I realized it was the Piss Ants’ van as it screeched to a stop inches from the throngs.
Ryan rolled down the window. “Get in, quick!”
We didn’t argue as Jimmy opened the back door and we dashed in at lightning speed. Ryan hit the horn, stomped on the gas, making the tires squeal.
“What the hell was that?” Ryan asked.
“Not bloody sure. They came out of nowhere.” Keith acted like it was some big adventure.
“From now on, don’t venture out alone after shows.” Ryan said.
“I think you’re right. I had no idea we were getting so popular.”
I was glad the band was increasing in popularity but we left early to have time alone and now that was spoiled too. It was now past four and we had to be up by nine.
That nine a.m. alarm woke us unmercifully.
Keith rolled over and wrapped me in his arms. “As much as I’d love to spend the morning banging you, we should get up.”
“Just fifteen more minutes,” I begged, although I really wanted an hour.
Keith caressed me. “Come on, let’s shower together.”
“Get the shower started, then. I’ll be along tout suite,” I responded with a yawn.
Keith got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. I heard him turn on the water, but fell back to sleep. I was suddenly aware of Keith’s nude body gently shaking me. “Come on, you cheater. Going back to sleep wasn’t part of the deal.”
I opened one eye. “Okay, I’m up.” I lay there a moment, convincing my body to rise, before peeling back the sheets.
“Put both feet on the floor,” Keith coaxed.
“Mon dieu,” I groaned, putting one foot on the floor without rising. “There, now leave me alone!”
Keith laughed and yanked the sheet off the bed. A wide grin spread across his face and he climbed on top of me. “Forget the shower. I’ll ravish you instead.”
I laughed. “I’m tempted, having been cheated last night, but the shower’s running.”
“Then, there’s only one other way.” He scooped me into his arms and carried me to the bathroom.
“Put me down, you twat,” I giggled.
“Hey, you wouldn’t get out of bed. Now I’m having the privilege of getting your clothes off.” He set me on the floor and ran his hands down my negligee.
I returned the favor, running my hands up the inside of his legs. We climbed into the shower, but there wasn’t time for anything but getting clean.
Moments after we arrived for breakfast, Ryan, Jimmy and Billy shuffled in.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Keith gloated. “I thought we were supposed to be out of here in fifteen minutes.”
“Looks like that’s not happening,” Ryan grumbled. “We just need to be out by noon to avoid another night’s lodging.”
Keith looked at his watch. “That’s fifteen minutes, mate.”
“Bloody hell!” Ryan yelled. “Tuck in, then, mates. And be quick.”
I stuffed myself full of scrambled eggs, kippers, a sticky bun and some tea. I stuffed an extra sticky bun into my purse for later.
Within minutes we were cruising north on the M5.
Since I now kept money back to pay lodging for Keith and me, we got a decent room at the Birmingham hostel.
“it’s an hour before sound check. Us blokes are going in search of a good pub for a pint of Guinness. You wanta come?” Keith asked when we got to our room.
“I have to get my washing done.”
“Substitute you for my mum. At least I’ll get my washing done,” Keith sang. “Will you do mine, then since you’re doing it anyway?”
“While you go out for fun? What am I, your servant?”
“Of course not, but if you’re already doing your washing, I thought you could do mine. It’s not like you had other plans.”
I dumped my dirty clothes into a pile and stuffed them into a bag. “If you want to hang about with me, I will.”
“Have a heart, luv. I just want to go to the pub with my mates.”
I slung the bag over one shoulder. “Do your own washing, then.” I stormed out.
By the time the buzzer rang on the tumble dry, I‘d created almost 10 postcards. I slipped them into my satchel, gathered my clothes, and headed back to our room. There was no sign of Keith. I was starving and didn’t know where the band was playing. Keith had the itinerary. If I left for something to eat, Keith would return, see I wasn’t there, and take off with his mates again. I folded my clothes into my bag. This took all of 15 minutes and still no Keith. I grabbed my purse and satchel. I could wait in the lobby. I worked on a postcard, but was too hungry to concentrate. I missed my parents in spite of everything. I also missed Aimee. I thought of calling her, but knew once I got hold of her, Keith would arrive. There was never time to call anyone. It was the longest I’d ever gone without calling home. I’d sent Aimee two postcards so at least she knew I was alive.
It was nearly five. We had to be at the club before eight and I wasn’t sure how far it was.
By quarter past five, I scribbled a note and stuck it on our door, adding I didn’t know where the club was. I returned to the lobby and wished Aimee was with me. We could flit into clothing shops and do other girl things. I ate spaghetti el mare on Queensway and drew two more postcards. It was nearly seven when I returned to the hostel. My note was still pasted on the door. Maybe Keith read it without removing it. I opened the door. “Hello, I’m back,” I yelled. There was no reply. I looked at the phone. There was no blinking light indicating a message. Where is he? He knows I have no itinerary. I tossed my bags onto the bed and pulled out my outfit for the night. I chose my red ruffled mini skirt with the black tank top that said Pretty in Punk, added my red and white striped knee length stockings and slipped into my black ankle boots. I tied my hair into a ponytail, cinching it with a big red bow and sat to do my makeup.
I heard some noise in the hall and leapt up to investigate. It was only other hostel guests. I shut the door.
Surely someone wondered where I was. I knew The Piss Ants were the headliner. I found a phone book and began calling. I struck out on the first three. It would serve them all right if I didn’t come. But I needed the money. I called another club. I heard music in the background when a man’s voice answered. He yelled into the phone as if I too had loud music playing. I had to repeat my question.
“The Piss Ants? Yes they’re on in about an hour. We still have tickets but the place is filling quickly.”
I wasn’t far, but I’d still have to take a taxi.
The taxi dropped me at the front entrance, which was swarming with very colorful concert-goers dressed in assorted punk attire. Of course I wasn’t given a pass and there was no way I could cut through the throngs hovering around the entrance. I sought out the back stage door, but discovered it was down a very dark alley. I could make out shapes that might be the van, but couldn’t hear or see anyone. I decided not to risk it and returned to the front door, taking my place in the queue. It was nearly a half hour before I reached the door. I told the bloke my name and that I was with the band.
“Yes, yes, they’re in a panic because you aren’t here.”
He waved me in and I wound my way through a dingy, dimly lit corridor to the main part of the club. I scanned the room. It probably held about six hundred people. My eyes landed on the far end where the merchandise tables were. There Ryan was, frantically selling things. I went over.
“There you fucking are!” he screamed.
“Don’t you dare say anything!” I yelled back. “No told me where to go tonight, no one gave me a pass. I spent an hour calling clubs. You’re lucky I’m here!”
He looked somewhat guilty as I dumped my things behind the table and began rearranging the t-shirts.
“Well, we’re on in half an hour. Try and sell as much as you can ‘til then.”
I turned and glared at him.
I detected a slight rolling of the eyes as he simply shrugged.
I spread my postcards on the table. There weren’t many customers, which was fine. I needed time to compose myself. I drew two more postcards when someone came on stage to introduce The Piss Ants. Ryan didn’t return so I put everything away, stuffed my postcards into the lock box, and headed towards the backstage. I wasn’t sure where to put the lockbox. If this were any other job, I would have quit. I again was tempted to head back to London on the next train. But if I did that, my parents would find out and say I told you so. This being a Saturday, the club was packed so I pushed my way through hoards of sweaty bodies.
“Hey, you can’t come back here.” Some beefy bloke stopped me from entering. That was the last straw. “Forget it, then. Tell The Piss Ants’ manager if he wants his money he better come get it. The bloke on the stage had the audience chanting “Piss Ants! Piss Ants!”
At that moment I saw Ryan. I thrust the lock box at him. “Thanks for the pass!” I yelled and stormed off. I didn’t feel like being in front. I didn’t feel like staying.
I headed back to my table and slumped into the chair. The band hit the stage, which I could barely see, and tore into No Connection. I didn’t care. All You Punk Rockers followed and was half through when Ryan found me.
“There you are. Keith says he can’t perform his best if you aren’t up front” He yelled to be heard over the music.
“That’s his problem,” I yelled back.
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on with you two, but I need this show to go well. Birmingham is a lucrative market. I’m sorry I forgot the pass. I have one here.”
I took the pass and placed it on my thigh.
“Now will you come to the front?”
“You blokes are using me.”
“I thought Keith told you where we were playing.”
“Obviously not, so he can suffer. He has to learn to perform without me anyway.”
“Come on, rumor has it a couple record execs are here. If Keith doesn’t do well they’ll write us off. You only get one chance in this business.”
“He’s doing fine without me,” I answered. “And if I’m just a good luck charm, I’d rather eat a slug.”
“I’ll find you a slug tomorrow, but would you please come up front?
“If I’m so important, why do you all treat me like I’m not?”
“I’m sorry about the pass, okay. I thought you and Keith were coming together. I didn’t know he was going to hang about with us all evening.”
All You Punk Rockers became Down at the Pub.
“I can’t get you front and center now, but can get you close.”
I groaned in frustration. “Fine I’ll come. But it’s more than any of you deserve.”
Ryan let me place my things backstage and led me to the edge of the stage where I was able to slide off and take a place in front. Keith noticed me and shot me a big smile. I didn’t smile back. I did notice Keith’s performance wasn’t up to snuff, but only those closest to him would know. The audience never stopped moving.
One little girl yelled, “I love you, Billy!”
Billy looked surprised. Most girls yelled at Keith. He scrutinized her. “I’d love to tell you to see me after, luv. You’re a real cute bird and all. But you don’t look legal.”
Billy was right. She looked barely thirteen.
When the band left the stage, the now customary shouts of Piss Ants! Piss Ants! Thundered through the room until the band returned.
The encore consisted of London’s Burning, with London changed to Birmingham. Clash City Rockers became Piss Ants City Rockers. Everyone sang along.
“Goodnight, Birmingham,” Keith yelled. “It’s been our pleasure.”
The usual souvenirs were tossed to the crowd. I hurried backstage to gather my things. Keith came in right after. He wrapped one arm around me. “You finally got here. I was beginning to think you’d abandoned me.”
I pulled away from him. “Quite the contrary. You abandoned me.” I hoped I sounded angry enough.
“Sorry I didn’t return tonight, but I thought you were pissed off at me.”
“If you’re trying to redeem yourself, it isn’t working.” I grabbed my things and started for the door.
“Wait, luv.” He started after me, but was intercepted by someone. “Would you get the fuck out of my way?” he yelled at that someone.
I turned to him once more. “All I am is your good luck charm and someone to help make money for the band. Forgive me if I want something more!”
I returned to the merchandise table. Ryan came over with the lock box and I set up shop. My troubles were temporarily forgotten as I sold things.
Business tapered off until the band came back for autographs. Then we were mobbed again. Keith kept trying to win back my favor, but I wouldn’t respond.
By the time the doors were locked for the night, I counted my share of the money, stuffed it its usual hiding place, then claimed I’d take a taxi back.
“Don’t do that,” Keith protested. “I can’t leave yet.”
“Well too bad,” I shot back. “My job as good luck charm and merchandise seller are over for the night.”
Everyone headed backstage except Keith who followed me to the bar where I asked someone to call a taxi.
“Come on, luv. Don’t be like this.”
“What should I be like? Should I accept you all take me for granted? Should I accept I’m expected to psychically know where you’re playing and get there on my own while you lot are off having fun? I had to play detective to find where you were playing. I didn’t have a pass and had to wait in the queue half an hour.”
“I’m sorry. I thought you knew where we were playing. The itinerary’s in my bag.”
“And I was supposed to know this how?”
“I thought you knew.”
Ryan came out. “Keith, a couple people from local fanzines want a word.”
“Tell them to fuck off!” Keith yelled at him.
“I’ll tell them you’ll be a few minutes then.” Ryan disappeared backstage.
“I said I was sorry. I thought you were pissed off at me.”
“Well, I’m even more pissed off now. I’m going outside to wait for my taxi.”
“Don’t go, luv. You know I can’t bear it when you’re cross with me.”
“Then stop doing things that make me cross with you!”
“I never know what’ll piss you off. I think everything’s great and suddenly I’ve pissed you off.”
I headed for the door. Keith followed. “I said I’m sorry. What more do you want?”
“To be treated with respect.” I opened the door and slipped outside before Keith could respond. There still were people lingering about and Keith couldn’t follow without being mobbed.
When I finally returned to the hostel, I shed my clothes, tossing them onto a chair, and washed off my makeup. I wished I could talk to Aimee. I could use a sympathetic ear. But it was past two a.m. and I knew she worked the next morning.
Keith staggered in an hour later. I feigned sleep and was overwhelmed with the stench of beer oozing off him as he climbed into bed.
[To be continued… Click here to view all chapters.]
