Meanwhile, in Sarah and Charlie’s bedroom, Matt and Lex were just stood looking at eachother awkwardly.

“Um,” Matt said, he couldn’t think of anything else to break the silence between them.

“Well, is there anything else you want to say, besides um, because if there isn’t, then you may as well leave now,” Lex said, not moving from where she was stood.

“Um,” Matt said again, knowing he sounded stupid. Ah hell, he may as well swallow his pride. He knew how Lex was feeling, how much pain there was inside after losing their unborn child. He knew, because he had been lying. He had been trying to be strong, act as if nothing could bother him, not even the fact that he had lost something that he had longed for so long. So this is what he said to Lex.

Lex of course, didn’t believe him.

“You got over it almost as soon as it happened Matt, there’s no point lying to me. It’s quite ironic. You’re the one who wanted a baby. Me, I just said it too keep you happy and look who’s most gutted. It’s almost wrong how ironic this is!” Lex said forcefully, not looking at Matt.

“No, really. You know what I’m like, I don’t generally let my emotions get the best of me, and well, now…was the wrong time to try and act tough. By doing that, I neglected the most important thing in my life,” Matt replied.

Lex looked up confused.

“I neglected you,” Matt said, clearing her confusion.

“You called me pathetic,” Lex said, looking towards the floor. From the way Lex had said it, he knew that comment must have really hurt.

Matt was lost. He didn’t know what to do. He had told the truth, that he was hurting too, and Lex had been shocked by that, but she didn’t seem to be forgiving him. He looked around the room whilst he thought of something, anything that he could do to get Lex to see how much he loved her and how much he wanted her back.

Looking around, he drew blank after blank, there was nothing, nothing until his eyes landed on Charlie’s precious guitar collection that was in the corner of the bedroom.

“Ah, ha,” Matt thought. He walked over to the guitars and picked one up. He studied it, strumming the strings to make sure it was in tune.

Whilst Matt did this, Lex just looked at him with even more confusion on her face. What was he doing now? Had he gotten so bored that he was finding something to occupy himself? She watched him strum a few notes for a little while, and then watched as he walked over towards her again.

Lex just shook her head, thinking he was mad, and then sat on the bed.

Matt looked down at her, and sighed. He knelt down on one knee directly in front of Lex, and then balanced the guitar gently on the un knelt knee. He locked into deep concentration, and started playing the chords to a familiar tune.

Lex looked up again, to see Matt staring right into her eyes, as if he could see into her soul. Matt looked back down at the guitar and focused on the chords for a few seconds.

Keeping his head bowed, he started to sing in a low, soft and gentle voice:

“I don’t give a damn what you do,

I’m going to get with you,

Again,

And that’s the way this night is gonna end,

You say that you need more time…”

Matt stopped at those lyrics. He kept his head down low, but looked up at Lex from that position.

“I can understand now, I really can. You need more time, and…well…so do I, and I’m not gonna hide it anymore,” Matt said, laying the guitar down gently beside him.

Lex just looked at him. She had no emotion showing on her face, but inside, she was shocked. That was the most romantic thing Matt had ever done, and she never thought he had it in him. She still didn’t say anything, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything bad.

“Forgive me?” Matt coaxed, trying to get Lex to say something.

“Sing it again, and we’ll see,” Lex replied, not giving anything away.

Matt looked slightly confused, but he picked up the guitar and started again:

“I don’t give a damn what you do,

I’m going to get with you,

Again,

And that’s the way this night is gonna end…”

“Of course I forgive you,” Lex interrupted, putting her finger up to Matt’s lips, preventing him from singing the last line.

“Well, that’s good, coz I love you!” Matt said, genuinely. He sounded relieved.

“Yeah, well, I love you too, doesn’t mean I have to be nice though,” Lex teased.

“That’s fine with me,” Matt laughed as he hugged her.

Well, their catching up would have to come later…when they were at their own house.

About an hour after everyone had made up, Matt and Lex were sat with James downstairs just talking. James was happy that everyone had finally made up. Well, he was guessing everyone had. He hadn’t actually seen Sarah or Charlie since they had spoken to eachother, but there were plenty of…signs to suggest they had made up.

A few minutes later, Sarah and Charlie put in an appearance and the guys all decided to get something in to eat…it had been a long day so far, and they were all hungry. They ordered a take away and were just tucking into it when Matt’s mobile rang.

“Perfect timing as always,” Matt remarked, as he pulled his phone out of his pocket and answered.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Matt, this is Michelle from Universal Records. I’m phoning on behalf of Universal management who are requesting a meeting about a matter of you missing a few promotion projects a few weekends back,” the girl named Michelle said quickly, hardly pausing for breath.

“Well, they would like to schedule it for tomorrow morning, at 9.00am, if you don’t have any plans?” Michelle said, politely.

“No, no that would be fine,” Matt said, looking like he wanted to strangle the phone.

Whilst Michelle had been talking, Sarah had been trying to get Matt to say who was on the phone, he didn’t look to happy. He had mouthed Universal at her. At hearing this, Sarah had thrown Charlie a look.

“Damn,” Charlie had thought. He was hoping Sarah would forget the ultimatum she had given him earlier.

As Matt was about to say “Bye,” to Michelle, Charlie hinted that he needed to speak to her, hoping Matt wouldn’t get to the point. Sadly, he did, and he explained to Michelle and handed the phone over.

“Er, hi!” Charlie said, not looking very happy. “I need to arrange a meeting with the management as well if that’s at all possible,” Charlie said, looking at his feet.

“That’ll be fine, why don’t you all just come in at the same time tomorrow, and any problems there are can be laid out on the table, so to speak,” Michelle replied.

“Right, great,” Charlie replied, and hung up the phone and handing it back over to Matt.

“What do you need a meeting for?” Matt asked, looking curious.

“I need to suggest…Erm,” Charlie started, catching Sarah’s look, “Need to ask if Fletch can stop working for us, as he’s causing so many problems.

“Oh,” Matt and James said together, and that’s all that was said on the subject. They would wait until tomorrow.

The next morning, all of the boys got up early and met outside Universal at just before nine. They walked in, scuffing their feet as they went. Matt and James could understand where Sarah was coming from. Fletch did interfere way more than he needed too. In fact, he didn’t have a right to meddle in their family/love life, that was none of his business. But they did feel they were going behind Fletch’s back on this one. But what choice did they have?

They would need Universal’s permission and help to get Fletch away from working with them though so, here they were.

Of course, Matt had his scheduled meeting first, got a little telling off and a warning, nothing to severe. He just had to promise he wouldn’t blow out important promotion like that again, which of course, he promised.

Next, all three went in. Charlie started.

“Well, we Erm, we would like it if, well, Fletch didn’t work with us any more.

The management looked confused and asked why. This led to the boys blurting out all of the problems Fletch had caused them for the past few months. The Universal bosses were shocked to see what Fletch had been putting the boys and wifes through and decided that it would be better if Fletch didn’t work with Busted any more.

Fortunately, Fletch happened to be at Universal that morning, for a discussion on some promotion ideas for Mcfly, so they called him into the office.

They sat him down, and said, ““I’m afraid Mr Fletcher it would be in the best interest of the band if you were no longer there manager, we believe it best you continue to work with Mcfly and V.”

Fletch looked like he had been stabbed in the back, as he looked towards James, Matt and Charlie. They all looked apologetic, but inside, they all knew it was for the best. They split on good terms, and agreed to stay in touch, but now Fletch really didn’t have a reason to mess in private business that didn’t concern him. Soon after, things settled among Charlie, Sarah, Matt and Lex, and things became more relaxed around them.

America, September 1^st - 8^th.

Sarah and Lex have flown out to spend a week with the guys in America, as they got told they couldn’t stay the whole time because there was too much trouble last time. So they just decided to spend the last week with them.

On the first night of them all being together again, they had all decided to do their own things. James spent the night in the hotel bar with Richard. Matt and Lex went out to dinner, the twins had been left at home with Lex’s parents.

Charlie and Sarah went to a show on Broadway, and then for a meal afterwards.

So none of them saw eachother that night.

Sarah and Charlie arrived back at the hotel where they shared a penthouse at about 12ish.

They went in and got changed into their bed clothes and got into bed. They were both knackered because it had been a long day, so as soon as their heads hit the pillows they fell asleep.

About 3am, Charlie was confused when he heard Sarah muttering to herself. He felt next to him and realised she wasn’t in the bed with him. He sat up and switched the lamp by the bed on, and looked over, and looked even more confused as he watched her fiddling with the door that led to the ‘living room’ area of the penthouse. The door opened quite easily, you just had to push the handle down, but Sarah seemed to be making a right difficult job of it.

“Sarah, what are you doing?” Charlie asked, shaking his head.

“I need the key,” Sarah muttered, not turning around.

“What?” Charlie said, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

“I said, I NEED the key…THE KEY!” Sarah shouted.

“Erm…ok…what key?” Charlie asked, jumping slightly.

“To get out, I want to get out of the bedroom,” Sarah replied as if it was really obvious.

“Then. Push. The. Handle. Down!” Charlie said, slowly, for Sarah to understand.

“I AM BUT I NEED A FUCKING KEY!” Sarah screamed louder.

“Ok, you’re going to wake up the entire hotel if you don’t shut up!” Charlie pointed out.

“I DON’T CARE, I NEED THE KEY!” Sarah said again.

“Look, stop being thick, you don’t need a key!” Charlie said, still trying to figure out what was wrong with Sarah.

“But I don’t know where I put the key,” Sarah moaned, leaning against the door, exasperated.

“Sarah, just get back into bed, and shut up!” Charlie sighed, getting annoyed.

“DO. NOT. TELL. ME. To shut up. I want the key!” Sarah said again, banging her fist against the door.

“Look, you’re annoying me now,” Charlie said, standing up with a non-amused face. He walked over to Sarah and took her by the arm. He led her towards the bed and pushed her down gently. “Now go to sleep. I have to be up early tomorrow, so I need, to sleep!”

“But Charlie…” Sarah said.

“What?” Charlie asked, again, unimpressed.

“I still need to know…where the key is!” Sarah finished.

“Here, you want a key, take the fucking key,” Charlie said, getting angry, handing Sarah the car keys and turning his back on her.

“Erm, Charlie?” Sarah asked again.

“WHAT?” Charlie shouted.

“It’s not the right key!” Sarah replied.

“SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!” Charlie ranted, getting really, really, annoyed.

At this point, Charlie’s shouting had brought Sarah out of her sleep talking/sleepwalking moment.

“Erm Charlie?” Sarah asked, AGAIN.

“For fucks sake…WHAT?!” Charlie yelled.

“Don’t yell at me, I was just wondering…why do I have your car keys in my hand?” Sarah asked with a confused look on her face.

Charlie didn’t reply straight away, he just started banging his head against his pillow, then, he spoke.

“Sarah, just shut up and go to sleep, really!”

“Fine!” Sarah replied, even more confused. She put the keys on Charlie’s back and turned over to go to sleep.

Charlie just groaned and threw the keys to the floor.

*The Next Day*

The guys have a photo shoot for Smash Hits, and it was a chance for the girls to do some shopping, with Elliott of course. And, it gave the chance to just catch up, they hadn’t had much time lately.

They are on a break for a while and Matt decided to bring up the little argument he, Lex and James had heard the previous night.

“So, Chaz, what was that argument about last night? Bit late wasn’t it. I mean, you interrup…I mean you annoyed Lex!” Matt said, changing the direction of his statement.

“Yeah, did you not take the hint when I threw my shoe at the wall to make you shut up?” James added.

“I didn’t hear, she was shouting too loud!” Charlie said, shaking his head.

“Why?” Matt asked.

“Well…Erm…Matt? You know…you know when Lex is in bed…with you?” Charlie started.

Matt and James just share a worried glance.

“Erm, dude, I am not discussing that, I stopped myself before and I’m not even going to start this time!” Matt said determinedly.

“No, no, no…nothing like that, that came out TOTALLY wrong, I mean, when Lex is in bed…ASLEEP…” Charlie started again.

“I don’t do anything to her when she’s asleep either Charlie!” Matt said, looking really confused.

“Can we stop talking about this please? Please? It’s just so wrong!” James said.

“You’re getting totally the wrong idea here. I MEAN, when Lex is asleep, does she, you know…move at all?” Charlie asked.

“Well, she turned around and hugged me last night…” Matt said, with that lopsided smile.

“No, I don’t mean like that, that’s well, normal,” Charlie stated.

“No, normal would be her pushing him away Charlie, God, get it right!” James pointed out.

“She only did that once actually…Erm, I mean, what do you mean then?” Matt said, diverting the conversation again.

“I mean, well…last night…Sarah got up…went to the door and insisted she needed a key to get out of it. But well, she was asleep. And, I didn’t like it, she was, well, aggressive. It was scary!” Charlie concluded.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that was why keys were mentioned!” Matt nodded.

“Thing is, this morning, when I questioned her about it, she didn’t know what I was on about, and swore I was making it up, it was weird!” Charlie said.

“Erm, dude, obviously she was sleep walking, and talking, I mean, that’s so bad, when their asleep, it’s the only peace we get!” James said. {Author: Sexist git!}

“Well, man, she’s been doing it for years, surprised it’s taken you so long to catch her, she does it a lot, she just doesn’t believe me when I tell her!” Matt said, laughing.

“Ok, well she’s going to believe me, because I’m going to get a cam corder,” Charlie said, nodding his head.

“Err, dude, that’s so wron…no that’s actually a really good idea, I might get one too!” Matt said, smirking.

“Ok, you’re getting one for a completely different reason…although…she isn’t going to know about this camera is she, coz, well…” Charlie nodded, smirking, “Ok, sole use of this camera is too catch Sarah sleepwalking, but it can have other uses too!” Charlie concluded.

“No, no, no, no, no, no. Did you not hear about Paris Hilton, or Pam and Tommy. JUST NO! And…if you do…don’t tell me about it anyway,” James said, covering his ears.

*Cut to Sarah and Lex*

Lex and Sarah are walking around the shops, and Sarah chooses this opportunity to ask Lex something.

“Did you hear anything last night?” Sarah asked.

“Why, did you?” Lex asked, looking suspiciously at Sarah.

“No. That’s why I’m asking you,” Sarah said rolling her eyes.

“Oh…that!” Lex replied.

“Oh that what?” Sarah asked.

“Well, you really, you know, no offence, but when I’m trying, I mean, Erm, yes I heard you!” Lex said, holding up a baby suit. “How about this?”

“Lex, what did you hear? Coz Charlie swears I was arguing with him, and I wasn’t. I think he’s going mad,” Sarah whispered at the end.

“Erm, Sarah, you WERE arguing with him, in fact, the only thing I heard clearly, was something about a key, but I wasn’t really listening to you, if you know what I mean…” Lex said.

“Ooh, ooh, ooh, don’t! That’s Matt you’re talking about!” Sarah moaned.

“But, yeah, I woke up with some keys in my hand, and when I asked Charlie why, he told me to shut up!”

“What!? Don’t tell me you’re suddenly getting virgin ears, you two are worse than all of us!” Lex replied.

“Dude, no, it’s my best friend, stop it! You wouldn’t like it if I started saying things about Charlie like that would you? No, so stop!” Sarah said.

“You do anyway…” Lex laughed. “I know it’s your best friend, trust me!”

“Ok, back on track, let’s focus here…the key, what about the key?” Sarah asked.

“Ok, focusing, visualisation gone!” Lex said waving her arms.

“What, of Charlie?” Sarah joked, winking.

“No, of Matt, anyway, back to the key. Sarah said you were sleepwalking, it’s quite obvious,” Lex remarked.

“I do not sleepwalk, Matt used to tell me I did, but I don’t. Don’t look at me like that, I don’t!” Sarah said firmly.

“Yes, Sarah, you do! For example, this is only one occasion. You know a few months ago, you and Charlie were staying at ours, and well, I came out of my room for the bathroom, and there you were. Stood there, muttering, “Where’s the key, Charlie…Where’s the key?” But he didn’t hear, he was a sleep. I just left you to it, I went downstairs, so yes…you do!” Lex explained. “Oh, and the really amusing thing was, when I came back up, James was stood there half a sleep, hair a state, stood in front of you, waving his arms in front of your face, going, “Sarah?” But you were just going, “Where’s the fucking key?” Slapping his hands away, so he left you too it as well, for his own safety,” Lex laughed, walking down the aisle looking at more clothes.

Sarah blushed. “I never did!”

“You did, believe me you did!” Lex said, shaking her head and still laughing.

“Right, Ok, but I still don’t believe you, you’re all setting me up and it’s not funny!” Sarah said.

That day, Charlie had made Richard go out and buy him a video recorder so he could set it up in the room for that night. Matt had also added one to the order, for personal reasons.

Charlie found a discreet place to hide the camera, and plugged it in, making sure to hide the wires so Sarah wouldn’t see them. Then he just sat and waited, as it was quite late, and the girls still weren’t home yet, damn those shopping malls being open so late, oh well, maybe they had bought presents?

About 10pm, Sarah and Lex walked into the hotel lobby, laden with bags, with hotel helpers carrying more in behind them.

They started walking towards the lift when they noticed James sat in one of the chairs by the reception desk.

“James, why are you here?” Sarah asked.

“I was waiting for you, I can do that. And well, I needed to tell you something, lets just say, you’re surrounded by cameras,” James whispered.

“Yeah we know!” Lex said, shrugging her shoulders.

“You know?!” James asked, looking shocked.

“Yeah we know! We’re going to be on a documentary soon!” Lex said, smiling and nodding her head.

“Hang on, documentary, you’re doing a documentary?” James asked, looking confused.

“Yeah, we’re getting paid for it, so we have to do it!” Sarah said, looking at James as if he were mad.

“You’re, doing it for money?” James asked, ignoring Sarah’s look.

“Well, we wouldn’t do it for free James! Where do you think we get the money for this? Matt, Charlie? Don’t be stupid!” Lex said, rolling her eyes.

“Oh, My, God,” James muttered, turning on his heel and walking away, “My friends are porn stars!”

Sarah and Lex just shared a look and got into the lift.

Back upstairs, Sarah had walked into her hotel room and caught Charlie acting very strangely. He was crouching down in one corner, with his back to the room.

“Er, Charlie…what are you doing?” Sarah asked, cautiously.

“Well, I’m looking for the key aren’t I!” Charlie mocked, finishing tucking the wire behind the wardrobe.

“Oh haha! Very funny! And I didn’t do that anyway!” Sarah said, shaking her head and plonking her shopping bags on the bed.

“Nooooo, of course you didn’t!” Charlie said sarcastically, “And I’m going to proof to you that you did do it! Somehow,” Charlie said mysteriously, standing up to face Sarah.

“Oh, and how are you going to…wait, you have one of those Dictaphones don’t you. You’re going to record my voice! Well, you’re not going to get anything, because I don’t do anything!” Sarah said, determinedly.

“No, I don’t have a Dictaphone, you just wait and see!” Charlie said, not giving anything away.

“Right…” Sarah said, stopping the conversation, and showing Charlie what she had bought Elliott and the new babies.

That night, Charlie laid down in bed, and pretended to be a sleep, whilst listening to Sarah. About twenty minutes later, Charlie could tell that Sarah had fallen asleep by the sound of her breathing.

He sat up, and waited, hoping it wouldn’t be a wasted sleepless night.

About two hours later, Charlie was starting to fall asleep, it appeared that Sarah wasn’t going to be up to her night time activities again, not for tonight at least. His eyes were drooping and he was just nodding off when he felt movement beside him. He jolted awake and looked beside him.

Haha, Sarah had sat up. Charlie flicked on the bedside lamp and watched as Sarah stood up and started walking around the room. Charlie quickly looked up to check that the camera was on and that it was pointing at where Sarah was stood. Then he went back to watching Sarah. She picked up Charlie’s guitar and started carrying it over to the other side of the room, and put it neatly down in the corner. Then she walked over to the bags of shopping she had been looking through earlier, she took everything out and started folding it away neatly, putting it into the draw carefully.

Then she started clearing the sides down, putting abandoned items back into draws or back into the suitcase that lay on the floor.

Charlie just sat in bed, shaking his head and trying not to laugh. Sarah had never cleaned in her life!

He continued to watch as Sarah reached the bedside table and started tidying that up too. Charlie was still laughing, until he watched Sarah pick up his wallet and carry it over to the window. Charlie jumped up quickly when he saw Sarah opening the window and lifting her arm up.

“NOOOO!” Charlie shouted, running over to Sarah and grabbing Sarah’s arm and dragging it down.

“For FUCK SAKE!” Charlie heard Matt moaning in the other room. “SHUT UP,” Matt followed.

Sarah had stopped trying to throw the wallet out of the window and had turned on Charlie. She pulled her arm away from his, firmly. Then she turned her arm up and elbowed Charlie in the chin.

“OW, YOU BITCH!” Charlie moaned, trying to keep Sarah’s arms down, they were still flying in the air, trying to hit Charlie. She managed to catch him on the cheek again.

“STOP IT YOU COW!” Charlie screeched again, stepping back from Sarah this time.

Again, the shouting brought Sarah around from her sleeping state, and she looked around the room confused.

The next thing either of them knew, there was a knock at the door.

“COME IN!” Charlie yelled, still staring at Sarah as if she were mad.

James walked through the door cautiously, wearing just a pair of smiley face boxers. “Er, what’s up?”

“She fucking hit me, the wench hit me!” Charlie said, still shocked.

“No I didn’t!” Sarah protested, “AND WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU CALLING A WENCH?”

“What the fuck is going on in here?” Matt had walked into the room, wearing only a pair of boxers, that were half way down his hips.

“He called me a wench!” Sarah seethed, pointing at Charlie.

“She fucking hit me!” Charlie said back, pointing at Sarah.

“I’m just here to see what was going on with them!” James pointed out.

“I DID NOT HIT YOU!” Sarah shouted, getting really angry, coz as far as she was concerned, she hadn’t hit him.

“Oh, you didn’t did you? RIGHT. Everyone, in the lounge, NOW!” Charlie said, looking extremely annoyed.

Matt just stood there looking totally un-amused. “Charlie, there are better things I could be doing!”

“No, I’m going to show her exactly what she does, right now! Get Lex up! I’ll show you all!” Charlie said, pushing James and Sarah out of the room and into the lounge. Matt walked out, and back into his room, getting Lex up into the lounge, whilst shoving a Fred Perry shirt over his head.

Five minutes later, Sarah, Lex, Matt and James were sat in the lounge waiting for Charlie to reappear from the bedroom.

Another five minutes later, Charlie appeared, with the cam corder and some connection cables. He started plugging the cables up to the television, and a few minutes later he stood up, looking triumphant.

“Right!” he said, through gritted teeth. “So, you don’t sleepwalk no? You don’t sleep talk, no? You don’t sleep HIT, no?” Hmm, well lets look shall we?” Charlie said, very sarcastically.

Sarah just looked at the cam corder with a very un-amused look on her face.

Charlie pressed play on the cam corder and the screen of the television lit up.

Lex gave Sarah a funny look as if to say, “Cam corder?”

Charlie forward rewound the tape for a few minutes until there was some movement on the screen, then he stopped it, and let everyone watch.

They watched as Sarah walked around the room for a good half an hour, tidying things up, then it reached the wallet incident, and they all watched as Sarah walloped Charlie, not once, but twice.

Lex tried not to laugh and was giving Sarah the thumbs up when Charlie switched the tape off and looked at Sarah with a smirk on his face.

“I told you, you do sleepwalk!” He said, looking at her with a smug look.

“You…you recorded me?” Sarah said, anger written all over her face.

“Er…” Charlie started.

“I’m going to bed,” Sarah said, not looking at Charlie. She stood up and started to walk to the bedroom. Charlie started to follow.

“I am NOT, sharing a bed with you!” Sarah made a point of saying, she paused at the door.

“Well, where am I going to sleep?” Charlie asked, looking at the ground.

“Have James’ bed and he can supervise you two arguing, by intervening, he can sleep in your room!” Matt pointed out, thinking that he didn’t want to be interrupted again that night.

“Cool with me!” James piped up, walking past Sarah and climbing into her bed.

Sarah followed, Charlie followed her, and Lex followed him, and then Matt followed her.

Sarah climbed into the bed next to James and flicked of the bedside light.

Charlie turned on the main light. “If he’s sleeping in here, then he’s wearing more than that!” Charlie protested.

“Yes, he is,” Lex agreed, walking out, into James’ room, grabbing the nearest shirt she could find, which just happened to be the yellow Sic Puppy promotion t-shirt. She walked back into Sarah’s room. “Put this on! Do not take it off! Hands away from eachother, lips away from it eachother! You that end, you that end…if you even try it, Matt will be laying in the middle of you both, get it? Right!” Lex lectured.

“There’s only one place I’m laying tonight, and it isn’t between those two!” Matt pointed out, walking out of the room and into the lounge.

“What was that about, because they wouldn’t…do anything…like that?” Charlie stuttered.

“James put the shirt on, and Charlie it’s nothing,” Lex said quickly, staring at James whilst she watched him put the shirt on. Then she left, dragging Charlie behind her.

“You know, I really don’t sleep in shirts, so I’m gonna take this off, don’t tell anyone ok?” James whispered, taking the shirt off again.

“No worries,” Sarah said, turning her back on James.

“OI, put it back on Blondie!” Lex said, knowing her best friend well enough to know he would take it off again.

James just muttered something and went to sleep.

*back in the lounge*

“Lex, what was those comments about, because that wasn’t one of your ‘nothing’ looks. I know your nothing looks and that wasn’t one!” Charlie said, getting paranoid.

“I said it’s nothing!” Lex said again, walking into her bedroom, dragging Matt behind her by his collar.

“Ooh kinky!” Matt said, giggling, shutting the door behind him.

“If you don’t tell me, I’m gonna stand here and knock the door until you do, coz I know what you’re trying to do in there!” Charlie threatened.

“Don’t even try it,” Matt poked his head around the door, then he shut the door and bolted it.

“Right, right!” Charlie thought. He then stood there for the next half hour, knocking out the tune of the Carling advert.

Inside the room, Matt and Lex had finished with the ‘important’ things, and were now trying to sleep, but with Charlie’s banging on the door, they couldn’t.

“Matt, make him stop!” Lex moaned from underneath her pillow.

“I can’t, what does he want to know anyway!” Matt questioned.

“The Sarah James issue, it’s so boring now, I’m over it, just let me sleep!” Lex replied, banging her head against the bed.

“Tell me!” Matt requested.

“Look, he kissed her, that’s it, no biggie!” Lex said, turning on her side.

Matt dragged Lex back round. “What?”

“You know the night of the Blink concert, and the night Charlie left, stop smiling, it wasn’t good, Charlie left…well…James kissed Sarah…end off!” Lex said, ignoring Matt’s look.

“Ok they were good times,” Matt started, “Wait, what…you have to tell him!”

“Why, you tell him!” Lex argued.

“No, you, you’ve known the longest!” Matt said, looking at the ceiling.

“Fine! Pass me the shirt!” Lex requested.

Matt threw Lex the black Fred Perry shirt, she put it on then went to the door.

Lex opened the door much to Charlie’s surprise. He carried on banging the ‘door’ and Lex caught his fist just before he was about to hit her shoulder. “He kissed her right, he kissed her, fuck off!” Lex said, banging the door shut again, hitting Charlie’s chin again.

“Right, you do realise, we are not going to be able to sleep still…because…5, 4, 3, 2...” Lex started to explain to Matt.

“SARAH!” Charlie was yelling, pushing open the door to his bedroom. He walked over to the bed and pulled the bed covers off.

James woke up with a start and fell out of the bed.

“GET OUT!” Charlie yelled, looking at James with complete hate. “AND WHERE THE FUCK IS YOUR SHIRT?”

“Dude, relax, it was only sleep sex,” James joked, half asleep, not realising the seriousness of the situation.

Charlie stood there, not finding anything funny.

“Er, ok I’ll just be leaving!” James said, rushing to stand up, grab his shirt and get out of the room. He had never been looked at with such hate, and it wasn’t nice to be loomed over by Charlie, especially when he was angry.

“What the fuck is going on?” Charlie asked Sarah, arms folded, a stern look on his face.

“Eh?” Sarah said, stirring from her sleep.

“I SAID, WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WITH JAMES!” Charlie shouted, getting even angrier.

“What? I’ve been asleep and as far as I know, I haven’t tidied up, I haven’t hit anyone, and I haven’t shouted at anyone, so what’s going on?” Sarah asked, completely confused.

“YOU’VE BEEN HAVING AN AFFAIR…WITH JAMES OF ALL PEOPLE!” Charlie said, still yelling.

Sarah didn’t reply. She just burst out in hysterics of laughter.

“What, may I ask, is so funny?” Charlie asked, still standing cross armed, and looking at Sarah, with hints of hate showing through.

Through bouts of laughter, Sarah explains. “Well, that’s…that’s like you and Lex having an affair!”

“Well, we do have angry sex!” Charlie said, with all seriousness, quoting Sarah.

This set Sarah of laughing even more. “Well, if you were, then well, me and James could…not that there’s anything wrong with James, it’s just…no, ok, it just wouldn’t happen!”

“Yeah, you don’t have to bother pretending anymore, I know, ok! I’m going to go sleep on the couch!” Charlie stated, walking out of the room.

By this point, Lex had left her room and gone into James’ room after she heard his door slam. She saw him sat on the edge of the bed, tears pouring down his cheeks.

When he saw her enter the room, he stood up and walked over to her. “Oh Lex!” James said, grabbing her and pulled her into a hug.

“Don’t cry, it’ll start me off,” Lex said, stroking James’ hair. “Now tell me what happened?”

“Charlie…Char…Charlie hates me!” James gulped through tears. Lex didn’t reply, she just pulled James in tighter and hugged him.

Lex and James both looked up as they heard the door open. And there stood Charlie. James sniffed as he watched Charlie walk across the room.

“Oh, I get it, you’re moving on to her now are you? Right ok, just give me a second to get my son, and I’ll leave to do, whatever you want, like you have done already,” Charlie said spitefully, picking up Elliott from James’ bed.

“Ok, number one, ew. And number two, have you seen my husband?” Lex asked, trying to lighten the mood. James’ face lit up for a few seconds and Elliott giggled, but no emotion showed on Charlie’s face. He just sighed and walked out. He settled himself on the couch for the night. The last thing he remembered was seeing Matt walking through the lounge towards Sarah’s room.

Matt knocked lightly before he entered the room and sighed as he saw Sarah led on the bed crying her eyes out, looking extremely depressed.

“Ok, well, when you’ve stopped the tears, I’m here ready to talk to you ok? But it could take a while so I’ll just put the television on well I’m wai…” Matt said as he entered the room, and as he flopped on the bed, Sarah grabbed Matt into a full on hug and burst into a fresh load of tears.

Matt didn’t really know what to do, so he just held her until she fell into a restless sleep, then he laid her down carefully and walked out and into his own room for a while. He noticed Lex wasn’t in the room and figured she must be with James. He sighed and then led on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, trying to sleep.

Before anybody knew it, it was morning already, 6am. The only people to get any sleep at all were Sarah and James, who were so emotionally exhausted, it had worn them out.

Matt had been up all night worrying about what was going on within the group, he always worried when their were arguments, especially major ones like this.

“Right!” Matt said to himself, sitting up and swinging his legs around to the side of the bed. Enough was enough. He would get up, go check on Sarah, then get Charlie, and sort this mess out. It couldn’t be that hard to sort out could it, I mean, Sarah and James, as if!

Matt stood up and walked out of his room, passing a sleepy looking Charlie who was sat on the couch watching T.V. He had a sleeping Elliott cradled in his arms, ah ha another one who got some sleep then!

“Good morning,” Matt said, with an evil glance at Charlie.

“What’s so good about it? My wifes in their feeling sorry for herself, and your wife is in there with him…how come James seems to be the only one getting anything out of this?” Charlie said, not looking at Matt, but pretending to concentrate on the telly.

“Number one: Sarah has nothing to feel sorry for herself about. Number two: They’re not doing anything in there and number three: Sarah and James didn’t do anything last night or any other night, so get over it!” Matt lectured walking into Sarah’s room.

He was surprised to see Sarah leant up against the pillow, tears pouring down her cheeks, more than there were yesterday.

“What are you doing up?” Matt asked, walking around the bed and sitting next to Sarah.

“Couldn’t get back to sleep after I woke up again,” Sarah said, putting her face into Matt’s chest.

Matt put his arm around Sarah and rubbed her back.

“I only went to get a drink, I didn’t leave you!” Matt tried lying.

“Matt, I woke up at three!” Sarah replied, sounding muffled as she still had her head huddled into Matt.

“Oh!” Matt said, not knowing what to say in reply.

“It’s ok, you probably wanted to sleep too, although you could have just slept in this bed, I mean, there’s plenty of room…” Sarah said, trying to gulp back fresh tears but failing miserably.

“I couldn’t sleep,” Matt admitted. “But…I am going to get this sorted. Anyway, you need to have a wash and get dressed, coz you look terrible,” Matt said, pulling the bedclothes off of Sarah. “Move!”

“Cuh! Pardon me?” Sarah said, looking offended.

“Oh no you don’t! Don’t you start using Lex quotes, move it!” Matt said, pushing Sarah gently, coaxing her out of the bed.

“Fine,” Sarah said, moving slowly. She stood up and looked lost.

Matt stood up from the bed and walked over to the wardrobe.

“Right, when you’ve had a shower, wash, whatever…you need to put this, and this on…coz you need to look spectacular when Charlie comes to apologise, don’t look at me like that, he’s going to apologise…Ooh, and here, his Von Dutch hat! A little piece of Charlie until you can…Er…yeah…no!” Matt said shaking his head firmly, trying to get the thought of Charlie naked out of his head. As he walked into the lounge, Charlie was spread out on the sofa.

“DUDE, why are you laying down, sit up!” Matt demanded, the thought of a naked Charlie coming back.

“Dude, number one: This is a couch, I can sit/lay on it as I like, number two: SHHH, sleeping baby here, and number three: I don’t see it as your problem anyway,” Charlie mocked Matt.

Matt rolled his eyes. “Number one: Get dressed NOW. Number two: Don’t Fucking mock me, Number Three: Meet me in the bar in five minutes!” Matt said, sternly, with a scowl on his face.

“Number four: Get me my fucking clothes from in there because I am not going in there!” Charlie protested, with a stubborn look on his face.

“Look, I said stop mocking me! And well I’m at it, I’ll take Elliott to his mother, seeing as you won’t go in there…” Matt mocked Charlie this time, taking Elliott from him. “Yes Daddy’s being an idiot, yes he is!” Matt cooed at Elliott as he walked towards Sarah’s room.

“And get me my Von Dutch hat well you’re at it!” Charlie said, leaning back on the couch and switched to a music channel on the telly.

When Matt went into Sarah’s room, Sarah wasn’t there. He could hear the shower going, so he was guessing that’s where she was. Matt walked over to the bathroom door and knocked. “Elliott’s in his crib! See you later!” Matt called. He placed Elliott carefully into the crib, grabbed Charlie’s jeans and t-shirt from the night before and he looked around the room for another hat seeing as he had given the Von Dutch hat to Sarah. Ah ha, the perfect replacement, a Von Dutch beanie, well, he never said what kind of hat he wanted. Matt picked it up and walked back into the lounge.

“Don’t get comfortable, here!” Matt said, throwing Charlie’s clothes at him.

“I don’t like the way you’re treating me!” Charlie said, looking miserable as he pulled the t-shirt over his head.

“And I don’t like the way you’re treating my best friend, so we’re mutual at the moment aren’t we!” Matt said, walking off towards his room.

“Band mate abuse, that’s what it is!” Charlie muttered.

“No, it can’t be, I haven’t hit you yet!” Matt said, walking into his room and shoving the first pair of trousers and t-shirt on he found.

“I don’t like the way he said yet at the end of that sentence,” Charlie said to himself, reaching for his hat.

“Matt, this isn’t the hat I meant!” Charlie moaned, as he saw Matt coming out of his bedroom.

“It’s Von Dutch is it not? It’ll do, we’re only going downstairs, now move!” Matt instructed, prompting Charlie towards the door with a gentle shove.

“Right!” Charlie muttered, walking out of the penthouse and getting into the lift.

Matt and Charlie reached the lobby and walked through it towards the bar. Matt pulled up a stool at the bar and nodded at Charlie to do the same.

“God, I knew you liked your drink Matt, but this is what alcoholics do, bars at 6 in the morning,” Charlie sighed, leaning his chin on the edge of the bar.

“I’m not drinking, I have two women up there who would kill me if I drank, so I’m not going too, we’re going to have coffee,” Matt said, nodding at the bar tender who had been listening in.

“Two coffee’s coming up!” he replied, walking out into the kitchen.

Charlie just shook his head, his chin still leant against the bar. “So, remind me, why are we actually here?”

“WE are going to sort out this stupid little argument that you have started up with Sarah!” Matt said, paying the barman as he puts two coffees in front of himself and Charlie.

“It’s not stupid, if she can cheat on me, with someone who I thought was my best-fri…” Charlie started, but Matt cut him off.

“Dude, you can’t really believe she cheated on you can you?” Matt asked, actually amazed that Charlie could think it.

“Yes, I do actually!” Charlie said, looking un-amused at the whole situation.

“But…she loves you!” Matt said, as if that was all that mattered.

“That doesn’t matter does it, she still did it!” Charlie retorted, snorting.

“Dude, he loves Kara, even if he won’t admit it, he does!” Matt said, shaking his head at how dunce Charlie was being.

“Yeah, well, maybe he needed something to take his mind off of Kara, and there Sarah was, all of those times, however many times it was,” Charlie replied, tapping his fingers on the side.

“You’ve sat up all night, thinking of reasons of why they would…would…Erm…do it? Haven’t you?” Matt said, chuckling to himself. “Do it!”

Charlie rolled his eyes. “You’re so immature! And yes actually, a lot of things have made sense this past night, why James, Sarah and Lex has had all these shopping trips, I bet Lex wasn’t even there. Even if she did go shopping, it wasn’t with them, I mean, why would she want to be there whilst their doing…that!” Charlie reasoned out loud.

“Dude, my credit card bills shows she’s been shopping, and she wouldn’t go with anyone else without telling me!” Matt said, ordering another, extra strong coffee.

“Women don’t always tell you the truth Matt, I learnt that the hard way and so will you!” Charlie muttered, downing his now tepid cup of coffee.

“Whatever,” Matt replied, ignoring the message that was implied. “Now, before I give up on this whole situation, just do one thing for me!”

“If I do this, will you just…leave me alone? And this thing better not be stupid!” Charlie replied.

“Yes I’ll leave you alone, but someone else won’t and that someone else isn’t particularly fond of you, so I think you’d do best listening to me!” Matt said, “Now, put your hand on your heart for me!”

“What the fuck?” Charlie questioned, not following the request.

“Put your fucking hand on your fucking heart fucking now!” Matt said again, through gritted teeth.

“Excuse me sir, we can’t except behaviour like that in this establishment!” The bartender cut in, giving Matt a curt look.

“What?” Matt asked innocently.

“The curse words,” the bartender replied, walking off, muttering, “British bands, honestly.”

Matt just shook his head and turned back towards Charlie. “Look, I thought I told you to put your hand on your heart.”

Charlie rolled his eyes. Matt just glared at him. “Look, it‘s not hard, follow me!” Matt said, placing his hand on his heart.

“Fine!” Charlie sighed, moving his hand to his heart.

“Right, good,” Matt said, smiling slightly. “Now, inside your heart of hearts,” Matt started.

Charlie had already started rolling his eyes and sliding his hand away from his chest.

“Leave your hand where it is and look at me, and stop rolling your eyes!” Matt requested.

Charlie sighed, but lifted his hand back up and looked Matt in the eyes.

“Right, in your heart of hearts, do you really, I mean REALLY believe Sarah would cheat on you? Don’t answer with your brain because that’s being really thick lately, use your heart!” Matt said, ultra cheesily.

Charlie sat in silence for about ten minutes, before slowly moving his hand away from his chest and putting his head to the bar surface and banging it a few times. “I’ve been really thick haven’t I?”

“Well, I could think of another word that describes you better, it rhymes with thick, and I guarantee that Lex is going to call you it!” Matt said, smiling. “And, well, should I take that as a ‘No I don’t think Sarah would cheat on me’ reply?”

“Yes you should…and I need to go and see Sarah!” Charlie said, standing up from the bar.

“And James!” Matt added.

“He still kissed her, and she still kissed him! I do still have issues with that, it’s just, I shouldn’t have accused her of cheating, when she didn’t, although she did kiss him and that is cheating in a way, but not how I thought she was,” Charlie stood explaining out loud.

“Dude, it’s too early in the morning to try and explain things like that to me…just go!” Matt said, laying his head on the bar and closing his eyes. “Another coffee please…two scoops of coffee!” Matt ordered.

Charlie reached the penthouse and hung around the lounge. He had a lot of apologising to do, just as Sarah had a lot of explaining to do. He walked in circles around the couch for a few minutes before walking up to the room he shared with Sarah, he paused outside and knocked gently.

“Come in,” Sarah said, she was laid across the bed, with Elliott led beside her. When she looked up she had expected to see Matt, she was shocked to see Charlie stood there.

“That’s why Matt didn’t give me my hat!” Charlie worked out, looking at Sarah’s head.

“Didn’t know you wanted it, sorry,” Sarah muttered, taking the hat off and holding it out for Charlie to take.

“Keep it, it doesn’t matter now,” Charlie said, sitting on the bed next to Elliott.

“Ok,” Sarah said in a quiet voice, shoving the hat back onto her head and pulling it low over her forehead to try and hide the tiredness you could see well in her eyes.

They both sat in silence for a further ten minutes, both avoiding each others eyes.

“Look,” Charlie started, looking up at last, “I’m sorry, ok? Sorry, I overreacted and I shouldn’t have. I should have at least let you explain but I didn’t, and that was wrong.”

Sarah looked up as Charlie said this, looking deep into his eyes, she could see he was being sincere, but she couldn’t understand why, I mean, she had actually kissed James, that was something for him to be mad at wasn’t it?

As if Charlie could read Sarah’s mind, he started again,

“Yes, I’m mad about the whole you two kissing thing, I can’t believe either of you could do that to me, and I do need an explanation for that, I just figured I’d apologise for last night before we started on to this…so…explain,” Charlie said, in a soft spoken tone.

“Er, well, there’s not much to explain, we kissed, that’s it,” Sarah said, avoiding Charlie’s gaze.

“Could you maybe, elaborate? Like, Where, when, why?” Charlie said, not impressed with Sarah’s explanation.

“It was at…Erm, our house,” Sarah said, scratching her arm nervously.

“In our bed?” Charlie asked, with a wound up look on his face.

“No, no, no, no!” Sarah replied quickly, “Nowhere near the bedroom!”

“Right, so where?” Charlie asked again.

“The lounge,” Sarah replied. Charlie’s raised his eyebrows. “On the couch!” Sarah said with more detail.

Charlie slumped back against the headboard and looked unhappy. “Ok, next question, when?” Charlie asked in almost an inaudible tone.

“It was back in March, that night you walked out, and James came over,” Sarah replied.

“And why?” Charlie asked, staring blankly at Sarah.

“Well, I was upset, and well, James was just…there!” Sarah said, not realising the hole she had just dug herself.

“He was just there?” Charlie asked, squinting as he thought about something. “Ok, I need you to be completely honest with me now! The babies, are they mine?”

“Charlie, I’m not even going to justify that with an answer!” Sarah replied, looking offended.

“They’re not mine are they?” Charlie asked, looking gutted and upset.

Sarah rolled her eyes. “Ok, I will justify the question with an answer, yes they are yours, no they’re not James’, and no they’re not anyone else’s!”

Charlie looked up and looked desperate to believe Sarah.

“So…what actually happened? What did you do?” Charlie asked, looking like he didn’t want to know the details but had to know.

“You want to know where my hands were at every second and where his were at every second?” Sarah asked sarcastically.

“No, just where he put his hands, and whether yours went anywhere near…near…” Charlie struggled to find his words.

“My hands went nowhere near That!” Sarah said quickly, making Charlie sigh with relief, until he thought for a second.

“And what about his hands?”

“They didn’t go anywhere…” Sarah said, avoiding Charlie’s eyes again.

“Don’t lie to me,” Charlie said, looking hurt.

“He, all he did…was well, it was nothing!” Sarah cut off.

“Tell me,” Charlie said, getting annoyed.

“He tried to undo my trousers, that was it!” Sarah blurted out quickly.

“HE WHAT?” Charlie shouted.

“He TRIED. He never did! We stopped!” Sarah started explaining quickly.

“But he…you…you were going too!” Charlie said, looking away from Sarah.

“Look, Charlie, you know I love you, you know I didn’t do anything with him, please…forgive me?! Please, I’m sorry, I really am!” Sarah begged.

Charlie didn’t reply, he stood up and walked to the other end of the room, muttering something about how they had gotten that far.

Sarah’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she tried her hardest to keep them under control.

“Charlie, please, I…I’m,”  Sarah started again, but the tears left her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry ok, that’s all I can say. I’ll get on my knees if you want me too…” Sarah bargained, getting off of the bed and getting to her knees.

Charlie sighed and turned around. “Get off of the floor Sarah!”

“No, not until you forgive me, and if you don’t, then I’ll be here for a long time won’t I!” Sarah said stubbornly, the tears freely falling down her cheeks now.

“Look!” Charlie sighed again, bending down in front of Sarah. “Let’s just say, I forgive you, I haven’t forgotten, but I’ve forgiven you, ok?”

Sarah nodded and leant in for a hug.

“No, no, not right now! You can’t expect me to be 100% normal with you right now, but lets just say, I’m on better terms with you than I am with Him…who I need to go and talk to I suppose!” Charlie mumbled at the end of the sentence. “Just sit there with Elliott and…and I’ll be back later alright? Right!” Charlie stood up and left the room.

“Ok,” Sarah muttered, she then burst into bucket loads of tears just as Matt walked into the room.

“So, how are things in here? I haven’t been able to check on James because Lex is sti…Ok why are you still crying?” Matt trailed off, “Did he not say sorry, coz God dammit I tried.”

“He…he said sorry, and he said…said he forgave me, but, I…I don’t think he meant it!” Sarah gulped through tears.

Matt sighed and sat next to Sarah who was still knelt on the floor. He pulled Sarah into a hug. “Let it all out…but don’t get my shirt too wet. And…well, if Charlie said he forgives you, he does, its just going to take time, I mean, I’m still forgiving Lex for some things. Others are easily forgivable, I mean when sex is on the agenda I let things slide quite easily, but…Er,” Matt looks at Sarah’s stomach, “Never mind!”

“Oh, so what you’re saying is, I can’t offer Charlie what he wants to forgive me quicker?” Sarah asked, annoyed at Matt’s sexist comment.

“Erm, pretty much,” Matt said, looking away. “Look we’re going out for a drink tonight so we’ll all be relaxed, and things and feelings will change,” Matt nodded.

“And still I won’t be able to offer what he wants can I?” Sarah said shrilly.

“Well, there are other ways!” Matt suggested.

“Yeah, he does have hands!” Sarah remarked, the first smile of the day reaching her lips.

“That isn’t exactly what I meant, and I don’t want to go into what Charlie uses his hands for, other than when he’s playing his guitar ok?” Matt said, looking away.

“Right!” Sarah said, getting up.

“So we ok now? Not moody? Happy?” Matt quizzed.

“I’m…ok…just ok!” Sarah replied, picking up Elliott. “Come on Elliott, We’re going to do some retail therapy, yes, we’re going to spend some of Daddy’s money before he divorces me, yeahhhhhhhhh!” Sarah said over-enthusiastically.

Matt rolled his eyes. “Hmm, well at least it isn’t my money, hey, can you buy me a present? Heck, buy all of us presents!!!” Matt smiled.

“Whatever you want Matt!” Sarah smiled, carrying Elliott past Matt and closing the door behind her.

She walked past Charlie who was pacing the room in circles again. “Where are you going?” He asked Sarah as he watched her walk towards the main door of the penthouse.

“I’m just of to meet my lover Charlie, obviously!” Sarah said sarcastically, opening the door.

“With my son, fantastic, make sure I don’t find out!” Charlie said back, with a small smile on his lips. “You got the joint account card already I take it?”

“Yes, I’m gonna bankrupt you!” Sarah replied.

“See that doesn’t work coz I know what you’re like with my money, you respect my money! Hey, buy me a present, I may forgive you then!” Charlie said sarcastically, “You know, a Von Dutch hat wouldn’t go amiss seeing as someone nicked mine,” Charlie hinted, looking at Sarah’s head.

“Fair dooz!” Sarah nodded, Elliott giggling in her arms.

Charlie smiled slightly then sighed. Back to the James issue.

Meanwhile, back in James’ room, Lex had never been so bored. All night she had laid awake, James clinging to her like there was no tomorrow. In fact, he had gripped to her so tightly that she couldn’t move. She had just about had enough and was about to wake James when she spotted his iPod on the table. She wriggled a little and stretched her arm across James torso, and reached towards the bedside table and grabbed the iPod with a triumphant look on her face. Lex pulled the iPod towards her, and as she did so, she accidentally knocked James on the nose as it passed him.

“Ouch!” James moaned, waking up, and shifting himself up. “What did you do that for?” James asked, rubbing his nose.

“I didn’t do it on purpose, and anyway, I was bored, I’ve been awake all night unable to move because SOMEBODY has been led on my arm, I needed some entertainment.”

“Well, who’s fault is it that I’m so upset that I needed someone in here anyway? Yours!” James said, folding his arms, looking grumpy.

“Excuse me? So, it was my fault that you needed ME in here to keep you company was it?” Lex asked, a very sarcastic look on her face.

“Yes, you were the one that told Charlie, so therefore, it’s your fault,” James figured.

“Oh, so I’m getting slated for telling Charlie something YOU, one of his best friends, should have told him back when it happened? Something that SHOULDN’T have happened, James you’re pathetic!” Lex ranted, getting out of the bed and standing up.

At this moment, Charlie had finally summoned up the courage to go into James’ room. He didn’t bother knocking, he just walked in. He looked around the door as he entered.

“Er, is it ok if I talk to James for a second?” Charlie asked, scratching his arm as he spoke.

“Ah, two pricks as one, go ahead, I don’t want to talk to him!” Lex said, starting to walk out.

“Lex, don’t leave me!” James said, looking at Charlie who still looked quite menacing to James.

“No, I’m leaving!” Lex retorted, walking out of the room. Charlie went to shut the door.

“No, if I’m being left alone with you, I want the door left open!” James protested, still sat on the bed.

“Why?” Charlie asked, slightly amused.

“Because I want witnesses!” James replied, stiffening up and looking uncomfortable.

“James, I’m not going to hit you!” Charlie muttered, starting to shut the door again.

“Well…at least let me stand up so I have a better chance, even though I’m short it’ll be better than me sitting down!” James piped up, standing up, he walked back into the wall and stayed as far away from Charlie as possible.

“Look! I’m not here to start a fight or an argument, I’m here…James look at me or I’m not saying it!” Charlie requested. James had stopped looking at Charlie, he had been focusing on the floor instead. At Charlie’s request, James looked up and at Charlie.

“Right, I’m here to say I’m sorry for accusing you of…of those things last night, everything got blown out of proportion…” Charlie started to apologise.

“So…you forgive me?” James asked hopefully.

“No, I don’t forgive you, not yet anyway, you still kissed Sarah and I can’t believe you could do that to me, I don’t understand Why either!” Charlie explained, truthfully.

“Oh,” James looked sad, “So you’re not going to forgive me?”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t! It will just take time, that’s all,” Charlie said, falling for James’ look, like most people do.

“Ok,” James smiled slightly, “I understand.”

So with everyone except James and Lex on at least speaking terms, things were left to settle amongst the group.

That night the group went down to the hotel bar for drinks, just like Matt had been saying all day. James didn’t particularly want to go, and neither did Lex, but they figured they didn’t have a choice, seeing as Matt had pretty much dragged them there.

“Right, we’re going to have a drink, we are going to relax, and we are going to enjoy ourselves,” Matt commented as he ordered the first round of drinks. He ordered Charlie and James a bud, Lex and himself a vodka red bull, *he was introducing Lex to the magic that was vodka red bull!* and Sarah had an orange juice.

Nobody disagreed out loud, but in James’, Charlie’s, Sarah’s and Lex’s heads, there were doubts. Lex still wasn’t talking to James, Charlie was still being off with Sarah, and he was the same with James. It was only Matt who figured everything should be hunky dory.

About an hour into the drinking session, and a few drinks over Lex’s “I’m only having one alcoholic drink” statement, the tension in the air had ceased a little. Lex had started teasing James about what had happened over the past night and day, Charlie appeared to be speaking to Sarah, and James was a little more relaxed around Charlie and Lex, as they weren’t shooting him evil glares every five minutes anymore. Things were almost like normal.

Everyone was feeling merry, except for Sarah who couldn’t drink, for obvious reasons, when two girls walked up to the group at the bar.

“Excuse me…” One of the girls asked.

“Yeah…” Lex replied, tipping herself side ways on her stool, leaning towards the girl.

“Can we help?” Matt asked, holding Lex around the waist so she didn’t fall off of the stool.

“Erm, we were just wondering, are you those guys who were at MTV last week? Buster or something!” the other girl said, gazing intently at James.

“Busted actually, so who’s your favourite?” James asked, with a flirty smile.

“You are actually,” The girl replied, looking coyly at the floor.

“Mine too!” The first girl said just as coyly.

“Ah well, you’re in luck, because Jamesy here kisses anything with legs, so yeahhhhhhhhh…” Lex said, slumping against the bar and pushing the bar stool back.

“Is that a dig at me?” Sarah said, sounding insulted.

“No, it’s a dig at both of you,” Lex replied, not looking up. “But anyway, girls, let me introduce you to the gang… This is James, he’s a man whore! Him over there is Charlie, he’s a twit, next to him is his wife, Sarah. She kisses his best friend, man whore! Cheater and Twit have a baby, who’s upstairs because he is sleeping…wait, is Elliott left alone up there?” Lex stopped in her tracks.

“Lex, he’s right by your side!” Sarah pointed out, rolling her eyes.

“Oh, well, this is Elliott,” Lex said, turning around to face Elliott. “Hello Elliott, hellllllllllllooooooooooo!” Lex said, tickling Elliott under his chin. Elliott pulled a face and then giggled.

“Oh yes, forgot to introduce the most important person at the bar…no not me…this lovely person sat right here next to me!” Lex said, leaning against Matt and stroking his face. “This, is Matt…my wonderful husband who I love and adore, who is very talented may I add!”

Matt sat nodding and smiling as Lex complimented him.

“And I’m, Lex! I’m the one that gets told off for telling the truth, when I tried to keep things a secret but it gets to much for one girl to know, but…whatever! And you are?” Lex finished.

“I’m Amber,” the first girl said, smiling at Lex’s outburst.

“And I’m Chloe,” the second girl said, smiling at James.

“So, are you from New York then?” James asked the girls.

“Uh huh,” Amber replied.

“And you think Busted are cool?” James said.

“Uh huh!” Amber said again.

By this point, Lex was trying, and failing to stifle her laughter. It got so bad that she had to shove her head into Matt’s shirt so she could hide her face. Matt was finding the whole situation highly amusing.

“And you especially like me?” James asked, flirting again.

“Uh huh!” Amber replied.

This was it for Lex, she couldn’t help it, she burst into fits of laughter and fell off of her bar stool. She was on her knees, with her forehead touching the floor, tears of laughter pouring down her face.

“Er Lex, whilst you’re in a good mood,” Matt started, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Uh huh!” Lex replied, bursting into new fits of giggles.

It was too much for James now, he was the only one who had picked up on the joke, *Except for Matt who had already been laughing* and he had joined Lex in having the giggles.

“Ok, they’ve all gone mad, Sarah, I think we should leave…” Charlie said, hinting at Sarah in ‘that way.’

“Erm, no, actually, I don’t think we should,” Sarah said, stubbornly. “Can I have a coffee over here please?” Sarah asked the passing bar help.

“If she’s having anything she’s having a cup of tea, but she’s not staying so don’t worry about it!” Charlie pointed out to the helper. Charlie got off of his bar stool and stood behind Sarah, pulling her into a hug. “Oh come on, you know you wanna!” He coaxed.

“No, I really don’t think I do, I mean, I’m not 100% with you right now!” Sarah mimicked Charlie

“Ok, look, I had a reason to not be a 100% with you so that isn’t fair,” Charlie argued, still hugging Sarah from behind.

“And you still have a reason, so what’s changed, eh? Eh? Eh?” Lex asked from the floor. “Oh wait, I know, you have a few drinks inside of you and now you’re horny and now you’re ok with her, oh I get it!”

“See Sarah, I told you!” Matt said, putting his thumbs up at Sarah.

Charlie didn’t reply to Matt, he just raised his two fingers up, and then he turned around to Lex. “It’s because she’s my wife, and I love my wife so I’m going to forgive my wife, because I love my wife!”

“So you can get laid, and you can’t get laid because she’s not in the right condition but, hey you know, just flick the XXX channel on, James was watching it the other night, so I know there’s one on the channel listing!” Lex explained.

“I was not!” James protested, shaking his head vigorously. He turned towards Amber and Chloe, who were listening fascinated. “I didn’t have it on!”

“Sarah, please can we just…go?” Charlie asked again, getting desperate to leave the room now.

“Fine,” Sarah sighed dramatically.

“I don’t know what she sees in him!” Lex said, still on the floor.

“Lex, I still need to ask you my question!” Matt said.

“Uh huh!” Lex replied again.

Matt chuckled to himself and then asked, “So when you and Sarah and James have all these shopping trips, do you actually always go with Sarah and James?”

“Yeah, well, I mean, I go with Nick sometimes, but I don’t tell you that!” Lex rambled on from the floor. “They have nice carpet here!”

At this, Matt’s face dropped. “Nick?”

By this point, Sarah had stood up with Charlie and they were ready to leave. “Maybe I should add that when she goes shopping with Nick, me and James are there,” Sarah explained as she stopped beside him to pick up Elliott. Sarah and Charlie walked out of the bar holding hands.

“Ooh look they’re holding hands, you’re so shallow Simpson!” Lex shouted, standing up rather unsteadily. “And I can be shallow too…come on Matt!”

“Er, are you sure you’re…up for it?” Matt said, looking shocked at Lex’s open comment.

“Matt, I’m not like you, I don’t fall asleep just because I’m pissed. Now, unless you want me to get so pissed that I pass out and I can’t do nothing, then move now!” Lex whispered to Matt, starting to walk towards the door.

“Very romantic! Right guys, we’re off!” Matt said, standing up and following Lex.

“I don’t appreciate the fact that you’re taking advantage of her in that state!” James commented.

“It’s not taking advantage when you’re married James!” Matt said, walking out of the door.

“And then there was one!” Chloe commented, looking at James, fluttering her eyelashes.

“So, how old are you anyway?” James asked, aiming the question more at Chloe than Amber, who had been quiet for a long time.

“I’m nearly legal!” Chloe piped up, stroking the hem of her extremely short skirt down innocently.

“And she’s also desperate!” Amber rolled her eyes. “I’m 18 and I’m also really tired, I’m going to bed. Chloe, I expect to see you in that room in ten minutes!”

“Whatever!” Chloe replied, not taking her eyes off of James.

Amber rolled her eyes again and left.

“So, what does…nearly legal mean?” James questioned, running his finger in circles on the bar side.

“It means I’m 18 in two weeks,” Chloe answered, still smiling at James.

“Cool,” James nodded. “What’s with your friend anyway? Little uptight isn’t she!”

“She just worries about me, that’s all!” Chloe said, playing with a lock of her hair flirtatiously.

“Oh, well, are you planning to be back in your room in ten minutes?” James teased.

“Well, depends on whether I have anything interesting to do really, doesn’t it?!” Chloe replied.

James leant in and gave Chloe a full on snog right there, on that spot. Five minutes later James pulled away. “Interesting enough?” James grinned.

“Yeah,” Chloe sighed dreamily.

“Soooo… you wanna come up to my room?” James asked suggestively.

Chloe looked around, a little nervous, she’d never gone this far before, especially with a ‘star.’ She hesitated for a while.

“Are you…serious?” She asked after a while, hoping to God that he wasn’t teasing her.

James stood up and put a serious look on his face. He held out his hand, “I’m being completely serious, do you want to come upstairs with me?” He asked again.

Chloe smiled and nodded, putting her hand in his, standing up nervously.

“Look, you don’t have to if you’re not ready, I don’t want to rush you into anything,” James said, noticing how uneasy Chloe was.

“No, no I want too,” Chloe said, pulling in front of James and pulling him towards the lift.

“Ooh, we are keen!” James chuckled, following her into the lift.

The next morning, Lex had woken up around 9ish, with a banging headache and really sore stomach.

The fact that she had a sore stomach didn’t stop her ordering room service, she had pancakes, whipped cream and strawberries. She also ordered some more stuff for the others for when they actually showed their faces.

Lex had just gotten comfortable on the couch when she heard footsteps coming towards the lounge. Lex looked up and was shocked to see a young girl walking into the kitchen, she poured herself a glass of water and then looked up. “Heya Lex, how are you this morning?”

“Yeah, great, thanks!” Lex replied, looking down into her plate. “Who the hell is she?” Lex muttered to herself.

“Do you not remember me from last night? I’m Chloe! Wow, you were drunk!” Chloe commented, still stood behind the kitchen bar.

“Hang on, I didn’t agree to that!” Lex said, looking outraged.

“Eh?” Chloe asked confused.

Just as Lex was about to answer, Matt came out from the bedroom, scratching his stomach. “What’s for breakfast, I’m starving,” He said as he walked out, then he spotted Chloe, who by this point had walked out of the kitchen and stood in the lounge. She was wearing James’ white Sic Puppy t-shirt and his smiley faced boxer shorts. Lex hadn’t noticed this.

“Alright Chloe, how’s you?” Matt asked, clearly eyeing up the young girl stood in front of him.

“Matt, who is she? And I didn’t agree to that at all!” Lex cut in.

“She’s Chloe, we met her last night, before we came to bed, remember?” Matt said, trying to jog her memory.

“We came to bed…I never agreed to that!” Lex moaned, looking between Matt and Chloe. “Matt, stop looking at her!”

“What? You didn’t have a problem with coming to bed last night, Chloe will tell you that!” Matt said, confused at why Lex was acting weird.

“I would have had a problem with doing THAT Matt, I know I would have, drunk or not, I wasn’t drunk enough to do that!” Lex argued her case.

Suddenly, what Lex was saying clicked in Matt’s head. “No, No, No! We didn’t come to bed to-get-her! Just me and you, we left Chloe downstairs in the bar!”

“Are you sure?” Lex asked, still looking between the two.

“Yes, I’m sure! Anyway, what you doing here darling?” Matt turned to Chloe.

“Stop flirting with her!” Lex muttered through clenched teeth. Hearing Lex’s comment, Matt diverted his glaze to stare at the ceiling.

“I spent the night with James!” Chloe answered.

“Oh,” Matt nodded, “And how old are you?”

“I’m nearly 18!” Chloe said, embarrassed by the interrogation she was going through.

After hearing her age, Matt stopped looking at her in the way he had been, and sat down next to Lex, who had dropped her fork onto her plate with a loud clatter.

“What?” Lex asked, in a very unimpressed tone.

“Hang on, isn’t the age of consent like, 18 here?” Matt asked.

“Yes it is!” Answered Chloe, going a bright shade of red.

“Excuse me for one second,” Lex said, standing up. She put her plate down on the table and walked past Chloe and into James’ room. As she walked in, she caught James walking across the room towards the bathroom naked. James jumped when he saw Lex and grabbed the nearest article of clothing and covered up his dignity.

“LEX!” James shouted, embarrassed.

“Yes I know my name!” Lex retorted. “What?”

“Er, hello!?” James replied, looking down at his naked torso, “Not dressed here!”

“Er hello! You’re breaking the fucking law!” Lex said, looking at James, flushing red with anger.

“What are you on about?” James asked, playing the innocent little boy.

“Your 17 year old little hussy, that’s what I’m on about!” Lex ranted, pointing at the door.

“What? I thought she’d left,” James blurted.

“Nope, she’s in there with my husband gawping at her!” Lex said, still pointing at the door. “And good luck when she comes knocking on your door with her red neck parents in nine months time with a baby, and her parents requesting you marry her and if you don’t then they’ll shoot you!” Lex ranted.

“Actually, I was sensible,” James mumbled quietly to himself.

“Oh really, please do explain how sleeping with a 17 year old girl is sensible, James, coz I’m dying to know!” Lex said sarcastically.

“I…well…we…I used…Er,” James stumbled over his words, gave up, and then pointed at the bin.

Lex looked cautiously over at the bin, not knowing what James was hinting at. She walked over and peered in, and saw James’ used protection.

“Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew, ew! James JUST NO! Ugh! Just get dressed and be out there…Er, James…you’re naked!” Lex pointed out.

James pulled the jumper closer to him. “Yes I know, I was trying to tell you, only you didn’t seem to notice!” James rolled his eyes.

“Ok, I’m going to leave…just be dressed and out there in one minute, and get rid of that poor girl!” Lex said, covering her eyes, and backing out of the room.

James followed roughly about two minutes later, looking flushed. As he walked out, he saw Matt and Lex giving him dirty looks. “What?” James sighed angrily, he didn’t understand why everyone was getting on at him.

He walked over to where Chloe had seated herself and sat next to her.

“I think I should leave,” Chloe said, standing up.

“No, you don’t have too,” James said, reaching out and grabbing Chloe’s arm.

“I want to!” Chloe said, shaking her arm free, she walked into James’ room to get changed.

“You’ve made her feel unwelcome now!” James moaned.

“James, she is unwelcome!” Lex replied, rolling her eyes.

Just as Lex had finished talking, Chloe walked back through into the lounge and walked over and stood in front of James. “Well, thanks for last night James, see you around.” With that said, Chloe turned around and started to walk out of the penthouse. She smiled at Lex and Matt as she went past.

“Bye,” Matt and Lex said together.

“Wait,” James said suddenly, jumping up from his seat. “I’ll walk you down!” He walked over to Chloe who had stopped to wait for him. He took her hand in his and led her out of the penthouse and towards the lift. Inside, he gave Chloe a kiss. When the lift reached the ground floor and the doors opened, James gave Chloe one last kiss and waved her goodbye. He kept the doors open and watched Chloe leave the hotel, then he pressed the up button. Time to face the music properly now Chloe had left.

To Be Continued…

September 13^th

Morning:
Jamesy wakes up, expecting to be showered with gifts and cards from family and friends, and is shocked when he wakes up to find nothing on his bedside table and nothing in the post at his house or at Lex's, or Charlie's house. He tried to stay positive, thinking maybe the post was just late, or people just hadn't gotten around to giving him gifts, etc...
He walks out of his bedroom at Lex's house, puts on a brave smile, as he sees Lex leaving her bedroom.
They walk down the stairs together, James making idle chit-chat, expecting Lex to bring up the normal, "it's someone’s special day today!" It didn't come, and they had reached the kitchen by now. He was a little disheartened but he wouldn't give up. Maybe she had the card downstairs...
Half an hour later, Lex had cooked breakfast and had started clearing up the kitchen, and James was beginning to think maybe, just maybe, Lex had forgotten his birthday. Well, he wasn't going to bring it up to her, she was his best friend she was suppose to remember.
James nodded his head, thinking Matt would definitely
remember his birthday, after all, they were best friends after all, they had known each other for ages now, no, he definitely would remember.
As James was thinking this, Matt walks in the door. "Ooh, look, a woman doing a woman's job!"
Lex threw a tea towel in Matt's face and sat down, smirking. "Yes so you better get to it hadn't you?"
James gives up. "So, special day today," James hinted, nodding his head.
"Oh My God, how could i forget to put that on the calendar?" Lex said, acting as if she was angry with herself.
"Well, it isn't your fault, it just...isn't that much of a big event," Matt replied.
"To Busted fans...it is!" Lex said, edgily.
"To Busted fans? How come?" James said, looking confused.
"Well, sweetheart, today's your...signing...obviously!" Lex said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Er...Signing?" James asked, still none the wiser.
"Yeah, didn't you know? Fletch told me and Charlie a few days ago, and I thought Charlie had told you," Matt sees James' face..."Obviously not!"
"Right, so I'm at a signing, today, of all days," James argued.
"Why, what's wrong with today, is today that...time of the month?" Lex mocked.
"As a matter of fact, YES IT IS!" James replied, getting annoyed.
"Well, with that response, I know it must be!" Matt said, grinning at Lex across the table.
"With remarks like that, you'll never know anything about women again," Lex replied throwing another tea towel at Matt's face.
"Oh er!" Matt replied.
"Look, why have they chosen TODAY?" James gets slightly angry.
"I suppose it's just good promotion, I mean, we've been away for all this time in America, and we have nothing better to be doing today, so, what's the problem?" Matt said, matter of factly.
"Oh forget it!" James said, fed up!
"Well, I'm looking forward to it anyway, I mean, what other opportunities do I get to go to Reading to go shopppinnnnnnnnggggg!" Lex said excitedly.
"Shopping?" James asked, some hope coming back into his head.
"Yeah, baby clothes, the twins are growing up so fast, it's nearly their 2nd birthday soon, and well, we need to get Sarah kitted out too...sooo...yeah long day of shopping, for the twins birthdays," Lex said, with a thinking look on her face.
"Their birthday, isn't, until, April!" James muttered slowly.
"If she wants to buy baby clothes, just, let , her, buy, baby clothes!" MAtt said pointedly.
"Right," JAmes muttered, "Right!"

*Reading*

Sarah and Lex have finished their baby clothes shopping spree, a long with a few treats for themselves, and well, treats for their other halves too...if the Ann Summers bags were anything to go by.
They reached the security doors, where fans had already started queueing up, there were two fans stood there, seeming to be having a little bit of a spat with security. Lex walked up. "Is there a problem here?"
"Ahem," *straightens up*," Mrs Willis, Erm, no there isn't a problem here, these two girls are trying to blag their ways into the store, when their obviously huge Busted fans," *the guard looks at the two girls who are completely covered in Busted clobber.
"So, what's the story?" Lex said, sweetly, looking at the two girls.
They explain their story of how they have won a competition, and they have passes to meet Busted. They had gotten told to go into the building and they had to meet up with a representative there.
Then they explained how the security were telling them that their passes were fake.
"Look, they have a exact replica of mine, is mine fake?" Lex asked sarcastically
"No Mrs Willis, certainly not, Erm, We're just go and find the representative for you now!" Security talks into his radio and gets the representative to come out.
"Why thankyou, for actually turning up and helping us out here!" Lex said, rolling her eyes, looking towards the rep.
The rep, not picking up on Lex's sarcasm, says, "No problem."
Sarah, Lex, and the two girls, later named to be Amy and Gem, with the rep, walk into the store and into the back rooms where Busted are waiting for the signing to get underway.
What Sarah and Lex didn't know, was that, whilst they were out, James' mood had slowly plummeted into a state of deep depression. He was sat in the corner moaning to Kara, who appeared to be the only one to have remembered James' birthday.
Charlie and Matt were sat on the other side of the room with a pad spread across the table, looking at some lyrics they had just penned.
"We're back, and we bought presents!" Lex said, walking through the door. James' head shot up at the sound of "presents!"
"Look, Matt, i bought this and this and this...and this from Ann Summers, yes that's your present, only, it's mine coz i wear it!" Lex started explaining.
"Who are they?" James asks in a slightly rude manner, pointing at Gem and Amy.
"Their your fans, and don't point, it's rude," Sarah said, introducing the girls. The rep didn't seem to be doing his job very well, Sarah and Lex were doing all of his work for him.
The guys spoke to the girls, had pictures with them, and they got all the pictures they wanted, then they had to leave and it was almost time for the signing. The girls said they'd see the guys in a minute *in the signing* and left, Sarah and Lex following, with a dozing Elliott in Gem's arms.

 

*Outside*

The group reached outside, and to waste the last half hour or so before the signing started, Sarah and Lex stayed chatting with Gem and Amy, seeing as Gem had grown very attached to Elliott by this time anyway, she was too keen to let go just yet.
After a few minutes, Kara came down and joined them, she was getting annoyed with the some what unhappy James upstairs.
When Kara came out, she stole Elliott away from Gem as she hadn't seen him in ages, seeing as her and James didn't see as much of each other since they had broken up.
Whilst the girls were chatting amongst themselves, another fan, Kate, had spotted Kara by the doors with four other people, and a baby in her arms.
"Hang on, I'd recognise those eyebrows anywhere! That's Elliott!" Kate concluded.
Her friend, Nicky, had taken into account the other people stood there! "Well, if that's Elliott, then one of those must be his mother, which means she's married to MY husband!"
Sarah coughed with laughter as she heard this single comment, but chose to ignore the comment. She did however, turn around when she heard the first girl, Kate, screech, "OMG, Sarah's getting really FAT! From Camilla to Sarah, he has CERTAINLY changed his taste!"
Sarah turned around and saw two girls gawping at her, laughing uncontrollably.
"Oh, what, so I'm fat am I? Oh wouldn't be the fact that I'm carrying around YOUR 'husbands' children? No it wouldn..." Sarah got stuck in the middle of her sentence as she felt Lex pulling on her arm and telling her to shut up. Kara had nodded over at Sarah for Lex to take notice, as she had gotten very involved in talking to Gem and Amy.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh GREATTTTTTTTTT!" Kate said, rolling her eyes, "IT'S Herrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!"
"Oh look! It's stalker Kate!" Lex said, clapping her hands together with the most falsest smile you could ever see.
"Don't call me a stalker, I don't stalk!" Kate retorted.
"Oh really, well..." Lex started reeling of a list of places and events that Kate has been seen at in the last few months, the list comes to over 30 events, but Lex, just can't remember them all!
It's Sarah's turn to start tugging at Lex's arm now. "Come on, let's just go!"
"Yes, that sounds GREAT!" Kara says, very enthusiastically
So Sarah, Lex, and Kara *with Elliott* left to go back into the building, waving at Gem and Amy.

*The signing*
When they reached to second floor where the signing was being held, they noticed that the boys were already sat at the table, with Fletch *his last promo work with Busted before only working with V and Mcflea!* stood in front of them, giving them a lecture.
"No photo's with fans, no hugging, no kisses, no coming from around the table, and yes Matt, that means not crawling UNDER the table as well," Fletch was reeling off.
"Right boys, no smiling, no laughing, no having fun, no interacting with the fans on any level, including a small hello, do not lift the pens from the table, no signing books, just touch the book to push it along. James, just nudge it of the table, no touching fans for any reason, even if they are hyperventilating, leave them alone, they'll be fine! Erm, other than that, have fun, oh wait, i said you're not allowed fun, ok scratch that from the speech. And...I WILL be watching you!" Lex lectured once Fletch had finished.
Matt and Charlie just sit, trying not to annoy Fletch, they just smirk, James sits there with a frown on his face, not finding the situation at all amusing.
Sarah and Kara shook their heads and walked over to the edge of the press enclosure, where the staff would be controlling the fans once they had met Busted.
After this, Busted were made to go back behind the screen until 10 minutes later, when there would be enough fans upstairs to make a decent reaction when they reappeared.
When they came out, fans burst into a chorus of "Happy Birthday!" Whilst this was happening, Sarah and LEx were looking at each other with puzzled looks, mouthing across to Matt and Charlie, "Who's birthday is it?" This doesn't cheer James up at all, good job the fans can't see his face really.
After a few press photos, Busted were sat down and the signing began.
Kate and Nicky were some of the first people in, and as they walked past the press they gave Sarah and Lex the dirtiest look known to man. Sarah and Lex just ignored it, but when the biatches were stood in front of Matt, They were pulling their necks by invisible string, and mouthing insults about them, Matt catches the looks and moves the girls on quickly. Charlie is just amused, and just smiles and signs, James doesn't smile and signs. There turn is over and they didn't get any preferential treatment.
About 10 minutes later, a couple of nervous looking fans walked up to the table. Matt read the name in the book. Alexis, and he smiled. "Great name," Matt smiled, with a cheeky wink, with the Matt nod.
Alexis smiled and carried on towards Charlie.
When she reached James she was really excited, well, James was her favourite after all.
"Can you smile for a photo please?" Alexis asked shyly.
James had noticed the name on the book and it made him think of Lex. He didn't smile, he just answered with an inaudible mutter.
"Oh for god sake's, smile for the girl, she has a great name!" Matt shouted from the other end of the table.
James looked up and begrudgingly smiles, but not with much oomph!
Josie was next, Matt smiled and signed and passed the book on, and then she got to Charlie. Charlie noticed that Josie was shaking and asked her what was wrong!
"It's just that, well I'm a first timer meeting you guys, and I' m a nervous wreck!"
"Awe," Charlie smiled, chuckling slightly, signing the book and passed the book over. Josie went to move the book along, not realising that Charlie was suppose to do that, and their hands touched. Josie giggled and blushed, and Charlie just smiled. "Don;t be nervous, we're not that bad," he joked, moving on to the next person.
Josie walked off and realised that Alexis wasn't in the greatest mood. "What's up?"
"He...he...he wasn't nice, he didn't even speak to me, he just signed and left it, i asked him to smile and he only did it after Matt asked him. I didn't want it to be like that!" Alexis moaned walking off.
Josie started to follow until she realised, she never had her book.
She walked back towards James who at that moment, never had anyone stood in front of him. "I Er, I forgot my book!" Josie explained.
James didn't reply, he just picked up the book and shoved it into Josie's hands with alot of force.
"Sorry!" Josie muttered, tears coming to her eyes as she walked away.
As Josie walked past, Sarah noticed that this particular fan didn't look to happy.
"None of them look happy!" Lex replied.
Sarah rolled her eyes and followed Josie, Lex followed.
"What's up?" Sarah asked, stopping Josie.
"Well, I erm, no, no you'll think I'm being silly!" Josie said, realising who she was speaking to.
"No we won't, what's wrong?" Lex reassured.
"Well, James, he wasn't very nice, to me, or my friend, who is/was a huge James fan, and he treated us like that, I'm sorry, I'm moaning about your best friend, I ust...I just expected something more!" Josie explained. Alexis came up behind Josie to find out what was keeping her.
"No, don't worry, he's just having a pole up the ass day today, men have them some times!" Sarah said, looking towards James, who still looked grumpy as sin.
"Yeah, it's old age, it does it too some people!" LEx added, smirking.
"Oh," The girls replied.
"Here, let me let you into a little secret. The guys are hoping to be finished by six and then we leave at 7. when hopefully fans have gone, except for you! The exit we leave by is just around the corner, it's impossible to miss really. Just meet us there around seven and he WILL be nice to you!" Lex promised.
"Are...are you serious?" Josie said, looking like she wouldn't believe Lex.
"Yeah she is, she wouldn't tell you where the exit is otherwise...and plus we want to annoy Fletch on his last job!" Sarah added.
"Oh, ok!" Alexis said, a smile on her face at last.
At this, the queue got moved away, and the girls had to move, and security told Sarah and Lex to move for their own safety.
"YES DARREN!!" Sarah and Lex chorused, taunting the balding head of books department.

 

It was 6.30 and the store had been cleared of fans and staff, and the signing had finished. Matt and Charlie were stood up talking, and James was still sat slumped in his chair, not moving.
"James, I need a word with you?" Lex threatened James.
"Whatever!" James muttered, slouching down even further.
"Don't you what ever me!" Lex said angrily, grabbing James by the scruff of his yellow Sicpuppy shirt.
"What?" James said, not looking at Lex.
"What the f**k is your problem?" Lex said, moving James' face so he had to look at her.
"You want to know what my f**kING problem is? Well this is what my f**king problem is! TODAY, is my birthday, and not one of my 'friends' has remembered it. I mean, what good friend does that, eh? Also, I'm working, in WH f**king Smith's, this, nutsty little shop, on MY BIRTHDAY. Sat here, signing autographs for my snotty nosed little fans and I DON't WANT TO BE HERE. I mean Charlie and Matt didn't have to work, yes we were in Japan on Matt's birthday, but he wasn't sat in a poncy shop was he, no he wasn't! Also, NOONE FORGOT THEIR BIRTHDAYS!" James ranted, turning red as he said it.
"I can't believe you're being so ungrateful, yeah Charlie didn't have to do anything on his birthday but Matt did, Matt had to perform to his snotty little fans. BUT I didn't hear or see him complaining, no, because he gets on with it, and appreciates his fans. And as for "those snotty nosed little fans," they make you who you are, they let you go on tour, they buy your records, and more, and you couldn't even be bothered to say hello or be polite in the slightest, in fact, you even made, two, maybe more, fans cry today. So to call them snotty nosed is just...And as for this nutsty shop," Lex paused and turned towards Darren, "Sorry Darren, you know I don't mean it! It isn't nutsty. Anyway, you could be somewhere alot worse, like...like PoundLand. So smile, shut up and get on with it. Oh, oh oh...bad friends, well fine, you can go ALONE to your SURPRISE party, because i ain't going to it!" Lex finished, waving her hands in the air and walking off to join Matt and Charlie.
By this point, Matt and Charlie had just been sharing looks and trying not to laugh.
"What is so f**king funny?" James stated, staring at Matt and Charlie, (he hadn't noticed Sarah and Kara who were stood behind him stiffling laughter.)
"One, she just had a go at you, two, she just had a go at you, and three, it's normally me!" Matt said, laughing out loud by this point, amused by the whole situation.
"I know, it's usually me as well, I mean, dude, you've lucked out, messed up, BIG TIME!" Charlie said, joining Matt in laughter.
"Hang......on, did she just say...party?" James asked sheepishly.
"No, she didn't, SHE said SURPRISE party, you know, those things that you can't mention because...THERE A SURPRISE," Lex said, rolling her eyes sarcastically.
This just sets Matt and Charlie off even more, which in turn sets Sarah and Kara off. One big Giggle fest! Except for two...
Kara stops and says, "Yes James, that's why none of your family are here and why you haven't had any cards or presents yet, except from me!"
"Oh," James replied, looking towards the floor. "Well, i didn't know about it did i, how am i suppose to know?"
"Your not, it's a surprise," Sarah said, looking sympathetic for him.
"Well, I can still have it right? I mean, it's been set up, right? Be a shame to waste so much money, right?" James looks towards Lex.
"Well, I'm not going!" Lex replies, still not looking at James.
James looks towards Matt and Charlie with tears with in his eyes. He ignores the fact that they are still trying to keep themselves from laughing.
"Guys, you have to come, it's my birthday, it wouldn't be right if you weren't there. Matt, you're my best friend, you have to come!"
"Well, Obviously I'm coming, it's MY house!" Charlie figured.
"AW DUDE YOU WON'T REGRET THIS!" James said over-excitedly.
"Like i said, it's my house," Charlie teased.
James smiled slightly, then turned towards Matt, a begging look in his eyes.
"Matt?"
Matt looked towards James and then to Lex, and kept doing it. He looked like he was watching a tennis match. He couldn't seem to make up his own mind.
"Lex?"
"You can go, but I'm not! Just make sure he gets his stupid present!" Lex said through gritted teeth.
"Is that a yes i can and you'll still be talking to me, or a yes you can go, but if i do, you'll file for divorce for the fiftieth time?" Matt asked.
Lex gave Matt the look that all women possess and then walked out grabbing her shopping on the way.
"Er, maybe i shouldn't have said that?" Matt questioned with a puzzled look on his face.
"No maybe not, i mean, usually it's me getting told of by her, but today, it's you two, isn't life grand!" Charlie mocked.
"Shut up!" Matt and James muttered.