Chapter Fifty-Two
The last week of August arrived and we were again crammed in that wretched van headed for Brighton.
We arrived at the hotel to find it swarming with kids in punk attire. The band was immediately bombarded for autographs. Keith and I barely escaped into the lift.
“We have two hours before we need to be at the club. Shall we grab a bite? Maybe hang about on the beach after?” Keith suggested.
“If we can leave without going through the lobby,” I responded.
Keith grinned. “I can’t believe that happened. We’re getting so popular here!”
“You already fulfilled your duty to them. We’re finding another way out.”
“There’s a fire escape ladder to the alley. We can climb out the window to it.”
“I don’t think I should.”
Keith looked slightly embarrassed, then brightened. “You go through the lobby. I’ll use the fire escape. Meet me in the alley.”
I kissed him. “That’ll work.”
I peeked down the hallway, making sure no one was about. “Coast is clear.”
We parted with a kiss and I took the lift to the lobby. There still were several kids hanging about and I overheard someone say, “Isn’t that Keith’s girlfriend?”
I was tempted to yell, “I’m his wife!” But knew better.
I found Keith in the alley smoking and we set off. We settled into a tearoom and feasted on smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches.
Keith looked at me, amused. “You’re eating more than me now.”
“I didn’t have a big breakfast today,” I defended. “Lay off!”
“Ooh, at ease.”
We finished tea and headed outside and down some cement stairs to the beach, dodging an errant volleyball. We walked, holding hands, not saying much as a gentle breeze flitted around us. When the sun started setting, we realized we were late. “Ryan’ll be so pissed off.” Keith grabbed my hand and we rushed back to the hotel. He leaped up to pull down the fire ladder, we kissed, and I rushed back to the main entrance, now void of fans.
I ran upstairs and opened the window. Ryan appeared just as Keith climbed through.
“What the fuck are you doing?” he asked.
“Just avoiding the masses downstairs,” Keith responded.
Ryan looked amused. “What the fuck for? All this attention is bloody great!”
“I wanted to spend quality time with my wife.”
Ryan rolled his eyes.
We arrived at the club together. After much begging by Ryan, I agreed to sell, but only after the show. I wanted to watch all the bands. I had to watch from the side instead of front and center. I wasn’t sure I would like all the adjustments I’d have to make.”
During the encore, not only did they invite the other bands on stage, but the audience also, making the whole stage a sea of musicians and dancing punks as they played the Clash’s Janie Jones.
I’d barely been able to sit down while selling, so when I finally came backstage, I collapsed on an overstuffed chair. Keith sat on the arm and snuggled into me. He rubbed my stomach. “How did the bambino like the show?”
“She doesn’t seem to be objecting.”
Keith sat up. “She?”
I hadn’t realized I’d let that slip. “I’m getting this feeling we’re having a girl.”
Keith broke up laughing. “That’s bollocks.”
Ryan stood nearby smoking a cigarette. “That’s not true. Mum said she knew and Dad says she was bang on both times. If you two get a girl the world should run for cover.”
Keith stared at him. “What the hell does that mean?”
“If you have a boy, it’ll be like Keith — poetic and overly sensitive — but a girl would be more a combination of you two and that’s scary.”
For once, Ryan made me laugh. “Have you been studying psychology unbeknownst?”
He dropped his cigarette to the floor. “Mark my words. I know of what I speak.”
We returned to London early the next day. I had a doctor appointment in two days and I was nervous. My fears disappeared when we were told all was progressing normall
I was now entering my second trimester and final year of school. As the weeks passed, I realized being pregnant and going to school was more exhausting than I imagined. My due date, still five months away, seemed forever
I was always asleep when Keith staggered home, but one night he woke me with several kisses.
“What’s wrong?” I asked sleepily.
“I have good news.”
“What’s that?” I was not completely awake.
“We’re headlining a big show in Brighton New Year’s Eve.”
I groaned. “Couldn’t you have waited until morning to tell me?”
“Sorry, luv. I couldn’t wait. We’ve hardly had the chance to say boo to each other in the morning since you’re always in a rush getting to school.”
“It’s mid November. You’ll have plenty of opportunity. Can I go back to sleep?”
He kissed me and I rolled over to go back to sleep when I felt something that could only be explained as fluttering butterflies in my stomach. “Merde!” I sat up suddenly. “I think I feel the baby move!”
[To be continued… Click here to view all chapters.]
