It All Started With You, page 20
She stands there, distraught. After all the effort she’s put into tonight, I wish more than anything I was the kind of person that knew about bands. Or even just a band – we only need one. And with a flash of pure genius, I remember I do.
I leap out of the van and grab her hands. ‘Do you trust me?’
She looks worried. ‘Oh no, Frankie, what are you thinking?’
‘I can’t say.’ I shake my head, my mind racing at a million miles an hour. ‘But I might just be able to lay my hands on a fantastic musician – not literally – I don’t know of course until I speak to him, but…’
A flicker of hope appears on her face. ‘Is he good enough? He has to be really good.’
‘Oh, yes,’ I say, sounding like the dog on the Churchill advert. ‘You can safely say he’s good.’
She stares at me, then decides. ‘Okay! But he has to be really, really good,’ she shouts, as I climb back into my van.
‘Okay…’ I yell through the window, before speeding away.
Once I’m home, I call Maria, who has my number programmed into her phone now and greets me like an old friend.
‘I’ve a massive favour to ask you,’ I say, slightly nervously, wondering if I dare do this. ‘Only, I’m helping with this fundraising ball tonight. It’s for Briarwood and the band haven’t turned up… You don’t have, er, any ideas, do you?’
‘Like Pete?’ she says, sounding a little cautious. ‘Hold on a minute, I’ll get him for you.’
He’s there almost instantly. ‘Yo! Frankie! How’s it going?’
‘There’s been a disaster, Pete – and it’s such a massive thing to ask, and I’ll give you a discount on your wedding flowers if you can help…’ I gabble, desperate. ‘Twenty per cent, no – fifty per cent, yes – fifty – only the band for the charity ball haven’t turned up. We have no one… I don’t suppose you could do anything, anything at all…’
There’s silence and suddenly I realise, I’ve only tried to bribe one of the most famous faces in rock history.
‘It’s a bit complicated,’ he says. ‘You know – I was lying low, keeping out of the way, with the wedding coming up.’
‘Okay.’ I swallow my disappointment. ‘I understand. I’m so sorry, Pete. It was really cheeky of me to even ask you – it’s just that I’m desperate and couldn’t think of anyone else…’
‘Hold on a minute, babe.’ Yep – the great Pete McNamara actually calls me babe! The line goes quiet and I hear faint mutterings in the background.
‘Okay. You’ve got a deal. Only this is how we’re going to play it.’
I’ve done it! I’ve managed to get Pete and a couple of his band for the ball tonight! I’m so excited, I could fly! I call Lulubelle.
‘I have got you the greatest band you won’t believe,’ I tell her breathlessly. ‘Everyone is going to love them, guaranteed – only there’s one condition. They’re going to make their entrance as soon as the auction is over, so we’ll need some background music for the beginning.’
‘That’s already set up,’ she says, sounding relieved. ‘We’ve already got the hotel’s music system in place, just in case – so no problem there. Frankie?’
‘Yes?’
‘You are absolutely one hundred per cent certain that nothing can possibly go wrong?’
‘Hundred per cent,’ I tell her, crossing my fingers and feeling a flutter of panic. ‘Trust me, Lulubelle – it’ll be fine.’
28
I get ready in record time, by now seriously excited. My new dress is gorgeous –multicoloured and kind of swirly, because I’m not a slinky black sort of person. My hair is loosely pinned up, with odd strands escaping and when I look in the mirror, for once, I like what I see. And when Johnny and Honey arrive bang on time to collect me, even they look impressed.
‘You look gorgeous,’ says Johnny, pecking me on the cheek. ‘You both do.’ Handsome in his dinner jacket, he glances at Honey, who smiles happily back at him.
‘Charlie?’ I ask her, looking at her dress. No way would Honey have chosen that for herself. It’s soft and slinky and slit to the thigh and her hair is a mass of waves.
‘How did you know?’
I just wink at her, just relieved that harmony is restored – I’ve never seen them happier. And as we walk in, not even seeing Alex can deflate my mood.
‘Hello, Frankie.’ His eyes linger on me. ’You look great.’ My heart starts to race. Is it possible he’s changed his mind about me? But tonight isn’t about him – or me, for that matter. There’s something much more important at stake.
‘Hi, Alex. Thank you. Sorry, could you just excuse me?’ I hug myself inside, smiling to myself as I walk away from him, feeling his eyes burning into my back as I go to find Nina.
‘Very cool flowers, Ms Valentine,’ she says, in a golden dress that seems to be poured onto her and a very handsome Will attentively at her side.
‘Why thank you,’ I whisper. ‘But I’m incognito tonight. Not touting for business, just a guest like everyone else is… Isn’t it fab here?’
Nina nods. With all the guys in bow ties and dinner jackets and the girls in every shape and shade of designer under the sun, it’s quite a sight. Lulubelle herself looks quite stunning. I’ve only ever seen her being a mum before and here, in an expensive-looking black net creation with dramatic makeup, she looks completely different. I frown.
‘Lulubelle, you really remind me of someone.’
‘People always say that to me! It’s only because you’ve never seen me in anything other than mummy clothes.’
I nod, because it’s true, but it’s more than that. Her hair looks incredible – kind of mussed up very artistically, instead of combed sleekly behind her ears. And it’s the way she mingles with the masses, so confidently, completely in her element.
Dinner is sublime, but then these tickets are almost two hundred pounds a pop, so it ought to be. The service is seamless – as if by magic, each course appears while glasses are magically topped up, empty bottles replaced by full ones. It’s fabulous.
I sit on my hands through the auction, as there isn’t a single item I can afford, unlike Honey and Johnny who have their heads together, excitedly looking at the list. When Johnny wins a luxury weekend for two, they grin at each other like teenagers.
All of which brings me to poor Ryan, sat, as predicted, next to yours truly. ‘I was so sorry to hear about you and Elise,’ I say sympathetically.
His eyes narrow. ‘She was a bitch,’ he says. ‘Everyone says so.’
Uh-oh, nice one, Frankie… ‘So, are you enjoying this evening?’ I change the subject swiftly.
He shrugs. ‘S’okay.’
That does it. He might be feeling shitty, but he’s no right to come along and ruin it for everyone else.
‘I’d say it’s far more than okay, Ryan,’ I mutter at him, warming to my subject, thinking Elise should have dumped him years ago. ‘It’s a truly wonderful evening for the most worthy of worthy causes. And for your information, Elise isn’t a bitch in the slightest, as you jolly well know, seeing as you were married to her all that time. So stop feeling so sorry for yourself.’
I’m really cross with him, but with a certain degree of satisfaction, I note the pink flush on his pasty face as I get up and go to the Ladies’ room. It’s the loveliest one I’ve ever seen, with a soft, thick carpet and comfy chairs, plus I need to calm myself down before I completely snap Ryan’s head off. The guy’s a moron. It’s no surprise Elise left him, only that she stayed as long as she did. Touching up my make-up, I check my hair, then quickly gather myself together, because outside, a loud cheer goes up – and I’ve a feeling I know what that means.
As I walk back to the table, everyone’s turned to face the stage where Lulubelle’s standing holding a mike, but before she can get a word in, there’s a deafening chord. Then another, and another, from far corners of the room as a beat starts up, then gets louder. Everyone, it seems, recognises it. They’re on their feet, cheering, screaming even, as Pete and his band cross the room and make for the stage.
I can’t move, just watch, completely mesmerised as the wrinkly rockers show us what they can do – and they’re truly out of this world. After several minutes have elapsed, I look around for Lulubelle, desperate to catch her eye and see how thrilled she is, but all I see is her back view as she disappears out of the room.
Oh my God – is something wrong? I so want to watch Pete, but I have to go and find her. Everyone’s too engrossed in the band to see me slip outside after her, and as my eyes adjust to the darkness, I make out her dim shape walking across the grass.
I call after her but even out here, the music’s so loud, she doesn’t hear me.
‘Lulubelle… LULUBELLE…’ I shout, running after her.
By the time I catch up with her, she’s sitting on an old stone wall under the moonlight, her cheeks bright with tears.
‘Lulubelle, what is it? What’s happened? Is it Cosmo?’ I say, suddenly panicking.
But even upset, she has such dignity. She mops her cheeks and shakes her head. ‘It’s not your fault, Frankie. You weren’t to know.’
‘Oh my God… What have I done?’ I cry hysterically. ‘You have to tell me? Not the band – aren’t they good enough? I thought Pete McNamara would definitely be good enough…’
‘It’s not that.’ She shakes her head and mops up more tears. ‘They’re good, Frankie. Really good. It’s just… Oh Frankie, Pete’s my bloody father.’
My legs are suddenly like water and I look for something to sit down on, as I try to put all the pieces together and make some vague sort of sense of them.
‘Pete?’ I say stupidly. ‘Your father? No…’ I shake my head. ‘He can’t be… Maria told me…’
‘That his own daughter won’t come to his wedding,’ she says flatly. ‘It’s true. That’s what I said. I’ve always taken Mum’s side.’
I frown again, because for the life of me, I can’t begin to imagine Lulubelle’s mum married to Pete.
‘Well, that’s understandable, isn’t it?’ I’m struggling. ‘Maria told me how he reckons he deserves it too, for being unfaithful to her.’
‘She told you that?’ says Lulubelle bitterly.
‘It’s like being a hairdresser,’ I say hastily. ‘You know, people tell you things when you’re a florist. And Maria’s nice, Lulubelle – you’d really like her.’
‘Maybe in another life,’ she sighs. ‘But now, I just think too much has happened.’
‘She made a huge donation to Briarwood,’ I tell her. ‘I’ve been asking all my wedding clients to donate – just a tiny bit – and she was really generous.’
‘She can afford to be,’ says Lulubelle, quite rightly.
‘I can’t tell you how sorry I am.’ I shake my head remorsefully. ‘I really am, Lulubelle. God. How didn’t I realise?’
We sit not speaking, listening to the band, who in spite of what’s going on, still to me sound incredible.
‘We used to play together,’ says Lulubelle softly, another tear rolling down her face. ‘With my old bass guitar. I don’t even know what happened to it after the divorce.’
And then I know where I recognise her from. Forgetting I’m supposed to be comforting her, I jump up and stand there in the moonlight, pointing at her.
‘You’re Bella Mac! That’s how I know you! Fuck, Lulubelle – why didn’t you tell me?’
In spite of herself, she manages a ghost of a smile. ‘Remember that old life I told you about? That was it, with recording contracts and gigs and wild parties. That’s where Bella Mac belongs, not in the life I have now. Please, Frankie – don’t tell anyone,’ she pleads. ‘With Cosmo to worry about, I really couldn’t do with it.’
‘Of course.’ I’m puzzled. Bella Mac was the star that every girl wanted to be. With her looks, talent, the rock star blood in her veins – but I do understand and if that’s what she wants, I’ll keep her secret.
We go back inside for the last half-hour, and as we walk in, the atmosphere’s electric. The dance floor is packed and there’s an energy I’ve never felt.
‘Could have charged twice as much for those tickets,’ shouts Johnny, when he sees us. ‘Bloody brilliant, Lulubelle! Best evening ever!’
Even Ryan’s stopped scowling, still sitting there but twitching slightly, as if he’s mad. Nina and Will are out on the dance floor of course, boogieing away with the rest of them. I watch, a little enviously. Trust her to find a handsome man who can dance as well.
I stand in the background watching them all as the tempo changes to a song I recognise. It’s ‘Star Flight’, one of Pete’s most beautiful ballads ever, with a haunting riff that fills you with sadness and hope and love all at the same time. Then I hear a voice in my ear.
‘May I have the pleasure?’
I turn round to find Alex standing there. Talk about being put on the spot. I’d rather dance with Ryan. Actually, I take that back. I really wouldn’t.
‘Okay,’ I say cautiously and as we walk towards the dance floor, I feel his hand lightly on the small of my back. Then suddenly I have goosebumps, and as he takes me in his arms, I don’t know if it’s the music, but I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.
‘It’s been a great evening,’ he says in my ear. ‘Lulubelle’s done a fantastic job organising it. And getting Pete McNamara was a coup, wasn’t it? Really clever of her, keeping it a secret like that. People will be talking about this for months.’
I don’t tell him that it was me who got Pete here, I just move slightly closer, liking how he smells kind of woody and male; breathing it in.
‘Frankie?’ He sounds curious. ‘Are you sniffing me?’
‘No, of course not,’ I lie. ‘I have a sniffle, that’s all. Just a little overcome, I think, with this whole, magical evening…’
It satisfies him and this time I’m a little more subtle with my sniffing and he doesn’t notice, just smiles into my hair and holds me tighter.
The song comes to an end all too soon and everyone breaks into loud applause as Pete and his guys take a bow. Then he does something else that amazes me.
‘We’re going to take a break,’ he announces over the applause, ‘before we’re back for part two. Don’t go away!’
I can’t believe he’s doing the rest of the evening. What he’s done already is totally awesome. But I realise too, I owe him an apology.
Reluctantly I pull away from Alex, who keeps hold of my hand as if he doesn’t want me to go anywhere. ‘I’m really sorry, Alex, but there’s someone I need to talk to. Would you excuse me, just a moment?’
And with that, leaving him standing there for the second time this evening, I go to look for Pete.
Pete’s halfway through a pint of lemonade when I catch him up by the bar, and to my embarrassment, he sees me before I reach him.
‘Hey! Frankie! Come and meet the guys!’ he bellows, grabbing me in a bear hug. ‘We’re having a blast – playing like this is just like the old days, I can’t tell you!’
‘Pete, I need to talk to you – somewhere more quiet,’ I say urgently. ‘Just quickly.’
‘See! Just as in demand as I ever was,’ he chortles at his mates. ‘Be right back!’
I take him backstage. ‘I’m so sorry, Pete – but I had absolutely no idea that Lulubelle was your daughter. You have to believe me.’
His air of bonhomie fades and his face becomes serious. ‘Is she here?’
But as I open my mouth, a voice behind me speaks clearly. ‘Hello, Daddy.’
I stare from one to the other. ‘Look, I’ll just get back to the others,’ I say hastily. ‘I’m sure you two have plenty to…’
But as I walk past her, Lulubelle touches my arm. ‘Frankie, stay… please…’
I feel terrible – that I’ve forced them both into such an awkward situation. But Pete only has eyes for his daughter. Sorrowful, bright eyes, I notice, brimming over with regret.
‘How’ve you been?’ His voice is gruff.
‘Fine.’ She nods.
‘And your nipper?’
‘Better – he’s in remission.’
But far from being shocked, he just nods. Then I see – all along, he’s known about Cosmo. He’s quietly kept tabs on her. He’d known when I asked him what it would mean if he came and played tonight. That was the reason he hesitated. He’d been forced to choose between his daughter and the charity that means so much to them – both. And all because of me.
It’s why Maria made such a huge donation to Briarwood. All without Lulubelle knowing, and like a thunderbolt I realise that fame and celebrity are not what it’s about. That things done in secret with the best of intentions mean so much more.
‘That’s good.’ Pete nods. He studies her. ‘Look, I better get back to the others, but later on…’
But Lulubelle walks towards him, reaches up and kisses him on the cheek. ‘Thank you, so much, for doing this.’
He nods silently, then walks away.
29
When I eventually awake on Sunday, I lie in bed a moment, remembering. A wonderful, fabulous evening with good friends and fantastic food and dancing. Especially dancing with Alex. It was a huge success and all down to Lulubelle’s untiring efforts. Okay, so she had a not-too-bad florist, but…
It’s funny how things turn out. Who’d have thought Lulubelle was Bella Mac, teen rock princess, daughter of the famous Pete? When I realised, I thought I’d burst if I didn’t tell someone, but actually, in the cold light of day, I totally get it. Because once the world catches on that she’s that elusive thing called celebrity, suddenly her life won’t be her own. Everywhere she goes, she’d be recognised – and the other downside is snakes in the grass like Josh, who’d sell their granny to the Germans just for a story.
Still, last night was fun… Seeing Honey and Johnny together – nifty dancers they are too. Almost, but not quite, as good as Nina and Will. It was most satisfying too, telling that irritating Ryan he needed to man up. I felt much better after that.
