Chapter 24
Six months later
The show Alex was about to go on would be his first ever interview as a solo artist. He was only doing it as a favour to Mark.
This being his first venture into television after years as a successful radio presenter – where the pair had met and become friends – he had begged Alex to be his first guest. He had given in only after laying down a few ground rules about the interview.
He was actually looking forward to it in some strange way; not his usual reaction to this sort of thing at all.
It wasn’t that long ago that he would have done anything to get out of doing an interview.
“Just you leave him alone and don’t forget the list of ‘no go’ questions I gave to you.
I will be watching from the audience and don’t you forget it!
” Grace teased the presenter; she knew her man was safe in Mark’s hands.
The television presenter laughed loudly.
Not only did he have Grace to contend with but Alex’s mother too who was now watching her son in a very overprotective manner.
Mark ran through what to expect with Alex.
He would be seated at the bar, with his family in the soft seating behind him.
Mark would be playing the role of bartender as he carried out the interview.
Grace had refused to be on set, preferring to stay in the audience where Alex could see her if he needed any reassurance.
A runner poked his head around the door, giving them all a countdown.
Mark shook Alex’s hand as he promised to take it easy on him and stick to Grace’s list, then disappeared out of the door.
One of the set assistants rounded up his family, all of which were very excited at the prospect of being on television.
Emma had been on a diet especially for the night; apparently TV put pounds on you and she wanted to look her best.
Alex watched from the top of the make shift staircase from where he would eventually make his entrance once Mark had built up his part.
His mother was fussing over his father’s tie, Cam was deciding whether or not to hold his pint in his hand or leave it on the table and Emma was fussing over her dress, realising it was a little shorter than she would have liked once seated on the sofa.
Peering into the crowd he tried to make out Grace, smiling as she fidgeted with her outfit and hair.
A sudden calmness washed over him. For once she looked more nervous than him.
Alex listened as the set assistant hushed the audience and began counting down from five. The theme music began blaring out across the audience as Mark made his entrance from left of set.
“Good evening, everyone. Are you ready to have a good time? I hope so because tonight we have a real treat for you.” The audience was whistling and cheering.
They knew exactly what was in store for them.
“All right, ladies, pipe down already! He isn’t that great, believe me, I’ve known him for years.
I have even used the bathroom right after him and it wasn’t pleasant I can tell you.
” Ann tsked in disgust as she sipped her champagne; his father and brother however, were howling at the remark.
“Okay, I’m joking, of course. Sorry, Mrs C.
” He winked across at Ann who immediately softened to him.
“Gotta keep his mum sweet, she makes a mean Sunday roast! Right, are you ready to welcome him to our little backstreet pub? Let’s make him feel welcome, ladies. Here he is... Alex Carter!”
Mark made his way to the bar, taking his position as Alex began the journey down the stairs.
He paused for a few seconds, as requested, half way down to wave to the audience before he met Mark at the bar.
Leaning over he whispered into Alex’s ear, assuring him he would take it easy on him.
Alex smiled as he took a big drink from the pint Mark had placed before him.
“So, it’s been a long time, my friend. How are you doing? What have you been up to this last few months? We’re all dying to know, aren’t we, ladies?”
The audience cheered.
Clearing his throat he took a steadying breath before answering, settling the butterflies in his stomach.
“I’m good, man. Great, actually. I’ve been back in the studio, recording the solo stuff.
Rehearsing for the tour,” Alex turned to the gathered crowd, “which starts tonight, just in case you were wondering!” Every female in the studio went wild, the noise vibrating through him as they hollered.
“Oh, I think they know. I bet most of them have a ticket too. You’re going to perform the new single at the end of the show for us, right?”
Alex nodded his head, having turned his attention back to his friend now.
“Yeah, it’s called Fallen. It’s actually a track from the last Uni-Fi album.
It’s very different from the band’s usual stuff and more of the direction I want to take my own music in.
But we wanted to let the fans know that if they liked that song then they’re gonna love my solo stuff. ”
The truth was it was Grace’s favourite track, he had written it, so had no worries about using it as his own material. There could be no comeback from his former colleagues.
“Sounds great. I heard you rehearsing it earlier and I gotta tell you, ladies, you’ll love it!
Now seeing as you mentioned it, I have to ask the question.
Why did you walk out of the band? I mean, you never gave an interview, there was just the press release announcing your departure then.
..nothing. You kind of disappeared off the radar for a good while.
” Mark knew he was treading on thin ice now; he could only hope his friend would cut him some slack.
“Aww, man, you know...I don’t think I need to go into details. Shit happened, I dealt with it. I actually had been thinking of leaving for about a year beforehand but...well let’s just say that events were brought to a head.” Lifting his drink to his mouth he gulped down the ice cold liquid.
“So, there was a fight, a falling out of sorts? Or did you just leave? Come on, Alex!” Mark pushed that little bit further.
Taking another long drink before he answered, contemplating his next move.
“I really don’t wanna talk about it. The people involved know exactly why I left.
I don’t need to dig up that shit. It’s over and done with.
Best decision I ever made. Well, one of them anyway.
You know, if you keep asking me awkward questions my mother is going to kick your ass! ”
The crowd roared with laughter. Ann promised she would.
“Okay, okay. Mrs C, I’m sorry. Can I still come for dinner next week?” Ann smiled at him, nodding. “Phew, ass kicking averted, I think! So am I right in thinking Ben worked with you on the single? He isn’t here tonight though, is he? What’s he up to now?”
“Yeah, it was always been just me and Ben on this track so it made sense to have him play on the track with me again. We mixed it up a little too. He’s in Cornwall at the minute surfing some ‘awesome’ waves apparently.
That guy is so laid back he is almost horizontal.
He reminds me of the chicken guy in that kids movie.
The surfer guy? Yeah, he bought a house down there.
He will be making an appearance at a couple of gigs with me but he isn’t a permanent fixture.
He’s happy doing his own thing.” Alex addressed the masses as he spoke about his long term companion.
“So, the tour starts tonight. Are you looking forward to it? ‘Cos we all know you suffer a little with the nerves.” Mark topped up his glass his again.
“I can’t wait to get back to work, actually; it’s been a long time coming.
I’m in a really good place in my life now and I think that’s reflected in my music.
The tour isn’t very long and the venues are much smaller.
I prefer that. I hate travelling constantly now I’ve put down some permanent roots.
I don’t want to be away from home for long periods at a time.
” Alex scanned the front row of the audience, fixing his gaze on the beautiful green eyes that watched him with pride.
“That’s right, you’ve moved to Scotland recently.
Why is that? What does Scotland have that we don’t, Alex?
I mean, is it the views or the isolation or something else maybe?
” Mark topped up Alex’s drink again as he watched him squirm in his seat.
The singer glanced back to the audience, his eyes locking on Grace’s.
He winked at her as she furrowed her brow and shook her head adamantly at him.
She was going to kill Mark; this was definitely not up for discussion.
“C’mon, Al, it’s just you and me in the pub having a beer.
We do this all the time. Forget they’re here, they won’t even listen. I promise.” Mark nodded at the crowd.
Returning his attention to the man behind the bar Alex chuckled.
“Man, she is going to make you pay for this, you know that, right? Yeah, I live up there now, have done for a while. Truth is there is someone very special in my life now. She had a place up there and, well, it seemed like the perfect solution for me to move up there.”
“So would this be the stunningly beautiful young lady we have seen in the press with you lately perhaps?” A picture of the couple flashed up on the massive screen that was positioned behind the bar, Alex almost choked on his beer.
He scrambled to wipe the liquid from his chin as it ran towards his T-shirt.