Page 23 of Any Kind of Life
“Fucking hell. All fans do that with celebrities. It’s fucking weird if I’m being honest. You know, Edie was showing me something the other day. It was an American couple with their kid. The wife is really famous in the States, and she plays a lesbian in a TV series. A fan had only gone and photoshopped the TV love interest’s face onto the husband and made it look like they were a couple in real life with a kid. That’s…not normal.”
“Yeah, that’s…” Juliet ran a hand through her hair, sighing. “I just didn’t expect it, you know?”
“No, I know. But I wouldn’t worry about it. You know what footage and stuff can be like. It can be taken out of context.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Soraya certainly looked like she knew what she was doing. Having a fine old time with her arse against my girlfriend’s crotch.”
“Juliet…”
“Oh, come on. You’re telling me that if someone had footage of Caz in the same position, you wouldn’t be a little bit pissed off about it?”
Hannah fell silent.
“I thought as much.” Juliet scoffed. “I think I might pay a little visit to the venue tonight.”
“It’s…sold out. All the remaining dates are.”
Juliet didn’t care about that. Paige would get her in somehow. “If Paige can’t get me in, I’ll do something I swore I’d never do…and pick a ticket up from a resale site.”
“Well, it’s good to know you’ve got money to burn.” Hannah sighed. “Look, I hate to end this, but I should get ready for work.”
“I know. And I’m sorry for calling so early. Say hi to Caz and Edie for me, okay?”
“I will. Maybe you could come round tonight and have dinner with us. You know, keep you occupied?”
“I’d love to, but I have a trip to Leeds to plan.” Juliet brought up a ticket resale site, reaching for her purse next to her coffee on the side table.
“Y-you’re really going there?”
“If I can get a ticket, sure. I was hoping I’d get the chance to surprise Paige, so why not do that tonight?”
“Because…I think you’re going there for different reasons,” Hannah said. “And I know I’ve known you longer, but Paige really isn’t the kind of person to be doing something she shouldn’t be.”
Juliet’s brows rose at that. “I haven’t implied that she would do something she shouldn’t be. That doesn’t mean I can’t make sure Soraya knows I’m around. I mean, do the fans even know that Paige is already involved? Does Soraya? Paige is a private person, and rightfully so, but I’d like to make sure everyone is on the same page.”
“Just…don’t do anything stupid, okay? Be there to support your girlfriend, and don’t turn up looking like the jealous one.”
Was Juliet jealous? In some way, yes. Because another woman had all of Paige’s time and attention. And for what? Because Juliet hadn’t given herself a few days off to travel with Paige? She always should have made sure she was available. Paige had asked her on numerous occasions to be at the shows with her. It was time to do that. “I have nothing to prove to anyone. I’m visiting Paige, and that’s that.”
“Okay. Well, call me tomorrow and let me know how amazing the show was.”
Juliet’s skin prickled. Tonight, she would finally see Paige performing live. “God, I can’t wait. I should have done this on the first night.”
“Just enjoy it. It’s not every day someone gets to watch the woman they love perform in front of thousands of people.”
“I know. And thanks, Hannah. I appreciate you picking up my call.”
“Any time. I’ll talk to you soon. Bye, Juliet.”
Juliet lowered her phone and started her search for a ticket. One way or another, she would be in that crowd tonight, cheering Paige on. “I’m coming for you, baby.”
Paige lowered her sunglasses over her eyes, still squinting as the brightness refused to budge. God, she hadn’t realised how much she’d drank last night, but she knew she wouldn’t be doing that ever again. There were several reasons she didn’t ply herself with alcohol, and the hangover the following day was at the top of that list.
Closely followed by the fact it had killed her mother.
She strode across the foyer of the hotel, smiling in the direction of Soraya and her band. Right now, she just wanted food and to hear Juliet’s voice. She had tried calling before leaving the hotel room, but Juliet was probably up to her eyeballs in dust and exposed bricks. Even though she had told her to stay away from The Hideout. It was nothing more than a building site right now. She opened her phone and sent off a quick message.
I tried calling but I must have missed you before you left home. I’m getting some lunch and then I have a soundcheck at 3. I need to hear your voice before I go on stage tonight. Please call me when you’re free. I love you x