Page 107 of Take a Moment

‘You’d better hope so.’

Taking a few calming breaths, I brace myself once again, tapping my feet to the intro of my song, which is actually amazing to hear brought to life properly. Then, like it’s automatic, I’m singing the opening verse, my voice filled with energy and emotion as I connect with the words I wrote so passionately all those months ago.

We grow up unassuming, we grow up unaware

We live in a world where too many people, they don’t care

Take a look around you, tell me what you see

Illness, conflict, suffering, too much poverty…

The crowd love it. Despite the fact they don’t know the song, they dance, cheer and clap along with gusto all the way through. The atmosphere is completely electric. Then during the final chorus, something amazing happens: they’ve picked up the words and they start to sing along, forming sporadic lines with their arms round each other’s shoulders. A gesture of support and solidarity – with each other, and with me – and it’s clear they’ve connected with the message within the song. It’s so moving, my voice cracks at a crucial point, but all it creates in response is a huge encouraging cheer. As I move into the climax, it’s a feeling I’ve never felt before and I drink it in, unable to get enough.

Then stop, take a moment to reflect, make sure you have it noted

You’ve made a selfless gesture in a world where self-indulgence is promoted…

As I sing out the repeating chorus, they’re all with me: Matt, Sasha, Emmanuel, Dhruv, Felix, the whole team. I sneak a glance across at my sister and my mother, and I’m shocked and delighted to see them dancing, arms round each other’s shoulders – and my mother actually looks proud of me. It’s the perfect end to a perfect gig. As the song wraps up, the stamping applause feels like it might actually bring the roof down. Then someone’s bra flies onto the stage and lands at my feet. Stunned, I pick it up and say into the microphone: ‘I’m sorry, I’ve got a boyfriend,’ and the whole places falls about laughing.

A short time later the gig ends, with a roof-raising, crashing finale, and when the curtain comes down and the lights come on, the band starts to pack up. I step onto the stage and tap Sammy on the shoulder.

‘I want a word with you.’

He turns with a grin. ‘Alex, what a performance! “Take a Moment” was spot on, the crowd loved it. Thinking we should make it a regular part of our set.’

‘Never mind that. What was that all about, tricking me into singing it? I thought you were going to ease me back into things.’

‘Mate, you don’t need that kid gloves stuff. You rocked it good and proper.’

‘What if I hadn’t? I’d have cocked up the whole night for you.’

He shrugs. ‘Knew you’d nail it. No question.’

My lips curl up at the edges. ‘I kind of did, didn’t I? OK, you’re forgiven. It was actually the most uplifting moment of my life, hearing it brought to life, getting to share it with all those people. But how? We only sang it that one time in the bar.’

‘Suggest you direct that question to Sasha.’ He gives me a cheeky wink and then resumes packing away his guitar.

After a quick refresh in the changing rooms, I head to the venue’s VIP bar with the other band members. It’s a small room with a minuscule bar, but it’s nice and cosy.

Sasha, as usual, is first to throw herself on me. ‘Lex, you wereamazing.’

‘It was OK then?’ I grin at her.

‘It wasn’t OK. It was phenomenal!’

‘Wow, that’s the highest of praise.’

‘And well deserved.’ Matt approaches and wraps his arms round me proudly.

I sigh with pleasure, adrenaline and joy coursing through my veins at how stupendous this night has been. ‘Sash, I have a question I’ve been told you can answer.’

‘Uh-oh. Think I know what this is.’ She chews her lip guiltily.

‘You sure do. So?’

‘The night you and Sammy started singing the song in the bar… I might have secretly recorded it on my phone. I wanted to have something to remind us of how great that moment was.’

I chuckle, giving her a playful nudge. ‘I suppose that means I have you to thank for the fact I just got to sing it on stage.’

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