Pervade London

by Fewings, Vanessa

  It was impossible to watch.

  James’ face flushed with blood as Ivor banged his head onto the deck.

  I rushed into the room and laid my violin and bow on one of the tables. Then I reached for the back of a chair. When my hands slipped off, I realized the thing was secured to the ground. Desperately, I looked around for another object to use.

  James snapped his hands straight up and outward, breaking the man’s grip and shoving him off. They wrestled each other out the door toward the back of the yacht. A sharp punch to James’ jaw tipped him back. Ivor hoisted him up onto the railing as James fought for balance.

  I saw his terrible look of realization—he was going over.

  I grabbed the neck of my violin with both hands, raising the Stradivarius into the air above my head and rushing forward, bringing it down hard on Ivor’s skull. A loud crack rang out as the violin splintered, spraying pieces of precious wood around us.

  Ivor slumped forward onto James, only dazed.

  I dropped the one recognizable piece of my violin—the neck with its strings dangling like stray wires.

  I went for Ivor’s phone, but he saw what I was doing and rushed towards me.

  James grabbed Ivor from behind and picked him up, using the momentum to hoist the man onto the balustrade. “You’ve outstayed Her Majesty’s welcome.”

  James pushed him over.

  I clapped a hand over my mouth, muffling a scream.

  Breathless, James looked back at me. “You okay?”

  I managed to nod my head, my hands shaking.

  “Just sent him into third class.” He forced a smile and then his expression changed when he saw my shattered violin.

  He looked horrified.

  “Best moment of creativity I ever had.” I gave a strained chuckle.

  With a sympathetic expression, he retrieved the pieces of my instrument, along with the bow, and threw them into the Thames to hide the evidence of our struggle.

  From the stern, we stared out at the water as it swallowed up the pieces of the Strad into its greyness. It felt like icicles were forming along my forearms, a dreadful chill soaking into my bones.

  James brushed broken glass off his trousers and then straightened his tie, looking calm and well-put together and nothing like a man who’d been in a deadly fight. But I knew that fairly soon, bruises caused by Ivor’s blows would appear on his face.

  Sadness swelled in my chest. “He deserved it.”

  Ballad drew in a steadying breath.

  “Is he…?”

  “The fall killed him.” He straightened his back and stretched. “Let’s get you to the cabin.”

  He escorted me the rest of the way. When he opened the cabin door, he gestured inside and asked, “You know everyone?”

  There were several students milling around inside.

  I scanned their faces and nodded. “Yes.”

  He held out his hand.

  Reaching into my jacket pocket, I withdrew Mikhail’s phone and handed it to him.

  James turned it off. “Once they realize he’s missing they’ll track it.” He handed it back.

  What? No.

  My fingers tightened around the phone as I realized what he wanted.

  He watched me carefully. “Hide it in your violin case. Carry it off the yacht. Kitty will take it from there.”

  “She’ll meet me?”

  He gave a nod. “Make sure the phone leaves your side within sixty seconds of stepping foot off the ramp. Understand?”

  My wide-eyed stare conveyed I was having a “what the hell” moment.

  He gave me a look of sympathy. “They won’t suspect a student. The phone can’t be on me. Everyone goes through security when we disembark.”

  “Won’t I?”

  “No.” He smiled. “You’re the entertainment.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I can’t be seen with you.” He went to touch my face, but then drew his hand back.

  “I’m sorry for it all,” I whispered.

  “I’ll meet you on the other side,” he said, and then slipped away.

  Hurrying into the cabin, I made my way over to my violin case, drawing in a deep breath as I unclipped the lid and flung it open. With a sigh, I ran my fingers over the soft velvet where the Stradivarius should have rested. It was only then I noticed my hand was trembling.

  The reality of this evening was starting to sink it. But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. I was still in danger.

  I still had to get off this yacht.

  Sixty seconds.

  It seemed like a reasonable amount of time right up until I had to stroll down the walkway to disembark, shuffling beside the other meandering students who were getting in my way—trying to appear like I didn’t have a dead member of the KGB’s phone in my case.

  Glancing back, I saw James being patted down. Cars were parked along the pavement ready to collect passengers. Desperately, I searched for Kitty.

  I had to get rid of this device.

  “Emily,” Penn-Rhodes called to me.

  I spun round to see him behind me.

  “Patrick Woo wants to talk with you,” he said. “He was impressed with your performance.”

  I continued to walk backwards. “Can I meet him later?”

  He looked baffled.

  Forty seconds.

  “Did you enjoy the event tonight?” His frown deepened.

  “Very much so. But my lift home is here.” I turned and hurried toward the pavement.

  Penn-Rhodes came after me and quickly caught up. “Emily, this is your career we’re talking about. Five minutes of your time could change your life.”

  30 seconds.

  “I’m sorry.” The crushing injustice of it all made my chest ache.

  I saw Kitty standing beside a sports car. Scurrying away from Penn-Rhodes, I made my way over to her.She took the violin case from me and rounded the other side of the car, where she was now hidden from the crowd.

  A motorbike roared towards us and swerved by where we were standing. The pick-up of the phone was as discreet as it was fast. The driver sped off.

  I looked back the way I’d come, and saw Penn-Rhodes talking with Patrick Woo next to The Venetian’s ramp.

  Another chance slipping away…

  “Get in,” snapped Kitty.

  Reluctantly, I leaped into the front and was thrust back as we zoomed away. Only now did I realize that sweat had snaked down my back, causing my dress to stick to my spine. My hands were shaking.

  After a while, The London Eye came into view and I focused on the exquisite colors as they changed from blue to purple and back to blue.

  Kitty pulled the car over and we came to a stop.

  I swung a worried look her way.

  All I could think of was Patrick Woo’s disappointment as I’d turned my back on him, refusing to speak.

  Kitty narrowed her eyes at the rearview. “Your ride’s here.” She nodded for me to get out.

  “Who is he really?” I had to ask. “James?”

  “Your worst nightmare.” She flashed a sexy smile. “Serving Her Majesty’s every whim, no less.”

  My hand reached for the handle. “Sorry I stood you up tonight, Kitty.”

  “Goodbye, Emily.”

  I flung the door open.

  I hurried toward the town car behind us. The rear passenger door opened, and James gestured for me to join him. Slumping in the seat beside his, I tried to calm my racing heart, realizing I’d left the violin case with Kitty—not that it mattered now.

  “Primrose Hill,” James ordered the driver.

  The glass divider rose up between us and the chauffeur.

  We were going home.

  He pulled me into a hug, and I rested my head on his shoulder, Kitty’s words about his nightmare reputation haunting me.

  “How do you know Diana Zane?” I looked to him for the answer.

  “Need to know basis, Em.” He flashed me a dazzling smile.
r />   “You know what she means to me?”

  “I know.”

  This man was intoxicating, and after seeing how he’d handled his attacker, I had a renewed sense of respect for him.

  We pulled up outside the Primrose Hill house. James sat looking straight ahead, seemingly deep in thought, making no effort to get out of the car. His delay and our silence were too painful for me to endure.

  Finally, I broke the quiet. “You’re not coming in, are you?”

  He sighed deeply. “Every student is about to be placed under surveillance by them. We can’t stop it. Only monitor their actions.”

  “When will I see you again?”

  He shook his head, letting me know I wouldn’t get an answer.

  I peered at the house, hoping Xavier was at least still inside. “I’m sorry.”

  He took my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing my fingers tenderly.

  “My mum’s sacrifice…that she would never hear me play,” I continued softly. “I could have been a dancer. Could have studied anything other than music. I could have chosen something she could have enjoyed.”

  “Her happiness comes from seeing you happy.”

  “I just threw it all away.”

  “British lives are sacrificed every day for a greater purpose, Emily. You’ve joined the ranks of heroes who put their own dreams on hold to make the world a better place.”

  “Me? How?”

  “Mikhail’s phone.” He gave a firm nod. “You just changed the course of history.”

  I let out an uneasy breath. “Do you think you could have ever loved me?”

  He squeezed his eyes shut and said, “Xavier is my sky and you are my stars. I don’t want it to end.” He started to say something else and then stopped himself.

  Resting my forehead against his arm, I tried to breathe through these final heart wrenching moments.

  James’ tone became formal once more. “Return to school and behave as normal. Don’t conduct any online searches. Don’t visit any of the places we took you to.”

  “I promise to never speak of us. Or about any of it.”

  He gave me a somewhat skeptical smile, but I saw kindness as well.

  Tears stung my eyes like acid, but I refused to let them fall.

  “It’s time, Emily,” he said quietly.

  I got out of the car and walked towards the house, feeling like my life-force was being stripped away. With his aura still enveloping me, I made my way up the walkway to the front door.

  I turned the key and stepped inside, hearing the car drive away.

  The stillness within these walls was deafening.

  I strolled from room to room looking for Xavier.

  Finally entering the sitting room, I collapsed on the couch. Closing my eyes, I let the grief consume me, my throat burning in agony in my effort to hold back the bitter tears I wanted to shed over the loss of him—of them.

  I’d believed these two men had captured my heart and were keeping it prisoner. But all this time it had been music that had truly owned my soul—and I both loved and hated the muse for it.

  Staring down at my hands, I tried to remember what had happened to the Stradivarius, as though my mind was protecting me from the memory.

  The hope of happiness had always been an illusion.

  My beloved Xavier was gone.

  Two Weeks Later

  I set my violin case on the stone step and rose to stand on the outer edge of Trafalgar Square’s fountain.

  The passers-by mostly ignored me, only a few looking up and then soon dismissing the girl who wasn’t up to much, who was seemingly staring at the view. Though I was secretly peering at the security cameras trained on this location.

  Before me stood Nelson’s Column and surrounding it were the vast bronze sculptured lions positioned at all four corners. The same landmarks I’d driven by in a Tesla with James and Xavier while making love on the backseat.

  It made me smile even now.

  In the two weeks since James had left me outside my Primrose Hill home, my emotions had been vacillating between loss and hope. There were enough scorching memories of our love to last me a lifetime, and this was what I held onto. Though not being able to have contact with either of them was causing my hope to fade fast.

  Standing straight on the stone edge of the fountain, I held my palm in front of my face, then raised my thumb, index finger and pinkie finger. Keeping my ring and middle fingers down, I moved my hand back and forth—using sign-language to get my message across.

  I love you.

  I love you.

  I love you.

  I placed my palm on my chest as though this could ease the ache in my heart. Please, send me a sign you got this.

  It was time to return to the Academy for my afternoon class after stealing away during my lunch hour—feeling satisfied that I’d sent a message to my beloved Xavier the only way I knew how.

  Since I’d seen him last, I had dutifully continued with my ordinary routine—attending classes daily and then leaving to go straight home. On the weekends, I had taken up busking in my favorite haunts in Covent Garden and had returned to the place where it all started—Piccadilly Circus.

  Just in case…

  Thankfully, I’d found a vast sum of money deposited in my Lloyds bank account, upwards of half a million pounds, which would last quite a while for someone who lived simply.

  And my old violin—the one I used to play before I met Xavier—I’d discovered in a cupboard. I was quite happy to be reunited with my beloved instrument, having many fond memories of owning it. And it had brought Xavier and I together, after all. I was even thinking of going back to teaching music lessons.

  These thoughts burned up my mind as I wandered along the corridors of the Academy. I stopped off at my personal locker to gather books for my next class. A blur of movement next to me caught my attention and I turned my head to see Kitty Adair.

  She didn’t look at me, only pretended to be fussing with a locker catch. “How are you?”

  I played along and stared into the cavernous space that was the inside of my locker. “Fine,” I lied. “Did he send you?”

  She gave a subtle nod. “You have your finals, right?”

  “Next week.” I had to fight the urge to look at her.

  I smiled, feeling that this was the moment I’d been waiting for…a message, a word, a sign that I’d see them again. And on the eve of my exams it couldn’t have come at a better time.

  “Em,” her tone changed. “Have you heard from Xavier?”

  I swallowed hard. “No.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I think I would remember that,” I bit out. “You’re more likely to hear from him.” A shudder of fear slithered up my spine. “Is he okay?”

  She hesitated for a moment. “Yes, I’m sure he is.”

  I rested my violin case against the locker. “What happened?”

  “Don’t look my way.”

  “I need to speak with James,” I said vehemently.

  “I get that.” She gave a nod as though her work was done and walked away.

  I looked over at where she’d been standing and exhaled a shaky breath of doubt.

  Oh, God. Had something happened to Xavier?

  Salme walked by looking smug. “Hey, Emily.”

  “Hey.” I looked over her shoulder at Kitty’s back as she strolled away.

  “How are you?” She smiled brightly, which was so unlike her. “What happened to your Strad?”

  “Um…” Biting down hard on my lip, I tried to act casual.

  “You’ve been playing so well. Doesn’t matter what instrument you play, to be honest. You’re talented. You’ll make it.”

  I stared at her for a moment, realizing what she was insinuating…

  I lifted my case. “Got to go.” Scurrying away, I rounded the corner and hurried all the way to Penn-Rhodes’ office.

  I rapped on his door.

  He was sitting at his desk mun
ching on a sandwich. He reached for a serviette to wipe the crumbs off his fingers. “Emily.”

  “They chose her?”

  “Salme was a strong candidate.”

  “But I played with all of my heart and soul.” I inhaled sharply. “You said Mr. Woo was impressed with me.”

  But I’d snubbed him that night after the event when we’d disembarked, and I’d refused to return and speak with him. That had to be it, right?

  Penn-Rhodes blew out a sigh of defeat.

  I flew out of his office and ran back the way I’d come, my violin case banging against my leg. I dashed out into the drizzling rain where I finally caught my breath, my chest tight with exertion, my mind breaking into a thousand splinters of doubt.

  I’d lost out to her.

  Salme stood beneath an umbrella on the curb waiting to be picked up. “What are your plans after you leave here, Emily?”

  I sucked in a wary breath. “I don’t know.”

  “Keep practicing. There’s lots of local bands around here you can join. Pubs love cheap musicians like you. And you know what they say, if you can’t do, teach.”

  “You never did like me,” I replied flatly.

  She chewed on the thought. “You walk around like you’re better than everyone else.”

  “You read me wrong.”

  The sky opened up and rain poured over us. She was shielded beneath her umbrella, but I was getting drenched.

  A gust of wind caught her umbrella and she fought to keep hold of it. Her violin case slammed to the ground. We both stared down at it. After a few moments, I picked it up and handed it back to her—for the sake of the instrument.

  Of course, there was no thank you in return.

  I headed away, off down the pavement, welcoming the downpour. Anything to hide these tears. Anything to wash away this day.

  Please let Xavier be okay.

  And if he was elsewhere it meant he hadn’t seen my message from Trafalgar Square.

  Penn-Rhodes’ voice called out from behind me. Clutching a large black umbrella, he hurried to catch up.

  “I wanted you to know, Emily,” he said, sounding out of breath, “that Patrick Woo was very impressed with your performance on the yacht. And he told me the audition you gave, the second one at the Barbican, was the finest he’s ever seen.”