Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty-Four

Julian

We needed a change of scene,even just a token one. This place and all its bullshit was driving Rosie insane, even if she was keeping it together on the surface. Being estranged from her mother was taking its toll.

“Let’s go away,” I said. “Just for a weekend. One night away. Peter and Lola can come, too. We all need it.”

She finished up her mouthful of stew and her stare landed on mine.

“Do you think they would come? Really? Peter finds it hard, but I know Lola would love it.”

“How about you suggest it? They can only say no.”

“How about Much Arlock? We could go there,” Rosie said, but that wasn’t what I had in mind.

“I was thinking London. We need something more cosmopolitan. More alive. Bigger.”

Her eyes widened. “London?”

“Yes, London. Let’s do it.” I gestured to her phone. “Call Lola now. Get her and Peter along. I’ll book it for all of us. My treat. Fuck Dine’s Green and Crenham for a weekend. London would be just the scene. A stunning hotel. A night out clubbing. Champagne, and dancing, and chatting through the night. A hearty breakfast in the morning.”

“That sounds amazing.”

“It will be amazing. Just the break we need to recharge. And like I said, my treat.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously. I’ll pay for everything.”

“Wow!”

“Are you in?”

“Hell yes.”

Rosie picked up her phone at that. I had her sold. It was a joy to watch her, excitement buzzing as she paced the room, chatting away to Lola. Excitement that turned into sadness when she hung up.

“Peter says they’d rather pay their own way, but he needs a couple of months to save up.”

Ah, the pride of man. I should have known that would be the case.

“Call Lola back. Let me speak to Peter.”

It took a while to convince Peter. I told him, with the utmost respect to anyone’s financial position, that I could easily pay for us all. One night in London was a drop in the ocean for me, that what mattered here was our good friendship, and love for our girls. They deserved a break and so did we.

“The cost is nothing, Peter. But the experience will be everything. We would be honoured if you would both come along.”

“You’re some bloke, you know that,” Peter said.

I laughed. “So Rosie keeps telling me. Do we have a deal?”

“I’d be dumb to say no, wouldn’t I?”

“Is that a yes?”

“I guess so. Thank you, mate.”

“No, Peter. Thank you. You’re very welcome.”

Rosie practically screamed when I hung up, leapt into my arms and squeezed the life out of me.

“You’re amazing,” she said.

I used my laptop to check out possible hotels and venues. Rosie looked through the listings with me, and she skirted past the obvious choice. A particularly stunning one in Chelsea with its own courtyard, grand windows and a whole host of facilities.

“How about that one?” I said. “It’s by the far the best we’ve seen.”

“No way,” she said when she saw the price tag. “That’s crazy nice. Too nice.”

“Do you think you’d enjoy it?”

“Enjoy it?! How could anyone not? Pete loves the gym. Lola loves swimming.”

“And how about you, sweetheart? What do you love?”

“Grand windows like that.” She laughed. “And yeah, I love swimming, too. I’ll love everything when it’s with you guys. Everything!”

Everything.

That twisted possessiveness came over me again. It was bizarre. She wasn’t going to be fucking Peter, that much was clear, but even the thought was enough to set my blood boiling. One could almost say it was a refreshing feeling. A passionate selfishness.

I enjoyed it. Strange, but true.

Two grand suites were available at the venue. I managed to secure both together for the very next weekend, and Rosie let out a squeal as she messaged Lola back with the link. In some ways I wished she hadn’t done that. The cost would be quite something to behold. She got back a nooooo, we couldn’t! But I was insistent. A nice break was on the cards, and they deserved one, as did my little angel. Hell, we all needed out of here.

The next few days were a countdown. College, writing, fucking like crazy, and building excitement.

Lola and Peter came to Crenham Drive early on Saturday morning before we set off on our trip, as I was happy to take my new little runaround of a car down into the city. I’d have usually cracked open a bottle of wine and a full whisky bottle if I wasn’t the driver, so it was a good job I was. Or was it? Was that the only reason I wasn’t already desperate to get the alcohol flowing?

No. I doubted it was. Not anymore.

My drinking had been decreasing steadily for weeks, yet I’d barely noticed – which was yet another beautiful thing that my sweetheart was inspiring in me. My commitment to both her, life, and my newfound writing passion were taking my focus off alcohol after years on end of being a drunk. Extraordinary, and a wonderful surprise.

As was the response I’d received last week from the editor I’d messaged, but I was keeping that card close to my chest for now.

I had both mine and Rosie’s travel cases in my hands, along with my suit hanger as we descended from the block, and Pete was carrying his and Lola’s. There was a thrum of excitement between the four of us, all of us thrilled by the thought of the weekend ahead, but my mood plummeted to the kerb of fuck’s sake when I saw the massive, lime green sprayed cock on the bonnet of my car. Brilliant. Not only that, but they’d sprayed the word pervert up the driver’s side, and the scribble was even rougher than my shitty marker handwriting after a night on the whisky, it was so goddamn awful. What a mess. Absolute fucking idiocy. The words were still legible though, unfortunately.

“Fucking hell,” Peter said, dropping his cases to check it out. “What are we gonna do now? Get a cab or a train or something?”

But no. Screw that. I felt the rage boil. Sick of being fucking humiliated, judged and trashed by the small-minded fools in Crenham Drive. I saw red, and I didn’t give a flying fuck whether there was a spray-painted cock on my car. The world could fuck off and handle it.

“We’re going to take the car anyway,” I told Peter, as the girls looked on, aghast. “The hotel courtyard will have to handle it. The other guests can laugh and point, if they like. Quite frankly, I couldn’t care less. We are as entitled to car parking spaces as they are, and as entitled to the hotel’s finest, just like them.”

My attitude seemed to inspire Peter somehow. He nodded, and smirked, then gave a shrug.

“Yeah, fuck ’em. Who gives a shit, right?”

He had, in fact. He had given a great deal of a shit just a short while ago, and so had the rest of us, but our immunity was growing stronger, and rightly so. Crenham could go fuck itself, and so could Dine’s Green. London was calling, and my spray-painted car was going to get us there. To hell with the lime green cock on it.

The girls were keen to sit together in the back, chatting away happily. There was a quiet solidarity growing between me and Pete, and it was a pleasure to be at his side.

“Good call on driving this thing,” he said. “You’ve got balls.”

“Thank you. You’ve got equally enough balls to share the journey in it. So have the princesses in the back seat.”

“Guess we’re all getting hardcore now, in our own little fucked up circle.”

“The circle will be a lot bigger tonight,” I chuckled. “Just wait until you see the club.”

I’d picked out one of the biggest in the city, purchasing VIP passes for the high-class bar upstairs as an additional extra. Quite a social. I couldn’t wait to see the girls dancing together, and in there we’d have anonymity. Bliss.

Rosie had chosen and ordered a dress for the evening a few days ago, receiving the parcel with a squeal, but I hadn’t seen it yet. She’d dashed off to the bathroom to try it on with a no! It’ll be a surprise! before I could catch sight of her. I couldn’t wait much longer. I knew it would drive me insane.

We left the city and hit the motorway to a whole host of horn beeps, waves and pointing fingers as other drivers caught sight of our vehicle, but I found I was laughing and waving back, and so was Peter. We were a spectacle, but I didn’t care – not even about pictures. People were taking photos of the car, but I couldn’t give a toss. Genuinely.

The other guests in the hotel courtyard had a slightly more reserved response than our fellow road users. One very demure looking older lady elbowed her husband as they looked over at us, but I didn’t hold back. I raised my hand and smiled with a good day to you, and we set off with our cases to the main reception.

A polite young man checked us in and asked for our vehicle details. It amused me when I gave the simple answer of the one with a green dick sprayed on the bonnet, rather than the registration number, and Rosie gripped my arm, laughing with me as he handed over our room keys.

“Here we go,” I said to Lola and Peter as I handed over theirs, and we took the lift together to our suites on the upper floor. Even the corridor was spectacular, with its high chandeliered ceilings and grand mirrors along the wall, and it was a further reminder of the life I used to take for granted. So many extravagant and beautiful locations I’d barely noticed, yet Rosie was there alongside me, staring up at the ceiling as though she was viewing heaven itself.

I was smiling as I opened our suite door, and gave a see you shortly to Peter and Lola. I half expected Rosie to dart around like an excited child when she saw the full scope of the place, but she didn’t. She was a graceful little swan as she took dainty steps around the suite with her beautiful eyes wide behind her glasses.

“I just can’t believe this.”

“You better had, sweetheart. You deserve it.”

She ran her hand across one of the dressers, as though she was in a dream. The bed was huge and plush, and the TV on the wall was like a cinema screen, and the bathroom was marble and decadent. The views from the huge window were stunning, showing the city in full glory. I watched Rosie as she took a look.

“Wow,” she said.

“Indeed. London is a great city.”

“I wish my mum could see this, too,” my angel said, and her breath hitched. “She’d love it so much.”

Rosie’s selflessness touched me, right in the ribs. I wrapped my arms around her tight.

“Maybe one day she will. I hope so. I really do.”

That wasn’t why I wanted Beverly to accept our relationship, though. Money and extravagance meant nothing compared to the love I felt for her daughter. That was the acceptance I truly wanted from her. If only she knew the real strength of my adoration for her little girl. The way she brought me joy from even the slightest smile. The way she pushed her glasses up her nose. Her sweet laugh, and the way she’d sigh in my arms every night, content as she drifted into dreamland.

Maybe one day soon she would. I already had my plans on the horizon, but once again, my cards were very, very close to my chest. That feeling, at least, was familiar.

I began unpacking our cases as Rosie stood at the window, still admiring the view.

“We’re going to have an incredible time,” I told her. “I promise.”

She turned and grinned at me, with the sunlight from the window catching her hair.

“I already am.”

I took out my new suit, still in its premier casing, hanging it up on the wardrobe door. Rosie wasn’t the only one who’d be dressed for the occasion. I’d ventured into town to have my new outfit tailored while she was at college.

“Ah, ah, no!” I chided as she approached the suit cover. “No peeking. We’ll both surprise each other tonight.”

“But I want to see!” she said, and I fake wrestled her, bundling her down onto the bed where I pinned her arms over her head.

“I said, no,” I told her, and she arched up, pouting as she wrapped her legs around my waist.

Jesus Christ, at that I was already done for. I was already kissing her when her phone started ringing in her bag.

“That will probably be Lola,” she said between kisses.

“I don’t give a fuck,” I said, and carried on.

It was at least an hour later when Rosie and I were done, panting wrecks, lying together on the bed as we calmed, with the light streaming in. Rosie’s phone had been ringing a few times, so it shouldn’t have been a shock when a knock sounded from our hotel room door.

“Shit!” Rosie laughed, and jumped up, fishing for a t-shirt from her case. I disappeared into the bathroom and grabbed a towel to wrap around my waist while she went for the door. Damn. Lola and Peter were already dressed for a meal and the bar downstairs.

Lola giggled when she saw us. She looked absolutely stunning in a sequined dark blue dress, her hair braided with a ribbon of the same colour. Peter was in a suit himself, and he looked good for it. His tie was Windsor knotted, in a blue that matched Lola’s outfit. Fantastic.

“Guess we interrupted you,” Peter said, laughing too.

“Head on down,” I said. “We’ll join you shortly.”

They nodded, but Lola pulled Rosie in for a hug before they went. She didn’t stop there, either. She teetered across the carpet in high heels and wrapped me up tight in her arms. She smelt like bright floral perfume, and the touch of her bare arms against my skin was a delight. It would have usually been enough to drive me crazy. But it didn’t. Not this time.

I didn’t feel even the slightest hint of attraction to the girl in my arms, despite the fact she was cute, young, sweet and quirky. Not a thing. I didn’t get a hard-on, nor the desire to pin her to the messy bed and fist her tight little cunt. Nothing.

The demons of addiction didn’t show their faces.

“Thank you,” she said. “I just can’t believe we’re here with you. It’s amazing.”

“You’re very welcome,” I told her, and before she pulled away, I used the opportunity to whisper a request, since Rosie was speaking with Peter. “I need to talk to you actually. I need your help.”

She was startled, pulling away to look up at me.

“Are you ok?” she whispered back.

“Yes, yes. I just need some of your time in private, please. Just for a chat. Nothing ominous. Not in the slightest.”

“Sure,” she said. “I’ll make sure we get some time later.”

“Thank you.”

We waved them off down the corridor, and Rosie was like a whippet into the shower as I chased after her. We soaped ourselves down, and dried each other with grins before getting ready. Rosie styled and straightened her hair and put more makeup on than usual. Her eyelashes were stunningly thick and fluttery behind her glasses, and her lips were pink and glossy.

She grabbed her new dress from her case, but all I saw was a flash of pink as she dashed on back through to the bathroom.

“No peeking!” she said again as my eyes followed her.

I was ironing my new white shirt when she stepped back out. Her dress was pastel pink, and gripped her sweet little body like a glove, giving just a hint of her gorgeous little tits peeking out over the neckline. It was short, barely covering her beautiful ass, and the iron stopped dead in my hand.

“Does it look ok?” she asked with a twirl, and I put the iron aside so I didn’t scorch my shirt to shit.

The sparkle of confidence was there in her, mischievous. And there it was, just a hint of the Lilith I was coming to know so well. She knew she looked great. Finally. Her self-worth growing in her physicality, as well as her soul.

“Exquisite,” I told her, as she stepped on over. “Be careful, or I’ll have to take you back to bed again.”

I could have happily played filthy games with her all night long, but she picked up the iron herself and carried on with my shirt. I ran my hand down over the slope of her back as she did it, consumed by her perfection. Her glasses were the most adorably sweet contrast. Words could do no justice.

She held the shirt up for me when it was done, and I slipped it on. She buttoned it up for me with a cheeky grin.

“Show me your suit, then. I’ve been waiting long enough.”

“My pleasure.”

I dressed for her slowly, emphasising how powerfully I buckled up my belt. I knotted my tie in front of her, remembering my time as a professor, getting ready for my day. This suit wasn’t like my regular ones, it was tailored in just the way it should be, fitting me perfectly. It was black, and my deep green tie was a great contrast, accentuating my eyes. I knew what looked good on me. I’d had enough experience of using my appearance to my advantage.

“Will I pass?” I asked her, doing a silly twirl.

My sweetheart giggled. “You look so… hot.”

“Just hot?”

“Gorgeous,” she said, “absolutely gorgeous.”

“Guess that makes two of us. Let’s get our shoes on.”

Watching her slip into her heels as I tied my laces was enough to give me a hard-on.

“You’re a beautiful girl,” I said as she took my arm.

“Your girl,” she said, reaching up to kiss me.

I was so proud to have her beside me as we walked through the hotel to join Peter and Lola at the bar. They were sitting on stools together, hand in hand, so deep in conversation that they didn’t see us approach at first. It was lovely to see the bond between them, so natural.

“Shit, didn’t see you coming,” Peter said, and slapped my back.

Lola planted a kiss on my cheek before hugging Rosie. There was no superficiality about us being together, just friends enjoying each other’s company. And that’s what we did.

We drank champagne with a cheers, before we moved to the restaurant, where we enjoyed some more. I put everything on my room tab, despite the protests, and we indulged in a glorious menu, with excellent desserts. Rosie’s strawberry roulade matched her dress like a dream.

It was towards the end of the meal – as the room was filling up with more guests – that I began to notice the glances we were getting from fellow visitors. Not least Rosie and Lola, who were clearly hot little minxes, but immune in their innocence. I felt the beginnings of jealousy stir with a racing heart, driven by a primal urge to let the world know she was mine, but I kept it at bay, still chatting and drinking as though I wasn’t carefully observing every single glance my angel was receiving.

“What next?” Peter asked when we were done. “Club, right?”

“Yes,” I told him. “Time for a cab.”

The receptionist ordered one for us as we waited outside, Lola and I enjoying a cigarette before the taxi pulled up to take us into the city. The club looked as good as the pictures had shown, bright lights, and bouncers on the door, with a woman inside directing us up into the VIP room. The place was thrumming with rich ambience, and Rosie, Lola and Peter were spellbound all over again. I soaked in their enjoyment, as well as my own.

“Cigarette?” Lola asked me when we were done with our first round of drinks, and gestured me out onto the balcony, where I accompanied her. She wasted no time, asking me about my earlier request before she’d even taken out her lighter. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

It still felt strange to voice it out loud.

“Some artwork,” I said. “I was hoping you could work on a cover design for me, but I’d like you to keep your work a secret, if possible, please?”

She did a little bounce on the spot, once my request had registered. “For real? You want a book cover? For one of your thrillers? Oh fuck. That’s awesome!”

I shook my head. “No, no. Not for a thriller. I’ve been working on a different project, actually. A novel called The Girl Downstairs.”

Her eyes were magnificent, as was her smile.

“Oh my God! About Rosie? You’ve got the dirty bits in it?! Whoa, fuck. You have!”

“Some of them, yes,” I said with a smirk. “But there is a lot more to it than those. Call it a forbidden romance, if you will. But there is a great amount of romance in it, alongside the filth.”

“Holy shit. You’re serious? You’re going to publish a book about Rosie?!”

“Quite possibly, yes.”

“Does she know?”

“Not yet. She has no idea. Which is why I’m mentioning this to you in private.” I took a drag of my cigarette. “So, I’ll need a cover. Would you be able to design one for me, and keep it a secret until I’m ready to use it?”

“Hell yeah, I’d love that.” She crossed her fingers and held them up. “And I’ll keep it quiet. Promise.”

We talked about the basic outline while we smoked, and we were done with the initial ideas when Peter stepped on out to join us. His timing was good.

“Was going to ask if you wanted another drink,” he said. “Rosie’s just off to the bathroom. I thought I’d get them in.”

“Just finished actually,” Lola said, stubbing her cigarette out.

I did the same and we returned inside together, heading straight back to the bar. The place was busy, but not busy enough that my eyes didn’t seek out my goddess immediately, already having returned from her bathroom trip. She was talking to a guy who was leaning into her, cocky, with his arm on the bar top, and she was nodding, laughing, chatting with him. Oblivious.

“Bloody hell. Didn’t take him long to try it on with her,” Peter laughed over the music. “Still, they probably think we’re out with our kids, not our girlfriends.”

“Stop it!” Lola said, but he was right. They likely did. Especially with me and Rosie.

“Excuse me, please,” I said to the pair of them, and marched on ahead like a man possessed, striding straight on over to the suited idiot trying it on with my girl. I wanted to tear him away from her and throw him across the room, but managed to keep some semblance of calm, taking her hand in mine on the bar top.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

“Hey,” she said, and kissed my cheek, but that wasn’t enough for me. I met the guy’s eyes before I took Rosie’s chin in my hand and turned her face to me, possessively. I kissed her like we were in the bedroom and not at a club bar, my tongue a beast as it danced with hers, lost to everything but how much I needed her, and how desperate I was for the club to know about it. I would have screamed it from the rooftops, right across the city from a loudspeaker, just to let the world know that the goddess in my arms was mine.

No shame. No remorse. No lies.

Rosie was mine.

The sweet little girl – goddess – was all mine.

The idiot was gone when I broke the kiss. Her lips were puffy and gorgeous as she wrapped her arms around my neck.

“Do that again, please,” she said with a flutter of her lashes, not giving a fuck that the club was watching, and that Lola and Peter had long arrived back at our side.

“My fucking pleasure,” I said, and kissed her so hard that even Lola called out get a room!