Page 45 of The Last Love Song
‘That’s fine. I take it black anyway.’
‘Grand job. There you are.’ Con handed one of the mugs to Todd, perched on the arm of the sofa and waited expectantly.
‘The thing is that you and I are the strength in the band, both as singers and songwriters. Ian and Derek look good and will support the group well musically, but it’s us who are going to make the magic happen.’
‘It’s generous of you to say so.’ Con took a sip of his coffee, his calm gaze never wavering from Todd’s face.
‘So, to that end, I was thinking last night that we should maybe...’ – the conversation seemed to be paining Todd – ‘...pool our resources on the writing front. I know you tend to go for a more melodic, slower sound, whereas I like as many noisy riffs as I can get in.’ Con nodded. Todd held his hands up. ‘And I admit some of my lyrics can be a bit self-indulgent, whereas, excuse me for saying, yours can verge on the sickeningly romantic. Maybe together we could curb each other’s excesses.’
Con gently swirled the coffee in his mug. ‘That all makes sense. Does this mean that if we’re talking about the future, you’ve changed your mind about leaving?’
‘Yes, of course. I founded the damned band, didn’t I? Yesterday was a heat-of-the-moment thing, that’s all. I calmed down and realised I’d overreacted.’
Con was definitely impressed by Todd’s new attitude. ‘He was hard on us all.’
‘Well, I have a feeling there’ll be worse to come from Mr Martin. We’d better get used to the fact that he doesn’t keep his opinions to himself.’
‘So, you’re happy to go with him then?’
‘As you all pointed out, it’s better than starvation.’
Con nodded and reached for his tin of tobacco. ‘So, you want to have a go at writing some stuff together?’
‘Yeah. We should give it a shot.’
‘I’m open to that.’
‘Good. I think it’s very important we work as a team. Did the rest of you decide when you were going to give Freddy Martin the news that we’d accepted his offer?’
‘Derek was going to ring him this afternoon. We’d better let him know you’re back in.’
Todd nodded, a trifle humbly. ‘Sure.’
14
‘Hello, Derek! Fancy meeting you here. You’re looking well.’
‘Thanks.’
Even though he was shaking inside his lifts, he tried to radiate a calm confidence.
‘You, er...seem to have grown.’ Peggy studied him.
‘Do I?’ He prayed he wasn’t blushing. ‘Two haddock and chips, please, love, one with salt, one with salt and vinegar.’ The server nodded and prepared the order. ‘Thanks.’ Derek reached over the counter and took the warm parcel of newspaper from the woman.
‘Next.’
‘Oh, one cod and chips and two pickled onions, please,’ requested Peggy. ‘So, Derek.’ Peggy turned to face him and gave a polite smile. ‘What are you doing with yourself these days?’
Derek tried to lean nonchalantly against the chip shop wall, but misjudged the angle and tripped backwards awkwardly. ‘I’m actually in a group.’
‘Oh. A group of what?’ she enquired innocently.
‘A band. A rock band.’
‘Are you? Still playing your guitar then?’
‘Yep, still strumming away on that bloody thing, hahaha!’ The laugh was too aggressive, and caused Peggy to take a step back.
