The Reunion

Chapter 2

 PRESENT DAY

As I waited for my cue, I could sense the electrifying atmosphere that was emancipating from the audience and that 'buzz' sent the adrenaline flowing through me. I heard the announcer introduce me and I walked onto the set from the lefthand side. I stopped centre stage as near as 'damn it' to my mark and smiled appreciatively to the audience as they warmly applauded me. There were five chairs slightly behind me and to my left. To my right there was a very large screen.

I stared straight at the camera. There was an autocue – But I've never needed one – and the crowd could sense that I was about to begin. To introduce something that no one had expected to see. They began to quieten down. 'Ladies and gentlemen,' I began. 'Tonight is a very special night. This live broadcast is being beamed to households across the world. Tonight, you will get to see one of the most successful chart acts ever perform in public for the first time in twenty-five years.'

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This brought some loud screams from the audience. I paused briefly until they stopped. 'We will find out the truth behind the breakup; was Tony sleeping with another man the real reason? A man who has never come forward, I hasten to add. We shall hear what they have all been doing in those twenty-five years – whether they have met or even spoken to each other – and we will learn what the future holds for them.

'But you don't want to listen to me waffling on. So, therefore, it gives me great pleasure, ladies and gentlemen, to welcome on stage to sing their first ever hit "Teenage Dream" – Ladies and Gentlemen.'

As soon as the screen vanished through a trapdoor and Graham began the guitar intro, the screaming and cheering reached crescendo level. I doubt that the people watching at home could hear the music. And when Graham started singing, all the audience joined in.

And when they finished the roar almost lifted the roof off the studio. The guys looked ecstatic and almost ran over to me. I greeted them with a handshake and hug before we all took our seats. We waited for the audience to quieten down. The floor manager, to her credit, did try to quicken this up but the crowd were not willing to assist her. They had twenty-five years of emotions to let loose. After what seemed like an eternity, the audience started to sit down.

'Well,' I began. 'You must be overwhelmed with that reaction?'

'Breathtaking,' said Samantha.

'It's like we've never been away,' said Graham.

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'You haven't!' a female voice in the audience shouted which brought cheers of agreement.

I wanted to get the main topic out of the way early. This was the one that everybody wanted to know the answer to. What was the real reason behind the breakup? Was it simply that Gillian found Tony in bed with another man? Or was there something else? 'I want to get the unpleasantness out of the way first,' I said after the noise had abated. 'Take me back to that night twenty-five years ago. Talk me through the events that led to the breakup of the most famous band at the time.'

The four group members looked at each other before Gillian took the lead. 'We were performing at the Capital One Arena in Washington. It had been a very good concert.'

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