In fact, it would be another six months before Zoey came back to Puffin Bay, smiling more, a record setting album having been released. Six months of talking on the phone or on video calls, a whole summer of her teasing me about the girls I went on dates with and asking for the local gossip.
It was a long six months.
Zoey
The bed and the room didn’t feel unfamiliar, and neither did the light that streamed in between curtains that didn’t hang particularly well. I woke with a smile, feeling for the first time in months like I was welded to the mattress because I’d slept so well.
A quick glance at my phone told me that it was after ten, but still in the morning, and I had three missed calls from my manager and one from Charlie, my main contact at the record company.
I phoned him back before I’d even sat up, needing to get this out of the way for the next few weeks so I could switch my head off. Then I’d deal with Carissa.
“Zoey, how’s it hanging?”
It wasn’t hanging at all, but this was the only greeting Charlie could compute.
“It’s the first day of my break. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you for a few weeks.” May as well tell it like it was. I didn’t want to speak with them for the foreseeable, and the more they kept trying, the more likely it was that I was going to tell them where to stuff their contracts.
“I know, and you’ve just got off tour and had all the issues with the break in. We get it. We’d just like to finalise the contract before you properly put your feet up. Have you seen the offer we sent yesterday? Carissa was seriously enthusiastic about it.” Charlie was at his most persuasive. Unfortunately, his most persuasive was on a par with a fourteen-year-old who’d just been taught a tick list of persuasive techniques and had the incentive of avoiding a detention if they used them all.
“I’ve seen it.” It was in my junk, but I’d break Charlie’s heart if I told him that.
“It’s one of the best we’ve offered as far as I can remember. Three albums, two tours – and just stadiums – over five years. We know you want to rest and enjoy the fruits of your hard labour and we really want to support that, Zoey. You’re part of our family and we look after our family. So what do you think?” He dripped with enthusiasm.
“Come back to me in six months is what I think.” He’d already had that response three times. I wasn’t sure it was going in.
“I’m not sure the offer will be on the table in six months. You know what the execs are like, they like to have firm plans so they can design their long-term vision for the label.” This was the blackmail angle. Again, this had been previously tried by young Charlie-boy.
“That’s absolutely fine. If I decide to keep recording, I’m sure I can sign with another label.” I gave a dramatic sigh. “So we’re good. Let the bosses know I’m not signing anything at the moment, for at least six months. If they need to plan ahead without me, I completely understand.”
“Zoey, Zoey, Zoey – we both know you’re going to keep recording. It’s what you were born to do. This contract doesn’t ask you to do anything apart from an EP just after Christmas so we can keep your fans happy, and because you’re nothing short of a genius, I know you’ll have songs ready to go. Come on, Zo. We miss you.” He was practically purring.
“Charlie, do you enjoy self-flagellation?” I sat up, trying to listen for signs that Caleb was still in the flat.
“Self what?” He was knocked completely off piste.
“Beating yourself up. Being a bit masochistic. Torturing yourself by trying to flog a dead horse.” The tone of my voice could’ve shredded steel.
“I’m sorry, you’ve lost me, Zoey, what I was saying was - ”
“Charlie, stop,” I interrupted. There weren’t enough hours in the day for this. “I’m not signing any contracts for at least the next six months, even if Buckingham Palace is part of the deal, and every time you contact me to ask me if I’ve made a decision yet, I’m adding another month on. Understand?”
“But Carissa wants - ”
“No Charlie, this isn’t about what Carissa wants. This is about what I want and at this moment in time, I want to be left alone and not think about EP’s or albums or any more tours and if I’m not left alone, you’re not going to like my final answer in the slightest.” I was ready to lob the phone at the wall.
There was silence. This was Charlie who wouldn’t know what silence was even if it hit him round the head with a wet fish. The call was still connected. He hadn’t hung up and we hadn’t been cut off.
“Zoey, it’s a really amazing deal - ”
Holy fuck.
“Charlie, I’m richer than my mother’s wildest dreams. I don’t need an amazing deal, or any deal and right now, I don’t want to ever sing live again.”
“I’m just trying to persuade you otherwise. That’s who you are – this amazing singer-songwriter and youneedto do this. This is what you’ve always done.” He changed his voice into a very bad purr.
“What was your first job, Charlie?” I softened my voice.
He laughed, clearly thinking he’d won me over. “I stacked shelves in a supermarket. It was alright actually.”
