‘Hi! Glad you could make it.’ Derek slapped Con on the back. ‘And who is this vision of loveliness?’ His eyes turned to Sorcha.
‘My lady, Sorcha O’Donovan.’
‘Derek Longthorne. Rhythm guitarist with the Blackspots.Pleased to meet you, Sorcha.’ He smiled at her. ‘Right, step this way and I’ll introduce you to the rest of the group. I had a word with Todd and he thinks it best if you listen for the first set to get an idea of our style, then come up and join us after the break.’ He steered Con towards the dais. Sorcha followed meekly behind, feeling awkward.
‘Oh, Sorcha, why don’t you go and join Lulu at the table in the corner? She’s Todd’s girlfriend. She’ll fill you in on who’s who. Now, Con, as I was telling you yesterday, the style is very...’
Sorcha looked in the direction that Derek had pointed. Sitting at a table smoking a cigarette was a beautiful girl. She had long, straight, ebony hair reaching almost to her waist. Her locks were in total contrast to her skin, which was the colour of pale alabaster. The woman’s eyes were heavily lined with black kohl, and her lips a startling red against her white skin. She was dressed in a beautifully tailored blue suede suit with matching boots.
Feeling horribly dowdy in her mac and tweed mini, Sorcha moved slowly over to the table.
‘Hello. Derek said I should come over.’
The huge doe eyes focused on Sorcha. They swept her from top to bottom so piercingly that Sorcha could feel herself blushing.
‘Then sit.’
‘My name’s Sorcha O’Donovan. I’ve come with Con Daly. He’s trying out as bass guitarist for the band.’
‘Bully for him,’ Lulu drawled, taking another drag of her cigarette. ‘I wouldn’t hold out much hope, darling. They’ve tried out twelve in the past month. This isn’t some little hick end-of-the-pier outfit, you know. Todd Bradley and the Blackspots are going places.’
‘I’m sure they are.’
‘Todd is a classically trained musician. He knows what he’s talking about.’
‘Which one is Todd?’
‘He’s standing by the mic.’
Sorcha glanced at Todd. With his glasses and short back and sides, he certainly didn’t look like a sweaty rock-and-roller.
‘He’s the cleverest man I’ve ever met. Introduced me to Proust and Freud. He can quote poetry for hours on end. The man has a vast brain. I find him so stimulating. Every one of his songs is meaningful, a poem set to music.’
Sorcha stared at Lulu, half of her now hoping Con would not come up to scratch. She could hardly see a blossoming friendship before her.
‘So, er, Sonia, what do you do with yourself?’
‘My name’s Sorcha actually. Next Monday I start on the perfumery counter of Swan and Edgar’s.’
‘Really? How fascinating. I’m an actress. You might recognise me? I’ve done loads of films.’ Lulu turned her penetrating stare back to Sorcha, challenging her.
‘I...yes, I’m sure now that I do.’
‘I have a test next week for Hammer.’
‘Who?’
‘Who?Hammer Pictures of course. I’m testing for a bride of Frankenstein.’
‘Oh, I’m sure that the part would suit you very well.’
‘Thank you.’ Sorcha was glad that Lulu took it as a compliment.
‘Okay, chaps.’ Todd had taken the microphone. There was a surge of applause from the audience. ‘Thanks for coming along. We’ll start with an old favourite. This is “Time Slips By”.’
Sorcha watched with interest as the band began to play. She was no expert when it came to music, but they produced adecent melodious sound and Todd had a pleasant voice. She saw Con studying them intently. At one point he turned around and winked at her. She winked back. Lulu was sitting with her head resting on the banquette, eyes shut, mouthing the words. Sorcha made a concerted effort to listen to the lyrics. They certainly made sense, but the ‘poetry’ eluded her.
Twenty minutes later, the band announced they’d take a short break. Todd stepped easily off the podium and made his way towards Lulu.
