Notice Me (5 page)

It amazed me how over the last three years we managed to direct each other into a path so neither of us felt so lost. It helped us knowing we always had each other. No matter what happened in our lives we had our unbreakable bond of friendship. I knew I would be indebted to Megan forever. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. It felt wrong that I was going to leave her in eight months for New York, but she had Charlie now. I only hoped I could be as happy as them one day.

I don’t know why, but as I thought about that I picked up my fake letter again from the bin, reading it once more, wishing the words really were true. That someone really was in love with me. Thinking about Megan again I laughed. How could anyone notice me with Megan Field around?

Chapter 4

I wasn’t sure what time Megan and Charlie got back that night, but it was definitely late.

I always knew when Charlie stayed over because Megan never barged into my room with full details of her wonderful night.

I stumbled to find my dressing gown. I could never begin to function without the most important cup of tea of the day. As I wandered into the kitchen Charlie startled me.

“Sorry Shan. Megan wants her coffee.” He smiled holding up Megan’s pink coffee cup as he leaned against the black marble work top waiting for the kettle to boil.

“No, it’s okay. I didn’t realise you guys were up. What time did you get back? I didn’t hear you.”

“About one I think. The press got a bit heavy. I hate it when the restaurants tip them off.” Charlie was shaking his head.

“You don’t like being in front of the camera do you?” I could see it in his face.

“You know me too well bookworm,” Charlie winked at me as he took Megan’s coffee into her room. “The kettle should still be warm for your cup of tea.”

“Thanks.” It amazed me how he could look so fresh in the morning. He was a morning person like me, but he always looked the same – heavenly gorgeous. Megan and Charlie would have to let me in on their secret to that one day.

After my blissful cup of tea, I got ready for class. At least it was Friday. I was looking forward to the weekend. A new nightclub was opening in Soho. Of course Megan had been invited which included an invite for Charlie, Will, and myself. I was looking forward to letting my hair down. It had been a while since I had seen Will.

Megan was up not long after I had my shower. She was humming to herself as she began to towel dry her hair.

“Good night?” I asked. I already knew the answer.

“Out of this world. We tried this new position…”

“Megan please, I have just eaten and it’s only seven thirty in the morning.” I really didn’t want to know all the gory details. It was hard enough having to hear them at times, let alone knowing exactly what they were up to.

“Sorry, I just… well, I have decided to introduce him to my parents.” My eyes widened. Megan had never taken anyone home to her parents before, well, not a boyfriend. “It’s just mother keeps asking to meet him, and my father has stopped saying he is a waste of space. I mean he is an apprentice to Sir Michael Straton. He cannot argue with that anymore.” It amazed me how her parents only took notice of her when they realised she had fallen in love. Both of them were scared Charlie was after one thing –
their money
. If they had taken the time to get to know Charlie they would have seen that was not the case.

“Really? That’s great. What did Charlie say? Is he nervous?” Megan just looked at me and bit her lip. She hadn’t asked Charlie yet. “You haven’t asked him yet have you?”

“I don’t know how to. You know how he freaks out about the press. He will be even worse when I ask him to go to Cheshire to my parent’s mansion. Remember when I first asked you?” Megan was hyperventilating just at the thought. It had been a nerve-racking experience the first time I went with Megan to Cheshire. Even without my nerve problem I would have been intimidated meeting a billionaire family. Will was the only person who I felt instantly at ease with because he seemed generally interested in what I had to say.

Megan was still having her attack as I came out of my thought. I needed to calm her down. “Megan, relax. It will be fine. Charlie can look after himself. He knows this was coming. He asked me about your parents a few weeks ago.” I was trying to comfort her. It seemed to be working.

“What did he say?”

“He just asked what they were like. I think he is expecting you to ask him.”

“Really, so you think I should just ask him?”

“Yes, I wouldn’t worry. Charlie will be fine with it. We really have to get ready. The car will be here in thirty minutes,” I replied looking at my watch. Thirty minutes was almost impossible for Megan.

“Crap, really?” Megan ran into her bedroom. “Shan, help!”

“I’m on my way,” I smiled to myself.

Class went quite fast, partly because all my assignments had been finished. I was a teacher’s pet. My tutor knew I was friends with the ‘Field Organisation’; when you are doing a business degree that can be extremely helpful. It helps even more when you are trying to get a work placement.

Megan’s family were disappointed I hadn’t chosen a work placement within their organisation, but Headcom wasn’t a job anyone would turn down. It was a huge opportunity, not to mention I would be able to walk into almost any business job I wanted. I had a feeling Will had helped my application. It was practically impossible to get a placement at Headcom, but somehow I did.

My only sort of friend at University was Patrick who I sat next to in most classes. He was a funny guy, blond hair, light blue eyes and a pretty annoying loud laugh.

“Are you going out tonight, Shannon?” Patrick asked leaning over to see my answers to a question we had been discussing.

“No, but Megan and I are going to the new nightclub in Soho Saturday night,” I replied covering my answers.

“Hey, I was reading those.”

“I know,” I teased sticking my tongue out at him.

“You are so unfair. You are best friends with a billionaire’s daughter who you won’t let me meet and now you won’t even let me read your answers.” Patrick pulled a face at me.

“Stop your moaning. You wouldn’t last one second with Megan anyway.”

“I could be the love of her life you know. We could have blond babies together.”

“She has already found the love of her life,” I laughed as Patrick rolled his eyes.

“I still think you are mean.” Patrick teased pushing me gently. “But have a good weekend. I might see you there?”

“How the hell would you get an invite Patrick?” I laughed.

“I have my sources too you know,” Patrick just looked at me disappointed. “Just because I don’t hang out with people on the rich list, it doesn’t mean I can’t get into a new nightclub.”

“Really,” I giggled watching him.

“Okay,” Patrick held his hands up. “I’m working behind the bar there.”

“Well, I guess I will see you there,” I sniggered.

“Yeah, laugh it up, Davis,” Patrick teased. “No free drinks for you.”

“Pat, don’t be so cruel.” I smacked his arm lightly just as the bell rang.

“You will look out for me won’t you Shan?” Patrick called just as I was about to exit the room.

“That’s only because you want me to introduce you to Megan.” I smiled shaking my head at him.

“Yeah…and?” Patrick called. I had to laugh, at least he was consistent.

 Megan was already sitting on her veranda, waiting for her hot tub to heat up when I got back. Megan was studying fashion. It was perfect for her. In five years she would have her own clothing range. I had total faith in her.

I had forgotten how awful the tube was on a Friday. I had spent twenty minutes being almost squashed against an oversized man who clearly needed some lessons in hygiene. I would have to get used to public transport again when I was in New York. I had gotten used to Megan’s private Mercedes a little too much.

“Good day, Shan?” Megan asked as she tested the water.

“Yeah thanks. Did you?”

“Yeah, it was a bit slow. Jaime is doing my head in.”

“You should send Charlie round. He would soon get the picture.”

“He told me today he thinks he may be gay, but I could straighten him out.” I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Megan looked at me disappointed. “You are meant to be helping.”

“I’m sorry Megan, it’s just funny how he won’t take no for an answer.”

“He wrote me a letter as well. You should have read it. It was hopeless.” Megan smirked, it reminded me of something.

“Oh yes, you reminded me. Thank you for the joke letter. Did you really think I wouldn’t realise it was you?” I laughed sitting next to her.

“What letter?” Megan asked, obviously confused.

“You know the fake love letter from Mr Anonymous,” I asked. Her face looked like she was telling the truth.

“Shan, I know nothing about a letter, honestly.” I just stared at her in shock. I had an admirer, that couldn’t be true.

“Oh. My. God! Where is the letter? This is so exciting,” Megan finally screamed.

“In the bin,” I replied with a puzzled face.

“
The bin
,” Megan jumped running to the bin. It was still there unfortunately. “Oh my God, he
loves you
!” I had forgotten that bit, but then I had only read it once or twice.

“Does he?” I replied indifferent. It had to be a joke.

“Shan, this is wonderful. Do you have any idea who it is?”

“Nope, not a clue. It could be a joke.”

“How could such beautiful words be a joke? Have you read this? He has poured his heart out to you and what do you do, throw it in the bin.” She tutted at me, “Oh my God, it could be Will.”

“Be serious, Megan. I doubt it’s your brother.” Had she gone mad?

“I am being serious.” She would try anything to get her brother and me together. From the first moment Will and I met each other Megan had it in her head we would make the most adorable couple. “I am serious Shan. Don’t count him out. Now what about your classes. Who do you think it could be? What about Patrick? ” I just rolled my eyes. I wish I hadn’t asked about the letter now. Patrick was more obsessed about Megan. I doubted it could be him.

We spent about four hours going through every possibility. Which to be honest were the only two names Megan had said in the first place. I was so bored. Did it matter who it was? I would never find out who he was, or if he really did exist.

I was glad Megan had already gone out when I woke up late the next morning. I really couldn’t face another conversation about Mr Anonymous. I was so sleepy I could hardly keep my eyes open as I flipped the kettle on. Thank God I still had some of my strong tea bags left. I sat at the black metallic table in the kitchen staring into space. I really was confused about the letter now. No one ever noticed
me.
I was Megan Field’s best friend. Men only showed an interest in me because of Megan. It felt strange that someone even wanted to notice me. I was nothing special.

Megan got back late that afternoon. I was sure she had been at a photo shoot. I could remember vaguely her telling me last week. I knew I was right as she arrived back loaded with bags. Megan always came back from a photo shoot with free samples. Every company wanted pictures of Megan wearing their latest products or designs.