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“Your turn Bob,” said Joy, as her fingers tapped out an instrumental section.

Bob stood up, coughed and took the next few lines. Kate stared at him open-mouthed. His baritone voice rang out deep and luxurious. He had his eyes closed, lost in the music. Kate closed her own eyes, letting herself be carried away on the sweet sentimental melody. This was the kind of day she had imagined, not the sniping awkwardness of earlier. She opened her eyes and turned to Maddie and Alex. Both seemed unmoved by the music, and as Joy called outEverybody join in!they made no move to open their mouths. Kate felt self-concious as she let her own voice quietly join that of her friends.

As the song drew to an end, Kate’s rapturous applause were drowned out by Joy hammering the keys and launching into a jaunty version of Jingle Bells. Joy played through all the carols and Christmas songs Kate had grown up with, before declaring herself exhausted and in need of a drink.

“I’ll play one more song, but Kate and Bob, you need to come up here and join in. Maddie and Alex are welcome too of course.”

Kate turned to Maddie and Alex, both were scrolling through their phones and neither seemed to have heard Joy’s invitation. Bob joined Joy beside the piano and Kate followed his lead. As Joy’s fingers ran gently down the piano keys, Kate studied her face. Sat behind the piano, it was as though the lines on her skin faded, and the young woman she had once been shone through.

Silent night, Holy night…

Was she having a religious epiphany, wondered Kate, as tingles ran through her limbs and the light in the room softened. Bob joined the singing, adding a harmony below Joy’s melody. Kate struggled to break any sound through her emotion, but added a quiet echo to Joy’s clear alto. As the carol ended, the three singers stood motionless, smiling at each other in recognition of the moment they had shared.

“Anyone for another drink?” Alex’s voice shattered the atmosphere and Joy began packing up her music.

“Not for me thanks, dear. I think it’s time I headed home.”

“Bob?”

“No thanks, Alex. I should probably make a move too.”

“Looks like it’s a party of three then. Kate? Maddie?”

Each accepted the offer of a top up and Alex went through to the kitchen to fetch the wine bottle. Kate said goodbye to her friends, promising to drop the keyboard round to Joy in the morning.

“Thank you so much dear, I’ve had a wonderful day. I shall spend this evening looking through those photo books.” Joy kissed Kate on both cheeks and took her hands. “You take care of yourself, won’t you, dear. I’d hate to think of anyone messing you about.”

“I can look after myself, don’t worry,” said Kate, letting go of Joy’s hands and turning to Bob. “Thank you so much for your help today. See you at the weekend?”

“Yes, I’ll expect you fully waterproofed and ready to face the weather.”

“Yes, sir!”

Bob leaned in closer and in a quiet voice mirrored Joy’s sentiment. “Remember what I said earlier. You’re much stronger than you think.”

“Thank you,” said Kate, giving him a quick hug and opening the door for her friends. “See you soon,” she called, waving till they were out of sight.

Alex appeared with a bottle of wine in one hand, a beer in the other. “Have they gone?” he asked. Kate nodded. “Thank God, I thought the old dear would never stop singing.” Maddie laughed, and Kate flopped down onto the sofa, feeling a stranger in her own home.

“Shall we watch some TV?” asked Maddie.

“Sounds good to me,” said Alex. “Got any popcorn, Kate?”

“Seriously? You want popcorn after all that food we’ve just eaten?”

“Yep, do you have any?”

“No, no I don’t.”

“Any shops open round here?”

“There’s a garage at the bottom of the hill. Shall I go and have a look?”

“No, I’ll go.”

“Me too,” said Maddie. “I could do with some fresh air.”

“OK, I wouldn’t mind a stroll either. Just let me clear up a bit first.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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