Consequently, Ruby and Mike had decided to move away from the city nearer to the coast where they could enjoy the watersports, they both loved.
Whilst clearing out the loft in readiness, they came across their old slide projector, telescopic screen and a box labelled ‘Gene Pitney U.S tour 2000’.
Deciding immediately to have a good old-fashioned reminisce, they transported everything downstairs and set up.
It had taken them over a year to save for the tickets, working double shifts in the domestic appliance factory where they had met. They flew business class, stayed in 5-star hotels, procured backstage passes and signed T-shirts; the whole VIP caboodle.
Just as they were about to ‘switch on’, the doorbell rang and Ruby grudgingly extricated herself from her large G & T and went to investigate.
To their surprise it was John and Sadie, old work mates who were in the area and had decided to ‘pop in’.
Familiar with their friends’ occasional idiosyncratic behaviour they sat down and insisted they continue with their trip down memory lane.
“That’s us at Gatwick, wearing our matching tour jackets” Mike said proudly.
“Forgot you two were massive Pitney fans” their guests replied.
“We were heading to his concert in Disneyworld, Los Angeles. It had a revolving stage. Forty thousand fans packed in. It was mega!” Ruby effused.
“Wouldn’t that be about ‘Twenty-Four Hours from Tulsa’?” John joked.
With disdained looks and deaf ears, the hosts continued.
“His voice was completely unique. A tenor with a range from A2 to G4, and perfect pitch!” Mike waxed lyrically.
John and Sadie nodded in a conciliatory manner.
“There were celebrities from all walks of life; actors, footballers, writers, even a Chinese chess grandmaster. They’d all come to watch him” Mike continued.
“Blimey, a chess guru, who’d have thought it?” Sadie said.
“He was called Ni Huang, known as NI. The press claimed that he won all his finals wearing his signed Pitney shirt; apparently, it brought him luck. I’m sure there’s a slide of him in here somewhere” Mike suggested.
“I suppose you’re all exceptional in your own way then. The unique singer, the chess master and the see-through toaster inventors!” Sadie proffered.
“Found it!” Mike said excitedly.
It was a backstage photograph of the four of them.
“There’s Gene, there’s NI and there’s US”.