Chapter 2 #3
She looks so hurt and I feel shit for the way she's found out.
“I see.” Mum glances at me as if she's contemplating everything I've said before turning to Dani.
“You know, it's been lovely to meet you, but I'd appreciate some time with my son now. Alone.” She smiles, making me wonder if Dani is grating on her too.
“I understand, Liz.” Her hand falls to Mum's, patting it lightly. I can pretty much predict how this will go from here because Mum can't stand being patronised, especially as Dani is in her late twenties.
When Dani stands to leave, Mum puts her firmly in her place. “Oh, and Dani love? I'd appreciate it if you addressed me as Mrs Chambers.”
Dani’s flattened lips are shut tight. If she knows what’s good for her, she’ll hold her reply firmly in her mouth. You don’t mess with Liz Chambers. Fact.
As soon as we're alone, my mum pounces. I know she'll start with my education and work her way through all the other reasons I should wait, so I mentally strap myself in for the bollocking of my life.
I don’t get an easy ride. Voices are raised, tears are shed, and Tommy is woken by the noise.
Mum reaches her crescendo, now really going to work on me, when he appears, all smiles.
I didn't know Tom was home, but he arrives in the kitchen at exactly the right time.
He's all messy long hair, vest t-shirt and jeans, but I'm just grateful he is wearing clothes at all. He usually wouldn't bother.
The guy is so laid back he's almost horizontal and his persona has a calming effect.
“Tommy, thank goodness you’re here,” Mum says with familiarity.
Tommy is a little older than me. He took a gap year before moving here to start university and Mum liked him the first day they met.
They’ve been firm pals ever since. He’s even introduced my mum to his parents when they came for a visit.
I think he sees her as a surrogate when they aren’t around.
“What’s all this record label business and what does your mother feel about you leaving university in your final year?” she asks him, in a slightly less erratic tone than the one she used on me five seconds earlier.
“Calm down, Mrs C. It's all cool. We haven't signed anything yet, there's still a lot to chew over. But I can tell you now, they’re cool,” he says with a wink. I hope he hasn’t been smoking weed again. Mum has a nose like a sniffer dog, although right now, I can’t complain.
Tommy is hitting all the right motherly nerves.
“If we take their offer, you should just go with it, Mrs C.” His arm wraps around her shoulders, giving her a firm hug. “Your son’s gonna be a star, be proud of him.”
“I am Tommy, you don’t have to worry there.” Her hand flies through my hair, giving it a good ruffle. “I would never hold him back.”
“That's the spirit, Mrs C because your support is what he's looking for at this crossroads in his life and I know he listens to you.”
“He does?” Mum looks at me, her eyes wide probably, with shock. I've got to be honest; I don't know where his pearl of wisdom came from, it's not as if we've talked about how our parents are going to take the news, but it's working.
“Sure he does and he’ll be counting on you right now.”
Within seconds, she is calm. In fact, Mum is so understanding, I suspect Tommy has laced her tea with brandy.
From there, it’s all about advice. Mum insists we use an independent solicitor to look over any contracts they might offer plus she wants to pay.
I’m not having any of it. She just about survives on the money from her cleaning job as it is, and Dad is such a tight arse when it comes to giving her anything.
If it makes her happy, then I'll play along until I can get an extension to my student loan, but I won't let her pay a penny.
At least Mum is a little more open to the idea.
Now it's just my dad to face. He won't be easy. He never is.
A couple of days later, I'm busking in my usual spot opposite the seafront, my mind running over a potential music career. I've wanted this for as long as I can remember, but Dad always put paid to my pie in the sky ideas. It wasn’t steady work, I wouldn’t make money out of it, there was no security blah, blah, blah.
It’s the reason I ended up studying for a business degree.
I wanted him to be proud of me, but I was wasting my time.
Now the band has a shot at creating our own stuff and getting paid for the privilege, my thirst for making music has increased. The deal isn't done yet, and until it is, we're still attending uni and getting on with the day job, but honestly, it’s not where I want to be. Not anymore.
I’m in the middle of Hotel California by The Eagles and a few of the gathered crowd sing along with the chorus.
Sliding the plectrum between my teeth, I encourage them, raising my hands, clapping above my head.
They take the bait, joining in before I wrap things up.
Taking the plectrum from my mouth, I bring this number to a close with the final chords and earn the rousing appreciation of my audience.
The crowd call out for an encore to which I bow with thanks.
I'll have to keep them wanting today. I have a quick meeting with Dani before I head off to rehearsals.
One or two people linger to thank me or say how much they enjoyed my set, and while I collect up my cap from the pavement, black, shiny pin-thin heels take a step in my eye-line. I look all the way up her long legs, knowing exactly who it is.
“You had them eating out of your hand.”
“Thanks, Dani,” I say, pushing myself up from the pavement.
“It won’t take long to make a star out of you, why don’t you put us both out of our misery and get the wheels in motion.”
“Because, with all due respect, my mum is right on this one. Your terms haven't been checked over by an independent solicitor. Tommy agrees it should be our next step, but I've got to talk to Brett and Max; see what they think.”
She raises her eyebrows, “I see.”
“Look Dani, I’m not mucking you about, I just don’t want to waste your time or ours,” I tell her while packing up my precious guitar.
“Well, listen to you.” She sidles up, running her fingers over my jawline and under my chin. “Our little boy is growing up.”
I bite my tongue for the sake of the band’s future and tell her as politely as I can, “I’m glad you think this is so funny.” To be honest, if it wasn’t for Bernie Hill being such a great guy, we’d walk away.
“Oh, come off it, Ash, I’m playing with you,” she smiles, but someone else catches my eye behind Dani.
Across the road, I see her arrive with a friend and check out the beach.
I watch as they set down their bags, conveniently in my line of sight.
Her all too gorgeous legs and perfect arse are hard to miss when she bends over to set up her lounger; then she lays her body against it—holy shit, what I wouldn’t do to be that lounger right now.
I realise then, Dani has stopped talking and is waiting for some kind of answer, I think. Whatever she said, I didn’t hear as Cal has stolen my attention and Dani’s words, whatever they were, have paled into the background.