by Amelia Jones
Sophie stopped walking and stared at him. He also came to a halt.
‘Don’t call it dubious, I know what a privilege it is. I also don’t tell people about me so thanks for not prying.’
They started walking again and picked up their pace.
‘I’m lucky to live with a group of people who are all a bit weird and don’t mind me keeping to myself, and I push myself pretty hard as well.’ She went on. ‘They accept me like I am so I don’t have to talk about anything I don’t want to.’
‘This is a first for me you know,’ said Jack. ‘I don’t date because I’m not comfortable opening up about myself.’
‘Same goes for me,’ said Sophie.
They both laughed at the same time. ‘So we’re like two friends with the same problem, a boatload of baggage.’
‘Well I guess if you put it like that then yes, we are,’ agreed Sophie. ‘I have to confess I’ve never been to the Wine Bar, even though I’ve lived here for more than two years.’
‘It’s the second time for me. The boys talked me into going a couple of weeks ago. It was okay, nice music, good pasta, everyone pretty laid back.’ He didn’t bother to tell her how nervous he’d been that first time.
‘Well I’m feeling relaxed and pretty good after the walk. Thanks for suggesting it. I’m actually looking forward to it now and I’ve never seen a bush band,’ she said with a smile.
It was the first real smile he’d seen on her face and it made him catch his breath. She really was beautiful. He was going to be the envy of the guys that night.
‘It’ll be a good night, you’ll see,’ said Jack as he ushered her inside and straight to a table, right up the front near the band. He felt her tightening up and quickly reassured her, ‘It’s OK, this is the table where the band sits and I keep an eye on their gear while they’re playing. Can I take your coat for you?’
Sophie turned and gave him another smile as she took her coat off and handed it to him. This time though, the smile was tight. He hung her coat over the back of a chair and did the same with his own. Sophie took her woolly hat off and shook her hair out and took a few deep breaths to steady her nerves. Jack paused in the act of hanging his coat to stare at her. He fought the urge to touch her hair and sat down instead.
His thought as he faced the stage was that this wasn’t supposed to be a date. It was meant to be an outing between two friends, but it was rapidly beginning to feel like a date.
Chapter Four
As soon as Jack headed to the bar, the band made a beeline for the table and before Sophie had a chance to feel awkward, they had sat down and introduced themselves. They had a jug of beer and wasted no time in making sure there was no possible chance of them becoming dehydrated.
Their good natured ribbing put Sophie at ease immediately and she was soon laughing at their jokes. Jack came back with a glass of white wine for her and found himself being quizzed mercilessly.
‘So where have you been hiding her away Jack? How does a lug like you come to have a beautiful girlfriend? That’s what I’d like to know,’ said Rod, who was the leader of the group.
‘We only just met this afternoon and if you don’t mind, we’re just friends,’ relied Jack, pretending to be miffed.
‘Sure, pull the other one,’ Griff said. ‘All I can say is that at least you had the good sense to bring her here.’
‘We’ll have you in the band in no time. Jack here told me you play the violin which is really good because we need a fiddle player,’ intimated Rod.
‘But I’m classically trained,’ protested Sophie. ‘I don’t think I could play this kind of music.’
‘You haven’t heard us yet, and besides, you only have to get rid of the poker from you know where, throw everything you know about classical music out the window and enjoy yourself. Listen, you’re a proper musician. You’ll be showing us up in a week. Besides, we could get a lot more gigs if you could play some Irish Jigs and Reels. Ian here plays accordion and tin whistle so listen up while we’re playing and you’ll soon get the idea.’
‘But I didn’t say …’
Sophie felt stampeded and tried to get in a word, but it was hopeless. She was immediately interrupted.
‘It’s a pity you haven’t got your fiddle with you now, but never mind, we’ll have to wait until Sunday afternoon. Practice every Sunday. I’ve got a suite of rooms at Drummond that fits us all in. I’m a tutor, not a pleb like this lot. Jack can show you. OK? Now let’s get going boys. Vivienne isn’t here yet, so she can join in later.’
Just like that, Sophie had been conscripted into a bush band. The boys wandered back to their motley collection of instruments, which at this stage included a broom handle with bottle tops nailed all over it, (aka a largaphone) a bush base, a guitar and banjo as well as an accordion and tin whistle.
She was left reeling from the encounter.
‘Wow,’ said Jack. ‘They like you a lot. Do you think you can handle some extra-curricular activity? It’s a lot of fun but I think it has a lot to do with the people as well. And I’m sorry if you were embarrassed with the ‘girlfriend’ wisecracks.’
Sophie was feeling a bit shell shocked, but happy. ‘I can’t believe that just happened. Are these guys for real? And it’s cool, I don’t mind the jokes. I can see it’s just harmless fun.’
‘It’s good to kick back and enjoy yourself sometimes. Normal people do it all the time. People like us have to learn how.’
Jack gave Sophie a knowing look, like they were two people with a secret, which almost brought tears to her eyes for some reason. She blinked them away though and smiled happily.
‘Well it feels good,’ Sophie said; her happy smile still in place. ‘These people are totally different to what I’ve been accustomed to the last couple of years. Maybe it’s time I branched out a little.’
Jack looked at her and an amused smile played on his lips. She was just like a child in a candy shop, which he found touching.
‘Just take things as they come and enjoy it. Over thinking it can be hard work. Tonight doesn’t have to be like that.’ He glanced at the time and hesitated, then went on. ‘Do you feel like having some pasta? The food here isn’t flash, just comfortable and easy, like the company.’
‘OK, you’ve convinced me. I’ll listen in to the cacophony in the corner, that I’m now a member of.’
Jack laughed. She would fit right in with the gang, he thought. ‘I won’t be long,’ and headed to the bar to place their order.
Meantime, the boys had started their first set and Sophie could only agree that she was the better musician. As she sipped on her wine though, it was soon evident that the folksy music was very earthy and a little rough, however it was the simplicity and feeling which the boys had captured, that made it special.
Some of the songs were sad, some happy but all were enthusiastic renditions. She couldn’t help but think that a fiddle really would make a big difference, by adding some harmony for a start, as well as adding an instrumental verse or two to the songs. As for the Irish Jigs, Sophie felt sure she could learn them if she had some music to work from.
****
Sophie had been immersed in music since she was about nine years old when her father had brought home an old piano that his boss had been sending to the dump. It was badly out of tune and scratched but none of that stopped Sophie from teaching herself to play. She was soon picking out tunes with her right hand, adding in chords with her left and generally improving every day. It had been a lifesaver.
She thought back to the absolute hell that her growing up years had been and marveled, as she always did, how she’d survived. She’d plotted and planned for years on her escape and when she’d finally gone to college, she’d sworn that she would never go back. She thought of her sisters who were stuck back there and felt guilt flood her.
Her sister Alicia was five years younger and next in line for the heavy domestic workload. To say she was happy about it was an understatement. Alicia had always
been favored by their parents because she’d spent most of her life chronically ill with asthma. She’d always received plenty of positive attention from the nurses at the hospital where she had spent so much time and had grown up accustomed to being the center of attention, in a good way.
She wasn’t happy about becoming the household drudge and had the confidence to say so. Alicia liked being with people and having fun. Sophie knew she was jealous of her sister for this and knew that her leaving for college would likely put a dent in Alicia’s happy outlook on life. There was no help for it though and Alicia would have to deal with it, just as Sophie had had to. On the bright side, at least there were less people to cook for and clean up after.
Sophie sucked in a deep breath and let it out in a whoosh. There was little point in going over old ground, not that evening at any rate. She was there to enjoy the company of a nice young man, and memories were not permitted to intrude. But she resolved to write a comforting letter to Alicia. She always loved Sophie’s letters.
Chapter Five
‘Penny for them,’ said Jack as he came back from ordering dinner.
She blinked and fastened her gaze on him. The penetrating look he gave her should have made her uncomfortable, but to her surprise, it didn’t.
‘That’s about all they’re worth too.’
He smiled slightly before taking the seat next to hers. ‘Maybe one day we can swap stories, but I’m nowhere ready for that yet.’ He said.
Sophie agreed with him wholeheartedly even if she remained silent. After a brief silence he gestured towards the band, ‘What do you think of it?’
‘Well they’re kind of rough round the edges, but it has a certain earthiness about it. Totally opposite of course, to the formality I’ve been into for the last several years.’
‘Mmm, there’s certainly nothing pretentious or restrained about it, that’s for sure.’
Sophie laughed and then turned serious. ‘You know, I’ve been thinking that I got involved in music for all the wrong reasons, especially since I decided to make a career out of it. Now that crunch time has arrived, that fact is letting me down badly.’
‘How so?’ asked Jack.
‘Well, without completely boring you to death, my skill level means I could have a performance career. But apparently I lack the ‘soul’ of a performer, so my teacher tells me. If I’m really honest with myself, I should just admit that I got into music as a means of escape, not because I wanted to become a performer and travel the world.’
‘So what are you going to do?’
‘I don’t know yet, but I will have to figure it out very soon, otherwise I’ll have to go back home. I can’t do that.’
The look on Jack’s face indicated that he knew exactly what she was talking about.
‘I’m in the same situation but I keep telling myself it will all work out in the end. The year is passing and I still don’t have a clue. To be honest, it scares me. I can’t go back either but I worry about my sister.’
What scared Sophie was how much they seemed to have in common. How was that possible?
The waitress came with their pasta and placed a bowl in front of them both. Sophie and Jack both took an appreciative breath as the waitress brought them extra cheese and set their table places.
The music stopped and it was clear that the boys were on a break as they descended around the table and jugs of beer quickly arrived, followed by six more bowls of pasta. It was just like the communal meals at the flat. It had taken Sophie more than two years to relax with people around a dinner table, with everyone laughing and talking in between eating.
Something of her thoughts must have shown on her face because Jack glanced at her and shook his head ruefully.
‘Hey look, here’s Vivienne. We’re over here,’ Rod raised his voice so he could be heard over the din. ‘Come and have some dinner.’
‘Sorry I’m late guys … the car didn’t like the cold.’
“It’s okay, we were just getting warmed up.’ The others squashed up to make room at the table for her. ‘This is Sophie, she plays the violin and is going to be joining us. It’ll be really great to have a proper musician in the group.’
Vivienne was dressed comfortably in jeans and a sweater, like Sophie. She gave the group a broad smile.
‘Hi Sophie, pleased you meet you. I’m guessing you were commandeered, like me, but I’m glad, because one female with all these boys is hard work. I’m doing Nat Res too and there is a noticeable shortage of women doing that. Since this is my one and only recreational activity, it’s been like more of the same. Woo hoo, another female, good one Rod.’
Sophie smiled at her, but didn’t bother to try speaking. Everyone seemed to be talking at the same time.
‘Eat your dinner. It’ll be time for our next set soon.’ Rod brought out his list and started going through it with the group.
‘So what are you doing at college Sophie?’ asked Vivienne.
After a few false starts, Sophie gave up and raised her voice like the others so she could be heard.
‘A double music major, which is why Rod here keeps calling me a proper musician.’
Vivienne laughed companionably. ‘Well I hope you enjoy playing with us and don’t get bored. It’s a fun thing more than anything else. Pity you haven’t got your violin here tonight, you could have had a bit of a play.’
‘That’s what Rod said. I came with Jack, to listen to a band not to join it, but I guess stranger things have happened.’ Sophie found herself laughing along with the others. ‘I think I’m going to enjoy this.’
The band moved away to get ready for their next set, leaving Sophie and Jack at the table to finish their pasta.
‘Think you can handle this for a couple more hours?’ asked Jack.
‘Oh, I think so. You were right. They’re a great bunch of people and I’m glad I came.’
‘I’m glad you did too. You’re a great person, Sophie. All I can say is, thank goodness for psychology. Hey, maybe we could study together and save ourselves a bit of time.’
‘That would be great, thanks Jack.’
‘Are you going to stay through the semester break?’ asked Jack.
‘Yes, I was planning to get ahead with some of the research I need to do for a couple of my music courses. Not forgetting the elephant in the room and figuring out what to do about next year.’
‘Right, that one. Maybe we could hang out together and make it a bit easier on both of us.’
‘Sure, I’d like that.’
The remainder of the evening passed quickly for Sophie and Jack as they felt more comfortable with each other. Being natural with each other was harder than it was for most people and there was no possibility of them letting their guards down too far. They both knew better than that, but there was room to be friends.
That night as Sophie was falling asleep, she felt happy inside, in a way that was not familiar. She had enjoyed herself with the company of a great group of people. She’d felt comfortable with them. Jack was great too and she felt a connection with him, sure that they’d had some common experiences before they came to college. Maybe one day they could talk about that.
As always though, the ever present weight of the worry about what to do next year, worked its way into her thoughts. She had to find a way to deal with it. After coming this far, she couldn’t go back. Besides being dangerous, it would be like wiping out what she had achieved during high school and these last two years at college. No, it was too much to give up and she couldn’t do it.
Regardless of how deep she had to dig, she would come out of it without going back home. Determination and resolve had served her well during all of her short life. It would work for her now. She would push through it.
Chapter Six
The year pressed on. Sophie and Jack were enjoying their friendship and spent all their spare time together. They studied together and then there was the band. Sophie was brilliant of course and hadn’t needed any music to lea
rn the Irish pieces. Ian, the tin whistle player simply played them, Sophie listened and then played them back. She’d learned to play by ear so the Irish pieces had been a piece of cake.
These days, they usually had a gig on Friday and Saturday nights and always rehearsed on Sunday afternoons. The band was starting to pick up more work as they were asked to play for country dances all around the local rural area. They were popular in the country pubs too. It was mostly down to Sophie as her inclusion had provided them with a new direction. They were making regular money now too.
