Chapter 35
Y Diwedd - The End
Rhys
Alina rolls Cai’s Jaguar I-Pace to a stop at the end of the red carpet, lining it up perfectly with the rear passenger door. It’s not only Richie who can get this shit right – she’s even closer than he ever got and she hasn’t backstabbed me.
Always good having a team I can trust.
I swing my car around theirs and follow the road to the hidden loading bays at the back of the stadium. I flash my ID to the guard manning the gate and lift my hand in thanks when he waves me in.
‘Does it feel weird?’ Lucy asks from next to me.
‘What, love?’
‘Being here with me and not with them?’
I slide into my designated parking space and turn the car off while I think about my answer.
‘Kind of, yeah,’ I finally reply. ‘This’ll be the first red carpet I’ve not done. Not gonna lie, it’s nice not having to deal with all them fans.’
‘I’m glad you’re here with me. Facing the crowds after everything would have been hard.’
We got a bite of fame after the abduction. Fucking hate that for us.
‘You could have handed out more flyers for your charity, though.’
As if she hasn’t got enough to do, now she wants to support others that have gone through similar ordeals. Only had to make one post, and hundreds came flooding. Helps that Cai’s platform gave it a little boost. One of the only good sides of fame.
‘Not today. Let Cai have his moment.’
‘All right. It’s a big day for all of us. Last night in Cardiff. Last shift for me. Last time we get to work together.’
‘A huge day for both of us. I’m trusting Osian to set up Cai’s dressing room properly.’
‘Oh yeah, letting your minion run the whole operation. That’s massive. How are you feeling about it?’
She gives me a warning tap on the arm. ‘Stop calling him that. He’ll get a complex. And I’m nervous about it. If Cai was less laid back, I don’t think I could do it. Topaz used to blow his top over the smallest of things. But I still don’t want to put Cai in a bad mood before his show.’
‘You won’t. Osian won’t either,’ I add. ‘It’s good you’re letting someone help. Your workload is far too big for one person. And he’s done a good job over the past fortnight, right?’
‘Yeah. Cai’s really happy.’
‘Fucking amazing. See! He’s got it. And you deserve a rest.’
‘I’ve only been back a month.’
‘And you’ve not stopped.’
I pivot more in my seat so I can watch her. She’s still not sleeping all the way through, and nightmares haunt her on the regular. The concealer she’s troweled on under her eyes doesn’t hide the purple bags and despite the time we’ve had out in the sun recently, she’s pale.
When I cup her cheek, she rests her head in my palm and closes her eyes. Bet she’d fall asleep like this if we had the time. I rub my thumb across her skin. ‘Who’s going to look after you when I’m not around?’
‘I’ll be fine. Promise.’
‘Will you? Have you eaten today?’
‘Yes.’
Her cheeks have gone red, so I know she’s lying.
I don’t push her on it – the last thing we want is to bicker through our last shift – but I make a little mental note to go grab her a sandwich as soon as I can get to craft services.
Otherwise it’ll be bedtime by the time she has anything and she’ll be cranky.
I know exactly what’ll make her feel better in the meantime. I pull her face towards me, take one breath so I can fill my nose with her vanilla scent, then press my lips to her. Kissing her never gets old.
It’s awkward in the car – I can’t get as close to her as I need to, so I strain over the gear box in an attempt at it anyway. She tilts her head into the kiss, her hand pressing against my cheek as mine slides into her curls, my fingers tangling around the loops and spirals.
I lean in even further, trying to capture her for a deeper kiss, but she pulls away.
Kissing her never gets old and at least now her face’s a little brighter.
‘I should get you into the stadium,’ I say. ‘You’ve got an assistant’s assistant to supervise.’
She pulls at her fringe then flattens it. ‘I’m desperate to make sure he’s doing okay.’
‘All right.’ I chuckle. ‘Let’s go.’
I dash around the car to open her door, then unload all her shit out of the boot. On top of the tote that stays firmly by her side at all times, she’s got another massive bag and a wheely case. I grab both, because she’s not long been discharged from physio and shouldn’t be lifting anything heavy.
Cai’s red carpet must be going well, cos the cheers can be heard over the other side of the stadium. With her bag hoisted onto a shoulder and her case in the same hand, I hold out my spare for her to take. Once our fingers are linked together, I lead her into the venue.
I don’t get to see her again until we’re prepping Cai to go on stage. Gave myself all the shit jobs today – perimeter checks, then I stood guard outside the loading dock for the rest of the shift until the next guy relieved me.
I skid into the backstage area and search for her. There! Straightening Cai’s outfit while giving Bryn some sort of rundown. Poor guy’s on the floor with Cai tonight. I could have taken it, but I’ve got a better plan for me and Luce.
I cross paths with Cai as he toddles off to get his guitar fitted, Bryn following closely. Lucy’s alone, now’s my chance.
‘How’s Osian done?’ I say as I sidle up to her.
‘Fantastic. Cai’s happy. Nothing’s been missed. I think I’ve got myself a good little assistant.’ She ticks the last item off on her checklist then tucks the clipboard under her arm. ‘All I need to do now is watch the show.’
‘Fancy trying something new?’ We’ve got no more jobs until it’s time to get Cai home. I hold my hand out for her. ‘Do you trust me?’
‘Of course.’
I hope that warm feeling I get whenever our fingers slip together doesn’t stop.
It’s like coming home to a bowl of mam’s home-cooked chilli, or that moment when Cai’s mum said she’d take me and Beth in to rescue us from Tad.
It’s belonging. Cai might be my platonic life partner, but Lucy’s my person for life.
That’s why I’m not even worried about her going away without me. I know she’ll come back.
She abandons her belongings in a safe spot and lets me lead her outside the stadium.
Cai strikes up his first song. The strums of his guitar flood out of the roof – which they’ve left open tonight so everyone can enjoy the summer – and follows us as I guide her across a bridge to a quiet bench.
Back when me and Cai were doing pub tours around the Welsh valleys, I sometimes got stuck outside, manning the door while everyone else stayed in.
That's where I fell in love with his music.
Something special about listening to it while the trees shake their leaves and the local drunk sings out of tune.
We don’t sit. I pull her into my arms instead and we dance.
‘Will you miss me?’ I ask. I steer her closer to a street lamp so I can see her better.
‘More than anything. Six months is a long time.’
‘At least you’ll be with everyone else.’ It’s the only thing that comforts me. She’ll be with friends. ‘I’m stuck here with my tad and sister. And Beth’s all the way back in London.’
‘You’ll see plenty of her. I’ve told her to keep an eye on you.’
‘Of course you have. Should be me looking after her.’
‘You two look after each other. Will you miss me?’
There won’t be a day when I won’t hate that she’s not by my side. Settling down was never on my bingo card for this year, but look at me now.
‘Nah. I’ll be far too busy booking new celeb clients to even think of you.’
She punches my arm and I laugh. ‘Liar. I’ve already timetabled regular phone calls and put them in your calendar. There’s no escaping me.’
She might have changed in a lot of ways, but my girl still loves a fucking schedule. Designated phone time’s not the sexiest, but I’ll take it. At least I know I’ll speak to her every day.
Lyrics drift over us, caught on a breeze: Ac er ein bod ni’n fydoedd gwahanol. Bydd gen ti fy nghalaon bob amser.
Cai sings about being worlds apart from the person who has his heart while I dance with the woman who has mine, who’ll be away from me for a whole fucking six months. A group of lager louts jeers at us as they pass, but I don’t even flip them off. They’re just jealous.
‘What is he singing?’ She tucks her head under my chin, and I squeeze her closer. Never met a girl who can cwtch as good as she can.
‘And even though we’re worlds apart,’ I sing along, not caring that I’m out of tune and rhythm, ‘you’ll always have my heart.’
She rests her hand over the middle of my chest. ‘I wasn’t sure I’d like Wales. Didn’t even think I’d take the job, truth be told.’
‘And now?’
‘I reckon it’s a lush place to call home. I’m already excited to get back here.’
A lot can change in half a year and I’ve already got big plans for when she’s home. A place of our own, so we can move out of our poxy flats. A holiday because after a year of touring, she’ll need a fucking break. Perhaps more. Eventually.
The song ends, and she moves out of my arms. I want to pull her back, squeeze her tight to me and never let her go. This is it now. We’re joined at the hip forever. You want one of us? Tough, you get both.
Even her slipping her hand back into mine doesn’t comfort me. ‘We need to get back to the stadium. They’ll be looking for us.’
‘What are they gonna do? Fire me?’ But we start walking in the right direction anyway. There’s too much to do, and it’ll be all systems go once we get there. The load-out’s always a big job. Probably won’t get to see much of her until we’re at her flat way past midnight. Hate that for us.
I tighten my grip, let her pick up the pace cos she still has to work here. Still wants to impress Cai. And I’ll suck it up. It’s only one last show. One last pack away. One last trip back to Cai’s home to tuck him in safely.
And then?
Well, I’m fucking looking forward to the rest of our lives.