The Forget-Me-Not Sonata(30)

Audrey crept back up the stairs with a light bounce in her step as she continued to hear the music in her head. She had felt free for the first time in her life and tasted adventure and rebellion in one delicious feast. It was early morning and her clothes smelt of cigarettes, more noticeable now that she was in the clean air of her home. Quietly she opened the door of her bedroom and stepped into safety. To her surprise she found Isla asleep in her bed. She closed the door behind her as softly as she could but Isla slept with one ear alert, waiting for her sister to return even in her dreams. She opened her eyes at once and sat up. ‘Where have you been?’ she hissed in excitement. Then smiled mischievously. ‘Have you been out with Cecil?’





Chapter 6



Audrey found it incredibly difficult to lie. She had managed to tell half-truths so far, which didn’t seem so bad and didn’t weigh as heavily on her conscience as full lies, but now, looking into her sister’s inquiring face, she knew she would tell her everything and regret it as she always did. She was unable to stop herself. She was too happy and happiness made her reckless.

She threw herself onto the bed beside Isla and stretched like a contented cat. ‘I’ve been to Palermo,’ she breathed, delirious with joy. ‘I’m so in love, I feel it’s consuming my entire body like a fire. There’s no putting it out, it just grows and grows. Oh Isla, it really is like they write in novels. It really is wonderful. My heart feels as if it’s going to burst with happiness.’

Isla’s smile widened. ‘Cecil took you to Palermo?’ she repeated, amazed. ‘I thought Louis was the adventurous one.’ Audrey’s face coloured with shame as she hesitated on the brink of telling her sister the truth. But Isla knew Audrey well enough to sense when things weren’t quite what they seemed. She shook her head and narrowed her green eyes suspiciously. ‘It’s not Cecil, is it?’ she said slowly, studying her sister’s features with the rigour of a doctor. ‘It’s Louis.’ Audrey pulled a thin smile, aware that Isla might be offended that she hadn’t confided in her earlier and nodded her head. ‘Oh, Audrey, I can’t believe it. This puts a whole different colour on things,’ she exclaimed in a loud whisper. ‘Louis all along, eh. Aren’t you a dark horse! You of all people, Audrey. I didn’t think you had it in you.’

‘I love him,’ she replied simply, hoping honesty now would make up for lying to her.

‘As Aunt Hilda says, what’s love got to do with marriage?’ she replied softly. ‘You know Mummy and Daddy will fry you alive if they ever find out. They’ve got their hearts set on Cecil.’ Her eyes glistened with delight as the full extent of her sister’s rebellion reached her understanding and ignited in her mind all sorts of possibilities.

‘I know,’ Audrey replied with a groan. ‘That’s why we’re keeping it secret for the moment, so that they can get to know him and like him. After all, he’s nothing like his reputation suggests. He’s been very wronged by everyone.’

‘You know this place, once a reputation is made it’s very hard to unmake it. Mind you, if you get caught he’ll be seen in an even worse light for having led you astray.’ Isla shook her head again. ‘I can’t believe you, Audrey. Without any encouragement from me.’

‘Am I wicked?’

‘Deliciously so.’ Isla giggled and threaded her fingers through Audrey’s hand that was hot and trembling. ‘I’m so happy you’re happy,’ she added truthfully. ‘You look radiant and to think I thought it was all thanks to Cecil.’ She suddenly turned serious. ‘But, Audrey, Louis is mad. He’s eccentric and artistic. I know he plays the piano beautifully and I know he draws like Leonardo da Vinci, but he’s got that crazed look in his eyes, terrifying. One minute he’s sad, the next minute he’s happy, you never know what he’s going to do next. Oh Audrey, I hope you know what you’re doing!’

‘You don’t know him like I do. He’s gentle and kind, sensitive and generous. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before, I was so worried you might let it slip.’ She fixed her sister with beseeching eyes. ‘You won’t let this slip, will you, Isla? You don’t know how important this is to me.’

‘Oh, I do,’ she replied. ‘I do.’

‘So you won’t tell?’

‘I won’t . . .’ she began, ‘on one condition.’

Audrey sighed. ‘What might that be?’

‘You tell me every detail right from the start and confide in me every step of the way.’