Charlie’s hand on her arm forced her to look at him.
‘You’re panicking, aren’t you?’
Grace nodded.
‘There’s nothing to worry about. You’re well prepared. People are going to love you. Come here, you.’
Charlie pulled her in for a hug. Grace smiled to think that one of her closest friends on the island was a guy in his thirties. Not something she’d imagined when she left Oxfordshire. She wasn’t going to even try and fit Will into any category. Far too complicated.
The next couple of hours flew by as Charlie did his thing and the outdoor arena filled up with people. Because it was an eighties night, there was a huge age range in the audience, from twentysomethings to seventysomethings, which helped calm her racing heart.
At midnight Charlie beckoned her over and told her to prepare while he played his last record of the set. The next three minutes went by in the blink of an eye, and Grace gulped when Charlie spoke to the audience.
‘And now, we have a special treat in the form of a guest DJ. She loves soul music…’
There was a reassuring cheer at the words.
‘And she’s put together a set I know you’ll love. Give it up for… Amazing Grace.’
She took his place at the mixing desk and looked out at the sea of people. For a moment she faltered, but a nudge in the back from Charlie brought her round.
‘Hello, everyone. I hope you love these artistes as much as I do. So, let’s get it on, as Marvin would say.’
Once the first notes filtered out into the night, Grace let go of the breath she’d been holding.
Song after song came and went, and the audience danced their hearts out and sang along to the lyrics. It was only when the last song started to play an hour later that Grace was finally able to relax. She stared out into the audience and into some of the faces of people who’d definitely appreciated the music. It was such a rush to give pleasure to so many people at once. She spotted Charlie’s girlfriend, Sarah, in the gloom, and Angeliki. She glanced back towards the bar and Suzie Sessions gave her a thumbs-up. Suzie Sessions!
The last song ended, and Grace took a deep breath. She’d done it. Performed as a DJ. And it hadn’t gone horribly wrong. In fact, it had gone so well, it had turned into one of the best experiences of her life. If someone had suggested six months ago that soon she’d be a guest DJ at a bar on a Greek island, she’d have laughed in their face.
Charlie came to stand beside her.
‘That was fantastic, Grace. I’m sure that won’t be the last we’ll see of you on the decks. Let’s all show our appreciation.’
The wall of sound that greeted her was deafening. Grace took a bow and made her way towards Angeliki, who had a bottle of beer and a hug waiting.
‘Well done, girl. You smashed it.’
‘Thanks. Did you manage to take a video?’
‘Sure did.’
Will wouldn’t know what had hit him.
ChapterNineteen
After a late night partying to the rest of Charlie’s set, and a busy day teaching, Grace was finally about to press send on the video to Will when a message came in from the man himself.
I’m back. Can we meet for a drink?
When?
Now, if possible.
Where? I’m in town.
Not in town, please. Can you come to the bar on the headland above the cove?
It was all a bit mysterious. Grace knew the place. It was very out of the way. She’d better start walking. She was excited to show him her DJ debut in person and maybe this would be her chance to talk to him about adopting Karen.
