‘Mum, don’t look, don’t look, but I think Moira is coming over here.’ Ava was whispering now, awe in every word. Over the last year, Moira Chiles had become her daughter’s hero. After tonight, Kiki understood why.
‘Ava! And I take it you’re Ava’s mum? Oh my, you look like sisters,’ Moira said, warmth oozing from her words.
‘Yes, I’m Kiki. So great to meet you.’
‘And you. I hope you don’t mind me interrupting, but I wanted you both to meet Jacque Leon.’ She turned to the gentleman who was standing beside her, and at the same time, Kiki heard Ava let out a quiet gasp.
‘Ava,’ Moira went on. ‘As you probably know, Mr Leon is the president of the Glasgow Conservatoire. And he’d like to speak to you about a scholarship position.’
Nope, they didn’t need anything from Caden Church.
Because Ava could reach the stars all on her own.
32
GINNY
Ginny had just sent Stevie the third text since the show ended.
Hey lovely, just checking in. Buzz me when you can.
She just wanted to make sure her friend was okay. There had been no reply to her other texts, so as soon as this reception wrapped tonight, she planned to head straight back to Stevie’s flat.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please?’ Moira called the room to order, and Ginny grabbed a Prosecco from a tray being passed around by a woman she didn’t recognise.
‘Thank you,’ she said, and as the waitress smiled back, Ginny realised that she bore an unmistakable resemblance to Netta’s son, Blair, who also appeared to be doubling as a waiter right now. So was this Netta’s daughter? Ginny’s gaze followed her, and yep… Netta and Blair were now standing over at the counter with Kiki and Ava, and the Prosecco waitress had just joined them.
Ginny turned back to Moira, and saw that Ollie and Calvin were now standing with her at the front of the room. The canteen had never seen this many people at the same time. There were the students that Moira had asked to stay behind, and their families – and how lovely was Ava’s mum, Kiki? No wonder that girl had turned out so great. There was the rest of the Academy staff – Sandra from the office was finally off duty and currently sharing a bottle of plonk with Jean, Senga and Jessie, and someone must have said something amusing because they were all wiping away tears of laughter. Beside them, Georgie was sipping water while happily rubbing her straining belly. Then there were all the press people, influencers and social media bloggers – and, of course, Caden was over there with them, rubbing shoulders once again with the Tik Tok star, Bryony Browne. And there was the documentary team, filming everything.
Every eye in the room was now on Moira, who took a deep breath and began to speak.
‘Thank you all so much again for coming here tonight and supporting the Academy. I’m not going to give a big rambling speech of thanks, because my boy did that earlier…’ She winked at Ollie and everyone in the room laughed as she went on. ‘But I can’t tell you how much your support means to us all and we’re so grateful for the funds you raise…’ That went to the actors and actresses who pitched up to star in their big shows. ‘For the publicity you bring our way…’ That was for the press pack. ‘And for the incredible students and their families, who are the reason this Academy exists in the first place.’
That earned a cheer and a few whoops from the students.
‘But I just have a couple of announcements that I want to make while we’re all together. As most of you will know, the students have spent the last few months rehearsing and auditioning for our Christmas production. We’ve now chosen our cast and I’m delighted to say that Liam Harden, Amelia Jones, Jack Coulter, Aila Smith and Ahmed Singh have all been selected for main roles.’
Ginny’s gaze shot to Ava, who was biting her bottom lip again, eyes downcast, staring at the floor. Until…
‘And it’ll be no surprise to anyone who watched the show tonight that we’re thrilled to say Ava Strang will take the lead role.’
Ginny watched as Ava’s head bolted up, her mouth wide with shock and delight, as she threw her arms around her mum, who promptly burst into ecstatic tears.
Ginny wanted to pause this moment right now and go and celebrate with them, but Moira wasn’t finished yet.
‘Now, this is a bit of an impromptu one, but there’s one other announcement about the Christmas show. As you know, all the coaches take part, but, unfortunately, I won’t be in the role I’d planned to take…’
Ginny frowned. Hang on, what was happening here? Why didn’t she know this? Only this morning, she’d been discussing the cast with Moira and she was definitely still in then. Was something wrong? Was she ill?
‘And that’s because I’ve decided to award that role to someone who deserves it more than I can say. Netta McGonigle, you are the heart of this academy. And you also sing like… like… well, like Celine Dion is your maw.’
The whole room erupted in cheers and hollers and everyone turned to see a very pink Netta, hand over her mouth, blushing to the core of her being.
‘Netta, we’d be truly honoured if you would accept.’
After a stunned second, Ginny saw Netta glance quickly at her beaming son and the wine waitress, then back to Moira as she nodded.
More cheers, more applause, and Ginny punched the air. ‘Yassssss, Netta!!!!’
