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Photographer in the Park	By : NutsAboutHarry Category: Singers/Bands/Musicians > Joshua Bell Views: 1770 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not know Joshua Bell (Do you think I'd be writing fan fic about him if I did?) the following story is TOTAL FICTION the prouct of my extraordinarily overactive imagination. No profit of any kind is made from the writing and publishing of this story!

Chapter List
- 29
- 30
- 31
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Ten days later after a relaxing few days in Indiana with Josh and a light work week Louisa arrived at La Guardia airport for her flight to Los Angeles for the Guinness World Records T.V audition. Josh had spent the previous night with her and tutored her all that day in preparation for her audition the following afternoon.

‘You’re going to kick ass’ Josh assured her as Louisa once again voiced her doubts as he waited with her in the departures lounge ‘sweetheart this is not the first time you’ve ever auditioned for something. I think you’d successfully audition for any music conservatorium in the world, a T.V show is going to be a cinch for you’

‘I’m being stupid’ Louisa said sheepishly resting her head on his shoulder.

‘Well....yes you are’ Josh said ‘look you’ll get to Los Angeles about eight o’clock local time and be up at Josh and Charlotte’s by nine when you’ve unpacked get together with Charlotte and practice a bit more. That will settle you. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind jamming with you’

‘She volunteered before I asked’ Louisa said cheerfully ‘Charlie and I always have fun when I get together and play’

‘Well there you go then’ Josh said ‘Louie you’ve been busting your ass all week practicing for this thing you need to play for fun let your hair down. Veg out relax remember what that is?’

‘Yeah but I’ll fully relax once the audition is over’ Louisa said snuggling into his side.

‘I totally understand, just out of curiosity what were you like before you auditioned for your university degree?’

‘Oh god I was worse’ Louisa said dryly ‘spewing up every ten minutes and hyperventilating. I was never great with public performances and auditioning in front of what ended up being four panellists was nerve wracking’

‘I bet you were fine afterwards though’

‘Oh yeah I was perfect’ Louisa said ‘that night I went out and got drunk with Charlie, Georgia and Marie we got so drunk Mum had to come and pick up from the city because no cab driver would take us and we got kicked off public transport’

Josh snorted.
‘So was it like ‘Hiiiii Moooom I wuuuuuuv you can you come and pick me an’ the girls up we’re drunk!’?’

Louisa giggled.
‘Yeah pretty much’ she said ‘I passed out in the back of her Beamer and apparently Dad had to carry me up to bed when we got home. All I remember was waking up sixteen hours later feeling like my head had been cleaved in two. That was the most hung over I’d ever been ever Of course I’ve gotten a lot older and wiser and mellowed a lot since then. That was thirteen years ago’

Josh chuckled.
‘Well if you’re invited on the show we’ll celebrate when you get home’ he said squeezing her shoulders ‘the boys will be with me we’ll all take you out to the Burger Pit you like going there’

‘Sounds good’ Louisa said with a smile ‘will you bring them to the airport on Sunday when I get home?’

‘Sure I was planning to’ Josh said ‘it’s been a while since they’ve seen you’

‘Pack their bags and come stay with me next week’ Louisa said ‘it’s the last week of Josef’s school holidays and it’ll be nice to have them around again they haven’t stayed since before Easter’

‘Oh yeah that infamous time when Jo busted up making whoopie’ Josh said reddening at the memory ‘that will never ever happen again we’re confining it to the bedroom again next time they’re where we are’

‘Don’t worry we’ll be fine’ Louisa said patting his knee.

*********************************************************************************

Right on five thirty the boarding call for Louisa’s flight was broadcast.

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen this is the first boarding call for United Airlines flight seventy six from New York La Guardia to LAX. All passengers holding a boarding pass for this flight are immediately asked to make their way to gate five in preparation for boarding and our scheduled departure time of five fifty PM’

‘You have a safe flight’ Josh said to Louisa kissing her softly on the lips ‘I’ll see you Sunday with the boys. I won’t wish you good luck you don’t need it’

‘Hmm I beg to differ’ Louisa said returning the kiss with fervour ‘I’ll text you to let you know I landed safe okay?’

‘I look forward to it see you soon sweetheart’

‘See ya!

*********************************************************************************

Five hours later Louisa’s plane landed in Los Angeles. She grabbed her violin and viola cases and shoulder bag from the overhead compartment and disembarked walking up the sky bridge and into the arrivals lounge where she was met by Charlotte.

‘Hey bestie look at you!’ Charlotte exclaimed ‘you’re looking radiant! Must be all the hot rampant sex you’re having’

Louisa giggled.
‘It must be’ she said hugging her friend ‘it’s great to see you what’s been happening?’

‘Not much to be honest’ Charlotte admitted as they headed toward baggage collection ‘the horses are chugging along though all our good ones are spelling in preparation for the Fall races. George and I are taking Jac home for the Melbourne Cup in November so we’ve been busy planning it all. We’re off to Arlington for the Arlington Million next month that’s going to be the start for his campaign which will hopefully include the Cox Plate and Japan Cup’

‘You’re bypassing the Breeders Cup meet?’ Louisa asked in surprise.

‘Yeah there’s no point in going again Jac’s already won a Breeders Cup and George and I want to make him a bit more appealing to the Southern Hemisphere breeders because we plan on shuttling him if we get a stud interested in taking him on. Otherwise he’ll stand at Mum and Dad’s farm. We’re half tempted to send him there anyway they’ve recently extended their barn to make it more appropriate to house stallions and I know he would be looked after if he went there’

‘And work?’

‘Oh that’s boring as hell just divorces and petty crimes defence at the moment’ Charlotte said as they arrived at the luggage carousels ‘I want a nice meaty homicide case to sink my teeth into. But the little workload I have at the moment means I can stay at home more and plan more aspects of the wedding’

‘Ooooh how’s that going?’ Louisa asked with a grin.

‘Brilliant’ Charlotte said enthusiastically ‘I’m down to two colour choices with the bridesmaids gowns so while you’re here I’ll get you and George together and we’ll make the final decision’

‘What are the choices?’ Louisa asked in interest.

‘This really nice deep purple and this clarety- maroon colour’ Charlotte replied ‘I’m leaning toward the purple it’ll suit you, George and Vicky better’

‘Where are you going to get the dresses?’ Louisa asked ‘or are you going to get them made to order?’

‘Made to order’ Charlotte replied ‘once Josh’s proposal became public I had all these designers volunteering to make my dress and the bridesmaids dresses. Versace, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Armani, even Vivienne Westwood so I decided on Oscar de la Renta because he made the dress that I wore to the dinner where Josh and I connected. Josh, Charlie, Chris and Mike’s suits are going to be done by Armani’

‘Jesus that’s going to cost a fortune’ Louisa said.

‘Yeah well we’re going the full traditional wedding and Mum and Dad have volunteered to pay for my gowns the bridesmaids dresses and the hire and fitting out of the church and reception locations. It’s traditional for the Groom’s family to pay for the Bridegroom and bridegroom party costs but J doesn’t want to heap it all on his parents so he’s paying for the suits. They’re something they’ll be able to wear after the wedding. Like the dresses I’m choosing for us girls to wear’

‘Oh did you get Carrick Hill?’ Louisa asked eagerly ‘I know when I was down here a couple of weeks ago they were proving a bit difficult’

‘Yeah we got it’ Charlotte said with a grin ‘and we got St Peter’s Cathedral too. We had to promise a significant donation to the restoration project of the church and the Carrick Hill Historical Society but it was enough to secure the venues for February tenth’

‘Gawd and think that’s only seven months away I bet you’re getting excited’ Louisa said with a grin as the luggage carousels whirred into action ‘I’m excited and I’m not the one getting married’

‘Aw Louie I seriously cannot wait’ Charlotte said with a whimsical sigh ‘You have no idea how many times in the past two months I’ve pictured myself walking down the aisle in a big white gown and reciting the marriage vows. God I’m turning into a bloody big sop’

‘No you’re not you’re just stupidly and madly in love’ Louisa said with a grin ‘and you reckon I look radiant from loads of red hot sex, pot kettle black dearie’

Charlotte grinned.
‘Twice this morning before morning stables, once after track work twice once I got home from work and once up against the wall as I was leaving to come and collect you’ was all she said.

‘Six times? Louisa yelped ‘holy hell Charlotte you must be getting friction sores’

‘No way honey not the way J primes me up’ Charlotte said with a grin ‘how about your Josh huh? Can you beat six times in less than twelve hours?’

‘Oh god yeah when he came back from Japan it was three days straight of making whoopie’ Louisa said pulling her suitcase off the carousel ‘we did it so many times I lost count. For three days straight the only time we left the bedroom was to get something to eat go to the loo or feed the dog and cat. Mocha was going stir crazy after going three days without a run in the park’

Charlotte let out a great snort of laughter.
‘Joshua Bell world famous concert violinist and rampant sex god’ she said with a snigger ‘ahahahaha!’

‘Oh don’t say that too loud’ Louisa said dryly as they left the airport and headed for the short term parking lot ‘I want that information to stay classified thankyou very much’

‘Honey the look on your face is enough for Josh’s bedroom abilities to become public knowledge’ Charlotte said with a grin ‘you’re grinning like a loon’

‘Likewise Charlie’

*********************************************************************************

After two more hours of practice with Charlotte the previous night Louisa rose early on Friday morning and joined Charlotte in morning stables.

‘D’you want to hop up on one for a gallop this morning?’ Charlotte asked as they entered the dimly lit barn shortly after four thirty ‘blow the cobwebs out a bit?’

‘Sure I’m up for it’ Louisa said as several of the staff greeted Charlotte brightly.

‘Well if George doesn’t mind I might put you up on Jac’ Charlotte said as she paused in front of the stallion's stall.

Louisa peered over the stall door where Jacoby was curled up on the saw dust sound asleep.

‘Oi lazy bones git up’ Charlotte called making clucking noises.

Jacoby woke up but only yawned and flopped back onto the stall bedding with a huge sigh. Louisa let out a snort of amusement.
‘Is he going to be awake enough for me to ride him work?’ she asked in amusement.

‘Yeah he will be Jose obviously hasn’t waved the bucket of oats under his nose yet’ Charlotte said dryly rolling her eyes ‘once the breakfast is on the table he’ll be full of beans. Tango is exactly the same unless you wave food in front of them they don’t wanna know shit’

‘How do you get them motivated to work then?’ Louisa asked as they made their way into the office ‘you work them before you feed them don’t you?’

‘Yeah well Jac and Tango are the only ones like it in the whole barn so Jose who looks after them both just gives them an apple or a handful of pony nuts and that’s enough’ Charlotte said checking the big whiteboard above the desk that detailed each horses training schedule ‘alright muck out time what d’you reckon can you do four in an hour?’

‘I’ll give it a go’ Louisa said ‘tallyho chaps!’

*********************************************************************************

After a morning of working in the stables then going on a trail ride with Charlotte and Georgia Louisa began getting ready to go into Los Angeles for the Guinness World Records T.V audition. She washed and dried her hair put on a floor length blue and white summer xaxi dress and painted her nails a bright metallic purple.

‘Geez Louie it’s only an audition it’s like you’re getting ready for a hot date with Mr Spunky Violinist’ Georgia joked as she and Charlotte watched their friend slip on a pair of high heeled sandals ‘I reckon Josh would be disappointed you’re going to all this effort and he’s not even here to see the finished product’

Charlotte let out a great snort of laughter but Louisa just rolled her eyes.
‘I go to more effort when I have a hot date with Mr Spunky Violinist’ she said checking her lipstick ‘the last date we had before he went away on his latest recital tour I took a day off work to wax every bit of body hair off me and get my hair streaked and styled and my nails done’

‘Hmm I’m betting he got lucky that night’ Georgia said with a snort.

After a short pause the three friends collapsed in a fit of hysterical giggles.

‘S-s-so much so he had issues waking up the next morning to get to J.F.K in time for his flight to Moscow’ Louisa said with a grin ‘I had to poke him’

‘Uh huh I bet you did’

‘Oh you two have filthy minds!’ Louisa declared standing up and grabbing her violin case and handbag ‘how do I look?’

‘Smoking hot now can we go?’ Charlotte said jangling her car keys ‘Louie you’ll be fine You’ve got me and George there and you and me can have a bit of a jam before you go on come on’

‘Let’s go!’

Louisa followed her friends downstairs and out to Charlotte’s gleaming black new BMW. She stored her instrument next to Charlotte’s in the backseat with Georgia then took the front passenger seat.

‘I thought you could get into the mood for the audition by listening to various arrangements of Flight of the Bumblebee’ Charlotte said plugging her iPod into the car’s stereo system and starting the ignition ‘I trawled iTunes a couple of nights ago and found forty five versions. And using J’s recording equipment I recorded me playing it on the violin and viola, George playing it on the flute and piccolo and J playing it on the piano to really get you in the zone’

‘forty five? Louisa exclaimed in surprise ‘god I’m going to be sick of the piece by the time we get to Los Angeles’

‘Then it’ll be tattooed on your mind and you’ll be able to break the record easy peasy’ Georgia said with a snort from the back seat ‘You’ll be fine Louie god Josh must get exasperated reassuring you all the time’

‘I think he has’ Louisa said sheepishly ‘well I managed the twenty fourth Caprice at the Conservatorium’s Winter recital there’s nothing to say I won’t be able to do this one’

‘That’s the spirit!’

*********************************************************************************

An hour later Louisa arrived at the Fox Broadcasting studios.

‘Alright do you know the studio you need to go to?’ Charlotte asked pulling up behind a Mercedes at a security station.

‘Yeah four apparently it’s near the front of the compound’ Louisa said.

‘Oh yeah I know where that is’ Charlotte said.

‘You do how?’

‘Remember back in April during his tour break he was invited to be a mentor on American Idol and we were invited to perform Hidden Away for the performance show? Well American Idol is filmed on sound stage four, I know exactly where you need to go’

‘Name darling?’ the security guard asked.

‘Mine’s Charlotte’s Preston but I’m escorting Louisa Riminton to sound stage four’ Charlotte said.

‘And your friend in the back?’

‘Georgia Blackiston we’re Miss Riminton’s legal counsel’

‘Alright doll here’s three visitors passes make sure you wear these at all times within the compound and return them upon exiting alright?’ the guard said handing three passes to Charlotte.

‘No worries thanks’ Charlotte said.

The security guard opened the boom gate and Charlotte drove in.
‘God this place is huge’ Louisa said as Charlotte turned right and began driving down a wide ‘road’ ‘bit like Universal when I went there on a tour a few years ago’

‘It’s not as fun though’ Charlotte said as the car cruised along ‘this compound is purely for business. The only people who want a tour of this join want to get into show biz’

‘You have more contact with people in showbiz have you heard who’s hosting the revamped show?’ Louisa asked as a truck carrying a trailer full of sets went by.

‘Yeah apparently Ryan Seacrest’ Charlotte said ‘really nice guy one of the few people in the business that isn’t a puffed up pompous arse full of his own self importance....ah here we are’

A huge building loomed in front of them with ‘Studio 4’ painted on the outside. Charlotte took the nearest park to the main entrance and swiftly cut the ignition.
‘Well it’s now or never dawg’ she said in a cheesy American accent ‘time for you to I say show these varmints what you’re made of’

Georgia let out a great snort of laughter and Louisa just rolled her eyes.
‘Well let’s go’ she said unclipping her seatbelt ‘the quicker I get this over and done with the better’

‘Oh lighten up you’re going to be fine’ Georgia said as the three friends left the car ‘I’ve never met anyone who bricks it as much as you do for no reason. You still do it now and haven’t performed regularly since Uni seven years ago’

‘I know I’m being a prat’ Louisa said sheepishly taking her violin from her friend and slinging the case over her shoulder ‘Okay I’m going to do it, I’m great I’ve practiced an indecent amount and managed to get through tutoring sessions with J without dropping my instrument and pinning him down and fucking him into the next century’

‘The self satisfied grin you’ve been wearing since you got back to the farm says the opposite’ Georgia said dryly ‘god why don’t you two just live together? You two are exactly like Josh and Char early on in their relationship everyone in the office knew when Char had had a fuck-a-thon over the weekend because she turned up at the office with a shit eating grin on her face’

‘Oh I did not! Charlotte yelped ‘you lie!’

‘I don’t’ Georgia said matter of factly ‘you still do’

‘Yeah whatever’

Charlotte too her violin from Georgia then the three friends made their way from the car park into the studio building. They entered a large spacious reception area plastered with pposters of various Fox Broadcasting personalities and the shows filmed in the lot.

‘You go to the desk George and I will wait here’ Charlotte said dropping down into a nearby sofa chair ‘go on you’ll be fine’

‘Ta’

Louisa turned and approached the desk where a young woman in her mid twenties wearing a smart back and white suit greeted her brightly.

‘Good afternoon may I help you?’ she asked.

‘Sure my name’s Louisa Riminton I’m here to see Gareth Lane about the World Records show’ Louisa said ‘I’m a bit early I wasn’t due til half past two’

‘No problem darling I’ll let you know you’re here if you’d like to take a seat he shouldn’t be too long’ the woman said.

‘Thanks’

Louisa turned and went back to Charlotte and Georgia who were waiting for her.
‘Now I’ve just got to wait which is the worst part’ she said flopping down into a spare seat.

‘Once we get inside the greenroom we’ll have a bit of a jam and that’ll relax you’ Charlotte said assuringly ‘having a violin under your chin will bring back all the practice you’ve done the last few days. Remember what Mr Mac used to say? Remember your revision and you won’t make any mistakes’

‘I know I’ll be right I know I will’ Louisa said laying her violin case across her lap and drumming her purple nails upon it nervously ‘it’s just that if I’m good enough here today I go on national television and that’s what I’m ultimately bricking it about’

‘Oh God national T.V is a lark you’ll manage that on your ear’ Charlotte said airily ‘you can do what I did before the Grammy’s and sink a shot of voddy ‘this thing is going to be pre-taped so if you fuck up you can go again the Grammy’s were live’

‘I would’ve hyperventilated if I’d done what you had’ Louisa said ‘I was packing it just walking the red carpet with J and no one knew who I was!’

‘You’re the partner of one of the most celebrated artists in the music business Louie I daresay you’ll get used to all the hoopla that goes along with all the functions he has to attend’ Georgia said ‘in twelve months time you’ll be prancing down the red carpet in front of the paparazzi like it’s old hat’

‘I highly doubt that’

‘The same thing happened to me’ Charlotte said ‘when I first met Josh I was hugely apprehensive about all the media attention I would get being his girlfriend but it gets easier to deal with it really does. The only function you’ve done with Josh so far is the Grammys which is the biggest deal whatever genre of music you’re in. If you can manage the Grammys you can manage anything’

‘Cheers’

Ten minutes after her arrival a man Louisa estimated to be in his mid forties arrived in the reception area.

‘Hi which one of you ladies is Louisa?’ he greeted the trio brightly.

‘Me’ Louisa said standing up and holding out her hand ‘but please call me Louie only my Nanna calls me Louisa, or my parents when I’m in trouble’

‘No problemo I’m Gareth great to meet you’ the man said ‘and these are friends of yours?’

‘Yeah this is Georgia Blackiston and my jamming friend Charlotte Preston’ Louisa said introducing her friends.

Garet’s face flooded with recognition as he shook Charlotte’s hand.
‘The Charlotte Preston?’ he exclaimed incredulously ‘the Hidden Away Grammy award winning one?’

‘Yeah the same one’ Charlotte said ‘but I’m only a very small piece of that song I only wrong the strings score. Dan and Josh are the main guts of the song’

Ah but you still won a Grammy for your contribution’ Gareth said ‘anyway come this way Louisa-er Louie sorry we’re in mid afternoon break at the moment you’ll be the first act when we resume in an hour’

‘Are you getting many people try out for the show?’ Louisa asked as she followed Gareth out a side door and into the backstage area’

‘Yeah tons you’re the only one of the musical variety to try out though and when the rest of the crew found out what record you were going for they were really keen to put you on the show straight up but it’s policy to screen applicants first so we don’t end up with any numskulls wanting to set a record by being intimately involved with a banana skin or some other dumb record attempt. One nut job yesterday wanted to set the record for most spent matchsticks shoved up a nose’

‘Well our friend here is much classier than that’ Georgia said with a grin.

‘I look forward to finding out’ Gareth said.

Gareth led Louisa, Charlotte and Georgia through the bowels of the complex til they came to a hallway of dressing rooms.

‘Okay you girls can wait in here I’ll get my P.A to come and get you when we’re ready for you’ he said opening a door with a ‘green room’ plaque hanging off it ‘there’s some soda and a tray of sandwiches in the refrigerator if you get peckish but otherwise just relax’

‘Thanks’

Gareth went off down the hallway and Louisa entered the greenroom immediately setting her violin down and unpacking it.

‘How about we start off with something easy to get you in the groove?’ Charlotte suggested unzipping her own violin case ‘you’re partial to Dvorak how about Humouresque?

‘Sounds good!’

*********************************************************************************

For forty five minutes straight Louisa jammed with Charlotte alternating between an easy piece and the shortened fast version of Flight of the Bumblebee. Georgia timed her Bumblebee attempts on her cell phone stopwatch and every time she attempted the piece she took a second off it’

‘That one was a minute seven and a half Lou I really think you can do this!’ Georgia said excitedly ‘a mobile stopwatch isn’t hugely accurate but you’ve only got to knock just over a second and a half off what you’ve been doing and you’ve got it in the bag’

‘Oh god a second and a half is twenty notes how the fuck am I going to get them in on time? Louisa groaned flopping down into the nearest chair ‘I’ve only been practicing this for two weeks I have no idea how long David Garrett did. What the hell am I thinking?’

‘I think you’ve done enough to get a spot on the show and filming will probably be in three to four weeks given their schedule that’s plenty of time to refine your technique further’ Charlotte said putting tucking her violin under her arm ‘I’m sure Josh will help you’

Louisa’s iPhone started ringing with the soft melodious tone of Song to the Moon

‘Speak of the devil’ Georgia said giving Louisa her phone ‘Char and I will wait outside’

‘Thanks guys’

As soon as her friends left the greenroom Louisa answered the phone.
‘Hello Mr Hunky Spunky’ she said with a soft giggle.

‘Afternoon sweetheart how are you?’ Josh asked.

‘Better now that you’ve rung’ Louisa said ‘just finished practicing and waiting for the executive producer’s P.A to come and get me’

‘And how did the practice go?’

‘Great got it down to a minute seven and a half Charlie reckons I’ve done enough to get on the show’

‘I think you have too’ Josh said ‘I have confidence in you Louie you’re an exceptionally skilled violinist and I know you’ll beat that record. And who knows this could be the key to people in the business noticing you as an artist. And you said if you were to get into the business you’d do it off your own back’

‘D’you really think so?’ Louisa said doubtfully ‘I mean I don’t want to be a full time musician like you are but ever since that time we went to visit Mr Mac I’ve thought it would be kinda cool to have a CD on the shelf’

‘Yes I really think so’ Josh said ‘you know your technique and flow has improved so much in the last few months you really could do this. You do brilliantly at things you set your mind to’

Louisa felt her heart swell and tummy flutter.
‘Thanks’ she mumbled ‘how are the boys?’

‘Great actually Jo wants to talk to you’ Josh said ‘can you spare a few minutes?’

‘Sure put him on’

There was a scuffling noise on the line then Josef’s small voice filtered down the line.
‘Loo Boo?’ he said ‘you there?’

‘I am Monster how’s things?’ Louisa asked ‘you having a good day with Dad?’

‘Uh huh we’ve been playin’ ping pong and Bowlin’ on the Wii and we’re gonna go to the doggy park with Mockie after lunch’ Josef said excitedly ‘wish you were here’

‘I wish I was there too monster but I have a big audition to go to today’ Louisa said tucking her legs under her and leaning back in the chair ‘did Dad tell you that?’

‘Uh huh he said you were in Los Angeles and are gonna play the violin wreally wreally fast’ Josef said ‘have you been practicin’?’

‘I have and have you? How are you going with Lightly Row?’

‘Wreally good almost got it’ Josef said proudly ‘Daddy has been helpin’ me and I want to pway it for you when you come home. We’ve been working on something else for you too’

‘Oh yeah and what’s that?’

Josef giggled.
‘I can’t tell’ he said ‘Daddy says it’s a surprise I’m not allowed to tell’

‘Well you can tell your Daddy that I’m going to tickle him when he gets home’ Louisa said with a grin ‘til he’s squealing like when I tickle you and your brother’s okay?’

Josef giggled.
‘I’ll tell him’ he said ‘good luck wif the audition you’re wreally wreally good Loo Boo and I want evewyone to know it’

‘Thanks a lot kiddo can you put your Dad back on?’ Louisa said ‘I’ll see you Sunday night okay? We’ll go to the Burger Pit okay?’

‘Okay Loo Boo I luv you!’

‘Love you too monster’

There was another scuffling noise and Louisa could hear Josef tell his father about her threat to tickle him then and Josh came back online.
‘Is my eldest right you’re going to tickle me if I don’t reveal our secret?’ he said in amusement.

‘Yeah a special sort of tickle’ Louisa said with a laugh ‘you know, the one that requires a locked door and some adult alone time. I’ll do that wether you tell me the secret or not’

‘I do look forward to that’ Josh said huskily ‘In fact I-‘

A knock came at the greenroom door and Charlotte popped her head around.
‘Time to go Louie’ she said apologetically.

‘Babe I have to go my spot’s come up’ Louisa said ‘I’ll ring you when I’m done alright?’

‘Okay good luck’ Josh said ‘I love you’

‘I love you too’ Louisa said ‘chat soon’

‘Bye’

Louisa turned off her phone and pocketed it then grabbed her violin and bow and went out into the hallway where Charlotte and Georgia were waiting along with a young woman in her mid twenties.

‘Louisa?’ she said extending a hand ‘hi my name’s Pixie I’m Gareth’s P.A’

‘Howdy’ Louisa said nervously ‘please call me Louie only my Nanna calls me Louisa’

‘Alrighty I can do that, you ready to come though? The crew’s ready for you now’

‘How big is the crew?’ Louisa asked dryly.

‘Ah the production crew is about seventeen a third of what we have when we tape’ Pixie said brightly ‘your friends assure me you’ve performed in front of crowds far bigger before so you should manage this on your ear’

‘Seventeen people I have no issue with it’s the reason I’m performing I have issues with’ Louisa said dryly as they turned a corner and came to an immediate backstage area ‘alright Charlotte, Georgia just walk past the sound desk and turn left and there’s some seating in front of the stage you can watch Louie from. That’s where the production crew and director will be seated’

‘Cool we’ll head there straight away’ Georgia said ‘good luck bestie’

‘Thanks’

Charlotte and Georgia disappeared past the sound desk and Pixie led Louisa right and onto a dimly lit stage with a blue and black theme. A huge unlit sign loudly proclaiming ‘GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS T.V’ was at the back and at the centre of the stage stood a tall bar stool and a table with a bottle of spring water on it.

‘You ready to go Louie?’ Gareth called.

‘Yup all set’ Louisa said sitting on the edge of the bar stool.

‘Alright well when you’re ready’

Louisa gave her bow one last swipe with the rosin then put it on the table and tucked her violin under her

‘Three, two one...’

Louisa then launched into the fastest version of Flight of the Bumblebee she’d ever performed as accurately as she could. She fastened her eyes on the fingerboard picturing the years since discarded fingers tapes. Her fingers hit every spot where they should’ve when they should’ve. The pizzicato went by flawlessly and the bowing resumed without the noticeable pause most violinists had when performing this piece.

Before she knew it the last note rang out and everyone in the studio burst into enthusiastic cheers and whistles.

‘You da man!’ Georgia exclaimed ‘one oh five seventy three!’

‘Bullshit!’ Louisa exclaimed incredulously ‘you’re having me on’

‘Louie everyone here’s timing you and we all got one mine and five seconds give or take a few milliseconds’ Gareth said holding up a bright yellow stopwatch ‘unofficially you just became the world’s fastest violinist’

‘We’re not joking Lou you did it’ Charlotte called ‘I watched your fingering from here and from what I saw you didn’t drop a note the whole way. Let David Garrett do that’

Louisa grinned and punched the air.
‘God my fingers are killing me’ she said tucking her violin under her arm and cracking her knuckles ‘No wonder Garrett doesn’t do this all the time’

‘Honey I definitely want you on the show’ Gareth declared ‘you should be on America’s got Talent not a World Records Show, Jesus’

Louisa blushed bright red.

‘What’s your work schedule like darling?’ Bob the director asked.

‘In the next week or in general?’

‘I’m thinking the end of August beginning of September-ish’

‘I haven’t got anything planned my work roster is only done a week ahead’

‘Well keep the twenty sixth to the fourth free I want you on this show and on air as soon as possible. You’re the real deal darling. Gareth’s right you should be on America’s Got Talent. I’d tell you to go there if the series hadn’t just ended. Why the hell are you not in the music business?’

‘I get more satisfaction from being a horse vet and anyway a lot of people I’ve met in the music biz are so far up their own arse they can’t see anything outside their own little world’ Louisa said with a grin ‘I met so many assholes at the Grammys after parties it made me question the human race’

The group gathered roared with laughter.

‘You know many people in the biz then?’ Gareth asked in interest.

‘Well apart from Char and Josh no but my partner won a Grammy a few years ago and I went with him this year’ Charlotte said leaving the stage.

‘Oh really? Do you mind me asking who your partner is?’

Louisa hesitated.
‘Joshua Bell’ she said ‘he’s a violinist’

‘The best one in the business’ Charlotte said.

‘But keep that information quiet yeah?’ Louisa said firmly ‘I came here under my own steam I don’t want people to think he’s the one getting me into public performances’

‘No problem darling we do have a privacy clause here we all abide by’ Gareth said ‘well you can go back to the greenroom now I’ll be there in a few minutes okay?’

‘Sure’

Louisa turned and left and made her way back to the greenroom. Charlotte and Georgia followed her and engulfed her in a hug as soon as the door shut behind them.

‘Oh my god you were brilliant!’ Georgia yelped ‘Lou you could go viral on YouTube you really could’

‘Did either of you film it on your phones?’ Louisa asked loosening the bow.

‘I did do you want me to send it to Josh?’ Charlotte asked.

‘Send it to me first and I’ll send it to him’ Louisa said taking her shoulder rest off ‘I’m going to have a go at doing that on the viola when we get back to the farm see if I can do it on the same time’

‘You’ll have to be stronger on the bowing and fingering with the thicker strings’ Charlotte said ‘but it’d be a bit of fun, and I’d try it on your electric violin too it’d be interesting what’s better for you electric or acoustic. Now how about we jam?’

*********************************************************************************

For the next hour Louisa jammed with Charlotte playing everything from Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson to Bach and Debussy. They were so engrossed in playing they didn’t hear the knock that came at the door or notice Georgia get up and answer it. It was only when they had finished rocking out and playing to Smooth Criminal blasting out of the speakers in the green room’s stereo did they notice that Gareth, Bob, Pixie and Randy the assistant director watching them with incredulous admiration’

‘I want you both on the show’ Gareth said.

‘Why me?’ Charlotte asked in surprise ‘I only came along today to be Louie’s jamming partner. What do you want my record to be? Most violins balanced on a pair of boobs? Because I only attempt that sort of stuff when I’m ratarsed’

Georgia and Louisa let out great snorts of laughter.

‘No not as a contestant as a going to the break act’ Gareth said ‘you and Louie can duet. I know fuck all about the violin but you two doing Smooth Criminal just then sounded awesome’

‘Well if you really want me on the show I suppose I can come along’ Charlotte said cheerfully ‘But I’m bringing my electric one that sounds better than this piece of junk, this isn’t even my best violin’

‘Hey hang on you definitely want me on the show?’ Louisa asked.

‘Definitely’ Gareth and Bob chorused.

‘When?’

‘Would the Seventh of September be good for you?’ Gareth asked ‘that’s the first day we haven’t got a full schedule of filming and we know we can definitely fit you in. We’re looking to get you in here about midday for a bit of pre taping rehearsal then your segment will tape at two or three’

‘Count me in’ Louisa said ‘that’s far enough away that I can definitely say I can come that week’s work schedule hasn’t been worked out yet and when I get to work Monday morning I can request a couple of days that week off’

‘You culd be the key to giving this series the right amount of credibility it needs darling you’re brilliant’ Bob said ‘we have to go and see other auditions but Gareth or Pixie will be back in touch with you in the next few days to organise your trip down alright?’

‘So you don’t need me any more today?’

‘Nope you’re free to go. Thanks for coming in’

Minutes later Louisa left the greenroom with Charlotte and Georgia in tow.

‘Let me carry that you ring Josh’ Charlotte said taking Louisa’s violin case off her shoulder ‘he’ll want to know you got on the show’

Louisa grinned.
‘Okay’

Louisa took her iPhone out of her handbag and immediately dialled Josh’s blackberry. It rang twice before he picked up.

‘Good afternoon sweetheart’ he said brightly ‘so any news?’

‘Yeah I got on the show’ Louisa said excitedly skipping forward a few steps ‘September Seventh they want me back down her to film my segment isn’t that brilliant?’

‘Are you serious?’ Josh exclaimed ‘you really got on?’

‘Uh huh and everyone times me and they all got derivatives of one minute five seconds’ Louisa said with a grin.

‘You broke the record?’

‘Yep well unofficially I just have to keep up the practice til the seventh and hopefully I’ll do it again’

‘Congratulations!’ Josh said happily ‘I knew you’d do it’

‘Will you be able to come down and watch the taping?’ Louisa asked as she followed Charlotte and Georgia outside to the car park.

‘Should be able to’ Josh said amiably ‘I’ll have a look at my diary when I get back to the house. If there’s nothing there I’ll ring Eddie and get her to keep that day free’

‘Where are you now?’

‘Hampton Park with the boys giving Mocha a run’ Josh said ‘we’ve been here an hour and a half and the boys are having great fun throwing the ball into the lake so she can go and fetch it’

‘I hope you’re going to wash her’ Louisa said with a laugh as she reached Charlotte’s car ‘I want to come home to a tea tree scented dog and no muddy paw prints left on the slate’

‘I promise dear’ Josh joked ‘everything and everyone animal vegetable and mineral will be in tip top condition’

‘Good because I would have to tell you off if it wasn’t’

‘Oh Louie go home and fuck him!’ Georgia teased her friend loudly.

Josh laughed.
‘I heard that’ he said chuckling heartily as Louisa yelped ‘Oh GEORGE! ‘I think that was a rhetorical statement. You’re more than welcome to tell her you will if you like’

‘Joshua Bell I am not going to say anything of the sort!’ Louisa yelped ‘holy Moses!’

‘How about I drop you off at LAX so you can catch the first flight back to New York?’ Charlotte called as they pulled out of the compound.

‘Shut up Charlotte!’

‘Sounds like you’re having fun’ Josh said in amusement ‘but I better go darling my boys and your dog will get up to no good if I just sit here and not pay attention. I’ll see you Sunday night alright?’

‘Okay babe I love you’

‘Love you too sweetheart’

*********************************************************************************

Up in new York Josh watched in amusement as Josef, Ben and Sam played ‘keep away’ with Mocha’s ball. The red and white spotted dog was bouncing around them trying in vain to get her plaything back.

‘Boys don’t tease her it’s not nice’ he said gently prising the ball from Josef’s fingers ‘let’s throw the ball and let her go get it alright?’

‘You frow it Daddy!’ Ben said excitedly ‘you frow it wreally far!”

Mocha barked.

‘Alright should I throw it into the water?’

‘Yeaaaaaah!’

Josh gripped the ball hard and with all his strength threw the ball. Mocha followed it with her brown eyes and took off like a greyhound after a lure launching off a small pier into the water with a splash that amused several other park patrons.

‘Louie rang just now’ he said dropping down onto a spare park bench and watching Mocha swim out to the ball.

‘Did she get on that show Dad?’ Josef asked excitedly.

‘Uh huh she did she’s got to go back down to Los Angeles to film her segment on the seventhth of September’

‘That’s-that’s um how far?’ Josef asked as Mocha caught her ball and turned to swim back to shore.

‘Three weeks away’ Josh said ‘twenty one days’

‘You miss her don’t you Daddy?’ Ben asked perceptively.

‘Yeah pal I do’ Josh said ruffling his son’s hair ‘do you?’

‘Uh huh lots and lots. This is the first time we’ve taken Mockie to the park and she hasn’t come wif us’

‘Are you going to ask Louie to marry you Daddy?’ Josef asked as Josh sighed.

‘I hadn’t thought about it Jo’ Josh said watching Mocha leave the water and shake herself vigorously ‘would you like me to?’

‘Uh huh I can tell you love her lots and lots’ Josef said ‘if you and Loo Boo got mawwied she’d be-she’d be....’

‘If Louie and I got married Jo she’d be your Step-Mom’ Josh said ‘but we’re not married yet. And even if we did get married she wouldn’t replace your Mom she’s still very important I want you to know that’

‘I know I wuv Mommy and Loo Boo lots’ Josef said as Mocha bounced up to them her ears flapping ‘both the same’

‘That’s good’ Josh said taking the ball from Mocha again ‘but I promise if I ask Louie to marry me you’ll be the first to know alright? You and your brothers’

‘Can we tell her Daddy?’ Sam asked as Josh threw the ball back into the lake.

‘No way this is top secret just between us alright?’

‘Okay!’

‘Are we all going to the airpowt to pick her up when she comes home?’ Josef asked as Mocha took off.

‘Yup and we’re going to the Burger Pit for dinner afterwards’

‘Oh yummy!’

And as Josh sat with his sons playing fetch with Mocha he pondered Josef’s question. Was he ready to ask Louisa to marry him? Could he see her as his wife? He wasn’t sure but he knew that her coming home on Sunday night would definitely help him decide. He was madly in love and did not deal at all well with being apart from her.

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Photographer in the Park