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Allegra
2ndFebruary, Cornwall.
Liddell Island was not the idyllic south coast paradise Alle had expected. It was a wild, rugged place. A leviathan’s tooth sticking out of the ocean. Strangely cut off from reality by the tide, yet a mere stone’s throw away from civilisation. Her official invitation to work with Black Halo had arrived from the band’s manager shortly after Xane’s unanticipated texts.
That had been forty-eight hours ago.
Malice, to the moggy’s utter disgust, was now in the local cattery. Her big brother, Ewan, had been informed. All he’d said in response was that Theo would be heading home in a few days, and he’d collect her. Things were still exceptionally prickly between them. Christmas had been decidedly lukewarm, and the first year they hadn’t all exchanged gifts. Her dad would’ve been appalled. Family came first, that’s what he’d drummed into them. No man could possibly be worth sacrificing that. Except, that just wasn’t true. Spook brought her joy. Her brothers, not so much.
“Allegra Hutton! This way.” She turned her head to see Ronnie hurtling towards her across the shingle beach, dressed in a ragged motley of black clothing, with equally black hair that now fell in a jumble down to his shoulders. He had beads braided into a couple of the longer strands, and a long rainbow scarf trailing from his back pocket. She got out of the car, and he jumped into her arms, engulfing her in a sugary-scented hug. “You’re here. Yes.” He formed a fist. “It’s been an age.”
It’d been four weeks since she’d rung in the New Year with him, Rock Giant, and Ronnie’s mum, Linda.
Ronnie set his feet back down on the ground, only to promptly pick her up and spin her about.
“Put me down, you crazy oaf. It’s good to see you too, but I’d rather not start off my employment by throwing up.”
He set her down gently, then smacked a kiss on her cheek and grinned at her. “I’m just thrilled you’re finally here. It’s gonna spice things up no ends. I’m afraid I’m going a bit gaga from the lack of socialisation.”
“You’ve got the whole of Black Halo here, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, but…they’re moody bastards, and there’s fuck all to do.” He followed her to the rear of the car as she popped open the boot. “Much to carry?” He snatched up her case as she reached for it, leaving her with the two smaller bags. “Thing is, I’m not really sure about this method of album writing. I mean, it clearly works for them. The new material is…” He shook his head, before making a loud mwah noise and simulating an orgasm. “But that’s mostly down to Spook and Xane. The rest of us don’t have a whole lot to do most of the time. I mean there’s obligatory rehearsals, and some recording, but…” He shrugged. “There’s only so many shell hunts you can go on, and the fairground,”—he waved a hand towards the mainland—“is closed until the school holidays.”
“Well, I assume I’m here to produce an album, so that should keep me busy.”
“Right,” he said, peeping at her curiously. “And for other things too, yeah?” His right brow hitched.
Sure, she hoped so, but she wasn’t willing to put that out there and risk disappointment.
“Come on, I’ll take you up to where we’re staying. It’s a little bit of a trek, but not too far. This is Blackwater’s.” He nodded towards the building to the left of the car park. “Sadly, closed at the mo’, or I’d suggest we stop for ice-cream. Zach makes it himself. It’s fascinating. I’ve helped a couple of times. He’s even made me my own signature flavour, but I’m only allowed it once a week, because Paul says it makes me hyper.”
“Right. Where are we going, exactly? And what is it with this band and recording studios that are out in the sticks?”
“Xane’s cousin owns the place.”
“The recording studio?”
“The island. Wait until you get a look at him. He’s like the blond version of Xane.”
And there she was thinking that was Spook.
“He’s a photographer. I think he’s doing the album cover, but there’s some wrangling going on in the background with the record company. He lives in the fort, you can see up there.” Off to the right, she could make out the turrets of a grey stone edifice.
“And where is it we’re staying?”
“There’s a row of cottages up near the studio. Paul and I have shuffled up so that you can have a room to yourself. You don’t mind bunking in with us, do you? I thought you’d prefer that to the other options.”
“That’s fine. Thanks.” She’d hoped for rather different arrangements but was hardly surprised to find she wasn’t lodging with Spook. What was killing her was his current absence.
“Are they in the studio at the minute working?”
Ronnie turned his back to her as he adjusted his hold on the case in order to drag it over a particularly lumpy section of the path. “Not sure.” His head dipped, a sure sign she was making him uncomfortable. “I guess. Yeah, maybe. I can take you there after we’ve dropped off your bags, if you like, to check.”
“I’m not getting a formal welcoming, then?”
He shrugged. “Ash, Paul, and Luthor are waiting at our place.”
