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‘So, you think it’s going to be massive, when the story breaks?’ Joe was already imagining the headlines.
‘I do. The interest stateside is unprecedented which isn’t surprising when you consider the bands involved, some of the biggest names in showbusiness, icons like yourself, all in the firing line. The rumours and whispers have already started and it could spread out, to the film industry because as you and I know, that lot have got away with it for years.’
Joe wondered if across the world his friends, people he’d shared stages with, competed against for the number-one slot in the charts, admired, despised, had punch-ups with, were enduring the same discussion with their managers. ‘Who else is involved then?’
Again, Gus sighed and grabbed a file from the table, removed a sheet of paper covered in handwritten notes and passed it to Joe. ‘I made a couple of calls, jotted down what they’d heard… see for yourself.’
Joe took the sheet and scanned the scribbled words, then looked up. ‘Fuck.’
‘Fuck indeed, so, now I need to make some calls and you need to go and speak to your kids. They should hear it from you not on Facebook or Twitter and there’s a good chance Lance will get wind first – you know what Tinseltown is like.’
Joe returned the sheet of notes, knowing that Gus was right – he had to prepare Ace and Lance. There was so much buzzing around his head, that soon, Jenny would be en route from Mexico and he’d hate for her to land and be met by paparazzi at the airport, and it was Ace’s birthday in a few days and now there’d be a cloud hanging over it. What would Nanou and Silvestre think, or the villagers and Edie, who was a nice kid? He didn’t want her to feel like she’d come to stay with a pervert. Christ, her gran would want her home in a flash.
Gus interrupted his worries. ‘And go easy on the stuff I told you, about me. I could see the kids were shocked but there’s no need to add to their woes, okay?’
Joe knew Gus was right. ‘Deal. I’ll tell them the basics and that you promised to see the quack again.’
Gus took the hint. ‘Yes I did, and I’ll keep that promise.’ Then he asked, ‘If I’m not in the way, I’ll hang around after Ace’s birthday, while we ride the storm. I can liaise with the office from here and Oliver can hold the fort in London. He’s a good bloke and I trust him, which you should bear in mind if ever… you know… in case I’m not well or anything. Oliver is more than capable of taking over from me, okay?’
Joe was stunned by the inference, the mere notion that one day someone else might have to take Gus’s place, that he’d be gone and in light of what he’d just heard, Joe couldn’t imagine a world without his friend in it, or by his side. Lost for words, he took a couple of steps forward and laid his hand on Gus’s shoulder, the bones beneath the suit fabric causing another jolt.
The two of them spent a second in silence, broken by Gus who took control. ‘Right, you go gather the troops and open a nice bottle of something red – they say it’s good for the old ticker – and I’ll be along in five when I’ve spoken to Oliver.’
Joe wished he could smile, be brave like Gus but it was hard when you’d been kicked in the gut twice in one day. Instead, doing as he was told, he turned and with the heaviest heart and a head so full of memories and regrets, Joe went to find his kids.
Lance wasn’t happy with Joe because he’d invited Edie to stay for the family meeting, not that he’d said as much but the incredible sulk wasn’t good at hiding his feelings which come to think of it, for an actor, was pretty poor. But what could Joe do? He’d have felt rude or mean asking her to leave the room and anyway, she had an open-ended invitation and would be around when it hit the fan. He wanted her to know the score and to feel like he trusted her. Ace would have been offended too, so it was best that she stayed. Bloody kids, being stuck in the middle of Lance and Ace had always been a juggling act but where his eldest was concerned Joe’s patience was wearing thin.
Everyone was gathered around the table; the drinks had been poured and Joe suspected they thought the meeting was about Gus. Nanou and Silvestre were side by side, she was looking a bit teary, he slightly nervous. Ace was being Ace and keeping the conversation going, telling Silvestre that Hector, his mum’s latest beau wouldn’t be accompanying her this time, and going by the muted response nobody was going to miss the Mexican billionaire horse breeder. Joe glanced at Edie who looked uncomfortable, maybe picking up on the vibes from Lance which wasn’t surprising.
While they waited, to occupy his mind and his hands Joe stood and went to collect the pile of mail he’d spied on the side and brought it over to the table and was about to begin looking through it when Gus appeared. His face didn’t betray a thing. However, the gentle nod told Joe that he’d done what he could for now, and that the stage was all his.
They had to wait until greetings between him and Silvestre were done with, both men firm friends going back many years. Gus took a seat opposite Joe who silently poured him a glass of red and raised a toast, to good friends and family and once the clinking of glasses was dispensed with, got on with proceedings.
‘Okay, so first things first. You’ve all noticed that our Gus looks like he’s been for three months on a vegan health farm, but he assures me that he’s still taking the pills and that the boffins at Harley Street are on the case. He just needs some of Nanou’s home cooking and a good rest and the company of his friends, me in particular, goes without saying.’ Joe had managed to raise a laugh and ease the tension without telling a fib, not a big one anyway.
Nanou’s shoulders instantly relaxed, and she sounded happy when she spoke. ‘Oh, Gus, I am so relieved, and you must write me a list of all your favourite meals. I will prepare them for you, it is no trouble.’
Gus returned her offer with a smile and a raise of his glass while Joe took a breath. ‘Now to the reason Gus is here, and why we want to talk to you about something serious that’s going to affect us all in some way or another.’
Ace was by Joe’s side, directly opposite Lance and both his sons looked up, simultaneously focusing on him but it was Ace who asked, ‘What’s going on, Dad?’
Joe took a large gulp of wine and sucked in a lungful of air before he spoke. ‘I’ll explain it all as simply as I can so that Nanou and Silvestre can keep up, and if there’s anything you want to ask, me and Gus will do our best to answer.’
‘Dad, get on with it, you’re making me nervous.’ Lance sounded how he said he felt.
A quick glance over to Gus gave Joe courage. ‘In two days’ time, no doubt when they’ve hyped it for all it’s worth on prime-time television and God only knows where else, a book and a documentary will be released about the dark side of the music industry, more specifically the rock-and-roll world and along with two other bands, NorthStar is mentioned.’ Gasps filled the room, but nobody spoke, they just stared at Joe who ploughed on.
‘A lawyer acting for the documentary makers and the author, someone called Gina Zilli who I have never heard of or met, contacted Gus last night, giving him the heads-up and a chance to comment, which he declined. Gus then made some enquiries in the business, and it seems that the story has already been leaked and the rumour mill has started turning, so we all know what happens next.’
Lance answered. ‘The press invasion is about to begin because they’re gonna want to talk to you.’
‘Exactly, so we have to be ready for whatever they throw at us.’ Joe could see Lance’s brain ticking from where he sat and as callous as it made him feel, he would lay bets that his son was working out what effect it would have on his career; or if there was some way he could benefit.
Ace spoke next. ‘So, what does this book contain… and the documentary? It’s probably just another rehash of old biographies and archive footage, and I know you don’t like mentioning it, Dad, but surely they can’t get any more mileage out of the accidents. And they should respect the families, of the women who died and not keep bringing it up every five minutes.’
Gus shed some light on the matter, giving Joe time to prepare. ‘I think it’s safe to assume they will bring it up, Ace, because unfortunately what happened is part of a bigger picture, and even though your dad and those around at the time weren’t held responsible, other things have gone on behind closed doors. Things that need to be addressed and for which people need to be held accountable.’
‘What Gus is trying to say, is that the author of this book has decided to speak out about things that happened to her in the seventies and eighties, and she’s supported by other women who went through similar experiences and want to tell their stories.’ Joe’s heart was in his mouth, knowing what came next.
