Legato

The following morning Virgil shut himself away in the conservatory. His family had sent over his painting gear in the same parcel as his music, and Penny had offered him the use of the conservatory, where the light was good. He had been working for a couple of hours when Parker appeared to tell him he was wanted on the 'phone, and showed him into the library.

Amanda's face looked out of the vidscreen. "Hallo, Poet," she said with a smile. "I just called to thank you for the lovely flowers." She looked closer and pointed to his cheek. "What have you got on your face?"

He rubbed it, and looked at his hand. "It's paint. I'm making you a present to apologise for the way I behaved – it was going to be a surprise, but never mind. I'm sorry I lost my temper like that the other day - it doesn't happen very often." He paused, "Are you coming back?"

She looked at his hopeful expression. "I won't be back just yet – I've got to go and see my publisher, and there are a few other errands I need to run, but I'll be at Lady Fortescue's party on Friday – you're going to be there, aren't you?"

"Yes, I think so. Penny seems to think she can hire me a suit with one leg cut off."
"Well, you can't be the only man to want to go to a party with a broken leg, so I'm sure the hire firms must cater for it, and Philippa's parties are always fun – they're one of the high points of the season.. See you Friday then. Bye!"

Virgil returned to his painting in a much lighter mood. Right, he had two days to finish this – he had better get a move on.

Friday afternoon Penny returned from a shopping trip to hear piano music being played. She paused, trying to judge the mood. The music was the Warsaw concerto – plenty of emotion there, certainly, but none of the desperation of the other day. She entered the room quietly, though looking at Virgil's absorbed expression she realised he probably would not have noticed if she had come in at the head of a brass band in full swing.

The music drew to a close and he sat there for a minute, lost in his thoughts. He looked up with a start as she spoke. "That was beautiful, dear boy." She paused, "Is the painting finished, then?"

"Yes, it's drying now."

She came towards him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Gosh, you're tense." She started to rub his shoulders. "All that emotion from the music seems to have ended up in your muscles."

He relaxed under her ministrations. "Oh, that feels great. I'd better not let the other boys know you can do this or you'll never get a moment to yourself next time you visit us." She paused for a minute "You're missing Amanda, aren't you?"

"Yes" he answered. "I hadn't realised how much I was enjoying her company until she went away." He paused, then, deciding to risk it, asked a question he had wondered about for a long time. "Penny, how come you've never married?"

 "Well, like I said earlier, you Tracys aren't very good when it comes to recognising other people's feelings."

"Are we talking about Scott here?"

She paused in her task. "He never seemed to notice me."
"Well, he wasn't pulling you out of a pile of wreckage."
"Hah! If I'd known that was all it would take I would have set fire to this place years ago." She moved round to sit beside him. "I missed my chance, Virgil. Not everyone is lucky enough to get a second one."

He nodded. "I know, I won't blow it this time. And Penny," he took hold of her hand, "Scott does care for you. We all do. There isn't one of us who wouldn't swim a crocodile- infested river for you." He looked down at his leg, and gave a grin. "Only maybe not right now."

"Thank you, dear boy, that's very sweet of you. And that reminds me – I must get the lake restocked next time I'm at Harrods." She stood up and turned to leave. By the time she had got to the door he was playing again, picking out the notes of a tune with one hand. She turned. "What's that? I don't recognise it."

He looked up, "Oh, just some old pop tune I can't seem to get out of my head at the moment – you know how it is."

Penny left the room, thoughtfully.

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