A Saviour

Six

The tour rapidly came to an end, and luckily they had returned to America about 10 days ago for the last of the gigs. Belle was slowly adjusting to being back on United States soil but Katie had a feeling that her little girl would miss all the attention she seemed to receive on a daily basis once they returned home late tonight.

Kate descended the steps to the plane with her daughter on her hip and her large handbag on her other shoulder. Belle was waving like mad to the group who had already disembarked and were congregated on the tarmac below. She was babbling away in her own little language, Katie was super proud of her daughter as she hadn't had much interaction with many people in her short life, but yet on the tour she seemed to thrive and even let the big security guys hold her at times. It was refreshing for the mother especially as she always felt guilty for the lack of people in her toddler's life. After the experience with her ex, she never let people get close to her again, she never wanted to be out of control like she felt for that horrific 5 years. "Well sweetness this is where we depart I'm afraid. Thanks for being our ultimate groupie." Johnny said ruffling the child's hair resulting in high pitched giggles. "Thank you so much, everyone, for all you've done. I seriously couldn't have done it without you all." Kate said to the group, everyone smiled and brushed it off before heading to their respective waiting vehicles. "And Johnny, seriously, thank you for this opportunity, I don't know how I'll ever repay you but I sincerely hope you know how grateful Belle and I are for your hospitality and for taking such good care of us." "Oh please it was no bother. Despite the rumours I am a nice man you know, a good guy. It was a pleasure." Kate tried to balance Belle as she reached to shake her client's hand. Johnny's eyebrows raised as he lent in and kissed both girls briefly on the cheek. "I'll see you when I'm back from France ok?" "Huh?" Kate asked confused. "At our meeting? Early September. Remember?" "Oh goodness of course. Sorry. Yes have a wonderful vacation. Belle say bye to Johnny."

The next evening, luckily was a weekend and Jessie had popped over to catch up with her best friend. They had just finished dinner and she was bouncing Belle on her knee whilst Katie cleared up.
"So you're telling me you're now just friends with Johnny Depp? You hang out together and fly on his private jet?"
"Jess, you know it was work related."
"Yeah I guess but how come I don't get clients like that? I'm just fussing with press releases."
"You'll get there.. besides I can't see you wanting to leave Carl for longer than a night can you?"
"I guess not."
"Well there you go. It was actually easier for me than I expected. Everyone was so nice and super friendly."
"That's good. I'm glad, you deserve a bit of the good life."
"Ha, thanks, I'm managing."
"Soooo there's a guy at Carl's work who's single and has been asking around if anyone is looking to date."
"Jessie..."
"What? It's been over two years now, your Prince Charming could be out there but you'll never know if you don't look."
"My main focus is Belle right now. Besides men who ask around if anyone is looking to date don't usually accept another man's child into the equation."
"The good guys do."
"Oh yeah and where are they? Next to the calorie free chocolate?"
"Very funny... so it's a no?"
"It's definitely a no I'm afraid."
"Ok but when you change your mind you better let me know Missy. We will paint the town red."
"Ha. Belle will be out painting the town before I ever feel ready I'm sure."

Johnny had spent a few nights at his beloved Sweetzer house decompressing from the tour and was now back on his way to the airfield to head to his French estate. It was his second home and he truly felt relaxed there, he couldn't wait to get back. His children would be there, Stephen and Gina and a few other friends over the course of the next few weeks and he was finally free of his ex wife for good. Things were looking up. Since the tour had ended he had a strange peculiar feeling, it was like he was missing a purpose, his days suddenly felt very long and empty, he put it down to the lack of structure, the routine that the tour had got him into over the past 6 weeks had quickly made an impact. It couldn't possibly be anything else could it?

Meanwhile, Katie was very much back to her day to day reality. 3 days in the office, one day working from home and one day off a week. Belle was not liking leaving her mother, the 6 weeks of being nigh on inseparable probably causing her the distress and this morning was extremely similar to recent ones. Belle cried and cried at the door to her playroom at the daycare centre. Her little chubby arms reaching up to her mother whilst she was conversing with the staff, and when that didn't get the attention Belle thought she deserved, her little sandal clad foot began to stomp. Kate smirked, even she could see how alike Belle was to her. She reminisced how her parents used to recall the sass Kate showed from a very young age. She had spunk but was still a very friendly caring little girl, and on more than one occasion got her way by talking her way in and out of things. The mother quickly bent down kissed her daughter's head and rushed out the building to her car before heading to the office.

"Ok so I want those press releases out ASAP. I want them to run in the UK press, those fuckers had more than enough to say when the allegations came out so let's hope they share the same enthusiasm for this news. Make the words fully donated bold too, sends a clear message." Katie said in her meeting later that morning. "Was there anything else?" She continued looking round the large table in one of the board rooms. "No? Ok good. Jessie, lunch?" The redhead nodded and the women headed out leaving the rest of the employees packing away their processions.

"Where do you fancy?" Jessie asked as they walked down the sidewalk from their office.
"No where special. I don't have long. I've got to get back, Belle has the paediatrician at 4:30. Her 18 month check up."
"Goodness. Time flies. I remember her getting her 12 week vaccinations!"
"I know! You're telling me. She's been super grouchy this week, I hope she gets over it soon."
"Terrible twos coming early?"
"God I hope not. I think she's just rather put out that she doesn't have me at her beck and call anymore."
"Well it was always gonna be strange going from seeing you every minute of every day to nothing... I didn't mean that how it sounded."
"No I know. It's so hard to know what's the right thing to do. Maybe I should take some money out of the trust and go settle somewhere more peaceful but that money was always set aside for the future you know? I like to think my parents would want me to put it towards a house or something when I'm ready. Not just because I wanna escape."
"Do you need the money?"
"No I'm doing ok.. I mean I'm not flush with cash but I'm ok."
"Wait then. Use it when you have a second child or something."
"A second? Pffft. I doubt that will happen. You kinda need a man in your life for that."
"Not necessarily." Jessie said giggling
"God no I'm not going down that route just yet. Maybe one day but wasn't it you last weekend who said that my Prince Charming might be out there? Excuse me if I haven't quite given up all hope just yet."

In France, Johnny was sat strumming his guitar in the early hours when his phone pinged.

Katie Baxter: Just to let you know the statements have ran confirming your donations. Anticipating a fairly positive response. Usual suspects will probably spin it but try not to think about that, the main thing is you donated your settlement which was a wonderful gesture - enjoy the rest of your vacation. KB

Hi! Good to hear from you doll. That's good to know. I appreciate your wonderful commitment to the cause. I'll not dwell on it knowing it's in your capable hands. Vacation going well. Do you plan to rest and relax anywhere this summer? I hope yourself and young Belle are doing well. Love and Respect, JD.

Thank you for your compliment, I'm just doing my job. Vacation? What's that? Haven't had one in years, won't have one for many more I should think! Belle is fine, she's missing her favourite rock band though. I'm well too. Thanks for asking, hope you are!

Awww that's sad to hear, we will have to organise a reunion for her when I'm back in Tinseltown. As for your serious lack of vacation, I wish you had said, there is more than enough room in my French village for two girls like you. Maybe next time? I'm well. Enjoying French life, good wine, good food and the company is ok... ha ha. JD x

I'll tell her to keep her diary free for a Vampires reunion! Oh don't be silly, I'll survive, there is plenty of people who haven't just travelled around Europe in a private jet. That was as good as a vacation. X