Chapter 20
Con, Sorcha, Lulu and the other three members of The Fishermen sat outside the registrar’s office waiting to be called in.
Sorcha wore a cream mini-dress from Biba, bought with the twenty pounds she’d received from her modelling assignment.
A short veil was secured by a mother-of-pearl crown and her striking red hair was piled up on her head.
Con held Sorcha’s hand tightly in his own. As the registrar emerged, the party stood up. Con hung back and let the others go first. Then he turned to Sorcha and kissed her gently on the forehead.
‘I’ll never forget how beautiful you look today and what a lucky man I am. You are the love of my life. I worship you. I was just wanting you to know.’
Sorcha’s eyes filled with tears. ‘I love you too.’
‘And one day, I swear I’ll have the money to give you the best of everything.’
‘Con, it doesn’t matter. I’m becoming your wife today and that’s what is important.’
‘Come on then. Let’s go, Sorcha O’Donovan. ’Tis the last time I’ll call you that.’
They smiled at each other and walked hand in hand into the office.
The ceremony was short and informal. Todd and Lulu were the witnesses, and as Sorcha and Con came down the steps of the registry office, the others showered them with confetti.
The six of them went to a pub around the corner for a couple of drinks, then back to Todd and Lulu’s flat. Lulu produced a lunch of roast beef with all the trimmings and the champagne flowed.
‘I had no idea you could cook like this,’ said Todd as he placed his knife and fork neatly on his empty plate.
‘I can’t,’ Lulu smirked, ‘but the chef at the restaurant round the corner does a mean Yorkshire pudding, and he’s a fan of my movies.’ She gave Todd a wink. ‘More champagne, anyone?’
‘Yeah, fill everyone’s glasses. It’s time the best man made a speech. And as I am the best, I’ll make it,’ giggled Todd.
Lulu filled everyone’s glass and Todd stood up.
‘Well, Mr and Mrs Daly. I’m sorry I have no embarrassing stories to tell of Con’s youth. All I can say is that since I have known you both, you seem to have brought the luck of the Irish to the rest of us. I’m sure it won’t be long until Freddy gets us the deal that we all deserve.’
‘Hear, hear,’ murmured Lulu.
‘Sorcha, you’re a brave woman taking on Con.
You’re beautiful, gentle, sweet-natured and loyal, whereas he’s a difficult, strong-willed, determined bastard .
. .’ Todd paused and stared at Con. ‘All the qualities he needs to help The Fishermen make it. And, although I’m loath to admit it, you’re bloody talented too.
With that and a wife like Sorcha, I should hate you.
’ He smiled and raised his glass. ‘But I’m very glad you found your way into our lives.
Congratulations to you both. To the happy couple, Con and Sorcha. ’
They all raised their glasses and drank.
‘Okay, okay. Now, we have a present for you.’ Todd retrieved an envelope from his jacket pocket. ‘This is your wedding gift from the band. We all chipped in. You open it, Sorcha.’ He handed the envelope to her.
‘Thank you.’ Sorcha prised it open carefully. Inside, she found train tickets from London to Brighton, plus a letter confirming a room for two nights with full board at the Grand Hotel.
‘Your train leaves at six tonight. We all felt you should go somewhere for a honeymoon,’ said Lulu.
‘I . . .’ Sorcha was so choked she could hardly speak. ‘Look, Con.’ She showed him the contents of the envelope.
‘Don’t be cross, Con. I know what a proud bugger you are, but you can pay us back in spades when we hit the big time,’ put in Todd, glancing at Con’s frown.
‘Speech, speech!’ shouted Lulu. ‘Your turn, Con.’
He looked at the gathering round the table. ‘Thank you. It’s been a grand day.’ He raised his glass. ‘To our friends, and my beautiful wife.’
‘To the success of The Fishermen,’ put in Ian.
‘Hear, hear,’ said Todd.
Derek said nothing. He’d been in an odd mood all day, as if consumed by something. Although physically present, his mind was elsewhere. He downed his glass of champagne, then reached for the bottle to provide himself a hefty refill.
An hour later, Con and Sorcha left to catch the train to Brighton. Lulu started clearing up and Ian went into the kitchen to help her do the washing-up.
‘What’s up, Del?’ asked Todd, as Derek sat morosely in the sitting room drinking his third whiskey.
‘Nothing.’
‘Women trouble?’
Derek shrugged.
‘It’s not still Peggy that’s troubling you, is it?’
Derek frowned. ‘No, course not,’ he replied tetchily.
‘Good, ’cos you’re about to have the ladies falling at your feet.’
‘You think so?’
‘Of course. We’re gonna have fans and groupies screaming outside our hotels, hot sex on tap twenty-four hours a day.’
‘Sure, Todd.’ Derek looked at his watch. ‘Gotta be going, I’m afraid. I promised Mum I’d be back in time for tea.’
‘Party pooper. Okay, mate, whatever you want.’ Todd slapped him on the back. ‘Hopefully we’ll have something to celebrate very soon. Freddy told me yesterday that he’s got a producer who’s interested. I’ll see you on Friday at the gig.’
Derek nodded and stood up as Lulu came into the sitting room.
‘Thanks, Lulu. It was a good party.’
‘That’s okay, Derek.’
‘I’ll see myself out.’
Lulu and Todd watched him as he left the room.
Lulu shook her head. ‘Whatever is up with him? He’s had a face you could chop firewood on for the last few weeks.’
‘Love, Lulu,’ Todd sighed. ‘Our Derek’s in it real bad.’
Derek walked the first three miles, then caught a bus the rest of the way home. Since he’d spent nearly all his money on the necklace for Peggy, he was having to watch every penny until his next advance was due from Freddy.
He left the bus at the stop opposite the chippy. Surely she must be back by now? It had been over a month.
He stood on the other side of the road waiting for the traffic to calm so he could cross, when he saw a man press the bell to the left of the blue door. A few seconds later, the door opened and there was Peggy, looking just as beautiful as the picture he carried around in his mind.
Derek’s heart filled with relief and happiness at the sight of her, then with horror as he watched Peggy throw her arms around the man on the doorstep.
An old friend, a relative . . . The comforting words ran through Derek’s brain.
His thoughts were cut short as Peggy stood on her tiptoes and kissed the man.
Derek watched in pained disgust for a good minute before the stranger put his arm around Peggy’s shoulders and the two of them went inside. The blue door shut behind them.
Derek stood there, rooted to the spot, his limbs paralysed with shock. He felt dizzy and faint. His stomach heaved and he threw up, the vomit covering his precious boots.
Helen answered the ringing phone. ‘Metropolitan Records, how can I help?’
‘Hello, love, you new?’
‘Yes. I’m the temporary receptionist,’ Helen replied politely.
‘Where’s the luscious Jilly? Run off with a rock star?’
‘No, she’s in Australia.’
‘I see, I see. Anyway, can I speak to Brad?’
‘Of course, Mr . . .?’
‘Just tell him it’s Freddy.’
‘No problem.’ Helen rang through to Brad.
‘Yes?’
‘I’ve got Freddy on the line.’
Brad grunted. ‘Tell him I’ll call him back later. I’m in the middle of something now.’
‘Okay.’ Helen reconnected with Freddy. ‘Brad sends his apologies but he can’t talk now. He’s been tied up unexpectedly.’
‘How uncomfortable for him,’ Freddy quipped.
‘He says he’ll call you back later.’
‘Okay, but you can tell him from me, if he doesn’t get back to me by half three, he’s missed his chance. Ta-ra, love.’
Helen put the telephone down. It rang again. She picked it up, hoping it might be Tony. It wasn’t. Her heart sank. If he hadn’t called by now, the chances were he wouldn’t make it.
Helen had been in her new position for just over a week.
It had taken time to master the switchboard and to learn not to panic when all the lines went off at once.
But now she was in control and beginning to enjoy herself.
The job was fun and all sorts of colourful people passed through her reception area.
It was clear that Brad was completely disorganised, making appointments and then cancelling at the last moment, leaving her to deal with irate managers and temperamental fledgling pop stars.
Even in her short time with Metropolitan, Helen could see the company needed to reorganise itself and employ more staff.
She did not, of course, voice her opinion. She was only a lowly temp, but it was interesting to ponder, during quieter moments, what she herself would do if she ran the company.
Tony had been right. The work experience was useful.
She could imagine how dull the actual job might become after a few months, but for now it was new and exciting.
She’d already had three invitations to see various groups performing at hip venues in Soho.
She’d asked Tony if he fancied coming, but he’d been unable to make it last week and she didn’t want to turn up by herself.
‘Please ring.’ Helen stared at the switchboard, willing Tony to call. The magic must have worked. The switchboard lit up.
‘Metropolitan Records, how can I help?’
‘Hello, sweetheart, it’s me.’
‘Hello. Can you make it for lunch?’
‘Er, no.’
‘What about tonight?’
‘Yes, I was calling you to suggest we meet tonight. I’ll pick you up at work and we’ll hit the town, give ourselves a really good evening.’
‘Okay.’ The last hoorah, thought Helen gloomily.
‘I’ve got to run. See you at six.’ He hung up.
Helen stared into the distance. Even though Tony hadn’t said anything, Helen knew she was back.
She reckoned she had returned a few days ago, around the time Tony had started to cut her short when Helen rang his flat.
It was a blessing she had this job. If she had been at home all day, she’d have gone mad.
Helen sighed. Tonight she would know for certain.
Just after six, Tony came strolling through the front door of Metropolitan.
He leant over the desk and kissed her on the cheek.
‘You look wonderful. Work must be suiting you.’
‘It is, thanks, Tony.’
‘Come on then. Let’s move.’
It was a hot, sultry August night and London was buzzing, but Helen could not shake off her gloom. The pair wandered into a nearby bar for a drink and chatted about Metropolitan Records. Or, rather, Tony asked questions and Helen gave monosyllabic answers.
Eventually, the conversation petered into nothingness and they both sat staring into space.
‘Oh dear,’ said Tony. ‘You know, don’t you?’ She nodded. ‘What can I say? If it makes any difference, I had no idea how attached to you I was going to become.’
‘It doesn’t make any difference.’
‘No, I didn’t suppose it would.’
‘You’re back with her then?’
‘Yes,’ Tony nodded solemnly.
‘And we’re finished?’
‘Please don’t say it like that, Helen. Parts of our relationship are, but I’d hate to think that I’d lose you completely.’ He reached for her hand, which was surprisingly cold for such a hot evening. ‘You’re so special, Helen. I mean it.’
‘Stop before I throw up,’ she groaned.
‘I’m sorry, it wasn’t meant to sound insincere. I do mean it. You’re one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met.’
She looked up at him. ‘Then why, if I’m so special and amazing, are you going back to her?’
Tony shrugged. ‘Because I love her, I suppose. Plus, she needs me to look after her. She’s . . . fragile.’
‘And I don’t need you?’
‘No. You can look after yourself. She’s not strong like you.’
There was another long silence. Tony sighed. ‘Look, Helen, I really would hate to see us part on bad terms. We both knew from the outset this was a temporary thing. Now we’re in danger of losing a friendship and that would be very sad. Don’t you agree?’
‘Yes, I suppose so,’ she replied slowly.
‘I’d like to think that if ever you needed advice or help, you’d be able to come to me. I’ll understand if you feel you can’t see me for a while, but maybe when you’ve had a chance to think about it, you’ll see what I’m saying makes sense.’
‘I can cope. And of course I still want to remain friends. We all need friends, don’t we, Tony?’ She smiled at him with no emotion, then drained her glass. ‘I really must be going.’
‘So soon? What about dinner?’
‘I said I might drop in at a gig I’ve been invited to.’
‘Oh, okay. It sounds as if you’re really settling in at Metropolitan.’
‘I am.’
‘Don’t get too settled. I’ll be wanting to see your face in my classroom in a month’s time.’
‘I’ll be there.’ She kissed him lightly on the cheek. ‘Bye-bye, Tony.’
‘Bye, Helen.’
She climbed down from her bar stool. Without looking back, she left the bar.
That night, Helen did not sleep. But rather than giving way to the desolation, she tried to analyse the positive aspects of the summer.
From a purely objective standpoint, Tony had done a lot for her in the past year.
She no longer felt like a plain lump, and thanks to him, Helen knew she had the ability to please men.
He’d also given her faith in her own intelligence and she had every reason to believe her future would be bright.
Put simply, her short relationship with Tony had given her a confidence she had not known was within her.
Even so, all these brave thoughts did not take away the pain of rejection.
How did someone harden their heart, seal it off so there’d be no more suffering? Helen didn’t know yet, but it was a question she was determined to find the answer to.