Page 43 of Where the Dark Knelt
Everyone settled in the seats, and when we started to play people were chatting as if we didn’t exist. We were only a few bars into the song when people seemed to stop and listen. The first song we played was “Walk on the Wild Side” by Lou Reed, and the arrangement for it was a little different.
We werenervous to switch it up because it was a classic, but it went down well, and we held the audience’s attention after that. Will smirked and winked at me, and we started to relax after that. I was more than happy, because I had sung, and it sounded okay.
The rest of the set went down just as well. I performed and sang one piece of my own, an acoustic version of “Tears In Heaven” by Eric Clapton. Will performed Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street”,and all I could hear in the room was the haunting sound of his beautiful saxophone tones in the air.
We finished the set with some duets again. The reaction from people in the bar was excellent. We were on a high. A few people wanted to chat with us, and there were more contacts asking for our diary dates.
Saffytold me that Max was sleeping in her bed tonight, and she was going to Will’s with Mandy and Neil. I was a bit fed-up that she couldn’t take the time to see her brother.Holly had disappeared halfway thought the set, and I wondered if she’d taken Brett to our place as well.
When I askedSaffyif she knew where Holly was, she just shrugged. I checked my cell to see if she had left a message for me. I had three texts that had come in when I’d been performing.
SEXPERT: Missed you baby. Oh! That dress, those legs! I need to stroke them desperately.
I looked around. I didn’t know Alfie was here tonight. Hehad cheek, really, I hadn’t heard from him in five weeks.
Then again, I supposed that he didn’t need me when he was off touring as there would be plenty of groupies. I was definitely struggling with the concept of the no-strings thing we had going on.
Pink Lady: Swat! Need you to keep your hands to yourself I’m working.
SEXPERT: Can’t you’re too irresistible and it’s been weeks.
Pink Lady: So… you should be over your withdrawal by now.
SEXPERT: Meet me at mine?
Pink Lady: Nope, I have company tonight.
SEXPERT: Bring your company, she can have a spare room. Need to see you.
Pink Lady: Sorry, HE wouldn’t go for that.
SEXPERT: HE???
Pink Lady: Yeah, it’s a boy, and we’re almost ready to leave for my place.
SEXPERT: PITY. I guess I’ll just have to entertain myself some other way.
Pink Lady: You’ve managed this long without me, I’m sure you’re resourceful.
Alfiedidn’t reply after that and I checked the other two texts.
Holly: gone to Brett’s, mwah!
Unknown: This is Max.Saffypunched your number in my phone in case we all got lost. Do you want to get a late dinner?
I smiled and texted back:Please, I’m starving, give me ten minutes.
I packed up and said my goodbyes. Max and I took a cab back to the condo. “I’m starving, do you know somewhere to eat, or do you want to order in?”
I nodded. “There’s a place near here that’s open late. We can walk to it,” I informed him while searching in my purse for the keys to my apartment to make sure I had them.
Max and Ichatted about old times and our years apart melted away. He stared at me a few times, and there were a couple of intense moments where I was the one to look away,but after a while we were completely comfortable with each other.
When Max was talkingabout our past, a stray lock of hair fell across his forehead. I instantly leaned over and brushed it away. Max caught my hand, drew in a breath, and smiled. He held my gaze with his, let my hand go, and looked away.
Chapter Eighteen
OLD FLAMES
