Page 102 of The Last Love Song
‘Hi, I was just passing on my way to lunch. I thought I’d drop in. Where’s Con? I thought the two of you were working together today.’
‘We were, but...’ Todd shrugged. ‘We took an early lunch.’
‘Oh.’ Derek fidgeted nervously.
‘What?’
‘It’s just that...I’ve written a song. I want you to listen to it. I...I’d like it to go on the new album. I think it’s about time one of my compositions made it to vinyl.’
‘Have you got the music with you? At the moment, Noddy could write for the album and I’d be grateful,’ Todd quipped. Then, seeing the look on Derek’s face, he checked himself. ‘Sorry, mate, only teasing. Let’s have a look.’
Derek pulled out some sheets of music from his jacket pocket and handed them to Todd. He unfolded them and placed them on the piano.
‘I know you think I can’t write songs for toffee, but I showed some of my stuff to a producer last week and he said he liked it. I’m fed up with you and Con taking the piss and if you don’t want this song, then I’ll give it to someone who does.’
Derek stood there like a petulant little boy, his bottom lip quivering.
Todd was in no mood for another set-to. He held up his hands. ‘Okay, okay. I’m sorry, Derek. Let’s see what we’ve got. I’ll play, you sing.’
The song was a gentle ballad, nothing special, but a definite improvement on anything Derek had composed before.
‘Well,’ Todd said, handing the music back to Derek, ‘I think it’s got possibilities.’
‘I think it’s pretty good as it is,’ Derek said stubbornly. ‘What needs changing?’
‘Well, nothing major. We need to perk up the chorus, write some orchestrations for it, et cetera.’
‘I think it’s just as good as “Can Someone Tell Me Where She’s Gone?”. It’s only because it’s my song that you’re being so snotty about it.’
‘Look, mate, I’m not being snotty at all. I really do think the song has potential. Let me show it to Con and see what he thinks.’
‘I don’t care what Con thinks. I want the song on the album.’
‘Okay, okay. What’s it called by the way?’
‘“Peggy”. It’s just called “Peggy”.’
Todd raised an eyebrow and smiled. ‘Of course.’ This was the icing on the cake. ‘Well, that’s me for the day. Are you rushing straight off or can you join me for some liquid refreshment at the Dog and Gun round the corner?’
Derek checked his Rolex. ‘I’ve got twenty minutes before I meet her.’
‘Good man.’ Todd stood up. ‘Who’s “her”?’ he asked as he flicked off the light switch. The two of them left the studio and walked up the steps into the heart of Soho.
‘Oh, some model I met at a club the other day.’ They walked companionably along the busy street.
‘Do you think you’ll ever fall in love and settle down, Derek?All these gorgeous women that seem to pass through your bed. Have you never thought of marriage?’
Derek turned to look at Todd.
‘Yes,’ he said, ‘once. But never again.’
33
The telephone rang. Sorcha opened her eyes and absorbed the greyness of the early morning. The telephone lived on Con’s bedside cabinet. She lay there for a few moments more, hoping he’d wake up and answer it. He didn’t, so she threw off the covers and padded round the bed to pick up the receiver.
‘Hello?’
‘Can I speak to Sorcha Daly?’
