Page 29 of A Little Love Song in Seabury
Bouncing to his feet, Will gently closed the piano, and with a grateful pat, he practically skipped back through the house towards the gardens… and Leah.
Will couldn’t wait to tell her about what he’d just done… or was in the middle of doing, to be more precise. Because there was no doubt in his mind that this was just the first movement. There was more to come. Right now, though, he was going to enjoy the intermission and tell Leah what she’d inspired in him.
‘Hey guys!’ he beamed, bounding through the door before pulling up short. ‘Damn, where’s Leah? I wanted to ask if she had some paper… any of you got a bit?’
Ewan held a piece out to him, and Will grabbed it.
‘Erm… a bit small,’ he laughed. ‘But hey, it’s a start.’
‘That’s not—’ started Ewan.
‘Leah’s gone home,’ said Connie, cutting across him.
‘Home?’ said Will, raising his eyebrows.
‘The flat,’ said Rosie. ‘Though I wouldn’t blame her if she just grabbed her stuff and headed straight back to London.’
Rosie’s tone was uncharacteristically cross, and Will looked at her in surprise.
‘I’m missing something,’ he said, fiddling with the paper in his hands. He scanned the table for a pencil or biro… anything just to jot a few notes down.
‘You’re always missing something,’ sighed Ewan. ‘William Pepper, you’re about to make averybig mistake.’
Will raised his eyebrows and turned his full attention to his brother. It was the use of his full name that had done the trick.
‘What mistake?’ he said.
‘With Leah!’ said Ewan.
‘But… she’s not even here,’ said Will.
‘Okay, I’m going to spell this out for you, you big idiot!’ said Matt. ‘Sit down and listen. Properly.’
Will sighed and sat. They were spoiling the moment. ‘What?’
‘Leah has gone home,’ said Matt.
‘You said that already.’
‘She’s gone because of you.’
‘But… what did I do?’ said Will, blinking in confusion. ‘I wasn’t even here.’
‘Precisely!’ huffed Connie, taking a sip of her drink.
‘Yeah,’ said Ewan. ‘You took one look at her… one long, grumpy, frowny look, and disappeared inside to play the piano. Just like you’ve been doing all day.’
‘But—’
‘No buts, Will,’ said Matt. ‘I don’t know what your problem is with her, but Leah’s been good to you. The least you can do is be civil and make her feel welcome while she’s here!’
‘I… wait…youthinkshethinks I don’t want her here?’ said Will as panic started to set in. ‘You think I’ve got a problem with her?’
‘This morning you practically ran out of the café after she arrived,’ said Rosie, still looking decidedly pissed. ‘And now this!’
‘But… that’s not what…’ Will looked around wildly. ‘That’s not what’s going on. At all!’
‘Then tell us what is,’ said Matt.
