Chapter 7

Rock the Stadium

By July the school exams were over. Lucas was ecstatic.

On the final day at school Lucas, Tom, Louis and Grace walked home, their school uniform dishevelled, singing Alice Cooper’s ‘School’s Out’ at the top of their voices - especially emphasising the lyrics ‘FOR EVER!’

Lucas thought he had done OK in his exams, but all thoughts were now on enjoying the summer before perhaps going on to college.

When Lucas reached home, as always, he shouted for Cuch - and he came running to greet him at the front door.

His good mood dissipated when he saw his mum’s face.

“What’s up?” he said.

“That reporter’s been round here again,” she said, clearly rattled.

He stood in our hallway with his stupid floppy haircut and shiny brown shoes telling ME how cruel we are to Cuch for letting him go to rock nights.”

“What?” Lucas said. “How are we cruel? He loves it.”

“He reckons people are saying it’s bad for the dog’s ears, that he shouldn’t be allowed to go - and that he’s going to do a stupid story about it,” Janine said, pacing and slamming things down in the kitchen as she said it.

“Perhaps we shouldn’t go this Saturday,” Lucas suggested.

“We’ll see. Let’s see what goes in the paper tomorrow,” Janine said.

It wasn’t good.

Cuch was front page news again - but this time it was not good publicity.

ROCK GIG LOUD - NO DOGS ALLOWED by Alan Greyman shouted the headline.

“A Hednesford (pronounce ‘Hensford’) rock club owner has come under fire for allowing a dog into his premises - to dance on a Saturday night.

Geoff Myatt, from the Tackeroo, has been branded ‘cruel’ by local residents who say the music is too loud for a dog’s ears (and too loud for humans’ ears too).

Fed up residents living near the club say the venue has been even more packed than usual since word got round of local dog Cuch - who ‘headbangs’ on stage to his favourite rock music.

The collie cross, aged 3, belongs to 16-year-old Lucas Lee, from Cannock.

Lucas’s mum Janine claims the dog loves it.

But residents near the Tackeroo say their lives are being made a misery by late night noise and cars being parked all along their street on a Saturday night.

“There are now twice as many people visiting the club as there were before this dog thing,” one resident said.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, added: “And it’s stupid. How can a dog like or not like music? What about the volume affecting his ears? I think the owners are cruel. They’ll end up with a deaf dog.”

An RSPCA spokesman said: “We have not heard of anything like this happening before. But as long as the dog is enjoying himself and is not in front of the speakers I can’t see the harm.”

*Readers: what do you think? Is the family being cruel? Let us know at The Post.”

Lucas’s dad was not impressed when he came home. He hurled the paper across the room so that the pages scattered everywhere.

“A woman who does not want to be named! Ha! I bet the ‘woman’ is our Mr Greyman that’s who,” he ranted.

“Spiteful, spiteful little toe rag!”

“All the same, think we’ll give the club a miss tomorrow,” Janine said.

“We can have our own party at home.”

Most weekends were party time at the Lee household anyway.

That night Janine’s mobile rang. Thinking it would be yet another friend of hers, outraged by the front page story, Janine answered quite crossly.

But her tone changed quickly - and you could tell by her fake, girly voice that the call was from the lovely Paul.

Alex took no notice. He was used to his wife’s flirting and he knew she would always look, but never touch.

They really were devoted, but that didn’t stop Janine openly appreciating an attractive young man. It was all good fun.

“You’d better talk to Alex,” she eventually said, sounding a bit more serious.

“Hi Alex,” the lovely Paul said. “Someone showed me the Post story today. I’LL give our Mr Greyman a story.

“What do you think about Bayley - er Cuch - appearing centre stage at a major rock festival?

“I didn’t say when I saw you, but I’m a promoter and I’m putting together a rock gig at Donnington.

“If you agree, Cuch will appear on stage with Iron Maiden in front of about 100,000 people. Metallica and AC/DC are also headlining. Cuch will be top of the bill. His name will be on all the posters and publicity.

“And of course, there’ll be backstage passes for your family and friends. We’ll pay you well too.

“Alex...? Are you there?”

Alex had gone suddenly quiet. After a few seconds he managed to say, “Are you kidding?”

Next, all Janine and Lucas could hear was Alex’s side of the conversation going ‘uh huh’, yea, yea, oh right, you are? Oh, I think so, yes, I agree - and various other versions.

But as soon as he put the phone down he metamorphasised into a mad man.

He was literally screaming with delight.

He ran up and down the lounge relaying the conversation punching the air at the same time. Cuch was running up and down the lounge with him.

He screamed, wooped, leapt and shouted ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’

“Bonkers! Everything’s bonkers!” was all Lucas could say.

“Must ring Tom, Louis and Grace...”