Tender (A britpop era fiction)

Charming Man

"Claire my darling girl, how are you?"

"Doing fine. Missing you, of course." I hated the fact that he lived in France now and not around the corner like he used to. Jamie moved to Paris, Jarvis moved to Southern France...maybe Damon and I should think about relocating our family, I think sillily.

"Listen, I'm  in town next week and wonder if we want to meet. I'll stay somewhere in the city and-"

"No way" I interupt him. "You're staying here of course. The children will be thrilled."

"How are the little racoons?"

"Good." Its my turn now to sigh. He chuckles.

"Its really nothing" I say. "Just a bit much in the moment. The kids all have their own thing going on, Dylan is working at Stella's fashion show next week and we only ever see her on the evening before she flies off again for her night shift." I pause. "I worry a bit about her, Jarvis. She's so... restless."

He's silent for a moment. 

"I wouldn't call it restless" he finally says. "She's passionate and driven. You were the same when you got into music, I remember."

"Yeah." I don't say thats exactly the reason why I worry so much. Exhausting myself for the one thing I felt destined to do had driven me to the brink once and I'm afraid more than anything that Dylan could make the same mistake. 

"She'll be okay darling. I'm sure of it. How is the rest?"

"Missy's preparing for her final exams. Paul's still into the drums and Finans started to pick up the guitar. No use to say Damon's overjoyed by this. And Alika- oh don't even get me started." Jarvis laughs loudly.

"She's a little fireball."

"That's the underestimation of the century. She's more of a force of nature, simply unstoppable." I look out of the window.

"I sometimes struggle to assign her to a certain side. She's just like I imagine Damon as a child, but at the same time she reminds me of...she reminds me very much of Liam."

"Are you sure you're not only thinking that because you've been talking about your brothers for the last two days?"

"Perhaps."

"How is the interview thing going?"

"Very revisionist. I'm surprised myself how much I remember regarding how out of my mind I was most of the time."

"Yeah" he laughs. "God, this were indeed the times."

"We just happened to talk about Glasto '94 when you called."

"How could I ever forget."

"Tell me about it" I mumble. 

"Noelie!" Enthusiastic I fall around his neck and kiss his cheeks. "See, I'm just in time for the party!"  I point to the still empty stage. He takes my shoulders and looks at me for a moment.

"Fuckin' hell our kid, what shite are ya trippin' on? Your eyes are pitch black" he laughs but despite being high as a kite I recognize the hint of worry in his voice. And the tune in it, a lovely tune. Like a humming bird passing me by. 

"Oh, just a few mushrooms that lovely lad gave me before."

"Who?" He's looking around.

"Oh, I don't know. But he was lovely. Just as lovely as you Noelie." I hug him and put my head on his shoulder. 

"Always looking out for me. Always protecting me so fiercely. Me darling brother, me favourite brother" I mumble and barely hold back my tears.