“I am Tommy, you don’t have to worry there.” Her hand flies through my hair, giving it a good ruffle. “I would never hold him back.”
“That's the spirit, Mrs C because your support is what he's looking for at this crossroads in his life and I know he listens to you.”
“He does?” Mum looks at me, her eyes wide probably, with shock. I've got to be honest; I don't know where his pearl of wisdom came from, it's not as if we've talked about how our parents are going to take the news, but it's working.
“Sure he does and he’ll be counting on you right now.”
Within seconds, she is calm. In fact, Mum is so understanding, I suspect Tommy has laced her tea with brandy.From there, it’s all about advice. Mum insists we use an independent solicitor to look over any contracts they might offer plus she wants to pay. I’m not having any of it. She just about survives on the money from her cleaning job as it is, and Dad is such a tight arse when it comes to giving her anything. If it makes her happy, then I'll play along until I can get an extension to my student loan, but I won't let her pay a penny. At least Mum is a little more open to the idea. Now it's just my dad to face. He won't be easy. He never is.
A couple of days later, I'm busking in my usual spot opposite the seafront, my mind running over a potential music career. I've wanted this for as long as I can remember, but Dad always put paid to mypie in the skyideas. It wasn’t steady work, I wouldn’t make money out of it, there was no security blah, blah, blah. It’s the reason I ended up studying for a business degree. I wanted him to be proud of me, but I was wasting my time.
Now the band has a shot at creating our own stuff and getting paid for the privilege, my thirst for making music has increased. The deal isn't done yet, and until it is, we're still attending uni and getting on with the day job, but honestly, it’s not where I want to be. Not anymore.
I’m in the middle ofHotel Californiaby The Eagles and a few of the gathered crowd sing along with the chorus. Sliding the plectrum between my teeth, I encourage them, raising my hands, clapping above my head. They take the bait, joining in before I wrap things up. Taking the plectrum from my mouth, I bring this number to a close with the final chords and earn the rousing appreciation of my audience. The crowd call out for an encore to which I bow with thanks. I'll have to keepthem wanting today. I have a quick meeting with Dani before I head off to rehearsals.
One or two people linger to thank me or say how much they enjoyed my set, and while I collect up my cap from the pavement, black, shiny pin-thin heels take a step in my eye-line. I look all the way up her long legs, knowing exactly who it is.
“You had them eating out of your hand.”
“Thanks, Dani,” I say, pushing myself up from the pavement.
“It won’t take long to make a star out of you, why don’t you put us both out of our misery and get the wheels in motion.”
“Because, with all due respect, my mum is right on this one. Your terms haven't been checked over by an independent solicitor. Tommy agrees it should be our next step, but I've got to talk to Brett and Max; see what they think.”
She raises her eyebrows, “I see.”
“Look Dani, I’m not mucking you about, I just don’t want to waste your time or ours,” I tell her while packing up my precious guitar.
“Well, listen to you.” She sidles up, running her fingers over my jawline and under my chin. “Our little boy is growing up.”
I bite my tongue for the sake of the band’s future and tell her as politely as I can, “I’m glad you think this is so funny.” To be honest, if it wasn’t for Bernie Hill being such a great guy, we’d walk away.
“Oh, come off it, Ash, I’m playing with you,” she smiles, but someone else catches my eye behind Dani.
Across the road, I see her arrive with a friend and check out the beach. I watch as they set down their bags, conveniently in my line of sight. Her all too gorgeous legs andperfect arse are hard to miss when she bends over to set up her lounger; then she lays her body against it—holy shit, what I wouldn’t do to be that lounger right now.
I realise then, Dani has stopped talking and is waiting for some kind of answer, I think. Whatever she said, I didn’t hear as Cal has stolen my attention and Dani’s words, whatever they were, have paled into the background.
CHAPTER THREE
CALLA
“He’s still looking this way,”Angie says from the corner of her mouth.
“Stop staring,” I whisper. I don’t know why because, of course, he can’t hear me from here, but I’m trying to act casual.
I lay back on my lounger, push my sunglasses back against the bridge of my nose and take in the sights and sounds of my hometown.
We are so lucky as this part of the English coast is going through a scorching summer and I love being home to enjoy it. I watch as families chat on the beach, while their kids build sandcastles. I listen while the gentle gush of the tide washes against the shore and the sound of seagulls squawking above as they ride the gentle sea breeze, blends into the atmosphere.
The locals are out in force today, but the number of people around is nothing compared to the amount who will arrive for the festival. The Braebeach annual music weekend, or Brae Fest as it’s known locally, is the finale of our summer. It causes an influx of people into the area and turns the whole place into a party town. It’s my favourite time of the year.
“I think someone has an admirer,” Angie’s voice sings, knocking me out of my thoughts.
“Don’t be daft,” I brush off, but her gleeful, all-knowing smile, with a hint of ‘I call bullshit’ is difficult to ignore. To be honest, it’s no accident we set up our loungers here. I had an inkling Ash would be at this spot; close to the place I caught my first glance of him in years.
Only a few moments ago, he was singing his heart out and entertaining the crowds. My plan was to relax and watch his stunning performance, but with my eagle-eyed pal around, it isn’t going to work.
