Encore (The Black Eagles Series Book 2) (10 page)

              ‘It couldn’t be, could it?’ Megan said, flicking her eyes around. She couldn’t sit still either and stood up to pace with Beth, who was rubbing her bump while she paced, whispering to it, promising her unborn child that everything was going to be fine.

              ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But what else could it be?’ Melissa couldn’t stop the anticipation in her voice. She crossed her fingers. ‘Please,’ she whispered holding them up.

              There was a movement in the hallway, a shuffling of feet. Lyla appeared, looking pale and devastated. Things hadn’t gone well with Zac. He had officially ended things with her with no hope of her ever getting him back. He had argued with her, cried with her, comforted her for what Jay-Den had done to her, then kissed her one last time. He had said he would take that kiss and cherish it. He would remember the girl he fell in love with at thirteen, but he couldn’t forgive her. His last words still lingered in her ears. ‘That girl is dead to me.’ He had then headed back to Liverpool, needing to get away from London, Lyla and his band, which as it stood were over. He couldn’t forgive Jez, and he was too hurt to even be around anyone.

              Lyla had been so devastated when Melissa had returned home, she had stayed with them. She stood silently for a few moments before speaking. ‘I just want to say thank you. I need to have some peace now. You need to move on, be happy. My mistakes are not yours. But I will never forget your kindness.’ She held her hands out stopping Melissa from speaking. ‘You are all the most beautiful people. I hope everything works out. I’m sure they will. I need to stop the pain somehow and I can’t do it here.’ There were no tears as she spoke but a calmness. ‘I’m just sad I won’t be a part of it.’

              Melissa got up and held Lyla in a tight hug. ‘You don’t have to go. Stay here. Let us help you.’

              ‘Melissa, you’ve done enough. I’ll be OK. I’ve made my decision.’

              All the girls huddled together in a group hug. They said their goodbyes, the only person who shed no tears was Lyla as she left. She turned at the door before leaving. ‘Please know that you showed me more kindness than I deserved. Goodbye, Melissa Webb. Goodbye, Beth Watkins. Goodbye, Megan May. Stay true and be happy.’ A few seconds later she was gone. Silence filled the room as they watched the door shut behind her.

              ‘Poor girl,’ Megan sniffed, breaking the silence.

              Beth wiped away a tear. ‘Wow, that was a little intense. We should call her later to check on her.’ Everyone nodded in agreement. ‘Let’s give her some space for now.’

              It was only a short while later when they heard the sound of footsteps and a low chatter heading their way. They stood together, all three girls ramrod straight, waiting for the reason for the gathering. They walked in, Tom first, his curls hidden under another new beanie, Dale followed with Toby close behind. It was a very dramatic and odd entrance and Melissa felt the excitement building in her chest. Finally, Luke appeared, strutting into the room, hands behind his back.

              ‘Oh for god’s sake! Tell us!’ Beth begged.

              Luke stepped forward and smiled before producing a bottle of champagne in one hand and some paper in his other. He chucked the paper on the coffee table.

              ‘Luke!’ Melissa screamed seeing the contract unfold on the table. She jumped into his arms and the cries of celebration and tears of joy filled the air. They held on to their partners and wept for good reasons. Luke turned to see his best friend holding his girlfriend. He couldn’t hear what he was whispering in her ear, but he guessed it was the words he had wanted to say for a long time. It’s all fine. He looked back at Melissa, eyes full of hope, but she frowned ever so slightly. ‘What?’ he asked.

              Melissa leaned into him, lips on his, soft and gentle. ‘Nothing. I’ll just have to get used to you being away again. I’ve been used to you being home for longer than five minutes.’              

              He saw a flash of fear flicker across her face and cupped her face in his hands. ‘Nothing will happen. I promise. Don’t worry, it’s over. ’

              Melissa smiled, forcing her worries away. It was a happy moment and nothing would ruin it. ‘So what happens now?’ she asked instead.

              Luke launched into a very excited account of what Nancy had said, the deal they had been given and what their first appointments would be. As expected, they would head to the studio as soon as it had been arranged, and getting a single out would be their first mission. There would be interviews to confirm their comeback, and also work on an album. Nancy wanted them at every festival she could possibly get them into. Melissa felt her heart swell with joy for Luke, but stop a little for herself. She would have to share him again and she suddenly realised she wasn’t ready. But
he
was and she had to deal with it.

              Megan turned round suddenly and reminded them of Lyla, and they filled the boys in on her sad departure. ‘I think we should call her. I’m worried. She’s so sad and alone,’ Megan said.               Beth agreed and pulling her phone from her back pocket, she dialled Lyla’s number. All heads flicked towards the spare room where a phone was ringing. Melissa ran into the bedroom, a feeling of dread filling her stomach. In the middle of the tidy bed was Lyla’s phone and a plastic bag. It was full of her clothes, purse and make-up. Melissa picked up the phone that had now stopped. She didn’t know why but she accessed her phone, messages and emails for a clue as to why she had left so suddenly and without her things. There were angry messages between her and Zac, and the rest of Silver Daggers. There was a very hurtful message from her mother claiming she was disgusted at her. Only one supportive message from her nan, begging her to go stay with her for a while. Then she went to Lyla’s social networks and her knees gave way as she read the vile tweets.

              ‘You’re nothing but a dirty whore.’

              ‘How could you do that?’

              ‘Kill yourself.’

              ‘Kill yourself.’

              ‘Die. Whore.’

              ‘You’re disgusting.’

              It went on and on. Melissa couldn’t breathe, but finally found her feet and ran back to the others, her face pale and full of terror. ‘We have to find her,’ she screamed. Luke caught her and steadied her, and told her to take some deep breaths and tell him what was wrong. She explained again about Lyla, and her goodbye. Megan and Beth gasped together, penny dropping at the same time.

              ‘No!’ Beth cried.

              It had dawned on them: her goodbye hadn’t been just a goodbye but a final goodbye. She had lost everything, and was heartbroken, alone and humiliated.

              ‘We need to find her!’ Melissa didn’t realise how much she was gripping Luke’s arm until he winced.

              Dale steadied Beth who had begun to shake with worry. Taking charge. He thought for a moment, and asked them to try to remember anything she had said before that goodbye. The girls looked shell-shocked, their minds blank. She had said nothing else. They went over everything, every conversation they could remember, drawing a blank every time. She had left her only connection behind. It was clear she hadn’t wanted to be tracked down. Lyla had severed her ties and walked to her fate.

              Luke looked fierce as he paced, thoughtful, eager to find her. Suddenly he stopped. He had remembered just that morning a passing comment by Lyla about how she still had two days booked into the hotel and she should use them. The boys charged for the door, telling the girls to stay put. If they found her and it wasn’t good news Luke didn’t want any of them to see it. Dale patted Luke on the shoulder in agreement. They left the girls behind to wait and it felt just like losing Luke all over again. Fearing for a life.

*****

Panic rose in Luke’s chest as they charged into the hotel reception, a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. There was a crowd around the lifts, so they took the stairs, two at time. It seemed to take an age before they reached her floor. The four of them frantically searched for her room, hammering on it when they did. Silence. Luke kicked it, shouting her name. ‘Lyla, open up!’ A member of the hotel cleaning staff appeared and asked if she could help. If she recognised them she remained professional. Luke asked her if a girl had gone in there. The cleaner nodded, saying she had seen her going inside.

              ‘Open the door,’ Luke begged. ‘Please. She isn’t OK. We need to get in there. Now!’

              The cleaner thought for a few moments. It wasn’t procedure to just let anyone into a guest’s room but the desperation and panic in their pleas swayed her and she used her master key. Luke nearly took the door off its hinges as he rushed in. The main room was empty, quiet. No Lyla, apart from an empty vodka bottle and a half-packed suitcase. For a few seconds he felt relief but then they heard the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. The water was seeping under the door, swirling into the room and mixed with blood. The cleaner stood rooted to the spot, as did Toby, Dale and Tom. They couldn’t move. Luke charged into the bathroom and took in the scene. Lyla was submerged in the bath, water running, spilling over the side. Blood, so much blood. He cried out to the others, and they came running. Luke grabbed Lyla and pulled her from the bath. Dale turned off the taps. Luke ripped the towel from the rail, and wrapped the naked girl in it. He found the source of her injury. A large cut from her wrist up to her elbow, a gaping wound that was too vicious to stop. Blood-soaked water stained him as he held her tightly. The maid, an older lady with greying hair, called for help.              

              Lyla opened her eyes, looked at Luke and simply said, ‘Tell Zac I’m sorry.’

              ‘Lyla. No. We can sort this out. Don’t let him win,’ Luke said, his voice frantic and desperate. But they were already too late. Luke rocked her, tears streaming down his face. Dale dropped to his side, one hand on Luke’s shoulder, and as gently as he could he closed Lyla’s eyes as she took her last breath and died in Luke’s arms. In his mind all Luke could think of was how would he tell Zac. Despite everything he wouldn’t have wanted this and he knew this would completely break his friend. If he could get into Jay-Den’s prison, he would and issue his own punishment. Rage and devastation poured from Luke, his anguished cries being heard throughout the hotel. He was pulled from the floor in a blur of activity. He’d sat holding her, unable to let her go, until people arrived on the scene. At one point when he had looked at Lyla, lifeless, he had seen Melissa. It could have been her. It shouldn’t be Lyla. It shouldn’t be anyone.

‘You’ve really done them proud,’ Melissa said as she looked up at Luke.

              They were waiting to see how a new acoustic track Luke had written, a solo project in memory of Lyla and Chloe, had done in the charts. It was titled “Flutter on the storm” and had been inspired by a simple event.

              Three weeks ago they had laid Lyla to rest, and they had all attended the funeral. Afterwards, once they had arrived home from Liverpool, emotionally drained, Luke had cracked. He had finally let his emotions escape and Melissa had been worried about his state of mind. He never let himself grieve for anything, always putting his focus on her, and closing himself down. It had been the main reason his writing had suffered, because he needed to “feel” in order to write. He hadn’t allowed himself to feel anything other than anger. Everything he had tried to do was just angry and wasn’t his usual standard. He cried so much it had shocked Melissa, but it had been needed. The next morning, feeling lighter and clear headed, he had vowed to get back on his game,. Melissa had made him realise that none of what had happened was his fault. At no point had he made those bad things happen, all it boiled down to was the actions of others. In turn he had made
her
stop blaming herself. Melissa was not to blame and they had decided to try and move on, properly. The sun had been shining and the window of his studio was open to allow the summer breeze to air the room. As usual he’d sat looking blankly at his notebook. Melissa tried to help by just being there and encouraging him. It seemed unsuccessful, again. Luke was about to give up and go to the gym to try and find some inspiration when a butterfly had fluttered through the window. Blood red in colour, looking elegant and beautiful in the sunshine that seemed to linger on its wings, it had landed on the headstock of his main guitar, and basked in its golden glow.

              ‘It’s the same colour as Lyla’s hair. Maybe it’s her in her new form,’ Melissa had commented. It was a mere passing comment and she knew that it wasn’t Lyla. Luke said nothing as he watched the butterfly, until it fluttered off, back out of the window.

              Suddenly, a black cloud darkened the sky, and the rain fell and the thunder clapped. A storm passed over them, quick but vicious. Less than an hour later the sun was back out and it was as if the storm had never happened. Luke had come to life, pen in hand, and had begun to write down words, messy and at a glance meaning nothing. He scribbled frantically, and tried out different chords on Chloe. It took him less than an hour to write the lyrics and compose the melody and was a complete work of art. Next day he’d played it to Nancy and Francis Colt who both agreed it was perfect. Melissa was surprisingly calm while they waited but she had a feeling this would be a winning track. Luke just hoped it hadn’t been a flop. He would be annoyed for Lyla and Chloe’s sake.

              ‘Ray will call when he hears,’ Melissa reminded him. He couldn’t listen to the radio or check online. He was on tenterhooks and had asked Ray, who had been officially kept on as their manager, to tell him. The time dragged on and when his phone rang, it was Melissa who answered.

              ‘Ray, please be calling with good news,’ Melissa said, worried now. Her stomach flipped.

              ‘Babe, is he sitting down. You’d better pour him a drink and prepare him,’ Ray said. His voice was low, but calm.

              Melissa shook with dread. ‘Oh, Ray, please tell me it isn’t bad news.’

              Luke dropped onto the sofa, and went pale as he watched Melissa being given the news. Her mouth dropped and she stood rigid. She ended the call and slowly walked to Luke, and sat down beside him. She didn’t look at him, but she began to cry.

              ‘How bad?’ Luke asked.

              Melissa looked at him, and wiped her face before leaping at him. ‘It’s fucking number one!’

              ‘Shut the fuck up!’

              ‘No. It’s number one, Luke, number one!’ she screamed, jumping up and running round the room. She jumped on the sofa and threw herself at him, pinning him down. ‘You did it.’

              Luke checked everything, over and over. He called Ray to double check, and then when he’d pinched himself so much his arm was forming a bruise, it finally began to feel real. If having a number one could ever feel real. Even with the band’s success they’d never got the number one spot, and he felt like he was in another world. He had done this purely for his friends, and he hadn’t let them down. He felt as though he had in some way made up for what had happened to them. It wouldn’t change it but it was his way of saying sorry. They would always be remembered. They would live forever, as Oasis would put it.

              That night they went out and celebrated with all their friends.

              The following week was a blur of activity, the gate had been opened – a sea of material flowed from him and he wasn’t letting anything stop him. A few days later Luke flew to Scotland and spent a week totally alone to write for the next album, coming back fully charged and having produced enough material for three. He could easily have done more if he’d stayed up there. He had decided on the album name and it had been agreed before even laying down a track.

*****

“Black Delusions”

1.             
   Beautiful thief
   
2.             
   Crashing down
   
3.             
   Losing you
   
4.             
   Fool
   
5.             
   Black delusion
   
6.             
   Nightmare
   
7.             
   One night. One Mistake.
   
8.             
   Obsession
   
9.             
   Bound
   
10.         
    Scars
    
11.         
    Reflect
    
12.         
    Stronger
    

              ‘I think this could be better than “First Flight”,’ Beth exclaimed proudly.

              The album was done and in just a few weeks they would be on the line-up for their first festival. It was something that Sky Storm had never done for them, although if things hadn’t gone so bad it would have done. Nancy was proving to be a woman of her word and had stuck to all her promises. Next day they released their first single since their comeback and the excitement was a lovely change of late. Luke still hadn’t come down from “Flutter on the storm” claiming the number one spot for three weeks. He had been knocked of his perch a week ago by a new singer/songwriter but was still very happy. He was just finishing a call with Cassie in the bedroom when Melissa came to find him. He looked concerned as he placed the phone on the bed.

              ‘Everything OK?’ Melissa asked.

              ‘Not sure. Cassie said something about Allie’s new bloke.’

              ‘Like what?’

              Luke shrugged and told her that so far the tour was going well but she’d said she was a little worried about Allie, and how she didn’t trust him. ‘She thinks he’s using her and she’s worried about his behaviour around Jo-Jo.’ Luke didn’t really get the full story but he knew Cassie and she never spoke like that unless she had reason to. 

              ‘He touches Jo-Jo, I will kick his ass,’ Melissa snapped. ‘Anyway, as if Jo-Jo would go there.’

              ‘I know that, but can you imagine the trouble that could cause if something did happen. She’s worried because it seems Allie hangs off his every word. Completely taken in by him.’ Cassie had told Luke she was convinced he wasn’t into Allie as much as he had made out.

              ‘Luke, you can’t do anything, you’ve done enough for people. Cassie will sort it. You know she will.’

              Luke wasn’t convinced. Cassie sounded odd, and it worried him. He’d been sworn to keep it to himself, as she was hoping it turned out to be nothing. He couldn’t keep it away from Tom so he decided to just play it down a bit, making a joke about Nathan having an eye for the ladies and Tom had better watch his girlfriend. Tom laughed at the mention of it, but Luke knew that it would sit in his mind. His bassist was a thinker and never forgot anything. Tom nodded in Luke’s direction, his way of saying he’d understood.

              ‘Problem?’ Dale asked, picking up on the little exchange. Luke told him briefly of his conversation with Cassie, and Dale said the same as Melissa, that Cassie would sort it. However, they would sort Nathan out if he stepped out of line. They hadn’t met him, and they already didn’t like him. Luke was also worried about the effect this could have on the relationship Cassie was clearly building with Summer. It had been discussed between them about how she thought she was falling for Summer, and their bands at loggerheads wasn’t ideal. He decided it wasn’t his fight, and joined the rest to continue the evening, happy and celebrating.

*****

‘Who on earth could that be?’ Toby barked over the chatter at the knocking on the door.

              Melissa laughed as she went to the door and yanked it open without a care in the world. Her veins ran cold and her laughter caught in her throat. Terror engulfed her, not for her own well-being but for her best friend. Her attempt at slamming the door shut wasn’t quick enough as Jason shoved it open sending her tumbling to the floor. ‘No! Stay away from her!’ Luke was quickly on his feet to help her as she snarled, ‘You fucking touch her, and I will kill you! Dale!’ she screamed.

              Dale didn’t need an introduction, knowing full well who it was. He’d seen old pictures of Beth’s dad and was fully prepared to defend her. He blocked the way, shielding her, with Luke in front of him. Toby jumped to his feet, and Tom stood just behind Jason Watkins.

              A thought suddenly occurred to Luke: how had Jason tracked Beth down and was now standing in his home? It was some fast work if he had only recently been released. And how had he got into the building? These thoughts were only just filtering through his mind when Dale asked one of the questions for him, as if he had read his mind.

              ‘How did you find us?’ Dale stood like a wall in front of Beth, who was frozen to the spot with shock. His tone was hard and demanding and his hands balled into fists at his side. He had never hated a stranger so much.

              ‘You have some very cooperative neighbours, and with a little help from my dear sister,’ Jason said proudly. He looked over at Luke, smirking, ‘And the old dear on the ground floor was ever so grateful for me helping get her car started. Stroke of luck that was, I thought it’d be harder to get in. Even invited me in for a cup of tea, she was so grateful. Just had to endure her ramblings for a while before I could get away. Had to bite my tongue when she blabbered on about how great Luke and Melissa are, for a celebrity couple. She practically showed me to your door. Poor love, if only she knew what she’d done.’ Jason had known that Beth would almost certainly be where Melissa was, if not at home. Even in prison he had made sure he kept tabs on his daughter as much as possible, and her new-found fame had made it all the easier for him. He thanked the media for once for their obsessive intrusions.

              ‘No,’ Beth whimpered, now rigid with fear.

              They seemed to close ranks quickly, and for a split second Jason stopped. He clearly hadn’t banked on so many people being present, but didn’t let it stop him. ‘Beth—’

              Dale cut him off, and squared up to him. ‘You have no right to speak her name. Get out!’ he warned through gritted teeth.

              Beth whimpered again behind him, unable to control it. She had been just a child the last time she had seen him. He filled the room with his massive frame and his eyes were still as evil as she remembered from her childhood. Jason pushed Luke out of the way as he tried to stop him getting any closer. Luke was much smaller and didn’t stand a chance. Dale was only slightly bigger than Luke but much broader, but the adrenaline was pumping round his body. Beth had deflated, his confident, bolshie girlfriend had wilted before his eyes. They’d all seen it. And it was awful to see, proving just how much abuse this man had subjected her to to reduce her to such a state. The fact that Melissa had seemed to swap places with Beth, that she wasn’t scared, but was more fierce and ready to protect Beth, made everyone else rise to the challenge. Toby weighed up the situation unfolding in front of him, his hand on Megan’s shoulder.

              ‘Bethany, get your stuff, we’re leaving, now!’ he commanded. He genuinely thought he could continue from where he had left off, just walk back into her life and take control. The audacity of the man was sickening. Beth didn’t move. Her hands were shaking and she looked at the floor. Melissa felt such sorrow at seeing it, taking her back to when they were kids and the full extent of Beth’s suffering had become apparent.

              ‘Beth isn’t going anywhere with you,’ Dale hissed.

              ‘Don’t get in my way, boy. I will hurt you,’ Jason threatened. Dale didn’t back down, as he stood, shoulders back, jawline set like concrete, eyes fixed on his target, watching his every move.              

              ‘My daughter will do as she’s told. She’s my family and my concern and I’m taking her.’

              Luke laughed mockingly as he stood, just inches from Jason’s shoulder. ‘I don’t think so. Beth belongs with us, and you are unwelcome, and you are trespassing on my property. If you want to be banged up again, just keep going, mate. I can arrange it.’ Luke was calm and steady, his hand held out for Melissa to give him his phone, which she did quickly. Luke reminded Jason that Beth was an adult and he could not control her. He was also certain that Melissa had mentioned previously that Beth had been officially registered under her aunt’s care when he was convicted – a legal requirement until she was eighteen. She was twenty-one now and no longer needed to be cared for by anyone. She could do as she pleased, and had done since she was sixteen. She’d needed nothing from him or his family, and still didn’t.