Chapter Text
Robyn groaned, cursed and then hissed in pain as she let go of the handle of her small case, switching to hold it with her left hand instead. She was tired, cranky and in no form for trying to battle her way once more through another airport crowd. Dublin was bad enough but Heathrow was always heaving and she walked with speed towards the exit of the baggage claim to get out into the fresh air outside the arrival’s hall.
Any excited thoughts of seeing Taron again were at the back of her mind and she yawned as she walked bringing her right hand to her face to rub her eyes, cringing again as a twinge seared through her right hand. Her last twenty-four hours had not been what she had expected and as she made her way through the airport, she felt very overdressed in her smart black pants and fitted white check suit jacket but she didn’t have time to change her clothes before she left for the airport. She was quickly getting very used to rushing when it was anything to do with traveling Taron but her rush this time was caused by her own misfortune.
She had spent the last eighteen odd hours sitting in the reception of a private medical clinic in Dublin waiting for an X-ray. It was her own fault really and when the outdoor gate to the garden of the creche slammed shut, she hadn’t been keeping an eye on it and she should have known better when the door was notorious for slamming closed with the wind. Just so happened her right hand rested on the metal door frame as the door slammed, catching her hand between the metal frame on both sides of the gate and her high pitch scream was loud enough for Emma to come running, thinking something had happened to one of the children who were outside playing. Emma quickly opened the gate and Robyn cradled her right hand, tears on cheeks as a sharp deep pain ran through her, a long black bruise already formed on the back of her hand and palm of her skin, her hand trembling in agony.
Robyn walked into the creche, Emma on her heels and ran the cold water in the sink in the kitchen, gingerly putting her hand under the cold spray, moaning as the light trickle of water hurt her.
“You need ice, not water.” Emma grabbed a cold compress from the fridge which they used for the children and wrapped it in a tea towel bringing it over to Robyn at the sink. “Here.”
Robyn let Emma wrap the compress around her hand but she cringed and whimpered as Emma placed too much pressure on her hand. “Ow stop.” She pulled her shaking hand away.
“Can you move your fingers.” Asked Emma as she guided Robyn to one of the chairs at the table, making her sit down, seeing her cheeks pale. With a hurtful sob Robyn carefully moved her fingers one by one but if she tried to close her hand it stretched agonisingly against the quickly deepening bruising.
“Robyn you need to go and get this hand checked out.” Emma placed the useless cold compress on the table and she then very carefully lifted her supervisors hand, turning it over. “It looks really bad Robyn.” Along with the black, blue and purple bruises that covered her hand, there was an obvious line of blood where the gate had actually broken the delicate skin of her hand on both sides.
Robyn looked to Emma with sad watery eyes. “Taron.” She said quietly, watching as her manager walked to the press to pull out a first aid box and put it on the table. Emma opened the black tabs and flicked the lid over, routing through all the plasters and bandages to pull out some antiseptic wipes. “The premier.” Robyn added in a whisper as Emma ripped open the first packet, taking the wipe out and gently took her hand, very carefully wiped the long graze with the antiseptic liquid feeling Robyn immediately try to pull her hand back but Emma kept a somewhat tight hold of her hand to prevent her from drawing it back to her chest.
“Taron is not going anywhere Robyn and will still be there whether you arrive tomorrow or Friday.”
“My flight is tomorrow!” Robyn cried.
“And weren’t you the one telling him only two days ago that his health comes first? So does yours. You need to get this seen too. Your fingers are shaking.”
“It hurts.” Robyn replied looking to her swollen and damaged hand, hissing as Emma hit a very tender spot on the palm of her hand with the antiseptic wipe.
“The most perfect sign that you need to go to the hospital.” Emma discarded the bloodied antiseptic wipes into the bin and picked up the instant ice pack which she crushed to activate the cold inside. She pulled some paper hand towels from the dispenser behind Robyn’s head and wrapped the ice pack in two towels on either side before she placed it on the back of Robyn’s hand, feeling her pull back again but she held her hand in place. “You need this. Your hand is swollen and the ice will help but more important you need a doctor.”
“Emma I will be sitting waiting for ages. This weekend is so important to Taron”
“And the weekend will still be there but your damaged hand may not. The bruising is turning black Robyn. I’d imagine you’ve done some sort of damage to your hand. You need to get it checked out and make sure you haven’t injured any of the tendons. That blasted gate.” Emma fumed.
“It was my own fault.” Robyn admitted. “I know well that the gate slams. I just wasn’t watching what I was doing.” She grumbled. “I should have been paying more attention.” Robyn took a long breathe. “Emma, I have to go to Taron. I promised him I would go. He has organised the whole weekend for me, helped Stella get me a dress, made plans with his publicist and organised the hotel too.”
“Robyn…”
“I need to see him Emma. He was still so ill on Monday morning when I left him. Talking on the phone is not the same as physically seeing him, even though I can hear the change in his voice, I need to actually see him.” Robyn looked to her manager. “I promised him Emma. The few days together are so important to him and he has been such a wonderful friend to me, coming to spend St Patrick’s Day in Kilcreen and then coming for RENT and coming early too and setting up the tent and...”
“Robyn…”
“It’s just something I have to do. Go and see him. Support him for his movie.”
Emma watched as the words ran from Robyn’s mouth, her whole body becoming overly fidgety as she spoke, her tone clear with yearning for the need to see Taron. “Robyn, I know how much your time with Taron means to you and how excited you have been for this weekend even more so after what happened last weekend. I know how much you love him, how this man means the world to you but this hand needs to be tended to by a doctor.”
“Emma…”
“Go to one of the swift care clinics Robyn. You have private health care insurance. You know they take half the time compared to a hospital.”
“Yeah I suppose.”
“There is no suppose Robyn. I am not letting you fly anywhere until you get this checked and I can easily get Taron’s phone number from your phone and tell him what happened.”
“Ok Ok no. No!” She repeated with a firmer tone. “Don’t call Taron. He doesn’t need to know. He has already been through enough.”
“So, who am I calling to take you to the hospital?”
It was her dad who drove her in, maybe speeding a little too fast to get her into a private clinic and once inside Robyn thought it would have been a quick visit but after she spoke to reception, she realised she was in for a long wait as the medical service was backed up. Robyn told her father to go home and she sat for five hours before she was even seen too, the doctor booking her in for an X-ray but that took another couple of hours and then she had to get an MRI of her hand too and as Robyn was picked up by her father once more just after ten am the next morning, she was completely pushed for time to get ready to fly to London to meet Taron. She was so thankful for having her case packed the night before and only had to throw in a few extra things, her dad driving her to airport to catch her flight. A flight she was fully intending on making despite her wrapped and swollen hand.
The doctor had summarised that her hand was not broken but very badly bruised and luckily the MRI scan had shown that she had not damaged any tendons but was going to be severely bruised for a few weeks, finding the use of her hand hard and painful until the bruising and swelling eased up. He had cleaned the straight line wound again and wrapped her hand loosely, not putting too much pressure on it and prescribed her some painkillers, advising her to keep it elevated in a sling when at home in the evening and to avoid using her right hand for a few days.
So far she had not kept her hand elevated and probably used it more than she should have and was struggling with only having the use of her left hand even though she naturally did things with her left hand but she was getting frustrated with everything around her and the fact that she hadn’t told Taron what had happened yet was weighing heavily on her mind especially after she had lectured him on keeping his health as his main priority. Even unlocking her phone was a problem as she used the finger print of the right index finger of her right hand normally but had to hold the phone her in throbbing hand and unlock it with the pin code now.
Thankfully having Taron on speed dial made things a little easier for her and she made her way into a little corner of the terminal to make her call so she didn’t have to try and pull her case with her sore hand.
“Hey chicken!”
His voice was light and excited and she held in the sigh she was desperate to make. His whole mood had lifted each day she had spoken to him and he was finally feeling like his old self, though he still coughed every now and again.
“Hey Taron.”
“So, you’ve landed then?”
“Yep. Heading for the exit. How has your morning been?”
“Tiring but good. Early morning TV is always a treat.” He replied with a chuckle. His recovery was quick as he didn’t leave the hotel bed in Paris until he had to get his flight to London and the complete rest and antibiotics quickly cleared his chest infection though he still found himself coughing at times, even doing so on live TV, apologising to the presenter afterwards.
“I am glad it went well Taron.” Robyn had hoped he wasn’t pushing himself again but she had been able to watch the interview on her phone while sitting in A&E and he was animate, smiling and laughing and it was a wonderful sight to see and hear. His whole face beamed and in a way, she was so glad he was caught coughing on camera as it further explained the truth in the story of why his press junket ended so suddenly. Once again, the media had been extremely accepting of Taron’s circumstances and Robyn’s visit to him, which came across as a very quick one, as no one did actually see her leave his hotel and her visit was only seen as a supportive gesture to Taron as he sat sick in his hotel room.
“Me too Robyn. I was dreading it to be honest especially after what happened in Paris but it was fine.”
She found a small smile on her lips, her right hand held against her chest as it throbbed. “I watched it.”
“You did?”
“Sure I did.”
“So you got up early to watch me on TV at seven.”
Robyn inwardly groaned as she nearly got caught up in her lie. “Of course I did Taron.” She quickly replied. “Biggest supporter, remember? And I watched it on my phone in bed cuddled with cwtch under the covers.”
He chuckled. “Yeah I know and I am glad cwtch saw it too. I miss that dinosaur.” Robyn found herself rolling her eyes at his comment. “Have you walked out of the exit yet?” He asked her.
“Not yet.”
“Ok well it won’t be Anthony this time picking you up. I have organised a different driver for you that will bring you to the hotel. He will be holding a sign with your name. He is called Clive.”
“That’s fine Taron. What time do you think you will arrive at?”
“Hopefully just before five. I have a few more phone interviews to do, to make up for missing the ones during the week.”
“Taron…”
He immediately heard the warning in her voice. “All organised last-minute Robyn once I was feeling so much better and I am happy to make up for the ones I missed. It’s an hour tops and then I will be on my way to you.” He heard the long sigh that came from her. “And I am free for the rest of the day and I have a dinner to make up to you.”
Robyn looked to her aching hand. She was really in no mood for dinner, trying to find something to wear and going out. She was exhausted with no sleep the night before and still trying to catch up on lost sleep over the weekend previous, she was desperate for a shower and a nap. “Let’s see how you go with your timing Taron.”
“I will be with you around five Robyn. It’s just after two thirty. Go and head to the hotel room and I will see you very soon.”
“Ok Taron.”
“Robyn are you ok? You seem, well I don’t know. Quiet. Not as argumentative with me as your normally are.”
“I am fine Taron.”
“You still nervous about tomorrow?”
“A little. Yeah.” She hoped her voice was steady. She was very nervous about the premier but right now it wasn’t her main concern. It was his reaction when he saw what had happened to her and how she hadn’t been upfront with him straight away.
“Anything else I can say to ease your mind?” He asked with genuine concern and a softness to his voice.
Robyn felt even worse about her lie to him now. “You have been wonderful Taron. Just some jitters. They will pass.” She closed her eyes as a burning sensation travelled through her hand as she bent her fingers without thinking.
“I will be right beside you.”
“I know.”
Taron looked over his shoulder felt a hand rest there, Lyndsey behind him giving him a nod. “Robyn I gotta go but I will see you very soon ok? Go back to the hotel room and have a nap.”
“Naps are no fun my myself.” She replied, a little smirk on her lips, smiling as Taron laughed. “But I will raid the mini bar instead and watch the TV.”
“Sure Robyn. Go wild.”
“I will. See you soon rocketman.”
Robyn ended the call and awkwardly put her phone in her shoulder bag but dropped her case on the ground, followed by her bag which slipped off her shoulder. She cursed as all of her belongings ended up on the ground. Picking up her shoulder bag, she used her left hand to put it over her head and then swivel it around so the bag rested at her left hip. Reaching down she picked up her case and finally made her way out of baggage claim and into the arrivals hall where she immediately saw a very well-dressed man holding a sign with her name. She walked over to him.
“Hi I’m Robyn.”
“Miss Quinn. Nice to meet you. I am Clive.” He held out his right hand to shake hers and without thinking, Robyn did the same and she recoiled immediately as he shook her hand hard and she opened her fingers to let his hand go.
“Sorry. Sorry.” She quickly apologised. “I’ve hurt my hand.”
“Oh no sorry.” Clive instantly let go of her hand. “I have a strong handshake. Let me take your bag and we can get going to the hotel.”
“Great.” She gladly let him take her case, happy to not have to drag it any more. “Thank you.”
“This way.”
Robyn followed the driver out of the airport and to the set down only area where the blacked-out car was waiting for her. Clive opened the door for her, allowing her to get into the car while he took care of her case. She sat on the left side of the car so it would be easier for her to get her seatbelt on and once buckled in, realised she hadn’t taken her bag from off her shoulder, so unbuckled the seatbelt to take her bag off before strapping herself back in. Once she was finally ready for the car journey, Clive was back in the driver’s seat.
“It’ll be about an hour with traffic Robyn.”
“That’s ok Clive.”
“We will be there around half three.”
Robyn nodded and closed her eyes, laying her head back against the seat. One of the perks she was becoming very thankful for in knowing Taron was that she never had to drag a suitcase through the London underground any more and having him organise a driver to ferry her around was quickly something she was getting very accustomed to.
A fifty-minute driver later, Clive dropped her off at her hotel for her stay for the next two nights, passing her bag onto one of the staff at the hotel door. After she had thanked Clive, Robyn stood staring at the stone brick walls of the Montcalm hotel Taron had given her the details of at Marble Arch. It was another stunning hotel, with beautiful red brick walls and two pillars at the front glass entrance to the lobby. Robyn was suddenly glad she hadn’t had the chance to change out her work clothes because as she walked through the white marble lobby, decorated in fine and ornate gold details, she felt more suited to the hotel in her work clothes compared to her normal gear of jeans and a jumper. Her smart work clothes made her feel like she belonged in this extremely expensive hotel. The staff employee with her suitcase had already left it at reception for her and gave her a smile as she walked past him which she returned. Robyn approached the marble lit reception desk with a tired smile.
“Good afternoon ma’am.” The woman behind the desk smiled.
“I would like to check in please.” Robyn replied.
“Can I get the name of the booking please?”
“Sure. It’s Taron Egerton.”
The woman at the computer did a slight double take with the name she mentioned but typed Taron’s name into the computer, her eyes glancing to the lady in front of her before going back to the screen and typing some more. “Is there another name on the booking?” The receptionist asked.
Robyn looked to her. “Taron told me the booking was under his name. A room for two nights for two guests.”
“No other name?” She asked again.
“Maybe Robyn Quinn? That’s me.”
“Do you happen to have any ID on you?”
Robyn was way too tired to dealing with the uncalled attitude from the woman but opened her bag to pull out her purse, handing over her Irish driving licence. She waited as the receptionist looked to and from the photo on the pink piece of paper before she handed it back over.
“Ok so two nights in one of our Park Lane Suites.” The receptionist handed over a piece of paper. “Can you sign here please?”
Robyn looked to her right hand. Holding a pen was possible. Holding a pen tight enough to sign her name was going to be a problem but she refused to show the woman who stood in front of her, judging her, that she was incapable of signing her name. So with a shaky hand, ignoring the tremors of pain, she signed her name on the page, glancing at the price of the room for two nights, keeping her face as still as possible so her shock couldn’t be seen. The extravagance of the hotels she was getting to stay in had quickly upped its game and price and as she slid the paper back across the counter, she was wondering if Taron had paid for the stay from his own pocket. She watched as the receptionist typed some more into the computer. “And you are a guest of Mr. Egerton?”
“I am his friend who is staying with him at the hotel for the next two nights.” Robyn replied.
“So his guest?”
“His friend.” Robyn said with a firm tone. “Shall I just ring Taron for you to let him confirmed his reservation?”
“No need. I have you both here.”
“Fantastic. So I can check in then.”
The receptionist looked to her with a raised eyebrow. “Just getting your keys sorted now.”
“Wonderful.”
With a few more clicks her keyboard, an impatient sound coming from the typing, Robyn waited for about twenty seconds before the room card keys were pushed her way. “All checked in. Room three three three, third floor. With your booking, you have full use of the wellness centre, pool and gym. There is also a free spa treatment included in your booking which you can arrange by dialling nine on your phone. That will put you directly through the to the wellness centre and spa. Your suite also gives you access to the club lounge and the breakfast buffet as well as reservations for dinner and lunch in our Crescent restaurant which you can book through us here at reception. You can take the lifts to the left to the third floor to get to your room.” The receptionist looked to Robyn. “Do you know what time Mr Egerton will be arriving at?” She asked with a wicked smile.
“I am not actually too sure. Mr Egerton is quite busy at the moment and his schedule is not running to a timed plan but as I know what room we are in; I can easily give him a quick phone call to let him know and he can just come on up to our room. No point in him calling to reception when I can just contact him myself.” Robyn slid the keys towards her and picked them up. “Anything else I need to know?”
“Are you Robyn?” Another woman came to stand behind the reception desk with a badge that said ‘manager’ on it. “Robyn Quinn?”
Robyn looked to the smartly dressed lady and nodded. “Yeah I am.”
“My name is Cleo. I am one of the managers here at the hotel. Taron called earlier. Wanted to make sure your check in went as smooth as possible explaining he was caught up in work and would be arriving later. Everything ok for you so far?”
Robyn looked to the first receptionist with a slight smirk and then back to the manager. “Everything has been fine so far thank you.”
“Good. I am glad. Taron has also asked me to keep one of the room keys here at reception for him. He will get it when he arrives and then he can let himself into the room. Said something about naps.”
Robyn felt her cheeks blush but handed back one of the keys. “That is fine by me.”
“So anything I can do for you Robyn?”
“At the moment, no thank you.”
“Well if you need anything please don’t hesitate to call reception. Gloria here will be very happy to help you or myself. Would you like some help with your bag to your room?”
“Do you know, I think I can manage it myself thanks.”
“Please enjoy all our facilities Robyn. You have full access to the spa too.”
“Gloria was telling me about that.” She looked to the receptionist who was flushed red with her annoyance. “I might wait until Taron arrives before we both decide to use your spa facilities. After his day of work, he might enjoy a dip in the pool.”
“Sure. It opens till nine anyway so you have lots of time to take a wander to it and please do take a swim. The pool is heated.”
Robyn smiled. “We might just do that. Thank you so very much.” She looked to Gloria with a grin. “I will be sure to call if I need anything.”
Making sure to take her case with her left hand, Robyn turned away from reception feeling a sense of accomplishment and victory and walked to the lifts, though now without the distraction of the smart-arse receptionist, her focus was back on how tired she felt and how her hand still ached. Once in the lift she pressed the button for floor number three and when the door opened on the third floor, she was met with a stark dark contrast to the brightness of the white lobby downstairs. The corridors had black walls, doors and ceiling, the carpet a black colour too and although it should have made the hotel seem gloomy and dull, the spotlighting in the ceiling and along the floor added a second layer of colour and light and it was spotless. Robyn walked down the soft carpet, feeling it bounce under her feet and she could only grin as she reached room three three three, the corner room.
“Bloody corner rooms.” She murmured letting go of her case. Her injured hand was making the easiest of tasks, like holding her belongings and opening a hotel door impossible but somehow, she managed to hold the key against the black lock and a little white light appeared letting her know the door was unlocked. Now faced with another every day task of opening the door, Robyn pushed down on the handle with her left hand and used her hip to hold the door open while she grabbed her case and almost stumbled into the room.
She stopped and stared in front of her, the door closing of its own accord behind her. Leaving the case where it was, Robyn walked further into the room. In front of her was a large living area with a very comfortable looking two-seater grey couch, desk, TV mounted to the wall and coffee table, a bottle of champagne sitting in an ice bucket with two glasses on it. To her left and behind her a bathroom, with full size bath come shower, toilet and sink. It was spacious and elegant, little touches like a plant and some pictures on the wall to add some more dept to the room. The window was large and let natural light in through the net curtain, dark gold curtains pushed back against the cream colour walls.
“Where is the bed?” Robyn asked out loud. “Only a chair.” She noticed another door to her right. “Couldn’t be.”
She opened it and walked through and her jaw dropped. To her right was not only a very large bed but a very large four poster bed with curtains. The wooden frame had dark brown curtains with a white checked pattern and they matched the yellow and brown bedding and pillows. Robyn walked into the room and tried to take everything in around her. She headed straight for the bed, her hands running down the curtains. She had never seen a four-poster bed before, let alone have the opportunity to sleep in one and she definitely would have made a run and jump on the bed if she knew both hands could catch herself but she wouldn’t risk the move. She walked to windows, the brown and yellow curtains matching in with the bedding perfectly. Taking a glance out the windows, their view was of some street of London but if she looked to her left, she could see Marble Arch through the curtains, Hyde Park behind it. She strolled past the bed and quickly realised there was another bathroom in the suite and again black was the main colour of focus with white furnishings, another full-sized bath and rainfall shower.
“Your gonna love that Taron.” Robyn mused as she leaned against the doorframe. She looked to her right and regretted the glance to the mirror. She looked a fright, her hair in a very messy bun, with no make-up on and deep black circles under her eyes. “No wonder Gloria was so bitchy. Least my clothes look good.”
Robyn headed back into the separate living area and just stood, trying to comprehend what on earth was going on with her life lately. Before she met Taron, she could happily stay in the cheapest hotel with a single bed, no room to move and the tiniest bathroom but now she was in a hotel room that was nearly bigger than her living room and kitchen together. It would never be something she could chose herself, never being able to afford it and she was quite happy to stay in the tiny rooms but taking her adventures with Taron opened her eyes to what a life of luxury actually looked like and when he was willing to share it with her, she was going to enjoy it.
She walked to her case and pulled it into the bedroom. She moved to put it on her side of the bed, looking to the bedside locker and frowned. On the locker was a tablet sitting on a silver alarm clock. She bent to look at it more clearly and the screen displayed what looked to be different functions for the room such as lights, air-conditioning and room service.
“Not touching that.” She said out loud, sitting on the side of the bed, dropping her shoulder bag into the bed, taking her phone out. She sent Taron a quick text to tell him she was checked in and settling in the room. She stood up and slightly kicked her case so it fell to the ground the right way up. She unzipped it and pulled out her toiletry bag and some more cosier clothes. She stuffed her swimsuit back into her case understanding now why Taron had asked her to bring it. The hotel had a pool which he obviously wanted them to make use of but she wasn’t too sure how that was going to work out now with her busted hand.
Robyn had to make two runs to the bathroom with all of her belongings, becoming seriously hindered by not being able to put pressure on her right hand and once she had everything she needed, closed the bathroom door and turned on the rainfall shower. It was going to be a struggle to strip and re-dress but she was going to have to find a way because her hand was going to be out of use for a least a week before she could even try to use it properly. It was certainly going to make for an interesting weekend.
Taron was giddy as he sat in the car on the way to hotel and the smile couldn’t be wiped from his face, Lyndsey teasing him as they parted ways until tomorrow.
“I like you like this. I definitely like you like this better than four days ago.”
“Don’t remind me.” Taron was still completely ashamed of the mess he had gotten himself into in Paris and was happy to try and make up some of the interviews he missed out on over the phone especially that he felt so much better, apart from an odd cough and had caught up on his sleep, his whole face bright now that his overtiredness had left him. “I am excited to see Robyn, actually properly see her this time.”
“‘Cos you didn’t see her last time?” Lyndsey asked with a grin, seeing Taron’s face flush. “I was in the hotel room in Paris with you too and I know the hotel you chose has a pool Taron.” She laughed as his neck turned red too. “So, going for a swim later?” He didn’t answer her as he pulled his jacket on. “Go and enjoy your time with her. I will meet you outside the hotel tomorrow at nine am sharp.”
Now as Taron sat in the car, the nerves that were missing from Paris were back with full vengeance and along with his nerves were his butterflies and he was very fidgety in the car and couldn’t sit still. Paris was a blur to him but this weekend was one he had been ready and waiting for, for weeks. Even before he had asked Robyn to go with him, he was ready for this premier. His health scare in Paris had opened his eyes to a lot of things and the most important one was that he knew without a doubt that Robyn was in love with him. Her affection and devotedness to him, where she put every ounce of energy she had into looking after him made it more than obvious to him. This weekend was his chance to return the favour and it was his mission to make her feel as comfortable as possible, especially as she stepped completely out of her comfort zone once again. Having him go visit her was an entirely different situation to her coming to see him for one of his events and this one wasn’t just a little red-carpet event. It was an official move premier complete with what could be described as an overwhelming media presence and Taron only wanted Robyn to feel safe.
Bringing his right hand to his mouth he coughed three times. It still lingered in his chest, normally appearing after a lot of talking or strenuous movement and his cough turned to a slight yawn. He looked out the window as he felt the car slowing down, the car pulling into the hotel he had organised for the next two nights. He had spent Wednesday at home in his flat, mostly sleeping and tiding but when Lyndsey asked if he wanted a hotel organised for the premier, Taron had to think about it for a little while. He decided in the end to book a really nice hotel for himself and Robyn for two nights, and not just a room but a suite so they would both have the space they needed to get ready the next day but more so for Robyn to get ready. Stella had a whole Friday plan in place while he was working and he was sure Stella was going to need to the space of a suite. His flat was not ideal and although not overly far from London, the hotel was much closer for travelling to Leicester Square and keeping the hotel close, meant that if they chose to leave early, their bed for the night was not too far away. He then planned to bring Robyn to his flat on Saturday so he could show her around and just relax the whole day together.
The car stopped and Taron opened the door to let himself out, thanking the driver for taking his case out for him. The Montcalm hotel was definitely one of the more extravagant hotels in London’s Bayswater district but Taron had wanted something really special for Robyn, though knew in his heart that she wasn’t any way materialistic. However, he was happy to spoil her. He wanted to spoil her.
“Thanks.” He said to the driver who had brought him from his early afternoon work to the hotel and he walked through the glass doors into the bright lobby, making his way to reception.
“Good afternoon and welcome to the Montcalm Marble Arch.” The receptionist gave him a wide smile. “How can I help you today Mr. Egerton.”
Taron felt his breathe hitch at the back of his throat. He should be used to being recognised but it still always made him slightly nervous. “I just want to check in and grab the key to my room. I know my friend has already checked in.”
“Of course. That is no problem at all. My name is Gloria and I will be able to help you with anything you need.”
“I would just like the key to my room please.”
“Sure.”
Taron watched as the woman typed on her keyboard and could feel a little frustration and annoyance building inside him. He just wanted to see Robyn and all he needed was the key to the room, having already rang the hotel earlier to ask them to keep a key at reception so he could get into his room quietly himself without disturbing Robyn if she was sleeping. He tried to hold the angry puff of air in, but it left his lips loudly. He felt like he was standing for more than a minute before she even looked to him.
“So, your guest…”
“My friend.” He quickly interrupted.
“Your friend has already checked in.”
“I know. I have been speaking with her. Can I just have my key please?” Taron asked again.
“Gloria, there is a bit of a queue forming there. Do you need help checking this man in?”
Taron looked to the second woman who walked behind reception. Glancing to her name tag, it read Cleo, the word ‘manager’ under her name. He recognised the name from the phone call he made earlier.
He took a step to his right, so he was standing more in front of the manager. “I would just like the key to my room please. I rang earlier about keeping one of the keys to my room. My friend Robyn has already checked in.”
“Yes, Mr Egerton, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I have your key right here.” Cleo reached under the desk to take the key for his room and handed it to him. “Room three three three on the third floor. Like I said to Robyn, if you need anything at all please just call down to reception and Gloria will be happy to help you out.”
Taron looked to the other woman behind the reception and shook his head. “I think Robyn and I will be ok thank you.”
Cleo looked to Gloria and then to Taron, immediately picking up on the tense atmosphere. “If you need anything at all Taron, dial zero and you can ask for myself Cleo or Stewart. We will be very happy to answer any question you have.”
“Thank you.”
Holding the key card in his left hand, Taron grabbed his case and quickly walked away from the desk, trying to turn his mood around before he saw Robyn. He was thoroughly irritated by the unprofessional behaviour of the hotels receptionist and hoped Robyn hadn’t been subjected the same nonsense. Standing in the lift, he shook his annoyance off and turned his thoughts to seeing Robyn. His excitement for the premier along with the nerves had grown and he was so ready to get dressed up with her again and share with her the movie he had finished filming because of her quick actions eight months ago.
Once out of the lift, he strolled down the dark carpet, following the numbers until he reached the suite. He knew he had maybe gone a little overboard with the suite for himself and Robyn, both having stayed in a so-called normal hotel room before but for the special occasion of a movie premier it just added to the excitement of the weekend and he just kept telling himself that the extra space would be used. He was just sorry he hadn’t been there to see Robyn’s reaction when she walked into the room because he knew it would have been a good one. He also knew their next hug was going to be an amazing one and Taron was determined to make it a tight one, ready to put his everything into hugging her, knowing it would say more than his words could for her actions last weekend.
Robyn definitely struggled a little in the shower. Not as much as she thought she was going to and that was probably down to the fact that she didn’t wash her hair. She managed to get dressed into a pair of jeans except she unexpectedly had found herself in a slight predicament with the back strap her bra. She had closed the strap but once she had pulled it up and fixed the shoulder straps, quickly realised that the back strap was twisted around and itchy and uncomfortable and she couldn’t turn her right hand the right way she needed to open it and she was so tired at everything taking so much extra effort. Her head turned at she heard her name called and recognised the soft tones of a calming male Welsh accent.
“Hey Taron.” She called back very relieved to hear him.
He had wandered into the living space and then into the bedroom. Once he didn’t see her curled up on the bed, he called her name, Taron hearing her answer him from the bathroom.
“Come out when you are ready chicken. I am gonna chill on the bed.” Taron took two steps to the bed when he stopped when he heard Robyn reply.
“Actually, could you come and help me please?”
He looked to the closed bathroom door. “Robyn?” He was completely taken aback by her answer.
“The door is unlocked. It’s ok. I kinda need your help.”
Taron shrugged his shoulders and walked to the bathroom door and opened it, shielding his eyes a little with his hand. “Robyn?” He heard her laugh a little and answer him.
“You can look Taron.”
Taking his hand away from his face, Robyn stood in front of him with her t-shirt half on, covering the front of her body. Her hair was tied up is a very messy bun, messier than normal and her face was a mix of frustration and weariness. “Can you help me?”
“Of course. What do you need?”
Robyn turned around so her back was facing him. “Can you open the back of my bra strap and close it again for me? It is all twisted.”
Taron stood shocked for a few seconds at what Robyn was asking him to do and knew she felt the hesitation from him but she turned around so her back was to him.
“Please Taron?” She looked at his reflection in the large mirror. “It’s all screwy and I can’t fix it.”
“Yeah sure of course.” He stepped closer to her. He had been in this position before, having to move her bra straps when he was cleaning her shoulder wound in Florida but he hadn’t quite been asked to actually open her bra but as he looked to the lacey black material, he could see what Robyn meant about it being screwy. The right strap was twisted around awkwardly and he couldn’t imagine it was comfortable for her. He slipped his index and middle fingers behind the soft material of Robyn’s bra and with the help of his thumbs unhooked it and then turned the right strap around it sat flat against her back. “Which row do you want it hooked into Robyn?” He asked her.
“Second please.”
As she asked him, Taron closed the hooks back in place. “All done.”
“Thank you Taron.” Feeling immediately more comfortable, Robyn used her left hand to hold the neck of t-shirt and slipped her head through, again using her left hand to fix her stripped t-shirt on her body, before she turned to Taron who was looking at her with a half grin and confused face.
“So, Robyn what is going on?” He asked her. “I mean I am sure hooking a bra is a skill a woman learns as a young teenage girl.”
“Probably the same time as teenage boy.” She chuckled back but Taron didn’t laugh.
“Robyn what is going on? You have been so different on the phone all day. You just seem a little deflated.” He reached to take her hands but she took a quick step back, Taron’s face becoming worried. “Robyn.” His eyes widened as she held up her right hand to him. “Fuck Robyn.” He reached over and very carefully took her hand in his much larger one. “What happened?” He didn’t miss how she wouldn’t look at him as she spoke.
“The side gate to the garden in creche slammed on my hand. The wind caught it and my hand was still on the metal frame when it slammed.”
“Robyn…” Taron’s voice was barely audible. His eyes were glued to the painful looking bruises on her hand. He had seen her hand black and blue from when she had given him CPR before but as he turned her hand over, her previous dark bruises were nothing compared to what she had now. Along with the discolouration on her skin, was a long thin welt front and back, red raw and extremely sore looking. Deep multi-layered discolouration’s of black, purple and very dark blue marred her hand and when he went to touch her skin, she pulled her hand back immediately. “Sorry, sorry sweetheart. Robyn this looks really bad.”
Robyn finally looked at Taron and apart from looking so rested and healthy, he looked extremely worried and concerned. His eyes were wide and beautiful and they pierced through her. “I had it checked out by a doctor. Nothing broken, no tendon damage. Just really bruised.”
“When did this happen?” He asked her lightly taking her fingers in his. “Sorry chicken, I didn’t hear you?”
Robyn had whispered the word but closed her eyes as she repeated the word a little louder. “Yesterday.”
Taron looked to her. “Yesterday.” He ran what he hoped was the lightest of strokes over her hand. “You saw a doctor?” He watched her nod. “Dr Greene?”
Once again, Taron completely surprised Robyn with how much he listened to her, how he remembered the name of the doctor who she had brought him to see, who took his stitches out. She looked back to her hand as she answered him. “No not Dr Greene.”
Taron put his left hand under Robyn’s chin to make her look at him. “Robyn, did you go to the hospital?”
She looked to her hand again. “Yeah I did. Well not so much a hospital but a clinic for those with private health insurance.”
“And?”
Robyn was a little distracted by the very delicate movements of Taron’s thumb over her knuckles, his touch soft and staying away from the hurt part of her hand and it took her a moment to answer him. “Sat for a long time to wait for an X-ray and then for an MRI. All clear. Just bruised.”
Taron looked to her, finally making eye contact and keeping her eye contact, seeing the pain in her eyes along with an intense tiredness on her face. “How long?”
“Most of yesterday afternoon and all night.”
“Jesus Robyn.”
“I am fine Taron. I will be fine. Just makes doing things a lot awkward.”
Taron suddenly stopped his thumbs moving. “Yesterday.” He mused. “Robyn, I spoke to you earlier on and you didn’t mention this happened. I even asked you if you were ok.” He dropped her hand carefully, taking a slight step backwards. “You didn’t tell me yesterday either.”
“Taron…”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” He took another step back so he was standing in the bathroom doorway. “Isn’t this something you should have told me happened?”
“Taron…” Robyn moved to take a step to him but again he moved back and could immediately feel the change in his mood and this was exactly what she worried about happening, how his reaction was going to be.
“You should have called me yesterday.” He said to her, an obvious hint of irritation in his voice. “You think this is something you couldn’t tell me? That I wouldn’t want to know?”
“No Taron, of course not.”
“After everything we have been through Robyn and you couldn’t tell me that you were in hospital all night getting an X-ray and MRI for your hand which you have severely hurt?” He turned and walked into the bedroom. “Jesus Robyn.” He stopped in front of the bed and turned back to look at her. “So, it’s ok for you to come running to me when my publicist calls you but you can’t call me when you need me? When you need someone?”
Robyn followed him out into the bedroom. “Taron…”
“No Robyn. It’s fine for you to do all these things for me but you won’t let me do them for you? You don’t even think I would like to know that you had hurt yourself, that maybe you needed someone to talk to? To be there for you?”
“It was late Taron.”
“You said afternoon too. Could have called me then.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “Not like I was doing anything at home in my flat after my flight home from Paris yesterday morning. I lay in bed watching TV.”
Robyn stood a few steps away from him. His tone had now turned from slight anger to disappointment and hurt. “Taron…”
“You just ran to me Robyn. You literally ran in your heels in Paris to come to help me and you held me for nearly two days straight but you won’t even give me the option to return the favour to you.”
“Taron…”
“I mightn’t have been able to run to you Robyn but to talk to you in the phone, to keep you company while you sat in the hospital, I could have done that. Like I said, I wasn’t doing anything else yesterday.”
“Taron I…”
“You need to get over this Robyn. This trust issue you have because it is just closing you off to anyone who wants to help you and soon no one will want to even try because you won’t let them in.”
As soon as Taron said the words and Robyn’s whole face changed, tears forming in her eyes and he knew he had completely messed up. Even more so when she turned without a word and walked to the door of the bedroom, opened it, walked out and slammed it with a bang.
“Fuck.” Taron cursed, wincing as the door slammed, running his hand up and down his face and then through his hair. He knew he was in trouble and had said words he knew Robyn would never forgive him for, words he could never take back.