Just Carly
Copyright© 2026 by Marc Nobbs
Chapter 11: London & Westmouth - 19th January 2014
Apparently We Needed The Sleep
Sunday, January 19 2014 · 11:14 a.m. · London · Private
We didn’t wake up until nearly eleven, and by then the hotel had stopped serving breakfast. Check-out is approaching, too. I have showered and am supposed to be drying my hair while Paul showers. Instead, I’m sitting on the bed, writing this with a towel around my head.
I looked out across the river before I got in the shower. The buildings opposite look completely different in daylight. There are people out there having a perfectly ordinary Sunday, and I’m still trying to believe last night happened.
Paul asked how my voice felt. Fine, thankfully. My feet have a longer list of complaints.
I wanted to stay in bed with him. Then I wanted to stand on the balcony and watch the boats. Now I want breakfast, although at this point I suppose it’s lunch. We’re going to find a café once we’ve checked out.
The shower has stopped. I need to look considerably more dressed than this.
Breakfast. Cello. Guitars. Something.
Sunday, January 19 2014 · 1:03 p.m. · On the train to Westmouth · Private
Apparently, having a full English breakfast at lunchtime is perfectly normal. Who knew? Eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, and toast I was expecting. It makes sense. But a giant mushroom and half a grilled tomato? On the same plate. Paul seemed completely unsurprised by this arrangement. I was delighted, though. Especially by the bacon. It’s totally different from the bacon back home. Far more meat and far less crispy. It’s more like cooked ham than what I know as bacon.
I had to stop explaining what I liked about the breakfast long enough to eat it before it got cold.
We’re on the train now. I have the window again, but I keep forgetting to look out because I’m trying to write down everything I want to tell Harry and Ellie.
First, last night’s “A Woman’s Work.” I want to record that version with Blackfriars’ Nightmare. If the band is willing, and if Harry and Ellie think it’s worth doing. I told Paul, and he quite sensibly pointed out that I ought to ask the people making the record with me.
I know. I just needed to say it aloud.
We’ve spent a week talking about what I want, but I haven’t been able to give them much more than “something different, but still me.” Last night I could hear something closer to it. My guitar was there. My voice still sounded like mine. But the band gave the song room and weight without me having to sing it as if I were trying to reach the far side of an orchestra.
People are saying lovely things about that version in the comments on YouTube. I’ve read some twice. Possibly three times.
Second, the cello.
I want to try it under my voice, but “under” isn’t quite what I mean. Alongside? A duet, almost. I sing a line, and the cello has something to say about it. Or it keeps moving while I hold a note. I don’t know how to explain that properly yet.
Lana made it sound so human yesterday. There was something in the way a note changed as she held it that made me keep listening. I wonder what that would do beside a voice. Beside my voice.
I’ll need Harry and Ellie to help me work out whether I’m hearing a real possibility or just remembering how much I loved the recital.
Third, Roxie’s guitar.
A little more bite in some of the songs. Something you can feel when the chorus hits. I like plenty of rock music, no matter what I tell Mark when he starts teasing me. Last night reminded me how much I enjoy singing with an electric guitar behind me.
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