My mind was a million miles away from the Jazz basement. I could hear the jazz, in the distance, and knew the girls from the office would be dancing away, my mates trying to get in on the action. But I didn't want that anymore, chasing girls all night long, resulting in turning up at the flat with nothing but half eaten kebabs. I wanted something new. There was one girl who I had seen in the dark of the club, and I thought I knew from somewhere.
Cat Deeley sat in the booth, twiddling her long hair through her fingers. The famous and beautiful British TV presenter was back in her home city of Birmingham to do a special show from the Carlton studios. She loved London, but this was her town, and this had been one of haunts before she made the top ratings. Now, thanks to all the shows, including Stars in Your Eyes, she was famous, and with that came the problem of being seen and recognised.
Now, in Birmingham, she was still able to go from the hotel and across the road to the Jazz basement. But in spite of her being able to hide her identity a little, a girl can only do so much dancing in those heels, she thought to herself. If she was honest with herself, she was bored. Reaching for her purse, she stood up and approached the bar. The barman, at this late (early) time, greeted her with a warm voice. She gave him her order, handed over the change she had left. She cast her eye to her right. He looked good, baggy jeans, dark shirt. Older, a bit out of place in this place. Unshaven. Probably out of his face on something, the way he stared hopelessly into the mirrored wall of the bar. She looked away. Took a sip of her gin and tonic.
I took a deep breath, slowly coming back to the reality that was my life. I now recognised her at once, that tall thin frame, and that slight smile which turned up. Cat Deeley, the most gorgeous girl on TV. She looked graceful, and I'd noticed her dancing with some friends earlier, now, guessing they were just media friends, but then they had left.
No one who recognised her dared to go to her, and this was really pissing her off. The silk of her skirt looked as silky as her skin. I considered the obvious rejection for a minute but then I thought, Ah, why not? She wondered what was on his mind; his brown eyes now looked to be back on planet Earth. She saw him looking at her.
"So uh, what'd you think of the music?"
Damn, she thought how unoriginal, he was well spoken and interested though. At least he hadn't said 'You're Cat Deeley', as if she needed to be reminded.
"Yeah, it's alright. Some good moody tracks"
"Yeah, I saw you earlier dancing with your friends"
"They were from the studio" she said "I'd like him to play something a bit more heavier" she said, gesturing towards the DJ, "but he only plays what he knows the 'crowd' will love"
"Yep, same every week, I'm getting bored of it, you know? Same old, same old"
We both took a sip of our drinks, simultaneously. She thought of what to say next, nothing came to mind.
"I'm leaving this place," I said, already on my feet. Knowing that my meeting with her was running its course. I finished off what was left in the glass.
"Me too!" she said, immediately.
I was stunned, but, hey, what the heck, when the best girl in England follows, do you argue? She saw the surprise in my face.
"I can't go anywhere on my own, someone will see me. It's so boring!"
It was clear to me that she was alone and even lonely, and so we entered the damp street. A few minutes of walking, I offered her my leather jacket I'd grabbed as we left the heat of the club. She smiled as I slid it over her slender arms.
Cat couldn't hide her obvious liking of him. She giggled.
I grabbed her by the arms, giggled back. We stood in a door way of a closed shop, the wind hurling through the shutters of the window. I felt her warm breath on my face, as a drop of rain fell down the bridge of my nose. "You are the most beautiful girl on TV" I said and regretted it immediately. I had blown it. Another old fan she will think. But she turned and looked at me and smiled. "You think so, some friends tell me I'm out, and its now Fearn Cotton." "Fearn Cotton!" I replied, "She's just a bleached bimbo. You are a stunner"