Page 87 of Follow the Rhythm
“Hey mate,” I whispered. “Sorry I didn’t bring you anything, but Deb said the people who caretake here wouldn’t appreciate me leaving a huge Spurs banner for you. They finished third in the league, by the way. Lost in the semis to fucking Liverpool if you can believe it.”
The breeze rustled through the roses again. A man was ambling down the avenue away from me, towards the war memorial, but otherwise the place was deserted.
“Your mums are doing alright. Deb needs a new ladder, and she’s in a feud with the guy who usually does glazing work for her, but you know she loves getting up in arms about something. Claire is spending a lot of time down at the church, in the nursery school, which seems good for her.”
I studied the headstone I’d helped Deb and Claire pick out, simple and classic. The epitaph read, “Beloved son and brother. Now at rest with God.” Michael hadn’t been religious, but I knew it would give Claire comfort. Gravestones were more for the living than the dead, after all.
“I met someone. It didn’t work out, but I guess that’s just how it goes sometimes. You would have loved her. She’s strong and determined. Talented. Funny, too. And she loves your songs, says they got her through tough times.” I paused. “And it was… nice to feel something good after the last year. You know? It’s a bit of a relief to know I still can.”
I stood quietly for a few more minutes. The man made his way back from the war memorial, and we exchanged a nod.
There was no epiphany, no secret message whispered from beyond the grave. There was just the quiet breeze carrying the scent of roses and freshly mown grass, and the afternoon sunshine hot on the back of my neck.
“I guess you already know all this, since you’re up there fluttering around as an angel or cherub or whatever according to your mum. But we’re a mess without you. Ellis is a wreck. And I know I’m supposed to forgive you and all that. But it’s hard when I just fucking miss you.”
Tears stung my eyes and, rather than wiping them away, I let them fall. Michael didn’t have any answers for me, but that was alright. A bit of that clenched-fist feeling in my chest eased.
“I’ll see you, mate,” I whispered, and made my way back down the path. I walked back to Deb and Claire’s feeling something like peace.
But that peace was short-lived.
Very early on the morning of my fifth day in London, even before I woke for my run, my phone rang. I considered ignoring it, but there were only a few reasons Johnny Fairchild would call me in the middle of the night from Fairview.
My stomach clenched in dread that something had happened to Ellis.
“I can’t imagine you’re calling with good news,” I said instead of a hello.
“Have you not seen it?” Johnny sounded oddly strained.
“No, mate, I’ve been sleeping. I’m in London visiting family. What’s happening?”
“Someone leakedReward.” His voice was choked, and I detected a note of panic.
The dread solidified. “What? Who?” I demanded, though the list of suspects was very short.
Johnny groaned. “Well, I don’t know, do I? But I know that Karen cow at the label is going to blame me somehow. But what’sworse is you boys don’t own the masters, so they could fucking sue. You need to come back here to do damage control.”
“Fuck. It was Ellis, wasn’t it?” That selfish fuck had outdone himself.
Johnny sighed. “Well, it wasn’t Michael, was it?”
Rage burned through me, bright as a flame. This was insane. If the label sued, it certainly wouldn’t be Ellis; they needed him to be a success. So the axe would fall on Johnny and me. “I’m going to kill him.”
“I might do as well. Just get back here and help me deal with it,” he snapped and rang off.
I packed quickly and made my way downstairs. Deb was already up and eating a piece of toast in the brown coveralls she wore to work. She clocked my suitcase immediately.
“Leaving already? I knew you were eager to get back to your lady. Claire will be disappointed, though.” She looked so hopeful. I dreaded the next few minutes.
I considered how to explain the situation. “There’s been a problem in Fairview, and I need to sort it out.”
“Not a bad one, I hope.”
“Would you mind waking up Claire? I’m on an early flight out, but I want to talk to both of you before I go,” I said carefully.
Deb studied me. “You’re scaring me a bit, son.”
“No, nothing to be scared of,” I assured her.
