Page 53 of Second Act at Appleton Green
There was a small audience already in the karaoke room when Lily walked into it and found a seat, as Nick came to her side and sat down in the chair next to her.
‘Hello, you,’ he said with a smile and Lily smiled back, knowing she was blushing but unsure why. It was just a simple hello, not a marriage proposal.
‘I’ve been looking forward to seeing you,’ he said in her ear. ‘I can’t stop thinking about us, in the field… ’ He left the rest of the sentence hanging and she felt herself almost faint with need for him.
‘What are you doing to me?’ she said back.
‘I couldn’t wait to see you,’ he added.
‘You would have seen me at rehearsals tomorrow,’ she said, turning slightly to him, so his mouth was so close to her skin that she felt a shiver run through her.
‘I know, but I can’t stop thinking about you,’ he said, closer again. ‘I want to kiss you again.’
She felt desire rush through her body and for a moment, she thought about kissing him then and there in the pub until she glanced around and saw Jessica glaring at them and her desire dissipated.
‘Why does she hate me so much?’ she said shaking her head.
Before Nick could answer, David, their Henry Higgins, was up at the microphone, singing a beautiful version of ‘Hallelujah’ by Leonard Cohen, and the tavern exploded with applause when he had finished.
Sheila took to the stage next and sang ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’ by Nina Simone.
‘She’s a bit more relaxed with a few wines,’ Lily whispered to Nick, who giggled as Sheila danced around the small stage.
As the night progressed, more cast members took turns at the microphone. Lily found herself unwinding, enjoying the company and the slightly off-key but enthusiastic performances. When Jessica took the stage, she was just beginning to believe she might be able to avoid singing altogether.
‘This one’s for you, Nick,’ Jessica said into the microphone as the opening chords began to play and then she started to sing ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’.
It was mesmerising and Jessica was surprisingly good. Her voice was better in this register and she certainly had passion, but she sang the entire song to Nick, her eyes on him with every word.
Lily felt her cheeks heat and had a gnawing in her stomach as she watched Jessica’s gaze fixed on Nick throughout the performance and at the end, Lily saw a single tear fall down her cheek, just like Sinéad O’Connor did in the film clip. When she finished, the pub applauded respectfully, but there was an awkward atmosphere in the room.
Nick stood up and left the room and Lily looked around, as Jessica came down off the small stage and walked out, following him.
‘Oh dear, it’s all very difficult, isn’t it?’ Sheila said to Lily.
‘What is?’
‘Jess and Nick. They were engaged, and then he broke it off when she said she would be going to London. I don’t think she’s over him.’
Lily sat in silence. ‘All right,’ the karaoke host said, ‘how about a duet? Any volunteers?’
Before Lily knew it, Sean had taken her hand and raised it in the air. ‘Lily!’ he exclaimed.
Lily froze, her heart racing as Nick came back into the bar, his jaw set in an almost angry way.
‘And Nick,’ said David who was coming back from the bar and he grabbed Nick’s hand and put it up. ‘A duet.’
Nick looked a Lily, but she couldn’t say anything and he came towards her.
‘Shall we?’ he asked, but there was no smile.
‘I don’t want to,’ she said quietly.
‘Come on,’ called Jasper and he turned to the room. ‘This is our leading lady and gent from the production ofMy Fair Lady, which is soon to be staged in the village. Please come and see these wonderful performers.’
Jasper hissed at Lily, ‘It’s marketing. Now get up there.’
Lily looked at Nick and shook her head but he grabbed her hand and led her to the stage.
