Daisy smiled. ‘I love the sense of community that’s growing now. Actually, I think that might be the main point of The Sundaes, regardless of Woody’s ambitions for covert world domination.’
Elsie had been feeling the same way for weeks and it was good to hear her sister’s confirmation. ‘I know what you mean. In many ways I wouldn’t mind if the Carnival was our only public performance. Although,’ she pointed to the opposite side of the room, where Woody was demonstrating a routine of hip-thrusts to Lewis and Danny that, given the tightness of his trousers, could best be described as inadvisable, ‘do we really want to rob the world of that view?’
When the rehearsal was over and the café locked up for the night, Elsie and Daisy walked down to the seafront.
‘It’s still early,’ Daisy said, as they reached her car. ‘Fancy getting a late bite to eat or a drink somewhere?’
Elsie shook her head. ‘Mind if we do it another night? I have things to do this evening.’
‘Your loss, sis.’ Daisy hugged her. ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’
The promenade was quiet, a couple of dog walkers and a late-night jogger the only other people around as Elsie walked under the streetlights, running her hand along the cool iron of the railings. In her other hand, a contact name and number glowed stubbornly up at her from her phone screen. There was no way around this, she told herself. She had put off the moment for long enough.
‘Hi, this is Olly Hogarth. Sorry, I’m not available at the moment. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you.’
The release of tension on hearing his voicemail message caused Elsie to laugh out loud, clamping her hand over her mouth apologetically when a passing dog walker stared at her. Well, she had tried. When he next looked at his phone, Olly would see her missed call and call her back. It would then be up to him to make contact and at least Elsie would be prepared to take the call. In the meantime …
Brrrrrrrrringgg!
Elsie jumped as the old-fashioned telephone ringtone sounded on her mobile. ‘Hello?’
‘Hello, stranger.’ His voice was warm as maple syrup over pancakes and made her skin tingle. ‘Sorry I missed your call.’
‘That’s OK. How are you?’
‘Good, thanks. Better now I know I haven’t completely offended you.’
Elsie bit her lip. ‘I’m sorry. I should have called before …’
‘Hey, it’s fine. Look, I’m actually at the office at the moment, working late. Don’t suppose you fancy picking up some fish and chips and heading over? It would be great to see you – not to mention the fact that I haven’t eaten all day.’
Surprised by the ease with which the conversation had restarted between them – and her reaction to hearing Olly’s voice again – Elsie agreed.
Twenty minutes later, she stood by a darkened doorway not far from her father’s shop and pressed the intercom button next to a label that read ‘Freebird Design’.
‘Hey. Door’s open. Come on up.’
Olly’s studio was situated on the first floor, reached by climbing a narrow staircase and entering through a full-glass door emblazoned with a bright orange bird logo. Its white walls contrasted with lime-green sofas in the small reception area and bright orange picture frames which hung around the walls displaying Freebird’s recent work – websites, magazine adverts and photographic assignments.
‘Bit bright, isn’t it?’ Olly smiled, as he rose from his chair to greet her. ‘I keep telling Kieran, my business partner, that we should provide every visitor with a pair of sunglasses. One of these days, somebody’s going to sue us for eye damage.’ He walked into a lime-green kitchen area at the far end of the studio and returned with plates and cutlery.
Elsie sat at the next desk to his, handing him a steaming packet of fish and chips and a bottle of water. ‘How come you’re still working? It’s nearly ten o’clock.’
‘Tough client,’ he replied, mid-mouthful. ‘They’ve made so many changes on a campaign that we’re now running scarily close to the deadline. Necessary part of the business, I’m afraid.’
‘I hope you’re charging them extra.’
He took a swig of water. ‘Doesn’t work like that, unfortunately. Wish it did. It’s a good contract, despite them being so awkward. So, how’s the choir?’
‘You mean The Sundaes?’ Elsie smiled, opening her coat to reveal her choir T-shirt.
‘Good name.’ Amused, he peered closer. ‘Interesting design feature, there.’
Remembering the unfortunately placed cherries, she reddened slightly and laughed. ‘Ah, yes. That would be a Woody Jensen innovation.’
‘Nice. And how is our resident rock’n’roll guru?’
‘As full of his mystical rock wisdom as ever. It’s quite endearing, actually.’ She put her fork down and wiped her hands on a tissue. ‘For all his strangeness he’s a good person and he really cares about the choir. It’s taken a bit of time for everyone to get used to his ways but I think they’re all growing closer to him now.’
‘I’m glad.’
There was a pause and Elsie took the opportunity to say what she had been rehearsing in her head for the past three days. ‘Look, Olly, I really am sorry that I didn’t call you before tonight.’
‘Hey, you called. That’s all that matters.’
‘No, I think I need to explain.’ She took a deep breath, praying that the words she needed would appear as she began. ‘I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about me. I don’t lead people on and I never intended to hurt you at all. I’ve really enjoyed the time we’ve spent together and I think you’re wonderful …’
Olly’s smile faded and he looked down as if accepting the inevitable. ‘Elsie, don’t …’
‘Wait. I haven’t finished. I like you, Olly. A lot. You’re great company, and I like the person I am when I’m with you. Part of me wants to see what could happen if we took things further, but part of me is too terrified to try. I know you know about Lucas and I think the way I’m feeling has a little to do with him. More than anything I just want you to know that this isn’t a No.’
He lifted his head. ‘It isn’t?’
‘I admit that I put off calling you because I honestly couldn’t work out what I was feeling. There is a lot of change going on in my life right now and I’m still trying to process everything.’
‘You should have just told me, like we agreed last time, remember? I’m not expecting the world, and I’m not expecting you to fall into my arms, either. It’s been a while for me, too. My last relationship ended three years ago – we lasted five years – and I’ve only had the odd date since then. When I was with you on our first date, it seemed so familiar – like slipping back into an old routine – and I forgot that in reality we hardly knew each other. Does that make sense?’
It did and Elsie had felt it, too: the need to be close to someone, to return to a sense of togetherness that had vanished when Lucas died. It was an impulse, an almost subconscious act that let her heart lead instead of her head – and when Olly had kissed her it was as if a missing piece fell back into place. ‘So, what do we do?’
Wheeling his desk chair across to her, he took hold of her hands. ‘Let’s just spend time together. We’ll get to know each other and have fun, without the pressure of any relationship stuff. And if it eventually feels right to take it to another level, we’ll go there. If it doesn’t, we stay as friends. Either way, we win. What do you think?’
His suggestion made Elsie happier than she had felt in weeks. ‘I think it’s just what we need.’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Stepping out
The following weeks were filled with preparations for The Sundaes’ Carnival performance, Elsie and Woody arranging extra rehearsals on Monday evenings to work with the choir. They had settled on a set of three songs for the Carnival: ‘What a Wonderful World’, ‘Forget You’ and Woody’s ABBA/Deep Purple medley, which had become a particular hit with the male choir members. While the choir busied themselves with per
formance preparation, Cher appointed herself official press officer for The Sundaes, bombarding the local press with stories and arranging several photo opportunities (always ensuring Sundae & Cher was well positioned in each shot, naturally). Maybe it was her natural knack for promotion, or the signature ‘Sundaes Sundae’ – a Caramel, Triple Chocolate and Salted Toffee ice cream concoction she had offered solely to local journalists – but her efforts appeared to be bearing fruit.
‘Look at this!’ Cher spread the latest copy of the free paper out on the table between Elsie and Woody. ‘People are talking about us!’ She pointed to the Editor’s Letter, which carried the headline Brighton: The UK’s New Choir Capital?
Elsie read it aloud. ‘…“The recent explosion of new choirs in Brighton can only be a good thing, in my opinion. Music brings people together in ways that nothing else can and in today’s society, when so few of us even know the names of our next-door neighbours, ventures like this that encourage interaction must be celebrated. From award-winning show choirs such as The DreamTeam to fascinating community ventures like rock star Woody Jensen’s The Sundaes, Brighton is fast becoming a beacon for the uniting power of music …” … Blimey, I didn’t realise we were part of a social movement.’
‘It’s what I’ve been telling you all along, babe. Cometh the revolution.’ Woody chuckled. ‘That’ll ruffle a certain pair of red trousers.’
‘Can’t say I’m upset about that,’ Cher grinned. ‘And imagine how they’ll be talking about us after the Carnival!’
The mention of their impending performance made Elsie’s insides twist. The choir were making progress, but she was acutely aware that more work was needed. Aoife was still struggling to make herself heard, despite encouragement from Woody, Daisy and Irene – and Sasha’s growing consternation at her fellow soprano wasn’t helping matters.
‘Maybe she should join the altos,’ she growled one evening, her too-tight ponytail swinging like a bleached blonde pendulum at the back of her head, ‘because she’s about as useful as a fart in a hurricane at the moment.’
‘That’s not fair,’ Aoife returned, her tiny frame almost shaking with the effort. ‘I’m trying to sing louder.’
‘We don’t need you to try, love, we need you to do it.’
Elsie groaned and moved in between the two young women who were now glaring dangerously at one another. ‘OK, listen. Sasha, I need you to focus on your own performance. Don’t worry about what Aoife is or isn’t doing. You’re far from perfect on song lyrics, so I’d appreciate it if you focused your energies on that, please. Aoife, you’re getting stronger every time we do this. Just remember what Woody and I have said about believing in yourself.’
‘I just don’t want to let you down,’ Aoife replied.
‘You won’t. I want you to enjoy this and have fun, OK? Now, I’ll be singing the soprano line along with you and Sasha while I’m conducting, so keep your eyes on me and you won’t feel so much on your own.’
‘She feels alone? Welcome to my world!’ Sasha pushed past Elsie and stormed towards the customer toilets, tapping a text message into her mobile as she went.
Elsie groaned. ‘Right, everyone take a break for twenty minutes.’
The Sundaes shuffled wearily away to collect their mugs of strong tea and clotted-cream-filled chocolate butterfly cakes from Cher. As Elsie gathered her music together and sat down at her keyboard, a hand gently tapped on her shoulder. She looked up to see the comforting smile of Irene.
‘You’re doing so well, dear,’ she said, sitting on a chair next to Elsie’s. ‘I think we’re sounding lovely.’
‘Thanks, Irene. It’s down to everybody’s hard work.’
Irene folded her hands in her lap. ‘Sasha’s a good girl. Deep down, I mean. I know she can be difficult, but I’m sure it comes from a good place.’
Elsie stared at Irene. How could she assume that about someone as hell-bent on being the centre of attention as Sasha? ‘I want her to do well, really I do, but she’s just so hard to reach. She seems to think she’s the only person in the choir and she’s disruptive when she doesn’t get her own way.’
‘All the same, that girl needs this choir. And the choir needs her. Now, can I get you tea and one of those delicious cakes, dear?’
Woody sauntered over as Irene left. ‘I saw you consulting The Oracle.’
Still unsettled by what Irene had said, Elsie looked at him. ‘Sorry?’
‘Irene. She’s like a diviner of hidden truth, a secret knower of … things.’
‘Right. She thinks Sasha’s misunderstood.’
Woody’s expression darkened. ‘Yeah, well, everyone has off-days.’
‘I thought you might say that. The medley sounded good.’
‘Progress is happening for sure – we’ve done good things here.’ Leaning towards her slightly, he gave her back a hesitant pat. ‘You make me proud, angel.’
Genuinely touched, Elsie nudged him with her shoulder. ‘Aw, thanks, dude. The feeling’s mutual.’
After their conversation at his office, a wonderful ease settled between Elsie and Olly and they had spent increasingly more time together. Encouraged by this, Elsie decided it was time for Olly’s formal introduction to the Maynard family. And so, on the first Sunday in June, Elsie surprised everyone by inviting her family and Olly to her home for a barbecue.
‘Are you sure about this?’ Olly asked, hovering uncertainly in the small kitchen of the house in Islingword Street with a bottle of wine in his hands as Elsie prepared spiced Quorn burgers for Guin and Jim and pork satay kebabs for everybody else. ‘I mean, I know things are going well with us, but is it really time to meet the whole family?’
Elsie giggled. ‘They’re perfectly harmless. Dad’s been pushing me for a get-together for weeks and my sisters want to meet you. This way we get all the introductions done in one fell swoop.’
‘Maybe you’re right. Tell me again who’s coming?’
His nervousness was endearing and Elsie couldn’t hide her smile as she made him sit on a kitchen chair while she opened the wine bottle. ‘Dad – who you know well already; my eldest sister Daisy, who is stunningly beautiful and a real sweetie, and her partner André – and, believe me, you’re honoured to get to see him, seeing as he is officially the busiest guy on Planet Earth; then there’s my middle sister, Guin, who is ridiculously pregnant and likely to cry at just about anything, and her husband Joe, who is the loveliest bloke you could meet.’ She handed him a large glass of wine. ‘Here, drink this. I think you’ll feel better.’
The doorbell rang and Olly sprang to his feet as Elsie walked through to the hall to welcome her family. Daisy and Guin were first into the house, pushing past Jim excitedly and coming to an abrupt halt when Olly appeared.
‘Daisy, Guin, this is Olly.’ Elsie stood back as her sisters welcomed him.
‘Darling, this is a wonderful surprise,’ Jim said, kissing her cheek as he entered. ‘And the first time we’ve all been here for a meal since … Well, I’m very happy to be here.’
André and Joe squeezed their way into the now cramped hallway, laughing together at the sight of so many people packed into such a small place. Elsie lifted her hand like a tour guide at Brighton Pavilion and shouted above the jovial conversations.
‘Let’s head out to the garden where we can all breathe!’
‘Amen to that!’ Guin exclaimed, holding a hand to the small of her back. ‘I could really do with sitting down.’
Elsie watched her family filing out to the garden and settling themselves in the selection of garden chairs she had arranged on the small wooden decked area surrounded by rambling roses, tall bamboo and ripening tomato plants. Seeing the house filled with people once more was surprisingly wonderful: it had been a long time since her home had seen such a happy throng. Since she lost Lucas she had always opted for family gatherings at Jim’s house, Daisy and André’s apartment or Guin and Joe’s cottage – anywhere rather than her own home which still echoed with the
silence of Lucas’ absence.
Daisy appeared by her side and clinked her wine glass against Elsie’s. ‘Cheers, lovely. This was a brilliant idea.’
‘Thank you. I’m so glad André could make it,’ Elsie said, looking over to where Daisy’s partner was in deep conversation with Olly. ‘I thought he’d be too busy.’
Daisy’s relationship with property developer André Durand was somewhat of a mystery to the rest of the Maynard family. He was always perfectly charming and polite, but while she liked him immensely, Elsie often felt that something was missing. Guin was less circumspect, comparing him to a building in a Wild West town: ‘He’s all show on the outside with nothing of substance behind. Daisy’s dating a façade.’
‘You know what’s weird? When I mentioned about today I thought he’d have other things to do, but he accepted straight away,’ Daisy said, her eyes wide at her own revelation. ‘He’s very fond of you, you know. I think he immediately understood how important it was for you to have us all here today.’
‘Not to mention wonderful for you.’
Daisy blushed a little. ‘I must admit, it is. I’ve seen so little of him lately.’
‘You are talking about me again,’ André smiled as he approached, handing Daisy a fresh glass of wine. ‘I do hope your sister is telling you how wonderful I am.’
Elsie threaded her arm through his. ‘Of course. It’s so lovely to see you, André.’
‘And you, chérie.’ He leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek. ‘I’m pleased I could be here today for this … you know.’
‘Thank you.’ Even though Elsie had become accustomed to half-finished references to her late husband, it still surprised her how few people were confident enough to mention his name. In the early days of her bereavement, this had annoyed her considerably – making her feel as if the man she loved more than anything had suddenly been reduced to an awkward subject. But gradually she learned that the stilted mentions merely revealed how much people had cared for Lucas and that, far from being a sign of dismissal, they were a mark of respect. ‘Now, does everyone have enough to drink?’
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