Page 2 of Wish You Once More
“You’re acting shifty. What’s going on with Jonny? Or is it your dad?”
Thankfully, it wasn’t to do with Dad, although his health wasn’t the best. Every time Jonny called I panicked, thinking something had happened. When Mum passed away, Jonny and I were young. Dad had been there for us ever since. We were tight; The Three Musketeers. Until I deserted them for university in Manchester, and then started playing in a band with Scott. The rest, as they say, is history.
“Dad’s fine, it’s…”
Shit, why was it so hard to tell Scott?
“I’m going to play in Jonny’s band at the festival,” I blurted out.
There was a moment of silence. Scott took another sip of coffee and I waited for the explosion. He nodded. “You are?”
I wished there was a beer around or something to wet my dry mouth with. Instead, I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and gulped it down.
“What happened to his bassist?” asked Scott. His tone seemed calm enough, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t mouth off at any moment.
“Moved to Bristol. Came out of the blue, apparently. His girlfriend got a new job there and it was too good an offer to turn down.” The explanation sounded lame. After all, musicians travelled the length and breadth of the country for gigs, so what was one more in his hometown? But his girlfriend had threatened to leave him if he didn’t move with her. True love won out, leaving Jonny in the lurch.
“Right. Not exactly committed to the cause then. And clearly doesn’t possess my excellent persuasion skills.” Scott quirked an eyebrow.
When Scott and Rosie got together, she had been adamant that a move to Manchester was definitely not on the cards. Fast forward a few months, and the couple had settled in one of the trendiest apartment blocks in the city. Rosie still kept her place in London, renting it out to some trustworthy friends, but she had definitely settled up north.
I frowned. “But you’re okay with me playing the gig?”
Scott spread his hands. “Who am I to stop you?”
“I thought there might be something in our contract, which prevented me from doing it?” I didn’t mention I thought Scott might stop me too.
“You could check with Tobias if you’re that worried?”
Our manager didn’t like us bothering him with much. Unless it meant an imminent arrest or lawsuit, he wasn’t interested.
“Will you be getting paid?”
I chuckled. Scott ought to know enough about the Dart Sundowner to realise that it was a professional set-up. Even though our family business contributed significantly to the coffers of the festival in substantial donations, and it seemed crazy to expect payment, the band still got paid.
“Only if Jonny slips me a few quid.” I hadn’t bothered to ask him. It was a favour and would be fun to do.
“Then it shouldn’t be an issue.” He shrugged. “Like I said, I’m not gonna stop you. But you do have to arrange a shit hot house for us.”
I liked this new, less angry version of Scott. Rosie had done a lot to smooth off some of those spiky edges. He seemed a lot more chilled, a lot less angry.
“You got it.”
“Now, are we going back in there to get this EP done?” Scott threw the remains of his coffee into the sink and dumped his mug into the dishwasher. Seriously, he’d changed.
“Yeah, gimme a sec, I’m going to get a drink.” I faffed about with a mug, spooning coffee into it, and stalling for time.
When I was alone, I contemplated exactly what I’d let myself in for agreeing to play at the festival. While spending time with my family and catching up with some old friends for a few days would be great, there would be ghosts of the past I’d have to deal with. Ghosts I’d successfully managed to avoid the last few I’d been home.
One in particular.
Going home for the festival would mean seeing Bree Sheridan again.
2
Bree
“You’ll never believe what I’ve just heard.” Darla Charlton dumped her bag on the table with a flourish before sitting down.
