The Reunion

Chapter 3

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

'Thank you, Washington, and goodnight,' Graham said as they waved to audience as the platform descended beneath the stage.

When it had reached the underneath floor level, the group were ushered quickly by security, through corridors, to a secret exit where two cars were waiting for them to take them to the Watergate Hotel. Graham and Gillian dived into the first one and Tony and Samantha followed suit into the second. The cars had left the building before the crowd had even started to leave the arena.

In the second car, Tony and Samantha had been handed a couple of towels. They were smiling at each other.

'Great show, wasn't it?' Sam said.

'One of the best we've done,' Tony agreed. 'How come we've ended up in the same car? We never travel together. It's always been you and Graham then Gill and me.'

24

'You know the mood Graham's in at the moment,' Samantha shrugged.

'I just hope this isn't a bad omen,' said Tony.

'Don't start getting melodramatic, Tony,' laughed Samantha. 'You know it's just Graham and his mood swings. The fans think he's the leader of this group. And, unfortunately, so does Graham now.'

In the first car, Graham and Gillian were wiping the sweat off their heads and neck with hand towels that had been provided.

'Wow!' exclaimed Gillian. 'What a performance. I think that's the best one we've ever done.'

'The fans were brilliant,' Graham agreed. 'You could tell they were enjoying themselves... and us.'

'So, what's the story between you and Sam?' she asked bluntly.

Graham looked out of the tinted window, taking in the view. He knew that they would pass the White House soon, but he had already seen it many times, even from the inside. 'We split up about four months ago.'

'Why didn't you say anything?'

'We didn't want it to ruin our relationship with you and Tony,' Graham answered. 'It would have put pressure on the pair of you.'

'Well, we sensed something was wrong,' said Gillian. 'The songs you two have written recently certainly indicated that there was a strain in the relationship.'

'Sam and me agreed to hide it,' Graham responded. 'Obviously we failed. Is it still going well for you and Tony?'

25

'It seems to be,' said Gillian. 'Sometimes I think Tony loves his damn drum kit more than he loves me.'

'I think Tony loves his drum kit more than he loves anyone,' said Graham and Gillian laughed. And then she got serious again.

'Are you thinking of quitting the group?'

Again, Graham just stared out of the window. They were very near to the hotel now. 'Yes... no... I don't know,' he said. 'I'm angry that I was made to turn down that film role. But the reaction from the crowd tonight shows that we have something special going on here.'

'Perhaps we need a meeting. So that we can discuss things,' said Gillian. 'Maybe we could suggest a sabbatical.'

'Maybe,' Graham agreed, but his tone indicated that the likelihood of that being accepted was very remote indeed. They were taken the back way to the plush hotel and were escorted up to their rooms.

They always liked to have half an hour to unwind before attending a quick debrief session.

In her suite, Samantha had put on some classical musical and was sketching a design in a note pad. It was of a one-piece swimming costume. The plunging V met the top of a half diamond and was fastened together by a clasp. Not much of the breast would have been covered – just enough to cover the wearer's modesty.