Charles frowned and said. I know he has, I use it to revamp songs while you're down the pub.
So you can play it then? asked Steve.
Yes, of course, said Charles and becoming suspicious, asked. Why?
Steve smiled and played a rapid riff. He felt the others staring so stopped. Now he had their attention, he said. I spoke to Cosmo, the Gaffer at the Wellow last night. We're performing there a week on Friday.
He nonchalantly continued his riff.
The three gasped.
What? asked Elvin.
Fossils are playing at the Wellow a week on Friday, Steve repeated.
The three stunned musicians looked at each other, agog.
They then looked at Steve smiling.
Hang on Steven. Are you crazy? Who mentioned anything about us being a performing band? asked Charles.
Why not? asked Steve, pointing out. Why do we rehearse? Surely we all want to take pleasure from a live performance again?
The other three fell silent and glared at Steve.
Wayne scratched his chin. He remembered the rush he felt performing to audiences in his younger days. He broke the silence. I suppose hes right... it makes sense.
We're too old and knackered to hump around gear at our age and too droopy to be sex symbols, said Elvin.
Steve, seeing them considering his plan, said, Its not far so I will get the gear moved and set up. My mates have a van, so all we have to do is stroll along to the Wellow and play. They will bring our stuff back the next day.
The three looked at one another, then at Steve strumming his guitar.
Im up for it! exclaimed Wayne.
Steve stopped strumming and said. Nice one mate, what about you two?
Charles and Elvin pondered.
Elvin had never played to a live audience and always felt it was something he had missed out on. He smiled and said, I suppose theres no arm in trying.
All eyes turned to Charles, who although nervous about the prospect, looking at his band members happy, hopeful faces and, remembering his fond memories performing with the London Philly, smiled and said. Fossils live at the Wellow in Cleethorpes, next stop the Royal Albert Hall!
They cheered and then nervously looked at one another.
Hang on, said Elvin. A week on Friday. That means we only av ten days.
Yeah, said Steve. So we better get cracking.
Charles and Wayne went to the store cupboard, brought out Waynes Yamaha PSR-180 electronic piano keyboard that Wayne set up. Charles played Vulnerable and the others joined in.
After lunch, Elvin caught a bus into Grimsby and went along to a musical equipment shop. Elvin bought a new electric, Fender four-string bass guitar and amp. He knew it would be easier than lugging around his old Flores and thought the smaller electric version looked cooler.
I will av to dig out my electric bass playing falsies and practice, said Elvin, becoming excited about their upcoming gig.
Deciding not to learn new tunes, they spent the days until the gig practising with the new instruments and perfecting the songs theyd already learned. Charles tidied up old rock 'n' roll classics they already knew Steve could sing. They came up with a playlist and rehearsed feverishly over the next few days.
They felt worn out, aching in places that hadnt hurt for many years. Elvin and Steves fingertips stung, Waynes wrists felt like lead, and Charless throat felt like he had gargled sand. They persisted, and with only a few days left, they ran through each song on their playlist. They finished their last song and smiled at one another.
Weve cracked it, we sound great, said Steve, and the others smiled and nodded.
Its 8 oclock, shall we av a break and nip to the Pavilion for a pint, said Elvin, looking at the welts on his fingertips.
Good idea, said Charles sounding hoarse, Im parched.
They went to the Pavilion, whistling and humming their tunes.
While drinking beer, Steve said, I know we think we sound great, but Id like another opinion, he smirked. I have a plan. He leaned forward and announced, Lets put on a show at Fossdyke before we perform at the Wellow and get feedback from the wrinklies.
The others frowned.
Chewy wont allow that, said Wayne.
Steve smirked, Leave her to me. Ill call Lucy, he said.
The others agreed if Steve could pull it off.
Steve called Lucy and told her about their impromptu gig, telling her it was important. Lucy had never heard her father play, but from reports shed had from Mrs Chew, glad she hadnt. However, Steve was insistent that she came along with Bernard, telling her that she was in for a big surprise, and they would arrange everything if she cleared it with Mrs Chew.
Although getting late, Lucy called Mrs Chew, who said that the band was a noisy, raucous bunch of old louts, whom the residents constantly complained about and still avoided the recreation room. However, Mrs Chew agreed when Lucy told her if that was the case, she would stop them from playing once and for all.
Elvin knew his children always made excuses why they were too busy to come; they seldom came to visit and when they did, the visits were brief. Charles still felt angry with his family after Mary's passing, so neither he nor Elvin contacted their families.
The four sat in silence around the table. They hardly touched their beer as they waited on tenterhooks for a phone call. They jumped when Steves phone rang.
He spoke to Lucy for several minutes, hung up, looked at the anticipation on the faces of his bandmates, grinned, and announced, Right lads, we better get an early night, we have a busy day tomorrow, we have a concert to perform, said Steve.
The next morning, Steve, Wayne, Elvin, and Charles placed several rows of chairs a short distance from the band's speakers, leaving floor space in front of their instruments. Unsure of how many would attend, theyd figured ten chairs should suffice.
Steve felt delighted that his daughter would come. He knew Lucy had a good sense of humour because she had married Bernard the Bonehead.
Lucy will come to see us later, so lets put on a good show, said Steve looking proud.
Not wanting to strain themselves, they sat around their instruments and hummed the tunes, going over each song in their heads.
Later that morning, a signwriter came with vinyl letters for Waynes drum. After 30 minutes, FOSSILS in black vinyl letters arched around the top of the bass drum skin.
The four stood and admired the work. They now felt like a band, albeit a wrinkly one. They nodded at one another.
After lunch, Mrs Chew came in, stomped over to the four, and with a stern look, announced, Mr and Mrs Fossdyke will be here at 7 oclock. Mr Chew and I will come to watch you make fools of yourselves, and then we can stop this music nonsense and everyone can get their recreation room back without you terrifying them.
She then looked at Waynes drum and read out the vinyl print. Fossils, she groaned and sneered. Dopey Old Codgers would be more fitting.
She turned, strode out of the recreation room, and went into her office for a cigarette. She puffed away smiling. Tomorrow we can be back to normal, and the other wrinklies would stop complaining. Id better get the afternoon bingo organised. she thought and looked at her watch. Arthur will be here soon and want a sub, she stubbed out her cigarette and left her office.