Chapter 26

Buddy Holly Story

It could have been 1989 or 1990 I'm not sure which, probably 1990, when I was in London for a trade show. That was when London was THE city for fashion. 

I was quite alone and not too happy 2 years after my divorce.

At one of the stands at the IMBEX Fashion Clothing Trade Show at Earl's Court I met a delightful young lady. Both of us being at a loose end...well you know how these things go. We smile, we chat, we laugh, and go for a drink at the bar.... and eventually I invited her to dinner. I knew a very cosy French restaurant, off the beaten track, in St John's Wood, aptly called "Au Bois St.Jean" ... what else?
It was actually in a converted cellar and the manager was a diminutive Frenchman who insisted on speaking French to his preferred clients. I really never thought I would be so grateful to Brother Murphy ("Malvaloca" to his pupils, but not to his face) for the tedious lessons he pounded into me in that language.

On my part, all the French conversation was all window dressing, what else could a salesman like me do? (In French it is no much what words you use as long as they sounded French LOL). In reality, it was a wonderful meal, with superb wine and certainly a delightful companion. At the end of a memorable evening, I dropped her home, alternatively disappointed and delighted that she declined to accompany me to my hotel.
A couple of days later, the last day of the trade show in fact, I met her again. (These were the days before mobile phones.) The magic was still there, so I invited her to a musical which she had never been to. I had an ace up my sleeve because the Head Porter the hotel I usually stay in, the Fleming Hotel in Half Moon Street> Brian was a magician at getting tickets to the most impossible shows ....for a price, naturally!
My link with Brian was nothing less than the Cafe Universal, a long closed down honky-tonk in Main Street, opposite my own family home. Brian had served in the Navy in his younger years and the Universal had being a regular watering hole whenever his ship docked in Gib. This tenuous link was the seed to a friendship which provided me with excellent seats at the top shows in London, such as EVITA  on opening night…though that cost me an arm, a leg and half a proverbial!

"Brian, I need 2 best seats for "The Buddy Holly Story" Hamilton Theatre in Victoria"

"No problem Squire! When for?"

"Tonight...??"

"Daviiiiiid!"

"Come on Brian, this is a special occasion"

"Aren't they all?" he quipped sarcastically.

Yup, Brian knew me well.

It cost me, but he did get fantastic seats, and next to the aisle too.

The young lady - who for the sake of discretion must today remain nameless – and I went to a nearby pub for a glass of wine or two, just to get us in the mood, and from there to the theatre.

I love musicals.
I love London, though I am told the London of 30 years ago is no more. I used to travel there four times a year to order the latest fashion for my shops. I always earmarked 2 or 3 shows over those few days there.  
This musical was amazing.
It was slick.
It was interesting.
The cast was fantastic and they portrayed the story ever so well.

At one point in the show some members of the cast came down from the stage, singing one of the songs and mingling with the audience. One of them, a leading lady in fact, came over to us, smiling, singing and very beautiful.
On finishing her part of the lyric, she leans over to me and says:

"Hi David, nice to see you!"

To which I nonchalantly replied:

"Nice to see you too!"

My date's mouth fell open.

Her eyes wide with wonder.

"Who ARE you?" she asked in amazement as the actress continued walking on with her flow.

"No, it’s nothing. Don't think anything of it .... " I replied humbly ... well no not quite humbly ... but certainly with false modestly.

She may well have been amazed, but I was over the moon with this personal touch from none other than Gibraltar's very own and very talented actress …..
Carmen Gomez!

Honestly, I had not realised she was in the show till I saw her on stage. She played the part of Buddy's aunt, if I recall correctly. She did so magnificently, like everything she has done in her professional career.

I am to this day indebted to Carmen for that simple, yet truly amazing personal touch, on that fateful evening. If I was walking on air after the show, my date was floating high above me in admiration.

Did I ever tell her the truth?

Well, yes, but only years later........