She gave him a thumbs up and was about to carry on with the task at hand when she saw a familiar blonde turning heads with each step as she weaved her way toward the bar. It was Nico making a typically grand entrance with no effort on her part whatsoever. Ashley had always had that effect on people too. It was the first time she’d thought about her ex-friend in ages, Isabel realised seeing Delwyn, bringing up the rear. Oh, that was just terrific, she thought, kicking a wire out of the way so as nobody would trip as they ascended the stage, more witnesses to her humiliation. Ah well, now Delwyn was here, she could ask her to record their performance for her parents. They deserved to see it having listened to her bedroom performances for so many years. She waved over and managed to attract Delwyn’s attention.
Isabel watched as she began to elbow her way through. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her suggestion that she look into taking her obvious interest in natural healing further. She’d gone so far as to check out the courses online and the seed was beginning to sprout, but she wasn’t ready to tell anyone about it just yet. Not until it had properly taken root.
‘Hi, Isabel. Gosh, it’s a packed house,’ Delwyn said, reaching the stage at last.
‘Tell me about it.’
‘I heard you and Rhodri are doing a number.’ She grinned. ‘Is that what the lemon balm tea and lavender oil you bought this morning was for? That rude man interrupted before I got a chance to ask you.’
‘Uh-huh. I hoped they’d get rid of my headache. This,’ she gestured at the karaoke machine, ‘was an order from the boss. She reckons someone has to kick things off and encourage others to get up and have a go. I drew the short straw and Rhodri gallantly offered to perform with me as moral support.’
‘Well, don’t look at me. You know that saying—I’m a lover, not a fighter?’
Isabel nodded.
‘Well, I’m a herbalist, not a singer.’
‘Fair enough.’ Isabel laughed. ‘Hey, can you do me a favour and record Rhodri and me? I promised my folks I’d forward a video of it to them.’
‘Sure, no problem. I liked your parents; they were a laugh.’
Isabel passed her, her mobile. ‘Yep, they’re hilarious, and thanks.’
‘Um, Isabel?’
‘Yeah?’
‘Would you be able to do me a huge favour tomorrow and man the fort at the shop for a couple of hours? It’s short notice sorry, so if you can’t its no—’
Isabel interrupted, ‘What time?’
‘Eleven.’
‘I’ll be there on the dot.’
‘You’re a life saver, thanks.’
‘No probs.’ Isabel smiled. She’d relish the time on her own in the shop.
‘Okay, well, break a leg.’
‘Cheers with my luck that could well happen.’ She almost wished it would remembering how as a kid sometimes she’d wish she could be sick so she wouldn’t have to sit her maths test or take part in the cross country. She’d feigned an upset tummy once or twice but had never managed to pull it off. Her mum had always seen through her.
Now, she thought, it was incredible how slowly five minutes could pass when you were looking forward to something and how it could be swallowed up in the blink of an eye when you weren’t. She was relieved when at last Brenda caught her eye and tapped her watch to signal it was time to get the entertainment underway. She pressed her lips together and closed her eyes for a half a second. Channel your inner Celine, and breathe Isabel, just breathe. One, two, three and it's show time! She stretched her mouth into what she hoped was a welcoming smile and stumbled over the wires as she stepped up to the microphone. She desperately tried to ignore the sniggers, and as she began to speak, she felt as if she were having an out of body experience.
‘Good evening everyone and welcome to the Rum Den’s Karaoke Night!’
A cheer went up along with a mass raising of glasses and Isabel’s nerves dissipated a little. So far so good. She’d sounded enthusiastic, and her voice hadn’t betrayed her with so much as a wobble.
‘My name’s Isabel, and I’m your hostess tonight.’
‘With the mostest, eh love!’ Some ruddy-nosed fellow, who should have been at home with his wife and kids on a Friday night, yelled out. He received a smattering of titters for his effort. Isabel ignored him as she launched into the rundown as to how the night would work. This was nowhere near as scary as she’d imagined it was going to be.
‘Okay, so now everyone knows what they have to do. I’m going to get this party started with a little help from a friend of mine, Rhodri. You might know him from his fabulous gallery on the Esplanade, A Leap of Faith. Come on up Rhodri!’
Rhodri put his pint down on the bar top before pushing through the sea of people. He stepped up on the stage to clapping and a
