Today, Maureen was having her final lesson with Maria before Saturday’s big birthday bash where she’d be singing alongside Donal. They’d still not squeezed in an official practice with the rest of the band but she’d sung her two numbers with Donal every chance they got and was satisfied she was as ready as she’d ever be.
‘Do you think we could run through the scales one last time, without the tambourine, Maureen?’ Maria asked, looking up at her expectantly from her piano stool before smoothing her flowy skirt.
Maureen, who was standing in a puddle of sunlight which was making her feel as though she were spotlighted on stage, reluctantly put the tambourine down. Maria smiled her thanks, flexed her fingers and off they went running through their Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do.
‘Good, very good, Maureen,’ Maria said when they’d finished. ‘Now then, I managed to lay my hands on the sheet music for We’ve got Tonight and Islands in the Stream, shall we see how we get on with those?’
‘We can’t.’ Maureen shook her head.
‘Why not?’
‘We’ve no Kenny and I can’t be doing all three. It’s not possible.’
Maria took a deep breath. She was a kind woman was Maureen O’Mara, a heart’o gold on her because hadn’t she brought her a lovely dense porter cake today? The children would enjoy a slice of that for their afternoon tea and, given she didn’t bake much, her husband would be in seventh heaven when he got to sit down for his evening supper with a wedge. She might even pop out later and get a bottle of cream to whip for him to have on the side. ‘I’ll be Kenny, Maureen,’ she explained patiently, as though to a small child.
‘But you’re a woman.’
Maria dug her nails into her palms. ‘I realise that, I’ve birthed three children, Maureen, but sure, we can improvise, can’t we?’
‘Do you have a white jacket you could put on?’
‘Begging your pardon?’
‘A white jacket. You know like Kenny wore, white trousers too, would be grand if you’ve any. I always think it’s good to look the part, you know.’
‘No, I’m sorry, Maureen, I don’t.’
‘Well then if you’ve no jacket and trousers can I use the tambourine? To get myself in the mood, like.’ Her hand was already inching toward it.
‘You can use the tambourine,’ Maria said through gritted teeth.
‘I suppose we could give it a try then.’
Maria knew she’d be laughing about this later when she relayed the tale to her husband over their porter cake and dollop of cream but right now she was summoning all the strength she had. ‘Okay then, I think we’ll start with We’ve Got Tonight.’ She shuffled her sheet music until she found what she was looking for and placed it on the stand in front of her. ‘All set?’
Maureen rattled her tambourine to signal she was ready as she’d ever be.
‘Here we go.’ Maria began to play the opening notes, launching into the song effortlessly.
Maureen was mesmerised and she missed her cue to join in. ‘You’re very good,’ she said when Maria stopped playing to see what the issue was. ‘If I shut my eyes, I could believe you were a man.’
‘Why don’t you shut your eyes then, Maureen.’
Maureen eyed Maria. Who’d have thought she’d have such a big man voice inside of that little chest. She also thought she’d detected a slight smart-arse tone in her voice just now, something she was well versed in thanks to her children. She let it go.
‘We’ll start at the top then, shall we?’
Maureen rattled the tambourine and Maria wished she could sit on her hands because she was sorely tempted to grab hold of it and throw it over the hedge outside.
This time, they ran through the whole song with Maria only feeling unnerved once when Maureen suddenly draped herself over the piano with a passionate look on her face as she did her Sheena bit.
Next, they rehearsed Islands in the Stream and this time there was no piano lounging although Maria did notice Maureen had sucked in her tummy and thrust her chest out in order to perform her version of Dolly.
‘Well, Maureen,’ Maria said, her hands resting on the keys. ‘I think you’re as ready as you’ll ever be. That was great. You nailed both songs. You play the part very well. Song is just as much about performance as it is simply singing the lyrics.’
‘Thanks a million, Maria. I’ve enjoyed these lessons so. But I’m not quite ready there’s one more thing I need to do.’
‘Oh, yes?’ Maria held her breath in the hope there were no more Sheena, Dolly songs about to be requested.
‘Yes. I need a stage outfit and there’s a boutique down on the main street here where I think I’ll be able to find just the thing.’ Maureen could have worn her red Chinese silk dress she’d had made in Vietnam. She’d been wearing it the night she met Donal. Or, she could have worn her electric blue, wrap dress but she wanted something new. Something special to wear for what was going to be a very special occasion after all. Her debut performance.
‘Good luck, Maureen. You’ll make a grand Sheena so you will.’
‘And Dolly, Maria. Don’t forget Dolly.’
Chapter 33
‘Hello there, Ciara, how’re ye today?’ Maureen bustled inside the clothes shop with a brown paper bag in her hand. She put it down on the counter in front of the startled girl. ‘I’m after bringing you in an egg sandwich for your lunch.’
‘That’s very kind of you.’ Ciara blinked. Now she recalled who this random woman depositing food parcels on her counter was. She was the electric blue wrap dress lady who’d cast aspersions on her mammy for not feeding her.
‘Not at all. Now then, when you’ve eaten, I’d like your help again with an outfit for a special occasion. The wrap dress has had lots of compliments.’
‘Is someone getting married?’ Ciara brightened, she loved helping her customers choose mother-of-the-bride
