Chapter 31
KIKI
Kiki still wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but as she waited for the lady in the canteen to turn around, she was hopeful that she wasn’t about to make a complete tit of herself.
It had to be the same Netta, didn’t it? It wasn’t just the name.
When she’d been watching her on screen, she’d recognised the voice. The tone. The kindness she’d shown Ava.
That’s why she’d come to find her as soon as she left the theatre.
Her initial plan had been to run down those stairs and throw her arms around Ava, let her know that she was here, tell her how sorry she was for lying earlier, celebrate how wonderful her girl was in the show and make sure Ava knew how absolutely beaming, bursting, heart-swirlingly proud she was to be her mum.
However, that sequence of events had been thwarted when the lights came up, and everyone had jumped from their seats in a flurry of applause, hugs and delight at how fantastic the show had been.
Even as someone who knew nothing about television, other than her sad-but-enjoyable habit of living vicariously through the Real Housewives of Everywhere, the Kardashians, Strictly, I’m A Celebrity, and every other reality show she came across, Kiki had been sure that The Academy of Dreams was special.
And, yes, she had an extra emotional connection because her daughter had turned out to be one of the most featured performers in it, but surely there was no way anyone could watch that tonight and not enjoy the heart and soul that was poured into every performance?
Especially the one from the canteen lady, who, it seemed, had become the accidental star of the show.
As Netta turned around, Kiki knew immediately that she’d been right.
‘Kiki, I’m so sorry…’
That was the last thing that Kiki had expected her to say.
‘Sorry? I don’t understand.’
Netta was shaking her head now, her expression full of apology.
Kiki had often wondered what the woman she’d spoken to on the phone once or twice a week for the last two years looked like, and without being judgemental, the Netta in front of her now wasn’t what she’d expected.
The Netta in her imagination, and on the show too, come to think of it, had been like a favourite granny, someone who was maybe a bit homely, preferred to stay in the background.
But this lady was a little different. She could still be a favourite grandmother, she was maybe in her late sixties, but she was dressed to the nines in a beautiful yellow dress, her hair was styled in a gorgeous bob and her make-up was flawless, right down to her siren red lipstick. Kiki thought she was stunning.
‘I should have told you that I knew Ava,’ Netta went on.
‘I guessed she was your child when you told me she’d started coming to the Academy, but I was already working here too.
If there’s any overlap between our personal lives and our work on the Family Listening Line, then we’re supposed to refer the client to another volunteer.
I’m sorry, Kiki – I suppose I just enjoyed our chats and didn’t want to lose our relationship. ’
Kiki hadn’t even considered that any of that could be an issue.
‘Oh no, Netta, please don’t apologise. I’m not upset by that at all.
In fact, I’m delighted. I’d hate to have lost you too.
To be honest, I came to thank you. Ava mentioned that there was someone in the Academy who had helped her with an audition, someone that she was very fond of, and I’m just so pleased it was you.
It makes me feel like she’s had a bit of a guardian angel all this time. ’
Netta’s bright red lips became the widest smile.
‘Oh, I think she’s got a few guardian angels here. I know the coaches love her – Moira and Ginny in particular.’
Kiki was nodding now. She’d seen Ava interact with both of them on the show, and the genuine affection between them had been obvious. How lucky was her child?
‘Mum?’
Ava’s voice behind her made Kiki spin around, but before she could even tell her daughter all the things she wanted to say to her, Ava flew into her arms.
‘Mum, I’m so sorry. I was a complete brat earlier. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. And, Mum, this is Netta…’
Kiki was having difficulty speaking because a wave of emotion had gushed up from her throat and was threatening to spill in rivers from her eyes.
Netta must have sensed it, because she stepped right in with, ‘Your mum and I have just been having a lovely chat, Ava, and we were saying how incredible you were on the show.’
Ava beamed with excitement. ‘Okay, don’t tell anyone I said this because it’s, like, totally big-headed… but, Netta, we were so cool in that scene. Did you hear us? I’d never have been able to do that if it wasn’t for you.’
‘Och, of course you would,’ Netta assured her, but Kiki could see that her cheeks were flushing with pleasure at the compliment.
Kiki put her arms around her daughter again, squeezing her tight, as she’d been wanting to do since Ava ran out of the flat this afternoon, but now having a much more positive reason for doing so.
‘And I’m sorry, Mum – I didn’t even get to wear the new outfit you bought me.’
Kiki laughed. ‘Ah, that doesn’t matter. There will be lots of other chances for you to wear it. I love you, sweetheart. And I just know that this is the start of a wonderful time for you.’
She was going to make sure of it. All day, she’d been thinking about how tonight she was going to lay down her morals, her dignity and her integrity, for the sake of getting what she was owed for a lifetime of waiting for him, so that she could support Ava.
Now that time had come and she was even more determined, because she’d witnessed Ava’s talent first-hand.
She’d seen that her daughter had the potential to conquer the world, if she could just get the financial support that would help her develop her skills.
He could provide that. Kiki just had to find him.
Before she could go on the hunt for him, Ava grabbed the hand of another woman who’d just come into the room, one that Kiki had seen before on social media. Now she recognised her immediately from the show too. Her rendition of ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’ had made Kiki weep.
‘Ginny,’ Ava said, that megawatt smile back. ‘This is my mum, Kiki.’
Kiki wasn’t quite sure how to react, but to her surprise, Ginny threw her arms around her. There was a whole lot of hugging that went on in this world, but Kiki was beginning to get used to it.
‘Hello! I’m so pleased to meet you. Isn’t she just fricking amazing!’ Ginny bellowed, releasing Kiki and hugging Ava now.
Netta took advantage of the moment to chirp, ‘Ladies, I’ll leave you to it. If I don’t get the rest of this Prosecco served there’ll be a revolt.’
Ginny gave the Netta a squeeze of the hand as she passed, then turned back to Ava.
‘Oh happy blooming days, Ava, I’m so ecstatic for you!’ She fist-bumped Ava and then they did a synchronised jazz hand thing – a gesture they’d obviously done before – before they both descended into giggles.
Kiki watched her daughter in wonder. Who was this girl?
Who had Ava become since she’d joined this school?
Her shy, studious loner was suddenly gregarious and giggly and alive.
A realisation dawned… it was because she belonged here.
In this world. With these people. It wasn’t just that she had talent, it was that this was the language she understood, the creativity she thrived on.
It had changed her. Made her comfortable in her own skin.
And that made Kiki even happier than seeing her up on that screen.
‘Oh, hang on – the royal family have just walked in…’ Ginny announced.
Kiki followed her gaze and saw that all the celebrities who had been in the VIP row earlier had just entered the room.
And. Her. Heart. Stopped. There he was. Right there.
Oblivious to her presence, but walking right towards her, deep in conversation with Moira Chiles.
Two things happened at once. Ava nudged her and whispered, ‘Mum, do you know who that is? Do you? That’s…’
Just as the guy lifted his head, spotted Ginny and said, ‘Hey, babe…’
Kiki wanted the ground to open. She wanted to disappear. She wanted to be anywhere else but here. Yet there was another part of her that wanted to stand her ground, look him straight in the eye. He still hadn’t even registered her presence until…
Ginny returned his smile, then immediately turned back to Kiki and Ava. ‘Babe, I know you’ve met our brilliant Ava,’ she said to him, ‘and this is her mum, Kiki.’
‘Kiki, this is my boyfriend, Caden Church.’
A cannonball fired from the opposite wall and smacked right through Kiki’s torso.
Or maybe that was just how it felt. There he was.
Staring at her. Frozen in the moment. Horrified.
Shocked. And clearly Ginny and Ava sensed the weird energy because they were both looking from one to the other.
That was the moment that something snapped in Kiki’s mind.
She’d always thought that Ava’s acting talent must be a throwback to another time or descendant, maybe even Kev’s short time in drama class at school, but now she realised it came straight from her.
Because despite the violent explosion inside every cell in her body right now, Kiki managed to make her face smile and her voice sound light as she said, ‘Actually, we already know each other. I’m not sure if you remember, Caden, but we went to school together.
We used to sit next to each other in chemistry. ’
Oh, he remembered. And all the blood seemed to be draining from his face as he remembered a whole lot more than that. Fifteen years more than that, to be precise.
‘No way!’ Ava gasped. ‘Mum, I can’t believe it. He’s, like, one of the best actors in theatre. He’s in Judas – The Traitor right now. Why did you never tell me that you knew him?’