Downtown Upbeat. That was the name of the restaurant. Anna loved it from the moment she saw it; she loved the corny name, and the way that the sign had letters missing. She loved the way the cigarette smoke enveloped you as you walked in the door, and the dusty old grand piano in the corner. But most of all she loved it because it was the kind of place her father would hate.

Garth was a lively middle-aged man wearing trousers that were too big for him and a jacket that was too small. When he smiled his teeth glittered with gold.

"You must be Anna! Come in, come in. Cath has told me so much about you!" he smiled at her and she felt instantly welcome.

"You've got a great place here," she said, staring around.

"Now, now. Flattery won't help you get this job," he replied.

"No, I mean it. I love it. Even if I don't get this job, you can bet I'll be back here as a customer."

"Well, I'll look forward to seeing you either way, shall I? Anyway, on with the interview. Do you have any experience as a waitress?"

"Well, no…but I'm sure I could learn."

"Mhm…what motivates you to work hard?"

"Lots of things. But, I suppose I just want to do well. And, also, I suppose, my daughter, Julia," she said. Okay, okay. She knew perfectly well what she was doing, playing the sympathy card.

"You have a daughter? You're so young! What do your parents think?"

"Well, my mother's dead, and my dad kicked me out."

"I see. Wait a minute, you're the Mackenzie girl, aren't you?"

"I see gossip doesn't miss anybody out."

"Terrible situation. Truly terrible. Chris was a nice young man. He used to come down here a lot. It's a real shame what happened to him."

"Well, I suppose all we can do now is move on," she forced her lips into a smile, even though she wanted to burst into tears.

"Indeed. Indeed. Anyway, where was I?" he smiled at her then checked his notes. Suddenly, he threw them to the floor, "Oh, sod this! We both know you'll get the job anyway. Well done, Anna. When can you start?"

"Are you serious?" Anna leapt up and hugged him, "Oh, sorry…" she remembered what the circumstances were and pulled away shyly.

"I…I can start as soon as you want…" she said, not quite meeting his eye.

"Is tonight soon enough?"

She was more than surprised to find Aimee waiting outside for her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Did you get it?" Aimee certainly wasn't wasting any time.

"I got it!" she screamed. Aimee grabbed her in a hug and they were both jumping up and down with happiness. They certainly got a few strange looks.

Anna wondered what had brought about this sudden change in Aimee. Was it because she was actually trying now? Or had she just had a change of heart?

"When do you start?"

"Tonight!" Aimee hugged her again and they walked arm in arm down the street together to go and pick up Julia.

Downtown Upbeat came alive at night. The neon sign flickered in a somewhat dodgy way, but that just made Anna love it even more.

As she entered, she was engulfed in the loud chattering and soft jazz music that floated across the room. She could barely see anything; it was lit only by candles and the stage lights for the jazz band.

She made her was across the crowded space, trying not to trip over people and making what felt like hundreds of apologies as she did. She squinted around in the darkness and located Garth. He was chatting away, gold teeth glinting manically in the candlelight.

He looked over and spotted her.

"Anna!" he waved her over enthusiastically.

"Hi Garth."

"This is Haley, my other waitress. She'll show you where everything is. Be nice now, Haley! It's her first day!"

Haley was a tall blonde with too many body piercings to count. She grinned at Anna and led her through into a back room.

"Your uniform's there, put it on, and I'll show you what to do." Anna did as she was told.

"So, what are you, a mute? Why don't you say something?" Haley asked as she emerged in her new uniform.

"Sorry…I'm just a bit nervous…"

"Well don't be. This isn't that kind of place. Just relax. I mean, this is hardly a five star place, is it?" She gave Anna a once over, and then raised her eyebrow. Anna desperately wanted to ask her what the problem was but decided against it.

"Right, come with me, I'll show you around."

Over the next few days Anna learned the ropes, and she soon had her own little fan club of customers. She found it easy to charm them, which usually resulted in bigger tips. She loved the restaurant; its lively atmosphere, the way how all the people were so warm and open. And she made a new friend in Haley.

But she couldn't truly relax.

She could never relax.

Not as long as Chris was at the back of her mind.

It was like his ghost was haunting her; she knew he loved this place too, and to her, it still felt like a little part of him had remained. Sometimes she was so sure he was there that she found herself looking for him. She was always sorely disappointed.

She thought she was going insane.

She felt like nothing could pull her out of her depression.

Until one day she sat down and played the piano.

She had arrived early on this particular day, just so she could be alone for a while. Garth understood. He always understood.

She found herself sitting down at the piano and her fingers making the familiar shapes. She closed her eyes and played.

It was like a relief from all the pressures of the outside world that were constantly pushing in on her. She didn't take any notice of what she was playing; she just lost herself in the music.

The music was everything to her; she twirled and danced, and remembered happier times, when she was still a little kid.

Suddenly she knew what she was playing.

It was that song.

Why did it have to be that song?

But now she had started, she found she couldn't stop. She was spinning faster and faster, back in time.

And then she was there.

Anna was thirteen again and in a crowded dance hall. She stayed close to Josephine, as she had been instructed to do. She smiled and nodded and made light conversation, as all good little rich girls are supposed to do at this type of party.

This was the first real party Anna had been to. Before her father has said she was too young. Now, here she was, in a brand new baby blue dress that she adored, and her hair done properly, like a real lady.

Chris smiled and nodded, but didn't say anything. He just poured the wine. He hadn't wanted to go to this stupid party, but his mother had made him.

"Aimee's going! You go too! Why are you so selfish? It's about time you started bringing in some money around here! It'll help the family!"

So he was roped in to wait on the stupid arseholes that were Timber's so-called "elites". What a drag. He could be doing something much better right now, instead of being looked down on by people whose noses were so big it was a wonder they could see anything at all.

"You boy! More wine, I think!"

"Oh, no dear! I think I've had far too much already. I shall get quite tipsy!" Chris smiled as best as he could. The woman was holding out her glass anyway, despite her protests.

That was when he saw her.

It was her, the girl in the limo! He had seen her before, just passing by. She was deeply involved in conversation with some old boy. No doubt about something fascinating and important, like the weather, or the latest fashions.

She was way out of his league.

She was probably a snooty bitch who wouldn't look twice at him.

And yet, he found himself making a beeline for her.

"More wine?" he inquired.

"No, I'm fine, thank you. And my young friend here is too young for alcohol."

Too young? He thought she was fifteen, like him, at least. Surely that was old enough for alcohol?

Aimee was watching from across the room. Her mother had instructed her to keep an eye on him, and he seemed to be doing okay. Wait a minute…was he looking down her dress?

She almost ran over to him.

Anna found herself staring at the young man. He wasn't exceptionally good-looking, but there was something about his eyes…deep, deep brown that seemed to be looking right inside her.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Chris, I need your help with something…" A bossy redhead type dragged him away, but Anna found herself staring after him, and was pleased to see he was staring at her too. Chris…

"What were you doing?" Aimee hissed as soon as they got out of earshot.

"Just pouring wine. That's my job, isn't it?"

"You weren't just pouring wine. Don't act all innocent with me…you were perving on her!"

"No, I wasn't!" Chris said indignantly, although she was right.

"Do you even know who that is?" Aimee spat.

"No…should I?"

"That's Anna Mackenzie. Daughter of Mr-big-man Mackenzie. You know, the one who had dad put in jail? Look, stay away from her, or you might end up in the same place as Dad, okay?"

Anna Mackenzie? Well, any slither of a chance he might have had was just thrown out of the window.

"Okay…" he agreed reluctantly. But when he turned around she was still staring at him.

Now she was coming this way.

"Excuse me. I…I'd like some wine…" she stammered. Great Anna, great way to make conversation… she thought.

"I thought you were too young?" He wanted to slap himself in the face for this comment. Shut up, Chris. She might actually like you. Don't blow it!

"Well yes, but I just wanted an excuse to talk to you," she found herself saying. Smooth Anna, real smooth.

"So you're Anna Mackenzie, huh?" he asked. Real original, Chris.

"Yes. What's your name?" she asked.

"Chris. Heartilly…" Suddenly, the string quartet struck up with a new song.

"Oh! This is one of my favourites!" she squealed, then felt herself blushing. Well done Anna, you are now officially a little kid…

"Do you want to dance?" he blurted, before he could stop himself. Prepare to be shot down…

"Okay…" He was stunned. Here he was, dancing with Anna Mackenzie. One of the richest, most beautiful girls in Timber. Suddenly, they were wrenched apart.

"Anna! What do you think you're doing?" he father was stood over them. He was already dragging her away. Chris could see he was going ballistic at her, but she didn't look like she was listening. She was mouthing something at him.

"Meet me in the park tomorrow…" He smiled and nodded. He felt like punching the air in victory. Anna Mackenzie wanted to see him again. Anna Mackenzie!

"Anna?"

"Wh-what? Oh sorry. Garth. Got a little lost in my thoughts there…"

"Well, we're opening in a minute, so get your uniform on…"