The Perfect Fit by Mary Jayne Baker

Author:Mary Jayne Baker [Baker, Mary Jayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romantic Comedy
ISBN: 9781912624072
Publisher: Mirror Books
Published: 2018-08-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

The chalkboard had been up outside the Fox for a fortnight. Teenage Kicks, LIVE!!! 7.30pm, Saturday 8th September. Don’t miss this exciting new band!!!! I couldn’t walk past it without wincing.

Now the night had finally arrived. The first, and quite possibly last, performance of my dad’s new band.

‘Who’s in the lineup?’ I asked Cameron as I walked to the pub with him, Tom and Cynthia.

‘Dad’s on lead vocals, there’s Mr Page on guitar, Billy on bass, and Brad from the butcher’s on keyboard. Oh, and I think they’ve got Dave Grohl on drums.’

Lana and Stew were babysitting so the four of us could go to the gig. Cyn wanted the family to put on a united front, ready to lie through our teeth if necessary about how fantastic they were.

Cole had offered to come too, but I’d begged him not to. Having his face hovering in my peripheral vision, filled with excruciating embarrassment, would make the whole thing ten times harder.

‘You never know,’ Tom said. ‘They might be good.’

‘What do you think?’ I asked Cynthia.

‘I think I love your father very much and if he says they’re going to be good, they’re going to be good.’

‘So it’s total denial for you then, is it?’

‘Pretty much.’

When we got to the pub, Dad was with Billy, getting the equipment set up. We bought drinks and went to join Yolanda, sitting up front near the speakers.

‘Isn’t it exciting?’ she said to Cynthia. ‘Who knew we’d get another chance to be groupies at our time of life?’

Cynthia raised an eyebrow. ‘Another chance?’

‘Oh, Billy’s not my first musician, of course.’

‘Have you heard them?’ I asked.

‘No, but I’m sure they’ll be wonderful.’

‘We’re sure they will too.’ Cynthia glanced round. ‘Aren’t we, kids?’

‘Oh, completely,’ Cam said.

‘100%,’ Tom said.

‘Never been more positive of anything in my life,’ I said.

Dad had spotted us. He left his mike stand and headed over.

‘Hiya Dad,’ Cam said. ‘Nervous?’

He took a seat next to me and dropped his head to the table.

‘Bricking it. Talk me down, family.’

I gave his dazzlingly bleached hair a pat. ‘Come on, it’s only the Fox.’

‘Today it’s the Fox,’ Tom said. ‘Tomorrow, who knows? Wembley Stadium! The Superbowl! Egglethwaite Temperance Hall!’

‘Funny,’ Dad mumbled, not lifting his head.

‘Just enjoy yourself.’ Cynthia reached over and yanked the collar of his leather jacket to pull his face up. ‘That’s why you started this, isn’t it, for fun? I figure you’re not really counting on the Superbowl this time next year.’

‘Yeah, but it’d be nice if I didn’t get booed off stage by my own darts team.’ He glanced at the bar. ‘Oh God, there’s Gerry Lightowler. Kit Beeton, Roger Collingwood… shit, everyone I know’s here!’ He squared his shoulders. ‘Right. I can do this.’ He stood up, then immediately sat back down. ‘I can’t do this.’

‘Oh, of course you can,’ Yolanda said, flicking a hand. ‘Honestly, Danny, don’t be such a drama queen.’

That seemed a bit rich, after her diva strop at our last rehearsal. I swallowed the comment I was tempted to make concerning pots, kettles and their relative colours and nudged my dad.

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