Andante

A week later, Penny was sitting in the library in the evening when Virgil entered. The plaster had been removed from his leg that morning, but he still needed one crutch.  She looked up and smiled. "All packed?"

He sat down. "Yes, I've packed what I'll need for the next couple of weeks, and asked Parker to parcel up the rest and send it home."

"Fine. He'll take you and Amanda to the airport in the morning." She pointed to his leg, "How does it feel?"

"It's a bit stiff, but not too painful. I feel more lopsided than anything – I guess my body must have got used to the extra weight." He looked up. "Penny, I feel I must apologise. I know I didn't behave very well when I first arrived, and I want to thank you for putting up with me."

She smiled at him. "That's all right, Virgil. I know you weren't feeling very well. I'm just glad to see you back to your old self."

"Thank you, anyway." He hesitated. "Would you vouch for Amanda for me – to Father, I mean?"

"Of course I will. Are you going to tell her?"

He nodded. "It's only fair. Elizabeth knew what she was getting into. Tin Tin's always known. Amanda has a right to know what to expect."

She smiled. "Well, I'm very happy for both of you."

 He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek, "Don't forget what I told you – we do all care about you."

He rose and left the room. Penny touched her cheek and sighed. She had given Virgil a lecture about recognising emotions – maybe it was about time she got her own feelings sorted out. Why did these Tracy men all have to be so handsome, so charming – and so damn loveable?

The following morning Virgil and Amanda were waiting in the First-class lounge at the airport for their flight to be called. The lounge was next to what was obviously a staff room for the flight crews, as people in various uniforms were going in and out. One blond man in a blue-grey uniform with more than the usual amount of gold braid, came through the door. He saw Virgil and hesitated, then seeing he was with someone, gave a sketchy salute and continued on his way.

Amanda turned to Virgil. "Who was that?"

"Oh, just some business acquaintance" said Virgil. He had recognised Captain Hansen, but was relieved that the Fireflash captain had realised the need to be discreet.

Penny was doing some paperwork in her study when the door opened. She looked up. "What is it, Parker?"

Parker looked uncomfortable. "Mr Virgil left me some hinstructions habout 'is things."

"Yes, most are to be sent back to Tracy Island. Is there some problem?"

Parker looked at his feet. "There's this painting wot 'e told me to burn…." He looked up. "Hy think you should see it, m'lady."

Mystified, Penny followed Parker upstairs to the room Virgil had occupied. Propped against the wall was a canvas. Parker picked it up and turned it round. Penny gave a small cry, her hand going to her mouth. The picture was a street scene, showing buildings of ornate, Italianate style. But most of the buildings were damaged, the windows cracked or broken, and sections of the elaborate cornices lay strewn in the roadway. The focus of the picture was a small figure in blue, standing in the distance on a pile of rubble. But instead of the lines of perspective leading straight there, they were all jagged and distorted, which gave the feeling of viewing the scene through a broken pair of spectacles, or a very bad migraine.

Eventually, Penny spoke. "You're right, Parker. We can't possibly burn this. But we can't exactly display it either. Put it in one of the attics while I decide what to do with it." 'I might even show it to Jeff next time he's here' she thought. 'That poor boy…'

Meanwhile, Virgil and Amanda had arrived at the rehab camp. The rest of the day was spent settling in. Virgil was assessed and given a programme of therapy. The couple ate that evening in the communal dining hall, where there was a wide range of ages, nationalities and abilities.

As soon as they were back in their cabin, Virgil put his arms around Amanda's waist and pulled her close, kissing her while his fingers stroked her back.

"Are we going to have a performance of that symphony you promised me?" she murmured.

"Yes," he replied, kissing her again, "and the first movement is marked 'adagio'".

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