Chapter 11: Cake is always better.
It was Saturday 11th October and it was my birthday, when i woke to find that Tom was no where to be seen i decided to get up and go in search of him, as i went to get out of bed Tom entered with a trey filled with breakfast and a pot of tea.
"Hey back in bed Missy, its your birthday and i've brought you breakfast in bed to share" he said grinning at me and winking.
I giggled and sat back in and propped the pillows up, Tom placed the trey down in the middle of the bed and then left the room, moments later he appeared again with an armful of gifts and cards he placed them down in front of me, i looked at him smiling as he kissed my cheek.
"Happy Birthday princess, there not all from me, your family and friends gave me some to bring back with us".
He walked round the bed and climbed in next to me, i couldn't decide what to open first so opened all the cards, i had cards from my parents, everyone at Iceland's and then all of Tom's family had also given me cards along with Benedict and Ken. The presents were amazing:
From Iceland all the staff had gotten me a vintage set of silver loop earrings with matching bracelet.
My parents had given me a new watch, i had allot of jewellery and makeup, i looked at Tom with a smile and he caught my eye.
"Well at least you won't run out" Tom said laughing and moving the presents so we could eat breakfast "I've got a present for you but i want to give it to you later?".
We ate breakfast then showered, when i was dressed i sat and phoned everyone to thank them, i could not get hold of any of Tom's family to thank them so i left a message.
"Are you ready?" Tom said leaning against the bedroom door "I've got a whole day planned".
"Ready, so where are we off too?" i said as i reached up to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him on his soft lips, Tom wrapped his arms around me and held me close, he smelled really good and i could have easily had just stayed in bed with him all day but he was excited to take me out for the day he had planned.
"All i can tell you is that you will love it trust me". he said taking my hand and we left his apartment.
As we pulled away in his car, Tom took hold of my hand and brushed his lips against my knuckles "I'm taking you to meet my mum and sister's, i've decided to treat you all to a spa and shopping day, they want to spend the day with you but first we have to stop and pick up something".
"OK?" i said looking at him suspiciously. What has he got planned and what do we have to pick up. We drove through Piccadilly Circus, up through Shaftbury Avenue then down towards The Strand then Tom signaled to Pull into The Savoy, as we neared the doors i suddenly recognized two very familiar people, i jumped out the car screaming "Ayshea! Charlotte!, oh my god what are you doing here?" i said hugging them and nearly falling over.
"Tom invited us for tonight" Ayshea said giving Tom a hug.
"Happy birthday, surprise!" Charlotte said hugging me tighter "Tom invited us for the weekend to spend it with you for your birthday and for the party tonight".
"Oh yeah the party, i had completely forgotten" i said turning to Tom.
Tom laughed and took out his phone "OK ladies group hug".
We surrounded Tom and he took the photo, all of us grinning like mad hatters.
We arrived at Nicky Clarke's salon in Mayfair and all of us just stared out of the window, then we all turned to Tom who was getting out of the car, he came round and opened the doors and gave me his hand to help me out as i know he was still worried about me, we walked into the salon and was greeted by Tom's mum and sister's, i introduced my friends to them and everyone hugged or shook hands then Ayshea and i spotted Nicky Clarke walking towards us, i couldn't believe it and was getting a little dizzy from all the excitement, Tom noticed and took hold of me.
"Steady love, don't get too excited save that for later" he whispered in my ear.
"Tom, great to see you, so this is Karen, lovely to meet you my dear, Tom you can go do what you got to do, i will take care of the birthday girl and her guests" Nicky said taking my hand and patting Tom on the shoulder as if shooing him out the door, Tom gave me a quick kiss then waved bye and pulled away in his car, "So ladies you have the whole salon to yourselves today myself and my staff are at your disposal, also we have Chantelle coming in later with a collection of new line Gucci and Prada lines for you to find the perfect dress, shoe's and bag's for tonight's party, let's get started".
We had the total VIP treatment and when we all left with arm fulls of bags and complimentary gift bags i couldn't stop thanking everyone being there to enjoy it with me, I had received a text from Tom to say that he would meet us at The Dorchester hotel where the party was being held and that the penthouse suite was for us all to use to get ready in.
As we were getting ready i could here Charlotte and Ayshea talking and laughed when i heard them say that they were so happy for me to meet Tom because he not only treated me like a princess but my friends too, they knew i could here them and started laughing when they heard me laughing, when i stepped out into the living space everyone turned (and i think all of them gasped).
"Is it OK?" i asked stepping between Emma and Charlotte, The dress i was wearing was a Burgundy red full length with a split which showed off my left leg and thin satin red straps that wrapped up around my neck, i matched the dress with silver jewellery and silver shoe's.
"You look amazing Karen, Happy Birthday" Diana said giving me a hug.
The door opened and in walked Tom with Ken, Benedict, Chris and Paul Hollywood. Paul was first to see me as i had moved to the balcony to have a quick cigarette with Charlotte.
"Karen, i hardly recognized you, you look amazing" Paul said giving me a hug and handing a card to me.
"Thank you" i said opening it, inside was a card with a cheque written out to the charity i had set up in my family's name "Paul, thank you thank you so much".
"It's the least i could do after giving you such a hard time on the show" he said smiling at me as Tom joined us with champagne.
"If you hadn't of pushed me i would never have gotten through it, thank you".
Paul offered his arm to Charlotte and they went inside, Tom was dressed in a sharp black suit with a white shirt and dickey bow.
"You look wonderful" i said to him before he said anything "i have something for you" i said handing him a small little black box, he opened it and i saw the biggest smile cut across his face, inside he found a matching pair of cupcake shaped cuff links with a T and K engraved on each one.
"Karen i love them but it's your birthday not mine" he said taking them out and i helped him put them on "I haven't even given you my present yet".
"I know but just being with you after everything you have done is present enough".
I stood on tiptoe to give Tom a kiss and he held me so gently, i could feel the heat radiating off of him and it felt nice to be encased in his arms as i was starting to shiver.
"Love your cold, come on lets go in".
We joined the others and after having a few drinks and a good laugh together it was time to go to the main ballroom, The Great British Bake Off producers were holding a party while the final was being shown on TV, Ken over heard that tonight's final had a record number of viewings and proceeded to tell everyone. I was making the rounds with Bec's and could see Charlotte and Ayshea being entertained by Tom, Ken and Chris, they must have been telling them about shooting Thor. Then Paul and Mary Berry were suddenly heard over a mic saying that the final result was about to be revealed on TV so they wanted everyone to gather around. I stood surrounded by everyone even though i knew the result already i could tell everyone was excited, especially Tom, then on the big screen Sue announced the winner.
"It gives me great pleasure to reveal the new Great British Bake Off Champion 2014................. Karen!".
The whole place cheered, Tom whirled me around and everyone clapped. For the rest of the night i had people congratulating me and countless text messages from friends and family, i managed to get outside at one point and check my phone, i had 7 missed calls from Detective Taylor but just as i was about to listen to the message my mum phoned, she and my dad were so proud and mum even started crying which set me off, my dad came on the phone and said that he needed to speak to Tom as he had been trying to get hold of him, as i turned to go fetch him i was met with two big blue eyes. just as he was about to say something i handed him my phone.
"My dad wants to speak to you, sounds important?".
"Oh OK" he took my phone then suddenly his demeanor changed and he was looking worried "Yes of course, OK of course i will, yes i leave on Monday, i've hired security for her while i'm away" Tom said looking away and towards the doors to the ballroom.
What was going on? i was beginning to panic.
"Of course Len, i will, Thank you for letting me know, bye".
Tom handed me my phone and placed his hands on top the small wall behind me and let out a sigh!
"Have you got any missed calls from Detective Taylor?"
"I um, yeah i missed a few" i said handing him my phone "what's going on?".
Tom listened to the message's and become more agitated, then i saw Luke running out to us with Ken, Benedict and Chris in tow, Tom saw them and grabbed my arm walking us towards them, i pulled out of his grip slowly losing my temper.
"Tom, Karen we have to go now" Luke said rushing to my side and almost pushing me to go back inside.
I stood and dug my heels in "What the hell is going on? someone tell me right now!". i said glaring round at all of them.
"Love we have to go, we have to...." Tom said looking more worried.
I was beginning to feel scared "Tom! tell me, what did my dad and Detective Taylor say?".
Tom looked at me, i could see the worry all over his face, he sighed and said "The police have learned more about Phillip Rogers, he um, has been watching you".
"What do you mean? watching me?".
"Love, they found photos and stuff that belonged to you, he had a whole room dedicated to you".
I shook my head trying to understand what he was saying "Why? why would he have that?" i knew the answer in my head but just didn't want to admit it.
Tom placed his hands over mine then lifted my chin "He's been stalking you love, for almost a year from what the police could tell, i'm sorry".
Just then Bec's, Charlotte and Ayshea came running out.
"Kaz" Bec's shouted "He's escaped! he's escaped!" as Charlotte tried to stop her.
Tom bolted upright and gave Bec's a look that could have killed her then he looked at me as i stood up "Am i in danger? are you in danger?" i said as tears escaped my eye's, Tom pulled me into his arm's.
"I'm not in danger love, but we have to get you to safety just in case, please don't fight me on this, let us get you back to the apartment!".