She laughs. "Fair enough. I'd love to have a musician's input. The piece is something of a personal challenge. You have no idea how many mornings afternoons and evenings I spent trying to master it for my tutors. I came to loathe playing--gave away the grand as soon as I reached my majority--gave up music altogether." The thought saddens her.

"It took several years before I realized I could enjoy music without having to be...perfect. I have a small upright stuffed into a spare room at my place. I like to think we're friends."

That probably sounds odd. She steals a glance at Johnny. Well, perhaps it doesn't sound so strange to a man who can play a violin--fiddle? Which does he call it?--the way he can.