The Hush Society Presents... by Izzy Matias (best desktop ebook reader .txt) 📕

get what she’s trying to say. The community is more important than her reputation.

I truly am horrible for wanting us to not make it, but I never wanted the gig cancelled.

"For all you know, they’ve bonded whilst waiting for the show to start," I say. "So what about The Psychedelic Glitch’s performance?"

"They didn’t want to perform without us. Kai’s keen on rescheduling, but no definite date yet. We’ll have to fix the itinerary again," Cassie says before sinking into the right side of my body. I pull her closer and rub her arm. At least there’s a possibility of the gig being rescheduled.

After fifteen minutes of more crawling, the traffic gets lighter. Finally, we’re cruising at normal highway speed again.

As we turn into the M32 towards Bristol, I glance at the time on my mobile. Huh. If they hadn’t cancelled, we might have still made it. The Psychedelic Glitch had a thirty-minute set before Amber.

Tonight doesn’t have to be a complete waste.

"Have they really called it off and people have left?" I ask Cassie.

Her eyes flicker open and checks the time on her watch. She looks exhausted, but smiles. I have a feeling she knows what I’m implying. "Let me check."

Instead of calling Dan, she fires up a message. And within seconds he replies. She shows me his response.

Dan: Yep. ☹ Most of the lot have left, but there are a couple of old timers who decided to hang around and do an impromptu jam session with The Pyschedelic Glitch. Man, I love this community.

I smile. "Anyone fancy going to the pub?"

It’s time for The Fortunate Only to make their first pub appearance.

"Pub?" Eric shouts. "Someone said pub. Time to grab a couple of good ale to salvage the night!"

"Sometimes I want to strangle you," Amber says. "You can be so thick!"

"What kind of pub you thinking of, mate?" Benji asks, grinning. He’s holding up his mobile. "There’s free Wifi!"

"Work your skills, man!" I say and laugh. There’s still time to salvage the night as Eric says… just not the same way he was thinking.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

If there’s one thing I love about Bristol it’s the new places that pop up all year ‘round. Aside from Beverley, Bristol is the only other city I’m well acquainted with since Benji has a house here. The many summers we spent in this city has allowed me to see turnover of new shops, restaurants, and pubs. There are places we keep coming back to and The Seven Mermaids is one of them.

It’s one of the oldest pubs in Bristol, but the way it’s managed is up to date—they’ve got events, live acts, and of course great ale.

"Open mic night?" Benji asks as soon as the words The Seven Mermaids rolls out of my mouth.

People don’t expect much on open mic night. And though there are probably other pubs hosting open mic night because Bristol is a bustling city, we love The Seven Mermaids.

"Do you think you can get Dan, Ella, and the others to come over?" I ask Cassie. "It’s a shame to waste a night like this when there are people expecting a gig. What do you think?"

Cassie smiles and calls Dan to relay the message. "They’ll be there," she says and puts her mobile in her bag.

We enter the pub, welcomed by its familiar aroma—Arbor ale and pinewood—and scan the area.

"You sure about this?" Eric asks, doubting.

"Yes," I say. "What’s the worst that can happen?"

"Hecklers," Eric replies. "That’s what."

"Haven’t encountered any of them here before," I assure him.

"That doesn’t mean they won’t be here tonight."

"Have some faith, will you?" I pat his back and approach the bar.

The staff greets us with nods. "The usual?" Pam asks me, grabbing an empty pint glass ready to fill it up with one of the ales lined up on the bar table.

"I was gonna ask if there’s still room in tonight’s open mic."

"You sing?" she asks, surprised.

Three of my previous musical ventures were during College, so it was the usual: play at someone’s party, or sign up for battle of the bands or at a College event if you were good enough. The last two projects I had—the one with Lewis and the punk band with Elliot—we limited ourselves to talent showcase nights or really small gigs. It’s the first time I’m juggling band practice, music composition, and a constant stream of gigs.

"Yes," I answer Pam. "My mates are playing as well."

"Eric and Benji?" she says.

"You got that right!"

"Let me ask," she says and disappears to the back as another bartender attends to the people beside me.

"A musician, you say?" a male voice asks.

I whip my head to face a man in his early forties. He clutches a pint in his hands. His eyes are sunken and he’s in the early stages of growing his facial hair out.

"You heard right. We’re on tour this summer." I don’t know why I’m telling a complete stranger this, but I guess part of me wants this validated or to get a recognition of sorts—like hey! He’s on tour, so he must be good.

Pam comes back out and approaches us.

"Yer doing it full-time, you say?" He looks at me with a puzzled look.

I confirm, smiling.

He’s about to tell me something, but Pam beats him to it. "There are more than enough slots for you and your mates. Only one other person has signed up and he’s not here yet. You can go up any time. Floor’s open."

Middle-aged man gives me a puzzled look.

"Thanks, Pam. We’ll set up our gear and get on it!" I say, winking at her.

"Now I know why you have that cheeky charm. You musicians," she says and giggles.

"What cheeky charm?" I shrug whilst grinning and give the middle-aged man a weak smile before locating my mates.

They’ve gotten a spot at one of the red couches at the corner. Dan, Ella, and The Psychedelic Glitch are there. They’re with some people I have never seen, but Cassie greets them with warmth—like old