Page 85 of Musical Games
‘Do you want me to clear off when you do that? Do I need to pick something up for your sister?’
‘No, it’ll be good you’re there and I’ve got Anna a card and present. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.’
She disappeared and Jamie’s head dropped.
You can do this.
Sam wasas quiet as he was as they drove to the studio. He now knew what to expect. As long as the two of them could hold it together, the recording would be done in less time than allocated. He decided to approach the day as he approached his work on site: head down, focus, get the job done. With his eyes closed and Sam’s leg touching his, he felt centred enough to lose himself in the music. As long as he stayed present, moving from note to note and not thinking past the next bar, he would be okay.
By mid-morning Chris and the engineers were happy with the second song, and by 3.00p.m. the third was in the bag. They had a quick break whilst the mixes were patched over to Brad in LA and shortly afterwards Chris told everyone that Brad was a ‘very happy bunny’. Everyone clapped and cheered, but Jamie sank deeper into his chair. He was drained and empty, all his reserves of energy completely spent.
He’d never felt like this before, even after a workout on the rings when all his muscles were twitching. It was as if every cell in his body had curled up in a ball and was refusing to work. Sam packed his guitar away, laughing and joking with everyone, then called them a taxi. He let her lead him away and slumped in the seat, his eyes falling closed.
She didn’t speak but held his hand in hers. Finally, they were done with recording, the film, Brad and all other distractions. He wasn’t flying back until Sunday afternoon, so they had nearly three days with each other. For the first time since they met, they could be together without any other purpose guiding them. He squeezed her hand. Maybe then he could work up the courage to tell her how he felt and see if there was any chance she might one day feel the same.
Sam’s phone rang.
‘Hey, Sandra, how are you... Yeah, all good here. We’re done already, so I can go straight back to set on Monday… Tomorrow? Yes, what time... Okay, I’ll see you then. Bye, bye.’ She ended the call. ‘That was my agent. She wants me to go in tomorrow for a meeting.’
‘Is everything okay?’
Sam tossed her hair and smiled. ‘Yeah, probably something big. She always likes to deliver the good news in person. We can go on from there to see Buckingham Palace if you like? Or wherever you want to go.’
‘I don’t mind. Maybe see Big Ben? Harrods? Tower Bridge?’
She snuggled up to him. ‘We can see it all.’
The taxi droppedthem off in Soho outside an independent coffee shop that looked like a funeral parlour run by hipsters. The outside was entirely black except for the name ‘Coffine House’ painted above the door and across the windows in gold letters. Men wearing jeans three sizes too small and sporting beards four sizes too big bustled about serving customers crammed around tiny tables on the pavement outside.
Sam led Jamie inside to the back where a woman waited for them in a private booth. She was small and glossy, with shiny red nails that matched her perfect lipstick. Her green eyes flicked like a snake between him and Sam, and his brain started scanning for the nearest exit.
Sam was drawn in for air kisses.
‘Saaaaaaaaaam, darling, it’s been just too long.’
‘Karen, this is Jamie McDougall who I wrote the music with.’
‘Well, hello handsome.’
Nervous heat rose through his body as he took Karen’s hand. It was cold and dry. He swallowed.
‘Aren’t you a glass of smoky single malt?’
Jamie didn’t know how to reply or when he could let go of her hand.
‘Does he speak?’ Karen whispered to Sam.
Sam laughed, pulled Jamie away and sat him down. ‘He’s a man of few words.’
Karen slid in opposite them and pulled out her phone. ‘Well, let’s see if I can coax a few out of him.’ She winked at Jamie and he blinked back.
Sam ordered coffee and Karen set her phone to record.What the fuck is this? He felt Sam’s hand on his thigh, gently squeezing.
‘So,’ Karen began. ‘I’ve been following this story via Brad’s Insta and I’m just sointrigued. Sam, you’re in the middle of the most exciting storylineElm Tree Lanehas had all year, and now you’re a singer-songwriter providing the music forBraveheart 2?’
‘Well, Karen, not all the music, just three songs.’
‘But how did this happen? And how did you meet Jamie?’
