39. Mai #3
“Okay, we’ll run through those three,” Ford said, taking charge. “It’s a small venue, so we’ve set the amps pretty low, and we’ve muffled the drums.”
“Boooo,” Scotty jeered. “I wanna play loud!”
“And everyone here wants their eardrums.” Ford rolled his eyes and led the way over to the stage.
Mai followed in the band’s wake. While they were bouncing and excited about the upcoming show, she was more hesitant and her walk slower. She almost ground to a halt completely when she heard a raucous cheer from the bar.
“Go, Mai. We loveeeee youuuuuu.”
Mai looked over her shoulder to see Gloria hollering for her and dancing, holding a champagne glass in one hand.
“I’m grabbing the table for the doctors.” Gloria waved towards the big table they usually sat at when they came for the pub quiz.
Mai raised her hand in acknowledgement and walked the rest of the way to the stage, feeling a little lighter. She hesitated before she climbed up there with them, staring at the three men who were successful beyond the wildest dreams they had when they were kids and just starting out.
With a final deep breath, she stepped up onto the stage to join them, laid her guitar case down, and pulled out the instrument that she'd bought all those years ago with Ford.
Plugging in her guitar, she spent a couple of minutes tuning it, anticipation buzzing under her skin.
As she played a few bars of Thunder Nights, her gaze rose to meet Ford, who stood at the microphone, grinning at her.
“What?” Mai touched her face self-consciously. Was her makeup smeared?
“Nothing.” Ford shook his head. “Are we all ready? We’ll start with Flames, then Roads Ends, and last Ten Years.”
Mai didn’t hesitate when Scotty counted them in on the drums. Her fingers flew over the guitar, playing the songs they released after she left them. Chills ran down her spine when Ford sang the lyrics she wrote and left behind.
It didn’t take her any time to sync with the band, playing music she’d only strummed at home. While it didn’t feel as comfortable as playing the old tunes, she knew no one would notice.
When they finished the three songs, Scotty called for one more, but Mai held up her hands. She wasn’t show-fit. It was going to be tough enough playing for over an hour without exhausting herself before the audience even arrived.
“I need some food before we play,” Mai complained. Her grumbling stomach reminded her that for the last twenty-four hours, she’d basically lived off coffee.
“Me too!” Scotty leapt up from his drum kit. “It takes a lot of energy to play and keep my guns intact.” He lifted his arms and flexed both his biceps, which were prominently displayed in his singlet.
Mai raised an eyebrow and said dryly, “Hmmmm, I remember your muscles being bigger. Must be the ageing process.”
When Scotty sputtered in indignation, Mai began to giggle.
“You’re still mean.” Scotty pointed his finger at her.
“Sorry,” Mai chortled. “It was too easy. You know you’re a great-looking guy, and your guns are better than most blokes your age.”
“Oh, my god. There’s the age thing again,” Scotty pouted.
“Stop fishing, mate,” Ford broke in and slung his arm around Scotty’s shoulder, even as he stared at Mai. “Let’s all eat. And get out of the way so they can get the audience in.”
Ford gestured to the bar, where—despite looking absolutely ecstatic to have Midnight Thunder play for the bartenders—the landlord was checking his watch.
Mai nodded and placed her guitar onto the stand on stage, grabbed her handbag and followed the band into the staff room they’d used to hide in before.
Pulling her phone out, she texted Sadie and Hel.
‘I’ll nip out and catch up with you guys before we play.’
Hel answered immediately. ‘Great! I’m in the queue with Frost, they’ve just opened the doors.’
It was only a couple of minutes later when Sadie texted. ‘We’re running behind. George is a massive Midnight Thunder fan and is collecting all his memorabilia up for you guys to sign.’
Mai snorted with laughter. “Hey, guys,” she asked the band. “Do you mind if we go over to one of my mate’s houses tomorrow for you to sign all her husband’s Midnight Thunder stuff. Or she’s never going to get him out of the house as he’s trying to find it all.”
Ford chuckled and glanced at the other two, who both nodded, before he answered for them. “Sure.”
‘Tell George to put it all back. I’ll bring the boys over tomorrow evening to sign it all.’
The bubbles of Sadie’s reply stopped and started a few times before a message finally came through.
‘I think George just had a stroke. Although if he has, I’m calling an ambulance for him and coming anyway. Are you sure that’s okay? He’s now dancing around our living room.’
Mai smiled as she replied. ‘They said yes. So it’s a date.’
‘Amazing. I’m dragging George out the door as we speak.’
“Thanks, guys. I don’t think Sadie would’ve got George out of the house otherwise.”
Mai shook her head in astonishment at the turn her life had taken.
Four weeks ago, she would never have predicted that she’d be sitting with Midnight Thunder, waiting to play in front of all her new friends.