Lost Love

17. Crumbling

With Leon.

Unlike last time I went out with Leon, I did tell Ozzy I was having a piano lesson with him, which went down how I expected it to. A little of reluctance, but an even bigger appreciation for me that I told him I was having it with Leon so I could save money and get it for free.

‘I’ll catch you later on, Blake. I’m off to piano.’

She nods, waving me off, as I head along the two minute walk to the music building.

I wait outside the building, knowing I need to wait for Leon as they have a special code to get into the building, like some special cult or special club. I smile as I see him approach, dressed in a plain grey jersey top and black shorts, showing off a little tan he’s got to his arms and legs. He leans in to give me a hug as we greet, before leading me down to one of the practice rooms.

I place my bags down by the grand piano and I can’t help but run my fingers along the silky black top of the piano.

‘This is amazing,’ I tell him, taking up a seat and looking at all the keys. I let my fingers splay out over the white keys and press down, hearing the mess of notes clash together. Leon sits on the stool with me, smiling as he begins to play a little piece down his end of the piano.

‘Will you teach me that?’ I ask, watching as his fingers dance across the keys. He nods, making me copy his finger movements, before letting me try on my own. As I play the song, familiarity floods back to me, before I freeze and turn to Leon.

‘Leon! I remember something!’ I squeal, I let my fingers continue to play as the memory becomes stronger and stronger. ‘I remember playing this song during a concert and I remember, oh my God, I remember Daisy was there too! We had just become friends but she came to the concert for me with her sister, Alice because Elle and Alice are best friends.’ Tears begin to stream down my face and I look back at Leon and begin to cry against his shoulder.

I feel his hand rub my back, clearly unsure of what to do, before soothing, ‘That’s great news, Imogen.'

I pull back and beam, my cheeks blushing as I see how sincerely he’s looking at me.

‘Do you remember anything else?’

I sit, thinking in my thoughts, before shaking my head, ‘Not yet. Do you mind if I call Daisy? She’ll be thrilled.’

‘Of course not,’ he says with a smile. ‘Shall I play some music whilst you do? It might jog your memory still.’

My eyes widen in excitement. ‘Oh please do!’

As I squeal down the phone to Daisy in excitement at remembering probably one of our first memories together, she responds equally as emotional, crying down the phone with glee. I can feel my mascara is running, but I don’t care. This feeling of remembering someone so dear is exhilarating. I have to cut my call with Daisy short as she’s temping today at the magazine office, but hang up delighted. I look back at Leon, who is still continuing to play and rest my hands on his shoulders and say, ‘Music is amazing, isn’t it?’

He looks up at me and stops playing. ‘It’s great seeing you so happy.’

I twist my lips at his comment and sit back down beside him. ‘Sorry, I got a bit over the top.’

He looks appalled at that. ‘No, no, it’s brilliant seeing you so happy.’ He reaches his hand up to my face and gently, swipes his finger underneath my eye and grins. I suck in a breath as he does this. ‘But I think you might want to touch up your makeup.’

I look at his blackened finger from mascara and blush profusely. That simple movement has caused my heart to freeze. He’s so close, so close I can really see the details of his face. Instinctively, I pull back and open my bag and pull out a mirror and some make up wipes I’ve stored in my bag for when I stay over at Ozzy’s and carefully touch up my makeup.