Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 142043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 473(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 473(@300wpm)
“She is. She looks sensational.”
Caroline’s smile is smug. “It was perfect. I’m so glad. She’s going to rock this concert.”
“Mate,” says Joe.
“Yep. Who knew?” I swallow down my nerves. My wife is performing at the Royal Albert Hall.
From our box I survey the great hall as it fills with patrons and wonder if I ever foresaw this moment. I’m transported back to that day when I first heard her play.
Bach.
And I tiptoed up my hallway to peer around the drawing room door and spy on her.
Maybe I did foresee this. I knew then that her playing was concert standard, and since enrolling at the Royal College of Music, Alessia’s skill and technique has grown exponentially.
She’s a classical rock star.
She’s also a draw for the press. Her rags-to-riches story is irresistible to tabloid editors—we’re occasionally hounded by paparazzi on a slow news day. I suspect that’s one reason why the seats below us are filling up and the Hall is almost sold out.
I shake my head in awe and wonder, and there’s a knock on the box door. Joe opens it and welcomes my mother, who enters with Maryanne and Tobias.
“Hello, darling,” she says, and offers me her cheek.
“Mother.” I give her and Maryanne a quick peck, then shake Toby’s hand, delighted to see him again. His palms are clammy, and I suspect he’s nervous for his great-niece too.
Alessia is performing as part of the RCM’s special program.
There are three other performers, but Alessia will be last—she’s the highlight of the entire evening.
I can’t wait.
But that’s not the only reason I’m so nervous. I don’t want her to be stressed in any way… but she’s probably stressed right now. This morning—she told me she’s pregnant. And I’m giddy with joy, but we have to keep it quiet for a few more weeks.
I’m going to be a father.
Me. A dad.
I’m fucking thrilled.
I take a gulp of champagne and blow out a breath, and in the distance, a bell rings.
The performance is about to begin.
AEDH WISHES FOR THE CLOTHS OF HEAVEN
Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS, THE WIND AMONG THE REEDS 1865–1939
MUSIC OF THE MISSUS
CHAPTER FOUR
“Delicious”—Dafina Rexhepi
CHAPTER SIX
Piano Sonata No. 14, in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2, Movement Three (Moonlight Sonata)—Ludwig van Beethoven
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Vallja E Kukesit”—StrinGirls, Jeris
“Vallja E Rugoves Shota”—Valle
“Vallja E Kuksit”—Ilir Xhambazi
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Magnolia”—JJ Cale
CHAPTER NINE
“Only”—RY X
CHAPTER TEN
Violin Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006: I. Preludio—Johann Sebastian Bach (Arrangement for Piano by Sergei Rachmaninoff)
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Lo-Fi House Is Dead”—Broosnica
“Only Love”—Ben Howard
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Claire de Lune”—Claude Debussy
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Fugue No. 15 in G Major, BWV 884—Johann Sebastian Bach
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Runaway (feat. Candace Sosa)”—Armin van Buuren
Prelude No. 2 in C minor, BWV 847—Johann Sebastian Bach
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Cornfield Chase (from Interstellar)—Hans Zimmer
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“North Country” (John Peel Session 1974)—Roy Harper
CHAPTER THIRTY
“Valle e Vogël”—Feim Ibrahimi
“Années de Pèlerinage, 3ème année, S. 163 IV, “Les jeux d’eaux à la Villa d’Este”—Franz Liszt
Piano Sonata No. 14, in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2, Movement Three (Moonlight Sonata)—Ludwig van Beethoven
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“Claire de Lune”—Claude Debussy