Midsummer Magic (23 page)

‘Don’t be like that, Di,’ said Josie. ‘Don’t you see we’re meant to be together?’

‘No,’ said Diana firmly, ‘we really really aren’t. I mean you’re my best mate, and I love you dearly, but …’

‘See, you said it,’ said Josie, ‘you said the L word.’

‘I meant love as in a
sister
,’ said Diana.

‘Oh, you silly,’ said Josie. ‘Don’t be shy. We’re all grown-ups here. You know you feel the same way.’

Diana started to edge her way backwards.

‘I don’t, Josie, honestly I don’t,’ said Diana. ‘Hot-blooded hetero me. I mean, I’ve got nothing against lesbians. Some of my best friends are lesbians, including apparently you, which is a surprise – and is fine – but seriously, girls don’t do it for me.’

Josie had a scary gleam in her eye, as if she wasn’t prepared to be thwarted.

Oh dear.

‘Look, I understand,’ she said grabbing Diana’s hand and clutching it hard as if she’d never let it go. ‘You’re in denial. It’s been sudden –’

‘You can say that again,’ said Diana.

‘But you don’t know what you’re missing. Just think of it, how wonderful it would be if the two of were living together.’

‘Yeah, I remember that,’ said Diana, ‘we were flatmates, I used to nag you about tidying up. And then you fell in love with Harry.’

‘Harry, Shmarry,’ said Josie airily. ‘I was blind then. But now I can see. Don’t you get it? We’re meant to be together?’

‘I don’t think so,’ said Diana.

‘Just think of the fun we’ll have,’ urged Josie. ‘Two girls, chilling out in our onesies, being able to watch all the chick flicks we want to, whenever we want to –’

‘I’m more of a horror film girl myself,’ said Diana.

‘The house will be spotless –’

‘Yeah, right,’ said Diana. Josie, having been waited on all her life, didn’t ‘do’ housework.

‘And best of all –’

‘What?’ said Diana, wondering at what revelation was about to pour from Josie’s lips …

‘The loo seat will never be left up!’ said Josie triumphantly. ‘Come on Di, embrace your inner lesbian. You know it makes sense.’

‘Right, going now,’ said Diana, extricating herself from Josie’s hand with difficulty. She ran down the aisle to escape her friend. But Josie was too fast for her.

‘Ooh, playing hard to get,’ she said. ‘I like it.’

‘Nooo, this cannot be happening,’ said Diana. ‘This isn’t real, Josie, Freddie’s hypnotised us, remember?’

‘It’s real to me,’ laughed Josie.

Di tried to run in the opposite direction, but Josie blocked her.

‘You won’t get far,’ said Josie with a grin. ‘You know I’m faster than you.’

Of course, another sodding thing that Josie was better at than her.

‘Oh God,’ moaned Diana, ‘someone, please get me out of here!’

Ant had pounded all the way down the path and quickly reached the theatre, where he found Freddie standing over Harry saying, ‘When you wake up, you will see Josie and it will be as if your argument never happened …’

‘Did you tell Josie the same thing?’ said Ant.

‘More or less,’ said Freddie.

‘What was it, more or less?’ said Ant.

‘I told her when she woke up she’d fall in love with the first person she saw.’

‘You idiot,’ said Ant, ‘what happens if the first person is one of us?’

‘But it won’t be,’ said Freddie, ‘because you’re going to stay back while Harry goes in.’

‘Did Di pass this way, by the way?’ said Ant, trying to keep things casual.

‘Not that I’ve seen,’ said Freddie. He turned his attention back to Harry.

‘Now, Harry, go get her.’ Freddie gently propelled Harry through the creaking gate to the theatre and underneath the archway, where Ant suddenly heard a squeal of, ‘Bloody hell, Josie, don’t you dare do that again!’

As Harry walked into the theatre, arms wide open, saying, ‘Josie, I am so sorry, I truly love you, please let’s start again,’ Diana leapt over the seats and came tearing towards them.

‘You’ve got to help me, please!’ she said. ‘Josie’s gone mad and thinks she’s in love with me.’

‘I don’t think,’ said Josie with a lascivious wink, ‘I know. Diana, you’re what’s been missing all my life.’

‘That should make bedtime more interesting,’ said Ant. ‘Honestly Harry, you lucky bugger.’

‘Who said anything about him?’ said Josie. ‘I’m so done with
him
. All men are good for is providing sperm. I’m sure Diana and I can get along just fine without you two.’

‘Freddie, what on earth’s going on? Josie’s gone mad,’ said Harry in disbelief.

‘You have to admit it is quite funny,’ said Freddie. ‘I’ve never had a reaction like that before. Fascinating.’

‘Fascinating? You think it’s
fascinating
? You wouldn’t say that if it was happening to your fiancée,’ said Harry. ‘Do something!’

‘Okay, point taken,’ said Freddie looking a tiny bit remorseful. ‘Josie, sweetheart, I think you need to have a little sleep again, while we think things through.’

‘No chance,’ said Josie. ‘You’re not going to get me that way again, not now I’ve found the love of my life.’

And with that she bounded down the stage and headed off round a path at the side of the cliff.

Harry raced after Josie and Ant followed him.

‘Sorry,’ he shouted as he barged past Tatiana Okeby and Mike Slowbotham who were standing open-mouthed, looking at them. ‘Bit of a crisis.’

Good God, could this evening get any madder?

Josie felt ridiculously light-hearted. Falling in love with a girl was the most fabulous thing. They could paint each other’s nails, sit down and chat about make-up for hours. It would be so much fun. Like having a sister as well as a lover. Josie had always wanted a sister. Josie felt all girlish and giddy. She’d never felt so light and happy before. It was the most wonderful feeling.

After a while, she grew weary, and finding a bench that looked out to sea, sat down. Never in her life had she felt more content. Josie yawned slightly. All this excitement had made her feel sleepy. Maybe she could just lie down and take a little nap …

Soon Josie was dreaming. She was in a wood, a dark, spooky wood, and she had lost her way. Somehow, she knew she had got things wrong and she needed badly to find her way back to someone, but who? Her path was blocked with brambles which scratched her arms, as she fought her way through. She had to find her way back; had to make things right.

Eventually, she saw a light flickering on and off in the distance, and she made her way towards it. She could just make out the shape of a large wall, and a tower behind it. Gradually she hacked her way through the branches, more determined than ever that she must find her way to whoever was on the other side of the wall.

Breaking through the last tangles of brambles, and could it be? Roses? Josie ran towards the wall, where she found a gate creaking slightly open. Without thinking, she pushed her way through, and saw the source of the light, a lantern hanging above a gate, by the entrance to the tower. She grabbed the lantern, and raced up the stairs two at a time, determined now to find the person she knew was waiting for her.

And finally at the top of the stairs, there he was curled up on a sofa, fast asleep, with a gentle smile playing on his lips.

‘Oh, Harry,’ said Josie, and kissed him.

Ant and Harry were both exhausted by the time they found Josie curled up asleep on the bench.

‘She can’t half run fast,’ grumbled Ant. ‘I’m knackered.’

‘She’s used to it,’ said Harry, leaning over and breathing fast. He had a massive stitch in his side. ‘She grew up doing cross country round here. Even at home she does mad long runs all the time. I can’t keep up with her. Now what?’

‘Wait for Freddie to sort this out, I guess,’ said Ant, ‘and hope she doesn’t wake up before he gets here.’

Harry threw himself onto the grass and let out a snort. ‘I suppose it is quite funny in a way,’ he said.

‘What is?’

‘Josie, falling for Di. The look on her face … priceless.’

‘I still think you should go for a threesome,’ said Ant. ‘I mean, you and Di …’

‘… Was never meant to happen,’ said Harry firmly. ‘It’s this bloody hypnotism. It’s all gone horribly wrong.’

‘I know,’ said Ant. ‘Sorry. It’s my fault. I should never have suggested it.’

‘You’ve found her then,’ Freddie came puffing up the hill, Diana and Bron behind him. ‘I’m sorry, I had no idea she’d do that. I think the best thing now is if we start again.’

‘Don’t you think you’ve done enough damage?’ said Harry. ‘Can’t you just get us back to square one?’

‘As you wish,’ said Freddie. ‘Let’s have a little reboot. When I snap my fingers you will all go to sleep. And when you wake none of this will have happened. Everyone will be in love with the person they should be.’

Harry wasn’t even aware of feeling sleepy this time. One minute he was awake and the next he was in a deep dreamless sleep, feeling utterly content.

‘You can’t even get me on
Celebrity Big Brother
? What kind of agent are you?’ Tatiana practically screamed down the phone. ‘I cannot possibly be less well known than Melinda Messenger.’

‘Sorry, Tats,’ Sally Peasebottom said. ‘They say you’re not well remembered enough.’

‘Me, not remembered? God, the public are fickle.’ Tatiana took a drag on her cigarette. ‘What about this new Jungle thingy. I hear Tony Blackburn is up for it. If an old has-been like him can get in, surely it must be a shoo-in for me?’

‘I’ll try,’ said Sally with a sigh, ‘but don’t hold your breath. Word on the street is they’ve signed everyone up already.’

‘So it’s another season doing panto for me, then?’ Tatiana drooped. Oh, God. How had it come to this?

‘Looks like it,’ said Sally, ‘but I’ll do my best.’

Tatiana put the phone down and stubbed out her fag. She looked at herself critically. A few crows’ feet here and there. But not too bad. Maybe she should try this new Botox thing people were talking about. Or a face-lift. Her hair still had a natural sheen and bounce, thanks to the magical hands of her favourite stylist, Colin. He could do amazing things with a bottle, that man.

She was still looking good for her age. Despite the drinking, she’d managed to invest her soap star money wisely, which meant the odd nip and tuck had been available to her. In the good times she’d always remembered the bad, and now the bad were rolling round again, it was just as well she had …

But what would she do when the parts dried up? She was still occasionally in the papers with stories about her latest toyboys – usually an escort she’d paid to hang on her arm – but that wasn’t enough to keep the wolf from the door. She was in danger of being a washed-up has-been.

And that wasn’t even the worst of it. The thing was, her life felt so empty. There had been no one significant for a number of years, and she’d screwed up the one fleeting moment she might have had to get back with Bron. How she could have done that kiss and tell demolition with the
News of the Screws
, she couldn’t now tell. She still curled up in shame when she thought about it. No wonder he didn’t want anything to do with her, even though she’d read recently he’d split from his wife. Tati couldn’t blame him either. If Bron had done that to her, she’d never have wanted to see him again. But she’d been a different person then. Drink and drugs had a lot to answer for.

And now, here she was, middle-aged, fast losing her looks, with her career going down the pan. And so very, very alone.

Ant stretched and yawned. He was sitting on the ground, on top of a cliff, looking out at a calm and placid sea. It was very dark, the moon shining faintly through the mist, swirling clouds spreading their tendrils across the cliffs. What was he doing here? He had only vague memories of the evening so far. They’d come up to the Standing Stones and then … it was all a bit patchy. Though he had a feeling he’d been doing an awful lot of running; he was aching all over.

He looked around. Josie was asleep on the bench and suddenly it hit him square between the eyes, and he realised how blind he’d been. Holy crap. He felt like his heart was about to explode with happiness.
Josie
. Josie was what he’d been searching for his whole life. How could he not have seen that before? Beautiful, gorgeous Josie. It had always been her, from that very first moment in the uni bar. If she did but know it. But how could he have forgotten?

Next to him, he heard a groan, and a ‘Where the hell are we?’

Oh. Diana. He had a feeling they had been at odds this evening and somehow it was important – that he was supposed to have sorted something out. But he couldn’t remember.

‘On top of a cliff. Last thing I remember, I was talking to Freddie, and –’ he suppressed a yawn, ‘then I woke up here.’

‘Do you think this daft experience is over yet?’ said Diana. ‘I really want to go home.’

Harry stirred. Ant hadn’t clocked him next to Josie, and suddenly feelings of utter jealousy flooded over him. It was so unfair. Why did Harry – quiet, dull Harry – get someone as gorgeous as Josie? It was all wrong.

‘Hi, Josie,’ Harry said, a little shyly. ‘Are we okay now?’

Josie woke up and the smile on her face made Ant light up inside. But then she ruined it by flinging her arms around Harry and saying, ‘Oh babe. I was dreaming I’d lost you, and then I found you.’ Ant felt a knife twist in his heart.

Josie got up, a little flustered. First she’d flung her arms around Harry, thinking they were alone, and then she’d spotted Ant and Diana were there; and Ant seemed to be radiating negativity on a major scale – but why? Surely he was happy about Harry and Josie, wasn’t he? She vaguely remembered she and Harry had been arguing, and that Ant had been supportive, but now the evening’s squabbles seemed to have diminished from a major storm to a minor squall. Josie couldn’t work out what all the fuss had been about, why she’d got so angry. She and Harry could sort whatever it was out. They could do anything together. She was sure of that.

‘I think I’ve had enough of this nonsense,’ she said. ‘Let’s go home.’

‘Good idea,’ said Diana. She looked quite sad and lonely, and Josie felt for her friend. She hoped that Di didn’t resent her own good fortune. ‘I think I’ve had enough. Is this the way back?’ She got up and walked off in the wrong direction, till Josie called her back.