Page 37 of Another Lucky Number (Lucky Number #2)

Mortified at this being their first impression of me, I dare a sweeping glance around my audience, expecting to see impatient, bored or amused faces, but all that’s reflected back at me are encouraging and interested looks.

‘Let’s give Emma some, shall we?’ a smiling grey-haired American woman wearing a pink sequined T-shirt calls out.

She starts to clap and whoop, and like a landslide, my whole audience joins in, creating quite a ruckus.

They’re so enthusiastic that before I know it, I’ve joined in – until I realise that means I’m clapping for myself and I quickly drop my hands by my side, hoping nobody’s registered that moment of idiocy.

I continue to smile at them though, hugely grateful for the support.

As the applause dies down, I know I’ve got to catch the moment and not to allow the tumbleweed to roll in again.

‘ Ahem … thank you for that,’ I say. ‘Think it was needed. I’m also wondering if the lady who started that would like to take my place?’

There’s a collective chuckle, which almost takes the edge off my terror.

‘Sure, anytime,’ the American woman calls back to me.

‘OK, then…’ I look down at the sand to ground myself, then back up at the forty-odd eyes on me. ‘As you already know, I’m Emma, and I’m going to talk to you about the very important and enlightening subject of “If I ruled the world”.’

I pause briefly and look down at my notes.

‘The first thing I’d like to say is that, if I ruled the world, I’d definitely ban presentations at interviews…’

My audience laughs again, and I notice a couple of them giving each other approving nods. Feeling slightly more in control, I check my place and continue.

‘My friend Amber here, encouraged me to keep this subject light, and while there must have been plenty opportunity to get some jokes in, I discovered that I’m not funny… well, every day is a sc hool day as they say…’

There’s a ripple of sympathetic amusement and a few more approving looks. Encouraged, I stand taller and keep going.

‘This means I’m going to address some of the bigger stuff, because I reckon most people would want to do that if they ruled the world.

Right the wrongs, eradicate hunger, end conflicts, see that no child ever went to school hungry or had to walk miles every day for water, while missing out on an education. Jim Carrey certainly did.’

Briefly looking up at my audience, I see a mix of amused faces from those who have clocked the Bruce Almighty reference and more sombre expressions from audience members who appear to be connecting with the bigger message in what I’m saying, some of them even nodding agreement.

I continue my monologue for what feels like forever, and when I eventually wrap up, my onlookers break into yet more cheers and applause.

And this time I feel like I’ve earned it.

I smile back at them self-consciously, wondering why I can’t recall any of the last ten minutes, then a fresh dose of fear floods through me on remembering that the Q&A is next.

‘Well done, Emma!’ Amber’s voice breaks through the clapping, causing it to peter away. ‘Now, who has questions?’

A few hands raise.

‘Yes. The lady with the pink and blue sarong.’

‘Thanks, Amber,’ she says. ‘Emma, loved the pop culture reference. Which is your favourite – Bruce Almighty or Evan Almighty? ’

I catch Amber rolling her eyes, but I’m delighted by the ridiculousness of the question.

‘ Bruce Almighty . No question.’ I beam at her. ‘I’m a massive Jim Carrey fan.’

‘OK, who’s next?’ Amber moves things along. ‘Yes, man with the Hawaiian shirt…’

‘Thank you, Amber,’ he says. ‘I’m wondering, Emma, given that you mentioned saving the planet as being high on your priority list, what approach would you take with reducing carbon emissions globally?’

I ponder this for a moment. It’s a challenging question, but surely I can come up with a reasonable response. I’m willing my mind to hand me the perfect answer, but unfortunately it does the opposite and goes completely blank.

‘I… eh…’ I feel myself start to panic. ‘I think…’

I glance helplessly at Amber and she mouths the word ‘governments’ at me. Thankfully, this is enough to kick my brain back into gear.

‘It’s a great question… I think national governments are the answer. They have to care enough to make it a priority and make real change happen. So, I’d put people in power who would do that.’

The man with the Hawaiian shirt seems satisfied enough with my answer and I breathe a sigh of relief that I’ve made it through.

‘Who’s next?’ Amber looks around for any more raised hands. ‘Yes. Lady with the flowery sunhat.’

The woman Amber has indicated to steps forward to address me. ‘Emma, you mentioned that you’d end conflict and create world peace…’

I cringe. That line sounds like the stereotypical beauty contestant response. The problem was, at that point, I’d lost my place in my notes and was trying to fill the silence while I found it again.

‘I’m just wondering how you’d do that?’ says the woman. ‘Humans, by their very nature, are hardwired to come into conflict: it’s a survival instinct. How would you suppress that biological urge in the pursuit of world peace?’

This question almost floors me – literally. Having only made it through the last one thanks to Amber, my legs begin to tremble. I have no clue how to answer this question – perhaps another reason why I should have kept the subject light. I’m so out of my depth on this one, it’s not funny.

‘Gosh, right… that’s a toughie…’ I’m floundering, my brain has crashed again and this time it’s shut up shop. No amount of coaxing or being prompted by Amber is going to help. ‘I… eh… gosh, it’s really hot isn’t it…’

I put my hand to my forehead and glance across at my friends, then at my group of onlookers, who suddenly look very blurry. Then the next thing I’m aware of is everything closing in around me and the world turning black.