February 5th, 1971

    Nearly three weeks had passed since the affair was found out. Clyde was absent from the next two jam sessions, as we had assumed he would be. After another handful of meetings, the band expressed their desire to have a drummer present, I thought of Steve.
    I had given him a call and made sure that I correctly remembered what he had mentioned on New Years.
 
    “I’m no superstar, but I get by behind a kit,” he told me. “Why do you ask?”
    “Clyde has some family things to take care of, so he’s taking a little break. We’re looking for someone to fill in for a few days,” I explained. “Do you think you could lend a hand?”

    Steve wasn’t a half bad drummer, at least to my standards. With his help, the rest of the band were able to get some ideas down and record a few rough demos over the next week, which eased some of the tension we were all feeling.
    By the time Clyde appeared at our front door last week, I’d nearly given up hope of his return. He spoke privately with Cameron for nearly an hour before quietly leaving.
    That evening, after a day spent without the band in the studio, I asked Cameron what Clyde had told him.

    “He’s made a decision, and I didn’t argue with him,” he informed me.
    “What has he decided?”
    “He’s leaving the band.” Cameron looked at me and chuckled softly. “He said he has too much respect for me to just drop out, so he’ll record the album and give us time to find a new drummer. He feels he owes it to me.”

    I had hoped that Dale would feel remorse for what had happened, or even guilt, but when Cameron informed the band of Clyde’s decision, he seemed emotionless. I could tell Dale was relieved that Clyde had dropped out, leaving him to remain Amoeba’s vocalist, as if it had been a band decision I was certain that it was Dale who would be out of a job.
    Today being Friday, Cameron had taken Lee out to Edinburgh to see a club show. I declined to tag along despite the invitation, as I knew Lee was still feeling down and didn’t want to be a reminder of my sister to him on a night spent trying to ease his spirits.
    Instead, I stayed home and called my sister. I updated her on the events of the past few weeks during our long phone call.
    “I miss Scotland,” she told me in a soft tone.
    “And Scotland misses you,” I laughed. “He’s in Edinburgh with Cameron to see a few bands. Battle of the bands kind of thing.”
    “Lee misses me?”
    “He does,” I answered. “We all do.”

    I eventually went into my bedroom and sat on the bed with a sketchbook and my pencils, though I didn’t get much onto the page before I fell asleep. I only woke when Cameron entered the room and spoke softly to me.
    “You could have gone to sleep, Emily.” He sat beside me and leaned down to kiss me.
    “Was I not just asleep?” I answered cheekily.
    “You know what I mean.”
    “How were the bands?” I asked him. “See any good prospects?”
    Cameron grinned. “Yes, a few. Though I think one in particular might be interesting,” he told me.
    “Oh?”
    “His name’s Colin, he’s from Liverpool. Right now he’s playing in a straight rock band,” Cameron elaborated. “Lee and I spoke to him after their set. We told him we need a drummer and that he’d be a good fit. He’s a little young, but he’s talented.”
    “How old is he?” I asked.
    “Nineteen.”
    “Wonderful,” I replied sarcastically. “If he joins, I’ll be a Liverpudlian’s grandmother.”
    Cameron laughed. “He’s young, but he’s a hard hitter. I’ve got a good feeling.”
    I gave Cameron a quick kiss. “When will the baby come over to audition?” I joked.
    “He’ll call us Monday.”