1 comments/ 1452 views/ 0 favorites An Hour Alone Ch. 02 By: HunterShambles "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, This is the Don Williams quartet, like to introduce the band. Don on Piano, Bobby on Horns, Mac on Drums and Mike on Bass. Backing us up the incomparable Auntie Gill and my Mum Naomi, collectively they are the Ardenaires, me I'm Holly and I like to sing." Holly swung her arm back and forth, clicking her fingers, head up she suddenly looked at the audience, "Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear And it shows them pearly white Just a jackknife has old MacHeath, babe?" We swung in behind her, the room buzzed, people swaying in their seats, the talking ceased and people sat with grins and smiles. Holly had them again. We were now at a larger purpose built venue, but somehow, Dave our erstwhile employer owned this place too. Back at our old home he had a blue plaque made, stating that this was the birthplace of Holly Arden and the Ardenaires with the Don Williams quartet, nice touch. We did a once a week "guest" spot there, on our day off from our new regular home. We now had a purpose built stage, proper lighting, mic's and amplification. Not that Holly needed that. The tables were nightclub style with plush red velour type seats. No expense spared by Dave! We only did two sessions now, a random filler group appearing at seven thirty until nine to warm up the audience. We went on at nine thirty, until almost the the witching hour. We did a final session at one thirty in the morning, ballads, blues, slow tempo stuff finishing around three am. But I have to say in view of our status we now got paid what to us were the big bucks, six fifty a night each, plus a weekly percentage of the take. Don't get too many ideas it was a very small percentage shared between all of us. Tonight we opened with "Sugar Town," an old favourite of Naomi's, followed by Girl from Ipenema. Then Holly had decided a lurch in another direction was required and we backed her surreal voicing on Paloma Faith's Picking up the Pieces. The place was electric from the moment she opened her mouth and Mac hit the beat with her opening note. She was alive, strutting, roaring, crying, they loved it. The girls filled in behind beautifully. Both had discovered their voices and could now add and colour Holly's performance intelligently. At rehearsals they would practise endlessly the fills and break outs with her, it paid off. Without pause we ran into Stone Cold Sober, the old Rod Stewart number, "Never get to bed before sunup, always get caught in the rain; sometimes I might get in trouble, never was one to complain." Holly had the mike stand in her hands twirling it around effortlessly as she swayed and strutted across the stage, she loved it. Mike had the lead on this and Naomi took the bass spot tonight. Sometimes it was Gill, they switched and swapped at will each time we did it. Mike hurled himself into the solo, riffing like nothing on earth. He nailed it and a huge cheer greeted his finish. As he strapped his bass back on we launched into Try, we couldn't not do it now. Roars of approval swept the room. Feet stamped and hands clapped egging us on. As we finished, Holly walked to the side of the stage, then reappeared with a full length coat draped over her shoulders. The crowd went wild, I watched the girls move to take the coat from Holly as she launched into James Brown's I feel Good. The audience knew what was coming and waited eagerly for it. Oh that girl she ramped it up another notch and we nuked it. Holly falling to her knees, the girls covering her shoulders with the coat and leading her off. Theatrically she threw it off and strode back to the mic. Her voice blew them away and they begged for more. We banged them out and they screamed encore. Holly knew how to entrance her audience and instead of a rousing killer, let them down gently with her and the Ardenaires performing the old Everly brothers, When will I be Loved a cappella, Mike occasionally playing a gentle bar or two, Mac just skimming the drums. Waving we went backstage to our communal dressing room. For some strange reason it never seemed to bother anyone about getting changed with the others present, although a stranger entering would cause shouts and squawks from the undressed. Holly was lying back in her chair, red faced and grinning. Gill's husband, Frank was handing round drinks and touched Gill's arm as he moved past her. Frank had no voice, as I'd discovered on his stag night. I did suggest later that he never, ever sing in my presence again, to much laughter. Frank loved Gill though, with a passion and he lit up when she was near him. We loved Frank for the gentle, genial man he was and he became an accepted part of the crowd. Wherever we were Frank was. He helped haul kit, he ran errands, distributed drinks and ran interference for us with the more exuberant members of the audience, all this and he had a full time job too. Tonight he was the factotum par excellence. We rested and jabbered away, analysing what had worked tonight and what hadn't, Frank chipped in and his words were truthful and accurate. We accepted his views as we would any other member of the band. Naomi was lying down on one of the sofa's in the room, a towel over her head. The gentle purring indicating that she had fallen asleep. Several of the others had done this over the period we had been together, you grabbed a few zeds if you could. Her head lay in Mac's lap and he sat still his hand on her shoulder. I winked and he nodded, raising his glass in the other hand. Holly stood and pulled her dress of, walking round in her underwear to the clothes rack she kept here. She nonchalantly riffled through her outfits. Her voice sang languidly of love and loss, betrayal and redemption. One of her own compositions, which we were working on, for an independently produced debut album. The idea was to sell them before and after the first session, then after the last each night. There was a knock at the door, we froze, it could only be one thing. We were all used to the parade of guys eager to manage Holly, they appeared like woodlice every few weeks. "What?" "Can I speak to Holly Arden Please?" "No Piss Off!" "I really do want to speak to her," "Fuck Off!" "One minute please?" "What part of Fuck Off are you struggling with?" Ironic laughter from the band. "Please I want to produce her debut album." "OOOOOHHHHH!" "Please guys, just give me two minutes." "Holl?" "OK you got two minutes, starting now," "Can I come in?" "Whatever, but the clocks ticking and you have one minute thirty left!" raucous laughter whistles and clapping from the assembled crowd. The door opened and Holly turned defiantly hands on hips, still clad only in a her bra and knickers. "look at my tits and your dead!" she growled. The place went quiet. "Fine!" He looked her in the eyes. "I have a deal with a major record company, whereby I get studio time for seven hours a month and they get first dibs on the content recorded for the artists I bring." he looked at her hopefully. "I want Don and the band, plus Mum and Auntie Gill, or no deal?" "Done!" "Done?" "I've been watching your sets for a couple of weeks, I have several ideas on what to lay down." "Okay your times up, but I like you. Sit down, let's talk about this. He sat and we crowded round. Naomi sat with Holly, Gill the other side of her. Frank stood behind Gill, hands on her shoulders. "My name's Bob Bramwell, I have been around the studios for a few years now, acting as technical back up to several well known producers. I know enough to see you've got what it takes, the bands kinda okay too." he grinned. He had balls I'll give him that. We laughed. "I've been working on some of my own stuff with Don." "Well we'll need to hear them through and make some decisions. A mix of your own stuff and a few standards wouldn't be too bad a thing. Or if there's enough maybe two albums, one now and a follow up. We'll talk to the marketing guys about strategy. If this works, they may want you to tour, can you do that?" "We'll see, do we need a lawyer?" "Yup and an agent or two might be kinda useful." "Frank, would you deal with that?" "Finding you an Agent?" "Nope, being my agent, Don?" "Works for me, Boys?" "Agreed!" "Yup!" "Ditto!" "Mum, Auntie Gill?" "Suits me," "Love it." "OK, sorted, speak to Frank, he's our man." Holly stood and held out her hand, Bob stood and shook it. Frank moved round the table and placing an arm around Bob's shoulder wheeled him out. He came back in sombre faced. "Are you good people happy for me to act on your behalf?" "Wouldn't have suggested it Uncle Frank if I didn't believe you could do it." Holly hugged him and he blushed beetroot red. We settled down again, Gill now sitting on Frank's lap. Naomi cuddled up to me. Mac was reading Lord of the Rings and Bob and Mike were playing cards. Holly casually uncinched her bra and took it off. Looking at the dress rail again. "Wear the red dress Holl, that really suits you," Mac said without even looking up. The boys looked over at Holly standing topless and concentrating on the rail. "The red dress is good," "Not the Red dress, the sweater and slacks, I always think that makes you look like Audrey Hepburn." "Really, do I have the right figure for that?" "Kid, you could wear a plastic bin liner and you'd look sensational." "Thanks Bob, Frank do we have any bin liners?" "Ha, Ha!" "Holly, don't you feel a tad embarrassed standing there like that?" "Mother, these are my guys, I trust them, they've seen me like this before, I'm sure it doesn't bother them, does it?" "Nope, you're just one of the boys, kid." "Never thought about it any other way," "What is Holly undressed? I never noticed, gosh so she is." "Naomi, if it makes you feel better," Frank, lifted Gill off his lap, stood and peeled his shirt off and dropped his trousers, pulled them off and his shoes and socks, kicking them away. More laughter, Gill especially, Naomi smirked, Holly laughed outrageously, her small breasts bouncing on her chest. Mac stood and stripped to his underpants, followed by Bob and Mike. I muttered what the hell and putting Naomi onto the sofa, stood and joined the boys. Gill peeled off her clothes and stood beside me in just her knickers. Naomi shrugged and disrobed. It was at that point that Bob Bramwell looked in again, did a double take and gawped. "Don't worry Bob, we're just running through some ideas for the album cover," Frank said. More laughter. Bob came in and without speaking stripped off. "Well I might as well get used to you lot, I'm sure this is going to be a lot of fun." Cheers and whoops, lots of slaps on the back and hugging. After that we settled down, but no one got dressed, we just sat in our pants and carried on as if nothing unusual was happening. Holly and Bob were sat at the opposite end of the table to Bobby and Mike, talking in low tones as he scribbled in a small notebook he'd produced. Looking up he beckoned me over. "Don, this is a rough list of numbers I'd like to have you lay down, can you highlight the six or seven you think you and Holly should do?" I noticed some of the numbers had a tick beside them, Holly's choices I guessed. I went through and added a red tick and saw they mostly coincided with Holly's choices. "Not Try?" she inquired, "or I feel Good." "Those are better live and certainly I feel Good, is an audience participation number like Mustang Sally. I'd say yes if it was recorded live." "Hmm, now there's an idea." Bob said and grabbing the notebook, he scribbled some more. Without looking up Bobby said, "We'll do three studio albums, a live one, then a Best Of, we can then call it quits and live off the income." giggles and titters from the assembled company. "Are you taking this seriously?" "Yeah!" Bob grinned and carried on scribbling, "Good, because I'd hate to think you were taking the piss." "Would I?" "I guess not." "I want to split acrimoniously after the third album and go solo." "I'm thinking of becoming an alcoholic by the time the Live album comes out," "I want to get caught doing inappropriate things to small furry animals." "You are taking the piss!" "Us? Heavens no," "Wouldn't dream of it." "You can be replaced!" "Ahh, but never bettered, Frank, I want that noted, every riff and phrase I want copyrighted." "Yeah Right." "Okay, enough, I'm never going to win this am I?" "I think he's getting it." There was a knock at the door, "Hi Guys fifteen minutes, you good to go?" "Cheers Steve, we'll be out in ten." "Right troops time to saddle up, Frank can you look after Bob while we're on?" "No that's fine, I'm going front of house to watch, break a leg guys. Holly I know I shouldn't say this, but you look fucking sensational." "Why thank you kind sir, your quite buff yourself, see you after." Bob pulled on his clothes and waved a goodbye. There were a couple of handshakes and a slap on the back or four. We meanwhile began to get our shit together. Ten minutes to the second later we walked to the wings and waited for the MC to spot us and announce the set. Holly having taken advice wore the sweater and slacks, Naomi and Gill in matching outfits. Why did we guys look so bloody casual beside them. I made a mental note to talk it through with the boys. Not that I could see them in dinner suits and dicky bows or lounge suits with ties, but maybe a little more formal. The set went well, Holly and the girls sailing through the numbers. The place was full but quiet and applause was loud and came often. Finally after encoring with Moon River, we came off. Exhausted and thirsty we went back to the dressing room. We opened the door to find it covered in flowers, there were bouquets for everyone of us and dozens for Holly and the girls. All from Bob, he must have planned it earlier, with the connivance of Frank, who stood grinning arms open wide. Bob knocked and came in, shaking hands and hugging us all. "Just to say thank you and good luck, what a set, absolutely brilliant. Well done all of you, now I have to go back to my lonely bedsit and sleep, as I'm in the studio at eight. I will talk to Frank and arrange studio time, meantime.." He knelt in front of Holly "Stay as sweet as you are Don't let a thing ever change you.." He kissed her hand and stood, hugged her waved and left. "Kid's got a good voice.." "Maybe he should record himself!" "He's sweet on Holls, ain't that the truth?" "Ahhh bless!" "Leave it!" "Now now Miss Arden, we're only saying..." "Mac..." "Oh Holly! the boys in love," "Bobbbeeeee?" "You see that guy, that guys in love with you.." "Yes he's in love who looks at you the way he do.." We all picked up on it, "How can he show you he's glad he got to know you 'cause.." "He needs your love, he wants your love.." "Tell him now is it so, don't let him be the last to know.." Bobby's trumpet came in with the break, we grinned, Holly reddened and nodded, her hips swaying gently. She sang, "My hands are shakin' don't let my heart keep breaking 'cause "I need his love, I want his love," Bob knocked and walked back in, " if not I'll just die.." Bobby played the theme gently, as Bob hugged Holly. Gill and Naomi, teared up and Mac wiped one away too. I just grinned and passed my hankie over. Bob was there every night for the next three weeks, making notes, offering his take and hugging Holly. So that's how Bob became a fixture, Frank became our agent and Holly fell in love. We go into the Studio tomorrow morning at eight and we have some standards and a couple of new numbers to play around with. Bob wants to lay down two or three tracks to show the Exec's and is sure that will be enough to persuade them to give us more time to finish the album properly. Fingers crossed. An Hour Alone Ch. 03 Holly was drenched in sweat, her head hung down and she stood still listening to the playback over the headphones. She looked up and grinned raising a thumb to me. I grinned back and raised a thumb in response. Mike, Bobby and Mac sat looking pleased with themselves, the audio was perfect, the tune familiar and we were recording our first album. Holly looked at the glass between us for Bob, her boyfriend. He stood and clapped although she couldn't hear him. She saw him and jumped off the stool, pulling the phones off. We sat back in the Suite, and didn't even turn towards her as Holly burst in. "Bobby, how was it, sounded good to me?" Only Holly could ask a question then answer it herself. "Babe, it was brilliant, perfect. but I'd like to do another take," Bob said bluntly. "But I'm tired, I want a break," she whined, pouting. Bob grinned and pointed to the door. "Go, sing, then we take a break." "Slavedriver!" Holly flounced out, Mac and Bobby giggling, Bob winked. In the booth, Holly snatched up the headphones and looked through the glass at us. Her finger came up in salute. We fell about, typical Holls. "Holly Arden, Moon River, take five, cue playback. three, two, one." He pointed at Holly, she poked her tongue out and laughed. As the cue came she moved into the song, lush, breathy, phrasing perfect, living the lyric. I felt those goosebumps. "Shit!" said Mac, "anyone else got goosebumps?" hands went up. Gill my sister had tears in her eyes. Naomi my wife cuddled up and held me. Our daughter had us all spellbound again. The tech with Bob, had his mouth open, jerked back to reality as Bob nudged his arm, pointing and grinning. Frank, Gills husband, sat down on the edge of the monitor desk, eyes wide. We'd all heard Holly sing this a million times, but everytime was different, real, heartfelt. She reached the last phrase and her voice quivered slightly on the last note. "Got yer!" Yelled Bob, "Fucking perfect, what a voice. Ladies and gentlemen you have witnessed perfection." Bob stood and clapped, we all followed. The tech switched the audio from the suite to the booth and Holly stood and clapped back. She took off the cans and walked through to the Suite, "Now can I pee?" She asked plaintively. Bob kissed her and grinned. "Princesses don't pee, they have someone take care of it for them." "Well this one does and in about fifteen seconds so goodbye." Holly shot out the door, and we heard her laugh as she sprinted away. Bob looked at his desk and sighed, "Don, can you and the boys set up for Girl from Ipenema, I want you to be in their with Holly to try to give it a more 'live' feel. Like we're at the club listening to your set." The boys nodded and we went into the booth, tuned and were ready. Holly opened the door, did a double take then grinned. The tech had set up the mikes and Naomi and Gill were positioned just behind Holly. Bob told me they were rolling, Mac gave us a tap in and we sailed into it. We breezed through and Bob stood thumbs up and gestured for us to come in. In the suite we listened and agreed that with a tweak here and there it would be a great number. It felt good and did have more of a performance feel, than the other three tracks. It was now about two thirty, we broke for lunch. There was food prepared and we fell on it. Later we noticed Frank was missing. Holly went to look, then came back and told us to follow her quietly. We walked back to the Suite. Frank was in the booth, he was at the piano playing "As Time Goes By," more than adequately, growling along with the tune. Holly put her finger to her lips and dragged me along to the booth, as she passed Bob she whispered and he nodded. In the booth, Holly walked up to Frank, who was staring at the keyboard. "Play As Time Goes By," Frank stopped and looked at her, "I can't remember Miss Ilse, I'm a little rusty on it." "I'll hum it for you, La da, di di, di di..." Holly had the slight catch and rasp in her voice, sounding almost like Bergman. Frank began, and from the backing mike I sang the lyrics, Frank grinned and played it faultlessly. At the end of the first chorus, the boys, who had snuck in behind me, came in and added the fill. When the last note died away, Bob looked at me and nodded. I hi fived Frank, as he stood up. "That my man is definitely on the album. " Bob in the Suite was calling us in. We walked back, Holly wrapped round Frank with a glow on her face. Gill ran to Frank as Holly let go and leap into his arms. Naomi, patted my back. "Nice growl Mr man." "Right I think with that we have more than used our time wisely. I'm also aware you guys have a show tonight and need to rest up. I'm going to put some finishing touches to this, make a master and go see the man. See you later." "Class dismissed," Naomi said to much laughter. "Let's go over to the club and chillax, we could watch a bit of the opening set." There was general agreement all round, we picked up our stuff and loaded the van we'd hired. It took us about fifty minutes to get back, set up for the evening, then grab a bite to eat, before the warm up band arrived. We shook hands and they set up in front of our kit. "Touch my drums and you die!" Mac shouted. They fingered him with grins and he laughed back. We watched them rehearse, they were good, obviously not as good as us, but they were good. We clapped and they bowed. Rehearsed they left to eat. We lounged around, it was unusual not to have something to do. I walked up to the piano and ran a few notes. Mike on bass started a walking blues, Mac, slid behind the drums and came in, Bobby produced a harmonica and we played. we ended with a flourish. Suddenly picking up a mike, Frank switched us into Hootchie-Cootchie man by Muddy Walters, growling the song, no attempt to sing. We swung in behind, I climbed on my Farfisa. Holly and the girls rode shotgun on backing. "The gypsy woman told my mother Before I was born You got a boy child's comin'.." Frank swayed and rolled, pulling back on the mike stand and at the end, as we shambled to a halt, Mac shouted, "Amen Brother Frank, Amen." "Fuck me I wish I'd recorded that," Bob said appearing at the bandstand. Laughing we sat down and Bob updated us. The Exec he had seen had been less than enthusiastic about the concept, but when he heard us, he changed his mind. He wanted a couple of days to see what he could do, wanted to speak to the 'Man with the Money'," Bob drawled. He gave Frank his business card, said Frank should give it a couple of days then phone. Frank nodded and slipped it in his wallet. Mac said it was the first time he'd seen Frank's wallet, was there anything in it? "Get a round in Muddy!" he joked. Frank grinned and rose, "How do you know it's the drummers round?" he asked, We looked blankly at him. "He misses the bar and hits the road." "Poor!" yelped Mac with a grin. "I will be now," said Frank. He returned with a tray spilling over with drinks. A few customers were now in and we got a few nods of recognition. We smiled and nodded. The warm up act came on at seven thirty, so we took in a couple of numbers and clapped loudly. Then we were out back and getting ready. Holly, habitually in just her knickers was flipping through the rack. We all offered suggestions, she yawned or made a face at each one. "Go as you are," said Bobby. "No way," said Naomi, bristling, her mother hen feathers ruffled. She was never comfortable with Holly's attitude to clothing and casual nudity. "hmm, now there's a thought," said Holly, "I will if you will?" "Holly Arden, you will dress properly," Naomi said, a deep red flush all over her face and chest. "Here we go again," said Mac, standing and stripping. Naomi went purple, steam almost coming out her ears. This was topped by Frank, stripping down. "Enough, not again, all right." Naomi glared at everyone. Just then Bob walked in, looked around and took his shirt, shoes, socks and trousers off. Naomi stood mouth flapping, stalled, then with a loud "OHHH!" stomped off. After we calmed, Holly and Bob chose her outfit. Gill changed and Naomi came back. She grinned, and the boys all clustered round her, apologising and hugging her. "Hmm, well the outraged mother act was worth it for the hugs, thanks guys," she said with a twinkle in her eyes. I slipped my arms between hers, hugging her from behind. "Loose woman," I whispered in her ear. She giggled and I saw the goosebumps on her neck. I blew gently on her ear. "Stop, I'm getting goosbumpy, ohh." Looking down over her shoulder, I saw the two tiny bumps on her blouse. "Enough Mr Williams, time to get ready," she pushed away and flapped a hand at me. I grinned and checked my stage outfit. Exactly the same as my street clothes, OK, good to go. After a discussion with the boys, along the lines of, why don't we wear some matching stuff on stage like the girls? I bowed to the inevitable and gave that up as a bad job. So we continued to look like a bunch of old farts dressed by a Salvation Army outlet store. Mac called it shabby chic, I called it our vagrant look. "Ten Minutes guys," came from Steve, nominally the stage manager at the club. "Be with you in five," I shouted out of habit. The others patently ignored my call. Mac still had a large portion of a pint to finish. Bobby was still cleaning his trumpet and oblivious to Steve's call. The girls were huddled together, examining something on Holly's dress. Frank, was reading. wait where was Mike? "Err anyone seen Mike?" I asked. Everyone stopped looked around, checked the sofa's and looked at each other. They all looked at me, I sighed. "why is it always me?" "Because we're the Don Williams Band?" "Daddy, because you are so brave and strong," Holly whispered in her little girl voice. I saw Naomi smirking and Gill push a hand to her mouth. "Bollocks!" I strode out the room to much laughter. I checked backstage, sometimes we feel the need to wander up there on our own, just settling a few nerves. No sign of Mike, strange, I wandered back, then thought to check the toilets, just in case. I went in, no sign by the urinals. I went further in, we have three stalls. One door was shut with the engaged sign on it. "Mike?" I asked tentatively "Urghhh," I heard the groan behind the door. "Mike it's me, are you OK?" "Don, not well, feel awful, pains in my guts, blood..." I could hear the laboured breathing. I went up to the door, "Mike, I'm going to get help, we'll get you out and sorted as soon as possible, stay strong buddy." "Don, can't stay awake, so much pain, help me." "Hold on Mike, I'll be back." I ran out and into the band room, smashing the door open. They all looked at me surprised. "Mike's ill, like seriously ill in the toilet, we need an ambulance now! And I need to get him out of the toilet, or at least the door open so we can help him." Franks phone was out open and he had dialed before I'd finished. He asked for an ambulance, they wanted information he threw his phone at me. Holly was out the door followed by Naomi and Gill, Mac gulped his pint then went. Bobby put his horn down in its case carefully, then casually went to investigate. I gave them details of Mikes condition and what I'd managed to gather from our brief conversation. Meanwhile Holly was in the Gents, scaling the wall of the stall from the one next to Mike. Dropping down she released the bolt and opened the door. She Gill and Naomi, began an assessment of Mike. They decided he needed to stay where he was for now. He sat on the toilet, trousers and pants round his ankles, whilst the girls wiped his brow and organised a drink of cold water. Holly kept talking to Mike, keeping him conscious. Ten minutes later, two paramedics with huge bags and a folding stretcher came in. Steve the Manager, touched my sleeve and said the guys in the other band said they'd carry on their set for now, to give us time to organise. I thanked him and asked him to thank them. Meanwhile Mike was now laid out on the stretcher as the paramedics phoned in to advise the hospital of their imminent arrival. Frank, as usual, Mr Marvel, said he'd go in the ambulance and keep us updated. With no Mike we needed to look at how we played tonight. Not that we were any to happy to go on without him. Holly was on one knee by Mike whispering to him and listening to his feeble voice. She squeezed his hand and kissed him. Bob had arrived and was shocked at the scene. Frank, who else, got him a seat and a glass of water. Finally the paramedics had Mike airborne on the stretcher and with Frank following left for the ambulance and hospital. Gill clasped Frank's hand as he passed, he paused to kiss her, then walked quickly to catch up with the paramedics. Holly looked us all in the eye. "He wants us to go on and do the sets this evening. Let's not let him down!" Holly's gaze was flint hard and we all nodded. A quick discussion and Gill and Naomi said they could handle Mike's bass parts between them, but neither felt able to do any lead guitar work. Bob then surprised everyone by saying he played a little and would wing it for tonight if we agreed. We all looked at each other and mumbled a collective stuttered OK! Holly pulled the girls into a hug and everyone joined them, heads down in the centre, Holly spoke. "Tonight will be new and strange and not right. But tonight we go on and we give the best damn show we can and we make Mike proud of us. Mike!" she said. "MIKE!" we shouted as one. Then broke away to have amoment alone. We heard the band onstage finish a number then offer their goodnights. They got a great round of applause and the announcer asked the audience to welcome Holly Arden, The Ardenaires and the Don Williams Band onstage. As we moved forward the band came off, There were lots of hugs and kisses, back slaps and handshakes, before we rambled on stage. "Ladies and Gentlemen, before we begin this evening I have an announcement. Mike our bassist and lead guitarist has been taken ill and is currently en-route to hospital. Whilst this will affect our performance slightly, we hope you still enjoy the experience. So tonight we are Naomi and Gill, the Ardenaires who will also be our guest bassists, Don Williams Piano, organ and the daddy of the band. The incomparable Mac the Whack on drums. The ever lovely Bobby on Horns and finally and by no means least, my current squeeze and plankspanker extraordinaire Fretless Bob Bramwell. I'm Holly and I want to sing for you." We swung into Try, ragged but rowdy, and built on that. The Ardenaires swapped Bass riffs and chugged through the numbers. It wasn't faultless, but the crowd loved us. As for Bob Bramwell. The guy could play, no doubt about that. Bobby's horns were so sweet that night. Mac tight and pounding, loose and rolling really lead the line. I ran around them with the piano and Farfisa. All to soon the first set was over and we went off to loud applause. Backstage Gill phoned Frank as soon as we got in the room, she ah hahed and Uh Huhed, nodded and yessed quite a bit. Then she put the phone down. "Mike's OK, he's got a bleeding ulcer. Going to be in for a while, a few days, a week, not sure yet. They opened him and cauterised it, but he's lost a lot of blood and will be in bed for a while. First thing he asked when he came round was what was the setlist." Gill suddenly broke down and Naomi and Holly hugged her. Mac whistled in relief and Bobby polished his horn. Bob sat down and put his head in his hands, I sat down and put an arm round his shoulder. "You OK Bob?" "Shit scared, how do you guys go out each night and do that stuff, you're awesome." "No we love to show off and perform. It's in us deep inside and this is our outlet, otherwise we'd be out mugging old ladies and kicking teenagers." He grinned, and sat back as Naomi plonked herself in his lap. "You OK Bob, you're a great player, welcome to the band." She kissed his lips gently, his eyes widening, I saw the twinkle in her eyes. She bounced off to be replaced by Gill, who kissed him in the same way as well. Suddenly Little Miss Arden was all over him like a rash, her lips devouring his and more besides I suspect. Suffice to say he was beetroot red now and clearly flustered as Holly leapt off his lap. He crouched forward, I twigged as did Mac and Bobby. We rolled about, much to his embarrassment, as the girls linked arms and bowed. "Fuck!" he managed, as Holly threw her clothes off and walked up and down the clothes rail selecting her next outfit. She chose a silk forties style all in one trouser suit, buttoned at the neck and down the front, a sailor style blue and white stripe, with the trousers full and free flowing in plain white. A chic sailor hat and she was ready. Naomi and Gill stripped and chose matching hot pants and white blouses, loosely tied at the waist. I goggled where had these come from. "An idea," Mac said as he slipped an arm round Holly's waist. "Fancy trying out Willie and the Poor Boys tonight, we've rehearsed it, but never used it?" "Good one, Mum, Gill, Willie and the Poor boys, up for it?" "Sure," "Good call." "Bobby?" "Yeah I can blag my way through that. Hey Fingers can you play that?" He turned grinning to Bob, who was still sat down on the sofa. He grinned weakly. "I can try." "Awww, he can try," said Mac, "But he can't even stand up at the moment." Mac waggled his little finger. Holly slapped his arm, we all laughed. We talked though the rest of the set, a quick reshuffle, a few dropped numbers, a few moved up or down the setlist. We could do this. We felt more confident. "May I make a request?" Bob asked. "No!" we replied as one, then fell about. Bob grinned and nodded, then stood up. We clapped and cheered, Holly slipped her arms round him and bear hugged the life out of him. "Five minutes," "Thanks Steve, on our way." We wandered out and arrived onstage to the announcers welcome. Mac tapped us in to Willie and the Poor Boys, Early in the evenin' just about supper time, Over by the courthouse they're starting to unwind. Four kids on the corner trying to bring you up. Willy picks a tune out and he blows it on the harp. Bob sang, he'd asked Holly, who readily agreed, joining the girls on back up vocals. We all hit the chorus, Down on the corner, out in the street, Willy and the poorboys are playin'; Bring a nickel; tap your feet. Naomi and Gill double tapped the basses, it was awesome, Bob chipped in a few gentle chords and Mac kept up the beat. Bobby left his horns and worked percussion. I wrang the life out of a tambourine. Crowd pleaser apparently, a little dancing, a lot of clapping, a few whoops and hollers. Massive applause at the end. We moved on, more bluesy numbers, then ballads, standards, easy on the ear. by one thirty we were still full, and moving to the last two songs. I spotted Frank moving across the room. He sat at a vacant table and gave me a thumbs up. I nodded. The others must have seen him as the set seemed a lot brighter than before. We finished as usual on Moon River, Holly just blasting everyone away with the voice. Not a sound, then thunderous applause. She nodded, and Frank gave her a million watt smile and two thumbs up. "Ladies and Gentlemen, those of you at our previous show will know that Mike our guitarist was taken ill before that set. I am pleased to see uncle Frank in the audience giving me a beautiful beaming smile and the thumbs up. Uncle Frank come on stage and tell us how Mikey is." Frank barreled onstage, swept Holly up in a bear hug and released her for the mike. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mike our guitarist went under the knife three hours ago for emergency surgery to repair a bleeding ulcer. The operation was a success, Mike is out of danger. He's in Intensive Care, but the signs are good. Hopefully Mike will be back on stage with us in a month or two. Meanwhile, please a big hand for the beautiful incomparable star that is Holly Arden, Naomi and Gill the Ardenaires, Don Williams, Mac, Bobby and Bob. From what I heard these guys can play. Am I right?" An Hour Alone Ch. 03 The audience roared Yes. "I can't hear you, Am I Right!" The place was in uproar, hands thumping table, feet hammering on the floor. "Thank you and goodnight, please come again, we love to see you out there." Frank waved and stepped back. Naomi grasped one hand Holly the other, we walked forward hand in hand and bowed. Linking arms we bowed again. People standing and clapping. We walked off and hugged. Steve walked past grinning. "Great set guys, one of your best." We hit the band room, to find the guys from the warm up band in there, with wine and beers ready for us. We fell in and soon the party started. A knock and some of the band members wives came in. Mac and Bobby's too, we'd only seen then a few times, but they were here. Soon we loosened it up and an inpromptu sing song began. Somehow we ended up on stage and had a little rock and roll session going. With two drums, three basses and two plank spankers we soon had a loud and proud session on the go. I opened the farfisa as Bobby dug out his sax. Wives, girlfriends and boyfriends raided the percussion and we dug in for a session. The bar staff and waiters and waitresses soon poured onto the dancefloor. At Three am the party was in full swing, by four thirty Dave, the owner arrived, at six the police arrived. At eight we gave it best and joined the cops for breakfast at the cafe opposite, filling every seat and eating like locusts. The owner was ecstatic, refilling empty cups at will. At ten we said our goodnights and went off home to bed. "Do you realise we've been up for twenty four hours on and off?" Naomi said as she cuddled up to me as I drove. "Whose turn to make the tea?" I asked. "Sod tea, we're going to bed." She slurped a kiss on my cheek. "Mother behave!" Holly added from the back seat, Bob grinning like an idiot. "Nah! not gonna happen," Naomi said and gripped my thigh. I laughed, but couldn't wait to get home. An Hour Alone Ch. 04 It was Naomi's idea, she said she thought we all looked beat. We had been traveling by day and gigging nightly, away from home for eight months solid. Mike had just come back full time, but was already exhausted. She said we needed downtime, we needed a break. Mac said he agreed and it wasn't as if we needed the money, after the record deal and plugging the album, we should just sit down and take it easy for a week or so. Bob spoke to the Record Company, they agreed and said we should just lay back and chill, the album was bubbling under, the tour a success. If we timed it right, recharged and refreshed we could go back and really ride the curve. Think about the second album, they said, but with a few beers and our partners. We spoke to Dave, the owner of our residency, since we were due to come back after the tour. He was surprisingly happy about it, said he now had three or four bands rotating, all waiting for the break like ours. Go enjoy were his final words to me that night, over the phone. So we decided on a group get-together, after the last gig. Mac, Bobby and Mike's wives flew out to join us in Paris. We had a great weekend paid for by the company we had formed, fronted by Frank, my Brother in Law. So Sunday afternoon, at a restaurant on the Champs Elysee we tossed ideas back and forth. The majority wanted a quiet place, but 'Sun and Sand' were a must have. We made suggestions here and there. The wives wanting somewhere private but with all the facilities, sauna's, massage, pedicures and manicures. Holly just sat back like me, letting everyone else blow off steam. We both smiled, that was our style, let the others do all the hard work then throw in the answer. "Well?" Naomi said grinning, knowing how we shared the family trait, Holly beamed "Menorca," "Really?" "Uh Huh!" "Holly, where did that come from?" "Mum and I had a brilliant holiday there years ago, it was lovely. I bet we can find something there, small secluded and with free beer." "I vote Holls organises it." Mike said with his hand up. Everyone elses shot up to join it. "Sold to the beautiful lady in the green top." Mac said grinning. After that there was a general consensus that we had done enough organising and there were more important matters arising. Bobby, Mike and Mac with their partners were off to the Quai d'Orsay Museum. We were meeting back at the hotel in the evening, for a final meal, prior to going to the station for the eleven fifty Eurostar back to the UK. Splitting up, Naomi and I were going back to the hotel. Frank, Gill, Holly and Bob were going sightseeing. after the goodbyes and hugs Naomi and I walked down the Avenue Kleber arm in arm. "So we never really get chance to talk and unwind, no chance to actually sit back and just enjoy each others company." "Yeah, a holiday will be good, a little 'us' time would be welcome." "Naomi, you are happy aren't you? I mean how we are now, aren't you?" "Weird question Don, you having regrets?" "Only that I didn't know about you and Holly sooner, God I wish... well anyway, you're here now and that's all that matters." "For me too. It's a shame we don't have more kids, but we have Holly." "Yeah we have Holly, thank God for her." "Every single day, believe me." We hugged harder and walked along the sunny street, heading down towards the Trocadero, where the looming sight of the Eiffel Tower would be in front of us across the Seine. A final romantic view across a stunning city. Later at the hotel we made love, slowly and easily. We fitted together as if we had been this way since back in the day. It was easy to forget it was only just over a year since we had met again. Drawn together by Holly, her voice and talent. We went down to eat with the others, all suitably edified by the beauty of Paris. After the meal we were quieter, realising that we were now headed home. The larger items of our kit, my piano and Farfisa organ, Mac's drums were going back by courier, a man and a van all wrapped and tied down by expert packers. Mike's guitars and Bobby's horns were in their hard cases also in the van. So we had our luggage and ourselves as the only things to worry about. Sadly we made our way to the Gare du Nord and home. A couple of days later, we were at Dave's, we were just jamming, playing for the sake of it, we had no residency here now, but Dave ok'd our meeting during the day. After years of the rehearsing, playing, rehearsing, playing, loop, we found it hard to break out of the habit. Holly and Naomi wandered in, Gill perked up and went to greet them. We shambled on through 'So what' a little piece of Miles Davis we all loved. Holly waved and we finished, downing instruments and wandering over. "OK I got a deal. Ten days room and breakfast, at a private hotel, our own beach, Ten rooms, I booked them all. So we're all set to go." "Wow, sounds good, but all ten rooms?" Mac asked. "Well that means it's just us, we can make as much noise as we want, or not, plus with a private beach to ourselves, we can wear as little as we want or again not, as you please." "OK, I'm sold," said Bobby, pulling one of the hotel flyers Holly had brought with her, off the table. "Deal," Mac said, looking at the menu's on the reverse of the leaflet. "What's the cost?" I asked. "Wellll, here's the deal, Bob has got the Record Company to pay for it, so it's a freebie. Plus they're covering the bar and all our meals." "When do we go?" said Mike smiling broadly. Holly had booked the hotel from the coming Saturday, so it only remained for us to book travel and pack our cases. The guys broke away to tell the wives, we sat in a huddle in a booth. "Hey Dad," Holly liked to throw that in every now and again, "This is The Booth, this is where you interviewed we for the job." "Hey you're right, well this calls for champagne!" Dave's head craned round the bar and grinned. Moments later he appeared with a large bottle of bubbly and glasses. "Guys get your backsides over here. Champagne!" Gill sounded off and Mac, Bobby and Mike appeared grinning, stashing phones and reaching for a glass." "To Don and the boys, thank you for your good humour, your patience and your music. I love you all. Mike, Mac, Bobby, my stepdads and Don my very real and perfect Dad." "The boys," Gill and Naomi chorused. We drank, it was good. "Hey Dave, this is pretty damn good Champagne." "Yeah, I was saving it for my retirement, but thanks to you guys, I can buy the whole goddamn Chateau, cheers." Dave waved a glass at us and chugged it down, making an "ahhh" noise of satisfaction as he finished. "Such taste and poise," quipped Mac. Four days later, we arrived at Gatwick airport's South Terminal, with a few additions. Mike's daughter, Chloe and her friend Annis, had begged to come. Holly said yes, as they were her age. Then Mac had asked if his son's could come, Mac junior and Peter, they were twenty one and twenty three respectively. Bobby and Liz were childless by preference, but they each had a mother on their own, so could they come, Holly said absolutely, so Marlah and Trudy would be joining us. At the terminal we finally all found each other and introductions were made. We stood in Departures, having gone through passport control and security. Finally we were told to go to a gate, from where we were ushered onto the aircraft, in front of all the others. Wow, wow, wow! We had been upgraded by the airline to Business Class and had the pick of the seats. settling in, we watched the rest of the Business Class roll on. Twenty minutes later we're airborne and settling back with a complimentary drink and the movie starting. I fell asleep, completely zoned out, until Naomi nudged me awake to fasten my seat belt. I saw the Islands dry and parched fields, then greener one's until we were skimming over the perimeter fence and heading to the terminal. Customs and Immigration completed we were meet by three drivers and whisked by stretch limo's to the Hotel. Soon settled in we gathered in the rear of the lobby and the exit to the pool and bar area, which lead to the steps down to the beach. A variety of Parasols with loungers were set out on the hot fine sand. Two fins of jagged rocks, about a hundred yards apart, showed the edges of our kingdom. The beach was about a hundred and eighty to two hundred feet deep. Clean and quiet, the deep blue Mediterranean Sea just gently lapped away at the shore.. "Holl, perfect, one hundred percent!" Mike said as he held Zoe, his wife's hand. Clad in a pair of long Bermuda's he sucked in the warm dry air. Zoe, in just a pair of loose shorts and no top, grinned. "Arden, I love you, this is fucking great." Mac and Sara, his wife had wandered down dressed in just identical tartan shorts. God bless you Mac, you never cease to amaze me, I thought. Mac Junior and Peter wandered down both in speedo's but with the bodies to support it, they looked impressed, as they stood by their parents. A series of laughs and giggles announced the arrival of Marlah and Trudy. They wore bikini bottoms and were chattering away, until they looked down at the view. Stunned they walked on in silence. Peter looked round and smiled at the two sixty five year olds, "yeah it does that doesn't it," he said as he looked back out to sea. Mike, Linsey, Chloe and Annis appeared, likewise clad in as little as possible, likewise breaking off talking as the view grabbed their attention. Gill and Frank walked down without speaking, mesmerised by the view "Hi, well is everything OK?" Holly asked as she looked anxiously at everyone. We all just nodded as we stepped down the three steps onto the warm sand. The hotel staff came down with trays of iced drinks, freshly pressed fruit juices, sparkling water and cold beers in a large bucket jammed full of ice. The fruit juices won, we eagerly grabbed a drink and washed the cool nectar down. We arranged ourselves on loungers and just chilled. The boys went for a swim, encouraging Marlah and Trudy, Chloe and Annis to join them. We could hear the fun they were having right up at the top of the beach were we had stretched out. We sun screened and blocked, then just lay back. I could hear Bob snoring gently. Holly had earphones in. Mac was reading a cheap novel. Bobby and Mike had a chessboard set up. Sara, Zoe, Linsey, Naomi and Gill wandered down the beach idly chatting, looking at the six bodies leaping about in the water. Reaching the waters edge, they wandered along, the surf breaking over their feet. "Your mothers are going to sleep well tonight!" Mike said to Bobby with a grin. "Damn well hope so, they were like a pair of budgies last night, yak, yak, yak, blah, blah." Bobby, made yapping mouths with his hands. Mac snorted and turned a page. Holly's head was nodding and bobbing, as she listened to her i-pod. She caught my gaze and winked. I winked and took a pull of my drink.She pulled the buds from her ears. "We going to talk about the next album soon?" This was aimed at us all. "No!" came the chorus from Mac, Mike and Bobby. Holly laughed and stood up, "I know you want to boys, come on!" "Later, important championship game about to start." Bobby said eyes on the chessboard. Mac put his book down. "Okay, if we do it now can we have the rest of the week off?" he asked. "You can have eight days off," Holly said generously. "Hey, this is my band I say who gets time off." I growled. Holly sat in my lap and hugged me. "Daddy, we all know you're in charge, and we all respect your input, but we do need to sort this out." The boys laughed at Holly's very unsubtle approach to getting round me. She poked her tongue out and grinned at them. I had to laugh, I had this very beautiful nineteen year old sat on my lap, cuddling me, on a beach, on an island in the sun. Life doesn't get much better than this. Unless, Naomi would switch places with our daughter. I hugged her, feeling her slender body against mine. "OK, sessions open, where and what do we want to go and do." "I think we need to go "live", this time," Bobby said. "Good idea that'll really give people the chance to get involved with the music. We could record a week at the residency and pick out the best performances to go on the album." "Bob's been recording some of the gigs we've done anyway, there might be stuff there we could use." "Only if we agree nothing from the first album, done live, we keep that back. Anyway I always think a live album of stuff we've already recently released is a rip off for the public. They want new, different. We can always release those tracks later." "I agree with that, do we vote or just take it as read?" "I think we're all agreed?" I said to nods from they boys and Holly. "OK, we'll speak to Bob and see what we can piece together. We might have to do a bit of cut and paste and Bob will want to edit it out, but we can all sit in on that. I want you all involved in this, it's a group project, yes?" Again they all nodded, I looked towards the sea, everyone was now in the water, splashing in and out the waves. Frank had wandered down and was busy swimming across the point, about twenty yards out. I grinned and lifted Holly up. "Right, meeting closed, I got me a swim to organise." As I stood, Holly grinned and sped away across the sand. "Last one in's a soggy seaweed," she yelled over her shoulder. I ran after her as if my life depended on it. We hit the water side by side and dived forward. I felt the water over me bubbling around, then broke the surface. I spent the next twenty minutes tearing around in a fast front crawl, backstroke and breast stroke, until exhausted with the effort I stood and padded towards the beach, waves lapping round me. Marlah lay on her back just drifting. I waved as I passed her, she lifted her hand slightly and waggled her fingers. Chloe and Annis were in deep conversation with Trudy, they stood up to their waists in water, the two young women obviously enjoying the older woman's story. Frank was walking up the beach, his efforts for the day over, Gill holding his hand and grinning at whatever he was saying. Naomi and Zoe were sat at the waters edge, the waves lapping at their spread legs, they were chatting idly and oblivious to my trudging past. Mac junior and Peter were attempting to body surf, with nothing more than wavelets. meanwhile Linsey and Sara were swimming easily across the bay enjoying the exercise. I wandered on up the beach, hearing Holly padding up behind me. "Dad, wait up, wait for me." I slowed to allow her to catch up. Felt her hand slip in mine. "Dad, I need to talk to you for a minute or two, in private, can we stop and sit please." I nodded and sat in the sun on the beach with my beautiful, beautiful daughter. "Dad, I..." she stalled and I saw a look, not of fear exactly but something akin to it. "Holly, baby, what is it, you can tell me, please I'll help if I can you know that?" "Dad, I think I'm pregnant," she gripped my hand tightly. "Baby, that's wonderful, does Naomi know, what about Bob?" "I... you're the first person I've told." "Wow, I'm honoured and astounded, I mean you and Bob, you and your Mum, you're so close, I'm really flattered I'm first." "Thanks, look, can you be there when I tell Mum?" "Of course, " I felt the penny drop, "You think she's going to be upset by this?" "I don't know, I'm worried she'll think I might be wasting my chances, especially as the whole band thing is breaking." "Holly you lovely, beautiful, silly nutcase, of course I'll be there for you. When will you tell Bob?" "I'm going to take him upstairs now, can we pretend it was him first?" "Of course lovely lady, I think you're mum might have guessed though, go on, go tell the boy." I pulled her to her feet and hugged her. Then turned her and gently pushed her in the back, she laughed and trotted up the beach. I saw Zoe standing and brushing sand off her bottom, so trotted down and sat beside Naomi. Zoe grinned and turned to walk up the beach. I stretched back, feeling the water lapping over my spread legs. "I saw you talking to Holly," Naomi fixed me with her awesome smile, "She's pregnant isn't she?" It was more a statement than a question, I nodded. "Yup and she's worried you'll be angry with her," "Me! Why would I be angry with... ohh, OK, yeah I can see that." "Are you?" "No, I think she'll be a good mother, probably better than me." "Rubbish, from all accounts you were brilliant." "Says who?" "Says Holly. Constantly and loudly." "Really?" "Scouts honour." "Were you ever a Scout?" "No too musical to bother." Naomi laughed, her breasts jiggling appealingly. I took her hand, raised it to my lips, "I believe her, from the moment we met again, I knew you were one hundred percent a great mother." "Flatterer," "Kiss me?" We kissed, it was good, then we returned to looking out to sea. "When will she tell Bob?" At that point the whole beach heard a whoop and a scream. I looked at Naomi, "Round about now I think," I said grinning. Everyone was now looking up at the hotel, where Bob stood on the balcony, "I'm going to be a Father," he yelled. Scattered applause and shouts of encouragement echoed across the bay. I felt a hand on my shoulder, Trudy knelt and kissed Naomi then me. "Congratulations, Nanny and Grandad," she whispered, before patting us and walking up the beach. "I hope to God I can be as brave as her and Marlah at their age, walking about topless with all those young girls and their pristine bodies around." "You will and you'll look as sensational then as you do now." "Flattery won't get you anywhere buster," "Worth a try, " I grinned. We stood and wandered up the beach, seeing Bob and Holly emerge from the Hotel. Naomi started to run, I jogged along slightly behind her. I saw her and Holly embrace in a fierce hug, I could hear the crying as I slowed to a lope. I reached them and threw my arms round Bob. "Well done son, I think you just made my daughter very happy." Bob had a grin eight miles wide and slapped my back. "Thanks, Dad!" he grinned. "Cheeky sod, " I managed before laughing with him. The women were all crowded round Holly and Naomi. Hugs broke out all round. Mac. Bobby and Mike all grabbed Bob in turn, until Frank finally grabbed him, and signaled the others. Before Bob could react, they had his trunks off and were slapping his bare bottom, then were running with him held between them down the beach. I saw his body go up then disappear into the sea. Seconds later he re emerged and dripping wet emerged from the sea. They all trooped back up the beach and Bobby threw Bob a towel. Drying off he seemed in no hurry to put his shorts back on. As if on cue I noticed Marlah and Trudy slide their bottoms off, as did Chloe and Annis. Mac Junior and Peter followed. Soon we were all naked, and as off hand with it as we always had been. I saw the four youngsters with Marlah and Trudy, laughing and joking, eyes sparkling. Turns out they were planning on getting a taxi after the meal and going into town to go clubbing. Good news, it seems we were all gelling together nicely. We spent the rest of the day lazing or running in and out of the water. We'd arranged a meal with the Hotel and wandered down around half seven to meet in the bar, the drinks flowed and we went in to an exquisite room, with swags of curtains tied back against windows overlooking the bay. The waiters were attentive, but unobtrusive. The meal was perfect, lamb with herbs and spices, cous-cous, salads and vegetables on the side. Local bread and more wine and drinks. Dessert was fresh fruit, lots of fresh fruit. I saw a piano in the corner and asked if we could use it, the staff said go ahead. An Hour Alone Ch. 04 I checked with a few notes, it was perfectly in tune, I ran my fingers over the keys and played a little jazz number I liked. A ripple of applause, sarcastic buggers. I went into Peggy Lee's Fever and heard a gruff but serviceable voice roll out the lyrics, not Holly but good, looking out I saw Trudy singing. Well, well, Marlah was swaying to the lyric. Zoe got up and pulled Marlah onto the floor clear of the table. Slowly a few others, got up. I clapped Trudy and went into a waltz, couples formed, I slid into a foxtrot, just vamping the tune. Suddenly Bobby was there with a horn, quiet, but present. Mac and Mike came in with guitars, how had they brought those with them? Holly joined us and I swung into New York, New York. Dancing continued, the waiters and some of the kitchen staff appearing to watch. Naomi found a waiter about our age and pulled him onto the floor, he grinned and danced with her. A waiter approached Annis and gestured to her that he wanted to dance pointing also at Chloe and his friend. Annis nodded and she and Chloe began to dance with the guys. Mac Junior and Peter approached a couple of the girls from the kitchen and got them onto the floor. Holly tiptoed over the lyrics and we let it flow. What happened I can't say but it was soon half eleven. the youngsters all thoughts of going out vanished, were taking turns to dance with each other and Marlah and Trudy. Frank took over from me and I danced with Naomi. Then Zoe, Sara, Linsey. At the piano Naomi and Gill, with Trudy and Annis were grooving through The Girl from Ipenema, so I grabbed Holly. "Dad, this is great, I'm so happy. Bobby's over the moon about being a Dad. Mum was so supportive, I really misjudged her on that. So, Grandad, how you doin'?" "I am the happiest man in the world sweetheart. Look at us, all of us, this is living huh?" "Perfect Daddy, I love you being my Daddy, you and Mum are perfect together." "I just wish I'd known sooner, but what the hell, I got you now, well for a brief while, then you'll be Bob's and he'll be yours." "I will still love you Dad, more than ever. Meeting you and the guys brought me to Bob. That's a debt I can never repay." "No need, to see you smile and hear you sing, is reward enough. We all love you, always will. You Holly Arden are a miracle wrapped in soft bundle of beauty." I kissed her gently and she grinned. "I don't have to stay with Bobby, I can still live with you, " she winked and grinned. I laughed and spun her round the floor. Hearing her wonderful throaty gurgling laugh. Bob was dancing with Marlah, happily talking away. I liked the boy from the moment he turned up outside the room backstage. You could see he was besotted with Holly and she with him. I saw Marlah slip something into the breast pocket of Bob's shirt. He was looking concerned, but Marlah was obviously sweet talking him. He nodded and whispered in her ear, her hands danced over his back. He kissed her and stepped away as the music stopped. I saw Marlah look at Frank and shake her head. He seemed to acknowledge her silent request because he stood up from the piano. "Folks I think there's something Bob wants to say." He said holding his hands up palms out. I watched Bob walk towards Holly, he stopped in front of her, then knelt. I looked on as I felt Naomi stand by me. Bob reached into his breast pocket, then said, "Holly Arden, you are the most beautiful person I have ever seen. I worship the ground you walk on and the air you breathe. Please make my life complete by agreeing to marry me." Holly stood tears in her eyes. "Bobby Bramwell, I have loved you too, since you first walked into our dressing room. You make we happy, you make me laugh, you even make me cry. I would love to be your wife, so my answer is Yes. Yes I will marry you." Bob stood and placed the ring on Holly's finger. So that was what Marlah had slipped him. Holly looked and gasped, it was a plain gold band with three diamonds in a raised array above it. Holly's eyes filled with tears. "Marlah gave it to me, said it needed to fit on a beautiful hand, I think she's right. Although I think it's moved from one beautiful hand to another" Bob raised her hand and kissed it. Looking round he blew a kiss at Marlah. Trudy hugged her and they touched heads. Marlah moved and began crying into Trudy's shoulder. Hands touched her back. Naomi swung round me and buried her head in my shoulder, tears flowing. Ragged cheers rang out and Frank sat back at the piano and began to play. Everyone moved back and Bob led Holly into a dance, soon they were joined by the others. I held Naomi, held her tight. It had been a fantastically brilliant year and the outlook appeared to be getting even better. "A song for Holly," Frank announced and Chloe and Annis joined him by the piano. Their voices full and rich, they sang 'Chapel of Love', Frank's piano style reduced to vamping chords around their voices. Sounded good to me. Holly blew them kisses as she emerged from Bob's damp shoulder. As they finished Mac and his boys walked up and whispered to Frank, he nodded. "Bah!" "Bah!" "Bah!" "Bah!" "Bah!" "Bah!" "Bah!" "Bah!" "At the Hop!" They launched into a semi a'Capella version of the old Danny and the Juniors number. Franks breakout at the turn unsurprisingly brilliant. He stood pounding the keys as the floor writhed with the crowd bopping. Bobby produced his horn again and was away. "This is the best damn holiday I've ever had," laughed Naomi, dragging me onto the dance floor. We went at it until the small hours, Frank or I pounding the ivories, Fifties Do Wop, Sixties golden oldies, we mixed it up. The Hotel staff were in and dancing with us and each other, everyone just letting go. Finally at three am we calmed it down. I sat at the piano. Holly sat next to me. "Play thirty year man." "I don't do requests," "For me," I began the tune, everyone had sat down by now, they stopped talking. I began the lyric, "Nobody here yet From the spotlight that will ring her not a glimmer Not a finger on its squeaky dimmer I play piano in a jazz quartet That works here late with a young girl singer.." I went on and into the chorus, "Thirty years in the racket A brindled crew-cut and a silk-lined jacket And it isn't my hands that fill this place It's a kid's voice still reaching into space It's her they're driving down to hear And it's my bent-over back she's standing near.." I felt Holly's kiss on my cheek, she slid along the stool to be next to me, expertly picking out the notes, taking over from my hands. I sang the lyric until we finished.They cheered and clapped, stamped their feet. We stood and hugged, my daughter and I.