‘Okay, okay.’ Greta laughed. She fed the bracelet around Lottie’s wrist, snapping the clasp firmly in place.
They both took a few moments to admire it.
‘It’s like Grandma is with me,’ Lottie said.
‘Yes, she might well be,’ Greta said. ‘Now, go and knock ‘em dead.’
Greta returned to her place in the school hall, sitting down beside Jim. They smiled at each other as the headmistress strode onto stage and announced the opening of the talent show.
After Jim and Greta had sat through almost an hour of off-key singing, over-enthusiastic dancing, and some quite impressive but rather amateurish magic, Lottie and Jayden’s performance finally arrived.
Benji was met by a series ofawwsfrom the audience as soon as he trotted on-stage. All golden fur, chocolate-brown eyes, and a lolloping tongue, he was a complete natural.
Following Lottie and Jayden’s gestures and encouraging commands, he jumped through a hula hoop, rolled over and played dead. In a moment of pure improvised comedy, Benji jumped off the stage and headed straight towards Greta, flipping over onto his back for a belly scratch. As she obliged, one of his hind legs pedalled as if he was riding a bike.
Jayden scrambled over to retrieve him. ‘Sorry,’ he said, taking hold of Benji’s collar. ‘He’s a bit lively.’
Lottie followed close behind him. ‘Jay, this is my mum,’ she said.
‘Oh,’ Jayden said, straightening up. He grinned and stuck out his hand. ‘It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs Perks.’
‘You, too.’ Greta returned the shake. She held back a smile at the sight of Lottie’s reddening cheeks.
Her daughter shot her a quick look that was half-smile, halfwarning, before heading back to the stage to finish the act.
Jim caught Greta’s eye. ‘Jayden seems okay, right?’ he mouthed.
‘Yes, really nice.’
When Lottie and Jayden’s act concluded, the audience rose to their feet. Applause rang around the room, the loudest of the afternoon. Jim and Greta exchanged a proud look, their hands instinctively finding each other for a quick squeeze. She briefly relished the feel of her hand in his, regretful when it slipped away again.
When someone touched her shoulder, she expected to see Lottie’s teacher again. Instead, Nora stood there, clapping theatrically.
‘Bravo. I caught the last few minutes of the show. Another student’s mum invited me along to watch her son perform, so I thought I’d pop over to say hi,’ the agent said. ‘That was a fantastic performance from Lottie. She has a superb stage presence.’
Lottie wandered back over with Jayden and Benji in tow, almost turning back when she saw Nora.
Nora immediately homed in on her. ‘Lottie, you were fabulous, darling. I have a part in a TV drama in mind that would be perfect for you. If you want to pop by my office, we can—’
‘No thanks,’ Lottie said quickly. ‘Acting’s not my thing. I want to work with animals.’
Nora’s laugh sounded forced. ‘Hey, hear me out. This role would be a great—’
But Lottie shook her head. ‘Nah. I’m done with all that. It’s fun now and then, but that’s all.’
Rather than disappointment, Greta’s cheeks shone with pride. ‘Never say never,’ Nora said firmly.
‘I’m pretty sure Lottie just did,’ Greta said, wrapping her arm around her daughter’s shoulder. ‘And the same goes for me. I’m definitely done with acting, too. In fact, I’d like to resign from Sky High Ltd.’
‘Do you really mean that, darling?’ Nora blinked behind her purple glasses. ‘TheBack to the Landproducer called me personally to say he was most impressed with your bread-making skills. We’re having lunch soon, and a certain Mr Tobias Blake may be joining us. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?’
‘That’s brilliant,’ Greta said. ‘But, no thanks.’
‘I think you’re making a mistake, darling, but I think I understand.’ Nora leaned in and lowered her voice. ‘Between you and I, the producer says Tobias is a bit of a bore, always spouting dreadful philosophical musings about himself.’
‘I can imagine.’ Greta laughed. ‘No one’s perfect.’
‘Absolutely. And that’s what makes my work so very exciting.’ Nora flung her scarf over her shoulder with a dramatic flourish. ‘Wewillstill see each other, yes? What I mean to say is, I’d like to stay friends. Showbiz is a fickle world, and it’d be lovely to catch up from time to time over prosecco and a Caesar salad.’
