Sing While You Can

Meeting Mr. Cracket

I nervously looked at myself in the mirror.

“Charlotte?” I yelled as I smoothed out my skirt.

“What?”

“Is what I’m wearing okay? I want my first day to go well,”

“They’ll love you. Too bad you aren’t working for such a worldwide known record company though. Good for you though. By the way, did you talk to Mum and Dad?” she asked me.

“No.”

“You better talk to them before they talk to you,” she reminded me and I groaned.

I rashly decided to call them before work and this would cut the conversation short.

I had to ring the house phone twice, my Dad’s mobile three times my Mothers twice before she picked up.

“Hello sweetie,” My mother answered and I just swallowed loudly, then checked the time.

I was late.

“Yeah hi to you to. I got expelled from uni and I’m now working for Silver Notes and I’m late so bye,”

I hung up before she could start shouting at me.

Once I had arrived, I was in awe straight away. The black and white chic look made the room look very professional. The way everyone was pushing past and on mobile phones made me fell work-like as I loved the bustle. I was very pleased that I had went for the pencil skirt, otherwise I would have felt shabby in comparison.

I asked the receptionist for directions to where a Mr. Jim Cracket’s office was. I know, the first thing I thought was Jimminy Cricket too.

I walked up the corridor that lead to the lift, staring at the pictures on the wall. Famous singers and bands photo’s lined the walls as well as their platinum records and all of that awesome-ness.

I pushed the button for floor 10 – the top of the building. Just as the door was shutting, a hand stopped it and hopped in with me.

“Sorry, the lifts take forever in this place that’s all,” a woman walked in and smiled flashing her pearly whites.

“Oh my god! You’re Helena Black!” I almost screamed.

“Yeah, and you are?” she asked.

“Evangeline Pettiford, but call me Eve,” I replied surprisingly smoothly considering my idol was standing in front of me.

“So what’s your business here? Sorry for being nosy,”

“It’s fine. I got a job here but I’m not sure exactly what. You see, my headmaster at my college referred me to Mr. Cracket.” I briefly explained.

“Cool. Listen this is my stop, we should meet up though. Text me, bye!” she handed me a small piece of paper and waved goodbye as she stepped out.

I read the card-

Helena Black, Singer

Silver Notes Record Company,

Buisness- 0475 88794 32

Personal – 077 453867 28

I had the biggest grin in the world spread across my face. Helena Black had been my inspiration for as long as I could remember. She sung about life experiences and memories that we all can relate to. Not like other singers who sung about love and heartbreak. Her music was actually inspiring.

Skipping along the corridor (not literally, more inside my head,) I looked for Mr. Crackets room. I got to his door at the end of the corridor, calmed myself down, then cautiously knocked on the door.

“Come in!” A loud shout came from behind the closed door.

I stepped inside and was then shocked at the size of the room. Then I looked around and saw a man hunched over his desk but that is not what shocked me; there was a wall of pure glass behind him and you could see loads of London. The breath-taking view made me forget momentarily about why I was here.

“I believe it is Miss Evangeline Pettiford,” he asked, looking up and propping a pair of reading glasses on his nose.

“Yes,” I replied and sat in a small red armchair in front of his desk – it was like being back at school.

"So you were in a band in your college?"

"Yes, the Fallen Angels. We have planned a gig every Saturday night a a local diner,"

"Ahh nice, so I you were the lead singer," he assumed.

"No, I am the songwriter. My friend Abi is the singer with my boyfriend Josh."

"What about the rest of them?" he inquired.

"Well Scott plays the guitar, Erin the drums and then we have Tamara who is a back up vocalist but isn't very good," I said.

"I was just wondering that's all right now for the job,"

"Yes?"

“Well we would love it if you would become a vocalist,”

“I don’t want to be a singer!” I said quickly, interrupting then I blushed.

“Don’t worry, we were aware of this. You would sing back-up for famous singers, and for DJ kind of things like Avicii or Rudimental,”

“Oh wow. That’s amazing thank you,” I gushed very pleased.

“No problem. Now we don’t need you until tomorrow so you are free to go. You will be recording with Alucia and if you could look over this song. Don’t worry you don’t need to memorise it. If you could come by tomorrow at 9 and you can dress more casual than that by the way,” he smiled and dismissed me quickly.

I was in a daze as I walked home and was for the rest of the night. The song was really good and I found myself listening to it for ages.

I don’t know just how it happened,

I let down my guard

Swore I’d never fall in love again,

But I fell hard,