MAGIC MOMENT
The final par t of Della Galton’s hear twarming tale
Katie clutched the phone a little tighter to her ear as she stood in the middle of Lindsey’s beautiful kitchen. Had she heard Aiden right? What kind of proposition could he have for her?
He cleared his throat and before she had the chance to say anything, he added, “Obviously, you must feel free to say no, but I was wondering if you could give Holly some piano lessons? I’d pay you.”
“I’d be delighted,” she said. “I didn’t realise she was keen.”
“She used to have lessons before… you know…” He hesitated. “She gave up, but she’d like to restart them and I think it would be good for her.”
“Do you mean after Christmas?” “Before, if you could fit it in – she’s already broken up from school and she’s really keen and –” He broke off. “Sorry. What am I thinking! You must be rushed off your feet.”
“I’m not,” Katie said firmly. “I’m free tomorrow morning if you are?”
“If you’re really sure – that would be brilliant. Thank you.”
She’d be back in plenty of time to take Jimmy to his party booking in the afternoon, Katie thought, feeling a jolt of pleasure as she put down the phone.
William and Dean were totally engrossed in the film, she saw when she took the popcorn back into the lounge. Babysitting duties weren’t too onerous – which was probably just as well as her brother and Lindsey didn’t roll in until just before midnight by which time Katie had put the boys to bed and was on her second episode of Loose Women, which she’d discovered in a box set.
They came in flushed and smiling and looking very pleased with themselves, to Katie’s delight. “Sorry we’re so late. It was hard to get a taxi,” Jimmy told her. “It’s mad in town.”
“It went well, then,” she said to him, as she drove him home. “When are you seeing her again?”
“As soon as I possibly can,” Jimmy said. He had a great big smile on his face. She’s amazing, Sis. Funny, sassy, kind…” He broke off. “Sorry – you probably don’t want to hear this…”
“Why? Because of Marcus? Don’t be silly. I’m delighted you’ve found someone nice. You deserve it… and do you know what? I’m not really that upset about Marcus. If he hadn’t ended it, I would have done. I’ve thought about it a lot – and call me cynical, but I’m not sure that Marcus ever really wanted a girlfriend. He wanted a free PA.”
“My, that is cynical.” Jimmy yawned. “But if that was the case, then you’re much better off without him.”
“My sentiments exactly.” She told him about Aiden’s phone call. “That was quite exciting,” she said softly. “You know how I used to dream about a career in music?” “I do. And you’re brilliant with kids.” She blushed in the darkness of the car. “Thanks. Who knows, I might even be on the verge of a new career.”
“New beginnings all round then,” he said. “They’re supposed to come in January, though, aren’t they? They’re not suppose to turn up and whack you over the head four days before Christmas.”
When Katie woke up next morning, feeling bleary-eyed – it had gone one before she’d got to sleep – there was a part of her that wished the new beginning had waited until January.
She hadn’t played the piano for weeks. It was one of the few possessions she was actually anxious to liberate from her ex’s house. But pianos required proper removal companies. Expensive removal companies. And it wasn’t as if she even knew where she was going to live. As soon as Christmas was over, she needed to seriously look for a place to rent.
The thought started a flutter of excitement. She knew now where she wanted to live; somewhere near Jimmy. It had been great to see so much of him. She wanted to come back to Dorset.
This had nothing to do with the fact Aiden lived here too, she told herself as she set off to his house just before ten. Although it would be handy to live in the vicinity of one of her pupils, of course!
As she threaded between the three blue fir trees and the silver snowman on her way to his front door, she found herself wondering where their piano was – she’d never seen one.
Holly greeted her with a beaming smile, and her pigtails bouncing. There wasn’t much trace of the serious little girl that Katie had first met.
“She’s taken a real shine to you,” Aiden said, his voice warm. “Can I get you a coffee? How would you like to proceed?”
“I think…” Katie began, “Holly should show me what she can do. Then we should have a chat about what she – and you – would like to achieve.”
The piano turned out to be an electric one – a good make, though – and at least it wouldn’t need tuning, which had been one of the many things that had been running through Katie’s head since last night.
Holly sat on the stool and her customary serious expression returned. She wasn’t a bad little player, Katie thought, letting her finish and then giving her a round of applause, which brought back her smile.
They went through the music she’d learned in the past, and finished with Katie giving her a new piece to learn.
“You can practise it over Christmas – if you have time,” she said. “Or we can pick it up afterwards. No pressure.”
“I’ll practise every day,” Holly said,
It was hard not to eavesdrop as the voice was quite loud