Body and Soul (19 page)

‘If it’s true that you love me, which is what Dante says, then get out of my house and my life, Garfield. There is no room in it for the likes of you. Make no mistake, for me you are the dark side of the moon. And there is no life, nothing can thrive and blossom on the dark side of the moon.’

‘You bitch!’

Eden laughed and told him, ‘I had a great teacher.’ She held the door to the courtyard open and he walked out and never looked back.

Now there was only one day left before the concert and Tom had still not appeared. Max was aware that Garfield had not won Eden over and thanked God for it. But where was her husband?

During siesta there was a banging at the courtyard gate. Eden knew at once Tom had come home in time for the concert. She rushed to the gate and swung it open to fall into his arms.

They made love all through the night. Then it was here, the day had arrived. Eden, Tom, Max and the two cellos boarded a fast motor launch to cross to the Peloponnese where they were met by two cars and driven to Epidaurus. They went into a final morning rehearsal, Laurent, the orchestra and Eden in top form.

That night Eden was carefully dressed, her hair and make-up done, and right on schedule she stepped on to the stage at Epidaurus wearing a semi-transparent long dress of flesh-coloured silk organza that clung to her like a second skin. She looked all body and soul as, taking the Surabaya in her arms, she played it with godliness. Afterwards there was a fifteen-minute standing ovation that resounded through ancient Epidaurus. It was so dramatic, a night never to be forgotten. When Eden was asked to say a few words, she told her audience, ‘It is with grateful thanks
to you all that I appear tonight but most especially I would like to dedicate this concert to the memory of Albrecht Stein and his family who saved the Surabaya.’