Stronger Within (The Silver Lake Series Book 1)

by McCallum, Coral

  “I’m ok, thanks,” she replied, before draining the last of her coffee. “It’s not as bad as I expected.”

  “It never is, princess,” he said, with a smile. “And I suspect you, personally, tolerate pain better than most.” He nodded towards her cane that was leaning against the chair.

  “Perhaps,” conceded Lori, with a sad smile. “Not one of my better claims to fame, though.”

  “I guess not,” agreed Danny. “But if it works to my advantage. Are you ready for me to start again?”

  “Ready when you are.”

  Carefully and silently, the tattoo artist worked to fill in the shades of blue and highlights of yellow. He paused once to change tattoo gun and, before Lori realised, he was finished. Gently, he cleansed the area again and applied a warm, damp cloth over the design. When he lifted the cloth, Lori finally saw the butterfly in all its glory. The level of detail he had managed to incorporate was fantastic. She was delighted with the finished article.

  “Can I take a photograph of this one?” asked Danny hopefully.

  “Why?” she asked curiously. “You asked Jake the same thing and he refused.”

  “I’d like to enter it in my catalogue of work and maybe into a competition or two, but I’ll understand if you decline,” he explained.

  “Then no photos, Danny,” Lori said softly. “Sorry.”

  “Ah, maybe next time,” he laughed, as he covered the design with a dressing and taped it in place.

  “You seem confident I’ll be back.”

  “You will. I guarantee it,” he said with a wink. “Jake’ll be back too. He’s already sent me a couple of ideas he’s playing with.”

  “Well, who knows, we may come in together next time,” she said with a giggle, as she reached for her bag.

  Having settled the bill, Danny gave her a folder with the aftercare instructions and a receipt, then he handed her a small tub of cream.

  “Use this on it, princess,” he instructed. “Just in case, Jake has run out of it.”

  “Thanks, Danny,” she said, putting everything into her bag. “I’d better go. I’ve to meet Jake for lunch.”

  He walked her over to the door and held it open for her. “Till next time, Mz Hyde.”

  “Bye, Danny,” she called, “And thank you.”

  The lunch bell had just sounded, as she parked the Mercedes in the visitor’s section of the school car park. Quickly, she sent a message to Jake to say she had arrived, then pulled on her jacket to hide the dressing over her wrist. As she was walking towards the main building, her phone rang.

  “Hi, li’l lady,” called Jake cheerfully. “Where are you?”

  “Almost at the main door.”

  “I’ll meet you at the school office,” said Jake. “I’ve some paperwork to turn in. I’ll be two minutes.”

  “Where’s the office?” she asked.

  “Inside the door, turn left, then right.”

  “See you there.”

  Lori had just finished explaining to the school secretary why she was there when Jake came striding along the corridor. His face lit up in a huge smile when he saw her.

  “Sorry. A student stopped me as I was leaving the department,” he apologised, giving her a quick hug. “Let me hand these in then we can catch up with Linsey and Rich. They’ve gone on ahead to the canteen.”

  Before she could reply, he turned to the school secretary and handed over the pile of papers he had been clutching, “That’s the last of the permission slips, Annie. Rich will be down with the full list this afternoon to allow you to sort out the transport.”

  “Thanks, Mr Power,” she said, taking the forms from him.

  “It’s Jake,” he corrected, flashing her a smile. “Have a great weekend, Annie.”

  “You too, Mr Power.”

  The school’s cafeteria was packed when Jake showed Lori through the heavy double doors. A buzz of student chatter filled the air and there seemed to be people carrying lunch trays going in all directions. The chaos scared Lori a little, but Jake put a gentle arm around her waist and guided her through the maze of students towards the table where Rich and Linsey were eating lunch. With a sigh of relief, Lori took a seat as they both greeted her warmly.

  “What do you want to eat, li’l lady?” asked Jake. “I’ll go get lunch for both of us.”

  “Whatever you’re having,” replied Lori, feeling wholly overwhelmed by the surroundings. “I’m not that hungry though.”

  “I’ll surprise you,” replied Jake. “Are you guys needing anything else?”

  “Can I get a bottle of flavoured water?” asked Linsey. “I forgot to pick one up. Any flavour will do.”

  “Rich?”

  “I’m good, thanks,” replied his friend, as he bit into a toasted sandwich.

  Jake turned and disappeared into the chaos towards the serving counters.

  “Is it always like this?” asked Lori, staring round wide eyed.

  “It is busier today,” admitted Rich. “The students get the chance to perform during Friday lunch break for a maximum slot of fifteen minutes. More of the kids hang around to hear what’s going on.”

  “So who is performing today?” asked Lori, noticing the corner was set up with a microphone and a stool. There were two acoustic guitars on stands behind the stool.

  “One of Jake’s students,” said Linsey. “Poor kid looked terrified the last I saw of him.”

  “I can imagine this is a tough crowd to please,” observed Lori, remembering some of the harsh criticisms of her own school days.

  “Generally, the kids really support each other,” commented Rich. “The punishment for any heckling is that you have to perform the following week. It works.”

  “Do staff ever perform?”

  “Occasionally,” replied Rich. “Your man’s on amber alert to step up there today.”

  At that moment, Jake returned with two trays of food and a bottle of water sticking out of his pocket. “Tony will be fine without my help,” he said, as he sat down and passed the water to Linsey.

  “What’s he playing?” asked Lori curiously.

  “Stairway to Heaven,” Jake replied. “It’s his first time up there so we felt one long number was best. I ran through it with him at morning break. He was great.”

  As they ate their sandwiches, they chatted about the plans for the weekend. Linsey was going with Rich and Grey to Wildwood, NJ to do a radio show while Jake was tied up at the studio. They also planned to visit Maddy if she felt up to it.

  “Mr Power,” said a nervous voice from behind them. “I can’t do this.”

  Both Jake and Lori turned to face a shaking young boy. He looked to be about fourteen with very short dark spiky hair that he was running his hands through nervously.

  “Tony,” began Jake warmly. “You were fantastic at break. Once you get up there, you’ll be absolutely fine.”

  “My hands are shaking. I don’t think I can play,” said the boy, his eyes silently pleading for help.

  “Have you done the vocal warm up?” asked Jake, taking the last bite from his sandwich.

  The young musician nodded. “Right before I threw up, sir.”

  Pushing his chair out from the table, Jake got up and put both his hands on the boy’s shoulders, looking him straight in the eye, “I’ll help you with the guitar part but I’m not doing any vocals, Tony. I’ve not warmed up and I’m working this weekend.”

  “Thanks, sir,” sighed Tony, the relief written all over his pale face.

  “Give me five minutes to finish my lunch,” said Jake. “I’ll meet you over there.”

  “Thanks.”

  As the slightly less nervous student headed back into the crowd, Rich said, “You’re too soft on him.”

  “I remember being scared at his age,” said Jake, biting into an apple. “He just needs to work on his confidence.”

  True to his word, five minutes later, Jake excused himself from the table and walked over to the microphone. From out of the cr
owd of students, Tony stepped forward and picked up one of the guitars. He exchanged a few words with Jake then settled himself on the stool, adjusting the microphone to the correct height. Jake pulled over a chair and positioned it behind and to the side of where Tony was seated. He lifted the microphone from the stand, turned it on and addressed the student body, “Without further delay, people, please welcome Tony Martinez to the stage.”

  There was a resounding cheer from the boy’s fellow students.

  “Stairway to Heaven, folks,” said Jake, before putting the microphone back in the stand.

  Quickly he sat down, lifted the other guitar and settled himself to play. With a quiet count, he counted Tony in and allowed his nervous student to play the first few bars on his own before he subtly joined in. As Jake had suspected, as soon as he started to play Tony’s nerves disappeared, as he focussed on the music. The boy had some talent and a reasonable voice for someone so young. Gradually Jake played a little softer to allow his student to shine in front of his peers until, by the middle of the song, Tony was flying solo. The boy finished the performance with confidence and received a huge round of applause.

  “Well done,” said Jake proudly, as he replaced the guitar on its stand.

  “Thanks for helping me, Mr Power,” replied the boy, all signs of nerves long gone.

  “Any time,” said Jake. “Now I need to run. I’ll see you on Monday and we’ll do more work on your playing. Check out those You Tube links over the weekend.”

  “Yes, sir,” promised Tony. “Good luck in New York.”

  “Thanks. I’ll tell you all about it on Monday.”

  Having said their farewells to Rich and Linsey, Jake and Lori made their way out of the school just as the bell rang to end the lunch break. Several students called out greetings to Jake as they walked to the car. Unlocking the Mercedes, Lori commented, “You were great with that boy back there.”

  “He’s a good kid,” replied Jake, as he slid into the passenger seat. “There’s potential there if he puts the work in.”

  They had barely driven five miles when Jake enquired, “Were you at Danny’s place this morning, li’l lady?”

  “Why do you ask?” replied Lori, without looking away from the road ahead.

  “I can smell the ink and the antiseptic cream he uses,” said Jake with a grin. “Confess your sins, Mz Hyde.”

  With a giggle, Lori said simply, “Later.”

  Spotting the edge of the tape at her left sleeve, Jake continued to tease her, “I know where.”

  “You do?”

  “Left wrist,” he laughed. “I can see the tape from here.”

  “Correct,” giggled Lori. “He says you’ve been mailing him about another design for you.”

  “I might have been.”

  “Well, he seems pretty confident that we’ll both be back,” she declared.

  “He may well be right,” agreed Jake, still curious to know what was hidden under the taped dressing. “What time are you meeting David tonight?”

  “He promised to be at the apartment by five thirty. We should be done for seven,” Lori replied. “Do you want to go out for dinner after that?”

  “We could. Let’s play it by ear,” said Jake. “I’ll go for a run while you’re catching up with him. Stretch my legs round Central Park for an hour. Probably the only chance I’ll get over the weekend.”

  As soon as she exited the Lincoln Tunnel, the traffic ground to a virtual halt. They had made good time on their journey up to that point, but it took them almost an hour to negotiate the Manhattan traffic. Weaving expertly in and out, taking alternative routes up town, Lori could sense that Jake was relieved that it wasn’t him in the driving seat. It was almost five o’clock before she swung the Mercedes into the underground garage, bringing the car to a halt in her allotted parking bay. Turning off the engine, Lori let out a long sigh of relief.

  “Well, we made it,” she declared, with a yawn. “I’d almost forgotten how bad it gets out there late afternoon.”

  “I’m just glad it was you driving and not me,” admitted Jake, opening the car door. “That traffic scares me shitless!”

  “I could tell. Your turn on the way home though, rock star,” she declared, as she stepped stiffly out of the car. “There’s David’s Jaguar. He must be early.”

  The older man was in the lounge on the phone when Jake and Lori clattered into the hallway. While Lori had packed one small holdall plus her workbag, Jake had two holdalls and two guitars, plus his gym bag. Dumping their stuff at the top of the stairs, Lori headed straight into the kitchen to make some coffee. When she got there, she discovered David had beaten her to it and there were three mugs sitting beside a freshly made pot. Declining a cup, Jake fetched himself a bottle of water from the refrigerator. He helped Lori to take the coffees through to the lounge, then went to take their luggage downstairs. Lori fetched her workbag and brought out her laptop, along with a pile of paperwork as David finished his call.

  “You made it in one piece, then,” he said, giving her a hug. “You’re looking radiant, Lori.” Then, spotting the dressing on her wrist added, “Another injury?”

  “No,” she replied with a smile. “A tattoo. I only had it done this morning.”

  “Tattoo?” he echoed in surprise. “I’m not sure your father would’ve approved.”

  “He’d have had a holy fit!” laughed Lori, imagining her father’s reaction.

  “Each to their own,” said David warmly. “Where did your young rock star go?”

  “He’s gone to get changed. He’s going for a run in the park,” replied Lori as she switched on her laptop. “Gives us peace to get the formalities dealt with.”

  They were both focussed on the computer screen when Jake entered the lounge a few minutes later. He had tied his long hair back and was in vest and shorts. Fiddling with his iPod, he said, “I’ll be about an hour.”

  “Alright,” replied Lori smiling at him. “Be careful. Don’t get lost.”

  With a wave, he was gone. As he watched the younger man leave, David noticed the tattoos on his arms and legs and looked at Lori disapprovingly.

  “What?” she asked, under the scrutiny of her advisor’s dirty look.

  “Every inch the rock star,” muttered David.

  Laughing, Lori said, “Don’t panic. I’m not about to go that far. He has more on his back and his ribs. It’s his way of expressing himself.”

  “He’s like a walking art gallery,” David declared bluntly. “No doubt he has piercings too.”

  “Just the one ear,” giggled Lori. “He’s not as bad as Maddy.”

  “I suppose,” he agreed reluctantly. “Now about these figures, young lady.”

  For the next hour, they talked nothing but business- facts, figures, contracts and twelve month plans. These meetings were too intense for Lori and it took her all of her time to concentrate on what her advisor was telling her and to focus on the commitments he was recommending. Hyde Properties was doing well and the expansion David was advising her on was well thought through. There were three new contracts relating to the property side of things for her to sign and, after questioning a few clauses, she signed all three. He had several investment updates on her own personal finances and complimented her on the commercial success of her artwork commissions over the last few months. They had just concluded their meeting when Jake arrived back, breathing heavily and dripping with sweat. He waved at them and went through to the kitchen for a drink, then called out that he was going for a shower.

  “Is it serious between you two?” asked David, putting the completed files back in his briefcase.

  “Yes,” smiled Lori. “He moved in with me a few weeks ago. Life’s good just now, David. I’m happy for the first time in a very long time.”

  “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, Lori,” he said softly. “Granted, Jake seems like nice guy.”

  “He is,” assured Lori. “Despite the rock star bit, Dad would’ve liked him. He’s be
en good for me. I don’t think I would’ve recovered as fully without him being there for me.”

  “You do seem happy, my dear,” David conceded. “How is your health? Are you still getting physical therapy for your leg?”

  “No. I finished that a while back. Dr Brent was pleased with me when I saw him earlier in the month. He still doesn’t think they will remove the internal fixation. You know the rod and pins and stuff. He’s not convinced the bone would be strong enough. I can live with that though,” she explained quietly, reluctant to discuss her recovery with him.

  “But you’re still relying on your cane?”

  Lori nodded, “I’m ok without it around the house most days but, if I’m out, I do still need it. I’ve tried without it, but I get so scared that I’ll fall. I guess it’s partly psychological, but the medical advice was to keep using it when I’m out and about. I’ve come to accept things. More or less.”

  “And your young man doesn’t mind it?”

  “No. He understands completely. I’ve told him the whole story.”

  “No secrets, then?” said David, putting a hand on her knee. “It must be love.”

  “I do love him,” said Lori, blushing a deep shade of red.

  “Then I’m happy for you.”

  Closing his briefcase and slipping his phone into his pocket, David declared, “Now, I need to make a move. I’m meeting Olivia for dinner.”

  “Say hello to her from me. Maybe next time we can all go to dinner together?” suggested Lori.

  “Perhaps. How long are you here for this time?”

  “We’ll be leaving on Sunday afternoon. Jake has school on Monday,” she replied. “I might come up for a few days at the end of November. Jake’s going to the UK with the band. I haven’t decided yet.”

  “Are you not going overseas with him?”

  Lori shook her head, “No. He’s working. I don’t want to interfere. I might fly over and meet him at the end of the tour. We’ll see.”

  Having said goodbye to David and waited to see him safely into the elevator, Lori went in search of Jake. She could hear water running and the gentle strains of his singing coming from the en suite bathroom. It made her smile to hear him splashing and singing to himself, oblivious to his audience. When he finally came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped round his hips, she gave him a round of applause.