“Sally, it’s me.”
There was a slight pause then she answered. “Alex? Oh, is everything okay?” Her voice had changed to something low and sweet.
“No problems. Just, when you booked Dee’s band for the club, you got their contact details, right?”
An even longer pause.
“Umm, yeah. Why?” Now her voice had become tight and forced.
“Whose number did you get?”
“Dee’s. And the other guy, the bass player, was the backup number.”
“Pete? Do you have it?”
She gave a small laugh. “Oh, Pete. You want his number?”
“Yes, that’s why I’m calling you. Obviously.”
I wasn’t oblivious enough not to realise she had been jealous when she’d thought I wanted to contact Dee but that was none of her business. Still, she’d be more likely to help out if she knew it was Pete I wanted to speak to.
“Where are you?” she asked.
I looked up, trying to find the name of the cafe. “Bruce’s. It’s a cafe near the club.”
“Cool. See you there in fifteen minutes.”
She hung up before I could tell her it wasn’t so urgent. I picked up the menu and gave the breakfasts a read. I’d kill for some French toast but I’d been a slack on the workouts lately. Instead, I ordered a Quinoa porridge and another shot of espresso.
I’d just finished eating when Sally arrived.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I said.
She’d definitely just woken up when I’d called but she’d had time to swing by the club and get the details, as well as put on a full face of makeup.
“It’s fine, Alex. Anything to help.”
She smiled at me like a beam of sunshine — and it was far too early in the morning for that shit. She wriggled into the booth seat opposite me and sat a slip of paper on the table.
I gave her a salute and picked up the paper with Pete’s number.
“Wait. Aren’t you sticking around for another coffee?”
“I’ve had two already, and I need to sleep before rehearsal.” I threw some money on the table. “But get yourself one.”
I had no time to waste on Sally.
Dee
“What the hell did you say?”
Pete looked shamefaced, as well he should. I’d beat him to a pulp just as soon as I stopped shaking. The rage in me was so strong that I thought I’d burst like a faulty boiler, the pressure building up until I splattered all over the walls of my dodgy room.
“He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
“Do you have any idea who this guy is? Have you forgotten? Did he blind you with the sparkle of his shiny money? Pete, you total douchebag.”
Since I was too overwhelmed to actually beat him up, I sat down on the bed. It creaked and strained. I picked up the lumpy pillow and beat that instead. Pete leant against the crappy old sink in the corner.