Chapter Eight

"Ah Mr Gahan" Rosie's dance teacher met them at the entrance to the dance school "You're here to watch Stella perform again how wonderful, is Mrs Gahan not with you today then?"

"No she's away on business Madame Laroche" he glanced at Callan who looked at him blankly and mouthed “Stella?”

"Rosie" he murmured against her ear "I'll explain in a minute" smiling he turned back to the older woman "So unfortunately she can't make it today"

"Such a shame she won't be able to see todays performance" she shot a sideways look of disapproval at Callan "But I see you've bought a little friend with you today instead."

"Yes sorry let me introduce you" he answered smoothly "Callan this is Stella's dance teacher Madame Laroche..... Madame Laroche this is a good friend of mine Callan Matthews."

"I see" she looked Callan up and down taking in her build "And do you dance Miss Matthews ?"

"I used to until a few years ago, Ballet and Jazz."

"Really I didn't know that" Dave answered looking at her surprised

"Yes I took lessons until I was 14."

"So many young girls give up by that age it's such a shame, they usually..” she looked pointedly at Callan “discover members of the opposite sex by then.”

"Please we mustn't keep you Madame" Dave interrupted placing his hands lightly on Callans shoulders "There must be other parents you need to talk to"

"Oh hmm yes you're right, well it so nice that you're here today for Stella and nice to meet you Miss Matthews"

"You too Madame Laroche."

"Ok honey?" Dave asked as they made their way into the dance room where the performance was being held

"I don't think Rosie's teacher liked me." she whispered

"Shush take no notice of her she's harmless and she's really fond of Jen that's all. This is us here" he stopped and checked the seat numbers on their programmes, lightly placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her to their seats.

"So explain to me about Rosie's name then?" she asked once they'd settled themselves into their seats.

"Theres not much to tell " Dave began nodding in recognition to the two parents who were taking their seats next to them "We named her Stella Rose when she was born"

"Aww that's a really pretty name," she smiled

"I think so too, then over the years we just came to call her Rosie instead, it's my pet name for her though obviously she's still called Stella at school and such."

"Oh I see, I have a cousin like that, her name's Theresa Ann but everyone calls her Anna."

"So you used to do ballet then ?"

"Yes it was one of the things my Mom wanted me to do so Dad made sure I went to dance classes 3 times a week. I was a grade 6 when I gave up."

"Wow you must be pretty good then, was your Dad disappointed when you told him you wanted to stop? I mean if it was something your Mom always wanted you to do."

"No, Dads always been happy to let me choose when I want to stop doing things, although they were the things my Mom wanted me to do she wouldn't have wanted me to carry on with them if I wasn't happy to, anyway he understood that I wanted to study engineering so much and that it became my priority."

"So do you still dance?"

"Sometimes I do, but I haven't done any ballet for a while now."

Dave glanced over to the far corner of the room where some of the parents had set up a refreshments table "Would you like a coffee Calli?"

"Mmm yes please."

"Ok I'll be two minutes." He got up from his seat and Callan watched as he made his way across the room collecting admiring glances from some of the Moms and giving them dazzling smiles in return as he passed by them.

"Dave Gahan you're just one big flirt aren't you?" she chuckled to herself as she watched his little show. Looking around her she suddenly realised that Dave wasn't the only one who was being scrutinized as she noticed some of the were parents looking at her too. Blushing she bowed her head she pretended to read the programme in her hand and failed to notice when Dave reappeared.

"Everything ok Calli?" he asked noticing her red cheeks.

"No I feel like some of the parents are watching me."

"They're just curious about you that's all?" he chuckled “They're just wondering who's keeping me company nowadays. Anyway” he grinned “It's not just the Moms who are interested in who you are you know you've been getting more than a few admiring glances off a lot of the guys in here too."

"Dave stop it" she blushed harder "Why would they be looking at me?"

"Well apart from the fact that they think you're beautiful.”

“But I'm not Dave.”

“You are Calli, and they're probably also thinking that I'm going to be getting to fuck you or something later."

"Dave" she hit his arm playfully "Stop it, God I hope they're not thinking that."

"Believe me I'm a guy, I know how our minds work, I'd be thinking exactly the same thing.."

Callan shook her head "What is it with men, why do you always have to think like that?"

“I don't know, I guess it's just how we're programmed."

He grinned and handed her her coffee. "Oh and I got these as well" he put his hand in his pocket pulled out two cookies and offered one to her.

"Dave do you ever stop eating?" she smiled shaking her head and declining his offer

"I just have a healthy appetite at the moment that's all" he laughed "Are you sure you don't want this?"

"No I'm still full from lunch, save it for Rosie she can have it after the recital."

"Ok if you're sure" he placed it back into his pocket before opening the cellophane and taking a bite from his own.


“Nervous?” Callan whispered a few minutes later as the lights lowered and the opening music of the recital began.”

“No Rosie's fine, she always really calm about these things.”

Callan smiled “I actually meant you”

“Me?” Dave turned and looked her

“Yes you, you keep fidgeting around and messing with your programme and..” she nodded down to her hand which he'd taken in his “You're going to stop the circulation to my fingers if you squeeze any harder.”

Dave followed her gaze and loosened his grip “Oh Calli sorry am I hurting you?”

“No it's ok.”

“I guess I am a little on edge then” he smiled nervously.

“She'll be fine.” reassuringly she squeezed his hand.

Transfixed she lost herself in the performance watching as the dancers twirled and spun across the stage when suddenly she felt Dave's body stiffen slightly, his hand found hers and he began to squeeze her fingers again.

“Where is she?.” she whispered

“3rd one along.”

“Oh Dave she's adorable.”

“I know”

They sat in silence watching as Rosie's group danced their routine, Dave squeezing her hand progressively harder as they watched Rosie dance until she thought he was going to break something, the pressure released slowly as they came to the end of the routine and left the stage.

“Dave she was wonderful” Callan whispered

“Wasn't she just” he answered proudly his voice wobbling slightly as he swallowed hard.

Dave held on to her hand for the rest of the performance only letting go to applaud as the dancers came on again at the very end.

“So what did you think?” he asked as the final curtain went down and the main lights went back up.

“It was lovely Dave I really enjoyed it,”

“See I told you you would”

“I'm so glad I came now, it must have been really special to watch her dancing like that.”

“It was Calli it was. Just wait until you it's your little girl up there on stage.”

“Somehow I can't ever see that happening

“No?” Dave looked at her “You don't want children then?”

“I've never really thought about it, perhaps one day maybe, but to be honest the thought of being a Mother scares the shit out of me.”

“Why honey?”

“You know having to be so responsible for the needs of a baby, watching them grow up knowing everything you do has an effect on their life, everything you do to them makes them into the person they become, I'd be so scared that somehow I'd fuck up with them and hurt them somehow.”

“Baby everyone has those doubt they're only natural.” he gave her a reassuring hug.

“I guess so, well that's all way way in the future for now, I've got plenty of time before I even have to think about whether I want kids or not.”

“For the record I think you'll make a great Mom” he paused and glanced across the room “I'm sorry Calli I just need to speak to Mollies parents will you be alright on your own for a few minutes?”

“Of course I will” she smiled

“Ok” quickly he placed a kiss on her cheek “I'll be right back.”

Feeling self concious about being the only person now still seated she got up and made her way to the main doors to wait for him there. As she began reading the posters advertising forthcoming productions and various dance classes and times a sudden feeling of being watched washed over her and she turned around to find herself under scrutiny by some of the mothers waiting on the other side of the doorway, blushing hard she turned away and tried hard not to listen to the whispering which was aimed at her.

“Far too young for him....”

“Yeah she's got to be a gold digger only interested in his money”

“I know let's face it, why would someone as young as her be interested in someone his age.”


“Mealy mouthed jealous bitches everyone of them”

Callan jumped and turned to the sound of the voice behind her. “Sorry?”

“I said bitches, don't you take any notice of them honey.”

She looked at the tall slender woman in front of her who smiled “Oh right.”

“Callan isn't it?”

“Yes” she replied guardedly

“Nice to meet you,” she held out her hand “I'm Mollies Mom, Claudine.”

“Nice to meet you too.” she took hold of Claudine's hand who shook hers warmly. She glanced over to the group of women who were now watching the two of them closely.

“It's ok I haven't come over to check you out and don't let them bother you sweetie they're just not worth it.” She shot them a hard stare causing them too look away and continue their gossiping then smiled as she saw Callan glance over towards Dave.

“Oh they'll be ages yet” she grinned at Callan rolling her eyes “When they get together they talk forever” she gave a low chuckle “And they say women like to gossip, relax” she lightly placed her hand on Callans as Callan glanced over at the group of women again. “They're just jealous that you're here with Dave.”

“So they're not friends of Jennifer's?”

“Oh God no, see the dark haired one in the blue dress” she leaned in closer “Well that's Amanda, she's been trying to get her claws into Dave for months, really thinks she's got a chance now him and Jen have split. The bleached blonde one well she's always looking for a new rich Daddy for her daughter if you know what I mean? She's been through three husbands already.... and as for the other one, Marie well she also sees herself as the next Mrs Gahan.”

“But I'm not his girlfriend or anything we're just friends”

“I know that, Dave's told us about you, I was watching the two of you during the performance, I can see you're close but not in that way, they'll have just seen the two of you holding hands and whispering and jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

Callan shook her head “Poor Dave, I guess that's what he meant when he was telling me about the drawbacks of being famous and the way people act around him.”

“One of the unfortunate things yes but something you learn to take in your stride, although someone like Dave is always going to attract the attention he does even if he wasn't famous.”

“I guess so, I saw how some of them Mom's were with him earlier, you know the way they watched him and the looks they gave him.”

“Yes our David has something very charming about him.”

“I'd hate to be the centre of attention like that though, I'd hate people watching me like that,” she glanced behind her and frowned. “It's bad enough just having a couple of people talking about you never mind the press and fans and so.”

“Yes it's hard but it does have it's good sides though sometimes.”

“Yes Dave did say that” she looked over at Dave and a sad smile came to her lips “But he told me how awful the bad sides are too.”

Claudine followed her gaze “You really like him don't you and he's really fond of you too.”

“Yeah he's really nice and he's been so good about helping me out, I'd like to think that we're going to be really good friends.”

“Good, I'm glad, that's what he needs at the moment, good friends around him, I know the divorce and custody stuff is hitting him harder than he admits even to himself, not that he'd ever say anything to us.” She smiled as she noticed Callan relax completely as the group behind moved away from them taking their bitchy comments with them. “I know it's hard but don't let people like them bother you.”

“I know I shouldn't have let them get to me, but I just felt really uncomfortable hearing the things they were saying, I don't want anything from Dave you know, I'm not a gold digger like they said I was.”

“I know, listen I'm a pretty good judge of character, they see Dave with a pretty young girl and just jump to the wrong conclusions because they're jealous, on the other hand I've been looking past that, I've taken the time to talk to you, I can see what you're like.”

Callan smiled “So you were checking me out then?”

“No...well ok maybe a little, I just wanted to make sure Dave was getting himself into anything he shouldn't that's all. Although I do have an ulterior motive for giving you the once over” she smiled apologetically.

“What?” once again Callan's guard came up and she glanced across at Dave.

“It's nothing untoward” Claudine smiled at her warmly “But.. I'd like you to do a photo shoot with Dave for me.”

“What help out and stuff? Callan looked at her confused “Don't you have people who do that kind of thing?”

“No” Claudine laughed shaking her head “You know how Dave has modeled for Lindeberg in the past?”

“I... I.. No he hasn't mentioned it.” Callan manged to cover herself not wanting Claudine to know how she'd done a little research on Dave that day in the studio.

“Yes a couple of years ago he did a shoot for Lindeberg and I've managed to talk him into doing another advertising campaign for them but I want you to model alongside him.”

“Me!! but Claudine I'm not a model.”

“Maybe not but you are exactly what we're looking for.”

“But aren't models supposed be pretty and about 6 feet tall and skinny.”

“Maybe, but to be honest with you I've not been impressed with the girls the agency have sent to our castings so far, none of them have been what we've asked for, you on the other hand, well you've got the type of look we want, plus like I said I was watching you and Dave together and you've got a spark between you that we're not going to get with a model.”

“I couldn't do it Claudine, I couldn't stand there and pose, infact I hate having my photo taken they always come out awful.” self consciously she smoothed her shirt down over her skinny jeans

“Oh like yeah because you're so so ugly right.” Claudine laughed watching her. “Callan you're really pretty and look at you you've got a fantastic figure, what are you a size 4/6?”

“God no I'm a 10 I think.”

“No I'm talking US sizing honey not UK. Yeah you're somewhere between there.”

“I still couldn't model though I'm in no way good enough to do that.”

“Callan don't underestimate yourself, you'd be perfect and your looks complement Dave's so well.”

“I still couldn't do it though, I'm sorry but the answer is no.”

“Think about it then at least” she reached into her bag and pulled out a business card and pen, “My office and mobile number are here on the front,” she turned it over and wrote quickly on the back “And this is my personal mobile. If you do change your mind then let me know.” she smiled at her again “And I hope you will, I think you'd work really well with Dave and believe me you'd look so good together.”

“Ok ladies? ” Claudine jumped slightly as her tall husband wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek.

“Yes I was just getting to know Callan.” she turned to her husband “Gary meet Callan, Callan my husband Gary.”

“Pleased to meet you Gary” Callan held out her hand

“You too, Dave's told me so much about you.” he took her hand before leaning in and kissing her on the cheek

“Oh” she looked up and blushed “nothing bad I hope.”

“No only good” he smiled across at Claudine “Darling I can hear Mollies voice somewhere out there, I think we should go.”

He turned and embraced Callan again before shaking hands with Dave and winking at him “We'll see you both again soon I hope.”

“Callan think about what I said” Claudine whispered as she hugged her hard and kissed her cheek

“I'll think about it but I'm not making any promises”

“Good that's all I want to hear, bye ”


“Everything ok Honey?” Dave asked placing his hands on Callans shoulders and kissing the top of her head

“Yes I'm fine, and Claudine seems really nice” she answered looking up at him and smiling


“What are you up to?” Gary whispered to Claudine as she paused at the doorway took out her mobile phone form her pocket and took some photos of Callan and Dave standing together in quick succession.

“Nothing just a little business.” she smiled.

Next chapter

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