Page 6 of All Right No

“They’re probably just taking a look around for when they are ready to record, yeah?”

“Maybe.” That had better be the case. But then why did Xane need his lyrics book? Dammit, if there was any suggestion they were planning on diving straight into recording, then she’d—she’d what? Order Ash to leave? The band was his world. He’d never up sticks on them. Buggering hell, couldn’t they at least give him a week or two off?

“They’re just going to be working on a demo version here, right?” She was determined to find the bright side of all this. Bands at this level didn’t do it all in their garden sheds. They employed musical gurus, producers, and technicians, and they checked into places like Metropolis, Rockfield, or RAK, or even friggin’ Abbey Road.

Dani shrugged. “It’s not the impression Xane gave. Look,” she patted Ginny’s knee. “I’m sure it’ll be all right. Spook will look out for Ash, even if the others don’t.”

Spook. Yeah, Spook would do that.

Her friend pulled up her knees before her. She was wearing a pretty summer dress and a ridiculously oversized pair of woollen socks. Evidently there was more to the choice of beverage for this meeting than Ginny had initially supposed. Dani only put on those socks when she was worrying about something, and that something was unlikely to be Ash.

“How are thingsreallybetween you, Xane and Luthor?”

“I just said. We’re fine.”

She’d have been more convincing if her words hadn’t come out as a squeak, and she hadn’t then buried her nose in her mug again to avoid eye contact.

“Getting used to watching them shag yet?”

It was cruel to tease, but sometimes she couldn’t help it.

“Ginny…” Dani’s head came right back up and she glared at her, clearly outraged. “You know, I’m not actually interested in watching them make out. Only a pervert… I mean, why would I be?”

“Why wouldn’t you be? Two hot blooded men, sounds sexy as hell.”

Dani’s gulp was audible.

“You’re a strange woman, Saint. I swear if it wasn’t that I know you’re keeping a sex god happy, I’d have to conclude that the Bitches of St. Agatha scourged you of your libido.”

“But am I?” her friend sighed doubtfully. She took another slurp of hot chocolate. “I mean, I try to.”

“Come off it, babe. Why are you even doubting? We’ve all heard your orgasmic screams, and the Luthor thing isn’t anything to do with him being unhappy with you.”

Ginny wasn’t sure Dani heard the last part. Her friend had turned magenta, and was mouthing, “Everyone’s heard,” like a mantra. “I think I’m going to die. I need the floor to swallow me up.” She paled dramatically, enough to stop the laughter bubbling in Ginny’s throat.

“Quit with the theatrics. At least you’re getting some. My lady bits are in danger of shrivelling up. There hasn’t been a lot of opportunity at the hospital.” Make that zero opportunities. The lack of privacy and Ash’s health had rather put a damper on their sex life.

“But that’ll change now he’s out.” Dani, having obviously realised what she’d just said, clamped her hands over her mouth.

“I can but live in hope.” Ginny’s words trailed off as a black-wearing blur sped past the side of the house. “Ash?” She stood with the intention of following him, only for Spook to come in from the garden and get in her way.

“Stay in,” he said.

“What happened? Something happened, didn’t it? I think you’d better tell me.”

Spook raised his right hand between them, with his fingers twisted into an arthritic claw.

“You had him play. What the fuck were you thinking? It’s way too soon for that.”

“Ash didn’t seem to think so. Nobody forced him to pick up an instrument.”

“I need to go to him.”

“Ginny, it might be better if you gave him a moment.” He clasped hold of her arm, preventing her from making a pursuit.

Would it? She worried her thumbnail between her teeth.

“In the interests of openness, it wasn’t just his hand he had problems with.”