The Power Trip

plucked from the chorus line to feed Suga’s enormous ego.

Jeromy was angry. And bitter. And filled with envy that only the stars who’d been on the cruise were getting the headlines.

He was the one who’d been shot. Yet it seemed that nobody cared.

Except Lanita and Sydney Luttman, who’d come to the hospital to visit him. They’d wanted to hear everything.

Jeromy had obliged as best he could, digging up whatever salacious details came to mind.

The Luttmans arranged to meet up with him in London, where they’d decided to buy a townhouse.

‘You’ll be in charge of everything,’ Lanita had informed him, waving a diamond-encrusted wrist in the air. ‘Sydney pisses money. Spend whatever it takes.’

Jeromy knew he was capable of doing exactly that.

Two weeks later, Sydney Luttman was felled on the tennis court by a massive heart attack. He died instantly.

A few weeks later, Lanita arrived in London, and Jeromy soon found himself spending more and more time with her. She found him to be the perfect walker, and sometime sex partner when she was up for an orgy or two. Lanita was going ahead with her townhouse, and was ready to spend an outrageous amount of money.

One day she’d sat herself down in Jeromy’s showroom, given him a long penetrating look then made him a proposition he couldn’t refuse.

Well, he could’ve. But who would?

Lanita was super-rich.

Lanita was a sex freak.

Lanita was generous.

Lanita wanted a husband by her side, and Jeromy was the man she had in mind.

‘You do understand that I’m gay?’ Jeromy said.

‘Honey, gay — schmay — we can work it out.’

And so, with a meticulously put-together financial agreement, Jeromy became Mr Lanita Luttman. A role he was most suited to.

* * *

Dateline: Miami

‘We should have another baby,’ Luca announced.

The Bianca debacle was long past. Jeromy was history. And recently he’d persuaded Suga to sell her Miami mansion and move into his. Luca junior was thrilled to see his parents back together,

‘I’m too old, carino,’ Suga responded, stroking his cheek. ‘Besides, you and I — our making-love days are over.’

‘That’s not what I was thinking,’ Luca said. ‘I was thinking adoption.’

‘You were?’ Suga said, noting how much more relaxed and happy Luca was since he’d finally gotten rid of Jeromy. Recently he’d been seeing a young man nearer his own age. Their partnership was a much better fit. And the best news of all was that Suga and he actually got along.

‘Imagine what a blast it would be to have a baby in the house again,’ Luca said, full of enthusiasm. ‘A little girl. A little Suga.’

‘If it’s what you want, then let’s do it.’

‘Should we ask Luca junior what he thinks?’

‘Perhaps, or we could surprise him.’

‘Then tomorrow I’ll speak with my lawyer and set everything in motion.’

They smiled at each other, comfortable in a relationship that suited both of them.

Luca was happy to welcome Suga back into his life.

Suga brought the sunshine, and after Jeromy, that was exactly what he needed.

* * *

Dateline: London

‘Wolf’s a right talented bugger,’ Taye said, walking in from the garden with his six-years-old son balanced precariously on his shoulders. ‘One of these days this little bastard’s gonna outdo me on the football field.’

Father and son were both in their football gear, both grinning at Ashley, identical grins which gave her a shiver of pleasure.

Kids. Wasn’t that what life was all about? Raising them. Teaching them. Nurturing them.

Ever since their trip on The Bianca, Ashley had changed her outlook on life. She’d resigned from Jeromy’s design firm, then shortly after that she’d fired her children’s nanny.

‘All I want is to spend time with our family,’ she’d informed a delighted Taye.

‘If it’s what makes you happy, toots, then I’m all for it,’ he’d said.

Ashley was happy. Happier than she’d ever been.

Aimee came running in wearing a pink tutu, Grandma Elise — or as she preferred to be known, Moo-Moo — behind her.

‘I’m not staying,’ Elsie said, winking saucily at Taye. ‘I’m having dinner with a very fine gentleman I met on an Internet dating site.’

‘Get you,’ Taye said, raising a sceptical eyebrow. ‘You’d better be sure to keep your knickers on!’

‘Oh, you are awful,’ Elise responded with a coy giggle. ‘And in front of the children too!’

‘Bye, Mum,’ Ashley said, kissing her on the cheek. ‘See you tomorrow.’

‘Yeah, that’s if she’s still alive,’ Taye joked. ‘You never know about geezers you pick up on the Internet. Could be a serial killer.’

‘Is Moo-Moo gonna die?’ Wolf piped up.

‘Of course not,’ Ashley said, frowning at Taye.

‘Don’t want Moo-Moo to die,’ Aimee whined.

‘See what you’re done?’ Ashley said, shaking her head.

‘They know I’m only teasing,’ Taye said, laughing as he released Wolf from his shoulders.

‘Go and watch CBeebies, kids,’ Ashley said crisply. ‘Special treat.’

Aimee and Wolf raced off.

‘What about me?’ Taye asked, moving close and nuzzling his wife’s neck. ‘Don’t I get a special treat?’

Ashley smiled. A warm smile. A loving smile.

‘As a matter of fact, you do,’ she said softly.

‘What?’ Taye asked, seizing the moment. ‘Do we get to go upstairs for a cuddle? C’mon, toots, that’d be a very special treat.’

‘Even better,’ Ashley whispered, still smiling. ‘Guess what?’

‘What?’

She took a long deep breath. ‘We’re pregnant,’ she announced.

Taye’s whoop of joy could be heard for miles.

* * *

Dateline: Los Angeles

The Golden Globes. A true Hollywood night.

Cliff Baxter. A true Hollywood movie star. A true-life hero too. Handsome, charming, a fine actor and extremely popular.

Cliff Baxter.

An unmarried man.

The press loved him. The hostesses of all the popular entertainment shows creamed their thongs over him. He was their Cliff. His long list of girlfriends were merely along for the ride. And hopefully not too long a ride.

Until Lori.

Lori with the spectacular mane of red hair, racehorse legs and athletic body.