Little Spirit

by DaNeo Duran

‘You still feeling tired love?’

  ‘And the rest of us,’ Danny said.

  ‘You don’t want John seeing you like this,’ Amy said. ‘Is he here yet?’

  ‘No sign of him.’

  ‘Might be for the best,’ Raphael muttered.

  * * *

  Inside, thirty minutes before show time, Katherine and Amy scanned the half-filled venue.

  ‘I’ve got a bad feeling about this,’ Katherine said.

  Amy concurred. ‘Hopefully it’ll be fine,’ she said looking proudly at the new Little Spirit banner leaping from the front of the drums. ‘See the stage – that was my idea?’

  ‘It looks ace. Danny did well to get it together so quickly especially as he’s so tired.’

  ‘I don’t know what’s up with them. They’ve never been so down in the mouth before playing.’

  Over the next fifteen minutes more people arrived. The general volume of chatter rose as did the DJ’s music. Katherine could feel a headache mounting.

  Moments later a mass of noisy boys burst into the venue led by Stosh. Following them came the band making no noise.

  When Calvin approached Katherine she asked, ‘Still no sign of John?’

  ‘Not unless he’s slipped by us.’

  Danny and Raphael circulated the venue sparking conversations with anyone they could. ‘This is our new thing,’ Calvin said. ‘Meet outside, then affirm inside; strengthening the connection with the audience.’

  ‘Suppose we’d best get backstage for last tune up,’ Danny said finishing his circuit of the venue.

  ‘You’ll be great,’ Amy said.

  ‘Well, we’ll see.’

  Soon Over the din of Public Image Ltd the girls bizarrely heard what sounded like roaring from the backstage. In the ever filling room Katherine, not in the mood for being jostled, turned round to see the cause of the latest shoving and came face to face with John.

  ‘My God, you made it.’

  ‘Course I did,’ John said. ‘Didn’t Calvin say?’

  ‘Say what?’

  ‘I passed by earlier; told him I’d gather some troops and be along before they started.’ He motioned to a mixed group of office workers.

  ‘Raphael’s up,’ Amy shouted as the audience prickled with anticipation. Looking to the stage they saw him seated behind his drums as the intro music crescendoed over the DJ’s fading track.

  Calvin and Danny slunk out. Dummm, came a test sound from the bass amp. Chikka went Danny’s guitar. None of them looked interested in giving the audience a damn thing. The intro music came to an end and …

  ‘Oh my God they’re crap,’ Amy said. Looking worse than when Brian had been their drummer Raphael played almost nothing leaving the recorded percussion parts to ride the beat. Instead of all voices in only Calvin sang before seeming to give up after half a verse.

  Amy watched the travesty until, ooh, you’d have to be a keen fan to have seen that. With faces still turned down she caught a wink between Calvin and Danny. Katherine gripped her hand as Calvin’s bass quietly joined the empty mix. There followed a steady upwelling of volume to the chorus. And then just before the chorus …

  … silence?

  … and then …

  Bang! Little Spirit rocked in full tilt. Calvin and Danny swapped sides Calvin jumping superhumanly high. Swapping back Danny rocketed from the springboard. He landed and all three voices belted out the chorus, with Raphael hammering into his ride cymbal. Amy and Katherine jumped up and down screaming.

  Behind the drums without a clue as to whether this crazy idea had worked Raphael had faced his knees not glancing at the audience. When he finally got to look out into the packed venue he went nuts as did the audience.

  Driving into verse-2 Raphael sighted Katherine and grinned as she shook her head, smiling but wagging an admonishing finger.

  The risky trick had worked. In rehearsal Raphael had explained that everything is relative. Starting relatively unenergetically meant the crowd could really appreciate the energy when they turned it up.

  After the show Amy linked arms with John not wanting to see him lose face with the suits he’d brought along.

  ‘How much can I offer you to let us back there to see Little Spirit?’

  When the doorman didn’t budge having already stipulated that nobody but band and staff go backstage Amy said, ‘Please tell them Amy says hurry up and get out here.’ The doorman rolled his eyes and told them not to move.

  Calvin, Danny and Raphael thankfully appeared having towel-mopped their brows. Soon handshakes, demos and cash exchanged hands.

  Once the suits left, John tapped his nose. ‘People like that mightn’t be directly linked to the music business but their law skills might prove useful someday. Pleased you gave me the heads up on the trick you pulled at the start by the way.’

  Katherine shot Danny a dirty look.

  John pulled the list he’d made at the previous day’s meeting from his jacket. ‘You’ve already come on since yesterday. What can we tick off the list?

  ‘Banner in front of drums,’ Amy said.

  ‘Well done,’ John said. ‘And springboard; nice addition. Jiffy bags?’

  Calvin and Raphael told him they’d bought the jiffy bags and posted the first batch of demos to record companies.

  ‘We’ve ordered the extra tapes and been to the library to gather a list of radio stations, publishers and recording studios,’ Calvin said.

  John showed the group the list with each item ticked. ‘You’ve done extremely well. All that in twenty-four hours.’

  * * *

  When everyone hit the venue’s bar John collared Katherine and said, ‘The weather’s still warm in Saint Tropez.’

  She swallowed hard. ‘I’m seriously restless about this.’

  ‘I know, but everyone misses you.’

  ‘We’ll see about that after they hear the truth. If I’m still to be a bridesmaid I need to show face and check the wedding venues.’

  ‘I’m flying out Monday after next. There’s space and whatever happens you’re welcome on my yacht. I won’t stay long but you can stay as long as is right.’

  ‘Thank you John. I’ll get the time off work.’ Katherine squeezed his arm; Amy squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

  ‘You’re part of what makes Saint Tropez great.’

  ‘Oh I don’t know about that.’

  ‘It’s true,’ John said. ‘And you’re important to Little Spirit too.’

  Amy had been counting on her fingers. ‘You said, Monday after next?’

  ‘Yup, 24th of October,’ John said. ‘Why d’you ask, you fancy joining us?’

  ‘Could I, I’ve got a reading week then?’ She smiled like someone who’d already packed.

  ‘I’d love that,’ Katherine said to John.

  ‘Of course, the more the merrier. Hey you’ll love my yacht won’t she Katherine?’

  * * *

  Amy burst into Danny’s attention her face beaming up at his. ‘Guess who’s going to Saint Tropez?’ Unsure what to think Danny looked at the person who’d once cared for him.

  Looking over at Calvin and Katherine who’d clocked his mixed expression Danny smiled, threw his arms around her and said, ‘That’s great news.’ He hadn’t instigated a hug with her in ages. She’d always been the one seeking him. Holding her body he revelled in missed sensations. But when he released her she wore the same flabbergasted look as when he’d tried kissing her.

  ‘It’s a shame you can’t come too,’ Katherine said to Calvin interrupting the changed mood.

  ‘I miss you already,’ he said. Though he would have liked to have gone he remembered feeling snubbed by her friends. ‘You and Amy will have a great time.’

  Saturday 15th October 1983

  The next day before their Saturday rehearsal everyone helped package tapes addressed to all corners of the music industry.

  During conversation Amy asked, ‘Before you played last night we thought we heard roaring.’

>   ‘That’d be us,’ Raphael said. Calvin regarded Katherine with his silent smile.

  Danny said, ‘Nothing like a good roar to get you in the mood.’

  ‘So you did that and then rolled out onto the stage like bears waking from hibernation?’ Katherine asked.

  ‘Wasn’t easy,’ Danny said getting to his feet. ‘It’s time for rehearsal guys. We’ll need to dig deep for some other ideas.’

  Once they’d gone Amy told Katherine, ‘I don’t know what to think.’

  Katherine reading her mind said, ‘About Danny?’ Amy nodded. ‘I don’t suppose he does either.’

  ‘When he hugged me last night it felt real. At least I could argue that he didn’t mean it when he tried to kiss me.’ Looking thoughtful she said, ‘I’m thinking my romantic feelings towards him were based on there being no danger of anything actually happening.’

  ‘What d’you mean?’

  ‘Well, maybe I was happy wanting him when I knew he didn’t want me – it was safe. Now, wanting isn’t safe because something could happen and I could get hurt.’

  ‘You think you’ve got commitment issues?’

  Monday 24th October 1983

  Early on a chilly Monday the girls flew from England. When the time to bid Danny farewell arrived Amy opened her arms expecting brevity from Danny’s embrace. Instead he’d bent down wrapping her in his arms, held tight and lifted her off her feet. Laughing she’d told him to put her down but he hadn’t. He held her until she surrendered letting his sincerity penetrate.

  Looking back from the Mercedes John had sent them Amy saw Danny looking happily sad.

  * * *

  Calvin switched the hall light on. ‘We got a record company response.’ He tore into it first finding their returned demo tape.

  ‘Is there a letter – what’s it say?’ Danny asked.

  Calvin pulled a single sheet of paper from the envelope and scanned it. ‘Crap, it’s the standard rejection. It says Island Records aren’t looking to sign an act like us at this time but we should keep them in mind when submitting further demos.’

  Danny read the letter he handed him.

  Calvin examined the cassette under the light. ‘I don’t reckon this has been listened to.’

  * * *

  Under the warmth of a muted sun Amy, Katherine and John drove into Saint Tropez. As the marina came into view Amy understood how it could seduce anyone but especially someone with Katherine’s upbringing. Though surely quieter than summer, wealthy people still swaggered, posed and smiled as Calvin had described. Knowing how scruffy he could be at times, she figured Calvin had deserved the strange looks he’d received.

  ‘Nearly there,’ John said as they left the car and walked the pontoons. Amy tiptoed to avoid jamming her heels in the slats. Any of the moored boats would have done but John’s yacht appeared stunning in its newness.

  ‘Welcome aboard,’ John said glancing at Amy’s shoes. Slipping them off she took his hand joining him on deck.

  Once inside John called to Katherine from the galley where he sorted drinks out. ‘Music?’

  ‘Let’s see,’ Katherine said turning to the stereo. ABC’s Poison Arrow erupted from speakers.

  Wednesday 26th October 1983

  Two nights later Calvin received a call from a heartbroken Katherine. Having enjoyed the first two days introducing Amy to her friends she’d finally come clean. Notwithstanding Katherine’s best efforts she couldn’t prepare her friends for the shock. When Elaine revoked her bridesmaid involvements Katherine wanted nothing but to come home to Calvin who could do nothing more than listen.

  * * *

  Later Raphael lay in bed focusing on the blackness behind his eyelids. Calvin had told him of Island’s rejection. Since then more disappointing letters had poured in. None surprised him after The Police’s A&M Records’ rejection as they’d been the labels he’d have predicted being most interested.

  From the darkness his intuition seemed to tell him success would come via a different route. Because the band had no further control over the posted demos creative thinking would be required. After all Calvin reckoned the tapes might not even be getting listened to.

  Raphael tried thinking how they could get the demos listened to but no solutions came to mind.

  * * *

  Despite wanting to slap Katherine’s toffee-nosed friends Amy couldn’t help but like them. They’d spent the first night in the bar where Katherine had months earlier spotted Calvin. Katherine told her if Abigail hadn’t snubbed him she might never have noticed him.

  But, Amy found Abigail had a wonderful sense of humour. When asked about Katherine’s boyfriend Amy told her, ‘He’s gorgeous and talented.’

  Amy met the quiet half Chinese Loretta who became her favourite. Loretta thought the world of Katherine saying she felt like a different person having grown in confidence because of her. Of course Amy knew exactly what she meant.

  ‘Katherine’s boyfriend better be good,’ Loretta said. ‘Everyone’s misses her’

  But, blimey Wednesday night turned out terrible. Like Katherine, Amy didn’t want to stay another minute.

  The group sat in a bar when Katherine began her confession. Amy sensed the point of no return. Everyone listened in silence until Katherine said she would have been truthful but nobody pulled her on the apparent lie. Elaine had heard enough.

  ‘Are suggesting this is our fault?’

  ‘Oh.’ Katherine sank abandoning hope. ‘Of course not. I’m trying to illustrate how easily it happened.’

  ‘Really?’ Elaine bellowed. ‘You mean how easily we failed to see a charity case?’

  ‘You must think we’re really stupid?’ Abigail said. ‘My god Katherine you’ve played us all. I mean, who bought those shoes you’re wearing?’

  ‘Okay enough,’ John said standing offering Katherine his hand. When she didn’t move he crouched looking into her downturned face and said, ‘Let’s go.’

  Katherine stood but slumped back down when Elaine said, ‘Take her away and make sure she doesn’t come to my wedding. It’ll be one less mouth to feed and it sure as hell won’t affect the number of wedding presents.’

  Katherine rose with John’s support. Amy followed saying nothing but noted Loretta’s face looking more sad than angry.

  Back on the yacht John said, ‘I’m so sorry Katherine. I gravely underestimated their reaction. I actually thought Elaine was joking when she first blew up.’

  Later Katherine found strength to phone Calvin and her mum but wanted to go to bed.

  ‘I’ll keep you company,’ Amy said and climbed onto the bed with her.

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘What did your mum say when you phoned?’

  ‘She was nice; said they’d get over it. Reckons they’re not cross because I’m not rich but because I misled them.’

  ‘What do you think?’

  ‘I feel like I stole from them.’

  ‘No Katherine they gave their kindness.’

  ‘But would they have if they knew I was raised on a council estate?’

  Unable to answer that Amy said, ‘Well done for telling the truth.’

  Katherine rolled over and getting comfier said, ‘Truthfully, I never wanted to be bridesmaid anyway. Nice to have been asked though.’

  No one spoke for a while. By the time she realised Katherine had fallen asleep Amy had become too relaxed to move.

  * * *

  In Hemel, Raphael had gone to bed but didn’t sleep. He stewed uncharacteristically full of hell, aggrieved that hundreds of Little Spirit demos lay around record companies apparently unwanted. He felt powerless until just before sleep he had an idea.

  Thursday 27th October 1983

  On Thursday Calvin arrived from work to find Raphael waiting in his mum’s car for him.

  ‘You’re early,’ he said when Raphael got out with a carrier bag of food and a tired old acoustic bass.

  ‘I know but I’ve had an idea and need you onside before approaching
Danny – especially with him being ze ideas man.’

  ‘Intriguing.’ Calvin unlocked the flat.

  ‘Hang on.’ Raphael went back to the car to get …

  ‘A large African drum?’

  ‘A djembe. I’m not great on it I’m afraid.’

  ‘I’m not going to like this idea am I?’

  ‘Probably not that’s why I have to sell you it first.’

  ‘Okay Raphael sell away – good luck,’ Calvin said once inside.

  ‘Sorry ze bass is so old.’

  ‘Really, it’s not new?’ Calvin said sarcastically.

  ‘It’s been in ze shop’s storeroom forever. I’m hoping it won’t be missed.’

  ‘Take it back, it won’t be missed here either.’

  Laughing Raphael said, ‘We’ve had a lot of rejection letters this week.’

  ‘Looks like more arrived today.’ Calvin waved the mail he’d just picked up.

  ‘It could take months for all ze labels to come back to us, or not. We could play more gigs. We could even resend ze demos hoping ze labels change their minds. Maybe we’d still get nowhere.’

  ‘We just need a chance,’ Calvin said having torn open the first of the days’ rejections.

  ‘I know, but every unsigned band says that.’

  ‘Someone might want to sign us.’

  ‘Someone might. But that’s not good enough and so far every letter says they don’t. And don’t tell me someone will because we don’t know that.’

  ‘You’re not sounding like your usual optimistic self.’

  ‘It’s me alright but listen we can’t do nothing whilst one rejection follows another. I’ve an idea to help us grow as musical performers and we’ll reach millions.’

  ‘Of pounds?’ Calvin rubbed his hands together.

  ‘Of people.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘It’s quite a commitment.’

  ‘But we’ll reach millions?’

  ‘Definitely.’

  ‘With this crummy bass?’

  ‘Oui.’

  ‘And your African drum?’

  ‘Djembe.’

  ‘You think we should busk don’t you?

  ‘Bingo.’

  ‘I don’t want to.’

  ‘I know. Neither do I but think we have to.’

  ‘Now I know why you wanted to speak to me first.’

  Raphael convinced Calvin if they dressed in their colours and took the Little Spirit banners they’d be seen thousands of people every day. Little Spirit would be monumentally guaranteed to enter London’s awareness.

  ‘Busking takes gargantuan balls.’ Raphael stood to speak. ‘It unquestionably separates ze boys from ze kings.’