Alphabet Steps

Family

It happened so slowly they never really realised it but one moment they went from colleagues and band mates into a family. Getting defensive if bad press was written about anyone and whilst there were arguments still at times, they simply moved on and it was like they were siblings.

Lee was the older brother, protective and caring over them all. He'd hover when guys were chatting up the girls and when Claire spilled about the way Reece was messing her about he was practically ready to go round to his home and demonstrate his martial arts training. It had been Faye who had managed to persuade him from doing so, gently stating that it would be no good to anyone if he was stuck awaiting a court date when they had to go promote their new Album abroad. 

Lisa was whilst the oldest of the girls often acted younger than Faye, perhaps it was the fact she and H used to team up to prank the others which made her seem younger. She didn't take well to Lee's protective nature often accusing him of been bossy but deep down knowing he had her best interests at heart. She was fiercely outspoken and stood up for H specifically when anyone targeted him. She knew the younger man had been tormented at school for his sexuality and would not allow anyone to hurt him now.

Faye was like their glamourous older sister. True she was the middle one in age but in many respects she seemed older having a proper relationship, living with her boyfriend and almost engaged when they form. She's pretty and sweet natured most of the time though occasionally can get upset, missing Jesper the main source of her distress. She never had brothers so delights in Lee and H's presences and as the youngest in her family, she was used to sharing the attention from day one. A factor the rest of them never had all been the eldest in their own families.

H was the younger brother, delighting in winding them up, from drunkenly kissing Lisa to making up words to the songs when he was bored after long days of practise. Admittedly he wound them up to the point that Faye routinely wanted to slap him particularly when he messed up her hair but he was the one who could cheer them all up. He'd never had sisters and adored the girls to pieces. True he was less aggressive in his nature than Lee when it came to protective streaks but he would be more than willing to wade in if he felt any guys were getting too hands on in their behaviour.

Claire was the baby, although ironically she was probably the most nurturing of the girls. Checking whether they had coats, or applied their sunblock. She'd been the eldest of two and somehow she had never lost the big sister aspect. She like Faye had never had brothers and rather liked the mix knowing she could confide in Lee without him telling anyone else her secrets and at other times letting herself act like the just turned twenty year old she was when they first started out.

When that final bitter end came it was perhaps that they missed the most, that family feel had gone and they couldn't get past it. It was almost like a divorce, Claire and H making the initial decisive steps and Lee, Lisa and Faye the wounded, embittered parties. Only years of hard work would lead to them getting back to the way they were. This time with spouses and children and a determination to rewrite the ending of 2001.