Page 20 of Wild Horses

Every Wednesday afternoon after lunch everyone gathered in the recreation room. They devoted the first ninety minutes to rehearsals, and then practised cooking until three-thirty. Sometimes they went an hour or more overtime because there was so much to learn and the teens were enjoying themselves.

Weekend afternoons were also devoted to the show.

When the cast was assembled Christy organised run-throughs of tricky sections and even whole items to reinforce the progress they were making on Wednesdays.

Attendance was voluntary, but most kids came on both days, partly because they could eat whatever they cooked, and partly because they enjoyed spending time off campus.

For Christy, encouraging students to express themselves through performance was a familiar joy.

It was what she’d lived for back at St Luke’s College, and here she was once more in her element.

She and Astrid spent hours helping the kids interpret their roles, coaxing shy performers from their shells and channelling the bold ones’ energy in the right direction.

Christy, clipboard in hand, felt a buzz as she looked around the recreation room. Today marked the first full rehearsal for the cabaret, although they’d been practising in a piecemeal way for weeks. She took a deep, satisfied breath. She was a proper drama teacher again.

‘All right, everyone, gather round!’ Her voice echoed slightly in the high-ceilinged room. The students clustered about, scripts in hands, their faces a mix of apprehension and excitement. She didn’t have to worry about anyone going AWOL. There was unanimous enthusiasm for the show.

Christy handed out the last few copies of the scripts and restated her vision.

‘This isn’t just about putting on a show.

It’s about achieving something together.

Each of you brings a unique talent to this project, and I want us all to shine.

’ She spoke of the importance of teamwork, hoping her words were inspirational as well as instructive.

Astrid arrived with her wireless speaker and the rehearsal kicked off with vocal warm-ups. They led the teens through a series of scales and humming routines, an exercise that provoked much merriment. Then they moved on to the songs. Christy clapped, calling for attention.

Astrid played the opening notes of ‘Mamma Mia’, and the teens launched into song, their voices more enthusiastic than harmonious.

Laughter bubbled up when someone missed a cue, causing the line to crumble into a comical heap of apologies and giggles.

Christy waved away the apologies. ‘Mistakes are the stepping stones to greatness!’ Astrid taught the harmonies.

Her hands conducted the air as she walked among the teens, correcting pitch and reminding them of the emotion behind the lyrics.

Next they tackled a tune from Little Shop of Horrors. Its playful yet dark undertones were proving a hit with the kids. Christy had found a filmed version of the play on YouTube, and even though the sound quality wasn’t brilliant, they’d all watched it several times on the big screen TV.

Lastly came A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Act 3, Scene 2 took place in a magical forest filled with the comedic misunderstandings that were at the heart of the play’s appeal.

The mischievous fairy, Puck, had mistakenly anointed the wrong man with a love potion.

The scene unfolded with various accusations of betrayal and love declared in all the wrong directions.

Puck enjoyed the turmoil he’d caused, which only added to the hilarity for the audience.

Leo had bravely put his hand up to play Puck, even though this meant wearing a green tunic and tights complete with sequins, flowers and leaves to give him the look of a woodland sprite.

Christy was thrilled at his decision. The role demanded a charismatic presence that aligned well with Leo’s newfound self-assurance.

She couldn’t help chuckling at the teens’ enthusiastic performances, which were rife with charming blunders.

‘Fernando’ was boldly belted out as ‘flamingo’ by Stacey.

During ‘SOS’ one of the boys cried out ‘sauce’ instead of ‘S-O-S’ each time during the chorus, prompting a round of giggles.

In the Midsummer Night’s Dream scene, the name ‘Puck’ frequently turned into ‘punk’ and sometimes something cruder.

At one point Leo declared, ‘Lord, what foods these morsels be!’ instead of ‘Lord, what fools these mortals be!’, which was fitting and almost certainly intentional.

Tyler came in with a chef’s hat jauntily set on his head and a big basket of ingredients by his side. He stood by the kitchen door, quietly observing.

‘We’ll try the Little Shop of Horrors number again,’ said Christy. As they reset, her gaze found Leo, who was quietly humming the tune, his fingers tracing invisible notes in the air.

‘Let’s take it from the top and remember – energy!’

After the song everyone looked expectantly at Christy for a verdict. She nodded at Astrid and an understanding passed between them.

‘We want you guys to evaluate your own performance this time. Who has something to say?’

Fourteen-year-old Willow’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. ‘I keep coming in too early.’ She was the youngest in the group and easily discouraged.

‘It’s cool,’ Leo said to Willow. ‘Next time just wait for my nod, yeah?’

Christy smiled at Leo. How he’d matured since arriving at Currawong Creek.

Even his body language had changed – shoulders back, voice sure – a young man stepping up both on stage and among his peers.

Under Christy’s watchful eye, Leo coached Willow through the timing, and when the music swelled once more, she hit the mark.

A cheer erupted from the group when they’d finished.

Leo met Christy’s gaze, a proud grin spreading across his face, and she nodded in silent acknowledgement.

Tyler checked his watch and applauded from the doorway. ‘Bravo! Now let’s see if you guys can cook as well as you can sing. It’s time to add some flavour to this show.’

The teens deserted her for the rec room kitchen, all except Leo.

Tyler was popular with the students, although with his shaved head and face, nobody seemed to recognise him as the star of Ward’s Kitchen .

More proof that kids barely knew what free-to-air television was any more.

Christy guessed that was exactly the way Tyler wanted it.

He was always careful to keep out of the public eye.

This time Christy watched from the door as the teens gathered around him.

Tyler began with the simplest dishes, like the charcuterie board and the Greek mezze platter.

His flair for dramatic flips and knife tricks added a suitably theatrical quality to the cooking demonstration, making it a performance in itself.

Soon enthusiastic shouts of, ‘Yes, Chef!’ echoed around the room.

Leo sat with his script, silently mouthing his lines. ‘You don’t want to join them in the kitchen?’ asked Christy.

‘Nah, I’ve seen it all before.’

She pulled up a chair. ‘How are things between you and your dad?’

He stopped reading and studied her for a while with his father’s green eyes. Then he tilted his head and said in a sonorous voice. ‘“What’s gone and what’s past help should be past grief.”’

Christy sat back, stunned. ‘Now you’re reciting Shakespeare to me?’

He shrugged. ‘We did A Winter’s Tale at school last year. I kind of got into it.’

Christy marvelled at the perfect relevance of his quote.

It said he planned to let go of past hurts.

She wanted to put a supportive hand on his arm but stopped herself.

She’d already been warned not to encourage Leo’s feelings, and given her experience at St Luke’s, perhaps Clare’s advice was wise.

Still, it took a firm act of will for her to hold back.

Instead, she said simply, ‘I’m so happy to hear that. ’

‘What, that I like Shakespeare?’ he said with a shy grin.

Christy laughed out loud. ‘That too, of course. But I’m happier to know that you’re giving your dad a chance. It means the world to him.’

‘How would you know?’

‘He’s told me, more than once.’

A brief shadow passed across Leo’s face. ‘So you and Dad ... you’re close?’

‘Not especially. But blind Freddy could see how hard he’s trying. Why do you think your dad’s here instead of in Brisbane? He’s here for you.’

Leo let himself smile. ‘I’d better go see what he’s up to then.’

‘Food, like music and drama, tells a story,’ said Tyler as he demonstrated how to julienne carrots with deft precision. ‘Each dish we create will complement an act in our show.’

Christy watched from the sidelines, feeling a frisson of excitement as she admired Tyler’s ability to engage the teens.

His passion for his craft matched her own zeal for the performing arts.

There was a grace to his movements that reminded her of a dancer’s.

Her stomach flipped over. It was happening more and more frequently of late: when they shared glances over a well-executed harmony, or when their hands touched as they passed a prop or utensil between them.

In those small moments, amid the chaos of creativity, something special was simmering, and she hoped Tyler felt it too.

The kitchen hummed with activity, its walls echoing with laughter and the clatter of pots and pans.

Christy leaned against the counter as the teens bustled around, each attempting to master the Greek dishes Tyler had demonstrated.

She couldn’t help smiling at their enthusiasm, even as flour dusted the air and olive oil made slippery spots on the floor.

The smell of burnt garlic mingled with the rich aroma of simmering sauces.

‘Hey, watch it with the tzatziki!’ Tyler called as Dale nearly turned the concoction into a milkshake with his vigorous shaking. ‘It’s a dip, not a drink!’

Leo took charge of a small group struggling with the spanakopita. Growing up with Tyler had obviously rubbed off on him. ‘You have to fold it gently, like this.’ His fingers deftly turned the filo dough. ‘Remember, it’s delicate.’

Christy smiled, impressed by how naturally leadership was starting to fit Leo. He’d learned so much by working with the horses. He didn’t bully or demand. He simply offered guidance and his peers willingly followed.

Tyler watched on too, his pride in his son unmistakable.

Then he looked at her, and time stopped.

In that brief exchange a silent promise passed between them.

It showed in the tender curve of his mouth and the subtle intensity behind his eyes.

It revealed a depth of feeling that went way beyond casual friendship.

A wave of warmth claimed her, then a sensation akin to the first drop on a roller coaster.

Christy had spent the last few months caught up in her romantic feelings for Tyler.

Here at last was confirmation that he felt the same way.