Breakfast that morning became a strange affair for Louise, as the day ahead and evening arrangements began creeping up on her. What if she couldn’t get out? What if someone saw? What if she got caught? She really, really wanted to go and spend time with Mark and his friends, as to her this was how she wanted to live: hanging out with people she knew, rather then associates, at a small bar where she could enjoy herself. But with the world she was living in, that always seemed to be down the wrong route she was heading. Could she steer differently this time?

Taking a small bite from her toast that sat in front her, Anton and Abigail chatted happily about forthcoming events, along with the details and gossip of other businesses and associates they knew. This was how most mornings tended to be, and although Louise talked momentarily when she first arrived, from then on, she stayed mute, like a TV loosing its audience.

"Louise darling, how about spending some time with me and my jolly friends tonight. A few drinks and some bites to eat – I will get Christie to create something. I will get them to bring along a few lady friends they know too, if you like." Anton suddenly informed.

"Oh, well that is erm… a really nice idea…" Louise stuttered and a swarm of panic blasted inside. "But I erm… I am er… not really feeling too well today. No, not that well at all which is a shame…" She lied, thinking quickly as she coughed a little.

"Are you ok hunny? Would you like me to call a doctor or…" Anton began.

"No, no, nooo." Louise told, before remembering who she was. "I mean, well I erm… its only something little – nothing serious. I just think that tonight I would not be such great company to be around…"

"Ok, whatever you want Louise. As long as you are sure…" Anton agreed.

"Yes, yes I am sure." Louise smiled, relieved.

"Would you like me to cancel your piano lesson? If you are not feeling to g…"

"No. No, I will erm… be ok for that. It is just erm… well tonight, around your erm, associates, I do not want to erm… well… er… make a bad impression." Louise explained uneasily.

"Yes, yes she is right there Anton dear. Maybe it is best if Louise does not attend tonight. But I will be glad to…" Abigail smiled.

"Yes, sure mother. Thank you." Anton resolved. "Well, I am happy that is sorted. Are you sure you will be ok Louise?"

"Yes Anton." Louise smiled. "Try not to worry. I just think I need an early night, that is all."

"As long as you are sure…"

"Yes, yes I am. But it was a lovely idea…" Louise beamed falsely. "Ok, well I think it would be best if I freshened up for my piano lesson. Thank you for breakfast. It was wonderful…"

Leaving the room quickly, now with a small spring in her step, Abigail looked towards Anton, a little confused.

"Are you sure she is ok, Anton dear…"

"Yes mother. It is probably just the way she is feeling…" Anton concluded.

Brushing her hair through whilst glancing in the mirror, she began thinking that the future looked hopeful, tonight would work out fine and that happiness would become part of her for a real few hours. Smiling as she heard a knock at the door, her heart hurtled as butterflies formed, and as she ran down the stairs a little too quickly, she grinned to herself before stopping. Composing herself, and taking a deep breath to calm inside, she walked eagerly to the door and opened it to be confronted with an equally smiley Mark.

"Hey," She greeted shyly.

"Hi Lou." Mark smiled as he stepped in. "You ready for today?"

"Yep." She grinned. "And tonight…" Louise added as she wandered down to the piano room, with Mark following.

"Oh so you can definitely come!" He cried happily before Louise tugged at his jacket and yanked him into the music room, slamming the door quite abruptly. "What?!" He asked, quite startled as he moved away from the back of the door, hands up in defence.

"Don’t say it too loud. They don’t know…" Louise whispered.

"You don’t have to whisper y’know… they’re not in here…" Mark smirked, talking just as quiet.

"Shut up!" Louise grinned, hitting him playfully. "But don’t say anything around here just in case…"

"But I thought you said you could come?" Mark stated, bemused as he headed towards the piano.

"I can." Louise told as she followed. "Just not with their knowing. Anton asked me if I’d like to spend some time with him tonight and his associates…" She said, disgusted. "But I said I didn’t feel to good so I am excused for the evening."

"Tut tut." Mark grinned. "Look at you being the bad girl…"

"Well if I get caught I’ll be in so much trouble so feel honoured that I’m doing this for you." Louise smiled.

"Oh I bet you love the danger!" Mark chuckled.

"Well it beats the boring life I’m leading at the minute…" Louise sighed.

"How d’ya mean?" Mark questioned softly.

"I shouldn’t complain really, I mean, I’m so fortunate compared to what some others get but I just can’t stand it here!" She revealed truthfully. "All these associate dinners and whatever. It just doesn’t appeal to me. I mean, why not hang at a bar with a few mates being normal and not so extravagant?"

"Well you will be tonight, Lou." Mark smiled reassuringly. "And if you don’t like the dinners or whatever you people do, I’m sure if you just explained to Anton he’d understand… he loves you, like you do him…"

"If only you knew…" Louise said sadly.

"You’ll be alright Lou…" Mark added, taking her hand and smoothing it. "Don’t worry. If something is supposed to happen it will. It’ll work out."

"Thanks Mark." Louise smiled as she glanced down at the affection being shown.

Was it right for her to call if affection though? But then again, was it right for Mark to be giving it?

"So then, piano…" He grinned as his touch disappeared.

Feeling flat inside, like the fizz had gone, the spark that had been generated, died leaving Louise slightly hollow. Never did she experience any warmth with Anton, and although to begin with, something did bring that fire alight inside, that now had gone cold as a new wind swept in her direction. She knew she shouldn’t be so easily led, influenced by the new, but with things just suddenly happening, she felt like she had no control in the first place. Maybe this was the ‘if something is supposed to happen it will’ passing over and wanting to stay?

"Right, piano." Louise grimaced, rubbing her hand where his touch lingered. "What today Mr music man."

"Ahh, well today Mr music man thinks its about time you started practising your main tune which you’re gonna have to perform." He grinned, turning to face her.

"What? Today?" Louise queried, shocked. "I’m not ready for that yet!" She let out as dread filled her.

"Yes you are. Of course you are." Mark encouraged. "Would Mr music man lie to you?" He smirked, leaning in closer.

"Yes Mr music man would." Louise laughed, pushing at his shoulder gently.

"You have no faith in me…" Mark simpered, placing his fingers on the keys.

"And I have none in myself! I can’t do this… I don’t even want to perform…" Louise said negatively, glancing down.

"Yes you do, now come on, I’ll be here to help you. It’s easy – honest." He smiled, peering under her glance. "Look how far you’ve come as it is. You’re gonna do fine." Mark continued, taking her hands and placing them on the keys.

"You’ve got a hard job ahead of ya then…" Louise said. "Right," she sighed, "what now?"

"Ok, I’ll play a little tune, and then you copy it, ok?" Mark suggested.

"O…k… keep it simple though. Remember it’s only a beginner here." Louise smiled.

Grinning as he hit the notes, a simple tune was heard while Louise watched carefully at what keys he pressed. Trying to make a mental note of what to do herself, Mark smiled subtly at her concentration, until he came to the end of the opening.

"Think you can do that?" He smiled kindly.

"I’ll have a go, but no promises." Louise told before taking a small breath to prepare herself.

Tapping a few notes slowly, Mark’s hands fell into his lap as he watched her try and recall the tune he had previously played. Smiling compassionately as she came to what only could have been a mind blank, she looked towards him for help, as vulnerability played with her face.

"It’s ok. You got most of it in." He assured. "Next time when you come to do it, just think of the notes I taught you before. Start again and I’ll show you what I mean."

Carrying out what Mark said, she remembered the first part of the tune and slowly began while Mark said the letters of each note out as she pressed it. Warily at first, she now became more confident and known with the keys so increased the speed a little. Finishing what Mark had asked her to do, she smiled, proud of herself as her hands left the keys.

"Wow! You’re such a great teacher!" Louise exclaimed.

"And you’re such a great learner! That was really good, well done." Mark praised.

"So just remember the letters…. Ooo I can do that! This isn’t as hard as I thought." Louise unveiled. "What bit goes next?"

"Well… this bit is quite complicated so it might be best if you played along with me." He proposed, placing his hands on the keys. "Put your hands on top of mine and it should be easier for you to catch onto this bit, rather then watching." Mark instructed.

Blushing a little as she placed her hands gently on top of his, he smiled as he played along softly, as did Louise who felt a new fire forming. This affection was slowly turning into something, whether it was supposed to be there or not, and no matter what happened now, it didn’t look like the old wind could put it out…