Walking in to the school Chaple it looked better than Kate had imagined. The lights had been dimmed and the whole space was lit by candle light. Nicole had headed off to the back rooms where she was supposed to wait. Taking their seats on the second row Kate looked over at Grace and Chris who thankfully at the moment were behaving themselves but she knew it wouldn't be long before boardmen set in and they started being silly.

Picking up the little program of what was happening. It was a mix of singing both traditional carols and more modern Christmas songs as well as readings of the Christmas story. Nicoles performances were quite near the end. She had the choir and then was closing the show with her solo performance.

Kate smiled reading the list. Closing the show was a big thing it was the last performance people would see so would be the one they would more than likely remember.

Slowly more people eventually found their seats and the head of the secondary school walked out she talked about how hard the year has been for all the students having to adapt to home learning. And for the year 12s facing the toughest period of their schooling with their HSC and the possibility of the end of year formal being cancelled. She wished all the year 12's the best of luck in their future where ever it lay.

The first act was three girls from year 11s singing the jingle bell rock in little Santa outfits. Followed by a dance act dancing to the 'carol of the bells '. Then the readings began with a still nativity scene which was added to as the readings went on. The choir came on and they were all invited to join in some of the carols starting with 'we three kings'

Holding Chris on her hip Kate tried to juggle the song sheet with him. She looked over at Mike who was singing. She loved his singing voice it made her go weak at the knees.

"We three kings of orient are, One in a taxi, one in a car, One on a scooter pipping his hoooter.,Didn't get very far..." Mike sang

"remind me again who it was teaching Gracie the crude carols" Kate leaned in and whispered to him

"it was Buffer. I swear although we did come up with a much ruder version at ADFA" Mike grinned his eyes glinting in the candle light

"oh really. I guess you're going to have to teach me" Kate smiled sitting back in her seat with Chris on her lap who was now playing her hair

Finally, the choir came on standing on their platforms beginning with 'where are you Christmas' Nicole stepped forward singing clear filling the chapel you could hear a pin drop with her solo as you could with silent night.

Finally, all the choir filed off the platforms and Nicole stood on her own centre stage. Resting the mic in the stand She closed her eyes as the intro began playing out.

"What if ribbons and bows didn't mean a thing? Would the song still survive without five golden rings? Would you still wanna kiss without mistletoe? What would happen if God never let it snow? What would happen if Christmas Carols told a lie? Tell me what would you find?..." Nicole sang out

"You'd see that today holds something special Something holy, not superficial So here's to the birthday boy who saved our lives It's something we all try to ignore And put a wreath up on your door So here's something you should know that is for sure Christmas must be something more..."

Kate watched on a tear in her eye. Nicole had such a beautiful voice but was always hiding it . She was afraid of what people would say. Her taste in music wasn't exactly what all the others her age listened to it was more old school or musical theatre songs she liked.

"What if angels did not pay attention to All the things that we wished they would always do? What if happiness came in a cardboard box? Then I think there is something we all forgot What would happen if presents all went away? Tell me, what would you find?... You'd see that today holds something special Something holy, not superficial So here's to the birthday boy who saved our lives It's something we all try to ignore And put a wreath up on your door So here's something you should know that is for sure Christmas must be something more" not a note was missed

"We get so caught up in all of it

Business and relationships

Hundred-mile-an-hour lives

And it's this time of year

And everybody's here

It seems the last thing on your mind

Is that the day holds something special

Something holy, not superficial

So here's to Jesus Christ who saved our lives

It's something we all try to ignore

And put a wreath up on your door

But here's something you should know that is for sure

Christmas must be something

Christmas must be something

Christmas must be something more

There's gotta be more

There's gotta be more"

As the music faded Nicole replaced the mic in to the stand and bowed as the choir walked out along with all the other performers.

The headmistress walked out in front of them taking the microphone

"wow thank you Nicole Flynn for that beautiful song to draw this evenings events to a close. Now during rehearsals this afternoon our choir and performers recorded a rendition of band-aid do they know its Christmas which was recorded and is available for pre-order to receive on Friday. The proceeds of which will be given to the health fund to support our amazing medical teams after the year we have all had. Please feel free to join us in the atrium for drinks and festive nibbles and thank you once again for supporting your amazing children each and every one has been amazing.

Heading out there had been tables set up outside with glasses of wine and fruit juice. Picking up a glass of white wine for herself she handed Grace a glass of orange juice whilst they waited for Nicole to come out. Mike picked himself up a glass of red wine. It had been a amazing evening and Christmas was still 16 days away with the end of the year being on Friday. The year had dragged so slowly and yet was racing towards the end she just hoped 2021 held something better

so hope you like the secondary concert. Again the comedy version of we three kings is one we all used to muck around with and o dont mean to cause offence (there are cruder versions if you google it) the song Nicole is singing at the end is Taylor Swift Christmas must be something more and all rights remain with her. but it is my fave xmas song as it is kind of pop-py but still shows the true meaning of xmas. anyway hope you enjoy x