London Harmony: Feel the Beat (8 page)

I felt cocky so I shot her a little wink then closed my eyes to listen to the world around us, to let in the music that surrounded me. I held the microphone in my hand as I slid some drumsticks into my back pocket. Then I caught the purplish red and white sound of a jackhammer in the distance and started my first loop with a rapid “Dahdahditdit.” Then tapped out a ting ting tiptity tip on a bottle poking out from the corner waste bin with my drumsticks, accentuating it with the metallic bang of the striking the waste bin itself. I pocketed my sticks and looped the traffic thrumming past as I banged out the bass beat on my stomach.

I started mixing in some vocals I'd use as my own backup to harmonize. Another busker, Stewart was walking past and he grinned at me and I held the mic out to him and he gave a low “baaah dahhh baaah dahh” to me as he went. I nodded a thanks and his smile bloomed.

I turned to look at Isabelle, then I looked at the pedals and closed my eyes for a moment to categorize my loops in my head as I took in the bustle of people around us, the traffic, a horn in the distance that faded to oranges and yellow. The lemon tang of a child crying as her mother soothed her. The cool blue rustling of leaves like a breeze or a wool blanket being dragged across my skin. The green of some vibration inside the building behind me.

I had it! I opened my eyes and hit the first pedal as I slid the mic into the stand. I blended in a couple more loops then started singing of the urban jungle, the wild freedom of a world we create. Forging life out of the wilderness that threatens to swallow us whole. People started gathering as I ad-libbed a bridge. Harmonizing with my own voice.

I found it odd to see the people as I sang. I wanted so badly to take off my glasses so they didn't see them, or me. I glanced over and Tink was standing away from the light post now. She took a step toward me and she was just staring, unblinking, with an unreadable look on her face though her eyes seemed to glitter.

I sang to her. I felt a warmth radiating from my stomach as I drummed on my hips and stomach as I sang. It was because I had a date with this unorthodox woman and I couldn't stop the huge smile I got as I sang to her. I saw a smile twitching at the corners of her lips which made me smile even more.

Then I trailed it on down at the refrain. After a couple iterations and subtracting loops, it was just my voice and my fingers tapping my hips as I swayed to the sounds around me. I finished and some people clapped and more dropped some lolly and a business card or two into my upturned lid on the ground.

I felt suddenly bashful and stuffed my hands in my pockets and shrugged at Belle, inviting her opinion. She simply smirked and said in a throaty voice, “Bloody hell.” I exhaled a breath I didn't know I was holding. She liked it. I was so relieved.

Then I said, “I think I have this now. I might mess up once or twice on the stomp pedals, but I want to try this in my natural habitat.” She cocked an eyebrow in question and I took my glasses off. That signaled Percy and I heard him pad over with little green patters. He sat and leaned against my leg to let me know he was there.

Then I listened and started creating new loops. I hit two pedals at the same time once but adjusted myself to a slightly tighter spacing and got it the second time. Then sang a song of giggles and bustle, motion and cheer. At one point, a dark shadow moved in front of me and I got the impression they crossed their arms in front of them then didn't move a muscle through the entire number. That was like the bloke from the prior day, he must frequent the Garden.

When I finished, there were more applause and the shadow moved. I put my glasses on too late and just saw a short man in a black hooded sweatshirt walking away through the gathering crowd. I watched his lope as he left, it was springy, more like a female's. Was that a woman wearing men's clothing?

I shrugged to myself and looked over to see Belle sitting cross-legged by her light post. Then I slid my glasses off as I realized I was hearing something new as my fingers lightly tapping in time on my hips.
This one is going to be fun!

I got a couple more numbers in than I normally would since I had gained so much time on my setup. I finished my last number and before I could put my glasses back on, someone I hadn't noticed standing right beside me said into my ear, “Focus more on breath control, that was always your weak spot.”

My smile threatened to split my face as I slammed my glasses on with both hands. Then I hugged the woman standing there who had two cups of coffee in her hands. I blurted out, “Miss McClellan!”

She smiled at me when I released her and straightened myself up. She shook her head. “You're not a student anymore Abigail, call me Teri. That was a great set.” I almost winced at the ragged reds sawing at her lavender voice. The sign of damaged vocal cords. Most people couldn't hear it at all, but it was a curse of my synesthesia to see and hear the acrid tinge that ate at her melodic voice.

I looked at the headmistress of the McClellan Music Conservatory, she hadn't changed a bit. She had this odd obsession with solid color professional skirt suits. It was solid forest green today with a light white jacket to cover her shoulders and she had a matching wide green hairband that held her hair tight to her scalp. She looked severely pretty in a no-nonsense way. I have rarely seen the woman smile, so the one she gave me felt like a gift.

She smiled down at Percy then looked back at me. “I have to get some coffee to my Tabby before she explodes. It was great to hear your unique talent again, I'm glad I happened to be in the Covent today to sign some paperwork for Tabs.”

I smiled at the woman as she saluted me with a coffee and trundled down the walk. I waved at her. “Taa.” Then my slow brain caught up with me.
My Tabby? Oh, bloody hell!
Teresa McClellan was dating Tabby Cat!?

A moment later, someone put a finger on my chin and closed my gaping mouth. I turned to look down at Tink. She had a slightly annoyed look on her face. I quickly said, “That was the woman who ran the music Conservatory I studied at. I think she's dating Tabby Cat. Relief showed in her eyes, then it was replaced by surprise as she turned to watch Teri go.

I squinted and said playfully, “You were jealous. Are you always so territorial?” I cocked an eyebrow.

She looked at the retreating headmistress again then at me and blushed. “Not normally, but I haven't had a chance to woo you and I couldn't compete with someone as sexy as her.”

It was my turn to blush as I ground a heel on the walkway and looked down as I said in a hushed tone, “You're plenty sexy for the both of you.” Then before she could respond, I started quickly tearing down my equipment so we could move on to another location.

She had a bloody cocky look on her face so I preempted any comeback by saying, “Make yourself useful and organize that mess would you?” I pointed at the lid of the case with the cash and business cards thrown haphazardly into it.

She squinted one eye then grinned and stuck her tongue out at me then went to work. I said imperiously as she bent and started organizing the bills, “There's a good girl.”

She smirked and said without looking at me. “Watch it lady. You're just lucky I like you.”

I chuckled then stopped her when she went to put the bills and the coins in the cash drawer. “Just the bills, I put the coins in my pocket. Otherwise, the coins clink and rattle as I drag the case and the red spikes they generate drive me batty.”

She nodded in understanding and asked in an innocent tone, “You're not batty already?”

I made an exasperated sound, but my smile gave me away. “You're just mean.” She nodded in staunch agreement as she put the bills in the drawer then held the coins out to me. I stopped breathing when she placed them in my hand, making skin contact. I felt flush and a heat enveloped me as I caught her scent. Her lips were so very fascinating at that moment.

Her pupils dilated then she looked away as she dropped the coins in my hand with a red spiked clink that lanced into my skin. She quickly busied herself helping pack the rest away. I said in a husky voice, “What's wrong?”

She just wordlessly finished packing up and letting the cords retract into the spools. I stopped her by placing a hand on her arm. “What?”

She shook her head, looking embarrassed. “Nothing. I was just being stupid. I wanted so bad to kiss you just then, but I didn't want to ruin it. We haven't even been on a date ye...” I shut her up with a delicate kiss on her lips. I have never done something so bold in my life and I had no clue where it came from.

She was stunned and I was happy I was able to garner such a reaction. I whispered as I reached down to grab the handle of Percy's harness, trying to hide the fire burning inside me. “And I can't wait until you do on our first date.”

She shyly took the handle of the equipment case and I put a mock regal look on my face and put my fingers out delicately and wiggled them. Her brain caught up with her and her assertive, self-assured demeanor was back as she placed her arm under my hand and then I hugged it to me as we started walking. I had to stop myself from squeaking excitedly and skipping as we went.

She said as we walked, “You were pretty amazing, by the way, I don't think I've heard anything quite like that. Were those songs you have already worked on or do you just make them up spontaneously?”

I set about answering her questions, but my mind was dwelling on the heat and electricity that had coursed through me when our lips had met.

We had a great time, we were always touching or holding hands when I wasn't performing, the contact felt... right, to me. I was so sad to cut our fun short after lunch. “Well, I have to get to my best friend's place to practice for our performance tonight.”

She cocked her head cutely and a lock of her shiny powder blue hair draped over one eye. I reached out and tucked it behind her ear. She smiled and I explained, “I do backup singing for other bands for additional income. I'll take almost any music job I can find, so I can fund some time in a recording studio to burn a demo CD, which I can send out to the record labels.”

I licked my lips in apprehension then rushed as I said, “We are singing at Dusty Joe's tonight at eight, come with?”

She cutely bit her lower lip and nodded. “Okay.”

I beamed back at her. “Brill!”

We headed back to her Piaggio and she loaded my gear up. I watched her collar as she did and a bit of a colorful tattoo peeked over her back collar too. What were they? I was consumed with curiosity now. Maybe she'll wear something more revealing on our date or maybe tonight at Dusty Joe's and I'll get a better look. She caught me stretching my neck to see better and grinned over her shoulder and pulled up her collar to cover them. The tease.

I was intensely aware of the contact between our legs as we rode in the cramped cabin of the van. Heat bloomed from our contact. Then her hand lazily went down to my lap where mine were clasped and she stole one of mine. I tried not to hyperventilate and just stared straight out the window as she slowly laced our fingers. I was feeling so very happy just then.

She kept glancing at me, but I kept staring out the window, not wanting to do anything to make her remove her hand from mine.
It was mine!
Okay, I know I was being silly. She finally asked with a chuckle in her voice, “So where am I dropping you Abigail? The shop, your place?”

I glanced over at her and my eyes flicked to our hands then her again, giving away my thoughts. I blushed. “Sorry, I guess a destination would be prudent.” She nodded with mirth in her eyes. I tried not to smile, really I did. I said, “If you could head toward Stratford, you can drop me at Rayleigh's place. We practice in her garage.”

Then I added hastily, “Don't start purring when you see her. She's straight and has a bloke.”

She cocked an eyebrow.“A looker?”

I exhaled and deflated with a grin. “The woman is bloody gorgeous. It'll be all you can do to not follow her around like a puppy.”

She chirped out a startled laugh that twanged the whole spectrum in my sight as it bubbled through me like a fizzy drink, making my toes curl.

Before long I had her turning onto the lane Ray lived on, and as we puttered along I saw her sitting on the bench by the bus stop near her house. I grinned, the silly woman always waited for me like I'd get lost walking three houses over. I said, “Pull over just there, by that woman. That's Ray. Her house it just there, the blue one.”

We pulled to the curb and Tink just stared at Rayleigh and said in a distracted voice, “Ummm... no purring right?”

I smiled and slapped her shoulder playfully as I admonished, “Now be nice and no drooling on my friend.”

She turned and winked at me with that delicious half smile. “No promises.” She beeped the silly horn on the van and Ray looked over at us. I was waving as I stepped out. There were some comical exasperated sounds as Sir Percival crawled over Belle to get out by my side. Then she slid out beside us.

Ray did a stutter step as she approached, with her brow creased in curiosity as she looked at Belle. I said, “Ray this is Isabelle, a tinker from Broken Note. She was tagging along with me today to see my needs for a new equipment case.” I turned slightly to look down at the blue haired pixie, I just realized she looked like a character from those anime shows. A smile teased at my lips. “Belle, this is Rayleigh, my best friend.”

Ray offered her hand. “Pleased to meet you Belle.”

Isabelle took it and said, “Meet to pleased you too.” Then she blushed and buried her face in my shoulder, mumbling, “Bloody hell, just shoot me now.” Rayleigh giggled at her.

Tink pulled away and I grabbed her hand and gave it a little reassuring squeeze. “Don't worry about it Belle, that was my first reaction too.”

Ray glanced down at our hands that were still clasped then she grinned and swung from side to side like a pleased chipmunk. “Our Abi here had a little crush on me when we first met.”

I nodded in agreement until Tink slapped my arm playfully, she was apparently over her embarrassment. I gave her a huge smile and she grinned back and then released my hand and turned back to the van and started to unload my gear and paused. “Did you want this here? Or I can drop it at your house.”

I said, “I'll need it here, Randall and Ray will haul it home with me after the gig. I need the mic for tonight.”

She nodded and hefted the case out and placed it on the walk in front of me. Ray's eyes went a little wider as she looked at me and said. “She's got some muscle for a tiny thing.”

I nodded and smiled internally at the slight blush on Belle's cheeks. “Yes, she does, one of her many gifts.”

She looked at the two of us and said with a bit of frustration, “Hey, I'm right here ladies.” We all chuckled then Tink turned toward the van and looked back. “See you tonight? Dusty Joe's at eight?”

I nodded, feeling suddenly bashful. She hesitated then leaned up toward me and I caught myself leaning slightly down and she kissed me quickly, and like a shot she was in her Ape and puttering off. Her kiss echoing in my ears like a pure white chime.

I blinked then turned to Ray and my blood ran cold.
Oh, bloody hell!
She had her hands clasped to her lips and she was smiling broadly and the teasing commenced. “Do you kiss all your tinkers Abi?” Then before I could say anything she went on as she crouched to ruffle Percy's ears. “She's so cute and tough looking at the same time. Not at all who I would have pictured you with. Your girl's ink was gorgeous.”

I blushed at her excitement and just started dragging my equipment case toward her house so she wouldn't see. I defended myself and said, “She's not my girl. We're just going to try dating a bit to see if we're a fit. Amy sort of forced the issue today by thinking we were a couple and invited us to double on karaoke night.”

She caught up to me and took Percy's lead and placed my free hand in the crook of her arm as we walked. “Not your girl eh? Your body language tells a different story girly.” I glanced at her, still blushing. Her smile grew. “You really like her!” Then she said with an imperious tone, “It's about bloody time Abigail.” I looked at my feet as she added, “I was about to sign you up on some online dating sites, but I didn't know if you liked butch or femme.”

I shot my head up to her and my glasses almost slid off my nose with the motion. “You wouldn't!”

She gave me a cheesy grin and reached up with the hand holding the lead and nudged my glasses back up my nose for me. “I most certainly would.”
Good lord in heaven, she would, wouldn't she?

I said in a petulant whine worthy of a twelve year old, “I don't know what I ever saw in you.”

She looked down at herself and then cocked an eyebrow at me. “Really?” She teased. She knew she was gorgeous but wasn't stuck up or vain. She was simply confident in her looks and intelligence, which only added to her allure.

I exhaled. “Well sure, fine, there's that.”

She grinned in satisfaction and bumped my hip playfully, then said with a tinge of excitement in her voice, “Now before we rehearse... tell me everything about your girl!”

We had a great time just gossiping before we headed into her garage and we set up our mics and she cued up the tape of the band we would be backing that night. She held the sheet music in front of her so we could both see. We had worked with Future Relic before, and they hadn't added any new music to their repertoire so it would be an easy rehearsal. They normally did their three songs intermixed with covers from various pop artists. We just adlib to any covers they sing.

I was there for the harmonies, Ray was there for that and eye candy. If I am to be honest, I admit I sometimes get jealous of her. God gave her grace, beauty, and a silver voice. He gave me the leftovers. Though I have found through really listening to her when we talk, and seeing it in her eyes, that it makes her uncomfortable in her own skin because that is all people see, and not many want to know the woman beneath the pretty surface. It hurts her though she pretends it doesn't.

After our first run-through, I took my glasses off. I heard her dissatisfied grunt. She keeps telling me not to be so self-conscious of my glasses. “They are only glasses Abigail,” she would always say. I got a slight smile ticking the corners of my mouth thinking that that is how Isabelle acted about them too.

But this is the best way for me to experience the music. I like to become part of it, let it wash over me and through me. Letting all my senses become part of it. I explained it to her on many occasions, and I know she understands but she always adds to my description, “Plus it allows you to hide yourself away from others. If you can't see them, they can't see you.”

We've had vigorous disagreements on the subject in the past, bordering on arguments. I know I only argue because I know it is true and I don't want to admit that additional insecurity. I loved my best friend for never backing down from it. It keeps me honest with myself. I in turn, keep her reminded of the fact that her external packaging does not define her. We have a symbiotic friendship.

Randall showed up knocking on the garage door then stepping through with some wonderful smells accompanying him. “Chinese, ladies of my heart?”

I slammed on my glasses and grinned at Ray. “I think I'm in love with your boyfriend.”

She nodded in a matter of fact manner. “Right then, you take him, I'll take the carry out.”

I shook my head asking in mock horror, “The carry out doesn't come with him?” She shook her head, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

I shrugged. “Well then I guess you can keep him.” We each snagged the bags from his hands and moved over to the little garden table and chairs in the corner of the garage.

We started unpacking the food as Randall complained, “Hey now, you really know how to make a bloke feel unwanted.”

Ray absently said, “Oh hush you. Can't you see we are eating here?” She pecked his lips as she dug her chopsticks into a carton of sweet and sour pork.

He grinned and I said while I stuffed some chicken fried rice into my mouth, “I still love you Randall... as long as you keep feeding me.” He grinned and started to complain again, but Ray stuffed some pork and rice into his mouth. He just smiled as he chewed then he sat down with us and we passed the cartons around, sampling from each. As usual, the almond chicken seemed to migrate over to me and got taken out of rotation as I sat back and picked at it in the carton. My favorite. Their favorites wound up in their hands as well. Percy wound up with a bowl of water and a generous helping of pork too.

I dug some coins out of my pocket and tried to give Randall five or six quid for my part. He just held up a hand instead and I re-pocketed the lolly while Rayleigh grinned at the ritual. The bloke would never let me pay my fair share.

We retired into the house proper after I took Percy out back to do his thing and I cleaned up behind him. Then we sat back on the large couch and drank coffee as we watched the nightly news. Ray informed Randall of my 'girlfriend' in a teasing manner. I huffed out, “She's not my girlfriend.”

Ray just grinned and prodded, “But you want her to be.” I wondered if you could actually die from blushing too much. You know, lack of blood supply to the rest of your body and all. I'm positive it gave me away.

Randall took a sip of coffee then asked what all men ask, “What does she look like?” Why do they always put so much importance on looks? The better question would be, “What is she like?”

I just felt suddenly insecure with my own looks, not for the first time. I subconsciously crossed my arms over my almost flat chest as Ray responded, “Quite interesting really. She looks like one of those Suicide Girls with pastel blue hair, tats, hardware and all. She's tiny, but she's got tight muscles... and a huge smile for our Abi here. The woman is adorable, but I'm sure if anyone told her that, she'd tear their face off without blinking.”

I tried to ignore the conversation though I did smile internally at the Suicide Girl comment since I thought the same thing.

Randall reached over and grabbed the television remote, turned off the telly, and announced, “Time to saddle up ladies.” We all stood and Randall made his way out to the garage to gathered our equipment and load it into his vehicle.

We went to Ray's room and started dressing in our matching clubbing gear. Ray was putting on her makeup and I stepped beside her, wringing my hands. She stopped and looked up and cocked an eyebrow in question. I said almost in a whisper, “Can you... can you umm... make me pretty?”

A lot of things flashed across her face and eyes. Anger, concern, then... understanding. “You want to look good for her?” I nodded nervously. She exhaled in a long bluish undulating wave.