by Matt Cain
Freddy felt a surge of anger. Hugh might be his boss but how dare he speak to him like that?
‘You know what, mate,’ he began, ‘why don’t me and you sit down tomorrow and have a little look at our viewing figures? Because I think lots of our viewers would like to hear the odd good-news story – even if some of them are housewives.’
There was a pause during which Freddy could hear the sound of the VT playing in the studio mixed with the sound of Lola performing on stage and the odd gasp from some of his colleagues in the gallery.
‘Listen, Freddy,’ Hugh roared, ‘when you’ve worked in news for as long as I have, then you might be qualified to tell me what the viewers want.’
‘Oh that’s interesting because I was under the impression that since you’ve been editing the programme our ratings have gone down.’
The sound of Hugh’s indignation beamed up over London, bounced off a satellite in the sky and came hurtling back down into Freddy’s earpiece.
‘Well, I can’t help it if I’ve been saddled with some leek-munching sheep-shagger who thinks the idea of a big news story is the first night of a pop star’s tour. It isn’t news if it doesn’t bruise. You just remember that, boyo.’
‘Oh I will,’ he replied calmly. ‘But you remember one thing for me, Hugh. I don’t like people taking the piss out of my country – and I don’t like being called “boyo”. It’s patronizing to Welsh people and believe it or not, I’m proud of being Welsh. So you can stop it right now or I’ll have you for discrimination.’
The gasps from his colleagues in the gallery were so loud they almost drowned out the sound of Lola on stage. But Freddy was glad everyone could hear their conversation – and he knew it would protect him. There’d be plenty of people who’d witnessed Hugh’s anti-Welsh insult so it would make it much tougher for him to get rid of him. And anyway, it’s about time someone stood up to him.
‘Oh and while we’re on the subject,’ he added, ‘it’s also patronizing to black people to call them “bro”.’ He glanced at Spike and saw his face gleaming with delight. ‘And you wouldn’t want anyone to think you’re racist, would you, Hugh? Not on top of everything else?’
For once Hugh was unsure how to reply. Freddy could just imagine him struggling to contain his anger, seething in humiliation like a dick-swinging silverback who’d just been challenged in front of his entire troop of gorillas. Well, he didn’t care. And he knew it might make things difficult at work from now on, but he also knew that if Hugh was staying on as editor he wouldn’t be sticking around for long anyway.
He couldn’t help smiling as he heard Hugh stammering into his earpiece. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, Freddy. I love Welsh people – and I love black people too.’
‘Listen, Hugh, let’s not even go there. I’ll see you in the office tomorrow and we can talk about stories that are coming up. I’m not interested in anything else. And to be perfectly honest, right now I’d like to watch Lola perform the rest of her show.’
‘Yeah, well, I’ve actually got a programme to edit,’ Hugh blasted into his ear. ‘So I need to go too. See you tomorrow, boyo.’
There was an awkward pause and Freddy could hear his colleagues chuntering amongst themselves.
‘Sorry,’ Hugh came back at him. ‘What I meant was, I’ll see you tomorrow, Freddy.’
Freddy could feel a smile smooth his face. It was only a small triumph. But it was a triumph all the same.
As he pulled out his earpiece he realized Hugh hadn’t ended the conversation in his usual way by calling him a ‘good man’. He couldn’t help thinking it was ironic. Because I am a good man. And tonight I think I’ve proved it. Proved it to Lola – and proved it to myself.
He couldn’t care less about proving it to Hugh.
*
Gloria rushed off the stage and ran through the corridor into her dressing room. By the time she burst in she was out of breath and had to lean onto the back of the door to fill her lungs. Now where’s my fucking phone?
She knew she needed to change her costume for the next number and only had four minutes while a video Lola had recorded was playing on the screens. But before she could even think about that she had to look at her phone to reassure herself she still had a copy of the footage of Lola snorting coke. If she did, there might still be a chance she could salvage something from the whole sorry saga.
Gloria spotted the handset resting on the armchair exactly where she’d left it. She darted over and began tapping into it to access her videos, scrolling through until she came to the clip of Chanelle opening her birthday present. But after that there was nothing.
Shit! Someone must have deleted it while I was on stage!
She threw the handset across the room and watched it shatter into pieces. There was no denying it; she’d lost the fight and, even worse, she’d lost it to Lola. I hate that fucking bitch! I absolutely fucking HATE her!
And not only that but when her video had been deleted all her hopes of clawing her way back to her rightful position in the music industry had been deleted along with it. What was she supposed to do now?
She stared at the phone on the floor and felt hollowed out by a mixture of grief and fear. There was no question now that she was going to be sacked. The most she could hope for would be some kind of dignified exit. At least Lola wouldn’t want the world to know the real reason why she’d been fired. Maybe she could come up with a bullshit line about artistic differences and get herself some kind of pay-off to keep quiet? It would be quite a climbdown from her original plan but she didn’t see what else she could hope for. Not that it would stop her mum from crowing. And what was she going to tell Chanelle? She’d fucked up so badly even Clinton was bound to be disappointed. Oh it’s so fucking unfair!
She ripped off her costume and began to throw on the next. If she was going to try and scramble out of this disaster with any kind of consolation prize, she knew she’d have to get back out there and finish the show. After which she could hide away from the world and work out how she was going to go about picking up the pieces and rebuilding her life.
Just then there was a knock at the door.
She froze. ‘Who is it?’
‘It’s Harvey. Can I have a quick word?’
She took a deep breath and dusted herself down. It was time for her to face the consequences of her actions.
‘Yes,’ she croaked, closing her eyes to compose herself, ‘come in!’
*
On stage, Jake clung onto his drumsticks and scraped them back through his hair. He was desperate to take a piss and the video interlude that was currently playing was supposed to be his opportunity. But glaring at him from the wings was Tiny, his eyes flaming with menace as he pounded his fist into his palm.
What the hell am I supposed to do now?
It was all such a disaster – and he couldn’t pretend it was anyone’s dumb-ass fault but his own. He wouldn’t care but Sharonne had even tried to warn him about her boyfriend and he’d just shrugged off her concerns and screwed her anyway. Man, how could I have been so stupid?
It suddenly occurred to him that maybe he could blame Sharonne and say she’d seduced him against his will. But there was no way that would work – not when he’d spent months boasting to Tiny about having banged everyone else in Lola’s entourage. No, there was no way out of it. As soon as he stepped foot off the stage, Tiny was going to tear a chunk out of his ass. And the very thought of it was making him sweat like a lesbian at a make-up counter. What if Tiny fucked up his face and left him with scars? What if he broke one of his arms and he couldn’t play his drums? Man oh man, I’ve really excelled myself this time!
It was enough to make his dick stay limp for the rest of his life. How was he supposed to be turned on by the idea of sex in the future when the last time he’d got laid he’d wound up in this mess? He wouldn’t ever be able to relax or enjoy screwing anyone again.
He looked at Tiny and managed to send him a weak smile.
But it was no use. Tiny glowered back at him and continued to pound his fist into his palm. Man, this sucks. This really sucks!
And the worst thing was, he was still desperate to take a leak. It was going to be a long show. And not only that but it was going to be followed by an after-show party that for once he wasn’t looking forward to.
*
Harvey wove his way through the wings and took up position next to Tiny. He was excited to see the next instalment in Lola’s game-changing performance but he was also aware he still had a few issues to iron out with certain members of her team – and specifically those who’d frozen him out as soon as he’d been fired.
‘Oh hi, Harvey,’ Tiny greeted him. ‘Did you call me earlier?’
‘Yeah, yeah, I did actually. And one of your lads tried you on the walkie-talkie too.’
‘Sorry, fella. I had a bit of bad news and I’ve not been able to think straight since. I just found out Sharonne’s been cheating on me with that dickhead Jake.’
Harvey shook his head in disbelief. He had to hand it to Jake – he certainly had some gall. But at least that explained why Tiny had been ignoring him and meant he hadn’t been freezing him out after all. ‘Oh I’m sorry, lad,’ he offered. ‘That man’s got a lot to answer for – to a lot of people.’
‘You can say that again. But I think it’s about time someone taught him a lesson.’
Harvey couldn’t argue with that. In fact he’d been hoping to teach Jake a lesson himself since he’d openly insulted him in Club Class. Well, it looked like Tiny was going to step in and save him the bother – and do the job much more forcefully than he ever could.
He felt his phone vibrate and he lifted it out of his pocket to see he’d received a text message. He opened it up and saw it was from Carlson.
‘Sorry,’ he read, ‘only just got your voicemail. Have been bonkers busy with show. Is everything OK?’
‘Great thanks,’ Harvey typed. ‘Am actually watching from wings. Me and Lola made up and I’m back as her manager.’
He hit Send and wondered what Carlson would make of the news. The response arrived almost instantly. ‘Welcome back! Always good to work with another sister ;-)’
He looked at his phone and smiled. That was probably the closest he was going to get to an apology from Carlson. But it would do.
As for Barbara, she’d already returned his calls and apologized it had taken her so long, explaining she’d had her hands full looking after Channel 3 News as well as her German girlfriend, who’d flown in for the opening night. Which meant the only person he still had to speak to was Vlad. But he figured he could let that one go; Vlad would have had more than enough on his plate today. And besides, he was probably embarrassed about letting Gloria get away with switching the footage without even noticing.
But thinking about Gloria did remind him that tomorrow he’d have to find a new backing singer. He already had someone in mind and after tonight’s triumph he knew that every vocalist in town would be falling over themselves to land the gig. Although it would be tough to step into Gloria’s shoes at the last minute and the new girl would have to spend all day tomorrow rehearsing with Mike Henry. He looked at his watch; he had more than half an hour to spare until the show ended so he could quickly make a few calls.
Oh and there was something else he wanted to do. Something that was even more important than replacing Gloria. But for that he’d have to find Spike. And now that he’d finished his live broadcast he knew just where he’d be.
*
Lola pounced off the stage and into the wings, her whole body blazing with the thrill of knowing she was searing through the show. And it had all gone so quickly. Well, it had done once Freddy had told her she had nothing to worry about. She wondered where he was now. She wanted to thank him for everything he’d done and invite him back to her dressing room after the show for a little celebration. And hopefully a little more than a celebration . . .
She was met by the stagehand Vaughan who guided her back towards her changing tent. Just as she rounded the corner she spotted Freddy leaning on a pillar watching the action on stage, his tie now removed and his sleeves rolled up to reveal the tight cords of muscle on his forearms. She couldn’t believe she’d described him as lovely when she’d first met him. Well, he was lovely, but he was also wonderfully, gloriously sexy. She felt herself being drawn towards his gentle smile as the stage lights shimmered across his relaxed, happy face. She thought about sneaking up behind him, looping her arms around his knee-knockingly gorgeous chest and nibbling softly on his earlobe. But she told herself not to get overexcited. She had to quickly change into her final costume and didn’t have time for that kind of thing now. Although there’d be plenty of time later . . .
‘Freddy!’ she shouted out to him. ‘Freddy, over here!’
Well, she thought, I might not be able to snog him but that doesn’t mean I can’t talk to him.
Freddy swivelled around and came face-to-face with Lola.
Wow! he thought. She seems to get more gorgeous every time I see her.
‘Quick!’ she shouted. ‘Come over here and help me get changed!’
As he bounded over she felt a smile sweeping across her face. In fact she was so pleased to see him it was almost as if it was charging through her whole body.
‘Cracking show tonight, Lola,’ he almost sang in his beautiful Welsh accent.
‘Thanks, darlin’.’ She took hold of his hand and linked her fingers through his. As their skin touched she felt a tremble of desire. She imagined their bodies coming together in a hot, sweaty tangle, her legs clamped around his sturdy frame as her mouth locked onto his and she gorged herself on every last drop of him. So much for not getting overexcited . . .
Freddy took hold of her hand and felt his skin shiver as his body came into contact with hers. He imagined lowering her softly onto his bed and sliding himself into her, drawing her head towards his so their mouths could lock together and he could look deep into her eyes to drink in every last drop of her. Come on, mate, don’t start getting overexcited . . .
He felt a little tug on his hand. ‘Follow me,’ Lola said, pulling him along to her changing tent. ‘Oh and this is Vaughan,’ she added, pointing to the stagehand, ‘Vaughan as in porn.’
She squeezed Freddy’s hand and he tried not to chuckle.
‘All right, Vaughan? Pleased to meet you.’
The three of them rushed into the tent and straight away a group of girls handed Lola a towel and a bottle of water and began pulling apart her outfit. Within seconds she was down to her underwear.
‘Sorry,’ Freddy said, averting his eyes. ‘I don’t want you to feel indecent, like.’
Well, actually I do, he corrected himself, but we’ll save that for later . . .
Indecent? she thought. Give me a few hours and I’ll show you indecent . . .
‘Oh don’t worry about it,’ Lola cooed. ‘I just wanted to grab you for a minute to say thanks for everything you did for me tonight. And I hope you’ve not got yourself in too much trouble with your bosses.’
Freddy tried not to stare at her half-naked body but the tent was so small and so full of mirrors he couldn’t avoid it. ‘Oh it’s all right, Lola, it’s nothing I can’t handle.’
‘But how can I possibly thank you?’
He cleared his throat. ‘Actually, there is one thing . . .’ Come on, champ. Now’s your chance to finally convert that try.
‘Oh yeah? And what’s that?’
‘I wondered if you fancied going out on another date with me and seeing if we can start again, like.’
His eyes flitted around the room nervously. He really wished they were on their own.
Her eyes lit up with joy. She was glad they weren’t on their own or else by now she’d be ripping her clothes off and forgetting all about going back on stage.
‘I’d love to, Freddy,’ she managed as she heard a little gasp escape Belle, Scarlett and Trixie. Her eyes met Amina’s in the mirror an
d she gave her a knowing smile. ‘But I think I owe you an apology first. And I’ve got lots of explaining to do.’
‘Lola, you really don’t need to explain anything, honestly.’
‘No,’ she said, swigging on her water, ‘I do need to explain myself. Because I want you to know that I might have done some bad things in life but I’m pretty sure I’m not a bad person. I’ve just never had much self-control, that’s all. And I’ve never been very good at finding my Off switch.’
‘Yeah, well, maybe I can help you there,’ Freddy smirked. ‘Maybe I can help you find it.’
Belle, Scarlett and Trixie now squealed out loud.
Amina let loose an elated sigh.
‘Yeah but Freddy,’ Lola teased. ‘I’m not sure if you switched me on I’d ever want you to switch me off.’
Freddy’s eyes flared. ‘Oh I think we can work with that.’
The two of them stopped still and stood staring at each other.
My God, she thought, what if I’m actually falling in love with him?
Wow! he thought. I think I might actually be falling in love with her.
‘Lola! Lola! Lola!’
On the other side of the stage, fifteen thousand fans were chanting for her to come back and perform the encore. But inside the little changing tent Lola and Freddy couldn’t even hear them.
‘That’s it,’ one of the girls eventually broke in, stepping back to inspect Lola’s final look. ‘I think you’re ready now.’
She turned to the mirror to check herself out. She was dressed in dark matador trousers, a fitted red top and a cute Spanish-style hat similar to the one she’d worn when she’d performed earlier that summer on Lucky Star.
‘You look beautiful,’ Freddy nodded. ‘Really beautiful.’
Lola was just about to tut or scoff when she stopped herself. If Freddy thought she was beautiful, then maybe she was after all.
‘Thanks, darlin’,’ she crackled. ‘Just one more song to go.’
‘Great. I can’t wait to see it.’
‘But there is one other thing I need to tell you. And this is really important.’
Oh no, he thought, is this when it’s all going to come crashing down?