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‘I told you. Friend of a friend. And, anyway, they’re pretty much inseparable.’
‘They’re...going out?’
Leo nodded. ‘Yep. For about a year now, only it’s been a big secret. This album’s a big risk for both of them; not only are they trying out some different kinds of music but they’re going to go public with the fans. How many more people are you expecting?’
‘Well, we’ve got forty kids and the same number of parents and helpers now. I reckon about another twenty of each.’
Leo nodded. ‘Sounds good.’ His fingers brushed the back of her hand. Then again, lingering a little longer this time. She took his arm, smiling up at him.
* * *
‘Anyone remember this?’ Bobby sang a couple of chords and Aleesha nodded and joined in.
‘I do...’ Alex’s father shouted from the side of the stage.
‘Help us out with the words, then.’ Aleesha grinned down at him, and he laughed.
The two of them were just perfect. Keeping everyone under control so that parents and helpers were able to stand back and enjoy the performance too. The chemistry between them was obvious, and they talked with the audience almost as much as they sang.
‘Dad loves this one. He used to sing it to us when we were kids.’
Her father was singing now and Aleesha walked over to him, bending down to share her microphone for a couple of bars. Bobby’s hand went to his heart in an exaggerated expression of loss and then he beckoned Aleesha back and she strutted across the stage, into his arms.
‘Never mind, Howard...’ one of the helpers shouted above the music, and her father laughed uproariously.
‘Glad you did this?’ Leo leaned towards her.
‘Yes. It was a risk, but... Yes, I’m so glad we did it.’ She moved a little closer to him and felt his arm light around her shoulder. Then tighter, more possessive. That was another risk, but one that suddenly seemed worth taking.
* * *
Bobby and Aleesha stayed for three hours, far beyond what anyone expected, singing, talking to everyone and posing for photographs. Alex tried to think of words to thank them enough and failed, but they both seemed to get the message. Then they were whisked away in a convoy of three black SUVs.
It was the tidiest concert crowd that Alex had ever seen. Bags were filled with rubbish and taken away. Chairs were folded and stacked neatly and the floor was swept. Alice’s mother even attempted to clean the sound stage before Leo bounded up the steps and coaxed her away from the electrical equipment.
‘Home?’ Leo murmured the word as Alex waved the last of the cars off.
‘Yes. Which one?’
He chuckled. ‘Any one you like. Lady’s privilege.’
She had her overnight things with her, after staying with her parents last night, and they could go anywhere. ‘The country, maybe?’
‘Give me your car keys. I’ll programme your satnav.’
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
SHE LOST LEO behind a large truck, blocking the road through one of the villages. It was dark by the time she swung off the road and onto the track which led to his house, and Alex manoeuvred onto the hardstanding and found the switch for the lights.
He’d dropped his front door key in her hand before climbing into his own car, and all she had to do was follow the trail of lights. Alex hauled her bag out of the boot, carrying it across the bridge and dumping it in the front hall.
She could see headlights, coming towards her along the track. It could only be Leo, and he must see the lights on the bridge ahead of him by now. Pulling the front door to behind her, she walked down the steps and onto the bridge.
His car swung onto the hardstanding next to hers and the headlights almost blinded her. When he switched them off the darkness seemed deeper, and then he came striding out of the gloom towards her.
‘Is this a metaphor?’ His hands rested lightly on her waist, his lips just an inch away from hers.
‘Now you mention it... Maybe.’ It had just seemed appropriate to meet him here. Suspended above the water, each reaching out for the other, unsure whether this was anything but a brief moment in the darkness. But, however brief, it was worth any amount of risk.
