Performance Anxiety

Performance Anxiety
Betsy Burke

Miranda Lyme, mezzo-soprano, is in love with the infamous–and, okay, technically married–conductor-composer Kurt Hancock. So what if he lives in London, and she…doesn't. Their secret rendezvous are more than enough–for now. Besides, Miranda's life is full and frenetic: four part-time jobs, plus singing in the opera chorus, voice lessons with Madame Klein and looking for her long-lost father. Who's got time for a full-time beau?Miranda craves the good life and is certain that's what she'll have once Kurt officially ends his marriage and she rises to stardom. But there are glitches. Like the fact that Kurt is still technically faithful to his wife and he insists that Miranda keep their relationship a secret. He promises it won't be like this forever. Yeah, sure…. The truth, when it finally arrives, is so shocking that it causes Miranda to lose her voice.But the show must go on. Will it be a night to remember–or one to utterly forget?

Critical Praise For Lucy’s Launderette By

Betsy Burke

“Burke’s debut is frothy fun and definitely worth a spin.”

—Booklist

“Pick up a copy of Lucy’s Launderette and give yourself time to enjoy it…you can’t help but fall in love with Lucy.”

—Writers Unlimited

“Burke’s story charms with a shower of witty and wry introspection. A tour de-light!”

—BookPage

BETSY BURKE

was born in London, England, and grew up on the west coast of Canada. She has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Victoria. Among the many jobs on her résumé, she includes opera singer, dishwasher, guitar teacher, nurses’ assistant, charwoman, mural painter, salesclerk, puppeteer, English teacher and most recently, freelance translator. She currently lives in Italy. Her interests include art, music, books, rejection-slip origami, turning the planet into a garden rather than a toxic waste dump and trying to convince her four-year-old daughter that chocolate is not a breakfast food. She is also the author of a murder mystery set in Florence.

Performance Anxiety

Betsy Burke

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

For Sara and Salva and music-makers everywhere.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Yule Heibel, Jean Grundy Fanelli, Katie, David and Susan Burke, my extended Canadian family, Helen Holubov and a very special thanks to Elizabeth Jennings and Kathryn Lye.

Contents

Vancouver

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

London

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Vancouver again.

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28