That evening, she sat in the Queen Victoria telling Lulu all about her meeting with Marie Elaine, chiefvendeuseat Swan and Edgar’s.
Since the two girls were so often thrown together because of their partners, they’d struck up a strange friendship. Sorcha had learnt to ignore Lulu’s tactless comments. She knew it was just her way.
‘It sounds a bit dull, standing around until there’s a customer wants to see a dress. But the money is much better than I’m earning in perfumery.’
‘Darling, you’ve gone from shopgirl to model all in one day. Of course you must take it.’
‘I don’t think Con will approve.’
She looked puzzled. ‘Why ever not?’
‘Oh, he’s never been keen on me working.’
Lulu rolled her eyes. ‘Then your Con has to come out of whichever Irish bog he’s stuck in and realise that women todayhave minds of their own. I should hope he’d be proud of the fact his girlfriend is pretty enough to be a model.’
Sorcha put a finger to her lips as Con and Todd approached their table.
Freddy Martin sat and watched his latest signing. The band knew he was there and were on their best behaviour. The usual relaxed banter between numbers had gone, and there was a tension about their playing. Con Daly had been relegated to his position on bass and backing vocals. Freddy wondered whether, if he’d wandered in tonight rather than a few days ago, he would have been as eager to sign them up.
The group needed a considerable amount of work. Freddy closed his eyes as he tried to assemble an image in his mind. These lads were not cut out to be aggressive, badly dressed and loud-mouthed. They were all handsome young men, definitely more Beatles than Stones. They should be clean-cut in a sharp suit, the kind of man you’d be proud to take home to your mother.
Freddy watched each band member, one at a time. Ian was the wild card, obviously a user. His eyes closed as he thumped his drums, mouthing the words of the song. He’d appeal to the more adventurous teenager, although his habit would have to be controlled.
Derek was the angel-faced blond. He was very short – Freddy had spotted his lifts – and looked no older than fifteen. Girls would want to mother him. That would work.
Todd was the arrogant intellectual. Freddy bet that his aquiline features would turn on the middle-class female.
And lastly there was Con, who was undoubtedly the star of the four. His dark, Irish looks and strong physique would surely make any woman swoon. The guy oozed sex appeal. Plus, as a bonus, he also had a great voice.
Freddy knew that bringing Con forward and having him share the limelight would not please the group’s present lead singer, but it had to be done. If Todd didn’t like it, he knew where the door was. Making sure the boys pulled together was as important as anything else.
A surge of applause came from the audience as they finished a number. The band didn’t know it yet, but this was the last time they’d be performing in a dump like this. Next week, the work would begin.
When Derek had climbed onto the dais to begin the first set, his stomach had been in his four-inch-high boots. He’d told Todd, Con and Ian that a girl was coming to watch him tonight. But she hadn’t turned up yet. Derek had such a large lump in his throat that it was hard for him to open his mouth for the harmonies. In fact, he was terrified that he was going to burst into tears in front of everyone.
And then, just before the last song of the set, in she had walked, her lovely blonde hair shining around her face. She looked absolutely beautiful, with most of her slim, shapely legs visible below her mini-skirt. She’d come to seehim. She did love him after all.
Peggy stood nervously at the back, hands planted firmly in the pockets of her jacket. He caught her eye and smiled. She smiled back. Willing the song to end as quickly as possible so he could go to her, Derek lifted his guitar over his head the minute he’d played the last chord and practically leapt off the dais.
‘Hello, Peggy!’ He almost knocked her backwards as he bounded towards her and threw his arms around her.
‘Gosh, hi, Derek...’ She did her best to extricate herself from his grasp.
‘I thought you weren’t coming.’ His breath was coming in short, sharp bursts and he was sweating profusely.
She stepped back from him. ‘I only popped in for a little while. I—’
‘Come on, let me introduce you to the other band members.’ Derek curled an arm round her back protectively and marched her over to the band’s enclave in the corner.
Freddy was there, the other three huddled around him as he talked.
‘There you are, Derek. I’m just arranging a meeting next week at my solicitor’s to sign the contracts. Can you manage Tuesday morning at ten?’ asked Freddy.
‘Sure, that’ll be fine.’ He nodded. ‘Listen, guys, can I introduce Peggy? This is Freddy Martin, our manager. Con Daly, Todd, who you know, and Ian Hancock, our drummer.’
‘Pleased to meet you, lovely. Can I borrow Derek for a few minutes? You go and sit over there with the other girls,’ suggested Freddy, shooting her a smile.
‘Of course.’ Looking uncomfortable, she turned and made her way round the table to where two young women were sitting.
