“Okay” I say and hang up before running across to Supersavers through the pouring rain. I wish I’d bought my umbrella with me today! I go inside and have a quick look at the magazines while I wipe the rain off my face. I decide to treat myself to a copy of Vogue and am just paying for it when I glance up and through the windows see Adam getting out of the car, holding an umbrella over his head.

  I get to the entrance the same time as he does. “Hey! Who’s a clever person then!” Adam says beaming at me and giving me a big hug, “I knew you were going to pass! Come on – let’s get home!”

  “Why did you get out of the car?” I ask. “I could see you in the car park from the till”.

  “Well I thought I would escort you to the car under my umbrella, to save you getting wet” Adam says.

  “That is so sweet of you!” I say smiling at him

  “I know – who said chivalry was dead eh?” Adam replies grinning and we huddle closely together underneath the umbrella as we hurry back to the car.

  I book my practical driving test a couple of weeks later, but am not going to tell anyone apart from Sam and Adam when it is. I’ve gone for a date a few days after Adam’s party so I can at least get that out of the way beforehand. There are still lots of things to sort out – but the first thing I sort is my dress. It costs a fortune, but it’s worth it. I’ve gone for a pale blue satin knee length dress with a boned corset style top, slight split on the left hand side and with delicate pink embroidery round the top and the hem. It’s gorgeous. I love it. I’d wear it every day if I could.

  I get all my paperwork out and try and work out what’s left to do. I’m just going to add up the number of people who have confirmed again. Including myself and Adam, there’s just over one hundred people! We’ve got footballers, pop stars, TV stars, people who work at the club and Alex and Dave! I can’t wait to see Alex – I feel a bit guilty actually. I meant to meet up with her before now. I hope there’s enough food for everyone I suddenly think and quickly check what quantities of food have been ordered. There should be enough drink as well and everyone should be able to get served easily, seeing as there will be two bars - one outside in the garden and one in the buffet marquee. I’ve ordered enough champagne to sink a ship as well I think as I look at the quantity of champagne on an invoice. I wish it was all for me. That would be a weekend and a half.

  ****

  Adam’s birthday finally arrives and I look at him, still asleep. “Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Adam, Happy Birthday to you!” I whisper and he smiles, his eyes still closed.

  “Thanks Gail” he murmurs.

  “I’m just going to get your presents” I say and get out of bed. I go into the bedroom next door, open the wardrobe where I’d hidden them and carefully carry them back into the master bedroom where Adam is sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

  “Happy Birthday!” I say, giving him his presents and his birthday card.

  “Thank you!” Adam says, looking delighted.

  “Open the little one first” I say and Adam opens his present to reveal the diamond cufflinks. “Do you like them?” I ask, feeling slightly anxious. “You can change them if you don’t – no problem”.

  “They’re fantastic Gail!” he says smiling as he takes one of them out of the box, holding it carefully up to his eyes so he can see the diamonds sparkling. “These are wicked! Thank you so much! I shall wear these tonight!”

  “I thought – well I hoped - you’d like them” I say smiling at him and feeling quite relieved. “Everyone needs a bit of bling!”

  “Oh yes! These will look fantastic with my new shirt. Thank you sweetheart!” he says and he gives me a kiss before opening his other present. He unties the ribbon from around the box and his mouth falls open. “Oh wow,” he breathes as he looks at the watch.

  “Do you like it?” I ask smiling.

  “Gail – it’s fantastic!” Adam says as he takes the watch out of the box. “I’m going to try it on”. He unfastens the strap and puts the watch over his wrist.

  “Here – let me fasten it for you” I say and after I’ve fastened the watch strap for him, Adam turns his wrist back over.

  “That is amazing,” he says, admiring the watch face.

  “You’re worth it!” I say, planting a kiss on his forehead. “And now I’m going to bring you breakfast in bed. I’m going to cook you a full English. I know you can’t have a lot of fried foods, but I don’t think calories count on your birthday. I’m going to do organic bacon, eggs, beans, everything. Is that alright?”

  “That sounds fantastic!” Adam says enthusiastically.

  “You stay in bed and I shan’t be long” I say and go downstairs. The post has already arrived and there are plenty of cards for Adam which I pick up to put on the breakfast tray. I go into the kitchen to cook Adam’s breakfast and make myself a bacon sarnie as I don’t see why I should have to diet today either. After making two large mugs of tea as well, I get the HP sauce and manage to squeeze everything onto the tray to carry upstairs. Adam is reading his car magazine in bed and smiles at me as I walk in.

  “Here you go!” I say, setting the tray down.

  “Wow that looks amazing!” Adam says.

  “You’ve had lots of cards as well” I say, putting the envelopes in a pile on the bed. “I think your Mum and Dad will be bringing theirs with them when they come up later on this morning. I think Tim said when I saw Gina last that he and Tony were going to bring their present tonight”.

  “I hope it’s not another hat,” Adam says as he puts loads of HP all over his breakfast.

  “Why – did they buy you a hat last year?” I ask.

  “Yes. It was one of those with the fake breasts on the front and it said ‘Chest Inspector’ on it” Adam says dryly. “I had to wear it all night as well! Felt a right idiot! All the lads thought it was hilarious. Mind you, after several pints, I didn’t really care either. I think Mick went home in it in the end!” he adds and I laugh.

  “Well if they have bought you a hat – I’d rather you didn’t wear it tonight if that’s alright” I say before tucking into my bacon sarnie. It’s not really the look I want to show the world tonight.

  “Well – if it’s a T-shirt is that okay?” Adam asks grinning.

  “Yes that’s fine - just don’t expect me to walk round with you that’s all” I say dryly and Adam laughs.

  I’m so busy from that point on, seeing Adam’s parents and sorting party things out that the day just flies past and it’s soon three o’clock and the caterers are arriving. About five o’clock the DJ arrives to start setting up and then all the performers – the conjurers, acrobats and jugglers arrive. They look fantastic! Before I start getting ready, I take a walk round the garden alone while Adam is having a shower to make sure everything’s okay. I’m going to take Adam on a tour round just before all the guests are due to arrive.

  I pull on a pair of trainers and open the patio door. It’s a lovely, balmy and warm evening and the garden looks absolutely magical. Fairy lights adorn all the trees and the walls, there’s tables dotted all around and oil lamps on posts are burning brightly to light all the main paths through the garden. I walk up to the marquee where the barbeque is sizzling nicely outside and go in. I can’t help but gasp at how nice it looks – that events company that Sharon suggested have really done a fantastic job. There’s brightly coloured flower arrangements everywhere – at the entrance and on all the tables and there’s a huge tower of champagne glasses in the centre. I decided to go for the tower in the end and if it all goes horribly wrong and the glasses go everywhere – I’ll just blame Sharon. She can pick all the glass up. It does look spectacular though. “Everything all right?” I call to the head barman, who is busy polishing glasses.

  “Fine – yeah, all ready to go” he replies smiling. “Would you like a glass of champagne?” he asks.

  “Thank you – that would be lovely” I reply and he pours me a glass – the first of what will no doubt be many this evening. I take a sip. That is marvellous.

  “Chilled enough?” he asks.

  “Perfect!” I say smiling. “I’m just going to check everything else is okay” I say and turn to leave, taking my champagne with me.

  “Have a good evening!” the barman calls after me.

  “Thanks” I reply and go to have a quick chat to the DJ, passing a conjuror that is busy practising. I walk across the temporary wooden dance floor that I’d had put down to protect the lawn and shout up to the DJ. “Everything OK?”

  “Yeah – fine thanks” he says warmly, thumbing through a case of records. “I’ve got your top 5 list of records so I’ll be putting them on at some point in the evening.”

  “Great!” I say smiling. The list comprises four R&B songs that I know Adam really likes and an Oasis track for me as well.

  “Have a good night!” the DJ says.

  “Thank you” I say before I make my way back towards the house, stopping briefly to marvel at two jugglers who are throwing lit torches at each other. I hope it goes well tonight I think nervously as I drink the rest of my champagne. I hope they don’t set the bloody marquee on fire either with those torches. I put the empty glass down on the kitchen worktop and make my way upstairs to the bedroom where Adam is just getting dressed.

  “Well – it all looks fantastic out there” I say, “I will just get ready and then I will show you round!”

  “I can’t wait – it all looks very exciting!” Adam says, fastening his shirt and I grin at him before going into the bathroom to get ready. I can’t wait to show him round!

  “You look fantastic Gail” Adam says when I finally walk back into the bedroom. “That dress is lovely. It really suits you!”

  “Thank you!” I say beaming at him.

  “And look!” Adam says and pulls back the sleeve of his jacket to show me his cufflinks. “They look great don’t they?” He walks into the dressing room to have a look in the mirror. “What do you reckon?” he asks. “Will I do?”

  “You look gorgeous!” I assert, “Almost as gorgeous as me!” and Adam laughs. “Come on - let me show you round before everyone starts arriving” I say and taking hold of his hand, lead him downstairs and outside into the garden. Dusk is just starting to steal over the garden, making it look even more magical.

  “Gosh Gail – this looks amazing!” Adam says, looking round. “Look at all the lights in the trees!”

  “It’s taken the best part of a day to get those hung up” I reply. “Come and look at the marquee – it’s fantastic!” We walk through the garden, past all the little tables dotted around and past the barbeque and go into the marquee.

  “Wow!” Adam says open mouthed looking around, “Gail - I can’t believe you organised all this!”

  “Well – I have had some help” I say modestly, “But I have to say I have surprised myself with this! Now – come and say hello to the DJ”. I introduce Adam to the DJ and then the barman gives him a glass of champagne.

  “Happy Birthday!” he says.

  “Thanks” replies Adam and we then go outside and one of the conjurors comes up to us. “Can I show you a card trick?” he asks.

  “Okay” Adam says and the conjuror proceeds to make Adam’s chosen card seemingly vanish and then reappear.

  “Wow – that’s really good!” Adam says to him, impressed. “How did you do that?”

  “Magic!” the conjuror replies smiling and we laugh.

  “I can’t believe you did all this” Adam says to me as we walk back towards the house. We arrive at the back door and Adam looks round at the garden, shaking his head in wonder. “The garden looks fantastic! Thank you so much!” he says smiling and gives me a kiss.

  I smile up at him. “All we need now are guests!” I say as we walk back into the house and into the living room.

  “I think the first ones are starting to arrive” Adam says, looking out of the living room window. I hurry over and can see the driveway starting to steadily fill with cars and people getting out of them, talking and laughing.

  “Oh there’s Gina - looking fab in a shimmery green dress” I say, pointing her out to Adam, “And that woman in the red dress – now that’s Sharon’s friend Candy Stoutman, the actress. Who’s that with her? Isn’t he a DJ or something?”

  Adam looks at them both. “Yeah I think you’re right” he replies.

  “Oh look – there’s Tony and Sharon” I say and point at them getting out of Tony’s Porsche. “Sharon’s driving – that’s unusual” I say to Adam who shrugs.

  “Not really” Adam says, “Tony probably thought it was his turn to get drunk instead”.

  I smile and turned back to the window to look at everyone walking down to the house. “Look at all those people!” I say, “I’m nervous - but I’m excited as well!” I say and squeeze Adam’s hand tightly. Oh God – I’ve never done anything like this before. Still, I’m sure if I just keep smiling and hold my stomach in I’ll be fine.

  “I’m excited and nervous too” Adam says and we grin at each other.

  “Right - are you ready to go meet your adoring public?” I ask him.

  Adam takes a deep breath. “Yes” he replies and we go out through the front door and stood together on the doorstep smiling and holding each other’s hand tightly. Oh - I hope tonight goes well and everyone has a good time.

  Think I’ll have to have another drink soon to steady my nerves.

  Chapter 23

  “Hello!” I say brightly as I shake hands with yet another person I’ve never met before. “Who’s that?” I whisper to Adam as the woman I’ve just been introduced to turns to say hello to someone else. “I’m sure I know her from somewhere”.

  “It’s Michelle Finley – she’s a sports reporter for the BBC” Adam replies.

  “Oh yes of course!” I replied. “I’ve never met this many famous people Adam – I would say this party even beats Gina’s wedding for celebrity head count!”

  Adam smiles. “Let’s go and get some more champagne” he says and we make our way over to the bar inside the marquee. Suddenly I hear a familiar voice squeal my name. I turn round and am almost knocked over by Alex who grabs me in a massive hug. Dave is stood nearby, looking very smart in a navy blue suit.

  “Hello!” Alex squeals.

  “Alex!” I say beaming at her, “Someone I actually know!”

  “Look at you – you look amazing!” Alex says. “That dress is fantastic!”

  “Thank you” I reply, “You look great too”.

  “Oh thanks” Alex says, looking down at the lime green mini dress she’s wearing. “I had no idea at all what to wear and I didn’t want to show myself up.”

  “Don’t be daft Alex – what made you think that?” I say, frowning at her.

  “Well – with all these women in designer outfits...” Alex says, gesturing round the marquee.

  “Well – just because someone has a designer outfit on doesn’t make them stylish” I say as a woman wearing a hideous orange outfit walked past, “A case in point” I say nodding towards her.

  “I see what you mean” Alex says grinning.

  “Exactly!” I say laughing. “And how are you anyway Dave? Alright?” I ask, turning to him.

  “Yeah – great thanks! This party is unbelievable!” Dave says grinning. “Those jugglers are fantastic – they were juggling champagne bottles just now!”

  “They are good aren’t they?” I say, smiling back at him. I hope they don’t drop any bottles of champagne - it costs enough.

  “Happy birthday Adam!” Alex says, kissing him on the cheek. “We’ve bought you a present” she adds and gives him a brightly coloured gift bag.

  “Oh thanks!” Adam says, opening the bag. “Oh lovely!” he says looking at the bottle of red wine that Alex and Dave have given him, “I’m sure Gail and I will enjoy that! I’ll just go and put it somewhere safe – won’t be a minute” and makes his way through the crowd.

  “You are having a good time aren’t you?” I ask them both anxiously. “I know you don’t know many people...”

  “Are you kidding? We’re having a brilliant time! I’ve never met real celebrities before!” Alex says.

  “You met that guy off Watchword,” I say, “I remember you telling me once at work about it!”

  Alex looks at me and rolls her eyes. “Gail” she says, “that’s hardly the same as meeting Chris Jakes – lead singer of Light Enhancing, now is it?”

  “Just ignore her – she’s gone all star struck!” Dave says fondly, putting his arm round Alex.

  “You can talk!” Alex retorts laughing, “Who’s kept tapping me on the arm all night going ‘he plays in midfield he does – and that’s Ivan Kento, the best goal scorer in the league over there!’”

  I laugh. “I’m going to catch up with Adam” I say. “Alex – I’ll come and find you later and then we can catch up properly okay?”

  “Okay! See you later!” Alex says happily and I start making my way through the crowd, stopping to say hello to Pierre and Agatha and compliment Agatha on her dress - a stunning peach and ivory lace creation. I don’t know where Adam is. And then I see him near the entrance to the marquee. He’s talking to a woman with bleached blonde hair who’s wearing a black corset style top and tiny black mini skirt. She is hanging onto Adam’s every word and I watch in disbelief and gasp as the woman puts her hand on Adam’s arm and looks up at him adoringly. How dare you! I think and walk over to them.

  “Adam?” I say uncertainly as I stand just behind him.

  Adam turns round and beams at me. “Gail!” he says with obvious relief in his voice. “I was just on my way back to you. This is Chanel. Chanel - this is my girlfriend Gail”.

  I give Chanel a brittle smile. “Nice to meet you” I say, not meaning a word of it. “Adam - there are some people who want to say hello to you. Do excuse us won’t you Chanel?” I add and without waiting for a response, walk outside with Adam.

  “Thanks for that Gail – I was trying to think of an excuse to get away” Adam says, squeezing my hand. “I’d just been to put that bottle of wine in the kitchen and she grabbed me as I was making my way back to you”.

 

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