Lyre

by Helen Harper

  ‘You two are friends?’ he addressed her, ignoring Timothy.

  Choosing not to directly answer the question, she gazed at him coolly. ‘Timothy is a professional who knows what he’s doing. You can learn a great deal from that sort of attitude.’

  Oz’s eyes narrowed fractionally. ‘I’m sure I can.’ A muscle jerked in his cheek. ‘What happened to you last night?’ he asked. ‘You ran off right after the show. I had been hoping we’d get the chance to talk.’

  She opened her mouth so speak but, before she could answer, Alicia’s grating voice interrupted. ‘Oz, we need to get you inside the O.’

  Yuri raised her eyebrows. ‘You better do as you’re told.’

  His shoulders tensed and he looked unhappy, a cloud crossing across his face. ‘Yuri…’ he began.

  ‘I need to see the photos so far,’ she said airily, turning her back on him and strolling in the direction of Timothy’s assistant as nonchalantly as she was able to manage. By the time she glanced back, he’d already moved away and was manoeuvring himself into a reclining position inside the O itself. She exhaled deeply. Acting like she didn’t care would be a damn sight easier when was Oz became fully dressed and didn’t have erect nipples and gleaming skin inches displayed inches away from her face.

  ‘Let’s aim for moody,’ Timothy was saying to him, holding the heavy camera in his hands and taking several shots close-up. ‘Good. Extend your arm up an inch or two.’ Oz did as he was told but she could tell from the stiff arch of his back that he wasn’t happy. ‘Now,’ the photographer instructed, ‘turn away from us slightly and look off into the distance.’ He began backing up, snapping away the entire time. Then he returned the camera to the tripod and fixed it into position. ‘Yuri,’ he beckoned, ‘come and look at this and tell me what you think.’

  Surprised, she moved over. Timothy gestured towards the camera. Oz was in the centre of the frame, the massive O curving round his body. The sun was directly behind him, making his skin glow. She sucked in a breath. It wasn’t fair that he looked so good.

  Timothy chuckled. ‘So I guess he gives you the big O too. That’s the look I was aiming for in my audience.’

  Despite herself, Yuri laughed aloud at his words. Oz’s gaze snapped towards them. Aware she was playing with fire, she moved nearer to the photographer, her arm brushing lightly against his. It had the desired effect. Oz’s expression was nothing short of thunderous. Hah, she thought. Two can play at this game after all.

  ‘So,’ Timothy said, continuing to snap away, ‘what is it between you two then?’

  ‘What?’ she started. ‘Nothing. I don’t know what you mean.’

  ‘Oh yeah? As soon as you appeared up here, he became alive. Now he looks like he’s going to throttle me. I’d been going to ask you if you fancied getting a bite to eat once we were done. I think if I do that, I may be in fear for my life.’ His tone was dry.

  ‘Like you said,’ Yuri replied nervously, ‘he’s just another vain celebrity. He wants all the attention on him.’

  Timothy paused for a second and glanced towards her. ‘Actually I don’t think that’s true. I was wrong before. The only person whose attention he really seems to want is yours.’

  Shifting her weight, she coughed. ‘I’m the one writing about him. He probably just wants to make sure I paint a flattering picture.’ She quickly changed the subject. ‘Are you almost done?’

  ‘Yeah. Just a few more angles and I think we’re good.’

  ‘I’m going to head down and get set up for the interview then,’ she said.

  ‘Sure,’ he winked again. ‘Maybe we can have lunch another time.’

  Guilt trickled through her. ‘Yeah. Maybe.’ Then she ducked her head down and escaped as fast as she could.

  *

  Less than an hour later, Oz was sitting across from her in the conference room, flanked by both Dirk and Alicia. He’d already changed into a fresh pair of jeans and black t-shirt. Yuri’s laptop was set to record the interview so she pushed her notepad to one side and looked over at him.

  ‘So, Oz,’ Yuri began, enunciating his name, ‘Yell is thrilled to have you as next month’s cover story.’

  He leaned back, his green eyes hooded. ‘And how about you? Are you thrilled also?’

  ‘Ecstatic,’ she murmured. Something flickered in his gaze at her unenthusiastic tone. ‘You tend to shy away from the press, however, and there are a lot of questions our readers are desperate to know the answers to. Everyone knows the story about how Orpheus started because you were school friends. Why don’t you tell us more about those days?’ she challenged.

  ‘Oh, school days are the best days of your life,’ he answered, stretching his arms behind his head. ‘Don’t you think so?’

  ‘Mmm.’

  When it became clear she wasn’t going to add anything else, he shrugged. ‘We all grew up in the same town together.’

  ‘Torquay?’

  His jaw tensed. ‘Yes. Torquay. We were in the same year at school and shared a music class together. We were a natural fit right from the start. But music wasn’t my only interest. I enjoyed surfing too.’

  ‘Do you still surf nowadays?’

  ‘I gave it up after I had a bad experience. You see,’ he said before she could interrupt, ‘I almost drowned. If it wasn’t for a girl who happened to be up on the cliffs at the time watching me, I wouldn’t be here to talk to you.’

  ‘A girl rescued you? Did that damage your self-esteem?’

  ‘No. Not only am I secure enough to be able to admit that sometimes I need help, as I mentioned, she’d been watching me. She was already a big fan of mine.’

  ‘Really.’

  ‘Oh, yes.’ His eyes gleamed.

  ‘Perhaps this girl wasn’t watching you. Perhaps she was there talking to someone and you merely happened to be surfing at the time.’

  ‘Oh I doubt that. She had a strange fear of the sea. And she didn’t have any friends to talk to back then anyway.’

  Yuri glared at him. Alicia shifted in her chair. ‘Why don’t we…’

  ‘Shut up, Alicia,’ Oz said, almost conversationally. She blinked, obviously taken aback. ‘You see, Ms. Tateno, this girl and I ended up having a very special relationship together. You could say she was my one and only true love.’

  ‘And now,’ Yuri said, ‘you have many loves.’

  ‘So, apparently, do you.’

  ‘No. I can assure you I’m single.’

  ‘I suppose that’s why you are playing the field with photographers then.’

  ‘It’s better than two-bit actresses,’ she rejoined nastily.

  ‘I think this line of questioning is probably inappropriate,’ Dirk began.

  A tiny smile played around Oz’s lips. ‘You’re jealous,’ he said, completely ignoring his agent.

  ‘I hardly know you. Why would I be jealous?’

  ‘Oh, I think you know me very well.’ He licked his lips. ‘Tell me, have you followed my career much over the years?’

  ‘I haven’t had time,’ she lied. ‘But I’ve done research for this interview. Your first song, ‘Stabbed Through The Heart’ which effectively made your career is rather self-indulgent, isn’t it?’

  ‘I can assure you that I meant every word.’

  ‘It’s rather one-sided though, isn’t it? You sing of a girl who broke your heart and,’ she glanced at her laptop, ‘’threw you in the gutter’. And yet, we don’t know her side of the story, do we? Much has been made of your pain and heartache over that relationship, but what about hers?’

  ‘You’ve just asked three questions. Which one is it you’d like me to answer?’

  ‘Why don’t you tell the story of the logo, Oz?’ Alicia interjected nervously.

  ‘Yes, why don’t you, Oz?’ Yuri lifted an eyebrow. ‘It is a rather beautiful design after all.’

  ‘The person who created it was rather beautiful,’ he murmured.

  ‘Was?’

  He held her eyes. ‘Is.�
�

  Yuri’s mouth dried. She shook herself slightly, trying to recover her thoughts. ‘Anais Arletti is beautiful too.’

  Oz looked amused for a moment. ‘She is.’

  Yuri leaned across the table. ‘Why don’t you tell the readers of Yell what is going on between you and her? I’m sure they’d love to know.’

  ‘She’s a very capable actress and an extraordinarily good friend. We are, however, merely friends.’

  ‘Indeed.’

  ‘You shouldn’t believe everything you read. As a journalist, I thought you’d know that.’

  ‘The photographs suggest something to the contrary.’

  ‘Photos can be misleading. As can photographers.’

  Dirk cleared his throat. ‘Let’s all take a break, shall we?’

  ‘Did you sleep with her last night?’

  Alicia stood up, her chair falling backwards with the force of her movement. ‘This interview is terminated.’

  ‘No. Are you going to sleep with the photographer?’

  ‘I’m the one doing the interviewing here,’ Yuri said icily.

  Oz’s eyes hardened.

  ‘Oh for goodness’ sake,’ she snapped. ‘Of course I’m not.’

  He relaxed.

  Alicia tried again. ‘Oz!’

  ‘I’ve not slept with Anais Arletti,’ he said, his eyes fixed on Yuri. ‘I’m not going to sleep with Anais Arletti.’ He took a deep breath. ‘You see the girl who saved me from drowning, the one I wrote Stabbed Through The Heart about? She’s the one I really love. She’s the only one I’ve ever loved.’

  Yuri stared at him.

  ‘I thought she’d betrayed me,’ he said. ‘She told me she hadn’t but the evidence to the contrary was rather damning. I thought she was lying.’

  ‘And now?’ she squeaked.

  ‘Get security in here!’ Alicia snapped at Dirk. ‘Have Ms. Tateno escorted from the building!’

  Dirk was watching Yuri. A slow smile started to spread across his face. ‘I understand,’ he said. ‘Now, I understand.’

  ‘Dirk…’

  ‘Be quiet, Alicia. We’re leaving.’

  ‘This is my goddamn office! I’m not leaving!’

  ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘you are.’

  He stood up and took Alicia gently by the arm. Her mouth flapped open. ‘What…?’

  ‘Come on. These two need to be alone.’ He pushed her towards the door and out into the corridor, where she could still be heard protesting.

  Yuri stood up. Then she sat back down again. She stared at the table separating her from Oz, a symbolic gulf representing so many years. He got to his feet and moved round, then took the empty chair next to her. Gnawing on his bottom lip, he ran a shaky hand through his hair.

  ‘Yuri, we really need to talk.’

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  TORQUAY, DEVON, 2004

  ‘My parents have booked a holiday in the sun. You know, one of those package things.’

  ‘Oh,’ Yuri said deflated. She’d been hoping that with the school holidays fast approaching, they’d be able to spend more time together. Between studying, her part-time job at the zoo and Ozzy’s band practice, they were barely able to snatch the odd hour or two alone together. ‘You’ll be going with them. How long will you be away for?’

  Ozzy grinned at her. ‘You don’t get it.’

  ‘I get it fine. You’re going to get a tan. I’m going to end up selling postcards and ice-creams to tourists while enjoying the thrills of Torquay.’

  ‘They want to know if you’d like to come.’

  She started. ‘What?’

  His eyes gleamed. ‘You’re invited. You’ll need a bikini. I’m thinking very tiny. Perhaps will yellow polka dots. But definitely with those little bows on the side so I can…’

  She swatted him lightly. ‘Perv. But I can’t come. I can’t afford it.’

  He nuzzled the nape of her neck. ‘They’ll pay.’

  ‘I’m not taking your parents’ money.’

  ‘Why not? I do.’

  ‘That’s different and you know it. I’m not a charity case.’

  ‘That’s not why they’ve invited you. They want me out of the way so they can…’

  ‘Canoodle?’ Yuri had long been envious of Ozzy’s parents’ close relationship.

  He grinned. ‘Exactly. And if you’re with me, then they know I won’t be bothering them.’

  ‘I’d love to come. But I’m still not taking their money.’

  ‘Fair enough. Would your mum…’

  She laughed humourlessly. ‘You know better than that.’

  The best thing she could say about her mother was that she finally seemed more settled. It had been nine months and she’d still not mentioned anything yet about moving somewhere else. It had to be a record. Yuri put it down to improved weather in this part of the country, not to mention ample ‘friends’ also more than willing to aid her mother’s continued search for alcoholic oblivion. Torquay seemed to be the place to go to when you were trying – and failing - to escape your past. Escaping that way was an expensive habit, however. There wasn’t any spare money; certainly not enough to fund a holiday anyway. Not for the first time, Yuri wondered what her mother would be like if her father hadn’t drowned. Grieving was one thing; staying mired in the past was something entirely different.

  Ozzy gazed at her with a mix of empathy and frustration. ‘I need you to be there with me. Can’t you just accept this as a gift? Just this once?’

  She shook her head. ‘No. But give me a few days. I might be able to sort something out.’ Before he got too eager, she leaned over and kissed him. ‘Don’t get too excited though,’ she warned. ‘I’m not promising anything.’

  ‘Really?’ he murmured, nuzzling her neck. ‘What about if I did this?’

  Yuri yelped as his teeth nipped gently at her skin. Happy dancing butterflies swirled around her belly. Sometimes his touch made her feel like she was going crazy. In a very, very good way.

  ‘Or how about this?’ he asked, his hands moving down her body and grazing her breasts.

  ‘Ozzy…’

  ‘I love it when you say my name like that.’

  She groaned slightly.

  ‘You two need to get to class,’ Mrs. Chibison said, appearing from out of nowhere. ‘The bell’s about to ring.’

  The pair of them looked up to see the teacher waggling a stern finger in their direction.

  ‘We’ve still got a few minutes,’ Ozzy began.

  She frowned at them, clearly not in the mood to brook any defiance. Happily, however, where there had once been a ring of pale skin around one finger, there now was a simple diamond band. Things were obviously looking up for her. She’d already saved herself.

  ‘Fine,’ Yuri muttered, grabbing Ozzy’s hand and marching off towards the main school building before they were inevitably threatened with detention. The teacher’s life may have changed and Yuri’s attitude may have changed but, as much as she’d like to wish otherwise, school still enjoyed enforcing all its stifling rules.

  ‘Killjoy,’ Ozzy said under his breath, once they were far enough away. ‘There are only three more days till we’re on study leave so I don’t see what the big deal is.’

  ‘She’s alright,’ Yuri answered. ‘She’s just concerned about our education.’

  ‘Ha! Look at you all prim and proper. I’m going to get more of an education hanging with you than I will in French with Monsieur Fermez-La-Bouche.’

  ‘Maybe you’ll get lucky and today you’ll learn about French letters,’ she said slyly.

  ‘If I do, then I’ll show you later what I find out,’ he breathed, eyes dancing.

  They giggled together. Behind them, Mrs. Chibison’s frown had softened to a smile as she watched them. Out of all the young couples in the school, those two seemed like they were the most likely to actually stick at it and stay together. Commitment, when it was real, was a joyous thing to see. Then she spotted something out of the corner of her
eye and her eyebrows snapped together.

  ‘Nicola Jones! Is that a cigarette I see in your hand?’ she bellowed across the road.

  A teen girl with tie and shirt askew shoved her hand unconvincingly behind her back.

  ‘No, Mizz Chib!’

  ‘Teenagers,’ she muttered. ‘Always up to something.’

  *

  Emptying the bins around the reptile house, Yuri bit her lip and tried to avoid looking in Medusa’s direction. There had to be an easy way to broach the subject, she just wasn’t quite sure what it was yet. She pulled out the black plastic bag, ignoring the reek of rotting sandwich crusts and moved over to the next bin.

  ‘Come on then,’ Medusa said. ‘Out with it.’

  ‘Wh- what?’

  ‘Yuri, you just put a full bag of rubbish into an empty bin. Something’s up. Tell me what it is.’

  She stared down at the bin, realising what she’d just done and immediately corrected her mistake. ‘Um,’ she said, scratching her head, while Medusa’s halo of snakes rose up into a cloud of curving question marks. ‘Um…’

  ‘Spit it out.’

  ‘Ozzy’s invited me to Greece,’ she burst out. ‘On holiday. With his parents.’

  Something in Medusa’s eyes hardened. ‘I see.’

  ‘I have some savings, but not enough to cover a trip like that. They’ve offered to pay but I don’t want to accept their money. If I could borrow some, then I’ll do double shifts over the rest of the summer and pay you back.’

  Medusa turned away, looking into one of the glass windows at a sleeping python wrapped around a leafy branch. ‘You should be concentrating on your exams, not on your summer holidays.’

  ‘I have been,’ she mumbled. ‘I’ve been studying lots.’ It was the truth. Despite daily thanking her lucky stars that she had Ozzy, Yuri was still very aware that to really escape, she had to do well academically.

  ‘I know.’ Medusa’s voice was kind, however there was still an edge to it. ‘But you’re too wrapped up in that boy. You’re only young. Don’t get too focused on one person. Play the field a little.’