Page 30 of The Matchmaker's Melody
“Ash does sing very well,” he ventured at last.
“She’s so quiet,” Emma replied.
“She has a beautiful rich tone, and perfect intonation.”
“When have I ever been out of tune? Besides, her voice is darker than mine, more suited to mezzo parts. If it were a winter concert… but then, of course, I would be the angel. But for spring and summer music, you want a brighter sound.”
So she informed him.
He contemplated her again.
“I’m really the best choice.”
“Hmmm…”
“You know it, Randall. I’ll be fabulous.”
Now he cracked a smile. “We know you’ll be fabulous, Emma. I wish there were two solos, so I could feature both of you. But there’s just the one. But… Now that I think of it, Gordon said something the other day.”
Gordon? “What was that?” she asked.
“I think he’s been talking to Ashleigh a bit about other matters, work-related or something. He mentioned that she’s under a lot of pressure right now. Perhaps it is best not to put another weight on her shoulders. Fine. The solo is yours.”
She pumped her arm and gave him her widest grin. “You won’t regret it.”
* * *
“Didyou bully Randall into giving you the solo in ‘Queen of the May’?”
It was the first thing Gordon said when Emma arrived at his place on Sunday for their regular movie-and-dinner night.
“I hardly bullied him. I just explained how I was the better choice. Oh, come on, Gordon, you know I am. Ash has a lovely voice, I concede, but I can emote.”
“She’s a performer, too. Don’t let her natural reserve colour your impression of her skills.”
“Anyway, Randall said that you told him she wasn’t up for it.”
Gordon put down the kitchen towel he’d been holding and turned to face her directly. “He should not have said that. I should not have said anything to him in the first place. Emma, you’re still meddling.”
“This isn’t meddling. It’s just processing information and guiding him to the best decision. Don’t look at me that way. Besides, how do you know?”
He held his hand out for her coat, which she passed to him before following him into the kitchen.
“We sometimes chat after rehearsal when you and J— the crowd are off at the pub. We both have early mornings so we don’t talk for long. Maybe just ten minutes or so, until Rob has put all the chairs away.”
Right. Rob, the chair guy. Another sore point, but she wouldn’t touch it now.
“You and Ash get on pretty well, then.”
He rooted through the fridge for some vegetables and handed her a knife. “Small dice, to put into tabbouleh salad. I’ve got falafel and all the fixings.” He found a chopping board and began slicing other fillings. “I don’t know what you think is going on. Yes, Ash and I get on well. She’s got a lot going on in her life right now, and I think she appreciates having someone to talk to, who isn’t involved. Do you think…?”
“You’re my best friend,” Emma burst out. “I’m allowed to care about this.”
He put down his knife. “You’re right. You are allowed to care. But, please, also allow me my privacy. No meddling, right? Ash and I are friends, but only friends. Okay?”
Emma smiled. “Okay.”
CHAPTER16
