The whole deal with Election Records has moved at lightning pace from the moment we agreed to sign-up. My head is still spinning with how quickly they get things done. As a band, we’ve had several meetings between our solicitor and theirs. I’ve never seen such a giant wedge of paperwork. Still, our newly appointed solicitor—thanks to my mum—said it was one of the best 360 deals he’s seen, which apparently is rare. As long as Election is not ripping us off, I’m happy, and so far, Bernie has been true to his word. Thanks to the inflated advance, I have a few securities in place. As well as paying for Mum’s upcoming trip to Spain, I’ve also secured a rental property for when she returns. My mum is insistent she doesn’t want to come to London with the band,so as much as I’m not happy about it, I have to respect her wishes.
What I have done is find her a new flat near to her sister. It’s in a town about an hour away from here. There’s a reception desk, which makes me feel better and guards against any unwanted visitors, but Dad won’t think of looking for her outside Braebeach, anyway. She’s never really lived anywhere else and he knows it.
Bernie decided the festival was the ideal arena to sign the new contract before we go on stage. It won’t be the real deal; we’re signing that today in my not so glam kitchen. The whole signing charade at the festival is purely for the press. The Hill family have called in the big guns too, with a few industry friends joining us to add some weight. Saturday is turning out to be a bigger deal than expected, and I’ve got to say, I’m nervous as hell. We’ve been practising at every available opportunity to get each song perfect. Once it’s over, we have studio time and interviews coming out of our arses. Finally, the band is becoming my career, which is what I’ve always wanted. It means no busking and I miss it, especially the week leading up to festival weekend. It’s not just the bigger audience and extra money, but the atmosphere, the close contact with the audience and putting a smile on someone’s face. I also gave my notice in at the Daisy bar last week. They weren’t happy as I couldn’t work the last shifts I was rostered for, so I offered them a free gig if we ever made it big. I’m not sure it made them any happier. At the end of the day, I was letting them down.
Mum got back from Aunt Gem’s yesterday and today she’s on a mission. She was up early, buzzing around the house, dusting everything in sight and finding new homes for the stuff which never had one in the first place. It’s not just for the contract signing later today. Cal is coming over to sayhi, and she’s over-excited, to say the least. I haven’t had any proper time with my girl for a while as either Angie is around or she’s spending time with Scott. I’m stoked Cal and Scott are getting on better, but sometimes we need to be alone.
“Mum, please. Cal won’t be running her fingers over the bookshelf; I can promise you. This is a student house; I think she knows the score.”
“There’s no harm in giving everything the once over Ashton. You’ve got important people in the house later, so I just want things to be nice, and I can’t have Calla thinking you live in a pigsty.”
“She has been here before Mum, so I think she’s got the idea.” I bring her in for a hug. “But if it makes you happy.”
“One day you’ll learn Ashton,” she smiles and carries on with her dusting just as Tommy comes down the stairs.
“Big day huh, Mrs C,” he winks.
“You might laugh Tommy, but I’ve never met one of Ashton’s girlfriends before,” she says, glancing over to me. “She must be special.”
I roll my eyes. “Jesus, you’re going to be a nightmare after today.”
“Oh no Ashton, I can be a nightmare right now,” she smiles, giving Tommy the side-eye, which cracks him up.
“I was talking about the signing today, Mrs C, but yeah, Cal coming over is pretty special too,” he smirks. My mum doesn’t have a chance to give him a reply as there’s a gentle knock on the door which gets her all jumpy. “Here we go.” She takes in a deep breath, but I make sure I’m the one to greet Cal. Mum’s enthusiasm might scare the crap out of her.
“I’ll get it. You wait here,” I tell her, but she follows me down the hall, waiting at my back.
My first sight of Cal today takes my breath away. She’s stood with flowers in her hand, her blue eyes shining straightat me, her thick lashes batting furiously. Her natural skin is glowing, and the cute blue dress she wears with her cowboy boots is perfect. She has her own style going on, which I love.
I lean against the door frame, “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”
Cal glances down, holding her dress on to one side. “Will I do?”
Forgetting Mum is immediately behind me, I push myself off the frame and take one stride towards her. “Will you ever. Come here, you.” I slide my fingers into her hair, drawing her close, ready to kiss the shit out of her beautiful mouth. I don’t get the chance when a not so subtle, “Put her down Ashton. The poor girl has just got here.” I close my eyes and bring my forehead to hers. “Shit. Sorry Cal,” I whisper while she giggles.
I look down at my beautiful girl, then turn towards Mum. “Here goes,” I say in a low voice again, but Cal isn’t worried at all.
“Hi, Mrs Chambers.” She takes a step in front of me. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“You too,” Mum smiles, “but please call me Liz. Mrs Chambers makes me feel ancient.”
Cal’s radiant smile nearly knocks me out. I wish I’d had some time with her on our own before now.
“These are for you.” She holds out the small bunch of flowers held together by a lilac ribbon. I’d bet my last quid, she put those together herself.
“Thank you, love. That’s very thoughtful of you and they’re so pretty.” They exchange a smile and Mum seems over the moon at her gesture. I’m not sure of the last time anyone bought her flowers, not even me. “Come on in and let’s get the kettle on.” Mum leads the way with Cal right on her heel, only turning her head back once to make sure I wasright behind. If Cal is nervous, she’s doing a great job of hiding it.
Mum calls over her shoulder, “I’ve made a lemon drizzle.”
“I hope you didn’t go to any trouble,” Cal replies, almost skipping in step.
“No trouble at all. I enjoy baking. It’s therapeutic.”
“Me too. I bake when I’m under stress. A bit like you, I find it helps me relax.”
I glance at Cal, one eyebrow raised. This is new, but I suppose I can’t know everything about her. It’s weird to think I’ve known her forever, but then again, I don’t know her at all. We’re finding out as much as we can in such a short space of time.
I follow their chit-chat about recipes and how she likes her tea, but what surprises me the most is Tom standing at the kitchen counter filling a teapot. I didn’t know we owned a fucking teapot. What the hell is going on here?
