Page 48 of The Best Christmas Choir Ever

“Not with that attitude.” Warren leaned across the desk, trying to spy into Julian’s notebook.

He flipped it closed. “Plus I don’t think this is the kind of thing that requires media training.”

A cheeky smile stretched across Warren’s face. “Why don’t you hold that thought until you see what Harriet is wearing this morning?”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“I’ve been sworn to secrecy.” Warren reached for the notebook.

Julian tugged it out of reach.

Warren rolled his eyes. “Come on. It’s not like I’m gonna say anything.”

“You absolutely will,” Julian said. “You’ll go shouting it through the halls. But there’s nothing to get excited about yet. I’m only halfway through the votes.”

Warren narrowed his eyes. “Just know that if the admin team wins again, Harriet and I are prepared to launch an internal investigation.” He plopped down on the edge of Julian’s desk. “But this is super cool, huh? Having the news out.”

“I didn’t think it’d be this quickly. I only connected with them at the end of last week, but they were super eager to get the segment filmed.”

“Well, they probably want the segment to air before the choir competition. Still can’t believe you managed to wrangle this. Glendale never gets cool opportunities to be in the spotlight.”

“It’s mostly thanks to Charlie. I’d be way out of my depth if it wasn’t for her. But cross your fingers that this little news spotlight pushes our application to the front of the pack as far as the Arts Council is concerned.”

“Still haven’t heard back?”

Julian shook his head. The competition was less than two weeks away. He’d managed to get their application in before the deadline, but they’d have to hear back soon, right?

“No news is good news,” Warren said. “Don’t stress until there’s something to stress about. Or else you’re stressing twice.” He clapped Julian on the shoulder. “I’m gonna go make my medication pass and then I’ll try to swing by the music room. I want to see the choir in action with the news crew.”

Julian nodded. “You just want to see if everyone behaves themselves.”

Warren threw his head back and laughed. “You’ve got that Maggie, Harriet, Doris trifecta now. So the possibilities are endless.”

Julian sighed. “I want to say how much damage could a couple of old ladies do? But I’m afraid I know better.”

“Exactly. Let’s not forget who suggested having those nude model art classes,” Warren reminded him.

Julian dropped his head in his hands. “God, I forgot about that.”

“Hey, at least it’s not live TV. They can always edit stuff out.”

“Now that is the real Christmas miracle.”

As Warren set off with his medication cart, Julian hurried down the three flights of stairs to the main floor. He swung by the music room quickly, catching Charlie’s eye at the front of the room. “You’ve probably got about fifteen minutes. They’re just unloading their equipment now.”

An excited murmur whisked through the room.

“We’ll be ready,” Charlie assured him. “Just waiting on a few stragglers. If you see Frank in the hall, send him my way.”

“He’s not here yet?”

Charlie shook her head.

Odd, Julian thought. He figured Frank would have been one of the first people here, if only to clock the setup. He adored anything remotely techy and a camera crew would be right up his alley. “If I see him, I’ll send him over,” Julian promised, knowing he’d already lingered too long. He set off down the hall to meet the Channel 7 News team.

He spotted them in the lobby, surrounded by half a dozen black trunks which he presumed held a selection of lighting and camera equipment.

A man was leaning against the counter, chatting with Erin.