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Nicola finds me as I’m leaving breakfast. She wants some help moving some of the sets I’ve helped her paint to backstage in the ballroom, ready for the show on Sunday.

After I’ve carried all of it over she directs me to arranging pieces while she stands in the middle of the ballroom and gives directions.

She changes her mind a lot, and I feel like I’ve moved the same tree about a dozen times.

I look up and see Johnny is on the ballroom floor, a clipboard in his hand, talking with a few of the staff.

I steal as many glances as I can, taking in his broad back, gorgeous arse, and muscled thighs.

“Baby, are you listening to me?” Nicola’s voice is shrill, ringing across the mostly empty room. I see Johnny look over at her, and then up at me. He winks and I nearly fall over the wooden boat I’m holding. I bite my lip to hide my smile, and turn my attention to an impatient-looking Nicola .

“I want it moved over there,” she says, pointing to the far side of the stage. As she directs me to move it back five minutes later, I’m pretty sure she asked me to move it just because she can.

A few other people, some of them guests, come to see Johnny, and he checks them off his list. I wonder if it’s for the singing competition.

He seems to have finished what he’s doing and comes towards the stage.

I try to focus on Nicola’s instructions.

The next time I look up I see the older lady guest, the one I’ve seen dancing with Johnny and who I saw leaving the studio when I was arriving for practice.

She saunters up to him, and they’re close enough for me to hear her even though she leans in close.

“Hello, loverboy. I’m just checking that I’m on the list for the singing competition.”

Johnny checks his list. “Yes, Mrs Pressman. I have you down as sixth on the running order.” He holds the clipboard against his chest.

“My husband will be busy all night, so it’s our last chance.” Her voice is sultry and my heart sinks.

“No, Mrs Pressman. I can’t,” he replies.

She tosses her hair back haughtily and stalks off. As she goes, he glances at me, but I go back to moving scenery, keeping my smile to myself.

“I’ve made a decision,” Lisa announces as we’re in the cabin dressing for dinner .

“What’s that?” I look over at her and she’s almost bursting with wanting to tell me something.

“I’ve decided that I’m going to visit Robbie tonight. Late. After lights out.”

I know exactly what she means as I’ve been sneaking out myself for the last few nights. I don’t know why she’s confiding in me, though. Probably from the lack of having her usual friends to tell. I pause in buttoning up my shirt.

“You can do better than Robbie, Lisa. Believe me.” I hate that she still seems to like someone like him.

“What would you know about it? Why would you care about me?” she snaps at me. “All you care about is that Dad doesn’t talk to you anymore, you’re no longer his favourite. He prefers me now.”

I finish dressing in silence. Her words speak a truth that cuts deep into me. I don’t know how to heal the rift with my dad and that hurts.