If I held on long enough, if I managed to clear my mind of all worries while I was playing, if I gave my all in spite of what was happening at home – I would make it. I landed in Prague just in time to call Clara. My heart was in my throat. “Clara?” I stood and listened while Clara told me that finally Bell had taken her medicine. The relief was immense. And then Bell’s text came – her loving words, her triumph. We had taken a step. It might have been a small step, but it felt like conquering a new continent. And there I was, later that morning, sitting in a small coffee shop outside, in the winter sun. We were taking a break after a spot of sightseeing. Bibi held court, as ever. She was beautiful, with a silken sleeveless dress and black sunglasses, and a woollen shawl draped around her shoulders. “I was in Barcelona for the weekend with a crowd of friends.
