walked into the catering department and her eyes immediately fell on him, sitting at a table in the corner with his band mates. She hadn’t expected to see them here yet. The loud tones of their laughter and Irish accents could be heard throughout the catering room, making smile at how well they all got on with each other. She helped herself to some food and made her way over to the rest of the wardrobe crew. She’d landed the job as stylist for Westlife a year ago, when their current one had quit to start a family with her husband.
She’d jumped at the opportunity to style the band for award shows and television appearances, she even enjoyed the vast amount of travelling she sometimes had to do. She’d been looking forward to a few months off while they were going on tour when she got a call from Louis, asking her to join them. The woman that usually ran the wardrobe department on tour had quit only a day before they were due to start choosing their stage outfits. As much as she’d been excited about having time off, she still agreed to join them.
That was six weeks ago, and so far she was enjoying every moment of being on the road and the tour hadn’t even started yet. Today was the first real dress rehearsal before opening night in a few days time. As she walked across the catering room towards her friends and fellow crew members, she felt as if someone was watching her. Carefully she glanced over at him, half hoping to be met with his intense stare.
Instead he was staring intently at one of his band mates as they spoke to him, then they all laughed hysterically. She loved how his face lit up when something really made him laugh like that. The way the laughter lines creased up around his eyes and he threw his head back, laughing loudly and not caring who heard him.
“Are you ok , you look like you were day dreaming then” Her friends voice snapped her from her thoughts. “I’m fine, just didn’t think they’d be here so soon” She replied, motioning towards the boy band sitting across the catering room. “They are strangely early, they’re usually late for everything” smiled, “Must be the excitement to see what clothes they’ll be wearing this year, especially for the medley” smiled at her friend. “I just hope they like what I picked out for them, all I had to go by was the notes Carol had made before she quit. I don’t think even Louis has seen the clothes yet” sighed, feeling nervous about her choices for the show. “I’m sure they’ll love them, it can’t be worse than what Carol picked out for them last year. They ended up making her take most of the stuff back and found some other stuff they preferred” laughed, thinking back at last years dress rehearsal. “So not helping…” rolled her eyes as she pushed her food around her plate with her fork, suddenly losing her appetite, “I’m going to go and make sure everything is set out ready for them, I’m way too nervous to eat” nodded her head and watched as left her plate of virtually untouched food and walked out of the catering department. Neither of them noticing that another pair of eyes also watched her from across the room.
***
was busy arranging all of the clothes back stage, checking and double checking that each clothing rail had the right clothes on it. Everything was coloured coded to make their lives easier and to ensure that everyone was wearing the correct clothes and no mistakes were made.
“Knock, knock” A voice said behind her, making her jump a little.
slowly turned around and smiled at stood in the door way of the little curtained off area that housed all the clothes for the show, “…hi, how can I help you?” She answered, she wasn’t exactly friends with the boys from Westlife but they were friendly enough whenever she had to deal with them directly.
“I just thought I’d come and take a sneaky look at what you got for us to wear. I know you were kinda thrown in the deep end with Carol leaving so suddenly” He replied, walking towards the rail he knew to be his.
“You guys must miss her, she’s worked with you for a while now, right?” tried to make conversation while scrutinised her clothing choices. started to laugh and turned slightly to face her, “Miss her?” He asked, taking a jacket off the rail and holding it up against his body, nodding his head in approval and placing it back on the rail, “She’s been dropping the ball more and more every year, we’ve practically had to pick out our own clothes for the past few tours. We’re all glad she’s gone, actually we requested for you to take over from her permanently”
“You did?” asked, open mouthed as she stared at , “But I thought it was only until Louis found someone else” “Well we might’ve dropped a few hints that you’d be perfect for the job” smirked at her, “And judging by these clothes we were right, you’ve done a great job ” “Err…Thanks, I guess” replied still a little shocked, she’d always assumed that she was just a last minute choice, someone who would fill in this year until Louis managed to find someone more permanent.
“See you later” raised his hand in a small wave as he left the small curtained off area.
I'm always at the place where your friends meet,
It's the long way home but I walk your street
And when I trip, and fall right at your feet.
It's not accidental.
stood in shock for a minute or two until finally she decided to go and find and tell her about her conversation with . She found still sat in the catering room, her gaze found it’s way over to the table in the corner that had been previously occupied by Westlife. and had gone but and still remained sat there, talking quietly.
She began telling about what had said to her and actually found herself becoming excited by the thought of doing this job every year. As much as she liked being a stylist, selecting clothes for a tour was much more fun and some of the different sections of the concerts meant she could get really creative. stood up to leave but as she stood she stuck her foot out and felt someone trip over it, hitting the floor hard.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry, it was an-” started to apologise to the person lying on the floor but stopped when she realised who it was. “An accident?” He finished for her, pulling himself up from the floor. “? I’m really sorry, I didn’t even see you. I was just about to leave and oh god, now I’m rambling and I’m probably gonna lose my job” rambled as laughed at her. “So you think I’m gonna go ranting to Louis about how stupid I was for not looking where I was going and tripping over?” He asked with an amused smile on his face, “Relax, it was an accident, right?”
nodded her head as gave her one of his smiles, the kind that would melt millions of hearts, and walked off catching up with who was giggling hysterically at him for falling over.
I make it feel like luck is in the air,
Everytime you turn, I’m standing there
You look into the stars, our names are clear.
It's not accidental.
was back in her small wardrobe department waiting for the rest of the lads to come by and start getting ready for the dress rehearsal. She had already taken the opening outfits to each of their dressing rooms and was expecting them to take to the stage at any moment to start their first rehearsal.
She hummed quietly to herself as she did her final check that every outfit was in the order they needed for the show before turning around and coming face to face with . Seeing him there made her jump, he smiled at her while she clutched at her chest feeling her heart beating heavily in her chest.
“Sorry I didn’t mean to make you jump but I did say hello” smiled softly at her. “It’s fine, I guess I was just off in my own little world. I do that sometimes” She smiled back at him, suddenly noticing he wasn’t wearing his stage clothes, “Is there something wrong with the clothes I left in your dressing room?” “No, no they look great. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of the stuff, actually that’s why I’m here” He admitted, looking a little sheepish as he moved towards the railing with his name on it. watched as he pulled out a jacket, and turned to face her, “That’s for the medley” She explained to him, hoping he liked it. nodded his head and placed the jacket back on the rack, “I like it, do you think it’s my colour?” He smiled while he continued to look through the clothes.
“You could wear anything and you’d still look good” She replied without thinking, then cringing as she realised what she’d said to him, “…you all could” She quickly added. laughed and finished looking through the clothes she’d picked out for him, “You’ve done a great job” He said turning to look at her, “The lads are gonna love their stuff too, I’m sure of it”
“Thanks, you have no idea how nervous I was” laughed, suddenly feeling relaxed after ’s words. “Don’t be” smiled taking a look at his watch, “Shit, I’ve gotta go, we’re supposed to be starting the rehearsal in 5 minutes. See you at the costume change, ” She watched him walk away and then realised what else she had to do, she was supposed to help in here during the show with the costume change. Obviously four grown men could dress themselves but they needed to do it quickly and that’s what the wardrobe department were expected to do.
And when you get a wrong number,
Don't hang up too soon, stop and wonder.
You are the one that’s meant for me
I'm twisting fate to make believe.
It's all accidental
This was always meant to be
When you're in my arms, then you'll see
It wasn't accidental
Two days later, rushed out of the bathroom in her hotel room when she heard her phone ringing, she grabbed it quickly and held it to her ear as she answered it. “Hello?” She answered, hearing nothing but the dialling tone on the other end of the phone. She stared at the receiver in her hand and let out a sigh as she hung up the phone. A gentle knock at the door made her forget the call as she walked over to the door and opened it. “You busy?” asked, following into her hotel room and closing the door behind her. “Not really, I was thinking about maybe heading down to the hotel pool and just lounging about for a bit” explained as she walked into the bathroom to finish getting ready. “Well we’ve got hours till we have to be at the arena, fancy coming shopping with me?” asked, talking loudly so could hear her from the bathroom. “I suppose retail therapy could be better than a lazy day” smiled emerging from the bathroom as the phone in her room started to ring again, “Answer that, will you” nodded her head and answered the phone, “Hello?…There’s no one there” She said placing the phone back down.
“The phone in my room must be broken, that’s the third time today it’s rang and all I’ve gotten is a dialling tone” shrugged her shoulders, figuring she’d talk to reception about it on the way out of the hotel. “Strange must be a fault on the line or something…anyway, you excited about tonight? Opening night” smiled at her friend. nodded her head, as they left her room and walked down the stairs and into the lobby, “Yeah, it’s exciting, sometimes I wish I could actually watch the show though, y’know instead of having to work backstage” laughed loudly, “Do you know how many fans would kill to trade places with us?” She smiled shaking her slightly from side to side. “Maybe, but I’d still like to actually watch the show” She smiled, spotting and walking through the lobby in front of them
I know you like the kind of clothes I wear
Think I threw them out without a care
The style's from a book
You read, a magazine you left.
It's not coincidental.
The tour was well over the half way mark and so far everything had ran smoothly, there were no major hiccups and even though it was hard work being on the road and living out of a suitcase, everyone was still enjoying themselves. Tonight was the first night in a new city and and were busy unpacking the clothes that had been transported to the arena an hour ago.
“I’d better go and make sure the opening outfits are in their dressing rooms before they arrive” stated, grabbing a rail that was on wheels and placing everything she needed on it before pushing it towards the dressing rooms.
She reached ’s dressing room first and hung up his stage outfit, complete with the boots and black leather gloves. She did the same thing with and ’s. She was about to walk into ’s dressing room when she heard voices inside. She gently knocked on the door and was surprised to see answer it. “Come in , don’t mind us” He smiled, inviting her in. “Thanks, hey guys” She smiled walking past them and hanging up ’s clothes. “, you know about clothes, right?” stated, she saw roll his eyes as and started to laugh. “Err yeah, I guess that’s why you guys pay me” She joked, wondering what they were all laughing at. “What do you think of ’s new clothes?” asked. spread his arms and twirled round for her to see him from every angle, she smiled as she thought she recognised the outfit from somewhere. It consisted of a beige long sleeved top and a light beige scarf that he’d wrapped round his neck.
“Don’t ya think he looks stupid wearing a scarf inside?” giggled, clearly enjoying winding up. “It’s not a bloody woolly one, eejit. It’s like an accessory” tried to defend himself. “Actually, it’s a really nice choice of outfit. These scarves are really in style right now” answered, trying to work out where she’d seen that outfit before. “Thank you , at least someone knows something about being in style” smirked, casting a look at , and , enjoying the fact that they’d all stopped laughing at him now.
***
“You took your time” said as soon as returned to wardrobe. “Something really weird happened, I bumped into the lads in ’s dressing room and has this outfit on that I swear looked so familiar to me” She said, racking her brain for where she’d seen that exact outfit. “Maybe you saw it in that magazine you’re always reading?” suggested. “That’s it” She smiled searching her belongings for the magazine, “I could’ve sworn I had it here, I saw that outfit and even folded the page over, I thought it would look great on the lads for maybe next years tour” “God, you’re efficient” laughed as they continued to set out all the stage clothes for the show that night.
smiled as she worked, still trying to work out where she’d misplaced that magazine and deciding she’d need to go out and buy another one. And even when you hear your favourite song
You don’t know, but I put it on
You bought the record yesterday, so I knew what to play
It's not coincidental.
A few days later the tour was in yet another city. was walking through the back stage area towards the catering department, the show was only a few hours away now and she had agreed to meet in catering so they could have dinner together before they had to start work again. As she walked down the hallway, past the dressing rooms, she stopped when she heard a familiar song. She realised it was coming from one of the dressing rooms and walked towards the only open door. The music was coming from inside and she saw sat inside tapping his fingers on the leather sofa he was sat on. “You like this song?” She asked from the doorway, as he turned his head to look at her. He shrugged his shoulders, “I’ve not heard it before, I borrowed ’s ipod and put it on shuffle. Guess it was just the next song that came on” “I bought his album yesterday at the airport and already I can’t stop listening to this song” said with a sigh, leaning against the door frame as she listened to the song.
“You can come inside, y’know” said with an amused tone as he watched her stood on the threshold of his dressing room. “I probably shouldn’t, I’m supposed to be meeting …” She said, glancing at her watch, “…ten minutes ago” “Well why don’t you just stay till the end of this song?” He suggested with a soft smile, “I mean you said yourself it’s your favourite” “I suppose a few more minutes wont hurt” She smiled walking further into his room and sitting down awkwardly on the edge of the luxurious leather sofa that sat in his dressing room. smiled as she sat listening to the words of the song, almost forgetting where she was and who she was with. The song soon ended and she slowly got to her feet as another song started to play. “So… guess I’ll see you later?” She smiled, walking towards his still open door. nodded his head and smiled back at her, “See you at show time, ”
continued on her way to meet , the words of that song getting stuck in her head once more. She smiled to herself as she passed by people in the corridor, for some reason she was looking forward to seeing later that night.
And when you get a wrong number,
Don't hang up too soon, stop and wonder
. You are the one that’s meant for me
I'm twisting fate to make believe.
It's all accidental
This was always meant to be
When you're in my arms, then you'll see
It wasn't accidental.
“Aren’t you going to answer your phone?” asked as she heard the familiar sound of her friends ring tone for the sixth time that day. shrugged her shoulders, “Every time I answer there’s no one there. There must be something wrong with my phone” She replied with a sigh. “Why don’t you just put it on silent and forget about it?” suggested, “Let’s just enjoy our day off” “Yeah you’re right” She agreed nodding her head, as she took her phone out of her bag and went to switch it onto silent just as it started to ring again. “Answer it” suggested, as that ring tone played again. Holding the phone to her ear began to speak, “Gonna actually talk to me this time or are you gonna hang up again? I have to say that it’s all starting to get pretty boring now” She said annoyed down the phone before allowing a string of choice obscenities roll off her tongue. giggled at her friend but soon stopped when she noticed the colour drain from her face as she stopped giving the mystery caller a piece of her mind.
“Err,…Louis…hi… right yes. Yeah I’ll be back at the hotel in half an hour” frowned listening to Louis down the phone, staring at her friend with wide eyes. immediately burst out laughing, “Only you , only you” She smiled. “We’d better head back, Louis wants to see me and after everything I just said to him it’s not going to a pleasant meeting” She sighed as her phone started to ring again. started to laugh once again as held the phone to her ear, “Hello?” She answered quietly before hanging up the phone, “Dialling tone…again” “Let’s head back to the hotel and see what Louis wants” smiled, as they both left the shopping centre and made their way back to the hotel they were all staying at.
As soon as and arrived back at the hotel, they saw stood in the lobby. A wide grin spread on his face when he spotted them as he walked in their direction. “So it’s true then?” He laughed as soon as he was stood in front of them both. “What’s true?” frowned at . “What said to Louis” laughed again, “He wasn’t impressed but I think it’s funny as hell” “Oh god, is he pissed?” cringed, hoping that he realised her mouthful of abuse wasn’t aimed directly at him. “Nah he’s fine, I’m just glad he had the phone on speaker” laughed again, “ and heard the entire thing, God I wish I’d have been there to see the look in his face” “Great…Looks like I’ll be looking for another job” rolled her eyes, positive her little outburst was going to get her fired. “You might just be surprised” smiled at her, “You want me to come with you? Keep you company in case Louis yells at ya” “Funny” glared at him, then realising that maybe Louis would go easier on her if was with her, “Would you really?” “Let’s go” laughed, shaking his head as he wrapped one arm round her shoulder, leading her towards the lifts.
“Meet you in the bar?” called back to her friend, nodded her head and walked towards the bar to wait for her, walking past on the way inside.
“Where’s going with ?” asked stopping from entering the bar. grinned at and shrugged her shoulders, “I dunno…he never said” She replied, “But if you ask me, I think he kinda likes her” “?” frowned, wrinkling his forehead, “He’s never mentioned that to me” “Does he always tell you guys everything?” asked with a small smile walking into the bar and leaving alone.
***
“So what did he say? You’ve been gone almost an hour” asked as soon as joined her in the hotel bar. “He wants me to work on their tour next year…” smiled widely, “He offered me a permanent job and said that all the guys have said how pleased they are with me” “And you were worried” laughed hugging her friend, “Did he mention your rant?” nodded her head, “Yeah, I had to tell him all about it. He told me to change my number”
This all feels right time, right place
Cause every time I see you face to face
Our future calls.
Not saying you bend the truth
Just doing my best to get you, ooh
Make you my destiny.
The next month passed by quickly and the tour was drawing to an end, there was only a week left and then all the crew would have some time off before plans for next years tour started. The crew were due at the arena in an hour but and had decided to grab a coffee in the bar before joining them, there wasn’t that much for them to do until it was actually show time. sat in the hotel bar waiting for to come down from her room, she ordered them both a drink while she waited and sat sipping on hers, occasionally checking her watch every few minutes. “It’s about time” sighed as she noticed someone take a seat next to her. “You were expecting me? I saw you sat here and thought I’d come and say hi” A familiar voice said from beside her. smiled as she turned her head to look at , “Sorry, I was supposed to meeting , looks like she’s late. You want a drink?” She asked motioning to the coffee sat on the bar next to her own drink.
nodded his head and took a sip from the cup of coffee, “So it’s almost over, you gonna miss us?” He asked with a grin. smiled at him, over the last couple of weeks she’d gotten closer to than any of the other guys, aside from his mood swings, which thankfully she’d only heard about from the other crew members, she enjoyed his company. “Of course I’m going to miss you lot” She answered, with a smile.
“Could I maybe… ask you something?” asked, sounding a uncharacteristically nervous. nodded her head and took a sip of her coffee, “Sure what’s up?” She asked him, noticing the usual confident pop star was gone. “There’s this girl back home that I like but she just doesn’t seem interested in me” sighed, resting his head on his fist as he turned his head to look at her, “What do I do?” After had explained more about his situation, offered him some advice on what she thought he should do. thanked her for the help and pulled her into a hug, he was just about lean forward to place a kiss on her cheek when a voice shouted his name, making them both jump.
turned slightly, seeing walking towards them both, “Looks like he’s in a good mood” He rolled eyes, assuming it was time for them to leave for the arena, “See ya later, ” nodded her head and waved at them both, frowning at the scowl that was plastered over ’s face and seeing how he stormed ahead, walking abruptly away from .
***
walked into the bar and made her way over to her friend, seeing her roll her eyes as she checked her watch. She expected a lecture for keeping her waiting for knew that what she’d seen in the newspaper this morning would silence . “Nice of you to join me, y’know I’ve been-” said as soon as appeared next to her. “Why the hell are you in the newspaper?” interrupted, placing a copy of a local paper on the bar in front of . stared at the headline open mouthed and wide eyed, she had no idea how it had happened but there it was in black and white on page five. She read the headline that was written across the page in bold black letters. ‘West-style: Lifer’s secret affair with fashion stylist on tour’ There were a few photos to accompany the supposed story, most were candid’s and none showed them together.
“Where the hell do they get this stuff from?” cried out, resting her head in her hands. “So it’s not true? You and aren’t having a secret affair?” asked in a low voice, not wanting anyone to over hear them. “Of course it’s not true. I work with him and that’s it, it’s not like I’m always hanging out with him on my days off. And this paper doesn’t even have a photo of us together, they have no proof at all”, tried to defend herself, though the thought of having anything with wasn’t necessarily a bad thought, “Why they hell is it me they have to write about? God this is so embarrassing, how am I supposed to face him tonight?” “Maybe he hasn’t seen it?” suggested with a shrug, the lads had just left for the arena and it was likely they’d not had chance to get this morning’s paper. “I’m not that lucky” sighed, her head still resting in her hands as she shook it from side to side. “Let’s just head to the arena and we’ll busy ourselves, things will work out fine” suggested, grabbing the newspaper and standing up. “And hopefully avoid the band” added in a mumble as they left the bar and jumped into a waiting taxi.
You are the one that’s meant for me
I'm twisting fate to make believe.
It's all accidental
This was always meant to be
When you're in my arms, then you'll see
It wasn't accidental.
had successfully avoided Louis and the band all day, but she was dreading the moment that night when they would appear backstage for their first costume change of the night. Thankfully she knew they’d be in such a rush that there wouldn’t be any time for chatting, but she had no idea what she would do after the show had ended and her and had to stay behind and make sure all the outfits were organised and then sent out to be cleaned. “Would you mind taking the opening stage outfits to their dressing rooms for me?” asked her friend when it was only a couple of hours until Westlife would take to the stage. “So you can avoid them all some more?” asked with a knowing smirk as nodded her head, “Of course I will” left with the outfits and continued to tidy up the backstage area, she heard movement behind her and smiled, “What did you forget?” She smiled, assuming had returned realising she’d forgotten an item of clothing.
The smile soon faded from her face when she turned round and saw standing in front of her, no words would come and she could feel the deep red blush rise in her cheeks. “You didn’t happen to see the newspaper today, did you?” asked, his hands dug deep in his pockets as he looked around the room nervously, looking anywhere but at her. nodded her head and sighed, “Yeah I saw it…oh god you don’t think that I… I’m not responsible for that story, I didn’t sell it, I swear” She panicked assuming that maybe it looked that way to him and the rest of the band.
smiled at her panic stricken face, “I know you didn’t. I just wanted to make sure you’re ok and I hope it hasn’t ruined things between you and ” “Yeah, I’m- Me and ?” She asked in shock, realising what he’d just said, “Ruined what between me and ?” “You and him are…together…aren’t you?” replied, frowning as he finished his sentence. Unable to stop herself, practically laughed in his face, “You think there’s something going on with me and ?” She repeated with another laugh, “, there’s nothing going on between us, nothing at all” “Really?” asked a small grin appearing on his face, as he realised that everything he’d thought he’d witnessed was just a simple misunderstanding. “Really…” She confirmed, “But now everyone who saw that newspaper is gonna think there’s something going on between us. Are you going to complain and ask for a retraction?”
smiled at her question, he’d been so worried to come and talk to her about the newspaper article but now he knew that there was nothing going on between her and he felt slightly more confident about what he’d done. “I don’t think I want them to print a retraction…It was me, I gave that story to the press” He admitted, breathing a sigh of relief at finally being honest.
stood in shock as turned and with a cheeky wink he walked away from her. She was still trying to get her head around what he’d just told her. He’d given a fake story to the press about himself, why would he do that? Were things a little slow on the news front? Did he make it up just to get Westlife into the papers? Louis had always said that any publicity was good. She threw the clothes she was holding to the ground and stormed after to get some answers.
You are the one that’s meant for me
I'm twisting fate to make believe.
It's all accidental
This was always meant to be
When you're in my arms, then you'll see
It wasn't accidental.
spun round when he heard his dressing room door slam shut, he smiled as he saw stood in front of him with her arms folded across her chest. The smile soon faded from his face when he noticed that she looked angry, even worse she was probably angry with him. “You gave them that story? What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you do something like that?” yelled at him, no longer caring that this was from Westlife, as she prodded him in the chest with her finger, “Was it your way of getting into the papers? I bet it was all Louis idea wasn’t it? You bloody celebrities make me sick, you think you can just use people to-” was quickly silenced as pressed his lips firmly against hers, holding her face with both his hands his kissed her hard, allowing all the pent up passion to flow out of him. Finally he felt her kissing him back, her finger playing with the short strands of hair as she held onto the back of hid head. He smiled into the kiss as he felt her almost melt in his arms, deepening it as he allowed himself to get lost in the feelings her touch provoked in him. was the first one to break the kiss, both their breathing was fast and shallow as they struggled to fill their lungs with oxygen. rested his forehead against hers, his hands still cupping the side of her face as she remained in his arms with her eyes closed.
“I convinced myself there was something between you and , he saw the newspaper and admitted he thought we’d be great together. I saw you two together and thought he liked you but I was wrong. I did it because I had no idea how to tell you how I feel about you…” He smiled as she finally opened her eyes to look at him. “How you feel about me?” asked, a look of confusion on her face, “What do you mean?” “I like you…a lot and I have done since you started working for us last year. I used to love going to award shows and doing television appearances because I knew there was a chance I’d get to see you. All those things you thought were coincidence or accidental, well I was responsible for them. I was trying to make you realise that you’re meant for me” smiled at her, softly brushing his lips against hers again.
“It was you?” She asked stunned and a little overwhelmed at his admission, moving out of his embrace.
“I could fall in love with you right now” leant forward and whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling her neck. “What’s stopping you?” asked, wrapping her arms round his neck as their lips met again.
It's not accidental.
Accidental.
Accidental - Olly Murs
