Chapter 11 #3
‘We’ve decided,’ Lawrie said, ‘that Aubrey will sing the first verse, Harmony will sing the second, and Danny will sing the third. The three girls, Millie, Florence and Immi will join in with each of you on the fifth line of each verse. We think their voices will sound really sweet together and alongside the three soloists, and also it means Brodie will hear Immi’s voice and know whereabouts in the song you are. Does that sound fair to you all?’
‘Rather hard cheese if it doesn’t,’ Silas said, a gleam in his eye. ‘That’s our decision so take it or leave it.’
‘You’re all heart,’ Isaac grumbled.
‘Do you object?’ Silas demanded.
Isaac and Peter looked at each other, then shook their heads.
Walter sighed. ‘I will accept,’ he said generously, ‘that I am a better poet than minstrel.’
‘Oh, Aubrey my darling, I’m so proud of you,’ Agnes said, her hand resting lightly on the place where her heart should be beating. ‘I always said you had the most divine singing voice.’
‘Excellent,’ said Lawrie, as Millie, Immi and Florrie jumped up and down in excitement. ‘Then it’s settled.’
‘Great,’ said Lucy. ‘Now, Sam’s agreed to play the guitar, and Lawrie’s just agreed to play the violin parts for us—’
‘Though I am a little rusty,’ Lawrie said hastily. ‘Please don’t expect miracles.’
‘Now we just need a pianist.’
‘I know,’ Immi said at once, ‘the vicar! I mean, the other vicar. Amelia.’
‘Absolutely not!’ Silas said furiously. ‘She is to have no part in this. Bad enough that she’s taken my job, my church and my home. I refuse to let her take this from me, too.’
‘But Reverend Alexander—’ Immi began.
Silas held up his hand. ‘This is not up for discussion! I said no. I meant no.’
‘Well, who else do we know who plays the piano?’ Lucy asked after Lawrie relayed the conversation to her.
There was no answer. Silas looked furious but Lawrie was quite firm.
‘I’m sorry but I’m afraid I shall have to ask Amelia whether you like it or not. We need a pianist.’
‘But—’
‘Amelia can’t see or hear you or the other ghosts, Silas. It’s not as if she can interfere with your work in any way, shape or form. All she’ll be doing is playing the piano for us, nothing more. You, on the other hand, are our choirmaster. There’s no more important task.’
Silas grunted. ‘I suppose you’re right.’
‘Excellent. Now,’ Lawrie said cheerfully, addressing the entire gathering, ‘I suggest we call it a day for now and you all head off to rehearse in your own homes – although in the case of Aubrey and Immi you will have to be extremely careful that Brodie and Callie aren’t in the vicinity. Class dismissed.’
‘Er, are you forgetting that I’m the one in charge?’ Silas called as everyone turned to leave. ‘I say when the class is over, no one else.’
Lawrie nodded. ‘I apologise, Silas. Of course you’re quite right. Ignore that, everyone. As you were.’
Silas cleared his throat. ‘Yes, well, I think that’s enough for today. Class dismissed.’
They all filed out of the cinema, chatting excitedly.
Isaac, Walter and Peter commiserated with each other, while Millie, Florrie and Immi annoyingly sang their part as they headed out onto the street, earning a reproval from Percy who warned them that Callie and Brodie could be just around the corner for all they knew.
‘Well, that was larks, wasn’t it?’ Polly said cheerfully. ‘Anyone fancy coming back to my place for a bit of a natter? Seems a shame to go home on our own when it’s not even teatime yet.’
Harmony shook her head. ‘Maybe another time, Polly. But thanks.’ She headed off to Appleseed Cottage which she shared with Quintus Severus and a living elderly lady called Mrs Smithson. Polly watched her thoughtfully.
‘I suppose I’ll have to be patient with her. She’s coming on in leaps and bounds, so fair’s fair. I won’t push it. What about the rest of you?’
‘If you don’t mind, Poll, I’m going back to the inn with Isaac and Peter,’ Ray said. ‘I’ll be home later.’
‘Can I come, Polly?’ Millie asked, as Florrie and Immi headed back to Harling Hall.
‘Of course you can, love.’
‘Danny?’ Brooke asked hopefully.
‘No thanks. I’m going home,’ Danny said. ‘I’m all peopled out for today.’
Brooke nodded, seeming to understand. ‘Okay. Do you mind if I go back with Polly then?’
Danny gave her a look of surprise. ‘Of course not. Why would I?’
‘No. Right. Well in that case, I guess that’s three of us then, eh, Polly?’
‘Great.’ Polly linked her arms through Brooke’s and Millie’s. ‘Let’s have a girly evening, shall we?’
Danny watched as they nipped across the road to Mrs Herron’s Teashop, where Polly lived with her brother Ray in the upstairs flat.
He sighed and turned right, heading for home.
It was weird, he thought, how his mood could fluctuate so wildly.
Not that long ago he’d been feeling strangely happy when his voice had drawn praise from so many people, and especially from Brooke.
The look in her eyes – she’d had real pride as if it actually mattered to her that his talent had been recognised.
He tried to remember a similar look in Kirsty’s eyes but couldn’t. It had been so long ago, he thought in a sudden panic. Eighteen years. Was he starting to forget her? Could he even picture her face clearly?
He frowned as he walked, deep in thought.
Kirsty. Blue eyes. Blonde hair. A pretty face with a sprinkling of freckles on her nose and a slight dimple in her chin.
So young and beautiful. So full of life.
Did she ever think of him, he wondered. Did she remember him after all this time?
Could she close her eyes and picture his smile, his eyes, the curve of his lips, the softness of his skin under her fingers?
‘Kirsty,’ he murmured sadly, as if by saying her name out loud he could bring her to him.
He sighed and mentally shook his head. What was the use? He was never going to see Kirsty again and maybe it was time he accepted that. He just wished he knew how.
There was a man walking towards him, gazing at a leaflet in his hand. Something familiar about him made Danny stop and stare. A tall man with dark hair that was going grey. A walk that reminded Danny of someone. A tourist he supposed. And yet…
The man looked up and gave Danny a strange look.
If Danny hadn’t known better, he’d have sworn the man was trying to hide a smirk at his ridiculous costume, but that wasn’t possible, was it?
He stepped aside, expecting the stranger to walk straight past him.
But he didn’t. He stopped and the look on his face was so full of terror that Danny looked round to see what was behind him that had frightened him so much.
When he realised it was him that the man was looking at, he felt a shiver run down his spine.
It couldn’t be. Could it?
He stepped forward and the man stepped back, throwing up his hands as if to ward him off.
‘Rory?’
‘Bloody hell!’ Rory looked around frantically. ‘What the—’
‘It’s me,’ Danny said, taking another step forward.
Rory shook his head. ‘Leave me alone! I know you’re not real. This is my imagination running riot. I knew I shouldn’t have come here. It’s punishment, that’s what it is. Go away!’
Danny’s face crumpled with pain. ‘Please, don’t say that. After all this time…’
Rory hesitantly took a step towards him, peering closely at him. There was real fear in his eyes, and he swallowed hard. ‘Danny?’
Danny nodded tearfully.
‘It is you! But – but you’re dead!’
‘I know,’ Danny said quietly. ‘Believe me, I know. But round here it’s never that simple. Oh, Rory, please don’t look so scared. I’ve missed you so much. You’ve no idea how good it is to see my big brother after all this time.’