Page 38 of Rock Star

The plane descended through thick cloud and I buckled up my seatbelt. I’d spoken to Mum yesterday, asked her if she could set up a meeting with Dad. She’d said she would try her best. I pinched my lips together, fucking hoping she’d succeeded.

The rift with him has gone on long enough.There was no need to go through immigration… we’d flown from Scotland, which was still a part of the UK. We were met by a fleet of Ford SUVs and transported to the Langham Hotel at the top of Regent Street in the heart of the West End. All of us, except for Jake and Foxy… who were going home to their families for the night and would meet up with us tomorrow in the stadium for our sound check.

I couldn’t help being a tad jealous of my two bandmates staying with their loved ones; I consoled myself with the thought that I’d be introducing Phoenix to Mum later… and maybe even Dad.

If he’ll agree…

Mike and I checked into our two-bedroomed suite on the second floor. Our entourage had rooms on the sixth to ninth floors. The guys and Joe had been assigned the luxurious six bedroomed penthouse and Firebird was in a Junior Suite next to Mike’s and mine. “I’ll just give my mother a quick call,” I said to her, “then we can go have a typical English afternoon tea in the Langham Club.”

“Oh, wow.” Her eyes glowed. “I’ve always wanted to try English afternoon tea.”

I chuckled. “I had a sneaky feeling that would be the case...”

She twirled a lock of hair around her finger. “I’ve always wanted to see Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament too.”

“That can also be arranged,” I smirked, making a mental note to arrange for us to drive past the sights later.

We went to freshen up. I took a quick shower then called Mum. “Still on for this evening?” I asked.

“Yes, love, but only me I’m afraid.”

I collapsed onto the chair next to my bed and frowned. “You couldn’t persuade Dad?”

Obviously, she couldn’t, you dickhead.

“He’ll come to the Wembley concert,” she said in a conciliatory tone. “It’s the best I could do.”

I cleared the lump of disappointment from my throat. “Is it okay if I bring my girlfriend Phoenix to meet you? She’s my backing singer. We’re keeping our relationship a secret until we return to LA…”

“Is she ‘the one’?”

For a couple seconds I didn’t get what Mum was asking. The one? I smiled as the realization hit me. “At least as far as I’m concerned…”

“There’s something I need to talk to you about,” she said enigmatically. “If Phoenix is so close to you, then I don’t mind sharing what I have to say.”

The hair on my arms lifted. “You’re scaring me. Are you alright?”

Fuck, if Mum was ill, I’d go out of my mind with worry.

“I’m perfectly healthy.” A short pause. “And so is your father and the rest of the family.” Another pause. “I’d like to discuss something Ella told me the last time I saw her. It’s been at the back of my mind for a while now…”

I leaned forward. “What?”

“I’d rather discuss it with you in person.”

“See you at the apartment at seven thirty,” I said resignedly before signing off.Afternoon tea with Phoenix had been kind of spoiled by Rhys and Zach insisting on joining us. The looks on the faces of the posh hotel patrons when three scruffy rockers had sat down with a beautiful girl to sip Earl Grey and nibble dainty cakes and sandwiches had been priceless, though. Note to self: Write a song. Afternoon tea. Beautiful girl. Rough-looking guys. Disapproving Looks. Add a metaphor or two. Job done.

We’d gladly signed autographs and posed for selfies with several elegant women when word had spread about who we were, and now Firebird and I were heading for Knightsbridge, where my parents maintained an apartment for when they were in town.

Rhys and Zach had gone on a pub crawl with Joe, thank God. It would have been more than a little awkward if they’d wanted to tag along. I’d even given Mike the night off so he could visit his own family in the East End. Jake wouldn’t have liked it, but he was a micromanaging git sometimes, and what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. London was my old home… I’d be safe from any demented fans at my parents’ flat.

Phoenix bounced on the back seat of the Mercedes every time we passed a famous landmark. I’d asked our driver to take us on the scenic route. One day, I’d bring her back here and arrange a guided visit, and I told her so.

“I’d love that,” she sighed. “This is amazing, though. I keep having to pinch myself.”

“Don’t tempt me,” I spoke softly in her ear. “Your ass in that tight skirt is bloody alluring.”

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