by DaNeo Duran
Almost out of money and feeling like a sponge soaking up generosity yet reciprocating nothing she felt herself dying.
Holding the letter to her lips she said, ‘Lucky boy. I’m thrilled for you.’
* * *
Although telling the noisy rabble at their previous poly gig to shut up had been Danny’s idea, he knew only Calvin had the minerals to shout it. It had bought them their most prestigious gig yet.
Unfortunately Little Spirit’s name didn’t appear on the posters or rapidly selling tickets. It mightn’t have mattered but nevertheless Calvin had dipped into their budget and rushed off posters advertising them.
On the evening of the big event Little Spirit arrived early with Amy and milled around the concert hall around whilst Men Without Hats wrapped up their soundcheck.
‘You can put your camera away Amy,’ Danny said. ‘Bananarama won’t be back until they hit the stage.’
On the sound-guy’s signal Little Spirit set their equipment up in front of the other bands’ and still felt lost on the stage’s enormity. Raphael’s drums, cranked up to their highest pitch, cracked with delectable loudness. Calvin made do with his lousy bass amp. Looking up into the lighting rig Danny’s mind dizzied never having seen so many lights pointing at him.
‘Let’s hear ya then,’ the sound-guy said. The band played not stopping until their sound became redoubtable. Only then did the sound-guy tuck into the sandwich the band’s extended soundcheck had kept him from.
Danny set his guitar on its stand as Amy, sitting by his amp, watched students fail to access the hall for a glimpse of Bananarama.
Calvin’s longest guitar lead had crapped out after the refectory gig’s ragging. On his side of the stage he set about fixing it.
Facing exposed wires on the floor he sensed nothing but the smell of solder and so he felt surprise when Danny called his name. He glanced over to see Danny and Amy looking at him with smiles he didn’t recognise. He turned to Raphael who stared forward wide-eyed. He turned back, but Danny simply nodded in the direction of Raphael’s stare.
Calvin’s eyes stayed with Danny a beat before turning towards the front. Only then did he see what everyone had seen – the most beautiful woman in the world.
Unlike his friends he’d missed the kafuffle at the back of the hall and been unaware of hushing conversations and the clicking of heels on polished floor. He didn’t see heads turn and follow the image of perfect female elegance walking chin held high with shining dark eyes anxiously fixed on him.
Amy, like everyone else had remained silent. Even when the stranger looked to her with pleading expression she’d remained mute.
* * *
An hour earlier Katherine, fearing she’d got the wrong polytechnic, saw Bananarama posters that didn’t mention Calvin’s band. But, pressing on, Little Spirit posters soon appeared.
As that fear diminished the next augmented. Changing in the loos to look her best she feared being wrong about Calvin insomuch as he might be wrong about her. Then she feared not being let into the hall.
Her best persuasion finally convinced the student union staff to open the doors despite the annoyance of other crowding music fans.
When the doors closed behind fear took its most ruthless grip. With trepidation each step, hindered by the tight fit of her designer dress, drew attention. Everyone looked at her. Everyone, except Calvin. Katherine willed him to lift his face.
Finally she reached the foot of the stage. It seemed nobody would speak until someone called his name. Then Calvin did, thankfully, look up taking her breath with immeasurable unsmiling expression, just like he had in Saint Tropez.
Calvin ditched his gum and stood. Fixing his eyes on Katherine he glided automatically towards her. Her arms rose as if in defence but as he continued looking into her eyes the truth crystallised. Her fears visibly melted and with a sigh he caught his love as she collapsed into his arms. He lifted her off her feet.
‘I got you,’ he whispered spinning her round. ‘I got you babe.’
Her feet touched down as lips found lips. Hands cupped laughing faces.
When Calvin remembered his friends he laughed again seeing them huddled together.
‘That’s given me a lump in my throat,’ Amy said.
After introductions Calvin carried Katherine’s bursting suitcase towards the refectory.
‘I haven’t eaten for hours but I’m too worked up now,’ Katherine said.
‘Don’t worry, the smell of mediocre canteen food will change your mind,’ he said leading her to the queue.
‘I think you’re right,’ she said, ‘I’ll get it.’
‘No no, you got it last time.’
They sat at a grubby table for six. Katherine looked at the dry lettuce on her fork thinking how long it had been since she’d witnessed such bad food. But as she noticed the feelings in her heart she wondered if she’d ever been so happy.
Calvin didn’t ask how come she’d suddenly turned up but Katherine felt the time to explain had arrived.
‘Remember John who’s yacht I took you out on?’
‘I remember his yacht. He wasn’t around.’
‘That’s right,’ Katherine giggled feeling silly for laughing. ‘Well, this afternoon he asked me to look after it again because he was flying over on business. I received your letter before he left so asked if I could fly too.’
‘Really?’
‘I didn’t mean to. It just popped out.’
Calvin reached out and held her hands in his, ‘Just popped out?’
‘Yeah, I never would have asked consciously.’
‘Must’ve been meant to be.’
‘Maybe because he checked and there was one seat left on the Learjet. I packed everything and withdrew the last of my savings.’
‘How much was the flight?’
‘John wouldn’t take a thing; said the company had already paid for plane and fuel.’
‘What about all your friends?’
‘Told them I was just popping over to see family.’
When silence followed Katherine wondered what might be going through his mind. ‘I’m sorry about this Calvin. I didn’t have a moment to think. I miss my mum but … I’m not sure what I’m doing. I don’t wanna see my dad… I just wanted to see you.’
‘Don’t worry about a thing.’ Calvin said. ‘Come to the flat tonight. We’ll think about tomorrow, tomorrow.’
‘Now’s the time to be happy,’ Katherine quoted from one of his letters.
‘Very true in this case.’
‘You should write a song about that.’
‘Danny’s on it.’ Calvin then looked serious. ‘There’s one potential problem.’
‘Oh?’
‘It’s Raphael. He’s staying over. I don’t wanna appear presumptuous but … the settee’s taken.’
Katherine smiled but hoped she’d not have to pay for a B&B. ‘Would you mind lending a corner of your bed?’
He looked at her with surprise before bursting into smiling laughter. Katherine laughed too and told him not to tease.
Calvin looked past her to see Amy waving from the queue. Once they’d settled Calvin sat back watching Katherine interact with his friends. He remembered her explanation of Cumbrian girls holding her in contempt whilst Saint Tropez people responded warmly. Amy appeared star-struck. He guessed they’d get along fine.
Finding his way back into the conversation Calvin asked, ‘Everyone cool with Katherine staying over?’
Amy looked delighted. Even Danny laughed saying, ‘Katherine you’re very welcome.’
Changing the subject back Calvin brought the others up to speed then asked Katherine, ‘So you landed, where?’
‘Gatwick. John and I went our separate ways but I promised to meet him for a drink and discuss going back.’
‘Are you going back?’ Amy jumped in.
‘I’ll have to at some point I suppose. I didn’t know I was leaving till today.’
‘Oh,’ Amy said. �
��So how did you get from Gatwick?’
‘Trains, buses and foot.’
‘In those fab shoes?’
‘Couldn’t have managed that. I changed here.’
Checking the time Danny said, ‘We’d better get back.’
Amy went to find friends whilst Danny and Raphael headed for the stage to check the equipment. Calvin led Katherine by her hand backstage.
‘Where’s Bananarama?’ Katherine asked.
Pushing the door to the smallest dressing room Calvin said, ‘In their own dressing room. They’re off limits I’m afraid.’
Alone amongst harshly lit walls he put the suitcase down.
‘So …’ Calvin started but in turning back to Katherine stopped dead. Leaning against the closed door with hips pushed forwards she didn’t look like she wanted to talk. He gorged on the view. Even the curve of her ankles inspired feelings of carnality. He gazed at her slender calves, and to her knees where the hem of her dress hung. His eyes swept passed the curve of her hips, the flat of her stomach, the weight of her breasts, the length of her neck, the swish of her hair to her face – an expression of lust.
Calvin stepped towards her. Despite the garish light Katherine’s pupils had dilated. Her parted lips lured him closer.
Advancing one hand touched her neck whilst the other found the small of her back. Her eyes closed; their lips joined. Though her body became ragdoll limp in his arms her dress rose as she wrapped a leg around him. Emotionally so close to going too far their course arrested with the sound of approaching voices appearing mere seconds before Danny opened the door.
‘Wayhey,’ Raphael said seeing Calvin readjust his jeans and Katherine straightening her dress. He hooted seeing lustful visages morphing to ones of embarrassment. Calvin shrugged before smiling at Katherine. A moment later everyone laughed.
‘You ol’ dog,’ Danny said.
‘We’re due on. Time to prepare,’ Raphael said. ‘Amy’s outside with friends.’
‘D’you want to join her?’ Danny asked Katherine.
‘I’ll take her,’ Calvin said. ‘How full’s the hall?’
‘Maybe, a third,’ Raphael said looking for Danny’s agreement.
‘Yup, around six hundred; more than the refectory.’
Calvin held the door for Katherine. Danny catching his eye privately mouthed, ‘She’s breath-taking.’
Outside the dressing room Calvin hugged Katherine. ‘Sorry about that.’
‘God, I’m sorry. You must think I’m a right nympho.’
‘I was worse. I’ve not been with anyone since you.’
‘Well neither have I,’ Katherine said.
Calvin smirked. ‘Guess it’s to be expected then.’
He led her out and past the stage where they found Amy in the loosely gathered audience.
‘Hi Katherine,’ she shouted over the music from the PA. ‘Meet my friends.’
‘I’ll see you at the bar afterwards,’ Calvin said preparing to leave. ‘Will you be alright?’
‘She’ll be fine,’ Amy said. ‘Go have the best gig.’
Left comfortably with Amy, Katherine became uncomfortable with her friends when they sneered seeing her kiss Calvin. You should’ve seen us a minute ago, she thought.
Soon the lights dimmed and Ultravox faded, replaced by bizarre noise.
‘They’re coming on,’ Amy said dragging Katherine closer to the stage. The curtains parted.
The drums twinkled through near darkness. They could only see Raphael’s two raised hands twirling sticks. When the curtains widened Calvin and Danny appeared, backs to the audience. The intro swelled until—
Wow! The stage burst into light and sound. Katherine thought the lads seemed to grow as Calvin and Danny dazzled the audience within a few bars.
‘Isn’t Calvin fantastic?’ shouted Amy through the volume.
‘He is. They all are.’
‘I know,’ Amy beamed. ‘Danny’s my favourite.’ She clicked her camera.
At their mics all three voices harmonised; a single voice of command.
Three songs later Katherine found herself shoved into Alison. Turning round she saw a landscape of faces.
‘The place is packed,’ she said to Amy.
‘Big gig, this one,’ Amy said facing forwards again.
When the next song began Katherine panicked when no sound came from Calvin’s guitar.
‘Oh no.’
‘Oh crap,’ Amy agreed. But the band looked calm, Raphael and Danny repeating his rock riff over and over.
Calvin unplugged his guitar lead and announced, ‘Only When it’s Saturday.’
‘It’s Friday,’ someone shouted up.’
‘Might be by the time this guitar’s fixed.’ Someone appeared from the side of the stage handing him another lead. Calvin nodded his thanks then, before Danny’s riff wearied, he signalled to the band as the bass thundered them into a tremendous intro chorus.
‘That was brilliant,’ Katherine screamed.
Squeezing her hand Amy yelled towards the stage, ‘You guys rule.’
* * *
After Little Spirit had played, Amy took Katherine to meet the lads at the bar. Katherine paid for lemonades and asked, ‘Didn’t you fancy alcohol?’
Looking away Amy said, ‘Trying to cut down – makes me do regrettable things. You not drinking?’
‘Too long and strange a day for wine.’
With no hope of returning to the front they stayed by the bar watching and dancing with the lads to Bananarama’s show.
Amy watched Katherine spark conversations with strangers and student union staff and wondered what they could be saying.
That night back at the flat Amy went to the kitchen and shouted to Calvin and Katherine, ‘Do you two fancy a cuppa?’
‘Yes please,’ Calvin said. ‘Be with you in a sec.’
From the kitchen Amy saw Calvin’s door close. Nobody saw him or Katherine until the next day. Everyone heard them though; all night.
Saturday 17th September 1983
Eleven o’clock the next morning Amy knocked on Calvin’s door. With no response she decided to have a quick peak. Make sure they’re alright, she reasoned.
Beyond the door a lamp illuminated an explosion of clothes. The bed where her friends now slept peacefully had shaken diagonally from the wall. With covers adding to the mess on the floor she saw Calvin and considered he looked good naked. Katherine looked incredible. She admired Katherine’s breasts with appreciative envy. In front of her a used condom lay on the carpet, one hung over the rim of the waste basket and a third one she didn’t want to think about. She retreated not able to recall a one night stand where she’d ransacked a room.
An hour later she banged again on Calvin’s door, ‘Breakfast guys.’
‘Breakfast?’ she heard Calvin murmur from the other side.
‘I’m coming in. You decent?’
‘No,’ cried two voices.
A moment later Calvin said, ‘Right, okay, ready.’
‘Wow, what happened here?’ Amy said feigning surprise pleased a sheet now hid the lovers’ modesty. She delivered the tray avoiding the floor’s mess.
‘Oh tea, lovely,’ Katherine said.
‘They’re yours from last night, I reheated them.’
‘Sorry about that.’
Calvin said, ‘As long as the toast’s fresh.’
Leaving them to breakfast, Amy turned and not watching her step, trod barefoot on the condom.
* * *
Before getting up Katherine relaxed in Calvin’s arms relieved that the gamble she’d taken in turning up had paid off. In Saint Tropez she tried to live by one rule of thumb, make sure the other person gets the better end of the deal – whatever that may be. But the more parsimonious she became the less she felt her friendly support matched her friends’ generosity.
Though Katherine didn’t know how long she would or could stay with Calvin she swore to stick by her rule both financially and socially. Her happine
ss soared. And she had laughed when Amy stood on the condom.
In the living room Danny chatted with Amy and Raphael. Eventually the lovers appeared.
‘Afternoon guys,’ Amy said.
‘Great gig,’ Calvin said as everyone found a seat.
‘We didn’t get your thoughts,’ Danny asked Katherine.
‘Brilliant,’ she said. ‘Really surprised.’
‘Surprised?’ Raphael asked in mock horror.
‘Yeah, I mean, I’ve heard your demo but to see you up there working the audience, jumping around and, so loud.’
‘Yeah, we’re good,’ Raphael said. ‘I’m pleased you enjoyed us.’
Katherine said, ‘I spoke to audience members who said they’d enjoyed you. A girl from the student union staff said once you guys hit the stage the rush to get in caused a queue round the building.
‘Fantastic,’ Raphael said nodding at Danny.
Looking sage Danny asked, ‘Any constructive criticism?’
‘A bit.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Well, I asked people if they’d see you again and most had forgotten your name.’
‘Really?’ Danny said. ‘We’ve found most people get it immediately.’
‘Yeah it’s a cool name but maybe strangers need help remembering.’
‘We have posters,’ Calvin said.
Danny said, ‘Yeah, but audiences see posters and band separately.’
‘If they liked you,’ Amy said, ‘they could check the posters on the way out.’
‘Can’t count on that.’
‘I agree. It’s up to us to ensure they remember,’ Raphael said. ‘But how?’
After a moment’s thought Calvin said, ‘When Bananarama played they had a huge named backdrop behind them.’ Everyone looked at each other. ‘That’d tie the name to the band. Just get a large piece of fabric and paint Little Spirit.’
‘Bloody good idea,’ Danny said. ‘Any other criticisms Katherine?’
‘Just a general one,’ Katherine said.
‘Let’s hear it.’
‘Well, I don’t wanna seem insensitive.’
‘All suggestions that could progress the band are welcome,’ Danny assured her.
‘Okay. To me it’s a glaring omission. Basic, but easily overlooked.’
‘I know,’ Raphael said guessing. ‘Image.’
‘Correct.’
‘We look good don’t we?’ Danny asked.
‘Of course. You’re all handsome, and in great shape, but all successful acts have defining images. Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Culture Club, Wham.’