Keith looked panicked. “What’s wrong?”
“Your daughter just kicked me, that’s what! I think she bruised a rib!”
“I’m sorry she’s so hard on you, luv.”
I gave Keith a knowing smile. “You said she. I heard you.”
He gave me a sheepish look. “Only because you’ve conditioned me.”
I laughed. “Well, you can’t retract.”
“When you have a sonogram we’ll have them tell us.”
“I don’t need to be told. It’s a girl.”
We arrived in Brighton, checked into the hotel and I collapsed onto the bed. Keith flopped next to me. “I wish I could take on some of your discomfort.”
“I wish so too because I can’t imagine living like this for twelve more weeks.”
“I know it’s early, but shall we go eat? I have to be at sound check by three.”
“I guess. A short walk might do me good. I’m having back spasms suddenly.”
We ate an early lunch, and took a bit of a stroll around Brighton, but the wind was so cold, we meandered back to the hotel. Ryan was waiting by our door. “There you are. You’re 15 minutes late.”
Keith unlocked the door and we went in.
Ryan followed. “Come on, Keith. We’re supposed to be there now.”
“Yes, all right. I’ll get my guitars.” He held me in his arms. “You coming?”
“I’m still having back spasms. I’m going to try and rest.”
“I promise I’ll return right after sound check.”
Even with Keith gone, I couldn’t relax. My back kept hurting. I was bored anyway, so I ventured out for some Tylenol. The wind was very unpleasant, but fortunately I didn’t need to walk far. I found a chemist’s, bought what I needed and headed back to the hotel.
Keith returned about 30 minutes later.
I was on the bed waiting for the Tylenol to take effect. Thankfully the baby was quiet.
“Are you feeling better?” Keith sat on the bed, rubbing my back.
“If I could sleep an hour or two I’d feel better.”
Keith’s hand roamed to my stomach and the baby gave a big kick.
“Ow!” Keith laughed.
I couldn’t help laughing either. “I guess you’re crowding her.”
“I think we have a little Olympian here. Has she settled down or will we get more action from our gold medalist?”
“I think she’s settling back down and you said she again.”
“You’re rubbing off on me. It must be all that kissing. Maybe if I kiss you again I’ll develop your full blown intuition.” He kissed me again.
I kissed him back as his hand went up my blouse, unhooked my bra and massaged my breasts.
I unzipped his 501s and did my own massaging. “You’re wearing those red bikini pants I find so enticing,” I swooned.
“I thought I might have my way with you by making myself irresistible.”
I pulled his Levis down and peeled off the bikinis. “These may be irresistible, but you’re sexier without them.”
We shed the rest of our clothes and began a slow assent into ecstasy, reminiscent of the time we conceived our baby and so beautiful I wanted to cry. We’d been so busy all fall, we’d barely had time for us. Keith suddenly switched to his usual fast, punk rock tempo. I cried out in elation, wrapping my arms around him. We’d been together over two years and our passion was as strong as ever.
We continued with the hard, fast rhythm until Keith lay breathless beside me. He reached out and ran his fingers through my hair. “How are you feeling?”
“About the same. I’m still getting back pains.”
He ran his hand over my stomach and I felt a punch.
Keith laughed. “Ooh, I guess she told me a thing or two.”
I smiled. “She’s telling you to leave her alone.”
“Sorry, Baby.” He wore the biggest little boy grin. He leaned over and kissed me. “Promise me if your back still hurts when we return, you’ll see the doctor.”
I kissed him back. “I will. But I probably slept wrong on the train. It’s getting harder to get comfortable.”
We began kissing again when the phone rang.
“Fuckin’ aye. Can’t he leave me alone.” Keith grabbed the phone. “What the hell do you want now?”
“What autograph session? I never agreed to that. What record store? Noon tomorrow? We want to get back early. Brigitte’s not feeling well and . . .”
I don’t care if it only needs to last one hour. If it was five minutes I wouldn’t do it.”
There was silence as Ryan tried persuading Keith.
“I’m sure we’ll sell more CDs, but we’re going back to London.”
Keith slammed the phone down. “I don’t know what he was thinking, but I definitely don’t want to do an autograph signing. I know we’d sell a lot more CD’s, but we’d end up being here until late afternoon. I don’t care if he fucking feels the baby is bollocksing everything up. ”
“Thank you for refusing,” I said. “Was Ryan that upset?”
“He’ll get over it.”
We stayed in bed snuggling and talking until almost five.
“Shall we go eat somewhere?” Keith asked. “What are you in the mood for?”
“For staying in,” I replied. “Let’s do room service.”
“That’s fine.” He grabbed a cigarette before walking across the room for the ashtray.
“Stop right there,” I ordered as he strolled back to bed, cigarette in one hand and ashtray in the other.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just want to bask in your beauty.”
He grinned broadly and hopped onto the bed to kiss me. “Don’t get me started again, luv, or I’ll never make the show tonight.”
I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him. “All great things come to an end.”
“Take a shower with me instead.”
“I’m tempted, but I’d rather have a bath to try and ease these back spasms.”
He sat up and took another drag. “I’ll be quick then, because I’d rather you had a bath while I’m here.”
I sat up and kissed him. “You’re sweet, but I’ll be fine.”
“Well, humor me, okay?” You order dinner while I shower.”
I laughed. “Yes, Daddy.”
Keith kissed me again, took one last drag and I watched in exasperation as he grabbed the same clothes he’d shed and headed for the bathroom.
I rang room service and ordered some smoked haddock cakes with baby spinach, and wrapped myself in my pink terry dressing gown.
Keith exited the bathroom wearing his Levis and no shirt.
“You’ll drive the girls wild going on stage like that,” I quipped.
“Oh, ha ha. You’re funny. I just want to wear a different shirt.”
“Well it’s nice to see you do change your clothes from time to time.”
“Ooh, you’re full of yourself suddenly.” He bent down to kiss me and stuck his hand inside my dressing gown, fondling my breast. You better have your bath or I’ll be tempted to ravish you again.”
“I know. Back to reality.” I went to the bathroom, filling the bath deep before shedding my dressing gown and sinking beneath the warm suds. I heard Keith playing his guitar as I closed my eyes and relaxed.
“You okay in there, luv?”
I opened my eyes and saw Keith standing in the doorway. He still had no shirt on.
“I’m fine. It’s the first time I’ve been able to relax all day.””Well, don’t fall asleep. In fact, you should get out. Dinner will arrive soon.”
“All right, I’m coming,” I sighed, pulling the plug.\Keith lent his arm to help me from the bath before returning to the room. I donned my dressing gown and followed him. He grabbed his favorite Sex Pistols shirt from the bag, wiggled into it, then pulled me close to kiss me. You feeling better?”
“I think so. My back feels a little better and the baby’s still quiet.”
He reached inside my dressing gown and rubbed my belly. The baby shifted a little.
Keith grinned. “I guess that bath did you both good.”\
“Well enjoy the closeness we’re sharing now because I’ll be blimping up soon. I’ve barely gained five kilos and already feel like a blimp.”
Keith laughed. “You’re sexy no matter what.”
I giggled. “Oh, you learn quickly.”
Room service soon knocked.
“It’s about time,” I declared. “I’m starving.”
We barely finished eating when Ryan banged on the door. “Keith, I need you at the club. Open the door.”
“Piss off,” Keith yelled. “I’ll be there at show time.”
“Come on, Keith. Open the door so I can talk to you.”
“Fuckin’ aye!” He got up and opened the door. “This better be good.”
“It’s more than good. Some bloke from Creation Records is coming to watch tonight. This could be our big break!”
“I’m not on stage for three more hours. What’s the rush?”
“Because things are happening over there. A reporter from the local paper is supposed to show up and . . .”
“No! No fuckin’ interviews.”
“This is different. This whole event’s getting bigger by the minute! Punk is huge here now. You’re headlining this gig and there’s two bands from Birmingham on the bill as big as we are in London. I’d rather we get the publicity.” “Bloody hell, Ryan. I don’t want to be there until I need to. Brigitte isn’t feeling well and I’d rather not leave her.”
“I’m alright,” I said. “I’ll stay and rest, then take a taxi. Leave the address and a pass.”
Keith looked defeated. “Give me an hour, then. I’m not on ‘til eleven. It’s not yet eight.”
“Except Billy and Jimmy are ready to go now.”
“I don’t fucking care. Come back for me.”
Ryan rolled his eyes and threw up his hands. “Bloody hell!”
Ryan left and Keith joined me on the bed again. He wrapped me in his arms and we snuggled. “Sorry, luv. I guess duty calls.”
“It’s okay. I should nap anyway while the baby’s quiet. I should have ordered dessert, though. I could murder some gateau chocolate.”
“Is that a subtle hint I should find you some?”
I kissed him. “Would you? I’ll let you in through the window again.”
“No need. I found a side door.”
We parted with another long kiss.
With Keith gone, I realized how exhausted I was. The baby was still quiet so I laid back and closed my eyes.
I was next aware of Keith kissing me awake.
“Sorry to wake you, luv. I would have let you sleep, but Ryan’ll be here soon.”
I reached up and stroked him. “Did you bring me chocolate?”
“Affirmative. Need anything else before I go?”
Before I could answer, Ryan arrived. This time he knocked instead of pounded.
Keith opened the door. “You ready?” Ryan asked.
“I guess.” Keith looked about as enthusiastic as a houseplant. He turned to me. “I’m leaving the number and name of the club with the address.”
“I have a pager now. Write that number down,” Ryan said, digging out a pass.
Keith put everything on the night table next to me and we parted with another long kiss. “We go on at eleven. That should give you plenty of time to rest.”
“I promise I’ll be there.”
When Keith left, I gobbled my gateau chocolate and tried going back to sleep. My back spasms returned so I took two Tylenol and crawled under the blankets. I didn’t even bother shedding my dressing gown. I could still get two hours sleep.
I obviously fell asleep because I was awakened by the phone. I groped, half asleep and grabbed the receiver.
“Hey, Sleepy Head. I guess I woke you. Is everything okay?”
“Fine,” I answered, still half asleep. “What time is it?”
“It’s nearly half ten. We’re about to go on. You still coming?”
was awake now. “I didn’t think I’d sleep that long. Of course I’m coming. It should only take me 15 minutes to get ready.
“You obviously needed the rest. I’ll have Ryan watch for you. Remember your pass.”
i hung up, brushed my hair from my eyes, and peeled back the blankets. I stood up to turn on the lamp. Suddenly a sharp pain hit me in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me. Was the baby kicking? It wasn’t anything I’d felt before. I no sooner caught my breath when another pain struck in the same place, then another. I cried out and fell to the floor.
[To be continued… Click here to view all chapters.]
