Chapter 18
Emma gazed into the bathroom mirror, hardly recognising herself. Not really one for lots of makeup, tonight’s face looked a tad dramatic in comparison to her normal natural look. Mascara and bronze eyeshadow emphasised her amber eyes, while the cherry-red lipstick and touch of blusher added extra depth and dimension she didn’t even know her face possessed. Her chestnut curls were tied up in a silver scarf, which matched the silver biker jacket she’d worn for her interview with Jennifer. That seemed almost a lifetime ago, thought Emma as she’d slipped the cold leather on against her bare arms. The tie-dyed dress she wore underneath didn’t give much warmth either, but the adrenaline surging through her veins would soon heat her body.
Felix and Madeleine were waiting in the hall as she came down the stairs.
‘Ooh la la!’ called Madeleine in delight. ‘You look just the part,’ she exclaimed.
Felix swallowed. Words failed him. Emma looked tentatively in his direction, waiting for some kind of reaction.
‘Amazing, you’ll knock ’em dead,’ he said as jovially as he could muster, when inside he was crashing. The last thing he wanted to do was watch every man at the gig lust after her – just like he was.
‘Well, let’s go, my dears,’ Madeleine shooed them to the front doors, ‘the taxi will be ready to collect you at midnight,’ she instructed.
Emma smiled at her. ‘Thank you, Madeleine.’ They both knew she wasn’t just thanking her for the lift and arranging transport, but for her support too. It meant a lot to Emma, especially as her dad didn’t know about all the business with Anika. Once he came back after his holiday she’d fill him in, but didn’t want to worry him beforehand.
‘Not at all, you must enjoy every minute,’ she replied, ushering them all out of the doors.
Felix, for once, wasn’t hiding himself. He wore jeans and a black quilted jacket but no mask, shades or hat to cover his face. Emma glanced sideways at him as they both got in the back of his Range Rover.
‘What if someone recognises you?’ she said.
‘They’ll be too busy looking at you,’ he smirked. To be honest, he was past caring. He lived in Samphire Bay now and wanted to be accepted as a local, which also meant the surrounding area getting used to seeing his face. Once it was common knowledge, he’d be yesterday’s news. After all, what was the alternative? To stay prisoner in his own home? And what was the worst that could happen? He was already being stalked.
He and Emma agreed he’d enter the brewery discreetly, rather than make an entrance together.
‘I feel nervous.’ Emma shivered as Madeleine set off to Lancaster.
‘It’s only natural to feel nervous. Once you’re out there, you’ll be brilliant,’ he assured her.
‘Is that what it was like for you, when acting?’ asked Emma looking at his dark profile. How handsome he was. She knew despite his remark he’d be getting attention tonight.
‘When I was in the theatre, yes,’ he answered.
‘But not in front of the camera?’
‘Not really. It became the norm.’
They were soon entering the heart of Lancaster and Emma directed Madeleine to the back of the brewery.
‘It looks like a good venue,’ Felix remarked, taking in the huge, red-bricked Victorian building. There was a pebbled courtyard, enclosed with black railings in the centre, leading to large wooden double-doors where the main back entrance was.
‘It is,’ agreed Emma.
They parked up and after a final ‘Good luck!’ from Madeleine, set off to the rear entrance and up to the mezzanine balcony overlooking the brewery downstairs. Already the place was filling as Mitch and Gaz were setting up.
‘Hey, Emma!’ called Sophie from the far end of the room.
Emma turned and mouthed ‘Wish me luck’ to Felix following at a distance behind her then darted off.
Felix watched quietly from the bar. He saw the four band members group hug and smiled to himself, whilst a small part of him envied their closeness. Ordering a double Jack Daniels and coke, his eyes scanned the crowd, now building momentum. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned abruptly.
‘You’ve dropped something mate,’ said a man standing beside him.
‘Oh, thanks.’ Felix bent down and picked up his wallet, then shoved it into his back pocket.
Within quarter of an hour the place was heaving and the band was almost ready to start. Felix noticed an older man weave his way to the front and give Emma a big hug. That must be her dad, he thought fondly.
Disappointingly for Felix the opening song was sung by Sophie, who, in his opinion wasn’t a patch on Emma. Whilst Sophie sang Felix queued to get another drink. Once being served, he turned back to see Emma now take the microphone. He took a long sip and savoured the taste of whiskey as much as the sight of Emma.
