Free Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) by Unknown Page B

would still be alive. In the back of her mind Zach lurked, waking her from sleep with an aroused itch that even her vibrator would not lay to rest.
     
    It was only a week to the wedding and surprisingly everything seemed to be organised. I had dragged Charlotte back to the bridal shop and with our dresses fully fitted we were ready. Sarah had been back up for a dress shopping trip and Chris had come too. Partly to cheer James up but also to get his suit fitted as he was to be the best man. We had decided not to have stag and hen nights so instead a close family and friends meal was organised for the weekend before.
     
    In our room I stood in front of the wardrobe looking through my dresses for the evening meal. A hand on my back surprised me and I turned to see James.
    “Wear the pink one you wore in the hotel on our first date back together” he breathed. His lips bent to start a trail from my shoulder blade to my lips.
    “Ok, as long as you wear the purple shirt”
    “Deal” he said, before our kisses silenced us. He had tried his best over the last few weeks to move on, but his eyes betrayed him. A shadow of pain still lingered there and until he was able to contact this file hacker friend of Simon's he could not fully move on.
     
    Across the landing Charlotte sat in confusion, her laptop screen on. She read the email again from Arlene Phillips.
     
    “Charlotte,
    I would personally like to invite you to audition for the part of Francis Houseman (Baby) in the stage production of Dirty Dancing. This will take place on the 21st February in London. The studio address and directions are listed on the attachment. I hope this gets to you as I did send the same email a week ago to Mitchell but have had no reply. I look forward to your confirmation shortly.
    Kind Regards
    Arlene“
     
    Wiping the tears away once more she held her fingers poised on the reply button. Part of her wanted to just ignore it, delete the message and wipe away the pain that dancing without Mitchell would cause. The other part of her knew that he would want her to carry on, to dance in his memory.
    “Arlene, thank you for the invitation I would love to attend. Mitchell is dead” sh e paused , she hated that word it was so final. Deleting it she re-wrote
    “Mitchell is missing presumed dea d it’ s a long story but I need to come to try and appease my guilt over it all. I have slightly lost my will to dance but I know he would want me to continue.
    Kind Regards
    Charlotte“
     
    Tears splattered on the keyboard as she pressed send and realised that she needed to get dressed ready for the meal. She stood up and looked through her clothes and pulled out the black dirty dancing style dress. Pulling it on she was shocked to find it gaping at the sides and loose at the waist. It looked awful so she found her padded bra and her tight silver belt which made it look better. Around her neck still hung the heart necklace and with a bit of make-up she looked ok. Her silver cardigan hid her thin arms from view. Slipping into her shoes she glanced at the picture on her bedside table, a happy moment in London.
     
    I knocked on the door
    “Charli e ar e you ready the taxi is here”
    “Yes Mum”
    The door opened and my daughter smiled weakly at me.
    “Are you ok”
    She nodded and rushed into my arms, her body shaking with sobs.
    “Don't cry, please don't cry” I murmured into her hair, my own tears threatening to break free at any moment.
    “So....sorry...Mum” she gulped out “Perhaps it would be best if I stay home tonight”
    “No I need yo u there , everyone wants you to be there”
    She nodded as I untangled her arms.
    “Go re-do your face and we'll see you downstairs” I said. She paused in the doorway and I looked into her eyes
    “I can't fix this, only time will and even then you will always feel that splinter in your heart”
     
    In the hallway Sarah and Chris were waiting, along with Darren and Sophie, Pam and Peter and