From chapter thirty

Shana squeezed his hand again. “Now you’re being silly.”

“Am I? I don’t think so. I’ve managed to ruin every friendship I’ve ever made, and made more enemies than I care to count. I’m a Scorpio; I have a sting in my tail. I sting my enemies but in stinging others I sting myself even more. I take so much out of people without meaning to. I take and take, and I seem to drain people of their very souls. People who get too close to me end up getting hurt. Stay away from me, Shana or I’ll sting you too.”

Shana rose to her feet. “Now you’re being really silly. I don’t believe in star signs and you can’t get rid of Shana Royle that easily. Come on, on your feet, it’s time you were in bed.” He was glad of her arm to lean on as he hobbled into the flat. There was one dim light left on over the double bed and in the gloom they found that Brian had taken over Gypsy’s bed. Only the double was vacant.

“It’s okay,” he whispered. “I’ll sleep in one of the chairs.”

“Oh no, you don’t.” Shana closed the door behind them. “Just get undressed and get into bed.”

Gypsy glared at her and hissed. “I can’t get into bed with you.”

Shana flapped her hands and hissed back. “We run round a dressing room with next to nothing on, what’s the difference?”

“A dressing room is not a bed!”

“Okay, we’ll just stand here all night and talk about the weather.” Shana walked round to the far side of the bed, slipped off her robe to reveal a very modest sleeveless T-shirt and cropped cotton shorts, and slid into bed. “Do what you want, I’m tired.”  She reached for the light pull and plunged the room into darkness. Gypsy stripped down to his briefs and groped his way into bed, and settled down as far away from Shana as possible. Okay, what next, he thought.

Now read on

As always, he woke bathed in sweat, sitting up in the dark with his heart pounding and getting ready to scream. Two gentle arms slipped about his shoulders and Shana whispered gently to him, telling to lie down. His hair was wet and stuck to his forehead, and he felt Shana’s cool fingers stroking it back.

“It’s okay now, you can cuddle up, if it’ll help.” Her right arm was under his neck and she was warm and sweet smelling. Gypsy felt his terror fading as he remembered the objective he had set himself. Reckless and totally indiscreet, but what a way to pay Brian back.  Slowly he turned on his left side to face her and let her draw him closer till his left cheek rested against her right shoulder. Today he had seen a hint of her interest at the club. It wasn’t enough now, just to sing with her and for her to watch him dance. She wanted to get closer but what did he want? What about Don?

In the dark she turned her face towards him and he tightened his arm around her waist. He let his lips touch hers gently. A hand came up to stroke his chest. He could just make out the shape of her face and her large eyes gazing at him.

Why shouldn’t they be together like this, she wasn’t married to the creep. This would teach Brian a lesson; and Glen come to think of it. It would also prove he was no fag. God, what was he thinking? His time with Don had proved otherwise. Maybe he was bi? The moon came out from behind a cloud and shone a beam directly on them, filling the room with ghostly light. They gazed at each other and he saw the love in her eyes. It seemed she was as content just to be near him as he was with her. Happy now, the pain in his ankle seemed to settle to an uncomfortable throbbing. I need this, he whispered to himself, thank you God.

When Gypsy opened his eyes again the room was filled with sunshine. He was lying on his stomach with one arm draped round his pillow. He heard someone moving around, and remembered who he had spent the night with. Even though they didn’t do anything, he feared the worst. He raised his head off the pillow and looked at the head on the pillow beside him. Archie’s hairy features stared back at him. The man winked and closed his eyes.

Gypsy raised his head high enough to look over to Archie’s bed and saw Shana lying curled up in it with her eyes closed. He rolled over to look at Brian, still snoring in bed, and he buried his head in his pillow to try and work it out. He was sure it hadn’t been a dream. Nothing had happened; it had just been a wonderful, peaceful night, falling asleep in Shana’s arms.

Gypsy woke out of a doze to the feel of a hand nudging his shoulder. He rolled over onto his back and waves of pain laced up from his ankle, reminding him in a hurry about his injury. Archie was standing by the bed, holding a cup and saucer. Forcing his eyes to stay open, he glanced round the room and found it empty. “Where is everyone?”

“Out.” Archie placed the cup of tea on the bedside locker. “Brian’s taken Shana shopping for an apology present and I hope she fleeces him. The boys have gone to phone a solicitor in Liverpool to talk about new contracts.”

Gypsy felt sick and wanted to dive to the loo. Archie wagged a finger at him. “You ought to be more careful, laddie.”

Gypsy reddened. “We didn’t do anything.”

“Knowing Shana like I do, I believe you, but will Brian? You should be grateful I was awake early enough for us to swap beds otherwise you would have had your neck stretched this morning. You are playing around with one mucho dangerous animal, laddie.”

“It was Shana’s idea. She made me sleep here so go tell, Big Cat Brian if you want to; I’m in too much pain to care. Why haven’t you told him yet? I thought you and him were best mates?”

“We were till you opened our eyes about the contracts. There’s another reason as well. You showed Brian he can’t push people around without getting his knuckles bruised. We should have done it ages ago but we’re a lazy lot. We just let him carry on running the show. It isn’t just his band, you know. We’ve all got a slice of the pie, although Brian’s got Daddy Bear’s portion. He seems to have forgotten that if it hadn’t been for us putting up a third of the capital he wouldn’t have a band. In a way he’s still a prefect in that posh school he used to go to. As for Shana, she’s a real Christian lady and Brian’s being trying his best to get inside her panties for ages. He just doesn’t seem to understand about Christian women, know what I mean?”

So that was why she never made a move last night.

 “You should have seen her this morning; happy as a dog with a new bone and ready to forgive anybody anything; hence the trip to the shops with Brian. You must have done something last night that made her very happy, but don’t worry, there’s only me knows. I’m wiser than the three monkeys when Brian’s around. Perhaps you’ll trade me some of your secrets sometime.”

‘Try Jesus.”

“You too?”

“Maybe.”

Archie shrugged his shoulders. “Right now, Doctor Drumstick will settle for taking a look at that ankle of yours.” He reached down to draw the duvet back and instinct made Gypsy grip them firmly, which made Archie chuckle. “Not so bloody shy with the women, are you?” Gypsy let go of the duvet, feeling too ill to argue. Tossing the duvet aside, Archie whistled appreciatively as he frowned at the damaged ankle. Even with the strapping on it was dreadfully swollen. Archie shook his head. “I’m not touching that, laddie. It needs a doctor or you’re in trouble. Are you sure it isn’t broken?”

“Don took a look at it before we came away. He said it wasn’t.”

“Got any money?”

“Yes, why?”

“Quickest way to get a doctor out here is to go private.”

“I’d have to get to a bank.”

“No need. You can pay me back. So let’s get you to the loo before you mess the place.” He added sarcastically, “Brian wouldn’t like that.”

“Stuff Brian.”

“Or something.”

Ten minutes later Gypsy was back in bed and finishing his tea while Archie nipped out to find a doctor.

When the band arrived back for lunch, Gypsy was lying on top of the duvet with his ankle freshly strapped in a bright blue foam splint; his foot raised up on pillows and a bottle of strong painkillers for company. The doctor had given him strict instructions to stay off the ankle for at least twenty four hours and then to walk only with the aid of a pair of elbow crutches the doctor had kindly loaned him. Brian hit the roof, Shana lost her temper, and they had a blazing row. It was obvious where Brian was going to sleep that night.

Gypsy was already in bed and dozing when the band came back from that night’s gig. Brian marched in, his face grim, and the rest of the band trundled in behind him with long faces. Archie was the last to arrive and as he closed the door he winked at Gypsy and gave him the thumbs down sign. The gig had gone badly without Gypsy to front the band, despite the changes Brian had made to the program at the afternoon’s hurried rehearsal; fitting in songs he could sing himself and loading Shana with more numbers. She looked drained. Gypsy guessed they had all found it tough, and he hoped Brian realised what he would lose if he pulled out. So, what now, Brian?

That night, Archie joined him in the double again, but later it wasn’t Archie’s hairy arms that reached for him. His contentment to be with Shana made the pain in his ankle fade away. If he ever needed a mother figure he had certainly found it in this beautiful dark eyed woman.

Sunday 2nd June 1995

Gypsy tested his ankle, letting his weight bear down on it, decided it was a lot better and picked up his crutches to make his way to the table where Shana dished out the massive portions of fish and chips Glen had brought in for their lunch. Lots of carbohydrates were essential before a heavy day’s work, even if Gypsy had to monitor what he ate. They had a festival to perform at in the afternoon, and the jewel of their tour that night as a supporting act at the Manchester Apollo in place of a band that had gone lame at the last minute. If they did well there, they were on their way up, and Gypsy didn’t want to hobble on stage on crutches like he had last night. The previous night’s gig in Blackpool had gone down well, even though his dance routine had been cut out and extra numbers slotted in. He had spent most of the time perched on a high stool using a hand mike. Even Brian seemed pleased, but only Archie knew the reason he and Shana blended together so well.

He sat down at the table and poured himself a cup of coffee, listening idly to Glen and Dave discussing a problem they were having with one of the amplifiers. Brian came into the room, growling about Archie taking too long in the shower. He still hadn’t twigged what was going on under his nose. When he did, Gypsy would be ready for him. Archie said he would be glad when the tour was over and things were back to normal, believing that Shana would go back to being Brian’s girlfriend and that Gypsy would take his pick of the birds who fronted the stage at their gigs. Gypsy was not so sure and didn’t think Shana would have the same feelings for Brian, and he certainly wasn’t interested in the local talent.

Archie came into the room, carrying his gear, and went to his bed to pack his holdall. Suddenly he froze and stared at Brian who was sprawled out on the double. Gypsy glanced his way and saw Brian frowning, then sniffing and turning his face to the pillow beneath his head. Gypsy heard Archie swear softly. Shana’s new perfume, the one Brian had bought her as a peace offering! Zero hour had come at last.

Brian was off the bed and standing behind Shana in seconds. “You bitch!” He caught hold of her arm and spun her round. Chips flew everywhere and the fork she was using clattered to the floor. “You cradle snatching slag!”

He raised his hand to slap her and Gypsy said quietly, “You do and you’re history.”

Brian hesitated and all except Archie stared in astonishment when anger ruled out reason and he struck her such a back hander she fell sideways into Glen and Dave as they shot to their feet. They landed on the floor with a load of chips for company and Gypsy shot to his feet, his chair clattering backward. Brian grabbed for his hair and sudden agony seared his ankle as he went into a defensive Judo hold, meaning to throw. Knowing his ankle would not hold him, Brian jerked him off balance and slammed his fist into Gypsy’s stomach. The room tilted and he couldn’t breathe. He landed heavily and instinct made him roll to his knees but as he shook his head to clear it, Brian’s foot connected viciously with his ribs, sending him sprawling again. Somewhere far away he heard Brian shout, “You slimy little pig shit! I ought to tear your heart out.”

Once he was able to breathe and see properly again, he saw Archie standing between him and Brian, with Glen and Dave holding Brian back from kicking him again. Archie said, “Take it easy. Brian, no harm done, nothing happened.”

Joe helped Gypsy to his feet and demanded to know what was going on. “You mean you don’t know?” Brian snarled. “Archie does, don’t you Archie? No wonder that black bitch didn’t want to share the double with me. She wanted to play little games with this piece of rubbish. How’s that for a bit of back-stabbing?”

Dave’s eyebrows disappeared under his hairline. “But she was in the other single, we saw her.”

“Was she? That’s not where I smelt her perfume. The one I bought her. AFTER we took the singles? The double stinks of it.” Escaping from Dave and Glen he grabbed Archie by his T-shirt. “Started wearing lady’s perfume, have we, Archie?” He hit him, and Archie went down, then Brian turned his attention to the real quarry. By this time Gypsy was on his feet and sufficiently recovered, and ready for him. His hatred for the guy overcame all pain. Brian launched himself at him but Gypsy was in the perfect position for a Seoi-nage, his legs spread and his weight on his left foot. He made full body contact, braced himself for the pain as he stepped in from his right, and executed a two handed version of the throw. Agony made him sick as he pivoted in front of Brian, pulled Brian’s weight on to his right foot, his balance already broken. Brian sailed easily over Gypsy’s right shoulder to land heavily in front of him. Everyone else in the room thought that was it and stood frozen to the floor. Gypsy used the time it took for Brian to sit up, to conquer the waves of pain and nausea and get his breath back. Dropping to his knees behind Brian, he caught him in a simple choke, thumb side of his right arm pressing steadily against Brian’s throat and kept there by clasping his two hands together. Squeezing hard, he pulled Brian back onto him. He knew how far he could go without endangering Brian’s life. He just wanted to give the creep a nasty fright. Brian’s hands clawed at his face then at his arm, but he hung on. Someone caught hold of Gypsy’s hair and forced his head back. Someone else was trying to break his hold, and all the time Brian was making horrible choking sounds. Suddenly Archie was kneeling in front of them. “Sorry, kid, I have to do it.”

When he came round he was lying on the double bed. His chin hurt, and someone held wet compresses to that and his forehead. Shana was sobbing in Joe’s arms and Brian was sitting on one of the singles with his head in his hands. No one spoke till it was time to leave for the festival.

They arrived back at Visick Street at 2 o’clock on Monday morning and found Don watching anxiously from the front lounge window. They had stopped in Liverpool first, to drop Les and Glen at their homes, and Shana at the bus station. Brian had been the only one who had not got out of the van to see her onto the last bus to Blackpool. She didn’t say anything, and that alone signified to Gypsy that he had done more damage than he had meant to.  Shana had hugged and kissed them all in sisterly fashion, but when it was Gypsy’s turn she had just put her arms round him and kissed his cheek with tears in her eyes. He had refused to be helped back into the van till her bus had left the station and Brian drove off without him but someone in the van made him stop and back up to him. On the way back to Trentham he’d sat between Joe and Dave in the back of the van, nursing a badly bruised chin and ribs. His ankle hurt like the devil and he felt utterly miserable. In wanting to hurt Brian, he had hurt Shana as well. Yet again, he had created a disaster for himself, and had made one more enemy. Although he had won Dave and Glen onto his side, as always he had got stung by his own tail and had drained the last ounce of vitality the band had possessed; a band which had been strong leaving Trentham, but returning literally in shreds. His eyes had filled with tears when he realised that in wanting to hurt Brian he had hurt the whole band. Nothing would be the same again for any of them.

It had been a miracle they had got to the festival on time or to the Apollo that night, which had turned out to be the best gig they had ever done, getting through it with the minimum of conversation and a load of pan-stick to hide the bruises. The crutches had been returned to the doctor and Gypsy managed the best he could without them, but he had put up with the pain and had shown Brian what it was to be a pro, and what he couldn’t do with his feet he had more than made up for with his voice till his throat was red raw. To keep the peace, he and Shana had avoided each other except when performing, and Brian had agreed to let things be till they were on home ground. What would happen next was anyone’s guess. Shana had told him at the bus station that she was going home to Blackpool for a few days break, and to help her sister run her coffee kiosk on the prom. She needed time to think things over. Joe had told him not to worry too much; the band would pull itself together in time. He didn’t think they would ever trust Brian again, especially where contracts were concerned; but what about him? How would they feel about him? He wouldn’t blame them if they thought him a troublemaker, who couldn’t keep his hands to himself, and him not yet sixteen. They weren’t the type to believe the truth.

He watched the van drive off, after dumping him and his gear outside his house, and he remembered the words he had said to Shana at the top of the stairs. “Stay away from me, Shana, or I’ll sting you too!” She should have taken him seriously; he also knew he was going to miss her. Forgetting about his ankle, he picked up his bag and guitar case, and turned to go through the gate. A wave of sickening pain shot all the way up his leg and the next thing he knew Don was picking him up off the pavement and carrying him into the house.