MADISON
Chapter One
“And I’m back here,
Stopping the tears.
Thinking of you,
What I would undo,
Hoping you’d stay,
Alone again on Valentine’s Day…”
The last note ends and I stare out into the spotlight. A moment of silence, then a round of applause. Laurence Friar, who owns the bar, even gives me a little whoop. I smile and nod my head.
“Thanks, folks! Since we’re in Valentine’s week I thought I’d put that one in there.
Even if it’s a little sad. I appreciate you coming down here on a night like this.
You’ve been a great crowd.” There must be ten people here.
Four of them are over eighty and one is related to me.
It’s not exactly the audience of my dreams.
I’m being negative. There could be no crowd here at all, like the time I played up in Newhope to the cleaning lady and the bartender. As the clapping finishes the howling wind outside becomes more apparent. It gives me an idea.
“This last number is a cover version. I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t know Wolf Tyler’s Big Bad. But my version is a little different.”
I know this song so well I could play it in my sleep. But while Wolf sings it hard and husky, I slow it down and give it a bluesy edge, plucking the strings of my guitar and tapping my foot against the floor.
“Like the wind blowin’
Like the wolf runnin’
You can’t escape me
I’ll be all you see
Red Riding Hood
I’m just no good
The best you had
I’m the Big Bad…”
I get a huge round of applause for that one. My cousin Caitlin comes and gives me a hug as I step off the stage. Stage is a big word for the raised area at the side of the main bar; it’s maybe the size of a park bench.“That was awesome, Madison! I love that song. Was it E flat?”
I nod. “Thanks, cuz. That means a lot to me.”
She smiles and stands up. “Drink! You’ve earned it…I’m coming back with a beer and some water. You get your stuff sorted out and we can relax.”
Caitlin has a big following on YouTube. She’s so busy with the twins that she doesn’t get much time to post these days, but she still gives music lessons here in Snowflake.
I have a TikTok account, but I’m usually so tired and busy I don’t get much time to upload anything.
That doesn’t stop me writing music every chance I get.
I pack my guitar into my case. Maybe I shouldn’t have played that Valentine’s Day song?
I wrote it when Mom was sick. And then my awful ex-boyfriend stood me up when we were meant to be going out.
Mom and I had pizza instead. I don’t wish he was here anymore, but memories of that time come crowding back.
My shoulders ache and I can’t help but feel a dip in my energy levels.
Post-performance blues, I think they call it.
I shake my head. It’s not like I’ve performed in a huge stadium to adoring crowds.
I should be thankful Laurence pays me fifty dollars to do my stuff.
Caitlin comes back with a beer, a shot and a huge glass of sparkling water. I gulp the water down, giving her the thumbs up at the same time. My throat is dry. Half an hour later, I’m feeling more normal, although that might just be the alcohol.
Carl heaves himself up from the corner table and pauses as he passes the table.
He’s one of the over-eighty regulars here at Friar’s and has a reputation for making weird predictions.
My Mom used to call him The Oracle and mime looking into a crystal ball.
He’s fine, but something about him spooks me out.
It might be the flowing white beard which reminds me of an out of control Santa Claus.
“Madison, is it? Good to see you, Caitlin.” He nods.
We both smile back at him, knowing some kind of prediction is coming.
“You are destined for great things, young lady. The Big Bad Wolf is coming, but you shouldn’t be afraid. You must have faith in yourself and your talent.” His beady eyes fix on mine.
I have no idea what to say. “Uh, thanks. I hope so.”
He nods. “I know so. Goodnight ladies.” He walks slowly away.
I can’t help giggling a little bit. Caitlin’s eyebrows are raised as she watches him walk out into the cold night.
“Well, Cait, if Carl says I’m gonna be big…you watch this space.” I take a gulp of beer.
“I think Carl’s right, you know Madison.” My cousin’s eyes are bright.
“Aww, bless you girl. The next beer is on me.”
I wake up the next morning with a hangover. It’s freezing outside and all I want to do is stay under the covers. I text my boss Ruby.
Do you absolutely, definitely need me to clean that huge, empty mansion in these freezing conditions?
I put my phone down but it buzzes almost instantly.
Get your butt out of bed Madison or I’ll drag you out myself!
I can’t help smiling. Ruby’s barely five feet tall but she’s fierce with it.
We went to school together and I’ve helped out since she started her cleaning business, The Cleaning Fairies, a couple of years ago.
I work mornings cleaning, afternoons at the coffee shop and then top up my income performing whenever and wherever I can.
After my Mom died, I rented a tiny place above the coffee shop where I work, sort of a shoebox really.
I don’t mind, it’s big enough for my stuff, and the manager lets me use the empty shop to rehearse after hours, so I don’t bother the neighbors.
I’m trying to sell my Mom’s house to help pay off her medical debts.
It’s a long and painful process, one that makes me want to stay in bed even longer.
I’d give anything to stay there, in my childhood home, but I can’t afford it.
I throw the covers off and wince at the cold air. I get dressed quickly, jamming a beanie hat over my unruly hair and grabbing my headphones. Music is the only thing that’s going to get me moving. That and a significant amount of caffeine.
Downstairs in Gingerbread, Zuri is dealing with a line of truckers who come for the early morning special and working the steaming coffee machine.
She wiggles her hips, dancing to that We Don’t Talk About Bruno song from the movie Encanto.
She rolls her eyes at me as one of the guys tries to ask her out.
“Truck dude, it’s waaaay too early in the morning for that kind of shit.
Take a step back from the counter and your coffee will be ready when it’s ready.
” She hands me my regular chestnut praline latte with an extra shot and waves as I head out the door.
Thank goodness Zuri knows me well enough not to make small talk in the morning.
I’m wrapped up in my big padded coat but the air on my face is freezing.
The winter still has Snowflake in its grip and the dusty, gray sky suggests we’ll have snowfall later on.
Part of me loves this small town where all my memories are of growing up and part of me is tired of it.
Everyone in Snowflake is coupled up, even that mean girl I went to school with.
I had to sell Mom’s car, so I’m stuck waiting for the bus up the mountain to the Taggart mansion.
It’s owned by local billionaire Lucas Slate, like many of the big houses in Snowflake, and rented out to different big shots during the holiday season.
No one’s renting it at the moment, but The Cleaning Fairies are still employed to clean it twice a week so it’s kept in perfect condition.
The mansion is next door to the little row of houses where my Mom and I lived all my life.
I used to love being up here in the mountains, close to Snowflake but not directly in it.
Mom used to say we were the birds looking down from our nest at the people below.
I can’t bear to look at our house, empty and sad, the last house in the row, dwarfed by the huge mansion next door.
As the bus stops at the end of the street, I keep my head down and turn the music up, blasting out Survivor by Destiny’s Child.
Swiping the entrance card on the electronic lock, a big Range Rover parked in the driveway catches my eye.
It’s not unusual to see cars parked here, since Mr. Slate has a steady stream of maintenance people coming to make sure everything is in excellent condition.
Dave the gardener must have upgraded his car rental.
I miss driving. I loved my Mom’s little car, but block out the image of her singing along to the radio as she dropped me off at school. Tears spring into my eyes anyway.
My playlist changes to It’s Raining Men by the Weather Girls. I dump my bag on the kitchen counter and grab the cleaning bucket from under the sink. I need to get out of this blue mood.
I sing along as I make my way up the wide, winding marble staircase, dancing a little on each step.
I’ll start with the bathrooms, then do the floors.
At least it’s warm in here with the state of the art heating system that kicks in a couple of times a day to ensure the pipes don’t freeze.
I pull off my sweater at the top of the staircase.
I’ve only got a strappy top underneath, but I’ll work up a sweat scrubbing the floors.
I pirouette down the hall, backing into the master bathroom off the main hallway with an exaggerated butt wiggle, singing at the top of my lungs.
Wait a second. Why is the bathroom steamy?
I whip around and come face to face with a tall, muscular man, standing in the rainfall shower. He’s extremely naked, unbelievably handsome and covered in tattoos, with dark hair, golden brown skin and sexy stubble.
His face is familiar.
Hot, naked guy is staring at me with a mix of surprise and annoyance. My heart starts to hammer in my chest, pounding with a mix of nervousness and excitement.
He looks exactly like Wolf Tyler. I used to have Wolf’s poster on my bedroom wall at home and went through an embarrassing phase of kissing it before I went to sleep.
He’s still staring at me as the soapy water pours down his sculpted body, caressing his firm muscles. The tattoos on his arms are so familiar.
Shit, shit, shit, it is Wolf Tyler!
He’s making absolutely no effort to cover himself or switch off the water. My eyes travel downwards, past his muscled stomach down to his legendarily well-endowed crotch.
OMG. The rumors are true.
My eyes flick up. I’m a massive pervert standing here staring at him. This is so awkward that I have no idea what to do. Why hasn’t he said anything?
I swallow hard and decide to style it out. Maybe he won’t be angry if I pretend I have no idea who he is. This could get me fired if it goes wrong.
“I apologize for bursting in. But - who are you? I didn’t know there was anyone staying here. Mr. Slate usually lets us know if a guest is arriving.” I keep my gaze focused on those gorgeously warm amber eyes.
He looks at me steadily. “I’m Wolf Tyler. Lucas is my cousin and it was a last-minute thing. Couldn’t you tell someone was in here? Isn’t that part of your job?”
Right.
So he’s one of those entitled rock stars who thinks everyone should tiptoe around him. I’m annoyed. Maybe it’s missing my Mom, maybe it’s being treated like the hired help - which I guess I am - but I don’t want to put up with anyone’s crap. And I’ve never let anyone condescend to me in my life.
“I don’t know who you are, Mr. Wolf. I mean - Mr. Tyler. But no, I had my headphones on and I wasn’t expecting to find anyone in the bathroom. I’ve already apologized for disturbing you. I’ll leave you in peace.” I back out, trying to ignore the way the soap suds are gathering around his huge cock.
“Wait. What’s your name?” His eye contact is so direct, it’s like I’m the only person he’s ever looked at. Must be a famous person thing. It’s mesmerizing.
“Madison.” My cheeks flush pink. Wolf Tyler wants to know my name!
“Great voice.” He moves to stand under the shower stream and closes his eyes.
My jaw drops in surprise but I turn around quickly so he can’t see.
Wow.