Free Jazz Baby by Tea Cooper

sand. The sound of the piano no longer sent thrills of excitement coursing through her blood; now she shivered with despondency. Without a doubt she’d make a fool of herself but Mrs Mack had been adamant and she was in no position to argue.
    â€˜Boo!’
    Dolly jumped, falling from the bottom step, her heart pounding against her ribs. ‘Alice, what on earth did you do that for?’ The beads on her frock ground hard against her palm as she rested her hand flat against her chest to still her heart. Even the frock she was so pleased with only a matter of hours ago seemed out of place and uncomfortable. As though she’d stolen into her mother’s wardrobe and sneaked out in grown-up clothes.
    â€˜Your turn next,’ Alice said with a grin. ‘Are you a bit nervous?’
    â€˜Terrified.’
    â€˜It’ll be all right. Lawrence’s great on the piano and he’s a sweetie. Tell him the name of the song. He can play anything and besides, everyone’s had so much to drink they won’t be able to tell when you hit the wrong note.’
    â€˜Thanks for the vote of confidence.’
    The music came to a crashing finale and Dolly flinched when Alice’s hand landed in the small of her back.
    â€˜Go on,’ Alice said, pushing Dolly through the open door. ‘Break a leg.’
    Clenching her back teeth together she stepped into the Blue Room. A sea of laughing faces filled her vision. Like caricatures in the newspaper their features stood out in stark relief against the deep blue walls. A smothered cough gave way to a blatant titter then silence. A single bead of sweat trickled from her forehead to the corner of her eye and she wiped it away with shaking fingers.
    â€˜Dolly!’
    Lawrence’s warm hand cupped her elbow and she glanced up into his welcoming face.
    â€˜It’ll be fine. Come with me,’ he said, throwing her a lifeline in the sea of predators. ‘What are you going to sing?’ He guided her to the piano in the corner of the room.
    The stifling stench of cigarette smoke, perfume and alcohol made her head reel and she shrugged her shoulders.
    â€˜Alice said you sang Jazz Baby this afternoon. Shall we start with that?’
    When Lawrence let go of her elbow and sat down on the stool Dolly’s stomach cramped and her knees buckled. She reached out to the polished walnut of the piano, certain without its support her legs would crumble and she’d sink to the ground in a heap.
    The conversation swelled around her as he struck the first chords of the song. She cast a quick look around the room. The carousing crowd had lost interest. Her breathing slowed and she closed her eyes, blocking everyone out as the music washed over her.
    â€˜Are you ready Dolly?’ Lawrence began the introduction for a second time.
    She turned and threw him a tentative smile.
    â€˜Don’t worry about them, they’re busy chatting. We’re just the background noise. Forget about them. Sing for me.’ He glanced up at her, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
    Dolly moved closer to the piano stool, wanting to hug the man. He winked and she began to sing. The chattering rolled and swirled around her and the familiar words of the song lulled her. She leant back against the piano lost in the music.
    Finishing her song with a flourish she grinned at Lawrence, a crazy rush of euphoria blossoming in her chest. ‘Thank you.’
    â€˜I can’t hear you,’ Lawrence mouthed.
    Only then the applause broke into her consciousness. ‘More, more,’ a voice shouted.
    Dolly lifted her shoulders and gazed imploringly at Lawrence, needing his help again. ‘I don’t know what else to sing,’ she said as another cramp hit her stomach.
    â€˜What about this?’ Lawrence played some opening chords.
    She knew it. She’d heard him play the tune each night yet her mind was a blank. ‘I can’t remember the