A/N: Thanks again for the reviews - keep it up! I love reviews!
Now, I have no idea what TV channels are called in the USA, so you'll just have to make do with channel 6 in this story. Its not a crucial point though. And I'm just assuming that every country has cheesy day time talk shows and hostpital drama shows.
Hope you all like this new chapter! Sorry itdoesn't give you much info on Claudia, butI'll incorporate her back story into the reunion. There's not an awful lot there at the moment though!
Messages on Claudia's Answer phone:
"Hi Claudia, it's Kristy Mathews here. I was planning on talking to you when I picked Brooklynn up today but Mrs Sykes said you were out with the flu. Hope you feel better soon. Anyway, just ringing to check how many people you can have stay with you for the reunion. If you could ring me as soon as possible that would be great."
"Hi Claudia, Kristy again. I know you can't be feeling too good right now but I really need to know how many people you can accommodate for this reunion. Please ring me when you can."
"It's me again. I'm desperately trying to figure out where everyone can stay. I need to know how many can stay with you. Ring me asap."
"Claudia. Ring me."
I groaned as I listened to my messages. I really didn't feel like ringing Kristy. Honestly, I sleep for 4 hours and wake up to this!
The phone rang, sending a jolt of pain through my aching head. I didn't bother picking it up. Instead I stood there in the kitchen, holding my glass of water as the answer phone picked up and Kristy's voice filled the room. She was barely containing her irritation.
"Claudia. I need to know who can stay with you. Call me or I'm coming round."
Then she hung up. Hastily, I reviewed my options. Then I sighed, and picked up the phone.
"Matthew's residence."
"Hi Kristy it's Clau-"
"So you finally decided to call huh? Have you got any idea how much time I have wasted today because I couldn't finalise the plans for accommodation!"
"Kristy, calm down. It will sort itself out. We're adults now. We can organize ourselves."
"First I called Mallory and she said she can't take anyone," Kristy continued. "And now you ignore my messages! And I still can't find Logan!"
"I was asleep," I retorted. "I feel awful, so forgive me if your damn reunion isn't the first thing on my mind right now."
Kristy took a deep breath. "Ok." She said evenly. "I'm sorry. I'm just stressed, that's all. So, how many can you have to stay?"
I thought of my home. It was a small, 2 bed roomed house, but considering it was only the weekend and I had a sofa that unfolded into a bed, I replied with "I've got a spare double bed in my guest room and a sofa bed. So one couple and a single person."
"Great," Kristy replied briskly. "Abby and her family can stay with you then. She's got 2 children, but the youngest is only 6 months so she'll be able to sleep in crib in your spare room. Mary Anne and Dawn are staying with their parents, and so is Stacey, obviously. Jessi and Shannon can stay here, and Logan too. If I can find him, that is."
"Great," I said wearily. "Nice to know you've got everyone organized."
"Well someone has to." Kristy replied irritably. "Honestly, you and Mallory seem to think that an event like this can just happen! Things have to be organized, or you'll have chaos, and then - "
"Ok, ok," I interrupted hurriedly. "I'll talk to you later, I'm going to back to bed now."
"Right," Kristy replied. "Just so long as you're at my house at 4 in the afternoon this Friday. Everyone's coming over then."
"Fine. Bye." I said, hanging up before I got more lectures on the need for organization.
I wandered into my lounge, and flopped listlessly onto the couch. I picked up the remote and turned the TV on. I was flicking aimlessly through channels when something caught my attention. It was a talk show, and the host was leaning forward to talk to an attractive man who looked vaguely familiar.
"So, Mr Bruno," The host was saying, "Tell me about your new role on Drama in Ward 6"
"Please, call me Logan," The man said, with a charming smile. "I play Jake Robins, a coma patient. It's not as challenging as I'd like, but it's certainly a step up from my last part on the show."
"Oh?" The host said inquiringly. "Who did you play?"
"Well, I started off with a couple of walk on parts. I'm hoping now I've got my foot in the door, I'll begin to get more parts, possibly with Drama in Ward 6, or maybe another show."
I stared at the TV incredulously. Logan Bruno? A TV star? Well, maybe star wasn't quite the right word. Actor was closer to the truth.
The host was moving onto different subjects now. "You've been in the news a lot lately Logan. What do you have to say about the suggestion you're having a relationship with Parker Lowe?"
Logan considered carefully before he answered. "Parker's a good friend of mine, and a brilliant person. But we haven't defined our relationship. We just want to see how things develop."
Hmm, I thought. Parker Lowe…the name was oddly familiar. Then I remembered the guy who had been all over the magazines last month. Some English actor. His name was Parker Lowe wasn't it? Then I gasped. "Parker Lowe is gay?" I said to myself. And then, "LOGAN'S gay!" Wow. I never would have picked that up back in school! I raced into the kitchen and picked up the phone.
"Hello, Kristy Mathews speaking."
"Turn on your TV! Now!" I commanded.
"Claudia! I don't have time! Do you have any idea what I have to do today? I've got to organize food, a baby sitting schedule for the reunion, ring Lucy Newton to cancel again, clean the house, make dinner,"
"Logan's on," I interrupted. "Channel 6!"
"What!" Kristy exclaimed. "Logan Bruno?"
"Yes, turn it on!" I said impatiently. I heard a door open as Kristy walked out of her kitchen and into the lounge, then I heard the TV come on.
"Oh my gosh! It's him! I have to contact the studio! I better get off the phone. Talk to you later, Claud."
Then there was a click. I smiled to myself, pleased one thing had been sorted out for Kristy. As annoying as she could get, I was pleased there was one less thing for her to complain about on the day.