Where did your heart go? (The Heart Trilogy Book 1) (28 page)

Chapter 34

As Sunday dawned I woke up with what seemed like renewed vigour to sort out and move on with my life. The sun was shining weakly through the curtains so I flung them open and stared down over the garden. I was on the lunchtime show again tod
ay at Love Shack and then I would grab some shopping and put a stew on to cook and wait for Charlotte to return home later. In the meantime I headed down to the kitchen and fixed myself some toast and coffee and put the radio on.

Mitchell was the first awake as the sun shone through the slight crack in the window. He could hear that his Dad was already awake so he carefully moved out from under Charlie’s arm that had been flung over his chest for most of the night. He gently dropped the whisper of a kiss on her forehead and then put his dressing gown on and headed downstairs.

“Morning Dad” Mitche
ll said, as he sauntered into the room and nearly tripped over Jester who was lying in the centre of the room. He grabbed a cup of coffee from the pot and sat down opposite his Dad.

“How are you?” Mitch asked.

“Well, my mind’s a bit
all over the place” James responded “It all feels a little weird”

“Yes, Charlie and I though that too when we realised
”

“So tell me more about Stephanie” James asked, leaning forward.

“Well, she’s single and she’s a DJ on a local radio station in Hereford, I think it’s called Love Shack” Mitch responded.

“Ok, anything else?”

“Well Charlie is reading Stephanie’s diaries from 1988 at the moment which is the year you two were together but she hasn’t got to the part where you split up yet” Mitch finished, as he took a sip of coffee and wondered if he should be telling his Dad all of this information.

“So why did you split up
with Stephanie and end up with Mum?” Mitch finished.

“Well, that’s a long story” James sighed.

“I have time” Mitch replied. He realised that it was only seven in the morning and he was pretty certain Charlie wouldn’t be up much before eight at the earliest.

After a few moments of silence James began to talk.

“I fucked things
up with Stephanie in a big way and I was too weak to make the right decision at the time. I was working at the Leisure Centre in Warwick before I became a Fireman and your Mum, Felicity was the Manager there” James paused.

“So when I had my leaving do I kind of got drunk and she offered to drive me home so I agreed
. Then before I knew it she had pulled into a lay-by and jumped on me. I had a moment of weakness and allowed it to happen and then next thing I know she’s pregnant with Darren and demanding that we must get married.” Mitchell watched as his Dad put his head in his hands, red shame rushed over his cheeks.

“I tried to tell her that I would support her but that I didn’t love her and that was when she threatened to tell Stephanie that we had been having an affair for months and that would have destroyed her. She was intent on breaking us apart. She also threatened to let me have no access to Darren if I decided to stay with Stephanie so I was stuck between a rock and a hard place and couldn’t win either way. So I made the hard decision of breaking up with Stephanie but I didn’t tell her the real reason, I tried to let her down gently”

James felt a sob rising in his throat and chocked it back quickly, as he remembered how long it had taken him to write that difficult
last letter.

“Then Steph begged me to visit her one last time and I did. I left early as I just couldn’t stay and lie to her as she tried to change my mind. I almost told her the truth then as it would have made me feel better but I didn’t. Perhaps I should have but she was so young, only sixteen” James finished, as he took a gulp of his coffee and looked up at his son.

“You were fucked Dad” Mitch said, as he stood up and poured a coffee for
Charlotte.

“That’s why I sa
id what I did to you last night. If you have strong feelings for Charlotte and she has the same for you, you must keep them safe as whatever you do in the future you may regret what happens. Be honest with each other, completely honest even if it ends up hurting one or both of you. I have had to live with these lies for nearly twenty five years and I don’t know now if I will ever get through them but I’m going to try to make amends” James finished, as he smiled at the only good thing that came out of his short marriage to Felicity and an image of Darren flitted across his mind.

“I’m going to take this up to Charlie, it’s about time we got started for the day” Mitchell said, as the mood around them lightened as the burden on James was lifted.

“Shall I do some bacon sandwiches for you?” James asked.

“Yeah Dad, that would be great” Mitchell responded “And Dad, don’t beat yourself up about what you did back then, Charlie and me might be able to help you fix it” he finished, as he pushed open the door and carried the mugs of coffee upstairs. As he stepped into the room Charlie was just opening her eyes and he felt his heart leap at the sight of her dishevelled hair and sleepy eyes. He was pretty certain he already loved her but having never been in love before he wasn’t sure. He definitely knew he desired her and after last night it was apparent that she felt the same for him as he remembered the feel of her skin on his.

“Morning baby” Mitchell said. He crossed the room and put the mugs down on the bedside table next to the half finished, melted tub of ice cream. Charlie reached for him and pulled him into her arms for a kiss.

“How long have you been awake?” she asked, when they eventually pulled apart and he shrugged off his dressing gown and got
back under the covers with her.

“About an hour” Mitch replied “I’ve been downstairs having a chat with Dad”

“Tell me” Charlotte replied, as she sat up more fully and cradled her cup of coffee.

“Well, Dad told me that he broke it off with your Mum because he had a drunken one night stand with my Mum, Felicity. She got pregnant with my brother Darren and blackmailed Dad into either breaking up with your Mum or not having any contact with his son so I don’t think he would have won whichever choice he had made” Mitch paused as he watched the information sink in with Charlie, before he continued.

“The problem is that Dad tried to let your Mum down gently and didn’t tell her the truth about the situation and he really regrets that now”

“Fuck” Charlotte replied “This might make it harder for us to resolve, especially if my Mum is still heartbroken over the whole thing”

“I know, even Dad believes he will have a hard job convincing her that he is truly sorry” Mitchell finished, as he reached over and pulled Charlie into his embrace as silence reigned over them both at the enormity of the situation.

“You still need to get the diaries finished to that point befor
e the competition in a fortnight as we need to know if them meeting will be for the best or to be avoided” Mitchell said, his mind reeling with all the possibilities a meeting would present.

“Yes, I will get back onto it this evening” Charlie said “Now we’d better get up and started as we don’t have long left to practice” she finished.

“Just one more kiss” he said, as he pulled her onto him and wrapped his arms tightly around her as their lips met in a kiss that seemed to portray not just their love but the lost love of their parents”

Downstairs in the kitchen James had been online already and discovered the frequency for Love Shack Radio so when Mitch and Charlie appeared in the kitchen he was cooking the bacon and listening to Paul’s morning show.

“Morning
Charlotte” James said, looking up from the frying pan “Bacon sandwich ok for you?”

“Yes please Jim, can you make it crispy” she finished, as she sat down and suddenly realised that they were listening to Love Shack radio.

In Ross, I had already started work on my laptop ready for the lunchtime show when all of a sudden I stopped to turn the radio up. Paul was playing Father Figu
re by George Michael. It was one of my all time favourites except that having vowed to look forward I was pushed back again into the past as the memories of James always hit me when I listened to this song. So many times we had made love whilst his creamy, smooth voice echoed around the room, singing it for them and their love. As it finished I heard Paul announce

“That was especially for our very own DJ Stephanie from a secret admirer”

I paused in shock and then remembering last nights conversation with Jack I put it down to him playing a prank on me so I brushed the thought away. I headed upstairs to get dressed, vowing to say something later on my show as a reference to Jack as I knew he always listened in.

As Charlotte finished her sandwich she listened as Father Figure started to play in the background, she knew it was one of her Mum’s favourite tracks. She looked over at James, who had paused and reached to turn it up, a smile played over his features. Mitchell looked between the two of them and then smiled too.

“Come on” he said to Charlie “Lets get some more work done before Darren gets home” he finished.

“Ok, slave driver” Charlie replied “Thanks for the sandwich” she finished.

As the song on the radio slowed to an end, they had already headed through to the studio when Paul announced that the song was especially for Stephanie from a secret admirer. James smiled and hoped that Stephanie had been listening to this and had maybe thought of him as he was thinking of her. He remembering all the special times they had shared together when that song had been playing. James had made up his mind to try and win her back and knowing how much music had been central to her life back then, as she was now a DJ he knew it was still playing its part now.

As I pulled on my jeans and jumper I thought again about last night and Jack’s suggestion. Sarah had mentioned this online dating thing a few times over the years since Mark had died, but I had always scoffed at the idea or dismissed it completely. Perhaps later I would take another look and even think about signing up, however I had a radio show to do, dinner to make and Charlotte would be on her way home later.

Chapter 35

In the studio
as Charlotte warmed up Mitchell sent his brother a text to see what time he would be back home.

“We’ve got until noon to get it right and perfect before Darren gets back here” Mitchell said, as he watched Charlie stretch her leg high in the air.

“Ok let’s get started” she replied. She took a minute to stretch her other leg, whilst giving Mitch her best pout. He crossed the room and started up the music to “Love is Strange” and immediately Charlotte was transported to the moment in the film. Charlie pulled Mitchell into her arms and they started to dance together, as the sexual tension surrounded them and penetrated them to the core. She watched as Mitch dropped to the floor and then gazed as she wiggled away from him and then dropped to her knees and crawled back to his arms and melted there as his lips touched hers.

As the music finished they realised where they were and slowly pulled apart.

“There’s time for that later” Mitch murmured “It’s time to work that butt” he finished as he
gave her ass a cheeky slap and pulled her back to her feet.

“Ok bossy boots, lets do it then”
Charlotte responded as she took up the starting position for the routine and waited for the music. Mitchell walked towards her and beckoned her with his finger as they started to dance.

The lift was like magic as she flew above his head, tight and secure in his strong hands and then slid down his body
for the final moves of the routine. When they finished they just held each other tightly, huge grins across their faces.

After a couple more attempts Charlie sagged against the floor in the corner. Out of breath, sweaty but overjoyed at what they had achieved together.

“I’ll get us a drink” Mitchell said “And then I’ll show you Thriller if you like?”

“Yes, please to both” Charlie replied, as she grabbed the towel off the bar and started to wipe her face with it. She watched as Mitchell did the same and then headed back into the house, as the door between the two opened Jester rushed in and headed straight for her. He sat down and started to wag his tail as she rubbed his head.

When Mitchell returned he whistled Jester and shut him back in the kitchen and after handing Charlie a glass of iced water he sank down next to her on the floor to take a well deserved rest.

“You were fantastic” he said, as he dropped a light kiss on her cheek.
”You were too, I couldn’t have done it without you” Charlie replied, as she reached out and took his hand in hers. After five minutes he stood up and walked over towards the stereo and changed the music to Thriller and danced for Charlotte, her own private show of his skill, strength and acrobatic abilities.

She watched in admiration the sinews of his muscles highlighted in every stretch and leap he took to the music. Charlie was mesmerised by the whole spectacle as the music finally finished and as she clapped the sound was joined by another set of hands. They turned to see Darren stood in the doorway.

“Well, bro I’m sorry I every called dancing sissy…that was amazing” Darren said.
Charlotte just couldn’t speak so she got up and crossed the studio and walked straight into his arms and on tiptoes she kissed him softly on his lips.

“Ok love birds the camera is ready whenever you two are” Darren said.

Mitchell looked down at Charlie “I forgot to ask, do you have a dress to wear?”

“Yes, I have just the thing”
she replied as she headed for the door.

“I’ll be right behind you” Mitch said, just going to talk everything through with Darren first.

Hurrying up the stairs Charlie headed for the bathroom first for a quick rinse in the shower and then into the bedroom. She hadn’t told Mitchell that she had bought a dress a year ago that had reminded her of the one from the film
. Now she was going to get to dance in it, instead of just looking at it hanging in her wardrobe. Sliding it on, it fitted perfectly. She grabbed her brush and combed out her hair and then fastened it up in a thin hair band before she put on a small amount of make-up, just enough to look natural and glowing. Staring at herself in the mirror she was pleased with the effect as she perched on the bed to fasten her silver heels. Mitchell appeared and breathed in slowly at the sight that met him.

“You look wonderful” he said “Perfect in fact” he finished as she stood up and gave him a twirl, the black dress fanning out around her. Mitchell admired her legs and then his eyes followed the dress up and over her curves. The low v of her neckline, showing the hint of her breasts and then finally to her face. Her eyes wide and her lips gently parted, slicked with a pale gloss that he just wanted to lick off.

She watched as he started to remove his jogging trousers and vest top, his body rippled as he bent and stretched and Charlotte longed to just reach out for him. He soon located his black trousers and shirt which looked remarkably similar to those worn in the film and his Cuban heeled shoes. He ran his hands through his hair and then looked across to Charlie.

“Very sexy, very sexy indeed
” she said, as they stood only inches apart, each running their eyes over the other, desire making their pupils dilate.

“Lets get this dance nailed for film” Mitchell said “I have a great feeling about it”

“Yes I have a great feeling about you too” Charlie responded, her breath coming in short staccato moments as her heart seemed to drum away in her chest. The butterfly nerves in her stomach fluttered against her rising ribcage as she followed Mitchell back downstairs and into the studio.

She noticed Darren give her a good long look as she walked in, he had set up his video camera on a tripod in the far corner.

“Darren works for our local television station as a camera man so it’s going to be so professional” Mitchell said proudly “and his girlfriend Sophie works in the costume department so they make a good team” he finished.

“It’s you guys that have to do all the work here” Darren replied “Do you want to have a rehearsal first and I’ll test the camera at the same time”

They both nodded as Mitchell strolled over to the stereo to set up the music and
Charlotte took up position in the spot they had agreed upon.

“Ready?” Mitchell asked

“Ready” replied both Charlie and Darren.

As the music flowed through the studio Charlie tried not to think about the camera but as the melody entered her body it faded away as she became part of the dance. The song seemed to fly by as they moved together, perfecting

the lift and then finishing
with a kiss.

“Cut” shouted Darren “That just blew me away” he finished, shaking his head as Mitchell and Charlotte broke apart and headed over to look at the playback on the small screen. They watched the film and Darren suggested a few changes to the angles and Mitch as always found the smallest fault in one of his steps.
Charlotte watched in amazement the sight of the two of them together, it was magical the chemistry tangible even on this small screen.

“Let’s go again” Mitchell said, as he took Charlie’s hand and led her back to the starting point and then the music filled the room once more.

It took four more attempts before Mitchell was satisfied with the results and with some clever editing by Darren they would have the finished article ready for submission on Monday evening, just before the deadline. Mitchell turned to
Charlotte “Pleased?”

“More than
, blown away is more accurate” she breathed, as he held her trembling body in his arms.

“Come on Darren can play it on the television for us to watch” he said, as he looked over at his brother and he gave them the thumbs up.

“Thanks Darren” Charlie said, as she walked over to him and gave him a hug.

“Mitch thinks a lot of you, you know,
so look after my baby brother” he finished, as he kissed her on the cheek.

They all wandered into the kitchen to find James sat there, still listening to the radio as if in a trance. Charlotte looked up at the clock and realised that it was her Mum’s programme playing.

“Dad, would you like to see what we’ve been working on?” Mitchell asked.

“Yes” he replied “Drinks first though, you look like you need them” he said, as he crossed to the cupboard and handed them all some bottles of coke before they headed to the lounge.

James sat on the chair and Charlie snuggled up to Mitchell on the sofa as they waited for Darren to plug in the necessary cables so that the image would appear on the larger screen. When it did he sat back on the floor and Mitchell immediately leaned forward ever the critic. As their images appeared on the screen Charlotte sucked in her breath and then slowly breathed out again, they looked beautiful together as they danced their way through the routine perfectly in sync with the music. The emotions on their faces matched the mood of the dance and as she watched Mitchell lift her above his head she smiled broadly and looked at him, to find he was looking at her too. When the music faded and the screen went blank there was a moment of silence.

“Amazing” was all James could say as he looked at both of them.

“Exactly what I thought” agreed Darren. They all turned to look at Mitchell who was silent as he tried to dislodge the lump that had formed in his throat
.

“Well there were a few bits I could have done better but
Charlotte was perfect all the way through” he said.

“What bits, I thought you were wonderful” s
he replied, beaming back at him “Better than Patrick Swayze” she finished, as she gently kissed him on the cheek.

“Well, we just need to keep our fingers crossed that they choose it and we can dance it again at the competition” Mitchell said.

“Talking of that do you know which hotel you will be staying at yet?”
Charlotte asked “So I can make sure Mum books us into the same one” she finished.

“We haven’t decided yet but I am sure we can discuss it all next weekend as I can come down to yours if you like?” Mitchell replied.

“Cool” Charlotte replied.

“Talking of home I guess we’d better start getting ready to leave” Mitchell said.

“Lunch first?” James asked, even though it was already nearly two in the afternoon.

“Yes please” they both replied.

“Will Pizza do?”

“Yes” Mitchell replied, as his Dad got up and headed for the kitchen the fire up the oven.
Darren and Mitchell had a quick chat about the editing and then Darren headed up to his room to get started on it leaving the two of them on the sofa.

“Can you email me a copy” Charlie asked “I would love to watch it again and show Mum” she finished.

“Of course I will” he replied as he moved so that he could pull her into his arms and his lips met hers once again. The adrenaline from dancing had now been replaced by a different sort as the physical pull between them took over. He ran his hand through her hair and pulled the hair band out so that it was loose and free flowing between his fingertips. Then he trailed one hand down her cheek and neck to her shoulder line and the strap of her dress as he carefully
followed the line of the fabric as it ran down between her breasts. Charlotte arched towards him, her body ultra responsive under his touch, her nipples already rubbing in a tantalising way against the soft fabric. She wished that his tongue exploring her mouth was down on her nipples like last night, sending spikes of desire coursing through her body.

He must have been able to read her mind as he eased her back against the arm of the sofa so that he could cover her body with his, pushing her into the softness of the fabric beneath them. It was easy for his hands to slip beneath the fabric of her dress and take her nipples in his fingertips as Charlotte slipped hers beneath his shirt so that she could feel the smooth skin of his back.

“I want you so much” he breathed, as his lips captured hers once more as his one hand moved down over the outside of her skirt and then disappeared under the hemline. His hand felt the hot smooth skin of her naked legs as he ran his hand steadily upwards. Charlie breathed in slightly as they glanced over the outside of her knickers. Part of her wanted to continue to feel everything in this wonderful, post dance adrenaline filled moment but she managed to wiggle slightly and moved her lips to whisper in his ear.

“Not here, not yet, I want it to be special”

Mitchell paused and looked down into her sparkling green eyes that matched his for colouring a
nd shade and saw the love shining out. Charlotte felt his pause and wondered if she had said the wrong thing, would he get tired of waiting for her? She looked into his hungry eyes, full of desire for her and knew that her eyes matched his in intensity. They were perfect together on the dance floor, she felt certain they would be perfect together entwined in bed.