He followed her in. The audience sat in darkness, the stage lit by one spotlight. Chloe walked on in her red velvet dress. Could she see him? He hurried to the back of the room and sat next to Maddy. Chloe started to sing, ‘Over the Rainbow’. Her voice sounded a little shaky at first, but soon Max and the rest of the audience were captivated into silence; everyone seemed to be holding their breath. On the last note they exploded into applause. Maddy was on her feet, Max too, clapping furiously. He’d never heard her sing like that.

‘Where did that come from? It was incredible,’ Max said.

Maddy nodded, tears coursing down her cheeks. The curtain came down and Maddy grabbed his arm and shuffled out.

‘You were brilliant,’ Max said as Maddy bent down to hug Chloe backstage.

‘You were late, Daddy.’

‘I’m sorry, darling.’ He crouched next to them.

‘Where were you?’ Maddy stood up.

‘I had a job to finish, took longer than I thought.’ He sighed. He was sick of lying.

‘I thought you were going to bring me, you said you would,’ Chloe said.

‘I’m sorry, I couldn’t get away.’ It was the truth, of sorts. He’d taken Jamie for his first training session at the local football club. Somehow, he had to try and be there every week. This was not the best start.

Maddy shot him a venomous look and led Chloe into the dressing room, shutting him out.

He wandered off to the crowded bar and bought a pint of beer.

‘Are you Chloe’s dad?’ A petite woman with blonde cropped hair was talking to him.

‘That’s me.’ He knocked back half the pint in one go.

‘Do you know, I’m convinced I’ve seen you somewhere before.’

‘I shouldn’t think so, but I’m flattered.’ He gave her a wink. Been a while since he’d been chatted up.

Her face flushed but she looked puzzled. ‘Wasn’t Chloe fantastic? You must be so proud.’

Max nodded and finished his beer.

‘I’m Miss Smith, Helen. Chloe’s singing teacher.’ She held out a small hand, cold and limp.

‘Oh I see, I thought you were… you know.’

The woman laughed as if he was joking.

‘I didn’t know she had a singing teacher.’

‘Well, it is my first term here.’

‘So you taught Chloe to sing?’ He was amused that she was blushing again.

‘Not really. I helped her discover her voice.’

‘Well it wasn’t there last term.’ Max grinned.

Miss Smith’s laugh was an embarrassing shriek. He turned away, hoping she’d take the hint. There was still no sign of Maddy and Chloe.

‘Can I get you a drink?’ He turned back to her now she had quietened down.