And of course as this little snapshot of my life is called she did indeed put a spell on me. I had never heard the song until that day and I suppose that is what made me come to my senses. I had never even heard of the band Credence Clearwater Revival but there they were singing it out loud and clear for all to hear.
I never thought that I had learning difficulties but it was obvious emotional intelligence was seriously lacking in me. The familiarity, her looks and charisma suckered me in, but now that was all about to change. My stomach was in my boots, Suzy and I had grown up together living next door to each other and both sharing a love of the same music. Suzy and I were part of one another's families. Our lives were so inter twined that It was no wonder we ended up not only in the same pop group but in bed with each other as well. I thought she loved me!
Suzy was different to anybody I had ever known and I suppose in that way she ruined me for anyone else. As she prospered with her singing in the band so she changed and became hard and calculating, but I loved her and loved hearing her sing the songs that I had written. I knew that I would always play second fiddle to her career but as I was part of the band and the song writer it did not seem to matter. I thought that I was essential to her! It was the overheard conversation that sewed the first seeds of doubt in my mind - was she really thinking of leaving the group and taking my songs and my music with her – I think NOT. Then there were the odd nudge and occasional wink between her and the producer. She thought that no one noticed but where Suzy was concerned I had eyes in the back of my head.
As I watched her over the next few weeks my heart became frozen, on the outside I was happy and cheerful but plans would have to be made. If Suzy thought that she would be leaving me with my music another thing was coming. I felt she had used me and played me for a fool and that song continued to run round in my mind so apt really, it fuelled all my anger and rage. Suzy was mine and would always be mine, and as the lyrics clearly said "if I can't have you no one else will". Restless thoughts churned round inside my head, every action has a reaction, all behaviour has consequences and I was preparing for her some consequences and not what she would expect.
I suppose my whole devil may care attitude was what brought me good luck. I remembered one of her phrases "Softly softly catchee monkey". Well Suzy thanks for the lesson I may be slow on the uptake but I am not stupid. Mary was a bit of a fan and a hanger on but she had always fancied me so that made my life easy. As I told Suzy about Mary I could see the look of relief flash across her face and she told me that she was happy with me for finding true love.
I don't know why but murders usually appear to happen in the dark who knows maybe this one would but it would not be integral to my plan. All the scheming and planning by Suzy had left her quiet and remote from the group, maybe she had a twinge of conscience about getting ready to dump us all. But I seriously doubted that! Everyone noticed the difference in her and Mary (bless her) had became such an asset spreading the idea that she thought Suzy was down realising what a big loss I was to her. How big a loss Suzy was still to find out.
Suzy asked me to collect the few paltry belongings I had left at her flat. Preferring to go on my own she gave me the key and one bright sunny morning whilst Suzy was off to the dentist, I returned to the flat. Trust is such a strange thing, did she so believe my cover story and that she was the only one capable of huge deceit. Of course I rummaged through her belongings, there was the draft contract ready to be signed, my blood boiled, but I remained calm. I moved into the bedroom and there sure enough was what Suzy jokingly called her Smartie dish. This was her first port of call before she went out clubbing and dependant on her mood she would put her hand in the dish and take whatever colour E that took her fancy. I mixed and matched the ones I had bought at a few different gigs in the dish, adding some to the stash under her bed. I have to tell you I had the biggest smile on my face as I picked up my box of belongings and left closing the door behind me.
Waiting was the most acutely pleasurable feeling, the sense on anticipation, power and control built up inside me. I was happier than I had been for such a long time. Suzy finally announced to the band that she was leaving us and was going solo. The shock on her face as I revelled in telling her that I held the copy right for the band's songs in my own name, she had not checked and thought that as she had sung them she could take them with her. Suzy was livid but the band all knew the songs belonged to us and not her. If she was going out on her own it would be without any of our songs, unless of course she was going to pay us.
Time passed slowly and finally one morning as I made my coffee I switched on the news and there it was, Suzy Mitchell had died. It was believed that she had suffered an accidental poisoning from a contaminated ecstasy tablet. A neighbour heard Suzy fall on the stairs on her way out and had called the ambulance, she was critical and placed on a life support machine. Her parents had been at her bedside when she died earlier this morning.
You may ask have I a conscience, well yes I have just not about Suzy. Mary and I married shortly after and life is good, the additional publicity from Suzy's death placed us in the charts and the band is going from strength to strength.
I must admit, but just to you, I get a serious buzz when I hear Nina Simone's cover version of I Put a Spell on You such a wonderful song.