by Unknown
Daniel grinned at her, his hand resting on her stockinged legs as they shared the sofa and the plans.
“During this time I will organise new documents as you become Matthew Carmichael-Astaire. The reclusive only son of Anthony who now wishes to move from his solitary existence in the United Kingdom to stake his claim and make the Health Spa brand International” she swept her hand grandly in the direction of the portrait. Mitchell could feel the sweat seeping down his forehead, his knuckles clenched white in his lap.
“Then with some hair dye we will transform your dark locks to blond, like Anthony's used to look like when he was younger. Your features are very much like his so there should be no problem as we all escape to America. I can happily run the Spa in your shadow as you become the rich, English aristocrat who is looking for a perfect wife”
Felicity leaned over and surprised Daniel with a passionate kissbefore gazing at Mitchell.
“That all sounds rather well planned, but how do you plan to get rid of your real son Mitchell Cooke?”
She saw him lean forward in the chair, his pallor was wan and matched the snow that had started to fall.
“That part of the plan is already in progress. I know you sent a text to that little slapper of a girlfriend saying you were going home. She received it by the way” her eyebrows arched.
“James phoned to find out if you had left when it started getting late. I told him you had decided to stay at the party and had no intention of going home” her smug smile, pierced him to the core. Closing his eyes he saw Charlotte scrunched into a ball of despair, like she had the day he had walked out on her. His hands yearned to reach out to his vision, fold her back into the security of his embrace.
Then the sheer force of anger and hatred took hold as he leapt from his seat and in a blink he pinned Felicity back against the cushions.
“So” he snarled “Charlotte will start to look for me and so will James, they will see through your lies”
“They won't need too, your wrecked motorbike and bloodstained leathers in the nearby river will deal with your death, the banks and water might get scoured but the damage to your helmet would make it a search purely for your body”
His arms lost their strength as Mitchell staggered back, clutching his stomach as the bile rose inside him.
Running from the room he found the nearest bathroom and retched into the basin. The few remnants of Christmas dinner were expelled until he was dry heaving and nothing remained. He felt hollow inside, his head throbbed with pain and his eyes smarted from the salty tears flowing down his cheeks. Sliding down the cold tiles he huddled into a small ball and rocked. He couldn't think as the revelations of his mother’s despicable nature gripped his soul. In that moment he knew he would have to try something rash to escape or his life would be over.
“Mitchell, Mitchell.Are you alright” he listened to her sharp voice. She appeared in the doorway and stared down at his broken shell on the floor. Her mouth turned down in sorrow but her eyes were lit with what? Power Joy Success. Mitch found it hard to fathom as he stood up and pushed past her.
“I can't stay here a minute longer, let me back in the barn”
“Daniel will take you, and don't even think about running as the security guards are close enough for me to call”
“Merry fucking Christmas, Mother” he spat. Then he turned and followed Daniel back across the courtyard. Listening as the lock was turned outside and he was imprisoned once more.
Lying on the bed he watched the day fade to evening and then night. The snow clouds obscured the stars and moon as Mitchell let go and wept until his tears ran dry. He pulled his dressing gown on over his shivering body and inhaled deeply. A faint trace of Charlie's perfume still clung to the collar and in a small way it soothed him into sleep.
Chapter 5
Boxing Day passed in much the same manner as Christmas Day. I watched as the lack of response from Charlotte's phone seemed to age her before my eyes. She carried it from room to room, stared at it for minutes until she thought one of us was looking. Every time the main house phone rang or James' phone beeped I would see a flicker of hope flame in her eyes.
Saying goodbye to Sarah and Chris later that day I hugged her even harder.
“See you soon” I said
“You bet, we've got some wedding dress shopping to do”
“Yes, but let's leave it a week or two until we are certain that nothing awful has happened to Mitchell”
“Ok, let's just pray that no news is good news”
Chris could hear our exchange and nodded in agreement as he shook hands with James, the two of them back to being firm friends.
Charlotte waved from the doorstep and then went back inside to the warmth. The snow was starting to turn to slush now as I lingered the longest on the doorstep before shutting the door.
“Shall we go sale shopping tomorrow after I finish my radio show?”
“Sounds like a plan” James replied. I looked across at Charlotte who jumped guiltily and put her phone down.
“Ok, I guess. By the way is it ok for Julia to come up for New Year's Eve” Charlie asked.
“Yes, it will do you good to have some company”
Walking into the studio the next morning Naomi greeted me with her usual cheerful face
“Morning, Stephanie. Did you have a good Christmas?”
“Yes thanks, did you” I replied, trying to keep my tone light, despite the heaviness in my heart.
“It was fantastic, I spent most of it with Leon” she blushed as she turned back to her computer screen. I walked on through grabbing a coffee on my way to the office. Once my emails were dealt with and my programme plan made I sat back and tried to relax. I could not help but think that in this instance no news about Mitchell was bad news.
My cheek muscles ached from trying to keep things cheerful at home, but the strain was starting to show. Greg appeared in the doorway about fifteen minutes before the start of my show.
“Morning Steph, had a good break? Want some good news?”
“Yes and yes”
“Our sponsorship has almost doubled since the launch. I will get Lesley to email you the figures and names so I think we need to decide on a few high profile competitions for January to keep things at this pace”
I nodded and smiled.
“In fact Zach has offered us a set of VIP tickets to his exclusive New Year’sEve party to give away so I think we need something sorting out asap”
“Ok, leave it with me I'll think about it while I am on air”
Standing up I moved towards him and through the door as he stood aside. He caught my arm and stopped me for a moment.
“Are you sure you're ok, you look at little down”
“Just a small family matter, it will pass”
“Well, if you need to talk I'm here for you, no strings”
“Thanks Greg, I'll bear it in mind”
Entering the live studio I waited quietly for Leon to finish and leave so that I could sit and get started. It was like there was a little switch inside me that once the green light turned red for “on air” I could forget about everything else in my life and just concentrate on the music.
James and Charlotte were waiting for me in reception when I finished the show.
“The coat looks lovely on you” I said, linking my arm through hers and trying to garner a smile from her pale face. James looked equally morose but was trying his best to cover it with a cheery grin. Out in the town the bustling crowds jostled us along the pavement. Everyone else seemed to know what they wanted or where they were going as we lingered by shop windows, gazing at the displays or sale signs.
We chanced upon a bridal wear shop and I hesitated.
“Go on Mum, you should at least have a look” Charlie urged.
“Absolutely, I'll wait for you both in the pub at the end of the street” James said, giving me a quick peck on the cheek. I turned the handle and a bell jingled to notify the single shop assist
ant inside, apart from her it was deserted.
“Can I help you?” She asked, smiling brightly.
“We're just looking” I murmured.
She turned away as I wandered across to the first rack of gowns.
Charlotte was across the shop looking through the numerous bridesmaid dresses in various styles and colours. I turned away from all the pure white gowns as they tended to be too stark against my pale colouring. The cream ones were slightly better but I found I was drawn to the more golden hues at the end of the rail. I stopped and pulled out a beautiful Grecian style gown in a pale coffee colour. It was fitted just below the bust line and then the chiffon material fell like a waterfall. I turned to see where the changing room was and saw Charlotte glance over, a few dresses hung over her arm.
“Shall we” I said, a smile sprang to my lips.
“Yes” she replied, a bloom of pink from the heat of the shop graced her pale cheeks.
The shop assistant hurried over and helped Charlie with her numerous gowns, I only held the one as we walked towards the large changing room.
“Go on Mum, you first” Charlie said, sitting down on a chair in the corner. I pulled the curtain across and started to undress before pulling the material over my head. It fitted almost perfectly, the hem dragged on the floor as I had removed my boots to try it on but that was it. The scooped neck line showed a hint of my breasts and supported them beautifully. Before I even stepped out I knew it was the perfect dress.
As I drew the curtain aside I watched Charlotte's mouth drop open in delighted surprise.
“Wow, that’s beautiful” she breathed, as I walked towards the large mirror at the end of the room. Gazing at my reflection I gasped as well, my heart pounded in my chest and a slight blush stained my cheek. This was it the price didn't matter when a gown made me feel like a princess.
“Would you like to try some shoes to give you a better idea if you need to have it shortened” the shop assistant asked.
“Yes thanks” I replied.
I watched her bustle back through into the shop which gave me a few moments alone with my daughter.
“What do you think?”
“It's perfect Mum” she looked at the pile of dresses she had bought in with her and pulled out the chocolate brown one, in almost the same style.
“I think I should try this one on” she said, and hurried into the other cubicle. I was still waiting for the shop assistant to return as Charlotte stepped out and came to stand next to me.
The neck line on hers was more daring and the hem stopped on her knee, showing her shapely legs to perfection.
“It needs taking in a bit” she said, lifting her arms to show the loose material beneath.
“Do you like it or would you prefer something else” I asked.
“No, it just contrasts with yours and I love it” she declared, spinning around. Although her lips smiled I could still see the pain in her eyes, they were not as vibrant as usual. I put my arm around her shoulder as we both looked in the mirror.
With a pair of heels on and a simple gold tiara in my hair I admired my reflection.
“Perfect” the assistant crooned.
“We'll take it all” I said, watching the shock cross her face.
“We have a special offer on which includes accessories at half price and any alterations you may need”
“Is it ok if you hold them for us today as my husband to be is meeting us” I asked.
“Yes, certainly and if you can call back after new year our dress maker will be in and she can see and make any alterations you require”
I gave her my credit card while we changed. Before we did Charlie pulled out her phone.
“Come on Mum, you need a photo to show Auntie Rah”
I indulged her and then reluctantly undressed, mourning the loss of the sensation of the fabric on my skin. Back out in the street we hurried to the pub on the corner and ducked inside just before the rain began to fall. James looked up and tapped his watch, but he was grinning as we sat down.
“All shopped out?”
“Yes, but that's all I can divulge” I said, my turn to kiss him on the cheek.
“Shall we stop for some food” James asked. I nodded and looked at Charlie.
“I'll try” she said, before pulling her phone out once more and checking the empty screen. The menu was pretty good and we all found something to tempt our taste buds. Then we walked back down the street to collect the car from the compound behind the radio station studios. On the way home Charlie's phone beeped and I looked around but she shook her head
“It’s just Julia, saying she'll be coming up on the train and can I meet her there”
“No problem, if it’s New Year's Eve I can pick her up when I finish work” I said.
Charlotte tapped the information in and then a few moments later she nodded.
“I hope you're going out” James asked
“Yes, I guess so” she murmured. I knew that unless she had some news about Mitchell a night out was going to be a struggle for her. Arriving home Charlotte went upstairs to her room and I paused until her music started to play. I knew she wasn't dancing as she had barely ventured into the studio.
James checked the answer phone and then his emails and met me in the lounge with the now usual shake of his head.
“You know that Charlie will be on at you tomorrow, as its three days”
“Yes, I had hoped we would hear from him” he sighed “I suppose I could drive out to Felicity's tomorrow before my shift starts”
“It's an option” I replied, handing him a cup of tea. The rest of the evening passed and when we went to bed James wrapped his arms around me. We kissed a few times but when I tried to instigate anything more he gently pushed me away.
I awoke with a start later that night to hear footsteps on the stairs. I just made out a faint bark from Jester in the kitchen. James felt me sit up and opened his eyes.
“Is everything alright?”
“I think so, just heard Jester bark but I think Charlie may have gone down” I replied. I waited, when I still heard nothing I slipped out from the duvet and wrapped in my dressing gown I went downstairs. Jester looked at me from his basket and then across to the door into the garage dance studio. A sliver of light escaped from the bottom of the door and as I crept nearer I could just make out faint music.
Inside Charlie was dressed in her dance outfit but her feet were bare. The cold from the wood crept up through her legs to meet the heat from her muscles as she warmed up.
“This is for you Mitchell” she whispered into the silence.
Then as the familiar chords to “Hungry Eyes” started to flow from the speakers she danced their dance. With her eyes closed she could almost imagine him next to her, his movements took form in her shadow. She didn't know how many times the song looped on repeat, it was only when exhaustion kicked in and she fell onto the hard floor that she knew she would sleep. It had been like that since Christmas Day, as she staggered quietly back up to her room.
Chapter 6
New Year's Eve at the railway station was a mass of people either leaving for parties elsewhere or arriving to meet family and friends. Charlie had stayed at home, still trying to get over the latest news from the police. It was basically the same as before, keep waiting. James had visited Felicity but found no one home apart from her security guards. Apparently Felicity and Daniel had left for a party in Edinburgh but they couldn't recollect either way whether they had seen Mitchell with them. James didn't try to push for entry beyond the gate and came home disappointed.
The competition for Dusk to Dawn VIP tickets had filled our phone and text lines to capacity on the breakfast show and I had been relived to announce the winners on my show. They had called in to reception to collect them just as I was leaving. Naomi had been excited handing them over and telling the winners that most of the radio station staff had got tickets to the event. I had my pair in my handbag ready to give to Charlotte for her and
Julia.
It took Julia waving as she approached for me to see her.
“Hi Mrs Eden, where's Charlotte”
“She's waiting at home, it was easier for me to just come straight from work to meet you” I said, as we pushed through the crowds to the car park.
“How is she” Julia asked, as we travelled through the traffic.
“Not good really, so I hope you can cheer her up”
“I'll try my best”
Pulling into the driveway Charlotte opened the door and waited for her best friend.
I made pizza for tea and then gave the tickets to Charlotte
“VIP for tonight at Dusk till Dawn, compliments of our sponsor Zach” I said
“Oh, we were going to stay in with you Mum, have a girlie evening watching films” Charlotte exclaimed, not looking happy at all.
“I think we should go, dancing will be fun and I think Simon and some of his friends will be there” Julia said. Charlie processed this information and then she nodded.
“Hey, maybe Mitch will be there”
I looked at her, watching various emotions flick over her features, happiness, pain, worry and back to wild hope.
She pulled Julia up the stairs, at the same time checking her watch.
“We've only got three hours until the doors open” she said.
“I'll drive you over and fetch you later, as long as it’s not too late” I called at their departing rears.
“Thanks Mum” Charlie gasped. In the lounge I had a coffee and snatched a quick phone call with James, whose night shift had so far been quiet. I heard the shower upstairs, followed by dance music and hairdryers.