Chapter 25
CHAPTER 25
Juliet was in a box at the O2 Arena to see Elton John. Rachel had invited her to join them with what she’d described as ‘our favourite clients and journos’, although it seemed to be mainly Rachel’s family. Her mother was there and her two sisters – one with her good-looking husband, who Juliet recognised from his TV show, and two of their sons, the other with her wife.
Seeing how well they all got on – the box was ringing with laughter – Juliet absently stroked her bump, feeling more happy than ever that Cassady was going to have a sibling, to have this kind of connection in her life. Something Juliet had never known.
She was at the bar table getting a refill of sparkling water when she felt a hand rest on her stomach. On her baby. She flinched, water going everywhere as she pulled back.
A man she didn’t know was smiling at her. ‘Such a miracle,’ he was saying, reaching his hand out to touch her again.
Juliet put her own hand in the way. ‘Do you mind?’ she said. ‘Do you normally go around touching strangers’ bodies uninvited?’
‘But we’re not strangers,’ said the man, his smile more of a smirk. ‘I’m Chaz Dowdent. Don’t you remember? We met at darling Kiki’s lunch.’
Juliet hoped her expression hadn’t shown her instant distress. Kiki Wilmott was a very good client. It wasn’t a good idea to have a standoff with someone who was – even allegedly – a friend of hers.
‘Oh, yes,’ said Juliet, who remembered the lunch, but not meeting this horrible man at it. ‘How are you?’
‘Marvellous, as always,’ he said. ‘But how are you, going again with the rug rats? You’re a sucker for punishment.’ He laughed loudly.
‘Yes, I’m very happy to be having another child, thank you,’ said Juliet, realising she was now at the end of the table, her back against the wall. This Chaz person was standing a little bit too close to her. She glanced over his shoulder, but everyone was caught up chatting and laughing.
‘It must be a bit lonely,’ he said. ‘Doing it all on your own, but I’ve heard you have plenty of nannies to look after them, which is the only way to do it. Gives you a little private time for yourself. But it must get a bit empty without a man in your life, just your business and the brats... Perhaps you need someone to come over, to cheer you up a bit?’
He was getting closer. Juliet wondered if she would even be heard over all the happy chatter in the box and the music on the arena’s PA system if she called out.
‘Because you must know about the power of a pregnancy orgasm,’ he said. ‘So intense, from the increased blood flow to the groin. You wouldn’t want to miss out on those...’
He was so close now he was touching her protruding belly with his own. She could smell his horrible breath.
‘There you are, Juliet,’ said Rachel, grabbing her arm and literally pulling her out of the corner where Chaz had her trapped. ‘I’ve been looking everywhere. Come on, there are people I need to introduce you to, before the show starts.’ She turned to Chaz, smiling with fake brightness. ‘And Simon is longing to talk to you, Chaz. He’s got a special cigar for you. A really big one. He’s just outside the door of the box, if you want to pop out there.’
Rachel linked arms with Juliet. ‘What a disgusting arse,’ she whispered. ‘I’m so sorry. He’s a hateful old sleaze, but he’s been Simon’s client since he started the business and he’s always refused get rid of him. Some misplaced idea of loyalty. But it’s going to happen now. Simon’s furious. Are you alright?’
Juliet let out a quivery breath, glad she had Rachel to lean against. ‘I am a bit wobbly. You know how extra sensitive you are when you’re pregnant? But I couldn’t be too rude, because he’s good friends with one of my clients, so we’re in the same boat on that one. He kept touching my bump and talking about pregnancy orgasms.’
‘Ugh,’ said Rachel, pulling a disgusted face. ‘The thought of it. I’m so sorry you had to endure that, but let’s try and make everything lovely, so you can forget about it and enjoy the show.’
She led the way down the steps to the seats. ‘Here we are. This is my mum, Joy, sit down next to her while I get you a fresh drink. Then I’ll be right behind you with Simon. Creepy Chaz won’t be getting anywhere near you again tonight, Juliet, you can rely on that.’
Juliet turned to see an older lady smiling at her.
‘Hello, dear,’ she said, laying her hand gently on Juliet’s shoulder, in a gesture that felt reassuring, completely different from the intrusive way that awful Chaz had touched her. ‘I’m so glad Rachel got you and your baby away from that horrible man. Just take some quiet breaths. You’re safe here.’
Juliet smiled at her, already feeling better, then Rachel came back with the promised water and a plate of cheeses, with gherkins and cherry tomatoes. No bread or crackers – she knew Juliet well.
‘Sleazebag has gone,’ she said. ‘Simon has ejected him from the box and sacked him as a client, so win-win. Now just have a good time – and look who I’ve got to sit on your other side.’
Juliet looked up to see Dottie grinning at her, flashing rainbows bouncing from springs on a headband. She was also wearing one of the more garish t-shirts Juliet had seen on the merchandise stands on the way in and a purple feather boa.
‘What do you think?’ she asked. ‘Too much?’
‘Never too much for Elton,’ said Juliet, laughing, as Dottie sat down next to her, leaning past her to blow a kiss to Joy.
The three of them chatted excitedly about their favourite Elton tracks and as the lights went down and the first unmistakable bars of ‘Bennie and the Jets’ rang out, Juliet felt enclosed in warmth and friendship.
It was almost like having a family.