While Susie was greatly excited about his news, Alice was cautious. ‘I can see the boy is talented, Steve, but he’s also very young. I know it’s none of my business and what I know about the world of music isn’t even worth knowing, but I hope you’ve thought this through. If you don’t mind me saying, there are many other issues here, besides music.’
‘Yes, I’m aware of all the issues, like home and family, and his schooling. Other than his granddad, I’m told that Casey has no family, and before you ask, I haven’t been made aware of the reasons why, although I did overhear someone talking about a tragedy concerning the boy. His home is with his grandfather. If, after hearing him perform, Jim leaps at the chance to nurture young Casey towards a successful career, we must then abide by what both the boy and his grandfather have to say. If it works out in favour of a career in music, we’ll need to discuss important things, such as his schooling.’
Alice was satisfied that Steve had the boy’s welfare at heart. ‘He certainly has something very special,’ she said, as they headed away from the market. ‘Let’s hope everything works out.’
Steve was thinking ahead. ‘Like you say, there’s a lot to think about, and while I’m convinced that the boy’s future lies in music, I’m determined that his childhood must not be disrupted.’
‘I know you’ll do right by him.’
‘I will, but first I’m anxious to know what Jim might say. I do know that when he hears Casey, he won’t be able to resist taking him on.’ He chuckled. ‘First, though, he’s got to get past the old man.’
‘I think it’s sad that Casey only has his granddad.’ Susie had an idea. ‘Maybe you two can love him, like you love me?’
That made them smile. ‘You’re a special little girl, Susie,’ Steve was deeply touched, ‘and I’m very glad we’ve got you.’
Alice glanced at her watch. ‘Come on, you two. We’d best get a move on. There’s the luggage to collect, and a train to catch.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Steve assured her. ‘If there’s time at the hotel before we leave for the station, I’ll make that call to Jim then.’
When they arrived at the hotel, Alice went straight to the desk and ordered the luggage.
While the porter loaded the luggage into the boot of the car, Alice and Susie found a table by the window, and Steve made his call to Jim.
‘I’ve to get Alice and Susie to the train station,’ Steve began, ‘so I’ll talk and you listen.’
‘OK, I’m listening … what’s the news?’ Jim was a laid-back, canny man with the Midas touch where musical talent was concerned.
Steve told him only as much as he needed to know for now. ‘The boy is a real gem,’ he said. ‘Not only does he possess a warm and engaging voice, he also plays a guitar with heart and soul. He’s a natural, Jim. He’s never been professionally taught. He’s just an ordinary kid, with extraordinary talent, and from what I can gather, he’s an orphan into the bargain. He’s also got a granddad who would guard him with his life, so you can’t just go barging in heavy-footed.’
‘I understand that, and I wouldn’t dream of being “heavy-footed”.’ Jim was wounded. ‘The thing is, I’m up to my eyeballs with this new group, so if you want me to go up there, I hope the boy is as good as you claim.’
‘Oh, he is, I promise you. I wouldn’t be singing his praises if I didn’t believe in his talent. Like I say, though, he’ll need coaxing along for a few years. You’ll need to treat him tenderly for his talent to grow and mature. Oh, but what a talent to have on your books for the future. If you don’t sign him up, somebody else will. Especially now that he’s taken to busking in public.’
‘You’re really fired up about this boy’s talent, aren’t you?’
‘Yes, but only because I believe he’s got something truly special. You can’t not watch him when he performs. He plays the guitar like someone years older, and when he sings, he has a voice that taps into the emotions. The number of artists who can do that you could count on one hand, and well you know it. If you don’t come and see him, you’ll regret it.’
Jim was persuaded. ‘Trouble is, I’m up to my neck at the minute with tight schedules and such. I’ve also got a shop-window gig to organise for that new group. It’s taken me weeks to get the powers that be to hear them, but at last I’ve got a date in the diary. You’ll need to give me time to sort it all out.’
‘I understand, and how’s it all going?’ No regrets, eh?’ There was a brief silence, before the answer came back, ‘I tell you what, Steve, I don’t regret being off the road and in a secure situation. I reckon we should have followed our grown-up dreams long before now. Going into the management side for me was the right thing to do; and after talking about your iconic studio for more years than I care to remember, you’re now seeing your vision slowly but surely take shape right before your eyes. I’m proud of you. We all are.’
‘Thanks, Jim. It’s been a long time coming, and we’re not there yet.’
‘About the boy, Steve, I won’t let you down,’ Jim promised him. ‘We always need new blood, new talent to nurture, and from what you tell me, it sounds like you’ve stumbled on something special.’
‘Well, I think so. Anyway, Jim, I’ll be on my way home soon, so if you haven’t managed to get hold of me in the meantime, I’ll call you when I get back. Soon as I can, I’ll relay your thoughts to the grandfather, just so he doesn’t think we’re messing him about.’
‘Good idea, Steve. Got to go now … we’ll talk later.’
Steve relayed the good news to Alice and Susie, who were waiting in the lounge. ‘He’s really interested; enough to try and clear his schedules so he can find time to come up here.’
‘That’s marvellous, but when does he think he’ll be coming up?’ Alice still had her reservations.
‘He couldn’t say, but I’ll see him when I get back, and we’ll sort something out.’
A few minutes later, on the way to the station, both Alice and Susie could not stop talking about Casey and what was happening.
‘He’s my new friend,’ Susie announced proudly. ‘Did you tell Jim it was me who found him?’
Both Alice and Steve laughed out loud. ‘Casey is a lucky young man to have a friend like you.’ Alice gave her a cuddle. ‘And he’s lucky to have Uncle Steve looking out for him.’
‘He’ll be treated with kid gloves.’ Steve was every bit as determined as the old man to ensure that Jim was kept in line. Even now, he was considering a number of clauses in a possible contract in order to ensure Casey’s wellbeing.
To do that, though, he would need authority to represent both the boy and his grandfather, and that would require him earning their trust.
Driving towards the station, it pleased him to hear Alice and her daughter deep in conversation. What he wouldn’t give to have children, the thought was never far from his mind.
He grew melancholy.
On the whole, he had been more fortunate than most men, enjoying good health, an attractive wife who brought him many compliments, and being able to fulfil his great love for his music. Yet he felt as though his life was unfulfilled; that somehow, somewhere along the way, he had missed out.
He let his thoughts wander back over the years. Deep down he knew what was missing; he had always known, although he would never openly admit it.
What he needed was someone special in his lonely life. Someone who would love him for himself, and not for the material things he might provide. Someone who could make him whole, and bring his spirit alive.
A certain someone crept into his mind: Ruth, who had stolen his heart. Shy and loving … her upturned face waiting for a kiss. Ruth was someone he had never been able to forget.
His heart turned over. He could see her now, a passionate young woman, with strong, warm eyes and flowing hair, and a smile that could light up the night skies.
He felt a rush of sadness. He wondered where she was now, that special person who had stolen his heart one wonderful night, lyin
g on a quiet, moonlit beach; with a twinkling sky overhead, and the sound of music in the distance.
His heart sank when he recalled what Connie had told him the night she’d come to see him at the stage door. She was charming and kind, and sorry that he’d ‘been used’, as Connie put it. She said that she was uncomfortable at having to deliver such a ‘cruel’ message, but she’d been asked to pass on Ruth’s words, that he had been ‘nothing more to her than just a bit of fun; a one-night stand that she already regretted.’
Connie delivered the message word for word, revealing how Ruth had made up with her ex, and they were planning to get married …
‘Steve?’ Alice’s voice interrupted his thoughts. ‘You’re very quiet.’
‘Am I?’
‘Well, yes, you’ve hardly said two words in the past ten minutes. Are you all right?’
‘Oh, I’m fine, Alice, thanks. I was just thinking, that’s all.’
‘I wondered if you were worried about something to do with the site and all that. I know it’s been playing on your mind a lot lately.’
‘Well, let’s hope it won’t be too long before we see the buildings up and standing proud in all their glory. I’ve known for some time that there’s a real need for a studio complex that can also accommodate musicians and performers who want the best.’
He confided his wider vision. ‘I’ve already had long, encouraging talks with both the architect and the authorities. I’ve asked to extend the accommodation wing, and so far, there doesn’t seem to be much serious opposition; though I’m counting on nothing yet; especially as the planning permission is still in limbo. Mind you, the fact that the site is huge, and also that at one time it was a holiday complex, is well and truly in my favour. Or at least that’s what the agent says.’
Alice never ceased to be impressed by his determination. ‘Mike says you told him you could be up to your eyes in debt for the next forty years.’
‘That’s very true.’
‘So, why do you want to build such a big complex? Why don’t you just build a block of studios, like you first intended? The people who use the studios can stay in local hotels.’
‘Think about it, Alice. I’m aiming at every musician who works at his music twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They tour not just this country, but the wide world. When they’re on the road, they require a base to call their own, where everything they require is right there at their fingertips. They can eat, sleep, practise and write their music with no worries about upsetting anybody. These musicians want a place to lay their heads. I know. I’ve been there, and so has Jim; who, incidentally, is one of my backers.’
Alice could see the sense of it all. ‘Wow! You’ve got it all worked out, haven’t you?’
‘That’s because it’s been years in the making, but now, at long last I’ve found the perfect site. And I’ll be creating work for the locals which is a good thing.’
‘So, was Mike right? Will it take you into debt for the next forty years?’
‘I’ll be honest. Yes, it could break me if it was all on my back, but I do have two genuine backers. Jim can see this project bringing in serious money. I also have the bank behind me, and they would never back such a project unless they could see a healthy return. So, Alice, you’re not to worry. You can see I’ve done my homework and I know that once it’s up and running, the word will spread and the money will come pouring in. Then I can pay my debts. Until then, we’ll climb the mountains as we get to them.’
‘You’re a brave man, Steve, I’ll give you that.’
‘Not brave exactly.’ He winked at her. ‘I’m just pig-headed, and now that I’ve started it, I can’t let go.’
Alice laughed. ‘Do you think we don’t know that?’
‘Are you gonna be famous, Uncle Steve?’ Susie woke from a short nap.
Steve smiled. ‘I think I’ve had my small share of fame, sweetheart, but, great as it is, I’ve discovered there’s far more to life than that.
‘What then?’
‘Let me see … you for a start, and your mummy. If it hadn’t been for you two coming up here with me, I’d have had a lonely trip, wouldn’t I?’
‘Well, Uncle Steve, whenever you’re going away, just tell us and we’ll come with you every time.’
Both Alice and Steve exchanged little smiles at that. ‘Well, now, that’s very kind of you, I must say, but we all have busy lives, and I’m just happy you came with me this time.’
‘Daddy’s coming home, did you know that?’
‘I know, sweetheart, and I’m sure he’s looking forward to seeing his little girl.’
‘I’m excited too.’
‘I’m sure you are.’
Steve wished he felt the same excitement at the prospect of seeing Connie, but sadly there was not the same closeness between them. There never really had been.
He thought about his lonely life, and that amazing night on the beach, when he and Ruth had made love, wrapped in each other’s arms as they lay on the sand and counted the twinkling stars in the night skies.
And now, he had come to realise that in life if you missed that one chance, that one magical moment, it may be lost for all time.
Where Ruth was concerned his moment in time had gone, and he deeply regretted that.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
AFTER WAVING OFF Alice and Susie at the station, Steve felt obliged to make one more errand. He turned from the road he would have taken to his hotel, and headed instead for the backstreets of Blackpool.
He cut across by the amusement arcade and wound his way through a complex of narrow streets until he saw the house where he’d left the victim of the nasty attack.
Realising there was nowhere to park without blocking other cars in, he drove on, keeping a lookout for a space.
As he slowly cruised past, he noticed a woman walking towards the house. He slowed the car, wondering if she might be the very woman he was here to ask about. He couldn’t be sure, because that night he’d never really got a proper look at her face.
Now, though, he stopped the car and turned to get a look at the woman as she climbed the steps to the front door, and his heart flipped over. There was something vaguely familiar about her, stirring a memory from long ago of a certain night; a certain young woman.
She had the same flowing hair, the same pert figure and a proud way of holding herself as she moved. The memories flooded back, taking him to the past when he truly believed he had fallen in love.
The woman had stirred his senses.
Suddenly she turned, as though looking right at him, and he tried so hard to convince himself that it was her.
Then he was convincing himself that it was not her at all, that it was only wishful thinking, and besides, after all this time, how would he know her anyway? There must be many young women with flowing hair and a strikingly attractive face.
‘Calm yourself, man!’ he whispered, forcing a small laugh. ‘Ruth has been on your mind for so long, you’re looking for her in every woman you meet. It’s been years! You don’t even know what she looks like now. She might be big as a house with half a dozen kids, or she might have dyed her hair a different colour. She could have even gone abroad.’
Even so, there was something about that woman climbing those steps. Something about the way her hair settled on her shoulders when she turned round. Something. Nothing. His mind was in turmoil.
When the driver of a car behind angrily sounded his horn, Steve almost leaped out of his skin. ‘All right! All right!’ Being forced to move on, he went down the side road and into the street beyond, where he finally managed to park.
Scrambling out of the car, he turned the key in the door lock and ran back up the street, and on to the boarding house where, breathless and excited, he impatiently banged on the door.
‘Who the devil’s that?’ When the banging started, Marilyn was in the act of pouring two cups of tea; one for her and the other for Ruth, who had just arrived back from the shops.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll go and see.’ Turning from the cupboard where she was packing away the groceries, Ruth went to the front window and peeped out. She was slightly shaken by the sight of the man outside.
‘Who is it?’ Marilyn put the milk in the cups. When Ruth gave no answer, she asked again, ‘Ruth, who’s at the door?’ She came through to the front. On seeing Ruth’s worried expression, she made her way over. ‘It’s not that salesman again, is it? I can see I’ll have to give him a piece of my mind!’
Ruth was frantic. ‘No! Don’t go to the door. I can’t be sure, but … I think it might be him …’
‘Who?’
In trembling voice, Ruth reminded her, ‘Remember when I told you about the man I slept with on the beach that night … the one that made me pregnant?’
Marilyn scowled. ‘What? You mean the cowardly bugger who ran off and wanted nothing to do with it? Are you saying that’s him, outside my door?’ Angered, she took a step towards the door. ‘It’s time he were told a thing or two about responsibility!’
Before she could open the door, Ruth took hold of her arm. ‘No! I’m not altogether sure it’s him. It’s been a long time and besides, even if it is him, I want to put the past behind me. I’ve got a new life now. Don’t go out, please. Whoever he is, he’ll go away in a minute.’
For what seemed an age, the two women stood there, close to the window, but far enough away that Steve could neither see them nor hear them.
Opening the letter box, he called out, ‘Hello!’ When there was no reply, he called again, ‘Hello?’
‘It’s no good. I’ll have to get rid of him. I’ll not say anything, and I won’t let him in,’ the landlady promised Ruth. ‘You have my word on it.’ She gave Ruth a gentle push. ‘Get upstairs … go on, hurry.’
On soft footsteps, Ruth went up to her room, while Marilyn opened the front door.
‘What the devil d’you think you’re playing at?’ she demanded. ‘It’s just as well my boarders are out and about, or you’d have frightened the life outta them. What is it? What d’you want?’
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