Chapter 1

Despite the glorious sunshine that streamed through the branches of the ever thinning trees, there was a distinct chill in the November air. The journey to and from work on foot seemed to be getting continually more frosty for Rebecca. Wrapped up in a long scarf, and wearing a long coat seemed to do very little to protect her against the elements.

Even so, she still managed to look a picture of beauty as she kicked her way through the gathering piles of leaves that scattered the path. Her sunglasses reflected the bright sunshine, whilst she flicked her long blonde hair back into place after it had been disrupted by the strong autumnal breeze.

There wasn't far to go now. She could easily get the bus into town, but she preferred to walk. It was like therapy. Being outside and close to nature. Sitting on a crowded bus never seemed to measure up. Rebecca worked in a music store in Colchester, close to her University, where she was studying music. It was only part time work, but as long as it involved anything remotely musical she didn't really see it as work. She was doing something she loved 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Ever since she could remember Rebecca had been interested in music, and especially singing. She had always had a talent; something special. Not many people expected it from someone with such a small frame, but Rebecca had a very powerful voice. She had only ever really performed at school concerts, but when she had done the reception was always one of shock. In a good way naturally. Now she had moved on to university, and despite her shyness she was taking every opportunity she got. She had managed to secure herself a singing spot at the music shop, which was above a small and intimate bar, famed for good live music.

As she turned the corner she saw the shop coming into view. In its window was a large selection of guitars, and a black piano. Mann's music shop sold pretty much anything musical, from Guitars, to Pianos, to recorders, to drums, Mann's had it all.

Rebecca pushed open the door to be greeted by her friend Jessica, who was filing away music books near the back of the shop.

"Morning Becca!" she called cheerily, "how was the walk?"

"Good thanks Jess. A bit nippy, but it clears the mind doesn't it." She replied unravelling the scarf from round her neck.

"Dunno about that," said Jess as she walked towards Rebecca and gave her a hug, "bit too bloody cold for my liking."

Since working in the shop, as well as taking their music course together, Jessica, and Rebecca had become close friends. They were quite a twosome; Jess being the loud outgoing one, and Rebecca being the quiet one who still managed to catch everyone's eye.

"Speaking of the cold, Josh called earlier. It looks like he's not gonna come in today. He's got man flu, so you're going to have to be on demos today, Becks."

"Men! The slightest sniffle and they think they're dying."

She didn't mind though, if it meant she was on demonstrations. It was the best part of the job in her opinion because she got to be amongst the instruments showing them to people. Far less monotonous than being on the front desk scanning music books all day.

"Right girls! We'd better open up. Just gone 9 already."

"Okay Mark. I was just making sure everything was ready first. I know you're such a perfectionist." Rebecca said with a broad smile. She got on well with her manager. It made for a good atmosphere in the shop, with everyone being so friendly.

The day always seemed to fly by when she was in the shop, even when she was working all day on Saturdays. There was nothing better than getting to play instruments all day and getting paid for it. The shop closed for half an hour at 1 o'clock for lunch, which was always an opportunity for a chat in the staff room, whilst reading magazines.

"God Becks, I wish I was on demos today! I'm so bored standing at the desk. If I hear that barcode scanner bleep one more time I swear I'm gonna go mental! It's hardly musical is it! You get to listen to piano or guitar all day!"

"Well it's not my fault how the rota works is it Jess.," she giggled as she checked her eyeliner in her pocket mirror before snapping it closed and picking up a copy of OK!

"Ohh shh!" Jess retorted, "and I must say it's not my fault how the magazine rota works, because I think you might be bit jealous of what I'm reading."

In her hand was a copy of heat magazine, which she had opened to the centre page. "I appear to have an article on someone's favourite band!" she laughed, "And it looks like they've been up to their old tricks at G.A.Y again!!"

"GIVE!" Rebecca said instinctively. McFly were Rebecca's favourite band in the world. She had liked them ever since she was 14, but now she liked them for even more reasons. She had a massive crush on Dougie.

"Fucking hell Becca!" Jess laughed, "it's at times like this when I stop wondering how a gorgeous girl like you hasn't got a boyfriend. You're obsessed!"

"I can hardly help it when they look like that!" she said as she gesticulated wildly at the page.

Jessica drained the last bit of her coffee. "Got a mint?" she asked, "Don't want coffee breath for the customers. We open in two."

Rebecca opened up her bag, withdrew some gum and threw it to Jess.

"Taa." She said walking out of the room.

Rebecca took one last look in the mirror, checking her hair and make-up, which, as always, were perfect, slipping the copy of Heat neatly into her bag. She was just about to head back out into the shop when she heard a screech, and the sound of footsteps running towards the room.

"Oh My Fucking God Becks!!!!!" shouted Jessica looking like she'd seen a ghost, "You are never gonna guess who are standing outside our music shop!!!"