One Last Shot

by Archer, Julie

  “What do you mean?” He turned to her but stayed where he was.

  “You’ve been home for all of five minutes and you’re already thinking about going away again.”

  “It’s my job, Poppy. You know this. It’s how we met; I was on tour.” Nate sighed.

  “What do the others think? Caro, Yulia?”

  “Caro will be fine with it.”

  “Of course Caro will be fine with it; she’s swanning off to Mallorca in a few days and doesn’t have the same level of responsibilities we have!” Poppy threw her hands up.

  Nate sat forward and fixed Poppy with a look. “You’ve just told me how great it is having Eva here, getting that second pair of hands to help around the place. I’m guessing, from what you’ve told me, she’s staying for a while, so how is that going to change things?”

  Poppy glared back at him. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe the fact that you’re missing out on a whole lot of your daughter growing up? Or spending time with your wife? But maybe we don’t matter to you.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not that.”

  “Then why are you more excited about going away again instead of being here with us?” Poppy knew she was whining, but she didn’t care. It was apparent that Nate didn’t care much either.

  Nate ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t win here, can I? You knew that if things took off with Blood Stone Riot I’d be going away again, like we used to in the old days. But this time you can’t come with me. You’re right, we do have different commitments to the other members of the band. I don’t even know if this guy that Parker has found will work out. For all I know, he could be shit. Until we know for sure, I don’t think we should have this conversation.” He stood up and walked out of the room. Poppy followed him into the hallway and watched as he picked up two of his guitar cases.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I thought I’d put these away and then maybe run over a couple of the new songs that Alik has come up with.”

  “But you’ve only just come home! Surely you want to spend some time with me and India?”

  Nate hesitated before he replied. “Yeah, I will, just not now. Let me get settled back in properly first?” He kissed her on the forehead and headed out to the garage-cum-studio.

  Poppy had no choice but to let him go. She understood that after being away for so long he needed some time to readjust. But at the same time, surely he had missed the two of them? She sighed and went into the living room, sat down and picked up one of the magazines Eva had brought home, and waited. She didn’t know how long she’d been sitting there when the home phone rang again. With a sigh, she reached for the handset.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello again, Poppy, it’s Parker. Is Nate back?”

  She gripped the phone tighter and took a deep breath. “Sure, he’s just unpacking. I’ll go and get him.”

  Poppy walked out to find Nate. She expected to hear the sound of his guitar, but she could only hear laughter. Nate was talking to someone on his mobile. As Poppy entered the room, Nate ended the call straight away. He glared at her.

  “What do you want?”

  She held out the handset out to him. “It’s Parker. Who were you talking to?”

  “No-one.” Nate stuffed his mobile into the pocket of his jeans and took the phone. He turned away from Poppy. “Hey, Parker, what’s up?”

  Chapter Six

  The tension in the McKenna house was palpable.

  Eva was glad to escape to The Indigo Lounge most days and spend time in the company of people that actually wanted to talk to each other. She had made casual friends with a couple of the other bar staff and was beginning to get to know Amy a bit more since Caro had disappeared off to Mallorca earlier that week. The two of them had already worked out the rotas for the next month or so that Caro was away. Eva was beginning to have a real sense of purpose. Caro and Nic were also pleased with the additional promotion she had done, resulting in a couple more theme nights on evenings where the bar would usually be quiet. Things finally seemed to be working out.

  It was a few days after Nate had returned that Eva came home to find Poppy in tears.

  “Right, that’s it,” said Eva. “You have to tell me what’s been going on. I know I’m just a guest in this house, but I can’t walk around on eggshells the whole time. Things have been weird ever since Nate got back, which means it has to be something to do with him.”

  She went into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of wine from the fridge. She took two glasses from the cupboard and returned to the living room, where Poppy was dabbing her eyes with a piece of tissue.

  “Well?”

  Eva poured the wine and took a gulp. Poppy only took a tiny sip of the drink.

  “I’m not sure that things are okay with Nate and me,” said Poppy. Her voice was wobbly and barely above a whisper.

  “No shit.” Eva winced at her own bluntness. “Sorry, it’s just that’s pretty obvious, but why?”

  She listened while Poppy told her about the possibility that Blood Stone Riot would be getting back on track and how that meant Nate would be away from home yet again. Poppy didn’t know how Nate really felt about her anymore. He seemed to be avoiding her, getting lots of texts and disappearing to make phone calls or cutting off the caller if Poppy came into the room.

  “We’ve barely spoken since he’s been back.”

  “Would it help if you had some alone time? I can always take India somewhere to give you two some space?”

  “No! Half of the problem is that he’s not here to see India.”

  “Then maybe I need to give you that space. I can find somewhere else to stay.” The thought of finding another place terrified Eva. She was settled with Poppy and didn’t relish the thought of sharing with strangers.

  “You need somewhere safe, and I’m not about to throw you out into the street. Nate and I need to work it out, and I’m sure we will.” Poppy placed her hand on Eva’s. “It’s been great having you here.”

  Impulsively, Eva hugged her. “Thank you, I’ve enjoyed being here. But you and Nate really need to speak to each other and work this out. It’s not good for either of you. Or me and India for that matter!”

  Poppy nodded. “You’re right. I’ll talk to him. If he ever comes out of the studio that is.” She left the room, heading for Nate’s studio, where he’d pretty much been camped out since he’d come home.

  Eva reached for the remote and turned on some mindless television. She sipped some more wine. Poppy and Nate’s troubled had stirred up memories of Jed and the hateful things he’d said to her.

  Since she’d been at The Indigo Lounge, a couple of guys that worked there had tried to ask her out, but each time she had refused. Not every man was controlling in the same way that Jed had been, but it would be a very special person that could gain her trust again.

  Seeing Poppy and Nate so shaky had rocked her a little, which she hadn’t been prepared for. They had always been so strong, so together and unbreakable, despite any attempt to split them up. She and Jed hadn’t been anything like that. It had started with harmless flirting, then a couple of drinks after work, then some sneaky sessions in his office when everyone else had gone home. It escalated from there.

  At first, the deception was what had made it exciting, fooling everyone else in the office, not to mention Jed’s wife. Eva’d had some concerns about being ‘the other woman’, but Jed had been very persuasive, telling her that things weren’t going well at home. She’d been foolish enough to fall for it, despite telling many a girlfriend that getting involved with a married man was stupid and they should run a mile. Then she’d experienced the adrenaline rush of getting away with moments of stolen passion, the heady flashes of nearly getting caught. And it was enough to get her hooked. When things had become public knowledge, some of that excitement disappeared, particularly when Jed had started to regulate everything that went on in her life.

  She understood now what it meant to be comple
tely under someone’s spell that you would give up virtually everything for them. Jed had totally sucked her in with promises of material goods that had turned her head. Things like that no longer meant anything to her. Being around Poppy the past week or so, and getting involved in the working family that was The Indigo Lounge, had changed Eva’s view of the world. She felt like she belonged somewhere again and it felt good.

  Chapter Seven

  Richey had travelled up to North Ridge the night before his audition and found the cheapest B&B he could. The room was tiny, and the landlady had rolled her eyes at him when he’d arrived with more music equipment than luggage. He had practiced for all he was worth and woke early to get a few more hours in.

  Prior to the session, Nate had sent Richey the band’s tabs as well as a few YouTube videos that showed them playing live. As he watched the late Billy Walker strutting around the stage, he wondered for the hundredth time what on earth he was doing. He loved playing and knew he was fairly good, but was he ready to step into a dead man’s shoes, so to speak?

  The band had arranged to rehearse at The Indigo Lounge. Richey knew of the venue’s importance in the band’s history and was nervous about playing there. He hoped there wouldn’t be much of an audience. He arrived fifteen minutes early to get his bearings in new surroundings.

  He knocked on the door, trying to quell his nerves, and waited for someone to answer.

  “Yeah?” The guy who answered the door had a bald head and two piercings in his eyebrow.

  “Hi, I’m Richey Mason, I’m rehearsing here today.”

  “Don’t think so, mate, we’ve got Blood Stone Riot booked in for a session.”

  “That’s right, I’m rehearsing with them.”

  The bald-headed man shouted to someone inside, only to have it confirmed that Richey was indeed in the right place and should be let in to set up.

  He lugged his Fender bass through the door, glad not to be humping an amp as well. The stage was little more than a raised platform, set with a standard issue drum kit and a basic PA system.

  There were a few people milling around, trying to look busy, but no doubt waiting for Blood Stone Riot. Richey took his bass out and started setting up. Dev was next to arrive. He shook Richey’s hand and nodded politely before going behind the drum kit to set it up to his liking. Having read this was normal Dev-like behaviour, Richey didn’t read anything into the drummer’s silence. Nate and Alik arrived together a few minutes later, greeting The Indigo Lounge staff like old friends; bear hugs, back-slapping, and big handshakes.

  “You must be Richey,” said Alik. He came over and extended a hand. “Parker’s told us all about you.”

  Richey shook it firmly, trying to act confident. “Good to meet you too. Thanks for the opportunity.”

  “We’ll set up and then get started.”

  It didn’t take them long—they were obviously practiced at getting gig-ready in a short amount of time.

  “‘Bleed Like Cyanide’ okay to start with?”

  Richey nodded. It was the one song he had focused on, as he’d guessed that it would be the one that would relaunch the band, considering all the work that had already been done on it.

  Dev counted them in, and they began to play. The first few bars were a little clunky. After a while, things began to gel and Richey started to get more confident, plucking the strings hard and occasionally throwing in the odd harmony.

  “Fuck!” Alik stopped abruptly, about three quarters of the way in.

  What had he done wrong? Richey glanced over at Alik and saw that the lead singer was on the verge of tears.

  “You okay, man?” asked Nate.

  Alik shook his head. “For a moment I thought he was here,” he said. “It sounded so much like Billy that it freaked me out.” He turned to Richey. “You’re spot on, mate, really really good. Parker was right about you.”

  Richey allowed himself a small smile. “Thanks, that means a lot.”

  “Let’s try it again, just to make sure.” Alik slapped him on the back. “And if you want to try some of those harmonies again, that would be good.”

  They played ‘Bleed Like Cyanide’ all the way through this time. And then again. And then a third time, but with some different vocals and a new guitar solo. The more they played, the more Richey’s confidence grew and the more he thought he could be part of the group. Next they tried ‘The Imperial Kill’, followed by ‘In It For The Craic’. He started to get tired—NightDrive rehearsals were never as full-on as this—but adrenalin kept him going. He was surprised, but grateful, when the manager came over to tell them it was time for them to finish as they needed the space for that evening’s band to set up and they wanted to open.

  After they had packed all their stuff away, Alik suggested they stay for some beers. Alik and Nate went to the bar, while Dev and Richey commandeered a table in the corner. Richey watched Alik and Nate talking earnestly. After a few minutes, they joined him and Dev.

  “Tell us about NightDrive then,” said Alik. He placed a pint down in front of Richey.

  Richey took a sip of beer. “Not much to tell to be honest. Covers band, we mostly play in Devon and Cornwall, but got the opportunity of a couple of gigs up here. I met Parker in London a couple of weeks ago and now all this.”

  “Is that where you live? “

  Richey nodded. “Renting a flat, not a permanent place. Nothing to write home about, to be honest.”

  Alik nodded. He and Nate took it in turns to ask questions, and Dev interjected with a couple of his own. Richey answered with what he hoped were answers that they wanted to hear. It felt positive, but he couldn’t be sure.

  Alik played with a beer mat and looked down at the table as he spoke. Richey’s heart sank as he heard the flat tone of Alik’s voice. “Thanks for taking the time to play with us today and coming all this way.” He paused. “I know Parker has spoken to you about this, and I think this afternoon has cemented it for me. We’ve talked it over, and we think you’re a great fit for us. If you’re up for it, and it will be a lot of work, we’d like you to join us.” He looked across at Richey, his mouth turned up at one corner.

  For a moment, the world moved in slow motion. The second chance he deserved, that he so desperately wanted. He would be stupid to think of turning it down.

  Richey broke into a huge grin. “Where do I sign?”

  Chapter Eight

  Poppy started to regret her idea to host a dinner party for the ‘new’ version of Blood Stone Riot. Things between her and Nate were still strained, to say the least, and she wasn’t looking forward to putting on an act for the whole night. Eva was on her side, but she dreaded telling Caro what was going on. Particularly as Caro had flown back from Mallorca for the weekend, just for the dinner.

  The three women were in the kitchen, waiting for the remaining guests to arrive. Eva cracked open one of the many bottles of wine that had been bought in preparation for the evening. She poured them all large glasses and settled down at the breakfast bar.

  “How are things at The Roca Bar?” Poppy asked Caro. She peered into the oven, trying to see if the chicken was actually cooking.

  Her friend made a face. “Not bad, but it’s not been hugely busy over the past couple of months and the bands haven’t exactly pulled the crowds in. Maybe I need to get Blood Stone Riot over or maybe Alik and Nate can do some solo stuff there.”

  Poppy’s eyes filled up, even though Caro wasn’t being completely serious with her suggestion. “That could work.” Her voice cracked, and she glanced over at Eva.

  Caro frowned. “Poppy, are you okay?”

  “No, she’s not,” said Eva. “Poppy, you need to tell Caro what’s going on.”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Oh, yeah, the possible break-up of your marriage is nothing.”

  Caro’s jaw dropped. “What?”

  Poppy sank into the seat next to Caro. “Nate and I had an argument the night he got back from Alik’s tour. He’s been beh
aving really strangely and getting lots of phone calls and texts at odd times of the day. He won’t tell me who it is and it’s making me question our future. I mean, I know that getting the band back together is everything that he wants. But Caro, you should have seen the excitement on his face when I told him about the possible tour if everything worked out with Richey. It was like he couldn’t wait to leave again.”

  “You knew this was coming though,” said Caro. “Parker has been working his arse off trying to get things back on track.”

  Poppy sighed. “It doesn’t make it any easier. And it’s not the same for you and Alik or Dev and Yulia. None of you have a child to consider. You can just take off whenever it suits you. Look at the time you spend between here and Mallorca, you couldn’t do that with a baby.”

  “I know, which is why that isn’t something we’re considering at the moment. Maybe one day, but not now.” Caro took a gulp of her wine. “We both have careers to think of.”

  “And because I don’t, I should just accept it?”

  “That’s not what Caro meant,” said Eva.

  “Of course not! Poppy, I’m not belittling what you do. Jesus, I know I couldn’t cope with a child and travel as much as I do. I’m not at the point in my life where I want that.”

  Poppy traced patterns on the kitchen worktop. Had she been ready to change her life so drastically when she got pregnant? She’d enjoyed the life she and Nate had; the freedom, the opportunity to do what they wanted. If she was honest with herself, she’d had a little notion about travelling with Nate and the band, the baby in a papoose and tiny headphones as she stood watching from the side of the stage. But that fantasy hadn’t materialised. A horrendous bout of postpartum depression had left her barely able to function for the first few months. It was only after meeting Daria and getting involved with other mums from her postnatal classes that life started to make sense again. Throughout most of that time, Nate had been away and hadn’t witnessed the lows she had experienced.