Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Suzie lowered her voice while she explained her predicament, even though the music was so loud that no one would be able to overhear a word.
Vicky’s face became increasingly animated as Suzie went on. At the end of the story, Vicky raised her beer bottle and clinked it with Suzie’s.
‘Yes! You’ve absolutely got to do it! It’s a no-brainer.’
The woman’s enthusiasm was a welcome boost. Suzie barely knew her, but Vicky could just as well have turned round and told her to get a grip, confirming her fear that she was insane even to consider it.
The thought that she might be too old and out of practice to get up on stage wouldn’t get out of her head, even though a tiny frisson of excitement sharpened it.
‘Really?’
‘Really. I’m all for taking a chance at anything we’re offered these days. If not now, then when?’
Vicky’s hand had gone to a scar near her left wrist as she spoke. Suzie tried to pull her eyes away as the other woman rhythmically stroked the skin with her thumb.
‘I’ve pushed myself right out of my comfort zone to come and work at the sanctuary, and I’ve already met some lovely people …
and frankly a couple of irritating ones too.
But I’m so glad I did it. You’ll kick yourself if you say no to this.
Soaking up the sights of Athens by day and performing by night. What’s not to like?’
Suzie’s hand shook on the beer bottle. Vicky made it sound so simple. Without a doubt, it would be anything but.
‘But what if I can’t do it anymore? What if I sound like an idiot up there in front of all those people?’
Vicky smiled encouragingly.
‘Isn’t singing a bit like riding a bike?’
‘Not exactly… The idea is to keep practising singing, rather than being confident your body will remember what to do once you mount the saddle.’
Vicky frowned and said nothing. Suzie hadn’t meant to burst the fragile bubble of optimism. She was enjoying their women-taking-on-the-world vibe too and didn’t want it to end.
‘But on the plus side, it’s always been something I love.’
Vicky smiled again. ‘There you go, then.’
‘Loving to sing’s rather different from going on a professional stage after nigh on forty years, but it’s a bloody good start.’
Suzie put her hand on top of Vicky’s.
‘I’ve only got three weeks to practice. Will you help me? Listen to my voice and tell me where I’m going wrong.’
Vicky smiled.
‘Why will you go wrong, Mrs Nettie Negative?’
Suzie choked on some beer.
‘Where the hell did that come from?’
Vicky’s giggle could prise open the jaws of a crocodile.
‘I have absolutely no idea!’
Both women collapsed on the table laughing for a couple of minutes before pulling themselves together.
Vicky had her serious face on.
‘Of course I’ll help. I’m no expert, and I’ll bone up on your back catalogue…’
‘That’s a fancy name for it.’
‘I can remember your popular numbers clearly, what with my brother blasting them out from his bedroom all day long…’
‘Let’s not do that one again.’
‘Agreed. Although … it was always you and Kim Wilde he fancied the most. The blonde and the brunette. And Kim’s still going strong, touring and performing like a Trojan. Surely you can take heart from that.’
The big difference between her and Kim Wilde was that Kim had only had short spells away from performing, not a huge hiatus, but it wasn’t helpful to point that out.
‘Suppose so.’
Vicky gave Suzie a sideways look.
‘So, the million-dollar question. Are you going to do it?’
Suzie laughed into the still warm air.
‘OK, you’ve helped me make up my mind. Yes!’
‘Hooray!’
Suzie turned to face her new friend.
‘But it’s all your fault if it goes horribly wrong. If I forget the words, fall off the stage or make a complete fool of myself, I’m blaming you.’
Vicky turned her mouth down.
‘Mean. Shall I get us one more round?’
Suzie waved her hand at a passing waiter.
‘These are seriously on me. We’re going to have to find a secret place to practice, well away from everyone. I couldn’t bear to be overheard until I’ve done some work on my voice. Now you’ve persuaded me into it—’
Vicky slapped the table hard with her hands. ‘Ow, that hurt. I have a sneaking suspicion you were going to do it whether I stuck my nose in or not … but yes, I’ll keep an eye out for a suitable space. There’s probably somewhere at the sanctuary.’
‘That’s a good idea. The acoustics are often so much better in the open air. And…’
Vicky leant forward.
‘And what? What horror have you got in store for me now?’
‘You have to help me choose my stage clothes. I’ve got a load of my old stuff hidden away in the loft at the flat.’
Vicky clapped her hands together.
‘Ooh, goodie. I love playing dress-up. I’d always fancied being a stylist in another life, dressing actresses for awards ceremonies, that sort of thing.’
‘Calm down. You’re not going to be troubling the Oscars just yet. Most of it’s black leather or denim, plus white T-shirts and biker boots. And tight black leather at that… It’s more that I’m not sure if I can get away with it anymore.’
‘Course you can. We might have to make some minor adjustments, but don’t forget – you’re Suzie Sessions, rock chick.’
Suzie tried out her stage name in her head. It would be weird to go back there. Back to some of the happiest, and unhappiest, days of her life. But it was her name and no one else’s. It deserved one more turn around the block.
‘It would be nice to chill out with her again, I’ll admit.’
The two women grabbed the bottles that had arrived at the table and clinked them together before downing most of the contents.
Suzie reached for Vicky’s hand.
‘Any chance you could come to the flat tomorrow? I’m just scared that if I don’t sort it all out straightaway, I won’t do it.’
‘Of course you will. No more willy wobbles.’
Suzie choked on a mouthful of beer, spitting it out on the table.
‘I haven’t heard that phrase in a while. Probably not since leaving England for good!’
‘Cheeky. It’s an old un but a good un. And listen. “Be more Suzie Sessions” is our new motto. We’ll call her Suzie S for short. She’s your alter ego, like Beyonce and Sasha Fierce.’
‘Okaaay.’
‘Suzie S can do or wear anything she wants. I’ll come and force you into those leather trousers personally after mucking out the animals. As a special treat, I’ll even wash my hands in between.’
‘So kind of you.’
Vicky smoothed down her boyfriend-style jeans with a smile.
‘You’ve just reminded me about skinny jeans the first time round. Do you remember putting them on wet and then lying on the floor and using the end of a coat hanger through the tag to do the zip up?’
‘God, yes. My mum went bonkers and told me and my friends we’d all catch our deaths if we went out in damp jeans.’
‘Mine too. I had one particularly mortifying experience at school in front of the deputy head…’
‘Do tell.’
‘We were allowed to wear our own clothes in the sixth form, and I came out of the loo in my tightest new skinnies but could not do up the zip for love nor money.’
‘No coat hangers lying around?’
‘No, but the next best thing, I spotted a boy from my chemistry class, Ralph Burrows, going past.’
‘You don’t hear the name Ralph much now, do you?’
‘No, thankfully. Anyway, luckily the girls’ toilets were empty, and I called out to him and explained what I needed. I lay down on the floor, and he stood astride me, then bent over to do up the zip.’
‘I think I can see where this is going…’
‘At that precise moment, the dragon that was Mrs Grange happened to be walking past. She screamed at us, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” It was straight to the head’s office for poor innocent Ralph and me.’
‘Shame.’
‘In my opinion, it was her filthy mind that created all the trouble.’
Suzie bent over with the effort of trying not to laugh.
‘You didn’t say that to her, did you?’
‘Of course not. I was one of the good girls. We just got detention.’
‘I probably would have accused Mrs Grange of being a pervert on the spot and got expelled.’
Both women dissolved into full-blown laughter with shrieks on the side, which even had Kostas looking over in concern.
Suzie waved to let him know she was OK.
‘We’ve got to stop it! My stomach’s hurting.’
Vicky sat up straight.
‘I agree. But at least if you collapse, you’re with a fully-trained nurse.’
‘But what about you? You can’t treat yourself.’
That set Vicky off again, and Suzie tried and failed to hold it together. It was like being back at school.
When they’d both got their breath back, Suzie handed Vicky the half-drunk bottle of beer.
‘Here, get this down you.’
‘Thanks. And yes, I can come to yours around one.’
‘Great. I’ll make you lunch, as you’ll be missing yours.’
‘You’re on. Go and email the promoter…’
‘Frank.’
‘Go and tell Frank this minute that you’ll do it. Before you change your mind.’
‘Aye, aye, captain.’
Vicky finally put her bottle down on the table.
‘I know it’s not that late, but I really do need to leave, as two hangovers in a row isn’t fair on the animals, let alone the other volunteers.’
Suzie touched her cheeks to mimic tears running down them.
‘I’ll be thinking about those poor little animals tomorrow morning, being suffocated by your beer fumes.’
Suzie realised she was drunker than she’d thought.
She rarely let loose in the bar while on duty.
It was a new and not unpleasant experience.
But not one she’d be repeating in a hurry.
Thankfully, she had an excuse. This was a momentous day, a day for being brave…
After leaving it all behind so long ago, she was going back for more.
The roar of the crowd rang in her ears once more, and the slight burning smell of the powerful stage lights curled up into her nostrils, along with the aroma of perfume and sweat that arose from the mass of bodies below her, cheering her on.
Vicky’s pat on the arm pulled her back to the present.