years.
‘Lilly loves this, but thought it should be shared. We counted how many shelves high and how far across, so if we ever come back, we would know if it’s been moved. There’s a note for whoever takes it.’ The young woman shook her head and took a deep breath as tears welled. ‘It seems so stupid now. It was our version of putting a message in a bottle. Lilly hoped we would find it again some day, either here or in a second-hand bookshop somewhere in the world.’ Jasmine’s voice quavered as her long slender fingers loosened their grip.
Anya stepped closer and extended a hand to take the book. ‘May I?’ The inscription read: If you love the story as much as I do, pass this book on and rewards will come to you. Lilly Chan, aged 16, Paradisio .
The handwriting was printed, with circles instead of dots on top of the letter ‘i’.
‘I have an audition in Vienna next month for a scholarship. Lilly is a cellist.’ The sister gave a part smile. ‘Except she’s rebellious and only practises for three hours a day. She prefers books.’
Regular playing explained the calluses on the fingertips of Lilly’s left hand. Three hours every day sounded impressive, but apparently not to Jasmine and her mother.
‘What does your father say?’
‘He says children should have fun, but he’s American and grew up with eight brothers and sisters. They used to go out and play after breakfast until dinner. He lives in Hawaii.’ Her eyes brightened. ‘We’ve just been there for a week. When our parents divorced, our older sister chose to live with him. We miss her so much but Mother says she’s a bad influence, with her Western ways.’
She paused. ‘Who’s going to tell them? They are so close to Lilly.’
‘Probably your mother.’
Silence hung heavily.
Anya tried to distract Jasmine. ‘What about your mother? Where was she born?’
‘In China. Her parents farmed and did anything they could to earn money. They worked day and night to give her an education. It was my mother’s duty to do everything they ever asked. While other kids played, she studied and now she is head of radiology at Angel Bay Hospital in Hong Kong. Since we were visiting Hawaii, our father paid for this cruise. He thought we would love it and have a break from our routine. Mother thought this was frivolous but gave in to our father this one time . . . She believes we are Chinese, which is why she wants us to be known by her family name. Our friends see us as more American, but we are neither.’
This family wasn’t divided just by divorce, Anya thought, but also by culture.
‘It isn’t easy being half of anything. Chinese people have a saying about success. They believe the third generation destroys what the first two have built.’
Anya thought of the number of moguls whose offspring destroyed the business within two generations. ‘Westerners say the same thing, usually about wealth.’
‘Then you understand. She is afraid that Lilly and I will waste our lives and dishonour our grandparents. She has many rules and expectations. My father made her promise to give us more freedom on this holiday. Even so, music must be practised at least four hours a day. When we are not playing music, we are supposed to study.’ Jasmine smiled. ‘Well, Mother is often too busy working so we are not always studying . . . She sounds hard, but without her discipline, I would never be auditioning in Europe.’
Jasmine bent over beside the chair and opened the violin case, removed a block of rosin, and slid it back and forward along the horsehair on the bow.
‘Do you ever get tired of working so hard?’
‘Mother doesn’t believe in wasteful activities. She says anyone can do one hour of music or study. Every hour after that gets harder, but that’s what makes you the best. There is no such thing as a holiday from practice. The hands, mind and instrument need to work every day. Besides, when you become good at something, it becomes easier
‘Lilly loves this, but thought it should be shared. We counted how many shelves high and how far across, so if we ever come back, we would know if it’s been moved. There’s a note for whoever takes it.’ The young woman shook her head and took a deep breath as tears welled. ‘It seems so stupid now. It was our version of putting a message in a bottle. Lilly hoped we would find it again some day, either here or in a second-hand bookshop somewhere in the world.’ Jasmine’s voice quavered as her long slender fingers loosened their grip.
Anya stepped closer and extended a hand to take the book. ‘May I?’ The inscription read: If you love the story as much as I do, pass this book on and rewards will come to you. Lilly Chan, aged 16, Paradisio .
The handwriting was printed, with circles instead of dots on top of the letter ‘i’.
‘I have an audition in Vienna next month for a scholarship. Lilly is a cellist.’ The sister gave a part smile. ‘Except she’s rebellious and only practises for three hours a day. She prefers books.’
Regular playing explained the calluses on the fingertips of Lilly’s left hand. Three hours every day sounded impressive, but apparently not to Jasmine and her mother.
‘What does your father say?’
‘He says children should have fun, but he’s American and grew up with eight brothers and sisters. They used to go out and play after breakfast until dinner. He lives in Hawaii.’ Her eyes brightened. ‘We’ve just been there for a week. When our parents divorced, our older sister chose to live with him. We miss her so much but Mother says she’s a bad influence, with her Western ways.’
She paused. ‘Who’s going to tell them? They are so close to Lilly.’
‘Probably your mother.’
Silence hung heavily.
Anya tried to distract Jasmine. ‘What about your mother? Where was she born?’
‘In China. Her parents farmed and did anything they could to earn money. They worked day and night to give her an education. It was my mother’s duty to do everything they ever asked. While other kids played, she studied and now she is head of radiology at Angel Bay Hospital in Hong Kong. Since we were visiting Hawaii, our father paid for this cruise. He thought we would love it and have a break from our routine. Mother thought this was frivolous but gave in to our father this one time . . . She believes we are Chinese, which is why she wants us to be known by her family name. Our friends see us as more American, but we are neither.’
This family wasn’t divided just by divorce, Anya thought, but also by culture.
‘It isn’t easy being half of anything. Chinese people have a saying about success. They believe the third generation destroys what the first two have built.’
Anya thought of the number of moguls whose offspring destroyed the business within two generations. ‘Westerners say the same thing, usually about wealth.’
‘Then you understand. She is afraid that Lilly and I will waste our lives and dishonour our grandparents. She has many rules and expectations. My father made her promise to give us more freedom on this holiday. Even so, music must be practised at least four hours a day. When we are not playing music, we are supposed to study.’ Jasmine smiled. ‘Well, Mother is often too busy working so we are not always studying . . . She sounds hard, but without her discipline, I would never be auditioning in Europe.’
Jasmine bent over beside the chair and opened the violin case, removed a block of rosin, and slid it back and forward along the horsehair on the bow.
‘Do you ever get tired of working so hard?’
‘Mother doesn’t believe in wasteful activities. She says anyone can do one hour of music or study. Every hour after that gets harder, but that’s what makes you the best. There is no such thing as a holiday from practice. The hands, mind and instrument need to work every day. Besides, when you become good at something, it becomes easier
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