Chapter 37 - Girlfriend
Friday, March 16th, 2018 – 07.20 am
Bo's Hotel Room
"All done," Lauren jumped back onto the bed to a grinning Bo. "Not only have I told work I'm not coming in, but I have also ordered breakfast. Everything, as not sure what you wanted. But, if you are anything like me, you have worked up an insatiable appetite."
"Excellent, I am starving." Bo clapped enthusiastically, "So you have the full day with me?"
"I'm all yours." Lauren buried herself back against Bo's body and held her tight. "What do you fancy doing?"
"You, you and…." Bo placed her finger to her chin, "and erm, yes you." Grabbing Lauren, Bo tickled her sides, causing the sheets to fall from the bed as Lauren struggled to wiggle free.
Pulling Bo close to her lips, Lauren kissed her. Bo pulled away before it deepened.
"Is everything okay?" Lauren breathed into her palm and smelt it, "Is it my morning breath?"
"No," Bo's dimple was showing, "I just don't want to start something we won't finish before we're interrupted by breakfast arriving."
"Okay. Damn your logic." Lauren snuggled closer to Bo. "So, I was thinking today, how about a tour of London? We can dress you up with a baseball cap and get lots of cheesy tourist photos together."
"Baseball cap?"
"Isn't that what you famous celebs wear to be incognito?" Lauren looked up to see Bo laughing.
"I think, personally, it draws more attention to us. I'll just dress casual instead."
"Pity you have to dress at all." Lauren peered under the sheet and took in the sight of Bo's naked breasts. "I could just tell you about London and stay in bed all day instead?"
"As much as I do love that idea, I also love the thought of us getting photos in London. I only have this one of you." Bo grabbed her phone and showed her standing outside the chalet in Morzine.
Lauren looked at the photo, tears welling up. "I was so happy that day."
Bo held Lauren close, "So was I. It's hard not to wonder what would have happened if we got together sooner?"
"Those of the two best words in the English language, when put together, what and if," Lauren replied. "But what if all this was meant to happen. What if we are exactly where we are meant to be. And this is our time."
"So philosophical." Bo lay in Lauren's lap, "I studied psychology once. Years ago, I had a tutor. Evony said it was better than being bored. The funny thing is I don't know if I passed any of the exams. Suddenly my life was thrown into the limelight, and I haven't thought about it since."
"I'm sure you could find out; records are kept for decades. Somewhere out there is the truth about my GCSEs and not the lies I tell people." Lauren leaned up and stole a kiss, "You never cease to amaze me, Bo Dennis."
Bo sat upright next to Lauren, "Thank you. But wait, did you fake your grades on your resume?"
"No, I did really get straight A's and A stars." Lauren hid under the duvet, "But I used to lie to women and tell them I was a bad girl in school and expelled for bad behaviour. The truth was I was captain of the Music Club and played every instrument imaginable."
"Of course you were. I found the box under your bed full of little trophies." Bo laughed, "my little musical lampy."
Gasping, Lauren pulled down the duvet and tickled Bo, "Lampy? Ah-ha, you'll pay for that."
"I hope so," Bo twisted and stroked the hair from Lauren's eyes. "Also, would you like to be put on the guestlist for tonight's show?"
"Yes, of course, I would love to see your show." Lauren moved to straddle Bo's Lap, "And as for today, we don't need to leave straight away. Buckingham Palace has been there since the seventieth century; it will keep another hour or two."
A knock at the door haltered those plans before they could get started. "Fuck, it must be breakfast." Lauren rolled off Bo, "You should answer it, seeing as it's your room."
"Yeah, but stay right here. We'll eat it in bed, then finish what we just started." Bo wiggled her finger at Lauren, causing her to laugh in return. Bo grabbed some cash from the dresser and the dressing gown from the hook. Rushing to the door, struggled to close the garment before realising there were no ties and remembering why. Instead, she pulled it tighter and skipped to the door, grinning so hard her cheeks hurt.
"Hi." Bo's smile faded when she saw who was standing on the other side, pushing themselves in.
"It always pisses rain in this godforsaken country. How anyone can enjoy living here is beyond me." Evony barged her way in, Massimo following behind.
"Get out, Massimo," Bo shouted.
Evony looked between Bo and Massimo, not sure what to say.
"He kidnapped Lauren and me last night, tied us up and held a gun to my head." Bo spat, "I don't want him near me again. And I said to meet you at six tonight, so you can leave also. Now is not a good time."
Evony turned to Massimo. "Get out. I will deal with you later."
Massimo didn't speak but left the room. As soon as the door closed, Evony resumed. "So if he has upset you, we can talk about it, and you don't have to see him again. But we both know how useful he can be and how much he knows about you. So, we should keep him close, but his leash will be tighter. Okay?"
She hugged her bathrobe tighter and was saved from speaking by the door knocking again. Answering it to find this time, it was her room service. She tipped the waiter and took the trolley inside.
"Geez, Bo, you hungry?" Evony lifted the silver trays to find pancakes, fruit, and toast stacks. "You're not alone? What have I told you about pulling whores? They sell your secrets."
Bo looked between the tray and Evony, hands-on-hips, "It's not a, erm, that, and you need to leave."
Evony looked at the bedroom door and manoeuvred around the tray of food.
"Evony, please stop," Bo remembered how she left Lauren naked in bed, sheets discarded on the floor.
Evony didn't listen and marched to the bedroom door, and she was about to open it when Lauren stepped out, fully dressed.
"I heard you and thought it best we do this with clothes on." Lauren looked over to Bo, "Well, at least one of us."
Bo stood by Lauren, snaking an arm around her waist. "You remember Lauren?"
"Yes, now it all makes sense." Evony sat on the white leather sofa. "Bo, get dressed. I would like a quick word with Lauren."
"No, we are together, and any conversations will be in the open." Bo stood her ground.
"So, you finally get together." Evony patted her skirt, "I guess that was bound to happen. I should have foreseen it may happen when I planned this trip. So what next?"
"Tamsin will dump me. Lauren knows it was a showmance. And then we wait a bit, then make our relationship public." Bo announced. Also, she was telling, not asking, which felt strange.
"I see." Evony replied, "That's fine, dear. Having a regular, normal English girlfriend may be easier than hiding your prostitutes, drug and drink habits."
Bo was shocked. She said that conversations were open but didn't think Evony would be so brazen. There were no words that Bo could think of for damage control after Lauren heard that about her.
"Unless it comes out that your regular looking lover is actually a trained killer for the British Government."
Lauren looked at her love, who was looking back at her. Neither had words to express what Evony had blown up to them.
Evony stood, "I can gather this is why you want to meet with me. In that case, meet me Monday. I will have Alfred Mitchward flown in. Make any conversations official and legal."
"Agreed," Bo replied.
Evony nodded and left.
"Who is Alfred Mitchward? Sounds like a supervillain." Lauren joked, trying to lighten the air.
"He is worse than a supervillain Lo. He is our brand lawyer."
Bo's phone lit up. It was Tamsin. "Hey Tam, you are on loudspeaker. I'm with Lauren."
"Of course, you are," came the reply. "Free day, so Kenzi and I wondered what you both were doing?"
"Well, we talked of London sightseeing-"
"Perfect." Both shrieked through the phone's speakers, "We'll meet you in an hour."
The phone went dead. Bo turned to Lauren and shrugged, "Erm, sorry, Do you mind?"
"I guess not," Lauren pulled Bo closer, "Let's eat this breakfast up and get you dressed."
Friday, March 16th 2018 – 09.30 am
Buckingham Palace, London
"What, so we can't go in?" Kenzi stamped her feet, "Why not? Are we too early?"
"Kinda, the Palace is only open to visitors for a few months in the summer Kenz," explained Lauren. "It won't open till the end of July."
"So why did we come here?" Kenzi pouted.
Bo held onto Lauren's hand and smiled apologetically. "It's a photo op, and then we move on."
"To somewhere we can actually go in, I hope. This fine rain soaks you to the bone." Tamsin lowered her umbrella closer to her.
"So, do you think the Queen is in?" Kenzi asked.
"No," replied Lauren.
"Why, how do you know that?" Tamsin added. "Is it something you British Intelligent agents know? Do you get a copy of her schedule or something?"
Lauren pointed to the flag flying, "No, I'm afraid I'm not that cool. They fly the Royal Standard flag if she is in, and when she's not, it's the Union Flag. That is the union."
"Oh." Kenzi and Tamsin said in unison.
"What else do you know?" Tamsin asked. She was beginning to like Lauren more. It was plain to see anyone watching how happy Bo and Lauren were together. Kenzi held her hand, and she appreciated her friends' support. At that moment, Tamsin realised that she never actually 'lost' Bo, as she was never hers to lose. Something she thought would hurt but surprisingly didn't.
"Erm," Lauren was put on the spot, she had planned this day out in her mind, even researched some facts while Bo got dressed, but her mind went blank.
"Lauren isn't our tour guide Tam. It was built in the seventeenth century, if you're that interested." Bo reciting what she had told her in the room prompted Lauren to remember more.
"Oh, oh, I do know something else." Lauren's voice raised an octave or two in her excitement. "It has seven hundred and seventy-five rooms. Including nineteen staterooms, fifty-two Royal and guests' rooms, a chapel, post office, swimming pool, staff canteen, doctor's surgery and a cinema room." Lauren exhaled, determined to say it all in one breath.
"Impressive." Tamsin linked her arm with Laurens' free arm." Not just what is inside, but how you remembered all that. You're better than a tour guide. Where next?"
Lauren smiled at Bo; this was going to be a good day.
Friday 16th March 2018 – 16.40 pm
Lauren's Flat, Croydon
"I can't believe that all of London's press woke up this morning and thought, I know I bet Bo and Tamsin are visiting the London Dungeon today." Bo rubbed her temple. She had been having a great day until Lauren spotted the paparazzi and got them all out of London, unseen.
"I knew buying baseball caps would help." Lauren smiled over to Tamsin and Bo, both wearing souvenir London Dungeon caps. "And you get a memento of the day."
"So, what now," Tamsin took off her cap and walked around the small flat. "The hotel is surrounded. They're animals here, worse than in Canada."
"Well," Lauren rubbed the back of her neck, "You could stay here a while until you hear that they have left. I have drinks and can order some food if you're hungry."
Kenzi was the first to reply, "Are you sure? You don't mind us here?"
"No, it's all good." Lauren smiled. The door swung open, and Lauren internally regretted her offer.
"Alright, sis," Vex strutted in. "Alright, all."
Lauren stood, "Hi Vex, we have guests."
Vex pulled them in one by one for a bear hug, "Welcome to our 'humble abode. So, you all coming to Codeye's birthday bash tonight?" Vex opened the fridge, pulled out a four-pack of beer, and handed them out.
"Shit", Lauren muttered. "I can't. Bo's show premieres tonight."
"Ah no, the gang will be gutted, but you'll come afterwards. You know it will be a lock-in." Vex rolled his eyes, "what about you two? Do you have plans? Do you want to come to an epic party?"
Tamsin and Kenzi eyed each other and shrugged, "erm. Not sure. We should really be at Bo's show too."
Bo spun around to face Kenzi and Tamsin. "You should go, all of you, including you, Lauren. Your friends will be upset if you miss it, and I can join you after the show, as Vex said. Besides, the show is on three nights, so you can see it tomorrow night instead."
"If you're sure?" Lauren asked. Bo nodded and smiled in return.
"Yes, I'm the original super-trouper," Bo replied. "I'll try and get there later."
"All sorted then," Vex grabbed Lauren and kissed the top of her head. "And Kenzi, you got to show me how you do your eyes. They're magnificent."
Friday 16th March 2018 –22:00 pm
The Playhouse Theatre
Bo's premier performance had been a roaring success. After the show, she was greeted by people with flowers and cards; she already had a room filled floor to ceiling in her dressing room. Bo felt loved. Stepping toward the sanctuary of her dressing room and smiled at those congratulating her and taking selfies. Another few moments until she saw the one face that filled her every thought, the same one she had seen in the crowd tonight.
The hallway was becoming denser as she made her way to her dressing room, stopping outside to spin around to flash a huge grin. Thanking everyone as she stepped inside the room, closing the door behind her. Leaning back against it, Bo was shattered. Another day of being sober, off any drugs or booze, her body felt it.
"Hey"
Bo beamed and jumped on her visitors. "you came."
Tamsin hugged her friend, "Well, we said we would. And it is your opening night. It would be tonight's show if you were going to flop, and I would hate to miss that."
Bo smiled at her friend. She knew she didn't mean it. "Thank you."
"And you, Kenzi, thanks for being here." Bo beamed, "I saw you all in the audience, and, well, it lifted me."
"Just like Super-Trouper?" Lauren moved closer.
"Oh my god, yes, you got that reference?"
"I listened to Abba Gold CD while getting ready, I never before heard the lyrics, but tonight I did." Lauren explained, "We all wanted to attend, so it was an easy decision to surprise you."
"You did. That song talks about seeing a face in a crowd and feeling alive. And that is what I thought about when I saw you tonight." Bo dried her palms, her revelation making her feel uneasy. Not sure how Lauren would react.
"You were fabulous." Lauren pulled her into an embrace.
"You were outstanding, and you're welcome, but we are gonna head off now. We're still going to Croydon and have a car waiting. Vex says it's kicked off, so we can't wait to get there."
"Erm, I don't know what you think kicked off means exactly," Lauren added.
"It means the party has started, and we need to get there."
"Okay, have fun. Give my love to Vex, and please, can you give this to Codeye." Lauren handed over an envelope. "He hates cards, but tell him it has money in it for some shots. Otherwise, he will leave it on a table and forget about it."
"You not coming?" Tamsin asked, darting her eyes between Bo and Lauren.
Lauren leaned into Bo and whispered in her ear. "Not in Croydon."
Bo blushed, "Actually, Lauren, I need an early night. I have a busy day tomorrow. However, you should go."
"Oh, I thought, erm, okay," Lauren struggled with her words. "I guess I will get in the taxi then."
Kenzi linked her arm, "Come on, you need to show us a real London night out. You will do fine without each other one night."
Bo hugged everyone, "Also, I know what a kick-off means, and you might need Laurens diffusion tactics."
Tamsin walked to the door asking why, making Bo laugh harder. "Have fun, crazy kids and see you later."
Lauren, Kenzi and Tam all got in the waiting taxi. From the theatre doorway, they saw Bo wave quickly before retreating back inside as soon as the mob spotted her. The security stood in the doorway, and soon the door was closed shut. Lauren slumped back into the seat.
The journey to Croydon only took twenty minutes, and the place was heaving with people spilling out onto the street. They squeezed in, made their way to the back of the pub, and were pulled into the back section by Codeye and the gang. Drinks covered the table, everything imaginable, pints of Stella Artois, bottles of beer and jugs of cocktails. There was a live band, and the patrons were all up dancing and singing along. The atmosphere was electric, and soon Tamsin and Kenzi had drinks in hand.
The band was a 'Killers' tribute and was playing 'Mr. Brightside'. The floor was a stream of arms waving in the air, people spinning, jumping, and screaming the lyrics. Kenzi smiled widely. She had found her type of place, "I fucking love it here."
"It's lit," Tamsin added. "Why have I never been to a place like this before?"
"Because you are a celebrity snob," Kenzi added, poking her friend.
A quick introduction to the gang, Kenzi and Tamsin soon settled in. Picking up drinks from the table, joining in conversations. Looking over, Lauren was quieter than usual, which said something as she wasn't usually a talker at the best of times. Tam leaned into Kenzi, "I thought Bo would be clingier with her for some reason?"
"Yeah." Kenzi knew the reason but would never break the bestie code and tell anyone.
Tamsin placed her hand on her arm, "Everything okay?"
Lauren smiled, "Sure. Did you think Bo was okay tonight?"
"Ahh, Bo." Tamsin rested back, pulling Lauren, and leaned into her, "She is complicated. A mixture of nerves with the night papers and reviews. Every artist has a fear of failure. The worst isn't poor reviews. She can improve; having no reviews and being forgotten hurts more. If they mention the play and not her, she will feel crushed. She is probably waiting for the paper to arrive."
"I should be there." Lauren went to stand, but Tamsin pulled her back down.
"If she wanted you there, she would have asked." Tamsin reminded her that Bo had practically thrown Lauren into a cab.
"I guess." Lauren frowned.
"Listen, you are still early days. There isn't a rush. Time apart makes you realise what it is you really want." Tamsin drank from her bottle, polishing half of it in two gulps, wiping her mouth on her dry sleeve. "I miss Dyson. He is working a late shift, and I wanted to see him after he finished, but I knew he would want to go home after and sleep and not see me."
Damn Tamsin's logic, Lauren thought as she nodded along. "Yeah, she is probably tired as we didn't sleep much—"
Tamsin cut her off, "Okay, that's enough. You know that I was in love with her for years and don't need to hear that."
"Sorry, Tam." Lauren grabbed her and hugged her close, "but you're both right and wrong."
This time it was Tamsin who was questioning, "Sorry?"
Lauren pointed to the edge of their table and their visitor.
"Does anyone need a drink?" Dyson stood smiling.
"D-Man", Kenzi shrieked.
"Table is full of drinks, mate; help yourself. But, as you're up, grab a shot tray, tequilas." Codeye stood and spread his arms out. "Let's get a tequila train going. Drink, dare, drink, dare. You know the fucking rules, and if you don't catch up. Each player completes a dare if last to finish their shot. After your dare, you get another tequila tray, and you're out, leaving one winner."
"A fucking pissed up winner. There's nine of us."
The group laughed.
Tamsin jumped the table and fell into her boyfriend's arms, "I didn't think I would see you."
"Wouldn't have bothered normally, but when you texted saying you were here, I had to come and see you." Dyson admitted, "I've missed you today."
Lauren heard their exchange and kicked herself that she and Bo were complicated when others made it look simple. 'Human' blared through the speakers, and the room lifted even more.
"Come on all, we need to be in there," screamed Kenzi.
Tamsin looked at where Kenzi was pointing. It was the dance floor and a mesh pit of people jumping and shrugged, "sure, why not."
"Yeah, let's all go and cause carnage," Codeye fist pumped the sky, "and get on the train after." Everyone except Vex and Lauren jumped up. They were deep in conversation.
Thirty minutes later, after 'Somebody Told Me' was screamed at the top of their lungs, they returned to the table. They hadn't bought any drinks, but the table was still plenty stocked. Dyson carried the shot trays back and handed them out.
"To Codeye, happy birthday, big fella," Vex announced.
"Great to see you all here," Codeye raised his shot. "We understand that Bo couldn't make it. Dyson also was at work tonight, and look at the sad little fucker."
Dyson was caught yawning. "Fuck the lot of ya's."
Everyone laughed. "But it makes me all warm to see you all here, hangs on, waits, where's Lauren?"
Everyone looked around. Dana jumped on the chair to get a better look, "Loo, maybe?"
Vex shouted, "she left. Told me to tell ya happy birthday and all that, but she had somewhere to be." All eyes were on him. "She was being miserable, so I told her to go."
"She gone home?" Codeye asked.
"No, she has gone to see Bo -"
"Fuck, fuck, fuck." Kenzi interrupted, "When did she leave?
"Erm, maybe fifteen, twenty minutes ago."
Kenzi rang out the bar, Vex, Tamsin and Dyson following. The rest of the group shrugged it off as champagne problems and continued with their shot train and birthday celebrations.
"What is it?" Vex asked as soon as they were outside.
Kenzi had her phone to her ear, "Pick up, pick up. Come on, Bo, pick up."
"What is it, Kenz?" Tamsin asked.
Kenzi lowered the phone, the dead tone alerting her that Bo had switched it off. Next, she tried the hotel, finally getting through to reception but being told that her phone was engaged. It was obviously taken off the hook as Bo didn't want to be disturbed. "Fuck Bo, I said it was a bad fucking idea." Kenzi paced, "Dyson, call Lauren. Get her back here. Tell her she is needed, that Vex is hurt, anything, just get her back."
Dyson dialled her number, "Sorry, also a deadline."
Tamsin, this time stood in front of Kenzi and shook her, "Kenz, what is it?"
"Bo isn't alone," Kenzi admitted, head hanging low.
"What the fuck?" everyone replied.