Idol. Carrie Duffy

it.’

      ‘I guess it could be pretty awesome,’ Ryan suggested hesitantly. The bass player of the group, he was easily the quietest and enjoyed a much lower public profile than the rest of the band – which was exactly the way he wanted it. Fiercely private when it came to his home life, he’d married his childhood sweetheart three years ago, and already they’d produced two children. With his cropped brown hair, cute face and casual dress sense, he looked like the ultimate boy next door.

      ‘Zac? What about you?’ Clive asked in exasperation.

      Zac said nothing, pressing his lips together in stony silence. It seemed clear he wasn’t in favour.

      Clive looked smugly at Nick. ‘I can tell you one thing for nothing: this will never happen. I know Gerry King, and I know how he works. He’s setting up this girl as a serious solo artist – a major player, in it for the long haul. He doesn’t have time for her to be dabbling in some side project, and there’s no way in hell he’ll agree to this.’

      Jenna’s gaze flicked quickly round the room as she peeped out from under her perfectly mascara-ed, impossibly long lashes. Her smile was unfaltering and effortlessly dazzling, expertly hiding her nerves as she took in the swathe of journalists packed into a function room at the Sanderson Hotel in central London. There must have been about 200 easily, Jenna thought with a pang of trepidation, taking a sip of water to clear her throat as Clive Goldman expertly fielded questions from the assembled press pack.

      Performing for the cameras was Jenna’s natural arena, and she loved it, but she had to admit to feeling an uncomfortable squirming in her stomach. She was anxious for this collaboration to get off to the best possible start and knew that positive press coverage was vital. She just hoped she didn’t do anything to mess it up before they’d even got started.

      Intent on charming the reporters, Jenna shifted slightly in her seat to what she felt must be a more flattering angle. She looked immaculate as always; her white Dolce & Gabbana jeans clung to the curved lines of her perfect rear, her long legs tapering down into dazzling jade-green heels. A brightly coloured Marc Jacobs halterneck completed the look, and showed off her toned, tanned arms and back. It was a young, fresh and funky image. Large gold hoops jangled at her ears as she shook her head slightly, throwing out her hair behind her and relaxing into the seat she had chosen between Nick Taylor and Zac Knight at the press conference table.

      ‘Philip White, BBC. Are there any plans for you all to tour together?’

      ‘They might be sick of the sight of me by the time we’ve finished recording,’ Jenna quipped. There was raucous laughter from the male journos in the room, who couldn’t see how anyone could get tired of looking at Jenna. Most of them had enjoyed a private moment with Jenna’s image locked in their head.

      Zac smiled politely, and added, ‘Seriously, though, it’s a long way off and none of us can say what we’ll be doing after this. We’ve all got crazy schedules. And, of course, it depends on the reaction to the music …’

      ‘But we’d love to do it, though,’ cut in Nick eagerly. His shirt was unbuttoned, showing a smattering of dark blond hair, and he was wearing his trademark sunglasses. ‘It’s just a question – like Zac says – a question of time. But Phoenix are definitely impatient to get out there and tour again, and Jenna’d certainly be a welcome addition.’

      ‘Katia Giacomo, E! News. Why have you made the decision to record in London?’

      ‘What can I say? We’d go anywhere to work with Jenna,’ Nick grinned, as he threw his arm around her, his hand squeezing her shoulder. Jenna’s stomach flip-flopped with excitement. She tried to play it cool, hoping the cameras wouldn’t pick up on it.

      ‘It’s a great city,’ Ryan added. ‘We’re looking forward to spending time here.’

      ‘So you’re planning to relocate?’

      Ryan nodded. ‘I’m renting a house so my family can come over. The kids are young, so I don’t want to be away from them for too long – you miss so many important moments …’ He trailed off, sounding almost wistful. ‘But I don’t want to speak for the other guys.’ He looked over to Zac and Nick, but it was Clive that intercepted.

      ‘I’d prefer not to go into details of where the band are staying – we don’t want to cause a riot,’ he grinned sourly, taking a sip of his water. The heat in the room was getting to him. He was sweating lightly, and he loosened his collar.

      A young guy in a cheap suit held up his hand. ‘Zac, I understand Amber’s working in London at the moment. Will this give you a chance to see each other more?’

      Zac looked at the guy as if he was a moron. His hatred of the press was legendary. ‘Yes,’ he replied shortly.

      There were discreet chuckles from the other reporters. Jenna tried to keep her face neutral at the mention of Amber. She’d met her twice and she didn’t like her.

      Clive quickly interrupted. ‘Come on guys, let’s move it along here. Yes?’ He pointed to a woman in the second row.

      ‘Julia Page, Sky News. How do you think Josh Starr will react to the news that you’re to work with Jenna?’

      Zac glanced nervously at his manager, who nodded almost imperceptibly.

      ‘I don’t really know what Josh would think,’ he began slowly. ‘He’s made his decision, and we wish him all the best.’

      ‘But is there any bitterness there?’ the reporter pressed. ‘Or has it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as you now have the chance to work with Jenna?’

      A flicker of worry crossed Zac’s brow.

      Clive leant forward towards his microphone. ‘Sorry, we’re running really short of time. We’ll just take one last question. Bob, yes?’

      The CNN reporter jumped to his feet as Julia Page sat back in disappointment.

      ‘This is a question for Jenna,’ Bob Williams drawled, a sly grin flashing across his features. ‘You’ve long expressed your admiration for Phoenix – Nick Taylor in particular,’ he added, as the other reporters sniggered.

      Jenna could feel her cheeks burning, remembering how she’d cited Nick as her ideal man in countless interviews.

      ‘I was wondering if you’re still of that opinion, now that you’ve met him?’

      Jenna laughed brightly to hide her embarrassment, her smile lighting up her face. The press were gunning for a sniff of romance between Jenna and Nick – and Jenna was pretty keen on the idea herself.

      ‘I’ve found all the members of Phoenix to be extremely generous, welcoming and phenomenally talented,’ she began carefully. ‘I’m looking forward to forming an exciting and stimulating relationship with them – strictly professional of course,’ she added quickly, looking up coyly from underneath her lashes at a grinning Nick Taylor.

      4

      It was a glorious spring afternoon in the City. Shafts of sunlight filtered between the tall, grey office blocks and reflected off the stark, glass, ultra-modern buildings that had sprung up all over the City in recent years. The harassed-looking workers had shed their jackets and were striding through the streets in shirt-sleeves, their eyes hidden by black Ray-Bans. Parks, squares and even churchyards had been colonized by staff on their lunch break, looking to make the most of the unseasonably good weather. The hot sun was making everyone feel sexy, and Sadie was loving the vibe.

      She was strolling along Bishopsgate with Carla and pretending not to notice the appreciative looks she was getting. Every man that passed checked her out, and Sadie was revelling in the attention. She’d just been to the lunchtime Pilates class that Carla ran at the City Works gym, and was bathed in a post-workout glow. Although she wasn’t wearing a scrap of make-up, her skin was flawless and her cheeks were flushed and healthy. Her supple, toned limbs were evident through the fitted sweat pants and T-shirt she was wearing. She