Thank you for the reviews everyone =) and thank you asdfjkl for pointing out the grammatical error in my title, that has now been fixed. Grammar never was my strong point I'm afraid. Anyway here is chapter 5. Hope you enjoy it remember to review!

We both sat in a little cafe not far from the pier. I was interested to know what had been happening with Rebecca Young recently we hadn't spoken in a while. Our coffees arrived and we were in deep conversation.

"So Rebecca how's the acting school going?" I asked her.

"Oh it's going great yes, it was tricky at first I hold different classes but the youngsters can be the worst at times. They just have lack of focus and concentration, but when they are in the role boy are they in the role." Rebecca replied stirring her coffee.

"I'm surprised Annie wasn't interested in acting,"

I shrugged; I didn't want to tell her the truth. I had asked Annie if she wanted to take part in Rebecca's acting class, but she had only blown a raspberry and said she wanted nothing else to do with her. I thought this was quite harsh but I had to respect her wishes. After all I wasn't going to force her into something she didn't want to do.

"Well acting's never really interested Annie, she would much rather focus on her music," I lied taking a sip of my coffee.

"Oh that's what I meant to tell you. I'm opening up private music lessons to people Annie's age. She probably doesn't need it but if she wants singing lessons I could give you a discount," Rebecca told me.

"That's very kind, but I don't think that would have much interest on Annie," I told her truthfully this time.

"How come?"

"Well-uh the thing is, Annie already gets singing lessons by Mrs Pearson," I explained.

"Goodness! As in Mrs Pearson the old broad way singer?" She asked in shock.

I nodded. We had bumped into Mrs Pearson about six months ago. She saw talent in Annie and even though people had tried unsuccessfully for years to be taught by Mrs Pearson she was eager to give Annie singing lessons.

The pier was crowded with people that day. The annual January Festival was been held to celebrate the coming New Year. There was a talent competition been held and Annie desperately wanted to be a part of it. She spent weeks practicing her piece and there was no doubt in her mind that she couldn't win.

There had been rumours flocking around for weeks that very important people would be attending the festival that year. One of them being Mrs Pearson who had just moved to Santa Monica to get away from all the glitz and glam so she could enjoy her retired life. I was aware of people been involved with Mrs Pearson's music who went on to lead successful music careers. Word had got out to Annie and she wanted nothing more to be part of that.

Although many of Annie's friends were busy enjoying the stalls and carnival she refused to go and join them. Instead she resorted to staying with me all night and turning her head looking round for the famous Mrs Pearson.

"Annie, Emma and Trudy are over by the candyfloss store." I began pulling some quarters out of my pocket. "Why don't you go and join them," I said handing her the money so she could go spend some time with her friends.

"I can't enjoy myself Dad the talent completion starts soon, god!" Annie snapped. This was not the behaviour I expected from my ten year old child. Her behaviour was definitely one of a diva. I sighed and put the money back in my pocket. I didn't tell her off though, I just didn't know how too.

The competition started and I pushed my way to the front so I could see her. I politely clapped and nodded at the other acts but when Annie was introduced onto the stage I went wild.

"Woooo! Go Annie!" I shouted receiving dirty looks from the other parents. I quietened down immediately and focused my attention towards the stage.

She was so professional; I got goose bumps whenever I listened to her. I smiled to myself like a little Cheshire cat.

Look at this Rose, look at our baby. I thought to myself. When she had finished she took a little curtsey and was greeted by cheers and applause. I was so thrilled; she came running over to me first.

"Dad, dad did I do good?" Annie asked excitedly.

"You always do Princess,"

"My, my, that was some performance there you have talent," A voice from behind us said. Annie's mouth dropped open and I turned round to see what had made her so shocked. I was looking at a woman in her late fifties early sixties. She wore fur and had expensive taste. Her face was powdered and she wore bright red lipstick. Her aging hair was tied up in a fancy bun and she wore many jewels. I knew instantly who it was and gathering from Annie's reaction I was right.

"Thank-thank you Mrs-Mrs," Annie stuttered.

"Pearson," She finished for her.

Annie couldn't do anything else but nod.

"You have a strong voice, but your posture and stance is all wrong, your connection is sloppy and you have trouble thriving," She explained.

Annie's smile fell and she began to get upset. Mrs Pearson was like her idol, I was getting madder by the second Annie was only ten she didn't need to hear this.

"Excuse me..." I begun but was ushered into silence as Mrs Pearson continued.

"Nothing a little bit of work with me won't fix. So you up to it?" Mrs Pearson asked.

"As in me singing lessons with you?" Annie stumbled.

"Oh please child you aren't making much sense. Yes singing lessons with me," Mrs Pearson mocked.

"Yes, yes oh yes please!"

"Great come round tomorrow noon at the old theatre in the centre. I will see what I have to work with," and she walked away.

"Oh Dad isn't this great?" Annie asked throwing her arms round me.

"Sure sweetie."

The next day there was an intense meeting as Mrs Pearson went through how her singing lessons worked.

"I don't do whinging, complaining, laziness, lack of focus or answering back. I'm not the easiest person to work with and I'm very strict. I would expect a hundred and ten percent effort every session and a hundred percent attendance. You're ill? Pop a few pills and get down here, you want a break? Forget it. This will be my time and when you work on my time you follow my rules got it?" She asked.

Annie slowly nodded; trying to take in everything she was told. I couldn't help feeling these lessons would be a bit intense for a young child but if Annie was prepared to go that extra mile I wasn't going to be the one to stand in her way.

The first couple of weeks were tough. Annie often came home in tears and was left exhausted. However she was determined to stick with them. She knew this was an opportunity for her that she didn't want to miss.

"She's a very good teacher, but I heard can be very strict," Rebecca noted taking a sip of her coffee.

"Oh god yeah, it's hard work with her. Annie knows any minor thing she has done wrong, Mrs Pearson will pick up on it just like that," I said snapping my finger.

"But then again, she's only trying to make my baby perfect I suppose," I continued.

"A lot of good things happen to people who are chosen to attend music lessons by Mrs Pearson," Rebecca informed.

I nodded. The thing is these last six months I had begun to notice a change in Annie, some very positive. She was more confident, more alert, more focused, her singing had improved even more, and she had become more mature. However there were also negatives she was beginning to act like a bit of a diva and had become cocky. I was worried about these changes but they were minor and weren't enough to make me stop her lessons.

I looked at the watch on the wall and realised I had to get going.

"Oh shoot, I gotta go," I said drinking the last of my coffee and standing up.

"Well it was nice to see you again Jack, I hope we can do this again sometime," She smiled.

I smiled back and nodded. "Most definitely. See you later,"

I exited out the coffee shop and hurried to open up the art museum. There was a queue of workers forming outside the museum, leaning against the wall or sitting on the grass enjoying the weather. They all cheered sarcastically when I appeared.

"Alright you lot, sorry I'm late," I said.

"About bloody time boss," Loretta, my longest and most trust worthy employer said to me.

I shook my head and held the door as they all went in. I had a feeling today was going to be a quiet one; many would probably be going to the beach to enjoy the summer weather. I hoped so me and Annie hadn't been to the beach in a while, I decided I would take her after school. My thoughts flickered to Rebecca; I didn't understand why Annie had taken such a dislike to her she was such a lovely woman and the only one I could really talk to after Rose's passing.

I said goodbye to the lovely weather and exited inside the museum.

Hope you liked it, remember to review or I won't be able to continue the story :P. Until next time

Leah xx