Three Letters (46 page)

Just an arm’s reach away, the two old men watched.

In Casey, they found Tom. They saw the teachings of the father living on in the boy, and in the pride and wonder of this boy’s natural talent was a great well of sorrow for the loss of his daddy.

And yet, in a way, the music and the emotion somehow transcended the sorrow. All was well.

Concerned that Susie could
get lost in the crowd, Alice and Steve also pushed their way to the front.

‘He’s got the most beautiful voice,’ Alice remarked softly, ‘soft and easy, as though he’s talking just to you, and you can believe every word he sings.’

Steve made no comment, being too engrossed in the boy’s performance.

Deeply moved and quietly excited, he believed he may have stumbled on a unique talent. True, the
voice was not yet honed to perfection, but it was there, like an uncut diamond waiting to be shaped and polished.

In all his professional years, he had never witnessed such raw talent. ‘He has a haunting kind of voice,’ he said softly to Alice. ‘He doesn’t just sing the song, he lives it. He feels it, every word, every note.’

Alice had never seen Steve like this; it was as though he was alone
here, and all he could see and hear was the talent within that small boy.

So thrilled he could hardly contain himself, Steve knew without a doubt that he was witnessing a star in the making. And he couldn’t wait to call his colleagues.

Suddenly it was over, and the crowd went crazy. ‘More!’ they shouted, and more they got. Even the stall-holders came to listen.

Two of the stallholders came
up behind Steve, and he couldn’t help but overhear their conversation. Like all the locals, these men knew of the recent tragedy that had affected the family, and their hearts went out to the boy.

‘What the Good Lord takes away in one hand, he gives back in the other,’ one man said, while the other replied earnestly, ‘True, but it’s not the ones who are gone that suffer. It’s them as are left
behind. And that little lad there … well, to give a performance like that, after the tragedy and all. It’s unbelievable, when the poor little devil must be hurting so bad.’

Steve was curious. ‘What do you mean?’ he asked the stocky fellow with the most to say. ‘What tragedy?’

Wary of strangers, the man backed away. ‘I’m not one for gossip,’ he said, ‘but the boy’s granddad is stood over there.’
He pointed to Bob. ‘If you really want to know, you should ask him. I doubt if he’ll want to talk about it, though; especially with young Casey being here.’

With the crowd moving forward to congratulate the boy and throw coins into his hat, Steve went to speak with the old man, while Alice and Susie went to speak with the child.

‘I told you he was wonderful!’ Holding onto Alice’s hand, Susie
pressed forward. ‘I said he was good. I told you, didn’t I? Do you think he’ll remember me from the bus? Will he talk to me, do you think?’ She tugged at Alice’s skirt. ‘Hurry up, Mummy, before we lose him again!’

Alice had to run to keep up with her.

‘LOOK OUT! THE BUGGERS ARE ROBBING JACK’S STALL!’

When the cry went up, Jack and the other stall-holders ran off to nab the thieves, who were
already fleeing with their haul. This left the way clear for Susie to approach the boy.

Casey recognised Susie straight away. ‘You were on the bus,’ he said shyly. ‘I remember.’

Alice made the introductions. ‘This is Susie, and I’m her mother, Alice.’

‘Hello, I’m Casey.’ He was at a loss as to what he should do or say, though he thought Susie was very pretty, and had a nice smile.

‘Your music
was lovely,’ Susie told him, ‘and I like your singing.’ She also was a bit embarrassed. It was one thing smiling at a boy on the bus, but here and now, face to face, she felt awkward.

‘Who taught you to play like that?’ Secretly amused, Alice sensed the awkwardness between these two youngsters.

‘My daddy taught me to play the guitar.’ Somehow, talking of his daddy to strangers gave Casey a sense
of comfort. When he and his granddad talked about his daddy, they both got very sad, but it didn’t feel like that when he talked to this nice woman. Instead, he felt proud, and happy.

He invited them to sit down on an upturned orange box, while he entertained them with lively descriptions of his daddy. He told them how the guitar had been handed down from his granddad Bob, though he was careful
not to mention how his mummy had deliberately broken the guitar in a temper.

As the three of them contentedly chatted, Casey felt more happy and relaxed than he had done in a very long time.

Not too far away from where Casey and his visitors were chatting, Steve was deep in conversation with Granddad Bob.

‘I’m glad you think he could be a real star.’ The old fella was excited that Casey had
been noticed by a man who seemed important in the music business. ‘Though to me and them as knows him, Casey has always been a little star,’ he finished proudly.

‘I’m sure he has.’ Steve sensed the resistance. ‘I know I’m a stranger to you, and I know I’m asking a lot, but it’s very rare to find such a gift, like the one your grandson possesses. OK, it will need work, and it will take time, but
he has it in him to be a major talent.’

Awkward as ever, the old fella reminded the visitor, ‘Happen he’ll not want to be a “major talent”.’

‘You’re right. Maybe he won’t, but have you ever asked him? Has he told you what he would like to do with his life?’ He suspected the boy would leap at the chance to make music his life.

‘And if he does say he wants to make a career out of his talents,
what would happen next?’ Granddad Bob fully intended to tread carefully.

‘Well, first off I would talk to a colleague of mine. He’s ex-band; now a respected manager. He’s a man who knows his stuff. If you let me call him with my opinion of the boy’s exceptional talent, he’ll want to hear your grandson perform. No doubt he’ll make his way north, so he can hear young Casey for himself.’

‘And if
he wants to tek him on, what then?’

‘Well, that will be up to Casey’s immediate family – his parents perhaps.’

‘That can’t be.’ The old fella put him right straight away. ‘Casey’s an orphan. I’m his family now, his only family!’ Memories of Ruth darkened his manner.

Steve was shocked. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realise, though I did overhear someone say there had been a tragedy …’

‘Listen
to me, young man! All you need to know is that I’m the boy’s family – me, an’ nobody else. Casey is my only grandchild. He lives with me and, like I say, the lad’s got nobody else. So, I look after him. I provide for him, and I take good care of him. An’ that’s an end to it.’

‘I understand, and of course in that situation everything will be channelled through you, Mr … ?’

‘It’s Bob!’ He was
beginning to warm towards this young man; especially as he seemed genuine in his claim to help Casey.

‘And I’m Steve.’ He shook the old fella’s hand. ‘I want you to know, I’ve been in the music business for some time, and I’m really impressed by your grandson’s performance just now. I’m particularly impressed by the confident manner in which he plays the guitar, and his voice is unique. It has
that easy, emotional quality that many singers spend a lifetime trying to perfect.’ A thought occurred to him. ‘Was he ever tutored by a professional?’

‘No, he’s never been to anyone of that nature. Mind you, I taught myself to play the guitar when I were young. Then I taught my son, Tom, and he taught the boy. It were a family pastime, so to speak.’

‘And he’s had no singing lessons at all?’

‘Never.’

The old fella recalled one particular time Casey sang for them. ‘It were a Christmas Day, as I remember. Casey were just six year old. We’d finished our Christmas dinner and I played a tune on the guitar – “White Christmas” – it were one of his late grandma’s favourite songs and that day, me and his mammy and daddy sang it to him. Afterwards, we were sitting chatting, the three of us
together, when suddenly the lad started singing. I don’t mind tellin’ yer, it were a real eye-opener. We couldn’t believe it. He sang all the way through, every word, all in perfect tune, and his voice … well, it were like that of a little angel. Since then, you can often hear him singing, especially when he plays the guitar.’ His face beamed with pride. ‘He sang at the school concert last year, and
everyone got up and clapped.’

Bob shook his head as though in disbelief. ‘Where he got his musical talent from, Lord only knows. It certainly weren’t from me, nor really from his daddy, although Tom was quite good. As for his mammy, soon ever the lad opened his mouth to sing, or even speak, she’d be down his throat like a mad dog … telling him to be quiet … that nobody wanted to hear him sing
…’ the old fella’s voice tailed off.

‘I’m sorry.’ Steve felt the need to apologise.

‘No need. It’s me that should be sorry, for ’avin’ brought it up. Sadly, things were not all that good between his parents. But that’s not for me to say, and nor for you to worry about, ’cause they’re not here; neither of ’em, more’s the pity.’

There were many occasions of late – much like today with Casey performing
for the crowds – when Bob wondered about Ruth, and his heart was heavy.

Steve was fascinated by the lad’s background. ‘Well, it’s obvious that somewhere along the way, one of your past relatives had an instinct for the music, and it’s found its way down to the boy. It’s a gift, and it needs nurturing.’

‘Hey! Don’t get ahead of yersel’, fella. Nothing’s been decided yet.’

Steve quickly curbed
his enthusiasm. ‘I’m sorry, but look, Bob, if you want me to go away, I’ll go away. But I promise you, I don’t want to do anything that will in any way upset you, or Casey.’

‘Hmm.’ Bob had a good feeling about this fella. ‘All right, I reckon I believe yer. I might even be tempted to trust yer, but I need to be sure.’

Steve was encouraged. ‘So, can I call my colleague? Can I run it by him and
see what he thinks?’

‘I expect so, but afore yer do that, you and me had better get to grips with what you have in mind, ’cause whatever the man might think, and whatever me and you talk about, you need to understand, it’s Casey who has the last word.’

‘Of course. That goes without saying.’

‘Good. So go ahead, make your call, and if you come to my house when you’re all sorted, we’ll all three
of us discuss what’s on offer.’

Collecting a pen from the stall he scribbled his address on a piece of wrapping paper and handed it to Steve. ‘Meantime, I’ll talk to the lad an’ see what he has to say.’

Steve thanked him. Then they shook hands and went their separate ways.

The old fella hurried off, eager to relay the news to Patrick; though he had decided that it would be unwise to tell Casey
anything until he had received certain reassurances from Steve. And even then, he would be guarding the boy’s wellbeing every step of the way.

Meanwhile, Steve went in search of Susie and Alice. He found them at a cockle stall. ‘We saw you talking to the boy’s grandfather,’ Alice said, ‘so we thought we’d have a quick look round.’

‘Look, Uncle Steve,’ Susie held up a piece of paper, ‘.?.?.?
me and Casey are friends now. He gave me his address, and Mummy let me give him ours, and now we’re going to write to each other.’

‘Really?’ Steve held out the piece of paper with the scribble on. ‘Snap! I’ve got an address too, and as soon as I can get hold of Jim, I’ll be discussing Casey’s musical future. Tomorrow, I’ll be reporting to Casey’s grandfather.’

While Susie was greatly excited
about his news, Alice was cautious. ‘I can see the boy is talented, Steve, but he’s also very young. I know it’s none of my business and what I know about the world of music isn’t even worth knowing, but I hope you’ve thought this through. If you don’t mind me saying, there are many other issues here, besides music.’

‘Yes, I’m aware of all the issues, like home and family, and his schooling.
Other than his granddad, I’m told that Casey has no family, and before you ask, I haven’t been made aware of the reasons why, although I did overhear someone talking about a tragedy concerning the boy. His home is with his grandfather. If, after hearing him perform, Jim leaps at the chance to nurture young Casey towards a successful career, we must then abide by what both the boy and his grandfather
have to say. If it works out in favour of a career in music, we’ll need to discuss important things, such as his schooling.’

Alice was satisfied that Steve had the boy’s welfare at heart. ‘He certainly has something very special,’ she said, as they headed away from the market. ‘Let’s hope everything works out.’

Steve was thinking ahead. ‘Like you say, there’s a lot to think about, and while
I’m convinced that the boy’s future lies in music, I’m determined that his childhood must not be disrupted.’

‘I know you’ll do right by him.’

‘I will, but first I’m anxious to know what Jim might say. I do know that when he hears Casey, he won’t be able to resist taking him on.’ He chuckled. ‘First, though, he’s got to get past the old man.’

‘I think it’s sad that Casey only has his granddad.’
Susie had an idea. ‘Maybe you two can love him, like you love me?’

That made them smile. ‘You’re a special little girl, Susie,’ Steve was deeply touched, ‘and I’m very glad we’ve got you.’

Alice glanced at her watch. ‘Come on, you two. We’d best get a move on. There’s the luggage to collect, and a train to catch.’

‘Don’t worry,’ Steve assured her. ‘If there’s time at the hotel before we leave
for the station, I’ll make that call to Jim then.’

When they arrived at the hotel, Alice went straight to the desk and ordered the luggage.

While the porter loaded the luggage into the boot of the car, Alice and Susie found a table by the window, and Steve made his call to Jim.

‘I’ve to get Alice and Susie to the train station,’ Steve began, ‘so I’ll talk and you listen.’

‘OK, I’m listening
… what’s the news?’ Jim was a laid-back, canny man with the Midas touch where musical talent was concerned.

Steve told him only as much as he needed to know for now. ‘The boy is a real gem,’ he said. ‘Not only does he possess a warm and engaging voice, he also plays a guitar with heart and soul. He’s a natural, Jim. He’s never been professionally taught. He’s just an ordinary kid, with extraordinary
talent, and from what I can gather, he’s an orphan into the bargain. He’s also got a granddad who would guard him with his life, so you can’t just go barging in heavy-footed.’