wondered how she and her mother were going to keep the trip to the spa a secret. It would be obvious if one moment she looked like a wet dishrag and the next some kind of glamour model. She watched the familiar sights of London pass by and then as they neared Harrow, Jim veered off the usual route.
“Hey, which way are we going? Have they put in a new road while I’ve been away?” Carrie sat forward in her seat and stared out of the window as they turned towards the M4.
Jim grinned and put his hand on Helen’s knee. He gave it a little squeeze.
“No, I’m just taking you straight to the spa. Can’t have either of you talking to a millionaire while looking like a dog’s dinner. Wouldn’t like you to let the side down, even if it doesn’t mean anything.”
Carrie slumped back in her seat again and giggled as her mum pulled in a breath.
Jim carried on.
“Well, you can’t keep a secret like that Helen. The spa phoned you yesterday evening to confirm your appointment. They are obviously very keen on getting you both there. They rang three times. Because you hadn’t bothered telling me about it, the first couple of times I didn’t understand a word of what they going on about. There was something wrong with the line. It was all distorted and echoing, but I thought they said ‘Thirteen thirty, at five.’ Then some kind of reference number and a hope that you wouldn’t be delayed. Sounded like something out of ‘Mission Impossible.’ It was just as well some other young woman rang again about five minutes later and explained properly. ‘One thirty until five o’clock’ and you’ve been booked in for three or four treatments depending on how soon you get there. They hoped you weren’t going to be late.”
He pulled the car off the motorway and a few minutes later they turned into a private drive. A huge house stood at the end of the avenue of trees that lined the driveway and several ladies in short white jackets came out to greet them. Carrie and Helen climbed out of the car and Jim waved merrily.
“See you at five when you’re both even more beautiful than you are a
lready.” He grinned as he drove away leaving both Carrie and Helen speechless.
Later that night, after she arrived home with glossy hair and perfect nails, Carrie wondered if she should bother to leave Daniel a message. She didn’t know if there was any point. In the end, after several moments’ hesitation she picked up her mobile and keyed in his number. She spoke firmly into the phone, leaving what she hoped would be her last message to him.
Chapter Thirteen
July 4th Heathrow Airport
“Are you sure you gave her the right flight number?” Daniel was looking over the top of his bodyguard’s head, scanning the waiting crowd.
Paul slapped his friend on his shoulder with one hand and tucked Tommy closer into his side with the other. Tommy turned his chubby face into his father’s shoulder, away from the flashing cameras.
“Course I did. I spoke to her father and I rang twice to check he’d got it all down right. We’re right on time. Don’t worry, she’ll be here.” Paul spoke as confidently as possible. He had wondered if Mr. Denton had written the message down at the time and now that he couldn’t see Carrie immediately he was a little worried himself. “Mind you, I wasn’t expecting this amount of people to turn up. It’s a regular 4th of July.” He added in a horrible impersonation of an American accent.
Lisa clutched at Paul’s arm.
“What a crush! I hope there’s a car waiting for us. I don’t think I could stand to be left in a taxi queue.”
Paul nodded as Daniel scanned the crowd again.
“I would have hired us a car but the television company said they are sending a limo. I think that woman who arranged the television show is going to be with it just to make sure we don’t run off before you give your interview Dan.” Paul gave a small chuckle.
Daniel scowled over at his friend.
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