‘Sure it is. If I was dead, it wouldn’t be good news for the future of The Fishermen, would it?’
‘If you were dead, the publicity would be phenomenal and we’d sell millions of copies of the band’s greatest hits,’ replied Helen coolly. ‘Don’t be silly and self-indulgent, Con.’
‘Yeah.’ Con reached across the table to retrieve his cigarettes. He took one out of the packet and lit up. ‘It’s not been a good week.’
‘So I hear. Derek marched into my office yesterday lunchtime saying you’d insulted him and won’t even consider putting his song on the new album.’
‘He’s right. I won’t.’
‘Why not?’
Con glanced at Helen as he exhaled. ‘Have you heard it?’
‘No.’
‘Well now, I’d say if you did, you’d understand why I’ve said no.’
‘Okay, Con. You know I would never interfere with your creative opinion, but in light of the fact that Freddy is in the States, Brad is away—’
‘Is he? Where?’
‘He’s taking a...short break in the country.’
‘You mean he’s drying out. Yet again.’
‘People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, Con. From the state of you this morning, I’d be inclined not to pass judgement. Anyway, as I was saying, due to the fact that Brad won’t be around for another month or so, someone has to discuss these things.’
‘Fair enough.’
‘Derek also told me that the rehearsals for next week have been a shambles. You and Todd are apparently spending most of your time arguing.’
‘Derek has been running to teacher and telling tales, hasn’t he now?’
‘No. Apart from his gripe about your refusal to countenancehis song, Derek is concerned, as he might well be, that things in the band are falling apart.’
‘Listen, Helen, everything is grand, just grand. Every group has their ups and downs. We’ve been together a few years now and this kind of disagreement is bound to occur from time to time. Don’t interfere, please. Todd and I will work it out.’
A door slammed upstairs.
‘What was that?’
‘I left the window open in the bedroom. The door is always catching the wind.’
Helen looked outside at the perfectly still, humid day. ‘Oh.’
‘We’re in the studio together today and we’ll have a good session. It always comes together on the night, although...’
‘What?’
‘Well, there is one serious problem the band have at the moment. Todd and I were going to wait until we saw Freddy in New York, but...’
‘Go on?’
‘Ian. He’s becoming a liability. He turns up late and stoned out of his head and insists on bringing his harem into the studio. His drumming is deteriorating to the point of incompetence. He’ll lose track halfway through a song and start to play something different.’
Helen nodded. ‘Okay, as you said, there’s not much I can do until Freddy’s back, but then we’ll have a meeting.’
‘I’d be sorry to see the fella go, but if he’s not improved by the time we record in September, we’ll have to think about replacing him.’
