‘Deal,’ said Mary. ‘Now, what aboutWhat’s Another Year?Give us a bit of that one…’
‘But I don’t have my white suit on,’ he said. ‘I won’t be able to give it the full Johnny.’
‘What would Johnny do?’ I said.
‘He’d just get on with it,’ said Mary. ‘So…’
‘Get on with it.’ The three of us were laughing as Red took a broom and began cradling it like a microphone and began crooning into the handle.‘I’ve been waiting for such a long time…Come on, sing it with me Mary…’ He put his arm around her shoulders and they sung together.
I’d never actually felt the need to cry at a Johnny Logan song before but I actually felt a lump in my throat, my eyes misty. God, maybe it was a sign of age when you began being moved by Johnny Logan and Eurovision.
‘I’ve been waiting such a long time, reachingout for you. But you’re not near.’
They paused, locking eyes, swaying together.
‘What’s another year?’
‘What?’ I said when they had finished. ‘Only two verses?’
‘I think that’s enough,’ said Red. ‘We might need to work on it.’ He was smiling but I could see that he had noticed me welling up. ‘What do you think Mary?’ he said, ‘do you think we have it?’
‘No,’ she said. ‘We don’t have it atall. But we can keep trying. Now, I meant to say about our film night tonight…’
But we’d been joined by Bridget, who tapped Red on the shoulder.
‘What was that?’ she said.
‘What was what?’
‘The singing?’
‘Johnny Logan,’ he said. ‘Did you know recognise it. I know we don’t actually do the great man any favours, do we Mary?’
She was laughing. ‘No one could, Red,’ she said. ‘Only Johnny isJohnny.’
‘Who’s Johnny Logan?’ said Bridget making the three of us jerk our heads to face her.
‘Who’s Johnny Logan?’ Mary couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.
‘Yes,’ said Bridget. ‘Who’s Johnny Logan?’
‘Only Ireland’s greatestEurovisioner…’ said Red and then turned to us. ‘Eurovisionist?’
We nodded. That sounded right.
‘Won it two times,’ explained Red. ‘The man can’tloseEurovision.He’s our best hope to reclaim our crown.’
Bridget was looking at us as though we were mad. ‘I don’t get it,’ she said. ‘I can’t tell if you are joking or not.’
‘Joking about Johnny?’ said Red.
‘The very idea!’ said Mary.
‘Whatever,’ dismissed Bridget. ‘Listen Red,’ she said, all business-like. ‘Can I have a word?’ He nodded and she pulled him to one side, while Mary and I continued sweeping.
‘I was wondering,’ Bridget said, ‘if you were doing anything interesting this evening?’
‘I am actually.’ He sounded surprised at her question. ‘I’m going to the cinema with Mary,’ he said. ‘So…’
