Chapter 31 #2
But then Mum’s proud voice came into her head, the one she used after Carrie had passed her Grade 8 to tell her she could achieve anything she put her mind to.
Carrie picked up the guitar and got comfortable.
Holding it felt like putting on a favourite outfit, like meeting up with an old friend.
She closed her eyes and imagined she was playing at a concert, like she used to when she was younger.
Carrie sang along in a quiet voice, her fingers easily finding the right place as if they had strong muscle memory.
Her voice became louder as the chorus approached and when a few voices joined in, she opened her eyes to…
wow. Everyone was looking. Some sat in nearby chairs and seemed to know the tune.
Dimitrios was grinning. Even Sofia had slowed down for a second.
The verse built until the chorus arrived and voices shouted out the song’s title…
‘Sweet Caroline’, joining in with the three ‘ba, ba, ba!’ beats after those words.
She strummed more loudly and played the next verse, people swaying in time and not only because they were drunk.
The policeman Ajax had appeared, in uniform, and stood amongst the revellers.
The chorus arrived again and her heart sang along with the other voices, more this time.
Excitement ran through her veins in a way it hadn’t for such a long time.
When it came to the end she stopped, embarrassed, especially when everyone broke into applause.
Dimitrios came over. ‘You smashed it! This should become a regular thing.’
Carrie was going to laugh it off, put herself down, said he had to be joking, but again Mum’s face came into her head. She had played well. A lump formed in her throat and whilst Dimitrios talked to Ajax, Carrie went to the toilets and locked herself in a cubicle.
Tears ran down her cheeks. Happy ones.
Now she knew.
This was what had been missing. Whilst playing that song, in front of the crowd, Carrie had felt complete.
It wasn’t about the attention or the clapping, it wasn’t about what being a good performer might bring, such as money or a reputation.
It was about the pure joy of creating something that made her feel good and uplifted other people.
Mum used to call Carrie her Sweet Caroline. She looked up to the ceiling and blew a kiss. Love you, Mum.
When she came out of the cubicle, The Bar had emptied out. Dimitrios came over and shot her an apologetic expression.
‘I should see the hen party home. They are all sleeping over at the bride-to-be’s house and it’s on the way to my place.
I’ll sleep easier if I know they got home safely, without any repercussions from all those cocktails.
I know the bride’s parents. They’ll probably be up and want to chat for a while.
Sofia heads that way too. She and I often go home together.
’ He gave a sheepish smile. ‘She’s very protective and it’s her walking me home more than anything else, to make sure I don’t get approached by any obsessed fans. ’
‘Ah. That would explain her detailed questioning about how much I knew about you before coming over from England.’
‘Your playing was wonderful, truly,’ he said.
‘How about I come over to the villa this week – I’ll bring dinner and my guitar?
I’d love to play with you. That’s if you’re not busy.
How about Tuesday? I’ve got the day off.
I can’t do lunch as my record producer has been on the mainland this week, seeing another signing, and last-minute suggested an informal chat.
Normally my manager would be present, but I’ll report back.
I’ve been working on the songs for the next album and apparently the record label are getting twitchy and want to pin me down to a schedule for the next, well, three years I guess. ’
‘Three!’
‘There’s a lot to do. Finishing the writing with my band – I’ve had the same musicians supporting me since I started out.
Then we rehearse – a lot – before recording.
There’s the sequencing to discuss, then the production team work their magic with the mixing and mastering.
And that’s only part of it, aside from the promotional work and the album tour.
I’m excited – we’re hoping to do the Far East this time. ’
‘Sounds exhilarating and exhausting all at once!’
‘I get back here as much as I can. I’ve got great staff and mates who look out for me, so I don’t worry much about The Bar.
It’s Dad I get most concerned about. But I love the work – wouldn’t do it otherwise.
It’s as if my voice, my strumming fingers, have a direct line to my soul, to my purpose.
’ His cheeks flushed. ‘If that makes sense.’
‘I’d love to play the guitar with you,’ she said.
‘Great. Right, you’ll be okay on the bike?’
‘A better question is, will pedestrians be safe?’
Belly and heart full after a great shift, Carrie left the bar before she all-out snogged him in front of everyone. When she got back to the villa, she made herself a mug of tea and sat on the balcony, taking in the hazy stars, the half moon, and distant shushhhh of salt water lapping against sand.
Right at this moment, life was… good. It was.
She thought back to something Dimitrios had said. Carrie picked up her phone and went into the group chat she used to message Ariana and Rae.
Hi guys.
I wanted to say how grateful I am for you making me realise I’ve been a complete idiot.
If it weren’t for you two, I’d still be building that shallow, fake profile on Instagram.
Instead of that I’m building a life that’s real and actually means something.
I’m making friends, seeing the world, playing the guitar again, and Dimitrios, he’s…
gorgeous in so many ways! Early days, but it’s exciting to feel this way about a man.
Also I’ve got to know Eliza. It’s nice having an older person in my life, once more, that I can confide in.
There’s something about her that I trust.
So THANK YOU.
You were totally justified with your reactions.
But I’m not giving up hope.
I’ll do anything it takes to save our friendship.
Sending love to the two best women I know.
Carrie xxx