The meeting had been set to 11 a.m. so we, as British, were there at 10:45.

Mr. Mason came with us, as I was still underage and he wanted to make sure I would not be taken advantage of. He knew exactly what I was after, so he would take over, if legalese became the official language of the meeting.

My Mami had told me I should have dressed better, as she eyed my Bauhaus t-shirt, black hoodie jacket, skinny black jeans and black Converse, still sporting Portuguese mud in its tracks. I told her it was a matter of artistic integrity and she asked me if I had gotten my integrity directly from an unfortunate homeless person.

She, on the other hand, was impeccable as always. I had never seen that woman any less than, be it for a black tie event, or just to pick some flowers from the greenhouse. It must have been some sort of generational thing, as my grandmother Luísa was exactly like her. I had, clearly, not inherited any of that class.

- You are your own lawyer – Mr. Mason whispered, as we sat in the small waiting room – No one will explain your case better than you. And if you need help, I’ll be here.

Johnny Bishop’s office was not big nor was it well furnished, but that really did not matter as he was giving me the chance dozens of others had denied me so far. He was sitting behind his own desk, with a scruffy-looking beard, blue-tinted glasses and a cigarette between his lips. We introduced ourselves and he did the same, pointing at Robbie Hallburn, a producer, and Annie Wilson, whose role I did not get at that point. Bishop motioned for us to sit and asked if he could get us something.

- When you told me you were thirteen, I thought you were pulling my leg, love – he laughed with gravel in his voice, as he flicked the ash dangling from his cigarette.

- I would never even say she was thirteen – Annie Wilson snickered, from her chair, by the window.

- Nah, it’s true, you don’t look like it – he kept going at his up-tempo speech – I don’t think we could even claim you were older, even if we wanted to.

I had never given my looks all that much thought, but they were making me feel very conscious about myself. I was there because I wanted to make music and I was very invested in all of it, by then. - I don’t want to look older, Johnny. I just want to know if you really are interested in what I made – I don’t know where I mustered the courage to speak up like that, but I might as well follow through.

- Oh, and she’s got a personality to go with it – Robbie Hallburn chuckled.

- This is really odd, you know? - Bishop paid him no mind, grabbed my demo tape and rolled it between his fingers – You sent me this tape which is nothing short of amazing… I can honestly say I have never heard anything like this. But then, you come into my office and you’re just a child. And you bring along this lovely lady who looks like she just came from a meeting at Buckingham Palace, and this gentleman here, who I seriously believe is going to sue me for everything that I own, when we’re through.

My grandmother smiled politely and shifted a bit, in her seat. The whole conversation was making her uncomfortable, but she knew this was my battle, and she would not intervene unless it was absolutely necessary.

- Robbie here has a very high opinion of this – he tapped on the case, that read Eleanora’s Sundown – He was pleasantly surprised when I told him you wrote and composed it all. So, Ellie here, can I call you Ellie? - he gave me no time to answer – is a little surprise at every step of the way.

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- Have you played for long? - Robbie asked.

- I’ve been playing the piano for almost 10 years – I said, even if I knew I should not be counting those first tentative years where I was just massacring the poor instrument – I also play the violin and I took up cello a couple of years ago.

- Impressive, really – he muttered – And you have a lovely voice as well. I take it you took lessons?

I nodded – I was classically trained for a while, yes.

He gave me that universal not bad look, pouting and slightly furrowing his brows. At least on that front, things looked promising.

- Well, that’s all fine and dandy – our attention shifted once more to Johnny, who was taking another cigarette from the packet and lighting it – But we do have a complicated situation here, Elz. Personally, I like it, I like it a lot. But – he puffed a cloud of smoke to the side – But I wouldn’t put you out there just yet. Give it a couple of years.

I blinked. That was not the plan. At all. – A couple of years? Why not now? I put that tape together in two months, from scratch. What could possibly keep me from adding a few more songs and recording an album?

He took a drag – Your voice needs to mature, you need to grow up a little bit more. I’m not gonna put a child running up the bar and pub circuit.

- Mature? - I took that one personally – I know my voice better than I know any other instrument. What more maturing can I possibly have to do? I’m not a boy, my voice won’t crack.

Well, technically, the not maturing part was not entirely true. But the change was not as glaringly obvious as it happened with boys.

- I’d do it – Robbie’s voice wedged itself between the tension, which granted him a cocked eyebrow from Johnny who did not appreciate his authority to be undermined like that. Yet, he made a little head motion, urging him to elaborate – I mean, don’t take me wrong, Johnny. But I think the girl’s got talent. If I thought that was just beginner’s luck, I’d back you up, mate. I’d be telling her myself that she needed to get her head straight first but, what I heard is solid. Proper music. Sure, I’d tweak it up here and there, but I’d take a chance, yeah.

Johnny cocked his head, blasting him a devilish smile – And what would Mr. Hallburn suggest, then?

He shrugged – Just give her a shot. Get her a band, let them give a couple of performances and go from there. Honestly – he pointed at the tape on the table – with something like that, I can put a band together for you in a couple of days. Maybe today, still.

Johnny scratched his beard, giving it some thought – And what does grandmother dearest think of all this? - he turned to Mami, who looked absolutely statuesque.

- As long as my granddaughter is happy, so will I be, my dear Mr. Bishop.

- And what does the lawyer think?

Mr Mason smiled – Where do we sign?

Johnny’s laugh filled up the room and broke the ice that still lingered – Alright, Elz, here’s what we’re gonna do. Robbie will get his arse moving and he’ll get you a band. I will personally get you two or three shows, small stuff, in-between real acts, half an hour tops. d‘you reckon you’ve got 30 minutes’ worth of material?

I nodded – I do. - I didn’t, but I was willing to make it happen.

- You’re gonna work on it with the lads we’ll get you – he pointed at me – You’re gonna play those gigs and, if you drown, we’ll talk again in a couple of years and I will guarantee I will get you a deal. If you manage not to bomb, then… - he shrugged, as he put his cigarette out. He wasn’t backtracking altogether, but it was something.

Robbie clapped – Good show, Bishop. 500 quid that you’ll be saying I was right all along.

Bishop bit his tongue – We’ll see about that, Hally. Where do you live, Elz? Where do I send the band to?

- Well, I live in Somerset…

- No can do Somerset – he cut me off – I’m not paying for their trips. Do you have a place in the City?

I shrugged – Belgravia, then.

Bishop raised his eyebrows above the rim of his tinted glasses – Belgravia?… Did grandmother dearest really come directly from Buckingham Palace?

Mami gave out one of her clear laughs – Not today, Mr. Bishop.

- Oh, I see – he smiled – Toff little girl has decided to rebel, then?

- We’re all rebellious in our own way, Mr. Bishop. This generation has decided to take up rock and roll. Who can tell about the next one?

We all shook hands, after I’d given them New House’s address. Johnny lingered a little bit more on Mami’s and took a bow – Your Highness.

- It’s Your Grace, dear. Don’t mess up protocol. You might find it useful someday.

I took a final glance at Johnny’s face. His mouth was slightly opened, but there was not a shadow of a doubt that he had loved the whole interaction. I think Mami really did seal the deal with all her grace and wit.