The acoustic guitar intro began and Mimi pressed her palm to her chest as she saw the boy reach across to take Callie’s hand, give it a brief squeeze and then let it go. Callie gave him a sweet smile in return. It was a gorgeous interaction, but who was this boy? Mimi had never heard her mention him before.

Jordan’s part was first. His voice was rich and smooth. Mimi found it hard to believe he could possibly be sixteen like Callie. Meanwhile, Callie swayed slowly, her eyes trained on Jordan as she waited for her turn.

Finally, Callie lifted the microphone to her lips and started singing.

Mimi grabbed hold of Pete’s hand and sucked in her breath as Callie’s voice gently rose and fell with the opening lyrics of her part of the duet.

Holy shit.

Her voice was even better than Mimi remembered. Callie had always been pitch perfect, but there was something more to her voice now. Mimi didn’t have the musical knowledge to define it, but she could recognise beauty when she heard it. It was somehow soulful and delicate all at once. Mimi was bursting with pride.

My girl can really sing.

Pete squeezed her hand and she tore her eyes away from Callie long enough to glance sideways at him. His eyes were shining.

She’s incredible, he mouthed.

I know.

They refocused on the stage and Mimi sensed that the rest of the audience was as spellbound by the pair as they were. Callie and Jordan’s voices complemented each other perfectly.

When the song finished there was thunderous applause from the audience. Mimi almost leapt to her feet but stopped herself. They were amazing singers, but standing ovations were taking things a tad too far for school hall performances. She was tipsy, but she hadn’t lost all control of her senses.

Callie and Jordan were the final act of the night. The principal wrapped up with a respectably short talk and then the lights were back on and the crowd was all standing.

Mimi turned to Pete. ‘Why did she keep her performance a secret?’

‘No idea. Maybe she was nervous.’

‘But why keep it from us? We’re her parents.’

Pete shrugged. ‘Teenage girl prerogative.’

*

‘You kept Callie’s talent under wraps, didn’t you?’ said a parent Mimi only vaguely recognised.

They were standing outside the hall along with hundreds of other parents and family members all waiting to collect their children. Mimi tried to chuckle good-naturedly and bob her head in a noncommittal sort of way while not giving away the fact that she’d had no idea Callie would be singing tonight. She hadn’t found Tara or Callie yet among the crowds of students and families spilling out into the covered walkways and quadrangle.

She touched Pete’s elbow. ‘You seen the girls yet?’

‘No,’ he said. ‘But there’s Mum.’