#Cheltenham fire

[charleswiedenmann]

Back The Tracks - Part 6 - The Pink Inferno

Philadelphia, PA – Mid 70s My friend Michael and I were hanging out in one of our forts just chilling one afternoon. We’re just chatting and watching the trains roll by. We noticed some other kids who we didn’t know across on the other side playing around with matches. We figured just a couple of firebugs like us. But stuff starting to catch a little bit and we decide to investigate. They were a…

[locksmithsgloucester]

A few of this weeks jobs

A few of this weeks jobs

Locks changed on 3 containers at local railway Boarded up after a burglary Key safe fitted so a patient can be released from hospital for carers Door boarded after a burglary Door secured after police had to force entry Door boarded after glass smashed in a burglary New window handles fitted Door handle repaired

[huntingingoodwill]

how to steal a million (t.s.)

masterlist

pairing: tommy shelby x reader

prompts: must include: a confession, hurt/comfort, a family tradition, forced proximity

a/n: this is my fic for @runnning-outof-time 's holiday bingo challenge! i hope you like it <3

You hitched up the skirt of your gown, the silk gathering in your fingers and tumbling past your knuckles as you hurried down the hallway. 

You heard your name echo down the corridor, and you swore under your breath, wisps of hair falling from your perfect coiffure as you evaded the voice.

“Where are you? Everyone’s asking after you! Come down and join the party!” 

Your eyes landed on an inconspicuous door, and you scrabbled toward it, heels clicking frantically against the marble floor. 

You slid into the broom closet, hurriedly clicking the door shut behind you. You were immediately plunged into darkness, the only sliver of light peeking through the gap at the bottom of the door. 

You watched that little strip of light fall across your feet, holding your breath. Your fingernails dug into the soft flesh of your clammy palms as you heard the voice get closer, footsteps quickly approaching.

You breathed a sigh of relief as the footsteps receded into the distance, the voice growing fainter as the shadow that obscured the light moved past the closet. 

The tension draining out of your body, you sunk toward the door, bracing your forehead against the smooth, cool wood. 

You heard the click of a lighter behind you, and you whipped around to see a man in the darkness, illuminated by the orange glow of the small fire. 

“Cigarette?” He mumbled, the smell of tobacco filling the cramped space as he lit the cigarette that dangled off his lips. 

“Jesus Christ!” You exclaimed, jumping back in shock. 

Your hand shot up to feel around for the light switch above you, yanking on the cord. 

Suddenly, the tiny closet was awash in light, and you took in the sight of a man sitting in the corner, casually nursing a cigarette. 

“Who are you?” You blinked at him, astonished. 

“A guest.”

You narrowed your eyes at him, folding your arms over your chest as you felt suspicion swirl through your mind.

“A guest.”  You repeated, your tone brimming with doubt. “And what is a guest doing, hiding here, so far away from the party?” 

“I could ask the same of you.” He quipped, icy blue eyes holding your gaze.  

“Ah, but I’m not a guest.” You defended yourself, holding up a manicured finger as you corrected him. “This is my family’s party. I’m technically a host.” 

“Well,” He began, taking a puff of his cigarette, silver smoke spilling from his lips as he spoke. “You’re not being a very good host if you’re hiding up here, are you?” 

You gave him a tight smile, eyebrow cocking as you looked at him. You hadn’t been able to put your finger on it before, but recognition now registered in your mind. 

“I remember you.” You wagged your finger at him, beginning to catch on. “I saw you with May Carleton at Cheltenham in March. Tommy Shelby. I don’t seem to remember my father mentioning that gangsters would be on the guest list tonight.” 

“Why not? We’re good fun at parties.” He replied, shrugging nonchalantly. 

“Cut the shit, Shelby. What are you really doing here?” 

“Well, if you must know,” He sighed, bothered by your incessant questioning, “I’m here to rob your family blind.” 

“Excuse me?” 

“Your father has come into quite a bit of money recently.” Tommy said, words calculated and measured. “He’s been stepping on the Blinders’ business. So, I came here tonight to take back what’s ours.” 

“How much?” You asked.

“A million dollars.” He sighed, punctuating his statement with a drag of his cigarette. 

“You’re seriously admitting to me right now that you came here to steal a million from my family?” 

“You’d hardly miss it.” Tommy explained. “And, with your family’s yearly legendary holiday party going on tonight, I figured I could hide until all the…” He took a second to ponder, searching for the words, “rich fucks down there were drunk enough. Then, I’d take what’s mine and leave. No one would be any the wiser.”

“Well, I’m sorry to ruin your plans, Mr. Shelby, but I won’t stand by-” You said, turning to leave and warn your father. 

“You’re not going back down there.” He interrupted. 

You swivelled back around, glaring at him. 

“Is that a threat?” You spat. “I’m not scared of you.” 

He sighed, shaking his head. 

“You’re not going back down there, because you don’t want to.” 

“What?” You said softly, your tough exterior faltering for a second. 

“I can tell you don’t want to go down there. So don’t.” He said. 

You reached for the doorknob, but as your fingers grazed it you lost your nerve. You sighed, flexing your fingers. Your hand returned to your side. 

“Move.” You ordered, and Tommy listened, sidling closer to the wall as you squeezed next to him, pressed up against him in the cramped space. You plucked the cigarette from his fingers, taking a drag for yourself. You took a breath, carefully considering your next words. 

“It’s not that simple, you know.” You mumbled, eyes trained on the glowing end of the cigarette. 

“Sure it is.” He replied, taking the cigarette back as you passed it to him. 

“It really isn’t.” You chuckled.

“How so?” You furrowed your eyebrows, turning to gaze at him. 

You could hardly fathom why he’d care. Still, you felt the emotions you had kept bottled up all your life bubble up within your throat. You pressed your lips firmly together, fiddling with your fingers nervously as you felt a lump form in your throat. You felt so silly, feeling yourself unravel little by little, all because the criminal you were squashed up against in this tiny room asked you a simple question. But, no one had ever really asked you about how you felt, living in the gilded cage of high society. It felt foreign, sharing your feelings, and you grew nervous at the prospect of having to do so.

“I don’t know.” You muttered, folding your hands in your lap meekly. You could feel the barrage of emotions pooling in your mouth, the true feelings you had kept hidden for so long ready to spill out. “It’s one of our many family traditions, this stupid holiday party. I don’t like any of it.” You pinched the bridge of your nose, just thinking of it making you feel dizzy. “All the parties, all the gossip, all the expectations. If I make one small misstep at one of these, I’m immediately filed under disappointment.” You rolled your eyes, smiling. “I feel…trapped. It’s better to hide than risk being a blemish to the family because I wear the wrong dress, or my soiree conversation isn’t polite enough.” You forced out a laugh. “Sorry. It probably sounds stupid to you.” 

“It doesn’t.” He replied immediately, and you turned to him, a little stunned. “I’m not going to pretend I know all about what it’s like being a high society woman,” He started, earning a little laugh from you, “But, I think you deserve better than this. You should go. Leave it all behind.” 

You smiled, shaking your head. 

“It’s not that simple, Tommy.” 

“It won’t be.” He replied. “But, I think you deserve better than living a life you hate. I’ve heard about you for a while now. As you said, stupid high society gossip. But, meeting you has confirmed it. You’re bold. Brave. Intelligent. You should do what makes you happy.” He paused, thinking over what he wanted to say next. “I… would like to see you happy. I want you to be happy.” He said, trailing off quietly at his final revelation. 

“Really?” You whispered. 

“Really.” He cleared his throat. "And... if you ever need any help, come find me, alright?"

An uncontrollable smile tugged at your lips. You reached out for him, pulling him into a hug. You felt him tense under your embrace, but he soon relaxed, melting into your touch.

“Thank you.” You mumbled into his shirt, cheek pressed against his shoulder. 

“Alright, that’s enough.” He mumbled, patting you awkwardly on the arm, already missing you as you pulled away. 

The two of you sat in silence for a moment, leaning against each other’s shoulders in the small space. 

“Hey, Tommy?” 

“Yeah?” He turned to look at you, eyebrows raised, noses practically brushing each other due to your proximity. 

‘How’d you like some help with stealing that million?” 

[aimeedaisies]

The Princess Royal’s Official Engagements in November 2023

01/11 Princess Anne, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke & Duchess of Gloucester attended the Senior Serving and Retired Officers’ Briefing at the Army and Navy Club on Pall Mall in London. 🪖💼

As Chancellor of Harper Adams University, attended the launch of the University’s Strategic Plan at London Bridge Arches. 🎓

With Sir Tim As Royal Bencher of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, attended the Grand Day Choral Evensong Service at Temple Church in London. 🎶

With Sir Tim As Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Engineers, attended a Dinner to mark their 40th Anniversary at Mansion House in London. ⚙️

02/11 Held two investiture ceremonies at Buckingham Palace. 🎖️

03/11 As Patron of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, visited Citizens Advice Malvern Hills in Malvern, Worcestershire. 👩‍⚖️

Opened the Specialist Operations Centre at the Gloucestershire Constabulary and Office of Police and Crime Commissioner in Cheltenham. 👮‍♀️

07/11 Alongside King Charles & Queen Camilla, Princess Anne in her role as Gold Stick in Waiting, was present at the State Opening of Parliament. 👩‍⚖️🪶

Opened the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage and the McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station in Edinburgh. 👨‍🚒

The Princess Royal, As Patron of the Eric Liddell 100, attended the inaugural Lecture and Reception on board Fingal, Alexandra Dock, in Edinburgh. 🏃🏽🥂

Unofficial Sir Tim attended the memorial service for former university friend and newsreader George Alagiah at St-Martin-in-the-Fields church in London 🎓🕊️

08/11 As Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, presented Royal Medals and attended a Reception at the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 🏅

As Patron of Catch22, attended the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum in Birmingham ✍️

As Patron of the Wooden Spoon Society, attended a Reception at the House of Lords in London. 🥄🏉🥂

As Court Member of the Fishmongers’ Company, attended a Livery Dinner at Fishmongers’ Hall in London. 🐟🍽️

09/11 As President of World Horse Welfare, attended the Annual Conference at the Royal Geographical Society. 🐴

As Patron of the Butler Trust, visited HM Prison Wandsworth in London. 🚓👮‍♂️

As Patron of the Whitley Fund for Nature, held a 30th Anniversary Dinner at St James's Palace. 🦋🍃

10/11 The Princess Royal, As President of Royal Yachting Association, chaired the Annual General Meeting and presented Awards before attending a Luncheon in London SW1. 🛥️

Unofficial Announcement that Princess Anne will take over Presidency of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, taking over from the Duke of Kent who Presided over the Commission since 1970 🌹🪦

~ Remembrance weekend ~

11/11 With Sir Tim Attended the Armistice Day Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum. 🌳 🫡

With Sir Tim Attended the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall with members of the royal family. 🌹

12/11 With Sir Tim Attended the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London. Princess Anne laid a wreath whilst Sir Tim stood on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office balcony. 🌹

With Sir Tim Took the salute at the March Past of Ex-Servicemen and Civilian Organisations on Horse Guards Parade, London SWI. 🫡

~ End ~

14/11 As Patron of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK), attended the 10th Anniversary Transport and Logistics Safety Forum Conference at the National Memorial Arboretum. 🚚

Visited the new Institute of Shipbuilding course at City of Glasgow College Riverside Campus in Glasgow. ⚓️

As Patron of the Royal Celtic Society, attended a Reception at Glasgow City Chambers. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Attended Interfaith Glasgow’s Scottish Interfaith Week Forum at Glasgow City Chambers. ☪️✡️✝️🕉️🪯

Unofficial Sir Tim attended a Kent Cricket celebration dinner at Lords Cricket Ground 🏏

15/11 Visited BAE Systems Submarines' Submarine Academy and the University of Cumbria. 🤿 👨‍🎓

Visited the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in Barrow-in-Furness. ☢️

As Patron of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, visited the Barrow-in-Furness branch to mark its reopening. 🤝

As Patron of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, attended a Dinner at St George's Hall, to mark its 125th anniversary. 🦜💊

16/11 As Vice Patron of the British Horse Society, attended a Coaching Career Insight Day.

As Patron of the Butler Trust, visited HM Prison Drake Hall.

As Patron of Transaid, attended a Reception at London Transport Museum.

17/11 Not Counted Departed Heathrow Airport for Gibraltar but was diverted to Madrid, Spain and arrived in Gibraltar later than intended. ✈️🇪🇸🇬🇮

With Sir Tim As Royal Patron of the Gibraltar International Literary Festival, attended the Literary Festival Opening Dinner at the Sunborn Hotel. 📚🍽️

18/11 In Gibraltar Princess Anne;

As Patron of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, visited Gibraltar Citizens Advice Bureau to mark its 20th anniversary. 👩‍⚖️

Opened the renovated premises of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Association. 🫡

Met representatives of the Emergency Services and members of the Armed Forces at the Convent. 🚑🪖

With Sir Tim visited specialist vehicles provider Bassadone Automotive Group. 🚗

Unofficial Sir Tim visited the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron, 🇬🇮⚓️

21/11 As Master of the Corporation of Trinity House, presented Merchant Navy medals for Meritorious Service at Trinity House, London. 🏅

With Sir Tim Attended the State Banquet in honour of the President and First Lady of South Korea. 🇬🇧🇰🇷🍽️

22/11 Visited Retrotec Limited near Northiam, East Sussex. ✈️

Visited Focus SB Limited in St Leonards-on-Sea. ⚙️

As Commandant-in-Chief of St John Ambulance (Youth), attended a Reception for Young Achievers at the Priory Church of the Order of St John in London. 🚑

As Chancellor of the University of London, attended Foundation Day at Senate House in London 🎓

23/11 As Commodore-in-Chief of Portsmouth Naval Base, opened Alford Schools of Military Music. 🎶

Attended a Luncheon at Spithead House, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, for The Princess Royal's Patronages based in Hampshire. ⚓️

As President of the City and Guilds of London Institute, presented The Princess Royal Training Awards at St James's Palace. 🏆

With Sir Tim As President of the British Olympic Association, attended the Team GB Ball at the Savoy Hotel. 🏋️‍♀️

24/11 As Royal Patron of the London Scottish Football Club, attended the 10th Anniversary of the St Andrew's Day Luncheon at the Sheraton Grand London on Park Lane. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏉

28/11 Presented The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Awards at Fishmongers’ Hall in London. 🏆

As Chancellor of the University College of Osteopathy, attended a Graduation Ceremony. 🎓

As Royal Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, attended a New Fellows’ Dinner. ⚙️🍽️

29/11 The Princess Royal, As Royal Patron of the National Coastwatch Institution, visited Canvey Island Station and attended a Reception at the Island Yacht Club. 🔎🏝️

Opened Huntingdon Fire Station and Service Training Centre. 🚒

Opened North Cambridgeshire Training Centre. 💼

As Honorary Member of the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers, attended the Annual General Meeting and Discussion Dinner. 👷🍴

30/11 As Patron of the Not Forgotten Association, held the Christmas Reception at St James’s Palace. 🎄🎅🏻🎁

Total official engagements for Anne in October: 58

2023 total so far: 458

Total official engagements accompanied by Tim in October: 11

2023 total so far: 92

[lollytruecrimeworld]

Gloucestershire Unsolved

Why Are These Cases Cold & Forgotten

Twenty days ago we began the arduous task of a deep-dive review of four unsolved murder cases in Cheltenham, Stroud, Coleford and Stonehouse.

The first of these murders that need our attention is that of Constance “Little Granny” Aris.

On February 28th 1985, the pensioner in her 70s was found by her son Keith and daughter-in-law Vanessa in her armchair, she had been battered to death with what was believed to have been an axe, the TV was still on.

Connie had been out in the early evening of February 27th 1985 to attend a Friendly Society meeting at St Marks Community Centre in Cheltenham. Sometime between 6.30 pm that evening and 9 am on 28th February she was murdered.

Now one thing that we need to clarify is the date of the killing as the national database for deaths clearly shows Constance E E Aris of Cheltenham deceased in 1986.

This is the copy of the record taken from Findmypast.com

Death quarter 2, Registration Month 4

Death year 1986, District Cheltenham

Register number 486, County Gloucestershire

Volume 22, Page 1441

So this is something we are currently exploring and have contacted witnesses to further explore this. Obviously, I will report back when we have clarification.

Links to this investigation

Since we began to review this case we have identified two possible links to other unsolved killings, one in Bristol and one in Plymouth but we cannot go into any detail on this just at the moment, as enquiries are ongoing.

Carmel Gamble

The fire brigade attended the cottage after a fire was reported at the Rodborough address. As part of the search discovered the body of severely anorexic Carmel Gamble who was 43 years old.

The worrying thing was that she had not died as a result of the fire, she had been beaten to death with several severe blows to her skull. She had been badly mutilated and then piles of clothes set around the body and set alight using paraffin as an accelerant.

There has never been any sign of this case being solved despite evidence from a woman who came forward a few years later.

In the relatively few days since we began looking at these cases we have been able to speak to two people who recall the case and are willing to talk to us. We will bring an update as we get it.

Courtney Davies

This murder was pretty horrific with the victim being a well-known gangster. His badly burned body was found frozen by wildlife rangers Neil Sollis and Ray Beasley in High Meadow Woods near Coleford Gloucestershire, it was around 9 am December 21st 2004.

The post-mortem revealed that he had been stabbed some 70 times and his throat had been cut. There was a strong smell f petrol which may well have caused the woodland fire.

Courtney Davies was a well known criminal from Cardiff with convictions for drugs, firearms and violence. In 1986 he had been sent to prison for 15 years for a violent robbery of the home of a Welsh businessman. Davies had been released in 1994 having served eight years of the sentence.

This murder is believed to have been a gangland killing it is our early opinion that this is correct.

Police appealed for the drivers of a red Ford Escort, a white Lexus, amd a red & white motorcycle seen along the A4136 between 1050 pm and 1150 pm on the night of December 19th 2004 but to no avail.

DNA found on a cigarette butt led to some arrests and 32-year-old Malcolm Martin was put on trial at Bristol Crown Court, however, the trial collapsed before it could begin and Mr Martin who had been deaf and mute since the age of 12 when he had meningitis said the arrest ruined his life.

Gloucestershire Police say that there is really very little chance of a conviction but regardless of this man’s convictions, I feel that the case needs to be reviewed, not just written off.

Richard Miles

The last case I want to bring to you as we review is that of 29-year-old Richard Miles who was stabbed to death in the back garden of his home in Newtown Near Stonehouse Gloucestershire on March 10th 1993.

He was by all accounts a well liked man and there seems to have been no explanation for the stabbing.

Over 40 police officers were drafted in to work on the case, stopping 1,140 cars and questioning 277 people that had passed through the area on the day of the killing but to no avail.

Three men were arrested in November 2013 in connection with the case, two on suspicion of murder and the third on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, they were released on bail pending further enquiries but nothing has ever come of it and the case was discontinued.

Several mystery persons have never been identified including an ‘attractive woman’ pushing a buggy near Richard’s home on the day of the killing despite police interviewing mums at Eastington Nursery School and two men seen in a nearby field.

Mr Miles was a chronic cannabis smoker but police said at the time there was no evidence to suggest any link between his drug taking and his death. It is possible that this could have been the link but I somehow doubt it as he worked full time and had no other debts so it is unlikely he would have had a ‘drugs debt’.

Richard’s mother was the person who found her son’s lifeless body with a knife buried in his chest and his father said that she will never recover from that day.

Why was this man killed? He worked full time as a panel beater and police were unable to find anyone who even had a bad word to say about him so what caused his murder? Hopefully we can start to get some answers to these questions, as despite the passage of time someone out there knows what happened and who was responsible.

Ongoing Enquiries

We are spending time speaking to people in each area, taking photographs and video footage as well as making enquiries into the victim’s lifestyles and backgrounds.

We will keep updating this blog or post new ones as time passes and the investigations continue, obviously if we find evidence that could lead to a conviction the information will be passed immediately to the police.

Look forward to bringing you more as we get it.

Please wish us luck and help us to fund our daily enquiries by clicking the link to Buy Me A Coffee

If you’d like to discuss the case or indeed any part of our work please do get in touch.

Email:

Lolly-truecrime@protonmail.com

or

UCMPTUK@protonmail.com

[fandoms-in-law]

Hockey Practice

Summary: After getting drafted into the hockey team instead of punished Annabelle expects practices to be similar to at other schools. She should have know that was wrong

Author's note: I'm tired and needed a day to just rest so this is what you get.

My idea for today was: St Trinians hockey classes -ways to cheat -ways to win -how to injure and avoid getting injured.

/\/\

When Cleaver drafter her into the Hockey team, Annabelle had assumed it would be pretty normal, similar to Cheltenham in terms of practice.

She should have known already that nothing at St Trinians would be predictable.

“We’ve got the new girl on the team now, so today we’re going back to basics and it’s beyond needed for some of you girls. Let’s start with avoiding injury. I don’t want you girls anywhere near each others sticks, shoving, shouldering, that’s all fine but I know how you modify those things and they aren’t for friendly fire. Use them against opponents but not our girls.”

Annabelle did not know what modifications were meant or why the actions she’d expected to be discouraged were seen as the better options but she got the message. “Dodge when someone goes to headbutt you as well.”

“Fritton? You got something to say?” Cleaver demanded, hearing her mutter.

“Went to Cheltenham before, Verity Thwaites headbutts the other team to weaken them, audience included. Dodging that move is necessary.” She said a little louder, aware that the girls were still viewing her badly.

Cleaver nodded. “Good thinking, if we get intel on other schools we use it.”

Nothing prepared her for the next action of this practice to be bringing a test dummy into the changing rooms with targets marked over it. “So here are where we want to hit and avoid getting hit by each other or the other team.” Cleaver began, slapping a new target to the forehead of the dummy.

/\/\

Annabelle thought she knew what to expect at the next hockey practice when they actually got onto the pitch. “Today is target practice, something I know Fritton has no difficulties in but the rest of you lack immensely.” Cleaver began, throwing hoops across the pitch ahead of where several test dummies were stood around. “We don’t want to call the ambulances often so no head shots. Get to work.”

The rest of the team scrambled to grab balls and start hitting them in any direction.

“You’re not going to do any damage hitting things every which way. Aim Girls! Aim!” Cleaver called out.

Deciding to just do her best to practice with the instructions given, Annabelle did pick up a ball and start aiming for the hoops, but after the third time of another girl hitting the ball she’d been about to, the test dummies were her aim and she was going to incapacitate them.

“Good work Fritton! Jones, take note of her aim. You need to work on it.” Cleaver yelled over.

/\/\

“Bertha is here to go over the rules, how to follow them and what counts as a foul.” Cleaver called out, interrupting a practice that Annabelle had completely lost track over what she was meant to be practising. She’d taken to just running laps when that happened to avoid getting injured by one of the other girl.

“So we can come up with how to break them without getting called on it.” Kelly murmured, just behind her.

Taylor laughed, “First step, get a ref that doesn’t know the rules.”

“Umpires you mean.” Annabelle checked, not really expecting a response since the team disregarded basically everything else about the game. She was pretty sure it was the school sport entirely because it allowed weapons to be brought in and other schools would agree to play matches with them in hockey, although calling hockey sticks weapons hadn’t made entire sense before she joined the team.

/\/\

They won the match and somehow the girls seemed to be accepting Annabelle more now.

It had been quite something to go against Cheltenham and realise that they broke the rules almost as much as St Trinians but in other ways, worse ways considering Thwaites had injured a student that wasn’t even playing.

“Good game, girls. Putting those practises to good use.” Cleaver said but was barely heard by the cheers and girls getting a party started.

[ankulometes]

The Travellers, Vol 5, Pt 2: The First Pass

By the autumn of 1899, the crew had settled into their new homes in Marylebone. It was a fashionable address, within striking distance of Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Lord’s Cricket Ground, and the clubland of Mayfair and St. James’ as well as being an easy hansom cab ride into the financial centre of the square mile. However, their houses were neither the newest, largest, nor most expensive. The square was predominantly occupied by the very upper echelons of the educated urban middle classes, among whose company the variants were nouveau riche parvenus. The team made a few friends and contacts but mainly minded their own business and, in the teeming heart of Britain’s empire, most were content to pay them no more mind than everyday courtesies demanded. They settled into their new lives and, between 1902 and 1905, both young married couples in the team gave birth to a gender mirrored pair of children.

[[MORE]]

This situation suited the variants. On their first pass through the 20th century, they had no plans to become famous. They met regularly with their brokers and gained entry to various social circles, both through them and by virtue of becoming involved as investors in several companies. Despite their lack of society credentials, the growing wealth and investment success enjoyed by William Delaney and John Moore endeared them to their money-grubbing social superiors.

The team’s capital was guaranteed to grow by at least 20% per annum since they could always simply buy bullion and turn it into cash to earn this kind of margin on the seigniorage. Obviously, that was a rather tedious way to make money. Given that they had a complete data set from the ‘Investors Monthly Manual’ and other historical sources, it was also unnecessary: there were plenty of good options around for generating a significant alpha if you knew which way the markets were going ahead of time. By 1910, a combination of the rapidly increasing value of their stocks and a plentiful supply of dividend payments meant that they were doing very well for themselves. A growing circle of connections within the worlds of business and finance also meant that they felt ready to take the next step.

William Delaney purchased Brinsop Court and Rotherwas Court in Herefordshire. They repaired the fire damage at Rotherwas, restoring the house to its former glory, and set about modernising and extending Brinsop Court (and doing a far better job of it than Hubert Astley had done in MOT). The purchases propelled them straight into the top tier of society in the county, not least because the fate of the Rotherwas estate had been a matter of considerable concern in the region over the past few years.

Brinsop Court became their family home. It was big enough for both the Delaney family and the Moore family, especially seeing as how their offspring were approaching an age where they would be packed off to boarding school at Malvern College or Cheltenham Ladies College. They developed the estate as a working mixed farm with a few side ventures involving meat, dairy, grains, fruits, and seed oils in the manner they had long since become very familiar with. Rotherwas on the other hand they turned into the primary business.

The whole team, especially the younger male variants, were acutely aware that World War 1 was fast approaching. They had a few strategies for dodging conscription, among which were their farm at Brinsop and their Irish heritage. However, they wanted to do everything they could to ensure that they would not be called up and packed off to the front, even if it meant being somewhat unethical. From their perspective, it was very much the case that they figured that, without drastically changing the course of the timeline (which was something they wished to avoid for now), they could hardly make the impending conflict much worse than it was going to be.

With this in mind, John Moore and William Delaney had begun to submit a number of patents for key design elements in a few armament systems and brought a small number of investors on board from among their new contacts. Their new venture was called “Precision Arms Limited”, or “PAL” for short. The company existed initially to develop a couple of ideas that the crew had nicked from what would be the very near future in MOT: the Lewis gun, or light machine gun, and the Stokes trench mortar.

These new weapons were in the hands of the British armed forces by 1912. PAL would become an important supplier for the army over the course of the next six years. The government had also constructed a Royal Ordnance factory next to PAL’s factory during the war, much as they had done in MOT. As a result, William and John, as the chief executive and engineer of the firm, were exempted from military service. Meanwhile, their clone parents were too old by the start of the war, and their offspring still too young by its end. Of course, they also made a great deal of money from the venture even though they made a patriotic point of selling with very low margins to avoid accusations of war profiteering.

When the war ended, the crew disavowed themselves of the armaments industry and sold all of PAL’s intellectual property to Vickers. Having carefully kept their property assets separate, they established a new company called Delaney & Moore on the Rotherwas estate and retooled their facility to turn out products for the domestic heating, cooking, homewares, and appliances markets. They also spawned a new construction and building materials concern which they called ‘Red Bull Construction’, much as they had done on the previous mission. Their agricultural sidelines likewise went through a process of expansion after the Moore family acquired Hampton Court Castle and its attached estate on the banks of the River Lugg.

Their companies, both those that were newly established and their longer running agricultural concerns, did reasonably well but were rarely spectacular. They made William and John important figures in Hereford, but little more than that. Meanwhile, they continued to pursue their investment strategies which led to them having an increasingly comfortable and enjoyable existence in the past.

Their children, who had not been substituted in this timeline, grew up and went to university or got married. They would all eventually become involved in the family businesses during the 1930s having spent some years idling away their youth. During the same period, having nominally entered their seventh decade, their clone grandparents began to die from natural causes. Meanwhile, their variant parents continued to quietly cultivate various social, business, and political connections in several places throughout the world. In addition to their homes in London and Hereford, they acquired property in New York which. They spent a great deal of their time travelling for both business and pleasure.

They went to watch Donald Bradman bat on several occasions, saw Bix Beiderbecke perform in concert, played at being in an Agatha Christie novel on the Orient Express and on a Nile cruise, went on safari in Africa and India, and attended the very first years of Glyndebourne. They met, and even occasionally played host in their home, to many of the leading figures of the day, including Churchill, Mosley, and Hitler.

However, they were never regarded as being anything more than somewhat anonymous and rather uninteresting businesspeople and investors, albeit ones who had enjoyed a good deal of success over the years. Rarely were any of them heard to proffer an opinion that ventured much beyond the conventional wisdom of the day. Although they did tell Hitler that, personally, they were rather fond of Jews and that his whole conspiracy theory sounded like utter bunkum to them.

The years between their arrival and the start of the Second World War had often been difficult for the variants. They had needed to hit the ground running, and there were many facets of daily life and interactions for which their extensive research had not prepared them. The lack of many technologies could be frustrating at times and the pervasive prejudice and bigotry was a challenge. Moreover, the absence of computer technology and the paucity of digital data meant that Cassiel’s ability to support their efforts was far more restricted than it had been on previous missions.

It had been particularly hard for the team to watch the disintegration of the situation in Ireland, Miles’ ancestral home. However, they were in no position to change that on this mission. They noted with interest the arrival of a certain Patrick McCarthy to Manchester in 1920. Miles’ great grandfather had proceeded to marry another protestant Irish emigre named Rosie Quinn who had likewise come to the industrial north of England looking for work and fleeing the war of independence in their homeland. It was an uncanny experience for the team members whose only real memories of Patrick and Rosie came from photographs, family stories, and the half-remembered fog of infancy. They all steered well clear of the young couple though, not wanting to alter the course of their lives in any significant manner.

Overall, on the positive side, they had met and befriended plenty of lovely people who were on the right side of history. In many other ways, life was more civilised and the pace far more congenial. As much as the members of the team themselves had contributed to the timeline, they had learned from their new surroundings and those who inhabited it.

Naturally, as the dark clouds of fascism began to descend over Europe, the variants did their bit, despite being in their sixties. They supported the Kindertransport and took in several evacuees for the duration of the war. Among a variety of services they performed, William and John joined the Home Guard, while Cara and Alice signed up for the Women’s Voluntary Service. Meanwhile their daughters, Florence Delaney and Anne Moore, looked after the farm and many of the two families’ business concerns.

By the time the Second World War started, their children were between 34 and 37 years of age. Despite being no spring chickens, their boys, Charles Delaney and Henry Moore, both signed up for the RAF immediately and were both far too old to be told “No”. The variants blamed themselves: both had fallen in love with aeroplanes when they were young and had been indulged by their parents with flying lessons. They even had their own light aircraft: a Bristol “Brownie” and a de Havilland “Humming Bird”. As qualified pilots, they were in great demand. Sadly, Charles died during the Battle of Britain. Henry was also shot down during a bombing raid. He managed to parachute to safety, but spent most of the war in a German POW camp. It was an experience following which he would never be quite the same again.

After the war, the variants themselves retired and their children took over the running of the trusts that owned and ran all their business concerns. It was Florence and Anne who mainly continued to take care of the day to day running of affairs. ‘Red Bull’ and ‘Delaney & Moore’ continued to do well under their guidance. They were intelligent women although, having been raised in a loving family environment by indulgent parents, perhaps a little too soft-hearted at times.

Having gained de facto control, they gave places on the board of the trust to their rather less intelligent husbands who proceeded to ignore all female advice and make some ill-informed decisions. They over-leveraged Red Bull during the postwar construction boom. By the time the variants’ grandchildren began to take over in the 1970s, the whole thing had degenerated into squabbling, divorce, and unmanageable debt. They were compelled to sell off many of the stable, high-quality Delaney & Moore brands to international conglomerates in a futile bid to service debt payments before ultimately losing Red Bull too in the early 1980s.

It didn’t have all that much of an adverse impact on their grandchildren personally. The trust was still in a very healthy state, and they still had the Brinsop and Hampton Court estates along with some of the associated side ventures that the team had spawned over the years that hadn’t yet been sold off. Financial deregulation and the ensuing stock market boom of the early neoliberal period would eventually propel the variants’ great-grandchildren into the realms of the super-rich.

However, the team members themselves would never get to see that stage of this timeline. Over the course of the 1950s and early 1960s, they began to fake their own deaths from a variety of causes associated with old age. Those who went first pulled the usual trick of proceeding to hide out in an alternate form in New York while awaiting the others. Alice Moore was the last to go in 1967.

After Alice’s funeral, they all met up at the appointed rendezvous and called upon Cassiel. They then proceeded to jump back to the summer of 1913. That year, they had all travelled to the United States where, after sailing over in first class on the RMS Olympic and done some business in the big city, they had enjoyed a delightful holiday in the wilds of upstate New York, going hiking and swimming in the lake next to their cabin in the woods. Aside from their clone nanny and private secretary, they hadn’t brought any of their servants with them or anything like that. It had all been a big adventure for the kids during which they had got to spend lots of time with their usually very busy parents. It had been a time they had all looked back on with great fondness later in life; a blissful summer before the breaking of the dam and the onset of the war in the months before the first of them were packed off to boarding school. In the new timeline the team had now created, the children would return seemingly far more mentally mature, having been substituted during the vacation.

William, Cara, John, and Alice would continue to play out their parts just as they had done before. There was no need for them to change anything. Similarly, the girls, Florence and Anne, would live broadly similar lives. However, Florence would eventually marry Henry Moore while Anne would hook up with Charles Delaney. They would all do very well at school and go off to university, even Florence and Anne. However, whereas previously Charles and Henry had rather conventionally opted to study classics and law, the boys now became fascinated by science and engineering.

After graduation, Henry and Charles continued to work in academia while also expanding the family business interests into the still emerging field of electrical engineering, spawning a couple of subsidiaries. The first, which they called ‘Mercury Electrical Industries’, produced wirelesses and gramophones, among other things. The second, called ‘Chepstow Appliances’, entered another emergent market, manufacturing a range of household appliances including vacuum cleaners and washing machines. When the war started, Henry and John were recruited into the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

After the war, the two couples simply continued to foster their various business concerns in agriculture, construction, and manufacturing while bolstering their private wealth through their ever-growing investment portfolio. Although there were many challenges, they were quite successful on the whole as strong postwar growth led to an expansion in the market for consumer goods. Over the course of the postwar decades, they also began to move into the hospitality business, buying up several bankrupt estates and turning them into luxury hotels targeted mainly at American and Japanese tourists or outdoor activity holiday parks for the masses.

Their activities did have a significant impact on postwar Britain, especially through Red Bull’s construction activities. However, the variants themselves remained decidedly non-famous and, just as they had hoped, they produced almost no significant divergence from MOT.

Much as they had done while in the form of their now ageing parents in the initial timeline, the younger crew members regularly took the opportunity to do a bit of time tourism. They went to see Thelonius Monk during his legendary Five Spot Cafe residency as well catching the likes of Dizzy Gillespie at the Newport Jazz Festival. Then they’d gone to see Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and others in the Biggest Show of Stars in Pittsburgh in 1957 and saw The Beatles playing at The Cavern Club in Liverpool. It was all stuff the variants had done before but, from their perspective, that had all been quite a long time ago.

Over the course of the 1960s, the variants began to hand over control of the family trust and its associated business concerns to their unsubstituted children, who had been born in the early 1930s. Unfortunately, they were eventually compelled to relocate most of the firm’s core business and manufacturing interests overseas due to the failings of industrial and monetary policy in the UK during the postwar and neoliberal eras and a few of their firms and brands were sold to large multinationals.

Ultimately, as per their intent, the team had had almost no impact on the timeline. A lot of people lived in some different looking houses which might be filled with appliances and homewares with labels that didn’t exist in MOT. The crew had generously supported several environmental and public health campaigns, some of which they had even been proactive in initiating, so there had been some marginal beneficial shifts in these areas. The city of Hereford looked rather different and rather lovely, as they had spent a great deal of money on the place over the years. However, overall, matters had proceeded as they had always done in MOT.

Charles, Henry, Florence, and Anne had begun to die off during the early 1980s. Florence would be the last to go in 1990. They had long been retired, living comfortably in Herefordshire, during which time they had noted the arrival in the county of a family from Manchester who had recently moved into Willow Lodge in Hampton Bishop. The second-generation variants didn’t live to see what became of Miles in this timeline though. They checked up on his progress before departing, at which time he had just finished his fourth year at the Cathedral School. They had bumped into him on a couple of occasions while visiting the school as patrons and governors and taken the opportunity to impart a few sage words of advice, but had no more involvement either with him or his family. As had been the case at the outset of the previous mission, they regarded him as little more than a potentially useful substitution target.

They all met once again back at the rendezvous in New York in 1990. Completing all the usual rituals, they packed the things they needed, prepared the jump routine, donned the time robes, entered the tent, and jumped away never to be seen in this horizontal again.

[jpbjazz]

LÉGENDES DU JAZZ

MIKE BRECKER, DE LA TRADITION AU JAZZ-FUSION

“Michael Brecker is an iconic musician. Michael possesses the ability, technique, and the heart and soul that only a few of the greatest jazz musicians can claim. I submit that he is the master musician of our time. But, beyond all that, Michael has always striven to find truth in the musical moment. That’s why his playing touches the spirit of so many of us. One note, and you know it’s Mike.”

-Peter Erskine

Né le 29 mars 1949 à Philadelphie, en Pennysylvanie, Michael Leonard Brecker était le fils de l’avocat Robert Brecker et de la peintre Sylvia Brecker. D’origine juive, Brecker a été élevé dans le township de Cheltenham, en banlieue de Philadelphie. Brecker est issu d’un milieu musical. Son père avait joué du piano avec Dave Brubeck et Clifford Brown et emmenait souvent ses fils Michael et Randy assister à des concerts de Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington et de plusieurs autres grands noms du jazz. La soeur de Brecker, Emmy, jouait du piano classique. Reconnaissant la contribution de sa famille à sa carrière, Brecker avait expliqué: “My father could think of nothing nicer than to have professional jazz musicians in the family… It was the wrong way round. Fathers are supposed to advise you to get a proper job. My teenage rebellion was to consider becoming a doctor.”

Contrairement à son père, Brecker faisait partie d’une génération qui considérait la musique rock non comme un rival, mais comme une option tout à fait légitime. À partir de l’âge de sept ans, Brecker avait d’abord étudié la clarinette, avant de passer au saxophone alto en huitième année. Il avait adopté le saxophone ténor au cours de sa seconde année au high school. Au milieu des années 1960, Brecker avait étudié sous la direction de Vince Trombetta, Joe Allard et Charles Banacos. Après s’être fait les dents en se produisant avec des groupes locaux de Rhythm & blues, Brecker s’était tourné vers le jazz sous l’influence de Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley et John Coltrane.

Après avoir obtenu son diplôme du Cheltenham High School en 1967, Brecker, qui avait d’abord eu l’intention de devenir médecin, avait passé l’été au Berklee College of Music de Boston. À l’automne Brecker avait suivi son frère aîné Randy à l’Université de l’Indiana. Parallèlement à ses études en arts appliqués à l’université d, Michael avait formé un groupe de jazz-rock avec le trompettiste Randy Sandke. Le groupe avait été baptisé le Mrs. Seamon's Sound Band afin de se moquer d’un des responsables du dortoir qui détestait les étudiants aux cheveux longs. Finaliste d’une compétition organisée dans le cadre du Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival au printemps 1968, le groupe avait été disqualifié pour avoir interprété la chanson des Doors ‘’Light My Fire.’’ Le groupe s’était également produit à l’extérieur du campus dans le cadre d’un concert bénéfice organisé pour le candidat à la présidence Eugene McCarthy. Après un semestre, le groupe avait accepté une offre pour se produire à Chicago. La consommation de drogues et un triangle amoureux ayant conduit à un suicide, tous les membres du groupe à l’exception de Sandke et Brecker avaient été arrêtés, ces derniers ne se trouvant pas sur les lieux au moment des événements. Selon les dires de Sandke, la tragédie avait eu un profond impact sur Brecker, qui avait commencé à développer une dépendance envers l’héroïne peu après l’incident. Au début des années 1980, Brecker était éventuellement venu à bout de ses problèmes de consommation en participant à un programme de réhabilitation.

Durant le semestre de l’automne 1968 à l’Université de l’Indiana, Brecker avait formé un trio (dont faisait partie le batteur du Mrs. Seamon's Sound Band) qui s’était produit dans un club appelé The Owl. Cerains des concerts avaient été enregistrés. Avant la fin du semestre, Brecker avait éventuellement abandonné ses études. Après avoir passé un mois à Mexico, Brecker était retourné à Philadelphie pour jouer avec des musiciens comme Eric Gravatt et Billy Paul. C’est d’ailleurs Gravatt qui avait inculqué à Brecker l’importance de la ténacité et de l’endurance.

Parmi les premières influences de Brecker, on remarquait John Coltrane ainsi que plusieurs saxophonistes de bebop.

DÉBUTS DE CARRIÈRE

Après avoir étudié durant un semestre à l’université, Brecker avait rejoint son frère Randy à New York en 1970. Décrivant ce qu’il avait ressenti au moment de son arrivée à New York, Brecker avait expliqué dans le cadre d’une entrevue accordée au magazine Downbeat: "It was a special time to be in New York. That's when the so-called boundaries between what was then pop music and jazz were becoming very blurry." Brecker avait obtenu son premier contrat professionnel avec le groupe de R & B d’Edwin Birdsong. Le groupe comprenait également le batteur Billy Cobham qui était également devenu un de ses proches amis et collaborateurs. Avec Cobham, Brecker avait participé à des enregistrements avec Hal Galper, d’abord comme membre du Guerrilla Band, puis au sein d’un groupe de jazz acoustique.

À New York, Brecker s’était aussi lié d’amitié avec le joueur de trombone Barry Rogers qui l’avait initié à la vie trépidante dans le Big Apple. Rogers lui avait également fait connaître la musique cajun, les rythmes africains ainsi que la musique latine.

À New York, Brecker s’était rapidement établi comme soliste, notamment en participant à la fondation du groupe de jack-rock Dreams, qui comprenait Rogers au trombone, son frère aîné Randy Brecker à la trompette, Jeff Kent aux claviers, Don Grolnick au piano, John Abercrombie à la guitare, Doug Lubahn à la basse et Billy Cobham à la batterie. Même si le groupe, qui jouait principalement du Rhythm n’ blues, n’avait été en activité que de 1969 à 1972 et n’avait enregistré que deux albums, Miles Davis avait assisté à certaines de ses performances avant la publication de son album ‘’Jack Johnson’’ en 1971. Décrivant sa collaboration avec le groupe, Brecker avait déclaré plus tard:

“I couldn’t have picked a better time. I was in the first generation to be exposed equally to jazz and pop. We listened to Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, rhythm-and-blues, the Beatles, Hendrix. We developed a whole new approach and it gave us so much freedom. The rock context meant that you could play complex ideas and not be met by a bunch of puzzled or hostile faces.”

Décrivant sa réaction lorsqu’il avait entendu Brecker jouer pour la première fois en 1969, McLaughlin avait déclaré: “When he began playing, I was blown away. I really couldn’t believe a young player could play with such maturity and elegance.” Brecker avait seulement dix-neuf ans à l’époque. Parallèlement à sa collaboration avec le groupe Dreams, Brecker était aussi devenu membre de Free Life Communication, une association d’une vingtaine de membres qui présentait des concerts gratuits à travers la ville.

La plupart des premières performances de Brecker étaient influencées par le rock n’ roll et le Rhythm n’ blues. Après s’être produit avec le groupe Dreams, Brecker a travaillé brièvement avec son frère Randy avec le groupe d’Horace Silver, avec qui il a enregistré l’album ‘’Pursuit of the 27th Man’’ en 1972. Après avoir collaboré de nouveau avec Billy Cobham, sur la recommandation d’un dirigeant des disques Arista, Brecker avait fondé les Brecker Brothers afec son frère Randy. Le groupe, qui est considéré aujourd’hui comme un groupe de fusion les plus innovateurs des années 1970, avait enregistré un six albums pour les disques Arista de 1974 à 1979. Très populaire, le groupe s’était également mérité sept nominations aux prix Grammy. Devenu un des musiciens de studio les plus en demande de la fin des années 1970, Brecker avait aussi collaboré avec Charles Mingus, James Taylor, Horace Silver, Eric Clapton, John Lennon et Yoko Ono.

Influencés par le jazz-funk qui était très en vogue à l’époque, les Brecker Brothers accordaient particulièrement d’attention aux arrangements structurés, au rythme et au rock n’ roll. Actif de 1975 à 1982, le groupe avait remporté un certain succès commercial. En 1977, Brecker avait aussi fondé avec son frère Randy un club très populaire à Manhattan: le Seventh Avenue South. Vers 1979-80, Brecker avait été recruté par Joni Mitchell dans le cadre d’un groupe tout-étoile qui comprenait Pat Metheny et Jaco Pastorius. En plus de partir en tournée avec Mitchell, le groupe avait participé en 1980 à l’enregistrement de l’album live ‘’Shadows and Light.’’

Toujours dans les années 1970, Brecker avait aussi fait des apparitions sur des albums de Chet Baker, Ron Carter et Charles Mingus.

Dans les années 1970 et 1980, Brecker avait connu une carrière prolifique comme musicien de studio à New York. À une époque où il était courant pour les artistes de la musique pop d’inclure de brefs solos de saxophone dans leurs enregistrements, Brecker avait fait des apparitions sur des centaines de chansons à succès comme ‘’Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight’’ de James Taylor, ‘‘Still Crazy After All These Years’’ de Paul Simon et ‘’Maxine’’ de Donald Fagen. Brecker avait également collaboré à des albums d’Elton John, de Joni Mitchell, de John Lennon, de Carly Simon, de Frank Sinatra et de plusieurs autres artistes. Brecker expliquait: “I think I’ve always been able to adapt to many styles, provided that the music was good and I had some kind of feeling for it.”

En 1982, Brecker a aussi été crédité comme co-leader de ‘’Cityscape’’, une suite en six parties pour saxophone écrite et dirigée par l’arrangeur et compositeur Claus Ogerman.

DERNIÈRES ANNÉES

Au début des années 1980, Brecker avait fait partie du groupe-maison de l’émission Saturday Night Live diffusée sur le réseau NBC. Dans le cadre de l’émission, Brecker avait été vu en arrière-plan avec des verres fumés durant une parodie de James Brown mettant en vedette l’acteur Eddie Murphy. À la même époque, Brecker avait aussi joué du saxophone sur l’album de Frank Zappa intitulé ‘’Zappa in New York.’’

De 1979 à 1986, Brecker était devenu une grande vedette en co-dirigeant le groupe de jazz fusion Steps (qui avait bientôt changé de nom pour devenir Steps Ahead) avec le vibraphoniste Mike Mainieri. Faisaient aussi partie de la formation le pianiste Don Grolnich, le bassiste Eddie Gomez et le batteur Steve Gadd (ce dernier avait été remplacé plus tard par Peter Erskine). Très populaire, le groupe, qui avait fait ses débuts dans le cadre de jam sessions informelles au club Seventh Avenue South des frères Brecker, avait participé à plusieurs tournées mondiales et avait enregistré un total de sept albums. Durant cette période, Brecker s’était également produit avec le groupe de Bob Mintzer tout en collaborant avec le guitariste Mike Stern.

Brecker avait enregistré un premier album solo sous son nom 1987. Même si Brecker avait déjà envisagé d’enregistrer un album solo dans le cadre de sa collaboration avec Clive Davis au début des années 1980, ce n’est qu’en 1987 qu’il avait fait paraître un premier album sous son nom avec une formation composée de Pat Metheny à la guitare, de Kenny Kirkland au piano, de Charlie Haden à la contrebasse et de Jack DeJohnette.

Simplement intitulé ‘’Michael Brecker’’, l’album avait été enregistré au JVC Newport Jazz Festival et avait marqué le retour du saxophoniste à un jazz plus traditionnel. L’album avait aussi permis à Brecker de développer ses talents de compositeur et de renouer avec le saxophone électronique (mieux connu sous le nom d’’’Electronic Wind Instrument’’ ou EWI), dont il avait déjà joué avec le groupe Steps Ahead. L’album, qui avait obtenu une nomination aux prix Grammy, avait également été élu album jazz de l’année par les magazines Down Beat et Jazziz. L’album avait été numéro un sur le palmarès jazz du magazine Billboard durant une période de vingt et une semaines.

En 1988, Brecker avait enchaîné avec l’album ‘’Don't Try This At Home’’, qui lui avait permis de remporter son premier prix Grammy. En plus de parcourir le monde avec son groupe, Brecker avait aussi été soliste invité avec le groupe Headhunters II du pianiste Herbie Hancock.

Après avoir enregistré l’album ‘’Now You See It ... Now You Don't’’ en 1990, Brecker avait fait une tournée avec le chanteur Paul Simon dans le cadre de la publication de l’album ‘’Rhythm of the Saint.’’ Dans le cadre de cette tournée d’une durée d’un an et demi, Brecker s’était familiarisé avec la musique occidentale africaine, et plus particulièrement d’origine sénégalaise. C’est aussi à cette époque que Brecker avait approfondi sa connaissance du saxophone électronique. Après la tournée, Brecker avait retrouvé son frère Randy en 1992 dans le cadre de l’enregistrement de l’album ‘’Return of the Brecker Brothers.’’ Les deux frères s’étaient produits en concert à de nombreuses reprises à la suite de la publication de l’album, notamment dans le cadre d’une performance au Five Spot en 1993. Le duo avait récidivé l’année suivante avec la publication de l’album ‘’Out of the Loop.’’

La même année, Brecker avait remporté un prix Grammy dans la catégorie de la meilleure composition instrumentale pour sa pièce "African Skies". En plus de faire une tournée aux États-Unis et en Europe en 1995, le groupe avait écrit une page d’histoire en devenant le premier groupe de jazz contemporain à se produire dans la République populaire de Chine.

En 1994, Brecker avait aussi été membre du groupe tout-étoile GRP de Tom Scott.

En 1997, Brecker, six ans après avoir enregistré son dernier album comme leader avait publié l’album ‘’Tales From the Hudson’’. Le disque, qui avait été un des plus populaires de la carrière de Brecker, lui avait valu un autre prix Grammy, cette fois dans la catégorie du meilleur album instrumental. Brecker s’était aussi mérité un prix Grammy pour son solo sur la pièce ‘’Cabin Fever.’’ La même année, Brecker avait aussi été élu soliste de l’année par le magazine JazzLife et Jazzman de l’année par le Swing Journal.

Continuant de collaborer d’avec d’autres artistes, Brecker avait participé en 1994 à l’enregistrement de l’album ’’Infinity’’ de McCoy Tyner. Dans le cadre de cet album enregistré en trio, Brecker s’était mérité un prix Grammy pour le meilleur solo improvisé sur la pièce de Coltrane ‘’Impressions.’’ La collaboration avec Tyner faisait suite à un concert présenté par le duo au club Yoshi's de Oakland, en Californie.

En 1996, Brecker avait aussi collaboré à l’album ‘’The New Standard’’ de Herbie Hancock, avec une formation composée de John Scofield à la guitare, de Dave Holland à la contrebasse et de ack DeJohnette à la batterie. Sur l’album, Brecker avait livré des versions de chansons populaires comme ‘’Norwegian Wood’’ des Beatles, ‘’You’ve Got It Bad Girl’’ de Stevie Wonder et ‘’All Apologies’’ de Nirvana.

À l’été 1997, Brecker s’était produit avec Pat Metheny au Festival international de jazz de Montréal et au Japon.

À la fin des années 1990, Brecker avait également dirigé un quartet avec Joey Calderazzo au piano, James Genus à la basse et Jeff "Tain" Watts à la batterie. C’est avec ce groupe que Brecker avait enregistré en 1998 l’album ‘’Two Blocks From the Edge’’. L’album comprenait la populaire composition de Brecker intitulée "Delta City Blues.’’ Commentant la pièce dans le magazine de Down Beat, le professeur de jazz de l’Université du Kentucky, Miles Osland, avait qualifié la composition de ‘’textbook example of exemplary musical artistry combined with superlative technical prowess."

En 1998, Brecker avait continué de rouler à un train d’enfer, se produisant d’abord au Catalina Bar & Grill de Los Angeles, puis dans le cadre d’une performance en solo en Italie. Le concert avait été présenté dans un club difficilement accessible, le Dolomite Mountains. Même si la performance de Brecker avait à peine duré soixante minutes, la vision spectaculaire de la montagne située à proximité avait justifié à elle seule le déplacement. Le concert s’était terminé sur de nombreux rappels.

En août de la même année, Brecker s’était également produit au Rhode Island dans le cadre du JVC Jazz Festival. Dans son compte tendu du concert, le critique Josef Woodard du Los Angeles Times avait qualifié Brecker de "reluctant giant in music ... [a] preeminent and influential saxophonist of his generation, blessed with fearsome technical finesse as well as melodic charms ... [who] continues to pursue the path of greatest personal reward, not necessarily the greatest commercial good." Poursuivant parallèekement une carrière d’enseignant, Brecker avait tenu une classe de maître à l’Université du Kentucky en octobre 1998.

En 1999, Brecker avait enregistré un autre album sous son nom: ‘’Time Is of the Essence’’. L’album avait été enregistré avec une formation composée de Pat Metheny à la guitare, de Larry Goldings à l’orgue, et d’Elvin Jones, Jeff "Tain" Watts et Bill Stewart à la batterie. Commentant le contenu de l’album, le critique Ted Panken avait écrit dans le magazine Down Beat: "Brecker plays with ... clarity, a hungry master searching for--and often reaching--the next level."

En 2001, Brecker a également fait partie du trio Hancock-Brecker-Hargrove dans le cadre d’une tournée-hommage à John Coltrane et Miles Davis qui avait permis au saxophoniste d’interpréter un solo de sept minutes et demi sur le classique de Coltrane "Naima". Publié sous forme de CD sous le titre de ‘’Directions in Music: Live At Massey Hall’’ en 2002, l’album s’était mérité un prix Grammy l’année suivante.

Si la plupart des albums de Brecker comprenaient plusieurs compositions qui étaient souvent caractérisées par un grand sentiment d’urgence, le saxophoniste avait fait exception en 2001 en publiant un album de ballades intitulé ‘’The Nearness of You: The Ballad Songbook.’’ L’album était inspiré de l’album ‘’Ballads’’ de John Coltrane enregistré en 1962. Le chanteur James Taylor avait fait une apparition sur le disque en interprétant son classique ‘’Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight’’. On se souvient que Brecker avait joué en solo sur la version originale de la pièce en 1972. L’album s’était mérité deux prix Grammy: un premier pour son solo sur la composition de Herbie Hancock "Chan's Song" et le second pour la performance de Taylor sur la chanson ‘’Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight’’.

En 2003, Brecker avait enregistré sa première composition pour large ensemble, ‘’Wide Angles’’, qui mettait en vedette un groupe de quinze musiciens formé pour l’occasion: le Michael Brecker Quindectet.

En mai 2004, Brecker avait signé un contrat avec Heads Up International. Brecker participait à un concert-réunion avec le groupe Steps Ahead au Mount Fuji Jazz Festival la même année lorsqu’il avait ressenti une douleur intense au dos. Quelques mois plus tard en 2005, on lui avait diagnostiqué une forme de leucémie appelée syndrome myélodysplastique (MDS). Malgré une recherche très publicisée autour du monde, Brecker avait été incapable de dénicher un donneur. À la fin de 2005, Brecker avait finalement fait l’objet d’une transplantation. À la fin de l’année suivante, Brecker avait semblé se rétablir, mais le traitement n’avait pas donné les résultats escomptés. Après sa convalescence en 2006, Brecker était retourné en studio pour participer à l’album ‘’The Nomad Diaries’’ du contrebassiste Chris Minh Doky.

Brecker a livré sa dernière performance le 23 juin 2006 dans le cadre d’un concert avec Herbie Hancock à Carnegie Hall. Brecker est mort à la suite de complications de sa leucémie le 13 janvier 2007 dans un hôpital de Manhattan. Il était âgé de cinquante-sept ans. Brecker a été inhumé deux jours plus tard à Hastings-on-Hudson, près de New York. Le 20 février, Brecker avait aussi fait l’objet d’un service commémoratif à Town Hall.

Brecker, qui avait souvent parlé de l’importance du rythme dans la musique, jouait également de la batterie. Brecker se produisait régulièrement à la batterie avec ses propres groupes ou dans le cadre de ses activités d’enseignement.

Le 11 février 2007, Brecker avait remporté deux prix Grammy à titre posthume pour sa collaboration à l’album de son frère Randy ‘’Some Skunk Funk’’ enregistré en 2005. Brecker avait présenté son dernier concert le 23 juin 2006 dans le cadre d’une performance à Carnegie Hall avec Herbie Hancock.

Brecker était très malade lorsqu’il avait publié son dernier album en 2007. Intitulé ‘’Pilgrimage’’ et entièrement constitué de compositions originales, l’album avait été très bien accueilli par la critique. Enregistré en 2006 avec Pat Metheny à la guitare, John Patitucci à la contrebasse, Herbie Hancock et Brad Mehldau au piano et Jack DeJohnette à la batterie, l’album s’était mérité deux autres prix Grammy à titre posthume, ce qui avait porté le nombre de prix Grammy remportés par Brecker à un grand total de quinze. Il ne s’agissait pas de la première collaboration de Brecker avec Metheny. Brecker connaissait Metheny depuis qu’il avait participé à l’enregistrement de l’album ‘’1980/1981’’ en 1980. Metheny avait retourné la politesse à Brecker en participant à l’enregistrement de son premier album comme leader en 1987. À la même époque où il avait enregistré l’album ‘’Pilgrimage’’, Brecker avait enregistré l’album ‘’Nearness of You: The Ballad Book’’ avec une formation composée de Metheny (qui était également le producteur de l’album), d’Herbie Hancock, de Charlie Haden et de Jack DeJohnette. L’album mettait également en vedette le légendaire James Taylor au chant. Quant à DeJohnette, Hancock et Haden, ils avaient collaboré en 1988 à l’album ‘’Don't Try This At Home.’’ L’enregistrement de l’album ‘’Nearness of You’’ avait valu à Brecker d’être élu artiste de l’année dans le cadre des sondages des critiques et des lecteurs du magazine japonais Swing Journal, le plus important magazine de jazz de la planète.

Dans le cadre de ses efforts pour se dénicher un donneur, Brecker avait présenté une série de concerts autour du monde, plus particulièrement dans le cadre des festivals de jazz de Red Sea, Monterey et Newport. À la même époque, le réalisateur Noah Hutton a consacré à Brecker un documentaire intitulé ‘’More to Live For’’ qui documentait son combat contre la leucémie ainsi que la production de son album ‘’Pilgrimage’’. Même si Brecker avait recueilli plusieurs milliers de dollars et avait identifié des milliers de donneurs potentiels, il s’était révélé incapable d’en trouver un pour lui-même.

Le pianiste Herbie Hancock avait déclaré plus tard que le saxophoniste avait commencé à pratiquer le boudhisme neuf mois avant sa mort. Hancock avait ajouté que trois mois plus tard, Brecker s’était joint à Soka Gakkai International, un groupe lié au bouddhisme Nichiren, d’après le nom du prêtre bouddhiste du même nom.

La veuve de Brecker, Susan, a organisé deux concerts bénéfices à sa mémoire, un premier en 2015 et un second en 2017. Sous le titre de "The Nearness of You" en référence à l’album du même nom, les deux concerts ont été présentés à la Jazz at Lincoln Center's Appel Room. Ces concerts avaient pour but de financer la recherche contre le cancer au Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) ainsi que les travaux des médecins Azra Raza et Siddhartha Mukherjee. Parmi les artistes invités, on remarquait James Taylor, Paul Simon, Chaka Khan, Randy Brecker, Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, Diana Krall, Wynton Marsalis, Will Lee, Gil Goldstein, Antonio Sanchez, John Patitucci, Adam Rogers, Mike Mainieri, Andy Snitzer, Jack DeJohnette, Chase Baird, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Robert Glasper, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Ravi Coltrane, Nir Felder, Eli Degibri et plusieurs autres.

Les Michael Brecker Archives ont été créées en 2013 à la William Paterson University à Wayne, au New Jersey, avec la collaboration de sa veuve Susan Brecker. Le frère de Michael, Randy, avait été recruté comme conseiller. Les archives comprenaient des manuscrits au crayon et à l’encre relatant la carrière solo de Brecker ainsi que ses collaborations avec Elvin Jones, Pat Metheny, Paul Simon, Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea et plusieurs autres, trois saxophones électroniques, des embouchures, des anches et de nombreuses autres pièces d’équipement, plus de 250 albums publiés sur microsillon ou CD, plus de 1200 heures d’enregistrements en concert et en studio, neuf journaux décrivant le séjour de Brecker à l’Université d’Indiana à la fin des années 1990, des livres de musique tirés de sa collection personnelle, du matériel d’affaires, des itinéraires de tournée, des produits promotionnels et plus de 1500 photographies inédites.

Très prisé comme soliste et accompagnateur, Brecker avait participé à plus de 900 albums, que ce soit comme membre de ses propres groupes ou comme soliste invité. Brecker avait également collaboré avec plusieurs artistes de la musique pop comme James Taylor, Paul Simon, les groupes Steely Dan, Blue Öyster Cult, Average White Band et Aerosmith, Lou Reed, Donald Fagen, Dire Straits, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Dan Fogelberg, Kenny Loggins, Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa, Bruce Springsteen, Roger Daltrey, Parliament-Funkadelic, Cameo, Yoko Ono, Todd Rundgren, Chaka Khan, Orleans, Players Association, Everything but the Girl, Patti Austin, Art Garfunkel, Carly Simon, The Brothers Johnson, Karen Carpenter, Parliament-Funkadelic et T-Square. Brecker a également joué et enregistré avec plusieurs sommités du jazz comme Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Hal Galper, Chet Baker, Jan Akkerman, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, McCoy Tyner, Pat Metheny, Elvin Jones, Claus Ogerman, Billy Cobham, Horace Silver, Mike Stern, Mike Mainieri, Max Roach, Freddie Hubbard, Dave Holland, Joey Calderazzo, Kenny Kirkland, Bob James, Grant Green, Don Cherry, Hubert Laws, Don Alias, Larry Goldings, Adam Rogers, Clarence Penn, Bob Mintzer, Gary Burton, Yusef Lateef, Steve Gadd, Richard Tee, Dave Brubeck, Charlie Haden, John Abercrombie, Vince Mendoza, Ron Carter, Roy Hargrove, Tony Williams ainsi qu’avec les groupes Spyro Gyra et Manhattan Transfer.

Brecker a aussi joué du saxophone ténor sur deux albums de Billy Joel. En 1983, Brecker a participé à trois chansons de l’album An Innocent Man: "Careless Talk", "Tell Her About It" et "Keeping The Faith". Trois ans plus tard, Brecker s’est également produit sur la chanson "Big Man on Mulberry Street" tirée de l’album ‘’The Bridge.’’

Reconnu pour sa modestie, Brecker était adoré de tous les musiciens avec qui il avait travaillé. Après avoir vaincu sa dépendance à l’héroïne, Brecker avait apporté son soutien à d’autres musiciens qui avaient livré la même bataille. Considéré comme un des saxophonistes ténor les plus dominants à être apparu sur la scène du jazz depuis John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter et Joe Henderson, Brecker a exercé une influence considérable. En raison de ses innovations stylistiques et harmoniques, Brecker fait partie des instrumentistes les plus étudiés dans les écoles de musique à travers le monde. Un critique du magazine Jazziz avait commenté: "You'll find no better example of stylistic evolution than Michael Brecker, inarguably the most influential tenor stylist of the last 25 years." Un des collaborateurs de Brecker, le batteur Peter Erskine, lui avait rendu hommage en ces termes:

“Michael Brecker is an iconic musician. Michael possesses the ability, technique, and the heart and soul that only a few of the greatest jazz musicians can claim. I submit that he is the master musician of our time. But, beyond all that, Michael has always striven to find truth in the musical moment. That’s why his playing touches the spirit of so many of us. One note, and you know it’s Mike.”

Résumant sa réaction lorsqu’il avait entendu jouer Brecker pour la première fois, le saxophoniste de réputation mondiale Chris Potter avait ajouté: “I just couldn’t believe it. I just remember thinking: man, this is as far as you could ever go on the saxophone”.

Reconnu pour sa polyvalence et sa vituosité, Brecker était aussi doté d’une remarquable éthique de travail. L’année-même de sa mort en 2007, Michael Brecker a été intronisé au sein du Downbeat Hall of Fame. Brecker, qui vivait sur la rivière Hudson, avait également un bureau à Manhattan.

En 2021, le critique du magazine Down Beat, Bill Milkowski, a consacré une biographie à Brecker intitulée ‘’Ode to a Tenor Titan: The Life and Times and Music of Michael Brecker.’’

SOURCES:

©-2024, tous droits réservés, Les Productions de l’Imaginaire hisyorique

SOURCES:

‘’Brecker, Michael.’’ Encyclopedia.com, 2023.

‘’Brecker, Michael Leonard.’’ Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2023.

‘’Michael Brecker.’’ Wikipedia, 2023.

‘’Michael Brecker.’’ All About Jazz, 2023.

‘’Michael Brecker.’’ Concord, 2023.

‘’Michael Brecker Archive.’’ William Paterson Living Jazz Archive, 2023.

‘’Michael Brecker Biography.’’ Net Industries, 2023.

‘’Michael Brecker Biography.’’ JewAge.org, 2023.

[prokopelecau]

The Vital Role of Commercial Electricians in Safeguarding Data Centres

In the digital age, data centres are the backbone of modern businesses, housing essential IT equipment and infrastructure. 

These facilities rely heavily on a consistent and reliable supply of electricity to ensure seamless operations. Electricity powers the servers, cooling systems, networking equipment, and various other critical components that keep the data centre running.

When electrical issues arise in data centres, the consequences can be catastrophic. Downtime, data loss, and even the risk of electrical fires pose significant threats to the business. This is where expert commercial electrician Cheltenham play a crucial role in addressing and resolving these issues, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the data centre.

Common Electrical Issues in Data Centres

A. Power Surges and Fluctuations

Data centres are susceptible to power surges and fluctuations resulting from external factors such as lightning strikes or internal issues within the facility's electrical system. These sudden spikes in voltage can damage sensitive equipment and compromise data integrity.

B. Overheating and Electrical Fires

The heat generated by the continuous operation of servers and networking equipment can lead to overheating in the data centre. If not properly managed, this can escalate into electrical fires, posing a severe threat to the facility and its contents.

C. Faulty Wiring and Circuit Breaker Failures

Faulty wiring and circuit breaker failures can disrupt the flow of electricity within the data centre, leading to outages and potential damage to critical infrastructure. Identifying and addressing these issues is paramount to maintaining a safe and efficient operating environment.

The Role of a Commercial Electrician in Addressing Data Centre Disasters

A. Prompt Response and Assessment

When a data centre experiences an electrical issue, time is of the essence. A commercial electrician must respond promptly and conduct a thorough assessment of the situation to understand the extent of the problem and its potential impact on the facility.

B. Implementing Safety Protocols and Guidelines

Safety is paramount in the high-stakes environment of a data centre. Commercial electrician Cheltenham are trained to implement strict safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the protection of personnel and equipment during repairs.

C. Identifying Root Causes and Formulating Repair Strategies

Commercial electricians leverage their expertise to identify the root causes of electrical issues within data centres. By pinpointing the underlying issues, they can develop comprehensive repair strategies to address the problems effectively.

Repair Techniques for Data Centre Electrical Systems

A. Surge Protection Installation and Upgrades

To safeguard data centres from power surges, commercial electricians implement surge protection systems and recommend upgrades to exist infrastructure to mitigate the impact of voltage spikes.

B. Thermal Monitoring Systems for Overheating Prevention

Installing thermal monitoring systems allows commercial electricians to proactively monitor and manage the temperature within the data centre, preventing overheating and reducing the risk of electrical fires.

C. Rewiring and Circuit Breaker Replacement

In cases of faulty wiring or circuit breaker failures, commercial electricians undertake rewiring projects and replace malfunctioning circuit breakers to restore the electrical system's integrity.

Collaborative Efforts with Data Centre Management Teams

A. Communication and Coordination During Repairs

Effective communication and coordination between commercial electricians and data centre management teams are essential for successful repairs. Clear lines of communication ensure that all stakeholders are informed and involved throughout the repair process.

B. Regular Maintenance Schedules for Preventive Measures

Commercial electricians work collaboratively with data centre management teams to establish regular maintenance schedules, conducting preventive measures to identify and address potential electrical issues before they escalate into disasters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, businesses and data centre operators are encouraged to take proactive measures in ensuring the electrical safety and resilience of their facilities. Partnering with expert commercial Split Systems Melbourne and prioritising preventive maintenance can mitigate the risks of electrical disasters and uphold the continuity of operations.

In this comprehensive exploration of the critical role of commercial electricians in data centre repairs, we have delved into the common electrical issues, the responsibilities of commercial electricians, repair techniques, collaborative efforts, and real-life case studies. Through this understanding, businesses and data centre operators can make informed decisions to safeguard their facilities and maintain uninterrupted operations.

[majormisunderstanding]

Detail of the marble memorial at Cheltenham Cemetery for two firemen killed at Port Adelaide in 1924 at the City of Singapore ship fire.

Erected by public subscription in memory of firemen George Anderson and James Hickey, killed in the explosion on the 26th April 1924.

The 11ft. monument was carved in Italy and is a convincing depiction of an S.A. Fire Brigade fireman in full uniform of the day.

[locksmithsgloucester]

A few of our jobs we have completed over the Christmas period to keep our customers safe and secure

A few of our jobs we have completed over the Christmas period to keep our customers safe and secure

Door opened by police for welfare Boarded up and secured by #locksmithsglos Property broken into in stroud Secured by #locksmithsglos Called out to secure this ram raid Called out by the police to secure this filling station after a burglary Window to secure after a burglary Boarded over and secured until new glass can be fitted #locksmithsglos Another door had been kicked open to…

[charleswiedenmann]

Back The Tracks - Part 6 - The Pink Inferno

Back The Tracks – Part 6 – The Pink Inferno

Philadelphia, PA – Mid 70s My friend Michael and I were hanging out in one of our forts just chilling one afternoon. We’re just chatting and watching the trains roll by. We noticed some other kids who we didn’t know across on the other side playing around with matches. We figured just a couple of firebugs like us. But stuff starting to catch a little bit and we decide to investigate. They were a…

[ferociouscharm]

Dumpster fire in Cheltenham this evening.   

[agentsofmarvel]

details in

Miss. Peregrine’s Museum of Wonders

⚠️spoilers obviously!⚠️

- Miss. P & Miss. Cuckoo were roommates at the ymbryne academy. they would sneak out and cause trouble so often Miss. Avocet nailed their window shut.

- There is a picture of a young Miss. P (around 7-8?) with Miss. Avocet. she said just looking at the picture makes her cry and calls Miss. Avocet her mother. (picture below)

- It’s mentioned that Emma had to wear asbestos pajamas for most of her childhood, even within Miss. P’s care, because she would set her sheets on fire.

- Olive has written a book. it’s called “Weight Loss the Peculiar Way”. Horace has written two as well called “Carrots, and Other Popular Vegetables (self-published)” & “Teaching Your Soup to Talk: A Cookbook”.

- In one of Miss. P’s annotations, she asked Jacob to write his own peculiar story…the books??

- Before being a full ymbryne, Miss. P was an apprentice ymbryne for a loop in Cheltenham. She used to take a lot of photos back in the day but now she leaves the job of “loop historian” to Emma.

- That’s all I have rn, this may be updated later!

[holdmeclosertinytaron]

Escape to the Cotswolds. Chapter One

A/N: I can't believe that the time has finally come to share the first chapter of ETTC with you!! I first wrote this back in 2019 and randomly last week I decided to edit it and post it this festive season. I haven't told anybody anything about it, not even @tttttttaron and @brayndilyn who I tell everything about the fics I'm writing. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I've loved revisiting it. Let me know what you think!

Warnings: Explicit language, consumption of alcohol

ETTC chats. / FAQs

‘Amelia Bray?’ Spencer all but screeched from the dining room. 

The group in the foyer weren’t quite sure how he’d heard their hushed whispers, though they couldn’t be too surprised. They couldn’t remember how many times Spencer had mentioned Amelia and how much he fancied her. She was, in his own words, ‘well fit’, and he wasn’t afraid to let people know. 

He dropped the bottle of multipurpose cleaner and the washcloth he had been using onto the table in front of him before hurtling himself into the foyer, narrowly missing the low beam in the doorway. 

Autumn, the shift supervisor, stood with her back to him while Sada and Connor stood in front of her. Spencer hurried to join the circle of his friends, wiping his damp hands down his black jeans to remove the residue left from the cleaning products he’d been using all morning. 

‘She’s coming here?’ He breathed out, still trying to catch his breath from running. It didn’t matter that he’d played football for most of his life, Spencer still couldn’t run very far without being out of breath. ‘Like, to this bed and breakfast? To Rivercliffe? You’re not shitting me or anything?’ 

‘Spencer, for crying out loud, how many times do we have to tell you about swearing while you’re at work?’ Sada questioned. Her eyebrows were raised and she’d rested her hands on her hops. ‘But no, we aren’t ‘shitting’ you. She’s coming later today and you had better be on your best behaviour!’

She podded her index finger into his chest and watched as he put his hands up by his head in defeat. Out of all of the employees, Sada was always the most serious. Not in a way that made her mean and impossible to work with. Just in a way that she wanted everything to be done by the books and she wasn’t afraid to put somebody in their place if they were breaking the rules. Everyone loved her little stressy head and would often joke and tell her to take a chill pill, to which they would get slyly rodded by her middle finger. 

‘You’re trying to tell me,’ Spencer started again, ignoring the groans from those around him, ‘that I’m finally going to get to meet the Amelia Bray? And you’re picking up on my swearing at work? Fuck the fucking rules right now! Pretty Baby Bray is coming here, where we work, to stay. You know she was in the new Star Wars film? Went all the way to bloody Cheltenham to see it in the cinema and she did not disappoint! Her boobs looked good enough to-’ 

‘Spencer, I swear to the good Lord above that if you so much as begin to objectify her one more time I will fire you on the spot,’ Connor piped up somewhat harshly. He had spent far too many years listening to Spencer drone on about- and objectify- the girl in the films and he was way past the point of ignoring it.

‘You can’t fire me, Connor boy,’ Spencer jested as he reached forward and ruffled his friend’s hair. One of his favourite things to do was to try and get a rise out of Connor, loving to see the slightly older boy so frustrated that he started to shout.

‘I think you’ll find that my parents owning this place means that I can fire you if I so desire,’ Connor replied quickly while shoving Spencer’s hand away and cleaning his hair up again. ‘Now get your backside back into the dining room and clean like you’re getting paid to do.’ 

Spencer turned on his heel with a small whine and huff, letting his childish side appear. He tried to flutter his eyelashes at Autumn on his way past her in hopes that she would cave and give him all of the gossip that revolved around their apparent visitor. She didn’t budge though. All she did was life her eyebrows at him before he was sulking back into the dining room to finish his job. 

The groups separated quickly when one of the guests walked down the stairs with his wife and their bags ready to check out. Autumn rushed to get behind the desk while Sada ran upstairs to start cleaning their room. Connor walked into the back office to make sure that everything was sorted for the rest of the day. 

‘Mr and Mrs Jackson, how did you find your stay here with us?’ Autumn asked as she attempted to use the ridiculously old computer at the front desk. 

The computer had needed to be updated for years but Connor’s parents refused to do it because it would cost them money and the one that they had worked enough for jobs to get done reasonably. Even Connor had tried to reason with them into getting a new one but they wouldn’t do anything about it. In the end, everyone had simply resorted to smacking it when they needed to use it, hoping it would start quickly. 

‘It was just marvellous, thank you,’ Mrs Jackson said peacefully. ‘Is the fine gentlemen here this morning? The one with the soft smile and beautiful eyes?’ 

‘Oh, Taron?’ Autumn asked. 

She knew exactly who the older woman was talking about. He was a sight to look at and everybody knew it. He was charming too, always smiling and helping out wherever he could. Mrs Jackson nodded at Autumn with an expectant smile. 

‘He isn’t in just yet, I’m afraid,’ she said quietly. ‘His shift starts in a couple of hours so he won’t be anywhere near the place yet.’ 

The woman’s shoulders dropped in disappointment and Autumn couldn’t help but smile at herself. ‘That’s such a shame. He made the most delectable hot chocolate last night and I was hoping that he would tell me his secret,’ she chuckled quietly. 

Autumn was well aware of the hot chocolate Mrs Jackson was referring to as it had become a staple at the bed and breakfast on winter evenings. Though when he was making it, Taron wouldn’t let anybody in the kitchen because he didn’t want anybody to figure out his secret. Everyone had tried to sneak in at some point but he always caught them, shooing them off with an eye roll. 

‘Taron has been my friend since before I could talk and yet he still won’t let me in on his secret. He’s going to take it to the grave. However,’ she added, ‘I’m sure that if you saw him walking around the village on your way home you could easily butter him up to tell you.’ 

‘I’ll do just that.’ Mrs Jackson looked pleased with herself but Autumn didn’t have the heart to tell her that she was joking and Taron would never, ever, give out his hot chocolate recipe. No matter how amazingly charming they were. ‘I told Jimmy here that we’re going to have to come back in the summer months when we’re not bundled up in so many layers.’ 

Autumn nodded. It had been ridiculously cold that weekend and she’d had to wear a tank top underneath her t-shirt, as well as her favourite thick, woolly jumper. It didn’t help that the front door of the bed and breakfast opened continuously throughout the day, the cold air from outside making its way inside and wrapping itself around anybody in its way. The chance of snowfall was high and nobody in Rivercliffe was excited by that. 

The village pretty much went into lockdown when it snowed. The roads would be dangerous to drive on but the nearest supermarket was a 40-minute drive on a good day, and the shops in the village itself closed because they couldn’t get their shipments in. The only places that would still be open would be the bed and breakfast and the pub. Everyone would congregate in one of the small buildings in an attempt to stay warm with a group of other people. 

‘Oh yes, I highly recommend the end of May!’ Autumn offered when the screen she had been waiting to load finally did. ‘There are so many flowers blooming in the meadows and it gets warm enough that you don’t need to wear a coat when you go out. There’s just something so magical about it.’ 

‘We’ll definitely be coming back, then,’ Jimmy said through a smile. ‘Make sure you save us a room.’ 

‘Only for our best guests,’ Autumn laughed. When she finally managed to print the couple’s check out sheet, she got them to sign it before putting it to the side ready to file as she bid them farewell. 

As soon as the front door closed behind them, she took a deep breath and walked through the dining room towards the kitchen so she could get herself a warm drink. Spencer was leaning against the island with a steaming mug of coffee in his hands and a tea towel pushed into his pocket. It was typical Spencer behaviour, finishing his jobs as quickly as he could so that he had more time to do nothing with a cuppa. 

‘Her boobs looked good enough to what?’ Autumn challenged as she poured herself a mug of liquid hug, bringing it up to her lips and sighing contentedly at it. 

‘What now?’ Spencer asked as he turned to face his girlfriend. 

‘Amelia’s boobs. They looked good enough to what?’ 

‘Good enough to fuck,’ he replied nonchalantly. 

Autumn stared at him with a dagger of a stare, her bottom lip gently pulled between her teeth and her head tilted to the side. ‘You know, I get that she’s fit and all,’ she started, ‘but don’t forget that you’re mind. We’ve been together for years and you’ve known about her for less than one. That being said, if she came onto me, I wouldn’t say no.’ 

Spencer’s jaw dropped as Autumn winked at him cheekily, turning her attention to the pile of dishes that had been left unwashed in the sink. She groaned loudly before walking over to them and turning the taps on so that she could wash them herself, even though it wasn’t her job. 

‘I can’t lie to you, baby, I’ve never loved you as much as I love you right now.’ He bit his bottom lip into his mouth, watching the curve of Autumn’s butt as she stepped to her right to grab something from one of the shelves. Though when she turned around and the stare she gave him was blank, he knew he’d made a mistake with his word choice. 

‘Because of her? You love me more than you ever have, because of her?’ 

‘I meant like-’ 

‘That my appreciation for your celebrity crush made you love me even more?’ She cut him off, turning back to the sink. 

‘Baby, I’ve just told you that I love you more than I ever have before.’ Spencer tried to argue, walking up behind her and snaking his arms around her waist so that he could pull her into his front. ‘You’re telling me that if I told you I wouldn’t say no to, I don’t know, Harry Styles, you wouldn’t love me that tiniest bit more?’ 

‘Nope.’ 

‘Oh come on, are you actually mad at me? It was a joke.’ Spencer’s lips ghosted over Autumn’s neck, grazing her skin gently before planting a kiss. 

‘Am I hell,’ she chuckled. ‘I just love making you all needy and pouty when you’ve made me mad. Now can you stop cuddling me before we get sanctioned a-bloody-gain?’ 

****** 

It was obvious when Amelia had arrived at the bed and breakfast because Spencer stood behind the front desk with his best smile on his face. Autumn stood next to him with a similar smile on her face. They were ready to greet their guest and get her checked in. The check-in page of the computer was pre-loaded so that it didn’t take too long to get things sorted, and they had restocked the bowl of complementary truffles in case she wanted to take one, or the whole bowl. They didn’t mind either way. 

Amelia walked in with a bodyguard who carried her large suitcase with ease. Autumn tried not to make any noticeable facial expressions when she saw how inappropriately dressed for winter in the middle of the countryside Amelia was. The black jeans that adorned her legs appeared to be made from the thinnest denim ever and she wore a denim jacket with nothing but a simple, striped t-shirt underneath it. Out of everything she wore, including the pair of sunglasses perched on top of her head, it was the Vans on her feet that made Autumn question if she was equipped for weather in the Cotswolds during November. 

Alas, nobody said a word. Both out of fear and due to the fact that they were around a real-life celebrity. It was embarrassing, really, their inability to simply function in the presence of someone so well known by the rest of the world. They all knew that she was just a regular person like them, but there was something else there. Something so subtle that nobody would quite put their finger on it. 

‘Amelia, it’s lovely to have you staying here with us,’ Autumn offered happily when Amelia reached the desk. ‘I’m Autumn, this is Spencer, and we’ll be getting you checked in today.’ 

‘Thank you,’ Amelia whispered as she reached the desk, resting her forearm against it and taking the weight from her feet so that she could stretch her legs. Her stomach flipped with unease as the two people behind the desk stared at her with huge grins. They were clearly fans and she didn’t know if that made her feel good or not. 

‘We do apologise, but your room isn’t quite ready as of yet. It is just getting the last few bits cleaned but you’ll be able to head up in about fifteen minutes if that’s okay?’ Amelia nodded with a soft smile. ‘You can take a seat on the sofas if you’d like and then we’ll get someone to take you up when it’s ready. Again, I’m really sorry that it isn’t ready for you right now. 

‘It’s fine, thank you,’ Amelia uttered again before she turned to her bodyguard with slightly raised eyebrows. ‘Will, you get yourself off home already! I don’t want you hitting rush hour traffic getting back into Oxford.’ 

‘I can wait with you, Amelia. It’s really no big deal.’ 

Will spoke with a strong Scottish accent and Autumn couldn’t help but admire his beauty. He stood half a foot or so taller than Amelia and his chocolatey brown hair was quiffed at the top of his head messily. His eyes were an icy blue and they were captivating to look at. Even with his stern, straight face, he somehow managed to look perfectly lovely and approachable. 

It could have been the way that Amelia smiled at him or the way that he wore a simple white t-shirt with a black-denim shirt over the top, and a caramel coloured trench coat. Maybe it was the way that he spoke so gently even with his thick accent, or the way that he made sure to smile and nod his head at everyone else in the foyer when he entered. Whatever it was, it worked. 

‘Honestly, there’s no point in it taking you hours to get home. You might as well leave now and get back home in time for the boys’ football practice. I’ll be on my own for the next couple of weeks so what’s an extra fifteen minutes?’ 

‘I can’t really argue with you on that,’ Will chuckled, wheeling her suitcase to sit next to the sofa near the door. ‘I could even grab a pizza to take home as a surprise for them too. Though I should probably tell Sarah that I’m taking one so she doesn’t cook.’ 

Amelia nodded enthusiastically at him and watched as he stepped away from the suitcase that now sat under the window overlooking the front garden. 

‘That’s probably a good idea. Tell her I say hi, please. I must come and see you both in the new year. It’s been a while, and she always has the best gossip to share with me.’ 

Will breathed a nod. ‘She does indeed. I’m sure she’d love to see you. You know where I am if you need anything while you’re out here. Please, please, please, don’t feel scared to call me, whatever time it is, okay? I just want you to be okay.’ 

‘Thank you, Will. I’ll call you if I need you, I promise. Now get home to those boys before I boot you out of the door myself,’ she chuckled as Will threw his arms around her in a tight embrace which she happily allowed. 

‘See you in a few weeks, Bray.’ 

‘See you in a few weeks, Southend.’ 

Amelia watched him leave the door before she moved to look out of the window, watching as he climbed into his car and turned back to the bed and breakfast. She waved at him and watched him set off before she sat on the small sofa in the foyer and looked around the place properly. 

The ceiling was a light cream colour and was a lot lower than she had first thought. The beams that ran across it were dark brown and chipped in places, and they ran down the entire length of the building. All of the floor that she could see, minus the stairs, was dark wood. There was a long rug with a messy fringe in the foyer by the sofa. 

There was a single, low hanging chandelier in the centre of the foyer, something that Amelia deemed a little silly considering how low the ceilings were. It was warm and cosy and instantly made her feel like she had walked into a home. That was all she could ask for. She would be in Rivercliffe for six whole weeks before heading home to spend Christmas with her family. 

Everyone’s attention turned to the door when it flew open and a gust of wind circled around them. Though it wasn’t the door opening that caught Amelia’s full attention. It was the gorgeous man that walked through it. 

‘Jesus fucking Christ, anyone would think it was Antarctica with how cold it is out there,’ Taron muttered as he slammed the door shut again, peeling his gloves from his hands and stuffing them into one of his coat pockets. He lifted the black hat from his head and stuffed it into the other pocket before he tousled his hair back into place. 

He turned towards the foyer where all eyes were on him. Then he saw Amelia and his eyes grew big and his cheeks grew a shade darker. 

‘I’m-fuck- oh wow, okay ummmm…I’m sorry for swearing,’ he stuttered. ‘I’m…Taron. I’m Taron.’ 

He went to lift his arm so that he could shake Amelia’s hand but he could barely lift it with his thick jumper being under his already thick coat. It was a wonder he’d been able to take his hat off. Amelia chuckled lightly at the sight before her while Autumn and Spencer rolled around in fits of laughter behind the desk. 

‘Trust Taron to make an absolute fool of himself in front of a celebrity,’ Spencer choked out. 

Amelia and Taron turned to the couple, Taron with a ‘are you serious?’ look on his face and Amelia with her lips rolled into her mouth and an uncomfortable smile on her face all at the same time. Autumn put her hands on Spencer’s shoulders and shoved him into the dining room in hopes that he wouldn’t continue to make a fool out of himself in front of their new guest. 

‘I’m sorry about those two,’ Taron said as he finally managed to peel his coat from his body and hang it up on the coat rack that sat next to Amelia. She could feel how cold it was from where she sat. He smoothed the material down so that it wouldn’t get in her way before he pulled the bottom of his jumper down properly, re-offering his hand. 

‘I’m Taron, it’s nice to meet you.’ 

‘Amelia.’ She returned the gesture with a smile.

Taron was beautiful, and she couldn’t help but watch him. The way his lips moved so slowly as he was talking, his words rolling off his tongue at the same pace. The way his eyelids had an ever so slight sheen to them when he blinked, and the way that there was a little bit of stubble growing along his jawline. 

‘I was just going to make myself a cup of coffee before my shift starts but I don’t want to leave you out here on your own. Not that you aren’t capable of sitting on your own…that’s not what I’m trying to say. It’s just, um, for God’s sake…would you like a coffee?’ 

‘I wouldn’t mind a tea if you have any?’ Amelia asked. ‘Haven’t had a decent cuppa in what feels like months.’ 

‘We have some Yorkshire tea in the kitchen if that’s alright for you?’ He didn’t miss the way her eyes lit up as she smiled widely. 

‘That’s bloody perfect. Thank you, Taron.’ 

The way that his name rolled off her tongue so effortlessly left Taron swallowing thickly through his own smile. 

‘Milk and sugar?’ 

‘Two sugars and just a splash of milk, please. And I like it quite strong, if that’s okay?’ 

‘No problem,’ he nodded. ‘I’ll be right back.’ 

He scurried off to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee and a cup of tea for Amelia. When he pushed the door open, a little more forcefully than he had intended, Autumn and Spencer flung themselves away from one another and wiped at their mouths. 

‘You two are really disgusting,’ Taron commented around an eyeroll. ‘I need tea, and I need it now!’ 

‘Taron, dude, what the hell was that out there?’ Spencer guffawed as he walked up to Taron and patted him on the back. ‘You came in and just like…froze?’ 

All he got in response was a mere shrug. ‘I dunno. Who’s going to take this tea out to her because I sure as hell am not after whatever the hell that-’ he swung his arm to the left and gestured to the foyer ‘-was out there.’ 

Autumn shook her head with an eye roll but grabbed the hot mug of tea from Taron’s hands and walked it through to where Amelia was scrolling on her phone. She looked up, hopeful to see Taron again, and smiled despite the disappointment of not seeing him. 

‘Thank you,’ you spoke softly as she took the mug and lifted it to her lips so that she could take a long sip. It was hot but so desperately needed. ‘Do you know when my room will be ready at all? I didn’t think about the weather and my feet are bloody freezing but my socks are at the bottom of my case which is typical honestly.’ 

‘One second and I’ll find out for you.’ Amelia walked to the desk and grabbed her walkie talkie to buzz up to Sada who was cleaning the room. ‘Any idea when we’re going to have Amelia’s room ready, Sada?’ 

‘I’ve just finished it. Send Taron up with her for me? I need to move this wardrobe but I can’t do it myself.’ Sada’s voice was very static-y and loud through the speaker. Amelia hardly understood a word, but Autumn was already responding, telling Sada that she’d send Taron up. 

‘I’ll just go and grab Taron quickly and then you’ll be able to head up to your room. I really am sorry that it wasn’t ready when you got here.’ 

‘It’s honestly fine,’ Amelia smiled. ‘It’s been nice sitting here, to be honest.’ 

When Amelia was left on her own again, she turned to her left and was met with Taron’s coat. She had one very similar to it up north in her family home. A khaki green parka with a fluffy hood and tighter sleeves. Though she knew hers wouldn’t smell as good as Taron’s did. Even with a little distance between her and the coat, she could smell Taron’s cologne all over it. 

‘Taron, Sada needs you upstairs for a minute to help move a wardrobe or something,’ Autumn said as she walked into the kitchen. Taron nodded. ‘Oh, and you also need to take Amelia upstairs to her room for me on your way. She’s in room five. You know where the key is. Thanks, mate!’ 

‘You little…’

He let his words trail off as he forcefully pushed the kitchen door open enough for him to squeeze through. When he got close to the foyer where he knew Amelia would be waiting for him, he shook his shoulders and took a deep breath. He had already made an enormous fool out of himself and he didn’t want to further what he could only imagine to be a negative impression of himself. 

‘Amelia, if you’d like to follow me up to your room.’ 

She stood up quickly, pulling the handle of her suitcase up and walking towards Taron with it towing behind her. She stopped just behind him but regretted it as soon as he turned on his heel and almost knocked her backwards. Luckily she was able to grip the desk to stop herself from tumbling. Taron’s hands reached out to grab her to steady her and she caught a hint of his scent. He smelt heavenly. Kind of musky with a hint of sweet and freshness. 

‘I’m sorry,’ he said quickly when he knew that she was safely on her feet. ‘I should have made sure that you weren’t-’ 

‘Taron, it’s okay. Happens to the best of us.’ She smiled at him, wanting him to know that it really was okay. 

‘Well, I’m still sorry. Here, let me take your suitcase for you. You have the attic room so there’s a lot of stairs to get up.’ 

Amelia didn’t argue with him. Instead she pushed her suitcase towards him with her foot and watched as he pushed the handle down fully so that he could grab it by the handle at the side. He lifted it with ease and Amelia could just about make out the soft bulge of his bicep through the material of his brown jumper. But it was still baggy enough that she didn’t know just how prominent it was. 

Taron walked up the stairs two at a time and almost made it to the top of the first flight without tripping over his own feet. Almost. A mere three steps from the top his shoelace came undone and he tripped over it. He moved the suitcase as softly as he could onto the landing before his knees hit the step above him. He cried out in pain while Amelia stood still behind him. She didn’t know how to react, but she couldn’t stop the little snort of a chuckle no matter how hard she tried. 

‘I’m sorry,’ she laughed, ‘I know I shouldn’t find it funny and that I should be asking if you are okay…but that was kind of funny.’ 

‘Yeah, yeah. I’ll remember that for when you fall up these bloody things. It’ll happen, trust me. He knelt down slowly to fasten his shoes again before he moved so that there was enough room for Amelia to stand next to him. ‘Can we pretend this never happened?’ 

Amelia nodded through a smile as he stood himself back up and continued to walk to the next flight of stairs that he would have to walk up. Though instead of being too big for hit boots and trying to walk up them two at a time again, he walked up them one at a time. He didn’t miss Amelia giggling at him and he had to let himself admit that it was the cutest thing he had heard in a long time. 

‘Okay so this is you,’ he spoke as he stopped dead in front of the door that led to her room. He pulled out a metal key that was attached to a red plastic keyring. ‘This is your key. There’s tea and coffee in your room but if you need any extras let me know and I’ll bring you more.’ 

‘Thank you, Taron. Before you go to help Sada,’ Amelia started, lifting the handle of her suitcase again, ‘where do you suggest heading for tea tonight? I’m starving and could do with a proper good meal.’ 

Taron thought for a little while, going over all of the food places that would still be open before deciding on a couple of different options. ‘Okay so there is a small café that is open for tea and they serve fish and chips or small bits like sandwiches and quiche. But if you’re wanting a proper meal that’s warm and filling, I recommend the pub on Farm Lane. Their food is amazing.’ 

‘Pub tea!’ Amelia exclaimed happily. ‘I haven’t had that in so long so I think I’ll head there. Thank you, again. I really appreciate it.’ 

‘It’s no problem. I’ll see you later, Amelia.’ 

****** 

Taron was refreshing. He didn’t talk to Amelia like she was a celebrity. He talked to her as Amelia and it was a nice difference to what she was used to. Though what she stupidly didn’t think about was how everyone else in the village wasn’t Raron and to them she was just Pretty Baby Bray, as the media had nicknamed her. 

Walking through the village itself wasn’t the worst experience of her life. A few people stared at her as she walked past, and a few ran off to tell others, but it was a pleasant walk for the most part. Until she actually arrived at the pub. 

Rivercliffe Arms sat in the centre of the village and was the go-to place for socialising. Everyone over the age of 18 would go to the pub at least once a week, with the older men going more regularly to watch the football together on a couple of the TVs that were scattered around. It was loud and stunk of stale beer. The perfect recipe for a local pub, really. 

The outside of the pub was covered in green ivy with only small parts of the brown brick showing through. There were a couple of wooden picnic benches sitting outside the pub but due to the lack of warmth from the sun, they weren’t being occupied by anybody. Inside smelt like old cigarette smoke and normally Amelia would be disgusted by the scent and would turn away but there was something drawing her in. 

It wasn’t too full that evening. A few people leaned against the var while some of the larger tables were surrounded by families and groups of friends. There was chatter everywhere that Amelia turned and it reminded her of being home when she was a young girl. Some of her fondest memories were when she would go to the pub with her Grandad on a Sunday afternoon where he would buy her a glass of Diet Coke and a bag of crisps. They would sit and chat for hours before they headed home for bed. 

Her little adventure out of London was very much needed. After months of filming a new movie while also promoting her last movie, she’d started to burn out and was in dire need of a getaway. 

When Will first suggested that she take a break for a couple of months somewhere idyllic before heading straight back up to Manchester for Christmas, she thought he was being a complete idiot. But then she sat and really thought about it. She was unable to remember the last time she took a break and truly let herself relax. 

Whenever she finished shooting a movie, and before she set off on press, she would take herself away somewhere to relax but always wound up being stuck in a hotel room the entire trip so that people wouldn’t see where she was. 

Being in the Cotswolds was different, and she was beyond thankful to Will for suggesting somewhere so beautiful. So much so that she had sent him way too many thank you texts, including lots of GIFs and white heart emojis. Will told her that she really didn’t need to thank him. She just needed to enjoy herself and finally take the break that she deserved. 

‘You’re Amelia Bray, aren’t you?’ Amelia turned to her left to find an old lady with bright white hair staring back at her in awe. ‘It is you! My grandson just loves your films. I can’t wait to get home and tell him that I saw you.’ 

‘I’m so glad that he likes them,’ Amelia replied with a semi forced smile. All she wanted to do was sit in the corner out of the way and order herself toad in the hole, preferably with sprouts and plenty of gravy. ‘I should probably order myself some food but it was lovely meeting you.’ 

‘The pleasure is all mine.’ 

Amelia walked away and let out a huge breath, trying to avoid eye contact with everyone else in the pub. As much as she adored her fans, and as much as she knew that it was inevitable that she would meet some, that night she just wanted to eat a good meal and then get into bed and sleep. 

She let her hands rest on top of the bar as she leaned into it quickly to stretch her back but regretted her decision as soon as she felt the sticky substance of old spilled alcohol cover them. She pulled them away with a disgusted look, missing the way the boy behind the bar looked at her with a gentle smile. 

When she looked at him, he was holding a damp cloth in her direction so that she could wipe her hands and clean them. She took it gladly. 

‘Thank you. I’m Amelia.’ She held out her hand once she’d cleaned it for the handsome man to shake, her signature smile plastered on her face. 

‘I’m Kaine.’ He offered her a smile before taking the cloth back and moving to the tablet in front of him. ‘Can I get you anything to eat or drink tonight?’ 

‘I have a hankering for a toad in the hole. Hopefully with a side of sprouts and plenty of gravy?’ 

Kaine stayed quiet as he pressed a few buttons. When he looked back up, Amelia was already looking at him with hopeful eyes. ‘That’s perfectly fine. Can I get you a drink with that?’

‘A good ol’ Pinot Noir, please.’ 

‘Do you have any ID on you?’ Amelia looked at Kaine as if he had three heads. Surely he was fucking with her and didn’t actually want her ID, no matter how flattered she felt at the same time. She was nearing 30 and it was public knowledge that she was over the legal drinking age. ‘Sorry, it’s just protocol.; 

She nodded as she shook her head slightly, and pulled her driving licence out of her purse to hand to Kaine. Just like the majority of the population, her driving licence photo wasn’t the best. It had been taken when she was still 16 so she looked a hell of a lot younger than she was and she hated it. Kaine let himself chuckle as she checked her date of birth before handing it back over with a nod of his head. 

‘That’ll be £11.58 altogether, please.’ 

Amelia nodded and pulled her bank card out of her purse once she’d put her licence back, tapping it on the card machine with a satisfied smile. As she put her purse back into her bag and zipped it up, Kaine poured her a glass of wine. It was bigger than it should have been for the price she paid but she was somewhat used to getting more than she paid for. 

‘Take this and sit wherever, I’ll bring your food over when it’s ready.’ 

‘Thank you.’ 

******

A delicious plate of food, two bottles of wine and three fan encounters later, Amelia sat at the bar chatting to Kaine about everything Rivercliffe. She made sure to ask about the nearest supermarket and how long it would take her to walk there should she be brave enough. She asked about the best places to go for food other than the pub, and if there were any nice coffee shops around. And she asked about any winter and Christmas traditions the village had. 

Kaine had been more than accommodation to her constant, drunk chatter, telling her about the Tesco which was a 40-minute drive away so well over an hour walk, the café on Cart Lane and the coffee shop on Tilbridge Street. He also informed her of the traditions that the village had, such as the Christmas light switch on where everyone gathered near the bed and breakfast for free hot chocolate, carols and the lights. 

‘When do the lights get turned on?’ Amelia asked as she tilted her wine glass back to drink more of the red. Her lips were stained maroon by that point. 

‘The 1st of December. It’ll be packed in here by 4pm and we’ll sell more jacket potatoes than you would think possible. And then everyone will head down to the B&B for six.’ Kaine wiped down the bar before moving Amelia’s then empty wine glass so that it could be washed. ‘It’s always so special and there’s just this incredibly magical feeling that surrounds us all as we stand together.’ 

‘I can’t wait.’ 

‘You’ll be here for it?’ Kaine asked in surprise. Amelia nodded with a big smile. ‘That’s amazing. Make sure you wrap up warm, it’ll be bloody freezing.’ 

Amelia chuckled and pulled the sleeves of her jacket over her hands and bounced her leg a few times. She had some idea of how cold it would be before she set off on her little holiday, but she hadn’t realised just how cold it would be. Her denim jacket was nowhere near thick enough to keep her warm in the bitter chill outside. When she had the effort she would have to walk to Tesco to buy herself a winter coat. 

‘It already is bloody freezing,’ she mumbled in defeat. 

‘It’ll only get colder,’ Kaine continued, putting the final glasses away before sighing happily. ‘Longest shift of my life.’ 

‘Oh, I’m sorry. If I’d have known I wouldn’t have kept you chatting for so long. I feel so silly,’ Amelia rushed out. The alcohol had well and truly started to take effect and she could feel her head starting to spin. 

‘Don’t be silly, it’s okay! It was nice to have the company while cleaning up, in all honesty.’ Kaine grabbed his coat from the rack that just sat behind the bar before turning back to Amelia with a genuine smile. ‘Would you like me to walk you back to wherever you’re staying?’ 

‘I’m staying at the B&B but it’s okay. I can walk on my own,’ Amelia said softly as she stood up from the stool. She almost toppled over from the alcohol that was surging through her bloodstream but caught herself on the bar. 

‘That’s on my way back. And I am not letting you walk on your own when you can hardly stand up straight. Come on, it’s no big deal.’ 

Kaine stood next to her and let her link her arms around his so that she could stay upright. ‘Thank you.’ 

****** 

As Amelia and Kaine walked up to the B&B, Taron had walked out of the front door wrapped in his coat and a scarf that he hadn’t been wearing earlier in the day. He saw the pair walking towards him and his stomach dropped instantly. Amelia had her arms wrapped around Kaine’s arm and she was laughing at something he had said. KAine had his hands in his pocket and kept turning to look at Amelia with a large smile. 

Taron should have known, really, that he would never get a look in with Amelia. He never got a look in with anybody. 

‘Taron!’ Amelia shouted from the bottom of the path, letting go of Kaine and staggering towards him. ‘Can you take me to bed? Let me fall up the stairs like you did earlier. That was funny.’ 

She threw her arms around Taron’s body and rested her chin on his chest as she looked up at him. He was gorgeous, his greeny blue eyes dazzling and his lips the perfect shade. If she were to tell the truth, she’d never seen a man just as beautiful as Taron. He was broad, too, her arms barely fit around his body with his coat on, and she wondered what it would be like to have his arms wrapped around her. 

‘I can’t take you to be, love, but I can take you to your room?’ Taron spoke down to her gently, watching the way that her eyelashes fluttered against the tops of her eyelids delicately. 

‘Love?’ Amelia asked quietly, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth and smiling to herself. ‘I love it. Love. Taron called me love.’ 

Taron turned to Kaine and nodded a greeting. ‘Thanks for bringing her back, man.’ 

‘No problem. See you around, Amelia.’ 

‘Bye Kainey boy. Thank you for the wiiiiiiine!’ Her words were slurred but she continued to talk. ‘To the bedroom.’ she shouted as she pointed to the bed and breakfast, charging forward to the front door where she yanked it open and made her way through the foyer towards the first flight of stairs. 

Taron followed her the entire way up, trying not to look straight forward where he would get an eyeful of her butt. She fell twice, and both times she turned to Taron with a giggle, to which he shook his head at her with a smile. 

‘Oooh there’s something at the door!’ Amelia whispered as she bent down to pick up the green box that had been left with a note. 

Taron’s stomach dropped as he watched her unfold the note. He watched her eyes travel over the paper a few times, her eyes closing every few seconds as she tried to refocus them. Pure dread washed over him as she finally looked back at him and blinked slowly. 

‘Thank you, Taron,’ she whispered with a smile, eyeing the box of Yorkshire tea once more with a large grin. ‘Hey, what do you say about coming in and having a bit of fun? Let me thank you properly for the tea.’ 

Taron could feel himself resisting the urge to take a single step forward to pull her into him, moulding their lips together in what he could only imagine would be the best kiss of his entire life. But he would feel himself pushing himself backwards. Amelia wasn’t sober. She didn’t know what she was saying and he would not take advantage of her. 

‘Another time?’

‘Promise?’ Amelia asked sweetly, only slightly disheartened that Taron didn’t want to go back to her room with her. Even though she was wildly intoxicated, she knew what she wanted. 

‘Promise,’ he replied before kissing her cheek gently and walking down the stairs and out of the building. 

He had to give himself a few minute before setting back off home, taking deep breaths to calm himself down. The more he looked at Amelia, the more he came to appreciate her true beauty. Everything about her drew him in. Her eyes that he could get lost in; her smile that left him weak at the knees; her voice that made him dizzy. Everything. She was perfect, but she would never be his. 

With one last deep breath, Taron pushed himself off of the front door and down the path towards the village. He shoved his hands in his pockets and absentmindedly kicked at a rock on the ground, following it where it travelled before kicking it again. When the rock rolled into the middle of the road, he left it and walked the final few metres to his house.

Taglist:

[neoncrowpen]

Idk if you are still taking requests, but if you are could you pls write one for Michael Gray? Where you fail at an attempt to leave him and skip town after finding out what really happened to your former boyfriend, like a part 2 of when you discover that he’s the one who killed your boyfriend,

[Please read Part One here.]

Your heart beat so hard in your chest you thought you were dying. You pushed past a gentleman in the train station, putting him out of balance. He cursed at you. His insult didn’t catch your ears. Your attention was on the two men that followed you into the train station in the first place. You knew what they were, why they were here.

Most women would describe last night as a beautiful dream. Michael decorated the inside of your new home together with candles. Promises of eternal fidelity and faith left his mouth as your dead boyfriend’s mother’s ring slid onto your finger. It felt wrong. An echo came from the back of your mind.

“Run.” So you did.

You veered right into the train car. Your ticket gripped tight in your hand as the doors closed. The two Blinders outside caught up to where you were. As the train left the station, you noticed the hidden smirks on their faces. Your hand rested on your chest. It didn’t matter now. You were done with the Peaky Blinders. Done with Michael. You scanned over the semi-crowded train car. Your eyes found an empty seat next to a gentleman reading a book.

As you settled into the empty seat, you caught your breath. Hours from now, you would be on another train to Spain. You had a cousin who lived there with her family. She promised to teach you the language and help you hide from whatever threat was after you.

A hand slipped around your thigh.

“You know, Tommy told me that you would do this,” Michael said as he closed the book he was holding. “I didn’t believe him.” Your lips parted. “If you scream, I’ll kill everyone on this car. There’s plenty of us on here already.” His threats chilled you to the bone. Now, you understood why the Blinders chasing you smirked at you. You bit your lip out of fear. You cleared your throat, summoning courage.

“Michael, please—

“Why are you leaving?” He asked. His thumb rubbed on your thigh. “I promised you all I had.”

“At what cost?”

“What do you mean?”

“I know you did it." You gestured to the ring. “We were going to elope. He had this on him that night. He was supposed to—we were supposed to…” Your voice trailed off. Tension set into Michael’s jaw.

“Did you tell anybody?”

“No,” you shook your head. “I didn’t tell anybody.”

“Good girl,” Michael said. His head slowly nodding. His thumb still rubbed in circles around your thigh. “I can’t let you leave. We’ll get off at the next stop.”

“Michael—

He snorted, shaking his head. “If you think for one second, I’m going to let you, the heiress to Cheltenham Racecourse, slip through my fingers you’re denser than I took you for.”

“I don’t love you,” you said. Your eyes set into his. You thought fire would ignite in his gaze, but a smirk greeted you instead.

“Don’t worry, you will.” Michael's kindest threat entered your ear. "My love for you is stronger than you think."