Page 53 of The Last Love Song
Freddy took Ian into a corner to look through a drum magazine. Todd moved over to Con.
‘Want to get together this weekend to do some writing?’
‘Sure.’ Con nodded.
‘Come to mine. Lulu’s flat is bigger. How about eleven on Saturday morning?’
‘I’ll be there.’ Con nodded again.
Todd noted that his co-frontman appeared to be a little downhearted. ‘Everything okay, Con?’
He shrugged. ‘Yeah, fine.’
‘You seem a little subdued, that’s all.’
‘I’m grand altogether, Todd, really,’ said Con.
‘I’ve got to go, chaps,’ said Derek. ‘I’m seeing Peggy tonight.’
‘I thought we were on for a celebratory pub crawl?’ said Todd.
Derek swigged back his glass of champagne. ‘Sorry, other plans. Thanks, Freddy. See you next week.’
Derek left the flat and headed for the nearby tube station.Sitting on the train on the way into the West End, he surreptitiously took out the brown envelope Freddy had handed to each of the boys after the contracts had been signed. He felt the pound notes crinkle beneath his touch. Freddy had paid them all a month in advance. Derek knew exactly what he wanted to do with the money.
Peggy’s front door was wedged between the chip shop and the newsagent’s. The paint was peeling off, and the bell hung lopsided on its nail. Heart banging against his chest, Derek rang it. There was no response.
‘Darn it,’ he cursed under his breath as he tried the bell a second time.
Just as he was about to turn and go, the door opened a couple of inches.
‘Is that you, Peggy?’
The door opened a little wider. ‘Er, yes.’
Derek could see she was in her dressing gown. Her normally immaculate hair was tangled and there was a smudge of mascara under one eye.
‘Peggy, are you ill?’
‘That’s it. I’ve got the flu.’
‘You poor thing. Is there anything I can do for you?’
‘No, no, I just need to stay in bed and sleep it off.’
‘What a pity,’ sighed Derek. ‘I’d booked a table at the Indian in the high street for half past seven. I was going to take you out to celebrate.’
‘Celebrate what?’
‘The group’s new deal!’ Derek beamed. ‘We signed the contracts this morning.’
‘Gosh. Congratulations.’
‘Thanks. I...I bought you this.’ Derek proffered a small, gift-wrapped box.
‘Oh, Derek, why? You mustn’t waste your money on me.’ She felt a pull on her heart at the sight of Derek – who still had the slight appearance of a schoolboy – thrusting the present in her direction. She couldn’t take it. She mustn’t.
‘Because I wanted to buy you a present. Please, have it. I shall be terribly upset if you don’t.’
