I'd Like to be Somebody Else

Chapter 61

"Here, look after this." Noel put his leather jacket over my shoulders.

I put my arms through the sleeves and attempted to zip it up, forgetting that wasn't going to happen with his son in the way. It smelled so much of him, he made leather and cigarette smoke smell so appealing.

"But you can't tour without a leather jacket!" I objected mimicked his accent. "This is your best one."

They were leaving for France very soon, Noel was more organised so wasn't still making sure he's suitcase was ready like everyone else were. This time I was sure he was efficient in his packing because it meant they'd be out of his house sooner.

He never toured without a leather jacket, it was like an official rule of Oasis, although he was the same as a roadie.

"Nip us to the shop. Buy me a new one." he suggested.

We drove straight to the first clothing department while everyone else were getting ready to leave, they didn't even notice us going.

"You know we've got about half an hour before they start getting wound up by your absence." I told him as he took too long to look at each jacket.

I was pretty tired and impatient, nevermind the rest of the band. Everyone in London (who weren't at their second Earl's Court night) had celebrated Guy Fawkes night (with fireworks, bonfires and everything), even after the lads had retired so I didn't sleep much.

"I can't let you buy me a crap one just to save time." he said, examining one's sleeves.

I wasn't into wearing jackets (unless it was borrowed from a boyfriend) so I didn't really get the need for a forensic level of examination. "Who says I'm paying?" I asked, jokingly objecting. "And none of them look crappy."

"You did when you took my best one." he finally tried one on (a darker brown one than mine) checking himself in the mirror. "What d'you think?"

"I think you look gorgeous... but you're not going to settle for the first one." I replied knowing what he was like.

"No, I trust you. This is the one." He took it off to carry it to the checkout.

As soon as I paid for it and we'd got out of the shop he wore it. He was a classic kid who can't wait. To be fair it was November, it was really cold and really wet and he wouldn't bring a coat, knowing he'd buy one.

...

Liam was in a bit of a dodgy mood when we got back. "You have a go at me all the fucking time and you go swanning off, holding us up for a fucking coat."

"I'll remember not to say anything next time you forget to turn up, are so late the fans want to lynch mob us or just walk out when you've had enough." Noel responded, managing to keep any ill feeling hidden from his tone.

"Have a good tour, I'm off home." I told them, not wanting to stick around to see the argument play out.

They gave me the usual drive carefully, phone as soon as you're back speech. I kissed Noel goodbye and left for Manchester.

...

"What's wrong? What's happened?" I questioned when I realised it was Guigsy who was on the phone later that night.

"Nothing, I promise. Chill." he chuckled. "We're in Paris, in our hotel, everything's good."

"Where's everyone else then? Arguing over the slightly bigger room?" I relaxed a bit and stopped worrying something had gone wrong.

"You know us so well." he answered. "Oh, Noel asks if his jacket got home alright."

I faked guilt. "Tell him I'm so sorry, I stopped for strawberry milkshake and something made me jump... the milkshake went everywhere, it's ruined."