Page 31 of Never Too Late
‘I’ve been watching him since he got here. For my money, he’s developing a habit; maybe not every day yet, but regular.’ He caught her eye. ‘And before you say it, you wouldn’t be the first person in history to have a partner on drugs without you realising it. If you still have any sway over him, see if you can get him to see somebody. I can give you names of some good people, a good clinic. Mention my name by all means. There’s even a new wing with my name and Faye’s on it.’
‘Thanks, Keith, I’ll try, although I doubt he’ll listen to me. I’m sure it would carry a lot more weight if he heard it from you, so if you get the chance please don’t hold back.’ Keith had just gone further up in her estimation. It was good to see somebody trying to give something back. She already knew about his amazing concert for world hunger that had raised many millions, but she hadn’t realised that he was also contributing to rehabilitating others. This only confirmed the impression she had been getting that he and his wife were remarkable people.
They played on and she was charmed by the softer, more poignant tone of some of the new stuff. It reflected the change in his outlook on life and she felt increasingly confident it would appeal immensely to traditional fans as well as introducing a slightly different, more grown-up Royalty to a whole new audience. The problem was that first they had to get Ben on board once more.
Ethan returned at twelve looking a bit more human and so she left the two men together while she went down to the beach for a paddle. Today there was no sign of the dog or his master and she struggled to fight the urge to walk up the path to his house. Much as she would enjoy seeing him again, she knew he was best avoided. Her phone interrupted her pensive mood. She pulled it out and saw that it was Sky calling.
‘Hi there, Sky. Where are you calling from?’
‘Hi, Steph, we’re back in sunny Manchester. Well, actually, it’s raining, but what’s new about rain up here? How’s things?’
It was good to hear from her. In the short time they had known each other, Steph had developed a real friendship with her. ‘All good, thanks. You missed a great concert yesterday.’
‘I’m sure. Rob really is a wonderful musician, isn’t he?’ There was a pause of several seconds. ‘How’re things going between the two of you?’
‘Things are good, thanks.’ Steph went on to relate the events of the previous day and Sky’s reaction was the same as Faye’s.
‘He invited you in for dinner and he behaved himself? That’s great, Steph, I’m so glad.’
‘Your mum said she hopes this means he’s moving on from his playboy lifestyle, but it could simply be that he doesn’t fancy me or because I work for your father.’
‘Like I said, I can see he likes you, so stick at it. If anybody can get the leopard to change its spots I know it’s you.’
‘That’s easy for you to say. You’ve gotyourman.’
‘On that subject, that’s the other reason I was calling. What are you doing on the sixteenth of December? It’s a Saturday.’
‘Um, I have no idea. No plans as yet. Why?’
‘That’s my wedding day and I’d love it if you could come. Could you?’ There was a momentary pause. ‘Rob’ll be there…’
‘Even if he isn’t, I’d love to come. That’s really super of you and Tom, you hardly know me after all.’
‘I know you better than you think. Now that you’ve definitely split from Ethan, can I take it you’ll be coming on your own? I’m trying to sort out the seating plan and it would help me to know.’
‘I’ll be on my own and that’s really sweet of you to invite me.’
‘Great. It’s going to be in a place just outside Moreton-in-Marsh, deep in the Cotswolds. I’ll send you a proper invite.’
For lunch Steph just helped herself to a plate of salad and a slice of what Donatella called her spinach roll. This was an omelette made with eggs and grated parmesan, spread with cooked spinach and pieces of smoked ham, rolled up like a Swiss roll and carved into beautiful yellow, green and pink swirling rings. It tasted as good as it looked. She was gratified to see Ethan go and sit with Denver and Willow on a different table while she was joined at hers by Ben and his wife. Now that the anniversary festivities were over, Rob was nowhere to be seen and presumably he would be keeping his distance until his brother left. Over lunch she chatted with Ben and gradually brought the subject around to his music once more.
‘I was wondering whether you’ve written any more new stuff. I’d love to hear it if you have. I still find myself humming that piece we recorded the other day.’ For a second she caught Lottie’s eye and read approval in it.
She was delighted to hear him answer straightaway. ‘I’ve got three others, to be honest. The one I played you the other day’s my favourite, but I’d like your opinion on the others. I’d be happy to play them to you and to hear what you think. When are you going to be around?’
‘Well, Keith’s been in the studio all morning, but he said he’s got stuff to do this afternoon so I imagine it should be free if that suits you. I’ll check with him. What time’s good for you?’
‘Aren’t you going off to London?’ Lottie remembered their conversation on Friday.
‘Yes, Cesare’s giving me a lift, but I don’t have to leave until five.’
Ben glanced across at Lottie. ‘In that case, let’s go and do it right now. All right with you, hun?’
‘Definitely all right with me, I’ll come with you. Listen, Benny, I’ve got a surprise for you. I brought Clarabelle with me. You know I’m insanely jealous of your other great love, but I knew you couldn’t live without her for long. Do you want to play Steph your new numbers on that?’
Steph saw him smile and a look of relief crossed his wife’s face as he did so. ‘Thanks, sweetie, there’s only one woman in the world for me and that’s you, but it would be great to give the old girl a little strum.’
Steph felt a surge of excitement. ‘You would play your stuff to me on your famous guitar? That’s amazing. This is probably the moment to make a big confession: when I was thirteen or fourteen I was playing a lot of piano, but I also flirted with guitar for a few months, and I always dreamt of getting myself a gold Fender exactly like yours. If I promise to be very, very careful, do you think I might be allowed to hold it for a few moments? That way, as soon as they figure out time travel, I can go back and tell spotty, pubescent Steph that things really do get better.’
