Doctor Palley looked up when he heard the door to his office open. He smiled when he saw Robyn entering. Looking at his watch he realised that the hour had gone by very quickly, he still had a lot of his report to write up. Motioning for Robyn to sit down he stood up and bent over awkwardly to pick up the two violins he'd left on the floor. He put them both on the desk once he'd managed to stand up.

"Is this going to be a music lesson?" Robyn asked confused about the violins.

Doctor Palley shook his head. "I want you to play one."

"I've never touched one of those before and I've certainly never played one."

"That doesn't matter, just pick one of them up and play."

Robyn did as she was bid reluctantly. The moment she touched violin she knew how to hold it and placing the bow on the strings began to play. For someone who had never held let alone played a violin before her talent was extraordinary. She played as well as Mozart had ever done in his prime, it was out of this world.

Doctor Palley watched Robyn with wide eyed wonder. He'd never expected this at all. Again he'd been knocked off of his feet by Robyn's abilities and it was obvious to him now that they ran much deeper than he'd ever anticipated. Not only would his report make for interesting reading it would arouse a lot of questions which he couldn't answer. He was out of his depth now, way out of his depth.

Once Robyn had stopped playing the doctor couldn't help but applaud, the melody had been beautiful and it had been executed marvellously. Still trying to overcome his surprise and unable to speak he motioned for Robyn to pick up the second violin. Robyn did so and this time all he got for his trouble was a series of painful screeches, the sort of sounds expected to be heard when an absolute novice played a violin for the first time.

Frowning in evident frustration Robyn looked to the doctor. "Why was that so bad when the other time was so good?"

"One of those violins, the one you're holding now, is absolutely brand new. It's never been played. The other was owned by my grandfather, I never learnt to play it and neither did my father. It's been passed down through the years and has minimal sentimental value. You're welcome to keep both if you wish. The football too if you like, I doubt I could make much use of it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. To me the violin is useless. I'll never learn to play it and I have no children to pass it on to. I'm also an only child and the only place it would go when I die is a rubbish tip. Keep them both, learn how to play them and sell the old one if you wish."

"Thank you, doctor. That's very kind."

"Not at all. Call it an early Christmas present."

Robyn nodded and with Doctor Palley's help put both violins back in their cases. Looking at the clock Robyn realised that Sportacus was due to come and collect her. The doctor noticed too and handed Robyn her coat, helping her to load up with the two violin cases and the football he opened the door for her. To make sure she was alright with everything he followed her to the waiting room. Seeing Sportacus standing by the entrance he waved a greeting and then walked back to his office.

With a great deal of confusion plain on his face and acting the gentleman Sportacus took one of the violin cases off of Robyn and followed her out of the door. When he noticed Robyn trying to spot the airship he tapped her on the shoulder and pointed to Trixie's car. It was Robyn's turn to look confused and Sportacus helped her unload all of her stuff onto the back seat.

Now in the car on the way home Robyn turned to look at Sportacus, "you drive?"

"Yes. I can do other things you know."

"Surely the airship is easier for you."

"There's a snow storm on the mountains. It's too dangerous to fly over them so we have to travel like everyone else, on the ground."

Robyn nodded, "fair enough."

Sportacus didn't reply as he changed the gear on the car and made his way to the tunnel.

When the car was a quarter of a way into the tunnel Robyn felt something. It pressed into her chest and she couldn't breathe. Pain gripped her and as much as she wanted to cry out she couldn't. Knowing what was happening to her didn't make her feel any better; in fact it made it worse. She began to panic making it much harder for her to breathe.

"What's wrong?" Sportacus asked noticing Robyn's obvious distress.

Robyn couldn't answer. She fought to stay awake; losing consciousness was not a good idea.

Not able to turn around in the tunnel or stop all Sportacus could do was continue driving. Despite the driving regulations in the tunnel he put his foot down, there was no one in front of him and he had to get out of the tunnel quickly. Much to his surprise the further down the tunnel Sportacus got the more Robyn seemed to calm.

Eventually the tunnel came to an end and when it was safe he pulled the car over. "What was all that about back there?"

"A trace. It's what happens when I pick up what's happened to people."

"I remember. When you picked up what happened to Robbie that was a trace wasn't it? How do you know their called traces?"

"Daddy told me once. While he was still dead, it's all part of the deal apparently."

Sportacus nodded. "I don't like it all though. Is there anyway to stop them?"

"No. I just have to put up with them."

"Ok. Will you be ok now, sweetie?"

Robyn nodded and smiled. "I'll be fine. I am fine. You know you always call me sweetie when you're worried about me?"

"I hadn't noticed."

"Well you do. Stop worrying, it's passed now and I never pick up the same trace twice. We best get back before anyone thinks something's gone wrong."

Nodding Sportacus reluctantly drove the rest of the way back to town. He kept a close eye on Robyn which he knew didn't go unnoticed by her.

At one point Sportacus was so intent watching Robyn that he didn't notice Skip running out into the road.