It was Saturday, and little Nina had the day off from school.

Crystal stayed home with her, while Briony and James drove Gwendolyn White to her weekend class before heading to the studio together.

They'd barely stepped through the door when Hannah stood up from her desk and gestured toward the reception, "Briony, someone left flowers for you."

Briony paused and glanced toward the front desk.

A bouquet of white roses sat in a tall vase, impossible to miss.

"Garry again?" James frowned, sounding unimpressed. "Couldn't he be a bit more original for once?"

Briony didn't even spare the flowers a glance as she headed for her office. "Same as always, Hannah-give them to the café downstairs."

"You got it!" Hannah called back.

James followed Briony inside, shutting the door behind them. They settled onto the sofa.

Briony turned to James. "That talent show just started-the one Ottilie's in."

"Ottilie?" James searched his memory. "Who's that?"

Briony replied. "She's gone viral. Search her name and you'll see her highlight

pulled out his phone and tapped open a short

"Ottilie" brought up a video

watched, then offered a blunt assessment. "The song's pretty

nodded. "Check out

James scrolled down-and stared.

comment was raving

closer.

song Ottilie performed was written and

"That song uses traditional instruments-and unless I'm wrong, that's a pentatonic scale in there. Mrs. Winslow said Rosita couldn't coax a tune out of a

up with his grandfather's old records and had picked up

two about folk music and

Ottilie sang was called "Grandpa's Paintbrush." It

and even slipped in some Southern dialect

did Rosita know Southern

the deal between Ottilie and Rosita, anyway?"

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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