Chapter Six
“Y ou’re not what?” Tilly asked, confused.
“Not a police officer,” Sophie said.
“Well, I know that. I mean, I should know that. I’d have seen you at the police station if you were a police officer, wouldn’t I?”
“I suppose,” Sophie said. “I’m an accountant, by the way.”
Tilly was watching the way Sophie’s mouth moved, was looking at the soft curves of her eyebrows, was practically drinking the woman in. “Oh?” was all she could manage to say.
“Not very sexy, I know.”
Tilly swallowed. “Oh, I don’t know,” she said. “That show Industry makes it look quite sexy.”
“They’re traders and, uh, financial advisors and stuff,” Sophie said, her hands still on the book, still touching Tilly’s.
Tilly looked down again to where their fingers met and suddenly saw the cover of the book she was touching. “Oh,” she said again. “Oh.” She pulled her hand back and looked up. Sophie was smiling and Tilly’s heart started to beat funny.
“I know, I know. But don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” Sophie said. “They’re really very good. In fact, if you want, I can pass it along when I’ve finished reading it. There’s a lot of sex in it, but it’s quite well done.”
Before Tilly could answer, she was rescued by Billy clapping her hands. “Alright people,” she said. “I want you all around the piano. Come on, no need to be shy.”
Tilly found that she was sticking close to Sophie, like she didn’t want to be pried away. They joined the group around the piano.
“Quick chorus of This Little Light of Mine,” Billy said bossily. “You all know the words, I’m sure. Let’s really belt it out. Come on.” She hit the piano keys, and they were off.
The song was so familiar that Tilly didn’t have to think about the words or the tune. Instead, she could focus on the creature standing next to her. Now that they were upright, she could see that Sophie was exactly her height. She could also smell something, a sort of perfume mixed with car oil. It wasn’t an unpleasant smell.
In fact, now that Tilly thought about it, she didn’t think there was anything unpleasant about Sophie. She was smiley and nice and… And why had this never happened before?
Okay, so she might not exactly read the sort of books that Sophie was obviously into, but Tilly had read some books. And she’d seen films, watched TV, had a few unfortunate fumblings in the dark until she figured out what she wanted, and had henceforth not dated a single person seriously.
Well, she had a job to do and training to finish and a hundred other excuses that stopped her revealing too much of herself or making herself in any way vulnerable.
All of that came together to mean that she knew exactly what was happening here. And the thought of it made her smile a little as she sang, made her heart lighten, made the shabby little village hall seem larger and brighter and shinier.
And when she caught Sophie’s eye and Sophie smiled at her, Tilly felt a swelling, bursting feeling inside that could only mean one thing. She liked Sophie. As in liked liked. Like, really liked. Which just made her smile more.
“Alright, not too bad,” Billy said, bringing the song to an end. “But I think we’re capable of a bit more than that, don’t you? Let’s have a go at Onward Christian Soldiers. Nice and loud, not shouting, but as loud as you can, really give it some oomph.” She crashed a chord on the piano and they were off again.
Halfway through the first verse, Tilly noticed something strange. She frowned and leaned in toward Sophie, listening intently.
“You’re not singing,” she accused as they reached the chorus.
“I can’t,” hissed Sophie.
“Ridiculous, of course you can.”
“How would you know?” Sophie asked, turning those dark eyes on Tilly and making Tilly’s tummy feel funny.
“Everyone can sing. And if you can’t or don’t want to, then why are you here?”
“Long story,” muttered Sophie.
“Just sing, give it a go,” Tilly pushed.
Sophie rolled her eyes, but as the second verse began she opened her mouth a little wider and then she was singing and Tilly felt like she’d achieved something, but she wasn’t sure what.
“Not bad,” said Billy as the second song came to an end. She sniffed and stood back so she could survey the group. “Right, if we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it properly. I need four groups, sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. Separate up.”
Nobody moved. Billy clicked her tongue impatiently and Tilly tried not to giggle. It was pretty obvious that not a single person in the room knew what they were doing.
Finally, Billy took pity on them. “Alright, I’m going to play two notes on the piano. If they’re easy enough for you to sing without straining, then come and stand on my right.” She did as she’d said and Tilly sang both notes easily enough. “Come on then,” Billy said. “You’re my sopranos. Altos next. Sing these two notes. If they’re easy for you, come stand in a separate group next to the sopranos.”
And Tilly found herself leaving Sophie’s side for the first time. Sophie, it turned out, was an alto. Tilly cursed her vocal chords. This wouldn’t be it though, couldn’t be it, because she’d felt something happening. She was absolutely sure that Sophie had felt it, too.
As Sophie and her group came to stand on the other side of the piano, Tilly looked over and Sophie was watching her. Tilly felt her cheeks get hot, and Sophie grinned and looked away before glancing back.
Yes, definitely something. Tilly wanted to laugh but didn’t. This was like being a teenager with a crush, and she was loving it.
Billy started putting them through their paces, handing out sheet music and guiding them through the first two lines of a song. And Tilly had to admit that they weren’t bad. Not a professional choir, but decent enough for a group of amateurs.
It probably helped that Billy obviously was a professional. She ran them through their paces until Tilly’s back was aching with standing and her throat was starting to feel sore. Only then did Billy stand back and nod.
“You’re all alright,” she said. “Not bad at all for a first rehearsal.” She nodded and surveyed them all. “Which is just as well, because we’ll be having a winter concert in just a few weeks.”
There was a mumbling at that.
“Well, there’s no point in singing if no one’s going to hear you, is there?” Billy said. “Next time we’re going to work on the rest of this song, start another, and we’re going to find a few soloists for the concert, so keep that in mind. Alright, off you go.”
Tilly practically pushed her way through the chattering choristers until she was at Sophie’s side. Then she found that she was lost for words. She cleared her throat.
“I did sing,” Sophie said. “I swear I did. There’s no need to arrest me.”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” said Tilly. Why had she been worried? For some reason as soon as they started talking, it was like they’d known each other all their lives, weirdly comfortable. “Are you coming back next week?”
“Next week?” asked Sophie. “Oh, no.”
Tilly’s heart dropped. “You’re not?” She’d have to make a move now, have to ask her out or something, and she really wasn’t ready for that at all.
Sophie laughed and her eyes crinkled up in the corner. “The choir is twice a week,” she said. “Billy’s a real slave driver. Mind you, if she wants a winter concert, then she’ll have to be.” She tilted her head to one side. “I mean, yes, technically, I suppose I’ll be here next week. But I’ll also be here on Friday, which is our next rehearsal.”
Tilly’s breath returned in one big gulp, which then threatened to choke her. She gasped and coughed.
“Are you alright?” Sophie asked.
Tilly nodded, eyes streaming.
Sophie tutted and slapped her on the back until Tilly could get her breath back. “Happens to me all the time,” she said, to Tilly’s apologies. She looked over her shoulder. “I’m coming,” she said to a blonde woman who was hovering near the doors. “Got to go,” she said to Tilly.
“Right,” Tilly said. “Um, bye then.”
“Bye.” She turned to leave.
“Don’t forget the book,” Tilly called after her. She cringed inside.
But Sophie just laughed. “I’ll bring it next rehearsal if I’m done with it, but no promises.”
And then she was gone and Tilly could breathe normally again.
“She’s alright, that Sophie, isn’t she?” Sylv from the shop was wrapping a scarf around her neck. “Pretty girl.”
“Mmm,” Tilly said, still watching the door that Sophie had left through.
“Just watch out for that family of hers,” Sylv said, pulling her handbag over her shoulder.
“What do you mean?” Tilly asked, but Sylv was already leaving.
Tilly put her own jacket on and went out into the night. She smiled all the way home.
Mila had made her promise to come in through the front door so that she could know that she was home safe, which seemed like a sensible precaution to Tilly, so she did as she was told.
“Have fun?” Mila asked from the kitchen as Tilly got in.
“Yes,” Tilly said. Then she grinned. “Yes, it was really fun, actually.”
Mila raised an eyebrow as Tilly got closer. Papers were scattered over the table, but as Tilly came nearer, Mila scooped them all up and tidied them away. Not so fast that Tilly couldn’t see they were financial papers, bank statements, that sort of thing. “Want a hot chocolate before bed?” asked Mila.
Tilly hesitated, then shook her head. “No, thanks,” she said, backing back out of the kitchen. “It’s been a long day. Think I might just… head up.”
Another eyebrow lift, a small smile. “No news to report from choir?” asked Mila. “No… muggings or blackmail or… or attractive people?”
For an instant, Tilly considered telling her, but then she shook her head. They didn’t know each other that well and the last thing she needed was gossip in a small town. “No, no, nothing like that.”
“Right,” Mila said as though she didn’t believe her in the slightest. “Night then.”
“Night,” said Tilly.
And she went up to bed, clutching the memory of the touch of Sophie’s fingers to herself like a soft cushion.