Forty-One (Heather); All Together Now...
"Okay, from the top..." I say, looking at Dave Peak on the bass.
"It's hard, Hev!"
"Bet it ain't the first time you've said that!" I tease, laughing. Nineteen-year-old Dave goes red, and I laugh a little more. "Sorry babe, and sorry to the rest of you," I add, looking around at the rest of the group. "I know it's tough, but Andy'll be here soon enough..." Our drummer Neil has upped and left us, so I've pulled in a favour from an old friend.
"Right, I'm gonna clap out the beat, everyone knows what they're up to, right?" Steve takes charge, and I breathe a sigh of relief; I always feel really embarrassed when I'm trying to be responsible.
"From the top! A-one two three four-" A loud knock at the door draws a vehement expletive from my lips, then I sigh, striding over and pulling the door open with so much force I'm in danger of ripping it clean off it's hinges.
"Mornin' babe, though my body's tellin' me it's still last night.."
"Andy!!" I squeal happily, practically throwing myself at the tired-looking American. "Thank heaven's you're here!"
"Hi honey, you sound even more English than normal. Guess bein' back here's undoin' all the effort I put in t'make you sound like one of us!" Andy smiles. He sounds weary, but his eyes are bright. "Where's the kit?" he looks enthusiastic as he spies our drum kit. "Nice!" he exclaims. "Oh! Hi guys!" he drawls, waving to the group.
"Okay, introductions!" I say, pulling Andy inside the garage 'Fevered Sleep' use as rehearsal space. "Guys, this is Andy, Andy this is Steve, Dave, Victor, Rigby, Mark, Alex, Pete, and Alex number two, though call him Lex or he may be forced to eat you!" The 6"4 blonde grins at me. "Meet Fevered Sleep." I say, grinning proudly. The guys are great; I love them all to bits, and I'm happy to say that I'm part of the group, even a small part.
"Hi." Andy drawls, sending a winning smile at everyone. "I'm so glad I'm a Boingo fan myself, else I'd be completely lost!" he chuckles. "So," he adds, watching me leap over to the microphone with far more energy than I had earlier. "Let's start playing!"
"Okay everyone," I say, and I can hear my voice betraying how excitable and happy I am. "A-one two three--!"
Chapter 40 ; Contents ; Chapter 42
