She stands up, looking overwhelmed with delight, and says, ‘I really can’t believe this. Thank you so much, everyone!’ then she promptly sits back down again, at which everyone starts cheering and clapping even more loudly than before.
And then Ellie announces the singer.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, our fabulous singer for tonight is a talented young musician who’s just starting out in the industry. Please give a big warm welcome to…Liam Westerbrook!’
My heart is thudding. Please be good, Liam!
I know he’s a fantastic singer because when I went to the radio station to speak to him about performing tonight, he showed me lots of footage of gigs he’d already done, and I was really impressed. We decided on songs in the same vein as Marcus was going to sing – lots of jazzy numbers that I know the villagers will love.
And here he is! Looking a little shy at first, and very young. But once he’s introduced himself and commented on the amazing food, which he jokes he’s been sampling far too much of, he begins with ‘Come Fly With Me’ and almost instantly has the audience in the palm of his hand. His way of interacting with the guests is really charming, and at one point, he stops and holds out his hand to Carrie and gets her to stand up.
‘Me?’ She looks absolutely horrified.
But such is Liam’s charm that he manages to coax her up beside him, and the music starts up. It’s a familiar song to many in the audience – ‘Something Stupid’, an old Frank Sinatra classic - and there’s a little ripple of applause.
Liam starts to sing to Carrie, who looks enchanted and terrified in equal measure. And when he gets to the last few words of the chorus, he holds out the microphone to her so she can sing with him. She misses the first ‘I love you’, but after a bit she gets the hang of it, and soon she’s hitting her cue every time. I cast a few discreet glances at Adam to see how he’s reacting to all of this, and I have to say, I’m encouraged. He’s leaning forward to listen, and every time Carrie does her little line, his face breaks out into a big smile.
The song is a huge success with the audience, who were joining in with Carrie towards the end.
Ellie smiles over at me and gives me a thumbs-up. And a little later, when Liam starts singing his final song – ‘New York, New York’ – I join in with everyone, feeling so relieved. Liam turned out to be even more of a success than I thought he would.
‘That boy is so talented,’ says Fen, coming over to join me, where I’m standing behind the café counter.
I nod. ‘Thank goodness. What’s up?’ Fen looks worried.
She sighs. ‘Oh, Maddy, this is so awkward…I don’t know how to say it…’
‘What?’ I stare at her curiously, wondering what on earth is on her mind.
She shrugs. ‘I’m so grateful to you all for doing this…raising money for a new van and everything…’
‘But?’
She blows out her breath. ‘The thing is, I’ve already got one. Mum gave me the money and we bought a second-hand van the day before Rob and I went off on holiday.’
‘Ah!’ I process this. ‘Well, that’s good, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, but you put all that effort into this wonderful evening. And I don’t even need the money. I feel terrible.’
I frown at her. ‘I should bloody well think so, too!’
She looks horrified and I laugh. ‘Joking! Obviously. It’s hardly your fault that our fund-raising efforts have been for nothing.’
‘But what will you do with the money?’
I shrug. ‘Give it to another good cause, I suppose.’
‘What, though? Who?’
I frown, thinking. And it must be my month for bolts from the blue, because I’ve just had another corker of an idea. I explain it to Fen and her eyes widen. She nods enthusiastically and murmurs, ‘Oh, my God, yes. She’ll be so grateful.’ She puts her hand to her chest in relief. ‘I feel so much better now, knowing the money will be helping someone else. It’s a brilliant idea, Maddy.’
‘Aw, shucks. I do my best.’
We look at each other and burst out laughing.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
When I wake next morning and walk down to the corner shop for milk, I stop by the village green to take in the sights and sounds that greet me.
The fair has been gradually arriving in Sunnybrook over the past few days; caravans and cars towing the rides and sideshows on massive trailers. The colours and the smells are bringing back wonderful memories of childhood days, and my heart is beating that little bit faster at the thought of tonight. The first night of the fair!
I’ve arranged to meet Carrie and Adam at six-thirty by the waltzer, and I already have a ready-made excuse to nip away, leaving them alone together – I’m going over to the Little Duck Pond Café for seven, where Fen is going to announce the lucky recipient of the funds raised by the bistro evening. (We’ve spoken to the others and they all agree it’s a great idea.)
When dusk falls, excitement and the smell of hot dogs and candy floss fill the air as I leave the flat to go and meet Carrie and Adam. Katja lives in the block next door and she’s emerging just as I am.
My heart dives into my shiny tan boots. How will my one-time best friend behave towards me today (on a scale of one to ten, where ten is perfectly normal and friendly, and one is frostier than a snowman’s y-fronts?)
‘Hi! Off to enjoy all the fun of the fair?’ I aim for bright and cheerful but sound like an absolute melon.
‘Yes, I’m looking forward to it. I’m meeting Richard there. He’s working late. You?’
‘I’m meeting Carrie and Adam.’
Her face tightens a little. ‘Carrie seems nice. I don’t know her terribly well.’
I nod. ‘She’s lovely.’
‘Well, have a good time tonight.’
‘I’ll see you at the café later for the surprise announcement?’ I grin. ‘I can’t wait to see the look on her face.’
Katja smiles. ‘I know. She deserves it. Yes, see you there.’
We part at the end of our street, and I walk away, feeling almost on the brink of tears. I took Katja’s friendship for granted and now that it’s gone, I really miss her.
‘Maddy?’
I turn expectantly and Katja calls, ‘Well done for thinking of Liam for the entertainment. And I’m sorry Marcus has left. You were just getting to know each other.’
I shrug. ‘To be honest, I think I acted a bit desperate, wanting Marcus in my life. You and Jaz were right. My real dad has been in my life all along.’
She nods. ‘I’m glad.’
‘Thanks. See you later.’
‘Okay.’
I walk away, my heart considerably lighter. We might not be back to where we were as best friends, but maybe we’ve made a little progress…
Carrie is already there, standing nervously by the waltzer. She grabs my arms. ‘Am I pleased to see you. Maddy, what on earth am I doing? I must be mad. Adam’s completely out of my league.’
‘Of course he’s not,’ I snap. ‘You’re gorgeous and kind and funny. And anyway, you’re only going on a few fairground rides. You’re not about to ask him to marry you! So calm down and be your normal self.’