When The Sax Man Plays... And All That Jazz: When The Sax Man Plays

By Yvonne Marrs

This follow on story from the popular When The Sax Man Plays series follows the lives of our characters after the loss of Jason.

When Georgie meets a producer who wants to make a film of her late husband's life, it is ironic that they meet on the fifth anniversary of Jason's death. Promising minimal stress and involvement for the rest of the family, she agrees to the idea only if she can oversee it.

Christopher is adamant that he will also be involved. Aware of his promise to his brother to always look after Georgie, he knows her involvement in the project will bring back more than memories...

Scenes are to be recorded in their Music House, and certain items put into storage years ago are brought out for filming. She hasn't lived in the property for years and when her new partner, Jeff, suggests that they build their own home together on the site, the house will soon be destroyed. Does she visit one more time and allow the ghosts of the past to envelop her?

Christopher too is hesitant, but Anna convinces him that it is a good idea to do so before it is too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WTSMP Publications
• Release date: Mar 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9798201238179

Yvonne Marrs

Invernesian Yvonne Marrs (1982-present day) has loved writing for as long as she can remember, moving to the London area at the age of 19 to pursue her dream of becoming a published author. Yvonne graduated from UHI (Inverness College) with an HND in Administration and Information Management, a set of skills she puts to good use to organise herself and her work - especially as she has her own publishing company, WTSMP Publications. Currently Yvonne has published several fictional series - the 'When The Sax Man Plays' series, the 'Football Crazy' series, the 'Aiden Lewis octet', 'Can't Buy Health' series and 'Undeserved'. Yvonne dreamt up the idea that formed the "When The Sax Man Plays" (WTSMP) series after falling in love with saxophone music, and being inspired by Leona Lewis' dream X Factor win. To throw an ordinary person in an ordinary job, with an extraordinary talent into superstardom is the story behind WTSMP. The central character, Jason Bottelli is such a person, although we soon discover he is far from ordinary! If you like your fiction easy going, entertaining, enthralling and heart-warming, you'll fall in love with the musical romance that is the WTSMP series. The ever popular "Football Crazy" series follows our central character, Aiden Lewis, as he rises through the football ranks. From club player to International sensation; through to his management career, leading England into the World Cup and then his brother's local team, the London Giants, from nowhere into the Premiership as the series progresses. Aiden's story continues with the 'Aiden Lewis octet', finishing with 'Undeserved'. There are standalone books as well as those in a series: 'Castiliano Vulgo' - a fictional work on 16th Century London life written using both Elizabethan English and Modern English. 'Inexorable' - a murder erotica written as part of the NaNoWriMo challenge in 2016. 'Putting the Visible into So Called Invisible Illnesses' - a work of 50 poems about living with invisible illnesses, as Yvonne does. 'Harbourtown Murder' - a murder mystery set in fictional Cornwall where a stray cat is the only witness.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Georgie sighed, frustrated. Her phone had rung eleven times a day over the last fortnight, each time an unknown number was the cause. To change the number was a lot of hassle, but it seemed like her only option. Of course the next time it rang, she could answer it and give the caller a piece of her mind instead. She pounced on it when it rang again.

Look! If you don't stop... She was cut off.

Georgie?

She saw on the screen a face that she knew, but hadn't seen for years - Michael. The public images of him from various concerts and appearances didn't match the face she was now looking at.

Michael! She smiled broadly. How are you? 

Terrible. He shook his head sorrowfully. Proceeding to tell her all about it, Georgie barely got a word in edgeways for the next twenty minutes. I'm so lonely. There's nobody I can trust. He finished, breaking down into heart wrenching sobs. 

She gave him sympathy for a while.

Could you... no, he shook his head.

Could I what? Georgie pressed.

You're still in London, aren't you?

Georgie nodded. I have an apartment in Greenwich.

You sold the house?

It pained her to think about their Music House. No. She shook her head. I couldn't bear to part with it. Blinking back her tears, she listened as he invited her to his hotel suite. She accepted.

The King Hilton Executive suite at the Waldorf Hotel in Aldwych were the details he gave her. Georgie thought against taking her car, unsure of where she would park in that part of London. Wondering why this was where he'd chosen to stay and not a more luxurious hotel, she knew there would be a forlorn story behind this decision as well.

She conversed with Jeff in the taxi over there, exchanging goodbyes as she arrived. They were only in the beginning of their relationship, but it had been serious from the first date. She smiled thinking about him.

Jeff ran his own successful publishing company, dealing with many celebrity autobiographies including Lewis's. Her previous manager had introduced the pair recently, after she had confessed to him that she was ready to move on since losing Jason. Five years had now passed since that horrible night. She shuddered, thinking about it.

Mrs Bottelli, you can go straight up. The receptionist smiled at her. Mr Jonas is expecting you.

Georgie hid her smile. Michael's stage name was spoken with a Swedish accent, even by those of a different nationality. Jason hadn't thought twice about using his name, she supposed when he'd lost his original name after his adoption into the Bottelli family, he didn't want to change it again. Her husband had been a relatively undemanding man; by all accounts, Michael was the complete opposite, having turned into a diva. Georgie hadn't believed the difference - from shy, quiet Michael to demanding maestro in two years.

Michael's career too had blossomed, spiralling upwards into international stardom. He was known worldwide as an overnight sensation; Jason had worked his way through the music world slowly, his music causing waves without him having to do anything dramatic.

Georgie, you came! Michael folded his arms around her. Thank you, thank you. He muttered against her.

I told you I'd be here. She smiled, pulling away from him.

You'd be surprised how little people's words mean nowadays. Michael murmured darkly.

Georgie shook her head. I'm a little more human than the people you are used to. She joked.

Michael didn't even smile. He clicked his fingers, and two men stepped out of the shadows. Disappear. He commanded.

Georgie frowned as another man appeared.

You too. Michael scowled.

But, sir,

But nothing. Michael snapped. Go. He frowned, refilling his tumbler. Would you like a drink? He asked politely, not entirely unsurprised when she refused. Knocking back the amber liquid, he refilled the tumbler again.

How many have you had? Georgie asked.

None of your damn business. He spat.

Georgie held her hands up in front of her. Okay, I'm sorry. Taking a deep breath, she cut to the chase. What did you want to talk about?

My life's a misery. He sank to the floor, still clutching his drink. There's no joy in my life without Olivier.

Olivier had been Michael's partner for the past three years - he'd run off with the male escort who had joined them for a drunken night two weeks ago.

Georgie crossed the room, gently taking the tumbler from him and hugging him again. He's a fool for leaving you.

That's what I said. Michael sobbed.

You can do so much better than him. Georgie tried to console him. Now she knew why he looked in such a state.

I can't go on without him! Michael howled.

Letting go of him, she took him by the shoulders. Don't be silly, Michael.

There's no point any more. He continued. I might as well...

Don't you dare finish that sentence! Georgie's anger kicked in. She shook him, and for a moment, he looked fearfully at her. That did it, she calmed then. You can't let him win. Giving in to your emotions will only prove that you were not worthy of him, not the other way around.

He nodded, relieved when she let go of him. Thank you. He said, after a moment of silence. Nobody else has the backbone to stand up to me. He offered her a boyish grin, and instantly she was taken back to the first time they met. You've always been good for me.

Georgie frowned.

Once I found out you were with Jason, it gave me focus and I found my career. He elaborated. I've never been happier than the day I was accepted to the RCM.

You went from strength to strength. Georgie smiled. We followed your progress. Jas always knew that you'd go far.

Michael smiled sadly. You must miss him.

I do. Georgie's gaze dropped.

He'd want you to move on. Michael spoke into the silence. Wouldn't he?

Georgie looked up at him then. We talked about it.

Michael nodded.

I have. Georgie cleared her throat. But only recently.

Good. He grinned at her. So who is he? Michael's eyes narrowed.

Laughing softly, Georgie touched his arm. I'm here to talk about you, not me. 

Georgie, you've not changed one bit in all these years. Michael shook his head, tears in his eyes. I'm sick of talking about me, it's all I do these days. He got up, retrieving his drink from where she'd placed it out of the way, nursing the tumbler but not actually drinking from it. Does he ring your bell? He asked her cheekily.

Georgie's expression was aghast, he saw as he laughed like a drain. Draping himself onto the sofa, he patted the cushion beside him.

Tell me his statistics. He joked again.

Jeff is Lewis's publisher. She began.

"Lewis! Cor, I haven't thought about Lewis for years. He shook his head. How is he?" 

He's retired now.

Michael gasped. Already? 

He's past retirement age. She reminded him.

God, the years have flown. Michael ran his hand through his hair. How are the rest of the band? He thought for a while. Dave. He smiled. And Kipper, and Vince.

Georgie hated being the bearer of bad tidings, so she started with the good news. Dave married Cam, and they adopted a daughter a few years ago. He's teaching at a private school in Richmond.

Wow! Michael took a sip. That's amazing. He frowned. Kipper?

He married Maya, they had three kids but they've separated.

That's a shame. He shook his head. You and Jas I know. He smiled at her. You managed his comeback. I loved Boston.

Boston had been the animated film with a musical mouse central character, written with Jason in mind.

Georgie smiled. We weren't sure how much he could do.

He was always so determined. Michael shook his head. Such a terrible, terrible loss. He had another sip of his drink. Did Vince get clean?

Georgie nodded.

I never touched drugs. Michael raised his tumbler. Whiskey is my downfall. He stroked his throat. I knew smoking would've ruined me.

Georgie nodded again, wondering how Michael had forgotten excessive drinking would alter his voice as well.

What's Vince doing now?

Georgie took a deep breath. He was volunteering overseas.

What happened? He read between the lines.

Nobody really knows. Georgie sighed. They never actually found his body. She said quietly.

Michael shuddered. That's hideous. He knocked back the rest of his drink, shaking his head sadly. Looking at her then, he smiled. It's so good to see you. You look really well.

Thank you. Georgie blushed. She wished she could return the compliment, but she couldn't. Michael had let himself go: greying and untidy stubble; bloodshot, red rimmed eyes; jaundiced skin.

Your daughters must be, he frowned, trying to think.

Twenty seven. Andy's twenty five.

Michael blew his breath out. I feel so old. He groaned. I'm forty five, but I feel a hundred and five some days.

Imagine how I feel. I was fifty one this year. Georgie smiled.

You don't look a day over thirty.

You flatterer. She teased.

And Anna? he asked.

Anna is well, thank you, and Christopher. She smiled.

I wish I had someone. Michael sniffed. I'm too old.

No, you're not. You're still in your prime. Georgie cajoled him.

I'm finished. He said sadly. Past my sell-by date.

You're not. Georgie took his hands. You'll make someone the happiest man in the world.

Withdrawing from her touch, he shook his head. No one wants me. No one loves me.

Georgie shook her head. Yes, they do. You have millions of fans, all over the world. Everyone loves you.

My staff hate me. My agent abuses her position. No wonder Olivier ran off with that... that whore. His voice tailed off.

Don't think like this, Michael. Georgie pleaded. This isn't you, not the real you.

I'm a horrible person. He shook his head. I deserve to be miserable.

Nobody deserves to be miserable. Georgie told him. You need to take some time out, get your thoughts together and work out how to move on.

A silence fell between them and she hoped he had taken her words to heart.

T-thank you Georgie. He stuttered.

No problem, Michael. She hugged him again, feeling he needed reassurance. Any time.

Jason was always protective of Michael, and she knew he would have been pleased with how she had dealt with the situation.

Leaving the suite half an hour later, she sank into the backseat of her taxi home, half wondering if she would ever see Michael again.

Chapter 2

Michael woke up dripping in sweat, the vivid dream to blame.

You fool. He said to himself. Closing his eyes, he saw the images again. How could something so delectable turn so sour? And so quickly!

Olivier had been a generous and giving lover: Michael had only wanted to please him, finally agreeing to the idea of having an escort with extras for the night.

Even the phrase was tacky and tasteless, but if it placated a more and more demanding Olivier then it would be worth every penny. Indulging in his fantasy of having two men sate his carnal desires at the same time, he had chosen that idiot, Fenn, himself.

Handsome, intelligent, great mannerisms, with a ripped body, the well endowed Fenn had the whole package. Experienced and discreet in his business, Fenn had seemed a great choice. His expensive tailored suit spoke of his fine tastes, and he had given Michael a look that had sent shivers through him without touching him.

Fenn had insisted on a limousine to collect him even before they made the arrangement. Immaculately groomed, with icy blue eyes, soft hands and a chiselled chin, Michael had fallen for him on sight. So too had Olivier, and looking back now, Michael realised that was when he had lost him.

Insisting they had a suite at the Ritz, Michael made the arrangements for Fenn to arrive at seven o'clock sharp. Fenn slipped into the suite as if he owned the place, casually draping his jacket over the chair and loosening his tie, demanding a drink and a cigar.

Michael's hatred of smoking was waved away; dismissed as unimportant. From that moment, it was obvious Fenn was in charge. Olivier pandered to his every whim as Michael was relegated to the sidelines.

Unpacking the briefcase that Fenn had abandoned the moment he had arrived, Olivier carefully laid out a variety of items Michael had never seen before - an assortment of props that made his eyes smart... He had looked away then, and Olivier and Fenn had both laughed at his discomfort.

Michael sighed, both then and now. That had been the first set of alarm bells to ring. He should have terminated the agreement when he had the chance. Olivier was a man of worldly experience, and Michael was not.

A little fun would broaden his horizons, Olivier told him. They would let him decide what they would do to him; but first, they would show him what sort of pleasures could be had. He saw them both coming towards him then, his heart pounding twenty to the dozen.

Fenn had a drink for him in one hand and a set of handcuffs in his other, which he used to attach Michael to the bedstead, but only by one hand.

Encouraging him to drink up, the woozy head told Michael that this was no usual alcoholic beverage. Before he could think, Olivier had started kissing him; touching him; taking his clothes off. Fenn was stripped down to his boxer shorts, and Olivier soon followed his lead. Michael's eyes remained on Fenn's straining shorts, putting the now empty glass down to free Olivier from his underwear.

Frowning at him then, they scolded him for his flaccid state; informing him that they would get him into the mood together. Confusion turned to pleasure as Olivier kissed him, tying the blindfold gently around his head and beginning to kiss, lick, nip and nibble his way down his body.

Fenn was at his feet, and whatever he was doing it felt great, slowly working his way up his body. Then he was rolling something up and down his thighs and over his genitalia, teasing him, explaining then what it was and what he would do with it. Flicking his blindfold off, he and Olivier gave a demonstration.

Shaking his head, Fenn shrugged at Michael's refusal, finishing the move, leaving Olivier wanting more. Delivering his instructions to Olivier about what and how he wanted it, Michael watched, overawed, the language more colourful than he could manage. It was incredibly erotic, and when they turned to him, he was more than ready.

Michael opened his eyes once more, taking in his surroundings. Tormented even by his dreams, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed, realising then that