Page 59 of The Ex Factor

A few seconds later, the door opened. Pete walked back in, shaking his head with an expression somewhere between irritation and amusement.

Behind him came the woman. She smiled warmly. ‘Ashley?’

‘Yes?’

‘I’m Claire.’ She walked over to Ashley and held out a hand. ‘I head up international touring.’

Ashley shook it uncertainly.

‘I apologise for hijacking Pete’s afternoon.’

Pete chuckled bitterly. ‘She does this more often than she’d admit.’

Claire ignored him.

‘I was passing, and I heard you,’ she said. ‘I represent a band that’s about to begin their first international headline tour, Rocket Monkey.’

Ashley had never heard of them but nodded politely, unsure where this was going.

‘The problem is,’ Claire continued, ‘their support act withdrew yesterday. Family emergency.’ She paused. ‘So, what do you think?’

Ashley blinked. ‘I’m sorry?’

‘I want you to open the tour.’

Ashley actually laughed. ‘I think you’ve got the wrong person.’

‘I don’t.’

‘I’ve never played outside England.’

‘Pete said.’

‘I’ve never even played a proper venue. Only pubs.’

‘I know.’ Claire smiled. ‘The band doesn’t need another polished performer. They need someone authentic enough that an audience actually listens before the main act walks on.’

Ashley stared.

Claire continued. ‘The itinerary is four months. The UK first, then mainland Europe, followed by North America.’

Ashley’s mouth went dry. ‘...International?’

Claire nodded. ‘Hotels, transport, crew, rehearsals, visas. Everything’s covered.’

Pete folded his arms. ‘I was hoping to keep you for my little regional run,’ he admitted with a grin. ‘But I can’t compete with this.’

Ashley looked from Pete to Claire and back again. Four months. Not pubs. Not clubs. An international tour.

Only that morning she’d been hoping for enough money to move out of her dad’s place. Now someone she had never met was offering her the chance to play before thousands of people across three continents.

It should have been the easiest decision of her life.

Instead, all Ashley could picture was Molly.

Twenty

Now