AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The solicitor wandered off with another sign under his arm to place further along the mall. That’s why he liked the other man. He saw what had to be done and did it. It meant Xander could focus on his career and leave the other stuff in competent hands.
*
Xander blew onhis hands while waiting out back. Darkness had fallen early in the overcast conditions and the chill ate into his bones. The rest of the band were on stage, playing Christmas instrumental music to draw the crowds. Mayor Suffolk was on stage at the microphone. The music hushed and Roland gave his speech in his deep sonorous voice. He’d make a good singer. Probably sang at church on Sundays with the same enthusiasm as he gave everything. The crowd applauded and Xander’s stomach clenched as it always did before he went on stage. He should be used to it by now.
Leo started the distinctive bass rhythm for “Tomorrow’s Girl.” It had been their first international number one hit and had become pretty much their signature tune. The crowd started to clap along and he measured the beats, ready for his entrance. Sucking in a deep breath of chilled air, he jogged onto the stage, fixing his broadest smile on his face. His audience made him what he was, they deserved his best efforts.
“Hello, Kurrajong Crossing!”
The crowd roared back and he segued straight into the song.The girl from yesterday, the woman for tomorrow.The words struck home here at the Crossing, with Bonnie somewhere in the audience. He scanned the crowd and spotted her to one side with Cat van Alden and another familiar face.Shit.Zac Hart.TheZac Hart. Zac was only a few years older, but seeing his determination to make a career in music had been a trigger for Xander’s own transformation. Along with an almost unacknowledged desire to impress Bonnie. A pity it hadn’t worked at the time.
They sang a few more songs, the crowd joining in with the choruses, and a dozen or so girls forming a boot-scooting line at the front of the stage.
Raising one hand after he strummed a final chord, Xander calmed the crowd as he handed his guitar to Leo. “One of my heroes is here tonight in the crowd.” He pointed to the group at the side of the stage. “Put your hands together for Zac Hart. Winner of a Grammy for ‘One Long Night.’ Come on up, Zac.”
There was a movement and a shake of the head from Zac, but Cat give him a push, murmuring something in his ear.
Zac Hart reached the stage, climbing the short flight of stairs. He looked a little apprehensive but the crowd seemed keen, the hush of expectation silencing them. Drawing him to the centre of the stage with an arm over his shoulder, Xander lined him up with the mic.
“Zac was an inspiration to me as a teenager. He made me believe it’s possible for a boy from a small town to make something of himself in the music industry.”
The singer looked uncomfortable at the praise, but Xander released him and picked up his guitar. It had been years since Zac performed in his hometown, if ever. Xander knew the reasons, but it had been a long time ago. “Would you sing for us, Zac?”
With his dark good looks, leather-clad Zac dominated the stage, a sharp contrast to Xander with his own slender build. They’d never really had a chance to share a stage, Zac being rock rather than a country singer like himself.
Zac indicated they should move away from the mic and the crowd watched avidly. Some of the children were jiggling up and down in the space at the front of the stage.
A short consultation with the band and Zac took Xander’s acoustic Maton, checking the guitar’s tuning before he stepped up to the mic. “Thanks for welcoming me back to the Crossing. It’s appropriate to sing ‘One Long Night,’ because it was inspired by people I love here in Kurrajong Crossing.”
The audience were totally rapt; there was not a murmur, even after the final chord had died away. Xander came forward, his smile absent as he took the guitar from Zac. The man was a genius. He stepped to one side, a sweep of his arm acknowledging Zac’s performance. Released from the thrall, the crowd roared to life, applauding and cheering. Zac stood still, his eyes searching the crowd and Xander saw him lock eyes with Cat who was unashamedly crying. Something in Xander’s heart stabbed at the very core of his soul. He looked for Bonnie and saw her beside Cat, her face pale but unreadable.
A murmur of the crowd alerted Xander to the wisps of white forming small flurries over the open mall. He slapped Zac on the shoulder in thanks and signalled the band to break into a Christmas carol. After the emotion of Zac’s performance it was the perfect end as the crowd joined in, singing about sleigh bells and open fires.
*
Bonnie huddled underthe shelter of the shop awning as Xander and the band finished the night with a rousing medley of Christmas carols. The band was versatile; a lot of talent shared among the group, even if Xander and Leo were the driving force behind the country music sensation. Tinker had been the tagalong. Talented enough to do his part well, but nothing like Xander and Leo. Maybe he knew it too, which would explain a lot. The other guys had linked in later, in Sydney, to fill the gaps. She’d gotten to know them casually when they came with Xander to visit, but it wasn’t the same.
Roland Suffolk emerged to take the microphone, thanking Xander and the Highlanders and stirring the crowd up to a roar of appreciation. The crowd was starting to dissipate as the snow thickened, adults moving to the side of the mall, the children still enjoying the novelty of the snowfall.
Cat and Zac had disappeared, leaving her alone, and she debated hanging around as the guys packed up. There were still fans talking to Xander at the top of the steps, getting him to sign autographs and taking selfies with him flashing his trademark smile. She remembered Flo complaining about the cost of the orthodontic work at the time. Not in a serious way. More trying to encourage Xander to do his bit by looking after his teeth. There was something about knowing a man since his grotty teenage years that changed the way you looked at him.
It wasn’t like meeting some fully formed adult male for the first time. She knew all Xander’s faults, so there wouldn’t be any disillusionment. None that would come as a surprise. She’d seen him spotty and pasty and grumpy in the morning. The trouble was, she’d also seen him direct that searchlight of a smile straight at her and it dazzled. She had a feeling it hid things even she wasn’t aware of.
“Hey, Bonniebabe.”
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind and she giggled. “Leo. You sneaky thing.”
He spun her around and held her away with his hands on her shoulders. “You look good. Damn good.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek and suddenly she was surrounded. Ben gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The American-born drummer, Andrew, kept his hands to himself, nodding hello with a wry smile.
Leo briefly touched her elbow. “Are you coming back with us to the bistro? We thought we’d have a meal together. Talk old times.” He winked at her and she felt her heart lift.
“Sure. No one’s expecting me home.”
Ben looked around, his extra height giving him an advantage. “Xander’s here somewhere. He was shaking off the last of the fans while we took the equipment back to the hotel.”
Bonnie turned to search the crowd and spotted Xander working his way through the laughing children. His smile broadened as he spotted her and she smiled back, her blood zinging through her veins.
Something distracted him and he paused in his determined stride. A tall blonde in a bright blue parka with a fur-trimmed hood wrapped herself around him. Half smiling at his surprised expression, Bonnie waited for him to put her away with his usual politeness. Only he didn’t.
