Retired musician Maryanne Shore looks back on her big break in the 90s where she meets Blur frontman Damon Albarn...follow the ups and downs of Maryanne and Damon's relationship up to current times 2024.
It is Damon's 28th birthday in the next few days and mine was pretty close too, turning 22 the following week. We agreed that we'd make the next big step and tell his family about the pregnancy here before management.
We would be having a joint party at his mum and dads. I would be meeting his family, he knew how was I was feeling when he suggested it but he assured me they were keen to meet too and that they'd love me. I'd heard so much about his dad Keith, mum Hazel and sister Jessica...they seemed the well-connected and loving family - everything I didn't have.
I'd already bought his present and couldn't wait for him to open it at the party.
We both dressed our best and headed in Damon's private car to his childhood home in Colchester. The entire way he sensed my nerves and held my hand between us the whole time giving it a squeeze now and then.
From what I'm told a bed has been set up in his old bedroom, I was super intrigued to see what baby Dames was like.
Pulling up to the house we saw that Keith, Hazel and Jessica were already waiting by the door. Getting out the car and walking just behind Damon up the path to the front door, he greeted his mum who hugged him tight "Damon darling, Happy Birthday", hugging him once more then turning to me. "And this beauty is Maryanne mum, Maryanne Shore..." he said with pride. I stepped forward and gave them all a hug and wished me a Happy Birthday too. Straight away I felt at ease at how warm and bubbly they all were. Jessica was especially excited and said "Damon's been talking non-stop about you...Happy to meet you finally! Better than Justine...." she stopped embarrassed as Hazel nudged her shaking her head. "Please come inside and make yourself at home, there's a lovely buffet laid out and feel free to go in the garden it's a gorgeous day", "Thanks mum," Damon said walking in while shooting a displeased look to Jessica.
Passing across the hallway and through a door covered in glittery drapes was an AMAZINGLY decorated main room. Decorative confetti strewn delicately on the floor and buffet surface, multiple colourful balloons with a mixture of 28 and 22 printed adorning its surface lazily bobbed about in the breeze incoming from the back door.
"Wow", Damon and I announced taking time to take in how much effort was put into this join celebration. "This is really lovely, thank you so much," Damon and I took time to hug everyone once again.
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Damon's POV
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It couldn't describe how amazing it was to have Maryanne standing here inside my childhood home, and felt an immense sense of pride seeing her interact with mum, dad and Jess. Jess didn't mean what she said earlier I just wasn't sure how Mare would react and didn't want it ruin our time with the family.
We were all sitting in the main room on couches around the dining table when mum came in with 1 birthday cake but was smothered in candles... half for me and half for Maryanne!
"You really shouldn't have," Maryanne gasped...and we both leaned forward to blow candles at the same time with the cake and mum held it for us...
"Now make a wish..." mum whispered happily.
We closed our eyes... mine was seeing visions of white lace, children running around domestic bliss.
"Right, time for presents..."dad announced rather giddiliy...he'd been on the brandy so was rather merry.
Maryanne's POV
//
I passed Damon his present to which he looked at me wide-eyed, "Oh Mare you shouldn't have got me anything....". "Nooo, honestly I saw this and couldn't resist", he looked back up at me once more before carefully tearing open the paper. "Oh my god, no way..." he lifted out a Polaroid camera and a specially bound leather notebook which I hoped he would use for his lyrics. "Babe you shouldn't have," he gushed and kissed me on the lips. "Now your turn," I smiled unsure at him and opened up the carefully wrapped package "....a photo album?" I questioned curiously? "Yes, I chose photos that I'd taken from the tour...performances, ones of me and you...I wanted you to have a nice momento from your time supporting us." Damon replied looking very proud. "This is gorgeous, you shouldn't have" and leaned forward to kiss him on lips and cheeks.
"One more present from myself, Keith and Jess", Hazel said in her lovely tone.
It was a little jewelery box...with a beaded necklace very similar to Damon's...this made me tear up. "Awww my goodness...this is unreal. Thank you..thank you..." and I hugged them all, wiping tears from my eyes. "Thank you for welcoming me into your family, this means the world to me", and they all smiled at each other then back at me.
