Page 61 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“She’s just quiet,” Autumn disagreed, though Nina didn’t look convinced.
“You didn’t tell me how your weekend was. You seem more relaxed,” Nina said quietly.
“There was plenty of time to relax,” Autumn told her, “but the house was busy. Elijah was looking after his godson, so I read in the conservatory most of the time.”
“How is my favourite intruder?” Nina asked, leaning a little too close.
“He’s fine. Working away.” Ignoring Nina’s stare, Autumn went to her piano and arranged her music.
“Is that a glow? Dare I say, a smile?!” Nina circled her before hissing, “Did you do the dirty? I mean, if I had someone that fine under my roof, I would gladly use it to my advantage.”
Autumn’s eyes darted around the stage. “You’re imagining things again, and we didn’t do the dirty!” She took her seat, but Nina lingered.
“Who did the dirty?” Aimee asked, handing Nina a coffee.
Autumn sighed. “No one.”
“Do we believe her?” Nina said to Aimee, who narrowed her eyes at Autumn.
“I think we would need more information before we can make a decision,” she decided, but the conversation was interrupted by Heather at the head of the stage.
“Autumn is going to lead you this morning.” Heather clutched her clipboard tightly, clearly nervous to address everyone, but Autumn thought it was good to see her stepping out of Sasaki’s shadow.
“Ready?” she called.
Together, they lost themselves in the music. Autumn was playing much better, and she didn’t know if it was because of the break or Elijah. Or perhaps it was simply finding a trace of happiness in her life, when contentment had taken its place for so many years.
“That’s more like it.” Sasaki clapped as he finally joined them. She felt secure in her playing for the first time in she didn’t know how long. “I think we’re ready for a full run-through.” Everyone grumbled. “Don’t act like I’m torturing you. We don’t have much longer to work out the fine details.”
Thinking that his rehearsal style could certainly be considered torture, Autumn looked to the roof. The rain had stopped, so she would be able to get some walking in before they returned to practice. In her hurry to escape Elijah in the morning, she hadn’t taken the time to stretch.
“Autumn, how are you feeling?” Sasaki asked as everyone was busy placing their lunch orders with Heather.
“Much better. You were right, I needed the rest,” she said, rising from the stool and putting away her music. The ‘much’ was a bit overkill; the run-through combined with her night in the bathtub caused the ache to thread up and down her spine, begging her to acknowledge it. Luckily, she’d had an emergency heat patch in her bag and managed a quick awkward stretch in the dressing room while everyone took a bathroom break.
“I’m relieved to hear it. Also, I had a call from Tim Randell. He was asking for tickets to auction off at a charity dinner next Friday.”
“Sorry, I meant to call you. I think it would be a great idea to spare a few tickets for the auction. It might attract the attention of those with deep pockets.”
“I already agreed—you don’t have to sell me. It was a pleasant surprise. I’ve been trying to find new investors.”
Autumn grinned, glad to help the theatre. Without Sasaki, she might not have found her way back to the piano.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Autumn
BY THAT EVENING, they’d finished their first run-through of the entire show, and to Autumn’s relief, her piece was sounding much better. She felt like she was no longer chasing the music. Despite her own relief, when she glanced around the stage, everyone was looking rather haggard.
“Coffee?” she called out, and everyone’s grim faces brightened.
“Want to come with me?” Nina asked, and Autumn couldn’t resist.
“Absolutely. I could do with the walk,” she said, stretching her arms.
Soon, everyone was calling out their orders.
“Latte, extra espresso,” their cellist requested.
