Preludes by Riana Everly

Author:Riana Everly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Riana Everly

Chapter Eighteen

Molto Agitato

“Annie, I’ve had a fabulous idea!” Sophia’s voice rang from the telephone. Anne had the phone on speaker while she fixed her coffee, and her friend’s bright tones filled the space. “Jeremy was talking to William about his new development up north, and the possibility of using the hall as a concert venue, or for fundraisers. William invited us to see it, and Jeremy suggested Fred come as well. So why not make it a party? William is looking for some dates that will work.”

The coffee was hot in Anne’s hands and she placed the mug on the counter. Was this a good idea? “I’m pretty busy these days, Sophia.”

“Nonsense. I know you teach your classes, but we can find a time that doesn’t interfere. Jeremy thought it might make a useful article for the orchestra’s website, maybe one of the business pages in the paper. Business and the Arts Working Together, that sort of thing. Maybe have one or two orchestra members join us, get some photographs. I’ll arrange a lunch. Now, what about next Tuesday?”

When Sophia had an idea, very little could stop it, and so it was that a small procession of cars trailed their way up to the development site the following week. Anne rode with the Crofts and Shep Choi, the journalist who had written the exposé on Anne the previous spring. William was already at the site, and Fred and Ben had hired a car for the day. In the end, six other musicians were coming as well—Louisa, an oboe player named Henrietta, and four string players who were going to perform a string quartet on the site for a short video. Sophia had even arranged for perfect weather, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures, everything a late September day should be.

William greeted them all with the smooth manners and practised smile of a businessman. He knew he was on display and was playing his role, with grand gestures, elegant words, and flashing white teeth. He welcomed the Crofts with a hearty handshake, and Anne with a kiss on the cheek that seemed a bit more for the camera than for her. But he whispered in her ear, “I’m so delighted you joined them.” Them, not Us. She nodded her understanding. This was as much his public performance as Preludes was hers, and anything personal was best left for another place and time.

Fred, when he arrived, wore a forced smile. It would look fine in photographs, but Anne knew him too well to believe it was sincere. Whether he was unimpressed with being dragged to a construction site in the middle of nowhere, or unhappy at being pressed into William’s company, she didn’t know. But his eyes softened when he spotted her, and he strode over, across the gravel site, to greet her with a quick hug.

Before long, everyone had arrived, introductions were made, and they gathered for the tour. Shep was included in the group as a guest, as welcome as

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