The Ghost Sonata Read Free

Dubious Plan
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    As Wendy practiced her scales and arpeggios, she did her best to ignore Gilda, who sat on the Choys’ living room couch. Gilda, in turn, was doing her best to ignore the stack of untouched homework that sat next to her. Instead, she flipped through several books she had found at the library with titles like A Photographic Tour of Oxford Colleges and “Spotted Dick”: An American’s Guide to British Language.
    â€œGet this, Wendy. In England, if you want to say that someone is totally crazy, you say, ‘She’s gone doolally!’ or ‘She’s gone dotty and barmy!’ And if you want to describe something that’s way too girlie and cutesy, you call it ‘twee’!”
    â€œGood words to know when I’m hanging out with you,” Wendy muttered as she continued to progress through her scales in a series of major keys.
    â€œAnd listen to this, Wendy. If you feel like you’re going to throw up, you could say, ‘Stand back, mates; I think I’m to park a custard!’ Isn’t that great ?”
    â€œLovely. I can’t wait to puke like an English person.” Wendy began running through the minor keys.
    â€œI can’t wait to start talking this way,” Gilda continued, half speaking to herself. “I can just see us in England—slurping tea, drinking warm beer, eating scones and clotted cream, driving on the wrong side of the road . . .”
    Wendy abruptly stopped playing. “What are you talking about, Gilda? For one thing, we aren’t old enough to have our licenses, and for another thing, you just told me yesterday that you missed the deadline for that study-abroad program you were thinking of. Why do you keep talking as if we’re actually both going to England? At first it was cute, but it’s beginning to seem like you’re just in denial.” Wendy turned back to her series of scales.
    â€œThere’s more than one way to get to England, Wendy. I’ll figure something out.” Secretly, Gilda had to admit that Wendy had a point. At the moment, she had no feasible way of getting permission to leave school for a week, not to mention the expense of traveling overseas. But as she skimmed through photographs of medieval architecture with soaring spires, college students laughing in dim pubs, cobblestone streets lined with lampposts, and picnics in rose gardens, Gilda felt certain that she was meant to go to Oxford for some reason. It isn’t fair that Wendy gets to go and I don’t , she thought. Wendy doesn’t even seem excited!
    â€œWendy, don’t you even want to take a look at these pictures? Can you believe you’ll be in Oxford in a matter of days? You are so lucky!”
    Wendy turned around on the piano bench to face Gilda. “Look, I’m not going there to slurp tea and stuff my face with clotted cream. I’m actually scared out of my mind. Just look at this!” Wendy thrust a piece of paper at Gilda—the competition rules and guidelines. “I don’t think you realize how much pressure these competitions are, Gilda.”
    FIFTH ANNUAL YOUNG INTERNATIONAL VIRTUOSOS PIANO COMPETITION
    Congratulations! Based on your outstanding audition tape, you have qualified to compete in the Young International Virtuosos Competition!
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    Five years ago, internationally renowned pianist Eugene Winterbottom decided to create a new opportunity for talented young pianists to launch their careers and gain international exposure, and the first Young International Virtuosos Competition was held at Oxford University. Since then, the competition has been held in Prague, Paris, and Stockholm. This year’s competition returns again to the United Kingdom, to be hosted by the music faculty of Oxford University.
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    PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
    At the time of their audition, performers must demonstrate an ability to perform music from four major artistic eras—a work