‘Hello, darling. So you’re Derek’s girl, are you? I’m Lulu and this is Sorcha. Want a Babycham?’
‘Thanks.’ She sat down. ‘I’m not Derek’s girl, more of a friend really.’
‘Well, you could do a lot worse than Derek. He’s a good guy. And soon he’ll have girls crawling all over him. Want another drink, Sorcha?’ Lulu stood up.
‘Yes please.’
‘Scusa me un momento,’ Lulu said in exaggerated Italian before making her way towards the bar.
‘Who are you with?’ Peggy asked Sorcha.
‘Con, the tall, dark one. We live together. Have you known Derek long?’
Peggy nodded. ‘Yes, actually, for years. We were in the sameclass at school. I hadn’t seen him for ages...and then I bumped into him in a chippy of all places.’ She smiled. ‘He asked me to come along, so I did. The band seem very good.’
‘They are.’ Sorcha nodded. ‘Freddy Martin is signing them up. They might be headed for the big time.’
‘Really?’ Peggy seemed a little surprised. Her eyes crossed over to Derek. He looked good tonight. ‘Gosh. I can’t believe it.’
Lulu was back with three Babychams.
‘Here we go, girls. Sustenance for the weary groupies. So, what do you do?’
‘I’m at college doing a business course.’
‘How interesting. Sorcha here is a house model in Swan and Edgar’s and I’m an actress.’
‘Really? In films?’ Derek certainly seemed to be keeping good company these days.
‘Yes. I’ve done a Hammer Horror and I have a screen test tomorrow for a major role in a new film they’re doing at Elstree.’
‘Peggy, are you okay?’ Derek’s hand rested on her shoulder.
She nodded, blushing slightly.
‘Good, good. We’re back up there now. I’ll see you afterwards and maybe we’ll go for a bite to eat. Catch you later.’ Derek bounded away, an enormous spring in his step.
Sorcha and Con arrived home just after midnight.
‘Ah, ’tis knackering, all this preparation for fame and fortune.’ Con threw himself down on the bed, still wearing his coat.
Sorcha busied herself making a cup of tea.
‘That girl of Derek’s seemed a bit unsure of herself.’
‘Did she? I didn’t notice. He goes on and on about his Peggy. He’s been in love with her for years, Todd was telling me.’
‘I think it might be a bit one-sided, Con. Poor Derek, I hope he doesn’t get hurt.’
‘He’ll cope, I’m sure. Come here.’ Con opened his arms and Sorcha climbed on top of him. ‘Ah, that feels good.’ He held her close to him, then rolled her over so he was looking down at her. ‘You know, Sorcha, all that we dreamt about is starting to happen. Next week we sign the contract with Freddy and he begins to put his own money into making us rich and famous. I’ll have a weekly wage, which means you can stop working at that department store.’
Sorcha steeled herself. ‘But I like working at the department store. And as it happens, I’ve been promoted.’
‘Really? Doing what?’
‘I’ve been offered a job as a house model. I show clothes to customers. The money is two pounds more a week than I’m after getting at the moment. It’s a grand opportunity, Con, and I’d really like to take it.’
‘But there’s no need for you to take it. I just told you. Freddy will be paying us a good wage every week. Now I can keep you. You can leave when you want.’
