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| RICHEY AND A FRIEND by Janey Richey was finding the guitar part that James had written for him a little ‘shaky’, ‘it doesn’t flow James,’ he had protested but James had insisted that was how he wanted it. Instead Richey had taken it upon himself to make some small alterations, and James was bound to notice them because even Sean and Nicky had. “I don’t know what James was thinking when he did this,” Nicky moaned to Richey, “we’re all having trouble with it except him.” “I wouldn’t mind but James tried to show me how to do it and he cocked it up too,” Richey laughed wickedly. “I don’t suppose he told you that did he?” Nicky seemed indignant; “no he bloody well didn’t! He told me how easy all the parts were actually.” “Umm, say no more,” Richey sniggered. “Perhaps we should just go home and leave him to it. I wonder what he’d do if we threatened to do that?” “I think he’d go ballistic. He’s already going mad because we are behind schedule,” Nick said. “If only he hadn’t made things so difficult. You know Sean is really pissed off with him; he tried to get him to alter some bits but James dug his heels in and refused.” “He’s a stubborn old mule that guy!” Richey declared as he laughed out loud. “I tell ya, I so wanna go home.” “Are you seeing Cindy tonight then?” asked Nick. “She’s a lovely girl.” “She’s just a friend Nick.” “I don’t believe you!” he taunted his friend. “I see how your eyes light up when you think about her.” “Your imagination is working overtime. We’re friends and that’s all.” Despite Richey’s protesting he looked a little sad suddenly, but it was fleeting and the glint soon returned to his eyes. “As it goes, she’s cooking tonight. She’s got this new oven and is using me as a guinea pig to see if she can work out the instructions. If I don’t turn in tomorrow you know the chicken wasn’t cooked and I’ve got bloody salmonella!” The two close friends laughed wildly together. Nicky finding his smaller mate’s genuine smile infectious. Richey didn’t very often flash a genuine smile, or laugh with real enthusiasm, but when he did it was truly amazing. Nicky always felt wonderfully warm and content when he saw his best friend so relaxed and at ease. Richey had returned almost three years ago and it had been a long, hard road for the bond of friendship to be re-established. Trust had needed to be built up on both sides and they had had to get to know one another all over again. At times they had all gone through phases of feeling that they were going mad, but they reminded themselves that was probably not such an unusual reaction when their friend whom they had often thought may well be dead, suddenly walked back into their lives. Well he didn’t walk back. Initially Richey had contacted Martin and very, very slowly Martin had paved the way for Richey to meet them again. Richey was no longer a member of the band; he didn’t want to be, but he did write songs for them and did play guitar when they were recording. Very occasionally he would make a surprise appearance on stage. In his time away he had become an accomplished musician and now possessed a sense of serenity. Richey had learned to love himself and accept that he wasn’t perfect; and that had been the catalyst for his wanting to return and explain things. He no longer wanted to run from things but wanted to confront them head on, deal with them and learn from them. All things that is, except for love. The notion that you could love one person so much that you wanted to spend your life with them still scared him witless. He wasn’t afraid of relationships; he’d been in a couple of quite long relationships and found them comforting and reassuring. They hadn’t lasted because he had known that he didn’t love them enough. Cindy had lived in the house next to his, and he had warmed to her when he went to view it and she had smiled and told him how much she enjoyed being there and she hoped he would move in and be as happy. He had loved her laugh, her sparkly green eyes, wonderful smile, long blond hair and her demeanour. She came across as very genuine and intelligent, and had a wicked sense of humour. She had invited him for coffee after he’d been around the property next door and it had been two hours later when Richey had left, and he had no idea where the time had gone. “Nicky we’re just good friends,” insisted Richey as he poked his friend softly in the ribs. “Well you’re both nuts over each other so why don’t you just ask her out on a proper date?” “Will you stop matchmaking!” “Come on Rich! Nothing ventured nothing gained and all that.” “Truth is I’m scared.” “What of?” Nick asked. “You know she isn’t going to tell you to get lost because she’s crazy about you.” “No, it’s if it goes wrong. Then what? I mean I could lose her as a friend and I would hate the thought of not having her in my life.” “That’s not going to happen, trust me. You two are a couple now apart from the fact you don’t snog each other nor have sex. You’ll be fine.” “You make it sound so simple,” sighed Richey. After much arguing James had finally given in to the majority vote and the arrangement was altered so that they could all actually play it without problem. Less than an hour later the main part of the track had been laid down and Richey decided to leave whilst he had the opportunity, knowing that if he stayed, he would possibly still be there hours later. “He’s got a date,” smiled Nick as Richey beamed like an idiot. “Please tell me he and Cindy have actually managed to get it together?” said James. “The ‘are they, aren’t they’ game is worse than the one you and Richey used to play on the press Nick.” “It’s not a date,” Richey protested. “I’m going round for something to eat, that’s all.” “Umm. So it’s not a date as such, nothing to stop you from testing the water is there? I can’t believe you two are still bloody dithering, you make a great couple.” Richey had chosen to wear a light blue, short sleeved shirt and crisp white cotton trousers in the hope that he would be fairly cool in the airless heat. He had stepped out of the shower less than an hour ago, and yet already he felt he could do with another one, instead he settled for opening another button on his shirt. He took the flowers he had bought on his way home, a huge bouquet that was beautifully bright and cheery and then picked up his house keys and went to see Cindy. As had become usual for them, he knocked on the door and then proceeded to go in. “Hey babe,” smiled Cindy as Richey hugged her after putting the flowers on the side of the sink. “They are magnificent, thank you so much.” “The least I can do what with you spoiling me,” he laughed in response. “Smell’s good in here.” “Why did I volunteer to do a roast dinner on such a hot bloody day? I tell ya I must be mad. I’ve washed my make-up off because the stuff was melting!” Cindy laughed her wonderful laugh as she started to put the flowers into a vase and Richey was content to just watch her as she moved. She was wearing a dark blue vest top and matching baggy shorts, and her short dark hair was slightly wet. “I warn you now that you may be going home with a doggy bag, ‘cos I seem to have done enough food to feed and army.” “Oh well. I can take some stuff into the studio to nibble on I guess,” he said simply. “Have you got a drink or shall I get you one?” “Sorry honey,” Cindy said as she shook her head. “I’m not a very good hostess am I? It’s just as well you’re used to helping yourself. Erm, yeah I’ll have something non-alcoholic for now thanks Rich.” With great pride she put the large vase of flowers at the opposite end of the table to where they were eating. Richey handed her a can from the fridge and grinned as she rolled it across her forehead and chest before opening it and taking a large gulp from it. “Thirsty?” he asked. “Thirsty and hot,” she smirked. Richey laughed nervously; “well I think you look lovely.” “Have you been drinking love?” Cindy giggled. “I look frazzled.” For a while they gazed at one another as though not sure of what to do next for fear they had misread the signals. Then, Richey moved closer to her, ran his fingers through her damp hair and cupped her face tenderly in his hand as he whispered, “ I mean it, you do look lovely. You’re vibrant, intelligent, honest and absolutely fucking nuts!” As Cindy laughed, her head touched Richey’s shoulder and he sighed aloud and without thinking, his head turned and his lips brushed against hers. It was merely lips touching lips but they both moaned. “Richey,” panted Cindy. “Please kiss me.” “Oh Cindy,” Richey whimpered as his mouth captured hers in a tantalisingly sensual kiss. Their lips played as they wrapped their arms around each other and became lost in the delight of being so close to one they’d both wanted for so very long. When Richey broke the kiss they smiled and rubbed their noses together. “You are beautiful you know that?” “Thank you. I never dared to say anything in case I got it hopelessly wrong, but then I went out with Rachel last week and she told me to stop holding back,” a nervous giggle escaped from Cindy’s mouth. “She’s been on the phone every night asking if I’d done anything about it yet. I tell ya, you’re sister is quite a bully sometimes.” “I know she is! For what it’s worth I had Nicky telling me the same thing. I guess they know us even better than we think huh?” “I guess so,” Cindy winked in reply before Richey’s soft warm mouth captured hers again. The end. Janey's stories |