Page 83 of Musical Games
Chris laughed. ‘Ah, yes, we call them a band, but it’s really a full orchestra of a hundred players. Well, one hundred two with you.’
Sam grabbed Jamie’s hand. It was cold and clammy.
‘You’ll be out the front, near me,’ Chris continued. ‘Grab a seat and we’ll get your mics set up.’
He walked off and they sat as engineers fiddled around them. She held onto his hands. ‘Do you want to breathe with me?’
He shook his head.
‘We can do this, Jamie. Just close your eyes and imagine you’re playing for Liam.’
He nodded, but his face was grey and perspiration was breaking out across his forehead. Sam got out his guitar and passed it to him, giving him something to focus on whilst the room filled up. She was used to the pressure of a performance but had never done anything like this before. Her heart thumped in her chest as her head flicked around the room, catching people’s eyes. They all knew each other and were relaxed. She was so wound up she was about to snap. All of this was happening because her mouth had run away with her, and Jamie had sweetly played along. She owed him everything.
Chris stood on a low podium. He tapped his baton on a music stand and the room fell silent.
‘Morning, everyone. I’m delighted to welcome Sam Adamson and Jamie McDougall, the writers of these stunning songs, who will be joining us for the next three days.’
The room filled with applause. Sam felt like she was going to burst into tears. Jamie looked like he was going to be sick.
‘We’ve got plenty of time to play around, so let’s get started with “The Heart of Scotland”.’
There was a rustle of sheet music behind them and the sound of an oboe as everyone tuned their instruments.
Chris turned to them. ‘Okay, so we’ve laid everything to a click track, so if you pop your headphones on, you’ll hear what you’re playing and be able to follow along in time.’
They put them on and Sam moved her chair closer to Jamie, touching her foot to his. He looked at her and tried to smile.
‘Right, guys, let’s take it from the top. Nadim, are you ready for us?’ Sam saw a thumbs up from inside the control room. ‘Okay, everyone.’
Chris lifted his arms and caught their eye. They jumped as a loud robotic clicking sounded in their ears, followed by the sound of the strings playing.
Chris lowered his arms and everything fell silent. ‘Sorry, Jamie, my fault. I should have explained, you start after the first four clicks. Let’s go again.’
They stared up at Chris as the clicks started. Jamie began on time but stumbled over the chords. Sam sang but it sounded false and stilted. By the end of the first chorus, they were almost a beat behind everyone else.
Chris stopped everyone and they went again. Sam could see a bead of sweat running down Jamie’s temple. This was not what she had expected. If she was struggling, then how the fuck was he going to cope? Chris seemed laid-back, but after half an hour they hadn’t managed to get to the end of the song in time. Jamie’s breathing was quicker, his fingers starting to shake.
‘Let’s try one more, then have a break, shall we?’ said Chris.
The click started and Jamie’s head dropped forward. She grabbed the guitar out of his trembling grip. He ripped his headphones off and walked unsteadily away, breaking into a run as he reached the door. She ran after him, pushing through into a green room as he staggered to the floor on his hands and knees.
‘Jamie!’
She could hear him fighting for breath, wheezing in and out as he swayed, then he crashed to his side, his hands twisting and spasming. She grabbed his head. His eyes were wild and unfocused, his lips pale.
‘Jamie! Look at me! Breathe with me! In, two, three, four and hold, two, three, four!' She kept going, shouting instructions as she dragged him out of the darkness.
When his breathing quietened, he closed his eyes. She took his hands, massaging them, getting the blood flow back. Her cheeks were wet and she swiped the tears angrily away.
‘I’m so sorry, Jamie.’
The door opened and Chris appeared. She shook her head at him and held up her hand, the digits splayed to indicate five minutes. He retreated. She held Jamie to her, laying his head on her chest, stroking his hair until he finally stirred.
‘I’m sorry, Sam.’ His voice sounded lost and far away.
She sniffed. ‘No, Jamie. I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I should have known what I was dragging you into.’
The door opened again and Chris came in. He sat on the floor next to them and Jamie pushed himself into a seated position.
