by Matt Cain
Look at his cute face, she thought, all nervous and worried when I’m blatantly only winding him up.
‘Go on than,’ he rasped. ‘What is it?’
‘You can only take me out on one condition.’
‘Oh yeah and what’s that?’
‘You take me somewhere they serve cock-a-leekie soup.’
The two of them exploded into giggles as everyone else looked on, puzzled. Freddy was doubled over clutching his stomach when Lola’s assistant stepped forward and told her it was time to leave.
‘Good luck,’ Freddy almost choked through his laughter.
‘Thanks, darlin’,’ she hooted back at him. ‘And will you come to my dressing room for a little party afterwards? There’s someone I want you to meet.’
‘Oh yeah?’ Now it was his turn to be puzzled. ‘And who’s that?’
‘My mum.’
Oh I know I’m going a bit fast, she told herself, but it’s taken me ages to get to this point. And I can’t be arsed holding back now!
She’s moving a bit fast, Freddy smiled to himself, but I can hardly complain when it’s taken so long to get here. And at least it means I don’t have to hold back!
Lola began backing away reluctantly. ‘I’ve got to go, darlin’. But I’ll blatantly see you later.’ She gazed into his eyes until she disappeared through the doorway.
As she ran towards the stage and into the fans’ cheers, she could feel her heart thumping in her chest. But it was no longer thumping with the thrill of knowing she was ripping up the show. Now it was thumping with the thrill of knowing she was falling in love with Freddy.
She raced up the back staircase, ready to make her final entrance. There was only one song left to perform. And the way Lola was feeling, there was only one song it could possibly be.
*
Spike was sitting in a box high up in the arena surrounded by record company execs quaffing cocktails with brash American businessmen, shy-looking songwriters and a smattering of celebrities. He spotted former opera singer Bella Figurini gossiping away with Shereen Spicer and Ruby Marlow, both of whose manic nose-twitching offered some explanation for their regular trips to the ladies’ room. Squatting down on the floor just in front of them, gay photographers Mark and Mark were giving their crystal-collared dog a bowl of champagne, which it lapped up before erupting into a loud burp. And squashed onto the seat next to Spike, Lucretia Lavelle was perched on Ace Bounder’s lap, jangling her jewellery and giggling out loud as Ace’s hand disappeared up her skirt – where Spike could only presume she was wearing no knickers. He tried not to stare and shuffled a few rows back onto an empty seat in a quiet corner. He was much happier hiding back here anyway. It had already been quite a day and right now he just wanted to sit back and chill.
He looked down at the dark stage and waited for Lola to reappear to perform her encore. The audience were loudly chanting her name, desperate for one final blast of a show everyone now knew would be going down in pop history as the moment Lola Grant took her place alongside the greatest megastars in music. But much as Spike was looking forward to seeing her back on stage, he was even more excited about seeing Harvey.
Just after the live broadcast Harvey had arranged to meet him here in the box. But that was over half an hour ago now and there was still no sign of him. Spike pulled down his baseball cap and tried to merge into the shadows as he watched footballer Slam Carter doing his best to chat up a disinterested Candy Lunt. Seeing as Slam had recently made a series of homophobic remarks in press interviews, Spike assumed he didn’t realize Candy was transgender. But Candy was clearly aware of his reputation; she scowled and turned her back on him to talk to a woman Spike recognized as the director of the Tramp video, who looked like she’d turned up to a fancy-dress party as Amy Winehouse.
‘All right, lad?’
Spike’s spirit lifted as Harvey slid in next to him and kissed him on the lips. Fuck, I love this man. I really fucking love him.
‘Sorry I’m late,’ Harvey said. ‘I had a few jobs to do.’
‘Oh don’t worry about it. Is everything OK, blud?’
‘Yeah, yeah. How about you?’ He took off Spike’s baseball cap and gently traced his finger over the indentations it had left on his forehead.
‘Yeah, I’m cool thanks, man,’ he said, closing his eyes and savouring the sensation of Harvey smoothing his skin. ‘And the show’s sick!’
Harvey smiled and kissed his forehead. ‘Listen, Spike, there’s something I want to—’
He was interrupted by an explosion of noise coming from the audience. The two of them jumped to their feet and watched the stage blast back into life as the sound of a Spanish guitar announced Lola’s reappearance dressed as a female matador. She skipped down the stairs and sprang straight into her final song.
Like a vision,
He waltzed into my world . . .
As he listened to Lola’s vocals, Spike could feel the song giving him a little glow – just like the summer sunshine.
‘Do you remember this was playing on the night we met?’ Harvey said into his ear.
‘Yeah, man – and on our first date.’
Harvey put his arm around Spike’s shoulders and drew him towards him.
‘Well, in that case it’s quite appropriate it’s playing now.’
‘Why? What do you mean?’
Harvey dropped down onto one knee. ‘There’s something I want to ask you, Spike.’ He took out a little box from his pocket.
Man, is this really happening?
Even though they were in a room full of people overlooking a packed arena, Spike suddenly felt as if the two of them were being privately serenaded by Lola.
That hot summer’s night,
It felt oh so right,
And I was lost, lost,
Lost in love.
Harvey raised his eyebrows. ‘Will you marry me, Spike?’
Spike could feel the smile on his face charging through his entire body. He took hold of the box and opened it up to reveal a beautiful gold ring.
‘Of course I’ll fucking marry you, man,’ he beamed, knowing his gold tooth would be twinkling away at Harvey. ‘I couldn’t think of anything that would make me happier.’
As Harvey drew himself up and their mouths locked together, Spike felt himself filling up with all the positive energy emanating from the audience. This was the best feeling ever. Because not only did he love Harvey but Harvey made him love himself too. And he knew that with Harvey by his side, for the rest of his life he’d be a better man – and so much happier than he’d ever imagined he could be before he’d met Harvey and they’d first listened to Lost in Love.
So yeah, his fiancé was right, Lola’s choice of song was appropriate – proper appropriate.
*
Lola snapped and kicked her way across the stage, giving the song everything she had and eager to end the night on the highest note possible.
The blaze of the sun,
The beat of the drum,
And I was lost, lost,
Lost in love.
As she belted out the lyrics she found she was pouring into them a deeper emotion than she’d ever felt before. And she knew that if she strayed even slightly away from this emotion, all she had to do was glance into the wings and catch sight of Freddy. Because she hadn’t realized it when she’d written the song but Lost in Love was about him. She understood now that Freddy should have been her summer romance – and as soon as she was off this stage she was going to start making up for lost time.
My head turned,
My heart burned,
And I was lost, lost,
Lost in love.
Standing in the audience to the left of the runway, Lola spotted Barbara smooching with her girlfriend; the two of them held up their clasped hands and gave her a cheer. As she twirled around she caught sight of Amina standing in the wings, her eyes directed not at Lola but at her boyfriend Danny. Now was it Lola’s imagination or was that a ring twinkling
on her finger? She’d been so caught up in today’s drama she hadn’t noticed it before, but she’d be sure to ask about it after the show. And if Amina had just got engaged, Lola would have to make her after-show party a double celebration. Actually, make that a triple celebration: Harvey had told her he was going to propose to Spike during the encore and she knew from what Spike had said to her earlier that he’d accept. She imagined the two of them now looking down on her from the box, swaying to the music in each other’s arms.
I was lost, lost,
Lost in love.
It seemed the song’s sentiment was catching; everyone around her was lost in love. She wondered if that could be because she herself was feeling the first stirrings of love. Now that she was, she couldn’t help wondering how she’d ever got away with singing the song before – or how on earth she’d managed to write it. Because she thought she’d been in love before – with a series of tramps that started with Nicky, moved on to Fox and ended with Jake − but she was beginning to realize it was only with Freddy that she was finally going to understand the true meaning of love.
As she strode to the end of the runway and repeated the chorus of the song, she closed her eyes and pictured Freddy.
I was lost, lost,
Lost in love.
And then the dancers stopped and the music dipped. This was the point of the show at which Lola had time to say her thank-yous. And tonight she knew there were some thank-yous that were particularly well deserved.
‘Thanks a lot, guys!’ she shouted out over the crowd. ‘You’ve blatantly been the best audience ever!’
She smiled as their adulation hit her like the heat when you step off a plane. She paused for a moment to catch her breath.
‘While I’m at it, I’d also like to say thanks to my band, my dancers and everyone else who worked on the show. Because it’s been a real team effort and everyone I’ve worked with has been fierce. Fiercer than fierce!’
Well, almost everyone – but that doesn’t matter now.
‘But the biggest thank-you of all goes to someone you probably all know – and his name’s Freddy Jones.’
She turned to look at him standing in the wings and when their eyes met her stomach gave a little spasm.
‘And I don’t know if you remember when I said in an interview that me and Freddy were just good friends, but that was blatantly a load of crap. Because as I’m sure you all know you can’t want to shag your friend!’
The entire audience burst into laughter and Lola couldn’t resist shooting Freddy a mischievous look. From the way he grinned back at her she knew she wouldn’t have to wait long for her wish to come true.
‘Sorry, there I go again with my big gob. But Freddy’s been a real hero tonight – and saved me from getting into all kinds of trouble. Although I’ve realized now that in our own different ways we’re all trouble. Because we’re all human and we’ve all lived through shit that makes us do stupid things. But it’s only once we’ve got over the shit that we can stop causing trouble and fall in love. And, you know what, I think I’m going to like being in love.’
A low rumble of approval rose to a roar.
‘Is there anyone else who likes being in love?’
The roar grew and Lola grinned.
‘Is there anyone else who likes being lost in love?’
The crowd hollered in affirmation.
‘I can’t hear you!’ Lola joked, cupping her hand to her ear. ‘Is there anyone else who likes being lost in love?’
She could feel herself glowing as the crowd managed to make even more noise.
And then the music kicked in for its final blast.
I was lost, lost,
Lost in love.
And with one last burst of energy, Lola slammed her way through the final steps of her routine. Then the lights snapped off and all of a sudden the show was over.
That was it. She’d done it. And she’d ended up doing a whole lot more besides.
Under cover of darkness she rushed off the stage and into Freddy’s arms. Into a life filled with happiness – and one free of trouble.
If you enjoyed Nothing But Trouble,
you’ll love Shot Through the Heart
The Silver Screen has never shone so bright . . .
Mia Sinclair is the First Lady of Love, a beautiful film goddess known across the globe for her romantic roles. But in real life she has more trouble finding love than she does in the movies. And she knows just who to blame – the paparazzi.
Leo Henderson is a British photographer working in LA, loving the lifestyle and shooting the stars – especially when they don’t want to be photographed.
When Mia meets Leo, the sparks fly. But could dating a paparazzo be the biggest mistake of her life? And how will she cope when Leo becomes jealous of her friendship with co-star Billy Spencer, the hottest actor in town, but a man hiding a secret he’s worried could destroy his career?
Out Now
Turn the page to read an extract
1
‘Well it sure is good to meet you, Miss Sinclair.’
‘You too, Dan.’
‘You know, I can’t believe I’m actually on a date with the First Lady of Love.’
Mia tried not to wince – that nickname was starting to become a curse.
‘Don’t be silly,’ she said, flashing him what she hoped was her best movie star smile. ‘And please, call me Mia.’
Oh I hope tonight goes well, she thought. I’m not sure I can cope with another disappointment . . .
Mia’s date was taking place in Sky High, an exclusive lounge club perched above the outdoor pool of the Mirage Hotel with some of the best views of Los Angeles. Sitting opposite her was Dan Morrison, a solidly handsome thirty-something dressed in an understated navy suit. Dan was sipping a glass of Merlot while Mia was working her way through a rather bitter pomegranate juice.
‘So I hear you’re new to LA,’ she purred. ‘Why did you decide to move here?’
‘Oh things in Seattle were getting way too stressful,’ Dan explained. ‘I was a doctor in an Emergency Room but wanted a more relaxed lifestyle. Now I’ve re-trained as a carpenter I’m much happier.’
‘A carpenter?’ Mia breezed. ‘Oh how creative and . . . manly.’
Did I actually just say that? she thought. That was way too corny!
Dan fiddled with his tie and looked down bashfully.
Mia had been fixed up with Dan by her trainer Cole, a black guy with pecs so big you could shelter from the rain under them. Not that it ever rained in Los Angeles. In fact, in the eight years that Mia had lived here she could count on one hand the number of days when there hadn’t been a bright blue sky over the city. Which was one of the things that she loved so much about the place, having grown up in Cleveland, Ohio – a dreary city where the sky always seemed to be grey. She’d dreamt for years of escaping to LA and when she eventually arrived here, it had turned out to be everything she’d wanted it to be. Since then, she’d worked hard to create what she sometimes thought of as a fairytale life for herself; she had a great career, wonderful friends and a fabulous home high in the Hollywood Hills. In fact, the only thing that she didn’t have right now was a man to share it all with. And according to Cole, Dan could be just the man to fix that.
‘I guess I just love making things,’ he explained rather earnestly. ‘And I know it might sound dorky but I love the feel of wood. I just think it’s a beautiful material.’
‘Wow,’ breathed Mia. She couldn’t think of anything else to say. ‘Wow.’ She stared wistfully at the indentation at the bottom of his neck.
According to Cole, Dan Morrison was kind, dependable and very much one of the good guys. In fact, Cole always called him Nice Man Dan and from what Mia had seen so far, he wasn’t wrong.
Being fixed up with potential boyfriends could be difficult for Mia because invariably she knew very little about them and they knew so much about her. This unsettling one-way intimacy gave her date a massively unf
air advantage. For a start, if he liked going to the movies, chances were he’d already seen her naked in one of her many love scenes. And if he read the papers or had access to the internet, it was more than likely that he knew some very private things about her already – the kind of things that were quite revealing and which you wouldn’t normally give away on a first date. Details about her unhappy childhood in Cleveland for example, her youthful dreams of becoming a film star, and her mother’s death just as her movie career was taking off. A quick Google search would also reveal the media’s nickname for her – the First Lady of Love, a title she’d earned after appearing in a string of hit chick flicks. Dan was obviously well researched on this front and she hoped he wouldn’t mention it again. The irony was that Mia wasn’t sure she’d ever been in love – despite countless attempts, many of them soul-destroying. In fact, she was starting to wonder if she even believed in love anymore – and to worry that she was becoming cynical and jaded. But that was the kind of thing she kept private. There was no way Dan could have learned that from the internet.
‘So tell me about your relationship history,’ she asked. ‘How come a great guy like you’s still single?’
‘Oh well, I recently broke up with someone so am only just back on the market, I guess.’ Dan explained that his last girlfriend, Angelique, was a nurse in a plastic surgeon’s who’d left him for one of her clients, a famous porn actor who’d gone to the clinic for a penis enlargement. ‘What a douche-bag,’ he moaned. ‘I could never cheat on a woman – I’ve too much respect for them. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been unfaithful in all my life.’
Hmm, that’s another tick, thought Mia. He’s doing pretty well here.
Whenever Mia went on a first date there was a checklist she always worked through, imagining cheesy sound effects from a TV quiz show when contestants got the answers right or wrong. Is he punctual? Bleep bleep – correct answer. Does he have his own career? Bleep bleep – full marks. Has he ever cheated on a girlfriend? Bleep bleep – three out of three.