Good company

The dinner was delicious and tonight I needed the company.  My concerns over Freda and our future appeared unnecessary as tonight she proved she is actually a really good cook.  Time alone had meant her putting her energies into writing music, cooking and baking.  The smell in her kitchen tonight was enough to make someone who had already eaten, hungry. Her chicken and broccoli casserole tasted amazing.  Her smile tonight was real, she was happy and we laughed like ways had done.

Rosie has been discharged home with counselling and is now trying to focus on herself and her small boy, James. Putting Freddie’s death and his misdemeanours, behind her, she knows her life will never be the same again.  Not ready yet to move on but more settled with life. There has been nothing in the media about Marcus Ling so I can only assume that the police are still trying to find him.

London

I have been to London and attended my audition. The London underground was typically busy and I felt a rush of relief as I reached London Victoria.  The usual mix of business people, the young adults, people going about their daily lives.  I listened to a young couple, lovingly holding hands, planning their day ahead seeing London’s sights.  Tower of London, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge and museums.  I thought of Mark, maybe he would like a day sightseeing, taking in the atmosphere and hustle and bustle.  It’s a world away from the peace and serenity of the New Forest countryside.

Arriving at Harper Music I was struck by the grandeur of the three-storey building.  Glass fronted with bold gold letters and musical clefs.  Walking through the heavy glass door I stumbled, the impractical heels on my boots letting me down. A huge welcoming red rug with more musical notes in the foyer with an overwhelming dark wood reception desk greeted me.

Nervously I approached the suited receptionist, her name badge read, Jane Dawes.

“Hello, I have a meeting with Mr Harper.” Jane nodded and typed on her computer then motioning with her right hand towards a row of settees said coldly,

“Please sit down, he will be with you soon.”

Picking up ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine, I settled myself into a warm sofa. Reading about David Bowie, I wondered where my career was headed. I didn’t hear the footsteps approaching me, as I heard a calm voice.

“Hello Miss Wells.”

I looked up and saw a stooped over man in a smart suit, with hair that looked like cotton wool facing me.

“Yes, hello, Mr Harper?”

“Come with me, Miss Wells.”

The audition

He appeared friendly but business like.  The butterflies started jumping hard around my stomach and I started to wonder where the toilet was.  Being sick over the plush carpet was really not a  option.

Following him into a large open meeting room, there was a large grand piano, keyboards, drums, and I suspected a host of other musical instruments hidden around.

“Miss Wells, please sit at the grand piano and play and sing for me.”

I was surprised, I thought he would want to talk first.

“Err, play anything in particular?”

“Anything you want.”

Sitting on the smart piano stool I decided to play my favourite.  Seemed a bit obvious but Abba’s ‘‘Take a chance on me’ had been racing around my head all morning.  As I started playing and singing the butterflies in my stomach started to fade.  As I finished I glanced over to Mr Harper who was smiling and then clapping.

“Miss Wells, I like Abba too, now how about something you have written.”  I wasn’t expecting this.

“Sorry Sir, but my friend Freda writes my music. Otherwise I sing and play well known songs like Abba.”

Future prospects

“He looked disappointed. “So, you didn’t write Baby Blue?”

“No, Freda, my friend, wrote it and I sang it. “

Mr Harper went quiet, then said,

“Both you girls are talented.  Please play Baby Blue, I’ve heard all about it.”

Wondering who from, I nodded and started to play. I could see him nodding and swaying to the music.  He seemed to enjoy it as much as I love playing it.

“Right Miss Wells, I would like to meet again.  I want you fronting this sat at the piano singing and Freda to write the music.”

“Freda is a wonderful pianist Mr Harper.”

“I think I need to see and hear both of you,” he smiled. “Miss Wells, my grandson heard you playing in a bar and videoed you.  I was very impressed and had to meet you.” Pulling out my business card he added, “he found this on the bar, so we had your number.”

This could be the start of something, and now hopefully Freda would be included too.

“Thankyou for seeing me, when should we come back?”

“How about Friday, 3pm?”

“We will see you then”, shaking hands, I was relieved that this had gone alright and I could soon leave.

Meeting with Mr Harper had felt intimidating but this could be the start of us growing as professional musicians.

Leaving Harper music, excitement was bubbling up inside me.  With thoughts of my future, I now stepped back on to the busy London street, knowing that something big was about to begin.

Written for Grammys Grid first sentence prompt – The dinner was delicious and

For more see, Reflecting on life with tea – Ruby and Freda, part 16, this is part 17