The Reunion

Chapter 6

PRESENT DAY

The audience had been hanging on every word as Samantha finished the story. 'And we became good friends after that meeting. We probably got on better after we split than we ever did when we were in a relationship.'

'Do you regret the way you acted back then?' I asked Graham, knowing that he would not give a simple yes or no answer.

'I regret how I treated Samantha,' he began. 'But Samantha had worked out that the relationship wasn't going anywhere. She was simply a lot stronger and braver than me. And she's right. We became very good friends and we still meet up, with our respective partners, for an evening out very six months. Although I guess that's going to be changing now.'

'I think it's time to hear a bit more music,' I said and, judging by the reaction from the audience, they agreed. 'Would you like to hear something new from them?' There was much enthusiastic applause and screaming.

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The four members of Ladies and Gentlemen stood up and made their way to their positions. I waited for the audience to quieten down a little before introducing the next song. 'And now for a complete exclusive. Never been heard in public before, it's Ladies and Gentlemen with "TongueTied".'

The music started and Graham was on lead vocals.

I feel a little bit lost and a little bit lonely

Cos I've been sitting here thinking about you – only

I don't know what to do

And don't know what to say

The words are in my head

But my mouth gets in the way

I want to shout I love you

But all that will come out is hey

You make me tongue-tied

I'm terrified

I'll get it wrong

Because we two belong

Together

And that's no lie

You make me tongue-tied.

I feel a little hot but start to shiver

I don't think that I can deliver

If you turn up

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Will you start to scream?

Is this real for me?

Or is it a dream?

I want to shout I love you

But it will be do you want ice cream?

You make me tongue-tied

I'm terrified

I'll get it wrong

Cos we two belong

Together

And that's no lie

You make me tongue-tied

I'm feeling kinda nervous but I just stare

Like I'm living in my worst nightmare

If I close my eyes

This dream will end

You won't show up

My life won't mend

I want to shout I love you

But I won't be able to send

You make me tongue-tied

I'm terrified

I'll get it wrong

Cos we two belong Together

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And that's no lie

You make me tongue-tied

I feel like I should leave cos I feel a bit sweaty

I haven't been able to talk to you lately

And then someone walks in

Oh my god it's you

You smile when you see me

And I smile back too

I want to shout I love you

And you know what, I do

I'm no longer tongue-tied

I'm satisfied

I won't get it wrong

Cos we two belong

Together

And that's no lie

I'm no longer tongue-tied.

The roar that greeted the climax to the song was the greatest one of the evening. I'm sure that health and safety would have closed us down if they had recorded the decibel levels. I was conscious that I needed to quicken the pace before the floor manager started waving her hands at me and pointing to the time. I quickly brought the group back over to their seats and sat them down. They were beaming from ear to ear.

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'You've gotta be impressed with that reaction to the new song?' I said.

'That was brilliant,' said Gillian.

'We were more nervous performing that one than "Teenage Dream",' said Tony. 'You never know how the fans are going to react to new music.'

'Best song you've ever done!' someone shouted from the audience which was greeted with enthusiastic agreement.

'And tonight is the first time you've been seen together in public?' I asked.

'Yes,' said Graham.

'Is it true that you never even appeared together at each other's weddings?'

'It's true,' said Samantha.

'Obviously everyone was invited but for some strange reason Gillian or Tony were unable to attend.'

'How did you get back together again? Who made the first move?' I asked.

'I guess it was about eight or nine months ago,' Tony began. 'But what triggered it was probably a few months before that.'

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