‘We’re fortunate enough to have a singer in our midst, and we’d like you to put your hands together for Lucy Jones.’
The room broke into applause.
As she stood in the middle, all eyes on her, she felt a surge of delight.
This was where she belonged.
‘Next is “Puttin’ On the Ritz”. Is that all right?’ Morris whispered with a smile.
She nodded, and as the band began the intro, Lucy swayed to the music, relaxed and yet suddenly alive. And in that moment she knew that if there was anything in this world that she was truly made for, it was this.
Then she began, and her voice was rich and expansive, the tone and timbre perfect for the song. The audience burst into cheers, people racing onto the dance floor while others stood to clap along.
She glanced over to Morris, who smiled back. It felt amazing to be performing with a band again, to have everyone in the audience watching her. Caroline, Betty and the others waved and cheered from the side, and she felt a thrill of joy that they could finally see her performing.
By the end, the wedding guests were all on their feet, cheering as Lucy took a bow, and Morris leaned across to ask what she’d like to sing next.
‘I thought it was just the one song,’ she said.
‘With a voice like that?’ He laughed. ‘We’ll need you to stay for the rest of the show.’
Her heart exploded. ‘Well, in that case...’
She reeled out a list of her favourite jazz songs, and Morris shared the ideas with the others before counting them in.
With her voice full and warm, emotion strong in her heart, she began. ‘That Ole Devil Called Love’ rang out, echoing through the room, and then Morris’s saxophone began to weave around and through her notes, a duet between them.
At the end, cheers of ‘more!’ and ‘encore!’ echoed around the room until Lucy, a great smile on her face, began ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ from last year’s hit movie, the audience once again crowding onto the dance floor.
The evening was a huge success, and as they cleared away the instruments, everyone was talking about the band and the sensational singer. Lucy had been onstage for over an hour, only leaving because the band had to head on to their next performance.
‘I didn’t know you were a singer,’ Morris said. ‘You’re incredible.’
‘I’m not professional – at least, not yet.’ She gestured to the saxophone. ‘And I didn’t know that you performed, too.’
‘We formed a band at college and keep it up for weddings and parties, make some extra money.’ He grinned. ‘You’d make a great addition, if you ever want to join us?’
‘I-I’ll have to see,’ she said. ‘I’m meeting a West End agent next week, and I’m hoping for proper theatre work.’
‘Well, think about it. We have a big event coming up, a grand party on Coronation Day evening. I don’t suppose you’ll be free?’
Her mind raced. The palace had told her and the other wardrobe assistants that they’d only be needed during the daytime. Naturally, she’d imagined herself spending the night with Richard. What if he invited her to one of the grand coronation banquets?
‘I think I might be doing something,’ she said, biting her lip. ‘But keep me in mind for another time.’
For a brief moment, she wondered what it would be like to sing somewhere lovely on Coronation Day, but the idea of missing time with Richard was simply too much for her.
After thanking the band, she made her goodbyes and hurried back to the others, where they crowded around her with congratulations.
‘You were sensational!’ Betty cried, throwing her arms around her.
‘Doesn’t the saxophonist work in the palace?’ Caroline asked. ‘Maybe he’ll ask you to sing with them again.’
‘Well, I’m hoping to sing on a far bigger stage.’ Lucy grinned. ‘You see, Richard’s introducing me to agents and producers.’
Betty’s face fell. ‘Do you know anything about this Richard, my dear, who he is?’
Blushing, Lucy said, ‘Of course I know him. He’s very well-to-do – he stays in one of the palace guest rooms.’ She skipped over the part where she often joined him there.
