Down All Your Darkest Roads

Chapter Four

The 'surprise' that lurked around the corner was hardly unpredictable but proved unpleasant and draining nonetheless. Mick and John took the day off, so with the session devoted solely on vocals, an infamous Buckingham Nicks row was inevitable and Christine was, for the billionth time, the default mediator.

"Come on, Lindsey, she was joking." Christine said tiredly. "Nobody thinks you're a failed solo artist."

"She fucking meant it and she knows it." Lindsey glared at Stevie.

"Well, you shouldn't have called me a 'glorified backup singer'." Stevie shot back. "If you don't want me to be a part of this record, that's fine by me. I can think of about 10 things I'd rather be doing right now."

Like a scene in a soap opera, Lindsey's girlfriend chose that moment to walk in and ask to speak to him. Stevie's agitated demeanour turned to stone as she watched Lindsey trail after Cheri; she then made a beeline for the bottle of wine sitting on the coffee table. Christine's heart sank.

"I think we should call it a day," Christine announced loudly as she anxiously watched Stevie pour herself a drink. "Stevie?"

Stevie grunted and took a long sip of her wine, her face was unreadable.

"Let's go." Christine prompted.

She took another sip from the glass and placed it back on the coffee table. Christine handed her purse to her and together they bid goodbye to their team and headed out of the room.

Christine could feel Stevie's dark mood radiating off her as they exited the house and walked towards their waiting cars. Christine unlocked her car door while Stevie fumbled around for her key, cursing under her breath.

"I'll see you later, then." Stevie mumbled.

Seeing Stevie so gloomy struck an involuntary nerve in Christine and she couldn't let her go without knowing she'd be all right. She knew she was beating herself up over caving in to her temptations.

"Do you want to come over to mine for dinner?" Christine asked her gently.

Stevie looked surprised. "You don't have plans? I don't want to intrude."

"You're not intruding! I can make us something and we can wind down and talk."

"I'd love that." Stevie said gratefully.

"Terrific, you remember how to get there?"

"Yeah, of course." Stevie smiled wanly at her. "Thanks, Chris, I appreciate it."

"No problem," Christine assured her. "I'll see you soon."

----

Christine lost sight of Stevie among the bumper-to-bumper traffic so she could only hope she'd reach her house without any problems. She eventually managed to escape the gridlock and turned into her driveway, surprised to see Stevie leaning against her car waiting for her.

"I'd forgotten how normal your neighbourhood is." Stevie observed as Christine got out of her car.

"What do you mean?"

"Not over the top like where the rest of us live. I sometimes wish I could settle down like normal people do."

"You'd hate it," Christine replied bluntly as they walked to her front door. "You're a nomad and it suits you. I can't imagine you staying in one place for long, except in Phoenix."

She turned her key in the lock and they entered her house. Christine flicked the lights on as they went while Stevie took in her surroundings.

"It looks just like how I remembered it!" She beamed.