Free The Ivy Lessons by J Lerman

to it,’ I say. ‘I’ve never seen her perform, but I’ve heard loads about her. All good.’
    ‘She’s absolutely wonderful,’ says Tom. ‘I’ve seen her dozens of times – I love West End musicals. Such an amazing voice. I saw her just a few years ago in Monty Python and the Holy Grail . She played the Lady of the Lake. Amazing. I still have a signed programme from her somewhere – when you’re wheelchair bound, you get treated like a VIP . All I have to do is make myself sound extra pathetic and disabled, and whoosh! I’m wheeled backstage to meet the cast.’
    ‘Didn’t she have something to do with Marc, when he was a teenager?’ Tanya asks. ‘I’m sure I read somewhere that she brought him up for a while.’
    ‘Really?’ I ask.
    ‘Yes,’ says Tanya. ‘He had a difficult childhood, and he lived with her, I think. And now he’s hired her as a lecturer here. So I guess that’s his way of thanking her.’
     

Chapter 21
    Denise’s lecture is being held in a small classroom in the east wing – nothing like the big lecture theatre Marc used.
    When we turn up outside the class room , most of the students are already there.
    ‘I guess Marc’s lecture about lateness paid off,’ Tanya whispers.
    I clutch my books in my arms.
    ‘You won’t be needing those for this class,’ says Tanya, glancing at my books . ‘Denise Crompton is all about feelings.’
    T he class begins to shuffle forwards and I see the classroom door opened by the large, cuddly lady I sa w at the audition. She’ s wearing flowing , flowery robes and has blonde-grey hair. Her tiny blue eyes radiate warmth.
    ‘Come i n, come in,’ she calls. ‘ I promise my classes are great fun. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you better.’
    As students pass her, she welcomes them by name.
    ‘Cecile! I loved your audition. Very clean and poetic. Welcome. Ryan. A very powerful actor. I see great things in you.’
    As we draw near, I realise I don’t know anyt hing about Tanya’s audition , or Tom’s. I wonder what plays they performed . I soon find out.
    ‘Tanya!’ Denise calls out. ‘A very determined young lady. You really made the Vagina Monologues come to life. I can see the passion when you perform. You make everything so real.’
    Tanya grins from ear to ear.
    ‘Tom Davenport .’ Denise bends down to shake Tom’s hand. ‘Such an elegant voice and manner. The perfect King Lear. You command attention. I could watch you all day.’
    ‘And Sophia.’ Denise smiles warmly at me. ‘So humble. So charming. You draw us all in and make us love you.’
    I’m dumbfounded. I give a half smile, and mutter thanks, then walk into the room, where there’s a hor seshoe of chairs facing a whiteboard. Tanya and I take seats at the end, and Tom wheels himself beside us .
    ‘I can’t believe she remembered all our performances ,’ says Tanya, watching eagerly as Denise comes to the front of the class.
    ‘Command attention,’ says Tom, banging a fist to his chest. ‘I am de eply in love with this woman .’
    Denise clears her throat and holds up her hands for silence. ‘A very big welcome to you, class. And congratulations on being the chosen few. The UK’s finest new talent. We expect big thing s from all of you.’
    Cecile and Ryan exchange smug glances.
    ‘Feel free to call me by my first name,’ says Denise. ‘I know Mr Blackwell likes to retain authority, but I can’t pretend I have any. I’m a push over, which is why I teach university students, not school kids. They’d eat me up and chew me out.’
    Suddenly, she blurts out a set of scales: ‘La, la, la, la, la, la laaa.’
    Then she walks around the horseshoe, her fingers on her chin. ‘Mmm. Who will I pick on first? ’
    Everyone shuffles in their seats.
    To my horror, Denise stops right in front of me.
    ‘Sophia. You go first. They say singing reveals the soul, don’t they? Let’s see what your soul sounds like.’
    ‘ Singing isn’t a talent of