She breathed deeply, wondering if he’d even noticed the touch, or if he was oblivious. She liked to think that it was intentional, but she had such little experience with men that she wasn’t certain what to expect.
The young man playing the violin finished, and everyone clapped politely before turning to face her and Bernard. There were just two other women in the room, and Alexandra looked down as they appeared to study her openly. She could only imagine that female musicians were a rarity in this world.
‘Everyone, this is Alex,’ Bernard said, before leaning down and whispering in her ear. ‘Is it all right for me to call you Alex?’
She nodded, knowing that even her ears would be a deep pink now, her blush was so intense. He took her hand, threading his fingers through hers as everyone in the room smiled back at them, some calling out hello. They certainly seemed friendly, although she imagined they all hugely respected Bernard.
‘Ben, could I borrow your violin for a moment?’
The man who’d been playing previously appeared unruffled and passed the violin to Bernard, who then turned to Alexandra and presented her with it, as if it were a gift.
‘Play for us,’ he said.
Alexandra looked slowly from the violin in his hands back to his face. ‘No,’ she whispered. ‘Oh, no, I couldn’t, not in front of all these people!’
He held it closer to her. ‘Don’t overthink this moment, just take it, close your eyes a second to ground yourself, and then play.’
Alexandra looked at the others gathered, saw that they were talking among themselves and appeared barely interested in what she was doing or what Bernard was saying to her.
She looked up at him, questioning him with her gaze. Bernard didn’t say anything, but he did step forwards and whisper a kiss to her cheek.
‘Play for yourself, Alex. Play as if you’re in your room alone, wishing the world could hear you. Close your eyes if you need to, but just promise me that you open them before you reach the end.’
She eventually nodded and took the violin from him, her hands trembling as she slowly walked to the front of the room, where the previous musician had stood. Everyone had gone quiet now, and as she looked at their unfamiliar faces, her every instinct told her to flee, but she didn’t. She wouldn’t let herself. Instead she did as Bernard had suggested and closed her eyes, keeping them shut as she lifted the bow, the violin positioned on her collarbone as she began to play the first song that came into her mind.
And when she was finished, as everyone clapped for her, she opened her eyes and saw that Bernard was watching her intently, still clapping as he stepped forwards, his face somehow even more alive than it had been earlier. His eyes never left hers.
‘That was brilliant, Alex, absolutely brilliant,’ he said, holding out his hands to clasp her shoulders. ‘How do you feel?’
She laughed. ‘Amazing,’ she said. ‘I actually feel amazing.’
‘Good,’ he said, as he took the violin from her and gave it back to its rightful owner. ‘Now come with me, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.’
After thanking the young man for the loan of the instrument, she leaned into Bernard, loving the way his arm slipped so naturally around her waist, drawing her against him.
‘Alexandra, this is Franz,’ he said, introducing her to a man slightly older than the others. ‘He is the music tutor to some of the best violinists in London, and I very much want you to meet him.’
‘How do you do?’ she said, extending her hand
‘My dear, are you in need of tutelage?’ Franz asked. ‘Or are you already studying under one of my peers?’
Alexandra couldn’t wipe the smile from her face, and when Bernard’s fingers brushed hers this time, she knew it was most certainly not a mistake.
18
PRESENT DAY
Ella stood back and brushed her hands on her shorts. She had paint under her fingernails, on her clothes and probably streaked across her face, but she’d never been so content. She admired her work; it turned out that painting was the same as riding a horse: once you knew how, you never forgot. The moment she’d held the paintbrush in her hand again it had all come back to her, and although it wasn’t her best work, she felt alive just from creating something.
She’d positioned herself in the shade beneath the pretty, flowering wisteria that grew along the wooden pergola, and even without being in the sun she was starting to get hot. Ella moved her easel farther into the shade, admiring her brushstrokes one last time before looking out at the view she’d been trying to recreate.The blue still isn’t quite vivid enough, but it’s close. She collected her brushes to wash out and vowed to return to work on the colours later in the day. She’d been painting since early morning, and, with only a coffee in her stomach, she was beginning to get hungry.
Today she was going to take her bag with her to do some shopping for supplies, which would mean she could actually nourish herself without leaving home in the morning, and hopefully find something delicious for lunch that would keep her going until the evening. She gathered her things and walked inside, going to the sink to clean her brushes and then stripping off her paint-stained clothes, before taking a shower and dressing again, this time in a simple sundress. She tied her hair in a ponytail and put on some sunscreen and light make-up, before rummaging around for her shopping bag. And that was when she saw the little box, sitting beside her bed. Ella hesitated for a moment before reaching for it and taking out the photo. She knew she’d regret not taking it with her—what if she met someone she could show it to?
Ten minutes later, she was meandering down the little cobbled stone paths, back towards the only place she knew—the waterfront area where she’d come off the boat the day before. She knew there must be so much more to explore on the island, and as soon as she’d had something to eat, she planned on walking some of it.
She found herself in a quaint restaurant surrounded by some other tourists, and when the server came over to her table, she smiled and prayed that he spoke English.
‘I need help with the menu,’ she said, hopefully.
