Page 35 of Reflex
-11-
They worked straight through until three, wired up on numerous rounds of coffee – her – and energy drinks – him.When they finally wrapped, Allegra had to admit they’d turned something that had been seriously mediocre as a demo tape into a fucking rocking track.There’d been an edge in Ronnie’s voice all day that had sliced some of the fuzzy sweetness off the lyrics and left them razor sharp.It was the kind of track Spook would like.
Working on it had reminded her strongly of the time she’d spent remasteringWithin You, and the lessons she’d learned that day about emotional honesty.Admittedly, Ronnie’s song didn’t leave you feeling like you’d been through a cheese grater, but it did tickle the emotions in a way that let it slide under your skin and possess you.It also showed the world he was more than an arse and a pretty smile.Here was shown genuine musical talent on piano, guitar, and bass, and he topped it off with his gorgeous reedy, post-punk, indie grunge voice.Fact was; Ronnie was only one decent haircut away from being the icon of a generation.Well, that and a big break.
He was already sitting atop a gargoyle in DeathScythe’s cobblestoned yard, munching his way through a packet of strawberry laces, when she emerged blinking into the sunlight.He looked like one of Satan’s imps come to unleash mischief on the world.Today, he was all in black, tomorrow, he’d just as likely roll up pastel pink or all over paisley.Except, there wouldn’t be a tomorrow.Barring approval from the label, the album was done.To her astonishment, that fact left her eyes brimming.They’d had fun, the two of them.He was easy on the eyes and easy to work with, even if he did spend most of the time high as a kite on sugar.The chances were the next person or group wouldn’t be nearly so easy-going.
His intensity today had also kept her mind off Spook, and whatever was going on in Italy… France… Monaco, whichever it was that he was in now.Today was a travelling day.
“Want one?”Ronnie hung a knotted red lace before her face as she took a quick look at her phone.Still no messages, or missed calls.
“Not really.”
“So, what’s next for you?”
She shrugged, and against her better judgement accepted the sweet Ronnie was determinedly swaying before her like he was a hypnotist.Over the last year she’d been up and down the country, most of her jobs contracted on a freelance basis, but recently she’d been laying down a few roots here at DeathScythe.It had a good vibe, and the added benefit of being within a half hour drive of home.
“You’re not sitting down with my rivals tomorrow, then?”
She shook her head.The strawberry flavouring was sour enough to ensure the tears already clouding her eyes rolled right down her face.Ronnie watched her closely, his attention unwavering even once she’d un-wrung her expression, and blamed his choice of treats.
“So, you’re free this evening?”
“Um…”
Oh, God, he wasn’t about to ask her out, was he?He was lovely, but her heart was definitely set elsewhere, and she’d feel like she was murdering puppies if she had to let him down.He really was a sweetheart.
He caught her attention and crossed his eyes.“It’s okay, Allegra, I’m not suggesting you join me for an intimate candlelit dinner, but I did wonder if you fancied joining me at a gig tonight.”
“You’re doing a show tonight?”
“Nah, not me.Friend of mine scored me some tickets.”
Okay, that was a relief.Also, sweet that he’d thought of her.
“And this friend of yours doesn’t want to go along?”
“Hell, no.Besides, she’s currently in Vietnam.So?”He pursed his lips and raised both eyebrows.“How about it?”
A gig would be nice.She didn’t get out to hear live music nearly as often as she liked these days, whereas in the past, she’d have been out every weekend and a couple of week nights.Things with her dad, and then Ewan had really scuppered her routines over the last eight months.
“Who’s playing?”
“Black Halo—”
“What?”she spluttered, knowing she must look like an idiot, but unable to stop herself from turning into a bug-eyed fool.“Ronnie, they’re not even in the UK at the minute.They’re playing—”
“An intimate gig in Monte Carlo tonight to wrap up the Requiem tour.I know.”He’d never for a moment even let on that he was seriously into them, let alone into them enough to jump at the chance of tickets in a foreign land.
“Ronnie, is this a joke?”Had she let slip her obsession?“How would we even get there?”
He glanced at his wristwatch.“Plane.Check-in is in an hour.Flight’s two and a half hours.Then a thirty-minute drive from Nice, and we’ll be there in plenty of time to get a drink before the doors open.”
“You’re crazy.”He was, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t smiling from ear to bloody ear.
“Maybe,” he laughed, amber eyes twinkling with mischief.“Are you joining me, or not?You are, right?”
“For real?”She had all over body tingles.There’d be no need to sit staring at her phone waiting, hoping, she could see Spook in person and check he was okay.Not just check he was fine, but do other things too, touch him, talk to him, get right up close and personal.Except, it was all too fanciful and demented to be real.“Ronnie I’d love to, but how?I can’t just get on a plane to the south of France.I don’t have my passport or anything, and there’s no time to get them.Also, who would feed my cat?”
