For some reason I called Miss Young Rachel in my last chapter. I don't know why when her name is Rebecca so sorry if anyone was confused but Miss Young's name is Rebecca. Ha ha and thank you for all the reviews they mean a lot.

July 7th 1924

"Annie! You're going to be late hurry up!" I shouted from the living room. I began hurrying round trying to pack Annie's school bag. I knew this would happen, she promised me it wouldn't but I knew deep down it would. Annie had been chosen to take part in a concert; trouble was the concert had been held in San Diego about two hours away from here. The concert had been held last night at a seven o clock start and ran through until about half ten. I was apprehensive about going at first but Annie wore me down.

She slammed through the door and ran excitedly into the kitchen waving the letter in her hand.

"Dad! You'll never guess what." She squealed.

"What?"

Annie flung the letter into my hands and I began to read it.

Dear Miss Annabelle Dawson,

It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been chosen to perform in the Royal Music Association. The event will be held on Tuesday July 6th at The Starlight Theatre in San Diego. The concert will have a seven o clock start and will finish at half ten.

More information will be given on your arrival at the theatre. We ask of you be present at six o clock so arrangements can be made for the order of performances and sound check for your piece of music.

We hope that you are able to attend, and will very much look forward to hearing you on the night.

Yours Sincerely

Mrs Elizabeth Roads

(Founder of the RMA)

I slowly lowered the letter from my face. Annie was standing right in front of me grinning like Cheshire cat waiting eagerly for my response.

"Princess you do know this concert is in San Diego?"

"Yes," Annie replied obviously having no problem with this at all.

I sighed and leant against the counter running my finger over my forehead.

"Babe that's two hours away from here,"

Annie paused for a moment and I could already see the disappointment beginning to cloud over in her blue eyes. "And?" She finally asked.

"That's a heck of a journey it's a school night too. We won't be back until late I don't think this is a good idea," I replied fairly.

"Oh please Dad, please let me do this. Don't rob me of this opportunity my life depends on it," Annie pleaded.

I raised my eyebrow up at her slightly. The drama lessons were certainly paying off.

I took her hands. "Annie there will be other chances like this. You will get your turn,"

She snatched her hands away from mine. "Daddy there won't be another chance like this! This is my turn, please I know I can do it, I know I can," She said clasping her hands together.

"There is no doubt in my mind that you can't do this but you have other commitments," I tried to explain.

"What about Mom, she would want me to do this,"

I felt a twinge inside me of a raw nerve been hit. Annie mentioned Rose too much for her own purposes. It had been five years but the pain was still there. I just had to look at Annie. She had blossomed from a little girl to a young eleven year old version of Rose.

"Don't play the Mom card on me Annabelle Dawson," I replied sternly. Annie's face dropped she always knows when she has pushed it too far and this was one of those occasions. She bit her lip and watched as I walked off into the other room before following after me apologies at the ready.

"I'm sorry Dad, that was really hurtful and selfish of me I just really want to perform," She said getting quieter at the last sentence.

I sighed and looked at her. Her voice was something special and I suppose it would be mean to snatch this opportunity from her. Annie's right they don't come around like this every day.

"Ok princess," I admitted to defeat.

Annie squealed before throwing her arms round me.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," She repeated over and over again.

"On one condition," I added.

"Anything,"

"You are up and ready for school the next day with no complaints you got it?" I ruled.

Annie nodded madly. "I promise Dad,"

"Annie!" I shouted again.

"I'm coming!" She shouted back.

I checked my wrist watch. We were going to be late both of us. I grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl as I heard Annie thunder down the stairs. I threw it at her as she appeared and she caught it gracefully.

"You can eat it on the way," I said handing her, her school bag.

"Thanks Dad,"

We hurried down the street but slowed as we saw some of Annie's classmates and their parents walking at a moderate speed. Heck maybe we weren't so late after all. Annie ate at the apple in big chunks, gulping it down before tossing the core. I shook my head she was definitely her father's daughter.

"I saw you talking to Miss Young yesterday,"

"Ok,"

"What did she want?" Annie asked.

"She just wanted to ask how things were and how school was going and if you still sung,"

Annie snorted. It was true that once she had liked Rebecca, a lot. However when she had resigned suddenly without much notice to be left replaced by someone strict and boring. Someone who had taken an instant dislike to Annie because of her spirit, Annie was quick to point the finger of blame at Rebecca. We still bumped into her every known and again. Annie would walk off though or not interact with her. I didn't blame Rebecca at all; she wasn't right for teaching it was her father who had pushed her into it. She much preferred drama and music, so she decided to combine both teaching and drama by offering drama and music lessons to young aspiring children down at the old theatre.

"There's no need to hold a grudge forever Annie. It was Miss Young who got you into singing remember,"

Annie contemplated this suggestion for a minute before shaking her head. "If she was that interested in me she would have seen it through, not just abandoned it,"

I guess there was no convincing her, she was headstrong like her mother. As we entered the school yard, Annie immediately kissed me goodbye and ran off to tell her friends all about last night. I sighed and checked my watch I had to go open the museum up at ten. See I had managed to build myself up into a more responsible person. I had become manager and pretty much ran the place. I was in the line up to become the owner as the boss was resigning. If I became boss my salary would increase even more and that meant I would be able to give Annie more singing lessons, more music lessons, more drama lessons, even more art lessons if she wanted. I didn't want her to suffer like I did or be held back, I wanted her to build herself up and be happy.

I was too busy day dreaming that I wasn't looking where I was going and bumped straight into someone holding lots of files. The files fell to the floor throwing paper everywhere. I immediately leapt to the floor to scatter the papers together, the person followed me.

"I am so sorry," I looked up "Rebecca,"

Rebecca laughed at me. "We have to stop bumping into each other. Literally in this case,"

"Yeah," I said standing up and handing her the papers.

"How was Annie's performance yesterday?" She asked.

"It was great, she was brilliant,"

"She's very talented," Rebecca complimented.

"I don't suppose you have time to get a coffee or something?" I asked.

"Sure why not,"

I smiled as we set off down the road. I knew Annie would be fuming at this idea, she really disliked her but I suppose she would have to lump it. Just because she had stopped teaching Annie doesn't mean we don't have to be friends. Does it?

Hope you liked it a shorter chapter this time. Remember to review or I will cry in a corner =(

Leah xx