Luna Tango by Alli Sinclair Page B

mentoring him.’
    â€˜He will perform after we leave. He is ready. I need him to manage my affairs here.’
    First Eduardo wouldn’t let Roberto play in public, now he was being handed the concert circuit on a plate, minus his mentor’s presence. Perhaps the disease had taken a bigger toll on Eduardo than she’d thought. His logic didn’t make sense but the angry determination in his eyes told her to leave the subject alone until he calmed.
    Eduardo turned, strode up the hallway and slammed the door to the music room. Louisa went to the window, pulled back the drapes and pushed up the sill. A cool breeze grazed her skin as she stared at the crowd below. These people wanted a better life for themselves. She’d experienced hunger and the daily struggle to remain healthy despite fatal diseases regularly sweeping through the slums. She understood the protestors’ desire to have a soft, warm bed, fresh food, and a pair of shoes that didn’t leak. She closed the window again as thick smoke wafted up from the fires on the street. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she searched desperately for a way to smooth talk Eduardo out of his plans. Although, with Eduardo dangling a carrot in front of his protégé, it would be hard for Roberto to refuse, no matter how much he and Louisa wanted to be together.
    â€˜Louisa!’ Eduardo boomed from two rooms away.
    â€˜Yes?’ She tried to sound cheerful but her voice cracked.
    â€˜My sheet music! Where is it?’ He appeared in the doorway, his body shaking and eyes bulging as his gaze darted up and down the hallway. ‘I can’t find it. Someone’s stolen it! Who would dare steal my work?’
    â€˜No one’s stolen it, Eduardo,’ she said calmly, placing her hand on his arm. ‘We’ll find it. Look into my eyes and take a deep breath.’ She breathed in and looked deeply into his eyes. ‘Breath in, two, three, four. Out, two, three, four.’ Louisa repeated this a few times and within moments, his ragged breathing slowed to a regular rate. She studied his salt-and-pepper hair and the lifelines etched on his face. Eduardo looked like a younger version of her grandfather when he was diagnosed with dementia. Nostalgia washed over her, and she wished for another chance to see her grandfather alive one more time when he was lucid. She’d tell him how much she loved him and how she’d never wanted him locked away.
    â€˜Last time I saw it was ...’ She entered the music room and walked over to the window seat. Lifting a pile of English-language magazines, she grabbed the sheet music and triumphantly handed over the pages. ‘Here.’
    â€˜Thank you, Louisa.’ He hung his head and gut-wrenching sobs echoed through the room. Rubbing his back, she made hushing noises, her heart breaking as she witnessed this talented man losing confidence.
    â€˜What would I do without you?’ He looked up, his eyes full of tears. ‘You know me better than anyone. I saved you from poverty but you’ve saved my reputation and sanity many times over. I’m aware my behaviour makes your life difficult but the anger’s like a speeding train and it’s impossible to stop at times. Please.’ He grabbed her hand so hard she let out a small cry. ‘Don’t ever leave me. Promise you’ll never go. I’d never survive without you.’
    As much as she wanted to promise she’d stay, she couldn’t offer her word. Confusion reigned and she closed her eyes, wishing for an easy solution. Whichever way she turned, either Roberto or Eduardo would be deeply hurt.
    â€˜Don’t say anything.’ He held up his hand, fear etched in the deep creases on his face. She leant over and gave him a kiss on the cheek then headed for the door.
    â€˜Louisa?’
    She turned to face him. ‘Yes?’
    â€˜I know you can never love me in the way I want, and I appreciate you