‘Never mind that. What was that all about, tricking me into singing it? I thought you were going to ease me back into things.’

‘Mate, you don’t need that kid gloves stuff. You rocked it good and proper.’

‘What if I hadn’t? I’d have cocked up the whole night for you.’

He shrugs. ‘Knew you’d nail it. No question.’

My lips curl up at the edges. ‘I kind of did, didn’t I? OK, you’re forgiven. It was actually the most uplifting moment of my life, hearing it brought to life, getting to share it with all those people. But how? We only sang it that one time in the bar.’

‘Suggest you direct that question to Sasha.’ He gives me a cheeky wink and then resumes packing away his guitar.

After a quick refresh in the changing rooms, I head to the venue’s VIP bar with the other band members. It’s a small room with a minuscule bar, but it’s nice and cosy.

Sasha, as usual, is first to throw herself on me. ‘Lex, you were amazing.’

‘It was OK then?’ I grin at her.

‘It wasn’t OK. It was phenomenal!’

‘Wow, that’s the highest of praise.’

‘And well deserved.’ Matt approaches and wraps his arms round me proudly.

I sigh with pleasure, adrenaline and joy coursing through my veins at how stupendous this night has been. ‘Sash, I have a question I’ve been told you can answer.’

‘Uh-oh. Think I know what this is.’ She chews her lip guiltily.

‘You sure do. So?’

‘The night you and Sammy started singing the song in the bar… I might have secretly recorded it on my phone. I wanted to have something to remind us of how great that moment was.’

I chuckle, giving her a playful nudge. ‘I suppose that means I have you to thank for the fact I just got to sing it on stage.’

‘Not entirely. I was one of the plotters but the whole thing was Matt’s idea.’

‘That doesn’t surprise me for one second. He’s so incredible.’ I turn and give him cow eyes, which he responds to by dropping a light kiss on my lips. ‘Where’s Emmanuel?’ I ask, looking round the room as we rejoin the others.

‘She went to the next bar with your workmates,’ replies Matt. ‘We’ll join them in a bit. She wanted you to have this moment with the people you’re closest to.’

‘What? She’s one of those people. She can’t not be now she’s helped me use a bedpan.’

The others laugh and I glance across at my mother, sister and John. They’re standing in a corner, looking a bit awkward.

‘Sash, are you responsible for those three turning up tonight?’

‘Nope.’ She signals towards Matt with her eyes.

‘It was you?’ My wide eyes land on Matt. ‘But how?’

‘He gave them a bollocking when we were up in Glasgow moving my stuff down.’ Sasha looks gleeful. ‘Made me give him your mum’s address, then just rocked up and gave it to them straight. It was magnificent.’