Dearest Kit

Chapter Twenty Nine

   “Hey there!” Despite the fact he still sounded so far away, I knew. I knew deep down, in my flesh, that he was almost home. 

   “Hi,” I grinned, biting my lip delightedly and kicking my heels against the front of the stage. 

   “Okay, so I’m about an hour away from London,” he said apprehensively and I had to hold back my disappointment. 

   “I see,” I said through a clenched jaw. “Do you think you’re going to make it?” I asked hopefully. 

   “I’m going to make it,” he said definitively, “I have to. No way in hell am I missing it.” 

   “It’s alright,” I lied, “I mean, don’t go at three hundred miles an hour just to not miss it.” 

   “I won’t, I won’t, I’ll drive carefully,” he reassured me. 

   “Okay, I have to go start a soundcheck,” I explained, my voice a little flat. I looked behind me to the empty stage, and started fidgeting, sitting on my free hand. 

   “Alright,” I had to admit, he sounded just as disappointed as me. “Look, I’m going to try my hardest to get there on time, what time does it start?” 

   “Doors open at seven, starts at around half past,” I replied. 

   “What time is it now?” 

   “Nearly half five,” I grimaced and he remained silent for a little while. 

   “I’m gonna’ try really hard, I promise you,” he said earnestly. 

   “Okay, it’s alright, I believe you,” I smiled, pulling at my bottom lip agitatedly. 

   “I’ll see you soon in any case,” Kit’s voice lifted. 

   “True,” I giggled, “I’ve missed you, I’ll see you later.” 

   “Yeah, have a good sound check, say hi to the guys for me.” 

   “We will, and I will,” I grinned, looking down at my knees. “Bye, Kit.” 

   “Bye, my darling,” he blew me a kiss before cutting off the line. I sat for a moment, looking out at the empty venue, the black walls and high ceiling. I fumbled my fingers against the cool screen of my phone before taking a deep breath and standing up. 

   “Dude, you ready?” Jim emerged from off stage, carrying a guitar by the neck, his favourite stratocaster. 

   “I am!” I faked a smile and propped my phone on top of one of the large amps. 

   “What happened? He can’t make it?” He guessed, as Seb came in, holding a water bottle in one hand and taking off his sweatshirt, leaving him in a sleeveless, black vest top. 

   “He’s going to try,” I shrugged, licking my lips. 

   “What’s up, gay lords?” Patrick said obnoxiously, swaggering onto the stage, ruffling up his hair.   

   “I think we should get dressed first, I need a minute,” I sighed, rubbing at my eyes wearily. 

   “Okay, that’s cool,” Jim nodded, “we have the two dressing rooms, yeah?” 

   “Yah-huh,” I nodded, beaming at him. 

   “Well, we’ll go in one, and you can have the other, seeing as you’re the girl and all,” Seb insisted. 

   “Alright, thanks,” I responded, before grabbing my phone and going off stage, towards the dressing rooms. I didn’t need to get dressed up properly for a gig, but I needed a chance to freshen up, put on some makeup, start to feel the part.