It seemed that everyone had the same question on their lips: what had happened?
Nothing. Nothing. Nothing, she thought. Nothing had happened.
Maybe he hadn’t seen it. Maybe he’d seen it but it was too late.
Eight million people had woken up that morning and read her declaration of love. Was Guy one of them?
She swallowed hard, unable to stop the questions from plaguing her thoughts.
She had found a place that felt like home, with a house that she loved, currently full of people. She belonged here. Guy’s return into her life had reawakened a part of her. It felt as if she was seeing things clearly for the very first time.
Maybe one day that would be enough, Jules hoped. Her love for Guy had dominated her life in one way or another for seven years. She had tried to forget him, she had tried to hate him and she had tried to reach out to him. At some point she would need to move on. Just not quiet yet, she realised as she found herself scanning the crowd for the black eyes with speckles of green that lit her up inside.
‘Jules,’ Terri called, pushing her way through a group of teenagers standing in the living room. ‘Guess who’s just arrived?’
Her eyes shot towards the open front door as a mixture of hope and nerves zapped through her veins.
Terri stepped towards her. ‘It’s that journalist. Becky, or is it Sara? Whatever her name is, she’s outside by the barbeque, chatting to Jason.’
‘Oh.’ Jules sank back against the wall feeling her bubble of hope deflate.
‘Oh Lovey, I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to get your hopes up like that.’
‘It’s okay.’
‘He might turn up tomorrow you know. He might have a gig to do or is helping his sister still.’
Jules shook her head, fighting the tears building inside her. ‘I don’t think so Terri.’
‘Do you want a drink Lovey? I think Rich is mixing cocktails in the kitchen.’
Jules could not answer. She had heard the question. A response had been resting on the tip of her tongue, but something had stopped her from speaking.
She held her breath as her gaze shot to the doorway, gasping as she heard it again. The notes of a guitar drifted to her ears.
Suddenly she felt it; the fizz of electricity shooting through her.
Guy.
She shot up, jumping towards the doorway just as he stepped through it.
‘Guy.’ A smile stretched across her face at the sight of his crooked grin. ‘I-’
Before she could continue, his hands moved across the guitar in his arms and he started to sing:
In my idle moments when I’m not thinking of much
I hear your distant laughter and feel your distant touch
The memory of my gamble, a youthful loosing bet
I lost the love you gave me, you’re my one regret
My Juliet
I haven’t had a bad life, laughter, fun and friends
I’ve sped along life’s highway leaning over on the bends
But I’m running to your love, the one I can’t forget
I can’t see your face in rapture, that’s my one regret
My Juliet
A drink or two at Christmas with hearts that reminisce
Auld langsyne at New Year but now no midnight kiss
The loving years behind me these cheeks are running wet
Old photographs remind me, picture my regret
My Juliet
I’ve told a million stories. Sung a million songs
Sold a million good turns and done a million wrongs
But one sum is out of balance, forever in your debt
I’ll never pay the price I owe you, you’re my one regret
Juliet.
As the final chords hung in the air a silence fell. Jules took a step closer oblivious to the people around her as she felt his gaze run through her.
‘Jules,’ he whispered, putting his guitar to the floor.
She felt the heat of his body as she moved closer, the world around her evaporating.
‘Guy.’
‘I’m sorry,’ they said together.
‘Hang on,’ Guy said, ‘I know why I’m sorry, but why are you sorry?’
‘Because of the story in the paper,’ she replied as his gaze sunk into her.
‘No, that’s why I’m sorry, the photograph, it was from a video. I didn’t-’
‘I know, but the one after it, the death threat.’
‘Death threat?’ Guy smirked. ‘I didn’t even see it.’
‘Really?’
‘I sacked my publicist. She was the one behind all the stories Jules. I’m sorry.’
‘What about the one today? Did you see it?’
‘Yep got that one right here,’ he grinned, patting his jacket pocket. ‘I’m getting it framed tomorrow.’
Relief flooded through her, sucking the air from her lungs.
‘I’m sorry I left you.’
‘Is Debbie okay?’
‘Debbie, Carl, Sam and my beautiful niece Faith are all doing well. It was touch and go for a while, but everything looks like it’s going to be okay. When you didn’t call me. I thought-’
‘I didn’t see the note until a couple of days ago and I couldn’t get through on the number you gave me.’
Guy reached out, taking Jules’ hands in his; the touch causing a colony of butterflies to flutter in her stomach.
‘So,’ he began. ‘Will you?’ he asked.
‘Will I what?’
‘Marry me Juliet Jane Stewart,’ he said, dropping to one knee.
‘Guy you idiot,’ she laughed, suddenly aware of the faces staring at her.
‘I’m not getting off from this floor until you answer me, I don’t want to lose you again,’ he added.
‘You won’t,’ she said, her voice flooding with emotion.
‘So marry me then.’
‘Fine I will.’ Jules grinned, dropping her knees to the floor and wrapping her arms around him.
She could just make out the noise of clapping over the sound of the sea rushing in her ears.
‘Right, does anyone know a vicar?’ Guy jumped up, pulling Jules up with him as he looked around the faces.
Jules recognised Terri’s voice chirp into the crowd: ‘I told you we should have invited him.’
‘We don’t have to do it now Guy,’ she laughed.
‘But soon?’ His dark eyes searched hers.
‘Yes,’ she laughed again. ‘Soon’.
Guy pulled her towards him, the familiar touch of his fingers brushing her cheeks as their lips touched.
Thirty-nine
THE DAILY
SUNDAY, MARCH 2ND
GUY’S GETTING HITCHED
Thousands of women will be mourning today, with the news that Britain’s sexiest man is getting hitched. Yes, you heard it here first. In an emotional reunion, the successful solo artist dropped to one knee and popped the question to his first love Juliet Stewart at her home on Saturday. The couple are rumoured to be planning an informal summer wedding in Cambridgeshire.
THE DAILY
FRIDAY, MAY 4TH
TV PICKS
Never before has setting your alarm for Saturday morning been met with such excitement. Richard Green, friend and neighbour to chart topping singer Guy Rawson, will be presenting a new cooking programme starting this Saturday at 09.00am. The show “Gourmet with Green” will feature easy to do gourmet recipes along with guest appearances from a mix of stars and non-celebrities, starting with, yes you guessed it, Guy and fiancé Juliet Stewart. Tune in to see juicy dishes and some even more juicy details about Guy and Juliet’s up and coming nuptials.
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The Reluctant Celebrity Page 23