He slips his arms round my waist and pulls me towards him, planting a sensual kiss on my lips. ‘You go. I’ll be in the crowd with Sasha and Emmanuel, cheering you on.’

‘Make sure I can see you. I’ll need your support.’

‘You can count on that. Actually, before I go, is it really such a scary thought, me proposing to you?’

‘What? No. It’s not. It’s a wonderful thought that you might do that one day. Not sure I’d want it to be in front of a raft of people though.’

‘All right then. Noted.’ He plants another kiss on my lips and then heads off to join Sasha and Emmanuel at the bar.

Chapter 36

Just after 8:30 p.m., the curtain lifts and the band springs into action with its signature gig opener. A sea of concertgoers cheer loudly, bouncing on the spot, singing along to the music; a much bigger crowd than the one at the gig I did previously, and just as lively. Sammy takes the lead with the vocals as I wait just out of sight for the reintroduction he’s insisting on. It feels a bit odd to be reintroduced when I’d only managed one gig before – he’d be as well introducing me as a brand-new band member – but he wasn’t having any of it. I sing along to the music, flexing my nicely warmed-up voice, trying out some new vocal effects while no one can hear me.

As the song comes to an end, I brace myself, nerves jangling – but not to the level of the first time I walked on stage. That was such an amazing and exhilarating experience, it seems to have made a sizeable – and more importantly, lasting – dent in my stage fright.

‘GOOD EVENING, BIRMINGHAM,’ Sammy hollers into the microphone.

There’s a collective roaring cheer from the crowd.

‘I said, GOOD EVENING, BIRMINGHAM,’ he shouts again, louder this time.

The crowd match his volume increase.

‘It’s fantastic to see you all here tonight. Before we get going properly, I’d like to reintroduce our newest band member. She’s had to take some time away due to illness, but she’s back and she’s ready to rock your night. She’s an inspiration – please give a massive cheer for… Alex.’

At Sammy’s cue, I walk out onto the stage smiling and waving to the cheering crowd. It’s an odd and uncomfortable experience being the centre of attention, quite different to the previous gig. That time, Sammy didn’t introduce me, or any of the other band members. I can see he’s lifting it up a level, to give us that professional sheen. As he proceeds to give each of other band members a mention, I focus on steadying my nerves, making sure I’m breathing deeply, right into my abdomen.

Then before I know it, we’ve launched into the second song of the night (another one of the band’s own) with me at the helm. It feels electric. As I belt out the lyrics, my nerves melt away like ice thrown into a fire. Becoming lost in the rhythm and the beat from the drums, it’s like I’ve never been away.