A new song started, one Felix hadn’t heard her sing before. He leant against the bar, absorbing her. She was an absolute natural with the crowd, who sang along. Emma played to her audience, dancing and waving, occasionally pointing the odd person out and beaming at them. She ducked down to shake one teenage boy’s hand, who cheekily pulled her scarf out so all her glossy curls came tumbling down, to the cheer of the crowd. Felix groaned inwardly, finding it unbearably sexy. There was no doubt, Emma had charisma and far more presence than the previous singer, Sophie.
The whole band sangMoves Like Jagger, with both girls singing the female lyrics and the two boys the male. This was met with a roaring applause. Felix ordered another drink and really started to relax. Then came the ultimate song, well, for him anyway. Emma sangWhat Am I To Youand the whole place was on fire, whooping and clapping to her seductive movements. Felix stared rigid, his body tingling from head to toe.
‘Has anyone told you, you’re the spitting image of Felix Pascal?’ said a female voice in his ear.
Annoyed at the interruption, he spoke without taking his eyes off Emma.
‘Never heard of him,’ he replied flatly.
The woman knew when she was snubbed and walked away.
After several more songs, the band finally finished withHey Jude, sung by both Sophie and Emma together. As anticipated, everyone swayed and sang to the chorus, including Felix.
All in all, the gig had been a resounding success. After the band bowed to a thundering applause, the crowd gradually started to disperse. Emma didn’t feel comfortable introducing Felix to the other band members, who assumed she’d been dropped off by her dad. They still didn’t know who she worked for. Instead, after the usual celebrations and saying goodbye to her dad and Bunty, she secretly stole away to meet Felix at the back of the brewery as arranged, where a taxi was waiting for them.
Emma was on a high from the triumphant performance and hastily got into the back of the car, where Felix sat with a huge smile. He too was feeling suitably ebullient, not surprising given the many drinks he’d had.
‘Brilliant, Emma, you were absolutely brilliant,’ he congratulated, opening his arms out to her. She sunk into his embrace, inhaling the smell of his tangy aftershave.
‘Thanks,’ she sighed in joy, as the taxi set off home.
In their contented state, Felix didn’t completely let go of Emma, but kept his arm round her shoulders all the way home, much to Emma’s pleasure. She adored his reassuring touch and wallowed in it. Once the taxi had arrived, Felix got out and opened the door for her. As the car drove off, they climbed up the stone steps together. Emma felt Felix lean into her a little and took the keys from him, suspecting she’d be far more adept at unlocking the front doors. After several giggles and ‘shushes’ not to wake Madeleine, they stumbled into the hall arm in arm. Unable to conceal his desire, Felix reached out and stroked her hair.
‘I love this wild mane of yours.’ His eyes met hers and for a moment time stood still. He slowly moved his mouth towards hers. Emma met him halfway, pulled towards him as if by an invisible string, and their lips touched. The kiss was passionate, all the pent-up emotion from both of them spilling out. It became urgent, and they grabbed at each other, bodies pressed together and hands roaming. Finally, Felix pulled back and with a ragged breath spoke gruffly.
‘Stay with me tonight?’ He wanted her and couldn’t stand the thought of them separating at the top of the landing into separate bedrooms. Emma slowly nodded her head in agreement. She too was tired of pretending. She wanted him too.
Felix and Emma walked up the staircase holding hands as quietly as possible. The last thing either of them wanted was for Madeleine to be disturbed and catch them in the act. Silently creeping into Felix’s bedroom, Emma’s eyes homed in on the big double bed. Felix didn’t waste any time in undressing and was soon in there.
Emma was transfixed by his muscular physique. He drew back the covers and beckoned her to join him. She began to undress, but then halted. Had she locked the front doors? She couldn’t remember and the nagging practicality meant she was unable to relax.
‘What is it?’ Felix frowned, praying she hadn’t changed her mind.
‘I’m not sure I locked up,’ she hissed.
He paused, at pains to dismiss her worry, but couldn’t, not in the current climate.
‘I better go and check,’ she said and hurried off.
Felix sighed and closed his eyes. A wave of fatigue hit him hard. All the alcohol had caught up with him and within seconds he drifted off.
Meanwhile, Emma was rapidly turning the front door handles and making sure they were bolted. Good, she had locked up. She was just about to go back up the stairs when she heard a loud crash coming from the kitchen.What the hell was that? She made her way there to investigate.
Emma flicked on the kitchen light and saw a bottle of wine smashed on the slate floor, its glass shards in a red pool. She stood, startled. How had that happened? Then she gasped at seeing the sash window half open.
‘I warned you to stay away from him,’ said a low, menacing voice from behind her.
Emma jumped in fright. With her heart thumping, she turned to face Anika, standing by the door. She was dressed all in black, her blonde hair hanging limply, covering half her face.
‘What are you doing here?’ Emma yelped, petrified by the way this woman was glaring at her.
‘What areyoudoing here more like,’ replied Anika in that same deadly tone.
Emma swallowed, trying to stay calm whilst terrified inside. A layer of sweat broke out over her skin. She slowly started to walk backwards, heading towards the cellar door which was open, but Anika edged forwards to her.
‘I… I work here. I’m the housekeeper…’ she tried to appease.
Anika let out a harsh laugh.
