Cause Celeb has heard that Triphoppers star Ashby Thornton is gearing up for the launch of their next album Swagger. But sources say that Ashby's heart is not really in it. Twenty-five year old Ashby is still pining for his ex girlfriend Jane Porter.
"He feels really badly about what happened," band member and close personal friend Lee told our Cause Celeb reporter. "He let fame get to him and he let go of what was really important. He has tried to contact Jane, but can't find her anywhere. He's really hurting right now."
CAUSE CELEB CAUSE OF THE MONTH: Can YOU find Jane Porter? Contact us on causeofthemonth@causeceleb.com
* * * *
To: Marshall Winfield <Mwinfield@ramsdeanandtooze.com>
From: Stevie Winfield<StevieNoWonder@Hotmail.com>
Hi Marsh. I've just seen the latest Cause Celeb. Apparently, Ashby Thornton is wanting to get back together with Jane. I know you were going to have dinner with her next week. She might be on the rebound, so please, please be careful.
Just thought I'd let you know.
As you say, it's probably not a good idea to date a colleague anyway.
Love
Stevie##
From: Marshall Winfield <Mwinfield@ramsdeanandtooze.com>
To: Stevie Winfield<StevieNoWonder@Hotmail.com>
Thanks for the advice, but I don't really see what that has to do with anything.
Anyway, it's bit too late now. ;-)
Marsh##
From: Stevie Winfield<StevieNoWonder@Hotmail.com>
To: Marshall Winfield <Mwinfield@ramsdeanandtooze.com>
You don't mean...?
OMG! OMG! OMG!
That was quick work. Especially for you. I hope you know what you're doing.
Stevie##
From: James Edwards <Jedwards@ramsdeanandtooze.com>
To: Marshall Winfield <Mwinfield@ramsdeanandtooze.com>
Lou tells me you've had some progress on the Jane front. What happened to waiting until after the partners meeting?
Jim##
From: Marshall Winfield <Mwinfield@ramsdeanandtooze.com>
To: James Edwards <Jedwards@ramsdeanandtooze.com>
Things took an interesting turn last night... I'm afraid my resolve crumbled. We've agreed that we're going to keep it out of the office. She was very understanding about it. I guess the whole unwanted publicity thing that she had with her ex means she doesn't want to draw attention to herself either.
Am I to take it that you, Lou and Stevie have been talking to each other?
Honestly, haven't you people got anything better to do?
Marsh##
From: James Edwards <Jedwards@ramsdeanandtooze.com>
To: Louise Edwards <louiseedwards@yahoo.co.uk>
Lou
Since you insist I go and see how Marsh is, I have done so. He looks...happy. That's the only way I can describe it. He was humming to himself. Humming, Louise. I haven't seen him humming since...god, not for years. Not since that girl back in the first year...what was her name? The one with the scary teeth.
I'm a bit worried that he's risking upsetting the partnership, but he says he's got it under control, so I guess we have to leave him to it.
Please don't ask me to go and talk to him about his feelings. I'm a bloke. We don't talk about that sort of thing without several pints being involved.
Jim
* * * *
Jane wriggled her freshly painted toes. For a moment she thought wistfully of the stylist who used to do her hair and makeup before any big do with Ashby. Technically, the girl had been hired to do the hair and faces of the band, but Triphoppers' manager thought that Jane was an important part of their image too.
No more.
She put the lid on the nail varnish and settled back in her chair. Beside her, Polly's landline rang.
Polly was lounging on the sofa, working, her pen between her teeth as she tapped away on her laptop. She looked up at the sound of the phone but didn't move.
"Shall I get that?" Jane was already reaching over.
"Please."
"Jane!" Her mother's voice came, fast and breathless, as soon as Jane said "Hello". "Oh thank goodness. You weren't answering your mobile and I was starting to get worried."
"Oh, sorry Mum. I've just got a new phone and I haven't got round to sending everyone the new number yet."
"What happened to your old phone?"
She hadn't mentioned the mugging to her mother, not wanting to worry her. "I...lost it."
"Oh that is a shame. Did it cost a lot to replace?"
"Not really."
"Anyway, the reason I've been trying to get hold of you, apart from to see how you are of course, is that Ashby has been calling for you again."
Jane felt the blood leave her face. "What does he want?"
"Well, he wants you. He says he's really sorry about what happened and he didn't know what he was thinking and he wants you to forgive him."
"Huh."
"He sounded really upset, darling. And he has always been good to you apart from that one time... Perhaps you should talk to him, see what he has to say."
"No way. Absolutely not."
"Now darling, are you sure?"
"Mum, we've discussed this. I am not talking to him or forgiving him. Ever. Okay? If he calls again, tell him to take a running jump."
There was a guilty silence at the other end of the line.
"Mum? What have you done?"
"Well, I did give him your mobile number."
"My old number?"
"Yes."
"That's dead now, thank goodness. Don't tell him anything more. Okay?"
"But--"
"Mum, promise me."
Her mother sighed. "Okay. I promise. But if you change your mind..."
"I know how to get hold of him, if I need to."
Her mother sighed again. Jane changed the subject. They chatted about things not relating to Ashby for a few minutes.
When Jane hung up, Polly said, "What was that all about?"
"Apparently, Ashby's been trying to get hold of me. To apologise."
Polly raised one eyebrow. "Really?"
"According to Mum. She thinks I should contact him. You know what she's like. She thinks the sun shines out of his arse."
"Your mum just wants to be able to invite the Beckhams to your wedding." Her smile faded. "It is a bit weird though, isn't it? Ashby coming over all remorseful. It doesn't sound like him." She typed something into her laptop.
"What're you doing?"
"Just checking something out..." Whatever she read had her frowning. "Oh dear."
"What?"
"We-ll... You know Cause Celeb has a cause of the month. You remember how they did that 'what should Kate Winslet buy her husband for Christmas' one? And the 'can you help Chantelle find the perfect shoes for this outfit' one?"
Jane wondered where this was going, a horrible thought began to coalesce in her mind.
Polly turned the laptop around, showing her the Cause Celeb blog. Jane read quickly. About half way through, she started to swear.
"I'm going to kill him. I really am going to kill him."
* * * *
From: Jane Porter <JaneKPorter@hotmail.com>
To: Ashby@triphoppers.com
Ashby. What the hell is going on? You are supposed to be leaving me alone, remember? And now suddenly I'm the Cause Celeb cause of the month!! Or, more to the point, I guess, you are. Just in time for the new album launch. What a coincidence.
Look, I meant what I said. I haven't done you or your career any damage. In fact, I helped you as much as I can. Why can't you have the common courtesy to do the same for me?
I was just getting on with my life. I have a job I like and I'm making new friends. Now, thanks to you, I have to watch my step everywhere I go, in case there's a photographer trying to get a shot of me. Again.
Haven't you done enough to me already?
Jane##
From: Ashby@triphoppers.com
To: Jane Porter <JaneKPorter@hotmail.com>
Babes.
The Cause Celeb stuff isn't really anything to do with me. We hired this new PR guy, he said it was good for the new album, so I just went along with it.
Besides, it's true. I do miss you. You were a stabilising influence on me. And we had some good times, didn't we?
Ashby##
From: Jane Porter <JaneKPorter@hotmail.com>
To: Ashby@triphoppers.com
I don't care whose idea it was. Call it off.
Can't you get one of your little tarts to pretend they're going out with you? You can both get the exposure you need and you'll both be happy. What about that creature from Hollyoaks that you so famously cheated on me with?
Seriously, if this doesn't stop and soon, I am going to see a lawyer about suing the pants off you and Mike for invasion of privacy.
Jane##
From: Ashby@triphoppers.com
To: Jane Porter <JaneKPorter@hotmail.com>
Janelle? No way. She hires brain cells by the hour.
Aw c'mon Jane, don't be like that. Everyone will have forgotten all about you in a few weeks. Where's the harm?##
From: Jane Porter <JaneKPorter@hotmail.com>
To: Ashby@triphoppers.com
WHERE'S THE HARM???
I can't believe you. Have you not paid attention to a word I've just said?
I want my life back you selfish bastard.
You'll be hearing from my lawyer.
Jane##
From: Jane Porter <JaneKPorter@hotmail.com>
To: Polly <PrinceRocks@aol.com>
I just threatened to sue Ashby.
I'm not even sure I have a case. It's not libellous to say he misses me.
Besides, I can't afford a lawyer. Help!
Jane##
From: Polly <PrinceRocks@aol.com>
To: Jane Porter <JaneKPorter@hotmail.com>
Jane. Relax. It's just a stupid magazine.
No one's going to bother you. They'll forget about you soon enough. It'll be fine.
HUGS
Pol##
From: Jane Porter <JaneKPorter@hotmail.com>
To: Polly <PrinceRocks@aol.com>
I can't just forget about it, Pol. You don't know how awful it was. Every time I went out of the flat, some guy with a camera would take photos of me. I couldn't even open the curtains without someone trying to get a telephoto lens on me. I had to live in perpetual twilight for days.
Even when I escaped to Mum's house, they hunted me down--although, Mum might have let that one slip. Not sure. People kept wanting me to comment on how I was feeling and what I thought of that woman from Hollyoaks. All I wanted was to be left alone.
I can't go through that again.
Jane##
From: Polly <PrinceRocks@aol.com>
To: Jane Porter <JaneKPorter@hotmail.com>
Try not to think about it, hon. It'll all be okay. Honest.
Just concentrate on that nice new man of yours.
Love
Pol
PS: Don't even think you've got out of telling me the details. I will be waiting for you when you get home.##
From: Ashby@triphoppers.com
To: Mike Taylor <Mike@MSTPR.co.uk>
Dude, Jane says to call off the press or she'll sue.
Ashby##
From: Mike Taylor <Mike@MSTPR.co.uk>
To: Ashby@triphoppers.com
Let her sue! That's publicity money can't buy!
I've arranged a photoshoot for Tuesday 2pm. Tell the lads.
Mike