In Your Own Time

Chapter 1: Leaving So Soon?

Richard’s p.o.v.

“Where is Tom going this time?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Tim replied.

“I haven’t asked him yet.” He was playing with one of my drum sticks whereas I paced around the room. We were located at Tim’s small private studio called ‘Sea Fog’. When you look out the large windows, you’ll have a beautiful view on the sea. I’m in love with this place. It’s always quiet here, because it’S far away from the big city. A nice location to play and record music. No one will ever disturb you.

“Why not?” Tim sighed.

“I hadn’t the chance to. He is busy planning his next trip.” No! I knew Tom was going to leave us again soon. But so soon? I didn’t expect that.

“He likes touring on his own,” Tim said as he saw the expression on my face.

“Oh yes, he does! He prefers his solo project. He doesn’t need us anymore.” Tim shook his head. I sat down and tapped on my knee with my fingers. A stressful feeling slightly came over me. Tim took my hand gently. I obviously got on his nerves.

“That’s not the reason why. He wants to experience travelling and learning all alone. Even if he doesn’t need us anymore, he still will be our friend. And he isn’t in Keane because he needs us. He is in Keane to make music with us and to share all experiences with us.”

“Keep on dreaming, Tim,” I grunted. He let go of my hand and I started tapping on my knee again.

“Tom’s acting like an idiot.” It wasn’t usual for me to talk about Tom, one of my best friends, that way, but he had let me down so many times the past few months. And yes, I was worried about Keane’s existence.

“What if he decides to quit the band?”

“He won’t,” Tim said calmly.

“How do you know?,” I asked.

“Well… I’ve known him for such a long time.”

“That’s not a good reason.”

“Oh, shut up, Rich,” Tim said. I wondered if I made him doubt himself.

“If you want to know why he doesn’t spend that much time with us anymore, you’d better ask him yourself,” Tim added.

“Well, I should do that,” I sighed.

Natalie, Tom’s wife, opened the door.

“Hi Rich,” she said, smiling. Natalie is a small woman with dark brown hair and friendly brown eyes.

“Hi Nat,” I greeted her.

“Can I come in? I must speak to Tom.”

“Of course!” She let me come in and I went upstairs to Tom’s bedroom. I turned to see if Natalie was following me. She wasn’t.

I knocked on Tom’s bedroom door. No response.

“Tom? It’s me, Richard.” I knocked again.

“Come in Rich,” Tom sounded really exhausted. Not a good sign, was it?

Tim’s p.o.v.

And then I realized what was happening to me. I jumped off my bed and ran to the bathroom. I needed some cold, fresh water to clear my mind. Now. I splashed water in my face and tried to calm down. Then I looked in the mirror. I observed my pale reflection. This was me, Tim Rice-Oxley. Keane fans called me a ‘genius’. According to them, I was the best songwriter ever. But I doubted it was true. Whether I was a good songwriter or not, it was just a fact that I… I got a writer’s block.