
"The Fires of Chaos"

By

Frederick Jacobb

Chapter I

"The Last Winter"

Dawn was peeking over the damp hillsides of Wiltonshire, a quiet town small enough that if a traveler does not stop to ask where they were, they could just easily pass it by without knowing it. There is really nothing much of interest in such a small community, apart from being obscure and unimportant. The townsfolk here simply go about their daily work, particularly planting barley which is harvested and taken to the breweries to make malt liquor. Winter is fast approaching as the first chilly breeze creeps all throughout the countryside, creeping slowly, as the trees show signs of withering. The birds have also started to take to the skies, fluttering away to find a warmer place of refuge, just in time as their offspring's had already learned to stretch their wings and have taken their first flight, escaping the oncoming winter spell, as Death is surely to follow in his slow pace. Winter may look enticing with its white blanket of glistening, snowy gems, but its beauty also means a sure death.

Cold and frost bitten, the beauty of winter beckons along with an ambiguous feeling of loneliness, slumbering across the meadows and plains of a once fertile landscape. The first winter breeze has arrived indeed, as many people who live in Wiltonshire start to roundup their livestock and last harvest for the end season. Along the once bustling town center, a horse drawn carriage unloads the last crate of provisions as preparations for a long and cold winter season, as the first snow clouds start to cross above the mountainside and makes its presence felt. Not far from the town hall, a faint sound of a church bell is heard, but it is not for a mass or any other churchly occasion.

The church bells were ringing but it was not like that of any usual tone. No, it sounded dreary. It was for a funeral. As the first rays of the sun started to light the dark countryside, a small crowd had already gathered in the church, it was indeed a funeral. A chilly breeze made its way inside the church where Father McKenzie was officiating the last rite on a dead man's coffin. Father McKenzie slowly moved over the coffin as he anointed it with holy water, and made the final sign of the cross. A funeral entourage was waiting outside of the church, patiently standing despite of the chill, waiting for the doors to swing open, as the bells began to ring out, and with a sad tone.

Slowly, the church doors opened, slowly creaking, as a gentle chilly, frost laden breeze rushes through the door, racing towards the aisle, as if Death himself came in, helping the pallbearers move the coffin out. People outside the churchyard started to gather, lining up as the coffin of the dead man passed them by. Some onlookers had a saddened look, others were there just to watch, but did they personally know who was inside the coffin? Would they really care if they knew the departed? As the coffin was placed on top of the carriage, a man asked Father McKenzie who was it that died. Father McKenzie looked at the man and said in a crackling voice, "Cedric Williams" as the priest continued to walk towards the waiting funeral procession.

Father McKenzie remembered Cedric as a baby when he was baptized, as he was the one who officiated the baptism. As the funeral procession entered the town square, Harold Plum, the mayor of Wiltonshire, was looking out on top from the balcony of his office, clutching a lit cigar in his right hand and billowing out a smoke. He looked down below to see the passing funeral march and paused to view the passing entourage, he saw some familiar faces, mostly friends and family members trudging alongside, on their way to Hammond Hill, a cemetery on the hilly outskirts of Wiltonshire. Among the people who were going to Hammond Hill was Joseph Hedges, Cedric William's childhood friend.

As they passed by a field with a large oak tree, memories started to comeback as Joseph recalls the countless summer afternoons that they spent frolicking under that big old tree. Joseph suddenly remembered those times when they would bring Cedric's violin and his cello up on the branches as they played songs until the sun disappeared below the horizon as the first evening stars appeared, only then that they'd stop playing and would come down and headed home for the evening. Ah yes, there were good memories that were made underneath that old oak tree, and today it bears witness to the final passing of the funeral procession of  Cedric Williams.

Upon reaching Hammond Hill, Joseph Hedges goes down from his carriage, looking around for Cedric's widow, Lucinda, who was already following the funeral procession to the top of the hill. The cemetery of Hammond Hill, despite of its morbid and harrowing demeanor, along with a kind of eerie serenity, was obviously the last respite for weary and tired souls. It may not be noticed now, since winter has almost arrived and most of the foliage has withered and died, but during the spring, up to the summer time, Hammond Hill is filled with meadow blossoms, covered in patches of different floral colours, giving it a sort of accentuated contrast of hues, which if not for the presence of the tomb stones, would make Hammond Hill a pleasant place to let one's thoughts fleet away, if you don't mind the presence of the dead underneath you that is.

As the funeral march finally reached the top of the hill, Father McKenzie takes one last look at Cedric's coffin and raises his hand as he gestures the sign of the cross. Family and friends gather at the gravesite, each and everyone has their own personal thought regarding the departed, but no one else has a more noticeable expression that stands out but that of the widow herself, Lucinda Williams. Lucinda was with her three children, all boys that were now in their early manhood, all of whom she bore from Cedric. As a widow, nothing can be more fitting and compelling than to show grief, but not Lucinda, who was not even shedding a single tear, and was hidden underneath a widow's veil of mourning, instead of grieving, she was looking quite acrogenous and the people who were attending Cedric's burial noticed it, too obviously.

No handkerchief, no tears and no sobbing, just a widow, wearing a veil, black as the night, but with eyes peering within the confines of her shadowy stare. In her hands were some roses, crimson as the colour of blood, and her hands were slightly trembling, but it wasn't for the passing of the husband that she loved, no, it was because she is consumed with anger, anger to the point of hatred. The people there were quite silent as the priest was pronouncing the last passages from the holy book, as Father McKenzie finally said "ashes to ashes and dust to dust" Friends and family started to slowly come forward, gathering around the coffin as it was slowly being lowered into the ground, and on each of their hands, a rose, which they all took turns in placing over Cedric's coffin.

Joseph Hedges was a bit teary eyed as he placed a rose onto of Cedric's coffin, as he pulled out an old cloth with something inside of it. It was a four leaf clover which Cedric found on top of a mound where the old oak tree grew. He remembered that particular day when Cedric gave it to him and said it might bring him luck. It was also on that particular day that Cedric conferred to Joseph about his own personal thoughts about marrying Lucinda Travis, in which Joseph said to Cedric that it was all up to him. Now it seems that all of those memories have finally culminated here, on this sad day of mourning. Joseph placed the cloth with the four leaf clover in it, as he leaned towards the coffin to say his final words to his departed friend. "Farewell Cedric my old friend, may you find peace". With that being said, Joseph laid his hands over the coffin as if giving his friend one last pat on the back while Lucinda looked at Joseph from a distance with utter discontent.

Joseph saw how Lucinda was looking at him and started to walk towards her, disregarding how he had an ominous feeling that Lucinda knew the secret he was keeping from her that Cedric confided to Joseph just before he died. That was the sole reason of Lucinda's anger for Cedric that led to her evident hatred for Cedric's friend as well. Men, all scheming and conniving dogs, which was what Lucinda had swirling inside of her head. Joseph was reluctant at first to even go to Lucinda, even though it was an honest and sincere gesture of extending his condolences to his friend's bereaved widow. Joseph knew all too well how Lucinda felt at the moment as there were times that he himself was witness to confrontations between his friend and Lucinda to which these marital altercations sometimes became violent that he had to step in between them.

As Joseph came near Lucinda and her sons, he extended his hand to hold Lucinda's, which she, to Joseph's surprise, willingly grasped. "My condolences to you and your family Lucinda, Cedric genuinely loved you" Joseph said. "Did he Joseph?" replied Lucinda, in which Joseph was caught as if he was a game animal caught in a trap on Lucinda's response. Joseph would have instantly let go of Lucinda's hand and would have also taken a step back to avoid Lucinda's growing discontent but Lucinda was tightly clutching Joseph's hand, not letting him escape her grasp. Joseph looked elsewhere, trying to avoid Lucinda's piercing stare, so sharp were her eyes along with her anger that if she looked into the sun long enough, the sun would eventually cower and hide in fear. "Don't start Lucinda, not here, not now" as Joseph slowly loosened Lucinda's tight grip on his arms without attracting the attention of other people, as friends and family were approaching them to give their earnest condolences. As this was going on, visibly not far from the graveyard, a woman and a man were looking from under the shade of a tree from a distance. A gentle breeze started to roll over Hammond Hill and along with that, it started to bring in the first snowflakes of the last winter of Cedric Williams.
Chapter II

"Two Worlds Collide"

After a few funeral goers had started to leave, Lucinda, her sons and Joseph, along with Father McKenzie were left as they watched the undertakers pour back the soil into the ground where Cedric's coffin rested. Peering from underneath the shades of some partly withering trees was a woman, who along with a man behind her, came out and started walking towards the gravesite. She made her way across the shadows of the trees, as the snow gently started to fall. She walked past the tombstones as a chilly breeze followed behind her. From a distance, Lucinda saw from her peripheral view, a silhouette of a woman approaching the grave. She thought to herself that it was just somebody who was visiting a grave of a relative or a loved one, but when she veered to the direction of the approaching stranger, she stopped. A few steps away from them, a woman was standing, wearing clothes that were not commonly seen in these parts of Wiltonshire, in fact, not even common to this country!

She was a Gypsy, and a beautiful one at that! She was also wearing a veil, similar to that worn by mourners, and her oval eyes, similar to those of an angel were also filled with tears. Was she a relative, thought Father McKenzie? Joseph Hedges saw the woman who had stopped just a few steps in front of them and he immediately recognized her, it was Serra Del Marre, as Joseph walked briskly towards her and said to the woman, "What are you doing here!?" in a alarming voice. Serra slowly parted her veil, letting the light of the sun shine on her face and letting Joseph see her eyes, eyes that were filled with tears, having a certain look of yearning and begging to be permitted to approach the grave in which Cedric laid. Upon seeing the Gypsy woman's face, Lucinda slowly turned towards the woman, trudging slowly, and hands clinched, wanting to lay a slap on the woman's face, when right that instant, Father McKenzie stepped in between the two women, turning to look at Serra Della Marre and Lucinda Williams. "Not on these hallowed grounds and for the sake of Cedric's soul" quipped Father McKenzie.

Lucinda, though still filled with anger, timidly drew back at the behest of the priest. Meanwhile, Joseph was also prohibiting Serra from moving on further with her wanting to be close to Cedric's grave, that he had to block her path. Serra calmly stepped back and said to Joseph, "I just want to see him for the very last time, and so would his son" as Serra pointed to a boy that the man behind her was carrying. Joseph stood back and hesitantly turned toward Lucinda, knowing that Serra and the boy's presence would further agitate the widow's anger. "She just came to see Cedric for the very last time, and to say goodbye to him" sighed Joseph. Lucinda already had her suspicions on who the woman was but she suddenly grew pale when she found out that there was a boy with the woman. Lucinda's anger suddenly withdrew to fear, a kind of fear that she can never deny, as this was the reality of what was presently happening. Lucinda's anger cowered, the chilly breeze that came along with the first snowflakes made Lucinda numb, numb enough to run a chill up her spine, a fear that she dared not to confront. A young boy about two years of age, with a face resembling that of Cedric Williams.

Lucinda stood motionless, not being able to move a foothold, as Serra and the boy approached the grave. Serra lifted the boy in her arms and silently cried. Tears fell down from Serra's face unlike that of Lucinda, who never shed a single tear to honour the passing of her husband. Serra held the boy in her arms and said, "Say goodbye to your Father, Rorick" as the boy, though still young for his age, turned to look at the casket lying in the ground and started to cry as well, embracing his mother for comfort. As Serra and his son were saying their farewells, Joseph asked the undertakers to wait until everybody had gone before they continue to finish up their job, telling them to comeback later. FatherMcKenzie approached Serra and said "He is at peace now, all that is left are the memories of loved ones, be happy that his struggles are over" as the priest left them. Serra wiped the tears from her eyes and walked towards Lucinda, who was still standing motionless. With the child she was carrying in her arms, Serra placidly approached Lucinda, even though she knew that the widow's anger and dismay cannot be pacified, she took the risk because she had a child in her arms. Lucinda can't do anything but just stare at both of them as Serra stood in front of her, face to face.

"I am Serra Della Marre" as she cordially introduced herself. Lucinda stood there, still numb, devoid of any anger struggling to find a reason to shout at the gypsy woman, but to no avail as Lucinda caught a glimpse of the child's face. "What is the boy's name?" as Lucinda asked in a calm manner. "Rorick" answered Serra. Lucinda's tears started to fall as she came to realize that the boy in front of her was Cedric's son from whom this woman had bore. "You stole my husband's heart from me, you stole what was rightfully mine!" as Lucinda's voice grew aggravated. "I did not steal anything from you in which he did not gladly gave without question or hesitation" replied Serra. "You obsessively chained him from his freedom to choose" added Serra. "How dare you waive my rights against me over my husband and against God's eyes. I'm the one he married, not you" sneered Lucinda. " You have captured his freedom, but he gave me his heart and soul, as you were holding his leash" answered Serra.

At this point, Lucinda felt a cold spell and started to cry. She can't believe that his husband had did this to her, let alone having a child from this Gypsy woman. "He did not love me because he grew tired of you, in truth, he loved us both" said Serra. With that being said, Serra Della Marre slowly turned away from Lucinda, never looking back, as she started to walk away from the gravesite, carrying with her away their son, Rorick, the last memory from the man that was Cedric Williams. As Serra Della Marre faded away among the shadowy shades of the trees, the snowflakes had began to cover her tracks as if hinting that neither any of those people that had heard nor seen her on that cold chilly day on Hammond Hill, will ever be seeing her again. And as the winds and snow begin to consistently fall on the ground, one soul would eventually fall crying in regret as two worlds collide. 
Chapter III

"Anne and Estella Williams"

Wiltonshire, a small town that's neither here nor there. A town so unimportant that most people from bigger towns would often ask "Wilton where?" in a sarcastic notion! For more obvious reasons, most people would just pass by Wiltonshire to get through to other, more interesting towns along the way such as Davenport, a bustling seaside town filled with much more than most towns could offer. Most people who hailed from Wiltonshire would often leave to look for more promising opportunities elsewhere, especially the younger generations who prefer to leave the old and mundane tradition of harvesting wheat and barley.

Daily life in Wiltonshire consists mainly of farmers and livestock raisers who go about their daily pace, working hard on a daily basis, working to earn their keep and going to the taverns for a pint at the end of the day. A simple life really, without any sort of complexities nor bourgeoisie notions of living a grander scheme besides earning through hard work. The town was founded by Welsh and Scottish immigrants who came in the early days and established themselves a small community, doing what their foreanthers did in the old country.

Some of the more prominent families such as the Travis and Hedges were regarded as the founding pioneers of Wiltonshire, as they were the ones who turned this barren hillside valley into a modest community, sustaining itself with livestock, wheat and barley. Among other families were the Williams, who hailed from the city of Davenport and were mostly merchants of the high seas in the early days. Estella Williams, one of the twelve children of Henry Williams, a former merchant, is all that remains of the Williams family in Wiltonshire as most of them have moved away to the bigger cities and abandoning the traditional family business, that of growing wheat. Unfortunately, Estella was barren and never had time to raise a family of her own. She was the only one that continued the family business long after her Father, Henry, passed on.

But fate had other plans for Estella. One day, her cousin came to her all the way from Davenport. She had something to confide to Estella, which she considers as her closest relative. Anne Christine, was a singer, known all throughout the city of Davenport not only for her beauty, but also for her voice. Anne never knew anybody that she can talk to concerning problems that most of the time, came her way, and it was only her older cousin, Estella, that she could confidently divulge details of her problems because Estella would often try to find ways and means to help Anne. But that was when they were younger, naive and impertinent, as most younger people were compulsive when it comes to making better judgments.

What Anne was about to tell Estella, would change Estella's life forever. Two weeks after Anne wrote to her cousin about coming over to visit, Estella was already on her way to the train station to meet her cousin, Anne, who was arriving on the ten o'clock train. It has been years since they last saw each other and Estella was ecstatic to finally see her favorite cousin once again. As the train arrived at the station, Estella recalled those past summers of long ago that they spent frolicking the hillside meadows, overlooking the town. Anne always loved to sing and she became quite good at it, that she once told Estella that she wanted to go to the big city and perform on the stage.

Estella always agreed to what Anne wanted to do, except when there was this time as children that Anne wanted to throw a kitten down the well, as Estella, being an elder cousin, scolded young Anne. Ah yes, those fleeting memories of summers past. As The train finally came to a halt, Anne alighted, running straight to Estella, giving her a tight embrace for all those years that they never saw each other. "Look at you!" exclaimed Estella, "You are so much prettier now than I remembered" as she stepped back to look at Anne from head to foot, as Anne was wearing the most beautiful summer dress.

"Estella, my favorite cousin, how I missed you, it's been ages! " greeted Anne. "Oh!, before I forget, I have bought you a dress, similar to this! I do hope that you like it!" said Anne. On the way to the estate, Estella asked Anne on how she was doing. "You remember when we were younger Estella, you remember how I always wanted to sing on stage?" asked Anne. "Why of course Anne, I remember all those summers when we would climb the hillside meadows and that we would sing our hearts out!" replied Estella. Anne looked out of the carriage window and smiled as they pass the hillside meadows overlooking the town. Her smile slowly faded as she turned to Estella and said "I did not came here for a visit Estella, I have something very important to discuss with you". Estella held Anne's hand and smiled as they turned into the estate, passing by the barley and wheat plantation, as Estella said, "We'll discuss it later over tea and biscuits dear, but first, rest for a while for you had a long journey".

It was about half past three in the afternoon when Anne came down from her room and headed out on the porch where Estella was already waiting and had already laid tea and some crumpets on the table. Anne sat down and gazed out to the wheat field and sighed. "Things haven't changed much around here Estella, this house, the plantation, always wondered why you chose to stay when most of our family moved out?" As Estella handed Anne a cup of tea, Estella stood up and gazed to the same direction where Anne was looking. "Somebody had to stay, Anne" Estella said. As Anne took a sip, Estella turned to Anne and said, "What was it that you came here to talk about Anne? I know that its gravely important and if it wasn't, you'd never bother to make a trip this far".

Anne put her cup down and held Estella's hand. "Estella, I know that it's hard for you, being alone in this house, running the plantation, don't you ever get lonely here?" asked Anne. Estella began to smile, she looked out into the field and gently shook her head and said, "I can't just leave, no one else is left to take care of the plantation, someone has to take care of things. And besides, there is always work to be done around here" Anne smiled and said, "Estella, I'm pregnant". Estella was surprised, she never thought that Anne would say that, let alone conceiving a child. "I never thought you got married! Who's the lucky Father, if you don't mind me asking?" quipped Estella.

Anne stepped back and walked towards the steps of the porch, as she took a deep breath and turned to Estella. "No, no husband Estella, this pregnancy wasn't planned nor was it a wise choice" Anne said. Anne began to recount the days when she started to sing on stage, a dream come true, as it was the only thing that mattered to her. Anne became quite famous in Davenport's society as she was the talk of the town, thanks to her angelic voice, which was taken noticed by Reynold Tiggs, an eccentric promoter who took in Anne as a singer, giving her the opportunity and eventually fame. As it turned out, Anne fell into the charms of Reynold and soon after, an affair came to be. Reynold was married and it was only fitting that the affair stay hidden from prying eyes. As far as Anne was concerned, Reynold was just a stepping stone to something more lucrative and grander.

Unfortunately, Anne got pregnant and nothing is more scandalous than an unmarried woman having an affair with a married man, let alone getting pregnant amidst such an illicit affair. Anne started to cry, blaming herself for being led into a position that's both scandalous and utterly disgraceful. Estella hugged Anne, she understood what her dear cousin was going through and tried to calm her down as Anne started to whimper. "I hope you're not planning to have the baby aborted, that will greatly put more guilt on you, more than you have now" said Estella. "No, I will not, but I can't keep it either" said Anne. "It will be a scandal that would ruin my career as a respectable singer" sighed Anne.

Estella looked up at the fleeting clouds overhead as the sun was about to cross over the hillsides, beckoning the twilight as it nears, trying to find a solution to Anne's massive problem. As the evening grew near, Estella sat down on a chair, facing the vastness of their estate, holding a wine cup on one hand while a gentle breeze welcomes the evening. She looked up towards the early evening sky, catching a glimpse of the first evening stars and thought about the past, a past that was filled with wonderful memories of what the Williams family used to be.

She smiled inside as she recalled how she and Anne used to entertain the entire household with their antics, songs and dancing, especially during occasions when the family gathered. Yes, it was indeed a happy time, but now, all that is left are the shards of the past, gleaming from a distant time and all that remains, including the plantation and the house in which Estella lives in. Loneliness is such a cruel prison for Estella, a prison without walls or boundaries along with the freedom that she has no one to share it with and at an age of forty years old, it seems that being a spinster is the only fate left for Estella to go by. As darkness falls across the landscape, Estella looks out into the open sky, watched as all the stars fill the dark sky, wondering when will she be saved from her lonely prison, as a tear slowly rolls down her cheek.
Chapter IV

"A Boy And His Violin"

It was the spring of Estella's forty fifth birthday and everyone working on the plantation was invited for her celebration. The entire household was running about, getting ready for the evening's festivities. Estella herself was preparing the food in the kitchen with some help from Gertrude and her family. For the past three years or so, Estella has been getting some help from townsfolk's and neighbors in running the plantation for quite some time now, and it was only recently that she took in Gertrude and her family. Gertrude was the daughter of Theodore and Mary Brewins, who served the Williams family a generation before. Gertrude worked as a chamber maid in Canterbury, a progressive town west of Wiltonshire. When the family that Gertrude was serving had to immigrate overseas, there was no more point in staying there, so she went back to Wiltonshire and eventually to the Williams plantation when she heard that Henry Williams had passed away.

The past five years were filled with bounty as Estella had the opportunity to buy out a few acres of fertile land from her neighbor, old man Jenkins. This increased the Williams plantations bountiful harvest, which enabled Estella to take in Gertrude's family and hire outside help as well. Since there was an abundant bumper crop, Estella decided to celebrate her birthday not for herself, but for all of the workers that toiled so hard for the past planting seasons. In the middle of all the preparations, Estella suddenly remembered something and rushed out of the kitchen. She went to the dining room and called on Gertrude who was arranging the food and beverages on the table and said, "Gertrude, have you seen my son Cedric?". "I saw him a while ago near the barn" replied Gertrude.

Ah yes, Cedric Williams, young, tenacious and often gets his hands stuck in the cookie jar too many times. Estella often tells Cedric not to go to the barn too often, as Duncan, who lives there, tends to swear a lot most especially when he's drinking. Estella hurriedly traversed the pathway leading to the barn as she can't imagine the obscene words that are blurting out from Duncan's frothing, filthy mouth. Oh how she wished that Cedric never strayed outside the house, as Duncan frequently drinks and says this favorite four lettered "f" word. "Oh my goodness! He must be drunk already and spewing out profane words!" feared Estella.

There was even a time, last autumn, that Cedric, then four years of age, came running into the kitchen with his friend Joseph Hedges, and they were chasing each other around the table, both shouting "Fuck you!, Fuck you!" to the horror of Estella! She quickly apprehended the two boys and pulled them to a corner and scolded them. "What in the world are you two shouting about!?" exclaimed Estella. "Do you even know what that word means!?". Joseph replied, "No Missis Williams, but Duncan says that a lot". To Estella's horror, she found out that Duncan was to blame as to why these boys were shouting those vile words. Remembering what happened that autumn, Estella quickly turned into a corner as she finally saw the barn, just ahead of her. To her surprise, there was no drunken Scotsman shouting or any of that, but two boys sitting in front of Duncan Jacob while, they listen to him play the violin. Estella stopped and listened as Duncan continued to play his violin to the delight of the two children. The violin sounded like a maiden singing in the summer breeze. The song had an ethereal feeling of sadness which showed on Duncan's face. Finally, he finished the song and when Duncan put down the bow, a tear fell.

The two boys were at awe, as it was the first time they saw a violin, let alone hear one play for the first time. Cedric asked, "What was that tune called, Duncan?". "Suo Gan, it's a traditional Scottish highland song" replied Duncan. The two boys looked at each other as Joseph said, " That was a beautiful song Mr. Jacob!" "Aye lads, that be a song for my young lassie which I left back home" said Duncan. "A song for your daughter I figure" added Cedric. "Aye master Cedric for me own daughter, she be about your age right now" Duncan said. About this moment, Estella approached the three and said, "That was a beautiful song Duncan" greeted Estella. "Good evening ma'am" Duncan cordially nodding his head to Estella. "Mother!" as Cedric stood up and embraced Estella. "I thought you were drunk again and teaching these boys some new words again" said Estella. "Duncan was showing us his violin, and he played for us mother!" Cedric said. "That's nice dear, now, you and Joseph run along and go wash up,the festivities are about to begin" said Estella as she parted Cedric's hair. "And as for you Duncan, I would be delighted if you could join us in the festivities as it would be nice to hear you play your fiddle, as long as you stay a bit sober for the duration of the night?" quipped Estella. Duncan smiled and said, "It will be my pleasure ma'am".

Meanwhile, the two boys were washing up and getting ready for the grand feast, as Joseph asked Cedric what he thought of Duncan's music. Cedric answered, "When I grow up, I want to play the violin too, just like Duncan". A few years have passed and Cedric, now about fourteen years of age is about to celebrate his fifteenth birthday. He wasn't really enthusiastic about having a grand gathering to his name, but only wanted a few friends and some family members. As always, he went to the barn to invite Duncan. He went to the barn as usual, but instead, he found Duncan, sitting on the steps of his cottage, crying and with a letter on his hand. "What's wrong Duncan?" asked Cedric. "My wife has just passed away, and my daughter has asked me to come home". "I'm sorry to hear that, Duncan,does mother already know about this?" Cedric asked. " Aye my young master,I have already notified your mother about my intentions of returning home, I plan on leaving the day after tomorrow". And with that said, Duncan stood up, walked inside his cottage and shut the door behind him, leaving Cedric outside.

Cedric slowly turned around and headed back to the house with a heavy heart. He never saw Duncan that sad before and he felt sorry for him. For many years, Duncan had been a great help to the Williams estate as he was the only one who knew how to run the wheat thresher and kept them in pristine running condition that the whole plantation's harvest grew four folds. There was also this time that he was so annoyingly drunk so early in the morning that just felt like wearing his clan's tartan all throughout the day. Estella just about had it with Duncan's drunken spree that she was about to give him the boot off the plantation, but then, one of the threshers stopped working and there was no one else there that could fix it, that they decided to stop harvesting as it would eventually delay the delivery of their wheat.

But to the surprise of many, it was Duncan that came forth and fixed the thresher despite of being under the influence of liquor, to whom they owed the gratitude of being able to proceed with the harvest as it was intended. Since then, Duncan became one of the most important workers in the Williams plantation, despite of his frequent drunken stupor. That night as Cedric was with his friends and family, sharing some delightful stories, his mind was somewhere else. He couldn't forget that morning as he saw Duncan crying on the steps of his cottage, as he felt very sorry for the loss of his wife.

A day passed and Duncan was in front of the house, standing beside the horse drawn carriage that is waiting to take him to the train station for his journey back to Scotland. Estella was there, teary eyed and so was Gertrude as they see him off. "Thank you for the times you had to put up with my rowdy drunkenness ma'am, you have been very good to me for all the years I spent here" said Duncan. Estella was moved to tears as she replied, "The pleasure was all mine Duncan, this plantation will never be the same without you, and I doubt that we will ever find a worker like you again". Cedric came running through the door and out to the porch just as Duncan was about to climb on the carriage. "Duncan! wait!" shouted Cedric. "I want you to have this" as Cedric gave Duncan a rabbits foot. Duncan laughed as he said, "I remember this, wasn't this the foot of a rabbit that we hunted when you were about this wee little? You asked me not to kill it because you felt sorry for it". Cedric smiled but there was a tear already falling from his eyes. Duncan pated the boy on his head and took the rabbits foot. As he said farewell, Duncan reached into the carriage and pulled out his old violin and gave it to Cedric. " Take good care of it young master, my hands aren't the same as before, maybe you'd fancy playing it and put it to some good use" Cedric smiled and wrapped Duncan's violin in his arms and said, "I will always remember you Duncan, farewell". And with that said, the carriage started to move as Duncan looked back and waved goodbye to everybody. Cedric, Estella and Gertrude stood and watched as the carriage that carried Duncan drove out to the road and faded from the distance. "He was a good man, and he deserves to be remembered". Thus said, a boy and his violin were left standing as Duncan Jacob left and only time will tell if fate will allow their paths to cross again as all that remains are the memories of a rowdy Scottish drunkard and how he changed the lives of everyone in the Williams plantation.

Chapter V

"Two Letters"

Another year has passed since Duncan left and another season of harvesting for the Williams plantation. Cedric was on the porch, playing the violin that Duncan left him, when John, the local postman came and handed Cedric a letter. It was from Duncan, and it was addressed to Cedric himself! Cedric was so happy that he received a letter from an old friend that he shouted to his mother, who was inside the house at that time. "Mother! it's a letter from Duncan!" Estella came quickly to Cedric to see if it was true and sure enough, it was indeed a letter from dear old Duncan. "Oh Madame Williams, there is also a letter here for you as well" as John took out the letter from the mail bag. "To Estella Williams, Williams Plantation, Wiltonshire" was written on the envelope. Estella wondered who had sent the letter for it had no address of origin. Meanwhile, Cedric ran up to his room and sat on his bedside, as he hurriedly opened the letter from Duncan and upon fully unfolding it, he started to read it.

* * *

"Dear Young Master Cedric,

It has been a full year since I left the plantation and I have dearly missed the sun drenched wheat fields that I used to sow Unlike there in Wiltonshire, Glasgow is always wet with rain, even during the summer months. The only thing I miss here in my hometown is the dark ale and the Scottish whiskey that I grew up with. Lissete, my little young lassie has already grown into a fine young woman. Not a day passes by that I never stopped talking about you there in Wiltonshire to her, since I've watched you grow up to be a fine young lad. Lissete was always curious about the young master that I served that she frequently asks what you look like. Well, I told her that you were a fine, rambunctious lad that got into much trouble just out of being curious all the time. I gave her the lucky rabbit's foot that you gave to me when I left there, as it may bring her good luck someday. I also told her that you were a handsome gent with brown eyes, wavy dark brown hair and a penchant for young boys just like you. If you were wondering why I said that, it is most probably that I am currently drinking while I'm writing you this letter and that my young lassie has probably taken some fancy at you. Be mindful young master Cedric that I dearly love me daughter Lissete and if you even think about making advancements at her, I will take me sharp hunting knife, cut your nut sack off and hang them by your ears!!! Hahaha,just kidding lad, must be the liquor I be drinking. Frankly speaking, I really miss the smell of the old shire, compared to the damp and mossy smell here in Glasgow. I hope someday I could go back there and visit the old plantation and bring me young lassie along for you to meet as she also wants to see Wiltonshire. Give my regards to Madame Estella and Gertrude. By the way young master, how's my violin? Have you put it into good use already?

Regards,

Duncan

* * *

Cedric was happy and perplexed at the same time as he folded the letter and laid it on his bedside. "Dear old Duncan, still drinking and always funny" Cedric thought to himself. Cedric unknowingly left his room door open, as Estella peeked through it to find out what Cedric was doing and making sure that Cedric was not about to go anywhere at that moment. Estella hurried into her room and locked the door behind her, as she took out the letter that she received a while ago. Again, she looked at the envelope and tried to make assumptions on who could have sent her the letter. Although Estella was curious about it, she was also a bit hesitant to open it as she felt that it might bring about some bad news. But despite of all that, she had to open it and find out for herself, and there is no point of delaying her curiosity for it has already gotten the best of her. As Estella nimbly tore off the sides of the envelope, she can't help but ask questions on who could have sent her this letter since most of her relatives have gone away and haven't have the care in the world about the family plantation nor did she have any friends from distant places that would write to her since all of her friends and acquaintances are from Wiltonshire. As she opened up the letter, she held her breath for a moment of anticipation and began to read.

* * *

"To Estella Williams, Williams Plantation, Wiltonshire"

My Dearest Estella,

It's been years since I last sent you a letter and its only now that I had the courage to do so. You might think that I have forgotten all those years that we have cherished together as children, up to the time that we grew up as young ladies where we dreamt about aspiring to become what we wanted. Firstly, I want to thank you for all the times you supported and guided me despite of all my misgivings and for that, I thank you as you saved my life from some of the most darkest times, that without your guidance, I may have already given up on life. I am even happy to tell you that I have gotten married a few years back and already had a daughter and a young son! Almyra my eldest daughter is about to turn ten years old and Caleb, who is three. I was lucky to have found a man who would genuinely love me despite of my dark past. His name is Rommel Dery, and he is of Hungarian decent. We have settled here in Monaco because the climate here is well suited for the both of us, not so humid and not so cold. How I wish you could be here but I guess you just can't leave the plantation even though you would want to since no one there could manage the place like you could.

I guess you would think that I am a heartless woman for leaving my child there with you, just to cover up the embarrassment that would leave a stain on my reputation as a singer. I did not have a choice then, because I had to pursue my dreams in every way I could. I guess by now he has already grown up and knowing that you had raised him, I am confident that he will grow up to become a fine gentleman.

Estella, there is another thing that I would like to tell you, though I wish to keep this all to myself but I have to tell you as early as possible before I regret it up to the final minute. I have an ailment,and the doctors say that there is no cure for it and that it is degenerative in nature. They say that I would be lucky if I would last five years or so, but I personally think that it would be lesser than what they perceived. There are times that I wake up disoriented, screaming for no apparent reason. Sometimes they say that I could not recognize people and that I would become aggressive and secluded. After learning this, I became quite scared and have began to feel sad for myself. There were even moments that I thought about ending my life, just to save me from the excruciating pain that's accompanied by seizures. Estella, my beloved cousin, when the inevitable comes, please make it a point to tell my son the truth about himself as that is the only thing that I want him to know since my guilt prohibits me to face him and to say it to him myself. I will always cherish those happy memories that we shared, the good times and the bad, and all those countless summers we spent together, dreaming of big things. I will remember you until the last moments of my life.

You're cousin,

Anne Williams Dery

* * *

Estella started to cry while holding the letter that her cousin Anne had sent. She tried to muffle her cries so that Cedric won't hear her from the other room. She returned the letter into the envelope and hid it underneath her bed so that no one would find it. She walked to her bedroom window and looked outside to the wheat field, recalling those times that she, Anne and their other cousins would play tag. She thought about telling Cedric the truth a long time ago but the motherly instinct inside forbade her from breaking the child's heart. No, she won't do that as long as she lives but the guilt of not giving in to Anne's last dying wish written in a letter from Monaco and with Cedric not knowing the truth is somewhat overwhelmingly inducing her to do so. Estella shook her head, hoping to dissipate the notion of doing so, but she prayed that someday, the boy would eventually find out the truth in a more subtle and acceptable way, hoping to save him the agony of knowing everything.

Chapter VI

"Miss Christine Sinclaire"

It was springtime and the flowers and trees have come back to life after a long and cold winter season. School was back, but Cedric and Joseph were not really happy about it as they rather spend more time daydreaming while thinking about girls. Both now being sixteen years of age, the two boys are now well on their way to adolescence and are more interested in meeting girls rather than pursuing their academic interests. On their way to school, the two were having a conversation about how it feels to be with a girl since they only had each other for company and never actually had any female friends. "My father says women are like gargoyles, who spit fire once you have irked them and provoke their anger" said Joseph. "Where in hell did you conjure up with that notion Joseph" asked Cedric in an amused manner. "My father told me, well, that's what he says whenever my mother starts nagging him!" Joseph replied as both young men started to laugh hysterically. Upon reaching the school, the two boys exited the carriage and proceeded to walk into the school grounds to make their way to their early morning class. As they entered the hallway, they saw Father McKenzie, standing and talking to someone. As the two passed by behind the priest's back, Cedric's attention was drawn to a woman that Father McKenzie was talking to. She wore a floral hat and her face was somewhat obscured that Cedric just ignored looking twice as he thought it was a parent being called to hear some complaints about her child that did some misdemeanor and that Father McKenzie had to tell her about it.

As the two boys walked into the classroom, they were caught by surprise as they were pelted both with bits of paper from their classmates as a welcome back gesture of sorts. The two boys picked up the pieces of paper and pelted it back to whoever did it first, to a one particular Harold Plumm, who had the notoriety of being a class clown, and one of the most unruly student inside the class, but nevertheless a good boy most of the time. "Well, I say! Welcome back you two wankers, how did you both spent your winter season? Not yanking off I hope!" as Harold jested. The whole room roared with laughter at Harold's whimsical joke. "Of course we did and we were thinking about your mum the whole time!" as Joseph sarcastically replied, which sent the whole class into a frenzy of laughs as Harold could do nothing but shake his head in disbelief as he knew he had that one coming.

Just about that moment, Father McKenzie came inside the room and all went back to their seats and a lull of silence filled the room. "Good morning class" greeted the priest as the class responded, "Good morning Father McKenzie". "Now settle down, settle down, I have something to say" Father McKenzie said as he continued, "As you all know by now, Mrs. Colbert, your music teacher has already retired and can no longer teach you. So, in light of Mrs. Colbert's absence, the school has decided to hire a new teacher that will fill in for Mrs. Colbert". The class whispered among themselves and thought, "Just wonderful, another boring teacher that will make us sleepy for hours on end" With that being said, Father McKenzie, turned his head to the door way and gave a nodding gesture to someone who was waiting outside the hallway. FatherMcKenzie looked at the entire class and said, "Students, may I introduce you to your new music teacher, Miss Christine Sinclaire".

Cedric was too bored to look at the new teacher that he slouched down into his seat hoping to hide while the new teacher introduced herself to the entire class. " Cedric!" as Joseph nudged his elbows to get Cedric's attention. "Don't bother me Joseph!" snarled Cedric. "Oh, but I do think you will want to see this!" replied Joseph. As Cedric lifted himself to see over from behind Harold Plumm's broad shoulder, he saw the face of a beautiful woman, standing on front of the class. This triggered Cedric's male curiosity, that he had to sway sideways to the middle of the aisle to see who this woman was. Finally clearing Harold Plumm's obscuring arms, Cedric saw for the first time with his own pubescent eyes, a woman with golden blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, plum cheeks, pouting red lips and a pair of the most, excuse the pun, distracting road signs that any man can't resist looking at!

The whole class was astir as most of the boys there were murmuring to one another, for obvious reasons, and that is in admiration for their new music teacher, Miss Sinclaire! As this was going on, Cedric hadn't noticed that he was already leaning out too much, that when Joseph tried to tap him to get his attention, that he lost hold from his chair and along with his footing, led him to fall down in the middle of the aisle! With a loud thud, Cedric fell straight down, substantially hitting his head on the wooden floor which made the whole class, break out in laughter, getting the attention of Miss Sinclaire!

"Oh my word! Are you alright!?" as she approached the boy with a concerning aire. Cedric pulled himself up while holding his head as he soothed it, and as he finally got up from the floor, Miss Sinclaire was already standing in front of him, staring straight at his face! Cedric, despite of being a bit disoriented from his fall, looked straight at Miss Sinclaire, which led him to see that she was even more beautiful up close! "Are you sure you're alright? Would you like to have a physician take a look at that bump on your head?" asked Miss Sinclaire. Cedric was speechless and obviously smitten by Miss Sinclaire's "robust" beauty! "I'm fine ma'am, perfectly fine!" as Cedric dusted off his trousers.

Miss Sinclaire smiled at the young man and went back to the front of the class. Cedric immediately went back to his seat as he grinned at Joseph, the kind of grin that only two adolescent boys would understand. Later that afternoon as the day's class was dismissed, Cedric and Joseph began their journey home. Joseph was blabbering away while Cedric was particularly silent all the while, he really didn't understand what Joseph was saying as his mind was preoccupied with other things. "Would you agree to that Cedric?" asked Joseph. "Agree to what?" answered Cedric. "Weren't you even listening to what I said?" asked Joseph. "Sorry mate, a I didn't heat it" replied Cedric. Joseph paused and looked at Cedric and thought for a while, until he thought to himself. "Don't tell me, It's the new music teacher isn't it? You dirty dog you!" quipped Joseph. Cedric gave Joseph an androgynous look, hoping to hide the obvious, and smiled at Joseph, giving away his thoughts. "I knew it! It's so obvious!" glared Joseph.

"I can't blame you, it was obviously those gorgeous knockers of hers that caught your fancy, isn't that right mate!?" said Joseph. "How could you say such a thing, you sound so perverted don't you know that Joseph?" replied Cedric. The two stopped and looked at each other and continued to walk as Cedric said, "Must be good to lay head first and sink your face in there". "Indeed it would, indeed it would" said Joseph as they got into the carriage and left.

As the carriage made its way past the town square, Cedric was thinking about what happened earlier to him as he fell off his chair, and the way Miss Sinclaire looked at him. "Do you think she's married?" as he asked Joseph. "I don't know, but I heard she taught music in a school in central London, at least that's what I heard among the other faculty members" says Joseph. "You never cease to amaze me Joseph, always first among to learn about the rumors spreading in school" says Cedric. "Well, it's not hard really, especially a beautiful music teacher comes to town, word spreads quickly like bush fire,and considering those delightful knockers!" Joseph replied as both broke into a mischievous laughing spree all the way home.

Chapter VII

"The First Summer Moon Festival"

Summer was fast approaching and Wiltonshire was abuzz as everybody in town was on their toes in preparation for the annual summer festival. It was this once a year festivity that culminates every first summer moon, and the town folks of Wiltonshire gather to give thanks to a fruitful bounty, as they celebrate it with singing, dancing and a whole lot of bubbly brew since wheat and barley are their main crops. Preparations are underway as early as two days before and a lot of different aspects of the festivities are delegated to some of the people, who willingly contribute portions of what they have amassed for the past season and give back part of a small portion to help with the cost in any small substantial way that they can.

Like Mr. Edward Peterson, whose family owns the only general merchandise store in Wiltonshire, as his family always lends a hand in preparing the tables, chairs and the stage that is setup in the town square from his own pocket. Or Thomas Ames, who owns a livestock farm that raises cattle, sow and sheep, as same as every year, gives meat and mutton to be cooked for the town feast. Jason Barnaby who is the only baker in Wiltonshire, as same as every year, whips up some of the most delectable breads, pastries and desserts that everybody loves eating. And of course there is Mrs. Colbert, although already retired from the local school she once taught in, still manages to give a hand or so with regard to the entertainment aspects of the festival, as she for decades, was directly responsible for providing the music, along with the singing and dancing.

Included in the course of the festivities is a musical recital that includes some of the local townsfolk, including Cedric and Joseph themselves as it was their final year as students in Wiltonshire's parochial school. Meanwhile, back in the Williams estate, the two boys were inside Cedric's room, practicing their piece as preparation for their first and last recital under Miss Sinclaire's class and they would like to make it a memorable one since it was also their last year as students. Since eight o'clock in the morning, the two boys were already busy brushing up in practicing their musical pieces. There was a determined look in their eyes as they continued to play, repeating every flawed note until they didn't have to look at their music sheets. With each and every stroke of their bows, they felt the music with their hearts, and as their timing became so synchronized with one another, you can confidently say that they can even play their musical score blindfolded!

Late that afternoon, as the two boys were grooming up and preparing their instruments, Joseph asked Cedric, "I'm a bit nervous mate, is there by any chance that you might be feeling the same way too?" "Me? nervous!? not a chance!" said Cedric. Cedric paused for a while, took a deep breath and sighed, "Petrified,utterly petrified!" as the two boys laughed. "I know what, why don't we gulp down a pint each to drown those butterflies in our stomachs before we play on stage? That'll numb down our edginess don't you say? Cedric nodded in agreement as they packed up their instruments while the carriage waits for them outside the house to take them to the town square.

It was about past four in the afternoon and the fleeting clouds were now looming over the hillside boroughs as the sun was preparing to make its final descent to welcome the twilight. The whole town square of Wiltonshire was filled with people and the streets were lined up with tinsel and colored paper, hung above the eaves of the buildings, stitching cries cross from one street corner to the next, flowing and gently dancing to the afternoon breeze, as the last shimmering rays of daylight, reflected on each tinsel hanging, giving off a spectacular burst of rainbow like colors, much to the delight of the visitors.

On each end of the road leading to and from Wiltonshire, Edward Peterson has put up a temporary arch, in which he mounted two decorated ornate candle lit lanterns to welcome passersby and visitors who were invited to join the festivities of their annual summer moon harvest festival. Back in the town square, Wiltonshire's town mayor, Aldous Cobb, went up on stage and stood in front of the awaiting and eager crowd. "Citizens of Wiltonshire, it is again another season past where we give thanks to a bountiful harvest and looking forward for many more seasons to come!" as the crowd applauded.

"As mayor of Wiltonshire, I, Aldous Cobb, hereby officially declare that the summer moon festival is now open!". The crowd cheered as the local wind quartet, started to play a tune and the crowd, most especially the young ones, started to sway to the music being played. Most of the children ran about the fairgrounds as most of the older people, namely mothers and fathers, who were talking to each other while exchanging pleasantries accompanied by a pint in their hands. The elders were huddled together on the side benches while puffing their smoke pipes and drinking dark ale. Timothy Curtiss looked around while taking a sip from his pint. He recalled how the harvest was during his days when Wiltonshire was the only one that was propagating wheat and barley before other nearby towns began to follow suit.

"What's the matter Tim? You seemed a bit glazed, something bothering you?" asked an old timer sitting beside him. "Nothing old bloke, I was just thinking about the time when my grandfather used to plant his crops on our family land. He never did find difficulty in harvesting since during those days, Wiltonshire was the only town who was known to be the wheat granary north of Davenport. The harvest then was so abundant that the trains had to wait for their turn to load up tons of wheat and barley to be brought to other nearby towns, and eventually to London as well. Unlike then, we never had to worry about selling our harvest as there was already someone waiting to buy them even before we start planting season. But now, towns like Feildings, Crestmont and Lancashire are already competing with their harvest, bringing the prices so low that we have to haggle our way just to sell them. It's only a matter of seasons until the whole wheat and barley industry fizzles out, then what happens to us and our town?" lamented Timothy.

"True, quite true" replied Donald Stern, who is also one of a few farmers who are feeling a bit sentimental as they talk about the good old days. "Timothy is right, ever since the other towns started to plant the same crops as we do, our prices have tremendously dropped even though production has increase, we might as well give our crops away! And the young ones aren't even interested in planting anymore, why, they rather go away to other places to look for jobs than spend the rest of their lives planting!"

Cedric and Joseph arrived at the town square as they saw that the festivities had already began. They immediately made their way to the back end of the stage where Miss Sinclaire was organizing the participants of the recital that was to follow after the other entertainers have finished their performance. Mrs. Colbert delegated Miss Sinclaire to announce over the proceedings once the recital starts as she would be the one to introduce the participants one by one. As Cedric and Joseph walked towards the back end of the stage, Miss Sinclaire saw them and waved at them to hurry up. "Boys, thank God you arrived. I was just about to arrange you by numbers on who gets to go first on stage to perform, but since I already given the other participants their number, looks like you boys get to play at the end!"

"No problem with us Miss Sinclaire, Cedric and I don't mind going on as last, well, better last than never, right Cedric?" as the two nodded. "Well, as long as it's okay with you two, that's fine by me" said Miss Sinclaire. "We'll just wile our time away while waiting for our turn to perform" said Cedric. The two boys then went out of the dressing room and headed for the refreshment stands where Harold Plumm was helping his Father give out drinks and beverages.

"Hey Harold! Harold!" Joseph called out. "Oh it's you two wankers again!" Harold quipped. "Can you spare us two pints mate? We're a bit nervous and need two dark ales to calm our nerves!". Harold looked at the two, peeked behind to see if his father was looking and said, "I'll see what I can do,I'll be back in a jiffy". While the two boys were waiting for Harold to come out and hand them each a pint, Cedric and Joseph struck up a conversation concerning Miss Sinclaire. "Did you see Miss Sinclaire? She looks so beautiful with that dress she's wearing, and did you see that plunging neck line!?" said Joseph. Cedric nodded and thought about Miss Sinclaire and the dress that she was wearing that he could see through it! Especially when she had her hair cropped up like that, letting him see the rest of her smooth, white nape, running down straight to her partially exposed cleavage!

Chapter VIII

"Nocturne No. 21 In C# Minor"

As the boys were downing their pints, the recital was already well on its way with the first performer, Archibald Whitmore, who will be playing the piano. Miss Sinclaire stood behind the podium and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, our first performer this evening, to perform Claire de Lune, please give a warm applause to Archibald Whitmore!" as the crowd clapped their hands. As the piano started playing, the two boys heard the music and knew that the recital had already began.

"You hear that Joseph? the recital has already began, we best be on our way!" Cedric said. As he was about to get up, Joseph pulled him back down to where he was seated and said, "No need to hurry Cedric, don't be so hasty, remember? we'll be playing last" Joseph remarked, as he added, "Harold? Harold! another pint here please!" "You're obviously way beyond tipsy Joseph" Harold said. " Oh come on now mate, this is our last time together as school mates, who knows where we will be tomorrow!?" Joseph conjected.

Harold smiled and nodded in agreement and said, "Very well, but just one last pint, agreed?". " Thank you" replied Joseph as his obviously already reddening face was smiling at Cedric. Cedric couldn't help but worry about Joseph's condition not that he was not confident about his friend's musical skills, but that of his erratic behavior once he's under the influence of liquor. He regretfully remembered last summer as they went to the lake shore to swim with friends. They were having a wonderful time frolicking in the water, having the time of their lives. Unknowingly to them, one of their peers brought with him several bottles of Bavarian stout and as a result they all got drunk,reeking drunk! Particularly Joseph who got so drunk that he felt so unbearably hot as he literally stripped down, butt naked, his manly glory exposed and ran along the lake shore to cool himself down, as other people were caught by surprise as Joseph streaked by them.

Cedric was squirming at the thought of Joseph running naked again, so he shooked his head and hope he never will. As the recital moved on to the last remaining participants, Cedric was unaware that Miss Sinclaire was at the front of the refreshment stand, sipping a pint of dark ale as well. As the two boys were about to return to the back of the stage to prepare for their turn to perform, they accidentally came face to face with Miss Sinclaire, as both the two boys and their music teacher were surprised to see each other, as Miss Sinclaire seeing her two students tipsy and Cedric, obviously setbacks upon learning that Miss Sinclaire knew how to drink as it wasn't obvious since she was always prim and proper.

"Boys! what were you doing behind the stall? asked Miss Sinclaire, as Harold, upon seeing the two boys being caught red handed, slipped behind to hide from Miss Sinclaire as Harold, thought to himself, "Their arse is toast!". "Have you two been drinking all this time!?" asked their teacher. Joseph, upon realizing that they were about to get caught, said " Um,you have to excuse me ma'am, but I have to make preparations for our performance, see you on the stage Cedric!" as Joseph quickly sprinted away to avoid being scolded!

After Joseph ran away, Miss Sinclaire focused her attention to Cedric, who was left to answer for both of them, as she approached the young man to smell his breath. Cedric, who was a bit taller than Miss Sinclaire couldn't budge an inch as his music teacher drew near his face, put her hands on his chest and started to sniff his face. But, upon doing so, allowed Cedric to smell her as well, in which made him step back, forcing his back against the wall and partially hiding both Miss Sinclaire and Cedric in the shadows as the flickering lights of the lamp, swayed in the evening summer breeze. "Have you been drinking Cedric?" Miss Sinclaire asked the nervous boy. "Yes, ma'am but not for the sole intention of getting drunk but just to numb down the nervousness before our performance" Cedric answered with all sincerity.

Miss Sinclair's eyes glared at Cedric's face, it was obvious that she was tipsy as well and judging by the pint that she was holding in her hand, Cedric knew a way to weaseled his way out of the situation. "Please don't tell my mum I've been drinking Miss Sinclaire or I'm bound to get a good scolding from her" pleaded Cedric. Miss Sinclaire looked deeply into Cedric's brown eyes, pausing for a while and said, "I won't if you won't tell anyone that I've been drinking as well, you naughty boy" answered Miss Sinclaire as she gently rubbed her hands on Cedric's chest, slowly stepping back. "Now run along, your turn to perform is nearing" she said.  Cedric froze as he watched Miss Sinclaire slowly walked away from him while she took one gulp from her pint and emptied it, drinking it all. She then turned around to look at Cedric and gave him a smile, as the boy stood there, thinking what was really happening as he felt something curiously strange, tingling inside him.

Cedric immediately went to the dressing room to prepare for their recital. Joseph was already tuning his cello as he turned to Cedric and asked, "You didn't squeal on me did you Cedric? Did Miss Sinclaire give you a good badgering?" Cedric smiled behind Joseph's back and said, "Isn't it obvious!?" but inside his mind, Cedric couldn't forget that moment when Miss Sinclaire had him pinned against the wall, sniffing his breath as he smelled her as well. The way his music teacher had her hands on his chest made Cedric feel something inside that he can't explain and the way that Miss Sinclaire looked at him, was just something out of the ordinary.

The final pair of participants, namely Cedric and Joseph were about to go on stage. Father McKenzie was now presiding over and was about to introduce the two young men up the stage. Miss McKenzie was waiting alone behind the curtains as Father McKenzie spoke. "It has been a very entertaining evening so far and now, to introduce to you our final performers tonight, to play Frederic Chopin's Nocturne No. 21 in C Sharp Minor, ladies and gentlemen, Cedric Williams and Joseph Hedges!". "This is it mate! It's now or never!" as Joseph climbed the stage ahead, as Cedric followed behind.

As Joseph made his way to the stage, Miss Sinclaire pulled on Cedric's arm, much to his surprise. She leaned forward and whispered into Cedric's ear and said "Good luck Cedric". "And this is for those butterflies in your stomach!" as Miss Sinclaire gingerly planted a seemingly endearing kiss on Cedric's cheeks, much to his surprise that there was something that took over him that somewhat opened his mind. Cedric looked at her and smiled, as she touched his hair and face as Cedric walked to the stage where Joseph was waiting.

Joseph stared at Cedric and noticed something different about the way his eyes were looking at him, full of confidence which he thought, was the result of two pints of dark ale, and if he only knew what went on behind the curtains! As Cedric and Joseph bowed down to the applause of the audience, Miss Sinclaire was standing at the back, smiling at Cedric, who also looked at her. Cedric saw his mother, Estella with Gertrude beside her as both waved at them from amidst the crowd. The two young men took their seats as silence fell over the audience. Opening their musical scores, Cedric, looked at Joseph and nodded as they began to play. As the two slowly build up their repertoire, Segñor Gianatti laid back on his seat, listening to every note, innuendos and rests that were being played. The crowd themselves were very silent as the two young men continued playing with much dexterity and intensity, that you could assume that it was only them that was on stage as their perception of the crowd bellow that was watching them slowly disappeared.

Miss Sinclaire was dumbfounded as she watched the two young gents billow out their piece, as she remained standing back stage. Segñor Gianatti was now keenly watching the two as this piece of Chopin is regarded as one of his most respected compositions and it is only right to play it with much justification and emotion. The crowd was in total silence as Cedric and Joseph were nearing to finish the last bars on their piece, the evening summer breeze was gently playing on Cedric's hair, partially covering his face, as it blew over his musical piece to the floor.

Joseph worried that Cedric might forget the remaining notes, but as Joseph looked at his friend, he noticed that Cedric had his eyes closed the whole time! Which means he was playing their piece without reading a single note even with his eyes closed! Estella Williams held her breath as the two young men finally finished playing. The entire crowd got to their feet, applauding to their heart's content as never had heard a pair of young men play with such zest and emotions! Miss Sinclaire was almost smiling, teary eyed, but nevertheless so proud of her students, most especially towards Cedric.

The two young men graciously bowed down and left the stage as the curtains went down, with the crowd still in a standing ovation. Segñor Gianatti turned to Mrs. Colbert and said "Are those your students Mrs. Colbert?" inquired Segñor Gianatti. "They are the students of Miss Sinclaire since she took over my class almost a year ago" answered the old teacher. "I think I would like to meet them" said Segñor Gianatti as Mrs. Colbert nodded and said "As you wish Segñor Gianatti. I will make arrangements with Miss Sinclaire for you to meet them".
Chapter IX

"The Royal Academy Of Music"

Cedric and Joseph went down backstage, as their hearts were still racing after their exhilarating performance that Joseph said, "I can't believe that we did, that they actually liked our performances!". "Well, I can't believe that with a lot of practice and two pints of dark ale could be a big help as well!" said Cedric, as the two lads were smiling, obviously relieved from the unnerving feeling of doubt that they felt during their performance. The door opened as Miss Sinclaire came in, smiling and excited as well as she said, "That was a magnificent performance lads! You really gave your best that you apparently have gotten the attention of Segñor Gianatti!"

"Segñor Gianatti? Who's that?" curiously asked Cedric. "I've heard of him. He's the Italian who serves under the Royal Academy of Music in London. Alfred Tinmoore's older brother Timothy who plays violin was accepted into the academy through Segñor Gianatti's endorsement. He studied under his wing and became a member of his majesty's personal chamber of musicians!" replied Joseph. "That is correct Joseph, and it's not so often that Segñor Gianatti scours the country side to look for new talents to take under his auspices, let alone study in the Royal Academy of Music, as it is every young musicians dream to study in the Academy, but unfortunately, it is only for a select few" says Miss Sinclaire.

Segñor Gianatti, the thin, dark, obscure stranger wearing a top hat, looking more like the Grim Reaper, who could easily stand out in any crowd with his tall stature and gliding stride. Giuseppe Gianatti came to England when he was about eight years old as his family fled from their hometown in Bologna, Italy from two feudal families who were plunging the entire countryside into a war torn wasteland, displacing almost all who were peacefully living their lives as farmers. Giuseppe, his mother, along with his five siblings, left their native land when their father died as a result of the rampant clan fighting between two opposing families, forcing them to move from one place to another, trying to find a decent means of supporting themselves, until they finally came to England, where Giuseppe found work in a music store that was owned by an Italian family that sold various instruments from all over Europe. From then on, he supported his family until such time that he himself became a musician and studied under the tutelage of the famous Lord Fauntleroy, enabling him to attend the Royal Academy of Music, and eventually becoming a member of his majesty's court musicians.

It's only natural for Segñor Gianatti to be very objective in the way that he chooses potential students for the Academy, as he himself had to undergo the most rigorous training and discipline that any musician could ever go through, but most especially if he knows that a student has real talent. Segñor Gianatti saw something about these two lads that he had to talk to them and ask them if they want to attend the Royal Academy as all expenses will be shouldered by the Academy, including a modest stipend, which will be given to them. "Mrs. Colbert, I think I want to meet these young lads and talk to them" says Segñor Gianatti. Mrs. Colbert looked at Miss Sinclaire and told her to bring the two lads to meet Segñor Gianatti.

Estella and Gertrude were about to go backstage to congratulate Cedric for a well performed recital as Mrs. Colbert approached and introduced Segñor Gianatti to them. "So you are the mother of Cedric, the lad who performed on stage. Your son is talented and has potential Mrs. Williams. Do you think you would allow him if he was interested along with giving your consent, for him to go to London and study at the Royal Academy of Music?" asked Segñor Gianatti. "As a mother, I will have second thoughts of Cedric being far away from home, although it is still his decision if he wants to or not" replied Estella. "Agreed Mrs. Williams, I want to hear it from your son myself if he would be interested on what I am about to offer him" replied Segñor Gianatti.

Cedric and Joseph were just about finished packing up their instruments when Miss Sinclaire walked into the dressing room with a smile in her face. She told the two lads that Segñor Gianatti wanted to speak to the both of them. The two lads were a bit hesitant as they thought that Segñor Gianatti was displeased with their performance and might have some objective comments regarding them playing that particular piece by Chopin. As the remaining people moved out of their chairs to join the other town folks who were enjoying the rest of the night reveling, the two lads finally came out of their dressing room and headed to the front seat near the stage where Segñor Gianatti, Mrs. Colbert, Estella and Gertrude were waiting for them. As the two lads walked up to the front of the stage, they were immediately greeted by Mrs. Colbert who introduced end them to Segñor Gianatti. "Segñor Gianatti, may I introduce to you, Cedric Williams and Joseph Hedges". "Please take a seat" as Gianatti gestures for them to sit down. The two clueless lads looked at each other as they sat. "I was listening very keenly to your playing style, and may I say that for boys of your age, you have the potential to improve on what you know, especially you Cedric"

As the young boy looked with anticipation on what Segñor Gianatti was about to say, he started to feel nervous as he was not used to hear critical comments about his playing, especially coming from a man who knows what he is saying. Gianatti continued, "Nocturne No. 21 in C Sharp Minor is a very beautiful tune and it takes more than skill to play it deftly, particularly the rests, as well as the scales on the final bars. May I say that you, Cedric, has done a good job in playing that piece, though it could use more emotions. For what I see, I say you are more of a technical player am I right? That getting the right note to sound correctly is more important to you than the emotions that it exudes?" says Gianatti. Cedric and Joseph listened as Segñor Gianatti continued. "Of course you do know who Niccolo Paganini is as every violin player knows he is by far the best among all others before him and maybe, even better than those who are to come after. He did not become a legend for nothing as he owed it to those endless hours of practice, and I am not talking about three to four hours a day but twelve grueling hours. Day in and day out, he would constantly practice scaling every single note but regardless of how fast he pegged those notes, he never omitted putting emotions to every single one".

The two lads were now looking at each other as both were now wondering where all this talk about Paganini was leading to. Segñor Gianatti looked at the two lads, pulled out a chair and slowly sat down in front of them. He took off his gentleman's gloves and his coat as he stared at the two boys. "Your parents tell me that you two wanted to become musicians ever since you were children, particularly you Cedric". "I am Giuseppe Gianatti and I am looking for young talented musicians such as you lads, who will study under my guidance, honing your musical skills. If you two fine gentlemen are interested, I am offering you a sponsorship under her majesty's initiative of cultivating England's young men to the best of what they could be but it's not for anyone as the Royal Academy of Music expects more than what you two young lads could offer" as Gianatti continues. "I only offer this to you two, because as what I have seen from your performance, you two have so much to go before you could be what you truly are, although I could clearly see that you have the talent. All you need is some thorough polishing to make you shine" Estella was looking at Segñor Gianatti as she slowly turned her sights to Cedric who was obviously thinking about this once in a lifetime offer being laid before him.

"I'll let you two young men think about it", as Segñor Gianatti slowly got up, graciously bowed and bid everyone goodbye as he started to walk towards his awaiting carriage. as he slowly faded into the crowd, Cedric quickly ran after him, hoping he'll catch up with the old maestro, and sure enough, no sooner as Segñor Gianatti was about to board his carriage, he heard a voice, shouting out his name. "Segñor Gianatti! Segñor Gianatti!" shouted Cedric. The old maestro stopped halfway up the carriage door and slowly turned around, as the silhouette of his shadowy face was illuminated by the fluttering flames of the lamp post. Cedric stood there, as he stared at the old maestro while Gianatti looked at him. "Be at the train station at eight o'clock in the morning, two days from now" Segñor Gianatti said, closing the carriage doors behind him as the coachman yanked the reigns, as the carriage ran and faded into the distance.

As Cedric watched the carriage disappear from sight, Joseph walked up behind Cedric as he asked, "Are you sure you want to go to London Cedric?" "I am sure about this Joseph, it's time that we venture off out to the world, our destiny beckons us from afar" answered Cedric as the two walked back to the town square, disappearing amongst the jovial merry makers, as the two young lads wonder what awaits for them in London.
Chapter X

"The Last Day Of School"

The following day, the two lads went to the parochial school to talk to Father McKenzie and to bid farewell to their friends who were already preparing to clean out their desks and lockers as school was about to end. It also was the last day that Cedric and Joseph will have a chance to be with their mates as it will also be their last remaining days in Wiltonshire before they embark on their trip to London. The class was filled with an aire of frolic, dismal yet tolerable as Father McKenzie, being a strict but understanding rector, let the boys be boys for once, as he understood that it will be the last school year that they will be together.

FatherMcKenzie stood by the doorway, as he watched every student, his thoughts filled with a bit of melancholy, mixed emotions of sorts, wondering what the future holds for his students, particularly Cedric and Joseph, who will be venturing out to the world. Such young minds, eager for adventure, yet so naive that he fears that life in a big city such as London, could bring tempting thoughts to such young minds.

As Father McKenzie walked slowly into the room, the entire class went to their respective seats and sat down, quietly they waited for Father McKenzie to speak. Father McKenzie stood in front of the class, looking at each and every student and said, "My dear students, this will be the last day that we will be together and though I know that many of you are just itching to run out of the door to start your summer vacation, let me just say a few words". As he continued, "For the past four years of teaching you all, I hope that you won't forget the lessons that you learned from our humble school, although many of you here will stay and help your parents with their jobs, some of you will be heading out to the big cities to find employment". Cedric and Joseph looked at each other as Father McKenzie looked at the two lads.

"Life in the big city is very different from what most of you have gotten used to growing up here in Wiltonshire. The city is bustling with life and it's the kind of life that runs as fast as a heartbeat, relentlessly quick, not compromising with anyone, behind its glittering lights lie a darkness which blinds most idle minds, tempting the meek and changing the hearts and souls of men" said Father McKenzie. The two lads sat silently, pondering on what the priest said, feeling a bit awed while at the same time, an uncertainty driven by a young man's sense of adventure and longing to see the big city and what it offers to country simpletons like them.

Father McKenzie took a few steps towards his students and gently smiled at them as he sighed, relieving some of the evident sadness knowing that this will be the last time he will be seeing these boys. He walked closer and stopped at the middle of the aisle, looking outside of the window, as the shadows of the leaves shown down into the window, blown by a gentle summer breeze, swaying, playfully casting shadows on the floor, as the priest said "I will truly miss you all, of all the years that we've been in this room, now it's time for you all to open your young, eager minds and venture out into the world, but be wary of the dangers that hides in every enticing opportunity that you think would help you and always remember the life you had here, for there is no other place worth coming back to".

With that said, Father McKenzie walked back to the front of the class, looking at the blackboard, remembering all the lessons that he had written on it, he reached out for the eraser, grabbing it, he gently swiped out the remaining scribbling on the board, patted his hands and looked at the rest of his class and said, "Good luck to all of you and may you find your path, however hard it takes, may your lives be filled with hope and maybe we will see each other again, someday", as the students stood, they walked up to Father McKenzie, as the priest shook their hands, one by one.

As Joseph and Cedric approached the priest, Father McKenzie gave them a gentle pat on the shoulders and said, "Good luck lads, may the good Lord be with you in making decisions and may he guide you back here" as the two lads were already teary eyed as well. "We will never forget you Father McKenzie, as well as all the things you taught us, we will truly miss this school" said Joseph. "Ah, young master Cedric, I hope four years in London won't change you" says Father McKenzie. Cedric smiled, he tried to hold back the sadness he felt, as he slowly shook the priest's hands and said, "I will never forget Wiltonshire Father McKenzie, there is no other place that I want to come home to".

Father McKenzie tightly shook their hands and said "Well, this day shouldn't be marred by sadness, you should be happy, and I know your friends want to remember this last day of school with happiness as well, now go on, run along you two, your friends are waiting" as the priest gestured them to go. With that, the two lads walked out of the classroom, leaving Father McKenzie alone with his thoughts and an empty room filled with a lot of good memories. Outside, Harold Plumm along with a few friends were waiting underneath the shade of a tree as Cedric and Joseph came out. Harold called out to the two to come over, as the two lads joined the group underneath the tree.

"What's this about Harold?" asked Joseph. Harold smiled and said "I've been hoarding some bottles of dark ale, which my father doesn't know about, well, since this will be the last time we will be together, some of the mates thought about going to the lake side and sip some ale, you two wankers want to join us?" Cedric and Joseph looked at each other and smiled and said, "Heck, why not!" as the lads headed for the lake. Fleeting clouds, as thick as billowing smoke, white and pristine, lazily drifting over the wheat and barley fields, the entire countryside of Wiltonshire, draped in a golden carpet of gold. The summer breeze blowing, swaying the trees, the rustling sounds of the leaves brings a comforting caress to ones weary soul. The wind, like that of a lover's hand, touching one's arms and face, teasing your hair, whispering, taunting one's solitude as it embraces you, with no guilt, no worries, only peace in one's mind.

That is how one feels when summer comes to Wiltonshire, as everybody doesn't have to worry about anything, not a care in the world. The fields are ripe and that is about all that anybody has to think about, as Mother Nature blesses each summer season with a good harvest as far as one can remember. Cedric remembers this as far back as he was a small boy, as his mother Estella would take him out for afternoon walks in the middle of the wheat field, carrying him in her arms, as they watch the field workers harvest the wheat. And as the night comes, they would burn some threshed wheat stalks as the plantation workers would gather around the blazing fire, having a few drinks and singing some songs, finding some respite after a hard day's work, smiling and being thankful for a good harvest.

Cedric looked at his friends and thought to himself that this will be their last summer together, and the thought of leaving Wiltonshire renders a sad feeling knowing he and Joseph will have to spend four years in the Royal Academy of Music and would not be able to come home as often even if they wanted to. Cedric brushed off the sad feeling that was running on his mind as the boys neared the lame side as they wanted to be happy, knowing that this will be one of their most unforgettable summers yet!
Chapter XI

"Something To Remember By"

As the next morning came, Cedric got up early just before the sun drew over the hillsides, casting its magnificent golden rays as it slowly crept inch by inch across the meadows and the fields, giving the morning dew a subtle sparkle, glistening on the leaves that it rests upon. Cedric peered out from his window towards the field as he saw the first glimpse of the farmers heading out to the far end portion of the plantation. He took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh morning breeze as he always did, closing his eyes, listening to the silence and stillness of the whole house, walking bare footed across the wooden floor and feeling the smoothness of the oak timbers underneath his feet as he always did as far as he could remember as it brought about a certain comfort to it.

He heard some faint noises downstairs, probably Gertrude preparing breakfast in the kitchen, frying eggs and sausages, waiting for the bread to be fully baked. As Cedric sat down on his bedside, he thought about going to town to say farewell to some other people he knew and maybe go to the lakeside one last time before preparing his baggage for their trip to London. It was a beautiful summer's day and Cedric thought about walking to town even though it was a good two and a half mile walk from the plantation, but no matter, he knew that it would be a long while before he could do it again since attending the Royal Academy of Music would mean short vacations wouldn't be a noble idea since he and Joseph would have to take a grueling eight hour train ride to and from Wiltonshire and the scheduled trip going to London only comes by only once a week.

As Cedric came out of the room, he knew that breakfast was already there and waiting on the kitchen table as he could smell the sausages and pouched eggs as the aroma of the brick oven released the smell of freshly baked bread, spreading the scent all around the house. Cedric took a whiff and said to himself "I hope dormitory food would be as good as this in London" as he hurried down towards the kitchen. "Oh, good morning to you Master Cedric!" Gertrude greeted with a smile as Cedric sat down on the table as he looked at the delicious breakfast that Gertrude has prepared.

"Mother not around?" inquired Cedric. "She got up early and headed to town before the crack of dawn to buy some things for your travel to the big city" Gertrude replied. Cedric nodded while he was chewing a thin slice of ham. After gulping down his glass of milk, Cedric got up and said "Gertrude, if mother comes home and asks where I was, just tell her that I took a walk to town to talk to some friends and that I might come home before night fall" as he walked outside of the kitchen and headed for the door.

Cedric steeped outside of the house and looked towards the road and started to walk. It was such a nice sunny day that he didn't mint the sun shining down on him, unmindful of the mild warmth touching his nape. He knew he would miss days like these once he came to the big city as he knew from other people that went there that it frequently rains in London, even in the summertime, so days like these are much more pleasant compared to the drenched, wet streets and thoroughfares of London.

The plantations were all situated in a rather vast valley as it is surrounded by hills and boroughs. To get to town, one must trek over the hillside, along the hillside, until you reach the top of the hill and from there, a modest downward road that leads to the town of Wiltonshire itself. The long walk gives one a chance to see the entirety of the agricultural valley and the different colors of all the crops being propagated on every different season once you reach the highest point of the hillside, which slowly turns to a downward bend, straight into town.

The hillside road has a lot of trees along the way to the top of the hill as it renders a good amount of shade for those who travel by it and most part of the entire day, only half of the road is rarely exposed to sunlight, depending on the seasons of course. Cedric took a rest under the shade of an old oak tree. The same tree that he and Joseph Hedges used to play under when they were kids. Cedric took a moment to touch the bark, looking at the names that were etched on it, some were there even before they were born and some of the names were already unreadable since the bark has healed itself many years ago.

Cedric laid his back against the oak tree as the glimmering sunlight played among the leaves. Looking down on the valley, Cedric saw the William's plantation from where he sat though he doubted if anyone could see him from down there which gave him a feeling of calmness, a kind of peace that one yearns, a certain solitude that gives one time to think. Cedric had a lot on his mind, particularly what one would expect what life would be like in London. Living amongst strangers, being far away from the home where he grew up in, fondly thinking what is for dinner, things that a young man usually thinks of when he is far from the comfort of his home and apart from his friends.

After a few moments of resting and pondering, Cedric got up and continued walking till he reached the last bend on top of the hillside road. And from this point, the road leads down towards the town resting on the other side of the hill and it would take less effort in walking to get there. Upon arriving in town, Cedric thought on dropping by Harold Plumm but unfortunately, Harold had to go to Crestmont with his father to deliver some kegs of dark ale and wouldn't be back till nightfall. Thus, Cedric eventually wandered aimlessly into town until he found himself in front of the town square, looking at the mermaid fountain, the water falling down from it looked so refreshing after that long trek coming down from the hillside.

Some children were dipping their feet in the fountain to cool themselves off from the hot sun. Cedric stretched his hands out to feel the cool gush of water running on his arms. It felt so refreshing that he couldn't help but catch it with his hands and draw it into his mouth so he can drink it. With a quick wisp of his wrist, he dampened his hair and his neck as so the light summer breeze cooled him down as he thought of where to go to next. The sight and sensation of running water gave him an idea where to go to next and hr thought about the lake near town. Though he's been there the day before with his friends, he thought about going back there alone.

The clouds were rolling quietly in the sky, much like the day before when he was with Joseph and his friends, but this time it was much different, he was alone, without anyone he knows, silently walking towards the lake, the sound of wilted fallen leaves and dried up twigs, crackling underneath his shoes, the only sound keeping him company besides the rustling leaves on the trees as he walks towards the lake side. Cedric thought about the solitude and how he must get used to it as it will be his only companion when he leaves Wiltonshire besides Joseph Hedges, as Cedric already anticipates a feeling of loneliness. As he sees the lake shore, Cedric heads for the small pier with a bench and upon reaching it, sits down as he gazed to the horizon as some row boats go by.

Cedric sat quietly as he thought about his friends and he can still see them in his mind, frolicking on the shore with a bottle of dark ale in their hands. He smiled and thought about the Royal Academy of Music and Segñor Gianatti and the life he anticipated after he and Joseph finish their studies at the academy. He thought about the William's Plantation, the only place he considered his home, where he grew up and he thought about Duncan, whom he considers an inspiration and the first reason that he learned to play the violin in the first place and thought what the old bloke was doing, "Probably drinking and hammered drunk" Cedric thought to himself. Cedric started to snicker all by himself because chances are, he was probably right! As Cedric was amusing himself with the thought of Duncan being drunk, a voice from behind him suddenly said "What are you snickering about, Cedric Williams?". Cedric was startled, but the voice sounded so familiar. It was a woman's voice that he had to turn around to see who it was.

Chapter XII

"Summer Rain"

Cedric turned around to see who was it that called his attention. The woman was standing behind him just as the sun was behind them. as Cedric turned around to look, the glare of the sunlight made him squint along with the shadow of the woman wearing a summer hat, obscuring her face as Cedric's eyes glarishly tried to focus on her face. As Cedric put his hands over his brows, his sight became clearer and he immediately recognized the voice that called his name, it was Miss Christine Sinclaire! "Miss Sinclaire! What are you doing here!?" Cedric asked surprisingly.

"I was about to ask you the same question Cedric, what are you doing here alone? Shouldn't you be with your friends, frolicking, looking for fun things to do, and when I mean fun things, those things that annoy most older people?" sarcastically asked Miss Sinclaire. Cedric smiled and looked at Miss Sinclair's. "We've been here yesterday and some of my friends even brought a couple of bottles of dark ale, and we had quite some fun" Cedric said.

Miss Sinclaire sighed and sat down beside Cedric as the two of them looked out to the lake as some rowboats decadently glided past them. There was a moment of silence as if both of them were waiting for the other to strike up a conversation. "I heard that you accepted Segñor Gianatti's invitation to go to London to attend the Royal Academy of Music" said Miss Sinclaire. "Yes, both me and Joseph leave tomorrow and I am really looking forward to see what it is like in a big city like London" excitedly replied Cedric as he added "You've been in London Miss Sinclaire, what is it like there?" asked Cedric.

"Ah, London, it is a very big city and the streets are brightly lit unlike here in Wiltonshire, Londoners sleep late and wake up early as I myself found out five years ago when I used to live there" replied Miss Sinclaire as she looked at Cedric who was at awe with what she just said. "In the morning, the streets are filled with people along with a lot of horse drawn carriages, the entire city is bustling with people, all hastily walking to and fro to go to their destinations and no one seems to have the time to stop and smile" essays Miss Sinclaire.

Cedric thought about what Miss Sinclaire said and he began to see what London was inside his mind. Miss Sinclaire looked at him and smiled as a gentle breeze blew across the pier. She moved slightly nearer to Cedric and said "Are you scared going there?" as she touched his hands and fondly looked into his eyes. Cedric stared into her blue eyes and smiled. "A bit, but I'm more anxious to find out myself" replied Cedric as he too moved a bit closer to Miss Sinclaire, close enough that he can smell her perfume.

"For a young man such as you, London can be a place where your inhibitions can run unbounded, especially for your age" said Miss Sinclaire as she added "Tell me Cedric, have you ever fancied a girl before?" Cedric blushed and sat silent as Miss Sinclaire continued. " Don't be shy now, you can tell me. It's only natural for a young man of your age feel certain things that you haven't quite understand yet" as Miss Sinclaire slowly let go of Cedric hands. Cedric suddenly found himself staring at Miss Sinclaire as he felt that same peculiar feeling that he felt on that night at the first full moon festival in where he was accosted by Miss Sinclaire when the two were caught drinking behind the beverage stand.

He could still remember how Miss Sinclaire put her face near his, and smelled his breath while she on the other hand had been drinking a pint or two as well and that mysterious smile she had on her lips as she turned around and smiled at him. Funny how things turn up when you at least expected it and now, he and Miss Sinclaire found themselves sitting on a lakeside bench, unmindful of anything that was going on or if there were people around who might be looking at them, as for Cedric, he was somewhat lost in a numb sensation as he continued to stare into Christine Sinclaire's eyes while she kept on staring back at his.

Cedric never felt anything like it, particularly when Miss Sinclaire touched his hands a while ago, as a strange tingling sensation raced across his entire body. Miss Sinclaire couldn't help but let out a slight giggle as she covered her mouth with her hands. They started to talk about music and all sort of things, Cedric would talk about life in The William's plantation where he grew up and how his mother Estella single handedly ran the entire estate. "So, where's your father?" asked Christine. Cedric fell silent and looked out towards the lake and took a deep breath. "Its alright if you don't want to talk about it, I can understand. Did he left you and your mother when you were young?" said Christine.

"No, nothing like that, mother never ever mentioned him when I was growing up, funny though, but sometimes I feel like I didn't have a father from the start" replied Cedric. Christine was a bit dumbfounded on what the young man said. Christine patted Cedric's shoulder and said "Don't you fret about that, your past doesn't judge your future. I should know, I had been there and had gotten over my own frailties' as a person, it made me strong. My father died when I was five years old me and my mother had to get by in any way we possibly can, and yet here I am in Wiltonshire, teaching music in a parochial school, sitting on a lakeside bench with a handsome young man". Cedric smiled as Christine gave him a light kiss near the cheeks in which Cedric was not expecting at all.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, dark clouds started to form above the lake as a gush of cold wind accompanied by thunder rolls filled the sky. It was a summer storm and it looks like a strong one, common in these parts of the countryside this time of season which could last for hours on end. "Oh my, it looks like it's going to rain and a nasty downpour at that, we best be going our way or we'll be drenched!" laughingly quipped Miss Sinclaire. No sooner after she said that, droplets started to pelt the lake side, it started out as a light drizzle, until it became a consistent downpour, as some people tried to find cover in any direction they could.

Cedric and Christine tried to outrun the rain as best as they could but even the overgrowth canopy of the trees weren't enough to save them from getting wet. "There's a cottage nearby, it's not far and I think we can take shelter there while we wait for the rain to fizzle out" Cedric said as he took Christine's hand to help her run faster. The two ran to the direction to where the cottage was supposed to be as Cedric pointed out.

Christine couldn't help but let out a hysterical laugh as she said "My goodness! I'm getting so wet!" while she held tightly to Cedric's arms as the cottage came into view. Cedric's sole thought was to get to the cottage as quickly as they can but the feeling of Miss Sinclaire's bosoms rubbing against his arms were beginning to run across his mind along with the scent of Christine's perfume. At last they reached the cottage and it seems that no one else was inside it so they let themselves inside as the rain continued to profusely pour down. Cedric and Christine were both soaking wet and Christine said that the rain doesn't look like it won't stop anytime soon.

"My goodness, we're both dripping wet!" she laughingly said. "It will be a good idea to take off our clothes and let them dry up a bit or we'll both catch a cold" Christine said. "I'll try to start up a fire do we could hang up our clothes to dry them up faster" Cedric said. Luckily, there was a match left by someone, left on top of the stove oven and Cedric wasted no time in lighting up some wood and fanned the cinders until it glowed into a kindling flame to warm themselves and to dry out their clothes as the rain and thunder continued its course outside.

Chapter XIII

"The Rain, The Fire and Summer Jasmine"

The modest fire lit up the empty cottage that hasn't been used for quite some time now. Cedric remembered the cottage when his mother, Estella used to bring him here when he was just a small boy and he could remember that there was another woman that was with them during those times that they came to the lakeside. But he could not remember the face since it was a long time ago and the faces seemed to fade away along with the memories that he hardly could remember, but one thing he couldn't forget that those were happy times. The rain outside continued to fall as Cedric closed the door from behind him and no sooner that he turned around, he saw Miss Sinclaire, unbuttoning her clothes and slowly taking it off.

Cedric was stunned that he couldn't move a muscle and would have silently taken a step backward to let Miss Sinclaire a minute or two of privacy to fix herself up. As Cedric carefully turned around to exit the door, Christine, though knowing that Cedric was looking at him, called out to him and said "Best if you took off your clothes as well, lest you want to catch a cold too". "I think I could manage Miss Sinclaire, and a little rain doesn't seem that bad" Cedric replied. " Cedric! for your own good, take off your wet clothes so that the fire could dry it up!" Christine said in a bit of a stern tone.

Cedric slowly turned around as he swallowed his throat. He was feeling a bit uneasy seeing Miss Sinclaire taking off her clothes, all the more taking off his clothes in front of her! As he slowly turned around to look at Miss Sinclaire, he hadn't realize that she was already behind him and was surprised upon seeing her standing in front of him, wearing nothing but her corset and underpants! Miss Sinclaire smiled and said "Don't tell me you haven't seen a woman wearing nothing but her undergarments?". " Yes, I did" was Cedric's reply which aroused Miss Sinclair's curiosity as she added "Really? who pray tell?".

"My Mother" answered Cedric. Miss Sinclaire let out a laugh and said "My dear Cedric, your mother doesn't count and you can't consider her as a stranger wouldn't it?". " No, I guess you could not Miss Sinclaire" answered Cedric as Miss Sinclaire took off Cedric's dripping coat and hanged it over the stove top next to her dress. By this time, the summer shower has eventually turned into a thunder storm, darkening vast sky and bringing with it a chilly gust of wind, promoting Cedric to put more wood into the stove to keep the flames burning until the summer storm passes.

Cedric went to a corner and sat down on a rug and tried to keep warm as the cold breeze brought by the rain were seeping through some gaps through the wall. Miss Sinclaire walked up to where Cedric was sitting and said "Can I sit next to you Cedric? It's a bit chilly and I hope you won't mind if I snuggled up with you to keep myself warm?" Cedric smiled and said "Not at all Miss Sinclaire". "Just call me Christine" she smiled as she sat down besides Cedric. The two sat silently as the sound of the wind and rains continued pound the tattered roof shingles of the old cottage.

The fire from the stove gave of a sublime glow as it crackled and warmed the entire room as Cedric looked at the fire. Christine started to undo her hair, taking out the hairpins that held her blonde hair and letting it down so that the warmth of the stove can at least dry out her hair. Christine closed the gap between her and Cedric as she snuggled up, holding his arms the way as she did a while ago as they were running towards the cottage, but now, her arms were more entwining rather than holding on, letting Cedric feel more of her bosoms.

Cedric felt this right away and it was a feeling that has been running through his mind ever since they got to the cottage. Christine slowly laid her head on Cedric's broad shoulders and sighed while she held his hands, gently squeezing it, feeling the warmth of his palms. Cedric's heart started to beat faster. It was the first time that he ever felt something like this and it was a feeling that he couldn't explain. He could easily smell Christine's perfume and it smelled like jasmine, like the jasmine that grew near the riverside banks in the valley, the scent of jasmine that filled the warm summer nights.

"Have you ever been with a woman Cedric?" Christine asked in a seemingly whispering manner as Cedric felt Christine's warm and somewhat sensuous voice breathing on his ears. The young man slowly turned his head to face this beautiful woman who was ten summers older than him, blonde hair resting upon his shoulder and reeking with the scent of summer jasmine, bosom rubbing against his arms. "This is the first time that I had ever been alone, let alone this intimately close to a woman" Cedric replied.

Christine stared into Cedric's brown eyes and smiled as she gently put her hands on Cedric's face, caressing his ears and twirling her fingers on his dark brown hair. "Not even once?" she amusingly asked. "No" Cedric replied as Christine smiled as she continued to touch his hair. "Well, there is always a first time for everything, right?" and as she said this, she turned her attention to Cedric broad chest, as her hands slowly made its way to his chest, slowly picking off the buttons, undoing his shirt and exposing his chest.

Cedric lay still as he anticipated Christine's next move while his heart started to pound. Her hands started to part his shirt off as she smiled at him and continued to prod his chest until she found his nipples. She started to gently pinch it, rubbing her fingers gently until she was absolutely sure that it was erected. This made Cedric catch his breath as he started to breath faster since this was the first time he had ever experienced being fondled by a beautiful woman who is much older than him. Christine realized that the young boy was starting to get aroused so she gently put her hands on the back of Cedric's head and gently tugged his head and smiled at him. "Close your eyes" she said to him as he obediently did.

Christine slowly pulled Cedric's head towards her face as she eventually started to kiss his lips. Never did this young lad ever laid his lips on another woman and he never imagined kissing his music teacher, oh sorry, his former music teacher since he had finished his last term in the parochial school. It was like time stood still as Christine started to nibble on Cedric's lips, kissing it, and wetting it with her sultry mouth. Cedric just couldn't find the right words to describe what he was going through but the only thing he knows is that he likes what Christine was doing with her mouth with relation to his mouth!

Cedric couldn't understand this but something was taking over his mind and it was telling him to do the same, sort of compensating one good deed for another. He started to nibble on Christine's lips, nibbling them, sucking her lips and as nature would take its course, Christine began to stick her tongue into Cedric's mouth. Her warm, moist tongue started to slither into his anxious mouth in which he gladly sucked in. In return, Christine asked him to put his tongue out so that she can return the favor.

Cedric gladly obliged and stuck out his tongue, and in doing so, Christine welcomed the initiative by jousting it with her tongue as well. A tongue jousting match began between the two as the rains and wind continued outside but the fire is burning hot and warm inside the cottage as  Cedric and Christine continued with their carnal delightment. As they continued their passionate exchange of kisses, Christine's hands began prodding downward Cedric's trousers, until she reached his throbbing appendage, and it was already as hard as it can get.

"Do you play with yourself while you fantasize about me?" asked Christine. At this point, Cedric was already in a euphoric state and couldn't think of anything but the endearing feeling of Christine kissing him, that he couldn't help but be as openly honest about himself. "Yes, yes I do, I fantasize about you ever since that night at the summer festival and I fondle myself while I think about you until I come to my climax!" was Cedric's reply. Christine smiled and kissed Cedric for his honest answer as she began to undo his trousers and proceeded to slowly put her hands inside the young man's underpants.

Chapter XIV

"Crowned Majestic Peak"

As the cold rain continued to sweep across the country side, Christine's hands were currently undoing Cedric's under pants as she and Cedric continued to consume each other's wet lips with much passion that the two couldn't care less about what was happening outside. As Christine finally gotten hold of Cedric's fully erect and throbbing appendage, she started to slowly grasp his shaft and proceeded to move her hands up and down, up and down, much to the young man's euphoric delight, for he hadn't felt another woman's hands on his manhood, well, only when he's alone in the tub while taking a bath, but compared to this as it was a whole new experience for him that he let out a whimpering moan, much to Christine's surprise.

Christine compensated for Cedric's moaning by taking his hands, as she slowly put it on her breasts. "Have you ever felt the warmth of a woman's breast before Cedric?" as she pressed his hands on her chest. "I want you to play with my breasts, and I want you to kiss every inch of it as long as you please" said Christine as though she was begging for the young man to nurse on her well endowed chest. Cedric paused from their oral exchange and looked at Christine's bosoms as his hands, now both of them, were gently groping her massive frontage.

Cedric didn't know what to do first but it was clear that he was indeed very anxious to undo Christine's corset and he just couldn't wait to take them off completely so he can see the entirety of Christine's voluptuous breasts! The young lad began to untwine Christine's corset as he nimbly loosens each fastened hole on her upper undergarment, slowly undoing her back, exposing her bare shoulders until it was completely removed. Christine teasingly covered her breasts as she slowly faced Cedric, as she knew that the thrill of being able to see the full bareness of her chest would make the young man yearn for her even more!

As the two of them stood up, Christine smiled and slowly uncovered her chest as she reached out hot Cedric's hands, guiding them to her breasts. As the young man finally felt her bosoms, Christine, with both hands, wrapped it around Cedric's neck and drew her face close to his and said "Now, I am yours for the taking. Do what you want with me.." not sooner as she said that, Cedric kissed her lips as Christine grabbed on to the back of his head, as she in turn, kissed him back with much lust that both found themselves catching their breath.

Cedric started to kiss her neck, suckling every bit of Christine's smooth skin underneath her chin. The young man was so lost in ecstasy that he unknowingly left a hickey on Christine's neck as he continued to kiss her downward, slowly dragging his lips and tongue closer and closer to her cleavage. Christine was also feeling so randy that she began to breath heavily while relishing the young man's kisses, so lost in list herself that she put her hands on Cedric's head and slowly guided him to her breasts so that he can fondle her nipples with his tongue.

As the young man made his way to Christine's cleavage, the scent of her jasmine perfume became more pronounced and that he knew right away that she had put perfume on her chest. Ah yes, summer jasmines, as though Cedric was frolicking in a jasmine filled meadow, lying in a bed of flowers but this was more enjoyable than laying in a field of flowers.

Cedric paused and looked at Christine's beautifully endowed breasts as his fingers playfully fondled both her nipple, gently twisting and pinching them, making Christine gasp for her breath. Cedric looked at her while he slowly started to kiss her cleavage as Christine was watching every kiss that he planted on her chest, as she liked the certain feeling of helplessness that she allowed a young handsome man to perform perverted sexual acts on her because she consented to it.

A young stud, hungry for his first sexual experience and she was willing to guide him every step of the way. " Cedric, please, kiss my nipples, I beg of you!" Christine whisperingly begged Cedric as she wanted to feel his warm, wet mouth on her nipples. Cedric never wasted another second and began to kiss Christine's nipples, slowly nibbling at first then swallowing its entirety until he was completely suckling on it.

Christine drew to the back of her head as her eyes rolled, she grabbed the young lad's hair and started tugging it, pressing Cedric's face deeper into her chest, whimpering as she blurted "Ohhh you naughty boy! You handsome naughty boy, kiss my breasts, kiss my breasts!". Cedric was more than happy to oblige. The young lad felt that her nipples were now erect and he saw how beautiful they looked standing on their crowned majestic peak!

Cedric wasn't yet satisfied with what he was doing to Christine's breast that he had to suckle on the other one as well as he thought to himself that it wouldn't be fair to the other side. So he continued kissing her breast until he landed on the other side and proceeded to do the same while gently pinching the previous side that he kissed. Christine started to moan as this made Cedric play his tongue around her nipples, sucking it intensely that the wetness of his mouth around her nipples made a slurping sound much like the one would hear while consuming soup.

This made Christine pivot and gyrate her groins. She was now pressing and rubbing her womanhood against Cedric's robust and hardened meat as the young man continued to explore Christine's seductive body. Cedric continued his downward trek to Christine's navel and started to plant kisses on her smooth stomach, rendering a tickling yet sensuous sensation that made Christine yearn for more, particularly hoping that Cedric would find his ultimate goal, her rosy pearl!

Christine had her back against the cottage wall as Cedric continued to kiss her navel. Her blonde lockes were partially covering her face as she looked down on Cedric, wondering if he will do what she hoped he will do. Cedric was holding Christine's waist, feeling the tenderness of her flesh, measuring out the broadness of her thighs while he was looking at her groins. Christine realized that Cedric was looking at her womanhood that was still covered by her knickers and waited for him to look at her and say something.

Cedric looked at Christine while he knelt on the floor in front of her. He looked up at her and smiled and said "May I have the pleasure?". Christine bit her lips, smiled back and said "Be my guest!". With her approval and consent, Cedric slowly began to put his face in front of Christine's thick womanhood. He started to sniff it as though he was savoring the scent before opening it. Cedric's hands started to loosen the laced ribbon holding up Christine's knickers.

As he slowly undid her knickers, Christine gently raked her fingers across Cedric's dark brown hair, like that of a master petting and grooming her pet and as far as she was concerned, Cedric was her pet as he was kneeling down in front of her, begging for her to throw him a treat that he wants so much to relish. As Cedric undid the final knot, he paused and looked at Christine as she softly rolled her tongue on her moist lips.

Cedric began to lower her knickers, slowly and timidly as he caught the first glimpse of Christine's fairly well groomed foliage. This was the first time that Cedric saw such graceful sight as he continued to lower the remaining portion that covered Christine's womanhood. When finally, he had completely removed of what was Christine's undergarment and what remained that stood before him was a woman wearing nothing but her sensuous splendor. Christine smiled at Cedric and put her hands over her womanhood not to cover it but to caress it, combing her pubescent hairs with her fingers.

"Do you like what you see, Cedric?" she teasingly asked the young lad. Cedric was silent and couldn't say anything except but nod his head as he watched Christine part the hairs of her vagina with her fingers. Cedric's heart started to pound more, so hard that he could actually hear his own heartbeat. Seeing that the young man is almost in the point of bewilderment, Christine started to run her middle finger on her clitoris, rubbing it slowly and moaning as she let the young lad watch her pleasure herself.

Christine herself was already in a state of ecstasy that she began to prod her fingers into her crevice. Slowly, Cedric saw how Christine's fingers went inside her flesh, slowly it sank until the whole of her fingers were completely embedded deep inside of her. Cedric was quite lost in thought as he watched Christine pleasure herself in front of him without a bit of shyness or malice and he liked what he saw, so much that he began kissing Christine's thighs as she continued to pleasure herself.

Chapter XV

"A Jar Of Sweet Marmalade"

Christine was already beginning to wet herself, her fingers were thrusting more deeper while Cedric continued to lick every inch of her thighs. She paused and pulled her wet fingers out of her crevice and held Cedric's held as the young man looked at her whole she panted, catching her breath and smiled at him. She slowly put her fingers on his lips and said " Taste this, I'm sure that you'll like it". Cedric slowly held Christine's drenched hands as he sniffed her fingers, slowly closing his eyes and savoring the unexplainable aroma which had a peculiar pungent odour, nevertheless, it still aroused his curiosity that he slowly began to put it inside his mouth.

The sensation of Cedric's tongue licking and suckling on Christine's fingers were enough to make her gasp and the thought of Cedric's warm mouth licking and consuming her orgasmic juices, although more than enough to pleasure her, was a bit inadequate to quench her lust. She reached out for his other hand while he was suckling her fingers and slowly guided it into her wet crevice, much to Cedric's surprise and delight. "Play your fingers inside of me! I want you to feel the warmth and wetness of my womanhood, and I want you to kiss my rosy pearl!" said Christine.

Cedric let go of her fingers and slowly crept his trembling hands towards Christine's wet crevice, a bit nervous and unsure what he would feel when his fingers would get a chance to enter her vagina, and at the same time, worried that he might make a mistake and poke something that shouldn't be touched. Before he could even reach her crotch, Christine took hold of his hand and said "Don't worry, I'll teach you how to do it" as she smiled and bit her lower lip, spreading her wet legs and putting Cedric's fingers inside of her. She slowly thrusted his hands and guided it to her rosy pearl, her clitoris, and said "Rub your fingers here, downward so that the wetness of my crevice makes it slippery".

Cedric proceeded to do what she told him and with her guiding hands, led Cedric's fingers inside her womanhood. Cedric never felt anything like it in the entire world, the warmth of her slippery hole along with the sensation of his fingers being squeezed as he went further down her crevice, was she doing this? As Cedric continued to bore his fingers deeper into Christine's flesh, she on the other hand, thrusted upward as though she couldn't wait for his entire fingers to fully penetrate her and after a few more thrusts, she finally let go of Cedric's fingers knowing that the young man already knows how to move his fingers inside of her.

Christine laid her back against the wall and started to moan while Cedric made his way back to her breasts and started to suckle it while he continued to prod her crevice, his hands nimbly running up and down, in and out, making certain that he doesn't neglect her rosy pearl as he realized that it was the portion that she wanted to be fondled more. Cedric suckled her breasts until they were as red as ripe cherries, they glistened as the flickering flames continued to burn. "Oh...oh....ahhh!" Christine continued to moan, prompting the young man to muffle her groans with his mouth, as both were intensely locked, mouth to mouth, almost as if gagging for air, gasping, their lips and cheeks both wet from their ferocious kissing.

While all of this was going on, Cedric never withdrew his hands from what it was doing, as it continued to pleasure Christine, that she grabbed his arms and whispered to Cedric " Faster. Thrust it faster and deeper!". Cedric was more than willing to do that as he slowly began kissing her downward, going through every part that his lips had been on Christine's body, like a child going through every ride that he rode in a carnival that hasn't had enough and that he wanted to ride it again! Christine's crevice was now frothing from the gush of her sensual ecstasy that he held tight to the back of  Cedric's head, caressing him as lovingly as she can, hurrying him to her vagina, hoping that he would kiss her rosy pearl.

As Cedric approached her crevice, he withdrew his fingers and slowly put it inside Christine's mouth, as she started to suckle on his fingers, the way he suckled on hers, a sort of fair compensation on her part as both of them consummated her orgasmic juices, sharing the taste that bonded their blind and unremorseful passion! Christine slowly parted her legs, drenched from her wetness, as Cedric parted her pubescent hairs, combing the middle portion, clearing out an opening, exposing her wet and rosy clitoris. He paused and sniffed the protruding rosy flesh that dangled in front of him, like that of a fruit, excreting sweet nectar, it was very much right for the picking and it waited for him.

Christine lovingly caressed his hair as he knelt in front of her. " Cedric, please...eat me now, I beg of you!" as she whimpered, begging for the young man to consume her womanhood. Cedric looked up and smiled at her as he started to kiss her crevice, slowly, lovingly, yearning each second while he slowly, bit by bit, started to lick Christine's rosy pearl. "Yes, yes!" as she let out a groan of satisfaction which invigorated Cedric, prompting him to suck Christine's entire crevice, dragging his tongue up and down her entire opening and occasionally burroughing her deep, wet hole using his tongue while wagging it inside like a squirming eel.

This heightened Christine's sensuality, making her unconsciously grab Cedric's head, pressing his face into her vagina, drowning him in her orgasmic fluid, wetting his entire face, and marking her scent on him and it seems that at this point, there was no more reason to inhibit themselves from wallowing in their lust as Christine suddenly pushed Cedric away from what he was doing, asking him to stand up and push his back against the wall. Cedric stood as Christine started to kiss the young lad on the lips. She whispered into his ears and said "I'm going to make you feel what being a real man feels like!" as she began to fully undress Cedric's shirt, making her see the young man's broad shoulders, his chest and his pubescent nipples that she stared at while her fingers started to pinch it, trying to determine the subtleness of it and while doing so, began to suckle on it, as her wet, warm tongue, waggled all around the outer portion of his nipples.

As if Cedric's arousal wasn't enough that he already had an intense erection a while ago, Christine's act of nursing on his nipples unconsciously made him wet himself a bit as he was certain that his phallus was already dripping. As Christine continued to suckle Cedric's young nipples, her hands meanwhile were making their way downward to his pants, undoing the buttons and slowly lowering it until Cedric's manhood unfrilled out in the open, just like a flag, standing erect and proudly fluttering in the open breeze! Christine's hands was now making its way towards Cedric's erected meat, and she was anxious to touch the young man's shaft to find out the girth and size of this young stud of a man. Christine gently took hold of Cedric's meat and realized that his phallus was already dripping wet that she began to rub her thumb against it, spreading the fluid that was already drenching the young lad's hardened shaft.

Christine realized that Cedric's shaft was not only girthy since her hands were clasping the entire width of his manhood, that it also was lengthily, more than the length of her entire palm from her middle finger up to her wrist! Christine had to make sure that what she was holding was real that she had to look at it just to make sure. "Oh my goodness! You truly are indeed a big boy, and quite handsome as well!" as she began to masturbate Cedric while engulfing his mouth with her kisses. Cedric grabbed Christine by the back of her head and gave her a mild but pronounced tug on her flurried, golden blonde hair as he moaned while her hands fondled his penis, shaking it up and down, as she continued to rub her thumbs on his phallus, milking him with his juices.

Christine, though waiting for just the right moment, couldn't help herself but continue to fondle and shake Cedric's manhood. She began to kiss him on his stomach, reciprocating for that pleasurable gesture that Cedric did to her navel a while ago. She began to lick his navel, prompting Cedric to gyrate, tickling him in the most erogenous way as Christine continued to vigorously shake Cedric out of his sanity. Christine couldn't hold back any longer and began to kiss and lick Cedric's groins. Closer and closer, she slowly moved towards his penis, with just one intent and that is to consume the entirety of it in her hungry mouth!

Christine stopped yanking Cedric's meat and looked at it as one would look at a piece of sausage, thinking on where to bite first. Christine pressed her hands tightly on the young man's shaft, tight enough to draw out the juices that were accumulating, as she watched and observed how his manly excretions slowly dripped down from Cedric's phallus, like morning dew rolling off a blade of grass. Christine started to sniff Cedric's meat, smelling every portion of it from head to scrotum, as she slowly kissed his manhood, head first, spreading the delightful juices all over her mouth, rolling it all over the brim of her lips.

Cedric held his breath, though he had an idea what was going to happen next, he was not sure how it will feel and how he was to respond to it. Christine knew the boy was already waiting for her to put his meat into her mouth, but not just yet, let him beg for it as she had something else in mind before she gives him the satisfaction of soaking his penis in her wet mouth. Christine started to kiss and lick Cedric's scrotum, and they were already quite taut and firm as she knew that he was already in the verge of ejaculation. She swallowed his balls and played with it inside her mouth as though playing with a piece of grape, roiling it all around the inside of her mouth.

Cedric never felt anything like it! It was a feeling that lingered between pain and pleasure, as Christine rolled his balls in her mouth with her tongue, occasionally pulling it, making Cedric grimace in pain, making him tug Christine's hair, prompting her to stop what she was doing. She understood that it was a bit painful on Cedric's part and stopped the moment his hands pulled her head away. She smiled at him and said "Oh sorry! Did it hurt?". Cedric smiled and touched her face. She turned her attention on the young man's throbbing shaft as it continued to drip its sweet juices.

Slowly, she proceeded to open her mouth and started to swallow Cedric's phallus, dampening her lips with his juices, her head bobbing up and down, occasionally running her tongue on his hardened shaft, her hands shaking his meat while she did this. Cedric moaned loudly but he didn't cared at all as the rains and thunder claps continued outside. Christine began to sink her mouth deeper and deeper on Cedric's manhood while her hands continued to beat down on his meat, while her other hand made its way to his nipples, pinching it tightly but the pain was almost nonexistent as Cedric was already beyond the euphoria of ecstasy!

Cedric grabbed Christine's head and pressed it deeper, deep enough that it was almost choking her that she began to whimper and moan. Christine felt that the young man was about ready to come so she shook his manhood faster while tightening her grip on his shaft as her head, along with her tongue, suckled Cedric's shaft more intensely! Cedric was now in a oblivious state as he felt that he was nearing the peak of his climax that he put both his hands on the back of Christine's head and started to thrust into her mouth!

Faster and faster, with every in and out motion, coupled with Cedric's moaning and Christine's muffled whimpering, she knew the moment was about to come, that she put both of her hands on Cedric's bare buttocks and caressed his thighs and legs. She never thought about anything but that of catching every drop of Cedric's young juices in her face as she never had anyone as young as him explode in her mouth. Cedric moaned loudly as he said "Oh my God! I'm coming! Christine, I'm coming!". No sooner as he said that, Cedric let out a whimper as he finally reached his climax, exploding his seminal juices into Christine's mouth, drenching her throat, somewhat choking her that she had to partially open her mouth, spilling a good amount of Cedric's manly juices on her cheeks, flowing to her neck and drenching her bare breasts.

Christine paused for a moment as Cedric's juices continued to drip from her mouth. She tried to catch her breath due to the prolonged thrusting of her head. She withdrew the young man's cock meat from her mouth while still holding his shaft. She looked up to him and smiled as Cedric caressed her face that was drenched by his juices, still dripping from the brim of her mouth as she began to swallow it, savoring everything till the last drop. Not yet contented with a mouthful of serving, she began to suckle up the remaining juices on Cedric's penis, consuming every last drop of it, including the ones that were dripping on her face and breasts as she wiped it with her finger and put it in her mouth as though she was cleaning up a jar of sweet marmalade.

Chapter XVI

"Thunder and Lightning"

Christine slowly got up from her kneeling position which she had to endure for a good number of minutes as her knees obviously became a bit sore. She wiped her face and chest using Cedric's shirt which was laying on the floor and although she had thoroughly cleaned off what was remaining of his manly juices, there was the smell that remained, which permeated on Christine's face and chest. Cedric didn't care about the smell as he was still trying to catch his breath while standing up as he found out that it was no easy task. Christine slowly crept up and embraced Cedric as she began kissing his neck once more.

Cedric, experiencing this for the first time, was more than enthusiastic about having a go again with Christine that he held her head, pulled it back and kissed her on the lips, not minding the pungent scent he left on her face and the peculiar taste in her mouth and as far as he was concerned, the whole experience was exhilarating! As the two were kissing, thunder began to rumble across the countryside, casting bright flashes in the sky, shinning briefly through the window, lighting up the room and illuminating Cedric and Christine's naked bodies, shimmering with sweat as the two continued kissing.

"Did you like what I did to you?" she asked  Cedric as she ran her hands across his chest, twirling her fingers around his nipples, tickling it as Christine looked deeply into Cedric's eyes. "More than you could imagine" Cedric responded as he kissed her on the lips. "That was just the first part. I'm just priming you for what's coming next!" as Christine began to fondle Cedric's meat, again, for the second time. and knowing young boys of his age, his tenacity for carnal pleasure is only just starting to bloom that she was absolutely certain that he will not have any problem in getting it up for a second time.

As the rains continued to pour, Christine began to notice that Cedric was again, getting aroused from her advancements, particularly her hand, shaking his manhood. Christine was pleased to see that the young man had a lot of spunk left, enough to pleasure both of them since it would be a waste of time if the young lad only had a partial taste of what heaven truly is. Once again, she started to plant kisses on Cedric's nipple and she knew that it was that which gave him the most pleasurable sensation, a sort of juvenile fetish that was enjoyable with each and every second that it was partaken, in which case, more enjoyable in a woman's point of view.

As Cedric laid back and closed his eyes, Christine's effortless means of arousing Cedric's manhood paid off as seen by how his meat responded like a dog jumping up to his master's simple hand gestures. Christine knew that Cedric's penis was hard enough and ready for another round of pounding as she turned her back on him, took both of his hands and placed them on her breasts. Cedric unmindfully started to grope her breasts from behind as Christine stood in front of the young man, backing up slowly, until she felt Cedric's hardened meat, rubbing the crest of her buttocks.

Cedric knew that he was rubbing his phallus against Christine's behind, his meat starting to excrete his seminal juices, spreading it to Christine's buttocks and dripping down her anus. Since Cedric didn't know where his penis was supposed to go next, he mistakenly thought that he was already aiming for Christine's crevice. The young man started to rub his manhood on Christine's buttocks as it slowly entered her behind with the help of the juices dripping from his phallus, lubricating the tight gap between her butt cheeks.

Christine thought that Cedric knew where his penis was suppose to go, so she let him go on with what he was doing. Cedric was feeling so randy that he just continued to thrust his manhood from behind until he found what he thought was Christine's vagina. Cedric began to thrust inward, his seminal juices lubricating the seemingly tight hole as his phallus began to sink slowly into it. Christine, although she knew that Cedric was entering the wrong hole, her anus and not her vagina, nevertheless felt more pleasure than having her vagina being penetrated, despite of the pain that she began to feel, never uttered a word to stop Cedric from continuing to penetrate her from behind, bowed her back in subjugation and moaned.

Finally, Cedric had completely buried his manhood deep into Christine's anus. He did realize that he was penetrating the wrong hole halfway through his endeavor, but since Christine never complained nor did she stop him from proceeding, it only meant that she was fine with it. Cedric began to thrust, slowly as not to hurt Christine even though that she was grimacing as the pain was racing up her body, ripping her open, as Cedric gradually hastened his pace, but despite of this, she felt pleasure along with the pain that came along with it!

Christine spread her legs and bended a little bit lower as she struggled to facilitate Cedric's throbbing shaft. She turned around to face the wall and placed her hands against it, as Cedric tightly grabbed her waist and proceeded to pump her slowly, taking into consideration the discomfort that she may be going through. "Does it hurt?" Cedric asked her in a concerned manner. "Its alright, I can take it as long as you enjoy yourself" Christine replied in masochistic tone. Cedric began thrusting his manhood as Christine held herself against the wall, and with every inward motion, she would bite her lips and moan.

Cedric felt as if he had over empowered Christine and that she was under his mercy, and with every thrust that he dealt to her, the more he enjoyed it and the more pleasure he felt as Christine balanced the pain and pleasure that she felt as Cedric quickened the pace. He was now ferociously pumping her backside as both of them began to sweat, producing a flopping sound each time he trusted his manhood deeper and harder into her anus. Christine's breast hanged and shook uncontrollably as Cedric became more aggressive with his thrusting, he was so engrossed with the thought of how he was making love to his former music teacher!

Christine was now almost in the verge of tears from the pain and she wanted to tell Cedric to pull his manhood out from her behind. She prompted him by pushing Cedric back, a sign that meant that she had enough. Cedric understood and slowly withdrew penis out. Christine stood up and faced Cedric and said "Now, put your manhood inside my vagina, as that is where it should be in the first place" as she coaxed the young man to lay down with her on the floor and mount over her. Cedric gently laid Christine on the floor, looking deeply into her eyes, they began to passionately kiss each other.

Christine, now at ease and comfortably laying on the floor with Cedric on top of her, grabbed his manhood and gently guided it inside her vagina, as it slowly entered and rested deep within her crevice. Cedric began to pump her, in and out, in and out, as he realized that there was indeed a big difference between penetrating a woman in her anus from penetrating a woman in the right hole. Cedric felt more comfortable thrusting Christine in her vagina compared to a while ago as it was both more enjoyable for the both of them.

Outside, the thunder and lightning continued, the rain dauntless, as the two consummated each other, without inhibition, shame or regret. Cedric was beginning to feel that he was about to reach climax for the second time around that he told Christine that he was nearing his sexual release. "Don't hold back Cedric, explode inside of me, I don't care!" Christine said as Cedric grabbed her right leg and lifted it to enable him to pound her as deep as he can. He began to moan as Christine accompanied him with her whimpers, a sexual duet of sorts as the two entwined themselves. Faster and faster, Cedric humped Christine until they were moaning at the top of their voices in conjunction with the thunder and lightning.

"Oh my God Christine! I, I think I'm about to come!" Cedric warned Christine as she responded saying "Yes, I can feel that you are about to come, I'm about to come as well! Kiss me Cedric, ravage my body and drown me with your kisses and finish inside me!" Cedric looked deeply into Christine's eyes and said "Christine, Christine! I'm coming now! Oh my God! Here it comes!" As Cedric said this, Christine engulfed the young lad with her mouth as Cedric came inside her, exploding every drop of his seminal fluids inside, embracing him, so tight that she almost clawed out the skin of his back. Outside, the rains started to weakened as it began to dissipate as both Cedric and her laid on the floor, flustered in exhaustion, embracing each other as they kissed and caressed one another as the sky began to clear, and at last, the afternoon sun finally peeked after a long thunder storm.

Chapter XVII

"Farewell To Innocence"

As they booth laid side by side, staring at the ceiling of the old cottage, Christine reached out and grabbed her underpants as she covered her lower extremities, she turned to Cedric and played her fingers across his chest, kissing his nipples, smiled and said "You were amazing, considering it was your first time that is". Cedric turned to her and said "I...I think I love you". Christine smiled and shook her head. She knew that the young lad would say this and stood up as she began to fix herself up. " Cedric my dear, what we had was passion, lust. Love was never a part of what transpired between us. You still have a lot of years ahead of you to find the real love that you yearn, not this". Cedric laid silently, though he did not quite understood what Christine meant by what she said, it was clear to him that what happened between them was just a casual encounter and that she would just easily brush off the experience just as fast as it happened. " Cedric, you have your entire life ahead of you. You don't want to linger on what happened between us and besides that, I am older than you. You will eventually find someone who will genuinely love you for who you are, unconditionally".

The afternoon sun shined down across the valley as both him and Christine finished dressing up and cautiously opened the cottage door, making sure that there was no one around to see them come out as this would easily become a rumor that would spread about in Wiltonshire. Cedric realized this as he did not want Miss Sinclaire to be the center of the town's gossip. As he was certain that no one was around, both he and Christine hurriedly left the cottage as he closed the door behind them, leaving the stove burning of what was left of the final flames that stood witness to their passionate encounter. As the two made their way to the path going back to the lakeside, Christine turned around and said "It might be best that we part ways at this point. It would help if no one sees us together, for plausible reasons". Cedric stood and smiled at her. He understood that it would be best for them to head out in opposite directions. Christine slowly turned around and took a few steps away from Cedric as she abruptly stopped, turned around and went back to him. She slowly approached Cedric and planted a passionate kiss on the young man's lips, as Cedric reciprocated the gesture with the same passionate fervor, clutching Christine's buttocks gently groping them.

As Christine slowly withdrew her lips from him, as she whispered into his ear "I will never forget you", and after saying that, turned around and left him standing as Cedric watched her walk away until she faded from his sight. Cedric felt a bit of sadness as he realized that Christine was gone. He looked back at the old cottage and sighed. He slowly took a step towards the path leading out of the lakeside as each step he took was heavy, like as though that he did not want to leave, but he knew that he had to go back to town as the sun began to dwindle towards the west, as it beckoned the final moments of the day. As Cedric slowly walked back to town, he was still lost in thought to what had happened in the cottage, as though he was still dwelling in a surreal dream, a dream that he wanted to repeat over and over again. So lost was he in his thoughts that he did not realize that there was a carriage approaching from behind him and was only shaken back to reality when a voice shouted out his name, calling his attention. " Cedric! Cedric!" called out the voice. It was Joseph Hedges.

"Joseph, it's you!" as Cedric aknowledgingly replied. "What are you doing out here mate?" asked Joseph. "I took a long walk from the plantation, thought about visiting our old mates before we leave for London tomorrow" Cedric said. " Well, hop on. I'm on my way home as well. I just finished running a few errands that father instructed me to do" as Joseph added "The sun is already starting to set behind the mountains and we best hurry as I still haven't finished packing my things!". As they rode the carriage into town, Cedric was still thinking about Christine but he was not about to tell Joseph of what just happened to them, knowing that he couldn't shut his mouth when he was drunk and that despite of them being lifelong friends, he rather keep the secret to himself, savoring every second of it! "So, tomorrow is the big day!" Joseph smilingly said as the carriage that they rode on slowly made its way up hill towards the final bend descending to the valley. Joseph stopped the carriage and paused to look at the valley bellow them. "I'm going to miss this. I truly will" as the two young men looked at the valley as the sun set began to cast it's amber rays across the countryside.

As they approached the Williams plantation, Joseph stopped the carriage while Cedric alighted. "See you at the train station tomorrow" as Joseph smiled and tugged the reigns and drove off as Cedric walked to the house. He knew his mother Estella would have been worried by now as he was gone the entire day since breakfast and skipped lunch altogether. Cedric made his way to the house as he passed some farmers coming from the fields. The first stars started to appear as he stopped in front of their house, just in front of their porch, as he looked up into the sky. A gentle breeze blew across the field, his hands inside his pockets, his thoughts still lingered with Christine even though she made it clear that it was not love that they shared, even that brief passionate moment when both of them embraced each other, it wasn't love, and that though continued to consume him. As Cedric made his way into the house, Estella was already in the kitchen, finishing up the preparations for the night's meal. She prepared Cedricsis favorite beef stew, knowing that it would be a long time before he'd be able to taste her cooking since he was leaving for London the next day.

" Cedric! Where have you been, I was worried about you!" as Estella caught Cedric halfway on top of the stairs. "Have you eaten lunch?" she asked. "I took a walk to town and to the lake" replied the lad. "What's that stain on your shirt?" as Estella noticed a peculiar stain on the boy's shirt. Cedric nervously turned around to cover his shirt. He remembered that Christine used his shirt to wipe off the seminal juices from her mouth and he didn't want his mother to know. "Oh! This!? I...I got caught in the rain while I was at the lakeside, tree sap I guess" he quickly replied. "Well, hurry up and wash yourself, you smell quite funny. I prepared your favorite beef stew and we're about to eat dinner so run up to your room and clean yourself up" said Estella. "Yes mother!" replied Cedric, as he hurried upstairs to his room, closing the door behind him. Cedric thought that he was going to get caught. He completely forgot about his shirt and what Christine had done with it. He went towards the mirror, took his coat off and looked at his shirt, and sure enough, there was this stain, quite visible, that he paused as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt and took it off.

With his shirt on his hand, he took a closer look at the stain. He touched it and slowly put it in front of his nose as he carefully smelled it. The scent ran to his head, a mixture of seminal fluid along with the lingering scent of Christine's jasmine perfume! If his mother had a chance to smell this, it would have been the end of him! Along with that, he found a mark on his chest, a few at most as he remembered that Christine veraciously kissed him there, taking a nip or two while playfully nibbling him on his chest, leaving kiss marks as a result. Cedric quickly went to the bathroom and started to rub the stains off his shirt with his hands, if not to completely remove it, but at least to remove the smell from it. He hung it behind the bathroom door as he stood in front of the wash basin, looking at the mirror as he took a splash of water and proceeded to wash his face. Opening the faucet to fill the tub, he took his clothes off and sat down and laid back as the water slowly filled it up.

As he silently sat in the tub while the sound of trickling water continued, his thoughts went back to the cottage, the old cottage where he came in as a boy and came out a man. The sound of running water reminded him of the falling rain as he and Christine made passionate love, still very vivid in his mind that he started to become aroused again, that he realized that his manhood had stood up! He felt so randy that he instinctively started to fondle himself and slowly proceeded to shake his meat, up and down, up and down. He reached out for the bar of soap that was just above his head and generously rubbed it on his entire body, including his manhood. He closed his eyes and started to shake his genitals as the soap lubricated his hands, frothing with bubbles, as he slowly quickened his pace. The sound of running water made it easy for him to cover the sound that he made while he masturbated with much pleasure, an adequate method of discretion. He thought about Christine, everything that happened as the two of them wallowed in their sinful pleasure while he slowly tickled his own nipples, reminding him of what Christine did to pleasure him! The thought of Christine's naked body raced through his mind like fire, engulfing him with carnal ecstasy, his hands furiously shaking his cock until he neared climax, whimpering, until he silently groaned "Oh Christine!" as he finally released his juices, squirting a lot of it, flowing down his shaft and eventually mixing in with the water on the tub. He held on to his penis until the last drop finally stopped, squeezing it to drain all of it from his throbbing phallus as he finally stopped and whispered "Oh Christine".

As Cedric caught his breath, he silently pondered about that moment in the cottage. He felt that something about him had changed and was not the same person that he was. He knew that his innocence was gone and he had Christine to thank for that as she showed him what a real man should be. Would he go back to being an innocent boy that he was if there was a chance? Or would he bravely face the reality that a part of his manhood was now yearning for more worldly pleasures such as this? The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to go to London that he couldn't wait as he was certain that life in the big city will have more pleasurable adventures waiting for him and Joseph.

Chapter XVIII

"Last Train To London"

After a refreshing dip in the tub and finishing up dinner, Cedric went outside and sat on the porch. It was a clear night and the stars sparkled across the horizon as the evening breeze slowly spun the wind vane, brushing the wheat field and rustling its ripe husks. Cedric knew that the time for harvest was nearing and though he would like to watch the farmers reap the wheat fields, he felt a bit sad knowing he would be leaving in the morning for their long trip to London. Estella was looking out from the window and came out on the porch, walking up to Cedric and sat on the chair near him. "Tomorrow is the day that you leave for London" she said. Cedric silently nodded and said "I really look forward to going there mother, but I'm sad because I'm leaving Wiltonshire". "I understand what you are feeling, but it is only once that an opportunity such as this comes to you as most people would die trying to make their dreams come true while yours was personally handed to you" Estella said.

"I suppose so, but London is so far away and I wouldn't be able to come home as often as I would like to" Cedric said. "Don't feel so sad Cedric, you can always come home during Christmas" Estella said as she added "My dear son, you're already old enough to become what you want for yourself and time will come that you will have your own life to think about, marriage, a family" . Cedric smiled as he looked at Estella and said "I'm already feeling bad about leaving you here alone mother". "My child, I'm not alone. Gertrude is here, along with her family. The people who tend to our fields, I consider them family as well. There is never a lonely moment here. It's you I'm worried about once you get to London" as Estella continued "Life in the big city is different from Wiltonshire. I know both you and Joseph Hedges will get along fine, but you have to be careful about the people that you don't know, people that may befriend you but have other intentions besides friendship".

As Estella got up from her chair, she gave Cedric a mild pat on the back and said "Sleep now, you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow" as she left Cedric on the porch,. The young man gazed up to the stars and smiled and thought about what Estella said. He slowly got up as well and went inside. He went upstairs to his room and finished up packing his suitcase for tomorrow. The following day, as the first light of the sun started to peek over the mountain side, Estella got up and went to Cedric's room to see if the young lad was already up and about. As she opened his bedroom door, she was surprised to see the young lad sitting on his bed, already dressed up and looking at the window as the first light of day shown through his window. "Oh, you're already up. Did you get enough sleep?" Estella asked. "Hardly" was the boy's answer. "Well, breakfast is already waiting on the table and I thought that it would be a good idea that we ate heartily before we go to the train station" Estella said.

Cedric smiled as he and Estella went down to the kitchen to eat breakfast. Gertrude was there waiting for them as well as the other house hold help. Estella stood at the front table and looked at everybody in the kitchen table. She looked at Cedric and said "I made a few for your favourites including strawberry crepes!". The young man smiled as he looked at the meal that was prepared for him by Estella. "Mother, if it wouldn't be too much to ask, I would like to eat breakfast with all of you, us sitting together in this table, along with Gertrude and all of the house hold help" Cedric said. "Of course, by all means" replied Estella as she asked everybody in the kitchen to join them for breakfast, which came as a surprise for everybody. Cedric had a kind heart for the people around him, especially the people who help his mother around the estate and since this would be his last time to eat breakfast at this table, he preferred to eat it together with the people that he grew up with.

It was seven o' clock and the time grew near as Cedric came out of the door. His luggage was already loaded onto the carriage, along with Estella who was waiting for him to see him off at the train station, as Gertrude and the other members of the house hold stood waiting to see Cedric off. "Farewell master Cedric, please take care of yourself in London" Gertrude said. "Thank you Gertrude, I will dearly miss you as well" Cedric replied as he turned around to take a look at the house for one last time as he climbed into the coach, closing the door behind him as the driver held the horse's reign, gave it a tug and started moving. Cedric looked back at the house as it slowly grew smaller as they drove off. He could still see Gertrude waving at them until she faded away from the distance.

As the carriage passed the town square, he wondered what his former classmates were doing as he remembered passing by the pub that was owned by Harold Plumm's family as they used to sneak at the back to get a few pints. As they continued to traverse to the train station, Estella gave him a package wrapped in paper. "Something for you and Joseph to nibble on your journey to London" Estella said. Cedric smiled and gazed out the window. He thoughts were filled with Christine, he was thinking about her and their intimate moments together the day before and wondered where she was that moment. As they finally arrived at the station, Cedric came out of the carriage along with Estella as his baggage was unloaded by a porter to a trolley that was to take it to the train's platform.

Joseph was already there along with his father and mother. To his surprise, Harold Plumm, along with their former classmates, Father McKenzie as well as Mrs. Colbert was also there to see them off. Cedric was so happy to see them even though this was the last time that he will ever have a chance of doing so. Segñor Gianatti was already waiting for the two lads, looking at his pocket watch and closing it. He approached the two young gentlemen and said "Right on time, we best be on our way" as he went to Father McKenzie and Mrs. Colbert to shake their hands and bid them farewell. "Take care you two, we will miss you two wankers!" as Harold Plumm smiled and shook the two. Cedric was already teary eyed when he looked over his shoulders and he saw someone standing not far in the distant.

It was Christine! She was standing there all the while as she waited for the people around to clear out. She slowly walked towards Cedric and stopped just a few feet away from him. " Cedric" Christine called out. Cedric was glad that she came even though he knew that it was for the last time. "Take care in London" she said as she reached out to shake his hands. Cedric stood there and smiled as he took hold of her hands and touched it. He felt the warmth of her palms as the memories rushed back to his head, that passionate moment that he came inside of her! Christine looked at him the same way that she looked at him as they made love in the cottage. She blushed as she bit her moist lips, squeezing his hands the way she did when Cedric said to her that he was coming.

Christine smiled and for an unknown reason, gave him a gentle kiss on the cheeks, as Joseph stood there, quite frozen with what he saw. Cedric caught a whiff of her jasmine scent as Christine slowly let go of his hands and walked away, leaving him on the station platform, fading away amongst the crowd. The train started to blow its whistle as the conductor shouted "Last call for passengers bound for London! Last call!". Cedric quickly went back to his mother and said " Well, I guess this is it...Farewell mother, I will write to you once I get there!". "Take care my son, you will always be in my prayers!" as a tear fell from Estella's eye. Cedric began to sob as Joseph tapped him on the shoulders and said "Time to go mate, train's leaving!". With that being said, Cedric turned around and with a heavy heart, slowly got on the train. He sat down to where Segñor Gianatti was sitting as the engines began to churn, slowly turning the wheels, as Estella and the rest of the people that came to see the two off, waved goodbye to them. Cedric looked out from their coach and waved back as he caught a glimpse of Christine, looking at him as the coach started to roll off the tracks, leaving the station behind as the two young men began their eight hour journey, eventually leaving Wiltonshire, riding the last train to London.
Chapter XIX

"Secrets"

The train ran through the vast barley fields, passing the farmers that were harvesting their crops while the wind began to pick up its pace along with the train gaining speed. A plume of smoke and steam billowed from the engine, gaining momentum as it prepared to turn towards the final bend, steadily climbing the last hill, leaving the town of Wiltonshire. Cedric watched from the window as the train started to climb. He looked back at Wiltonshire, feeling sad for leaving his mother and friends behind as the train climbed further up the steep hill. The trees started to cover Cedric's view of the town where he grew up, as he silently thought on when he will be able to see his home town again. As the train he rode finally made it on top of the hill, Cedric, alone with his thoughts, said to himself "Farewell Wiltonshire, Farewell Christine" as he caught the last glimpse of Wiltonshire, disappearing from his view as the train began its final descent from the top of the hill. Cedric looked away from the window and noticed that Joseph was giving him a smug look, a sort of sinister grin that left him wondering why his friend was smiling about. Cedric shrugged his shoulders and asked Joseph "What are you smiling about?". "Nothing" Joseph replied as Segñor Gianatti spoke "You young gentlemen wait here. I will just go to the front coach and ask the conductor the time of when this train will arrive in London. I will return shortly to discuss some matters with you both" as Gianatti stood up and went out.

As Segñor Gianatti left, Cedric looked outside the window as intermittent trees passed by while the mountains in the background offered a refreshing sight, soothing down his melancholy. "I just love the smell of jasmines!" Joseph said as he continued to give Cedric that smug look. Cedric, though surprised by what Joseph had just said, slowly turned his sights on his friend and gave him a squinting look in return and replied "What do you ever mean by that?". Snickering, Joseph answered "I said, I just love the smell of jasmine!". Cedric grew pale as Joseph repeated what he said. Could it be that his friend knew something that he wasn't suppose to know? "You know what I mean you horny rascal! You and Miss Sinclaire that is!" as Joseph finished his sentence with a loud laugh that Cedric had to jump on his feet and put his hands over Joseph's mouth to hush him down. "You weasel! What do you know about it!?" exclaimed Cedric as Joseph took off Cedric's hands from his mouth as he continued to babble "You two looked so ambiguous that you hardly know that it shows even if you hide it. hahaha!" as Joseph laughed.

Cedric grew pale even more as he tried to deny that there was anything going on between him and Miss Sinclaire. "That's the most preposterous thing that you can ever nail over me Joseph! What makes you think that there is something between me and Miss Sinclaire?" Cedric asked Joseph. "Stop pulling my leg mate, I know that there's something between you and her. I'm not a twat nor blind not to see how she looked at you that night at the first full moon festival. Just because you thought I was tipsy, doesn't mean I didn't see anything and besides, was it comfortable in the old lakeside cottage?" as Joseph laughed out loud while Cedric was horrified with his startling epiphany. Cedric was speechless as he tried to pull his wits together. "How...how did you know?" as he stutteringly asked Joseph. "A little bird told me, a little bird named Glenn Philmore" replied Joseph.

"Philmore? That shnibbling snitch!" grunted Cedric as he put his palms on his face, trying to cover it for the obviously embarrassing reasons. Glenn Philmore was rather silent boy that grew up with Cedric and Joseph as they all went in one school. Joseph sat straight and tapped his friend on the knees and said "You want some good advice my friend? Always check to see if someone is following you". Cedric looked out of the window. He didn't realize that there were prying eyes that followed them to the cottage, now, he was worried that if word got out, Christine's reputation as a teacher would be put to shame. Joseph slowly leaned forward to his friend and said "Don't fret mate, I asked Harold Plumm and the boys to hush Glen Philmore up, so that he wouldn't have any second thoughts of thinking about spreading the word". "Harold? Do you think he could keep Glenn silent about that matter?" asked Cedric. Joseph nonchalantly nodded and said "Yes, I think he can, he's obviously a toughie and he can go a long way with that, why, he could even become mayor of Wiltonshire someday, who knows, right?". Cedric turned his gaze towards the window as the train continued to travel to its destination. He thought about Christine and hoped that what happened in the cottage that rainy afternoon wouldn't be rumoured about as he didn't want that to happen as a lot of people would be put in an incriminating position, considering it was a scandalous affair that lasted as long as the rain did.

"Did it feel good?" sarcastically asked Joseph as Cedric replied "Put a lid over it Joseph or I'll be forced to throw you of this train if I have to" as Joseph slowly laid back to his seat. "It was fantastic!" replied Cedric as the two of them started to snicker. "You dirty dog!" laughed Joseph as they heard footsteps approaching and just in the nick of time, it was Segñor Gianatti coming back from the front coach. "Well I see that you two lads are enjoying yourselves" said Segñor Gianatti said as he continued "According to the conductor, we should be arriving in London at about more or less, four o'clock in the afternoon as this train would be making some stops along the way, particularly Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham that would make it an eight hour trip". It was about well into an hour since the train left Wiltonshire and it was still a few hours till lunch that Cedric felt a little hungry that he took down the package that his mother gave to him earlier and started to pry it open. "What's that mate?" asked Joseph as Cedric replied "A little something that my mother packed for the trip, some sandwiches, you know, things that you put in your mouth and gobble it down to keep you quiet".

Joseph snickered a bit more and put his hands out, palms up, a sort of gesture, asking some food. Cedric handed him a ham sandwich and asked Segñor Gianatti if he wanted some. The old maestro cordially declined. He waited until the two young lads were finished with their meal and started to speak. "The Royal Academy of Music is an age old institution that was founded about two hundred years ago. It's sole purpose is to produce the finest musicians in service under the crown and country, as you two gents may have known by now. As I said before, not everybody who thinks that they have what it takes to be accepted can go there. I haven't told you this before, but there is one thing that you have to undergo before you are finally accepted into the Academy and that is one last recital, in the presence of her majesty herself!"

Cedric and Joseph gasped and looked at each other as they felt a bit of uneasiness with regard to what Segñor Gianatti just said. "Her majesty? You mean the queen herself?!" asked Joseph as Cedric blankly gazed outside the window. Segñor Gianatti smiled and paused for a moment as he took out a cigar from his coat pocket and started to light it up, taking a deep whiff and spewed out smoke. "Don't worry, when we arrive in London, you will be given a whole week to practice a particular piece that you think would suit your performance, think of it as a grace period to perfect your skills before you perform it in front of the entire royal court" said Segñor Gianatti. Cedric was deep in thought as the train they rode continued to rumble across the countryside, mile after mile, bringing them closer to their destination in London, and eventually to the destiny that awaits them.
Chapter XX

"Anthony, Claude and The Stradivarius"

It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when the train arrived in Manchester. It made a brief stop to unload some passengers and some cargo as the conductor announced that their arrival in London would be delayed for about thirty minutes or so. The two lads thought of stretching their legs since they had been sitting in the coach for a good six hours and taking a short walk on the train platform could do them a whole lot of good. Cedric and Joseph alighted from the train and sat nearby a waiting shed as they watched passengers get on and off the train in unison, quite a chaotic sight to observe as each and every person struggled to cordially avoid each other while boarding the train. They saw Segñor Gianatti standing near the coach entrance looking at his pocket watch as he looked around, seemingly waiting for something or someone, though they knew it wasn't them that he was looking for since they told the maestro that they went out to stretch their legs. A minute had passed when a woman, along with two lads, about their age, carrying n their arms what apparently looked like violins, approached the old maestro. Segñor Gianatti shook the woman's hand as she handed over the two lads as Cedric and Joseph looked on.

The train whistled as the conductor shouted to the top of his voice "Last call for passengers bound for Birmingham and London! Last call for passengers!". "I think we better board now" as Cedric tapped Joseph's shoulders and stood up. "Who do you think those two were?" as Joseph pointed out the two lads that he saw getting on board the train with Segñor Gianatti. "Probably potential applicants" Cedric said as he turned to Joseph and looked at his hair. "What?" asked Joseph looking back at his friend. "Have you been putting your head out of the window since we left Wiltonshire? You are starting to sport a rather stiff quiff" as Cedric smiled and gotten on board ahead as Joseph touched his hair as it had indeed became quite sticky from the wind blowing into his face as he smiled and got on board as the train began to move. As the two returned to their coach, they were greeted by Segñor Gianatti as the old maestro introduced the two boys they saw earlier on the platform. " Cedric, Joseph, this is Anthony and Claude Mattlock, they're brothers. They will be joining us in London.." said the old maestro.

"Its so unfortunate that your music teacher, Mrs. Carlyle died. She was a good teacher and friend" said Segñor Gianatti to Anthony and Claude as he added "You were highly recommended by your teacher, just like these two boys here" as he pointed to Cedric and Joseph. Anthony smiled at the two as Cedric cordially nodded back while Joseph was androgynous as he stared back at the two brothers, as they took their seat, facing Anthony and Claude. "So, how old are you" Cedric asked Anthony. "I'm sixteen, Claude here is fifteen" Anthony cordially answered as he added "Where you two coming from?". Cedric briefly turned his gaze to the window as he felt a sad thought and looked at Anthony as he answered "Wiltonshire". Anthony smiled and said " Wiltonshire? Isn't that a part of the Durham region? That is far." Cedric smiled. Anthony seemed keen on knowing where Wiltonshire was. "Oh, my father was a surveyor. He drew and plotted maps for the government" replied Anthony as the train continued its journey.

"So, you play violin?" Cedric asked while Anthony chuckled on his question. "This? No. This is where I put my lunch!" as Anthony sarcastically pointed to his violin case. Cedric smirked at his answer as Anthony laughed back. "I'm sorry about that, I was just joking. Yes, I play the violin. My brother Claude plays the viola". Cedric grinned and rested his back against the seat. "This was owned by my grandfather. He used to play for the Royal Orchestra" as Anthony opened the case, taking out a beautiful violin, the age of the wood shows that it was indeed very old. "Care to hold?" as Anthony handed the violin to him. Cedric gently took the violin from Anthony's hands and had a look. As Cedric peered inside the sound hole, he tried to read the inscription written inside to determined the maker of the instrument. "Stradivari" was written on the inscription. Cedric realized that this was no ordinary violin and compared to the violin that Duncan gave him, this was a real musical instrument! Cedric never held an instrument of this calibre before and he was so anxious to find out how it sounded as well as how it feels to draw a bow over it!

Cedric noticed that the bridge on Anthony's violin was slightly uneven, that the portion on where the E and A strings were slightly lower compared to the G and D strings as he asked Anthony about it. Anthony smiled and explained that as the years went by while his playing speed increased, he asked a Luthier to adjust the height of the bridge, lowering the strings, enabling him to handle high notes with much ease, along with improving the tonal quality of his violin. "If you noticed, the portion of where the G and D string rests on are much thicker than the portion of where the A and E strings rest, this improves tone and treble. I also asked the Luthier to change my sound post so that it can transmit the sound of the strings to the body much better" said Anthony. Cedric knew Anthony knows more about violins than he did. "I wish my violin sounded as near good as yours" Cedric said. "Don't worry, I've heard that the Academy has an excellent workshop. Students can have their instruments repaired there. free of charge!" Anthony said.

As Anthony and Cedric continued their conversation, Joseph was staring at Claude, who in return stared back at him. "Do you drink ale?" Joseph asked Claude as the later answered "Uh, no?". "You should" as Joseph smiled as he continued to look at Claude. Meanwhile, Cedric continued to handle Anthony's Stradivarius as he plucked the strings to listen to its tone. Anthony drew out the bow and handed it to Cedric and said "Go on, try it!" as Anthony smiled, handing the bow to Cedric. Placing the violin under his chin, Cedric began to play. The sound and tone quality was outstanding, exquisite!, and compared to his old violin, Anthony's Stradivarius was exceptionally fine tuned to perfection! As he was playing, everybody in the coach, including Segñor Gianatti, was looking at him while he played his own rendition of Nessum Dorma, an old Italian tune taken from an opera. The sound of the violin filled the entire coach and was heard all throughout the hallway that it attracted the attention of the conductor passing through.

As Cedric finished, he soon realized that everybody was looking at him, including the conductor that listened throughout his entire performance. "Oh, I am so sorry! Was it too loud?" Cedric apologetically asked the conductor. The conductor smiled and said "Not at all sir, with the way you handled that violin may I say you played it very well!" as the conductor smiled and left. Segñor Gianatti smiled and got back to what he was reading as Cedric handed the bow and violin back to Anthony as he thanked him for letting him at his violin. "Now I know why Segñor Gianatti personally fetched you from Wiltonshire despite of the distance. He obviously saw something about your skill" Anthony said as he put the violin back into its case, putting it aside as he continued "I am more into Paganini, I love his playing style and discipline" he said. "What music do you play?" as he asked Cedric. "I like Antonio Vivaldi, particularly his Four Seasons. I like the way he incorporated the sound of nature into his compositions, the sound of the wind, the sound of the birds, the emotions attributed to every season" Cedric replied. Anthony smiled as he said "I think that we will be getting along quite fine, Cedric is it?" as he reached out to shake Cedric's hand while the train headed for its last stop in Birmingham before finally proceeding to London.

Chapter XXI

"London Smog"

Arriving in Birmingham, the conductor notified the passengers that the train would only make a fifteen minute stop since there were only a few people that have gotten on board and that the rest of the passengers were all disembarking in London, their final stop and destination. "Two hours to London, last stop!" announced the conductor, as the train started to leave Birmingham. Segñor Gianatti took out his pocket watch and took a look at the time and said "We're thirty minutes late. The carriage should be already there waiting for us" as he was pertaining to the carriage that was to take them to the Royal Academy of Music. Joseph turned to Cedric and said "At last, London! I'm really anxious to see what the big city looks like, surely, there aren't any barley fields there, mate?" as he gave Cedric a nudge on his arm.

Cedric smiled and looked out of the window, anticipating and eager to catch his first glimpse of the big city that is London! "London, I could hardly wait!" he thought to himself. He could already see the gigantic dome of St. Paul's cathedral and Big Ben, the most iconic landmark in all of England, and how it could be seen throughout the city! Cedric's thoughts were interrupted as Anthony interjected into what he was thinking and said "You been in London before?". Cedric smiled and shook his head as he said " No, this will be my first time. You?". "Twice when I was younger. Me and my brother lived there for a while when my father worked in the central office. After that, he was assigned to Manchester and we lived there ever since" Anthony answered as he began rounding up his belongings, preparing them for the train's arrival in London.

"Is it as astounding as they all say it is?" Cedric asked. "Astounding?" asked Anthony as Cedric added "London I mean. Is it as grand as people say it is?" "Well, to most country simpletons such as you, and I hope you find no offense to what I said". Cedric smiled and replied "Non taken" as Anthony continued. "London is London. At first it may look enticing with all the lights glimmering at night that most people find it enchanting, but the truth is, it is a cold and dreary city, as cold as the cobble stones that lay beneath its pavement, cold and unconcerning" as Anthony blankly looked out if the window, smiled then returned to attend to his baggage, leaving Cedric a question which kept him thinking. "No matter" as Cedric thought to himself. He never had been in a big city ever since he was a child and despite Anthony's seemingly cynical view of the big city, he was still eager to see it and he will, inevitably, in an hour or so.

"King's Cross station, thirty minutes! Thirty minutes till King's Cross station!" the conductor shouted as he passed by each passenger coach. As Cedric heard this, he turned to Joseph who was just waking up from his nap and said "Joseph! We're nearing London!" as the two young lads opened the window and poked their heads out to catch their first view of London. As the train entered the outskirts of the city, the two young men saw, for the first time with their own eyes, the grandeur that was London, buildings, a whole lot of them, structures taller than the oak trees that they used to climb back in Wiltonshire. From end to end as far as their eyes could see, there were buildings, some colourfully painted in beige and white, while most were painted a dull hue of brown and grey, grey being the most dominant. " Cedric, what is that?" as Joseph pointed to the skylines, just above the buildings. Cedric saw a faint brown, smoke like haze, hovering over the entire city.

"What is that?" Cedric thought to himself. "That is smog" Anthony said as he laughed, realizing that it was Cedric and Joseph's first time to see London. "Smog?" asked Cedric as he added "I thought London was known for its fabled fog?". "Yes, that too" replied Anthony. The two boys from Wiltonshire slowly sat down and looked at each other, a bit dumbfounded with what they saw as Segñor Gianatti got up and said "It won't be long now, we are about to arrive at King's Cross station. Better start preparing your things" as the maestro stood up and began rummaging through his baggage. The train was now within the city proper as the engine began to slow down, billowing out smoke and steam while blowing its whistle, announcing its arrival in the city.

Cedric sat quietly in his seat as the buildings began to pass by his window, all concrete, the windows of the houses, most of them two to four levels high, unlike the houses they passed in the countryside. The buildings grew enormously as they entered the city proper that Cedric realized that London was indeed a massive city, about four to five miles across in each direction, and it wouldn't be hard to get lost amidst its buildings and thoroughfares, especially for country boys like him and Joseph. He remembered what Anthony said a while ago about London being cold and unconcerning, it being dreary. Cedric felt a bit hesitant as he kept thinking about what he said while he gathered up his luggage and his violin beside him.

It was a little bit past four fifty five as the train finally made its way into King's Cross station, the conductor came to them announcing their arrival "Last stop, King's Cross station, welcome to London lads!" as the conductor smiled and moved on to the next coach. Finally, London, as Cedric, Joseph, Anthony and Claude got up to exit the train, lumbering through the coach, nudging elbow to elbow with the other passengers, making their way down to the platform. Cedric and Joseph was stunned to see King's Cross station as they exited the train. It was a really an enormous station, so massive it was that it was bigger than all of the other train stations that the passed combined and the multitude of people that was there, truly made the two boys from Wiltonshire, feel small that Cedric began to miss his quaint hometown.

Segñor Gianatti called up a porter to assist the young lads with their baggage, loading everything in the baggage trolley, making their way to the station entrance where a carriage was already waiting for them for the past thirty minutes which would take them directly to the Royal Academy of Music. Outside the station, a carriage was waiting. The driver waved to Segñor Gianatti, as the maestro called out to the young lads to follow him. Angus, the carriage driver, greeted the old maestro "Welcome back Segñor Gianatti, how was the trip?" as the old maestro smiled and said "Tiring, thank you for asking Angus". "Are these the young lads?" asked Angus as the maestro answered back "Yes". " Scruffy looking bunch wouldn't you say?" as Angus smiled at the lads. "Hello there young ones, my name is Angus, welcome to London". "Thank you sir" answered the boys as they loaded up their baggage on the carriage, and got into the coach.

After finishing loading the luggage, Angus got on top of the carriage and coaxed the reigns to drive the horses to move. Sitting in the back seat, Cedric and Joseph were almost pushing each other's faces against the window as they traversed Euston Road, taking a look at the city street and the buildings that they passed by. Meanwhile, the Mattlock brothers were looking at the two while shaking their heads in amusement as Segñor Gianatti shook his head and smiled as the two young lads from Wiltonshire took turns in peering out of the window, quite in awe as they never had been in a big city, let alone see London for that matter! It was a good two miles from the station to the Royal Academy of Music which was situated in Bond Street. It was about a little bit past five and the street lights were lighted, one by one along the way, along with a multitude of horse drawn carriages and travails, moving in different directions at the same time, truly a chaotic spectacle.

As the darkness slowly drew over the city, the carriage slowly made its way to Oxford Street, coming to a roundabout, as Cedric and Joseph continued to admire the city scape. Segñor Gianatti spoke "We're nearing the academy. It's just around that turn, at the end of the corner of Bond Street. Finally, after more than nine hours of travelling, Cedric and Joseph finally saw the Royal Academy of Music as its wrought iron gates swung open, letting the carriage through and stopping at the front doors, just below a flight of steps, where the headmaster and his assistant waited for the arrival of Segñor Gianatti, as well as the new applicants.

As the carriage stopped, Angus alighted and assisted in opening the passenger door. Segñor Gianatti stepped down as the young lads followed behind him. They all stood, looking at the building that was already lit as the evening crept in. Segñor Gianatti turned around and said "Well young lads, here we are. Welcome to the Royal Academy of Music!". Cedric, Joseph, Anthony and Claude looked at each other and smiled. Finally, they have arrived at the academy!

Chapter XXII

"Four Walls and An Open Sky"

The head master stepped forward as Segñor Gianatti and the lads reached the topmost portion of the steps. Shaking the old maestro's hand, he greeted him with much zest as he said "Ah, at last, you have returned Segñor Gianatti, how was the trip?". "Oh, Sir Thomas Brentwood, you always ask such trivial questions" as the maestro continued "Tired but the trip was indeed worth it" as he smiled and turned his gaze at the two lads from Wiltonshire. "Are those the two lads that Mrs. Colbert had written about in her letters?" asked Thomas Brentwood, as he looked at the two boys who were busy looking around the entire facade, obviously overwhelmed by the academy's stature, a far cry from the small parochial school that they grew up in. Joseph whispered to Cedric "Look at the shinny granite flooring!" as Cedric whispered back "Shut it Joseph, you're embarrassing me". Meanwhile, the Mattlock brothers were huddling and snickering at the two boys from Wiltonshire, hilariously saying to themselves "They are really funny!" as Claude whispered to his elder brother Anthony as the later replied "I know, but they're rather nice despite of their comedic ignorance with regard to life in the big city. Give them time, they'll gradually get over it".

Thomas Brentwood approached the lads as Segñor Gianatti stood by his side while the headmaster formally introduced himself. "Gentlemen, I am Thomas Brentwood. I am the headmaster and administrator of the Royal Academy of Music, may I welcome you to our school" as he gave a cordial nod as he continued "Since you are the first few to arrive in the academy as it is still the middle of summer as most of the other students are still yet to come back from their vacation". "I know that you are tired from your journey and that you would like to rest before dinner. Segñor Gianatti will show you to your accommodations so that you can settle in. Segñor Gianatti, would you be so kind as to show these gentlemen to their quarters?". Segñor Gianatti nodded and said "Gentlemen, please follow me" as he led the young lads into a large hall. On the walls of each side, hung portraits of every musician that had graduated from the academy, some well known, others with high accolades, and others, commended through knighthood by kings and queens, including the present headmaster himself, Sir Thomas Brentwood.

As they exited from the hall, the young lads found themselves walking outside, towards a large grass laden courtyard with only two cobble stoned pathways, cutting across all the four sides of the courtyard and at each end, a doorway leading to the school itself. Cedric realized that these buildings were part of the school's various facilities as they continued to walk all the way to the end of the other side of the courtyard, entering a large doorway with a crest hanging above it. As the door opened, they were greeted by a burly, middle aged man. Segñor Gianatti took off his hat as they entered the hallway that was lit by a sparkling chandelier hanging high above the centre of the hall. "Good evening, sir" said the man. "A pleasant evening to you as well Fulton" replied Segñor Gianatti as he added "Would you be kind as to take these young gentlemen to their rooms along with their baggage so that they can prepare themselves for diner ". "Certainly sir" as Fulton continued saying "Gentlemen, follow me please".

Climbing some flights of stairs, lumbering their luggage, the lads were shown into their room on the third level, overlooking the sprawling courtyard below, a nice view of the four confining walls of the building, windows of unoccupied rooms and an open view of the skies above and the cobblestoned pathway below, giving one a feeling of security and assurance in confinement, quaint indeed. After settling in their luggage and belongings, Fulton spoke and said "Alright lads, diner is at seven thirty. The kitchen dining hall is downstairs to the right of the hall, see you there a bit, alright?". "Thank you Mr. Fulton" Anthony said. "It's just Fulton, lads and you're welcome" as Fulton quietly closed the door and left the boys to themselves.

Anthony looked all over the room and said "Not bad wouldn't you say? asking Cedric as he gave him a tap on the shoulders as Anthony continued "Two rooms with two beds each, one bathroom and a small study area facing the courtyard. What else could you ask for?". Cedric looked out from the window, peering across the courtyard as the night sky sparkled with stars while he started to feel a sadness bearing down on him, remembering his mother Estella and the Williams plantation that he left behind, far away. He thought to himself if they were that same stars that he saw back home and if anyone he knew back home was looking at the night sky as he was. Meanwhile, Joseph and Claude were in the middle of a discourse on who should get the room near the bathroom, that they were beginning to start an argument about it. Anthony broke up the discussion and said "Gents, let's be civilized about this. Trifling over petty things such as beddings is hardly not worth the time nor the effort in getting what one wants" as Anthony continued "Let's just talk about this after diner shall we" as he pointed the way out to the door.

"He's right. We're all tired from the journey and hungry as well and a good meal can help us a lot in clearing our heads, wouldn't you say so Joseph" as Cedric said, walking up to Joseph and Claude as the two stopped their quarrelling. The four lads walked down to the kitchen dining area where Segñor Gianatti was already waiting for them as he greeted them "How did you find your rooms? Comfortable I hope". Anthony answered the old maestro "Better than we expected sir, better than any dormitory I've been in". Segñor Gianatti smiled and said "Well it should be. Her majesty made sure that this school gets the best when it comes to propagating the skills of young talents such as you so you could become the best of what you do, playing music that is".

"Please, do sit down" as the old maestro gestured them to join him on the table. "Sir, diner will be served in just a few minutes" Fulton said as he entered the dining room while he brought in the appetizers and soup. Segñor Gianatti began to tell the account of how the Royal Academy of Music was established. "During the reign of Henry the Eighth, the king thought of establishing a school for musicians since they frequently held banquets at Windsor Palace. He thought that it was a good idea to establish a state run school for the sole purpose of having enough musicians to play at his beckoning, thus the rest was history and after a few hundred years, it still stands today with the same purpose at hand". Fulton came to the table, bearing along with him a scrumptious variety of meats and viands. He carefully laid it on the table as Joseph looked at it with eagerness since his last meal was lunch on the train, and that was a few hours ago.

As everything was laid in place, Segñor Gianatti invited the lads to help themselves with the food laid before them. "Please, I know that you gentlemen are famished by now, enjoy diner!" the old maestro said. "Thank you sir, don't mind if we do" as Joseph quickly lunged his fork into the beef roast in front of him while trying to control his table manners the best that he could despite his apparent hunger! Cedric looked at the food in front of him and thought about home, the plantation and he wondered what Estella, his mother cooked for diner. It was not even a few hours that passed that he already felt quite homesick. But despite his sadness, he kept a smile on his face, trying to forget the sad feeling that overcame him. He only had to look at Joseph's eating manners and that was enough to cheer him up as he watched his friend gobble up the food on his plate. Cedric knew that he had to ignore the sadness that came to him if he expects to survive the entire school year that has yet to start. He knew that he had to find something to divert his thoughts from home and decided that he will write a letter to his mother when he wakes up, first thing in the morning.
Chapter XXIII

"The Magic Of Alcohol"

As the morning slowly brushed the remaining darkness aside, Cedric opened his eyes, staring at an unfamiliar ceiling, as his drowsiness made him unsure if he was still dreaming or not. He soon realized that he was not in his room back in the plantation but was somewhere else. He was startled to hear a monstrous growl, like that of a dog, snarling, as he turned to his left side to see Joseph, still asleep, with a half empty bottle of gin on his night table, realizing that he was indeed not dreaming. Cedric slowly got up, sitting on his bedside, as he brushed both of his hands across his head, gathering his thoughts, remembering what happened the night before. He got up and walked to the bedroom window as he partially opened the curtains, letting the bright glow of the morning sun hit his face, squinting his eyes. As he slowly got his visual acuity back, he saw the courtyard, the green grass that surrounded every inch of it, like a verdant carpet, end to end. Cedric sighed and said to himself "Good morning London".

Suddenly, Cedric was shook from his thought as he heard a loud thud on the floor. It was Joseph, who apparently fell to the floor from his bed! Cedric walked up to where Joseph fell on the floor, as the later groaned from his somewhat rude awakening, opening his eyes, as Cedric looked down on him, quite amused, saying "Had a good night's sleep?". Joseph sat up, holding his forehead, grimacing from the apparent hangover that he was feeling as he spoke "What happened to me?". " Don't ask me, as I recall we had a few drinks with the Matlock brothers, I got drowsy and headed to bed ahead of you" answered Cedric. Joseph remembered what happened after dinner with Segñor Gianatti as they came back to their rooms, Anthony Matlock pulled out a bottle of gin from his luggage and they partook it. "Oh, I remember now, Anthony got out a bottle of gin from his suitcase and we drank it till I can't remember anything until I dozed off" said Joseph. "You mean that bottle there beside your night table" as Cedric pointed to the half empty bottle. Joseph squirmed as he saw the half empty gin bottle, as it was his first time to drink such vile tasting concoction, a far comparison to the sweet bitterness of home brewed dark ale.

"Remind me to never drink gin again" as he took the accursed bottle and shoved it underneath his bed. Cedric laughed and helped Joseph up from the floor and said " Time to get fixed up. We still got a lot of things to do today" as Cedric went outside to the study area, seeing that Anthony took the liberty of sleeping on the couch. As Cedric partially opened the curtains, Anthony was awoken from his sleep due to the glaring light that came through the curtains. "Ugh, what time is it?" he asked Cedric as he looked at the clock hanging by the wall. "Seven thirty" he answered as Cedric continued to fully open the curtains, brightening up the entire room. "Good grief, do you always get up this early?" asked Anthony. "Earlier than this" as Cedric smiled and peered out of the window, looking at the blue sky. "Right, farm boys, I get it!". as Anthony sat up, soothing his head as well. "Yes, farm boys, which reminds me, I should write my mother a letter so she can send me a rooster to wake us up at the crack of dawn" as Cedric laughed. "You really going to do that?" as Anthony laughed back at him.

This reminded Cedric that he was supposed to write a letter to Estella as soon as he arrived safe and sound at the academy. He hurriedly washed up all the muck on his face and went down to the hall, trying to find Fulton. "Fulton? Oh, he's at the back of the dormitory, you could go through that pathway, you'll never miss it" as Angus pointed the way. Cedric walked past the empty rooms, his footsteps echoed back as he reached the end of the corridor. He soon found Fulton, near the workshop, sweeping through the lawn as he approached him. "Good day Mr. Fulton" Cedric greeted the man as Fulton courteously tipped his hat as the later replied "Why, good day to you too, young sir, how may I be of assistance?". "I didn't mean to intrude on your task, but may I inquire on where I could find the nearest post office as I need to write to my mother since I promised to send her a letter as soon as I arrived here in London" asked the young man. "Post office you say? Well, there's one near the corner of Piccadilly Street, not far from here. But you could let me drop the letter for you, if you want, later this afternoon after I finish my chores" Fulton said.

Cedric smiled and said "Don't bother Mr. Fulton, besides, I need to know where are the places of importance that I need to go if I'm to get used to the big city". "Well, alright then, if you insist. But if you ever need anything or want to know something, you'll know where to find me" Fulton replied. "I would indeed sir, thank you very much" as Cedric continued "Excuse me Mr. Fulton, but, is this the workshop?" inquired the young man. "Indeed it is sir" says Fulton as he added "Adrian, he works here during the school year, fixes the musical instruments when they are needed. He's a Luthier and has his own shop near here. If the instruments really needed thorough attention, he brings them to his shop so that he could give adequate attention to it. But since its vacation, he stays at his shop for the duration of summer". Cedric looked at the modest wooden structure, the glass windows showing violins and cellos hanging by their scrolls. Cedric bid goodbye to Fulton as he headed back to the dormitory to begin writing his letter. Fulton called out and said "Be reminded, the post office is only open up to four o'clock and is closed for the entire weekend and since today is a Friday, I suggest you send your letter as quickly as possible so it can be sent out on Monday" as Cedric acknowledged by saying "Thank you Mr. Fulton" as he continued to walk back to the dormitory.

Cedric entered their room as Anthony, Claude and Joseph were there sitting and talking about what transpired the night before. Cedric saw that the three lads were getting along quite fine with each other as nothing like the camaraderie of a bottle of gin or any liquor can achieve in opening up new friendships and acquaintances and to think that it was just yesterday on the train that Joseph began taunting Claude, and today, they were like close friends! The magic of alcohol. Cedric opened the drawer of the night table beside him as he found a few pieces of paper, still unused, probably left by the former occupants that stayed in that room. He went through his luggage and found a pencil, and without any further delay, sat down at a table near the window as he began to write his first letter to his mother, hoping that he can quickly finish it and drop it at the post office before the day ends. Joseph entered the room and asked " Cedric, Anthony and Claude thought that we should have breakfast down the hall. Care to join us?". Cedric continued writing and said "Maybe later. I have to finish my letter so I can bring it to the post office before four o'clock this afternoon". Joseph nodded and closed the door behind him as Cedric continued to scribble on the letter he was writing. Cedric looked out of the window for a while and went back to writing his letter. He couldn't wait to tell his mother of his entire trip, how he met the Mattock brothers and how he felt as he saw for the first time with his own eyes, the city of London and its seemingly intertwining, endless streets. 
Chapter XXIV

"Homesick, Jack The Ripper and Beef Stew"

Two week has passed since Cedric and Joseph went away to the Royal Academy of Music in London and Estella, being of motherly instinct, just couldn't help but worry about Cedric and Joseph if they made it to London without any trouble. It takes a week at least for a train to arrive in Wiltonshire station along with the postal service and it takes another day for the postman to deliver the mail. It was about noontime as Estella was preparing the lunch time meal for the entire household when a knock was heard from the front door. It was John, the postman and as soon as Estella heard his voice, she knew that it was a letter from Cedric since the young man promised to write to her as soon as he arrived in London. She quickly took off her apron, rushing quickly to the door and opening it. "A pleasant noon to you Estella, a letter from London" as John gave the envelope to Estella, wiping her hands on the back of her dress, making sure that her hands were dry, as she anxiously received the parcel. True enough, Cedric kept his promise. He wrote to Estella the next day after arriving in the Academy. As the postman left, she sat down near the porch steps, were Cedric last sat that night before he left. She hurriedly pried the envelope open and unfolded the letter, consisting of about four pages. "It seemed like a long letter" Estella thought to herself as she began to read it.

* * *

"Dear Mother,

I know I promised to write as soon as we arrived in the Academy, but I missed out on being able to send this letter to you for I had a bit of difficulty getting to the post office r on time and to make a long story short, I arrived at the post office a bit late and it was already closed that I had no choice but to send my letter the next week. How are things there in Wiltonshire, particularly in the plantation? It's not even been a month that has passed and I am already missing you, my room, the house and the wheat fields but mostly, I fondly miss your cooking, not that the food here is bad or anything like that, but I still need to grow accustomed to the dishes they serve here. Fulton, helps with the cooking in the dormitory kitchen and he seems to have the knack of overcooking the vegetables till they become bland and soggy. Joseph's doing good and we met new friends along the way too. They came from Manchester and we picked them up along the way here. They seed good enough chaps and they and Joseph are getting along quite fine. Their news are Anthony and Claude Mattlock, brothers actually. They both play strings, Anthony plays violin while Claude plays viola. Anthony's violin is a Stradivari, an exquisite sounding instrument if I do say so myself and was good enough to let me play it as we were travelling on the train! Oh if you could only hear how his violin sounded mother, I am truly envied by it that I hope I can save up some money to buy one myself one day.

As for our accommodations, the four of us live within the Academy's dormitory hall, a grand gilded building, steeped in musical history, the halls are probably haunted by musicians of the past, though I don't actually mind being able to see ghosts here, since I rather find it a bit comforting being kept company by the unseen, since that its only the four of us here and the regular students haven't come back yet from their vacation. We were told by Segñor Gianatti that there will be an actual recital before we could be accepted in the Academy and we were given two weeks to practice our choice of musical piece that we will actually be performing before the queen of England herself, her majesty, Queen Victoria! This was such an overwhelming surprise to us that it is actually making me and Joseph very nervous indeed! As far as I could guess, the final approval for acceptance into the Academy comes from her Majesty herself, if our performance pleases her. Anyway, I am doing fine and still trying to settle down to life in the dormitory, especially at night when I have to put up with Joseph's excessive, ear piercing snore! The first few nights were almost unsleepable to the point of being unbearable with him being my roommate while the Mattlock brothers are quartered up together in the other adjacent room. As the days went by, I made it a point of going to bed first, ahead of Joseph, so I can doze off, knowing I won't have to suffer the agony of listening to him snore.

As a school rule, we were given the weekends off, letting us have our way to do what we want with our idle time. We could spend the whole day holed up in our rooms, but with the Mattlock brothers and along with Joseph's persistent need to wander about, trying to kill time from boredom, the boys and I, frequently gallivant and take afternoon walks to Hyde Park, which is just a few stone's throw away from here. The park's thick canopy of trees remind me of the hills in Wiltonshire, rustic and serene which leads me to feel homesick. Being a big city that it is, I never knew that London had a park such as this in which we could take a sojourn under the trees, a respite from the city that surrounds it, amidst the chaotic noise of the busy streets, hundreds of horse drawn carriages, horse drawn trains, tranvias as they called it, scour the busy streets. As night approaches, the entire city is lit up, street by street, end to end. Londoners tend to stay up late, unlike there in Wiltonshire, the streets are already empty by seven in the evening. At night, the city puts on a much different face, the side streets and alleys are dimly lit, and in their hidden corners, not seen by everyone else, brothels and houses of ill repute come to life with scantily clad women, offering worldly pleasures for a quid or two, even giving in for a few pence as well.

The Academy's administrator, Sir Thomas Brentwood, warned us not to wander off to the dangerous side of town, especially now that a criminal is roaming about at night, victimizing prostitutes. The constables gave this criminal a moniker, calling him "Jack the Ripper" because of the way he treats his victims. After hearing that, we all decided to agree never to venture far away from the dormitory. Don't worry mother, we are safe and have no intentions of leaving the safety of the school grounds, in fact these past few days, we were very busy at practicing our musical piece for our initial recital. Segñor Gianatti told us that the recital would be done by quartets, and each would perform at least two compositions in which members would be evaluated by a judge who specializes on that particular instrument. I still have no information on where the recital would be held, that of which we are yet to find out. Though I know that it would be at least seven months before we could go home again to Wiltonshire for Christmas, that which I patiently yearn, I am yet to learn how to overcome this melancholy, this sadness for home and your cooking. I fervently wish that there was a way for you to send me my favourite meal, how I wish there was a way, but then again, it would still take an eight hour train ride for it to get here and I can't think of anyone who would be generous enough to take the time to even bother coming here.

So, how are things there in the plantation? The wheat must already been harvested I presume, since it was already harvest time when I left there. There I go again, feeling sad and having second thoughts of why I chose to come here in the first place. But I think things would start to look up by the time school starts in a few weeks from now, since most of the students would already be back and the entire school dormitory would be teeming, filled by students. I couldn't wait for that to happen since I would really like to see what this school looks like when all the students fill up the empty hallways. Well, I have to go now. We are about to begin our six hour gruelling practice for our recital. I wish that you can write to me and tell me how things are there in the plantation and in around town. I hope that you could write me back when you have the time as it would give much joy to know that there was a letter that came from my home town. I really do miss Wiltonshire and I hope to hear from you in the coming weeks. Oh, by the way, Joseph sends his regards and asked me to ask you to tell his father to send him some money, as he is sure that Mr. Hedges couldn't ignore his request if he brought up the matter to his attention through you, as he is always very scheming when it comes to asking money from his father. Anyway, till then and hoping to hear from you soon.

Your son,

Cedric

* * *

Estella was a bit teary eyed when she finished reading the letter. She knew the boy had a hard time settling down in the dormitory since it was his first time to be away from home. By she knew that things had to be as they are, since Cedric is already nearing his manhood and that he needed to learn things in his life that Estella, nor the town that he grew up in, couldn't teach him. He needed to become himself, alone and decisive, for his sake. Estella folded the letter and took it back up to her room as she tucked it away in her table drawer. She moved over to the window, looking at the sky, quietly staring away. She turned back to her bed and looked at the bottom mattress where she secretly hid the letters that Anne had wrote to her many years before and felt her conscience bearing down on her. Would she be able to divulge the truth to Cedric about his real identity or would she just let that secret die along with her, buried to the grave, even though Anne, her cousin, made her final request that she tell the truth to Cedric?
Chapter XXV

"The Wild Grouse"

It has almost been two weeks since Cedric sent out his letter to his mother and it was almost two weeks since they had been practicing their repertoire in their room, a bit cramped but it had to suffice since most of the Academy's regular students had already come back to school, that they had no other place to practice. School was already starting since the Academy was no ordinary school, that it always opens a month ahead, earlier than other academic institutions. As Cedric's quartet was practicing, a knock came from the door. It was Segñor Gianatti, who came by to visit the boys. He stood by the doorway, and smiled as the young gentlemen got up to greet him. "I won't take up much of your time as I just came by to let you know that the recital would be held two days from now, next week on Monday" said the old maestro as he continued "I know that you had been practicing for the past two weeks now and may I say that you have greatly improved on your music". "Segñor Gianatti, can I ask where the recital would be held?" Cedric asked as the old maestro smiled and looked at the young man and answered "Buckingham Palace" as he continued "There is going to be a gathering of dignitaries and maybe some members of the royal family perhaps, but regardless of the occasion, please bear in mind that this is your recital and that you have to make sure that your performance is at par with her majesty's expectations ".

The old maestro was about to walk out of the door when he abruptly stopped, turned around and said "There will be six quartet groups that will be performing before her majesty, and I am certain that they are as nervous as you are. So, I could not say this enough as I did with the other potentials...please do your best not to foul up in front of her majesty". As soon as he finished saying that, the old maestro left the young gentlemen and proceeded to the hallway, leaving the lads looking at one another with a bit of uncertainty to what might transpire on the night of their recital. Anthony got up and closed the door that was left half opened as he looked at the other three who were still a bit dazed by what the old maestro had told them. " Alright, you heard what they said. Let's get right back to what we were doing, unless you want to be on the next train out of here" as Anthony went back to his seat to continue their practice. After six hours of practice, Cedric's hands felt sore as well as his other companions did too, as it was no easy task to play a stringed instrument for such a prolonged time. His shoulders felt sore, along with his fingers that were almost numb. He could still hear the music playing in his ears after countless times that they repeated the two musical pieces that they plan to perform for their recital, Antonio Vivaldi's suites from The Four Seasons, particularly the Spring and Summer movement.

"Its way past lunch time, I think a long rest will do us some good, don't you think?" as he put his violin back in its case and put it aside as he continued "I'm already starved! Let's go to the kitchen to have something to eat. We could take a long rest and continue in the afternoon". "Indeed!" as the rest of the group said in agreement. "After eating, I think I'll take a stroll down the park. My legs need stretching after six hours of sitting down, cramped in a corner" Cedric said. "I couldn't agree with you more mate, we all need to stretch our legs after being cooped up that long in our room. We'll tag along with you!" replied Anthony. Cedric smiled as they all walked out of the room and headed downstairs to the kitchen dining area where another group of students were seated in a corner. "Fulton! We're starved, what's on the menu?" asked Anthony as Cedric, Joseph and Claude waited in anticipation. "Oh, today is Friday and the headmaster always wants a delicious serving of chicken, the game variety, of course I just had to buy it in the market instead of hunting it" laughingly told Fulton. "Hunter's Chicken!" Cedric exclaimed. "Precisely young man! Are you familiar with such cuisine?" asked Fulton.

"Oh, very much Mr. Fulton, it's because Joseph and I, we grew up in a wheat plantation in the Durham region. We used to hunt pheasant and wild grouse every once and a while with our long time farm hand, Duncan" answered Cedric. Fulton smiled and said "Well, I hope you enjoy this meal that I prepared for you gentlemen". With that, Fulton went back to the kitchen as the lads waited in n the dining area. Segñor Gianatti walked into the dining hall and strolled up to the young men, stopping for a moment as he said " Late lunch? You boys are really practicing that hard, relentless in a way I see, that's good. Keep it up" As he headed for the table where the other group of students were sitting, in the other corner of the room. The mid afternoon sunlight was shining into the dining hall, iluminating the dark corners of the room as Fulton finally came back to the table, bringing along with him four servings of his Hunters Chicken and setting it on the table. "Here we go boys! Enjoy your meal!" as he smiled as he went back to the kitchen. Cedric took a bite of the chicken, slowly relishing its taste, trying to determine if it could come close to what Duncan or Gertrude could cook. "Close enough", he thought to himself, as he silently nodded his head with satisfaction. Cedric, along with Anthony, Claude and Joseph finished their meal as they sat quietly, resting from a hefty meal as Joseph said "I've got an idea. Why don't we stroll around town and try to find a pub and have a few pints or two?". Anthony and Cedric looked at Joseph and said "We need to practice Joseph. The pint can wait after the recital". "What? It's a Friday and we just spent six hours straight, practicing our piece and you want to go back and practice some more? We still got two more days ahead of us. Can't we at least relax for even the shortest time?" whined Joseph.

"He's right brother" Claude said as he continued "We might end up becoming too tired and too wounded up that we might break when our time to perform comes. The man has a point". "Ah yes, avid drinkers do side up with one another. Well played brother" Anthony said as he sat silently for a moment and finally said "Alright, but promise me that we won't get too drunk like what happened the last time. We can't risk getting expelled for getting caught consuming liquor in our dormitory. Do any of you gentlemen know a place nearby?". The four gents looked at each other, their blank faces were clueless since they were fairly new to the city. "I may be of some assistance to you gentlemen!" a voice came from the table behind them. It was Fulton. The young gents didn't notice him cleaning the tables behind them. He approached the young lads and said "So, you lads looking for a place to drink are you?" as the group silently exchanged eye movements while Fulton continued to speak to them "And how old are you now?". "Eighteen" as the young lads answered in unison. Fulton chuckled and said "Lying straight from your teeth, you lads don't fool me, and I can see through your freckly faces!"

Fulton sighed as he looked at the young lads who were rather hoping that he could recommend a pub that they could go to unwind. "Alright, alright" Fulton said as he continued "There's a quaint pub down Piccadilly Street called "The Wild Grouse". Tell the bartender, Peter, that Fulton sent you and I think he will let you have a pint or two, but a word of warning that goes out to the four of you, don't get into trouble and don't go past the ten o'clock curfew or you'd be locked outside of the school grounds, you understand?" "Thank you very much Fulton, you are a real life saver!" Joseph said as Fulton answered back "Alright, alright, get out of here and member what I told you. No trouble and comeback early before the school dormitory locks you out" "Gentlemen, the Wild Grouse beckons!" as Joseph quickly got up from his seat, already excited to walk into the pub and have a good serving of pint as Anthony and Cedric shook their heads, hoping that the rest of the night won't end up like the last one and that they won't fall into trouble as they all walked out of the dining hall, heading for the school entrance leading to the street.
Chapter XXVI

"Dark Corners On A Friday Night"

The Wild Grouse, a pub situated along Piccadilly Street, a favourite haunt of people who don't want to go home after a hard day's work, a place in between freedom and bondage where weary and tired working class men, young and old, sit for hours, looking at their half empty, half full pints and wonder if they had enough stout or ale, whichever pleases their thirsty mouths. A place where the working class can come and quench their half dead souls, even just for a while, leaving all of their worries outside the door, as they question themselves, quietly to why life goes as it is. The lights inside the pub are bright, far from being dim lit, although there is an ominous feeling of darkness which lingers in its dark corners, to obscure and hidden away from any form if illumination to shine through it. In was in these dark corners that the woes of people who drink slide off from the minds, unburdening themselves, and leaving with a clearer state of mind. For others, these dormant remnants of woes could easily jump to the next person who decides to sit in that corner and have them take up the worries that others have left behind.

Yes, despite being a lively pub, the Wild Grouse does has its dark corners. Coming in alone from outside, one would feel neglected, no one really cares who comes and goes as long as you pay your tab, never look at anyone straight in the eyes and avoid confrontations. You're lucky if you come in with an acquaintance as you will never worry that you don't have anybody to watch your back when you go to the men's room when you urinate, then again, it's better to have a friend with you so that you could keep an eye at each other. Pub fights are a common thing but luckily, none of that happens with frequency in the Wild Grouse since it caters mostly to the common working class Londoners, office workers and the likes that rather drink and be off without battering an eye lash, not to be confused by being snobbish, but that's the way how Londoners are, unlike the provincial pubs where most people drinking there know each other and would rarely see strangers walking into their watering hole, and even if they do, they would happily welcome them and offer them a seat. Not here in London and definitely not here in this pub!

Cold, dark and snobbish. That's what it feels like to walk into the Wild Grouse, as Cedric, Anthony, Claude and Joseph felt as they sat by the bar, looking at a few blokes in a far corner, quietly having their pint as Peter, the owner of the pub, looks at the four young lads while he continues to clean off the pint that he was holding with a piece of cloth. Peter, not being able to withstand not asking the young men, leaned forward to the bar with his elbows slouching over the bar counter as he said "Hmmm, never seen you boys around here, and you seem a bit young to hang out in a place like this". The four lads looked at each other and said "Oh, we're really not that young sir, we are all eighteen" said Joseph, who obviously was anxious to get himself a pint for himself. "Right, eighteen, I've heard that story before, boy" Peter said as he continued "Judging from your clothes and your swagger, I'd say you're not from around here and definitely not old enough to drink or even hang around in here, so you best be on your way!".

As the bartender turned around to get back to his chores, Joseph said "Fulton sent us, he thought, well maybe you could help us". Peter slowly shook his head and turned around to look at them and said " Fulton you say? Okay, maybe I could let you chaps have a few rounds but ember, I don't want any trouble coming from you and keep your wits in tack for your sake since you boys are awfully young to make fools out of your selves. Leave these old sods alone, okay?" as he pointed to the old fellows drinking at the corner. "Thank you Peter" Joseph smiled and said. "Okay, now, just huddle yourselves in a corner and I'll bring you your drinks, ale or stout? What'll it be?" asked Peter. "Four rounds of dark ale please" answered Claude, as the lads went off to a corner, waiting for their pints to be brought to them. "Isn't this a swell place Cedric" as Joseph asked him. Cedric looked around, seemingly observing the trimmings and the people that were already beginning to walk in since it was a Friday afternoon. "Not like that in Wiltonshire where Harold Plumm works but I guess it'll do" Cedric answered back.

After a while, Peter returned to their table, carrying a tray with their pints on it. He put it down on the table and said "Here you go mates, four pints of dark ale, and a complementary plate of peanuts, on the house by yours truly since you're a friend of Fulton". "Oy, Peter!" shouted one of the old fellows that was drinking in the corner of the room opposite them. "Why didn't you give us some of those complementary peanuts?" asked the old fellow. Peter turned around and shouted back "Because you old blokes haven't got the teethe anymore to chew it down" as the other old fellows laughed at Peter's answer as he continued "Alright, don't make it such a fuzz about, I'll get you some," turning back to the young lads, he said "Remember, just a few pints and no trouble you hear? I'm watching you" as he left. The boys started to take a sip, enjoying their free time and just being themselves, not worrying about the recital that was about to happen a few days from now. As the Anthony, Claude and Joseph were deep in some trivial conversation, Cedric meanwhile was lost in thought about the upcoming recital.

He was a bit concerned if he had what it takes to get into the Academy knowing that it wouldnt be that easy in the first place. He looked at Anthony and he could see his confidence with his skill as a musician while they were practicing for the past two weeks and he didn't have a doubt in his mind that Anthony will pass with flying colours. But what about him and Joseph? Could two, country boys from a far flung provincial town have what it takes to get into the Academy or was there an aire of hesitation on his part, a sort of inadequate feeling of not trusting his talent as a musician? Segñor Gianatti saw something in them, but why does he feel like that was not enough to convince h that he has what it takes to make it into the Academy? "Cedric? Cedric?" as Anthony's voice pulled him out from his drowning thoughts. "Yes?" Cedric answered. "You weren't listening all this time!" replied Anthony as he turned to Joseph and said " Is he always like this". Joseph smiled and turned to Cedric and said "We were discussing the preposition that Anthony put forth". Cedric looked at them and said "What question?" as he turned his gaze to Anthony. "Do you play music to please yourself or to please others?" Anthony asked in a rather philosophical manner.

Cedric was about to answers Anthony's question when a dark shadow was cast over them. It was the shadow of a man, wearing a top hat, standing in front of their table, as the figure of the man answered back "That is truly an interesting question, worth an answer to drink to, would you say gentlemen". To their surprise, it was Segñor Gianatti, as the old maestro looked at the bartender and said "Peter, my usual please" as the bartender answered back "One moment Segñor Gianatti". The four lads are petrified as they saw the old maestro standing in front of them, and to make things worse, they were caught red handed inside a pub with pints in their hands! But instead of frowning down on the boys, he smiled, hung his coat and hat on the wall and said " Can I join you gentlemen?". "Certainly sir!" as the four lads moved over to accommodate the old maestro in their seat. Fulton arrived bearing the old maestro's drink, a glass of brandy as he said "Here you are Segñor Gianatti, your usual drink. I see you found your lost sheep!" as the bartender went away.

"Don't be surprised, I come here a lot" said the old maestro as he pointed to a picture on the wall. "You see that picture over there? It's a picture of the earlier students who attended the Royal Academy of Music and if you look a bit closely, you will see me among the crowd". "We thought you'd be angry, about us going into such a place to drink!" said Anthony as the old maestro chuckled and replied "My dear boy, don't be absurd! I too was young once, just as you are now and I too had my share of hiding just to get my hands over a pint or two!" as he continued "Inside school premises, I am you teacher and mentor and I expect that you follow every rule at the drop of my cane, but outside after school hours, I am but an old man, looking for a quiet place for myself to empty life's burden". The young lads smiled at the maestro's reply as they continued to drink and enjoy each other's company, and who wouldn't? after all it is a Friday night!
Chapter XXVII

"The Luthier"

It was close to about nine o'clock in the evening when the young lads walked out of the Wild Grouse, along with Segñor Gianatti, all of the four young lads tipsy, but composed and why shouldn't they be since they spent a good few hours drinking with the old maestro, that they had to be prim and proper. Segñor Gianatti bid them farewell as the maestro said "Well gentlemen, I guess this is where we part ways. I live just a few blocks from here and since it's a nice balmy evening, I'll just walk home, till then, gentlemen" as Segñor Gianatti tipped his hat and went the other direction. Cedric, Anthony, Claude and Joseph walked back to the Academy, as they talked about the old maestro. "He wasn't so bad after all and I thought that he would reprimand us for sneaking into a pub, let alone get caught drinking" Anthony said. "He was rather rational with everything he said and he was right about the part about being strict on keeping the rules bounded on school premises " replied Cedric as he continued "He's not a stiff as I thought he was".

As they entered the dormitory, Fulton came up to them and said "You lads had a good evening?" as Joseph answered "We had a great time Fulton, thank you for recommending us the pub, and we saw Segñor Gianatti there as well". Fulton smiled and said "The old maestro is a regular there, were you surprised to see him there?" as Anthony answered "We were terrified at first and thought that he'd give us the boot off Academy, but he was rather nice to explain that it was okay, just as long as it doesn't conflict with school rules". "Good to hear that, now, you better run up your room, I'm about to lock up the hallway. Time to get some shut eye" Fulton said, as the young lads headed upstairs to their room. The following morning, Cedric woke up to see Joseph's bed already tidied up and his friend nowhere to be found. He went out to the study area to see if Joseph was outside, and to his surprise, found breakfast, already prepared on the small table. Joseph was there finishing up the table as Cedric came up to him and said "Well, this is a surprise! It's usually you who gets up the last, and you prepped up breakfast as well, not really the Joseph I knew". "I wasn't hammered drunk last night and had just the right amount of ale to drink. Slept well and woke up without a hangover, so, I decided to go down to the kitchen and made breakfast for all of us" Joseph said.

Claude came out from the other room, yawning as he rubbed his eyes and upon seeing the breakfast set on the table, jokingly greeted Cedric and Joseph "Good morning, honeymooners!". "Hahaha, very funny Claude, good morning too" Joseph replied as Anthony came out of the room behind Claude. As the four lads sat down to eat breakfast, Anthony said "We've got a busy day ahead of us" as he continued "We practice the whole day and tomorrow we go down to the hall to practice there in the afternoon". "Why should we practice in the hall?" Cedric asked as Claude answered while chewing his food "The acoustics are better in the hall, and since we've been practicing in such close quarters, practicing in the hall would increase our handling of our instruments since we have to exert more effort in bowing and vibrating the strings". "Claude's right. By the time we get to play in front of her majesty herself, our sound would already been improved, giving us a favourably advantage" Anthony said as he continued "Cedric, you should sit this one out until our final practice tomorrow". Cedric stopped what he was eating and looked at Anthony. "Why?" Cedric asked.

Anthony smiled and said "I need you to go to the workshop and re-fit a new sound post and a new bridge on your violin to improve its sound quality" as he continued "Mr. Fulton said that the Luthier. Adrian is already in the workshop, and you need to fit those parts by this afternoon". "Alright, I will be going to the work shop now. I will be back later l. hopefully" as Cedric grabbed his violin and headed down to the hall where he passed by Mr. Fulton. "Mr. Fulton, is the workshop open?" Cedric asked as the later replied "Indeed it is. You have something you want to fix!" asked Fulton. "I need to re-fit a new sound post and bridge on my old violin" Cedric said. "Well then, let me elk with you there and introduce you to Adrian so you two could get acquainted" as Fulton walked Cedric towards the workshop. The sound of hammering could be clearly heard outside as an indication that the workshop was open. As Fulton and Cedric walked in, Adrian was there sanding out a price of wood in what it seems to look like a violin bridge.

"Adrian, there is someone here who needs your help" as Fulton continued "This is Cedric. He is a new student here. He is under the tutelage of Segñor Gianatti". Adrian paused to greet the two of them, wiping his hands that were filled by sawdust as he shook Cedric's hand. "So, how can I be of help" he asked Cedric. Cedric opened his violin case and took out the instrument as he handed it to Adrian. "I need to put in a new sound post and a bridge to go along g with that" Cedric said. Adrian looked at him and looked at the violin. Adrian tool out a bow from the shelf and started to play on Cedric's violin. He took a few strokes of the bow and stopped playing. Adrian held the violin close to his ears and started tapping the backside of the instrument and after that, he put down the violin on his workshop table and turned to Cedric and said "Yes I see what you mean, it lacks bass, probably the bass bar on the left side has loosen and the treble lacks clarity," as he continued "I am going to have open up the front and put a new sound bar as well, judging from the work needed, I guess it would be finished about first thing tomorrow since I have to let the glue dry overnight"

"Tomorrow? Couldn't it be any time sooner?" Cedric asked. "Look, after I finish with your instrument, you yourself will hear a big difference compared to the way it sounds now, and I am going to adjust the height of your bridge so it will feel much softer on your fingers but at the same time, proving its tonal quality" Adrian explained. "Well, of it will improve the sound, I guess I don't have any choice" sighed Cedric. "How long have you been playing this?" Adrian asked the lad. "Been quite a while. It was given to me by our former farmhand, Duncan, when he went back to Glasgow" Cedric said. "Oh, that explains it. The moisture in the wood must have altered the adhesive used in making this, quite common for violins exposed to high humidity and moisture" Cedric was quite impressed with Adrian's explanation. Adrian seemed to know quite a lot about stringed instruments that he was sure that his violin was in good hands. "Alright, so, first thing in the morning then?" Cedric asked Adrian just to make sure the Luthier wouldn't forget. "Hmmm, maybe before noontime. I want to be very sure that the glue sticks hard and dries right" Adrian said. "Well then, guess I'll be seeing you again tomorrow, Adrian" as Cedric walked away, leaving his violin on Adrian's workshop table as the Luthier got back to what he was doing before he was interrupted. Cedric on the other hand was thinking about borrowing a violin from other students so that he could continue practicing while he was waiting for his violin to be fixed.

As Cedric came back to their room, Anthony asked when will the violin be ready, as Cedric answered "About noon tomorrow, no sooner than that" as Cedric continued "I was planning to borrow a violin from another student to fill up the idle time while waiting for my instrument". "That will not do you any good. Your violin is a part of you. If you use another instrument, your " feel" will change, increasing your chances of making a mistake. Let's just wait till your violin comes back from the workshop" Anthony said as Cedric dragged his feet across the floor and took a seat, as the other three, continued to at their piece. Although he was already missing his violin because it has been a part of him for a long time, and was also very anxious to find out how it will sound like after Adrian has finished fixing it in the workshop. He remembered how Duncan gave him the violin before he left the plantation, and it was this sentimental reason that he couldn't wait to get his violin back.
Chapter XXVIII

"The Grand Hall"

As Sunday morning came, Cedric was already up and about, as he had only about a few hours of sleep, spending the entire night tossing and turning, anticipating the return of his beloved violin from the workshop. Hr got up and fixed his bed, hurrying outside, walking briskly to the workshop at the back of the dormitory, hoping that Adrian already finished his violin. It was a beautiful morning as the sun was shining across the blue sky, clouds fleeting across as the trees gently swayed to the light morning breeze. Fulton was already sweeping across the lawn, clearing the fallen leaves as Cedric walked passed by him. "Good morning young sir, a bit early for a Sunday morning don't you think?" as the man greeted Cedric. "Oh, a pleasant morning to you as well, Mr. Fulton" as Cedric courteously responded as he continued "Is the workshop already opened?". "I'm glad you mentioned that young sir. I saw Adrian there a while ago. Funny though, he doesn't come to school on a Sunday. There must be something important that he had to finish in the workshop for him to come in on a Sunday" Fulton said.

Upon hearing this, Cedric hurriedly walked to the workshop and as soon as he got there, he saw that the workshop was indeed open and sure enough, there sitting on his work table was Adrian, holding Cedric's violin and tuning it with a tuning fork. "Oh, it's you, you're up early" greeted Adrian. Cedric looked at his violin and asked if it was ready as Adrian replied "I'm just about finished, it did took me quite a while to fix it, given the fact that it's an old, worn out instrument, but I did manage to fix all the problems it had" Adrian said as he continued "It was not an easy task but you will be happy with the results, frankly, I had to sleep here just to get the job done on time as I promised". "You mean to tell me that you slept here just to finish the task on hand?" Cedric said. Adrian smiled and said "No instrument is less important than the other, I myself look at each individual by their character and the same goes with each instrument that deserves thorough attention and care, regardless of their worth" as Adrian finishes tuning Cedric's violin.

Holding Cedric's violin, Adrian looks at it, turning it in every angle, looking at the bridge and the string height, making sure that the glue that he left clamped on during the night has sufficiently dried up. He reaches out for a bow and takes a rosin, putting it near a lighted candle, softening it up a bit before rubbing it across the bow. Walking across the middle of the workshop, he places the violin across his chin and starts to play the instrument. Cedric stood back and was in awe as he heard his violin playing. The sound was very different as if it wasn't his violin to begin with! The deep tones of the bass strings were more pronounced and deep, much improved as he remembered it! As Adrian started to scale up to the higher note, the treble and pitch of the strings were screeching, the notes it produced were very prolonged and sustained as Adrian vibrated the strings. Cedric was very happy as Adrian finished playing his violin as the later handed it back to its owner, smiling. "Please be aware that the bridge I made is customized for my playing preference and you might have to get used to the tenacity of the strings, meaning they are more softer to the touch" Adrian said.

As the two walked out of the workshop, Cedric said to Adrian "Thank you very much Adrian, how could I ever repay you for your services?" Adrian laughed and said "Cedric, it was my pleasure. It's my job to fix the students instruments and I'm glad that you love your violin despite it being old and neglected" as the two walked towards the dormitory hall. Adrian looked at Cedric and said "Take good care of your violin and keep it in a dry place, and if you ever need my help, you know where to find me". "Indeed I will Adrian" Cedric replied as Adrian bade him farewell. Cedric hurriedly ran back to their room. He couldn't wait to show his friends his violin that Adrian fixed and he couldn't wait to play it in front of them as well! Cedric walked past the kitchen dining hall when somebody called out his name "Cedric!". It was Joseph and Claude. The two were already having breakfast as Cedric sat down with them. "I see you got your violin back, is it already fixed?" Joseph asked. "Adrian spent the whole night fixing it, it sounds wonderful now and I can't wait to play it!" exclaimed Cedric as he noticed that Anthony was not among them. "" Where is Anthony?" Cedric asked as Claude answered "He asked permission to use the main hall so we could practice there, and I do hope he gets permission from the headmaster, Sir Thomas Brentwood".

"I do hope so as well, since today is our final practice before we go to Windsor Castle for her majesty's gathering" Joseph said. After a while, Anthony walked into the kitchen dining hall and stood in front of the group, wearing a smug on his face. "Gentlemen, time to practice for our performance. Sir Brentwood was a bit hesitant at first, but no sooner that I tried to explain the logic of our purpose in using the grand hall, and he finally gave us the permission to use it with one specific condition that he be allowed to watch our performance" Anthony said. The three smiled at each other as Claude said "Well then, what are we waiting for?" Anthony looked at Cedric's violin and said "Well now, I see you got your instrument back. Did the Luthier do a good job in fixing it?". "Oh, you'd be surprised. Hr spent the whole night in the workshop just to make sure that I got my instrument back right on time. I can't imagine the painstaking hours he must have spent in making sure that all the defects in my violin were fixed. I owe him that much". "Well, looks like we will get a chance to hear the results when we practice in the grand hall" Anthony said as they all headed to the grand hall where four chairs were already prepared in the middle of the room. As the four gentlemen sat down, Fulton brought in the music stand and placed it in front of them. In the far side of the hall was Sir Thomas Brentwood, along with Segñor Gianatti, as the two sat down quietly, as the four young lads prepared to perform their recital piece. There were also other students there, peering over the top balcony, looking down in the middle of the grand hall, eager to listen to the performance of Cedric's group. Either that or they just wanted to see if they were going to fumble and make a mistake, as most musicians are competitive against each other, just waiting for a mistake to happen.

The middle of the grand hall was covered by an enormous dome which makes the sounds more resonant and this was the main reason why Anthony was so persistent on practicing in the grand hall for the sole purpose of the acoustical quality of the structure. "Alright lads, this is it" Anthony said as he added "Its time we test your violins sound quality Cedric!" as he smiled at the later. "Let's start off by playing Antonio Vivaldi's Summer movement from The Four Seasons!" Anthony said. As the students along with the headmaster and Segñor Gianatti looked non, a lull of silence fell across the grand hall. Anthony looked at the three and started to count off "Five, six, seven eight". In a synchronised gesture, the four began the intro of the piece. A rush of thunderous sound, ripped across the grand hall, piercing every corner with their instruments sound.

The other students fell back as they listened to the four young lads playing their recital piece, along with the headmaster, Thomas Brentwood and Segñor Gianatti, who were equally awed with the music that they were listening to. Was it the acoustics in the grand hall that was resonating the sound that made the music more dramatic or was it the practice that paid off in which the four young gentlemen spent hours in perfecting their music? Or was it both? During the entire time they started playing, Cedric noticed that his strings were much more softer that he had very little effort in hitting the high notes. It looks like Adrian's work on his violin was well worth the wait. As Cedric began his solo, Anthony was smiling, he noticed that Cedric's violin was sounding well that the later couldn't help but enjoy their performance since all of their instruments were in perfect pitch with each other.

As the four young gentlemen were nearing the end of their performance, Segñor Gianatti leaned a bit forward to listen to Cedric's solo part, the climax of the Summer Movement. The part in which the violin solo sounded like a birds calling, a fluttering scale that has a degree of difficulty even for seasoned violinists. But since Cedric has been playing this piece since he was a small boy, he never had difficulty in accomplishing this passage, especially now that he is using his finely tuned violin. As the four young men approached the final bar of their musical piece, Segñor Gianatti kept an eye on the four, never a moment that he did not listen to each instrument to see if they were indeed ready to perform in front of her majesty. As the four ended their performance, a lull of silence took over the entire grand hall, from end to end, until finally, in the distant, a clap was heard. The small clap slowly grew into a loud applause from the upper balcony as the students that were watching were enthralled by the four young men who had just finished performing.

The headmaster and Segñor Gianatti approached the four young gentlemen and said "Well done lads, well done indeed!' said Sir Brentwood as Segñor Gianatti smiled with a contented look on his face and said "I think you gentlemen are ready to perform in front of her majesty". Anthony, Cedric, Claude and Joseph all smiled and looked at each other. Finally, it could be said without a doubt that their endless hours of practicing has finally paid off. Anthony looked at Cedric and said "Your violin performed beyond my expectation and it sounded so good!". "Yes indeed, I agree. Thank you for coaxing me to have it fixed. It really improved my performance!" Cedric replied. Finally, the four young lads were ready to face their first and final recital. But, will their wits be still intact when they come face to face with the queen herself and her court as they neared the time of their performance in a state banquet that will be held tomorrow in Windsor Castle?
Chapter XXIX

"The Road To Windsor"

As Monday morning slowly came, the four young lads were already up and about, preparing their instruments and their wardrobe which was personally picked out by Segñor Gianatti since the old maestro knows what pleases the eyes of her Majesty, the Queen. Anthony was busy loosening the strings of his violin. Cedric on this other hand was cleaning the accumulated rosin dust off his violin since he wanted it to look spick and span and wanted it to look quite shinny for their performance. "Hey Cedric, you think there will be a lot of drinks there tonight?" Joseph asked as Anthony quickly interjected on his question " Oh no, not tonight Joseph, absolutely no drinking on this one very critical night" as he continued "We need to be as sober as a priest on a Sunday morning mass" as Claude laughed on his brother's reply. "He's right Joseph, we need to be sober before our recital, but, I think we could have a few drinks afterwards" Cedric said as he turned to Anthony and asked him "Well, what do you think Anthony?". Anthony paused a while and grinned as hr said "Well, I suppose a few drinks after wouldn't be a bad idea" as he continued "Since it will be our first time to perform in front of the queen herself, I don't see anything wrong with having a fee drinks after".

As the four lads continued to prepare their things, Segñor Gianatti came inside their room and greeted the four lads and watched as they continued to prepare their things. "Gentlemen, your instruments will be taken to a separate carriage so that you lads won't be crowded during your trip to Windsor" said the old maestro as Cedric asked Segñor Gianatti "Pardon Segñor Gianatti, but how far is it from here to Windsor Castle?". " Roughly twenty miles I think" answered the old maestro. as he continued "It was nice enough that her majesty's royal court sent separate carriages for those who will be performing for the recital tonight". Segñor Gianatti stood up and walked towards the doorway as he stopped and turned around and looked at the young gentlemen and smiled. "Tonight when you perform, think of it as your first and your last chance of stepping into Windsor castle to play in front of the queen and I know that you may lose confidence once the feeling of nervousness gets the best of you" as he continued "Gentlemen, whatever the outcome maybe, just have confidence in what you have been practicing together as a group for the past two weeks and don't be overwhelmed just because you are in the presence of royalty because for all you know, they are also people, just like you and me". "The carriages arrive at ten o'clock, we leave by then" as the old maestro left the room, leaving the four young gentlemen thinking about what Segñor Gianatti had just said about royalty.

As the clock strikes eight, the four lads we're already done with putting on their clothes, looking like the true gentlemen that they were, finely garbed in their two piece suits, bow tie and all. As they all finished to take turns grooming themselves in front of their mirror, they all stood facing each other as Anthony looked at each and every one of them, smiled as he said "Well gentlemen, I guess this is the moment that we had all been waiting for the past two weeks. From here on end, whatever happens, let me just say that it was a pleasure knowing you two, Cedric and Joseph. In all honesty, I can truly say that your musical skills are quite sufficient enough to hopefully pull us through tonight". "Why thank you Anthony, that was really a reassuring thought to say" said Cedric as he continued "Just remember what Segñor Gianatti said, royalty are people too, just like you and me!". "Yes, well, we'll keep that in mind while the entire Royal court has their eyes and ears on us like a hawk, waiting to pounce at every musical flaw that we make, so remember what we talked about being sober before the recital and I'm talking about you Joseph". Joseph looked at Anthony and laughed and said "Understood. Sobriety is the rule of the night!".

At that moment, Angus, the carriage driver along with Fulton came in and said "Good day lads, the carriage is here. Me and Fulton will be taking your instruments downstairs to load them". " Thank you Angus" Cedric said. As the four lads walked down the dormitory stairs and into the grand hall, Sir Thomas Brentwood, the headmaster of the Royal Academy of Music was there. He called up all the participating groups and gathered them together before their journey to Windsor castle. The headmaster stood there, looking at each group. He slowly paced in front of them and finally spoke. "This Academy has kept up a strict tradition of maintaining a standard of competence and perfection amongst its students and today is yet another occasion on which I will say this to you new applicants. Remember, we here in the Royal Academy have no influence of whatsoever to your future here as musicians. Her majesty herself will and would decide who will stay and further pursue their training here in the Academy". Anthony looked at Cedric as the headmaster continued.

"Some of you will see me again as you may be fortunate enough to be granted the graciousness of her majesty's favour. While to some of you, this might be our last moment to speak to each other as you might find yourself tomorrow on a train, going home. But whatever happens tonight, be thankful that you had the opportunity to perform in front of her majesty, as only a few people have a chance of doing so in their entire lifetime". As Sir Brentwood walked away, Segñor Gianatti came up from behind and stood in front of the group. He looked at them and said "What Sir Brentwood said is true. There will be no favours that would influence her majesty's decision on who she chooses as the Royal academy will only abide by what the queen decides". A lull of silence falls as the other potential students began to feel a certain uneasiness on what the old maestro said. Although many of them have spent a good number of weeks practicing for their recital for her majesty's royal court, the evident uncertainty has now began to show its teeth, waiting for anyone's confidence to loosen its grip and stance, the nervousness taking over. Did the head master and Segñor Gianatti purposely said this to intimidate the new students?

Was this a means of unnerving their confidence to see who breaks down first, dragging their entire group to fail? Was it a game of wits to see who will make through the recital? Whatever the reason for jolting the confidence of the students, it was clear enough to know that the entire decision on who gets into the Royal Academy of Music lies on the favour of her majesty herself, Queen Victoria. As the participants for the recital were contemplating on this rather morbid thought, four carriages sent by her majesty's royal court made their way into the school grounds and stopped in front of the main entrance of the grand hall. Segñor Gianatti looked at the students and spoke "Well, the carriages have arrived and right on time. We nest be on our way since its roughly a twenty mile ride from here". One by one, each group boarded a specific coach assigned to them and as they got on the coaches, they immediately headed off, followed by the other.

Out in the streets, the coaches were very noticeable, especially when each coach bears the royal insignia, that people wonder who of royal nobility could be inside? Anthony, Cedric, Claude and Joseph were quite at awe. They never had rode such a splendid carriage in their entire life! The trimmings and fine leather seats were enough to put the common coaches to shame! It felt like they were, even for the briefest moment, like royalty, as people outside looked at them as they rode past by. "So Anthony, have you reconsidered?" asked Joseph. "Reconsidered about what?" Anthony replied. "Reconsidered about having a little drink to calm the nerves before performing?" said Joseph. Anthony grew silent as he looked through the window, clutching his fist, trying not to let the others know that he was feeling a bit nervous himself. Cedric knew that Anthony was feeling a bit edgy despite being confident about himself and his associates. The kind of feeling like that of a man, blindfolded and about to walk across a plank, without certainty, not knowing what to fall on, halfway across the plank.

As silence fell inside the coach, each member of Cedric's group were lost in their own thoughts. The sound of the wheels and along with the horses foot, galloping on the pavement felt like a clock, ticking faster, drawing them closer to their destination, the uncertainty of their fate relied on her majesty's favour. As each moment passes, it drew them closer and closer to Windsor castle, where their fate will be decided on. For Cedric, it felt like the longest ride that he ever had, longer than the train ride from Wiltonshire, which looked like a distorted memory to him, a flickering image of a past life, dwindling in his thoughts. Now, faced with a reality of uncertainty as the hours passed, contemplating the past with the coming future, as they finally arrived at Berkshire county. As the royal coaches turned to a corner, the young lads looked out if the window and there they saw for the first time with their own eyes, Windsor Castle!

Chapter XXX

"The Old Victorians"

It was past noon when the entire entourage from the Royal Academy of Music arrived at Windsor. The Royal Coaches stopped as they were all lined up behind the back entrance of the castle as the students alighted, everyone including Cedric and his group, were awed by the castle's immense towers and vast grounds. The Royal guards could be seen all around within the castle grounds, marching about in full uniforms, exuding an undoubtful aire of gallantry, full of pomp, loyal to the crown, guarding the safety of her majesty and the dignitaries that will be attending the Royal gathering. As Segñor Gianatti alighted from his coach, he slowly walked towards a flight of steps where he was met by a man, who came down halfway to greet him. "Ah, thank you for arriving on time, Segñor Gianatti. I am John Brown and I am her Majesty's confidant. I am the one who was delegated by the Queen herself to make sure that you and your students are well taken care of" said John Brown.

"Ah yes! Mr. Brown, it's been quite a while since I last saw you, I think about three years ago in Balmoral, Scotland" replied Segñor Gianatti. Ah yes, Mr. John Brown, a simple Scottish fellow and confidant of her Majesty. He was the one who looked over Balmoral castle and made sure that everything was in its proper place, specifically the daily ongoing of the entire housekeeping. It was about a year after the Queen came out from her seclusion from a decade long mourning of her husband's death, Prince Albert, that Mr. John Brown and the Queen established a friendship, platonic in nature, but, to some malicious eyes, misinterpreting it, causing an ignorant rumour to become a nasty scandal, spread amongst the royal family until it was looked upon as a liaison with a tint of malice. The old maestro turned around and looked at the students and said "Alright, gather your instruments and Mr. Brown here will lead you to the main hall where he will tell you a few pointers on the proceedings tonight".

"Please follow me" as Mr. Brown lead the students to the main hall, passing through a richly decorated hallway, extravagantly trimmed with rare flowers, overflowing with colours and scented like that of a summer garden, a lavish sight to lay upon one's eyes! It was so obvious that the Queen loved flowers so much, as the entire hallway was filled from corner to corner. After going through the hall, the students soon found themselves in a cavernous grand ball room. The entire ball room was lit by a massive chandelier, almost as big as a small house! Its diamond like crystals hanging precariously above the ballroom floor, and each crystal teardrop radiating a prismic shine, a colourful barrage, glistening spectacle worth the admiration to who ever saw it. Cedric and his group found themselves staring at the ceiling, particularly the massive chandelier that hung high above them. Their mouths widely gaping, seemingly mesmerized by the delightful colours playing on their eyes. Breaking away from their hypnotic lull, the young lads hurriedly followed the rest of the students to an elevated stage, set up for the sole purpose of facilitating the performers for tonight's recital. "So, this is where you will be performing tonight, as you can clearly see, it is elevated, which is just enough for her majesty to see you" said Mr. Brown.

After showing them the stage where they will be performing, Mr. Brown accompanied the students to a room just behind the stage. "Now gather around. There are a few explicit pointers that I need to tell you before you perform tonight" as Mr. Brown continued "Always bow down to her majesty first before bowing down to those people in front of you". " The Queen will be seated in a corner not far from the stage and it should be noted that after each performance, you should show the same courteous candour of bowing after" said Mr. Brown as he continued "Segñor Gianatti said that each group will be performing two musical pieces of their choice. Each group of performers will wait their turn after the previous group has completely left the stage and only then must the next group of participants make their way to the stage, is that understood?" as Mr. Brown finished explaining the details of protocol to the students. "Oh yes, before I forget, don't mingle too much with the people around you. Remember, these are Old Victorians, you might find them a bit snobbish, if you know what I mean" as he continued "You need not worry about food and refreshments as you will be personally catered by her majesty's personal cook" as Mr. Brown walked out of the room. "What did he mean by Old Victorians?" Cedric asked himself.

Quite simply put, Old Victorians are those people, besides the royal court, are the people that serve around the Queen. Queen Victoria, a woman with small stature, yet quite revered by the very people around her, strict yet not the kind of woman who lacks a sense of humour, despite being a monarch with royal heredity that has blood relationships with almost all the other mentionable European country. She had a lonely childhood and was orphaned from her father at a tender age if eight. Raised all alone by her Hanoverian governess, she was solely educated by the later and at the tender age of eighteen, assumed the throne and the crown when both her two uncles died without an heir. Marrying her first cousin, Prince Albert, the Queen had nine children in an expanse of their twenty year marriage until the untimely death of her husband due to illness. After ten years of mourning, the Queen finally stepped out of her seclusion, reviving her popularity amongst her ministers and subjects. There is a saying among her majesty's royal court that nobody laughs first until the queen laughs herself, quite a stiffly, snobbish way of looking at how the people around her behave, earning the moniker "Old Victorians". No wonder Mr. John Brown was very specific about protocols concerning the entire proceedings, since the students were outsiders, it was best to warn them prior to their performance, for their sake.

As the sun slowly faded into dusk and as the darkness slowly crept in, the entire grand ballroom was soon lighted up as the time of the ball neared. Cedric and his friends, Anthony, Claude and Joseph, were already preparing their instruments as the rest of the royal court, namely the servants and entire household were preparing for the festivities of the night. The coaches bearing the dignitaries and ministers had already started to arrive as one by one, their arrival was announced at the entrance of the grand ballroom. The air was filled with extravagance and pageantry. Never did Cedric saw so many influential people, let alone her majesty's royal family and court. Cedric was witnessing England's elite, the kind of people that did not have to tire themselves from working for a living on a daily basis, walking past him, not a care in the world and the entire world for their own personal beckoning. Yes, they were The Old Victorians and the students of the Royal Academy Of Music were there to entertain them, and it didn't matter if it pleased them or not, as far as these snobs were concerned, they were just there as an added accessory to the trimmings and grandeur of the royal gathering attributed to her majesty. As the members of the royal court and dignitaries filled the grand ballroom, waiting for her majesty's entrance, Cedric was lost in thought. He was thinking on why he was there and what he was thinking when he accepted Segñor Gianatti's offer to come to London to enter the academy. His thoughts were drummed down by the chattering of people waiting for the Queen as the time drew near for their performance, not expecting that these elites be pleased by their performance, but he was hoping that the night be over and done as soon as possible so that if he and his group didn't make it, they'll be on the first train back to Wiltonshire, homeward bound.

Chapter XXXI

"Her Majesty, The Queen"

The entire grand ballroom was abuzz, filled with the incoherent chattering of people, all invited by her majesty, sort to speak, splendidly wearing their best attire and hob knobbing with each other just for the sake of a decent and rather superficial conversation. Ah yes, one can expect just as much, since they are society's cream of the crop and their affluence provides them a means of being able to be a step higher than everyone else, well, everyone else that doesn't belong in their circle that is. Back inside the room behind the stage where the students were waiting, everyone was busy as well, preparing their instruments and musical scores. Others were taking turns in from of the mirror, making sure that their wardrdrobe didn't had any wrinkles or creases, flurrying the tails on their suits and straightening their bow ties, non which Cedric's group could be concerned about since they all huddled together in a corner as the rest of the entire Academy students were in a frantic frenzy.

As everyone else was running about, the rear doorway opened, and in came a barrage of servants bringing food and beverages to the delight of everyone in the room. After all the food was placed in a large table in the centre of the room, the servants went away as a man wearing a chef's hat came in and looked at everyone and said "Compliments of her majesty, please enjoy yourselves!" as he cordially bowed down and closed the door behind him. Joseph on the meantime was busy looking over the beverages and luckily stumbled upon a bottle of fine Scotch whiskey. He quickly grabbed the bottle and hurriedly went back to the corner where his friends were huddling and said "Well mates, as we discussed a while ago, I found myself a bottle of finely aged scotch, twelve years, anyone fancy a sip, or two?". "Joseph, really?" said Anthony as he continued "Can't you be sober even just for this moment before we perform?". "Aw daddy, but you promised?" as Joseph giggled while holding the bottle in his hand and drawing out four drinking glasses from the table.

"Stop being sarcastic Joseph!" as Anthony started to walk away from the group as Cedric, Claude and Joseph watched him. Taking a few steps away, Anthony suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at his friends. He briskly walked back and said "Fine, give me a glass" as Joseph laughed, handing Anthony a glass and filling it up. Joseph raised his glass and called on every student inside the room and said "Gentlemen, let me make a toast for our performance tonight. Good luck to each and every one of us, cheers!" as the entire room replied back "Cheers!". Anthony, Claude, Cedric and Joseph toasted their glasses and took a sip of scotch, being so finely aged and well blended, that they all agreed that it was one of the finest that they ever tasted since it was bottled exclusively for her majesty's royal court.

"Another one?" Anthony teasingly asked his friends as Cedric answered "Why not?" as their glasses were again half full when they over heard an announcement from the man who introduced the arriving guests that the Queen was about to enter the grand ballroom. The four young lads went out of the waiting room behind the stage and peeked from curtains covering the stage just to get a chance to see the queen herself as she entered the grand ballroom. "Ladies and gentlemen, her majesty, the ruler of Great Britain, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Empress of India, Queen Victoria!". From the opposite side of the grand ballroom, a huge door slowly opened and two maids in waiting walked out followed by a small woman wearing a velvet blue dress. On her head was a tiara studied by jewels that sparkled every imaginable colour. She didn't walk briskly, but rather took a somewhat slow stride as she looked straight down the carpeted aisle, head up high and with the deepest colour blue eyes, a symbolic proof of nobility and royalty. It was Queen Victoria herself as she nimbly strided past the bowed heads of her subjects and royal guests while everybody remained on their postured stance until the Queen had completely made her way to her seat and finally sat down.

From behind the seams of the stage curtain where Cedric and his friends lurched, they could perfectly see everything that was going on. It was Cedric's first time to see the Queen herself in the skin! He was all giddy inside and couldn't wait to tell everyone back home that he saw the Queen. "I imagine her being a bit wee taller than I expected" as Joseph blurted. "Quiet down Joseph. That is the Queen herself so behave properly" Anthony quietly scolded Joseph for being a bit rude with his observation. "I was just saying" Joseph replied as Anthony gave a stabbing look back at Joseph. The four lads went back to the waiting room and sat down and quietly looked at each other as Mr. Brown entered the room and said "Alright students, the first group should now prepare for their performances. Please follow to the back stage". The first group was lead by Jonathan Graeme, a tall lad wearing spectacles. He and his group were to perform first which could be said as being in a very nervous position comparable to that being the first to be shot by a firing squad. Jonathan stood up as his group went to the back stage but before he exited the waiting room he turned his gaze to Cedric's group and gave them a rather reluctant grin. In return, Anthony nodded back as a response before Jonathan closed the door from behind him.

Anthony, Claude and Cedric remained seated as Joseph got up and decided to follow Jonathan Graeme's group behind the stage. Anthony called out to Joseph and said "And where do you think you're going!" as Joseph replied "Don't tell me you don't want to watch this? I just want to see how the crowd will react!". Anthony paused for a while and said ""Buggers, why not!" as the four young lads sneaked out of the waiting room and peeked from behind the stage. The lights were all focused on the stage and as some moment passed, Mr. John Brown came upstage as a modest applause followed him until he stopped at the middle of the stage. "Good evening to all. Tonight we are given the fortunate pleasure of being in the company of her majesty, Queen Victoria, who graces or festivity tonight". The Queen, being modest herself, nods her head as a responsive gesture in return.

Mr. Brown continues. "For your listening pleasure, I introduce to you, the students of the Royal Academy of Music, who tonight will present us with some classical musical pieces for all of you to enjoy!" as Mr. Brown leaves the stage while the curtains slowly part, revealing the first group of students lead by Jonathan Graeme. Nervously, they give their respects to the Queen as they cordially bow down to her as she nods her head as a favourable gesture in return. As the brief applause settles down, the first group of students sit down as they prepare to play their selected musical piece in front of an eagerly waiting and critical crowd. As the first group started to perform, Cedric and the others listened intently as they observe the crowd that watched and listened in front of them. Their faces looked androgynous, seems like they were a picky crowd to please, but who could tell since it was just the beginning of the first group's performance. Royalty and nobility were always hard to please in the most orthodox means, but Cedric's group was not interested in the crowd in front of them. They were more interested on how the Queen was responding to the performance of the first group, whether she be smiling, yawning or just be interested in other things besides the students performing on the stage.

There was a bit of nervousness on the part of Jonathan Graeme's group and it became apparent as one can hear a certain oddness in the tune that they were playing as it was so very obvious that it was a bit flat and slightly out of tune. It soon became apparent when someone in the crowd was mumbling for a while until this incomprehensive mumbling turned into an audible chuckle. This was bad for Jonathan Graeme and his group, even to the point of embarrassment as some people in the crowd were talking in the midst of their performance. The Queen on the other hand was still listening but was talking to one of her maids in waiting, asking her servant to call on John Brown. As Mr. Brown stood beside the Queen, he bowed down as her majesty talked to him, stopping from time to time to look at the first group performing on stage.

From his vantage point backstage, Cedric knew that these people watching them perform tonight was a hard crowd to please as he tried to contemplate how they could overcome the crowd's finicky mood. This was the first group of performers and at this point of the evening, it was too early to know how to get their attention and alternatively, on their good side, particularly the Queen herself. Cedric decided to wait it out until the second group finishes their performance, right before their turn to perform on stage comes.

Chapter XXXII

"Just A Smile"

The first group lead by Jonathan Graeme ended their performance with a perceptible feeling of inadequacy, they knew something was wrong as their performance ranted on, that awkward note making the entire piece much worse than a mediocre rendition. Someone in the group obviously lost track of the note progression and tried to catch up, rendering ruin to the entire performance. Jonathan's quartet stood up and bowed to the crowd's seemingly lukewarm reception of their performance, someone had to take the blame for the entre quartets miserable performance as they made their way back to the waiting room, behind the stage as they passed by Cedric's group, as the later likes on. The second group of students came out of the waiting room as Jonathan and his came back and shut the door behind them. No sooner that the second group of students had gone up the stage, Anthony and Cedric couldn't help but hear Jonathan Graeme swearing at the top of his voice, obviously addressing his insurmountable disgust on their group's massive failure to perform properly.

Cedric sat in a dark, obscure corner behind the stage as he thought of a way to gain the crowd's favour and approval, especially now after the blunder that happened to the first group. Cedric was certain that Jonathan's group will be gone first thing tomorrow morning, without a doubt. Anthony walked over to where he was sitting and sat down beside him and said "Poor Jonathan. That'll be the end of them, that's for sure" as he continued "This crowd is hard to please. Got any ideas on how we can win their hearts?" he sarcastically inquired to Cedric. Cedric stood up and took a peek behind the curtain and looked around. He thought to himself and tried come up with a unique way on how to make their quartet, stand up from all the rest without coming off as superficial to the crowd.

Cedric peered through the obscuring curtains and looked at the Queen and alternatively, at the crowd when suddenly, a thought came to him. "It just might work" Cedric said to himself, though he doubted that his friends would approve of it, but then again, desperate times call for desperate measures. Cedric gathered his friends in a huddle and told them of his idea. "You're crazy Cedric! How on Earth would you think that your idea would remotely work?" Anthony asked. "Our musical skills is just one aspect of our performance. This idea of mine will give us a lasting impression" Cedric replied as the second group of students had just finished with their repertoire and were about to leave the stage, at the same moment when Mr. John Brown approached the young lads to ask them to prepare for their entrance. "Gentlemen, the audience awaits you" as he gestured his arms towards the steps leading to the top of the stage".

With their instruments at hand, the quartet climbed the stage while the curtains were still flurred. They all stood up, waiting for the curtains to be opened as they chatted one last time before they were given their queue. "Are we ready for this?" Anthony asked the rest of the group. "This is what we practiced for isn't it not?" Cedric said. "Let's show them what we got!" retorted Claude. "I'm going back for that bottle of fine scotch whiskey!" Joseph said as the rest looked his way, prompting him to look at them and said "What?". At the centre of the stage, Mr. Brown was about to introduce Cedric's group. "Ladies and gentlemen, to play two movements from Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Here is our third quartet comprised of Anthony Mattlock and Cedric Williams on violin, Claude Mattlock on viola and Joseph Hedges on Cello". As the audience cordially applause for the quartet's introduction, Cedric whispered to the rest of the group "Remember what we talked about!". The young lads graciously bowed to the direction of the Queen and as they got up, they were all smiling at her majesty's direction and held that smile for a good five seconds or so! The Queen herself was a bit thrown back at the off gesture of these young gentlemen that she couldn't hold back her demure that she let out a bit of a snicker to the surprise of the audience.

The rest of the crowd inside saw that the Queen thought it was a hilarious gesture on the part of the performers on stage that they too snickered a bit themselves! Cedric said to himself "Got you all" as they sat down and prepared to render their musical piece. Anthony looked at Cedric as the later inconspicuously gave out a wink in return, making Anthony smile. As the audience fell into silence, the quartet looked at one another and signalled each other to start playing. The first piece was the "Spring" movement from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. The Queen was talking to one of her maids in waiting when her attention was suddenly drawn to the quartet performing on the stage. The Queen listened to the performance along with the rest of the audience as well. Except for the sounds of the instruments, the entire grand ballroom silently stood still as the violin passages fluttered all over the, like the sound of birds, playfully playing on the eves. The enthralling synchronicity of the notes filled with vibrance resonated as the audience were laid back to the lull of the performance.

As the first musical number was finished, the audience gave the performers the applause that they rightfully deserved, much to the quartet's surprise. It seems that little smiling fiasco worked to their advantage after all and it was just a smile, a simple smile that left a good impression on the audience, but more importantly, it left a good impression on the Queen herself. As soon as the applause faded, the quartet immediately started to play the last song of their repertoire, The Storm. The young lads began their thunderous introduction to their last musical piece as the audience listened. The movement of the entire rendition was as precise as any orchestra could play and by no other means does it fall short of being riveting, considering that it is being performed by a quartet, which makes it even difficult to pull off since you only will be relying on four stringed instruments and yet you have to give a sense of embodiment to the music and a small mistake would be easily heard and noticed. Nearing the end, the four lads briskly finished their performance to the accompaniment of the audience's more than modest applause. As the young lads bowed in response to the audience's adulation, they saw that the Queen herself was applauding along with everyone else!

The young lads exited the stage and headed straight to the waiting room as they closed the door behind them. They all sat trying to catch their breath as the numbness gradually left their mind. "Did we did it?" Claude asked. Anthony smiled as he answered Claude back "Yes little brother, I think we did it!". "It worked Cedric. I don't know how you did it but it worked!' exclaimed Joseph as he continued "Now where did I leave that bottle of fine scotch whiskey?" The young lads laughed at Joseph's reply, but more importantly, they have finally overcame their final obstacle and they conquered it with an unwavering banter, which earned the approval of an audience which was hard to please in the first place, more importantly, earning the approval of her majesty, Queen Victoria. Cedric was oblivious for a while as he savoured the moment. But after a while, as the euphoria faded off, he noticed that the first group of performers, the group headed by Jonathan Graeme was not in the waiting room and their instruments where nowhere to be found. Cedric sighed as the rest of his friends continued to drink scotch which Joseph set aside, for their moment of jubilation. Standing and staring at the rear entrance door, Cedric could only assume so much as what had happened to the first group and he felt sad on behalf on their part but then again, would he rather be on a train, on his way back to Wiltonshire now that fate has lead him and his friends to this moment?
