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‘You’re not a sap for marrying the wrong person,’ Frankie said.

‘I am for not seeing it as a calculated move from the start. And a drunken moment in Vegas was not how I envisaged my wedding.’

‘Nor she your bride, I’m sure,’ Si chimed in, with a ghost of a wink to Jay. ‘Don’t worry, you made your point when she heard that last song you were writing.’

Cole chuckled as Frankie looked at Jay.

Jay frowned at Si.

Si gave Jay an innocent shrug in return and said, ‘Let’s just say, it’s quite obvious that there will be no reconciliation on the cards for Jay and Astrid.’ He got up and got himself a beer. ‘So, we gonna call Roman, then?’

‘Sorry to hijack your party,’ Cole said.

‘That’s okay.’ Frankie’s head was in spin. Not to mention her body that was also whirling, fizzing, fluttering and all other kinds of sensations that needed a cold shower to calm after that moment of madness with Jay. She glanced over at him and Jay smiled back, biting his lower lip slightly. Her own lips still felt tender and tingly from their kissing.

The three band members sat on the sofa together as Cole connected to Roman via Zoom.

‘I got your message, lads,’ Roman said gruffly without even a hello when he answered. ‘It seems I’m not the only one who knows.’

‘We don’t know who leaked it, but yeah, we don’t want to do this anymore. We’re splitting up the band. There will be no more Drive With Care,’ Cole said matter-of-factly.

Frankie’s heart soared.

‘Arlo?’

‘We got hold of him this morning and he wants out too.’

There was an uncomfortably long silence. Then Roman spoke.

‘Obviously we’re disappointed. Can’t deny it. I think you’re making a mistake but it’s up to you. I don’t know what the board will say. It might not be easy. But we can start the ball rolling for the last album and the tour and we’ll⁠—’

‘Wait! We said we’re out,’ Jay said.

‘Yup, I heard and I respect your decision,’ Roman said. ‘But we can’t just stop everything like that.’ He snapped his fingers. ‘There’s the small matter of an opt-out clause. Come on down to the offices. I’ll try and fit you in on Monday. We’ll discuss everything then, but you need to check the small print, lads.’

Roman finished the call and the bandmates looked at each other.

‘There’s always fucking small print,’ Si said, jaw set.

‘He probably wouldn’t be so difficult had you not been divorcing his daughter,’ Cole pointed out to Jay.

‘Not helpful, Cole,’ Si said, rubbing his brow.

‘I’m just stating the obvious.’

Si went over to the array of spirit bottles that were left. He uncorked the bourbon and took a slug.

Cole paced the floor. ‘We’re on the back foot, a week before Christmas. We need to reread our contracts. I remember there being some closure clauses but we were starting out and I didn’t want to focus on the end. And we’ve always just rolled the contracts on.’

‘Fuck knows where my contract is. I never read it,’ Si said glumly.

‘What about lawyers?’ Frankie said.

‘We’re going to need better ones,’ Jay said.

‘Without the label or Roman pitting us against each other.’

‘We stand united,’ Si said.