Chapter 14 #2
Freddy watched each band member, one at a time. Ian was the wild card, obviously a user. His eyes closed as he thumped his drums, mouthing the words of the song. He’d appeal to the more adventurous teenager, although his habit would have to be controlled.
Derek was the angel-faced blond. He was very short – Freddy had spotted his lifts – and looked no older than fifteen. Girls would want to mother him. That would work.
Todd was the arrogant intellectual. Freddy bet that his aquiline features would turn on the middle-class female.
And lastly there was Con, who was undoubtedly the star of the four. His dark, Irish looks and strong physique would surely make any woman swoon. The guy oozed sex appeal. Plus, as a bonus, he also had a great voice.
Freddy knew that bringing Con forward and having him share the limelight would not please the group’s present lead singer, but it had to be done. If Todd didn’t like it, he knew where the door was. Making sure the boys pulled together was as important as anything else.
A surge of applause came from the audience as they finished a number. The band didn’t know it yet, but this was the last time they’d be performing in a dump like this. Next week, the work would begin.
When Derek had climbed onto the dais to begin the first set, his stomach had been in his four-inch-high boots.
He’d told Todd, Con and Ian that a girl was coming to watch him tonight.
But she hadn’t turned up yet. Derek had such a large lump in his throat that it was hard for him to open his mouth for the harmonies.
In fact, he was terrified that he was going to burst into tears in front of everyone.
And then, just before the last song of the set, in she had walked, her lovely blonde hair shining around her face. She looked absolutely beautiful, with most of her slim, shapely legs visible below her mini-skirt. She’d come to see him. She did love him after all.
Peggy stood nervously at the back, hands planted firmly in the pockets of her jacket.
He caught her eye and smiled. She smiled back.
Willing the song to end as quickly as possible so he could go to her, Derek lifted his guitar over his head the minute he’d played the last chord and practically leapt off the dais.
‘Hello, Peggy!’ He almost knocked her backwards as he bounded towards her and threw his arms around her.
‘Gosh, hi, Derek . . .’ She did her best to extricate herself from his grasp.
‘I thought you weren’t coming.’ His breath was coming in short, sharp bursts and he was sweating profusely.
She stepped back from him. ‘I only popped in for a little while. I—’
‘Come on, let me introduce you to the other band members.’ Derek curled an arm round her back protectively and marched her over to the band’s enclave in the corner.
Freddy was there, the other three huddled around him as he talked.
‘There you are, Derek. I’m just arranging a meeting next week at my solicitor’s to sign the contracts. Can you manage Tuesday morning at ten?’ asked Freddy.
‘Sure, that’ll be fine.’ He nodded. ‘Listen, guys, can I introduce Peggy? This is Freddy Martin, our manager. Con Daly, Todd, who you know, and Ian Hancock, our drummer.’
‘Pleased to meet you, lovely. Can I borrow Derek for a few minutes? You go and sit over there with the other girls,’ suggested Freddy, shooting her a smile.
‘Of course.’ Looking uncomfortable, she turned and made her way round the table to where two young women were sitting.
‘Hello, darling. So you’re Derek’s girl, are you? I’m Lulu and this is Sorcha. Want a Babycham?’
‘Thanks.’ She sat down. ‘I’m not Derek’s girl, more of a friend really.’
‘Well, you could do a lot worse than Derek. He’s a good guy. And soon he’ll have girls crawling all over him. Want another drink, Sorcha?’ Lulu stood up.
‘Yes please.’
‘Scusa me un momento,’ Lulu said in exaggerated Italian before making her way towards the bar.
‘Who are you with?’ Peggy asked Sorcha.
‘Con, the tall, dark one. We live together. Have you known Derek long?’
Peggy nodded. ‘Yes, actually, for years. We were in the same class at school. I hadn’t seen him for ages . . . and then I bumped into him in a chippy of all places.’ She smiled. ‘He asked me to come along, so I did. The band seem very good.’
‘They are.’ Sorcha nodded. ‘Freddy Martin is signing them up. They might be headed for the big time.’
‘Really?’ Peggy seemed a little surprised. Her eyes crossed over to Derek. He looked good tonight. ‘Gosh. I can’t believe it.’
Lulu was back with three Babychams.
‘Here we go, girls. Sustenance for the weary groupies. So, what do you do?’
‘I’m at college doing a business course.’
‘How interesting. Sorcha here is a house model in Swan and Edgar’s and I’m an actress.’
‘Really? In films?’ Derek certainly seemed to be keeping good company these days.
‘Yes. I’ve done a Hammer Horror and I have a screen test tomorrow for a major role in a new film they’re doing at Elstree.’
‘Peggy, are you okay?’ Derek’s hand rested on her shoulder.
She nodded, blushing slightly.
‘Good, good. We’re back up there now. I’ll see you afterwards and maybe we’ll go for a bite to eat. Catch you later.’ Derek bounded away, an enormous spring in his step.
Sorcha and Con arrived home just after midnight.
‘Ah, ’tis knackering, all this preparation for fame and fortune.’ Con threw himself down on the bed, still wearing his coat.
Sorcha busied herself making a cup of tea.
‘That girl of Derek’s seemed a bit unsure of herself.’
‘Did she? I didn’t notice. He goes on and on about his Peggy. He’s been in love with her for years, Todd was telling me.’
‘I think it might be a bit one-sided, Con. Poor Derek, I hope he doesn’t get hurt.’
‘He’ll cope, I’m sure. Come here.’ Con opened his arms and Sorcha climbed on top of him.
‘Ah, that feels good.’ He held her close to him, then rolled her over so he was looking down at her.
‘You know, Sorcha, all that we dreamt about is starting to happen. Next week we sign the contract with Freddy and he begins to put his own money into making us rich and famous. I’ll have a weekly wage, which means you can stop working at that department store. ’
Sorcha steeled herself. ‘But I like working at the department store. And as it happens, I’ve been promoted.’
‘Really? Doing what?’
‘I’ve been offered a job as a house model. I show clothes to customers. The money is two pounds more a week than I’m after getting at the moment. It’s a grand opportunity, Con, and I’d really like to take it.’
‘But there’s no need for you to take it. I just told you. Freddy will be paying us a good wage every week. Now I can keep you. You can leave when you want.’
Sorcha pulled away from him and sat upright. ‘You sound like my father. Lots of girls work these days, even if they don’t have to.’
‘You’re not lots of girls.’
‘And what am I to do with myself all day while you’re off becoming a superstar?’
Con shrugged. ‘What do women do while their men work?’
Sorcha hit her fists down on the bed in frustration.
‘So, it was grand for me to work while it suited you. Now it doesn’t and you’re telling me to stop? What right have you to tell me to do anything?’
He stared at her. ‘What do you mean by that?’
‘I mean that we’re not married and—’
‘Ah, so this is what it’s all about. Fine. I’ll marry you.’
‘Con Daly, I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth! I thought you were different from the other men in Ballymore, but you’re not. You’re just as narrow-minded as any of them. I’m taking the job as a house model and I couldn’t care less about what the hell you think!’
Sorcha went towards the front door, opened it and slammed it behind her for maximum effect.
She stood outside in the cold corridor for a while, shaking with rage and frustration.
There was only one place to go. Sorcha trudged down the corridor, locked herself in the freezing communal bathroom and burst into tears.