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“I’m willing to try.” I see the double meaning Jensen projects through the gaps.
I lean forward and give him a hug, whispering, “Well, go have at the tar. If Hank decides he enjoys it, I have a spare jar with his name on it. Don’t mind me while I hover about taking some candid photos.” Then I break away and gently push him toward my BFF (the walking Vegemite jar). “Yo, VJ,” I call out. “You have another taster coming your way.”
Gwen mock laughs an evil cackle. I think she is enjoying her role a little too much.
I get my camera ready and start snapping off funny, candid moments while talking to as many people as I can.
Fifteen minutes pass by, and it is time to get food cooking on the barbie.
I excuse myself from talking to the cute guy couple who own a bakery in New Jersey and make my way across the grass toward the decking, waving at Alice and Teagan when I hear over a microphone loudly, “Stop right there, Ophelia!”
I turn to see Wiley and Paisley on the deck, each with a guitar slung over their shoulders. Paisley has on her head devil horns, and she’s grinning like the cat that got the cream. Shamus is sitting behind the drums, and Angus is holding a microphone, beaming a shit-eating grin at me, pointing to my right side.
I look down to find five Mini-Ms tipped over on their sides on the grass, their eyes glazed over.Awww,they must have been following me when Angus scared them.
“I forgot they do that. Maybe we need to take all the animals back through the fence to the MacDougall property for the next part of today’s activities, and they can keep Pearl company,” Angus offers as a solution. “Don’t move Ophelia, better still come on up to the front of the stage while—”
“I’ve got them,” Teagan calls out. “Alice and Jensen will help me get all the animals through the gate. You carry on,” she says cheerily and doesn’t sound at all surprised the MacDougalls are looking ready to play some songs.
“Butthead, Buttinsky, Cheesecake, Vincent Van Goat, and Baar-braaa are a tough crowd,” he jokes, and everyone laughs. “And look, they are back on their feet. No harm done. I gotta say that never gets old.” There is soft laughter coming from the audience. “Well, it is no secret that a band is going to be playing today. So, without further ado, this is a special request from a good friend of ours who cannot be here today. He wants us to bring some cover songs to life from three Australian bands for his special lady. Firstly, I would like to introduce my little brother, Shamus, who is on the drums and likes to keep us guessing what he wears under his kilt. On lead vocals and rhythm guitar is our eldest brother, Wiley, and Paisley, his beautiful wife will be playing bass guitar, and I’ll be wowing ye on lead guitar.”
Everybody claps, and I may be the loudest, throwing in some old-school two-finger whistles as everyone gathers in closer.
“Our good friend… well, he just wants to let Ophelia know—” Shamus taps his drumsticks together in the air, and then Wiley and Angus start playing their guitars.
“‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ by ACCA DACCA,” Gwendoline squeals in my ear, clapping and cheering, then starts a slow headbang with everyone joining in for the musical introduction.
Shamus pounds the drums, and Gwendoline’s mouth drops open, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, shaking me back and forth. “Shamus is so sexy!” she screams.
Paisley joins in with her guitar. “Oh, my goddess! Paisley’s a rock goddess. Who knew?” I scream back at Gwen.
Wiley starts singing, and I am blown away by my friends doing this for me.
Angus is grooving to the signature Angus Young movements while the sound leaving his guitar is pure rock and roll, and Wiley’s voice is incredible. It is perfect for this song.
The lyric change isn’t lost on me when “Australian thighs” gets inserted instead of “American” and Wiley points at me.
I get lost in the song like everyone else is, jumping up and down, making the devil horns sign with my arm in the air, singing along like we are at some big stadium concert instead of a small backyard get-together.
When Angus gets to the Angus Young guitar solo, everyone goes wild. Phones are recording, and I’m managing to take time to snap some action photos.
These four are so talented.
The song finishes, and we all roar, making a show of our appreciation. I could have listened to them perform AC/DC covers all night. Holy hell, Wiley has a set of pipes on him. Who knew? Not me.
“Thank ye.” Angus holds up a hand to quieten us down. “Ye think that was good. Well, we have a new band member to show off to ye all. She auditioned for us yesterday. Where is—”all three brothers cup their hands around their mouths“—SWEET ALICE?”
“Here I am.” She makes her way from behind us, carrying a tambourine in her hand.
Gwen and I hug each other jumping up and down on the spot. Alice is going to perform. This is so exciting.
“Please give the newest member of our unnamed and unofficial band a round of applause,” Angus shouts, and we go wild for Alice.
You would think there was a crowd of at least a thousand people; we are that loud.
Angus holds his hand up to silence us.
Alice comes to stand next to Paisley.
