Idol

by Carrie Duffy

  Jenna checked the address on her phone. ‘Yeah, this is it.’

  ‘Do you want me to come with you?’ Zac offered.

  ‘No. This is something I have to do on my own.’

  ‘Right.’ Zac looked at her carefully. ‘You wanna tell me what this is all about?’

  Jenna paused. ‘It’s complicated … A girl I know – a friend, I guess; she was one of my dancers – she’s been helping me out with a financial issue …’

  ‘And she lives here?’

  ‘No … I need to meet her here. Like I said, it’s complicated.’

  ‘Okay …’ Something wasn’t adding up for Zac. ‘Why are you so nervous?’

  ‘Am I?’ Jenna asked, as she began chewing on her fingernail. ‘I don’t know, I just have a weird feeling about all of this.’

  ‘You sure you don’t want me to come?’

  ‘No.’ Jenna was resolute. ‘I’ll be fine.’

  Zac leaned across the seat and squeezed her hand. ‘Hey, look, call me when you get inside. If I don’t hear from you in five minutes, I’m coming in.’

  Jenna smiled gratefully at him. ‘Thanks Zac. You’ve been amazing today.’

  She stepped out of the car, pulling down her Ray-Bans against the brightness of the afternoon sun. The temperature was warm but bearable, refreshing after the sizzling Hawaiian heat. Jenna slammed the car door shut and began walking towards the entrance.

  The doorbell rang. Angela jumped up like a frightened animal, her eyes terrified as she looked towards the door.

  ‘Who is it?’ she demanded, staring accusingly at Sadie.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Sadie told her, taken aback by the fierceness of her reaction.

  ‘You called the police, didn’t you? You called them!’ Angela’s voice was growing louder. ‘I told you it wasn’t my fault, I can’t let them find me, I …’ She looked desperately round the flat.

  ‘I didn’t call them, I promise you. I’ve been here the whole time …’ Sadie’s mind was racing. ‘It’ll be Jenna,’ she realized suddenly.

  ‘Jenna?’

  ‘I told her to meet us here. I meant to tell you but … with everything that happened it slipped my mind,’ she finished awkwardly.

  Angela’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. ‘You can’t let her in. You can’t tell her.’

  ‘Angela, she only wants to know what happened to her money. I won’t tell her anything, I promise,’ Sadie reassured her, trying to hide her concern. Angela was behaving increasingly strangely; her reaction to Jenna’s arrival was extreme.

  The doorbell rang again.

  ‘Angela, please …’

  Angela’s face creased in exasperation, as though trying to weigh up her options. ‘If you’re lying to me—’

  ‘I’m not, I swear,’ Sadie promised.

  Finally, Angela nodded in assent. Sadie ran across to open the door.

  Jenna stood there, looking poised and glamorous. ‘Sadie!’ she smiled in relief. ‘I was worried I had the wrong apartment.’

  ‘No, this is the right one. Come in,’ she said distractedly, standing aside to let Jenna go through.

  ‘Wow, it’s beautiful.’ Jenna stared round at the high ceilings and whitewashed walls, the floor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of the Thames. ‘And you must be Angela.’ Jenna went across to her, but Angela remained stiff and awkward, not responding to Jenna’s greeting.

  ‘She’s a little upset – because of what happened,’ Sadie put in quickly.

  ‘It must be awful for you,’ Jenna sympathized. ‘You must have worked very closely with him.’

  Angela nodded tightly.

  ‘What happened?’ Jenna asked her. ‘I hardly know a thing. I mean, why did he …?’ She trailed off, unable to bring herself to say the words.

  Angela and Sadie exchanged glances. ‘Don’t tell her,’ Angela hissed. ‘You can’t tell her, Sadie, you promised you wouldn’t. You promised!’

  ‘Tell me what?’

  ‘Don’t tell her, you can’t tell anyone.’ Angela was becoming hysterical.

  ‘Angela please, calm down,’ Sadie began worriedly. Angela’s breathing was shallow and she struggled to catch her breath, hunching forward as the tears began to fall once more. ‘Just take a seat and—’

  ‘Will somebody please tell me what’s going on?’

  ‘No!’ Angela wailed, as she clutched wildly at her stomach. ‘No, you can’t!’

  Sadie looked helplessly at Jenna. ‘I don’t know what to—’

  But she broke off as Angela began to scream. The noise was horrific – a chilling, agonizing sound like an animal howling in pain. At first neither Jenna nor Sadie could work out why Angela was screaming. But then they realized.

  Angela’s skirt was soaked through with blood, the thick, viscous liquid dripping down her legs. Her body was haemorrhaging. She was losing the baby.

  35

  ‘What’s happening?’ Jenna stared at Angela in horror.

  ‘She’s pregnant,’ Sadie yelled. ‘Help me! Call an ambulance or something.’

  Jenna stood, paralysed with shock, as Sadie tried to move Angela over to the sofa. Angela was panicking now, beginning to hyperventilate.

  Suddenly there was a hammering on the door, as the doorbell was pressed repeatedly. Angela froze, her gaze terrified, as she was gripped by another wave of hysteria. ‘Don’t let them take me, Sadie, please. I didn’t mean it. You’ve got to help me, you’ve got to help my baby …’

  A man’s voice began yelling, ‘Jenna, are you in there? Jenna?’

  ‘Shit, it’s Zac,’ Jenna realized. ‘I forgot to call him.’ She ran to the door and opened it. Zac was standing there, his body tense, his expression anxious. Instantly he realized that something was wrong.

  ‘Are you okay?’ he asked. Jenna’s face had paled, and she shook her head. Zac scanned the room, shocked by what he saw. ‘What the hell’s going on?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Jenna told him. She wanted to collapse into his arms, but knew they had to take care of Angela. ‘She’s having a baby.’

  Zac took in the small curve of Angela’s stomach and the blood-soaked skirt.

  ‘Call an ambulance,’ Sadie yelled at him. If she was surprised to see him, now was not the time to comment on it. She sat beside Angela, cradling her body and stroking her hair in an attempt to calm her. ‘Jenna, get some towels or something.’

  Zac pulled out his cell phone. Jenna sprinted upstairs, slamming open doors until she found the bathroom. Grabbing a pile of white, fluffy towels she soaked them through with hot water and ran back down the spiral staircase. She helped Sadie ease Angela onto the floor, trying to make her comfortable as they gently wiped her legs. Angela was weeping, burying her face in Sadie’s shoulder.

  ‘Listen to me, Angela.’ Sadie’s voice was low and even. ‘You need to calm down. Take long, deep breaths. Inhale slowly …’

  Angela turned to her. Sweat was beading on her brow, and she grimaced in pain. ‘Please don’t let anything happen to me,’ she begged.

  ‘I won’t,’ Sadie promised. ‘I won’t.’

  In the distance, they heard the wail of the ambulance.

  Sadie, Jenna and Zac were in the back of the chauffeur-driven car, on their way to the hospital. The ambulance had rushed off ahead, sirens blazing as it skipped red lights and dodged the traffic, but their driver was doing a pretty good job of weaving through the city streets.

  ‘Would somebody mind filling me in a little?’ Zac requested, as they sped round a corner and hurtled down a narrow backstreet. ‘I really don’t have a clue what just happened back there.’

  ‘I haven’t told him anything,’ Jenna explained, somewhat sheepishly.

  Briefly, Sadie outlined the situation – about her relationship with Paul Austin, and what had happened to Jenna’s investment. She told him that Angela had worked for Paul and left it at that, deciding not to repeat what Angela had told her had taken place on the rooftop. Nor did she tell them that Paul was the father
of Angela’s baby. It was private information, up to Angela whether or not she wanted to reveal it.

  ‘How about the documents you mentioned?’ Zac asked. ‘What happened to those?’

  Sadie raised an eyebrow then reached into her tote bag. ‘These? I grabbed them before we left the apartment.’

  Zac grinned admiringly. ‘You seem to have everything under control. Mind if I take a look?’

  Sadie glanced at Jenna, who nodded in agreement.

  Zac took the pile of papers and silently leafed through them, lost in thought as he scanned each page. Jenna peered over his shoulder, growing increasingly embarrassed.

  ‘Sonofabitch!’ Zac burst out. ‘I can’t believe he was trying this shit. He was really in a mess.’

  Jenna winced. ‘I’ve been so stupid, haven’t I?’

  Zac shook his head. ‘Honey, it wasn’t your fault. This Austin guy just got a little too greedy.’

  ‘Do you think I’ll get my money back?’ Jenna bit her lip anxiously.

  ‘Sure, if the company wants to keep its reputation.’ Zac’s tone was matter-of-fact. ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this before, Jenna?’

  Jenna squirmed uncomfortably. ‘I felt like an idiot. I was trying to do something for myself and I messed it up totally.’

  ‘Don’t say that. I don’t ever want you to feel like you can’t tell me something. You can trust me totally, okay?’

  ‘Okay,’ Jenna agreed, locked in his gaze.

  Sadie shifted awkwardly, feeling like a spare part. She found herself wondering what was going on between these two, although she had a pretty good idea. The chemistry between them was so strong it was almost visible. But wasn’t Jenna with Nick? And Zac was supposed to be dating Amber …

  The car swung into the hospital entrance, pulling up outside A&E, and the mood grew sombre once more.

  ‘Stay here,’ Sadie told a reluctant Jenna and Zac. ‘You’ll cause a riot if you come in.’

  She ran into the building, speaking quickly to a guy on the front desk who directed her along the corridor. Midway down, she stopped a woman in a white coat.

  ‘I’m here to see Angela Lee. Do you know how she is?’

  The doctor paused, her face grave. Sadie could tell it wasn’t good.

  ‘Are you a friend of hers?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then she’ll need your support. Angela’s stable, but she’s been through a very traumatic experience. I’m afraid to say that she’s lost the baby.’

  Sadie swallowed. The news was like a blow to the gut. She felt tears stinging her eyes, her throat burning raw. ‘Is she okay?’ Sadie managed to ask.

  There was a moment’s hesitation. ‘We’ve had to sedate her. She’s taken the news very badly.’

  ‘Can I see her?’

  ‘Not today. Let her rest. You can visit tomorrow.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Sadie whispered. The doctor nodded and left, marching off along the corridor. Slowly, Sadie turned around and walked back the way she came, climbing dazedly back into the car.

  ‘What happened?’ said Jenna. She hardly needed to ask the question; the answer was written all over Sadie’s face.

  ‘She’s okay but she …’ Sadie’s face crumpled, and she struggled to get the words out. ‘She lost the baby.’

  No one spoke. Jenna closed her eyes, biting her lip as she tried to take it in. It was what they’d all suspected, but hearing the news didn’t make it any easier.

  Sadie took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. A feeling of numbness had descended on her. ‘I think I want to go back to the hotel now.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Jenna and Zac exchanged worried glances. ‘We can drop you off wherever you need to be.’

  ‘It’s okay. I’m staying out at Heathrow; it’s miles out of your way. I’ll take a taxi. I’ll speak to you tomorrow, Jenna. Nice to meet you, Zac.’

  Sadie fumbled with the door handle and got out, desperate to be alone. She managed to flag down a taxi outside the hospital and collapsed onto the back seat where she broke down, unable to stop the tears from falling.

  It was such an awful thing to happen. Angela didn’t deserve it. All she’d done was fallen in love with the wrong guy, and Sadie knew what it was like. It was so easy to get so wrapped up in Paul Austin’s charm and charisma that you failed to notice what a shit he was. Even now he was dead, he was still managing to fuck up Angela’s life.

  The car dropped Sadie at the Sofitel and she walked unsteadily towards the entrance, her legs threatening to give way beneath her. She felt physically and mentally shattered, the long day finally catching up with her. All she wanted to do now was shower and pass out. Her mind was whirling and her body had no idea what time zone it was in.

  ‘Are you all right, madam?’

  The porter was staring at her curiously. Sadie realized she must look a mess, her eyes red raw from crying.

  She straightened up, mustering her dignity. ‘I’m fine, thank you.’ Her voice sounded odd; her throat was dry.

  Sadie strode past him into the lobby. It was a superbly modern design, all marble and glass and sleek stone sculptures. She stood at the counter, trying to focus on what the receptionist was saying as he tapped into a computer. It took Sadie a moment to remember her name, then he handed over her room key.

  As she turned to go, she became aware of someone behind her, blocking her path. She sighed in frustration, wondering why this idiot wouldn’t get out of her way. She really wasn’t in the mood for this shit.

  Sadie opened her mouth, ready to let loose a withering remark. Then she looked up, her eyes widening in shock.

  Tyrone Cole was standing in front of her.

  ‘My God, that feels amazing,’ Jenna sighed, as she strolled into the living room, towelling her wet hair. She was freshly showered, wrapped in a light silk Myla robe. The material was thin and her full breasts pushed against the silk, the belted waist emphasizing her perfect hourglass figure. Zac couldn’t take his eyes off her. After everything they’d been through today, he didn’t think he could take much more – this was like torture.

  He was flaked out on the squashy cream sofas, his feet propped casually on the glass coffee table, seeming completely at ease in Jenna’s house. The huge windows were thrown wide open, letting the warm night air stream through.

  A sudden breeze made Jenna shiver, her nipples tightening through the thin material of her gown. She wrapped it tighter around her. ‘Would you like a drink?’ she asked self-consciously.

  ‘Sure,’ Zac agreed, in that relaxed, Southern drawl. ‘Something strong. It’s been that kind of a day.’

  Jenna poured them both a large Scotch over ice, and sat down beside Zac, swirling the amber liquid in her glass. She sipped it delicately. It was so strong it made her wince.

  She was ultra-aware of Zac sitting next to her, a pensive expression in his dark eyes. He smelt delicious – an unsettling mix of Jenna’s Molton Brown shower gel and her Kérastase shampoo – and he’d changed into a clean shirt, his slim legs encased in their usual black denim.

  ‘I’m glad you’re here,’ Jenna said finally, in a small voice. She meant it. It had been one hell of a day, and she wanted him with her. God, he was so strong, she thought, gazing at him admiringly. Nothing seemed to faze him. ‘I’m so sorry for dragging you into all of this.’

  Zac shook his head. ‘I wish I could have done more,’ he told her. ‘You were so brave today.’

  Jenna shook her head. ‘I fell apart. I didn’t know what to do.’

  ‘You have to start believing in yourself, Jenna,’ Zac insisted. ‘You’re stronger than you think. Man, I had you all wrong.’ It made him ashamed to think how he’d treated her in the beginning.

  ‘I know you think I’m some kind of spoiled brat, but I’m not like that.’ She hated the idea that he might think badly of her.

  Zac looked at her tenderly. ‘I know that. You’re nothing like the girl I first met. You’ve changed so much, matured and … you’re this ama
zing woman.’

  ‘I’m trying to change, I really am …’

  Zac didn’t take his eyes off her. ‘I wouldn’t change anything about you. Not one thing.’

  There was a long pause. The tension in the room was unbearable.

  ‘I thought you hated me,’ Jenna whispered. ‘You were so cold.’

  ‘I never hated you,’ Zac murmured. He tried to think rationally, but it was impossible for him not to be physically overwhelmed when Jenna was so close to him. He could feel the heat of her body, smell the fresh scent of her hair hanging thick and damp down her back, and he knew he was lost.

  ‘I’m sorry for the way I treated you,’ he began slowly. ‘I was … I was scared,’ he admitted.

  ‘Scared?’ Jenna hadn’t expected that.

  ‘You challenged me – I’d never met anyone like you before.’

  ‘I wanted your respect. I wanted you to like me.’

  ‘Well I do,’ Zac said quietly. That was the understatement of the century.

  Jenna closed her eyes, giving him the chance to continue. She wanted him to say it.

  ‘I didn’t trust my feelings around you,’ Zac went on. ‘You’re like a force of nature, Jenna. I could see that you had the potential to upset everything in my life and that terrified me. Things were starting to fall apart with Amber, and I was desperate to hold it together. I already had one failed marriage behind me; I didn’t want another failed relationship. But I couldn’t ignore the way I felt about you.’

  ‘How … how did you feel about me?’ Jenna’s voice was trembling. She hardly dared to ask the question.

  ‘I was falling in love with you.’ Zac’s voice was so soft she could barely hear it.

  Jenna looked at him, at the beautiful, talented, tortured man beside her. He was the complete opposite of Nick, so committed and serious and focused. She could see the pain he was going through, the way he’d fought to try and patch things up with Amber, desperately hoping she’d kick her habit and they’d get back to how things were. And all that time he’d watched her and Nick, knowing that Nick was going to screw it up, just like he’d screwed up every relationship he’d ever had. And Jenna had been so wrapped up in it all that she’d been blind to what was right in front of her.