Page 214 of Playing By Ear

Jamie reached the final chorus.

Now you see me

Now you stay

Still believing

I’ll find my way

We’ll find our way

We’ll find a way

Now you see me

Now you free me

Now you see me

At the last chord, Perry leapt to his feet to applaud Jamie’s encore. Brian and Sarah joined him, and the many squonks of chair legs against the hardwood floor told him others in the pub had done so too.

“Thanks very much,” Jamie said into the mic. “You’ve all been so kind.”

“Belter of a reception,” Brian said to Perry as Sarah went to help Jamie pack up his equipment. “Usually on a weeknight at Òran Mór, the acoustic sets are just background ambience, but it sounded like people were actually listening.”

“Even to his original songs.” Perry’s face felt radiant as the sun. “He wrote that last one for me.”

“You may have mentioned that five or six times.” Brian clapped him on the arm. “Before you ask, yes, I’ll be your best man.”

“We’re nowhere near that stage, but cheers.” They hadn’t made a permanent commitment, but Jamie had moved in with Perry when his lease had expired the previous month.

A creak of trolley wheels approached, and then Jamie appeared beside their table. “Be honest. How was it?”

Perry stood and hugged him. “You know it was fantastic.”

“It was, wasn’t it? Next round’s on me, by the way. Champagne all right?”

“What’s the occasion?” Brian asked.

“Oh, good, you didn’t tell them yet.” Jamie touched Perry’s shoulder. “You can share my news, but wait until I’m back for yours.”

“Spill,” Sarah said. “What’s his news?”

“Jamie and his sister are opening a nonprofit music academy at the Provanpark community hall, a place where people can learn to sing or play an instrument without splashing loads of cash.”

“Wa-hey.” Brian raised his pint. “Sounds perfect for him.”

“He’ll still busk,” Perry said. “It’s his first love, after all. But the academy will allow him a wee bit of rainy-day income.”

“A must in our fair city,” Sarah reached across the table and grasped Perry’s wrists. “I will now try and psychically guess your good news.” She lifted her chin and closed her eyes. “You’ve taken up the banjo and will soon duet with Jamie at the Grand Ole Opry.”

“Try again.”

“Okay, it’s coming in clearer now.” She tilted her head. “You’ve been selected as Great Britain’s first Paralympic blind surfer.”

“Not quite, but closer.”

Jamie arrived and slid into the chair beside Perry. “Champagne’s on its way.”