Chapter 9
ED
Now
Set of daytime magazine show Wake up and Smell the Coffee
Ed Nash’s charming smile fills the screen as they cut to a short clip of The Mountaineers smash hit “Used to Be”.
‘Let’s all give a very big Wake Up and Smell the Coffee welcome to Ed Nash, lead singer of indie band The Mountaineers and he also wrote the single “Used to Be” which just happens to be my current earworm!’ presenter Rachel Peters announces as the crew and the small studio audience clap.
‘Aww thank you. That’s a great welcome.’ Ed Nash says with his ever-familiar smile.
And it doesn’t take too much time until Rachel mentions Evie Del Rio, the name on everyone’s lips currently.
‘So, Ed, how’s your search going for Evie Del Rio or as we all now know her as #thegirlinthesong?’ Rachel says, her eyes shining bright as she warms to her theme.
‘Well… No one seems to be able to find her. I appreciate she has her reasons for not getting in touch, but who’s to say that if we met up again one day the spark wouldn’t still be there?’ Ed shrugs but the shrug comes off as overconfident… almost cocky.
‘Would you say Evie Del Rio was your first true love?’ asks Rachel. ‘I’m sure lots of our viewers would love to know.’ She stares right into the camera and smiles, her teeth gleaming white, as if she’s looking into the eyes of each viewer, giving them exactly what they want.
‘Well, of course. When we were an item, we were always together. Almost inseparable.
‘Oh, we all know what that young love feeling is like.’ Ethan laughs and sighs reflectively. ‘Why do you think “Used to Be” has been such a popular song?’
‘As you just touched on, I think it’s because we all know what first love is like.
’ Ed places his hand on his heart. ‘There’s nothing more real than the first time you fall in love,’ Ed continues.
“All your senses come alive, and you’re counting the hours, the minutes, the seconds until you can see that special someone again. ’
‘Oh, you are spot on with your analogy of first love. I think everyone can identify with that.’ Rachel says encouragingly. Ed flashes her another one of his killer smiles as Ethan interjects.
‘Do you remember your first love, Rachel?’ Ethan teases to his partner on TV and in real life too and as she replies, he pretends to be outraged.
‘Well, yes, I do actually.’ Rachel replies, blushing ever so slightly.
‘Enough said about that until we get home.’ Ethan concludes, faking a grin. ‘So, Ed, if Evie Del Rio were to get in touch, you’d definitely be up for meeting up again?’
‘Of course I would. It would be great to catch up after all these years, but I completely respect that she has most probably moved on, but I still need to know why she left.’
‘Good point! She may well have got herself a gorgeous husband by now.’ adds Rachel somewhat provocatively.
‘Err, yes. Yes, of course, she could be married. I, er, am completely aware that’s a possibility.
’ Ed clears his throat and scratches the side of his head.
‘Some of the gang from the old days are hoping to have some sort of reunion around the time The Mountaineers are starting their reunion tour, you know, catch up, find out what’s been going on, so it would be great if Evie could join us. ’
‘Oh, that sounds interesting. Any idea what date that might be?’ gushes Rachel, fiddling self-consciously with her hair.
‘I’m just in the process of sorting something out with an old friend.’
‘And does this old friend have a name?’ Ethan coaxes him.
‘I couldn’t possibly say right now, but rest assured you’ll be the first to know.’ Ed cleverly retorts.
‘Well, that’s something to look forward to. And the reunion tour starts in October?’ asks Rachel, seeking clarification.
‘Yeah, that’s right. We’re starting in Newcastle on the eighth.’
‘We’ll make sure to put a link to all the tour dates on our website.’ adds Ethan.
‘Perhaps you and Rachel would like to come along to one of our London dates?’ suggests Ed generously.
‘We might just do that. Thanks, Ed.’
‘Unfortunately, that’s about all we have time for right now with Ed, as we’ve got to go to the news. Please do come back and see us again soon.’ says Rachel, somewhat over enthusiastically under the watchful gaze of her husband.
‘Thank you.’ replies Ed, flashing a huge smile to the camera.
After the news and a further segment of how to keep your relationship fresh after the birth of your first child, the studio goes straight to the Loose Women studio who are doing a piece on how the hashtag #thegirlinthesong has been trending on social media and just what the TikTok generation are making of the mystery of Evie Del Rio by interviewing the influencer and TikTok sleuth Amira Malik.