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November 1982: Liverpool
The sharp chill of a November evening bit at Valerie’s cheeks as she stepped out of the car and adjusted her coat. Nick had invited her to the Liverpool dates of Duran Duran’s Rio Tour, an offer she couldn’t refuse. Despite her hesitation, she had missed him and the rest of the band. Besides, the chance to escape her thoughts for a couple of days felt like a relief.
Inside, the energy of the concert was electrifying. The crowd roared as Duran Duran took the stage, their presence magnetic. The first concert had been exhilarating—Nick, as always, commanded the keys with his signature grace. Simon was a dynamo, Roger’s steady rhythm laid the foundation, and Andy’s fiery guitar riffs set the stage alight. Valerie found herself swept up in the music, but her eyes inevitably drawn to John. He was captivating, his basslines commanding the rhythm, his movements as confident as ever. Yet, as she watched, a pang of longing struck her chest. He looked so much like the man she had fallen in love with, yet there was a distance now—a chasm she had created when she ended things.
Backstage after the show, Nick led her through a flurry of equipment and bustling crew to the band’s dressing room. “Come on, everyone’s excited to see you,” he said with a small smile. Valerie followed, her nerves buzzing beneath her skin.
When they entered, the band welcomed her warmly. Simon’s playful bow made her laugh, Roger gave her a warm hug and Andy’s teasing brought a smile to her face. But when her gaze fell on John, her breath hitched. He was standing with a striking woman, her presence commanding without being ostentatious.
“This is Janine,” John said, his voice steady but lacking the enthusiasm she remembered when he’d once introduced her to people. Valerie’s smile faltered only slightly as she took in the woman before her.
Janine was beautiful in an understated way—her blonde hair fell in glossy waves over her shoulders, her light eyes sharp and observant. She wasn’t flashy, but there was an effortless elegance about her, the kind of poise that Valerie could never seem to emulate.
“Hi, I’ve heard so much about you,” Janine said, extending a hand.
Valerie shook it, mustering her best polite smile. “Nice to meet you, Janine.”
