Chapter 8

After breakfast on the Tuesday, they were taken to see Versailles, as promised. What hadn’t been said was that they would be followed around by photographers and posed beside wonderful artworks and, as a group, on the sweeping staircase. They weren’t alone with this, as G-Force were putting up with it as well. Jacob seemed angry about the imposition on his time but went along with it.

Finally, they were taken to a restaurant where they had a private room to relax over lunch. They were told that the dinner before the show would have a number of ‘captains of industry’. Clive warned them that many could claim to be nobility, but none will, because the French upper crust tended to fly under the radar, never forgetting how many lost their heads in the revolution, so just treat them as rich industrialists.

“Tonight, the first half will be filmed for the G-Force DVD, which will go on sale in November, along with the album. Bring your main game tonight. Needless to say, the audio has to be spot on. This afternoon, the sound check will be doubly important, so Summer Rose will go first and then the Gees will be playing with the set mix. Tomorrow, it’s looking after the sponsors, with a visit to the music store who have supplied today’s equipment. Then we have a tourist boat booked for a trip on the river, with lunch. Our venue here is sold out on all three nights. It’s well used to hosting big shows as Taylor Swift performed here on her Eras Tour.”

The dinner was pleasant, and the first half of the show went well. When Summer Rose took to the stage, everyone was on a high, and their set created a lot of audience noise. That night, everyone was too tired for sleeping in a different bed.

On Wednesday morning, it was the trip to the music store, with lots of pictures, lots of fans wanting signatures on their new instruments. Willow and Gina signed their names alongside Jim’s on at least six Nord Stage Threes. The river trip would have been better if they could have gone out on the deck to see the scenery, but the wind was bitter. That night, they all did what they were being paid for, and at breakfast, on Thursday, they were told that the sudden freeze had caused the planned trip to be cancelled. They all spent the day relaxing in various places around the hotel, with some in their rooms. The five girls all got together for a talk and a laugh. The show, that night, was a lot of fun, as the majority of the audience took to their seats rugged up, and divested clothing as the bands warmed them up. Jacob still seemed angry and not his usual self and Willow wondered if he was ailing from some virus.

Friday was a very busy day. After breakfast, they were checked out and on the coach to the airport. A flight that was shorter than their waiting time in the terminal landed them in Berlin. They were all taken to the Hotel Indigo, just a walk to the Uber Arena. The city was a winter wonderland, but the snow had stopped. The lunch was at the hotel, and there was a session in one of the function rooms with the local media. They walked in the slush to the venue and the Gees did their sound check.

Tonight, Summer Rose were all in the black leathers and red shirts, the girls with the added red boots. They had a photo session for the press and then went up to do their sound check. For some reason, they sounded more like a hard rock band with their later songs. Willow wondered if it was the outfits that made the difference. This venue was the smallest of the tour, at only seventeen thousand, but when they went on stage that night, it sounded as loud as the any of the previous shows that week.

The early material was welcomed, but when they launched into material from ‘Homegrown’ and ‘Greenhouse’ the fans went wild. Willow played the keyboard and looked out at the crowd and realised that their choice of outfit was totally in step with the majority of the audience. When the stage lights went down and the house lights came up, they were all high on the adoration, and took a while to come back down as the dressers helped them change.

They walked back to the hotel, happy that the DVD would show an energised band, looking like they meant business. They all stayed in the hotel the next day, relaxing and thinking about the last half of term that lay ahead of them. At lunch, they met the Vines family in the dining room, with the excited twins. Sam sat with Willow in the lounge.

“I’ve seen the agent and signed the paperwork for Stella House. Mervyn and I will be working together to create a sound barrier between us inside, and we have to install quick-roll doors to allow access. That was already factored into Mervyn’s budget. I’ll be able to bring the bigger equipment in and we’ll then seal my part off. I’ll bring in offices and amenities so that we’re self-contained. There may be an extra cost for plumbing, but the half I’m taking will last me many years. The agent told me that the lease doesn’t start until the first of January, the same as Mervyn. That’s very generous.”

“I’m glad that you’re happy, Sam. How are your girls, now. Have they been playing their CD to all their friends?”

“We had a party on Tuesday, and that was all we heard all night. I’m sure that a lot of their friends have already been to see ‘Wicked’ as they were all singing along. I really thought that the music was just a hobby for them, and now know that they’re serious. I’ve had a good look at the lessons that they’ve signed on for, and it’s great training in all aspects. Actually, I’ve never seen them so happy. Ivy told me that they had considered running away, rather than going to the school that we had planned. We’re looking at the school website, so that we can get tickets for the show, as well as getting tickets for all of us to be at the Cathedral. How is this tour going?”

“Pretty good. We sold out at every venue and we’re looking forward to being home in our own beds on Sunday night. I have to admit, this week has been good for us with the development of the band. I think you’ll see a bit of difference tonight. Here, we’re Sommer-Rose and a bit more hard-edged.”

The dinner, that afternoon, was full of praise for the two bands and how they had come to the party with some new material, as well as taking everything in their stride. That night, they rocked! Willow had asked the dressers to give them the black leather outfits again, which the audience appreciated and allowed the band to let their hair down. That night, Jacob wanted Willow to join him for a while, but she declined.

Sunday morning, after breakfast, they were checked out, in a coach and off to the airport. They arrived back in Manchester at one in the afternoon, and were all dropped off at their homes, with Jacob just grabbing his bags and getting out without a kiss. Willow and Jill arrived at her home around three. Willow took her bag and bulging garment bag up to her room and Jill loaded up her car. They sat with Wendy and Ashley for a while and talked about the tour before Jill left to go home.

The last thing she wanted was yet another meal out, but she joined her parents to go to the club for dinner. She told them more about the tour, showed them some of the pictures on her phone, and walked home with Wendy to unpack and have a shower to sleep in her own bed.

It took an effort of will to be up and dressed in the school uniform on Monday morning, but she was ready when Sebastian pulled up in the people mover.

“Good morning, Sebastian and Max.”

“Good morning, Willow. I wondered how you would bounce back, you looked shattered when I dropped you off yesterday.”

“What you see is a robot, the real Willow is still in bed.”

They were all quiet as the others were picked up. At the school, they went in, and the receptionist told them that the Head wanted a word. Gina knocked on the office door and it was opened by Mister Bamborough.

“Come on in, you three. I gave my copy of what was recorded on that Friday to the Head, and that’s why you’re here”

They went in and sat down on the seats in front of the desk. The Head looked at each one in turn.

“This recording that was made of the ‘Wicked’ cast singing. It doesn’t sound like anything like the stage show?”

“The whole group had a discussion and decided that they wanted to perform it in the modern day, ma-am.”

“How much input did you lot have?”

“None. They made up their minds and we went along with it. I’ve been working with the cast, Gina has been working on the costumes, and Jacob has a group workshopping the scenery. The band all joined the school this year, and Mister Bamborough heard them in the first week of term. The leaders are Petunia and Ivy Vines, and their father was there at the recording.”

“He was also a big supporter of the Bishop’s charity event. He was one of those who I said, on the night, would be unlikely to send his children here. Changing the show is risky, but that recording has shown me that it’s going to be a success.”

“I think that we’ll be able to show you a dress rehearsal at the end of the week, if we can set up the stage.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Now, this recording studio. How does one book time?”

“You can’t. It’s registered with the council as not a commercial venture, so we can’t, legally, charge for its use. Other than the band, the only other keys are held by Xavier, Frank, and Dave. If you want to use it, just talk to Xavier to run the desk. He did have the Hikers in there for three evenings that week, recording an album. We pay each of the techs two hundred and fifty an hour when we record an album for general release. The ‘Wicked’ recording was done with no cost to the school as a school project and a favour to friends.”

“So, what do we put on the notes if we get copies made to sell in the school?”

“Other than it was recorded at Summer Love Studio, just the singers names and Xavier as the producer.”

“What about having the orchestra there to record the Messiah?”

“We will need some time to set it up. There is a storeroom behind the far wall where we can put the big amps. We did buy a lot of microphones but may need more. We can record in twenty-four channel and could add small mixers with up to six mics fed into them and the total only using one channel. We may have to get a few more booms to get an overall sound. We don’t have a load of chairs or music stands, but we can get them in or take them from here in a truck. With out tenant now out, we have plenty of parking.”

“Would you be prepared to do that as a special project?”

Willow looked at the others, Gina nodded, while Jacob was silent.

“We would, ma-am. It would be a pleasure.”

“Right. Work with Mister Bamborough when you’re ready. I’m prepared to allow the orchestra a day away from school, along with the three techs. I believe that you can produce a video as well, which we could keep in the school library. Now, off you go and learn something new.”

That lunchtime, Gina and Willow spoke to the rest of the band about the session. The four wind players and Brent were happy to go along with it. Willow spoke to Zara and then sat back at their table and broached the idea with Dianne and Barbara. They were the only ones who thought that they were going back to Abbey Road, and were disappointed, at first, when told that it was another studio, much closer to home.

On the way home, Willow spoke to Sebastian about transporting the entire orchestra and the large choir to Leicester for the day. That evening, she emailed Wilhelm to see if he could be available at the site if there was a delivery of stackable chairs that would need to go into the store at the back of the studio. While she had the computer on, she noticed an email from Peter, with her latest statement.

The ’Journey’, Homegrown’, and Carpentry’ CDs had sold six hundred and ten thousand copies, the ‘Journey’ and ‘Homegrown’ DVDs had moved four hundred and thirty thousand. This was four point two-seven million pounds. With the usual expenses, as well as the four and a half thousand to the techs, and the fifteen percent commission, it left her with her one-eleventh share at just over three hundred and fifty thousand.

She transferred a hundred thousand from WR Holdings to the syndicate with a note to Wilhelm that she had done so and asking him if any decision had been made about feeding the Legs account. She then replied to Peter’s email, asking him to transfer four hundred thousand to the WR Holdings account. She then emailed the estate agent to look into the building in Fitzrovia, London, asking if he could get the details of the current leases and making an offer.

The rest of the week was normal until Thursday. She had notified the ‘Wicked’ cast about a short session after school to be fitted for the costumes. Maisie came in with Frankie and a pile of clothes. The girls went behind screens to change, and then the boys. When everything was checked and found good, they were allowed to change back and take the costumes home, with the news that they would be having a full-dress rehearsal after school on Friday, with teachers in attendance. On the way home, Willow asked Gina about the outfits. Gina told her that she had paid for them, and it was Frankie and her mother who made them.

On Friday, the three were allowed time off to prepare the stage for the show. The girls helped Jacob put out the first backdrop and then set the subsequent ones in order in the wings. Mister Bamborough helped bring up three smaller amps and a drum kit, which was all set up behind the backdrop. They prepared a number of clip-on microphones and tested them through the PA. When the final bell went, the cast and helpers arrived to change into the costumes and sort out the order of scene changes. It was a lucky thing that this show had most of the cast with unchanged outfits.

Willow had a final pep talk to the cast and then left them to it, going to join Jacob and Gina, as the teachers, the rest of the Music Studies class, and quite a few parents that had come in, including the Vines. She could see some movement of the curtains as the audience settled, and then the band started with an overture, similar to the opening of the show. The curtains opened and they were into the first act.

For this performance, the stand-ins took the stage in a couple of acts, without it detracting from the flow. At the end of the show, there was hearty applause and the whole cast came out on stage for a bow, joined by the band members. After the curtains closed, the Head, who was seated behind Willow, leaned forward.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect with this, Willow, but these students have done a great job. Leave the stage set up and be ready to have them perform on Thursday evening. We have about ninety percent filled for that one, and the Saturday one is booked out. Let the stand-ins carry the show on Friday, you’ll have to make that announcement beforehand. We can have Xavier and the others record those two shows. We have three thousand copies of the CD being delivered next week for sale at the door. I expect that we may need to take orders for later delivery by Saturday evening. If we get requests for the DVD, we can make a list.”

The three friends went and congratulated the cast and helpers, telling them about the arrangement for next week. Then, they found Max and Sebastian at the rear of the hall and went out to the vehicle.

“That’s a cracking show. Can’t say that I liked the film, too cheesy, but that had a real punch.”

“It was all their idea, Max. They didn’t want to set it in the Wonderland theme, and the story does have a different point set in modern times.”

Jacob was sitting by himself, so Gina spoke to him.

“Are you good for the sing-along tomorrow night, Jacob?”

“Sorry. I’m going to a party with Rick and the boys. They’re flying to Spain on Sunday to start their tour.”

“Just be careful with what you drink. We don’t want a repeat of that last party.”

“Yes, mum, I’ll be a good boy.”

Gina looked at Willow and raised an eyebrow.

“Looks like the two of us will be holding the fort tomorrow, friend.”

That evening, and all of Saturday, Willow worked through the remaining movements of the Messiah. On Saturday evening, the family had dinner in the club and the two girls set up the Yamahas as pianos and worked through their repertoire of drinking songs. On Sunday, it was Gina on the organ, and they spent some time talking about the two performances that were coming up. Willow sent an email to the school, to notify that the orchestra session, on Wednesday, will be the complete Messiah, and to warn any pick-ups that it would be close to a three-hour session.

On Monday, she told Sebastian that the recording of the orchestra would be the following Wednesday, so to pick them up in a coach, and have a second coach for the overflow. On Monday, during lunch, she phoned a furniture store and ordered a hundred and twenty stackable plastic chairs, and fifteen eight-foot plastic tables to be delivered to the Leicester site, texting Wilhelm with the news.

On Wednesday, she spoke to Mister Bamborough about having chairs, so just needing the music stands and the larger instruments to be taken to the studio. She also spoke to Xavier about getting forty clip-on microphones and a twenty more of the kind they already had, along with some booms, and some small mixers, to be delivered to the site, and to email Wilhelm when they would be delivered.

That afternoon, Margaret and Sandra arrived, as did Sally and Tom. The four soloists were in their places, the full choir was on their chairs, and the orchestra had all the instruments. Willow led the tuning, and when they were ready, she stayed standing.

“Next Wednesday, the Head has given us all a full day to record this opus. We will leave the school as soon as everyone is ready. There will be two coaches outside, and the school truck for the big instruments. The recording studio is in Leicester, and our producer will be Xavier. There is no rush to get it right, first time, as we have full use until we’re happy. You will all be delivered back to the school, and we’ll be able to have pizza or fish and chips for lunch.”

Then, she sat and nodded to the conductor. With a tap of his baton, he led them into the full performance for the first time. It wasn’t totally flawless, but good for a full work-out. They had a comfort stop after the first and second parts, and then brought it home to the final Amen.

Before they left, they arranged for Margaret and her friends to be picked up on the following Wednesday, and for Sally and Tom to have the Cathedral choir at the school ready to go.

That evening, Willow had an email from the estate agent. He said that he had checked with the leaseholder of the two apartments. They were both in a company name, and further enquiries found that they were for visiting executives from head office in the USA. They had asked if it would cost them much to pull out of the lease early, as the head office had just filed for Chapter Eleven protection. He had gone back to the vendors agent, pointing out that half of the accommodation would be vacant, and asking if an offer of one point seven would be acceptable. He suggested that they may take one point eight, or under, and if he should make an offer under the name of Summer Love Properties. Willow replied that up to one point eight would be acceptable to her and that it would be under WR Holdings, with payment to be made inside a week, with the break of lease to be without any charges.

On Thursday, it was full on for the ‘Wicked’ first public performance. None of the cast and helpers would be going home after school, with the lunchroom staying open for the show. The cast were excited, with the twins smiling like suns. They all had a light meal before going to get changed and to make sure everything was ready to roll. The audience started to arrive, and Jacob made sure that his crew were ready, then went off to the main entry. There was a table, loaded with CDs, at the entry to the theatre, and Willow went to buy one for herself, noting a nice picture of the whole cast on the cover, and a full listing of names inside. She was there as producer, Gina as costume supply, Jacob as scenery manager, Xavier as record producer at the Summer Love Studio.

Willow gave the excited cast a pep talk and had several hugs, with many thanking her for the great direction. She went to the curtains and had a peek out at the audience. There were a lot of the students with parents. Xavier had a mixing desk on a table to the side, and Frank and Dave were checking their cameras.

She was just about to step back, when she saw all of the Gees, with Zara and Geoff come in together, and the rest of the band with girls. Then she saw Jacob following them with an older blonde on his arm. She watched as they found their seats and made themselves comfortable. Once was enough. This time, she decided that if he wanted out, she wasn’t going to stand in the way. In one way, it was something of a relief, as she could now plan her future without wondering about him.

The show was a great success, with applause afterwards that went on for a while. Willow was in the front row, Gina on one side and the Head on the other. Brenda gestured for her to come up and get some applause, and she dragged Gina up with her. After the audience had left, there were hugs all round as the cast changed into their normal clothes, catching up with parents to go home. Gina and Willow were alone in the vehicle going home.

That night, Willow hugged her furry friends and told them that they were alone again but didn’t shed any tears. Jacob had been her first lover, and she hoped that he could remain as a friend and in the band. If he did drop out, then he would still get payments from the albums he had been playing in. They could probably be good without him, as Herb or Roy could have a second guitar with them, on stage, to use on the songs that required a semi-acoustic. If they moved into hard rock, and dropped all of the early material, he wouldn’t be missed.

Marianne Gregory © 2025