Page 104 of Take a Moment

‘How do I look?’ I do a little turn on the spot and Matt gives an appreciative whistle.

‘Stunningly beautiful. How about me?’ He does his own little pose, which makes him look silly, and I start to giggle.

‘You’re beautiful too.’

‘Great. Now let’s go or we’ll be late.’

‘Late for…’

‘Would you just let it go? You only have another half an hour til you find out.’ He ushers me out of the door and downstairs to a waiting taxi.

We drive through the street-lit roads of Birmingham until the taxi pulls up outside what looks like a huge nightclub.

‘We’re going clubbing?’ I glance at Matt in confusion. ‘Is it not a bit early? And why all the secrecy?’

‘You’ll find out.’

Matt pays the driver, then we step out of the taxi and make our way inside the building. It has some kind of information desk in the foyer, where Matt hands over some tickets and is handed a couple of lanyards in return.

‘What are those for?’ I ask.

‘You’ll find out,’ he simply repeats, and I have no choice but to pad along quietly beside him.

We walk down a long brightly lit corridor until we reach a door with a security guy standing outside it.

‘Hey, mate.’ Matt greets him and dangles the lanyards in front of him.

The bouncer opens the door and gestures for us to enter. We then climb a short flight of steps, which I have to take at a slow pace, and find ourselves in a bustle of activity.

‘Whatisthis, Matt?’

I look around and spot Sasha locked in a passionate embrace with Sammy, as well as the rest of the band members. There are music-related items strewn everywhere: guitar cases, lyric folders, drumsticks, a microphone stand.

‘It’s a Capital Parade gig?’

‘It sure is,’ replies Matt. ‘Really difficult to secure a gig at this venue apparently. Shows how well the band are doing. There’s even backstage passes.’ He waggles the lanyards in front of me and I grab one.

‘So that’s what these are. Fantastic. Gosh, this really is a grander place than the one I sang with the band at… but it still doesn’t make sense. Why all the secrecy?’

We’re interrupted as Sasha leaps on me with a huge hug and Sammy and the rest of the band gather around us.

‘Lex, how amazing is this?’ Sasha squeals.

‘It’s really amazing.’

‘Alex, how you doing, mate?’ Sammy hugs me, then turns to greet Matt with his usual blokey handshake-cum-hug. ‘Have you asked her yet?’

‘Has he asked me what? What’s going on here?’ I probe, then a thought pops into my oversensitised mind and I blurt it out before I can help myself. ‘You’re not going topropose, are you?’

My eyes are wide, unfortunately betraying the slightest hint of panic.

‘Steady.’ Matt lets out a chuckle, then narrows his eyes at me jokingly. ‘Though it’s good to know it would be so well received.’

‘What? No.I mean, we’re only—’

‘I’d quit while you’re only marginally behind, Alex.’ Sammy pats me on the shoulder.

I feel myself redden, then I decide I can’t take all the secrecy any more – especially if it’s going to land me in trouble.

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