AS I MOUNT the stairs the feeling begins, low in the pit of my stomach, a mixture of dread and anticipation. The porter carries my cello case into the room and places it by the window. I tell him to collect me in one hour. The room is empty — more than empty: bereft without you in it. I walk across it, my buttoned boots clicking on the bleached oak boards, and sit on the window seat, waiting. The afternoon light streams in through billowing muslin curtains. Outside in the street a breeze rustles the leaves of the plane trees. I stare at the buildings opposite, their wrought-iron balconies crowded with tubs of flowers - lilies, mimosa, roses. The white stucco is dazzling in the summer light. When the door to the studio opens, I do not look around immediately, wanting to suspend the moment until I see your face. When I turn, I see that you are not very remarkable. I know how you must seem to others, but you are large in my thoughts. Hair of mid-brown, a longish serious face, your fin
Last Updated : 2023-03-23 Read more