‘On one condition,’ Matt said, his eyes locking with Georgina's. ‘You have to sing with me.’
Georgina felt her stomach drop. ‘What?! No, I couldn't possibly—’
‘Oh, come on.’ Marcus interrupted. ‘I've heard you humming and singing along to the radio while you work. You've got a lovely voice.’
Matt leaned forward, his expression earnest. ‘Please, Georgina? It would mean a lot to me.’
Georgina bit her lip, torn between her instinct to refuse and the warmth spreading through her chest at Matt's words. ‘I-I don't know. I haven't sung in front of people since school.’
‘How about a little preview?’ Marcus suggested. ‘Just a verse or two, right here in the salon. If it's terrible, we promise to let you off the hook.’
Georgina looked from Marcus's encouraging smile to Matt's hopeful eyes, and felt her resolve weakening. ‘Alright,’ she sighed. ‘But just a little bit, and you must promise not to laugh.’
Matt's face lit up as he positioned his guitar. ‘What song would you like?’
Georgina thought for a moment, then smiled softly. ‘Do you know,Moon River? It was my mum's favourite.’
Matt nodded. As he began to play the familiar intro, Georgina closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. When she began to sing, her voice was soft and hesitant at first, but grew stronger with each note.
‘Moon river, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style someday’
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way...’
As she sang, Georgina felt a warmth spreading through her, as if her mother was there, singing along with her. She opened her eyes, catching Matt's gaze. The look of admiration and something deeper in his eyes made her heart flutter.
Suddenly, a strange sound joined her voice. Georgina faltered, looking around in confusion. To her amazement, the dogs in the salon had begun to howl along with her singing, their voices rising in an oddly melodic cacophony.
The sight and sound so unexpected and comical, that Georgina couldn't help but burst into laughter, Matt and Marcus quickly joining in. The dogs, seeming to sense the change in mood, wagged their tails happily.
‘Well,’ Marcus said, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, ‘I think we can safely say that was a hit with our furry clientele.’
Matt set his guitar aside, still chuckling. ‘Georgina, that was amazing. Your voice is beautiful, even if it does inspire a canine chorus.’
Georgina felt her cheeks flush with a mix of embarrassment and pleasure. ‘Thanks, but I'm not sure the picnic attendees will appreciate a pack of howling dogs as backup singers.’
Marcus's eyes lit up with excitement. ‘No, but they would appreciate a duet. You two sounded wonderful together, even with the...unexpected accompaniment.’
Matt turned to Georgina, his expression hopeful. ‘What do you think? Would you be willing to give it a try?’
Georgina hesitated, her mind racing. Part of her wanted to refuse, to stay safely in the background as she had for so long. But another part, a part that sounded suspiciously like her mother's voice, urged her to take a chance.
‘I...I suppose we could give it a try,’ she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
The smile that broke across Matt's face was dazzling. ‘Really? You mean it?’
Georgina nodded, a mixture of nervousness and excitement bubbling up inside her. ‘Yes, but I also have a condition.’
‘Name it,’ Matt said immediately.
‘We practice somewhere without an audience of enthusiastic dogs a few times before the event,’ Georgina said with a laugh.
As they all chuckled, Georgina felt a sense of warmth and belonging wash over her. She looked at Matt, his eyes shining with happiness, and at Marcus, beaming with pride and encouragement. In that moment, she realised that she had found not just a job at Ruff to Regal, but a place where she truly felt at home.
Later that evening, as Georgina left the grooming parlour after her shift, she found herself hummingMoon Riversoftly. The setting sun painted the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, reminding her of countless sunset picnics from her childhood.
