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After that Nick appeared about halfway through all of their practice sessions and would then drive Roddy home.
The night before his next concert Roddy received a call from his teacher, Mrs Johnson, about a man from Julliard was coming to see him, his greatest wish was going to Jacobs but he didn't think he could get there. He was always a little nervous before a performance but this was added pressure he really didn't want. Every other time people from universities had come out and seen him it was never just to see him, it was more the fact they went around to all the specialist high schools and saw what was around but Mrs Johnson had been very clear when she said that this man was coming for him.
His dad was out with some friends that night and Roddy just needed someone to talk to, he didn't think to call just hopped on the bus and walked to Elly's house, he caught a sight of Nick and Elly through the window as he passed, Nick and Elly sitting on the couch close together both looking at the same sheet of paper, Elly threw her head back and laughed at something Elly said, Nick turned to watch her laugh his expression soft and his eyes were glued to her. Roddy stopped walking to watch them, he was about to turn around when Elly stopped laughing sniffed the air one and then looked directly at Roddy. She stood and walked to the door, Nick stood as soon as she did his hand dropping to the gun on his hip but when he saw Roddy he dropped it with a smile.
"Sorry," Roddy said stepping back to leave. "I shouldn't have just dropped by, it's not important."
Elly stepped down into the garden and grabbed his arm. "Nonsense, come inside, I am making pasta."
"Is everything okay?" Nick asked still standing above them on the verandah.
"I got a call from my teacher, she has someone coming out to see me tomorrow, I just wanted to talk. I should have called."
Elly pushed him down onto the couch. "Nonsense," Elly sent Nick in to get some water. "I am glad you came, where are they coming from?"
"Julliard."
Elly whistled. "That is impressive, how exciting."
"Thanks," Roddy said taking the glass of water from Nick.
"We'll be there," Nick said. "Are they coming to see you specifically?"
Roddy nodded. "It's a really good program, apparently if they like what they see I will be invited to audition for the violin program."
"Do you want to go there?" Elly asked.
"I would love to go there," Roddy said after a long pause, he didn't normally like to talk about his playing or what he hoped would happen with it in the future but Elly was different they had already spent so much time talking about playing he felt like she already knew he ever wanted to stop playing.
"Then what can we do to help?" Nick said with a quick smile.
Nick's phone rang and he stood with an apologetic smile to go and answer it on the front verandah.
Elly placed her hand on his shoulder. "You will do amazingly." With nothing but those words Roddy felt the sick feeling in his stomach lighten just a little, he offered her a small smile.
"Sorry," Nick said coming back inside.
"Case?"
"No," Nick said. "Juliette came back from her sister's early; I will have to miss dinner."
Elly nodded with a smile and even thought Roddy was watching her carefully he couldn't see anything but the twinge of disappointment that he would be missing dinner. Roddy could not understand how they could not be in love with one another; every time they were together he could easily forget about Juliette, he could forget that they hadn't been together forever.
Nick left and Roddy helped Elly finish making dinner; he didn't know if she worried he didn't eat enough or if she simply enjoyed feeding everyone.
They were both at his next concert and he kept his eyes on Elly ignoring everyone else except the Blutbad who watched him with wide, brown eyes and an encouraging smile. She was the first out of her seat when he'd finished though his father was basically her shadow.
Everything had gone well, the smile his father gave him was the largest Roddy had ever seen and he knew he'd done well.
/ / /
TBC...