Page 121 of From Now On

‘It would,’ says Charlie.

‘I hope you write a sequel. I want to know what happens next. Hopefully they live happily ever after. Can you sign some copies while you’re here? Perhaps hang around for a while and chat to the customers?’

‘I’d love to,’ Charlie says, ‘but not today. We’ve a date with the beach. I’ll pop back later in the week.’

‘You can stay here if you want to,’ everyone reassures Charlie as they head out of the door.

‘Nah. I actually like you all and want to spend time with you and put you first.’ He smiles.

Pippa kisses him hard. He slips his arms around her waist.

‘We’ll be here all day at this rate.’ Nina rolls her eyes. ‘How about we give you two newlyweds some space. Me and Duke will drop the sax at the hotel and grab some towels and meet you at the steps in forty-five minutes?’

‘Cool. I can grab a quick shower while you talk to Maeve for the millionth time.’

‘I wasn’t thinking of calling her,’ but the smile on her face says differently.

‘You were too.’

‘At least somebody loves me.’ Nina nudges Duke with her elbow as they head off.

‘Somebody loves me too. Have I told that my teacher—’

‘Says you’re an annoying genius?’

Charlie smiles as he watches them leave. Pippa says, ‘Actually there’s a shop I’d like to check out. Can I meet you there too?’

‘If you’re sure?’ Charlie doesn’t offer to go with her. There is something he wants to do as well.

He waits until Pippa has rounded the corner before he turns and walks at a brisk pace. Every now and then he has the sensation he is being watched and he throws a glance over his shoulder, but he thinks it’s because he doesn’t want anyone to know where he is going.

What he is doing.

And then, he is there.

The Crow’s Nest.

Outside there is still a blackboard stating, ‘Live Music Every Night’.

Charlie weaves through the drinkers in the garden and steps inside the gloominess. He almost expects everything to be exactly the same, Bo on the small stage near the door, the barman with his red mohawk taking orders, but the stage is empty and behind the bar are two young girls, deep in conversation.

‘I was wondering if you can help me?’

‘Toilets are for customers only.’ The girl barely glances his way.

‘It’s not that. It’s… I’m looking for a musician. He was a regular. Woody? Does he still play here?’

‘Never heard of him.’ The girl snaps her gum.

‘How long have you worked here?’

‘A year. People move on though, don’t they?’ She shrugs before turning away.

Charlie buys a Coke. It doesn’t come in a bottle with a red stripe straw but the sweetness on his tongue, the bubbles on his nose, still take him back to childhood.

He savours it. Dragging it out until it’s time to head to the steps to meet the others. As he walks, Charlie has the sensation of being watched again.

Nina and Duke are already waiting. Charlie feels a hand on his shoulder. He turns around.

---