Heartbreaker (11 page)

‘Niamh.’

‘Niamh. That’s it, naïve Niamh.’ Paul looked at Alex and grinned. ‘She says to Johnny, “Ooh, who did you write that song for. I’m so jealous. She must’ve been really special to you.” And Johnny replies, “I wrote it for you. I just didn’t know it because I’d only ever met you in my dreams”.’

Paul and Colin howled with laughter.

Marilyn tutted. ‘Honestly,’ she exclaimed. Chrissie looked daggers at her, then smiled at Colin.

‘Putty in your hands after that, wasn’t she mate?’ he was saying. ‘Spent all her time either in your room or at confession. The priest must have looked forward to her visits, the things you got up to in those days.’

‘Okay, enough. Pick on someone else for a while.’ Johnny rubbed his eyes, flicked a glance at Alex. ‘It was all a long time ago. A different life.’

Siobhan rescued him, looked back at the photograph she was holding. ‘See how Andy’s looking at Tiff there. He loved her so much.’

‘They loved each other.’

‘They did.’

Christabel looked at Alex and grinned. ‘Listen to them, lost in their memories. They sound ready to be carted off to the wrinkly ranch.’

Johnny laughed. ‘I feel like it sometimes, brat.’ He hugged her. ‘Come on, get back to your bartending duties. There are too many empty glasses around here for my liking.’

***

The party rambled on through the day and into the evening. When it turned chilly, they moved indoors and put on low lights and music. Alex chatted with Siobhan and Paul as Billie Holliday sang the blues. She liked the big Geordie and his Irish wife; they were good company and fun to be with. As the album finished, Colin got up and picked up the White Stripes’
De Stijl
.

‘No,’ said Paul, ‘not that.’

‘What’s the problem?’ asked Colin. ‘Bloody good album, this.’

‘Maybe, if you’re a guitarist.’

Colin rolled his eyes. ‘Don’t like the primal drumming, is that it?’

‘Primal wouldn’t be a problem. That sounds like a monkey banging on a bloody biscuit tin.’

‘Okay, then, let’s try something else.’ He rummaged through Johnny’s music and held up Davy Graham’s
Midnight Man
. ‘Timely and timeless,’ he said. ‘I take it sir has no objections to Mr Graham?’

‘He’s not exactly the world’s greatest singer,’ observed Paul.

‘Nitpicker,’ exclaimed Johnny. ‘Anyway, you don’t need to be. Not when you’re one of the world’s greatest guitarists.’

‘Is that your excuse, oh tuneless one?’ asked Colin.

‘Bog off and cripple another riff, you ham-fisted git.’

 ‘Right, that’s me,’ said Marilyn. She stood up and tottered, unsteady on her feet. ‘I’ve definitely had enough. G’night.’

Christabel was next to go, and then ten minutes later, Colin followed.

Paul laughed. ‘Never changes. Colin’s always on Marilyn’s heels, he can’t bear to be apart from her.’

Siobhan wrinkled her nose. ‘I think it’s sweet.’

‘No you don’t, you think it’s weird.’

‘Okay, I admit it, I think it’s weird.’

‘What do you think, Alex?’ Paul asked her.

‘I don’t know. You’ve known them for years, I’ve only just met all of you.’

‘First impressions, then.’

‘First impressions, I wouldn’t have given them a fortnight,’ she said, drunk enough to be candid. ‘Seeing them together for a bit longer, well that’s different. Colin seems very attentive.’

‘I still think they make a bit of an odd couple. Do you know they were married six weeks after they met? Not like Col at all, he’s normally far more cautious.’ Paul scratched his ear. ‘So, how are you finding life with Lazarus?’ he asked Alex as Siobhan disappeared in search of more wine.

‘Johnny? It’s all been very civilized. I haven’t seen any sign of the wild man of rock, that’s for sure.’

‘Don’t let him fool you, he still has his moments. We all do. Don’t write us off just yet.’

‘Ha, I wouldn’t dare. D’you know, Paul, this is surreal for me. I’ve been a fan for so long, I know your faces from the posters on my bedroom wall from twenty years ago. This is really freaky stuff.’

‘We’re really freaky guys. At least, that’s what we’d like people to believe. Seriously though, I know we’ll all get a mention, the Heartbreaker name is still a big seller, but it’s Johnny’s story. We’ve all known, especially since Andy died, that he’s the big name as far as the public’s concerned. So how’s it going? How far have you got?’

Alex gathered her thoughts. Not easy, after what she had put away that day. ‘Johnny and I are just getting going with the Heartbreaker story, really. We’re up to
Rescued
. I had a chat with Colin earlier and he filled me in on some other stuff; that was really useful, too.’

‘Yeah? So do you want me to dish the dirt as well?’

‘That’s the idea. What can you tell me?’

Paul rolled his sleeves up, showing an expanse of intricate blue ink on his forearms. ‘You name it, one of us has done it. Do you remember the story about the band and the troupe of Turkish mud wrestlers?’

‘I’ve read about it. I didn’t think it was true, though.’

‘It’s about the only thing in
The Naked Truth
that’s accurately represented. Doesn’t show Johnny in a good light, though, not where that transvestite was concerned.’

Alex felt uncomfortable. She focused her attention on Ginger Baker, fat, full and sleepy after grazing on titbits all day. He purred softly as Alex scratched his ears. Paul picked up on it. ‘Ah, don’t tell me,’ he said. ‘Another victim of the Johnny Burns charm?’

‘Didn’t the lads who wrote that book come to a bad end?’ Siobhan was back with another bottle of wine, Johnny in tow.

‘Aye, I seem to remember that. What was it again, car accident?’

‘Didn’t someone run them off the road or something?’ said Siobhan as she shared the wine out between them. ‘Johnny, can you remember?’

He shook his head. ‘Just that there was an accident,’ he said as Siobhan produced a joint from behind her ear.

‘Ta daaa! Am I good or what?’ she said.

‘They weren’t the only ones who caused trouble then came to a bad end,’ mused Paul. ‘It was like we were under some sort of divine protection.’

Alex took the joint and lit it, glad of something to do to mask her embarrassment. The four of them lasted another hour or so and then turned in, tired and smashed. The lights were left on and the French windows wide open. So much for Christabel’s stewardship.

Chapter 25

The next morning, admittedly at almost lunchtime, they shared breakfast and then went their separate ways. Christabel had a train to catch and Alex gave her a lift to the station, then headed home for the weekend. She spoke to Isabel regularly on the phone but was keen to see her, particularly since it had turned out her pregnancy was several weeks more advanced than she had originally thought.

They spent a couple of hours chatting and catching up, then Alex had to leave. She was going round to Carol’s flat that night to catch up on the gossip.

‘So,’ said Carol, when the wine was open, the music on and the women settled comfortably, ‘how’s the job going?’

‘It’s good, Carol, I’m enjoying it.’

‘You must have loads of stuff recorded by now.’ Carol was familiar with Alex’s technique. ‘Have you got much longer to go, working away?’

Alex considered. ‘This job’s different. Normally I get all the interviews done then come home to write. With this one, the interviews are taking longer and I’m working on the first draft while I’m away.’

‘Oh, well, I suppose you know best.’

‘How are things with you?’

Carol pulled a face. ‘Same old, same old. Still hate my job, still need the money. I dumped Eddie, I’m seeing a guy called Stuart now. He’s nice, you’ll like him.’

‘If he lasts long enough for me to meet him.’

Carol grinned. ‘I do get through ‘em, don’t I?’

‘Don’t you ever want to settle down with someone?’

‘Yes, of course. I just haven’t met him yet. And the clock’s ticking, so if I meet someone and suss out that he’s nice but not special, I move on. The days when I could spend a year or so in a casual relationship with someone just because he was nice are long gone.’ She paused, took a drink. ‘The jury’s still out on Stuart.’

Alex smiled. She didn’t know what to say. She’d thought that Dave was the one for her and look how that had ended.

‘But what about you? What’s your hero like up close?’

‘He’s nice.’

Carol grinned. ‘But is he special?’ she said.

Alex laughed. ‘It’s not like that, Carol, it’s just a job. We’re working on a project together, that’s all.’ She paused for a moment. ‘He is attractive, though, I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t. And he’s complex, deep. Not at all arsey or pretentious.’ She looked up at Carol. ‘In fact, he’s a really lovely guy.’

‘Oh no.’ Carol pulled a face. ‘Alex is in love. With an old man. How much older than you is he?’

‘Twenty years. It’s not that much, really.’ She focused her attention on her drink, aware that she’d spoken too quickly. When she looked up, Carol wore a worried expression.

‘Is that why this job’s taking you so long?’

‘No, it’s just a different way of working. You know the client calls the shots as far as that’s concerned. They have to be ready to talk.’

‘Alex, I think you should be careful where Johnny Burns is concerned.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, just think of his history. He’s bad news, girl.’ Alex looked puzzled. Carol continued. ‘You must have read
The Naked Truth
.’

‘It’s filth. I hate that book. It completely overlooks the band’s accomplishments and concentrates on the downside of everything.’

‘You might not like it, but it’s not just made up; it all happened.’

‘You don’t know that.’

‘If it hadn’t, someone would have sued and the book would have been banned. Do you remember a court case? I don’t. And the book’s still on sale.’

‘It’s not a balanced account. It doesn’t even consider the music.’

Carol put her glass down. ‘It’s not about the music. It’s about what went on behind the scenes. Alex, rightly or wrongly, people don’t bat an eyelid these days about drink and drugs, although Christ knows Heartbreaker did them both to death. But what about the other stuff? Not just women old enough to make their own decisions, but young girls, some of them underage. Kids, for God’s sake.’

‘Nothing was ever proven. No case was ever made against them. If that sort of thing had been happening as a matter of routine and it was so widely known, they’d have got busted.’

‘Listen to yourself. You’re defending the indefensible.’

‘I’m just saying that maybe we should take some of this with a pinch of salt, not just blindly accept every word we read.’

‘And I’m saying there’s no smoke without fire. Those guys who wrote that book were there. They saw it for themselves. They joined in, for fuck’s sake. The band thought they were untouchable, that normal rules didn’t apply to them. They set themselves up as being above the rest of us just because they were successful and rich.’

‘So, you wouldn’t get involved with a man at any price if he had been successful or was rich? Is that what you’re saying?’

Carol shook her head. ‘Success isn’t the problem. Neither’s money. Johnny Burns is the problem. You know I think all men are misogynists at heart? Well, he has shown the world the low regard in which he holds women. Look at the way he’s treated them over the years.’

Alex thought of how Avril had treated Johnny, how despite that he was a warm and considerate man. ‘Carol, that’s not fair. It’s not all been one way, you know.’

‘Didn’t you tell me he was throwing someone out, literally throwing her out, when you got there?’

‘So?’

‘So? Christ, Alex. That’s hardly the behaviour of a decent man.’

‘They were finished. He asked her to leave and she wouldn’t go. What was he supposed to do?’

‘Don’t you think it’s a bit odd he picked that day of all days?’

Alex shrugged.

‘Don’t you think he was just clearing the decks? Tidying up before you got there, because he didn’t want you to see certain aspects of his life?’

‘Don’t be stupid. It wasn’t like that. He’s not like that.’

‘Anyone who has lived the life he has is damaged goods. He’s been a fuck up since he was … what? Early twenties? Don’t even think about it. Find yourself a nice guy, someone nearer your own age. Don’t let Johnny Burns seduce you.’

‘Seduce me?’ Alex was incredulous. ‘Do you think I’m some kind of daft kid?’

‘You might stand a better chance with him if you were. From all accounts, it’s more to his taste.’

‘Fuck you, Carol. You don’t even know him.’

Carol sighed. ‘Let’s not fall out over this.’ Then she looked up at Alex suspiciously. ‘You’re not involved with him, are you?’

Alex rolled her eyes up at the ceiling. ‘No, of course not. I just hate to hear him talked about like that. He really is a nice guy, whatever is in his past.’

‘I’m just looking out for you. This job seems to be going on and on. Be careful. I wouldn’t be much of a friend if I thought it and didn’t say it.’

Alex nodded. ‘I know.’

The conversation moved on to other things, but the edge had been taken off the evening for Alex. As they chatted and gossiped, she wondered at the back of her mind who was right about Johnny Burns, her or Carol. Carol was right about one thing; the job was stretching out. She and Johnny talked, but their conversations often rambled and she didn’t always turn on her tape recorder. Her usual interview technique was shot to bits. At this rate, she’d miss her deadline by a mile.

Chapter 26

A further week in, Alex was getting ready to go back to the George and Dragon.

‘How do you think it’s going?’ Johnny asked.

‘It’s going fine,’ she fibbed, time very much on her mind. They’d spent most of the previous week playing music and chatting rather than actually working. She’d heard some great tales, but nothing that would help get the book finished.

‘You make it easy to talk about stuff that happened back then. You sound interested. You make me believe there might actually be people out there who want to read about it.’