Three weeks after the Dublin Castle gig, Will got the tube back from a meeting in central London to Emily’s new place in Balham.
She buzzed him up on the intercom and when she opened the door, she didn’t say hello, just: ‘Well?’
‘We’re taking it,’ he said.
She squealed and jumped onto him, wrapping her legs around him. He spun her around in the cramped hallway and they clung to each other, laughing and kissing.
‘Oh my God. Oh my God,’ she whispered.
Miranda came out of the kitchen clutching a Pot Noodle. ‘Ugh, get a room.’
They took her advice.
Emily’s room was much nicer than his, cleaner and brighter, but her bed was only a single like his.
They lay on her bed and she made him recount the whole thing from the beginning. He explained how Eason had finally met all Matty’s demands and they signed a six-album deal with Island Records that afternoon.
‘I’m so happy for you,’ she said. ‘You’re finally getting the recognition you deserve. You must be excited.’
‘Yeah.’ His stomach hurt. He still had to tell her the rest.
‘Let’s go to the off-licence and get champagne – or sparkling wine on our budget, but we should celebrate,’ she said. ‘Get a takeaway.’
He should tell her now. It would be harder once they left the flat. ‘They want us to support Paradigm.’
She pushed herself up onto her elbows. ‘That’s amazing! You get to meet Brett Lewis. When?’
‘In four weeks.’
‘Oh my God – so soon? See? That shows how much they value you.’ Her voice was high-pitched. ‘They know you’re good enough to support Paradigm.’
‘They want us to support them on their entire US tour.’ His voice was flat.
‘That’s great!’ She was on her knees on the bed beside him now, making everything wobble. ‘Why aren’t you happy? What’s the problem?’
‘There’s no problem, it’s just… it’s a long time.’
‘How long is it?’
‘Five months.’
She didn’t hesitate. ‘Oh, that’ll fly by! You’ll be having the time of your life.’
He was hurt. She wasn’t anywhere near as devastated as he was at the prospect of being apart for that long.
‘This is what you wanted your whole life!’ She shook his shoulders against the mattress. ‘Surely you knew this would happen?’
‘I dunno. I s’pose I didn’t believe it ever would or else it never really mattered until we got together.’
‘Ah, that’s sweet,’ she said. ‘But pull yourself together. Now’s not the time to be all romantic and pathetic!’
‘I’ll miss you,’ he whined.
‘That’s your brain trying to cope with all the excitement. It’s looking for negatives. That’s normal. Ignore it.’
‘Won’t you missme?’
‘No. I’ll be able to get some work done.’