‘Out of all of them, that’s probably the most likely scenario,’ said Will.
‘I mean, what plonker doesn’t answer his phone?’ demanded Ewan.
‘The kind of plonker who got busy and didn’t realise what time it was,’ said Will, rolling his eyes. His brothers really were a pair of drama queens. ‘And anyway, I can’t believe Lionel didn’t keep the table for us.’
‘He would have,’ said Matt, ‘but as previously noted, I thought you were ill or something terrible had happened. We waited for you for nearly an hour as it was, and Lionel had people turning up just in case he could squeeze them in. It wasn’t fair to make him turn them away on the off-chance we’d be back.’
‘Well… nothing lost then, eh?’ said Will with another shrug. His fingers were dancing at his sides, and if he was honest, he couldn’t believe he’d let his brothers drag him away from the piano.
To be fair, hehadagreed to meet them at the hotel. He’d been at the piano for six hours solid when they’d turned up at the clifftop house looking worried. Now, his hands were stiff… but they hadn’t finished their work yet.
‘What on earth are you smiling about?!’ tutted Ewan.
Will shrugged.Everything. He was smiling about everything. That morning on the beach and then the sight of Leah as she’d entered New York Froth had unlocked something inside of him that had been stuck for months.
‘Wipe that grin off your face,’ huffed Matt. ‘And stop shrugging. You’re not off the hook until we get food!’
‘I thought you said you’ve got plenty of food in the house?’ said Will mildly, the melody still tinkling through his mind.
‘Not the point,’ growled Matt. ‘Plus, there’s no Hattie here to cook it for us!’
‘Ewan’s good in the kitchen,’ said Will, deliberately not taking the point.
‘Usually, I’d take the compliment,’ said Ewan, opening the door and leading the way towards the kitchen. ‘But not after I’ve driven half way across the country for some wool.’
‘Want a hand unloading?’ said Will.
‘Only when I’ve had something to eat.’
Will gave his brother a little salute and then followed the two grumpy bears through the house. Sure, he was sorry he’d messed up their dinner plans, but not as sorry as he’d been to leave the piano. He was in Seabury for a whole week. There would be plenty of time to eat out with his family. What there might not be time for was finishing the piece he’d been working on.
Actually,working onwasn’t the right term for it, was it? The music had hit him over the head that morning like a glittering battering ram, and it had been playing on a loop ever since. He simply had to get it down before it disappeared on him!
Something like this had never happened to him before. Will swallowed, trying to calm the flood of music laced with panic as it ran through his mind. His fingers itched to get back to a piano.
What if the music stopped? It was already starting to sound like it was coming from further away!
‘Earth to dimbo?!’
Ewan was glaring at him. Will blinked several times. He was standing in the kitchen doorway, with no recollection of actually getting there.
‘Huh?’
‘What do you want to drink, dozy?!’ said Ewan,
‘Oh. Erm… water?’
‘Well, at least that’s easy,’ said Matt. ‘There’s sparkling water in the fridge. Connie’s practically living on the stuff at the moment.’
Will decided not to point out that he’d prefer tap water. He’d already caused enough havoc for his brothers as it was… and besides, a tricky little run of notes had just worked itself out inthe back of his mind. Would they think he was being really rude if he just nipped to the piano in the ballroom to try it out?
Probably.
Definitely.
‘Ah, balls!’ muttered Matt.
‘What’s up?’ said Ewan, who was busy grabbing plates from the dresser.
