“Good evening, everyone. Are you ready to have a good time? I hope so because tonight we have a real treat for you.” The audience was whistling and cheering. They knew exactly what was in store for them. “All right, ladies, pipe down already! He isn’t that great, believe me, I’ve known him for years. I have even used the bathroom right after him and it wasn’t pleasant I can tell you.” Ann tsked in disgust as she sipped her champagne; his father and brother however, were howling at the remark. “Okay, I’m joking, of course. Sorry, Mrs C.” He winked across at Ann who immediately softened to him. “Gotta keep his mum sweet, she makes a mean Sunday roast! Right, are you ready to welcome him to our little backstreet pub? Let’s make him feel welcome, ladies. Here he is... Alex Carter!”
Mark made his way to the bar, taking his positionas Alex began the journey down the stairs. He paused for a few seconds, as requested, half way down to wave to the audience before he met Mark at the bar. Leaning over he whispered into Alex’s ear, assuring him he would take it easy on him. Alex smiled as he took a big drink from the pint Mark had placed before him.
“So, it’s been a long time, my friend. How are you doing? What have you been up to this last few months? We’re all dying to know, aren’t we, ladies?”
The audience cheered.
Clearing his throat he took a steadying breath before answering, settling the butterflies in his stomach. “I’m good, man. Great, actually. I’ve been back in the studio, recording the solo stuff. Rehearsing for the tour,” Alex turned to the gathered crowd, “which starts tonight, just in case you were wondering!” Every female in the studio went wild, the noise vibrating through him as they hollered.
“Oh, I think they know. I bet most of them have a ticket too. You’re going to perform the new single at the end of the show for us, right?”
Alex nodded his head, having turned his attention back to his friend now. “Yeah, it’s calledFallen. It’s actually a track from the last Uni-Fi album. It’s very different from the band’s usual stuff and more of thedirection I want to take my own music in. But we wanted to let the fans know that if they liked that song then they’re gonna love my solo stuff.”
The truth was it was Grace’s favourite track, he had written it, so had no worries about using it as his own material. There could be no comeback from his former colleagues.
“Sounds great. I heard you rehearsing it earlier and I gotta tell you, ladies, you’ll love it! Now seeing as you mentioned it, I have to ask the question. Why did you walk out of the band? I mean, you never gave an interview, there was just the press release announcing your departure then...nothing. You kind of disappeared off the radar for a good while.” Mark knew he was treading on thin ice now; he could only hope his friend would cut him some slack.
“Aww, man, you know...I don’t think I need to go into details. Shit happened, I dealt with it. I actually had been thinking of leaving for about a year beforehand but...well let’s just say that events were brought to a head.” Lifting his drink to his mouth he gulped down the ice cold liquid.
“So, there was a fight, a falling out of sorts? Or did you just leave? Come on, Alex!” Mark pushed that little bit further.
Taking another long drink before he answered,contemplating his next move. “I really don’t wanna talk about it. The people involved know exactly why I left. I don’t need to dig up that shit. It’s over and done with. Best decision I ever made. Well, one of them anyway. You know, if you keep asking me awkward questions my mother is going to kick your ass!”
The crowd roared with laughter. Ann promised she would.
“Okay, okay. Mrs C, I’m sorry. Can I still come for dinner next week?” Ann smiled at him, nodding. “Phew, ass kicking averted, I think! So am I right in thinking Ben worked with you on the single? He isn’t here tonight though, is he? What’s he up to now?”
“Yeah, it was always been just me and Ben on this track so it made sense to have him play on the track with me again. We mixed it up a little too. He’s in Cornwall at the minute surfing some ‘awesome’ waves apparently. That guy is so laid back he is almost horizontal. He reminds me of the chicken guy in that kids movie. The surfer guy? Yeah, he bought a house down there. He will be making an appearance at a couple of gigs with me but he isn’t a permanent fixture. He’s happy doing his own thing.” Alex addressed the masses as he spoke about his long term companion.
“So, the tour starts tonight. Are you lookingforward to it? ‘Cos we all know you suffer a little with the nerves.” Mark topped up his glass his again.
“I can’t wait to get back to work, actually; it’s been a long time coming. I’m in a really good place in my life now and I think that’s reflected in my music. The tour isn’t very long and the venues are much smaller. I prefer that. I hate travelling constantly now I’ve put down some permanent roots. I don’t want to be away from home for long periods at a time.” Alex scanned the front row of the audience, fixing his gaze on the beautiful green eyes that watched him with pride.
“That’s right, you’ve moved to Scotland recently. Why is that? What does Scotland have that we don’t, Alex? I mean, is it the views or the isolation or something else maybe?” Mark topped up Alex’s drink again as he watched him squirm in his seat. The singer glanced back to the audience, his eyes locking on Grace’s. He winked at her as she furrowed her brow and shook her head adamantly at him. She was going to kill Mark; this was definitely not up for discussion. “C’mon, Al, it’s just you and me in the pub having a beer. We do this all the time. Forget they’re here, they won’t even listen. I promise.” Mark nodded at the crowd.
Returning his attention to the man behind the bar Alex chuckled. “Man, she is going to make you pay forthis, you know that, right? Yeah, I live up there now, have done for a while. Truth is there is someone very special in my life now. She had a place up there and, well, it seemed like the perfect solution for me to move up there.”
“So would this be the stunningly beautiful young lady we have seen in the press with you lately perhaps?” A picture of the couple flashed up on the massive screen that was positioned behind the bar, Alex almost choked on his beer. He scrambled to wipe the liquid from his chin as it ran towards his T-shirt.
There was only one way to play this now. “Yeah, that’s Grace. That’s a shit picture of me though. Was that in today’s trash? I can feel her giving you the evils now, man! I daren’t turn around now in case I get caught in the crossfire! It’s been a hard time for both of us really, but music is my life. I kinda lost my way for a little while, got lost in the whole hype thing. I get the most god awful stage fright right before a gig and that really escalated towards the end of Uni-Fi. But thanks to my girlfriend I now have a handle on the nerves; she’s scary, man! I mean, you haven’t seen her in action. My manager, Craig, is scared of her; he runs everything by her first, then me second. If Grace says no then he scraps it.” Alex studied his pint, helping himself to a bowl of nibbles that sat next to him. Hehad done as Grace had asked when he bought the lighthouse. It was turning out to be the best decision he had ever made. Craig made him feel like he was in complete control of his career, not the other way around. “Grace is the one responsible for getting me back to work. She is the most amazing person. Generous, strong and God is she beautiful.” A beer mat flew across the set, hitting him square on the back of the head.
“Jeez, man, quit the cheese!” Cam shouted at him as his wife elbowed him in the ribs causing him to inhale the beer he had just sipped.
Alex’s head swivelled around, flicking the bird at his brother as he did. “Alex Carter, you watch what you’re doing on the telly, young man,” his mother piped up from behind her champagne flute.
The crowd loved the informality of the interview, feeling like they were intruding on a private family gathering. Mark sensed the success of his first show building around him as he brought the interview back on track.
“Why don’t you join us for a drink, Grace?” He beckoned to the stunned girl in the front row.
Grace sank deeper into her chair, praying it would swallow her up. Every face in the studio was now fixed on her, encouraging her to join their idol on stage. Sheremained rooted to the spot, shaking her head as she silently pleaded with her boyfriend to get her out of this.
Alex grinned stupidly at her as he curled his finger in a beckoning gesture at her. “C’mon, babe. Come say hi to everyone.”
Ann’s hand shot up to cover her mouth in shock. Cam and Emma cheered along with the crowd as his father shouted out for them to leave the poor girl alone. When she made no attempt to move, Alex stood, striding across the set and down the few steps that led to the audience. Grace now hid her face in her hands, imagining that if she couldn’t see them, they couldn’t see her. Alex placed his hands on the arms of the chair she occupied, leaning right in to speak to her. “Babe, what’s the worst that can happen? Come sit with me, please?” Taking in the full effect of having him so near to her caused her resolve to wane. When he asked her to do something she really couldn’t say no.
Taking his hand she followed him up the steps to the improvised bar, smiling at his family as she did. Mark leant across the bar, rewarding her bravery with a gentle kiss to each cheek. Grace in return whispered in his ear, “You are a dead man.”
As Alex positioned himself back on the high stool he pulled Grace into his body, placing her in betweenhis legs. As she rested her back against his chest he wrapped his arm around her waist protectively, indicating he would keep her safe. Mark smirked at the cosy pair knowing he was going to suffer Grace’s wrath later.
