All About the Hype (33 page)

A powerful thrum of nerves pulses through me as I step up to the microphone, trying not to be fazed by the enormous camera pointed at my bandmates and me. My dad is standing front and centre of
all the extras on the dance floor, looking up at the stage. From what I overheard being discussed, he’s playing himself, here to watch his daughter –
that’s me, folks
– and her band. Lottie, to his left, is going to spot him and have a fangirl moment, and later, she and her friends will ask for his autograph.
Oh God, this is going to be so
brilliant!

Little Miss Mulholland
has had celebrity cameos before, but I don’t recall any at the level of Johnny’s fame. A sudden surge of exhilaration replaces my nerves – when
it airs, this episode will be a really big deal.

The press attention surrounding me went completely crazy after I sang with my dad at Wembley – he called me back onstage over the next two nights, too, and at all of the weekend gigs I was
able to attend: Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin, to name but a few.

But that press was about Johnny and me, not All Hype. This exposure is going to send us rocketing into the stratosphere…

I flash Jack a sideways grin, excitement bubbling through me.

He blows me a cool, sweet kiss and my heart melts.

‘Let’s go!’ Kevin shouts. ‘Take one and cue the music! One, two, three, and…’

Miles syncs in with the opening drum beats of ‘Blue Tuesday’ and suddenly it’s happening, we’re doing this. It’s
as easy as breathing
, I remind myself.
As easy as breathing
…

The song is over before I know it, but our work has only just begun. We’re going to have to film more takes and capture different camera angles. Johnny grins up at me as the crew get the
next shot ready.

‘
OK?
’ I mouth.

‘
Brilliant
,’ he mouths back, his eyes shining with pride.

Not only do I have a dad now, but I’m making him proud…

The thought makes me feel suddenly emotional. I really need to get my act together before I incur the make-up artist’s wrath again. Mascara running down my cheeks would so not be a good
look…

I can’t believe it’s only been just over a year since I first set foot in LA, beginning my journey from ordinary girl to rock star’s daughter. I still think of my mum every day
and I know I’ll miss her for the rest of my life, but I like to think of her up in heaven, smiling down at me with a big, cheesy grin on her face. I hope I’ve made her proud, too.

No, I
know
I have.
I love you, Mum…

I blink back tears and take a deep, shaky breath. It’s almost time for our next take.

I feel like I’ve come full circle, but now I’m back in the glittering City of Angels, and this time, I’m hoping – just hoping – that I’m here to stay.

But anything could happen.

And I’m starting to realise that that’s just the way I like it.

‘Take two!’

Thank you, above all, to my readers. I love hearing from everyone who messages me on twitter @PaigeToonAuthor and Facebook.com/PaigeToonAuthor, so please say hi if you
haven’t already! This may be the third and final book in the Jessie Jefferson series, but I’m sure you will hear from Jessie and co again, so please sign up (for free!) to my book club,
The Hidden Paige
, at www.paigetoon.com to receive my emails, which sometimes include mini sequels about your favourite characters…

Thank you to the whole team at Simon & Schuster – my brilliant publisher for a whopping ten years now – but in particular, thanks to my lovely editor, Rachel Mann; my editor on
the adult team, Suzanne Baboneau; my young adult agent, Veronique Baxter, and everyone else at David Higham – it is such a pleasure to work with you all and I’m truly grateful for
everything that you do.

Thank you to the following people, who helped me suss out the ways in which America does things differently, not least with their school system: Kendall Reid, Kimberly Floyd, Susan Rains, Jen
Hayes and Michelle McGill. Thank you also to my old English teacher, Chris England, for his help with the British side of school life.

Huge thanks to all of my friends who so sweetly continue to let me natter on about my characters and book ideas, especially my fellow author, Ali Harris, whose suggestions and advice without a
doubt made this book better.

Finally, thank you to my family: my parents, Jen and Vern Schuppan; my husband, Greg, who helps me in so many ways, and my gorgeous little children, Indy and Idha. I love you all very, very much
indeed.