Page 93 of The Last Love Song
She’d already decided to save her news for Christmas Day. It was Con’s night tonight, and they could celebrate her success later.
The taxi pulled up at the Waldorf. Sorcha paid the driver and entered the hotel.
‘Sorcha Daly, you look radiant!’ Con put his arms round her shoulders and guided her into the banqueting suite hired for the party.
‘Thank you. You look...well, you look exhausted, Con.’
‘Yep, I’m jiggered, but as happy as a sandboy. Everyone else is here. We have a table in the corner.’
Flashbulbs popped in their faces as they made their way across to join the rest of the group, already on their fourth bottle of champagne.
Ian had a girl on either side of him and the three of themwere sharing a joint. Derek looked uncomfortable with a large woman on his knee, who was almost smothering his face with her ample bosom. Todd was deep in conversation with an attractive woman, while Lulu sat silently on the other side of him, looking morose. Her face lit up when she saw Sorcha and Con.
‘Come and join the happy band. Sit by me and talk to me.’ She patted the seat next to her. ‘He’s so engrossed with his new friend fromMelody Makerthat he’s not even said hello yet.’ Lulu rolled her eyes. ‘Champagne for you both?’
‘Thanks, Lulu.’
She shared out the remainder of a bottle between three glasses and handed one to each of them. ‘Cheers.’
‘Cheers. Have you seen Freddy yet?’ asked Con.
‘No. He and Brad don’t seem to have arrived. Do you know half these people, Con?’
‘Some of them.’ Con stared at the crush in the room. ‘It’s queer the way you suddenly have so many friends when you become famous.’
‘Sure is,’ drawled Lulu.
‘Hi, folks. Everyone present and correct?’ Freddy appeared behind Con and Sorcha with Brad at his elbow.
‘We thought you might have forgotten tonight’s little low-key celebration, Freddy.’
‘Hardly, Lulu. Something important came up and Brad and I had to discuss it. Is Derek alive under that pile of femininity?’ Freddy frowned at the sight of the large woman who’d submerged Derek completely and appeared to be giving him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. ‘Listen, lads. I need a word. Could you remove your appendages for five minutes? We’ll talk before everyone’s too far gone to hear.’
Reluctantly, Ian’s two ladies left the table, followed by the big-breasted woman and lastly theMelody Makerjournalist.
‘Done it again, Freddy,’ said the journalist as she went past. ‘Great bunch of lads.’ She trailed her finger along Brad’s collar. ‘We must get together sometime. Renew our acquaintance.’ She blew Todd a kiss. ‘See you later, sweetie.’
Lulu growled under her breath.
Freddy took two chairs from the neighbouring table and he and Brad sat down. ‘Right, attention, please. I have news,’ said Freddy. ‘The Trojans are going back to the States after Christmas and we’ve just agreed a deal with their record company over there to sign The Fishermen.’
The boys stared at Freddy silently.
‘Not only that, but they want you to join The Trojans on tour as their support act. You’ll leave for New York at the end of January and be back end of April for the launch of the album. Well?’ Freddy stared at the four blank faces. ‘Someone say something, please.’
‘It’s great news, Freddy, really, isn’t it, boys?’ said Con.
‘Yeah. The good old USA, millions of people panting to buy our records,’ smiled Todd dreamily.
‘And get into our trousers,’ added Ian coarsely.
‘So you’re all happy then?’ asked Brad. ‘I think it’s a wonderful opportunity. If you can crack it in the States, then you really have made it big.’
‘It’s all too much to take in,’ muttered Derek.
‘I know. Well, after tonight, you’ve got a week off for Christmas. You all look knackered. I suggest you disappear off somewhere and have a break. Take time to enjoy the success. Trust me, the first taste is always the sweetest.’ Freddy looked at the empty bottles of champagne on the table. ‘We seem to have run out.’
‘I’ll go in search of some.’ Brad left the table.
