‘Bernard!’ she called. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.’
His smile had returned by the time she caught up, and she curled her fingers around his arm.
‘I think we should celebrate,’ Bernard said. ‘It’s not every day you get to audition for the London Luminary Ensemble.’
‘Would you like to come home with me? I’m sure my aunt and uncle would be more than happy to host us.’
Bernard’s smile told her that he would very much like that, and so they kept walking, the sunshine on their shoulders as they slipped into an easy stride, and an even easier conversation about the music they both loved.
‘Darling, why didn’t you tell us it was today!’ Alexandra’s aunt threw her hands in the air as her uncle poured champagne that evening. ‘You never said anything this morning.’
‘What a reason to celebrate,’ her uncle said. ‘I hear you were the catalyst for our Alexandra deciding to audition at all, so we owe you a debt of gratitude, young man.’
Alexandra found herself beaming at Bernard, barely able to take her eyes from him, and she knew her aunt had noticed. She was staring back at her with her brows arched, as if she’d just discovered a secret.
She held her glass up when the others did, and they all clinked them together in celebration. Alexandra took a sip, the bubbles tickling her nose as she swallowed.
‘Tell us, what was she like on stage?’ her aunt asked.
‘Mesmerising,’ Bernard said, his eyes never leaving hers as he spoke. ‘If they don’t offer her a position, they’re mad.’
‘I’m sure they will,’ her uncle said, adding a little more champagne to each of their glasses. ‘Who wouldn’t love our darling Alexandra?’
She lifted her glass again to take another sip, but when she swallowed this time her stomach lurched. Alexandra placed her hand there, flat against her belly, but she suddenly had the most overwhelming sensation that she was going to be sick.
‘I’m sorry, I—’ Alexandra thrust her glass at Bernard and scurried from the room, her hand rising to cover her mouth as she ran.
Alexandra only just made it to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her before bending over the basin and turning the water on. She was sick once, then twice, and then again until there was absolutely nothing left inside her.
She swirled the water, trying to clean up her mess, wishing she’d made it the few steps further to the toilet. She was still feeling off-balance and unwell a few minutes later, and she lowered herself to the cool tiles on the floor, wondering for a moment if she should actually lie down.
‘Alexandra?’ Her name was followed by a soft knock. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘Yes,’ she called back, hating how feeble her voice sounded.
‘May I come in?’
The door opened a crack and her aunt stood there, peering in. When she saw her on the floor, she pushed the door further open and came in.
‘Darling, what’s wrong?’
‘I think it was something I ate,’ Alexandra said. ‘Thank goodness it didn’t happen when I was on stage.’
Her aunt touched her forehead. ‘You do feel a little clammy. Shall I go and tell Bernard you’re not feeling well? We can always celebrate another day.’
‘No, I’ll be fine,’ she said, forcing herself to stand. The room seemed to spin then, and Alexandra reached for the basin to stop herself from falling straight over.
‘Well, you’re most definitely not fine,’ her aunt muttered.
‘I am,’ Alexandra insisted, not about to ruin the evening with Bernard. He needed this as much as she did, a night to celebrate with her family, to feel as if he belonged, that he could be proud of who he was and the way he chose to spend his life.
‘Alexandra?’
She held her hands up and did a little spin, praying she wouldn’t fall over. ‘I’m fine,’ she insisted. ‘Now can we please go and celebrate?’
Her aunt sighed, but within minutes they were both back out in the sitting room, champagne in hand as they joined the men again. Only Alexandra didn’t take a sip—for even the smell of the bubbles was making her stomach turn, and she hadn’t the faintest idea why.
24
