"I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music." Billy Joel

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XXXIX. Maestro

May 30th

Five and a half months later

"Oh my Gosh, Sophie!" exclaimed Joy, as an envious groan escaped her throat. "Look at this master bath! Look at the tile! The bathtub ... oh, I always wanted a claw foot tub!" She panned the camera around the ensuite bathroom for Sophie to see, but the screen on her phone really didn't do it any justice.

Just like the dozen other houses she had shown Sophie on FaceTime this week, they all were enormous, luxurious, and ridiculously expensive. But just like London, prime real estate was worth a fortune in Los Angeles.

"And the closet is to die for!" she continued excitedly, bringing the camera into the walk-in-wardrobe which looked more like a high-end boutique then somewhere Sophie would store her jumpers and jeans.

Sophie had been very non-committal about making a decision on a place to live. It was very difficult choosing a home that she had never seen in person before. She really knew nothing about the neighbourhoods, and didn't really understand how the school districts worked and ... oh, who was she kidding? The price tags of these places were nauseating! Both Joy and Noah seemed to have no qualms with laying down a mid seven figure sum for a mansion in a gated LA community, but the idea made Sophie feel sea sick.

So much had happened since January and searching for a house was just the tip of the iceberg.

Beck had stayed true to his word, and the withdrawal of the C100 form made it simple for her criminal charge to be dismissed. Mediation was rendered unnecessary and Sophie received formal, full residential custody in writing that was completely iron clad, thanks to Olivia's thorough agreement.

Despite the fact that she didn't need to seek permission, she still informed Beck, through his parents, that she was moving to America with Maddie. Whatever bad blood, they were her grandparents, and were the only relatives she had known up until Noah's family had come stampeding into their lives. She had promised to fly back once a year to visit, which had been her intention anyway. You could take the girl out of London, but you couldn't take London out of the girl.

Noah had been discharged from hospital six days after admission. After a repeat CT to be sure, he was medically cleared, and his ICP wire was removed in the surgical theatre. He had wanted to stay in London, but it made sense to go home once he was able to fly to begin his physiotherapy. He went home just as soon as Sophie's case had been dismissed.

Tally and Vanessa had flown home earlier as Tally had needed to return to work, and Maddie poignantly informed Sophie that she was excited to see them again in America. Despite the fact that Sophie obviously wanted Maddie to bond with children her own age, the fact that her circle was widening was a win, and it warmed Sophie's heart.

Joy flew home with Noah nearly three weeks later, with Noah promising his mum that he would be okay at home, and she could definitely return home to Napa. Her fussing was driving him up the wall.

And life had returned to somewhat normal. Maddie went to school, and Sophie went to work. Maddie played on the piano whenever she was at Pete's, and she continued to achieve milestone after milestone in school.

But the moving date was approaching. Sophie and Maddie were booked on a flight in less than a week. Her intention had been for Maddie to see out the school year, but Sophie was pulling her out a few weeks early.

First and foremost, it had been announced in the American press that an eight-year-old girl from England was the co-composer for The Last Hope, the film that was tipped to be the major critical and commercial success at the summer Box Office. The buzz around Maddie was huge, and there were a lot of people who wanted a glimpse of such a phenomenal child.

Naturally, this idea frightened Sophie beyond anything, but Noah was an expert at this sort of thing, and he had arranged a few quiet and controlled interviews. Maddie had even been invited onto talk shows in anticipation!

Perhaps the most exciting event in the new few weeks was the premiere of the film. Noah didn't really like to go to these sorts of things. He liked to slip in the back and not be front and centre, but he was proud to stand beside Maddie. Sophie hoped that through the preparation with Maddie's psychologist, and her noise cancelling headphones, it could be an unforgettable experience for her.

For Sophie, it was exciting, too. The single that she had recorded for the film was being released in one week, fourteen days shy of the film's premiere. It was her own official launch into the industry, and part of the film's budget was dedicated to the heavy promotion of the song. This meant that Sophie would hear herself on the radio, which was just mind blowing to even contemplate.

They were going to be busy! Which was why they were forced to leave a little earlier than originally planned.

Maddie had a confirmed place with one of the most esteemed child psychologists in the city. She also had a place at an exclusive private school that were famed for their musical program. Maddie, apparently, already had a reputation. The smaller class sizes meant that Maddie would get more time with her teachers, and the private funding meant that the school employed several teacher's aides, who were there to specifically support students with additional needs.

Sophie had worked her last shift at the West End Piano Bar. She had cried. Pete had cried.Everyone had cried. It had been ten years of her life that she had spent there. She had been pregnant when she had first met Pete. She had promised to visit, and to stay in close contact. She had hugged and kissed Holly goodbye, and wished her luck as she finally finished uni, and she had wished Amy a safe journey back home to Australia.

She had then spent the next few days packing her entire life up into boxes and crates to be shipped to Los Angeles. It was amazing how much crap she had managed to hoard in her tiny flat, and she struggled to part with anything.

The very last decision that had to be made was a place to live. Sophie and Maddie were temporarily moving in with Noah and Tally. Vanessa, of course, was on tour in Europe, and Tally was flying over to join her as soon as her school broke up for the summer. Noah wanted to buy a house, his first house ... or theirs as he called it ... in the neighbourhood of Maddie's new school.

Noah was hopeless at looking. He'd never owned a home before and had lived his entire adult life in his sister's guest room. His mum had only been too happy to fly down to help.

"And this is the second master," Joy continued on her video tour. "Isn't it just stunning?" she exclaimed. "This would be perfect for Maddie. She would have her own bathroom ... oh and look at those bay windows! To die for!"

Sophie was sitting on the floor in Maddie's bedroom, having pulled out everything from under her bed and was sorting through what to pack into boxes, and what to donate.

From the shaky camera, she could see that the bedroom was indeed beautiful. It was also enormous and looked like it once again belonged in a six-million-dollar home. She had never imagined Noah to have such a fortune. He never behaved in such an entitled way, and he never made her feel awkward for their vast differences in financial circumstances.

Sophie knew that she wouldn't always have only a few hundred pounds in the bank. She was awaiting her pay cheque for the song ... and perhaps she was delaying choosing a house so that she could contribute to the purchase of a home.

"Aw!" cried Joy in a heartbreakingly warm tone. She took her phone into a little girl's bedroom.

Sophie looked closer at her screen as she saw the sort of bedroom that she had always wished she could create for Maddie. It was beautiful. Pink, with white plantation shutters on the windows. A beautiful, canopy bed with sheer white curtains tied to the posts with large, white ribbons. Toys were displayed beautifully on inbuilt shelves. A rocking chair sat in the corner beside a bookcase. There was a desk in front of one of the windows with white cups of pencils and pens. Sophie could even see a height chart stuck to one of the walls.

"Isn't this darling?" gushed Joy.

"It is," confirmed Sophie. "That's really beautiful," she added wistfully.

"You like this one?" Joy asked.

"I mean, I would have to see it for myself," Sophie clarified. "I can't decide where to live without having looked at it. But from what you've shown me, it is lovely, and I know Maddie would love to have a room like that one."

Joy chuckled. "Well, Maddie can have this room, and Grandma Joy can have the second master when she comes to stay," she said deviously. "No, I know what you mean. I don't think I could make this sort of decision from having seen it through a cell phone, but this is the best house I've been through. I know I lost Noah about five houses back, but I'll drag him into this one, and you two can make a decision when you get here."

Noah had given up. He knew Sophie wouldn't make a decision until she was there, and he couldn't stand touring another house until then.

"Well, we'll be there soon."

***

"Okay, everybody." Famed talk show host, Jenna Jackson, was addressing her studio audience in the ad break.

Noah, Sophie and Maddie were standing in the wings on the set. This was Maddie's very first press interview since arriving in America, and she was absolutely sweating bullets. Maddie was fine, excited even. Sophie had still insisted that she wear her headphones until she went out onto the stage just in case.

Maddie was holding up surprisingly well, and her new psychologist, Andrea Baker, had told Sophie that this was because she had been prepared so well for months for this move. She knew what to expect, and she knew it would all centre around the piano, her very favourite thing.

"I need to ask that you do not applause when Maddie Cartwright comes out," Jenna requested. Sophie had been the one to request this. She didn't know what the sensory overload would be like if five hundred people started clapping and cheering. "Maddie has sensory sensitivities, and her mom has said that smiling and waving is okay, but noise needs to be kept down."

Sophie knew to the audience that she probably sounded like the biggest helicopter parent. Maddie's autism wasn't public knowledge. It wasn't deliberately being hidden, but it wasn't anyone's business. People with keen eyes would probably be able to tell, but it was Maddie's business and Sophie wasn't going to advertise her personal information.

Jenna then quickly dashed back up on stage to her chair, and her producer signalled that they were back. Jenna smiled at the camera. "Up next I am joined by a musical prodigy. It was recently announced that an eight-year-old girl had co-composed the musical score for the upcoming film, The Last Hope. Of course, I had to meet her. All the way from London, England, please welcome Maddie Cartwright."

A stagehand then signalled to Maddie, and Sophie removed Maddie's headphones. There were a handful of claps from the audience, but the majority had heeded Jenna's request and were smiling and waving at Maddie.

Maddie looked so darling. She was wearing a white sundress, and by some miracle, had kept it clean in between putting it on this morning to now. She had a pale pink ribbon tied around her waist, which matched the ribbons in her hair. Her long, strawberry blonde locks were fixed into two plaits, and much to Maddie's delight, she had on a dusting of makeup.

They had rehearsed this before the audience had come in, and Maddie remembered what to do perfectly. She walked directly over to Jenna and gave her a high five, before taking a seat in the armchair next to her.

There was a monitor backstage for Noah and Sophie to watch, but Sophie's eyes were glued to Maddie from the wing. Joy was taping the whole show at home, or else Sophie would have had her phone out snapping insane amounts of photos.

"Welcome to America, Maddie!" greeted Jenna kindly. Jenna was aware that Maddie was autistic. Sophie would of course inform people privately who needed to know. She would need to carry the conversation if Maddie got stuck.

"Thank you," replied Maddie, remembering to smile.

Immediately there were "awws" from the audience as they heard Maddie's angelic voice.

"Now, I understand you just had your birthday! How old did you turn?" asked Jenna.

"Nine," replied Maddie. "My birthday is the fifth of June."

"Happy birthday!" Jenna beamed. "One more year before you turn double digits. Now, I understand that you're pretty talented on the piano. Is that right?"

"Yes," confirmed Maddie, almost bluntly. "I am very good." She received a chuckle from the audience. "Do you know how to play an instrument?"

Noah gasped as he squeezed Sophie playfully. "Reciprocal conversation," he quietly cheered. "That's my girl!"

Jenna chuckled. "Oh, I wish! I played clarinet in high school, but I gave it up quickly."

"I don't know what a clarinet is, but I could probably learn it because I learn instruments fast," replied Maddie matter-of-factly. Again, there was a rumble of laughter from the audience who interpreted Maddie's bluntness as humour.

"Now, what is really special is that you are a composer!" Jenna steered the conversation back on track. "You co-composed the musical score of a movie when you were onlyeight! That's amazing! Was it hard to compose the music?"

"No," replied Maddie, again, so bluntly. Sophie almost winced, but it was the absolute truth.

Jenna laughed lightly, as did the audience. "What did you like most about composing the score?"

"I liked when Noah would play and I would play it and make it better," she replied.

"And of course, Maddie is talking about Academy Award winning composer, Noah Bentley, who wrote the score with Maddie on this project," Jenna informed her audience. "I understand Noah is the one who taught you how to play the piano, is that right, Maddie?"

Maddie nodded. "Yes. But I learned in one day because my memory is good. Then me and Daddy made the music for the movie together."

"You are certainly a talented little girl, Maddie Cartwright," complimented Jenna.

Sophie's heart lurched when Maddie called Noah "Daddy". She was using his given name and Daddy interchangeably. Sophie knew that Noah was chuffed whenever Maddie called him "Daddy". He felt really proud, and Sophie was just as proud that Maddie saw Noah as her father.

"Now, we are lucky enough to have the whole family in the house today," Jenna told her audience. "I didn't warn them, but we're going to put them on the spot. Please welcome, Maddie's parents, Sophie Cartwright and Noah Bentley."

Sophie froze. She couldn't go on TV! She wasn't wearing any proper makeup! Her hair was in a messy bun! She was only in some daggy jeans and a plain white t-shirt as it was hot. But before she could even protest, a crewmember had attached a microphone to her shirt, and Noah had taken her hand and was leading her out on stage.

Without a reminder, the audience had started to clap, and Sophie gasped as Maddie's hands immediately went to her ears. Sophie quickly darted over to Maddie, still holding her headphones in her hands, and placed them comfortingly over her ears.

The crew had brought out an additional chair. Sophie sat down in Maddie's chair, holding Maddie on her lap, while Noah sat down beside her.

"Welcome," greeted Jenna, as though she hadn't already welcomed them backstage before the show. "Especially to you, Sophie, as I understand that you and Maddie had only both just moved over to the States."

"Yes," Sophie confirmed, before clearing her throat awkwardly. "We've only been here less than a week." She looked out into the sea of people in the audience, blocked by a barricade of cameras and technical equipment. Lord, it looked intense.

As the audience had settled, Sophie slipped the headphones off of Maddie again. She was okay and was sitting calmly.

"Noah, it's a pleasure to have you on the show," Jenna continued, turning her attention to him. "I've got to say, are you as amazed with this kid as we all are? I mean, composing is not easy, right?"

Noah chuckled, so much more at ease than Sophie was. "Well, I could say it comes easy but then I'd be in trouble when I turn a score in late," he joked, to which the audience all laughed. Sophie smiled too, feeling a little more relaxed. "But to answer your question, yes, I am amazed by Maddie. Every day she does something that impresses me, and I couldn't be more proud of her." Noah playfully pulled on one of Maddie's plaits. "Maddie picked up the piano in one lesson, and the next thing I knew, she was composing with me. Maddie wrote, she changed things, arranged some of the most beautiful melodies. I couldn't have done this score without her, and I'm so glad that she's being recognised as the talented kid that she is."

"And she gets it from Mama, right?" Jenna asked, smiling and raising an eyebrow at Sophie. "Your featured song in the movie is dropping this week." Turning to her audience, she said, "It truly is a family affair. Daddy and daughter wrote the music, and Mama is singing."

The sudden turn in attention made Sophie blush.

"Maddie definitely inherited her musical talents from Sophie. The first time I heard her sing I was floored," Noah replied sincerely. "I wrote the song "The Dream of Life" knowing she had to be the one to sing it."

"Well, I for one, can't wait to hear it," Jenna said enthusiastically, before she turned to the cameras. "When we come back, we'll hear a taste of what we are to expect in the upcoming musical score from Noah Bentley, and child superstar, Maddie Cartwright."

The producer let them know that they were out, and Sophie exhaled. As a piano was wheeled out onto the mainstage, another crewmember rushed over to them with a concerned expression.

"Was there supposed to be some sheet music or something?" he asked Sophie and Noah.

Noah shook his head. "She doesn't need sheet music. She remembers it all," he replied.

"Wow," remarked Jenna. "This kid ... wow." She shook her head in amazement.

"That is pretty much how I feel all the time," assured Sophie. "Are you ready to play?" she asked Maddie.

Maddie was already on her feet, excited at seeing the piano.

Noah gasped. "Oh, kid, look at that!" he cried. "A Steinway. What do I always say about Steinways?"

"It's a holy instrument," replied Maddie.

Noah winked and clicked his tongue. "You got it."

Noah was asked to play alongside Maddie for the first part of the piece, before stepping away and allowing Maddie to complete it by herself. Before the cameras were rolling again, Noah and Maddie were seated at the piano in the middle of the stage.

"Performing their musical score from the movie The Last Hope, Noah Bentley and Maddie Cartwright," introduced Jenna, before she turned to look at the pianists, just as Sophie was.

They looked so wonderful together, playing along the keys in perfect unison, their hands moving like a dance. Sophie recognised the piece from one of the many they had composed together at Pete's.

Sophie couldn't help but cry as she always did, but there were happy, happy tears.

And then Noah stepped away, and Maddie completed the piece by herself. She didn't flinch, or even hesitate, and played with skill, maturity, and composure beyond her years.

And as soon as she had finished, Noah swooped in with the headphones he had taken from beside Sophie and popped them on her head as she audience broke out into well-deserved applause. Noah took Maddie's hand and led her out in front of the audience, bowing with her, before clapping for her himself.

Maddie beamed excitedly, pinching the skirt of her sundress in each hand as she bowed again.

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It's only fitting my quote for today is the original piano man ;) The lyrics definitely inspired me when this idea first came into my head. I envisioned a piano man, working in a bar, playing for a reason, and forging a connection with people who desperately needed reaching for.

With this chapter I hit 100,000 words! Wow, that's a lot of writing hahaha. 

The next chapter will be the epilogue! Then on Sunday I will post the first chapter of my new book, "The Solemn Promise". We're heading back to England y'all, except ... a few hundred years before this ;) 

Ah, I'm so giddy. I can't wait to write the ending I have planned. 

I'm honestly so happy I finally wrote this book. It's been in my head for YEARSSSS. I have started it so many times and never continued with it and then I finally persisted. Tell you what, I think I have an insta post with the heading of this book lemme check

Okay just scrolled back 5 YEARS!!! 22nd of January 2015 I started "The Piano Man"!! See I told ya!! Finally got it written wahooo. 

Some details changed, a lot are the same, but as I said, this is one I've wanted to read for so long. As you know, I write books I want to read, and I wanted to read this story. I hope you've enjoyed it!! 

Come back tomorrow night to see where their journey ends xx

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