The shout took me off guard and instantly I felt the blood rush to my face. I suddenly felt so alone and exposed with the silence that filled the room. The engulfing darkness was almost too hard to bear.

Slowly I picked up on faint giggles from the direction of the shout. How long had it been since I heard a woman’s voice? How long had I shut myself away in this apartment?

And now I felt as though everything I knew had been invaded. The world was no longer just this room and my piano. My music had fallen on more than my own ears.

I clutched the edge of my precious Steinway as I lifted myself from the bench. I carefully shuffled to the open window, tripping only once on some boxes John must have left to the side.

My fingers clung to the sill as I felt the cool breeze hit me in the face. It was enthralling to feel the sensation of it sweeping over my shoulders and down my arms.

“Excusez-moi madame, je suis désolé terriblement que je vous ai dérangés. Je ne savais pas que d’autres écoutaient.”

I waited.