I'd Like to be Somebody Else

Chapter 38

They were nominated for four awards at the Brit Awards so we all flew to London to attend. Kenzie stayed at Noel's, obviously unable to go to the awards with a newborn and an eleven month old.

I decided to stay with her. It was their first time at the Brits and I was sure they weren't going to take home any awards which would probably mean they'd get too drunk and in the mood to kick off.

They came back surprisingly early, it was only just after midnight. I was sat in the living room with Thora sleeping next to me. I'd got her back to sleep after she'd woken up a bit ago and I didn't want to disturb her by bringing her back to her cot.

"Those Blur lads took the lot." Noel told me looking sad for himself but with his hands suspiciously behind his back.

The lads kept the same disappointed faces.

"Oh, nevermind, you won at the EMAs and Q last year and NME this year." I reminded him of the ones I could remember on the spot

"Well, there was this one." He revealed the award.

They won Best Newcomer, losing Best British Group, Best British Album and Best British Single to Blur. They dropped their sad faces.

I jumped from the sofa and threw my arms around him. "Knew you were lying."

"Oi, where's my hug? Best Newcomer is all about me." Liam complained.

"Come here, you egomaniac." I hugged him as well. "I'm proud of you all."

I let go of him.

"Least we din't lose to Wet Wet Wet." he shrugged "Blur aren't bad if you like." he did his exaggerated, drowning impression of Boys And Girls, bobbing along like Damon in the video.

"They've been around longer, that's the only reason." I suggested.

"You fucking like him though, the singer, don't you?" Liam remembered.

He had a strange inability for remembering the names of people I "like". I was scared that in his drunken state he'd forget to keep what happened at Glastonbury secret. "He's not a bad lad but you know me, I don't get along with Londoners."

I regretted that kiss or just the fact that he knew about it. I was sure he'd never tell anyone about us but nothing but a promise was stopping him from revealing anything else.

"What are you doing, looking after my kids? Where's Kenz'?" Tony asked sounding really suspicious of me.

"She's asleep or looking after your two day old baby upstairs." I didn't understand where the hostility was coming from, probably one too many lines of coke. "Sorry for helping my mate." My tone adopted an aggressive sarcasm.

Noel punched his arm lightly. "What's your problem?"

Tony picked up Thora. "She's too involved with her, all the time. That's my problem."

"You're an effing idiot man." Bonehead shook his head in disgrace. "D'you expect Kenzie to do it all?"

"Sometimes I think you're too friggin' involved in this band." Noel commented.

I took Noel's hand. "Please, not now, not in front of Thora. You'll wake her up."

"Doubt we'd find a replacement by the next gig. Just remember you're still here cos you're his mate." he pointed directly at Tony and then towards Liam.

"And you're here cos you're his brother." Tony mumbled, almost inaudibly as he walked away with his daughter.

...