Page 97 of Death on a Scottish Train

“You are a protective uncle, and we are the aunties,” I said.

“How did he even know about the talent show?”

“He heard about it from his group therapy on the farm.” His counselor suggested his patients try to step out of their comfort zones and try things that scared them. I understood he wanted to teach them that it isn’t bad to fail. Instead, it’s worse not to try and to then regret missing out.

“He’s been attending the group for the last several months. It gives him a chance to interact with the animals, which he loves, as well as other people, who were challenged in one way or another. And it was the counselor’s suggestion for them to attempt things that made them feel uncomfortable.”

“Abigail was still trying to talk him out of it when I left them at the games this afternoon. But he was insistent. We will see what happens.”

The shuttle dropped us off near the library, and it was a quick jaunt up a block to the church. One of the halls there had a temporary stage where the performances would take place.

By the time we arrived, the hall was filling up, but Abigail had saved us seats a few rows back from the front of the stage. She waved us over.

“I need to get backstage,” she said. “I left him in a corner with his headphones and one of his games.” She was paler than normal, which was saying something.

“Are you OK?” It was all I could do not to reach out with my hand to gauge her temperature. “I’m fine. Just nervous for Tommy and myself. It dawned on me that I too would be in front of the town playing the piano. What if I mess up?”

Jasper clasped her hands in his. “You just keep going. No one in this crowd will be the wiser.”

She took a shaky breath and nodded.

Right after she left, Ewan walked up. “Abigail texted that she’d saved me a seat,” he said. “I wanted to be near the stage in case Tommy needed me.”

There it was. That innate caring and sweetness that hid behind the cranky exterior he normally wore. Warmth spread in my chest. He really was an incredible man.

“You can sit on the end by Em,” Mara said casually. But I saw the glint in her eye. She was always trying to push Ewan and me together.

We sat through a Scottish jig, several singing groups, a few dramatic monologues, and then it was time for Tommy. He walked out onto the stage with his headphones on and a hush fell over the audience. His sister was right behind him. A piano was rolled out.

Then Tommy glanced Abigail’s way. He didn’t make eye contact, but she nodded just the same. He took off his headphones, and she began to play “Johanna,” fromSweeny Todd. It was an odd choice of tune, but Tommy’s sweet voice rang out as clear as a bell. He had the audience holding their breath.

Each note was perfect. And after singing the last bit. Tommy put his headphones on and walked off the stage. I couldn’t help but smile and yes, tears streamed down my cheeks. The young man was so talented, and I knew he had no idea.

There was a slight pause before thunderous applause and whistles filled the church.

Abigail stood and curtsied, and as she left the stage, she wiped some tears from her cheeks. I had no idea if she was relieved or happy that her brother had sung so beautifully. Ewan handed me a handkerchief, and I thanked him. I wasn’t the only one—all of our friends and other audience members were wiping their cheeks.

After the show, we went to find them.

Tommy sat in a chair facing a wall. His noise cancelling headphones were on, and he played a game on his hand-held system.

“That was amazing,” I said to Abigail. “I’ve heard him sing around the house and in the gardens, and he has such a lovely voice. You both did an amazing job.”

“It’s all a blur,” she said. “I was so focused on what he might do if he realized how many people were watching him that I forgot to be nervous for myself. That was until it was over. Now, my hands won’t stop shaking.”

I took her hands in mine and held them. “Everyone in the audience loved it. Did you hear the applause?”

“Aye, I did.” She smiled. “I’m just glad it is over.”

“Em is right, it was perfection,” Mara said. Jasper and Ewan nodded. “Did he ever explain why he wanted to do it?”

Abigail laughed. “Right before we went on. I told him, we didn’t have to do it. But he said he read that music could help people’s souls feel better. I have no idea where he read it. He said he wanted to do his part for the community. It is one of the things they teach in his therapy group, doing for others.”

“Well, he succeeded,” Ewan said. “Though, an interesting choice, a song fromSweeney Toddto soothe a soul, but it worked.”

We all laughed. It was one of the more beautiful songs from the murderous show.

“Did he know about all the applause?” Mara asked. “He was by far the favorite act. You both were. You played beautifully.”