Chapter 26
Today I begin my quest to find local bands to play the Blossom FM Bonfire Night festival (although technically my first day in the office is tomorrow), and seeing as though I’m supposed to be sourcing cool musicians, I thought it might be a good idea to look the part.
After going heavy on the black eyeliner and the red lipstick, I step back to try and take in my outfit in the small bathroom mirror – you can tell only men live in this house.
With my black lace top, my black skinny jeans and my leather jacket to keep the chilly weather at bay, I look every inch the rock chick I had in mind, and of course, I’m wearing a pair of bright red killer heels to go with it.
It’s nice to have something to dress up for – other than the pub – and to feel like there is something riding on that first impression.
As I stroll downstairs for breakfast I see that Si and Adam are already tucking in at the table.
‘Is it Halloween already?’ Si asks in astonishment. ‘What are you wearing?’
‘This is my rock chick look,’ I inform him, holding my arms out in a ta-da kind of way. ‘What do you think?’
‘You look awesome,’ Adam says. For this compliment, Si shoots him a dirty look.
‘It’s very… raunchy,’ Si says, attempting to be tactful. ‘For a morning, I mean. Obviously I think you look amazing.’
I shrug my shoulders and sit down at the table.
‘Ooh, can I have some of that?’ I ask Adam, picking up the box of Coco Pops from next to him.
‘Sure,’ he replies, flicking a soggy piece of cereal from the edge of his bowl at me playfully.
‘You did not just do that,’ I reply with a laugh.
‘That’s enough, Adam,’ Si snaps as he reads his paper.
Adam and I look at each other like a couple of naughty kids. I don’t know what it is about Adam but he brings out this different side of me. He makes me want to have a laugh, to not take myself too seriously.
‘I had a word with Kerry this morning,’ Adam tells me. ‘She thinks it’s a great idea that I go check out the bands with you, give you my opinion.’
‘That’s awesome,’ I reply, vaguely aware of Si staring at us as we chat.
‘So, the two of you are going out together?’ Si checks.
‘Yeah, well, for work,’ I reply.
‘Do you know what else Kerry told me?’ Adam continues, and I can already tell from his tone that it’s going to be good.
‘What? What?’ I reply, excited already.
‘She told me that The Burnouts are doing a secret set,’ he replies. ‘They’re not announcing it, they’re just going to turn up. It’s all a part of their comeback tour that seems to be going on and on.’
‘Oh my God, no way! Do you think I’ll get to meet them?’ I ask.
‘I’m sure you will,’ he replies. ‘I tell you what – I’ll make sure you do.’
‘Who are The Burnouts?’ Si interrupts.
‘You haven’t heard of The Burnouts?’ I reply, absolutely astonished.
Si shakes his head.
‘The Burnouts were not only massive, like, ten years ago, but they’re doing this huge comeback thing, and they’re bigger and better now,’ I tell him. ‘Are you sure you haven’t heard of them? They’re never off the radio or the TV.’
‘Nope,’ he says simply.
I do feel a little bad that I’m gravitating towards Adam and having conversations with him that Si can’t be a part of. They’re both my housemates; I need to make more of an effort.
‘Do either of you guys fancy the cinema one night this week?’ I ask.
‘Yes. Actually, there’s a World War II film that I really want to see,’ Si replies, suddenly enthusiastic and clearly delighted to be included.
I don’t intend to, but I must have pulled a funny face because Si reacts to it.
‘What, you don’t like war films?’ he replies in disbelief. ‘What would you rather see?’
‘Well, they’re showing a run of horror films at the cinema this week,’ Adam says, perking up. ‘In the run-up to Halloween. Classics, mostly. Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Shining – that sort of thing.’
‘Oh, I love the Scream movies,’ I say, probably a little too enthusiastically.
‘Horror films?’ Si says, pulling a face. ‘No, thanks. I don’t see the point in paying to be made uncomfortable.’
‘I mean, yeah, not when you can do it at home for free,’ Adam jokes.
I laugh before I can stop myself.
Si doesn’t.
‘You kids go see your Halloween movies,’ Si says coolly. ‘They’re not really my cup of tea.’
Calling us kids for wanting to see scary movies does nothing to quash the age gap stuff, but it’s not really that, is it? It’s just taste. Si is more serious while Adam and I are more open to stuff. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same.
‘Maybe we could go tonight?’ Adam suggests, but as he asks, Si must shoot him a look, because he stares back at him. ‘You okay, bro?’
‘Yeah, could I have a quick word with you, before you go?’ Si replies. ‘It’s just house stuff.’
‘I’ll give you some space,’ I say, sensing an awkwardness. ‘I forgot my bag anyway.’
I leave the room and, as tempted as I am to listen in, I know that the creaking of stairs – or lack thereof – will give away the fact that I haven’t actually gone.
I wonder what they’re talking about. Is it really house stuff? The vibe was definitely off.
I’m only halfway up the stairs when I hear footsteps behind me.
‘Lia,’ Adam calls softly.
I turn around to find him at the bottom of the staircase, one hand casually resting on the banister.
‘Yeah?’
‘I’ve had a better idea,’ he says.
‘Better than horror films?’
‘Much better.’
‘Okay,’ I say immediately.
Adam laughs.
‘You don’t even know what it is yet.’
‘No, but you seem certain, and I like surprises,’ I tell him.
‘Do you fancy a trip to Blackwater?’
‘When?’
‘Now.’
I raise an eyebrow.
‘Don’t we need to make a start with work?’ I check.
‘Technically, your first proper day is tomorrow,’ he reminds me. ‘Come on, let’s have some fun.’
I suppose he’s right, and it is spooky season, and where better to go for a spooky vibe than Blackwater Bay, the next town along – supposedly the most haunted seaside town in the UK, where every day is pretty much Halloween.
‘I’d love to,’ I reply.