Page 41 of The Reboot
Ella rolled her eyes. ‘Do you always think in such stereotypes? People on benefits aren’t all lazy scroungers who just can’t be arsed getting a job. You shouldn’t believe everything you read in the papers – you of all people should know that. It’s not cheating if you’re genuinely struggling and you legitimately qualify for it. That’s what it’s for.’
‘Am I struggling, though?’
‘Do you have any other income apart from my rent?’
‘No.’
‘It’s hardly a living, is it? Have you really never considered doing something else?’
He shrugged. ‘I did get offered a couple of reality shows. But I didn’t want to eat spiders or spend the summer banged up in prison with a bunch of superannuated soap stars.’
‘Really?’ Ella smiled, perking up. ‘You got offeredCelebrity Cell Block?’
‘Yeah. But I turned it down. I mean, I may be washed up, but I don’t want to make a career of it. Anyway, I’m too young for the has-been circuit.’
‘Would have been interesting, though.’
‘Humiliating is what it would have been.’
‘Well, maybe you should consider training to do something else? You know, in case your solo career doesn’t take off in the way you hope.’ She was trying to be diplomatic. ‘Our goals need to be realistic and achievable. Even if you really work at it, you can’t rely on the fame thing happening – and, even if it does, it won’t happen overnight. You should set some more short-term goals in the meantime.’
Roly gave her a careful look. ‘Okay, I’m going to tell you something. But you have to swear you won’t tell anyone.’
‘Okay.’
‘I’m serious. This is big, okay? If it got out…’
‘Roly I won’t tell anyone, I promise.’
‘Okay.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I saw Charlie the other day. It’s all very hush-hush, and nothing’s definite yet, but … they’re talking about a reunion.’
‘An Oh Boy! reunion?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Wow, thatisbig. And they want you to do it with them?’ Her heart lightened, not just for him but, shamefully, for herself. Maybe the damage she’d done wasn’t irrevocable. She beamed. ‘Oh, Roly, that’s brilliant!’ She moved to hug him, but he pulled back, shaking his head.
‘No. Charlie gave me a heads-up, but I’m not even supposed to know about it.’
‘Oh.’ Her smile faded. Roly was trying to hide it, but she could see how hurt he was. Fuckers! ‘Well, screw them. You don’t need Oh Boy! anyway. I hope their comeback is a massive failure.’
‘Well, I don’t. I mean to be part of it, and I want it to be a huge success.’
‘You’re sure that’s what you want?’
‘Yeah, of course. That’s what this is all about, isn’t it? Getting back to my best life.’
‘Yes, but … it doesn’t have to be exactly what your life looked like back then. I mean, Oh Boy! always had a shelf life anyway, didn’t it?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘It was a boy band – haven’t you kind of grown out of that?’
‘Lots of boy bands make comebacks when they’re older. The fans have always wanted a reunion. They’d love to see us back together again – all five of us.’
‘I’m sure they would. But what about you? Aren’t you interested in doing your own thing anymore?’
‘Eh … no. Been there, still have the bruises.’
