Page 162 of Pervade London
Swallowing my pride, I put my head down and hoped Salme wouldn’t see me.
“Hey, Emily,” she called after me.
“You played great today.” I tried appeasing her.
“Where have you been?”
I was surprised she’d noticed my absence. “Just…around.”
“I think you might need to give up the Strad.” She glanced at the SUV. “It’s not working for you.”
“Excuse me?”
“Your violin is pushing back.” She smirked. “It’s alive, you know, and it senses the person playing doesn’t deserve it. It’s a bit like a horse. It knows when the rider is scared.”
I’d find my stride again.
She raised an envelope in her hand. “Did you get one?”
I blinked at her and stared at the embossed envelope. “What is it?”
The waver in my voice made her smile.
“Penn-Rhodes’ top students have been invited to play at the Russian Embassy. We’ve been chosen to entertain a visiting dignitary.” She stepped forward. “Peramivir will be there.”
“Who?”
“The Russian Ambassador.”She beamed with pride. “You didn’t get one?”
“When is it?”
“Tomorrow night.”
Taking in their faces one by one, I could see they were enjoying this. These were the elite students who’d been bestowed with the honor of performing at the highest level. Each of them held the same envelope.
“Congrats.” I tried not to let my mortification show.
“Another VIP is going to be there.” She combed her thin fingers through her dark hair.
“Who?”
She glanced at her friends, amused.
“Ms. Rampling,” the bodyguard called over. “We have an appointment.”
Salme studied the man and then the car. “Looks like you got yourself a sugar daddy. Is he the one who gave you the Strad?”
“What?”
She burst into laughter. “Someone paying your rent?”
My face flushed brightly, which let everyone know she was close to the truth.
Except it was two men, not one, and they were far from her description. Of course, I’d never be able to say anything about them. That was the rule.
I couldn’t think of a clever retort. “I have to go,” I said, as I headed for the car.
“What happened to your other violin?” she called after me.
