Our Song : Bonus Track

The Musical Interludes of a Last Chance Romantic

Rock and Roll Madonna - Bonus Track
 
The pounding bass line, and heavy drumming along with Elton John’s signature honky tonk piano was blaring out of the CD player as Reggie spun around in a circle, his young grandson clinging to his chest and howling with laughter. Jamie’s enjoyment of the music was contagious, and with the encouragement of his grandson, Reggie was wildly lifting him into the air whilst continuing to spin. And on Jamie’s head rested a small silver crown.
Reggie’s aching bones and ageing joints seemed to have forgotten their age; his muscles felt as strong as they had ever been when he was a teenager. Ever since that day on his Anniversary, he had found a brand new energy in music.
“What the hell are you two doing?” A voice appeared from the doorway to the hall. Reggie halted his spin, and turned to face the disapproving frown of his daughter. The two of them continued to look at one another, no words, but both stern faced.
“Dance Granddad, dance!” Jamie’s cheeky red face lit up as he began to giggle and then shake his Grandfather’s shoulders in the optimistic hope to force the old man spinning around again.
Reggie was the first to crack, the sound of his grandson laughing was too much, and he held him close in his arms and began to dance once more. This time the song on the CD player had now changed to one with a slower tempo. The two of them laughed as they swayed.
“Aren’t you too old for this sort of thing?”
“Don’t be so miserable and dance with us.” With one arm, he clutched his grandson close to his chest, and with the other he held out his open palm to his daughter.
The image of her father and son dancing before her was a conflict of emotions. Clearly she needed to remain the responsible adult for the good of son’s welfare, but on the other hand it was so good to see her father laughing again; and Jamie seemed to be enjoying himself.
For the last five years she had watched her father drift into a deep despair at the loss of his wife, he had turned his back on his family, friends and grandson.
But now as she watched his new found bond being kindled with her little soldier, she couldn’t help the overwhelming feelings of happiness. The look of her father smiling, and the pure delight on her son’s face - still wearing that ridiculous silver crown on his head - filled Louise with a delight she had once feared that she would never have experienced.
There was no fighting it. Her frown soon cracked under the sheer pressure of her overwhelming happiness, and through it shone the bright light of laughter. Jamie’s eyes met hers, she rushed over to embrace her father and the three of them began to sway to the music.
The three generations of the Dudgeon family danced in the centre of the living room, brought together by Valerie’s love of Elton John. It occurred to Reggie that all he had been through, the ludicrous situations and encounters, seemed to be nothing more than a distraction of what was really important. For some reason, when dealing with the pain of grief, his mind had turned to focus on the trivial as opposed to the essential.
It amazed Reggie what the mind would do when unable to deal with the truth. For so many years he had believed nothing was more important than the truth, but just maybe he had come to realise there was more to life than the simple facts of a situation.
With the realisation of where he now stood, he had found that he had come out the other side, and suddenly everything seemed so much clearer. The physical pain he suffered inside his head very much remained, there was no escaping it, but he had further appointments with the hospital that he no longer felt the need to keep secret.
          
I was reborn before all life could die,
The Phoenix bird will leave this world to fly,
If the Phoenix bird can fly then so can I.
 
He really did feel as though he could fly. Suddenly, the words from songs were finding a place within him in ways that they never had before.
As the three danced along to the final tracks of the CD, Reggie looked to his daughter, “Thank you for agreeing to move in, the house feels far less lonely. A lot more like a home again.”
“Thank you for having us. Jamie is very much enjoying getting to know his grandfather.” She paused, “And I’m pleased to have my dad back.”
Reggie held his daughter close to him as the closing bars of instrumental music indicated the end of the song approaching. It was then that both noticed Jamie’s head now tilted onto Reggie’s shoulder, both arms clutched around his shoulders.
In the blinking of an eye, this over excitable youngster had reached his limit and was already drifting into the realms of slumber. For a moment Reggie marvelled at the sweet young face pressed on his shoulder, watching Jamie’s eyes twitching as he unsuccessfully attempted to fight off the overpowering urge to sleep.
In a mild tone, Louise whispered, “I think it’s time I took this little one to bed.”
Both smiled as they watched Jamie’s heavy eyelids finally overcome the stubborn determination of this tired, young lad, “I think you might be right.” Reggie whispered.
As gently as he could, Reggie softly kissed his grandson on the forehead, before releasing his hold on the boy to allow the smooth transfer into Louise’s arms. “Good night, my little prince.”
“I’m a king.” Jamie mumbled grumpily, eyes tightly closed, and arms clinging around his mother’s neck. The two of them made their way over towards the hall. There was a pause, and Reggie could make out the faint whispering of his daughter into his grandson’s ear. “Good night Granddad.” Jamie announced affectionately.
“Good night Jamie.” Reggie responded and gave a little wave to the tired toddler who disappeared in his mothers arms through the doorway.
Reggie turned around to take his seat on the sofa, feeling exhausted, but also exhilarated, when he heard the opening tones of the final song on the CD. It was one he had frequently seen Valerie dancing to, having purchased the single many years after it was initially released. It was one of the amazing things about her, her free spirit and ability to allow her body to lose itself to the music.
He realised that he had never really appreciated that fact about her, and maybe it was too late to show his wife the gratitude she deserved. But, even though she wasn’t still with him, it wasn’t too late for him to learn from his wife, and perhaps from all that had happened, maybe that was the real reason for it all.
Sat on the sofa, and looking around his room he spotted the two framed photographs that now sat pride of place, side by side on the top of the piano. On the left he was stood proudly in his brown suit beside his beautiful wife in traditional white dress, and on the right he sat as a proud Grandfather, in smart dark blue suit. With a beautiful smile resembling that of her mother, his daughter Louise stood by his side; and his ever cheerful Grandson perched on his lap, face beaming.
Reggie relaxed as he scanned his lounge that had once again sprung into life. A smile appeared as he spotted the light from the moon dancing across the coffee table in the middle of the room. Valerie seemed to smile approvingly at him as her slender legs glided across the perfectly varnished wooden surface.
“You are a really good dancer.” He found himself telling Valerie, as the two of them stood by the bar drinking, with Valerie’s boyfriend still singing in the background.
“You approve then?” Valerie answered with a cheeky giggle.
“Very much so.”
“I just love music, it takes me to another place, somewhere I can be happy.”
“Any particular type of music?”
“Anything, I don’t care. Whatever gets me in the mood.”
“In the mood for what?”
“In the mood for fun, love…” She smiled as she leant forward and whispered in his ear “Sex.”
As she leant back she blushed, and even Reggie found himself a little embarrassed and surprised by her response.
“You must love dating a musician do you?”
It was against general protocol to talk too much to an intended female partner about her marital status, however Reggie felt he needed to ascertain where her current relationship position was situated so as to know whether to continue with his pursuit.
“It has its moments. It’s a lot of fun going to the gigs…” She paused.
“But?” Reggie asked not knowing whether the pause was intentional, or whether he had inserted it within his own interpretation of her sentence in the hope that it would be followed by something promising.
“But, sometimes I want something more. You know what I mean?”
Reggie knew this was the part where he remained silent, let her do the explaining. In that way he knew that she would do all the work in talking herself out of a relationship, all he would have to do is give her the air space in which to do so.
“Musicians can be so two dimensional, only interested in themselves and music. I love coming to these things, but really I always want something more.”
This time the pause was too long; he had to say something to maintain the momentum, but it had to be bland enough to encourage her to continue, “Must be rather flattering to have a song dedicated to you though.” Reggie knew it was a long shot, but the brief amount of flirting he and Valerie had enjoyed upon meeting gave him hope, he just had to play it cool.
The key to any such situation was not to be the one to find faults in her relationship, and especially not in her boyfriend. There are always cracks in every relationship, which makes them such fragile objects when actually placed under scrutiny, and all Reggie had to do was to guide Valerie into realising this for herself. Such an assertion would not do coming from Reggie, no matter how truthful the observation.
The plan was working perfectly. Whilst Johnny, the musician, was performing on stage to a bar full of music lovers, his girlfriend was just a matter of metres away clearly identifying vulnerabilities within their relationship. Did he have any idea that such a thought process was taking place inside her head?
I doubt it, he’s a musician.
“It’s just a bit of fun.” Valerie smiled as she continued to watch her boyfriend performing to the crowd, and in particular the small huddle of girls starting to gather to one end of the stage.
“I guarantee you have nothing to worry about with them.” Reggie noticed Valerie’s eyes were on the small number of four to five girls swooning over her singer boyfriend. “When he’s got someone like you, he’d have to be crazy to be looking anywhere else.”
Valerie laughed as she turned to face Reggie. “Flattery will get you everywhere.” She leaned in towards him and spoke into his ear. “Besides, who’s to say he’s the only one looking.”
Reggie didn’t have the chance to answer. Valerie leant back, and with a seductive smile slipped away into the crowd.
Flattery will get you everywhere? At this moment in time there was only one place Reggie wanted to be, and one person he wanted to be there with. And the signals he was getting seemed to suggest that she was thinking the same thing.
“I’m telling you mate, you haven’t got a chance with that one. She’s a flirt alright, but her and Johnny are a proper tight couple, and there’s no getting away from that.” Bernie had arrived to smash the illusions in Reggie’s head.
“What makes you so sure?”
“They’re meant to be together. You should see them together. Soul mates, nothing can get in the way of that.”
“Soul mates? No such thing.”
“You don’t believe so Reggie?”
“Of course not. Some people are better suited to one another than others, but no two people are destined to stay together forever. It’s unnatural.”
“You don’t believe in love?”
“Of course I do. But it’s not forever. We are always changing, how can the person who makes you happy when you’re a teenager be the same person who makes you happy when you’re old and falling apart?”
“Maybe, because you’ve changed together?”
Reggie laughed at the concept. “In your dreams mate. As you grow older, so do your needs. You can’t blame me if I’m in any way partially or indirectly responsible for the break up of Valerie and what’s-his-name… ”
Bernie interjected “You mean Johnny.”
“Yeah, that’s right Johnny. If I’m responsible in any way, then maybe I’ve just helped along the natural course of events a little ahead of their time.”
“You know life is about much more than just having fun don’t you Reg?”
“Of course it is, and when I’m done having fun, I’ll find the right girl to settle down with and die of boredom. But until that time, I’m gonna live.”
“And in doing so break a million hearts?” Bernie laughed.
“You know it bud.”
“Well, whatever you do, don’t break hers. She’s better than that.”
“Mate, I’ll handle her as gently as a rose. Now clear off, I think she’s coming back.” Reggie could spot Valerie making her way back through the crowd from the direction of the stage towards him.
“You used to look so handsome. Whatever happened?” Valerie laughed from the doorway.
“I grew old my dear.” Reggie turned his eyes to face those of his wife, but instead he was met with a different, younger face. He smiled at his daughter who stood in the doorway looking across to him. “We all change my love, it is the one thing we can be certain of throughout time.”
Louise stepped across the room and laughed, but behind her eyes Reggie could sense a lingering anguish. He stared deep into the whites of her eyes and found himself looking at a frightened, young girl; grieving for her mother and the life that she had once had.
In an instant he witnessed the growth of his daughter before his eyes, the friends and the lovers that passed through her life; the death of her mother, the birth of her son, and at that moment it struck him. Perhaps the final part of his story was still to be played out, and ironically it would take place without his participation, or at least not in its conclusion. This time he was merely a supporting character to assist the lead role in taking their place as the hero in this new story.
Stepping back, out from the tears that hid within his daughter’s eyes, Reggie found himself taking a seat on the sofa once more. With all that happened over the past few years, Reggie suddenly realised that such events impact not only on those directly involved, but like an earthquake, the tremors can adversely affect all those around the impact zone for miles. He had been so wrapped up in trying to hurry his own way up the hill that he had forgotten to look behind to the young girl struggling behind to keep up.
“Louise, come sit down with your old father.” He held out his arm and was very quickly joined by his daughter who snuggled into his body just as she had done so many times as a child.
“You never speak of Sophie these days, and yet you used to be such close friends.”
There was no answer from his daughter, she remained huddled into his chest.
“You know she’s not to blame don’t you? What happened between her father and your mother, it bears no reflection on you or her.”
Louise raised her head and answered. “But she knew Dad, she knew about the whole thing and she did nothing.”
“What could she have done?”
“I don’t know, talked some sense into them perhaps. Her own father, at his age, running off with his best friend’s wife. How could she possibly approve?”
“Was it her place to stop her father from being happy? We often think we know best for other people, but seldom can we be certain. Sometimes we just have to stand aside and allow for things to take their course.”
“At the expense of other people’s happiness? At the expense of yours Dad?”
“My own happiness was never in anyone else’s hands other than my own, not even your mother’s. And maybe in the end, that was the real reason for her finding it with somebody else.”
“But after everything that happened. There’s too much to cross, too much time has passed.”
Reggie sat holding his daughter, “It’s never too late, time is only a state of mind not a barrier. Don’t let my mistakes destroy what you have.”
The two sat together in silence for what could have been any period of time. It had been so many years since Reggie had spoken to his daughter in such a way, offered the support she needed from the father she had been missing for so many years.
Buzz
There was a buzzing sound that came from Louise’s pocket. She sat up, reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.
“Who is it?” Reggie queried.
“I don’t know.” Louise answered with a puzzled expression across her face. “It’s not a number I know.”
“Better answer it then. Might be important.”
Louise hesitated at first, but eventually pressed the green button to answer and raised the phone to her ear.
“Hello?” She answered tentatively.
There was a pause as Reggie could hear a faint female voice speaking.
“Sophie? How are you?” Louise looked stunned at first, but then looked to see the sly smile on her father’s face to realise that this had been no coincidence.
“You?” she mouthed silently at her father in mild disgruntlement at his clear meddling.
“Don’t know what you mean.” Reggie mouthed back with a huge grin of satisfaction painted across his face. Louise rose to her feet, a small smile crept up on her face in acknowledgement of her father’s well meaning participation.
As she stepped out of the room to speak, Reggie contemplated the smile on his daughter’s face with satisfaction. In this particular scenario he knew his daughter would have to find her own way, but what he had learnt was maybe, even as an adult, she sometimes needed just a gentle nudge in the right direction from a caring parent.
He still didn’t believe in fate, although perhaps there was some evidence of things happening to fulfil a bigger picture. Maybe there was some sort of order to the Universe, even if often that meaning was hidden from mere mortals.
“Are you ready to go?” Valerie had her coat over her arm as she stood in front of Reggie.
Reggie in turn almost threw the remainder of his beer across the bar in surprise. “I’m sorry?”
“I thought you’d be willing to escort me home? Maybe go for that ride you promised…” She paused then fluttered her eyelids before continuing in a mock vulnerable voice, “That is unless you want to see me make my own way home all by myself at this time of night?”
Reggie was lost for words, “Absolutely…” He paused for a second to regain his composure, took a gulp of air, then spotted Valerie's expectant and realised he had finished at the most inappropriate of moments. Quickly he tried to recover the situation. ”I mean absolutely not!”
Reggie had no idea whether it was correct to answer in the affirmative or not, he was genuinely surprised and thrown by Valerie’s forward approach. “Gimme two minutes.” He hurriedly added.
Reggie knew he didn’t want to leave too soon, it would make him appear far too eager which was not an attractive trait, but truth be told he was ready to leave immediately and there was very little he could do to give the appearance of unintentional delay. Reggie peered around the pub desperately searching for some justification to create a delay.
“I hope this isn’t some sort of avoidance tactic?” Valerie laughed.
“I’m sorry?” Reggie answered.
“Or are you just playing hard to get?” she smirked seductively, and Reggie knew it was no use trying to play it cool. He took a final sip of his beer and placed the half full glass onto the bar.
“Are you sure you wouldn't like to..?”
Valerie stopped him from finishing the sentence. “Johnny. I'm not like the other girls you've met. I thought I told you, it’s only a bit of fun.”
“You're serious?” His tongue was practically hanging out his mouth.
"If you want me, I’m all yours.” She smiled.
She was right, she wasn't like any girl he'd ever met. She was driving him wild. The way she just said what she thought unlike so many other girls he had wooed in his time. If he was playing to a game plan, he had been truly out witted by Valerie’s.
Reggie rose to his feet and took Valerie’s arm, “In that case, please allow me to escort you home.”
“It would be an honour kind Sir.”
The two laughed and Valerie linked her arm into Reggie’s, clutching her coat in the other. And then, arm in arm, the two of them made their way through the crowded pub to the door and stepped out into the night.
The full moon was high in the sky and shone down on the sign which hung from the wall. There echoed a creaking noise as the sign swung in the breeze above the pavement, the two would-be lovers made their way from the pub.
Upon the sign were the words The Old Oak Tree.
 
But she’s got some fascination for that two wheel combination
And I swear it’s going to be the death of me.

 
Dedicated to the memory of Roy and May, my grandparents who showed me the meaning of true and everlasting love.
 
Coming soon from Marco Graham:
 
Polar Embrace
- The sequel to Our Song based around the music of Elton John