I Want to be Me Page 11

  Finn came over to join them. He was looking like someone who had a great weight on his shoulders.

  ‘Julia,’ he said with a nice smile. ‘Can you join us for a warm-up session? It’s just over there.’

  ‘Sure, I’d be glad to’ Julia replied. Claudia noticed how Julia really warmed to Finn. She observed that he seemed to be a nice person, but he was taller than she first thought, and quite good-looking.

  ‘See you shortly, Claudia,’ she said, and she and Finn walked over to the string section.

  ‘This way, young lady.’ There was a tap on Claudia’s shoulder. It was Roger. ‘We need you. We’re just about to start our warm-up. We’ll follow the programme. The compulsory piece is the Polish Symphony, Tchaikovsky of course. Then we’ll go on to Scheherazade, which I think is a terrific choice for us, and not just because that’s got the string quartet.’

  ‘I’m really very, very nervous. I’ve never done this kind of thing before. What if I make a mistake?’

  ‘Claudia, all you have to do is what you did in practice. Now, you have got that solo piece in the Polish Symphony, but you know that so well and you play it so beautifully, you’ve got absolutely nothing to worry about.’ Claudia was still rather anxious about the whole thing, and Roger sensed this and put his hand on her shoulder.

  ‘Just remember, Claudia,’ Roger said. ‘We want you. We wouldn’t want anyone else. Just be yourself, do what you want to do, and I assure you we will be very happy.’

  In about an hour’s time, the judges came out of their tent, looking totally self-important, over-dignified and far too serious. They sat down behind a long trestle, and each one had a piece of paper and a pencil placed in front of them. Meanwhile, someone had rung a bell and the Blue Orchestra was summoned to get ready to play.

  Professor Elfie was in his element. He had dressed especially for the occasion and was a burst of colour, with baggy white trousers, his usual bright pink shirt, an electric blue jacket and his funny top hat. The conductors were provided with a small podium. It was only three steps, but Elfie climbed them very slowly.

  He raised his baton, and with an imperious wave his orchestra began to play the Polish Symphony. It was beautiful music, and Claudia became quite lost in the team effort, so that when the time came for her solo piece she simply took her cue from the conductor’s baton and flowed into the music, playing the piece just the way she wanted to play it. When it was all finished, the panel and the audience clapped politely.

  There was hardly time to catch breath before they had to play their elective. This was Scheherazade. Again, Elfie mounted the podium, this time even more slowly than the first. He was looking a little the worse for wear. He waved his baton and away they went again. This was beautiful music indeed, and it had the strange sound and feeling of old Arabia about it.

  Most importantly, it featured a violin quartet. The violins played their hearts out, and Finn in particular put everything that he had into it. Claudia thought it was just great, but when it was finished the judges just applauded politely, perhaps even officially. Elfie did what all conductors do. He collapsed in a heap on the meadow, quite exhausted. Then he got up and applauded his own orchestra, and went over and shook Finn’s hand, as the first violin.

  ‘Lunch will be over there!’ He pointed to a flag some little distance away. ‘In about an hour!’

  Several people seemed to want to talk to Claudia at the same time. It was Roger however who was the first to congratulate her.

  ‘That was brilliant, absolutely first-rate. I sometimes think that there’s a genie in that flute of yours, Claudia!’

  Several others said much the same thing, and Claudia felt quite flattered. Julia asked her if she would like to go for a walk along the riverbank, down to the lock. There was a nice place down there, where they could sit out in a garden at the water’s edge, just where the water gushed out from a higher level into what looked like a powerful waterfall. They got some lemonade and went down and sat in some chairs, so close to the water that they could have dangled their feet in the stream. A few resident peacocks wandered in and out among the tables, but otherwise there weren’t too many people about and it was nice after all that effort just to have some peace and quiet for themselves.

  ‘Apart from you – our rising star, I thought Finn played extremely well. What do you think?’ Julia asked.

  ‘If we get there, I think a lot of it will be down to him,’ Claudia replied. ‘You like him, don’t you?’ Julia was quiet for several minutes, as if she needed time to think about something that had been troubling her.

  ‘I’m going to tell you, in confidence of course, what I’ve never told another soul,’ she replied. ‘I didn’t think I’d get over Ferdinand. He was – is – a special person. I know he’s got a big ego, but underneath he’s probably a bit insecure. But now I can see other things in Finn, qualities that I know Ferdinand doesn’t have.’

  ‘What, for example?’ Claudia was curious.

  ‘Well, he’s got a great heart. He would never give up. He never gives up. Plus, he’s really nice, you know; he’s got a good nature, and he smiles a lot.’ Julia wanted to change the topic, so she asked Claudia about Kate.

  ‘Everything is fine since we had a talk. We actually talk quite a bit now, usually about school stuff, but often about a lot of ordinary things as well. I have to say, that Kate has improved quite a lot since I started to talk to her.’

  Julia smiled knowingly. ‘I used to get picked on at school,’ she admitted. ‘Fortunately, it didn’t last very long. It all seems so stupid now, but it made me very angry at the time.’

  ‘What caused it?’

  ‘I’d really quite forgotten, although it seemed important at the time. I think it had something to do with my viola. I was rather good at it.’

  ‘Nobody bothers the tennis players,’ Claudia suggested.

  ‘That speaks for itself, doesn’t it?’ Julia said. ‘We just have to live with the strange attitudes of some people! Look at what happened to Elaine.’

  Their one-hour break had gone very quickly, and it was more than time to move back to where the orchestra was having lunch. Claudia especially was reluctant to leave this most pleasant place.

  The remnants of an ancient bridge hung precariously from where they were sitting, across to the other side of the river. Julia explained that people from the old abbey used to cross the bridge to reach a hospice, located right where they were sitting, to help the sick, long, long ago. They got up and began to walk back towards the competition. Claudia thought about what Julia had said. It seemed that everyone had their own problems. What a shame about Ferdinand! That must have hurt. And Elaine! In a way, it made her feel slightly better about her own situation. Mixed feelings though. Claudia knew that she had let it go on too long. But she was learning.

  By the time they got there, the other orchestra had finished and a great mass of people were having lunch. There was a lot of excitement about, and the drums were being silly again, doing their military-style drumrolls and pretending to go at each other, Blue drums against the yellow drums. The chief judge, a rather pompous fellow, came out of the tent and waved them away, and told them to go away and have lunch.

  Meanwhile, Elfie had cornered Helen. They walked around behind the judges’ tent for a little privacy, and there Elfie told Helen what had been discovered at Old College. Helen was mightily surprised.

  ‘Of course I knew about the valuable instrument collection,’ she said. ‘But I had absolutely no idea what was behind that other door. I’m staggered. This changes everything. The sheer value of a much larger collection puts the whole thing on a different level. You know there were always rumours about what was in that vault. Some said it was a special wine collection for the master of the college. There was a rumour that a few masters from long ago were buried there. That probably gave rise to the ghost rumour. But this is something els
e. It sounds like a big collection of many things from Europe and the East. Are you sure about this?’

  ‘Absolutely. Got a very good description. Now I think the girls were a bit cheeky going down there. But you know how curious these youngsters can be. But I’m afraid that’s not the worst news.’ Helen leaned forwards. Her eyes narrowed. She sensed that there was bad news on its way.

  ‘I’m afraid that the whole college is at risk, and if Sloan and his friends get their way your job most certainly, and the jobs of others will go. They’re out to control the college.’ Elfie then went on to give Helen a full account of what the girls had heard. Helen was shaken and deeply offended. She had given most of her working life to the college.

  ‘And the master? Is the master in on this?’ she asked, deeply hoping that he was not.

  ‘He has to know about it because they wouldn’t act by themselves. They have to persuade the college council, so the question is how much they have really told the chairman of the council. Also, Dr Fennell is a fence-sitter if I ever saw one. He’ll back a winner, but he’ll sack a loser.’

  Helen thought for a while. ‘We are sunk. Finished,’ she said at last.

  ‘Why do you say that?’

  ‘Sloan’s orchestra was outstanding on Saturday, due mainly to the Chinese violinist Chin Li. I have to tell you that his performance was inspired. You’re most unlikely to beat them next Sunday, even if you get there.’

  Elfie shuffled about and looked quite glum. ‘We’ve had some bad luck lately. If only we could beat them. There’s everything to play for. There’s us, you, the college. And what’s right! Were they really that good?’

  ‘With Chin Li, definitely yes. Without him, perhaps not.’ Helen thought for a while. ‘I have an idea…’ she began.

  ‘Anything… anything at all. I’ll take anything!’ Elfie was desperate, and it showed.

  ‘Would you ask Finn to come and see me next Tuesday? There is something. I just might be able to help him. But I must say that, even with the help that I have in mind, I don’t hold out that much hope for you. The compulsory piece next Sunday is the Fantasy-Overture from Romeo and Juliet, as you well know, and that is right up Li’s alley. Also, now that I know where the key to that room is, I am going to make it my business to have a really thorough look at what’s there!’

  ‘Thank you for any help you can possibly give us. By the way, I think you should talk to Julia. She found something down there in the dungeon that might be of great interest to you.’

  They were interrupted by the arrival of Dr Fennell, who had come out from the tent, followed by Dr Sloan.

  ‘Hello, Helen. Been busy? You’re Professor Smith, aren’t you?’ he said, addressing Elfie. ‘Is your orchestra doing well?’ He was very smug.

  ‘We’ll find out soon enough,’ Elfie replied stoutly, ‘but I thought your college was on yesterday?’

  ‘It was. We won, of course. We’re just here to show support. Doesn’t hurt to make an impression on the judges, you know.’

  The master was brimming with confidence, and feeling terribly important, which of course he did most of the time. ‘Not that we really need to. But good luck anyway, Smith.’

  He turned abruptly and moved off in the direction of one of the judges, with Sloan in tow.

  ‘Makes me want to throw up!’ said Helen, who was still very angry. ‘To think that that awful man Sloan is planning to sack me! I just wonder if the master really knows.’

  ‘I don’t know, Helen. He could. Try not to worry.’ Elfie was trying not to add to Helen’s problems.

  Dr Helen Brown had collected herself. The initial shock had given way to a burning sense of injustice, and, even though there was a tear in her eye, Elfie noticed a steely determination about her, one that he had seen several times before. She was not a lady to be trifled with.

  ‘Just make sure that Finn comes to see me next Tuesday. Tell him to bring his violin.’ Helen turned and walked off, back into the tent still wiping the odd tear from her eyes.

  Soon, the judges came out of the tent. They looked pleased with themselves. They bowed and smiled, and waved to the players. Then they sat down at the judges’ bench. They shuffled about, whispered and, trying to look important, posed for the photographer. Eventually, a large gentleman wearing a straw boater and a bow tie got to his feet.

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen! The battle is over! I have the honour to announce the winner of the second preliminary final for the Port Meadow Midsummer Orchestra Competition. It was, as it usually is, very close, but the winner is: Blue Orchestra!’

  A large cheer went up. People threw their hats in the air. Tom Tuba could not restrain himself and gave a very loud, very long blast on his tuba, scaring off a couple of cows that were grazing nearby. Claudia looked across at Sloan. He looked unhappy, and it was obvious to her that he didn’t like the result.

  ‘Quiet! Quiet, everybody!’ called the judge. ‘Our second announcement is the special commendations.’ Everyone suddenly went quiet. ‘Our first special commendation is for the first violin from Blue Orchestra, Finn!’ There was a loud cheer. Finn looked absolutely delighted. Claudia noticed that Julia clapped and cheered very enthusiastically.

  ‘Our second special commendation goes to –’ he paused a moment ‘– goes to the lead flute, from Blue Orchestra again – the young Claudia!’ Both orchestras cheered and clapped, and Claudia, who was completely and utterly surprised by this, found that there was nowhere to hide. Well-wishers came up to pat her on the back and congratulate her.

  The yellow orchestra people left fairly quickly, but Elfie called his people together, to make sure that everyone understood about the final the following Sunday. Before he spoke to the whole group, he came over to where Claudia and Julia were standing.

  ‘I just wanted to tell you, young Claudia, that your solo flute performance knocked their socks off! They were most impressed. And, Julia, I thought you played very well too. Perhaps a little unlucky not to get a special commendation.’ He pulled himself up to his full height and waved his arms. ‘Gather around, everyone. We’re going to have a talk about next week. I’ll explain the pieces that we have to play, and what we have to practise hard on, between now and next Sunday. The compulsory piece, as you all know, is the Fantasy-Overture from Romeo and Juliet. Our choice is Mendelssohn’s Italian Suite. That’s the one we submitted when Ferdinand and Elaine were still with us.’

  ‘That’s now our weakness,’ Julia said. ‘Sloan has got this Chin Li, who apparently was outstanding yesterday.’

  ‘What’s he like?’ asked Claudia.

  ‘Apparently very nice. Helen knows him and she said he was polite, works extra hard and has a distinctive playing style. Plays with passion. Lots of it.’

  ‘It’s a pity he’s caught up in all of this,’ Claudia volunteered.

  ‘It certainly is. I don’t think he realises exactly what’s going on. Helen thinks that he might be even younger than what they say he is. She thinks he’s about 14. Sloan has him down as 16.’ This news made Claudia think again. Li was only 14? Maybe she could fit in. Maybe musos would just accept her – for her music – but they also seemed to like for who she was. Things were just a little mixed up still, but getting clearer.

  Soon, Elfie called his group of four over for a council of war. Tom and Roger and Julia did not know what to expect.

  ‘What I’m about to say is just between us,’ Elfie said. ‘I have had advice from Helen that we are really up against it next Sunday. I don’t want our people to get their hopes too high, otherwise they’ll be terribly disappointed in the end. Also, we have learned that some nasty things are going on at Old College. I’d like you in particular to keep a look out for any funny business between now and next Sunday. Especially next Saturday, when we do our rehearsal for the final.’

  Julia had a few words with Elfie before walking back over to talk to Claudia.
They sat down on the trunk of an old elm tree. Julia looked very thoughtful.

  ‘Claudia,’ Julia asked, ‘when we tried to get Elaine and Ferdinand back the first time, where do you think we went wrong?’

  Claudia had absolutely no doubt about that one. ‘We sent the people who upset Elaine to bring her back!’

  ‘Exactly. We sent Ferdinand’s friends, who were responsible for making him behave the way he did. They were as bad as him, if not worse! She certainly wasn’t going to come back with that lot!’

  ‘I agree completely.’

  ‘Now, the question is, where did we go wrong the second time?’

  ‘That’s a really hard one! I really don’t know the answer to that one,’ Claudia replied.

  ‘Well, you think about it. I’ve certainly thought about it. Elaine gets very upset, justifiably. She is humiliated. And what do we do? We send the military! Military marches, drum rolls, even the national anthem! Even if Ferdinand felt the call of duty, under the circs Elaine certainly didn’t, and there was no way he was leaving without her!’

  ‘So we got it all wrong?’

  ‘I think so,’ Julia replied. ‘The problem right from the start wasn’t Ferdinand; it was Elaine. She wanted to be recognised for who she was, not what other people wanted her to be. She wanted to play her music!’

  ‘That’s interesting. I heard just a little while ago that Chin Li does things his own way.’

  ‘Spot on. If we want to get Elaine and Ferdinand to come back, we have to do better than last time,’ Julia said.

  ‘But what about Finn?’ Claudia asked. ‘He’s pretty good and he got the special commendation.’

  ‘I think Finn is really good, and he may well be good enough. I am actually rather fond of Finn,’ Julia rather surprisingly admitted. ‘I just think he’s not quite there yet. Also, remember that there’s a harp in the first piece we play, and anyone else would be inferior to Elaine.’

  ‘What do you suggest?’ Claudia could see Julia’s point. Even if Finn was up to it, and was totally brilliant on the day, they could lose just on the harp.