Si holds my hand. That always sounds so lame in books, hand holding. He looks right into my eyes.

“We’ve really missed you, while you’ve been ill.”

Six closest friends, absolute tops. Once again, in jumps Mum.

“Shall I fetch another chair?”

She’s outside before anyone can respond. We hear her in the corridor:

“Nurse? Is there a nurse around here?” Her heels click away and we all relax.

“Your Mum seems nice,” Ade lies.

“She gave me a make over.”

“I was wondering about the look,”

“Yeah,” Si added. “You usually look far more…rock.”

Wow, I didn’t think I looked rock. But Si would know. Ha, that shows all the girls in matching black. I am rock. There’s a pause while we all let that sink in.

Mum returns with a chair for Ade. He sits opposite Si. Surrounded by rock stars while I’m under an NHS blanket. Well, if Si doesn’t mind I don’t. Mum’s standing behind Si, who’s dropped my hand. She seems to be trying to signal to Ade. Really subtle, Mum.

“Oh,” she says, trying to be light, “the CD’s stopped.”

I literally hadn’t noticed.

“Are you allowed a guitar in here?” Ade asks mischievously.

“She’s allowed whatever she likes,” Mum insists.

Ade pops outside and Si shifts over. He’s wearing leather trousers. Must not stare. Well, not too much.

Ade returns with hands full of stuff. He can barely carry it all.

“The others are really sorry they couldn’t be here. They sent presents.” He hands over a signed drum skin, signed tour posters…

“Oh my word!”

He hands me his guitar. It’s got a ribbon tied around it. I’m speechless.

“You deserve it, babes.” Si tells me.

“But it’s the red SG…”

“It needs a new home,” Ade insists.

I throw my arms around Ade. He’s had this guitar forever. Since their first tour…The ribbon’s on the second fret, and it distorts the sound enough that I can play all the best Oasis tracks. Ade laughs at the makeshift cappo trick. I don’t even attempt a Renegade Chic song. How cheesy would that be?

Si looks impressed. “What’s this band of yours called?”

Ade was right, Si has a terrible memory.

“It’s Switchblade Sisters.”

“Cool name.” He’s smiling. People wouldn’t think he was arrogant if they’d had him smile at them like that. “You’ll have to support us on our next tour.”

For a long, blissful moment no one exists besides us.

“Oh Gemma, how wonderful for you!”

Thanks Mum. Could you have ruined the moment any more? Ade’s smile looks a bit forced. I suppose he’d feeling like a bit of a gooseberry hovering while Si and I are so connected.

“What about Tour Manager Jo?” I ask.

Ever efficient Jo doesn’t like RC choosing their own supports. She’d probably stop printing out set lists in shock. Then again, emotions are probably beneath her.

“I’ll sort out Jo,” Si assures me, smiling once again. Oh boy.

Then Mum gets out the camera.

“We need to have some photos! Simon, Adrian, do you mind?”

I mind, Mum. Maybe I don’t want a photo of me looking like this. Especially with His Gorgeousness. But it does mean he’s leaning in…I prop myself up so Ade and Si can put their arms around me and I’m holding the SG. My band is going to support Renegade Chic. My band. I get to tour with Si. This couldn’t be any better.

I don’t say anything until we’re in the lift.

“Si!” I swear I’m going to kill him.

“Did you see the look on her face?”

“Yes, Si. That would be the problem.”

“What?”

“Why did you say all that? Support on the next tour? What were you thinking!”

“Like her Mum says, we have to make her think she’ll recover.”

“She’s not dying!” That shuts him up. How could he be so stupid?

“But she’s got no hair.”

“Si, how fucking clueless! Don’t you remember anyone? What does a girl have to do for you to remember her?”

Si shrugs. “When you live the lifestyle…”

“Tell me you’re joking.” It takes a second for that to sink in. “Look, she smashed her head open at the London date.” Blank. “She was crowd surfing. There was blood everywhere!”

“That was her? She’s not got cancer? Shit. ”