"LET'S GET REEAAADY TO RHUMBLE"

A booming voice blared out from the small CD player,flooding the room with its sound.

Ant and Dec immediately grinned at each other,they liked this already.

"Lets get ready,ready,

Lets get ready.ready,

Lets get ready to rhumble" a chorus of voices continued.

Steve watched the boys intently as the song was belted out at full volume.He smiled to himself as Ant and Dec both tapped their feet and bobbed their heads along to the catchy number.He knew they would like it,this would be the one,the right song for the boys,their long awaited big hit,he just knew it.

As the track came to a close,Steve waited patiently for their opinion.

"Well?" He eventually asked when they stayed silent.

"Well" Dec grinned "it certainly catches your attention doesn't it?"

"In a good way?" Steve asked slightly hesitantly.

"Definitely in a good way Steve" Ant jumped in "I like it,some of the lyrics are a bit questionable though,I mean 'so many lyrics,we keep 'em in stores,we've even got 'em coming out of our pores' what does that even mean?how can lyrics come out of your pores?"

"You're taking this way too seriously Ant" Steve laughed "it's definitely not meant to be taken that way,I doubt your teenage fans will be dissecting the song,looking for hidden meanings within the lyrics,just roll with it"

"Yeah,you're right" Ant smiled "I do like it alot though,it's a feel good song I think,uptempo,carefree and jolly,I think it'll put a smile on peoples faces when they hear it"

"But I do want to know what the title actually means at least?" Dec enquired "Let's get ready to rhumble?what is that all about?"

"I wondered if you'd ask about that" Steve grinned "it's a dance"

"A dance?" Ant and Dec chorused together.

"Yeah" Steve smiled "the rhumble is a dance and you two need to learn it for the video"

"Oh,ok" Ant replied,he wasn't phased by the thought of having to learn another dance routine "what kind of dance?"

"Like this" Steve stated and proceeded to roll his arms around each other "that's the rhumble"

"Really?" Dec laughed "looks more like the actions to wind the bobbin up" referring to the popular childrens nursery rhyme.

"Well,there's more to it than that obviously" Steve grinned "you'll see when you meet with the choreographer,but I tell you one thing,it fits with PJ and Duncans image perfectly"

"Does it?" Ant asked curiously.

"Definitely" Steve grinned,not giving anything else away "Anyway,I'm delighted you both like the song" he continued,the boys reaction had been even better than he had anticipated "With this song and a great video to go along with it,we're bound to have a top ten hit this time"

"Yeah" Dec frowned "I'd rather not get too hung up on that again just yet.It is a great song though"

"Glad you think so" Steve beamed "we had our best writers working on it"

"I can imagine it being one of those songs that gets stuck in your head and drives you nuts after a while though" Ant laughed.

"Yeah,you're probably right there" Steve agreed "it is the kind of song that would give you a never ending ear worm,but don't worry boys,it's not like you're still going to be singing it in twenty years time"

"Can't wait to get started on it" Dec grinned.

"All in good time,we'll get going with recording it as soon as we can" Steve smiled "now I have a meeting on the other side of Newcastle in an hour,so I really need to get organised.So if you're happy with everything,we'll be in touch"

Ant and Dec glanced at each other nervously,making no effort to move from their comfortable chairs.

"Was there something else?" Steve enquired,wondering why they were still frequenting his hotel room.

"Er..y...yeah" Dec stuttered nervously "we were kinda just wondering something,if it's at all possible...well,um...I don't really know how to put this"

"Just spit it out will ya Declan for goodness sake" Steve laughed.

"Ok,ok" Dec sighed "well,me and Ant were talking and what with recording the single,the album,the video and even some talk of a promotional tour,that maybe it would be best for us to move down to London"

Dec paused for a while,waiting for Steves reaction,but when he was met with complete silence,it soon became obvious that he was expecting alot more than the one sentence Dec had offered up.

Dec took a deep breath,before continuing "we just thought it would be easier for us to be based in London rather than having to travel up and down the country all the time,makes sense doesn't it?"

He looked at Steve hopefully,expecting a bit more feedback this time.

"And where are you expecting to live if you do this?" Steve asked.

"Well" Ant took some of the burden off of Dec "ideally a flat share would be good,but if that's not possible,we're happy to stay in a hotel indefinitely"

Steve had to laugh at the boys audacity "oh I bet you are,can't imagine it would be too much of a hardship staying in a luxury hotel for as long as you like"

"So what do you think?" Dec asked "record companies do that don't they?put their artists up in flats?I've heard they do anyway,so I assumed Telstar wouldn't be any different?"

"Yeah,they do.I'll have to talk to the guys at the top though" Steve stated "it's not up to me,but I don't think it's a bad idea,but I can't promise anything,they may not quite be ready to make that level of commitment to you just yet.I think if a promotional tour goes ahead,you're more than likely to be booked into cheap Bed and Breakfasts"

"Really?" Ant asked surprised,that would be a bit of a comedown after the Strand Palace Hotel.

"Don't they know who we are?" Dec winked playfully.

"Look boys,I'll do my best ok?" Steve promised "now I really need to get on,so off you go,I can't be late for this meeting,I'll be in touch soon"

They said their goodbyes and made their way back to Decs car,feeling slightly despondent.They loved the song and thought it had 'hit' written all over it,but they were slightly disappointed with Steves reply about the flat share.They had already kind of convinced themselves that they would have been given the go ahead today,no questions asked.They'd spent alot of time discussing the parties they would have,the posters they would buy to plaster over their bedroom walls,the fridge that would be full of beer and not much else because they would be ordering takeaways all the time and the girls they would invite round.

"Well,he never actually said no" Ant pointed out as they sat stationary in the car park.

"No,he didn't" Dec nodded "but as he pointed out,it's not up to him,let's just hope he's good at the art of persuasion"

"Guess they'll only do it if it's worth their while" Ant stated "no matter how much they like us,they're still a business,they're not gonna just put us up in our own flat to be nice,we have to make a profit for them"

"Yeah exactly" Dec sighed "but staying in B & B's?not even a nice hotel anymore?that's a real comedown,London is really expensive too,assuming that's where the gigs will be if they happen,so we'll probably be in the cheapest,shittiest ones they can find"

"Yeah,life of a popstar eh?" Ant laughed "still we all have to start out somewhere as everyone likes to keep on reminding us"

"Yeah" Dec sighed "but we started out years ago in Byker Grove,should have moved on by now"

"Christ Dec,please don't go all Mister negative on me again" Ant laughed "I don't think I could cope.The song's great though isn't it?"

"Yeah sorry" Dec replied "yeah it is,I really like it"

"LET'S GET REEAAADY TO RHUMBLE" they both shouted out in unison,repeating the very first line of the song,before dissolving into fits of laughter.

"Come on kidda" Ant grinned while wiping a tear of laughter from his eye "let's go home"

"What did you just call me?" Dec asked surprised.

"What?" Ant enquired,not sure what Dec was actually referring to.

"Just then" Dec grinned "you called me kiddo or something"

"Oh that" Ant smiled "not kiddo,kidda"

"Why?" Dec enquired.

"Dunno" Ant answered "just suits ya and anyway,I'm pretty sure I've called you it before"

"Have you?" Dec frowned "I never noticed,but can I remind you that I'm older than you,I should be saying it to you if anything"

"Nah,wouldn't suit me at all" Ant laughed "you've always been the baby in every relationship you've ever had,with your parents,your siblings and now me,it fits you down to the ground our kidda,don't you like it?"

"There's worse things to be called I guess" Dec shrugged.

"There certainly are Shithead" Ant joked "and anyway,it's a term of affection,so you'd better get used to it.If I stop saying it,then that means something has gone horribly wrong with us"

"Can't have that then" Dec immediately replied,trying his best not to let on that he actually loved it that Ant had started calling him by a new pet name "Ok,I'll let you carry on"

"Good,cos I was planning to anyway kidda" Ant grinned.

A few days later Steve called the boys, informing them that Telstar had agreed to put them up in London for the duration it took to record the album.Predictably,they had gone for the Bed and Breakfast option,which Ant and Dec were incredibly disappointed about,but knew they didn't have any choice but to accept it.It did dampen their excitement slightly though and they still hadn't informed their parents of the plan which Dec especially,thought might be tricky with persuading his Mam.

He sat her and Fonsey down in the living room one day to talk with them which of course immediately had Anne fretting that something was terribly wrong.

"What is it Declan?" She asked cautiously.

"It's nothing to worry about Mam" Dec sighed "so you can stop your stressing straight away"

"What's on your mind lad?" Fonsey asked calmly.

"Well" Dec took a deep breath "you know we've got a new single,album and video to record?"

"Yes?" Fonsey and Anne replied together.

"Well" Dec repeated "me and Ant thought it might work if we were based in London while all of that is going on.You know,less coming and going and it will save us a fortune in train fares"

"You wouldn't drive down?" Fonsey enquired.

"God no" Dec laughed "have you seen the way those lunatics drive down there?"

"Declan,please don't blaspheme" Anne scolded.

"Sorry Mam" Dec sighed "but don't you think it would make sense for us to move down there for a while?the record company have agreed to it"

"Well,we can't stop you lad" Fonsey smiled "you're an adult now,old enough to make your own decisions,especially when it comes to your career"

"I know" Dec smiled "but I'd like to go with your blessings,you're approval is important to me"

Dec noticed his Mams eyes were beginning to swim with tears.

"Oh Mam" he said gently,while placing an arm around her shoulder "please don't get upset,it's just for convenience and it's only going to be temporary"

"Is it?" Anne asked hopefully.

"Yeah of course" Dec smiled "they're putting us up in hotels again,it'll be nice,you remember how great the hotel was we all stayed in that time?"

Dec didn't want to tell his Mam the truth about where they would really be staying,if she knew they were staying in cheap hovels,she would only worry more.He only hoped Telstar wouldn't be too stingy with their choice of accommodation,he found it hard to believe they would switch from a lovely place like The Strand Palace Hotel to a complete dive so readily.

He hated lying to his Mam,it was something he rarely did,but on this occasion,he decided it was a necessary evil.

"How do I know you'll be safe down there?" Anne asked sadly with a tear running down her cheek "London is a scary place"

"Mam I'll be fine" Dec assured her "the record company will take care of us and anyway,I'll be with Ant the whole time"

"Yeah,at least he has a sensible head on his young shoulders" Fonsey stated.

"And I don't?" Dec asked feeling slightly offended.

"No you don't" his Dad laughed.

"Ok,maybe I don't" Dec grinned "but I promise you it'll be fine ok?I really don't want you to worry about me.I promise I'll look after myself and as I said,it's only for a few weeks,I'll be back before you know it.I'll be desperate for one of your delicious roast dinners by then"

He waited for either one of his parents to respond.

"I'm just going to miss you that's all" Anne announced.

"I'm going to miss you both as well" Dec smiled.

Although Dec had done his best to convince her it would only be a temporary measure,Anne couldn't help but wonder if that really would be the case.What if he got settled down south and didn't want to come home?her next sentence just about summed up everything she was feeling.

"I just can't believe my baby is leaving home!"