Vix's Licks Pt. 09

It seemed to go down well and when our five-way vocals started -- 'Time, time, time, see what's become of me...' I could see a few people singing along, and some dancing, which was a good sign. We started getting into it.

If you are familiar with this song, you'll know that it ends suddenly, and my worst nightmare was that we would stop, and there would be only a ripple of applause from half a dozen people. But no. The place erupted with a mighty cheer and a typhoon of applause and whistles... Friggin 'ell, we were a hit.

We launched straight into our second number, and the crowd were MAD for it. I looked at Mads, then Jemma as we played and we were all in the groove. I could feel Roo's drums thumping through my body, and I just lost myself in the music. Butterflies were gone. I was soaring.

I found myself deliberately adopting provocative poses, flagrantly milking the sexuality of ego. I could see the people close to the stage, starry-eyed and agog, just lapping me up, and I was loving it. So this was the thrill of performance. I was tingling all over.

Song after song, the crowd got madder, and we got more euphoric. By the last song, our new, original, Cream Song, I didn't want it to end, and I don't think the crowd did, either. The noise was incredible when we finished, and we had to run the gauntlet when we left the stage; we were beset by wild-eyed admirers and we had to escape to the tuning room backstage.

We shut ourselves in and burst into breathless, slightly hysterical laughter, all gabbling at once. We knew something extraordinary had just happened.

We needed to let the crowd calm a bit, so we didn't emerge until Speling Eror were almost ready to go on and their attention was diverted. Then we sneaked out and sought out our friends. They had gathered in a big group in the shadowy back corner of the room; Mum, Dad, Ed, Max, Danny, Lindi and Caro, Steph, Marv, Trent, Nena, Sam... all grinning and full of effusive congratulations and compliments. There were also two guys I didn't know. I thought they were friends of Dad's, but then he introduced them as A & R execs from two different London record labels. One of them said, 'Brilliant set Vix. Well done.' Gulp.

We had a steady stream of admirers coming up to us to add their accolades, and we had to remain humble and appreciative and keep our feet on the ground. It was all very unexpected and overwhelming.

One of the groupies (ha!) was a tall brunette and I suddenly thought of Olivia. Was she here? I had to find out. I excused myself and went looking for her, struggling through the melee, which was pressing heavily, now that Speling Eror had started up. My attempts were fruitless and I decided go for a pee, which I'd been putting off for ages. It was in the corridor leading to the loos that I met them. Olivia and Ellie coming the other way.

'Vix!' she exclaimed, and grabbed me in a bear hug, squashing me into her sublime bosom. 'You were just fantastic, sweetie. Awesome in fact.' She released me so that Ellie (who was nodding her agreement) could also give me a brief hug. 'Will you go back on later?'

'No, that's it, I'm afraid.'

'Shame, I'd rather listen to you than this lot. And watch you... what a bunch of sex pots you are!'

I grinned, a bit bashfully. 'Thanks Olivia. You'll have to come to the next one.' Then I had a thought... 'There's sure to be a liggers' do later' (a private party for the bands, guests, and hangers-on). 'You should come.'

They looked at each other. 'Thanks, we will.'

'Have to dash, I'm bustin for a pee.'

I really was too, and I confess I 'leaked' slightly before I managed to sit down and could let it all go. The excitement was getting the better of me! I had some dry knickers in the tuning room, so once I was relieved, I headed there to change. The tights would have to stay, damp or not; it would raise too many awkward questions if I suddenly appeared bare legged.

I slipped quietly into the room, and unexpectedly disturbed Mads and Nena, who were in there having a good old-fashioned snog! 'Oo, sorry,' I said, and I made to hastily retreat but Mads called me back.

'Vix, come here.' I turned, and they beckoned for me to join them, and we had a lovely three-way hug, as Mads just simply whispered in my ear, 'Thank you.' My head was swimming and my eyes filled with tears. I was getting so much love I was overcome. Marcella Detroit sang "Give a little bit of love and you'll get it back..." and she was right. In spades.

I did a quick knicker change, much to the amusement of Nena and Mads, then we emerged to rejoin our friends and family. Speling Eror were doing their thing, and the crowd's reaction would have seemed normal if it were not for what had gone before.

I felt a little sorry for them. They had chosen the wrong night to try out new material and it just wasn't sparking with the crowd. It seemed a little subdued, and I could sense their chagrin.

Dad gave us a sadistic grin; 'I told you The Zelmas would blow them off the stage, didn't I?'

They finished their set and the crowd didn't even ask for an encore, which I thought was a bit mean. It looked like the evening was going to end up with a damp squib, but soon after they left the stage, a chant started that just grew and grew until it seemed like the whole place had joined in... 'Zel-mas, Zel-mas, Zel-mas, ZEL-MAS, ZEL-MAS, ZEL-MAS...' Brutal.

I didn't know what to do. We couldn't just go back on, with Speling Eror's gear still in place but I looked across at their lead singer Gav, and he just gestured to the stage with an air of resignation. I looked at my bandmates, and we all headed back to the stage to an enormous roar.

We plugged in, and just played the first song that was suggested (by Roo) - "S.O.F.T." One of Elastica's heavier numbers, but still the crowd wanted more, so we played two more songs, including reprising our new song, which went down a storm. The place was jumping, and Larry Teal had to step in after the third encore to say 'That's all folks,' probably at the behest of the venue.

We left the stage to a storm of applause, and escaped to the private post-gig party. I made an effort to spot Olivia and Ellie and beckon them to follow us, then we headed upstairs to a welter of congratulations and adulation.

The liggers' do was a euphoric experience. We were suddenly the celebrities, and everyone wanted to talk to us. Dad was playing the two A & R men off against each other- the fact they were both still here meant they both wanted to sign us -- and the craic was fierce.

I had an incredible glow of wellbeing as I noticed Olivia and Ellie talking to Lindi and Caro, Mads and Nena talking to my mum, Marv deep in conversation with Nikki and Sam, and Jemma and Trent having a laugh with Ed, Max, Roo, and Danny.

Speling Eror had been completely upstaged and put in the shade, but they were taking it well. In fact, Gav, quite graciously, said 'Well, you certainly showed us a thing or two tonight, Vix.'

It was very late when I finally got Roo alone in a corner for a lipstick-be-damned smooch, pouring all my love and joy into it. Eventually, I broke the kiss and sighed happily. I looked into her beautiful eyes and said, 'I can't believe it.'

'Nor can I, babe. We are really on our way.'

'Well, yeh, but I didn't mean that.'

She looked puzzled. 'What then?'

'I'm with you.'

****

The End

(but there might be a sequel).