Page 109 of When We Were Young

What would Tumi do in this situation? Suddenly, I remember the dictation app she made me download during work experience. ‘Is it okay if I record this?’

Brett nods.

My hands are shaking as I unzip my phone from my tiny cross-body bag. There’s plenty of battery thanks to the power pack Ella brought along. I set the app to record our conversation.

I start with questions about the new Paradigm album – thank God I’ve listened to it – and follow up with more about their upcoming tour. Brett doesn’t seem in a hurry to get rid of me, but I don’t know how long I’ve got, so as soon as I dare, I skip to the questions I really want to ask.

‘Will Bailey supported Paradigm in 1996, didn’t he?’

‘Was it 1996?’ A shadow passes over his expression. ‘Yeah, must have been.’

‘Did you get to know him?’

A flicker of a frown. ‘Why do you ask?’

Silence stretches between us while I think of a sensible answer. At last, something pops into my head. ‘We’re doing a feature on Will Bailey for the twentieth anniversary of theFragmentsalbum.’

Brett removes his sunglasses, his eyes blaze. ‘I love that album! Has it really been twenty years?’

Brett gushes about Will’s songwriting genius, quoting his favourite lyrics and raving about song structure, melodies, riffs, and hooks until they bring another bottle of champagne.

‘It’s so sad what happened. Such a waste.’ Brett pauses for the first time in half an hour. ‘I wish I’d done more to help his career. I could have promoted him more, got the word out. He never got the recognition he deserved in his lifetime. He probably never knew how good he was.’ Brett shakes his head. ‘You know, I was an absolute arsehole to him that whole tour. I was jealous. That voice – I’d kill for a voice like that.’ He trails off, scans the view. It’s dark enough now to see a smattering of stars in the sky.

There’s a commotion behind us. A woman in tight leather trousers with legs that go on forever arrives on the balcony. A noisy group spill over the top of the stairs after her, laughing and talking at maximum volume.

‘Brett, there you are!’ she calls.

‘Christie!’ Brett gets up to greet her. ‘What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be on stage?’

‘In a minute.’ She waves a hand. ‘George said you were here, and I wanted to say hi. It’s been forever.’

I pause the recording on my phone and fidget in my seat while they hug. As they break apart, I see her face.

Oh my God – it’s Christie Blackmore! Rock royalty.

And the people she’s with – they’re The Underdogs.

‘I’m finishing up here then I’ll be over to watch,’ says Brett.

Christie Blackmore arches an eyebrow at me. Thank God I closed my mouth in time.

‘This is – sorry, what’s your name again?’ asks Brett.

‘Olivia Lawrence.’ I shake Christie’s outstretched hand. ‘Liv.’

‘Liv’s fromAmplify,’ explains Brett. ‘They’re doing a feature on Will Bailey.’

‘Will Bailey?’ Christie touches my arm. ‘Oh, how wonderful. Is it for theFragmentsanniversary? I’d love to contribute. I’ve got a few stories to tell about Will. Listen Liv, I’m supposed to be on stage now, but my people will be in touch. We’ll set something up, okay?’

It takes all my willpower not to squeal. ‘That would be amazing. Thank you so much.’

‘Now, do you mind if I borrow Brett?’ she asks.

‘No, go ahead.’

Brett gives me a telephone number to call if I have any more questions. He wishes me luck with the feature and heads off with Christie Blackmore. They pile downstairs with their combined entourages, and I’m left standing on the balcony trying to take in what just happened.

I jump as my phone buzzes in my hand. It must be better reception up here at the top of the festival site. Two missed calls from Mum and a message from Nathan:Hey Liv, where are you? I need to talk to you. Can you meet me at the totem pole?