Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ASH
Dani bursts through the door of the Dunbar Hotel where Tommy and I wait in the bar.
“Where are the others?” she asks, a bright smile on her face for once. Her tone is too light and breezy for me this morning.
“Not here Dani. I’ve told you before, we don’t spend twenty-four-seven together.” I’m in a foul mood, but she hasn’t noticed. Nothing gets in the way of business as far as Dani’s concerned.
“They’re late. Is 10am still too early for you guys to comprehend?”
“It was short notice, seeing as you called this meeting an hour ago.” I look to Tommy who shrugs his shoulders.
“I called your mother’s solicitor this morning. Apart from a few minor points that he wants us to look over today, he said it looked good. He was calling your mother this morning anyway, so it looks as if I chased him at the right time.”
“What the fuck?” I can’t help saying out loud.
I’m sure Mum was on top of the whole thing, although the solicitor shouldn’t have given Dani any information.
She probably charmed the pants off him somehow.
My blood is warming at the casual way Dani blurts this out.
It’s not as if we would never sign, but I want us to stay in control of our agreement, not her.
Brett and Max have left the legal side down to me.
To be honest, it’s boring paperwork to them, and as they both have parents that are loaded, money isn’t their primary concern.
Brett is at university because his mum and dad just wanted him to keep out of trouble, and Max is there because his dad, grandad and uncle all went there.
For Tommy and me, it’s a different story.
We worked hard to earn our place and our parents made sacrifices for it to happen.
Well, Tommy’s did. A student loan was how I made it, but Mum gave me a little money to get food and stuff at the beginning.
Dani doesn’t look at either of us while slipping her giant sunglasses over her eyes, for what purpose I don’t know; we’re indoors, for crying out loud. She barges around to the other side of the bar. “Put some coffee on would you Tommy love. I’m parched and my head is spinning.”
“No probs, coming up,” Tom says. Better him than me. I’m not sure I’d be so polite.
“I’ve been thinking, at some point you lot need to think about your image, maybe appear more band than student.”
“We can talk about it another time. Let’s get the big stuff out the way first,” I tell her as I give Tommy the side-eye, flicking my chin towards the exit. He understands we need to talk and gets my signal, then holds up a finger, indicating we should speak in private.
“Have you got somewhere I can go?” Dani eyes me curiously until I add, “I could do with some privacy to call the solicitor, see exactly where we’re at.”
She smiles at my answer. Dani wants this done as quickly as possible because, according to her, we’ve been dragging our heels. “My office is upstairs and second door to the right.” Cautiously, I jerk my head towards the staircase. It’s a signal for Tommy to follow on when madam has her coffee.
Dani’s office is not what I expect for a young woman, but exactly the right décor for the Dunbar.
It’s a vast, oval-shaped room with dark wood furniture.
The walls are dark teal, but thanks to the three massive sash windows, the colour doesn’t affect the stream of light coming into the room.
I sit on the corner of the desk and try my mum’s mobile, but when she doesn’t pick up, I call my place in the hope I’ve caught her in time.
She’s leaving soon to spend a few days at my aunt’s house up the coast.
“I’m cramping your style, Son, and I’m sure you’d like to bring your girl back sometimes. I’ll just go for a few days and give you some space.”
Just for the record, I’m happy to have Mum stay with me where I can keep an eye on her.
Now we’ve collected most of her things from the house, there’s no need to have any contact with Dad for a while.
This time out with her sister isn’t necessarily a bad thing either.
Dad doesn’t know she is going away and will give her time to take a breath.
“Hello, Ashton and Tommy’s phone.”
I grin to myself. “Hi Mum, it’s me. Glad I caught you before you left for Auntie Gem’s.”
“Where are you, Ashton? You didn’t come home again last night. Were you with that girl of yours?”
“I wish I had been.”
“Oh, that doesn’t sound good. Is it over already?”
“No, not at all. Band practice went on until the early hours, and I ended up crashing at Brett’s. I didn’t get to see her last night, or the night before. I’m missing her.”
“That’s a shame, although it’s nice to hear you missed someone for once. You never seem to be with one girl long enough for me to know anything about them, but this young lady has been around a while now. The fact you stay there as much as you do must mean you really like her.”
I huff out, still grinning, “Don’t go getting any ideas. We’re taking this for what it is.”
“And what is it exactly?” she questions.
I’d typically hold back from telling Mum any girl stuff, but I want her to know about Cal.
“A few weeks ago, I was hoping we could spend the summer together, but we’ve moved on from there.
I’ve liked her a long time Mum, despite this starting as a casual gig for both of us.
Now it’s a little more than casual for me.
It’s getting to a point where I hate it when she’s not around.
The thing is, I’m not sure if she feels the same.
Cal is pretty focused on her career and finishing her studies. ”
“It sounds as if she’s got her head screwed on, Ashton. If you think this girl is really right for you, and she wants to be with you too, you’ll make it work. I know you will.”
Why do mums always speak so much sense? What if she’s right? What if Cal and I could make this happen for both of us? I smile to myself then answer, “Time will tell I suppose, but my love life isn’t the reason I called. I hear the solicitor has been in touch.”
“Oh, no. Did you speak to him? He promised not to get in contact with you until I’d spoken to you first.”
“No Mum, but Dani enjoyed telling me how he thought our deal was solid. She’s been badgering him.”
She sighs. “That bloody woman. I wanted to be the one to give you the good news but no; she had to get in there first. Well, I might as well tell you what I know. Obviously, I sent the paperwork over to Mr Bovey.”
“Yup,”
“So, when all is said and done, he couldn’t see a reason for you not to take it.
Apparently, it’s a much better deal than the one you’d get with a bigger organisation.
You get a higher percentage rate, and because they’re covering a lot of your overheads, you wouldn’t be obliged to pay them back from your royalties.
Mr Bovey also said he’d take you through it all beforehand and would join you on signing day if you wanted. ”
“He sounds like he knows his stuff, but what’s worrying me is the cost. I told you I’d take care of it, yet I still haven’t seen the bill. I don’t want Dad to hold you to ransom over this, so can you please tell me what I owe?”
“Before you get on your high horse young man, it was more of a favour. I clean for the Bovey family, and I happen to know Mr Bovey did a lot of work with musicians. The amount of picture frames I clean showing him and all these superstars is frankly ridiculous. Anyhow, I was chatting to Mrs Bovey one afternoon. I told her how proud I was of you and everything you’ve achieved with your band and—” she pauses before blurting out, “I might have mentioned the deal they have offered you.”
“Oh, Mum. You didn’t.”
“If you don’t ask, you don’t get in this life, Ashton.”
As if my mum couldn’t surprise me anymore. I swear she’s grown stronger without my dad around.
“To cut a long story short, Mrs Bovey asked her husband if he could look things over at a very reduced rate. I was all ready to settle the bill, but Mr Bovey said I could have the initial consultation for free. Anything after that will have a substantial discount. Your father has nothing to complain about, and anyway, it’s the least he can do for you.
He’s done little else in your lifetime.”
She can’t see my eyebrow raise. “You promise you’re not saying that to make me happy?”
“Would I make it up? Anyway, that’s irrelevant.”
“It’s not irrelevant Mum, I don’t want you forking out your hard-earned cash for me. Whatever you have outstanding, I’ll cover it, okay?”
“Ashton, you’re my only son. Let me do this—actually no. I’ll rephrase that. Let me and your father do this, okay? You’ve never asked us for much help in the past, and it would make me so happy. Please, Son?”
I sigh and with reluctance agree. “Okay Mum. I’ll make it up to you somehow.”
“There’s no need, so let’s move on. How do you feel about signing with Election Records?”
She can’t see my chest fill with air at the thought, then blow it out.
“Nervous and excited, but also apprehensive. Don’t get me wrong, I want it, Mum.
I’ve always wanted it, but at the back of my mind, I feel I’m letting you down.
I know how hard you fought against Dad when I said I wanted to go to uni.
Dad always said it was a waste of money and I wouldn’t see it through. Now I’m proving him right.”
“Ashton, remember you told me if the band didn’t work out, you could go back to university and complete your course?
I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t do that.
There may never be another opportunity like this one, and if things don’t go the way you want them to, you have a back-up plan.
You’re so young, extremely talented and have time to try everything life offers. ”
“Are you giving me your blessing?” I hold my breath until she finally says,
“You don’t need my blessing, Son. But if it makes you feel better, I think you should follow your dreams. A chance like this may never come again. Grab it while you can.”
I smile to myself, “Yeah, I will. Thanks, Mum.”
She pauses before adding, “And maybe it’s better if we don’t update your dad until it’s settled. Your father is going through his own issues at the moment, so I’d leave it for your own sake. I know I’ll be staying out of his way.”
As she’s brought it up, now is a good time to ask her a tough question. “Yeah, about that. Once the deed is done, it means we move to London pretty quickly.”
“I know Ash. It’s an exciting time for you and the boys.” I go quiet and her instincts kick in. “Are you worried about me? Because you shouldn’t be, I have a fabulous holiday to look forward to, and then… well, I’m sure I can sort something out.”
“What about if you came up to London when you get back from Spain?”
“Oh my love, you don’t want your mother hanging around, I’m sure,” she laughs.
“I mean it, Mum. I don’t want to leave you here with Dad being the way he is right now.”
“Oh Lord, Ashton, I don’t know. What would I do all day while you’re working?”
“We’d find you a job, I’m sure. You could be my assistant or something.” This makes her laugh. “I’m serious, Mum. Please, will you consider it?”
She almost huffs down the line, “I can think about it, but you have to promise me one thing.”
“Which is?”
“Whatever I decide to do, you have to accept it. I don’t want to hold you back from your future.”
Fuck. I really need Mum to be on board with this, but as I’ve sprung my suggestion on her, I understand she needs to think it over first. “Okay.”
“Good lad.”
Tommy’s head appears from behind the door. He can see I’m on the phone, so signals with his thumb behind him, then mouths, “You want me to come back?”
I mouth “No,” waving him into the room.
“Alright, Mum. I’ll let you know how we get on with Dani and these final details but think about my offer. I’m serious.”
“I know you are, I don’t doubt it for a second.
The thing is, whatever you do in life, I know you will never let me down.
I couldn’t be any prouder of you than I am right now, Ashton.
” Her tone kicks up a notch, I hope she isn’t getting upset.
“I’ll see you in a few days, okay? And remember, I love you. ”
“I love you too, Mum.”
My mum has always supported the band. Turning up at pubs we’ve played, finding the money to buy my first electric guitar and getting our contract checked. I end the call in a much better mood after speaking to her. “Sorry about that,” I say to Tommy.
“It’s all good, man. How is she?”
“Fine. Worried and happy for me all at once.” I swipe my messy hair away from my face. “How about you? You feeling okay?”
“I’m calm. Thinking we should go for it, you?”
“I’m thinking the same and we know it’s what Max and Brett want. Are they here yet?”
“Nope. You better call them.”
“Cool.” We look at each other, a slow grin forming on both our mouths, then bring it in with a hug.
“This is just the beginning, man,” Tommy says, a smile plastered over his face, his hand slapping my back.
“My minds made up,” I tell him. “I’ll get on to the boys now before Dani gets the arse.”
“Solid. See you in five.” Tommy leaves the room, and I take one more minute to look out the window.
Shit, as one door closes, another one opens.
Isn’t that what they say? I hope it doesn’t mean I have to close the door on Cal.
How will I tell her things are moving really quick?
It could mean our summer is cut short, unless… unless we find some way around it.