21. Theo
21
Theo
W hen I came back from my run, I heard the shower running in Jessica’s bathroom. The walls here were paper thin, so if she coughed, laughed or spoke, I heard it all. I heard everything .
The radio was playing loudly with a Taylor Swift song. But when the chorus was interrupted with a cough, I realised it wasn’t the radio.
No. Couldn’t be?
That was Jessica’s voice. And she was really good. I stepped into my bathroom and put my ear to the wall so I could hear better.
Jessica hit the high note like it was as easy as breathing.
This was good news. We’d been trying to think of ideas for the talent show, but now I’d just found one.
Once I’d showered, I headed downstairs. Jessica was sitting in the conservatory, scrolling through her phone.
‘Morning,’ I said .
‘Hi.’ Jessica’s eyes brightened. If I didn’t know her, I’d say she might have been happy to see me.
‘Good sleep?’
‘Yeah, thanks. Not bad.’
‘Did you read?’
‘No.’ She sighed. ‘I tried, but I couldn’t.’
‘Oh,’ I said, my voice filled with disappointment. ‘I suppose it’s not realistic for it to just happen overnight. Maybe we could try again?’
‘You mean, reading to me?’
‘Yes. If you think it will help?’
‘I’d love that, thanks!’
‘You’re welcome. So, we’ve only got five days until this talent show.’
‘Yeah. I still can’t think of anything.’
‘I had an idea. Maybe I can play the piano and you can sing?’ I said casually, waiting for her response.
‘I’m not… I’m not sure I’m good enough to sing in public.’
‘You’ve got to be joking! I heard you singing. This morning. Your voice is incredible!’
‘Really?’ She frowned.
‘Yes! I mean, that was you singing in the shower, right? You didn’t have the radio on?’
‘Yeah, that was me.’
‘Well, then, like I said. Your voice is great. I think that’s what we should do.’
‘I don’t know…’ She winced a little.
‘We don’t have much time and I can’t think of anything else. Come on. We can’t be any worse than the performances we suffered through on Monday night.’
‘True.’
‘So do we have a deal?’
‘Yeah,’ she sighed.
‘Good. First rehearsal tonight.’