Page 7 of Another Lucky Number

‘This is OK,’ says Cat and I give an optimistic nod.

We sway to the music, relieved at Amber’s acceptable song choice. However, it quickly becomes clear that we’ve relaxedtoo soon when the mellow verse culminates in a chorus of loud, shouty metal, and we watch in horror as Amber starts moshing on the stage, throwing herself around violently, while aggressively yelling the lyrics. Glancing around the bar, all I can see are slightly shocked and bemused faces. There’s certainly no one clapping, cheering or singing along, like they did with the other songs.

The chorus comes to an end and Amber powers down, returning to the smooth rap: which now feels like a lullaby in comparison to what we’ve just witnessed.

‘What on earth was that?’ I say to Cat from behind my hands. ‘I can’t bear to watch it again.’

‘Me neither.’ She’s sunk so low in her seat that she’s almost under the table. ‘The whole bar looks shell-shocked.’

I try to stifle an embarrassed giggle and accidentally let out a little snort. It’s followed by more in quick succession as Cat and I are reduced to tears, irrationally howling our way through the rest of the song.

When Amber’s moment of glory comes to an end, there’s a stunned silence in the bar, interrupted only by Cat’s and my failed attempts to get a hold of ourselves. Amber takes a proud bow, which prompts a smattering of applause that dies out almost instantly. At this point theSweet Carolineguys take pity on her and start whooping and cheering – which only makes the lack of collective appreciation starker.

Amber doesn’t seem to notice any of this though. She bounces off the stage and springs across the silent bar, a huge grin plastered on her face. Cat and I instinctively hide behind the drinks menu to avoid judgement by association.

‘That wasawesome.’ Amber insists on a high five from each of us. ‘I’ve never done that one before.’

‘It was… different,’ I say.

‘Yeah, different,’ agrees Cat. ‘That’s… a good way to describe it.’

Thankfully, Amber’s victims (i.e. the entire bar) have recovered and are no longer staring mutely in our direction.

‘I might try another one by that band.’ Amber reaches for one of the song request slips on the table, and Cat and I share an unmistakable look: we have to get out of here – fast.

But before we’re able to put our plan into action, things go from bad to worse.

‘Well, that was a unique performance from Amber.’ The karaoke MC’s voice comes over the PA system after a crowd-pleasing filler of a music track, which I suspect was selected for therapeutic effect. ‘Now, let’s see who’s next…Emma, you’re up. Come and join us.’

Oh. Shit. My stomach lurches uncomfortably. I’m desperately hoping there’s another Emma in the bar, but I know I’m not going to be that lucky.

‘Why did you do that?’ My steely eyes meet Amber’s. Her smile is even broader than before.

‘Your turn,’ she says to me, then stands up and points at my head. ‘She’s over here.’

All eyes turn to us once again.

‘Amber, I could kill you.Go and tell him I’m not doing it.’

‘Can’t do that.’ She resolutely shakes her head.

‘Maybe you could go up again instead, Amber?’ Cat suggests. ‘You really enjoyed the last song.’

‘Not my kind of music, Cat.’

While Amber sits there smugly, the karaoke MC makes another appeal, this time aimed directly at me. ‘Emma, up you come. Don’t be shy, girl.’

I stay exactly where I am and pretend he’s not there.

‘My good people, are you thinking what I’m thinking?’ The karaoke MC then appears to address the whole bar. ‘That we have ourselves a Coconut Beach Bar virgin?’

‘Break her in!’ yells one of the crowd.

‘This your first time here, Emma?’ I’m asked over the mic,causing me to squirm uncomfortably because everyone’s now looking at me expectantly, some with amusement.

‘Erm… yes, it is,’ I call out in a strangled voice.

‘Didn’t quite catch that,’ the karaoke MC booms playfully over the mic. ‘Say again?’

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