Page 25 of On The Edge

“OK, miss,” Cat said in a low voice.

“Right, I think we need to nut this out. I’m sure there’s lots of details you’ve missed, so let me pop down and get us fish and chips, we’ll chat some more on it and see what can be done. Okay?” Jess nudged Cat, but with only receiving a groan in return, she took that as a yes, and went to get their dinner.

The girls had discussed most of the details of the day, had finished their fish supers and were making themselves comfortable on the couch.

“You know we’ll need to go to this club tonight, right?” Jess said, stretching her legs out before her. Her tummy was full; she was sleepy and warm on her comfortable couch, but she walked over to the window and peered out into the darkness, seeing to her dismay that the weather had drastically changed to rain, which streamed down the windowpane. She turned to Cat with a sigh. “But first, I need a strong coffee.”

Once the girls had finally opted for casual smart attire, they were lucky to catch a lift by a girlfriend of Jess’s who was also going to the gig. The weather was truly the worst Cat had witnessed since living on the island; thunder roared around them, lightning flashed across the blackened sea, and the umbrella the girls had taken between them was already destroyed by the time they had walked briefly to get to the car. The club was dark with red lights highlighting the bar and seating booths, elegantly mirroring the ominous weather. Cat looked to the lit stage at the far end of the room and saw Patrick singing steadily into the microphone, the guitar echoing as his hands glided over the strings. Strumming my pain with his fingers, thought Cat wryly. He wore a simple white t-shirt, and his hair looked wet from the rain outside. “Killing me softly,” she murmured, smiling to herself.

“I’ll get the drinks, off you go!” Jess whispered into Cat’s ear, and coaxed her in the direction of the music.

Cat walked towards the small stage lulled by the music, there were several people dotted around the dance floor drinking and watching the performance. The guitar gently echoed as his deep voice sang slowly;

Your kiss your touch

sends me over

I fell under your spell

Take me lover?

Carry me away

The fire’s in your heart, the fires in my heart.

The guitar suddenly stopped, and out of nowhere came drums from behind him, the beat suggestive of an army standing to attention. White light poured over the drummer as he continued the beat, then another instrument sprung up next to him; a long-haired man playing electric guitar to a trance-like rhythm. Cat stood transfixed, letting the sounds wash over her, and take her to another place. Patrick joined in again with his acoustic guitar, and the sounds blended together to bring the room closer, tying them all tightly into the moment.

Cat stood mesmerised until Patrick finished his set, and loud music came over the speakers to fill the interim for the next band. Patrick chatted and laughed with the other band members who came on stage and started to prepare their set. Cat cast her eye around the room, there were a few girls lurking around looking up at the stage – like she was, she thought glumly. He must get groupies. How can a guy like that not have girls falling at his feet every weekend? Then she felt a sharp prod in her side, breaking into her jealous reverie.

“Hey!” She turned around to Jess, who had drinks in her hands.

“You don’t want to look like a stalker!” Jess said loudly over the music. Cat was about to retort, but realised her friend was right. It was one thing to come to a friend's gig, but quite another to be staring at him open-mouthed when the rest of the audience had gone back to the bar.

“I had to take a shot of tequila with Stephanie,” Jess indicated to their driver earlier who was at the bar making up for lost time. “I feel a hell of a lot more perky than I did after those chips!”

Cat laughed, and then her laugh turned into a strangled cough as she saw Patrick approaching with his guitar case. “Hey, you came!”

“Jess... wanted to come out... She just made a big sale!” She nudged Jess, beside her who raised her glass to Patrick and drained its contents.

“Of course, Jess is not one to refuse a night out!’ He laughed and took Jess’s empty glass. “I’ll get you both a drink, same again?”

The two girls smiled and watched him go to the bar.

“I never noticed before... but Patrick does have a rather fine arse!” Jess remarked, with her finger tapping her chin.

“Hey!” Cat playfully shoved her friend and they both giggled. They watched a few younger girls approach Patrick at the bar, which Cat tried hard not to notice.

“You’ll need to contend with all those groupies!” Jess laughed, ruining her friend’s good intentions. “That’s why I never was interested in band boys, I want to be the one who’s admired!”

“Well you are admired, you’re a talented artist!”

Jess looked taken back by the compliment. “Aw thank you honey!” She rubbed Cat's arm affectionately, and Patrick approached them both again, this time with glasses.

“Great set Paddy!” Jess took her glass and raised it as a toast, which encouraged them all to do so.

“Thanks, it was alright. The sound tech wasn’t the best, but their PA equipment is old.”

“I thought you sounded beautiful,” Cat stuttered. “I mean really great, I loved your last song. I don’t remember you playing it the other night?”