Between You Me and the Gatepost

By Caroline Erwin

(Book 1 of The Southgate Trilogy)

Sometimes you have a year you'll never forget... or one that you never want to remember!

For the three Southgate sisters - Maggie, Brooke and Tessa - it's about to become one of those years.

MAGGIE knew when she accepted a role at Australia's largest advertising agency that it was going to be stressful. She certainly wasn't expecting to uncover her client's illegal misdoings though, and find herself headed towards a court trial...

BROOKE will fall head-over-heels in love with the the one person she's not allowed to. A judge, and her mentor, on the nation's biggest singing show. A relationship, that should it ensue, would ruin two music careers instantly! For Brooke, the career of a lifetime would be crushed just as it's beginning...

TESSA can't wait for what should be the best year of her life. Finally, she'll be tying the knot with her famous horse-trainer fiancé , Matt Barlow. As the wedding draws closer though, Tessa's faced with more surprises and ups-and-downs than expected...

For all three Southgate sisters, this year is certainly turning out to be one they'll never forget!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543952841

Book preview

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Caroline Erwin was born in Sydney, Australia and now lives just south of Sydney with her husband, three children and two dogs. (She has also lived in London, UK and New Zealand). Having completed a degree in ‘advertising & marketing’ in 2000, she has worked in various advertising agencies and in-house marketing roles. However, having had a love for writing stories since the age of 6, Caroline now tries her hand at becoming an author, and has just completed her debut novel, ‘Between You Me and the Gatepost’.

Copyright © 2018 by Caroline A.W Erwin

All rights reserved.

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Printed in the United States of America

First printing 2018

ISBN (Print): 978-1-54395-283-4

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-54395-284-1

Contents

Maggie

Judy

Tessa

Brooke

Maggie

Tessa

Brooke

Maggie

Brooke

Tessa

Maggie

Brooke

Tessa

Maggie

Brooke

Tessa

Maggie

Brooke

Tessa

Maggie

Brooke

Tessa

Maggie

Brooke

Maggie

As the 8.07 am city rail train raced out of Edgecliff Station, Maggie cursed loudly to herself, causing an elderly couple who were also descending the escalator to turn and glare at her. Usually she might feel guilty, her mother would certainly be mortified at her swearing so loudly in public, but today she was so stressed about missing her train that she simply did not care. There was no way she was going to arrive at GPP on time now.

GPP, or formally known as ‘Gladstone, Parker & Parker’, was the largest and most well-renowned advertising agency not only here in Australia, but within the entire Australasian region. The agency that Maggie had somehow managed to land an account management role at and was now going to be more than ten minutes late for on her first day.

By the time Maggie had waited impatiently for the next train to arrive, and then travelled the three neighbouring stations along to her stop, she could feel the anxiety building inside of her. Why did she have to be late on her very first day?

As she exited Town Hall station, she was tempted to rip off her four-inch stilettos and run down the hill towards Darling Harbour. Maggie was not usually a four-inch stiletto type of girl but having observed all the glamorous girls swanning around the agency at the time of her interview, she had decided ‘when in Rome’, and dutifully splurged on a new pair of Christian Louboutin heels.

Upon now reaching the large skyscraper that the agency was situated in, and riding the elevator up to the twenty-fifth floor, Maggie finally arrived at her destination. Fourteen minutes late. She drew in a long deep breath and then slowly started to exhale, counting backwards from five as she did so. Feeling a fraction calmer, she pushed the frosted glass doors open and allowed herself to enter the glamorous world of ‘Gladstone, Parker & Parker’.

As she smoothed an imaginary wrinkle out of her perfectly ironed skirt and tucked a stray blonde hair behind her ear, Maggie walked determinedly over to the large, wooden reception desk. Sat behind this desk were two immaculately groomed young ladies who appeared to be gossiping madly. Upon seeing Maggie approach however, they stopped abruptly and sat up straight, with well-practiced smiles on their pretty and heavily made-up faces.

‘Good morning,’ Maggie greeted them, suddenly feeling a little daunted by these two impeccable creatures. They had to be at least five years younger than her, she reprimanded herself silently, not wishing to already feel intimidated on her first day. ‘I’m starting work at the agency today. With Alexandra Brown on the Rhino account.’

Both girls gave Maggie what looked like a sympathetic look and then the girl sitting to the left, a slender girl with olive skin and perfectly straightened dark hair, picked up the handset from a complicated looking switchboard. She deftly punched in a few numbers, spoke briefly but politely with someone, then smiled at Maggie and said, ‘Alex will be with you in a minute. Please take a seat in the lobby while you wait.’

Maggie followed where the pretty brunette was motioning to and sat herself down on a lime green, leather sofa. As she waited patiently for her new boss to come and collect her, she wondered for the tenth time that morning why she had decided to apply for this job. She placed her over-sized handbag on the sofa next to her and once again exhaled slowly and began counting backwards.

Judy

Judy Southgate stood perfectly still as she glared crossly into the mirror. Once realising her intimidation tactics worked only on people however, and not on the new cluster of wrinkles that surrounded her cat-like green eyes, she stopped and turned away. No point in focusing on that, she decided abruptly.

Her youngest two daughters were, coincidentally, having extremely important days today and she had not yet heard from either one of them. She glanced over at her iPhone sitting on the dresser, but that too seemed to stare back defiantly at her, with the taunt of no messages. Judy sighed dramatically as she picked up her phone and headed downstairs to the living area of the house.

A ridiculously large house, even by Eastern Sydney’s standards, that she now shared with only her husband, Bill. Over a decade ago it had also been inhabited by their three daughters, but each of these girls were now in their thirties and had their own abodes they called home these days. During the last five years, Bill had repeatedly suggested to his stubborn wife that it might be time to sell their house and move into something more suitable, now it was just the two of them, but Judy had always managed to convince him the timing was not quite right. It was an extremely old and beautiful home, and one that Judy could not bear to part ways with, not yet anyway.

Thinking of her three girls now, Judy realized she was most impatient to hear from her youngest daughter, Brooke. She brushed away the small pang of guilt that accompanied this thought, as she quickly compared the different days Maggie and Brooke would be having. Certainly, it was exciting that Maggie had landed a senior account management role with GPP, Australia’s most exclusive advertising agency, and Judy had enjoyed dining out on this news at her latest social events and charity meetings, but her darling Brooke was about to become famous. Finally! Judy was sure of it.

It was something she had felt since her youngest daughter had been about four years old. Brooke had been blessed with a deep musical talent and bewitching personality, so full of charisma that she seemed to captivate most people she met. Yes, despite Brooke’s protestations that today would probably amount to nothing, Judy was convinced that today would be the start of her daughter’s new singing career.

‘Over ten thousand people audition for this show!’ Brooke had exclaimed in exasperation to her mum on the phone last night. ‘Ten thousand, and only one female and one male will receive a record signing out of it. Not to mention I’ll be the oldest contestant there. Thirty is the last year you’re even allowed to audition.’

Brooke knew this was falling on deaf ears though. Her mum was simply biased as so many mothers are and believed her daughter would surely be the best. That just by auditioning on the TV show ‘Stars in the Making’, her daughter’s life and career were about to change forever.

With another glance at her mobile, which still sneered back blankly at Judy, she sat down at the kitchen table and decided to call her eldest daughter, Tessa, instead. There had been somewhat of a stand-off between the two of them lately, since their last phone call, and Judy decided that now was as good a time as any to make amends. Not that she now believed it was her fault any more than she had at the time, but she knew it could not go on like this. It was wasting too much time, and besides, Judy had a few additional suggestions that Tessa was sure to love.

Tessa

Approximately 150 kilometres south of Sydney, just past the pretty country town of Bundanoon, the house phone rang shrilly causing Tessa to spill scrambled eggs all down her shirt. Ignoring the mess, she jumped up and ran eagerly for the phone. It was bound to be someone associated with the wedding. Maybe the florist or the photographer, or the …

‘Hello darling, how are you?’ her mother’s false cheeriness interrupted her thoughts, and a knot slowly formed in Tessa’s stomach as she waited for the barrage of complaints to begin. Although surprisingly, there were none.

Tessa breathed a small sigh of relief, as really, she had felt quite guilty the last time they spoke. What was it she had said to her mum before slamming the phone down a few weeks back? Oh yes, ‘that if she didn’t stop organising things without telling her, she wouldn’t even be invited to the wedding!’

Tessa winced now at the memory of her harsh words. That had been very outspoken for her who, usually more concerned with keeping the peace, let her mother’s crazy ideas wash straight over her. Their last conversation had been too much though. She had felt a bubble of rage burst inside her and had let it all flood out. She was clearly letting the stress get to her lately, as even poor Matt, her gorgeous fiance, had been on the receiving end of her snappiness lately and he certainly did not deserve it.

Tessa knew that her comments had clearly stung her mum as it had kept her away for three whole weeks now. She really hadn’t been able to help herself though. How dare her mum suddenly announce that she had spoken with Wendy, her good friend and editor of ‘Rouge Magazine’, about doing a story and photo shoot of her and Matt’s wedding without even so much as mentioning it to them first.

Tessa somehow managed to blank out their last conversation, as she tucked the cordless phone under her chin and took it over to the kitchen table. Having just been for a long run, she was starving and determined to finish what was left of her breakfast. She also knew from previous experience that this conversation was not likely to be short.

‘Hi mum,’ she replied as lightly as possible, whilst piling scrambled eggs into her mouth.

‘Tess, are you eating while you’re talking to me? You know how much I hate that and what bad manners it is,’ Judy’s irritable voice came back across.

Tessa ignored this comment and instead continued to eat slightly louder than before. She never normally antagonised her mum like this, that was usually Brooke’s job. But lately, she hadn’t been able to help herself.

‘So, what are you calling for mum? Anything in particular?’ or just to organise my life as always, she added silently.

Judy’s tone of voice changed considerably as she began slowly.

‘Now darling, I know you didn’t seem too thrilled at the idea of your wedding appearing in Rouge magazine, but I just wanted to let you know that Wendy is extremely keen on the idea. The Barlows’ horse stud is renowned right throughout New South Wales, as are the Barlows themselves, and it would make such a fantastic feature article for them! Matthew Barlow Junior finally tying the knot after years of bachelorhood, and what an eligible bachelor he was too.’

Tessa clenched her fork tightly as she tried not to let her mum’s words bother her. She should be used to it by now! She loved her mum, but they couldn’t be more different to each other if they tried.

Judy, although possessing a good heart deep down, was one of those people who cared way too much about image and what other people thought of her. Her husband Bill, however, was nothing like his wife and instead shared similar traits to his eldest daughter. A quiet and relaxed man, Bill did not like any attention or fuss in the slightest and had been brought up in very humble surroundings. Not used to living the wealthy lifestyle like his wife had been raised in, until he had developed a computer program four-decades ago which had subsequently made him a rich man.

‘Really darling, you’re such a funny one. Most young ladies would kill to have their wedding featured in this magazine,’ Judy persisted.

‘Look mum,’ Tessa interrupted quickly, as she felt her irritation building again. ‘I’ll run the idea past Matt and his parents, as really the decision should be up to them. The wedding is on their property after all.’

Judy had decidedly taken that as a yes for now as she moved swiftly on to her next agenda. ‘Now, I assume you’ll be having Brooke sing in the ceremony at some stage, won’t you? I can just see her singing some beautiful classic while you lovebirds are signing the registry.’

At this comment, Tessa managed an authentic smile behind the receiver. Finally, they were going to agree on something for her big day.

‘Yes, of course mum. I’ve already spoken to Brookie about it a while back. Speaking of which, have you heard from Brooke today? I keep wondering how she’s getting on. Oh, and Maggie too?’

Tessa knew it was always easier to steer the conversation towards her sisters when talking to her mum. It was much less likely to end in an argument than the already stressful topic of her wedding.

Brooke

A sharp dig in Brooke’s ribcage made her gasp in pain, almost causing her to open her impatient mouth and abuse the tall dark-headed offender. Instead, she sighed loudly and tried to edge herself backwards a few inches.

As she gazed around the incredible mass of people surrounding her, she felt an unfamiliar fluttering in her stomach and could feel herself growing increasingly nervous. Brooke still could not quite believe that she had decided to audition for this high-rating reality TV show, ‘Stars in the Making’.

She and Maggie had watched the show religiously for the past four years, ever since the show began its debut on one of the main national networks. Both having had a keen interest in singing and music at school, the sisters had delighted in relaxing in their small, shared apartment after a busy day at work, analysing each contestant down to the last detail. Even when the third season had begun, and Maggie had moved out of their little flat to move in with her long-term boyfriend Josh, the two sisters still organised to catch up once a week and watch the show together. They would share a cold bottle of white wine and gossip madly during the ad breaks.

Every year, Maggie had tried to coax her younger sister in to auditioning, as although Maggie had taken lessons as a girl also, she could happily admit that it was Brooke who possessed the real musical talent and passion within their family. Brooke both played guitar and sang beautifully and had spent much of her early twenties trying to make a career from her singing.

This attempt had mostly been through writing and recording her own music and uploading the songs to YouTube, and although she had acquired a few-thousand followers through this avenue, it had never amounted to anything more.

On her twenty-seventh birthday, Brooke had declared somewhat dramatically to her family ‘that a music career obviously wasn’t going to happen, and that she would be getting a full-time job in recruitment instead.’

Brooke had continued to write and sing in her spare time still but had ceased posting her songs to YouTube or aiming for wide-spread recognition. She would never stop singing, playing or writing, as doing so made her happier than anything else, but any hopes of a music career had certainly dwindled. Maggie had continued to try and persuade Brooke each year, when auditions for the show were taking place that she should try out, but Maggie had never been successful.

‘I just don’t think it’s the right avenue for me,’ Brooke had said the first year, and again the second. Then in the third and fourth year, she had responded with doubt that she would be good enough anymore and was probably too old now anyway.

The thought of auditioning had always sat in the back of her mind though.

Brooke was still not quite sure as to what had changed her mind this year. Perhaps it was because she was feeling in somewhat of a rut lately, as if nothing very exciting had happened for a while. Not to mention her job at the recruitment agency was starting to frustrate her. Most companies seemed to be firing rather than hiring this year, and although Brooke was not so concerned with money and success herself, the office environment had been greatly affected by it all. This did not make her office an exciting place to be right now, and if there was anything Brooke Southgate searched for in life, it was excitement.

The other small reason for auditioning that had crept into Brooke’s mind last week, had been too ridiculous to even entertain. So, she had pushed it back into her subconscious where she was determined it would remain for now.

It had something to do with one of the judges on the show, Ryan Rafter, a popular singer/songwriter during the late nineties and early noughties, who had risen to fame following the huge success of his second album. Brooke, only just a teenager then, had adorned her walls with posters of the handsome, dark-haired superstar.

Suddenly there was a large surge forward in the crowd, and Brooke noticed with surprise that she was almost through to the entrance and therefore getting closer to the judging panel. She was feeling anything but ready now and she wished for about the hundredth time that day that this initial process was not televised.

‘Why can’t they start filming after the first round of auditions?’ she had moaned to Maggie the other night on the phone. ‘That would save a lot of embarrassment for everyone.’

Although both girls understood exactly why that was not the case.

Watching the not-so-good auditions in round one provided excellent entertainment value for the show. Now, for the first time since Brooke had watched ‘Stars in the Making’, she felt sorry for those poor young people who believed they had a good voice, when the judges clearly felt otherwise and held no reservations in letting them know.

For today’s audition, Brooke had decided to sing ‘Adore’ by Amy Shark, an Australian indie-pop singer and songwriter. She had fallen in love with this unique track the first time she heard it and the song seemed to lend itself well to her rather husky voice. Brooke also felt like the song was a fitting choice for her due to Amy Shark having been thirty when her music career took off, the same age that she was now. This both inspired and reminded her that she was not too old to give this competition, and a career in singing, a shot still.

A short guy with blonde spiky hair and a tight black t-shirt now appeared near Brooke, counting off the people just in front of her. He was motioning the group through the entrance and cut them off just one person behind her.

As she followed her fellow contestants through to the auditorium, they entered an impressively large foyer where busy cameramen and producers were roaming around everywhere. One of the other things Brooke noticed upon walking in, were the three larger-than-life posters of each of the judges hanging dramatically against the back wall. Glancing at these quickly, Brooke felt excitement course through her body and especially as she looked at the poster in the middle. She was extremely excited about meeting all three of the judges and having the chance to sing for them.

Following such immense popularity of the show over the last four years, each of the judges, although previously known from their various music careers, had since become huge household names that everyone liked to love or hate. ‘Stars in the Making’ consisted of one female judge and two male judges.

The female, Kirsten Cruikshank, was a famous Australian record producer and undoubtedly the designated ‘tough judge’ of the panel. During round one of the auditions, Kirsten would seldom make a comment that was entirely positive, and if she was impressed by someone’s voice, she would say so but then find fault with their song choice instead or some other small detail of their performance. Kirsten had once commented in a magazine interview ‘that it was important to keep contestants on their toes during the early stages, as any over-confidence would be their downfall,’ and Brooke suspected she was probably right.

Brooke had already vowed to herself over the weekend that she wouldn’t let Kirsten intimidate her. She knew Kirsten played up to the cameras, enjoying the fame she received for her harsh critiques, and Brooke was not someone who intimidated easily. No matter how condescending Kirsten could be though, the female judge certainly knew what she was talking about. She could pick talent a mile off and had signed many now-famous, young people to her successful record label ‘Cruikshanks’.

Kirsten was extremely attractive with long auburn-coloured hair, flawless fair skin, and high cheekbones to rival that of any supermodel. Brooke had caught a quick glimpse of her this morning already, and the female judge had looked fierce but stunning in a black silk blouse, expensive-looking leopard print skirt, sheer black stockings and black leather boots. Her long, auburn hair had looked more vibrant than usual, having been perfectly styled into loose curls that ran down her back. Her lips, as always, were painted a bright scarlet red.

Then there were the two male judges.

Ryan Rafter was also good looking, although his personality was the polar-opposite to that of Kirsten’s. Ryan was affable and relaxed with an extremely likeable nature. He possessed quite a self-deprecating sense of humour, which Brooke simply adored about him, always paying himself out and never taking himself too seriously at all. He also seemed to possess that gift of making every person he spoke to feel special. Ryan no longer wrote or produced new music, focussing now on this show instead and making guest performances at events and concerts, where he would perform his old but still very well-received hits.

In season two of ‘Stars in the Making’, rumours had begun circulating that Ryan and Kirsten were seeing each other romantically, despite Kirsten being engaged at the time. The judges had been quick to deny these though, adamant this was a story fabricated by the tabloids, and the rumours had quickly died down after Kirsten’s manager initiated a law suit against one major publication.

The third judge on the panel was a short blonde-haired man by the name of Karl Webster. Karl was the lead singer of a famous Australian rock band, but their popularity had peaked a decade ago and they also now just performed at the occasional special event or concert. Karl was an extremely honest man who never held back with his critiques on each contestant, although if he had something negative to say he would usually find a more tactful way than perhaps Kirsten would to deliver it.

Brooke suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see the short spiky-haired guy again. This time he was by her side though and smiling in that over-animated way only a TV presenter can get away with. His name was Dylan, and she quickly learnt that he was the new presenter for ‘Stars in the Making’ this year.

Just before Dylan opened his mouth to speak, they were quickly joined by two cameramen and Brooke could feel them zooming in on her. Dylan placed his arm awkwardly around her, and with another big smile as he looked at the cameras asked, ‘So it’s Brooke, right? How are you feeling just minutes before your big audition? Are you ready?’

Brooke felt her cheeks turn pink as she opened her mouth and some lame reply came out. Something about it being now or never, and how she’d left it till the last possible year now being thirty.

She barely heard Dylan’s reply though as the door then opened and a producer motioned for her to come inside. Brooke could feel her heart beating like crazy and as she walked in to where the three judges were seated, she knew there was no turning back now.

The judges were waiting for her with welcoming smiles and Brooke could feel the adrenaline racing through her body. It felt so surreal, but exciting, to be in the same room as these three very famous people. So different to watching them from the safety and anonymity of her lounge room.

Brooke smiled back at them before introducing herself. ‘Hi, my name’s Brooke and I’m thirty years old.’

‘Oh thirty, an oldie,’ Ryan replied, but smiling as he said this to let her know that he was joking.

Brooke knew from years of watching the show that this was a typical Ryan comment, in his attempt to make her laugh and put her at ease before her audition.

He was so lovely, she thought suddenly. He always tried to make contestants feel as relaxed as possible whereas Kirsten was quite content doing the opposite. Her piercing blue eyes, which lacked any warmth or empathy at this moment, made contestants feel more nervous than they already were. Brooke was determined to ignore Kirsten’s steely looks though, and with a confident smile, well as confident as she could manage in such a nerve-wracking situation, she informed the judges which song she would be performing today.

As Brooke announced she would be singing ‘Adore,’ she noticed Kirsten rolling her eyes slightly as if she didn’t think Brooke would do this song justice. She focussed her attention back on Karl and Ryan though, who nodded enthusiastically, and Ryan gave her a quick wink as if to say, ‘you’ve got this mate, you can do it.’

Brooke felt extremely relieved that she had her guitar with her today, as in this intense moment her beloved instrument felt like her security blanket. She knew that the minute she began strumming those first chords she would relax and hopefully forget her surroundings.

Brooke took a long, deep breath in and began her audition.

As she made her way through the song Brooke felt herself become increasingly relaxed. She was able to lose herself completely in the emotional lyrics, and it wasn’t until she had sung the final line that she was brought back to the reality of the situation. The reality that she had just been filmed for national television and that her performance would be viewed by nearly a million people in a couple of weeks. Not to mention the fact she had just performed live to the famous Kirsten, Karl and Ryan!

Brooke felt in a daze as she listened to the positive feedback each judge had for her. Even Kirsten admitted she had been sceptical, and that Brooke had proven