Chapter 19

That evening, Good Friday, they spoke about the wedding day, the time away and Cardiff, but made no mention of the gravesites. That was an experience that was one of the first for the new Randall family. Wendy let them in on the details of the wedding and reception, all organised while they were busy in the studio.

“I hope you don’t mind, love, but the business account paid for everything. I was sure that you wouldn’t worry.”

“That’s all good, Mum. I wasn’t in that headspace at the time, with so much happening in the studio. We haven’t told you, yet, but we’re buying a place in Marlow, between Heathrow and Henley. Garry will sell Bourton, and it will mean that we’re closer to Royal Holloway, the airport, and anything else we may need. You can still use the apartment, and we’ll use Number Four if we need to stay in the city. We can get extra parking spaces if we need them. For now, though, we’ll be here, if that’s all right, until the end of term.”

“Of course it’s all right, love. We are happy to have the company. When you’re in your own place, we’ll need to rethink our living, but this is perfect to commute into the office, and the apartment will be good when my wonderful husband is elected.”

“You sound sure of that.”

“He has a lot of backing. The outgoing member has been getting them seen together, and I reckon that he’s already spoken to enough voters to get him in. In the office we’re already bringing the old office manager up to speed with the new systems and our way of working. The entire place will be re-equipped inside the month, and we’ve been getting letters from designers wanting to work for us. I expect that we can take our hands off the tiller in a couple of weeks, and just be the oversight. Your father is now on three other boards, including two of Hugh’s engineering companies. Life is going to be less drudgery, in future, but a lot of brainwork.”

On the Saturday morning, there was a phone call for Ashley as they were having breakfast. When he came back to the table, his face was grim.

“What’s the matter, darling, you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”

“That was Marty, from the campaign office. He’s heard that there are ructions in the government that may not heal. He said that there’s talk, in the party, to bring on a vote of no confidence. If that happens, we may be going to the polls before June.”

Garry grinned.

“This will be my first time. I’d better get enrolled, seeing that I’m living in your electorate. I’ll have to think about who I’ll vote for, though. There may be others on the ballot paper who appeal.”

Ashley put his hand on Garry’s arm.

“It’s a free world, son. If you like someone else, it’s not my place to force you to vote for me, that’s called democracy. If I’m elected, I’ll still be working for you.”

Garry was looking at him, tears forming in his eyes.

“You just called me ‘son’.”

“I did. You’re my son-in-law, and I’m your father-in-law. Don’t you want me to call you son?”

“It was just such a shock. My own father only ever called me Gazza, as if I was just another person. Can we hug, Dad?”

The two of them stood and hugged, and then they sat down as Garry dried his eyes. Willow took his hand and smiled.

“It’s all right, my love. You now have two families in the here and now. Me in one, and my parents in the other. You’re not alone in the world anymore.”

She could see her mother looking sharply at her and shook her head. This would be the beginning of their new life, together, and with their own secrets.

That day, Garry was shown the other parts of the house that he hadn’t seen. In the garage, Willow opened up her cupboard and showed him the recording and film equipment that they had used in the club. His eyes, though, went to the box on top of the cupboard.

“Is that a car model?”

“It is. Dad and I bought one each, a couple of years ago, and I never got around to starting the build. We were both keen on electric cars when I was young. I think he’s finished his or is very close.”

“Make sure that you bring that to Marlow. I’ll set up a workshop and work on it while you’re at uni. The back garden is big enough if I get a helicopter model, or even a drone that I can learn to fly.”

In the annex, they looked at her email traffic on the laptop. There was one from Gina, telling her that they had gone home, and that her wedding date would be announced later, possibly as a double ceremony with Maisie and her boyfriend.

There was one from the security company that Sebastian worked for, telling her that the contract with them had been terminated by Peter, and that she would need to organise her own transport. She spoke to Garry about it, and he suggested that she took out a contract through her own company. She replied to the security company, asking for Sebastian to continue taking her to school and bringing her home, starting Tuesday, as well as other services needed, mainly the trips to and from the big shows, with the contract now for WR Holdings.

The was one from Vivienne to tell her that there would be a meeting with the student techs, Tuesday, after school, to finalise what they wanted to do with pyrotechnics in the show, seeing as this was the one part of it that hadn’t been tried. She answered that, saying that both she and Garry would be there.

“I’ll tell Sebastian in the morning to pick you up here and bring you to the school, then he can bring us both home. It would be good, for the big shows, if we can have transport services as usual. I expect that it may cost a bit until the end of term.”

“Sounds good to me. That first show has arrived quickly, hasn’t it.”

“We still have to see our lanyards and get accommodation details for the furthest venues. We’ll have to see if we get some extra ones for partners and friends, so we can give the other students a treat.”

They stayed in the annex for most of the day, with Willow using the keyboard and the two of them thinking of songs. She brought up her old song file, with bits of thought bubbles to work with. She saw the ‘Fractured’ file and deleted it. The tune hadn’t worked with the orchestra as she thought it would and they hadn’t gone any further. Now, it was time to leave it in the past.

By the dinner time, they had recorded a couple to her laptop. Sunday, the family went to the church in Stoneleigh and then had lunch in the club. Afterwards, Malcolm played them the recording of the events of the weekend before, from the cutting of the cake until the happy couple left.

They sat, with drinks, and watched it carefully, especially the band session, as it was the first time they had seen themselves, together, on stage with the Rocks. When the session ended, Garry kissed her.

“I really don’t think we could have done any better, darling. I can see why Rufus and the wives were smiling. If the tour goes well, we’ll be in all the music papers.”

“It’s me, back to the hard rock. That’s what gave me most pleasure, those days. It’s all right with the smooth and soft stuff, it pleased the audience at the time, but it’s the hard rock that gets my adrenaline moving. It was weird, how it appeared in Berlin, and not a coincidence that the DVD went treble platinum. I think that we’re all going to be on a runaway train during summer.”

On Easter Monday, it seemed very strange for her to be laying out her school uniform for Tuesday morning. Garry looked on and laughed.

“There’s a lot of guys in the world who would pay good money to see you in a school outfit, and I get to see you for free.”

She giggled.

“Shall I put on my netball outfit, with the GD on the front, and you can give me a good doing over?”

An hour later, they were laying together and thinking more about the end of the week. When they were showered and dressed, they went back to the annex and turned both of their laptops on. They both had identical emails from Rufus.

‘First two shows booked out, with both Sundays added. Posters listed all the performers and the future ones selling quickly. Have negotiated a payment at the end of tour, with twenty thousand each person on stage per show. Projections are for a hundred and fifty million grossed. Media have picked up the scent and will be there in force, so expect interviews.’

“Looks like it’s going to be a busy time, darling.”

“And a profitable one for the orchestra. None of them would have earned this amount of money, before, except that ones that used to be in Summer Rose. That money will go a long way towards their future.”

“Remember that now we’re married, we’ll need to set up a new bank account for you in the new name. I expect that you’ll still be Willow Rose on stage, but you’ll need an account as Willow Randall. On top of that, you’ll have to set aside tax payments now, as you’ll be considered a taxpayer if you start to get paid personally.”

“I’ll call the accountant tomorrow and set up an appointment. He can draw the line under the current balance in WR Holdings. There’s more than enough for Dad to run the business, or for me to top up the studio. We’ve been paying company tax on that one. The shopping centre is now a stand-alone investment with a separate accountant. I can seed the new account with my old personal one that Peter had been paying a wage into. I suppose that that one will have to be tax audited as well.”

“Almost time to find a place in a tax haven.”

“Not for some time, my darling. I need to finish the degree first, then we can start thinking that way. While I’m at school, tomorrow, can you pick up an application form to change my surname to Randall on my passport?”

On Monday morning, she made ready for school while Garry looked on.

“You look different, now. Not the schoolgirl, but more the head prefect.”

“Probably because I’m surer of myself with you beside me, my husband.”

“Also because of the effort you’ve put into the show. There’s fifty of us on stage and you’ve been in charge since we started rehearsals. Hell, you’ve even tamed the Rocks into playing quietly.”

“That was easy, they were getting bored with all the heavy stuff, and just enjoy using the other skills that they have. You’re different, having played the quieter music with Zara.”

She hugged her parents and kissed Garry when she went out to get into the car. Sebastian held the door for her.

“Good morning, Willow, or should I say, Mrs. Randall.”

“Still Willow, Sebastian. It’s good to see you.”

On the way, they spoke about the way things were happening, and Sebastian was told that Garry would be part of the job, and that he would need picking up from the house, that afternoon, to be at the school at around finishing time, for a meeting.

When she walked into the theatre, for assembly, there were a lot of the girls congratulating her on her marriage. When she sat down, she was surrounded by the Senior Orchestra, with Barbara on one side and Dianne on the other. The organ was played by Reg and the Head spoke about the usual things regarding the term, before talking about the show.

“This weekend, the Senior Orchestra will be on stage in a big show. It is headlined by our own Vivienne Anderson and Willow Rose. I saw the first dress rehearsal in this theatre, and it is fantastic. Can you all stand so the school can see you.”

They all stood and there was applause. When they sat down, the Head carried on.

“This term will be the last one with Willow in our ranks. Since she joined us, in second year, she has been the catalyst of so many changes I find it hard that one girl could make so much difference. She completed a Certificate course which will take her directly to a degree course without needing to study for ‘A’ levels, and, I believe, will be starting that at the end of the year. I, for one, will be sad to lose her, but she will be going on to a bigger and brighter future, a shining example to the rest of you to use your talents and don’t be afraid to do the hard work. Welcome to the summer term, everyone, and let’s get working.”

She left the stage and the school started to file out. Viv walked next to Willow.

“I had a long talk with Gina at the reception. She has certainly blossomed in Italy. That man of hers is quite a catch.”

“She emailed me that he had proposed.”

“I went on a date with Ken Stroll on the weekend. He wants to be a serious singer and will be joining me at singing school to become an opera singer.”

“Was it a good date, or a very good date?”

“It was a very, very good date.”

Willow hugged her.

“Good for you, Viv. I wish you happiness.”

“Thank you, Willow Randall. See you at room two after lessons.”

Lunch, that day, was all about the show to come on the weekend. While Willow had been on her honeymoon, every member of the orchestra, including Howard Bamborough, had been contacted by Rufus and signed on as his clients. He would be providing transport and accommodation during the show weekends and had arranged things with the school for them to be driven to the school on the Mondays after the performances.

At the end of the last lesson, Garry was waiting for her when she went to the theatre.

“How was it today, love?”

“All right. The Head gave a little speech of appreciation of my time here. The orchestra are all now signed on with Rufus, and Viv is going with Ken Stroll. Nothing unusual.”

In the meeting, the tech guys were all smiles. Lucas, the main one with the lighting, wanted to know what special effects they wanted. Willow looked at her notes.

“The sunset is after eight, so the lighting gets critical after that. For most of the time, it can be just highlighting the singer at the time. When Viv and I do a duet, there should be a spot on both of us. When Mac comes on stage, you can be free to make it more like a rock concert. When we get to the last part, when Zara and Viv are singing the first of the Phantom set, you can cut it back a bit, as we want the set to feel darker. Perhaps blue filters will work. The back projection guys will have a picture of a graveyard during the duet, and then change to the still from the movie, showing the watery cavern, for the rest of it. We want total blackout with the final chord.”

“Got it. I’ve been talking to the stage people about lighting. When there’s a solo singer, we have a pair of spots that can be trained on them and laser locked, with a computer driving the electric motors to have the lights follow them around. We’ve also added a chandelier on a winch, which will lower into view for those last two songs.”

“Thank you, Lucas. Your team has done an excellent job, and I’m looking forward to seeing the results on Friday night.”

Barry, who had been off studying pyrotechnics, spoke up.

“Willow. I know that most of the concert doesn’t need anything from me, but I’ve thought about the section with Toxic Rocks. Garry, do they use sparkle fountains on stage?”

“They do, so it would be good during that set. We also had flame guns in outside arenas.”

“OK, I’ll set these up for that set, but just small units. For the finale, you’ve already had the smoke when you played here, but I’ll ramp it up for the big stage, adding outlets to the stage surround to really make it hazy. I was thinking of a set of thunderclaps as the lights go out. What do you think?”

Willow looked at Viv, who grinned.

“We used them before, and they were effective at the end, so, yes, please add thunderclaps.”

“Will do. Before we finish, I would like to thank you two girls for what you’ve done for us. Lucas, his team, and I have learned so much more in the last few months. It’s been a life-altering experience for me, as I have been offered a job with the professional fireworks and stage pyrotechnic company. I may see you, on tours, in the future.”

“Congratulations, Barry. We’re happy for you. It’s a very dangerous, but rewarding, profession. Do you have any shows that you know you’ll be on?”

“Not yet, but the company is negotiating with several tours. It will be either us or a local outfit.”

“I hope you get it. A lot will ride on what you do with these shows.”

On the ride home, the couple sat in the back. Garry and Sebastian had talked a lot on the way to the school, and the conversation was between the three of them as they went towards Rising Lane. They spoke about the arrangements for the shows. Vivienne had taken out a contract with the security company, and Max was now driving her. For the first weekend, Max would be driving the orchestra and the two girls to the hotel and taking them back to the school on Monday morning. Sebastian will take Garry and bring him home on Monday, with both he and Max helping with the VIP security.

On Wednesday, the school received a big bag of lanyards. All the orchestra had two, there were a dozen for Howard Bamborough, the Head, and other teachers and partners. Vivienne and Willow had six each, for friends and parents, and the techs and the rest of the class had two each. Willow was told that the other performers had been couriered theirs. When she got home, Garry said that he had received four, so there was three of his to spare.

They discussed it, over dinner, and it was agreed that Ashley and Wendy would use the extras to take the campaign workers and volunteers, as well as the office staff, with Sebastian’s firm being contacted to supply a minibus and driver each day.

On Friday morning, Willow had a roller case to take to Northampton. They all left, after lunch, and Max took them to the Premier Inn, where they checked in. Sebastian and Garry were already there, and he took her case to their room. The orchestra were all sharing twin rooms, and Howard’s wife was with him in their room. The other performers had arrived and checked in as well. That afternoon, they had two coaches to take them to the venue.

The stage was as they had used in the previous charity tour, but with the enhancements that Lucas and Barry had mentioned. The sound and vision tent was in the usual place, manned by the crew that had been on the previous tour, augmented by the group that were being trained at the school, as their first experience of real life. All the main equipment had arrived, that morning, by truck, so they all went up on stage to run a sound check.

They did one of the VivWillow duets, with the orchestra, and one of the Toxic Rocks numbers to set the electric levels. Then, they went back to the hotel to get an early dinner and change for the show. Because of the sheer numbers, the invited VIPs would be fed at the ground before the show but would remain in the dining room as the performers arrived.

This venue was one of the smallest, with twelve thousand, all seated, including some on the covered-over pitch. At eight, the orchestra went on stage, to applause, followed by Howard and then Vivienne and Willow. After a welcome, they started the show. An hour later, as it was getting dark, the effect of the lighting came into its own. A bit after ten, when Mac came on the stage and the Rocks opened up, the sparkler fountains and flame guns created the right atmosphere. As Willow watched each act occur, she marvelled at the spotlights working beautifully. With Zara and Vivienne singing the duet, the lighting turned blue, staying that way as the final songs unfolded. In the blue light, the white light of the chandelier stood out as the smoke began to cascade from vents in the stage surround and the back of the stage.

When they reached the final crescendo, the stage went black and the thunderclaps went off, only to be followed by a tremendous roar from the audience as they took their bows. Despite cries for more, they waved to the crowd and left the stage, to have a hugfest together, before getting the coaches back to the hotel.

Garry and Willow were in bed, the following morning. He kissed her.

“What did you think of the show, darling?”

“It was great! The extra bits that the tech boys came up with worked really well. I’m sure that when the teachers see the effects, the boys will all get good passes. We were good in the Rocks set, weren’t we?”

“That will be noted, with the new sound. It was a good demonstration of what we’ll produce on tour. The scribes will be scratching their heads.”

“Bruce won’t, seeing that he saw us play in the club. I suppose that when we go down for breakfast, we’ll be inundated for interviews most of the morning.”

She was right, as, after a very joyful breakfast, there was a steady stream of reporters, TV crews, and visitors who wanted to speak to them. Although, the main stars were in the front of the action, nearly every member of the orchestra were spoken to. Many wanted to talk to Mac about the different sound, and her told them that they were experimenting with different sounds to take to America.

That afternoon, they all rested and settled down, before an early dinner, then going to dress for the show and to do it all again to another full house. On Sunday, they wandered the city, many going to church, and, that evening, they played the last concert of the weekend, now more polished than when they started. On Monday morning, they had an early breakfast and checked out. Garry going off with Sebastian, and Willow dressing in her school uniform to join the others in the coach to go into Coventry.

The atmosphere at lunch, that day, was joyful, with many of the teachers having been to see the show, along with a lot of the students, taking advantage of the nearness of Northampton. Miss Russell came into the lunchroom and took Willow and Vivienne to see the Head.

“Good afternoon, girls. I’ve just got you in to tell you that the show, on the weekend, was a few levels above what you showed us here. The team that did the lights and the pyrotechnics have all gained enough points to finish the year with ‘A’s. You, my girls, have excelled yourselves. If the rest of the shows are well attended, the charity will be getting a lot of money. I believe that all the venues have decided on sharing the proceeds with the Salvation Army in each city.”

“That’s right, ma-am. Rather than smaller charities, there will be a big cheque-giving ceremony after the last show, and after the final costs are taken off. That’s when all the performers will be paid, as well. I hope that you get to enjoy some of the other venues. It should be a lot noisier when we get to Manchester and Liverpool, with a bigger audience.”

“We’ve created a roster, with the teachers taking groups from the lower school on coaches. Some of the orchestra have donated their extra lanyards for the later shows. I expect that more than a few of the parents have booked good seats for the Coventry show. Now, off you go and use your brains. You still have the final exams to come.”

“We haven’t forgotten that fact, ma-am. At least we’ll get a couple of weeks after the final show.”

Marianne Gregory © 2025