Nina woke up feeling energised. She couldn't wait to get to the school that morning. When she had gotten home the previous night, she had made a list of songs she wanted to sing for the kids, and had decided on one to get started: Born to Try. And she was happy to let them choose a song as well. So she got up, getting ready quicker than she had in a long time. She was out the door at eight thirty, catching up with a few of the kids in the street.

"Nina! I can't believe you offered to sing in front of the entire high school!" called Toadie as he got closer.

"Why not?" Nina asked.

"You wouldn't even join the choir when you came here for the first time. What happened?"

"I grew up and got some confidence, thanks to Connor. And you."

"I'm glad. You know, I have all four of your albums."

"Of course you do. Who's this little one?"

"Nell. I told you about her last night, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember. She's so cute!"

"She's a little brat. Especially when her mother isn't here."

"Where are you taking her?"

"Daycare. I have a case this morning, and Mark's working this morning."

"Well, why don't I take her? I mean, after I finish at the school."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'm not busy today, and I wouldn't mind having a little one to play with. As long as she has some toys and you tell me what to feed her, I won't have a problem."

"Thank you. I'll come with you, and then you can go back to my place with her. I'll be home no later than four this afternoon."

Nina smiled, tickling the little girl. She smiled more when Nell laughed.

"Listening please," said Susan into her microphone. "Today, we have a special guest. She has offered her time to give you a special performance before classes resume. I'm sure everyone of you knows who she is, and I'm sure you know at least her new songs. So, please give a warm welcome to Nina Tucker!"

Almost everyone in the auditorium started clapping as soon as Susan stopped talking. They continued clapping until Nina stepped up onto the podium that Susan had vacated and took the microphone.

"Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here today. I want to sing a couple of songs for you, as a way for you to start off the term with a positive outlook. I know what it's like to go to school when you don't really want to, and I know what some of the teachers can be like. I used to come here. I was already in year ten when I came to Erinsborough, and I didn't know anyone. But the teachers at this school, and some of the people in the community were very welcoming and made it so much easier for me. This is where I learnt to be confident and this is where I wrote and performed my very first song, Born to Try. So, the first song I am going to sing for you is Born to Try."

Nina stepped down and sat at the piano someone had set up for her. She adjusted the microphone and started playing, remembering how good it had felt to play this very song thirteen years before.

Doing everything that I believe in,

Going by the rules that I've been taught,

More understanding of what's around me,

And protected from the walls of love

All that you see is me,

And all I truly believe,

That I was born to try,

I've learned to love,

Be understanding,

And believe in life,

But you've got to make choices,

Be wrong or right,

Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like,

But I was born to try.

Everyone was clapping again as Nina finished the song. She smiled as she stood, grabbing the microphone again. When the clapping and cheering died down, she spoke.

"I can do one more song this morning before you guys have to go to class, so does anyone have a request?"

Everyone started talking at once, but it was Amber who managed to be heard above the noise. "Believe Again," she said.

Next to her, and around the auditorium, people were cheering, clearly having wanted the same song. Nina nodded, a smile on her face as she sat down again.

Have you ever stared into the rain,

Thought the clouds would never disappear,

Have you ever screamed out in the dark,

Thinking no one else could hear,

I was leaving footprints, tainted by my past,

On this winding road to you

I'd lost my faith in love,

Tonight I believe again,

My heart was a broken place,

Now I feel whole again,

You bring me honesty,

And that's worth believing in,

And I believe,

I believe, again

The clapping started up again as the song ended, and Nina bowed. She handed the microphone back to Susan and smiled, waving, as she left the auditorium with Toadie and Nell.

"That was great Nina," said Toadie. He looked exhausted, like he'd been the one singing. She quickly realised that he probably had been singing along.

"Must have been, to get you singing. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"I have to get to work, but I will be home as soon as possible. Here are the house keys, and a list of emergency numbers just in case. Mark lives next door to me. He'll be home around twelve if you need him or have had enough. You'll find toys everywhere, I haven't had a chance to clean up yet. She has the same food we do, no allergies, so anything is fine. And Karl is our family doctor if you need him."

"Relax Toadie. We'll be fine," laughed Nina. "I promise."

He nodded. He trusted Nina, but he worried about what Nell might do to her. He had seen how Summer had played around when Nina had babysat her. But in the end, he knew he had to just hope everything would be okay so he could get to work on time.