I gaze up at him, my hand on my chest. As soon as he says, “It’s calledThe Missing.” Immediately, his eyes hit mine. I didn’t realise he knew where I was standing, but the wink he gives causes my pulse to increase and a flutter to my stomach.
“Holy fuck,” Angie screams in my ear. “You lucky cow!”
I’m too mesmerised to respond. His deep, soulful voice hums down the microphone and surrounds us from the sound system. He’s singing about a boy who finds his forever girl but misses out on being with her. Emotion takes over as I listen to the lyrics and try to push down an enormous lump now wedged in my throat, but the tears win out. They fall from my eyes at an uncontrollable speed. The love bursting from my chest right now is unmeasurable while I watch Ash do the thing he was born to do. Then I glance to the side of the stage where Liz, his mum, stands. Tears stream down her face while she beams the brightest smile.
When the track finishes, the band throw us into another high energy song, and I quickly wipe away the emotions I previously felt.
A tissue is thrust in front of me. “Here you go sweets,” Dani says, surprising me with her gesture.
“You okay Calla?” Scott’s arm falls around my shoulder. I don’t flinch like I might have once upon a time. Instead, I smile up at him. “Just a bit emotional. Know what I mean?”
He lips curl into a smile. “Kind of.”
Their next song isHonesty; Ash’s lucky charm and a dead cert to get the crowd going again. It’s possibly my favourite. It starts with a solo drum beat, smacking right into the heart of your soul. I had no idea a drum solo could have such an effect, but Tommy knocks this one right out of the park from the off before Brett joins on lead guitar. It’s incredible how they cleverly bring your emotions way down with one song, then rise them up with another.
I love this song so much. It has an intense rock beat, bringing out Ash’s raspy tones on another level. His sound is as sexy as hell.
I want to slow this moment down, savour every moment, even press pause a second so I can take it all in. Before I cando any of those things, we’re at the infamous second to last song. Ash breaths out the words, “This song is called,Deep Down.” He looks towards me again and flicks his head back slightly, indicating I should get backstage. His gesture kind of makes me laugh.
Dani is already on the case, herding the three of us down the side and into the backstage area. Once we’re standing just behind Ash’s mum, I note how busy this part of the stage is. There are endless electrical cables, sockets, amps, and bodies running around in every corner. I’m glad we watched from the front. It just wouldn’t have been the same from this spot, and I don’t see why I shouldn’t be able to swoon over Ash, like every other female in the audience.
The crowd go wild when the boys finish on a crescendo. Tommy is bashing the hell out of his drums while Ash holds his note far longer than the song demands.
The front stage lights flash upwards and the band are off stage; sweating, smiling and laughing. Pats on the back come from Bernie, a couple of the road crew ruffle Tommy’s dark messy locks and Liz is waiting, patiently on the side of the stage to see her son. I move out the way and enjoy the moment Ash spots her and goes in for a hug. Liz is near bursting with pride as she smiles up at him. What I don’t expect is for her to turn around and call, “Where’s Calla?” She spots me straight away. “What are you doing over there?” she mouths.
Ash signals, “Get over here!”
A group hug ensues as soon as I reach them, then Bernie joins us. His massive arms nearly getting around the three of us together. “Amazing Ash. Just amazing.”
I’m beaming from ear to ear and don’t say much. I’m speechless with excitement. This is really happening for Ash, and I’m brimming over with happiness for him while pushingaway thoughts of the inevitable break we’re about to have from one another.
“Okay people move it please.” Some guy dressed all in black—as most of the crew are—waves his arms out to the side. “We’ve got twenty minutes to get the stage cleared for the next lot.”
“Sure. I’ll get the boys and we’ll clear out.”
Ash is about to call over to the rest of the band when the guy sneers, “No need,” then he looks to Bernie.
“Best to leave this to the professionals, Ash,” Bernie says. “The organisers have to clear and get the next band set up as quick as possible, and they know what they’re doing better than you do.”
“We’ve been clearing our own equipment for so long, I just took it for granted we’d be clearing the set today,” Ash adds.
Dani, Angie and Scott then join us at the tail end of the conversation.
“I’m pretty sure after that performance, you’ll never have to clear the stage again,” Dani says.
“That’s the dream,” Ash smiles.
“You were amazing Ash,” Angie beams, throwing her arms around him.
“Fucking outstanding,” Scott follows, shaking Ash by the hand.
“People, please. Move on out,” the guy in black shouts again.
We shuffle slowly to the side of the stage in a huddle. “Everyone make your way back to the VIP tent. We’ve some celebrating to do,” Bernie shouts over his shoulder.
Ash pulls me back slightly. “I don’t want to stay long. I’ve got you for one more night and I want to make the most of it.”
“It’s not forever Ash. You should celebrate with your friends and family.”
