‘So the upstairs is ready. I’ve popped the frame at the top of the stairs, and I’ve placed the chair in the shower.’
Gran gave him an expression of despondency and resignation. ‘That’s depressing. Getting old is so frustrating. It really does sneak up on you.’ She shook her head at herself. ‘But enough about that sad stuff. How were the auditions last night?’ Gran asked him as though she hadn’t heard a thing from Lily.
Nick smiled at Lily. ‘Your granddaughter is a marvel. I don’t know why you’re not the leading lady in every show in London,’ he said to her and she felt herself redden with his praise.
He leaned over to Gran. ‘Lily really does have an incredible voice. Apparently Sheila and Jasper were fighting about you after we left.’
‘Oh that’s not good,’ Lily said quickly.
‘Why?’ asked Nick.
‘Because I can’t be in the show. It was just a test to see how my voice went,’ she said.
‘Do you think you’re too good for the Appleton Green Amateur Drama Society?’ Gran asked, and Lily wasn’t sure if she was being serious or not.
Lily felt her cheeks flush at her grandmother’s question. ‘It’s not that, Gran,’ she said, stirring her tea absentmindedly. ‘It’s just… this isn’t the West End. And after everything that’s happened… I don’t know. It feels like a step back. Now I know I can sing again I should be thinking about auditioning for shows, after I’ve got you on the mend again.’
Resting in her chair, Gran’s gaze remained as piercing as before. ‘You said you would stay longer and it’s not as though I need waiting on hand and foot; perhaps see it as a chance to practise and have something to do while you’re in Appleton Green.’ Sipping her tea, she stared fixedly at Lily’s face. ‘It doesn’t matter where you are, if you want to sing, sing. You see, my dear girl, talent has no boundaries. Unless you really do think you’re too good for the show.’
Sighing, Lily shook her head. ‘No, Gran, I told you I don’t think I’m too good. I think I’m just a bit confused and besides they haven’t offered me anything anyway. Sheila was adamant she wanted Jessica in the role. I think she has more say than Jasper in the casting.’
‘Oh piffle to Jessica and Sheila thinks she has more power than anyone . Are you happier chasing that dream in London or rediscovering why you loved it in the first place, right here for the summer?’ Gran asked with a kinder tone.
Lily hesitated before responding, unable to think of anything to say. A few straightforward words from Gran could always clear her head, but with Nick here, she felt confused.
Leaning back, Nick’s face betrayed his seriousness. ‘Lily, you were just amazing. It is evident that you have accomplished much with your training and commitment to your voice, and I know it’s a bit silly doing an amateur show but it would be wonderful for us, and I already know I’m playing Freddy – Jasper rang me this morning – so we could be playing opposite each other. It would be such an honour to sing with you and we would have a blast.’
Lily knew she was blushing now.
‘That’s exactly what I’ve been advising her,’ Gran said. ‘I said to myself last night that you would be a lovely Freddy.’
She felt Gran’s hand on hers as she extended across the table. ‘Lily, I would love to see you sing again on stage. I can’t get to London anymore and having you here and then performing in the village, well I couldn’t think of anything better for my summer.’
Tears irritated Lily’s eyes and her gaze fell to her hands, where her grandmother’s weak hold remained. Could it be that easy? Could she simply stay with Gran over the summer, and stop worries about auditions and competition and her voice and just sing for a while?
‘I would love to sing for you again, Gran,’ she said in an almost whisper. ‘But I haven’t been offered anything so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. And I still don’t know if I can trust my voice.’
‘Your voice is fine. It’s rich and powerful; it’s wonderful and I know this show is not professional or the West End,’ Nick said, ‘but maybe it’s time to reset your expectations for a while and see what it feels like to sing without all the pressure from doing it professionally on your shoulders.’
She wasn’t sure why but his words felt soothing, like a balm, and she closed her eyes and let them envelop her. Imagine a whole summer of not running from audition to audition, working at the call centre and the restaurant for the rent. Trying to juggle her social life, dating, the chaos of the flat with her and Nigel working different hours, always trying to be quiet when he was asleep and trying to manage the shopping and eating properly and looking after her voice.
Perhaps they were right. Perhaps there was more at stake than a stellar career or the West End. Possibly, this was all about rediscovering her voice in the most basic, uncomplicated way.
‘I can see why you’re a nurse. You just healed me in many ways,’ she half joked to Nick.
‘Speaking of which, I need to give you a check-over, Violet, and that dressing on your nose needs to be changed.’
‘Anyway, I don’t know what you’re both worrying about, I haven’t even been offered chorus.’ She laughed as she stood up from the table to clear the plates when her phone rang.
‘Destiny’s calling,’ said Gran wryly as Lily picked up her phone.
Lily went outside to take the call.
‘Lily Baxter?’ she heard a man’s voice say.
‘Yes?’
‘Jasper Winterbottom. and you, my dear, are our new Eliza Doolittle. Congratulations!’
