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“You’re not singing,” she accused as they reached the chorus.

“I can’t,” hissed Sophie.

“Ridiculous, of course you can.”

“How would you know?” Sophie asked, turning those dark eyes on Tilly and making Tilly’s tummy feel funny.

“Everyone can sing. And if you can’t or don’t want to, then why are you here?”

“Long story,” muttered Sophie.

“Just sing, give it a go,” Tilly pushed.

Sophie rolled her eyes, but as the second verse began she opened her mouth a little wider and then she was singing and Tilly felt like she’d achieved something, but she wasn’t sure what.

“Not bad,” said Billy as the second song came to an end. She sniffed and stood back so she could survey the group. “Right, if we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it properly. I need four groups, sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. Separate up.”

Nobody moved. Billy clicked her tongue impatiently and Tilly tried not to giggle. It was pretty obvious that not a single person in the room knew what they were doing.

Finally, Billy took pity on them. “Alright, I’m going to play two notes on the piano. If they’re easy enough for you to sing without straining, then come and stand on my right.” She did as she’d said and Tilly sang both notes easily enough. “Come on then,” Billy said. “You’re my sopranos. Altos next. Sing these two notes. If they’re easy for you, come stand in a separate group next to the sopranos.”

And Tilly found herself leaving Sophie’s side for the first time. Sophie, it turned out, was an alto. Tilly cursed her vocal chords. This wouldn’t be it though, couldn’t be it, because she’d felt something happening. She was absolutely sure that Sophie had felt it, too.

As Sophie and her group came to stand on the other side of the piano, Tilly looked over and Sophie was watching her. Tilly felt her cheeks get hot, and Sophie grinned and looked away before glancing back.

Yes, definitely something. Tilly wanted to laugh but didn’t. This was like being a teenager with a crush, and she was loving it.

Billy started putting them through their paces, handing out sheet music and guiding them through the first two lines of a song. And Tilly had to admit that they weren’t bad. Not a professional choir, but decent enough for a group of amateurs.

It probably helped that Billy obviously was a professional. She ran them through their paces until Tilly’s back was aching with standing and her throat was starting to feel sore. Only then did Billy stand back and nod.

“You’re all alright,” she said. “Not bad at all for a first rehearsal.” She nodded and surveyed them all. “Which is just as well, because we’ll be having a winter concert in just a few weeks.”

There was a mumbling at that.

“Well, there’s no point in singing if no one’s going to hear you, is there?” Billy said. “Next time we’re going to work on the rest ofthis song, start another, and we’re going to find a few soloists for the concert, so keep that in mind. Alright, off you go.”

Tilly practically pushed her way through the chattering choristers until she was at Sophie’s side. Then she found that she was lost for words. She cleared her throat.

“I did sing,” Sophie said. “I swear I did. There’s no need to arrest me.”

“I wasn’t planning on it,” said Tilly. Why had she been worried? For some reason as soon as they started talking, it was like they’d known each other all their lives, weirdly comfortable. “Are you coming back next week?”

“Next week?” asked Sophie. “Oh, no.”

Tilly’s heart dropped. “You’re not?” She’d have to make a move now, have to ask her out or something, and she really wasn’t ready for that at all.

Sophie laughed and her eyes crinkled up in the corner. “The choir is twice a week,” she said. “Billy’s a real slave driver. Mind you, if she wants a winter concert, then she’ll have to be.” She tilted her head to one side. “I mean, yes, technically, I suppose I’ll be here next week. But I’ll also be here on Friday, which is our next rehearsal.”

Tilly’s breath returned in one big gulp, which then threatened to choke her. She gasped and coughed.

“Are you alright?” Sophie asked.

Tilly nodded, eyes streaming.

Sophie tutted and slapped her on the back until Tilly could get her breath back. “Happens to me all the time,” she said, to Tilly’s apologies. She looked over her shoulder. “I’m coming,” she said to a blonde woman who was hovering near the doors. “Got to go,” she said to Tilly.

“Right,” Tilly said. “Um, bye then.”