never let me down | a. wilder (depeche mode)

15 - Black Celebration

A few months later....

Charlie

"C'mon! We gotta be first in line!" Evie says.

The two of us sprint down the street to the record shop.

The manager, one of my aunt and uncle's friends, is opening up the store. A few people are behind him.

"Mr. Collins!" I shout, and he looks up at me.

"Charlotte Wells? Is that you?" He says as we come closer.

"Yes it is!"

"What's the hurry for?" He asks me and Evie.

"There's a new record that's out today - Black Celebration by Depeche Mode. Do you have it?" I ask.

"Yes, I think I do." He says, and opens the door.

The people behind him went in after him, and I noticed that they were employees.

"After we purchase it, can we listen to it in your office like you used to let me and cousins Penny and James do?" I ask sweetly.

He nods. "Of course."

Evie and I walk around the store, looking for the record.

"There it is!" Evie says, and picks it up. She passes me a copy, and one for herself.

"Let's see: Black Celebration, Fly On The Windscreen, A Question Of Lust, Sometimes, It Doesn't Matter Two, A Question of Time, Stripped, Here Is The House, World Full Of Nothing, Dressed In Black, and New Dress. Seems like a pretty interesting album!" I say, flipping over to the back of the cover.

"I like the art on the front, are the flowers roses or tulips?" Evie asks.

"Tulips- no, roses? I'm not sure. We can ask Martin later. I laugh, and we head to the checkout counter.

"Have fun, but don't be too loud, or everyone and their brother will ask to use my office." Mr. Collins says.

"Mr. Collins, can you not tell Aunt Heather and Uncle Geo I was here?" I say quietly, and Evie gives me a weird look.

He sighs. "Alright. Although you should talk to them, they miss you."

"It's complicated." I say sadly.

Evie

When we get to Mr. Collins' office, I peel the plastic off my record and put the record on the player.

We sit in silence, as the song starts.

"Damn, this is good!" Charlie says after a few seconds.

I laugh. "It is good, but no one's sung anything yet!"

"You don't need to hear any singing to know it's going to be a good Depeche Mode song. Charlie says.

I nod. "You're right, Charlie. They worked very hard on this album."

I grab the record sleeve and look at the lyrics printed on it. I read along as the songs go on, with Charlie looking over my shoulder.

"Martin's really got a way with words." Says Charlie. "I'm jealous."

"Me too. I could kill for that talent!" I reply.

When the album is finished, we discuss our favorite songs.

"I liked them all, but I especially loved Martin's songs, and not just because he's my boyfriend!" I say.

Charlie nods. "I understand. I love Fly on the Windscreen. I've experienced so much death in my life it feels as if death is truly everywhere. And Stripped is great too. Dave's an amazing singer."

I give her a comforting look.

"Hey, do you think Dave fancies you, or anything?" I ask her, quickly trying to change the subject.

"Why?" She replies.

"I don't know why I thought of it. Martin, Andy, and I think he does." I tell her. I want to add 'so does Alan', but Dave's more confident when it comes to girls than Alan is and he'd be mad if I brought it up.

"Well, I'm not as much of a Pollyanna as you all like to think. Sure, I haven't smoked or drank but I'm not oblivious. I think Dave is somewhat into me, and maybe Alan is too." She says.

"How do you feel about the two of them?" I ask.

"Honestly, I don't know. I haven't been with the band that long. And we always hang out in a group, so I haven't gotten a feel of what Alan and Dave are like on their own. The only one I've had a heart-to-heart with is Martin." She says.

"Martin told me about that, and to ignore any teasing the other boys make of it." I tell her.

"Anyway, let's pack up and go. I don't want to overstay our welcome in Mr. Collins' office." Charlie says, taking my record off the player, packing it, and handing it to me.

As we left the office, Mr. Collins approached us.

"Charlotte, as I don't know the details, it really isn't my place, but please, talk to your aunt and uncle." He says, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"I'll think about it Mr. Collins. And I don't mind you asking me to at all. You were so good to me, and Penny, and James, even my aunt and uncle." Charlie says, giving Mr. Collins a big hug.

We leave the store and head back to the hotel to meet the boys. As much as I want to ask Charlie what on earth Mr. Collins is talking about, it's not my place to ask. She'll tell me when she wants to.