‘We’re in Elstree, just north of London,’ confirms Sebastian.
Kiki blinks. ‘How do you know that?’
‘Sebastian’s got an excellent sense of direction since he’s a courier,’ I tell her quickly.
She nods. ‘My brother is a bit freakish like that.’
‘Ah, good evening, sir,’ the doorman says in a plummy accent as Leo emerges from the limo.
I lift an eyebrow.Sir!OK, now I really feel like I’m inDownton Abbey.
‘Y’all right, Fenton?’ Leo replies in his South London accent, which sounds so incongruous with the doorman’s it makes me want to laugh.
‘Yes, thank you, sir. Will you be needing the limo again tonight?’ Fenton intones.
‘I’m sure we can find somewhere to bunk down,’ Leo mutters, and I stiffen when I catch that. Too bad if this place has twenty bedrooms. No way am I leaving Kiki alone with Echo Ministry’s drummer; he’s testosterone on legs.
‘Very well, sir. Enjoy the party,’ says Fenton, and I grab Kiki’s arm tightly as Leo leads us up the red-carpeted stairs.
‘Stay close to Sebastian and me,’ I tell her in a low voice. ‘Once we find Rach, we’re getting out of here.’
‘Oh, not even a dance? Leo said there’s a disco in the ballroom.’ She sounds disappointed, and I remind myself this is a big deal for her. Being invited to a pop star’s mansion doesn’t happen every day. It could be the story that she rolls out to impress her grandkids.
I relent. ‘OK,onedance,’ I say, and she brightens.
‘Yay, thanks, Jadey. And don’t worry about Rach. She’ll be fine. I’m sure Tommy is as much of a gentleman as Leo.’
Hmm, I sincerely doubt that—despite the fancy house and posh-speaking doorman!
The front door must have quadruple glazing because we’re assailed with a wall of music and chatter as soon as Leo pushes it open. There are people everywhere, milling about in the entranceway or draped over the central staircase balustrade, drinking and smoking. The smell of dope and something sweeter hangs in the air.
I can’t help gawping at all the garish make-up, shiny tracksuits, wide shoulder pads, and tall hair. And that’s just the men. But the women aren’t wearing ball gowns; it’s more lace, leg warmers, and Lycra miniskirts. So Kiki and I blend in pretty well with our outfits.
Leo is greeted with cheers and slaps on the back and congratulations: ‘Epic concert, man’ and ‘You guys rocked it’.
I study the first-floor landing, wondering if Rach is up there. Hopefully not as there are probably a shit ton of doors.
Ash sees a girl he knows and stops to chat with her. ‘I’ll catch up with you soon,’ he says, waving us on.
Great, he’s no help!
‘Party’s this way, guys.’
Leo leads us down the hallway, and the pulse of synth and bass intensifies. We enter an enormous room filled with a jostling crowd illuminated by neon pinks and electric blues; the air is heavy with perfume and sweat. There are mirrored columns, crystal chandeliers, and the walls are draped in shimmering gold lamé. A DJ with a bleached afro and oversized headphones is grooving away to a breathy-voiced male singer.
‘Ooh, “Too Shy” by Kajagoogoo. I love this song!’ Kiki bops up and down next to me.
‘Can you see Rach?’ I yell, and she shakes her head, earrings jangling.
‘No, but she must be here somewhere. Let’s mingle!’
Kiki doesn’t wait for my reply. She grabs Leo’s hand, and they plunge into the crowd as the intro to ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’ starts, and the crowd goes wild. Women are shimmying around two good-looking young men leaning against the bar, trying to get their attention, but they don’t seem that interested. They’re both extremely tanned and wearing matching white suits. One of them tosses back a shot glass of amber liquid and says something to the other with a grin.
‘Oh my god, is that...?’ I screech.
‘Yep,’ says Sebastian in my ear. ‘Wham! There are a few big-name celebs here tonight. Tommy Rains is well connected.’
I suck in a hopeful breath. ‘Madonna?’