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with a pen. A rush of people grazed past Meg and headed up to the main hall. She caught a glimpse of Nève’s glossy blonde hair halfway up the stairs.
    â€œNève!” she shouted above the din of stomping feet. But her shout was swallowed by the confusion and noise. The group disappeared through the door leading backstage at the top of the stairs. Chairs scraped overhead as people took their seats in the main hall as the concert began.
    Meg turned and leaned heavily against the staircase railing. Nève couldn’t move to Alberta! When would she ever see her again?
    â€œJuniors line up, you’re next.” Gertie checked off names from her clipboard. “Meg Gallant, Nève Gallant, Stacey Landry, Mireille LeBlanc…”
    Great, Meg thought. She was singing first, then Nève. There was no way she’d get to talk to her friend until Nève finished her song.
    â€œOkay, Meg, you’re up first.” Gertie pointed her pen to Meg and motioned to the stairs that led backstage.
    Meg trudged up the steps. She flattened her hair with the palms of her hands, waiting for the opening act to wrap up. How could she even do this after learning about Nève moving? Did she even remember the words? How was she ever going to get through this performance after what had just happened?
    The next few minutes were a blur. Uncle Vince’s band wrapped up the opening act as the performers took their bows. Meg tried to catch Nève’s eye, but the group exited the stage from the opposite side. Stagehands hustled props on and off the stage around Meg, adding to the confusion.
    The announcer spoke.
    â€œWow! Wasn’t that something? I can’t think of a better way to kick off Picasse Bay’s first ever Acadian Star competition.” A round of applause sounded from the audience. “We’ll now begin with our junior competitors. The judges will make their comments after each performer and the finalists will be announced before the grand finale.
    â€œAnd now, without further ado, our first junior competitor—Meg Gallant!”
    Another round of applause rose from the audience. Hands urged Meg onstage from behind. She barely had time to think before she found herself alone at centre stage. The bright spotlight seared white pricks of light across her vision. A sea of faces wavered in front of her.
    â€œAnd what will you be singing for us tonight?” a voice asked.
    Meg zoned in on the three people sitting just below the stage. They sat poised on an elevated platform behind a long table covered with a white cloth. Three small Acadian flags graced their spots, next to stacks of papers and pens.
    The judges!
    Meg froze. Thoughts of Nève moving away swirled with the lyrics jumbling in her mind. A cold sweat stuck the polyester of her costume to her skin. What had she decided to sing, anyway?
    â€œI…uh…”
    Meg’s mind went blank.

Chapter 5

    M EG GLANCED OVER AT THE BAND and caught Uncle Vince’s eye. He winked at her and raised the bow to his fiddle. The music kicked in to save her. Meg opened her mouth and went into autopilot.
    â€œ Oh, oh … I’m between a rock and a hard place …”
    This was so different from practising with Nève in her room, using hairbrushes as microphones. Meg fumbled to get the mike to the right height while she sang. It screeched with feedback in protest. Uncle Vince smiled in encouragement as he played, urging Meg to regain her focus.
    Meg carried on. The judges nodded to the beat.
    â€œ And there isn’t anywhere I’d rather be …”
    A little wobbly on that part. Maybe the judges wouldn’t notice.
    â€œ But I’m thinking by the look I see on your face … that it isn’t quite the same for you and me …”
    Meg worked through the song verse by verse. The spirit of the music propelled her forward. More words, flashing stage lights. She breathed in deeply for the big