When We're Together (Damon Albarn)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Monday 20th April 2009

"Oh I'm quite nervous Dames" I laughed lightly, looking across to him to see if he was feeling the same way.

"You'll be fine darling, what's the worst that could happen" He tried to reassure me, but that didn't settle the uneasy feeling in my stomach, in fact it just grew worse as we entered the building.

It was our first day of rehearsals since we'd announced that we'd be playing a few shows this summer as blur and as if the rehearsals weren't already nerve wracking enough, they'd decided to invite some press to watch us and have a few interviews.

Damon and I entered the room and I instantly felt slightly relieved as I saw everything set up ready for us. Seeing Graham's guitar, Alex's bass, Dave's drums and our microphones set up made a smile spread over my face. I was just playing a few songs with my best friends, just like old times. What really was the worst that could happen.

"Surprise surprise, you guys are the last ones here" Alex shouted across the room to us, we both laughed loudly, shrugging our shoulders as we made our way over to where everyone was sat waiting.

"We're ten minutes late, that's pretty good if you ask me" I told him, quickly giving each of them a kiss before sitting down next to Graham.

"Morning guys, I'm George from the Sunday Times" The young looking journalist spoke as soon as Damon and I had sat down, he'd clearly grown impatient whilst waiting for us "Now you're here Eliza, I've actually got a question for you to start"

I nodded my head at his words, the nerves growing in my stomach again. Interviews were something which never seemed to get easier for me.

"Now that you're older and you're able to look back on the britpop era, would you say that you suffered from an eating disorder?" He asked calmly, staring intently at me for an answer. I let my mouth drop open as I laughed nervously and in disbelief at what he'd just asked.

"Well good morning to you too George" I scoffed, his question was hardly an appropriate question for nine o'clock on a monday morning.

I wanted nothing more than to look at Damon for some help, I felt at a complete loss as to what to say back to him. But I knew I couldn't look at him, I was very aware of the camera filming us and I knew that any glances at Damon would be picked up instantly.

"I don't know, I erm, I really don't know" I laughed nervously again, bringing a hand up to my head to scratch at the back of my neck "I was young, living in the public eye and experiencing a completely new way of living, I don't think we really need to put a label on anything"

I braved a quick look to Damon, appreciating the glare he was shooting the journalist. Every part of me was hoping that would be enough for him not to probe anymore, but a big part of me knew that I wouldn't be that lucky.

"That may be, but surely you can now see that you weren't in a healthy position there. I've seen photos of you where you look like a walking skeleton, surely some things do need a label?"

I laughed nervously again, dropping my gaze down to my feet, which I couldn't help moving around on the floor. I really wasn't too sure what he wanted me to say, my eating problems had never been publicly discussed and so, I was now feeling completely out of my depth.

"We're not doing this" Damon announced, I instantly felt relieved to hear him talking "Either you ask relevant questions about the band or you're out of here"

George mumbled a quick apology before quickly flicking through the notebook in his hands. His distraction gave Graham enough time to give my hand a reassuring squeeze along with a soft smile.