Hi everyone! So in this chapter there are a couple of songs referenced which aren't mine at all. They are Driver's Licence by Olivia Rodrigo and Fix You by Coldplay. I don't own anything related to those songs and if you search them out you can find out what they sound like if you don't know those songs. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

"I'm sorry, what?" Lottie asked in disbelief.

"You're up first" Pete, the owner on the Winslow said like it meant nothing.

"Up first for what?" she clarified. Pete indicted to the clipboard on the bar in front of her. On it was a sheet of paper that read 'open-mic night 8pm – 10pm' and at the top of the page of names was hers written in Steve's handwriting. It was the usual AC-12 Friday night drinks social but open-mic night was a new way of getting people in the bar which had begun a couple of weeks before. Lottie enjoyed listening to the live music and spoke to some of the acts each week as well as getting names of local acts she liked. Never would she ever sign herself up for it though. She also never imagined Steve would do it on her behalf.

"Excuse me Pete, I have to go have a little chat with my brother."

Steve saw Lottie coming from the bar, her face like thunder. It was busier than usual in the bar that night so it took a minute or so for her to get to him. "Ok before you freak out –" he began but she cut him off without saying a word. Instead she grabbed him by his upper arm, pulled him out of his seat and dragged him out the door.

"Should we do something?" Maneet asked and Kate shook her head.

"No, you should never get in the way of their arguments. I've learnt that before" Kate explained remembering one occasion in the three week period that Steve and Lottie weren't talking.

She had turned up at the flat to pick up Steve to find the two screaming at each other as if they were five year olds arguing over a toy. Lottie ended up storming out of the flat passed her yelling "Don't even ask where I am going!" Steve then appeared in the flat doorway not registering Kate was there screaming after her "Don't even imagine I CARE!" Lottie flipped him off as she stormed towards the building stairs. Steve then was snappy with Kate for the rest of the day which she didn't appreciate. That was when she learnt that when the Arnott siblings got into a fight, best to keep quiet and step back.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" Lottie demanded as soon as they got outside.

"That you are bloody talented and you should show people that once in a while."

"Do I get an input into that decision?"

"Come on, I was doing something nice. I hear you singing all the time in the flat. You're really good Lottie. You should hear people's responses to you. Build up your confidence. Believe in yourself more, because I believe in you." Lottie was genuinely floored by that. She was usually confident about everything in her life but when it came to her music, she felt like an imposter.

"I don't have a guitar" she said as a way to get out of it.

"They have a piano and I know you know how to play that. You've got this Lottie. I promise. I wouldn't have signed you up if I felt you couldn't do it. I'd never do that to you." Steve's words gave her the subtle boost she needed and she headed back inside. As she passed Steve though she gave him a punch to his upper arm.

"What was that for?" he asked rubbing his sore limb.

"For being annoyingly sweet." Steve smiled and followed her back inside. "I'm getting a drink" she said and headed for the bar. As if her evening wasn't stressful enough, instead of Pete at the bar she found the annoying long haired barman who she refused to learn his name given their two interactions hadn't gone well at all.

"What can I get you?" he asked.

"Something to steady to my nerves."

"Scotch it is then."

She shook her head knowing Steve would go mental if she drank alcohol. "Can't take it. I'm sixteen."

"Lemonade?" she reluctantly nodded wishing it was scotch. "What's got you so down?" he asked pouring her drink. She pointed to the signup sheet. "How can you sing without an instrument? Your guitar is destroyed isn't it?"

"Thank you for reminding! My brother signed me up saying you have a piano but although I know how to play I haven't in years. My guitar was my only instrument. Plus I have found out I'm performing ten minutes before it happens. I'm going to be a laughing stock" she explained.

"Ok first of all, breathe. Second of all the better acts are always on first, trust me so Steve knows what he's doing putting you at the top. Thirdly, was it the tune you were working on in the bar where we met?"

"Yes."

"Well, then I can play it for you" he said and put the lemonade in front of her. She raised her eyebrows.

"What?"

"I remember the tune. I listened to you playing it for an hour, remember? I can play piano."

"You don't know the speed of the final song" she added thinking it would turn him off the idea but he didn't bat an eyelid.

"I'll follow your lead. Besides, I was hoping there was some way I could make up for the last time we spoke. The offer is there if you want to take it."

At that moment Pete's voice came over the microphone welcoming people to the open-mic night. She had about one minute to decide. She weighted up the pros and cons and despite her wanting to resist the offer she knew she would crash and burn alone.

"Ok" she agreed and he walked round the side of the bar taking off his servers apron at the same time. She flagged how she wanted him to begin to playing the introduction notes and then he could kick off with the tune he heard once she started singing. He nodded and gave her a reassuring smile.

"By the way, you have been holding your breath for ages. Breathe. If it helps, close your eyes so you can't see people. You can then focus on the music" he suggested and she took a deep breath as she heard Pete say her name. She got a big applause and the two headed to the stage. He sat at the piano while she sat on a bar stool in front of the microphone Pete was just using.

"Hello everyone. I'm Lottie. Um … this is a song I wrote recently and sadly I have no instrument with me, you should know I am never prepared for anything. Luckily I have called on a friend to play the music for me so saved you from a very embarrassing piano performance. You're welcome." That got a laugh which relaxed her. She glanced over to Steve and saw he was recording her on his phone. The rest of the AC-12 gang were watching and smiling giving her reassurance. She brought her hands together locking her fingers together and placed them between her knees where they stayed. She didn't want people to see she was shaking. "Anyway, I hope you enjoy and this is a song called driver's license."

She looked to her companion and nodded. As he began the introduction she turned back to the microphone and shut her eyes. As she sang she couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised by how well he played and how well he remembered the tune. He also elaborated on her tune but still gave it structure. It was like he was playing extra layers that could have been notes for violins on top of the original tune and gave it more depth than she ever could. At first her singing was delicate and fragile due to nerves but when she hit the second verse she was much more comfortable and was able to belt like she would have sung from the beginning if she could turn back time. When the bridge hit she felt like she was just alone in her room with no one hearing her. She was finally properly comfortable.

Yeah you said forever now I drive alone past you street

The piano stopped. Time stood still and in the silence she slowly opened her eyes. Then a wall of sound hit her. It was applause. She looked around and everyone in the room had their eyes on her and was clapping. She looked over to the AC-12 table and everyone was all on their feet. Steve was still recording so he cheered and smiled instead then gave her a wink. Lottie finally stood up, a little red faced in surprise and bowed then turned to her pianist. She indicated him to the crowd to show their appreciation and she started clapping giving him space to bow as well. The two walked off the stage and she smiled at him when they reached the bar.

"Thank you for saving me. It was really kind of you."

"Well I was quite an obnoxious arse when we met and I hope it makes up for what I said. I'm Alex by the way." He held out his right hand which she took.

"Lottie. I never did have that lemonade" she commented and although it still sat on the bar she didn't want to risk drinking it in case it had been tampered with.

"Well we better remedy that then. I'll bring it over to you." Lottie realized she hadn't let go of his hand and did so quickly; feeling slightly embarrassed and began to walk away. "Lottie," he called and she turned around.

"You're a really good writer. A great singer too."

"Thanks" she managed to say softly before turning away from him, heading over to AC-12's usual table to be greeted with hugs and instant rave reviews.

Across the room Pete introduced the next act and from the corner, someone was watching Steve hug his sister and talk animatedly with her. They looked so happy and the watcher wondered how much she would be worth. They wondered if TSB had been talking and what this could mean for the future. 'She doesn't know anything' they thought 'which means she's worth her weight in gold'.

"Sorry. If you want to vape you have to take it outside" they heard Pete the owner say to their side.

"No problem" came the reply and they crossed the room, passing by AC-12 table to the door. Lottie was sat with her back to the room. As they passed they brushed the back of their hand across Lottie's back exposed by the chair's structure over the ends of her long curls but she didn't react. It sent a tingle through the strangers hand and gave them the thrill to look her up on social media.

Lottie would find herself coming to The Winslow more often to talk to Alex. Her first proper friend since moving in with Steve.

"Hey Lottie, you're into music right?" Alex asked and she looked at him like he was an idiot. "Ok that face says everything. You like Coldplay?"

"Is the pope Catholic?" she asked making him smile.

"In that case you might be able to help me out of a bind" he said and began to make up her drink.

"In what way?"

"Well I have a spare ticket to their concert next Saturday night in Manchester. My friend has had to drop out so if you want it, it's yours." Her eyes widened and then reality hit in and her eyes went back to their normal size.

"What's the catch?" she asked cautiously.

"I'm going to be in Manchester from Thursday morning so you will need to get there yourself but I am driving back afterwards so I can bring you straight home to the door. Plus you will have to put up with me and six of my friends for the evening. Mixture of sexes so you won't be with seven men all evening."

Next Saturday – not working = yes her brain said but money came straight to the forefront of her mind. The train ticket would be no problem to cover but the concert ticket may be a problem. He finished making her drink and handed it over.

"Where are the seats?" She asked.

"Flat floor stalls section B." Her mouth fell open.

"You …. You have front centre stall seats to see Coldplay?" she asked as if he had just announced he found the Holy Grail or proof that there was a God.

"Yeah. So do you want the ticket or not?" he asked as if it was nothing which blew her mind.

"I want it; I just can't afford a ticket like that. No money, remember?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot. Well I was going to say it's on me but I understand." He turned away to serve someone else but she reached over the bar and grabbed his apron forcing him to turn back to her.

"You're lying, surely? You wouldn't give me such an expensive ticket for free."

"I'm not lying. Besides, who said I paid full price for all eight tickets in the first place?"

"How did you get them then?"

"I have connections at the venue. Mates rates. Tell you what, I'll give you the ticket for free if you pay for my food and drink for the evening. FYI I'm not drinking any alcohol given I'm driving back so no £12 pints to pay for and the like. Deal?" he held out his right hand. She felt giddy with excitement. Lottie let go of his apron and shook his hand.

"Pleasure doing business with you. Now can I get back to my work?" he asked. She let go of his hand and headed back to the table carrying her drink.

"What was that about?" Steve asked.

"Alex just gave me a free ticket to see Coldplay next Saturday in Manchester. Can you believe it?! Coldplay! I've never seen them in concert and in a week I will. How amazing is that?" Steve's face didn't have the same enthusiasm as hers. Her face fell. "Oh Steve, please don't do this to me. You know how much Coldplay mean to me" she begged. Steve looked at Kate who gave him a look, the look she had given him when she had told him in his flat that he had to give himself a break else he would lose her forever.

"Give me the details."

On instruction Lottie told him everything that Alex had told her, explained that she wasn't working that weekend so work wouldn't be affected and he was more reassured that she was going to get home safely and directly. Plus he knew she could easily get to Manchester on the train. Christ, if she made it to Australia on her own with no hassle, she could jump on a train to Manchester. Knowing that she was going with multiple people also assured him too even though he didn't know any of them.

"So? Please Steve, if I don't go to this concert I will regret it for the rest of my life, I know it." Lottie bit her bottom lip nervously waiting for his verdict.

"Ok you can go." Lottie grabbed Steve's face and kissed his cheeks multiple times. "You have to keep me updated where you are throughout the day though. Anything amiss you tell me and I will come get you, got it?"

"Got it. You're the best! I'm going to tell Alex!" she beamed and rushed off to the bar.

"Good move" Kate said. "She looks really happy."

"She deserves it."

Lottie, without being prompted by Steve, used her social media to keep Steve up to date via instagram on what she as up to. Lottie tagged Steve into her posts so he would get alerts. They included posed pictures of her with Alex and his friends (Molly, Alice, Julia, Brian, Neil and Jack), the food they were eating and one sweet candid picture of Alex giving Lottie a piggy back ride. It was raining and he was carrying her whilst wading through a large puddle. They were both laughing and the caption read 'my prince charming keeping my shoes dry in the rain' followed by a series of emojis depicting the rain, shoes, a crown and a heart.

"They make a cute couple" Kate said looking at the picture over Steve's shoulder. Despite it being Saturday afternoon at this point, the two were in the AC-12 office working on an important case which called everyone in. They were still working on Christopher's case but this was more prominent that day. His Saturday plans went flying out the window, but he couldn't help be thankful of the distraction from the worry that Lottie was ok. He never used to worry about her going off doing her own thing, but since her escape to Australia, he worried constantly about her.

"I don't know about that, she's only sixteen."

Kate sat down at her desk opposite him and took a sip from her coffee cup.

"And? You are aware that she most likely already had at least one boyfriend in her life by now."

"I'm not an idiot Kate. If she has had a boyfriend she has never told me."

Kate nodded. "Right … so what's the problem exactly?"

"He's older than her for a start."

Kate rolled her eyes at him. "Firstly it is only by three years, secondly they aren't on a date, and thirdly she has never shown any interest in dating anyone since she got here so why do you think that is on her mind? If it is, it is three years not thirty."

"Yes but he is over eighteen and she isn't. There are things legally he can do that she can't do."

Kate leant forward on the desk with her elbows so she was closer to him.

"That's not what this is about and you know it. This is about you not being able to cope with the thought of her possibly having sex" Kate said bluntly as she did with everything when she was annoyed with Steve.

"Where did that come from?" he asked quietly taken aback and quickly looked around to check if anyone heard. No one did.

"Your brain! It's perfectly normal to be concerned by it. Jesus, I am most likely going to be a mess when Josh reaches that age. Take it from a former teenage girl, one thing you need to remember is that Lottie is sensible. She knows what she wants and doesn't want. She knows how to identify a bad egg as it were, so if she trusts Alex you can trust him too. You have to trust her instincts Steve, seriously. She's not just going to jump into bed with anyone ok?"

As the evening went on he started to get tagged in videos of the group getting to their seats which Steve admitted were great only four rows from the front. Then short videos of the show started to pop up sometimes shot by Lottie, others shot by Alex or one of the friends in the group. At one point in a video he heard Lottie say that if they play Fix You she would cry. Then came the final video shared by Alex with Lottie tagged into it so Steve saw it. It was a video nearly five minutes long and it was Coldplay singing Fix You. It was a song of deep importance to Lottie and as promised she burst into tears as the song began. For some of the video she was dancing, others she sang and at parts she simply watched the band in silent awe as they played. When the big music build up near the end of the song began it started to rain heavily again and she laughed as she danced again in the rain with her arms high in the air. It was then that she realized she was being filmed. Rather than getting upset or angry she laughed and sang along to the rest of the song at the phone camera.

Steve couldn't help but smile and feel glad she was having fun. Finally the working day was over near midnight and he just got home when a car pulled up outside of his building. He watched from the balcony window as Alex and Lottie get out and Alex walked her to the main building door. They hugged each other and Alex waited until he saw Lottie inside before turning on his heels and leaving. Steve moved to the living room so Lottie wouldn't know he was watching them.

"I thought you'd be in bed" she remarked to him with a croaky voice.

"Just got in. Late night as the office" he yawned. "Did you have a good time?"

"The best but my voice might be a bit sore in the morning! Alex's friends were great. One of the best nights of my life. Thanks for letting me go."

"You're welcome. Now get to bed and out of those wet clothes before you catch your death."

She chuckled and shook her head. "Honestly, I don't care if I do! Today was amazing."

She did care when she woke up full of cold two days later but she said it was totally worth it.