Chapter 2

The new band may have been conceived, but it’s parents didn’t know that yet. They had been having fun, playing as well as seasoned performers could, but, at that time, fun was all it was. At the end, though, they stood on the stage as their friends applauded them and started hugging.

Garry hugged and kissed his wife, and then gave a sweaty Mac a man-hug. Zara looked at her previous band members and gave Gerry a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then she turned to Geoff. He looked as if he had run a marathon, having spent most of the time since she left without touching his guitar.

“Geoff, I’m sorry I left you to sing in clubs, but I needed to strike out on my own.”

“Oh, Zar. I’ve missed you so much.”

“I missed you too, but I wasn’t ready to settle down as a housewife.”

“I was a selfish prig, wasn’t I? I’ve got all your albums, so I could hear your voice.”

“I often play our DVD and remember good times. Tonight, though, has been a really good time.”

“It has. I’ve lost the hard skin on my fingers, and they’re feeling sore right now, and my arms are dropping off.”

“Put them around me and I’ll make them better.”

They hugged, and then she kissed him.

They all went back to the party, to be engulfed in hugs and handshakes. Clive and Jill were sitting with drinks, and both were thinking about what they had just experienced.

“Jilly, my darling. If we could get that group into a studio, we could make a hit album.”

“We’ll just have to tell them that there’s a slot in Leicester whenever they want it. Here comes Willow, let’s see what she has to say. Willow, you wonderful creature, how long have you all practised that to surprise and delight us?”

“It was spur of the moment, Jill. Geoff hasn’t played a guitar in over three years, since Zara went to London and he left Blue Day. I think that Mac enjoyed himself, getting back to his roots as a drummer lately has re-energised him. What did you think of it, Clive?”

“We just decided that we would have you in a studio if you had some original material.”

“Garry and I spent a lot of time driving on very long roads in Australia. We spent a lot of that time dreaming up songs and recording them on our phones as we saw things that triggered our imagination. We have enough to make a double album for Australian release, and enough general songs for an album to release here.”

“Do you think that you could talk to the others to join you?”

“I don’t know. You would have a better idea about Zara. We can talk to Mac and Gerry, but I don’t know about Geoff. It’s really odd, you know. Except for Mac being on drums instead of Grant, that was pretty much the line-up of the band I first went on stage with, when I was twelve.”

“You were good then, but you’re far better now.”

“Thank you, Clive. I think that I deserve another piece of cake.”

She went and found a slice of cake and a plate. She went over to talk to her parents, sitting with the PM and his wife. Wendy stood and gave her a hug.

“Can’t keep you off the stage, especially here. I think that you’ve been up there every party we’ve had. Come and sit down with us for a while.”

They had a general talk, some about the band they had just seen, some about the holiday. The PM’s wife reached over and took Willow’s hand.

“I think we have all your albums, Willow. My husband has the classic ones, I have all your solo and VivWillow ones, and our son has all the Summer Rose and Rocks ones, but never, in all of them, except that Berlin show, did I see such a masterful grasp of old hits and basic rock. I know that the drummer used to be the singer in Toxic Rocks, and he really went to town. Other than Garry, who were the others?”

“Zara used to play cello in the school orchestra, so you may have seen her play ‘The Swan’ as an encore to our Proms concert. She, and the others, all used to play with Garry as G-Force, and, except for Mac, it was the very first guitar line-up that I played organ with, way back when we first came to Stoneleigh. It’s strange. We almost had a mental connection, not as strong as the one I had with Gina Summer or Vivienne, but we seemed to have had it again tonight. I could have predicted the next song we were going to play as we were singing the one before. We’ve all been around far too long.”

Ashley leaned over and patted her arm.

“That holiday of yours was well overdue, my girl. You’ve worked hard to get your degree, and it showed. Now, you’re back to being our talented daughter and tonight showed that you’ve lost none of your skills.”

The PM smiled.

“Your skills were greatly appreciated in my office. That report you wrote was concise and to the point. I admit that I really didn’t fully grasp what Britweek was all about, and I now realise that it would be impossible to duplicate it anywhere else but America. Your idea of a Britcentric weekend, or week, that could be popped up anywhere has gained a few supporters in your father’s department and my own office. We’re too close to the next election to do anything now, but there will be some preliminary work on the logistics, with a view of implementing the plan in our next term, should we get returned.”

“Thank you, sir. That did seem to be the easiest way to promote the country. It roughly follows the G’Day events that Australia hold.”

“Expect to be spoken to after the election, in about two years, to lead a team. It would be a fully funded project, under Ashley’s department. He will have all the contacts of industry people, seeing how well he’s been managing that portfolio. I never thought that our dealings with the unions would be so much more settled than the other lot. I suppose it was a case of them expecting blind allegiance and taking their support for granted.”

Willow left them to circulate more, sitting next to Gina.

“The old place has changed a bit since we first played honky-tonk, friend.”

“I hardly recognised it, Willow. The new paintwork, the stage lighting, the updated kitchen and a proper chef. Not forgetting the new toilet block out the back. About the only things the same are those awards behind the bar and the happy atmosphere. I’ve moved on from honky-tonk, though.”

“So have I, friend, so have I.”

“Are you happy with Garry?”

“As happy as have ever known, friend. We’re a team and bounce off each other with ideas. I don’t know what’s around the corner, but I’m thinking that it will be good.”

Willow noticed Mac’s wife sitting with Rufus.

“Hold the fort, friend, Mrs. Mac looks thoughtful, and I do need to sound her out about that very future.”

She went over and sat down.

“How are you Mrs. Mac? Your husband off for fresh air?”

“No, Willow dear. He’s in the gents’, splashing his face. That still wouldn’t be good enough to wipe the smile off his face. I hate to say it, but I think that hour was almost better than thirty years with the Rocks.”

“He did tell me that he started out as a drummer.”

“Playing the sort of music that you have just entertained us with. It took him back to his roots. I’d prepared to settle down to a quiet life, but he just told me that he would like to take this further.”

“Funny about that, Clive just asked me if we could all get into the studio and make a hit album.”

Mac came back and sat down, still with a smile. His wife put her hand on his arm.

“Willow just told me that the label wants you all in a studio, darling.”

“That would be nice. We still have the big shed and all of the equipment. What do the others think?”

“I think Garry would be interested, but we’ll have to ask the others.”

“No time like the present, Willow. Let’s go and ask them.”

Rufus was grinning as they left him and went over to where Garry was catching up with his old friends. Willow put her hand on his shoulder.

“Darling, Clive just asked me if we could get us into a studio. He was very taken with what we did today.”

Geoff looked up, startled.

“But it was only fun. I haven’t played for years.”

Mac went around to him and held his hand out.

“You didn’t sound like it, lad. You sounded as good as many that I’ve played with. The two of you on guitars are as good as anyone out there. I could hardly believe what I was hearing.”

After shaking a very bewildered Geoff’s hand, he turned to Zara.

“And you, young lady, showed me another side of you, tonight. You’re wasted tucked away in smoky nightclubs. You have a great voice and a great range. Between you and Willow, you have a distinctive sound, and us lads seem to blend well. Look; don’t make any promises now. Keep in touch, and when you have some free time, contact Garry and Willow. They know how to contact me. We have a big shed in Watford where we used to rehearse the Rocks. It still has all our gear that we used on the local tours, so all you guys need are guitars. We even have a selection of effects pedals.”

Zara laughed.

“I’m ready now. I finished a contract last weekend and haven’t signed on for another. What about it, Geoff?”

“I get to play guitar and be with you, what more could I want?”

“Well, I’ve got a nice place in North London, close to Watford. Would staying with me be enough?”

They stood and hugged, tears in their eyes. Mac looked at Gerry.

“What about you, young fellow?”

“What can I say, Mac. I’m just a part-time studio session man, and you expect me to turn down a chance to play alongside my old mates and half of what was Toxic Rocks. Name the time and date, Mac.”

Garry took out his phone and recorded every contact number he didn’t already know.

“What about next week, say Tuesday and beyond. Is everyone good for transport?”

They nodded and Mac went over to his wife, coming back with business cards with his phone number, and wrote the address on the back of the ones he gave out to Zara and the two guys.

Willow went past Clive on the way back to Gina.

“Pencil us in, Clive, and email me a session date, say, in a couple of weeks or so.”

“What name?”

“Just use the Flintstones. We’ll decide on something before we see you.”

She was sitting with Gina and talking about piano concertos when the Head sat down with them.

“I thought that you may be tempted, Gina.”

“Not these days, I’ve more respect for my fingers. I’ve six concertos to play this summer, and they all expect perfection.”

“When will you play in Britain?”

“There is talk of me performing in the Proms, next year, but no details decided, including the orchestra.”

“How long are you staying, this time?”

“We fly out on Tuesday. It’s been a lovely break, seeing everyone, but so much has changed since I went to Italy. I need to get back to my little Salice and knuckle down to some practise.”

“Can the two of you come to the school on Monday? Bring your husbands. There are a few changes that have been made there that I’d like you to see. Term finished yesterday, so it will be quiet.”

“We’d like that, I haven’t seen it since I left. I know that Willow may have been there with the board.”

“The changes have been made since her last visit, around a year ago. We gave her leeway, board wise, with her studies. So, I’ll see the four of you, say, around eleven?”

Eventually, both Willow and Gina managed to have spoken to everyone there, thanking the Vines for the early music and the use of the instruments. Petunia laughed.

“It’s us who have to thank you. That was a wonderful session of good old rock and roll, with a bit of blues. We never had a lot to do with G-Force at school, just seeing them in the shows, but, along with Summer Rose, they’re up there as something to live up to. Tonight, has shown us a lot more of how to play to entertain. We haven’t done a proper concert yet, just a couple of spots in the school theatre and the album. Dad’s been on our backs to do well on the academic side. The results from the last couple of weeks should show him that we were right to go to the school.”

“That would have been the end of sixth year, then. Do you have a University in mind?”

“Dad has bought a house for us, close to Birmingham campus, and we all have our names listed with them for next year after the ‘A’s. All we need to do is send them our results and see what happens.”

“He sounds as if he thinks that it’s a sure thing.”

“Between the whole band, we have only had three ‘B’s over the last five years, and they were in second and third year. Believe me, it’s a sure thing.”

Rufus came up as they were speaking.

“Introduce us, Willow, please.”

“Girls, this is Rufus, the manager of the old Rocks. Rufus, these two ladies are Petunia and Ivy Vines. That gentleman, looking serious, is their father, Sam. He’s managing their affairs at the moment, but they are signed with the label with an album that’s already gone Gold. The award was handed to them at the last party in December.”

She left them to talk and went to circulate. The evening finally wound up. The two couples were going to stay with the Roses on Rising Lane, so would be close for the trip into Coventry on Monday. They would have their luggage and go back to Marlow on Monday afternoon. Garry drove as they followed Ashley and Wendy. At Rising Lane, Willow and Garry had her old bedroom, Gina and Guiseppe had the one that they had originally set up for Wendy’s mother, John was in the remaining bedroom with his nanny, and the driver and security were in separate bedrooms in the annex, now refurbished to suit.

The families all slept late, while the nanny took care of young John. Sunday was a quiet day, with them all lazing around. The new driver and security detail came, and the old ones went off for some days off. It may have been a quiet day for some, but Ashley still spent a lot of time on his phone.

On Monday, it was business as usual. Wendy was going into the design office to check on things, and Ashley hugged everyone before he was taken off to his London office, with his small bag for a week of living in the apartment. Garry drove the other three to Coventry. It was like old times for three of them, but the first time for Guiseppe.

When they arrived at the school, there were a few cars in the carpark. Hilda Russell was waiting for them.

“Welcome, welcome. It would be a little strange after the last few years. The Head invited you here to see what you did for the school while you were with us. The income from ongoing DVD royalties, the payments from the ENO, the sales of your albums through our website, and the increased level of applicants has allowed us to expand our music side greatly, especially the technical side. Firstly, come and see our Honour Board.”

When they walked into the reception area, the two girls stopped and gasped. The old Honour Board had been shifted. Their names were on it, but it was the display beside it that shook them. There were framed photos of G-Force with Willow, G-Force with Zara, Summer Rose, VivWillow and Toxic Rocks, all taken from the computer files from the studio, except the earliest one that had been printed from the school DVD. Underneath, the band members were named.

“While you have all done very well, we’ve found that it’s your recent success with Toxic Rocks that is attracting new students. Having two of our students in such a well-known band is a feather in our cap. The other bands were great, in their day, but our first years would have been under five when you were big.”

“Stop it, Miss Russell, you’re making us feel old. This is quite a display. How long will it be here?”

“As long as you’re in the news. With you, Gina, it will change to reflect your career when there are pictures of you playing in London. What are your plans, Willow?”

“Garry and I are going to be in the old Rocks rehearsal shed tomorrow with the band that you saw Saturday night. If it works out, we’ll be going into the studio to record. That will have five out of the six being alumni.”

“We may have to make space after that. Now, let me take you through to see Jim, so he can show you all the new toys that has made this school the one to learn music in.”

They went to the music side, with Guiseppe realising what a wonderful place his wife had been studying at. Jim showed them the resurfaced stage and then took them to where one of the rehearsal rooms had been converted into a small recording studio with a closed off control room. It had a twelve-input mixing board with the addition of bud usage.

“This was all acquired through Sarah and her contacts at a very good price. Your crew from the studio are working with students and have done wonders. We took a leaf out of your book for that charity show, and offer off-site training in lighting and pyrotechnics, teaching the theory here. We haven’t gone with fixed cameras, but still use hand-held or on a tripod. Come and see the post-production suite.”

They went next door to look at the set-up, a smaller, but still state of the art unit. They were then taken to the storeroom, where there were more amps of different sizes, and two Nord Stage Threes instead of the Yamahas. Jim was smiling.

“This has been possible with the three of you and the money that you attracted to the school. We are now working closely with several other schools and the local uni, who send us students to learn the basics of music technology, without going through the academic side. We’re eternally grateful to you for opening our eyes to the more modern music and its possibilities.”

“Thank you, sir. What we did wouldn’t have made these changes without this school and its dedicated teachers, who are willing to see into the future.”

They were then led to the teachers’ common room, where several of their old teachers, and the Head, were waiting for them. They had drinks and nibbles and spoke to everyone. Jim took Guiseppe aside and they talked about his playing in the school orchestra in Florence. Willow was given a list of dates for future board meetings and confirmed her email address to get the agenda. The Head asked her and Garry if they would bring the new band to the school for a concert when they were ready. They told her that they would let her know.

In the car, driving back to Marlow, Guiseppe was more talkative than they had heard before. He was adamant that he would talk his family into donating the funds to build a similar training wing at his old school, to be called ‘Universita Angelina Innocenti’. He had taken several pictures on his phone as they had been shown around.

They stopped at the house and the couple made ready to fly home the next day. The four of them had dinner at the restaurant along the road, and all had an early night. On Tuesday morning, they went to Heathrow. Gina told Willow that they just wanted to be dropped off near the Alitalia entrance, so they loaded the luggage on a trolley, had hugs, and waved as Gina and Guiseppe walked away. Back in the car, they continued on to Watford.

When they arrived, there were a few cars out the front. They parked and walked in, Garry carrying his guitar case.

“Good morning. Sorry we’re a bit late; we had to drop Gina off at the airport.”

Mae Mac hugged Willow.

“That’s all right, dear. We were just getting to know each other and were talking about a name for the band, if we go further.”

“Garry and I were laughing about that when we were in Australia. We chose a name that was meaningless, at the time, but has a strange connection now, seeing that he has previously played with everyone here. We came up with ‘Garreth’, with two ‘r’s.”

Mac chuckled.

“You’re right, lass. It would be almost meaningless with any other line-up. Here, though, it could work. I like it.”

The others were all smiling, so the working name of the band was settled. For the rest of the morning, they got used to each other. The only person who was a stranger to Willow, was Anthea, Gerry’s partner, who he had met at one of his sessions. This was her first exposure to the real world of a budding touring band, having only been a production assistant before. She sat with Mrs. Mac and soaked up the vibes as they had a bit of fun with some blues, which was a favourite with most of the band. Geoff had brought along his harmonica, which added to the sound.

They stopped for lunch from a food truck that serviced the other factories around them, and then talked about what they were going to do about new material. Garry went to the car and came back with a CD of songs that the two of them had worked on since the holiday, put it in the player and they listened. Halfway through the third one, both Gerry and Mac started thinking about guitar riffs and drumming.

They played the song through three times, and then worked on it for themselves, with a blues feel. Mac had a digital recorder and small mixing desk, so, after they had come to an agreed result, they recorded it and moved on to another. By six, they had three recorded, all transformed into the blues, and all, as far as Willow was concerned, eminently suitable for their first album. They closed up and went for dinner at the Miller and Carter Steakhouse in Rickmansworth, before going home.

That became the norm for the rest of the week. Using the Randalls’ CD, they jumped around the content, ending up with twelve recorded tracks by the weekend. By this time, Geoff’s fingers were more used to playing and the band melded into a slick outfit. They had a wealth of vocal talent, with everyone taking turns with the singing. As Willow had felt during the Saturday evening, they all had a single mind about what was needed.

Willow emailed Clive about fitting them in with a studio session, and they were scheduled in for the next week that the label had booked. In the intervening week, They listened to the songs that the couple had recorded on their road trip and started working on them in the style of Country Blues, not far away from the other material.

Mac invited Rufus to the recording session, and, by the time they left Leicester, he was in the process of taking over the management of the other three. Geoff was easy, not having a manager. Gerry was also simple, with just his session work over the last couple of years. Zara told her manager that she was done with nightclubs, didn’t have a current contract, so he was happy for someone else to take her on.

The recording session was on the Tuesday afternoon, with the studio amps and the Nord set up in front of the blue screen and uprights. There were four cameras on tripods, and three from the mounts. When they saw the finished result, it looked as if they were playing in a seedy dive with black curtains and a table behind them with beer bottles on. Willow wasn’t keen but accepted that the look did reflect the blues feel. Sarah and the original team ran the session, but the second crew arrived early to see the boss playing.

Willow rang the school and spoke to the Head about putting on a show, and it was scheduled for near the end of the term, as a special event. Clive invited several music reporters along, just saying that it would be an interesting evening with a new band. Willow and Garry had spoken to Wendy, and an album cover was designed. It was simple, with a picture of a tree, showing the roots. At the end of six of the roots were pictures of each of the band. The only writing on the front was ‘Garreth – Down to the Roots’. Mac had joked that it should be ‘Garreth Roots’, but Willow told him that their sex life was personal.

Marianne Gregory © 2025