Ellie travelled back to the contest with Sam and Brett feeling much more resilient. Knowing that her family and friends back home would be watching and willing her on gave her the confidence she so desperately needed.
The next couple of weeks were so much better, acts were voted off gradually leaving the solo artists and only two groups remaining as the final loomed nearer.
Ellie had insisted that she wanted to share a twin room with Sam. Preferring to be with her best friend rather than knocking around a big plush suite by herself. Brett, naturally moved to the room next door to keep an eye on them.
The girls finished getting Ellie ready and waited in their room for the ride to the live venue.
Sam eyed her thoughtfully…”What’s up? “
In the weeks since the visit home Ellie seemed so calm before each show, that evening she looked a bit distracted ..
“Ah you know, Rock theme tonight…I want to do it well for Dad you know” Ellie replied…that was part of it…she was thinking about Brett again. As the weeks had gone by he seemed to be less talkative, less friendly and more business like, maybe he didn’t like her…not that she expected him to ‘LIKE’ her….but…well she hoped they could be friends at least. She often now found herself pondering on what she might have done wrong.
“Thinking about someone else too eh?” Sam smirked. Not much escaped her.
Ellie sighed and sat up on the bed…”There’s not much point is there? He’s PAID to hang out with me…”
“Not paid to give you longing looks though is he?“ Sam replied winking.
“Pfft, he doesn’t …stop winding me up”
Sam grinned and gave one of her knowing looks…
”Hmm well we’ll see…anyway chick we have to get a move on…you ready to go?”
“As I’ll ever be..” Ellie sucked in a deep breath and followed Sam to the door…. Right on schedule, there was a polite rap on the wood and Brett’s voice announcing it was time to go…
.
“Let’s do this thang” quipped Sam, as she always did.
Just as they were leaving the room, Sam’s mobile rang, She motioned for Ellie to go on with Brett…”Don’t worry I’ll taxi it, you go or you’ll be late! Good Luck Babe!”
“Hiya Sis” Sam answered her phone, as usual it was Molly, checking if everything was OK…
Her elder sister sounded upset and anxious ..Well Molly was usually a bit anxious all the time anyway.
“Has Ellie seen the paper today?” Molly asked
“No been too busy, why?.......replied Sam…”Are you all right Molls?”
Sam listened as Molly explained ….Jessica Ebadi, Ellie’s estranged mother, had given interviews in the press, apparently spilling details about Ellie having a wild child past…with claims of underage sex, drugs and run-ins with the law……
“Are you kidding me???” gasped Sam in shock, “Ellie’s no way done any of that….I mean…anyone who knows her will realise that’s a load of rubbish!!!”
Sam said goodbye quickly and rushed out to find a taxi…she wanted to fore-warn her friend before anyone else had the chance to tell her.
As usual in the Blue Room before the show, the solo artists waited for their turn to perform…it was always tense and made more frustrating by Cindy Anne piping up about the latest celebrity studded party she’d been to..or which movie star had told her she was their favourite and “sure to win it”
She was certainly confident…but as the weeks had gone by, her arrogance had begun to grate on everyone.
Pete was trying not to launch into a tirade at her as they endured her inexhaustible name dropping.
Louis and Denise were chatting about the theme of the evening… “I’m just saying Rock isn’t my speciality you know…Kinda worried about my song choice” Admitted Louis , showing real nerves for the first time in the whole contest.
