A Rock & Roll Romance

Chapter Fifty Seven

"Well I think it's outrageous that I wasn't included in any of this. Sheryl, how long have you known about it?" The Godard mother known as Sharon said. Sheryl opened her mouth to answer before Sharon cut her off. "Of course Meghan has always been closer to you, I've never known why. It's not like you're alike!" Sharon cackled as Poppy's, Alice's, and Dan's eyebrows all furrowed, Meg and her aunt were incredibly similar in every way. "She's my baby... I should have been here." "Yeah well you weren't MOM ok?" Poppy said as Meg approached the table slowly. "Mom?" She said smiling. "Darling... it's so good to see you!!" She offered her cheek expecting Meg to kiss it, but didn't move to hug her daughter. "It's good to see you too Mom. What's it been? Well Over a year?" Meg replied coldly. "And it was so nice of you to bring Ian. He REALLY looks like he's enjoying himself." Meg nudged her head towards her step father who was leaning against the bar ignoring everyone sipping a large whiskey. "Well he doesn't like me to travel on my own. He's such a love like that." "Or a control freak." Poppy smirked. "And Polly... look at you! How are you holding up?" "Excuse me?" Polly asked concerned from where she was stood behind a seated Dan. "Well with pregnancy. You're glowing." Dan's eyes widened as did his wife's. "I'm not pregnant.." Polly mumbled embarrassed and the usually confident woman wrapped her arms around her middle. "MOM.. would you please just.." Poppy said lowering her hands silencing her mother. "This is about Meg. Not you." "Well I'd have known that if I had received a formal invitation wouldn't I?" The mother said coldly. "Right. That's it.. how about I go get some more drinks?" Alice said not standing for anymore nonsense. "But Alice darling, you don't drink?" Sharon said casually. Meg rolled her eyes and slowly took the now vacant seat. "So how long are you staying?" She asked her mother who had still failed to wish her a happy birthday.

"Good god, she's hard work." Alice said mumbling into his almost empty glass of soda. "She seems like a right witch." Tommy smirked. "She is. But don't let my wife hear you say that. Family is family." Alice said ordering a large wine for his two nieces and a large whiskey for his nephew. He thought they needed it. "And umm how's Meg taking it?" Johnny said nervously. "She's ok.. come on back with me. I think she needs you and besides you look like a spare part just stood here staring." Alice smirked.

As Alice and Johnny approached they could hear Sharon talking loudly once more "And where's Alex? He's probably nipped off to get his dear mother in law a bite to eat or something hasn't he? He's always been such a love." Sharon said fanning herself with a birthday card that remained in its envelope from the table making Megan's eyes widened. "Alex isn't here Mom." Poppy said growing frustrated. "Why? Is he out of town on business?" "Mom! For fuck sake. Alex is gone. Meg no longer is with him and I for one am fucking pleased about it, so shall we change the subject given that it's Meg's birthday and you're late, and let me guess haven't bought her a gift?" Dan said losing his cool. Sharon's eyes widened. "Sorry.. I forgot." She said completely nonchalantly. "Oh Alice.. you're a love. Is it a good white?" Sharon said holding out her hand expecting the glass of wine. Alice walked straight past and handed his two nieces the glasses he was carrying before Johnny handed the whiskey to Dan. "Oh no sorry Sharon. These are for them, you know the children you abandon on a regular basis, it's just I care for them as if they were my own for most of the year whilst you're away so it's a hard habit to break, but there is a perfectly good bar over there serving all the usual liquor if you'd like to put your hand in yours or Ian's pocket and buy yourself a beverage." Alice said with a smile that made Meg, Poppy, Dan and Johnny bite their lips attempting to hide their giggles. "Well I suppose I should go check on my hubby, baring in mind NOBODY else has." Sharon said standing before pushing her chair back almost into Johnny. "Oh I didn't see you there. I apologise." Sharon said looking up at the famous actor. "Gracious. Mr Depp. What are you doing here? Did YOU get an invitation?" She asked as Meg's eyes widened and her jaw opened. Did her mother seriously know nothing about her life? "Johnny,  Johnny is.." Dan began before losing his words baring in mind he had only found out about his sister and Johnny dating earlier that evening. Poppy piped up, "Johnny is..." the younger sister looked at Meg who abruptly shook her head "Meg's landlord!!" Poppy said with a nervous chuckle. "He's of course invited." The younger woman rambled before her mother wandered off.

"They'll be a storm tonight just you watch.." Meg said as Johnny sat down beside her and squeezed her hand under the table cloth. "Why's that?" He smirked. "Because she's never once parked her broom and there hasn't been one." "You talking about the weather or just this table." Dan said knocking back his drink whilst his wife attempted to comfort him. "She's bonkers." Poppy said before turning to Meg. "Just forget she's here. Have a great time, it's your day, and Johnny and I worked hard making it special for you. I'm sorry she's ruined it." Meg smiled "I'm so grateful for all you've both done. I won't let her spoil it."

An hour after the bombshell of Sharon arriving, Meg was on the dancefloor with Poppy, Gina and Polly when she excused herself to use the bathrooms that were located on the balcony level. She did so before heading back to the staircase that led to the main area when she felt a tap on the shoulder. "What are you doing here??" She said angrily.