Bad Management

“I have to say you guys are really special right now. We have never had a turnout of fans for wristbands like we have with you guys.” Alex, the store manager told us as he led us to where the table was set-up for the guys to sit. Pens, coffee, water and sweets lined the table. “Is there anything else you guys need?” The young manager asked as the guys took their seats.
“No I think we’re good.” Said the lead singer smiling as I stood back to take their picture to post it on the band’s twitter.
“The signing should last about two to two and half hour.” Alex informed us as he ran through the schedule, the guys borderline listening. I took my place behind them ready to collect any gifts they were given or be at their beck and call. We were given the nod as the first set of fans walked in, screaming and squealing quickly filled the room as their heroes came into sight.

“Everything was going great, fans were well behaved, but, most importantly so were the boys. “Do you have any plans for your Christmas break?” A young girl asked as she waited for her album to be signed.
“We’re actually staying over here.” Gerard smiled up at her as he signed his trademark G signature.
“Oh wow well I hope you enjoy it here.” Said the young girl as she moved down the line to Ray.
“I’m sure we will, we have an amazing manager who can plan everything perfectly.” Mikey smiled looking up from his signature for a moment. I smiled a little from behind him feeling a little appreciated. It is true I had planned everything months in advance to ensure nothing could go wrong. We were all staying in a cottage in a place called the Lake District. There was nothing around except for hills, woods, and, you guessed it; lakes. I showed the guys my idea back in July when they first approached me with the idea to stay over in England for Christmas. They said they wanted peace and tranquillity and that is exactly what this place has to offer. Once they red over it they practically screamed yes at me. The plan is to head up there after the signing and Ray’s partner Christa was going to be joining us later on and then that completed our little group of friends. That’s right after the signing was over I was no longer their manager I was there friend enjoying a friendly Christmas. A Christmas I was thoroughly looking forward to. The owners of the cottage had asked if we wanted anything to be provided given that we would get there when everything was closing up. The very kindly said they would stock up on Christmas dinner, breakfast and general snacks for us as well as the bits I had picked up and packed in my car. We were taking separate cars so that we could travel separately if we wanted to go for a drive. The Ways were in one car, Bob and Ray in another and Frank and I in my car.

I watched as the last of the fans made their way in, a few of them I recognised from the tv interview and they gave me a little wave as I smiled and waved back. Once everyone had finished and the guys had had their photos taken for the shops website and with the staff we made our way to the back of the store where the cars were waiting for us.
“Ok Way brothers you’re in the red car.” I spoke as I held out the keys for Gerard to take. “Bob and Ray blue car.” I threw the keys over at them. “Frank we’re in the Black car.” I smiled at the guys. “Sat Navs are setup but if you follow me you shouldn’t need them. See you when we get there, it’ll be about three hours.” I smiled as we all got in our cars, Frank quickly pulling out his phone and connecting it up to the music system like he always does.
“I hope you don’t mind but I took the liberty of making us a playlist. I think you’ll like it.” He looked over at me smiling sheepishly. Since the show we have hardly spoken a word to each other and when we have it has been about nothing else but work. To say I was anxious for the car journey to be over was an understatement so I was grateful for any music that meant we didn’t have to sit through 3 hours of silence or even worse talk about what had happened! I started to pull out of the parking area when I heard the familiar tune of ‘A Boy Named Sue’ by Johnny Cash as I sat there smiling. He was right I automatically liked it. “I know it reminds you of your dad and I thought that given its Christmas you might like to listen to it. I hope it doesn’t upset you.” He spoke looking over at me as he brought his feet up onto the chair after he kicked his shoes off.
“It doesn’t upset me. I love Johnny you know that.” I smiled as we headed towards the motorway making sure the guys were still behind me. You see my dad when I was younger had throat cancer and he was going through his treatment he used to singing ‘A Boy Named Sue’ to me with a croaky Cash like voice making me laugh at him. I looked down at my feet where I had his signature tattooed on my left signed along with I Walk the Line on the other foot in honour of them both. We sat there humming along to the songs as they carried on through Frank’s Johnny Cash playlist until we was about half way there when a familiar song came on. “Sing with me.” He looked over at me causing me to shake my head laughing as he started to sing the start to ‘It Ain’t Me Babe’ deciding I might as well considering it was just us, I started to sing when June came in giggling as I did.

We finally made it to the cottage, the guys actually not getting lost as we all pulled up and got our stuff out of the boots of the cars making our way to the door. You could tell you was near water it was absolutely freezing and the wind had that icy bite to it that made your cheeks go instantly red. I fumbled around for the key but Gerard just turned the handle from behind me and gently pushed the door open as I turned to look at him with a frown. “Ok Georgie please don’t shout. We know it’s not Christmas yet and that you told us no surprises but we had to get one for you. So we decided that what the best manager in the world needs is her…” Mikey never got to finish as I heard the oh so familiar voice from behind me in the cottage.
“Best friend.” The soft voice spoke out as I span around quickly on my heels dropping all my bags and running into her throwing my arms around her as she quickly caught me.
“Oh my god you’re here!” I screamed as I gripped onto her tighter.
“I am. I’m here as long as you’re here for.” Sophia spoke out as she tightened her grip on me as I heard the guys pile in, one of them dragging my stuff in for me as I pulled away wiping my eyes. Sophia was my oldest friend who moved to America with me, I’d known her since high school and we always said that one day we would end up in America. We flat share, clothes share and recently we even worked share. You see she is a costume designer and so when they guys needed costumes for their video and tour who else would I put forward for the job but my friend of 15 years who I trusted with my life wholeheartedly. Since then they have all welcomed her into our little group, even stopping for coffee and chats with her when they have called around to our apartment and I’ve not been there. And now we get to share Christmas together.

Notes