My first move was to call Andre, with the intention of doing both, if time schedules permit. When I call Andre he is otherwise engaged, so I plot my next move, which is to word a smart text message. The text read something like this..
"Hi Andre I need to speak with you asap about the wedding to find out the times we are required as I have just been called to do a UK tour with Stevie Wonder. Needless to say I would like to do the tour, but need to know if I can somehow juggle the gig and the wedding falling on the same day. Please call when you are free!"
I wasn't sure of the reaction I was going to get, but I was really worrying for around 24 hours, as Emily had told me that she needed to have a definate yes or no within the next day!! I didn't want to just say yes without a plan B, as I knew that the wedding was only days away, but at the same time, as the band mates in Italy all kept drilling home, 'Stevie Wonder is not the kind of gig you decline so easily'!
Andre soon after, flooded my phone witht text messages, which were pointing towards the situation working in my favour. The last of which saying, "Best thing might actually be for me to find someone to replace you, I will make some calls just in case.!" By now I am starting to feel a little less pressure, and half an hour later Andre calls me on my Italian line!
The greeting was alot more encouraging than I thought, especially as I thought perhaps there would be a slight ill-feeling of betrayal or panic, but Andre was really pleased to hear this opportunity of a lifetime, had landed straight in my lap! I was fearful that he may see it as a big let down, but he turned out to be really understanding about the whole situation, and had already arranged a mutual freind to step in last minute, in order to relieve me of the pressure of trying not to let anyone down, whilst not turning down a Stevie Wonder tour opportunity.
My concience would not have allowed me to tell him that I just cant make the gig, but Andre somehow figured that this was way to big a chance to let slide, and I realised once again how privilidged I was to be firstly, potentially sharing the stage with such an Icon, and second, the older brother of the Choral director handling the tour!!
Of course I still had to fire off a text of confirmation, which I did straight after the call; I needed not to worry about not being in the country for the rehearsals, as Emily had offered to excuse me for my absense; also indicating the role we were to play as the choral was not at all going to be a difficult or taxing in any way.
About an hour after speaking with Andre, and confirming that I could make the gigs with Emily, I recieved a text that hit me like a thunderbolt! Text read, "Gavin, there has been a major issue my end, I am going to need you to do the wedding we were booked for, please call me asap!"
Find out in part 3, how things got turned upside down, and the dramas of the 3 hours following this panic text!
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