Page 63 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

Anoushka’s own heart jumped.

‘Ah, well, to put it in its simplest terms, it’s about unrequited love.’ Gabe gave a smile as he set his tea back on the table.

‘Really? Well, it’s certainly got a haunting melody that gets right under your skin; I haven’t been able to stop singing it since I first heard it.’ Tina segued smoothly into her next question. ‘You’ve mentioned before how you write from your own experiences, is that still the case?’

‘It is, yes.’ Gabe nodded.

Uh-oh!Anoushka tensed.

‘Surely that can’t be so with “My Rose-Shaped Heart”? Are you expecting us to believe you’ve been in love with someone who doesn’t love you back? I mean, most of the audience here are in love with you, hell, I’m in love with you – sorry Mr Stone, I still love you too,’ Tina said playfully, keeping the atmosphere light.

‘Well…’ Gabe scratched his head, clearly struggling with how to answer her.

Tina deftly stepped in, filling the gap. ‘So, I’m guessing you’ve used an experience from way back in those heady days when you were just a young lad at school and had an enormous crush on a girl who didn’t love you back as your inspiration?’ Tina took a sip of her tea, peering at him over her cup, anticipating the delivery of a delicious scoop.

Gabe paused, not meeting her gaze. He puffed up a cushion beside him on the sofa. ‘Er, yeah, something like that.’

‘Oh?’ Tina’s interest was piqued.

‘Yeah.’ It hadn’t escaped Anoushka’s attention that Gabe’s smile had faltered a little.

Sensing his reluctance to elaborate any further, the presenter picked up the conversation and calmly changed tack. ‘Now, Gabe, everyone knows I’m a huge fan of your music, and the way you sing with that hint of your Southern Irish accent adds a gorgeous richness to your songs; it’s enough to turn my knees to jelly.’ A cheer went up from the audience, accompanied by a slew of wolf-whistles. ‘See, they agree with me.’ Tina laughed, continuing with her questions. ‘So, can you share with us how you start writing a song? What’s the process? What comes first? Is it the tune? The words? What is it that inspires you to take that first step in creating a brand new song?’

Gabe cleared his throat, looking thoughtful. ‘Well, it can be a line that pops up in my head, or a melody, but it’s life that inspires me really. I wouldn’t be able to write about something I’ve no experience of; it wouldn’t be authentic. I can’t write without being truthful. I’d feel a fraud.’

‘Well, that’s obvious from the depth of your wonderful songs, which I’ve noticed are predominately about love.’

‘That’s right, yeah.’ He scratched his head again. ‘Though, I’ve just got myself a dog, so you never know, I might start writing songs about him now.’ Gabe gave a disarming grin. Was he trying to steer the conversation in a different direction? Anoushka wondered.

‘A dog, eh? And what sort is he?’

‘He’s a black Labrador called Bob and he’s a grand fella. Mind, he’s partial to chewing the odd shoe which has got him into a spot of bother recently, but I wouldn’t be without him now; he’s my song-writing buddy.’ The audience gave a collective ‘Ahh,’ making Gabe laugh. ‘You wouldn’t have found it so funny if you’d been there when the owner of the shoe found it, I can tell you.’ He scrunched up his eyes and sucked air over his teeth at the memory. ‘They went ape.’

‘Bob sounds loads of fun, despite his penchant for footwear.’ Tina chuckled and moved swiftly on. ‘So, from what you’ve just told us, you’ve obviously been in love before.’ She was clearly trying to guide the conversation back to matters of the heart.

‘I have, yeah.’ He shuffled in his seat.

Tina bent to top up his tea, leaving a deliberate pause for him to fill.

‘But I’ve only genuinely been in love once.’

‘Oh, really?’

‘Mm-hm.’

‘And can I ask if you’re in love at the moment?’

Anoushka’s heart took off with a gallop. The atmosphere in the living room was suddenly alive with expectation and she held her breath as she anticipated his reply, not daring to look at anyone else in the room.

Gabe rubbed his hand across his chin, taking a moment before he answered. ‘Now that would be telling.’ He gave an embarrassed laugh.

Slowly releasing her breath, Anoushka felt herself relax a little.

Tina beamed. ‘Ah, yes, we all saw the photos of Lilith Dean. Is this the genuine love you alluded to just now?’

‘No, it’s not. And I’ve to be truthful here, Lilith and me are just friends; she’s got a boyfriend. That’s not to say I don’t love her to bits. I do, but purely as a friend. She’s awesome though and the craic’s always good when we meet up, but her man Jonno’s got her heart and rightly so. He’s a great guy; they’re a good match.’

‘Oh, right, just as well you cleared that one up or we’d all be having the pair of you married off,’ Tina said jokingly. ‘So then, Gabe, do we know this person who captured your heart? Are they in your line of work? And do they – or did they – love you back?’

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