Not just another Summer - 41. Radio demos & trainees

“You know, young Gray has some interesting ideas.” Dawn gave Vince a significant look.

“Meaning what? That I don’t take him seriously. I’m not that literary.”

“I’m not talking about the poems, as such. But the way he’s linking them to the community. Our community.”

“You mean the photos and going on a trip with you?”

Dawn sighed. “People are interested. He talked about making little radio talks. Arnold spoke to his mate, and we’ve got some names for you”

“Thanks. We know no-one. Though it turns out that Jacob does, or at least his DJ friend does.”

Dawn grinned. “Fast worker that one. Penelope is impressed too.”

“Well, he certain seems to enjoy working with her, and it’s helping him find his feet in the office.”

“You making sure you’re supporting him?”

“Trying to. But look… Gray?”

“Well. He’s doing these talks, putting himself out there. His poems on cards and that at the Castle Gift Shop. We had a quick word after his talk. He was talking about the book, a bloke doing photos alongside his words.”

“There’s no publisher yet.”

“Vince! That’s what I mean. His life isn’t yours; it isn’t all wrapped up and presented to you. He’s got to invent it himself. So, bloody well help. Don’t say there’s no publisher, bloody help him find one. Support him. Be positive, for God’s sake.”

“I. OK. I’ll try, it’s just…”

“Look. Think about it. Gray spent his teens running away.”

“From Dad?”

“From everything. He liked the wide-open spaces.” Dawn shrugged. “Lots of teenagers do things like that, just happens Gray wrote about it.”

“So?”

“Have you ever considered that that Gray is still there, underneath; that part of him still wants to run away? That simply standing up in front of everyone yesterday would have had him really freaking out. That his instincts would be to run. To get on his bike and hide. Instead, he was as nice as pie.”

“Shit. I never thought... We seemed to be getting on so well.”

“Getting on. But does he let you see underneath?”

“The old swan thing.”

“Yep. I bet Gray’s legs are still going 19 to the dozen.”

Vince wrinkled his nose. “Right. I’ll try. I’m not sure how. If I suddenly come over all supportive…”

Dawn laughed. “He’ll wonder what’s come over you and shy away. Welcome to family life. Just think. Each time you say something, remember that whatever he says, he’s probably working fucking hard.”

Dawn glared at him, and they set to with their food.

“And how are you and Peter?”

“Over the bump and we’re talking more. I’m sort of getting a bit more comfortable with it being out there. And…”

Dawn raised her eyebrows. “I know that look. What have you got up your sleeve?”

“I was thinking of proposing?”

“Why Vince, you say the nicest of things to a girl!”

Vince rolled his eyes. “Make Peter and I official?”

“Is that a good reason to propose?”

Vince looked thoughtful. “I got over that hump on the holiday, when we nearly came apart.”

“Because of your idiocy?”

“Yes.” He looked a bit shamefaced. “But it brought me to the realisation that I don’t want to be without Peter. Can’t be.”

“Ok. Fair enough. So... Tell him that.”

“Mmm. I know. I’m just a bit…”

“You have to commit. Go all in, in any relationship.”

---

Instead of working on what I had planned for Friday, I pulled together two separate little talks for the demo. One longer than the other. Both were based on notes that I had written all those years ago, along with my memories, and each finished with a poem. But I realised that if this took off, I would have work to do; I couldn’t keep relying on my old notebooks.

Practice the two talks now, worry about further material for talks later. And I was moderately happy with my practice.

Jacob arrived first. I was just sorting him out with a cold drink when Matt appeared, breathless as he’d rushed here because he’d got held up at college.

We parked ourselves in my little sitting room, and I tried to pretend I had an audience of 1000s. We had intended to do it outside, but it was getting dark, the wind was getting up and sitting inside, all cosy, appealed. It took a few goes, but Jacob did a recording on his iPhone. It sounded dire, my voice all squeaky, but the other two said I sounded great. Just like I always did.

Fuck. So, I always sounded like a chipmunk. Perhaps, I should get Vince to do the demos. But Jacob was enthusiastic, saying that my voice and delivery were spot on, giving the piece so much energy.

Jacob was fussy, picking up on details, so it took longer than I anticipated. He said that he had software on his laptop that he could use to tweak the recordings and would then email me final versions. He had also got names from Maxi; talks were well out of the guy’s area of expertise, but he had worked out who to send stuff to.

Vince had also been as good as his word and mentioned the matter to Dawn. Her husband had contacted his friend, who it turned out was high up in management at one of the radio companies, so again no-one direct but at least I had more names to send the email to.

Afterwards we broached a bottle of wine, though Matt was careful as he was on the moped.

“How are you finding Coningham?”

Jacob looked a bit coy. “Truthfully, honey, a bit quiet. But it means I’m getting my studying done.”

“You’re still studying?” Matt looked surprised.

“You got it. Exams and more exams. Mamma keeps on at me about my work.”

“At least you can say you are doing some.” I smiled.

Matt shook his head. “I thought you’d qualified.”

“That’s only the start, honey.”

“And where are you living?”

“Well, I had chance of a great flat share with a friend of Maxi’s but they’re in the same line as him.”

“Late nights and parties. Not ideal for someone needing to work and study.”

“You’ve got it! The present place is a bit grim. But it will do.”

“Do you cook?”

He gave a broad laugh. “Oh. You do not want to have me near a kitchen, hon.”

“I’ve had an idea. I’d need to check with Vince. Hang on.” I looked at my watch, Vince and Peter would not be having nookie yet, would they? “Look, sorry to go all mysterious but I need to clear this with Vince before I open my big mouth, again.”

Jacob grinned, flashing his impressive array of teeth and bright eyes. “Sure thing, honey. He is my boss, after all.” Though the smile was not a little suggestive. Really. No?

Vince and Peter were having a drink whilst preparing food in the kitchen. I was beginning to see that food, preparation thereof, played a big role in their relationship. It had a domestic feel, though not necessarily all that cosy.

“Gray. Problem?”

“No. Jacob came over to record me, for a demo to be sent to the local radio.”

“Go well?”

“They say so. But chatting afterwards it seems Jacob is having trouble with accommodation. His present place is grim, and a possible flat-share is in a party household. He still needs to study.”

“You bet he does. So?”

Peter smiled. “The top floor?”

“Yes. He doesn’t cook.”

“Millennials, living on take-aways and Deliveroo.” Peter chuckled as he continued preparing vegetables.

Vince turned serious. “Jacob living upstairs...”

“Using the back stairs.”

“With a kettle.”

“And a microwave.”

Vince frowned. “Not my idea of luxury.”

“You’re not living there.” Peter gave him a look.

“OK. Let’s ask.”

The three of us trooped back to the annexe. I had a moment of panic wondering what on earth Jacob and Matt would talk about in my absence. I needn’t have worried, of course. They were perched on the sofa evidently discussing the Nature Reserve.

“Hello Matt, Gray didn’t say that you were here. Jacob, Gray has come up with a possible solution to your accommodation crisis.”

Jacob looked wide eyed. “Not quite a crisis, boss.”

“But not ideal, I gather. How about our top floor? Your own entrance.”

I grinned. “And a pick of the rooms.”

Jacob looked from Vince to me and back. “So, I could study in a different room to my bedroom.”

“That’s it. Catering would be a kettle and a microwave.”

“Or take-away. We could live with that.” Then Jacob went quiet. “Would you mind, boss? Me upstairs.”

“It’s a big house. A big empty house. You’ve been here before.”

“But me living here?”

Vince smiled. “I could think of worse ideas. And after all, you’ve seen me in the altogether.”

“Ditto. You still do that?”

Peter snorted. “Not much. Too damn cold.”

I nodded. “This isn’t a warm house.”

“That’s OK, honey. I’m used to cold places. You know students live in icy garrets.”

“Well, you’ll be in the attic here.”

“A very grand attic.”

Amazingly, it was settled. Hortensia would do a clean upstairs on Tuesday and Jacob would make arrangements to shift his stuff the following weekend.

Finally, everyone went, and I gave Matt a quick kiss.

“Sorry about that. It got more complicated than I imagined.”

“It’s OK, and good job to settle him.” Then Matt grinned. “And I enjoyed your talk.”

“So, food. I’m starving.”

But he didn’t move. “About tomorrow?”

“Your field trip.”

“I spoke to Jan, our lecturer, and the bus could stop here. I’d just have to let Jan know this evening.”

“You mean you stay but leave early when the bus comes. What time?”

“7.45”

“AM”

“Yeah.” He grinned. “You don’t have to get up.”

“You’ll need a goodbye kiss.”

He went pink. “So, is that OK?”

“Bloody brilliant.”

Matt’s call to Jan was soon made, and then we unpacked the food. There was bread, of course, made by Matt, hummus made by his Mum as she didn’t work on Fridays, plus cheese and ham from a deli and some pickle made by a friend of his Mum.

“Wow. That’s terrific.”

“You sure?”

“Daft thing, of course it is.”

There was even tart for pudding.

“Hang on, your moped will be here?”

“I figured I could walk over on Sunday and collect it, then I have to go to the Reserve in the afternoon.”

“If I walked down, then I might see you on duty?”

“Yeah.”

It wasn’t a strenuous evening, and we went to bed early. But given Matt seeming to shy away from things, it was nice to have him there.