Page 132 of Escape to the Country

‘Thank you!’ called Alex who had also just arrived.

Mick embraced Alex. Sam had confided in Tom that they had built up a friendship based on mutual respect, with a side-line in insults.

Alex stepped away and scrutinised Mick. ‘Whoever said you could pull off matching leather trousers and a jacket was obviously blind.’

‘It works well with the ladies,’ said Mick, with a twinkle in his eye.

That was an understatement, thought Tom, who knew of Mick’s reputation. He might have been tall and gangly, but his youthful blue eyes held a permanent glint, that he used to the best effect with the many ladies that he had wooed over the years, including his three ex-wives. With his long, dark hair, he had all the hallmarks of a classic rock star, albeit one now enjoying middle age.

‘Mind you,’ carried on Alex. ‘I suppose all that squeaking disguises the sound of your arthritic hips. You know, one day I will get you lot out of that leather.’

Mick laughed. ‘Ha! You wish, darling. I’m way out of your league.’

Alex hung back with Tom as they all began to head indoors.

‘It’s nice the way people still admire ancient relics,’ said Alex, shooting a grin and wink at Tom.

Sam gave him a nudge. ‘It’s so good to have you all here.’

Tom enjoyed the rowdy but fun evening spent wining and dining on the patio in the late sunshine.

‘Any advice for a newcomer like Tom here,’ said Sam.

‘Don’t get divorced, mate,’ said Mick with a sigh. ‘My ex-wives have cleaned me out.’

‘I was thinking more in the career stakes,’ said Sam, rolling his eyes.

‘What career?’ said Howard the drummer, helping himself to another piece of cake.

Sam frowned. ‘What’s up with you all? You’ve all been miserable since you arrived. Isn’t all this enough for you?’ He waved his hand around as they sat on the patio under the pergola.

‘It’s lovely but we’re just a bit fed up,’ said Mick. ‘Feeling the need to shake things up before we get too old, you know?’

‘What did you have in mind?’ asked Sam, looking interested.

‘You know, I got that message to ask if I wanted to go into the jungle,’ said Mick. ‘ThatI’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Herething.’

‘What happened?’ asked Annie.

‘I realised that I couldn’t do without the three biggest things in my life. Coffee, curry and sex.’ He shot Eleanor a cheeky grin.

Tom gripped his glass a little harder. Which was ridiculous, he told himself. Mick had almost thirty years on him. Eleanor wouldn’t be interested in someone as old as that.

‘Why are you wearing leather trousers in this heat?’ asked Alex. ‘You must be all sweaty.’

‘Weight loss?’ said Ron, with a grin.

‘It’s what our fans expect,’ said Mick, leering at Eleanor’s legs in her shorts.

‘You should do a cover of “Suit and Tie”,’ said Alex.

‘Justin Timberlake?’ Mike rolled his eyes. ‘We could own his skinny arse.’

Alex grinned. ‘Can you sing like him?’

‘Better, love. And we’re more handsome too.’ He grinned before stretching out on his chair. ‘This is the life, eh? Nice digs in the summer to retreat to.’

‘Are you coming to our summer fete?’ asked Rose.

‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world, sweetheart,’ replied Mick before looking at Annie. ‘What fete are we talking about?’

‘Willow Tree Hall has one every year,’ she told him. ‘On bank holiday Monday. We’re hosting the whole thing here.’

‘Excellent. Can’t wait.’

Annie smiled, but Tom could see that she was inwardly grimacing. She wasn’t sure Hazy Memory, with their leather outfits and long hair, were quite going to fit in with her dream of bunting and home-made cakes.

He, on the other hand, was finding himself enjoying their company.

As long as they kept their hands to themselves and well away from Eleanor, of course.