Ride On by Stephen J. Martin Read Free Book Online Page B

Please, you and Trish come backstage afterwards. I want you to. And don’t queue up either when you get there, right? Just come in.’
    They’d actually nearly had a row over it before. The last time The Grove played Vicar Street, Norman had actually paid for his ticket and then was too embarrassed to ask to go backstage afterwards to see the lads. Jimmy went spare when he found out. Him and Aesop had been mates with Norman for twenty years. Norman had come to see the band play when there was more people on the stage than in the audience. He wasn’t fucking having him pay in to see them now.
    â€˜Jimmy, it’s awkward, y’know? The fella won’t know me and he’ll be giving me that look, like I’m only …’
    â€˜He’ll fucking know you tonight, don’t worry about it.’
    â€˜How will he?’
    â€˜I’ll tell him a fucking huge Corkman will be in tonight with his bird and if he’s not nice to you, he’ll be cleaning the jacks next week. Okay?’
    â€˜Ah, Jimmy, see what I mean? Going to the trouble …’
    â€˜I’m joking Norman. Look, it’ll be grand. Seeya there, okay?’
    â€˜Okay Jimmy. Okay. I’ll seeya later. If I don’t see you before you’re on, good luck.’
    â€˜Thanks man.’
    *
    â€˜Aesop?’
    â€˜Norman. Howya. What’s up?’
    â€˜Listen, Aesop, I’m bringing a girl tonight to the gig.’
    â€˜Sorry, I’m confused. Which Norman is this?’
    â€˜I’m serious Aesop. I’m bringing a girl.’
    â€˜A real one?’
    â€˜Yes, a real one. From Kerry.’
    â€˜Okay. Well it’s starting to make sense now. Fair enough. Good man. Why are you telling me, but? Did I ride her or something?’
    â€˜No. But I’m just telling you that I really like this girl and there’s a good chance we’ll both be backstage afterwards. Okay?’
    â€˜Right. Eh, Norman?’
    â€˜Yeah?’
    â€˜I’m only out of bed. What are you fucking talking about?’
    â€˜I’m just telling you. I like this girl a lot, and it’s our second date.’
    â€˜Okay … right. And it’s my turn to say something now, is it?’
    â€˜Did you hear what I just said?’
    â€˜Yes, I fucking heard you Norman! You’ve got a bird. Brilliant. Porky Pig is hang gliding past the window here. Are you going to tell me why you fucking rang me?’
    â€˜Okay, I’ll spell it out. I know you’re playing a big gig and all tonight, and I don’t want to distract you, but I’m just telling you now not to fucking annoy me this evening or I swear to God I’ll kick your bollocks into your throat.’
    â€˜What? You rang me to tell me that?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜You went to the trouble of ringing me to tell me you’re going to kick me in the bollocks if I annoy you tonight in front of some bird I haven’t even met.’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Norman, I was sitting here quite happily having a cup of tea and a bit of toast. Do you think I need this fucking abuse when I pick up the phone? I don’t know who I’ll be annoying today. I haven’t given it any thought yet.’
    â€˜Well, I’m just saying to you that it better not be me. And you’re to be a gentleman around Trish too, or that’ll be another kick in the bollocks.’
    â€˜Fuck sake. Okay. Fine. I’ll be nice to your bird. Can I go now?’
    â€˜Yeah. Seeya later.’
    â€˜Fuck sake …’
    *
    â€˜Was the limo really necessary?’ said Jimmy. He was looking around the inside of the car, feeling the leather of the seats and pulling at all the drawers and gadgets.
    â€˜Of course!’ said Aesop. ‘And listen, you’re to be on your best rockstar behaviour when we get there, right? The big swagger up to the front door in your leather jacket, the shades, and then I want to see some shapes