One More Song

by Nicki Edwards

  ‘Where are your parents and sister?’ she asked. ‘I’d love to meet them.’

  Harry’s smile faded. ‘They’re not here. Dad’s back in hospital. I didn’t know until interval when I checked my phone and found a message from Claire.’

  Eddie drew back to stare at him. ‘Is everything okay? Shouldn’t you be there with them now?’

  ‘Everything’s fine. I’ve spoken to Mum. Dad was having trouble breathing so they called the ambulance. The doctors are keeping him in overnight for observation. They think he might have a chest infection, and they’re hoping it doesn’t develop into pneumonia. There’s nothing I can do now, so I’ll go and see him in the morning.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Positive. I checked with Mum and Claire. They both understood I need to be here.’

  ‘They must be devastated they missed the concert.’

  ‘Yeah, they are actually. Mum said even Dad was arguing that he didn’t want to go to hospital. Claire almost had to force him to get into the ambulance.’

  ‘You must be gutted. I know how much it meant to you tonight to have them here.’

  He smiled sadly. ‘I am disappointed, but it’s okay. Mum’s worried about Dad and right now, he’s her priority.’

  ‘I’m sure there will be other opportunities for him to hear you sing.’

  ‘I hope so.’ He didn’t look confident.

  Chapter 21

  Leaving Harry backstage to take off his makeup and get changed, Eddie and Aimee went back to Aimee’s house so Eddie could change into her new dress for the afterparty. Aimee had planned to go too, but Gus had been called out to a calving cow so she had to stay home with the kids.

  Inexplicably, for the first time Eddie could remember, getting dressed up seemed to be the most important thing in the world. She tidied her hair, and even let Aimee fix her makeup. She was thrilled with the dress she’d purchased online. With its muted pinks and blues on a cream background, it looked great against her tanned skin. The halter neckline and cinched waist enhanced her curves and the cross-over design allowed a little bit of leg to show – just enough to tease. She felt fabulously sexy wearing it.

  When she’d arrived at the party half an hour later, Harry had taken one look at her across the room and mouthed, ‘Wow’. Her confidence had soared even higher as he crossed the room to stand beside her.

  ‘You were definitely the star of the show tonight,’ Eddie told Harry after he’d kissed her on the lips.

  ‘Harrison is hardly the star.’

  Eddie turned to see the woman who’d played Cosette approaching with two flutes of champagne.

  ‘Although it’s cute you think so,’ she went on, handing one glass to Harry and taking a sip from the other. ‘I’m Ashleigh Brennan. I play Cosette.’

  Harry threw Eddie an apologetic look and handed his champagne to Eddie. She smiled her thanks. As a waiter walked past, he retrieved another one for himself.

  ‘Ashleigh, this is Eddie Campbell.’

  Eddie smiled politely. ‘Nice to meet you, Ashleigh.’

  ‘Everyone knows Ashleigh’s the star, not me,’ Harry said evenly.

  ‘Don’t you forget it, honey,’ she purred, leaning in and pressing a long kiss to his mouth. She faced Eddie. ‘So you’re Harrison’s latest lover?’

  A wave of Ashleigh’s musky perfume threatened to choke Eddie and she swallowed a cough. She glanced across at Harry. Lover? What had he told his friends? And latest lover?

  Harry slipped his arm protectively around Eddie’s waist and squeezed gently. She felt the tension surging through his body and sensed there was history between him and Ashleigh.

  ‘Eddie’s just a friend,’ he said.

  Ashleigh smirked. ‘Yeah, right. I’ve watched how you’ve looked at her all night.’ She gave Eddie a fake smile. ‘Nice to meet you. I’m sure I’ll see you round,’ she drawled, before calling out to someone on the other side of the room and mincing off on her killer heels, glass held aloft.

  ‘Whoa,’ Eddie said when she was out of earshot. ‘She’s, um . . .’

  ‘A piece of work,’ Harry finished for her. ‘Sorry about that. I should have warned you about Ashleigh.’

  ‘Is she a previous lover?’

  The look of horror on his face said it all.

  ‘So I’m just your friend, am I?’

  He dipped his head. ‘I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure how you’d feel if I introduced you as my girlfriend, considering I haven’t even asked if you’d like to make it official.’ His eyes met hers. ‘What do you think? Can I introduce you as my girlfriend from now on? Is that okay?’

  ‘Very okay.’

  Harry grinned. ‘I’ll drink to that.’

  They clinked glasses.

  ‘I haven’t had a chance to tell you that you look so pretty tonight. That dress is stunning on you.’

  Eddie’s skin felt like it was on fire as his eyes grazed over her figure. ‘Thank you. You look all right yourself.’ He wore a dark navy suit, open-neck white shirt and tan leather shoes. ‘Very James Bond,’ she added.

  Harry chuckled. ‘Which one? Connery? Brosnan? Daniel Craig?’

  ‘Hmm. Daniel Craig, I think.’

  He looked offended. ‘Isn’t he, like, forty-something?’

  Eddie chuckled. ‘Would you have preferred I said you look like Matt Damon?’

  ‘No! He’s old too.’

  ‘Okay, what about Zac Efron? He’s about your age.’

  Harry leaned in close and nuzzled her ear. ‘I’m much better looking.’

  ‘A million young girls would probably disagree.’

  He raised his eyebrows. ‘I don’t care about them. What do you think?’

  She giggled. ‘Definitely better looking than Zac Efron.’

  ‘Right answer.’ He put his arm around her. ‘Let’s go somewhere more private. It’s getting stuffy in here, don’t you think?’

  ‘Great idea,’ she agreed.

  Harry guided her by the elbow to the exit. Outside, they found a seat overlooking the wide expanse of green lawn in the courtyard. Fairy lights dotted the trees and the air was heavy with the scent of flowers. They sat listening to the noisy chirping song of the crickets.

  ‘What a gorgeous night,’ Eddie said as she tipped her head back to look at the moon playing hide and seek with the clouds. ‘The weather has been so good this past week. We were lucky the rain held off for the concert. They say it’s going to pour tomorrow.’

  ‘Farmers will be happy,’ Harry said. He didn’t often pause to consider the effect of the seasons on the farmers, but since he’d been home, living back on the farm and seeing how dry everything was, he’d started to understand the daily discussion about the weather.

  ‘True.’

  They stared into the distance.

  Eventually he nudged her with his elbow. ‘So we’re talking about the weather. Isn’t that what people do when they have nothing else to say to one another?’

  Eddie laughed. ‘What do you want to talk about?’

  He casually draped an arm over her shoulder. ‘I want to tell you how much I’ve missed you and how I’ve been counting the hours until we could do this again.’ He bent his head to her and kissed her.

  ‘I’ve missed you too,’ she said when they drew apart. ‘Lots.’

  ‘So, have I converted you?’

  She tilted her head sideways to look at him. ‘To what?’

  ‘Musical theatre?’

  ‘Oh. Maybe. But don’t expect me to audition for any shows.’ Eddie warbled a couple of high notes then laughed at the pained look on Harry’s face. ‘I can’t sing to save myself.’

  ‘I always thought everyone could sing. You have just proven me wrong.’

  ‘I definitely can’t sing, but you can. You were incredible. Don’t get me started swooning and gushing all over again.’ She dipped her head. ‘You must think I’m some crazed fan.’

  He chuckled. ‘Swoon and gush all you like. It does my ego good.’
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  She punched him lightly on the arm. ‘I bet your ego gets plenty of stroking.’

  His eyes darkened. ‘You’d be surprised.’

  ‘You know, if I’d seen you walking down the main street I never would have picked you as a singer,’ she said.

  ‘Why? What did you think I did?’

  ‘I’m not sure. You looked so fit I figured you were a labourer or something. Maybe a chippy.’

  Harry held out his hands, palms facing up. ‘With hands like these? Not a callus or blister on them. Do they look like they’ve ever seen a hard day’s work?’

  Eddie traced the smoothness of his palms with her fingertips. She looked up and met his gaze. ‘You obviously love singing,’ she said, her voice soft.

  ‘You have no idea how much.’ A look of intensity flashed across his face. ‘Performing is more than a job for me, it’s what I live for. When I’m in character I feel alive. I feel free.’

  She smiled and linked her fingers with his. ‘I could see that tonight. To be honest, until I saw you perform I never really understood why people made such a fuss about musical theatre.’

  ‘It can be hard to explain.’

  ‘Why did you choose it? It can’t be an easy career?’

  ‘How many reasons do you want? I love to sing and perform because there are stories to be told and I think musical theatre is a great way of making people think. It moves people,’ he said. ‘Do you enjoy listening to music?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ She shrugged. ‘Because it relaxes me. Makes me feel better. Puts me in a good mood.’

  He smiled. ‘Bingo. It does all of those things. Do you enjoy reading?’

  ‘Love it.’

  ‘Think of musical theatre as books put to music.’

  She considered that for a moment. ‘I hadn’t thought about it like that.’

  He put an arm across her shoulders again, drawing her back into his side. ‘I promise if you hang around me long enough you’ll fall in love with musical theatre.’

  And I’ll probably fall in love with you too, she couldn’t help thinking.

  He pulled away slightly. ‘Would you like to come for a meal with my family next week?’

  ‘I would, but are you sure? With everything going on at your place, and with your dad being so sick, I doubt your mum feels up to entertaining.’

  ‘Trust me, it’ll do her good to have something else to think about. And we haven’t done the Sunday family lunch in ages. Mum’ll be thrilled to have us all together under the one roof.’

  ‘In that case, I’d love to.’

  They sat in companionable silence for a while.

  ‘Will your dad be well enough to go to Melbourne for the opening night of your show?’ Eddie eventually asked.

  He shifted position. ‘I hope so.’

  He pulled her close and they sat together and stared into the darkness without needing to fill the silence with words. Behind them, the noise of the party swirled around in waves but Eddie barely noticed. When his leg brushed against hers and his hand came to rest gently on her knee, she quivered with pleasure. His thumb started working in lazy circles on the inside of her thigh, and she turned and kissed him softly on the lips without a second’s thought. He returned the kiss and slid his hand under her hair, clasping her gently around the back of her neck and tenderly kissing her a second, then a third time. Starbursts of heat exploded across her skin.

  When they broke apart, Harry pressed his forehead against hers. ‘Wow. Lucky we’re in a public place or I’d –’ He exhaled loudly. ‘Wow,’ he repeated.

  ‘Oh, there you are, Harrison. I was wondering if I could get a photo with you?’

  Eddie and Harry sprang apart and turned to see an older woman approaching – not anyone Eddie knew.

  ‘Uh-oh,’ Harry said under his breath. ‘Looks like a fan. Sorry, this could take a while.’

  He stood and reached for Eddie’s hand to help her up. She gave him a kiss on the cheek. ‘It’s fine. I might have to get used to all this fuss.’ She winked. ‘You stay and please your fans. I’ll get us another drink.’

  Eddie weaved her way through the crowd to the bar. As she waited for their drinks she gazed around the room. Behind her, two men droned on about expanding their stock portfolios while their bejewelled wives gushed about a fabulous new skincare product on the market. Eddie accepted her drink and wandered over to a less crowded area near the doors that overlooked the deck. From her new vantage point, she watched Harry wading through a drawn-out conversation with a group of older ladies – a group that was growing by the minute. He was smiling and engaged, and had them eating out of the palm of his hand. She took another sip of her drink and fought off a yawn as she listened to the snippets of conversations flying around her. If she had to stand here much longer, she’d be lulled to sleep.

  ‘I can’t believe he’s gone for a girl like her.’

  Eddie froze. She recognised Ashleigh’s distinctive voice immediately. She was standing with her back to Eddie less than two metres away, talking to another woman. She evidently didn’t know Eddie could hear every word, even over the noisy chatter filling the room.

  ‘Is she still here?’ the other woman asked, her eyes darting around the room. Her gaze flitted straight past Eddie and kept going.

  Ashleigh flicked her hair over one shoulder. ‘She was with him earlier, but I don’t know where she’s gone now.’

  ‘What does she look like?’

  ‘Dull as dishwater, and at least ten years older than him. Tall, skinny, long brown hair that could do with a good cut. Even an incredible stylist would have to work overtime to sort her out. The dress she’s wearing is awful and she has no idea how to accessorise.’

  Eddie clutched the stem of her wineglass and forced herself not to move. It was obvious they were talking about her. It made her want to barge up to Ashleigh and pour the remainder of her wine down the front of her dress, but she wasn’t going to turn this into a comedy show.

  The other woman laughed, a high-pitched titter. ‘Don’t be so cruel, Ashleigh. You’re just jealous because you’ve been trying to get his pants down for years and she managed to succeed in less than a week. I say good on her. I was starting to wonder what his problem was.’

  ‘His only problem is he’s blinded to the fact she’s an older woman with rapidly shrivelling eggs, desperate for a baby daddy.’

  ‘Ashleigh! You can’t say that. She’s probably very nice.’

  ‘She might be nice, but Harrison doesn’t need nice. A woman like that will kill his career.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Ashleigh snorted. ‘Jeez, Britt, can’t you see it? If he ends up with her, five years from now he’ll be surrounded by snotty nosed brats and a Labrador and she’ll give him grief every time he needs to be away for a show.’ She had an attentive audience and was on a roll. ‘And you only have to look at her to know she wouldn’t know Marius from Bruno Mars, or Phantom of the Opera from Offspring. I tell you, relationships in this business don’t work unless you marry someone in the industry. Harrison knows that.’

  Heat flooded Eddie’s body as her temper rose. A million snappy retorts came to mind but she willed herself to keep her lips zipped and not lower herself to the level of this woman.

  ‘Do you think it’s serious?’ the other woman – Britt – asked.

  Ashleigh hesitated. ‘Bloody hell, I hope not, for Harrison’s sake.’

  ‘Do you think Riley knows?’

  Eddie’s mouth went dry. Who was Riley?

  ‘If she doesn’t, she will soon,’ Ashleigh said.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I’ve just seen her. She’s come back from London to surprise Harrison.’

  Eddie had heard enough. She put her glass on the tray of a passing waiter before shoving past the women, deliberately jostling Ashleigh with her hip. Ashleigh gasped but Eddie kept walking. Harry had some explaining to do.

 
Who the hell was Riley?

  Chapter 22

  Harry wished the group of women would stop talking, but they were on for a chat and showed no sign of needing to be anywhere else. He’d seen Eddie walk up to the bar but then she’d disappeared from his view.

  He was only partially listening, his mind on Eddie. When she’d walked into his life everything felt like it had clicked into place. Even though they’d really just met he could see himself spending the rest of his life with her – getting married, settling down, starting a family. Whenever he was near her he could barely tame the longing to reach out and comb his fingers through her silky dark hair, could barely stop himself from taking her face in his hands, running his thumb over her cheek before lowering his mouth to hers. He had it bad.

  He shook his head. He was getting too far ahead of himself – planning a life and a future with Eddie before he even knew whether she wanted the same things.

  ‘Harrison!’

  At the familiar voice, he spun around and his mouth fell open in disbelief. ‘Riles!’ He crushed her to his chest in a bear hug.

  ‘I’ve been looking everywhere for you,’ she said.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ he asked incredulously.

  ‘I came to surprise you.’

  ‘And you have. Holy Cow. I can’t believe you’re here.’ He held her at arm’s length. ‘You look great.’

  ‘Thanks. So do you. As always.’

  ‘Did you see the concert?’

  ‘Of course I did. You sang brilliantly, not that I would have expected anything less.’ She touched his cheek tenderly. ‘I’ve missed you.’

  ‘I’ve missed you too.’

  ‘We haven’t spoken for ages – not since your birthday. I was wondering if I’d done something wrong.’

  ‘No,’ Harry said. ‘It’s just been crazy – family issues – I didn’t want to talk about it over the phone.’

  Riley frowned. ‘Everything okay?’

  ‘Long story. My dad’s sick.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  He stopped her from asking any questions. ‘I’ll tell you about it later.’

  She glanced around. ‘So this is home? It’s . . . pretty.’