That night Sparrow sang her heart out at the karaoke bar. She sang all her heartbreak out of her system. In between songs, she drank shots and talked about what a dirty rat Jazz really was. She sang some more, and cried even more. And drank even more. In the end she needed to find her power again, as per Thomas’s instruction. So she sang Amanda Black’s Power as her last song, and she was totally amazing at it!

The owner of the club was there, listening. He sent over a bottle of champagne to their table and a note saying he was blown away by her performances. He also requested that they join him in the VIP section.

“Come girlfriend, you need to wash your face and redo your make-up,” Thomas said after reading the note that came with the bottle.

“I don’t want a blesser, Thomas, please tell him thank you, but no thank you. We’ll keep the bottle. But we’re not going.”

“Honey, you’re drunk. And you know very well that Steve is gay, so if anyone is getting a blesser, it’s me. And I say we’re going.”

After touching up her make-up in the bathroom, Thomas and Sparrow made their way to the VIP section of Club Zero.

“That was a beautiful performance!” Steve said, reaching out to shake Sparrow’s hand. “I didn’t know you could sing like that.”

“Thank you. But apparently I’ll never be anything more than a backup singer,” Sparrow said, swaying slightly as she spoke.

Thomas rolled his eyes and smiled at Steve. “Oh dear, forgive my friend, she’s pining over a rat.”

“I could tell from her playlist,” Steve sympathised. “I take it he should never be mentioned?”

“You take it right,” Thomas smiled. “Sparrow is an angel, she sings like one too.”

“If I didn’t hear it with my own ears, I’d say you were lying.”

“Thomas never lies,” Sparrow mumbled. “He warned me about him … but … I didn’t listen,” She was crying again.

Thomas jumped in, thrusting his hand at Steve. “Thomas, her best friend slash manager. And this ball of misery is Sparrow.”

“Please,” Steve gestured to the table full of booze. “Or what can I get you? A coffee perhaps for Sparrow? I do have something important to discuss.”

“It’s OK, thank you. I’m the designated everything. She’ll just have a sip of this,” Thomas opened ciders for them both.

Steve waited for them to settle themselves. “I have a dilemma and I need your help,” he said at last.

“We’re listening,” Thomas smiled.

“As you may know, I’m one of the organisers of the Ebubeleni Music Festival that starts this Friday. And one of our acts can’t make it due to unforeseen circumstances – a death in the family.” Steve rolled his eyes as if it was such an inconvenience that someone had died during one of the biggest, busiest weekends of his life.

“I need Sparrow to headline for me this weekend at the festival,” he continued.

Sparrow heard her name but she didn’t quite understand what Steve was asking. Thomas and Steve were both looking at her expectantly now, but she had no idea what to say. She felt Thomas pinch her, hard, and she came to her senses.

“But I’m not good enough. Why don’t you call Jazz,” she mumbled, slurring her words.

“Ignore her please,” Thomas said. “She’ll do it.”

“But you haven’t even heard the terms and conditions yet,” said Steve.

“It’s simple: You pay me whatever the fee is for the three days and you give me … us … free access to everything at the festival. Believe me, she’ll do it.”

“Are you sure? It’s quite demanding and we’re out of time. The concert is in three days, so she’ll have to rehearse till the very last minute. That means no boys, no parties, and definitely no booze.”

“You don’t have to worry about any of that,” Thomas said. “We’re in.”

“Hey,” Sparrow protested, realising that they were talking about her as though she was not there.

Thomas took her hand. “This is serendipity. And you made a promise, you’re loving you first. Your name in the stars, right?”

“My name in the stars,” Sparrow repeated.

“Shoot your shot little Sparrow,” Thomas said smiling at her.

“Well then, in that case, cheers.” Steve raised his glass and they all clinked.

“Cheers,” they all sang in unison.

 ***

Tell us: Do you believe in luck? What’s the luckiest thing you’ve ever experienced?