They'd rehearsed in the church hall a few times and it sounded pleasing. She turned over the sheet music for him, he smiled his gratitude at her and they rubbed along together nicely. When he could let his fingers take over the technical work, he revelled in her voice. Rich and smoky with a hint of vibrato, she seemed like a creature from another world.

'Looks like we're almost ready for our first performance' he informed her. He risked inviting her round on a day that he knew Liz would be out for a couple of hours.

Rose was surprised to find herself almost at her sister's door. Emmet lived with his sister Liz, that's as far as she knew. She rang the doorbell and he whirled her inside. They spent half an hour practicing some of their set list and a further twenty minutes getting to know each other a little more intimately on the armchair. Emmet hadn't remembered how much energy it took to kiss for that long. He was breathless and thought himself out of practice by the end of it. He was wary of going too far, it was his sister's house after all, the living room was a communal space. He had half a mind to live dangerously and lead Rose up to his bedroom when a rap on the door stopped them. Emmet opened the door to the beaming visage of next-door Hyacinth, stuttered and slammed it in her face.

'Damn, she's the last person I want to see.'

'Who is it?'

'That damned interfering gorgon from next door.'

'Oh…that must be Hyacinth.'

He stopped dead.

'You know her?'

Rose giggled sheepishly.

'She's my older sister.'

Emmet thought he was going to have a heart attack. What cruel irony to find the love of his life in Hyacinth's sister.

'Go and tell her to come back later' she insisted. She noted that Emmet seemed terrified and swept him out of the way.

'Oh I'll do it.'

She opened the door to deal with the gorgon.

Hyacinth's face dropped.

'Rose! What are you doing in Elizabeth's house? I will not have you visiting Elizabeth's house!'

'I don't mind' said Liz, sneaking up on them. She'd come back early and finding the unlikely sight of Rose standing at the door, had just realised where she'd recognised that perfume before. Fancy Rose being her brother's mystery woman! Liz never would have guessed.

'But Rose, what are you doing here?' Cried Hyacinth perplexedly.

'We invited her for coffee' said Liz, lying through her teeth. 'Except she was a little early.' Thanking providence that she did in fact have a pack of biscuits in her bag to back up her lie, she pushed past Hyacinth and ushered Rose back inside.

'Would you like to join us?' She called to Hyacinth who was still hovering in shock. Rose had sashayed back into the living room. The only part of Emmet that had moved were his eyebrows.

'Liz, what on earth?' He hissed. He was impressed.

'Let's turn the tables on her for once Emmet' she whispered back with a grin. They glanced at Rose who was twirling a curl around her finger and glancing wickedly at Emmet.

'You two had better control yourselves' Liz whispered before the door closed and Hyacinth barged in.

'Elizabeth dear, perhaps I'd better take Rose home soon.'

'Don't worry Hyacinth, we can drive her home' said Emmet, grinning broadly. He was now aware of the less than salubrious neighbourhood Rose lived in and could see why Hyacinth had taken great pains to conceal the fact. Rose lived in a dump. But that didn't put him off. And the horror that had bloomed across Hyacinth's face was so comical, Emmet feared that he'd ruin everything. He fought to control his laughter.

'No no, I know the way, I'd better do it' she trilled, fighting to keep hold of the situation.

'Not before we've had coffee' said Liz, going to prepare it. She came back to find a strange tableau sitting around the living room. Rose accepted hers with gusto and nibbled on a biscuit.

'So why is it you are here, Rose?' Asked Hyacinth, face twitching madly. Liz had no Royal Doulton to ruin but there was a very slight tremble as Hyacinth held the cup.

'Rose is going to accompany me on the piano for performances I've booked for the old folk's home and events for the church hall' explained Emmet innocently. 'I was thinking of casting her in any upcoming productions.' He saw the twitching intensify. Good. It had got her back up. She clearly thought that she was more suitable for the job than Rose. Tough.

Rose took over the conversation, chattering on about the set list and the schedule. Liz and Emmet were amused to see that Rose was one of the few people who was completely immune to Hyacinth. They exchanged delighted glances when they realised that she was the perfect buffer to their overbearing neighbour. There was something to be said about someone who was so down to earth, completely unaffected, thought Emmet fondly. Liz watched him watching Rose and marvelled at seeing the day that Emmet had fallen head over heels for such an unusual choice. So far from his wife you'd think Rose was from another planet. Liz liked Rose. She was fun. The only person whom it wasn't obvious to was Hyacinth. She was still under the impression that Rose was bothering Emmet with delusions of grandeur. Ha. Pot calling kettle black, thought Emmet.

'Rose happens to be a magnificent singer and personality' he chimed in. 'And she's perfect for the performances we are planning.'

Rose looked at him delightedly and threw her arms around him.

'Oh Emmet!'

'Rose!' Cried Hyacinth. Put Mr Hawksworth down!'

Emmet looked at her and decided it was worth the risk. If Hyacinth didn't approve, he was all for it. He grinned and swept Rose across his lap for a kiss. Rose's ecstatic reaction did not disappoint.

Liz gasped and grinned, Hyacinth stared in shock. And Emmet thought he could handle anything if Rose was at his side.