Page 11 of Real Rocks
“So, what’s your answer?” Scott grabbed my arm as I started to walk past him.
“Your answer to what?” asked Darren, as he glanced suspiciously between us.
“Whether I’ll sing with them onWasted By My Side.”
“Oh, right.” Darren seemed less bothered than I was. “Why wouldn’t you?”
It seemed everyone else thought it was a good idea and who was I to argue.
8
Tris
Being back at Uncle Col and Aunt Annie’s house was weird. I’d got used to the Barnes’ house and I was even starting to make friends with Jonas.
On the drive back from work, it felt like the early days when I’d first moved down. Uncle Col had the radio on, and I dozed in the passenger seat, answering the occasional question he threw at me. I had no real excuse to be tired as I was used to the manual labour now. While we were stuck in traffic, I got the chance to message Saff to check she’d arrived in Bristol okay.
“Are you going to catch up with your friends while you’re back?” asked Uncle Col as we started moving again.
Friends? I wondered what he meant by that. The people I considered to be my friends now, Saff, Darren, Barney and Tommo, were currently somewhere in Bristol.
“You know, the people from the shop.”
Suddenly it clicked. After Jonas banned me from working with Uncle Col, I’d got a job in a local DIY store and made a few acquaintances. There were a couple of guys I’d been for beers with, but I hadn’t mentioned to them I was coming back. After all, it was only for a few days.
“Yeah, maybe.” I was deliberately vague, not wanting to commit to anything.
“Remember we’ve got an early start tomorrow. Don’t be staying up too late talking to Saff.”
I laughed. “I’ll try.” She hadn’t messaged me back since I suggested we talk at around ten. I had no real idea what went on when a band went on tour. I guessed if she didn’t contact me it was because she had something to do, not because she didn’t want to.
There was an unfamiliar car in the driveway when we pulled up.
“Who’s that?” I asked.
Uncle Col didn’t answer and got out of the van, opening up the back to take inside the tools he wanted to keep safe. There wasn’t a great deal of crime where they lived and I didn’t think thieves would be interested in a set of paintbrushes and rollers, but it was his routine, so I didn’t argue.
I opened the front door and heard voices chatting in the kitchen.
It was a voice I recognised.
One I hadn’t heard since the night of Saff’s comeback gig.
My blood ran cold.
I rushed into the kitchen to see my dad chatting to Aunt Annie, as if nothing had happened.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I demanded.
He turned, guilt on his face. “Annie invited me,” he replied.
I turned to my aunt, narrowing my eyes. “Why?”
“I thought after everything the two of you ought to talk, you know, clear the air.”
“Well you thought wrong. Get out.” I shoved his shoulder.
“You still have a temper, I see.” Louis’ tone was calm, infuriating me even more.
