Don't Say My Name

Chapter 5

Penny hardly listened to the rest of the program. Was Clive really coming back? Would be take her to London? For an audition? She packed a bag, then unpacked it, choosing different clothes several times before she was satisfied. She then admonished herself for believing he meant it. That had been SlimJim, not Clive. She slumped on the bed, not certain what to believe. She spent the rest of the day in a tearful haze, unsure of anything.

The following morning, the sky had returned to blue, the sun shone, and the gulls were back. It took until lunchtime for her to pluck up the courage to go down to the headlands.

What if Clive wasn't there?

What if he was?

The wind got stronger as she left the promenade and headed for the headlands. Gull wheeled overhead, screaming as they soared and hovered on the gusts. Waves lashed against the rocks on the beach, sending sand-laden spray into the air. Salt stung her eyes, making them water. It was not tears, she insisted. There was nobody there. No Clive sitting on the rocks, no guitar music, just wind, waves and gulls. And her, alone, trying not to cry.

She rested against the wall, leaning on her elbows looking out to sea. What had she expected? Clive was not SlimJim. He had been just another visitor, an out of work bum, busking for change in an almost-out-of-season seaside town. People hurried past, desperate to get to shelter. She ignored them, lost in her recollection of the past week. She recalled his voice, his scent, his touch, the song...strange that SlimJim had played it on the radio. Strange also that his new single was a song that Clive had sung only last week. Strange that. Very strange. She pushed herself away from the wall.

Stop. Very strange indeed.

She turned, looking up the promenade. Was that...?

Wait. A man with a guitar.

Coming her way.

Running now.

Then she was running. His arms were open, ready to receive her. He scooped her up, swung her round, then held her tight.

"Think I wasn't coming, Penny?" Clive whispered in her ear.

"I...I wasn't sure." She replied, hardly believing this could be true.

"I've been here all day, Penny." Clive chuckled. "I thought you weren't going to show. I just stepped away for a moment. I needed to find a toilet. I came out, and there you were."

"Stop. You're SlimJim?"

He stepped back and shrugged. "Guilty. This is who I am, without the clothing and make-up. The 'real' me."

"Clive."

"My real name. Clive Jones."

"So you want to be sitting on a rock, playing a guitar and singing?"

"Anywhere with you." He slipped his arm around her shoulders. "Let's get somewhere a little warmer."

"C...café?"

"That will do."

They sat at a table in the café, sipping coffee together. "Come back with me, Penny."

"To make me a star?"

"If you wish."

"Is that all? Just to make me a star?"

"No. Penny..." He took hold of her fingers across the table. "...there's a lot I need to say. I really hoped you'd be listening to the radio when I was in the studio. I nearly blurted everything out, but wasn't certain you would appreciate it. And then, you phoned in with your question... I nearly died."

"Sorry." Penny grinned. "But... not sorry... it all sounded like a ... a fairy tale."

"It lead in perfectly to what I wanted to say to you, except that I could actually say it directly to you – on air."

"Why did you not say who you were?"

"Think about it. Would you have believed me?"

Penny took a sip of her coffee and considered it.

"Probably not, no."

"The offer stands. You get an introduction – an audition, if you like; you will meet my manager, Mike Green. You'll get to see London."

"And?" Penny looked at him. There was challenge in her eyes.

"And, what?"

"Is there an 'us'?"

"I would like that very much, Penny. You are my main reason for returning. The rest is just icing on the cake."

"You came back...for me? SlimJim came back for ME?" Her eyes were wide with shock.

"Yes, both Clive and SlimJim came back for you. Just you, Penny. You are the singer to my song. My world is exhausting; you help me relax. I am busy; you help me unwind. I am lonely; with you, I won't be. It may be quick, but I love you, Penny. Be with me?"

A tear slipped from her eye. "You wouldn't tease me, or make this up?"

"No, I couldn't do that to you. Come to London with me, allow me to prove it to you. I want to marry you, if you'd have me. I'll give up my career for you, if that's what you wish? I just need you so much."

She lay her head on his shoulder, fighting back tears. She was convinced he meant it, and overwhelmed.

"Marry me?"

"Yes, you. Whenever you'd like."

"Yes, Clive. I will. It's you I will come for, not fame, nor money, not even a chance to sing. I will miss you so much if I don't say yes. But, I can't allow you to give up your career. Not for me. I love you too."

"Then we'll work together, you and me. You write the words, I'll add the music and we'll sing the songs together. Dry your eyes. We've got a train to catch. "

She dabbed at her eyes with a napkin, laughing. "Right, you're on! Race you to the station?" Jim chased after her and kissed her when he caught her.

Two months later, they were married. They became more than husband and wife; they were a team, singer and songwriter. SlimJim was no longer a mystery man, having shaken his fans with the news; gone was the make-up and glitzy clothing. There was only one well-kept secret. Very few knew where they made their home.

There were a few who knew. Those fans in Penny's home town, where they lived and gave free concerts on the beach using the rocks as a stage and the sea and gulls as a backing group.