The Forget-Me-Not Sonata(38)

‘He’s a real gentleman,’ said Aunt Edna, ‘and there aren’t many of them around these days.’

‘I don’t think he’s at all right for Audrey,’ Isla interjected boldly from the stairs. Rose and Aunt Edna turned around in surprise. ‘Well, he isn’t. They’ve got nothing in common. Audrey loves poetry and music while Cecil loves the army and chess, they’re most unsuited. The last thing she needs is everyone putting pressure on her.’

‘Really, Isla, what’s all this about?’ Rose asked in bewilderment. Isla stood up and began to march up stairs. Aunt Edna frowned at her sister who responded with a shake of her head.

‘She’ll end up marrying him just to please you and Daddy!’ she shouted down in frustration. She wanted to add, ‘And she’s not in love with him at all,’ but she stopped herself in time, opened the door to her bedroom and stomped inside. Rose shrugged at Aunt Edna as the door slammed.

‘Oh dear.’ She sighed. ‘Whatever’s the matter with Isla?’ Aunt Edna dug her chins into her neck and glanced at her sister knowingly. ‘The green-eyed monster?’ said Rose, automatically interpreting her sister’s expression.

‘I fear so,’ Aunt Edna replied. ‘After all, Audrey’s been enjoying an awful lot of attention and dear Isla has no one.’

‘You’re right, Edna. I’ve been most insensitive. Don’t worry, I’ll put it right,’ she said, relieved that there was no truth in her younger daughter’s outburst.

Once in the car Cecil opened the window wide and allowed the crisp winter air to rush in, alleviating Audrey’s nausea and his anxiety in one pleasant gust. Once the initial embarrassment had passed their conversation gathered momentum and Cecil began to regain his confidence. Knowing that they were away from the hopeful eyes of her mother and aunt, Audrey felt calmer and although she gazed out of the windscreen recalling those illicit and magical nights in Palermo, she found her fears had been exaggerated. Her heart was Louis’ but there was no reason why she shouldn’t enjoy Cecil’s company as a friend.

Audrey was captivated by the Teatro Colón that dominated the wide Avenida 9 de Julio like a grand, ornate palace from the world of fairytales. Lit up with golden lights that dazzled through the winter darkness it exuded the elegance and sophistication of Paris, echoed the romance of Rome and represented to Audrey the culture and art of a faraway world that one day she would enjoy with Louis. Cecil parked the car and then took the liberty of placing his hand in the small of her back to guide her along the glistening pavements and across the roads. The city enthralled Audrey and she felt excitement rise up her spine and inject her veins with passion until she was laughing and talking without reserve, commenting on the people, their clothes and their jewellery, the grandeur of the theatre and her own, unrestrained exhilaration. Cecil was overcome with happiness. Everything about Audrey was delightful, especially her enthusiasm which he was now discovering for the first time. If he had loved her before it had been a paler love. He looked down at her animated face and felt he was seeing her as no one had ever seen her and he was deeply flattered that she had chosen him to come alive for.

They took their seats in one of the many boxes that hung over the edge of the theatre like gilded lifeboats on the side of a ship and watched the steady stream of people pour in through the doors in their glittering dresses, pearl chokers and diamonds. The hum of anticipation rose on the hot air with the heavy scent of perfume and champagne. Audrey placed her gloved hands on the ledge in front of her and peered down at the men in the orchestra who had now begun to tune up their instruments. Cecil opened the programme and handed Audrey a pair of small opera glasses. ‘Oh, this is so wonderful!’ she exclaimed happily, focusing on the musicians. ‘Oh look, here’s the conductor,’ she hissed as the audience stopped their chatter and dutifully clapped. He took a brief bow before turning to his musicians and raising his arms in the air with great bravado and showmanship. After holding their attention for a long moment he brought his arms down, extracting on the way up the most awesome explosion of music.

From that moment on Audrey was transfixed. The dancers leapt across the stage with the grace of gazelles and her eyes didn’t leave them for a single moment. Cecil, who was not so enchanted by the ballet, watched Audrey through the darkness, taking as much pleasure from the ever-changing expressions on her face as she took from the performance.

‘That was so beautiful,’ she sniffed at the end of the first act. ‘When she committed suicide.’