Stronger Within (The Silver Lake Series Book 1)

by McCallum, Coral

  At each of the shows Jake had been invited out to perform with Weigh Station. It still had not truly hit home that he was performing as a musical equal alongside his teenage heroes. They were playing in Newcastle before the Weigh Station manager shared a confession with him. As he had been waiting for his cue to go on, the burly Scotsman had passed comment to Jake about saving Dan’s skin. When Jake asked how he had done that he was shocked to hear, “Dan can’t sing Sunshine After The Storm live.” His idol’s weakness had given him those extra five minutes of fame every night but it also made him stop to think about how fragile fame could be.

  Back at the beach house, Lori had been busy finishing off her two commissions and packing for her overseas trip. The house had seemed quiet and empty without Jake and the rest of the band about. She had kept her phone by her side day and night waiting for the all too brief calls and short text messages. The five hour time difference made it harder for them to find a good time to talk. Even when they had snatched a few minutes, Lori was careful not to let slip her travel plans, in case Jake figured out she was travelling earlier than he suspected. Once she had completed her commissions, she had emailed Maddy to finalise the travel details. A few hours later she got a detailed email back confirming that she would be collected at the airport, taken to the same hotel as the band were booked into but would be given a room on a separate floor. Once the band were safely at the concert hall, a driver would be sent to fetch her and they would smuggle her into the venue in time for the sound check. On paper it all looked easy and Lori was just hoping that luck would be on her side and the surprise would work.

  The day before she was due to leave, Lori was busy packing when her phone rang. It wasn’t one of her contacts, but the number looked vaguely familiar.

  “Lori Hyde,” she answered brightly.

  “Hi, Lori. It’s Lucy,” replied the familiar voice of Jake’s young sister.

  “Lucy! Hi. How are you?”

  “Busy. Busy,” laughed Lucy. “School. Boys. House. You know how it is.”

  “Stops you from getting bored,” said Lori. “It’s quiet here with your brother away.”

  “I can imagine. No singing or guitar solos in the small hours,” she giggled nervously. “That’s kind of why I’m calling. I need to ask a huge favour.”

  “Sure. What can I do?” asked Lori, curious to know what Lucy was about to ask of her.

  “Simon called me the other night. He’s going to be in the UK on a visit to an air force base and said he was going to spend a few days in London. I mentioned that the band were going to be playing there. Long story cut short. I’ve talked him into trying to catch up with Jake. Can you help me to arrange it?”

  “Yes,” said Lori instantly. “I’ll need to sort out a pass for the show with Maddy but I’m sure we can do something. I’m flying out to meet them so I’ll be there too. Give me his number so I can get in touch with him while I’m over there.”

  “I’ve already given him your number and your email address. I hope that’s ok, Lori,” confessed Lucy. “I’ll mail you his details.”

  “It’s fine. I’ll speak to Maddy and sort something out. What have I to tell Jake though?”

  An awkward silence hung in the air, both of them fully aware that the two brothers hadn’t parted on good terms.

  “Can you play that one by ear?” asked Lucy finally. “It’s been a long time since they’ve seen each other. Things have moved on.”

  “Alright,” agreed Lori with a sigh. “I’ll work something out, but no promises that Jake will agree to see him. Now can you do us a favour?”

  “If I can.”

  “We fly back into Philly on Dec 6th. I was going to leave my car at the airport while I’m away, but I don’t fancy driving all the way back here when we land. Can we spend the night with you?”

  “Of course!” Lucy squealed. “We’d love to have you guys stay over.”

  “Thanks. Not a word to Jake about this either,” cautioned Lori. “I haven’t run it past him yet.”

  “We can have a late birthday celebration for him,” suggested Lucy excitedly.

  “Don’t plan anything yet. He’s bound to be wiped out after touring and the flight back.”

  “I suppose,” agreed Lucy. “At the very least we can have a nice dinner and a birthday cake. The boys would love that.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  “I need to run, Lori. Thanks for your help. You’ll get on fine with Simon. He’s a lot like Jake only with less hair,” she laughed. “And less tattoos!”

  With a laugh, Lori said, “If you send me his details, I’ll call him as soon as I’ve got the arrangements made with Maddy. Pity you can’t come too.”

  “I know. Maybe next time. See you soon, Lori.”

  “Bye, Lucy. See you on the 6th.”

  As soon as her packing was complete, Lori checked her emails for the message from Lucy. It was waiting in her inbox as promised and Lucy had even attached a photo of Captain Simon Power. He did indeed look a lot like Jake, only his hair was a regulation military cut and looked to be greying at the temples. She quickly typed up an email to Maddy, asking her to arrange an additional backstage all areas pass for both London shows. A few moments later she got a reply from her friend asking simply, “Who for?”

  With a sigh, she realised she was going to have to trust Maddy with this secret too. Instead of mailing her back, she quickly dialled Maddy’s number.

  “Maddy,” came the prompt, but sharp reply. It sounded complete chaos in the background.

  “Hi. Is this a bad time to call?” asked Lori then added, “If Jake’s in earshot don’t let on this is me on the phone.”

  “They’re in the middle of the sound check. Can’t you tell?”

  “I hear them,” said Lori, recognising Jake’s voice in the background. “Just a quick call about those passes.”

  “Yes, Mz Hyde. Who are you trying to smuggle backstage? You know I’ll need full name.”

  “You can’t breathe a word of this. I’ve not fully set it up yet. They’re for Jake’s brother, Simon Power,” explained Lori briefly. “He’s in the UK and is going to be in London for a few days. Lucy’s talked him into seeing Jake. I don’t think they’ve seen each other for at least five years.”

  “Ah! So this could be an unpopular guest?”

  “God, I hope not!” sighed Lori, part of her already regretting agreeing to this reunion.

  “I’ll get them arranged and give them to you to keep. On your own head be it, girl!” warned Maddy playfully.

  “Thanks. You’re a star. How are things?”

  “Great. Tour’s been fabulous so far. Gary is a godsend. You’ll adore him. Audiences have been amazing.”

  “And you? How’s the baby bump?”

  “Very noticeable!” declared Maddy, rubbing her swollen belly as she spoke. “Most folk have realised I’m pregnant, but that’s all.”

  “When are you planning on telling them the truth?”

  “After the final show,” Maddy promised.

  Lori could hear Jake yelling in the background.

  “Is he ok?” she asked with some concern. “He sounds really angry.”

  “He’s fine, but I’d better go. Looks like a technical glitch. Add in some pre-show nerves too.”

  “OK. I’ll see you the day after tomorrow, Maddy.”

  “Counting the hours. Safe journey, darling.”

  As she drove into the multi-storey car pack at Philadelphia International Airport, Lori was feeling anxious. Over the years she had travelled the world and flown more miles than she cared to count. However, this was her first flight since her accident and she was inexplicably nervous. She parked the car, then lifted her wheeled case out of the back. Despite attempting to pack light, the bag was awkward to manoeuvre but she managed to wrestle it out of the trunk and set on its wheels. Her carry-on bag slung over her shoulder and her cane gripped tightly in her hand, she carefully made her way across to the terminal building. With
her luggage checked in, she made her way towards the elevator to the first floor. There was a long line at security and the signs warned travellers to remove coats, jackets, belts and shoes. With a bit of a struggle, she managed to get her shoes unlaced without falling and piled everything into two grey plastic trays. When the security guard called her through, as expected, she set off the alarm.

  “Can you please step to the side, ma’am?” asked the burly guard.

  “Of course,” replied Lori, suddenly aware of all the eyes of her fellow travellers on her.

  “I need to pat you down, ma’am,” stated the guard.

  Lori nodded, then said, “It’s the surgical rod and screws in my leg that set it off. I have a letter from my doctor with my passport.”

  She handed her passport and the medical letter over, thankful that she had kept them in her hand instead of placing them in the plastic tray. The guard read over the letter and her passport details matched the personal details in the letter. He then excused himself until he referred to a senior colleague before returning.

  “Thank you, Miss Hyde,” he said, passing the documents back to her. “Have a safe flight.”

  “Thank you.”

  Her two trays of belongings were causing a backlog on the conveyer. Quickly she lifted her things and, carrying her shoes in her hand, limped over to the nearest row of seats. She sat down with a sigh and put her shoes back on, relieved that she was through security. Her nerves began to settle and she realised that it was the security x-ray that had been making her anxious. There were still over two hours until her flight was due to depart so Lori decided to go and get something to eat. Since her last visit to the airport, there had been a few changes to the layout, but she soon found a gourmet sandwich bar that looked appealing. She never liked to eat a big meal before flying so a deli sandwich, potato chips and a bottle of apple juice proved to be the perfect meal deal. When she had finished her light dinner, Lori wandered slowly back along the concourse, browsing in the duty free shops and then the Hudson News stand where she bought some magazines, a bar of Hershey, some gum and water for the flight. By the time she reached her departure gate there were only thirty minutes until the flight was due to be called. She took a seat near the window and idly flicked through one of the magazines until the boarding announcement.

  Despite being at the gate promptly, Lori was one of the last passengers to board the plane. She had reserved an aisle seat in the business class section so she could stretch her leg out a bit more if need be but she was pleasantly surprised to find the two seats beside her were vacant. As she glanced round, she saw there were quite a few empty seats. Delighted at having the extra space to spread out, she settled herself for a long night on the plane. No matter how many night flights she had taken, Lori still struggled to sleep on a plane. Across the aisle from her, there was a couple and their teenage son. The boy had been given the aisle seat directly opposite her.

  Right on schedule, the plane took off and, a few minutes later, the cabin crew came round with the drinks trolley. As was her usual custom, Lori ordered champagne and a can of Sprite. Having poured half of the small bottle of champagne into the clear plastic tumbler, she offered up a silent toast to a safe flight. For the next hour she sat reading the magazines she had bought. One of them was a popular rock magazine that had a feature article on the Weigh Station tour. She had picked it up on impulse purely to see if there was any mention of Silver Lake in it. There was a brief mention of them, but there some good photos of the stage back cloth she had designed. It made her smile. When she was finished reading, Lori realised the boy opposite had been trying to read it over her shoulder. Closing the cover, Lori passed it over to him, “Do you want it?”

  “Thank you,” he replied shyly. “I was trying to see the Weigh Station bit.”

  “Likewise,” said Lori, noting his Scottish accent. “Are you going to see them tomorrow in Glasgow?”

  “Yeah,” he replied with a huge grin. “I’ve had my ticket for weeks. Just hope the jet lag doesn’t kill me.”

  After a few minutes, he added, “How did you know about the concert? You don’t look like a Weigh Station fan.”

  Lori laughed, the same magical laugh that Jake fell in love with all those months before. The boy stared at her, a confused look on his face.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “Nothing,” said Lori with a smile. “But tell me, what does one of their fans look like?”

  “I don’t know,” he began, looking embarrassed. “Long hair, tattoos, black T-shirt, ripped jeans.”

  “Those I can do,” she teased playfully.

  “Are you going?” he asked hesitantly.

  “The only reason I’m on this plane,” she replied, with a wink.

  “You’re kidding me on!”

  “Seriously,” she replied. “Maybe I’ll see you there.”

  “You’re really going to the exhibition centre tomorrow night?”

  “Yes then on to both London gigs.”

  “Wish I was,” he sighed. “I’m David, by the way.”

  “Lori,” she said, as she took a sip from her drink. “Enjoy the article.”

  The boy opened the magazine at the Weigh Station feature and sat engrossed in it for a few minutes. While he was reading, Lori lifted her small sketch pad from her bag and began to doodle. Her mind was thinking about a section of the backdrop that she had wanted to change. One of the photos in the article had reminded her of it. She began to re-draw the lower right hand corner, adding in her preferred detail.

  “There you go,” said David, interrupting her concentration as he passed back the magazine.

  “What did you think?” she asked curiously.

  “Not much new in it. Like the new photos,” he replied. “I got the new version of their last album yesterday. You know the deluxe one with the bonus tracks with the guest musicians.”

  “Have you listened to it yet?”

  “I played it last night. I really liked one of the new tracks.”

  “Which one?”

  “Broken Bottle Empty Glass,” he replied, craning his neck to see her sketch. “What are you drawing?”

  “Just doodling,” she replied evasively.

  “That looks a bit like the stage set thing,” stated David bluntly. “Well, a wee bit of it.”

  “I guess it does,” agreed Lori nodding.

  “Are you really going to those gigs?”

  Lori nodded.

  “And you’re really a Weigh Station fan?”

  “More of a Silver Lake fan,” she confessed. “But I do genuinely like Weigh Station.”

  “Are Silver Lake any good?” asked David. “I know it’s their singer on the new Weigh Station stuff. He sounds alright.”

  “Jake has a fabulous voice,” replied Lori, more defensively than she intended. Her new friend quickly picked up on this.

  “Is he a friend of yours?”

  “Yes,” she replied softly.

  “You’re Lori Hyde!” exclaimed the teenager loudly, causing his parents to look up to see what was going on. “Mz Hyde?”

  “Sometimes,” answered Lori warmly. “Jake’s my partner.”

  “You did that stage set design, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, among other things.”

  “Wow! I’m so glad I met you. My friends won’t believe me when I tell them,” he gushed.

  Beside him, his father muttered something about not harassing the young lady.

  “It’s alright, sir,” interrupted Lori politely. “I started the conversation by offering your son my magazine to read.”

  “Don’t let him pester you,” said the boy’s father.

  “Dad!” protested David, flushing red with embarrassment.

  “You’re not pestering me,” assured Lori, with a warm smile. “Travelling solo can be lonely. I’m glad of the conversation.”

  “Can I see your drawing?” asked David boldly.

  “Sure,” said Lori, passing the small sket
chpad over.

  “That’s great,” he complimented, passing it back to her. “Why isn’t the band’s actual one like that at the corner?”

  “It’s not what they asked for,” she explained. “When I saw the photo in the magazine of the finished backdrop, it still bothered me that that corner could be better. I guess, I’m more of a perfectionist than I thought.”

  “Do you do stuff for Silver Lake too?”

  “Yes,” replied Lori. “A few bits and pieces.”

  Carefully, she tore the page out of the sketchpad, signed it and gave it to David, “There you go.”

  “What? For me?”

  “If you want it,” said Lori, pouring the last of her champagne into the tumbler. “I know you’d rather a VIP pass for tomorrow night, but I can’t fix that.”

  “Thanks,” he said, with a huge smile. “My mates will be so jealous.”

  “Guess I’d better give you the magazine too,” said Lori.

  “Will you autograph it, please?”

  Obligingly, Lori wrote a short message to David, thanking him for his company then signed the front cover.

  “Awesome!” he sighed contentedly

  Again his father spoke something quietly into his ear.

  “I don’t mean to be rude,” began Lori, “But I’m going to finish my drink and try to get some sleep.”

  “Same,” agreed David. “We’ve both got a long day tomorrow.”

  By some miracle, or perhaps it was the champagne, Lori managed to get almost four hours sleep on the flight. The dull, crampy ache from her leg wakened her less than an hour before the plane was due to land. Her new friend across the aisle was sound asleep. Very slowly she eased herself into a standing position, then, holding on to the seat backs, limped her way towards the lavatory. As she began to move and put weight on her weak leg, the pain began to ease off a little. Once locked inside the tiny cubicle, she stood with her hands on the edge of the small basin, flexing and straightening her leg in an effort to ease off the remains of the muscle cramps. After a few minutes, Lori began to feel it improve. She took a minute or two to use the facilities and to freshen up before returning to her seat.