Page 106 of Crescendo

“We’ve really been loving working our way through your back catalogue,” Papa was telling her, and I scrunched my face up at the implication I’d spoken about her so much that my parents felt the need to rewatch everything she’d ever scored. “I was so surprised to learn it was you who’d donePurple as the Night. Tom and I have watched that a million times over the years.”

Lydia rolled her eyes. “That wasn’t one of my best. Early in my career.”

“I think it’s stunning.” He hummed part of the melody from the theme tune, his eyes closing as he got lost in it. He’d always felt so… connected to music. “And, hey, if that was you early in your career, it’s no wonder you’re such an incredible composer now.”

Lydia laughed. “Compliment me more.”

Dad laughed too, squeezing me into his side and resting his cheek against the top of my head. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time for that later, but, for now, do you two girls want anything to eat? We need to get going soon so we’re not late for the pub.”

“Is it far?” Lydia asked, and I couldn’t tell if Papa had told her what tonight was or whether she was just happy to go with the flow.

“Oh, yes,” he said. “A massive trek.”

I laughed, rolling my eyes, and moving to raid the fridge for some quick snacks for the two of us.

We ate and freshened up, Papa shooting me knowing looks and taking the very first opportunity when Lydia ran to the loo to tell me he adored her. As if that hadn’t been abundantly clear already—especially when she talked readily with him about everything from music composition to how Atlas the gnome had settled in with us.

She looked at me, something warm and slightly overcome with emotion in her eyes, when my dads swept us out of the house and in the direction of the pub. “We’re not taking the car? They said it was far away.”

I laughed and slipped my hand into hers, not even considering whether that was a wise thing to do in front of my dads. “They like a laugh.”

She grinned. “Well, they’re fantastic.”

“You just like them because they give you loads of compliments.”

“Are you saying I don’t deserve them?”

“Not at all.”

“Good.” She pressed a quick kiss to my temple and I didn’t miss the way Papa positively glowed when he turned in time to catch it. “Also, they’re your dads, and you’re sharing them with me, sharing this part of your life with me. That’s… not nothing.”She shuddered. “Ugh. It’s almost enough to make me forget my lousy best friend is sleeping with my literal daughter.”

“Lydia! She’s not your literal daughter. Don’t say that! And, you know, she is an adult.”

“Pfft. Barely. She’s basically a toddler.”

“She’s definitely not.” I stopped and grinned. “Also, we’re here.”

She blinked and looked up at the pub. “It’s across the street.”

“Mm. Yes. I told you they liked a joke.”

“Unbelievable.” She shook her head, laughing. “Also, is your dad some kind of game show host here? What’s with the sequined suit?”

“Oh, you’ll see.”

“You’re just all about the mystery tonight, aren’t you?”

I smiled, nodded, and led her into the cosy pub. It was odd how far away Crescendo and her leaving felt while we were out here. Like all of that was another life entirely and she wasn’t leaving at all.

Dad ordered drinks while Papa sat with us and grilled Lydia on how I’d been doing in the programme. She was unnecessarily complimentary and I had to insist I wasn’t as good as she was making out.

“Yes, she is. Even better than that. She’s a musical genius,” Lydia said, waving me off.

Papa reached his hands up to cup my cheeks like I was still five years old. “She always was. Her and Callum both. It was such a gift to be blessed with two children who loved and understood music the way I always had.”

A couple of rogue tears leaked from my eyes and he wiped them away with his warm thumbs, holding my gaze so intensely.

Lydia took my hand under the table as she said, “She took me to the pub in Brixton Callum played at.”

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