Page 87 of Play Our Song

But he kept squirming, finally reaching up to take the mask off his face. “Call. Gio.” Two words.

Tilly nodded.

???

The job, the job, it was always going to be about the job. Sophie was so angry she could spit, but was simultaneously so scared that she could faint. What was she supposed to do?

“I can sing the solo with you,” Jules suggested.

“You’re not a soprano,” said Sophie. “Also, you haven’t exactly practiced.”

“Fair point.”

“Alright, everyone around the piano, please,” Billy said. “A two minute warm up and then we’re on.” She eyed Sophie. “Where’s your partner in crime?”

“Not here,” Sophie said, swallowing down her anxiety.

Billy’s nostrils flared. “If she doesn’t show up, there’s going to be trouble.”

Tell me about it, thought Sophie. She turned to look at the door even though she knew that there wasn’t a chance in hell of Tilly turning up. No, she’d be making her arrests, she’d be doing her job just like always, putting it before everything and everyone else.

Except… the door was opening. Sophie’s heart galloped.

“No, no,” Billy said. “Choir only.”

“It’s an emergency,” Gio said, his face as white as paper, his hands trembling.

The choir parted so that Sophie could get to him, could take his hands, could look into his eyes.

“Soph,” he said, voice strangled. “It’s dad.”

Chapter Thirty Five

The doctor looked tired, but she was smiling and for the first time in what felt like hours, Sophie felt her muscles relax just a tad.

“First, you can see your dad in just a minute,” the doctor said.

Sophie heard Gio let out an enormous breath.

“We’re about to send your dad in for surgery. The arteries in his heart are narrowed and we’re going to put in a stent to open them up,” said the doctor, obviously putting things simply for their benefit. “The operation isn’t without risks, but he got here quickly. He’s got a strong pulse at the moment, and we’re optimistic. Do you have any questions?” She looked from one to the other.

Sophie shook her head. She had a million questions, but nothing she could articulate. More than anything, she wanted to see her father.

“Then I’ll let you in to see him for a few minutes,” said the doctor. “Please try not to excite him, and he’s going to be a bit tired. But he’s been a very lucky man.”

“What do you mean?” Gio asked.

The doctor shrugged. “The number of people whose hearts stop and get restarted outside of a hospital is… negligible at best. The chances are incredibly slim. Your dad just happened to be around someone who knew what they were doing.”

“Who?” asked Sophie.

“I don’t have that information,” smiled the doctor. “Now, if you want to go and see him, just go through that door right there. Only a few minutes, mind.”

Sophie felt Gio reaching for her hand, something he hadn’t done since she was a child. He pulled her through the door and on the other side, she found someone she hadn’t expected to see in her wildest dreams.

Tilly was sitting on a plastic chair, a styrofoam cup of coffee in her hand.

“What—” Sophie began.

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