Free Musical Star by Rowan Coleman Page A

morning like almost all the other girls do?” I asked her quickly, hopeful that her happiness would make her relent.
    “No, Ruby,” Mum said mildly, standing up and leaning over to kiss me. “No make-up to school.”
    “Just a tiny, tiny bit,” I pleaded. “You’d hardly know it was there!”
    “Nope,” Mum said, going to the door. “Now get on with your homework.
    “Mum-um,” I protested, letting my head flop down on to the bed.
    “Oh and Rube?” Mum said, making me lift my head somy hair flopped all over my face. “I’m so proud of you, now more than ever.”
    I looked up, then smiled. “I know you and Jeremy are in love, but you have got to stop being so soppy,” I told her. “It’s ruining my cred.”
    Mum was laughing as she closed the door.
SPOTLIGHT! THE MUSICAL ©
    Produced by Caruso Carousel Productions In conjunction with Bright Young Things TV
    The Spotlight! School Choir Competition©
    Rules for Competitors
All choirs must be pre-registered by their teachers at least two weeks before the regional heats.
The names of choir members must be submitted at the time of registration. New members are not permitted to join after the commencement of the competition.
Choir members may not also participate in the SPOTLIGHT!: SEARCH FOR A STAR© (Produced by BYT-TV)
Parents and guardians of all choir members must give their consent for their child/children to appear on SPOTLIGHT!: SEARCH FOR A STAR THE FINAL© (Produced by BYT-TV) before the competition commences.
Parents and guardians must give their consent for their child/children to appear in the live televised premiere of SPOTLIGHT! THE MUSICAL©.
All choirs must sing the songs that have been chosen for them.
All choirs must be amateur choirs affiliated with the school and receive no professional training outside of the school.
The SPOTLIGHT! SCHOOL CHOIR COMPETITION© believes in equal opportunities for all and fair play. Any choir deemed to be going against the spirit of the competition will be eliminated.
    Enjoy the competition and Good Luck!

Chapter Seven
    It was Saturday morning, the day before the auditions, when Anne-Marie and Nydia came up with the best idea they have ever had. Me, Anne-Marie, Nydia and Dakshima had gone to a café for hot chocolate. At least Nydia, Dakshima and I were having hot chocolate.
    “You’re having an espresso?” I asked Anne-Marie as a tiny cup of strong black coffee was placed in front of her.
    “I am,” Anne-Marie said airily. “I’m fourteen now, Rubes. I have sophisticated tastes.”
    “What, just like that, overnight, you stopped liking sweet, milky, chocolatey drinks topped off with whipped cream and a flake, and started to like small, hot, dark bitter ones?” Nydia and I grinned at each other.
    “Actually, I’ve liked espressos for ages and I fancy one this morning,” Anne-Marie said. “It’s no big deal. Honestly, you thirteen-year-olds are so immature.”
    “Are you telling me that after my birthday in a few weeks’ time I’ll be necking coffee?” Dakshima asked her.
    Anne-Marie raised an eyebrow. “Sophisticated tastescome with more than age,” she said archly, but with a twinkle in her eye.
    “Thank goodness for that,” Dakshima said. “Coffee is rank, man.”
    I took a big slurp of my chocolate so that it left a whipped-cream moustache on my top lip and grinned at Anne-Marie. “Drink up then,” I said, nodding at the espresso.
    Anne-Marie looked at the tiny little cup. “I’m waiting for it to cool down,” she said, making the rest of us collapse into giggles. “I am!” She protested, trying not to laugh. “It’s very hot!”
    “Tell us more about Jeremy moving to London, Ruby.” Nydia said. “Do you think he is going to ask your mum to marry him?”
    “I don’t think so,” I said. “I suppose he might one day, but not yet. Mum called Dad and told him about the move last night, but I’m not seeing him until he takes me to the choir competition tomorrow so I don’t