-Track Five-
Manila airport bustled with people when the old men arrived. Feeling drained after their long flight, they cleared customs and headed outside to the arrival area to meet Steve’s friend, Gus.
Gus, an American, had lived in the Philippines for many years. He owned Freeway, a popular music venue in the entertainment heart of Angeles City where Steve had played many times while in the Philippines and they became great friends. Originally from California, Gus had made a fortune in the United States before moving to the Philippines. He had tried many business ventures during his years in the country but had lost most of his money before buying Freeway, now regarded as the top live music venue on the Fields Avenue strip.
Wayne and Elvin heard many stories from Steve over the years about the Philippines, but unbeknownst to them, hearing tales and experiencing them was about to be entirely different. They would soon be in for a sudden, yet amazing, culture shock.
With the time zone difference, it was mid-afternoon when they arrived. Wayne, Charles, and Elvin felt uncomfortable from the heat once they stepped outside the cool air-conditioned airport lounge. Steve felt overjoyed to be back. He inhaled familiar odours in the warm Philippine air that triggered fond memories. He took out a carton of duty-free cigarettes, opened a packet, and took one out. “There are no stupid no-smoking laws here,” he said, lighting it up.
They wheeled their luggage trolleys to the pickup area.
“Hi guys,” said a smiling grey-haired American, who stood in front of a group of taxi drivers. “Wow, you came prepared,” said Gus, noticing their stacked trolleys.
Steve’s face lit up as he wheeled his trolley over to Gus.
“Gus!” exclaimed Steve, who walked up and hugged his old friend.
“It’s great to see you, buddy,” said Gus, patting Steve on the back.
“Yeah, it’s been too long. I’ve missed you mate,” said Steve. “We’ve bought our music equipment.”
Charles, Elvin, and Wayne could see the joy etched across Steve’s face as he introduced them to Gus.
The four then wheeled their luggage trolleys to the car park and got into Gus’s air-conditioned Range Rover. The ancient newbies sat together in the back seat and observed the scenery of the Manila metropolis and the stunning countryside along their route. Palm trees lined the road, and once out of Manila, it was lush green pastures for most of the three-hour journey to Angeles City, and Steve and Gus chatted in the front seat.
They arrived in Angeles City, where Gus stopped at a money exchange, so the Brits could change pounds Sterling (GBP), into Philippine Pesos (PHP). He then drove them to the Swagman, a popular guesthouse familiar to Steve. Gus knowing they would be tired after a long arduous journey arranged to meet them later and said he would put their equipment in the storeroom at Freeway and he then left them to settle in.
The Swagman comprised of two sections. One section having the accommodation block with small air-conditioned rooms on one side of the street and the building opposite housed more rooms, a large restaurant, and an open-air swimming pool.
It catered for tourists and long staying old ex-pats, having activities such as bingo, quiz nights, and other forms of subdued entertainment.
Two *Filipino boys at reception took their luggage to their rooms, and the four went into the restaurant and ordered tea.
“Cor, it’s bloody hot,” said Elvin, and wiping beads of sweat from his forehead, said. “I’m sweating like a paedo in a playground.”
Steve watched his three friends ogling the pretty *Filipina waitresses. Wayne sat back and smiled like a contented cat as the ladies hurried about their work.
“I wish I was thirty-years-younger,” said Wayne.
“I’d better learn Filipino so I can chat 'em up,” said Elvin, chortling.
Steve tittered, “You don’t have to be thirty years younger, and you don’t need to learn Filipino to chat them up.”
The three looked confused. Steve smirked, deciding not to fill their heads with too much information yet, knowing that they would learn about Filipina’s soon enough. He'd taught them some basic language on the plane, such as Hello, Hoy: Toilet, Banyo: and the most important word, Beer, Serbesa, but he told them that most Filipino’s spoke English.
“What are we going to do for the rest of the day?” Wayne asked.
Steve looked at his eager but exhausted friends and said. “We should have a nap and relax before seeing Gus. We will need to save our energy for later,” he smirked.
They agreed and drank Lipton’s tea while still ogling the girls. Ten minutes later, a Filipino came into the restaurant and made his way over to their table.
Steve gasped as the man approached. He stood up and smiled. “Oggie!” he exclaimed, as the smiling Filipino put his hands on Steve’s shoulders and gazed into his eyes, now filling with tears, “Hello my old friend, it’s been too long,” said Oggie with a quake in his voice.
“It seemed like a lifetime,” said Steve, holding onto Oggie’s arms.
After a happy and emotional reunion, Steve introduced the three to his closest Filipino friend. Oggie was a tall slim middle-aged Filipino with a cheerful demeanour. He smiled at the three as he shook their hands and sat down. Oggie spoke fluent English and chatted with them about his family and Steve.
Steve first met Oggie not long after he’d arrived in the Philippines many years ago. Even though Oggie was a lot younger, the pair had been like brothers throughout Steve’s stay. Oggie loved western music, and it was thanks to him liaising with the Filipino Doctors and the British Embassy that Steve’s medevac went smoothly.
Oggie looked at Steve. “I couldn’t believe it when you called a few days ago and told me you were coming home,” Steve, with a smile a mile wide, held onto Oggie’s arm and sniffed back a tear as Oggie told him. “Gus told me you’d arrived and he’d dropped you off here.”
Oggie looked at the others, smiled, and told Steve. “I have a welcome home present for you.” He looked around at the other customers in the restaurant, slipped Steve a small package under the table, and nodded.
“Thanks mate,” said Steve, taking the package and putting it in his pocket.
Oggie stood, put his hand on Steve’s shoulder. “It’s nice to meet you all; I will see you later,” he said and walked out of the restaurant.
Bewildered, Charles, Elvin, and Wayne looked at Steve.
“I’m going to the toilet,” said Steve and left the table.
“Wot do you think that was?” Elvin asked, looking puzzled.
“I don’t know,” said Charles, frowning. “Maybe it’s nothing, but it seemed suspicious how Oggie handed the package to Steve under the table.”
The three fell silent as a grinning Steve returned from the toilet several minutes later looking invigorated. He wiped his nose and announced, “Right, you go take a nap, while I go for a stroll. I'll meet you here at 6 o'clock.”
The three concerned old men headed to their rooms.
The receptionist woke them at 5:30 pm. They showered, changed, and met up in the restaurant around 6:00 pm.
Steve was already in there, and after taking the mickey out of Elvin’s hairy little white legs in his shorts, they sat around a table and ordered food.
“What’s the plan, Steve?” asked Wayne.
They leant forward and Steve said. “We will have something to eat and go to Freeway to see Gus and where we will be playing.” He pointed at Charles in his summer slacks. “Nobby, you can buy a pair of shorts on the way; it’s too hot for long trousers. Then I will show you around some quieter bars along Fields Avenue,” he smirked, “I’ll break you in gently.”
They looked at Steve, who seemed full of vigour.
“What have you been doing all afternoon Steven?” asked Charles.
Steve took something out of his pocket. “I spent a few hours shopping and visiting old friends,” he said and smiled. “Look what I bought.”
He showed them a decorative mother-of-pearl pillbox and continued. “I bought this little pillbox, it looked nice and it was cheap.”
“What’s in it?” Charles asked.
“Nothing,” said Steve, and put the box back in his pocket. “Here,” he said, “I also bought you little cherubs something you’ll need.” He gave each of them a packet of four Viagra tablets.
They looked aghast. “I certainly won’t need these,” said Charles, sounding indignant.
“Me neither,” said Elvin, although hoping that he would.
“Nor me,” said Wayne, thinking he still had enough power to get it up with no help.
Steve smirked, put the Viagra back in his pocket, and said. “Wait and see. I have a box of rubber Jonny’s in my room. I will hand them out later when required.”
“We’re too old for condoms. I bet we are all firing blanks,” said Elvin, chuckling.
“Maybe not all of us, Chippers,” said Wayne, smirking.
“No, but we aren’t too old to get nasty diseases. Better to have one and not need it... than need one and not have it. Always better safe than sorry,” said Steve, smirking.
Charles glared at the three, shook his head, and sighed.
After they ate, Steve took them to the international phones in the small travel agency section in the Swagman. With the seven-hour time difference, it would now be lunchtime in the UK. Steve called Lucy and told her they had all arrived and everything was fine. He said that she had nothing to worry about as her old Dad was about to go out for a shag. Lucy, no longer shocked by her father’s antics, just told him to enjoy himself.
Charles and Elvin called their families with the same news, apart from the shagging part.
They met back in the restaurant and chatted until Steve said that it was time they went to Freeway to meet Gus. They went outside into the warm evening air and caught the free Swagman *tuk-tuk to Fields Avenue.
Freeway, a large building at the start of Fields Avenue, an area with over a hundred bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other buildings. It resembled the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, a raucous mix of unashamed, lively, joyful entertainment, and considered the heart of Angeles City.
Spotlights illuminated the front of Freeway, focusing beams on murals of singing icons, such as the Beatles, Elvis, and others. A small arch-shaped gold awning covered the entranceway and the door, painted gold with white stripes made the exterior look classy. The large air-conditioned interior had a raised stage at the front with a wooden dance floor and a small store/changing area for the bands behind the stage with several small tables and chairs set out on a carpeted area at the side of the stage.
In front of the dance floor, four rows of velvet upholstered bench seats set out semi-circular at different levels, which gave customers an unobstructed view of the stage. In front of the benches were rows of chest-high shelves, used for drinks and snacks, with platforms at the front for staff to walk along serving food and drinks.
Freeway had live music seven nights a week. The entertainment did not start until 9:00 pm, but customers arrived around 8:00 pm to get a seat, as Freeway usually filled up early.
Stage lighting was at the front and two large fans were on either side to keep the performers cool. The illuminated dance floor had light-boxes positioned around, which displayed that night’s entertainment. That evening’s band was the ‘Harpiers, a popular Filipino band that covered western songs from the 1980s.
The old men arrived and Gus met them at the door. He showed them to the stage and changing area. He then went to order drinks while the others sat at a table to the side of the stage. Gus returned with a waitress and several bottles of Red Horse extra-strong beer, one of the Philippines popular local brews. Steve complimented Gus on how good the place looked.
Harpiers went on stage to get ready.
The audience was a mixture of Filipino’s and foreigners. Gus told Wayne that he could use their drum kit and advised them to come along during the day to rehearse and get used to Freeways sound equipment. Gus gave Steve a cell phone with a Philippine phone card, and they chatted until the band started and performed ‘Rio’ a Duran Duran number, followed by a medley of popular songs from the 1980s. Fifty minutes later, after playing, ‘Message in a Bottle’ by The Police, they took a break.
The old-timers drank several of the strong bottled beers and, as background music played, Steve said that it was time to move on.
They arranged to meet Gus around lunchtime the following day and Steve popped to the toilet to get his fix.
They left Freeway, excited about being able to play to a packed house. Although Steve had played Freeway many times before, he knew Fossils would blow the audience’s socks off, if they survived the night's planned debauchery.
They went onto Fields Avenue and Steve said. “To put us in the mood, I know a great little bar that's not too far away in Santos Street.” He smiled and strode off towards Santos Street. A.K.A. ‘Blow Row.’
The three followed Steve through the hot noisy streets, trying to avoid the beggars, Viagra sellers, and tuk-tuk drivers, who pestered them relentlessly.
Wayne, Charles, and Elvin gazed around streets at the brightly lit bars and restaurants.
“It ain't wot I expected,” said Elvin. “It looked modern. I fought it’d be a dump full of wooden shacks and girls jumping out saying, Love you long time… $10.”
“You’ve been watching too many Vietnam movies, buddy,” said Wayne, and the pair chuckled as they arrived at the Black Orchid.
They went inside the dimly lit bar. Jenny, the mamasan, was an old friend of Steve’s and recognised him immediately. Looking shocked, she went over, kissed him, and asked where he had been for all those years.
They ordered beer and Steve spoke to Jenny, telling her a little about his time in England, and that they were performing at Freeway the following night. Jenny looked at the old men, and knowing Steve from old, she thought he was bullshitting about them being English superstars.
The other three looked at girls stood around or talking to customers. Steve then whispered something to Jenny, who went to the bar.
Charles was curious. “Where do those stairs lead?” he asked, noticing large wooden steps in one corner. “Do the staff live up there?”
Steve grinned as three girls came over to their table, introduced themselves, and sat down beside Wayne, Charles, and Elvin, who appeared taken aback.
“There you go, lads. These three nice ladies wanted to meet you, they think you are sexy,” said Steve, who chuckled and added. “Don’t be shy and buy them a drink.”
Jenny came over, smiled at the girls, and sat and chatted with Steve.
Wayne spoke to the woman next to him and ordered her a drink, and Charles and Elvin followed suit. They chatted with their new companions for several minutes, astounded by how well the Filipinas spoke English. The three relics couldn’t believe how interested these attractive girls seemed to be in them. The girls kissed and stroked the old men with familiarity, considering they had only just met. Steve broke off his conversation with Jenny, leaned across the table, and grinned.
“I suggest you take a Viagra about now. I told you that you’d need them,” he said, handing them each a box of the wonder pills and a condom.
The girls smiled and went back to smothering Wayne and Elvin with kisses.
Charles didn’t take ‘the old codger's starter pack’ and ignored the girl sitting with him.
“Suit yourself,” said Steve. He popped a Viagra in his mouth, swilled it down with a bottle of San Miguel extra light pilsner, and said something to Jenny. She left the table, went to the bar, and spoke to another girl, who smiled, came over, and sat next to Steve, who groped her.
The three confused newbies were gobsmacked with their female companions, who had been fiddling with their wrinkled old todgers for several minutes.
Wayne and Elvin took a little blue wonder pill while Charles looked uncomfortable and kept moving the girl's hand off his flaccid old soldier.
Steve stopped swapping spit with his companion and leaned forward. “Do you like the women?” He asked.
“Oh yes,” stammered Elvin and chuckled like a nervous teen.
“Right then,” said Steve. “This will be my treat.” He nodded to the girl with Elvin, who smiled, stood up, took his hand, and led him upstairs; followed by Wayne with his new female friend.
Charles, realising what was happening, exclaimed. “This is a brothel!”
Steve smirked and said. “No it’s not… it’s a short time bar. It'll relax you for the night ahead.”
Charles threw Steve a stern look and said, “I don’t care what they call it here. It’s a brothel and I will never go with a prostitute.” He then ignored Steve and the woman sat next to him and drank his beer.
Steve laughed and said. “I bet you go with a working girl before we leave the Philippines.”
“Never,” said Charles furrowing his brow, “and if I do, I will kiss your backside, Steven.”
Steve chuckled and said, “I'll hold you to that... Anyway, I’m off for a quickie, so if you change your mind just tell the girl.”
“That’ll never happen,” Charles grumbled and looked disgusted.
Steve took the girl, along with his bottle of beer, and went upstairs to the short time rooms.
Twenty minutes later, they came downstairs and sat with grumpy Charles. Elvin was the first down. Sweating, he ordered him and his sack-emptier a drink as Wayne came down looking happy and bought his smiling girl a drink. Steve came down five minutes later, looked at the two now besotted old men and asked. “Was everything okay, lads?”
“Perfect,” cooed Elvin gooey-eyed. “But it was bloody hot in the rooms, they only ‘ad fans.”
“Great buddy,” said Wayne, as his new little fancy nudged closer and kissed his cheek.
“Right then, drink up and we can go party,”
Although Elvin and Wayne felt miffed to be leaving, they wanted to explore more of what this laid-back city offered. Steve called Jenny over and gave her 2800 PHP.
Jenny thanked him and told him she would go along to the Freeway and watch them perform the following evening and bring Elvin and Wayne’s ladies along.
Elvin and Wayne felt ecstatic as they kissed the women goodbye and headed along Fields Avenue with renewed vigour.
“How much did that cost Steve?” asked Wayne.
“2800 Pesos, that’s about £40. Jenny gave me a discount because we're old friends, and it was only a very short time,” he sniggered
“Can’t we take them out, maybe for a meal or somefing?” Elvin asked, sounding hopeful.
Steve grinned and said, “You can take them for as long as you want you dirty little sod, but it will cost you a lot more, about 1300-1500 Pesos every night.”
Elvin did some calculations and said, “That’s not much, and it would be worth it, she was lovely.”
Steve chuckled and said. “Steady your roll, Chippers. We don’t want you having a heart attack on your first night. There’s a lot more to come.”
Elvin and Wayne giggled, Charles grumbled, and Steve grinned as they walked down Fields Avenue to their next port of call, Champagne nightclub and go-go bar.
“Ah, that’s better,” said Elvin, feeling the cool air from the club's air-conditioning system as they walked into the plush nightclub. Although the same size as Freeway, mirrored walls and ceilings made Champagne appear massive.
The club was full of scantily clad Filipinas. Some walked around serving customers, while others danced on a stage. Three happy old men and one grumpy old fart sat down around the stage in the centre of the club and watched as the girls gyrated.
‘This seems okay, it’s a go-go bar, but at least it’s not a brothel,' thought Charles, who smiled at the hostess serving them.
Elvin and Wayne giggled like schoolboys, bragging about their recent sexual conquest. Steve had done, seen, and heard this many times before. He listened and smiled as the newbies spoke about breaking their Filipina cherry.
Charles looked unsettled until a hostess came over, stood next to him, and said, “You look bored.”
Charles looked at the lady and replied, “No, I am okay.”
“My name is Danni. What’s yours?” asked the woman.
Charles looked at her and said. “Charles.”
Danni smiled and said, “It’s nice to meet you, Charles. Can I sit down please?”
Charles nodded and Danni sat next to him and said. “I’m nervous. With it being my first night as a hostess, I don’t know what to do.”
Charles looked at Danni who trembled, appearing scared.
Danni asked the usual questions; where was he from? How long was he staying in the Philippines? Did he have a Filipina girlfriend?
Danni intrigued Charles so he bought her a cocktail, watched by the ever-present mamasan.
Wayne, Elvin, and Steve played with the girls and bought them cocktails.
Charles told Danni what they were doing in the Philippines and invited her along to their first gig at Freeway. Charles drank a few beers and champagne cocktails and, as the evening wore on, he felt more at ease.
He felt guilty about Mary, but as the evening progressed, he knew Mary would have wanted him to enjoy his life and she had told him not to be sad. *Shitfaced, he plucked up courage and nervously put his hand on Danni’s knee. Danni jumped and looked surprised.
Charles moved his hand away and said. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. It must be the alcohol.”
Danni smiled, took his hand and put it on her thigh, kissed him on his cheek, and said, “That’s okay Charles, I like you,” she leaned over and whispered. “I like you a lot.”
Steve eavesdropped on the conversation and chuckled as it sounded like Danni was doing a great job on the boring old fart.
“Okay, time to go,” announced Steve, and asked a hostess for their bills. Charles offered to pay for all the drinks, but he looked shocked when the bill came and it was double from what Steve paid earlier, which had included three shags. Charles saw the exorbitant price of the cocktails, cringed, paid the bill, and asked Danni. “Can I see you again?”
Danni knew that Charles was a gullible newbie but aware that Steve was an old hand at the game, threw him a cautious look, before she smiled, nodded, and told Charles that she worked at Champagne every night, and she wanted to see him again. “Maybe I will come to watch you play at Freeway.”
The four left Champagne and went outside. Danni watched them leave. Then, after a mamasan nodded, she took off her clothes and danced with the other girls on the stage.
Shitfaced, the old men walked along Fields Avenue. The aromas coming from the streets food stalls smelt delicious. They bought BBQ satay chicken impaled on wooden sticks and walked towards a tuk-tuk.
“It's almost midnight, so let’s head back to the Swagman and have an early night. We’re meeting Gus in the morning,” said Steve and told the driver where to go.
During the ride, Charles would not stop talking about Danni, much to the amusement of Steve, who smirked and thought. ‘I’ll let him wallow in his fantasy of finding the perfect twenty-two-year-old woman, who seemed smitten with the wrinkled, almost seventy-year-old, Charlie boy.’
They arrived at the Swagman and Charles slurred. “Tomorrow, I will go back to the Champagne bar and ask Danni out. I think she may still be a virgin.”
They staggered into the reception. Steve went to his room and burst out laughing, making his botty burp.
The others remained in reception and chatted for several minutes about Steve’s frequent toilet visits. They felt concerned and knew that there were strict drug laws and harsh punishments in the Philippines. They decided to ignore it for now but hoped Steve would realise he was too old and kick his habit before it took a firm hold.
The following morning, they met in the restaurant, ate breakfast, and planned for the day ahead.
Steve looked at his watch and said, “We said we’d meet Gus at noon. I’ll call Kipper around 4 o’clock and find out what happened in London.”
They relaxed by the pool until lunchtime and caught the Swagman tuk-tuk to Freeway. They noticed the dirt and grime during the day around Fields Avenue. A few people milled around, which was a vast contrast from the lively, illuminated street at night.
Gus let them into the Freeway. They took their equipment from the storeroom and Gus showed Wayne a set of drums he could use. The sound equipment in Freeway was unfamiliar to them, but they soon figured it out and set up their instruments. Gus brought over a coffee and sat down at a table.
The Freeway staff went about their cleaning and stocking shelves for the evening trade. With it closed during the day, Freeway looked different with the lights on and no crowd. The sound echoed around the large empty club as Wayne tapped his sticks together, counting them in. “One, two, three.” They played ‘Consider Me Gone.’
Gus looked surprised. He had heard Steve play before many times at the Freeway and always considered him a good entertainer, but he rarely varied his rock ‘n’ roll songs. He presumed that the Fossils were just an extended version of Steve, but soon changed his mind after listening to their first few songs, and when they performed, Rolling Thunder, he was hooked. Fossils stopped for a break and Gus stood in front of them and applauded.
“God damn, you guys sound fantastic!” He said.
Steve laughed and said, “I bet you weren’t expecting that.”
“Damn right,” said Gus and went over to the fridge to get them each a beer.
They rehearsed until 3:30 pm., unplugged their instruments and sat with Gus. Thirty minutes later, Steve called Kipper.
“Morning buggerlugs; how are things in sunny Cleethorpes?”
“Hi, Steve… erm, I’m still in London,” said Kipper.
“London! What are you still doing there? And what’s happening?” asked Steve.
“I’m staying at the Hilton, the BBC are paying,” said Kipper and chuckled.
“What’s the matter Kipper? You sound nervous.”
“Nothing’s wrong Steve, everything’s fine. I met the people in charge of the BBC, Billy Numan, and Susan McHale. They believed the story about the band being abroad and can’t be contacted yet. Although Billy was angry at first, he calmed down and cancelled the live show. He even apologised for assuming you would do the show. He said he wanted me to stay in London until they could speak with you and they would give me your cheque before I leave, which I will take to Doctor Fossdyke when I get back to Cleethorpes. ”
Steve heard a woman’s voice in the background, “Here is your buck’s fizz, Mr Nutley.”
“Rough going then,” said Steve and chuckled. “Have you got a pen and paper.”
“Yep, hang on, I’ll write on a napkin.”
Steve read out his phone number.
Kipper repeated the number.
“Okay buggerlugs, keep us informed on what’s happening,” said Steve.
“I will, but I’ve got to go, Steve. I’ll call you later,” he said and hung up.
Steve frowned and glared at the phone.
“What’s happening?” asked Charles.
Steve chuckled and told them, “Buggerlugs is drinking champers for breakfast… at the bloody Hilton.”
“Why’s he still in London?” asked Charles, sounding surprised?”
Steve smirked and said,“He said he was told by the BBC to wait there until they spoke to us, but he told me they believed our story and he said he would call us later.”
“Oh well, we’ll just have to wait,” said Elvin.
“How about we treat the lad and give him half of the prize money?” said Steve. “It looks like he’s pulled us out of the shit.”
“Good idea,” agreed, Wayne, Elvin, and Charles.
Steve looked at his watch and said. “I’ll phone Lucy and tell her.”
They left the Freeway and went back to the Swagman. They showered, changed, ate, and returned to the Freeway.
Gus looked forward to hearing them perform, after humming Vulnerable all afternoon. Fossils went on stage at 8:45 pm to a mixed reaction. Foreigners tittered at the ancient old band members, and the Filipinos sat quietly, so as not to offend.
They got settled with their instruments. Wayne tapped his sticks. “One… two… three.” and played Consider me Gone.
Gus smiled as he looked at the faces of the gobsmacked audience.
The atmosphere transformed, and by the end of their first set, the audience stood applauding.
During their second set, Steve saw Jenny and the two girls from the Black Orchid standing in the audience. He nodded at Wayne and Elvin, who noticed them and smiled. Charles also saw a figure that made his heart flutter as Danni stood amongst the crowd.
Word soon spread through Fields Avenue about the fantastic new band performing at Freeway. They finished their second set with, Life is Too Short to be Sad, and Charles saw Danni leave. She mouthed, “See you later,” on her way out. Charles smiled and nodded as he carried on singing.
Rapturous applause echoed through Freeway as the band left the stage and sat with Gus.
The three girls from