Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
November 1983: Sing Blue Silver in Sydney
The Australian sun dipped low over the Sydney skyline, casting a golden hue across the city as Valerie stepped off the plane. Her heart was a knot of nerves and anticipation. It had been weeks since her last conversation with John, a rushed phone call where his voice had sounded raw and tired, a distant echo of the man she once knew.
She hadn't planned this trip-it was impulsive, born out of sleepless nights and an ache she couldn't place. The Velvet Reverie was gearing up to release their fourth album, Echoes of Silence, a project she had poured herself into. Yet, as the days passed, she found herself drifting further from the excitement of it all. David's absence loomed over her, and with it, the weight of questions she couldn't answer.
As she hailed a cab to the Sydney Entertainment Centre, her mind wandered. Would John even want to see her? Would he be angry or dismissive? She clutched the strap of her bag tightly, determined to follow through regardless of the outcome.
The concert was electric. Duran Duran had always been masters of their craft, and tonight was no exception. The energy in the crowd was infectious, the screams of fans blending with the pulsating rhythm of the music. Valerie stood near the side stage, her presence hidden from view but close enough to see everything.
John was mesmerizing. His basslines were flawless, his movements magnetic. Every note seemed to pulse through her, reminding her why she had fallen for him in the first place. When the band launched into "The Reflex," a rush of nostalgia hit her, pulling her back to the early days when their lives had been simpler-when their connection felt unbreakable.
As the final chords of "Rio" echoed through the venue, Valerie felt a pang of uncertainty. She didn't know what she was expecting from this trip, but seeing John like this-so in his element-made her feel both proud and out of place.
Backstage was a whirlwind of activity. Crew members darted back and forth, equipment was being packed, and laughter echoed from the band's dressing room. Valerie hesitated at the door, her heart pounding.
"Are you going to stand there all night?"
She turned to see Nick leaning against the wall, his lips curling into a knowing smile.
