Love Me Till Wednesday (Sapphire Stars #1)

25

25

‘Is Jim coming round now?’ Pete asked Lisa as he put on his jacket in the kitchen

‘I hope so. I texted him this afternoon, and he said he was still on for popping in on his way home.’

‘Does he know why you want to see him?’

‘No. He’s very good at coming up with excuses not to do things if he’s unsure. The element of surprise might help to get him to say yes.’

Lisa felt guilty about springing the request to play bass with them on live television on Jim. But she knew he was more than capable of doing it. Jonny always said he was a natural when he was teaching him as a child. And Jim was probably the only bassist who could play like Jonny because he’d taught Jim the song himself. She didn’t want Jim overthinking it and talking himself out of it.

‘Fingers crossed he says yes,’ Pete said as he put his keys in his pocket.

‘I can’t force him. And we’ve always got Mr Personality as a backup.’

Pete pulled a face. ‘I’d rather record the bassline on the keyboards and use that.’

‘Isn’t that cheating? ’

‘Only slightly. Anyway. I better make myself scarce. I promised I’d be in the Butcher’s Arms at six.’

‘Oh yes? Who is the lucky person?’ Lisa said, noticing that Pete looked smarter than usual and he’d even put on aftershave.

‘Andy wants a pre-meeting to work out what questions to ask us on Thursday.’

‘We’re being interviewed as well?’

‘Yep. We’re getting the works.’

Lisa gulped. She’d assumed they’d just be performing. Now, she was going to have to think about what to say, too. This wasn’t exactly an easy way back into the music business, particularly with her past history of being interviewed by Andy. ‘Make sure he doesn’t come out with any sexist shit.’

‘It’s not the 90s now. He’s a reformed man. You’ll be fine.’

‘I guess. Will you be back later?’

Pete grinned. ‘I’m not sure. It depends on what else he wants to go through. Don’t wait up,’ he said, giving her a peck on the cheek. He headed up the steps into the hallway. ‘Let me know what Jim says,’ he shouted as he left the house.

‘Hey mother dearest,’ Jim said as he walked into Lisa’s kitchen five minutes later. He flopped onto the sofa. ‘I can’t stop long. I’m on bedtime duty tonight. Sophie’s got me booked in to read “Room on the Broom” again.’

‘You’ve just missed Pete,’ Lisa said.

‘Yeah, he waved as he was walking down the road. He looked in a hurry.’

‘He’s meeting someone at the pub.’ Lisa put a mug of tea in front of Jim. ‘How was work today?’

‘Alright, I suppose. Pushed any old hearses lately?’ Jim looked amused .

‘Don’t you start!’

‘It worked out well. It’s a novel idea for getting noticed anyway. Fair play to Ed.’

‘Is that your expert marketing opinion?’

‘Don’t knock it. I’ve got clients who’d love to go viral. It’s not something you can engineer.’

‘I don’t think Ed thought it would work out quite like it has.’

‘Are you all set to be plunged back into the spotlight on Friday?

‘Friday?’

‘That’s when Andy’s chat show’s broadcast, isn’t it?’

‘Yes, of course. I keep forgetting it doesn’t go out live. Talking of which, how’s your bass playing?’

He looked at her long and hard.

She raised her eyebrows. ‘Well?’

He put down the mug, leant back on the sofa and crossed his arms. ‘That sounded like a loaded question.’

She shrugged. ‘It might be.’

‘I thought you guys were auditioning for a replacement for Jonny?’

‘We did that yesterday. They were all crap.’

‘I’ve got a business to run. And I’m not looking to spend weeks on tour away from Ally and the girls either.’

‘I’m not expecting you to. We only need you for Thursday night’s recording.’

‘And a rehearsal tomorrow as well presumably.’

‘Yes, but Pete’s booked the studios around the corner for that. We can carry on looking for someone permanent after the show. But we can’t play live without a bass player. Pete reckoned he could add the bassline in on the keyboards …’

Jim finished her sentence. ‘But it won’t sound as good. ’

‘I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t sure you could do it it’s just one song. Love Me Till Wednesday. It used to be your party piece.’

‘When I was eleven! Have I got time to think about it?’

‘Not really.’

He sighed.

‘Look, if you don’t want to do it that’s fine. I don’t want you to be stressed by it all.’

‘It’s ok. It’ll make a good anecdote, I suppose. I’ll do it. But you owe me one.’