“The first three songs on the set are you flying solo,” pointed out Jake calmly. “So, from the top, Garrett.”
“Touché,” laughed the older man to cover his embarrassment. “Guess I asked for that.”
Flawlessly, Garrett performed the first three songs on the setlist then gave Riley the nod to prepare to sing on Same Strings New Vision. Keeping her eyes on Jake for reassurance, the teenager delivered a faultless performance.
“Bravo,” complimented Garrett warmly. “Jake, the bar has been set.”
“Certainly has,” replied Jake, reaching for his Mz Hyde custom. “Ace Up The Sleeve?”
“Ace it is,” agreed Garrett, switching guitars.
The blues-based tale of gambling with emotions was a powerful song. Sensing that it was autobiographical of Garrett’s relationship with the late Salazar Mendes made singing the lyrics even more of a challenge for Jake. As he focussed on the music and the words, he tried to distance himself from the context in which they’d been written. When the song ended, he was dissatisfied with his performance.
“That one’s missing something,” he commented. “I’m not feeling it.”
“Harmonies,” said Riley from her seat on the floor. “It needs harmonies.”
“It does?” quizzed Garrett, glancing over at their teenage songbird. “Show us then, Miss Riley.”
When they’d played through the song for a second time, both Jake and Garrett had to agree that Riley had been correct. With her simple harmonies added to the last two lines of each verse and to the chorus, the song came to life.
“Well done,” praised Jake, genuinely relieved to have some help with the song. “Don’t go away while we play the next one. Want to hear your thoughts on that one too.”
Their three-hour rehearsal overran and became a six-hour marathon. When midnight passed, Jake was the one to call a halt.
“If you want either of us to be able to sing tomorrow, we need to call it a night,” he declared, reaching for a bottle of water. “Especially as I’m pulling double duty here.”
Nodding, Garrett acknowledged that his friend was right.
“What time have we to be at the theatre for?” asked Riley, feeling the nerves in her stomach begin to flutter.
“Eleven,” stated Garrett bluntly, a sense of dread washing over him. “Load in is at eleven.”
“That’s ten or eleven hours before your set!”
“Watch and learn, Miss Riley,” said Jake with a smile. “This is a whole new experience for you. Welcome to our world.”
As they headed towards the door, Riley asked, “But what do we do for all that time?”
“Some press. Soundcheck, Rehearse the tricky bits. Eat. Relax,” listed Garrett. “Relax might be a challenge.”
“Riley, stick with me,” suggested Jake, assuming teacher mode once more. “I’ll show you the ropes.”
Pulling on her leggings, Lori caught sight of herself in the cheval mirror in the corner of the bedroom. She looked like she’d swallowed a basketball. Her growing bump was perfectly rounded and, like her previous pregnancies, was all to the front. From behind, no one would have guessed she was pregnant. When she pulled on her soft grey marl tunic, it draped over her swollen belly.
“No hiding you now, baby,” she said, running her hand over the swell of her stomach. “Big day for us, little one. Big day.”
“Mommy!” wailed Jesse from the doorway. “Mommy!”
Lori looked up.
“Want to watch Power Rangers. Auntie Annie said no.”
Smiling, Lori remembered Grey’s warning that his mother was not a morning person.
“Has Auntie Annie had her coffee?”
“I not know.”
“Well, let’s go check,” suggested Lori, reaching for her cane.
Frowning the little boy stared at her then declared, “Mommy, you’re fat!”
Realising that her son was too young to understand about babies and baby bumps, Lori stifled a giggle and said firmly, “That’s not a nice thing to say to someone.”
“But you are. You told me to tell the truth.”
“I guess Mommy will need to go on a diet then,” compromised Lori as they headed towards the staircase. “No more burgers or pizza or ice cream for me.”
Once upstairs, Lori found Annie in the lounge watching the early morning news with a fresh cup of coffee in her hand.
“Morning,” greeted Lori warmly. “Did you get something to eat?”
“Not yet,” replied the older woman. “Coffee first then I can think about food with a second cup.”
“David and Townes will be here in fifteen minutes,” she commented. “David always brings pastries from his local Italian bakery. You’ll love them.”
“Sounds sinfully delicious,” said Annie without taking her eyes off the TV screen.
“Are you ok to watch the kids while I go over these papers with David?” quizzed Lori, suddenly a little unsure that Grey’s mother was in the mood for small children.
“Once the news is done and I’ve finished my coffee,” stated Annie bluntly. Her tone left Lori in no doubt that there was no negotiating on this.
Shaking her head, Lori limped through to the kitchen to fetch herself and Jesse some orange juice.
As she passed through the dining room, she found Melody sitting at her usual place at the table with a bowl of cereal and a glass of strawberry milk.
“Morning, angel. I didn’t know you were awake”
“Morning, Mommy,” replied Melody brightly. “Is it today we see Daddy?”
“Want my Daddy! Want my Daddy!” chimed in Jesse.
“Maybe late tonight. More likely tomorrow,” said Lori confidently. “I’ve work to do first. You guys need to stay with Annie again today.”
Both children groaned.
Shortly after eight, Lori heard the front door open and David calling out to her.
“Come on through,” she yelled. “I’m in the kitchen!”
She was busy fixing a fresh pot of coffee when David ushered Townes into the room a few moments later.
“Good morning, my dear,” said the older man, hugging her tight. “Olivia sent Danish and some
