Molly Tooher-Rudd 13
Eliza’s Song Dad looked at Henry and raised his eyebrow. Even though he knew he was in trouble, Henry still wished he could raise his eyebrows like that. It was impressive. "I thought I was quite clear. You are not to go into the attic. Grandpas house is old and it could be dangerous," Dad said sternly. Henry looked up earnestly. "But we heard music" Dad suddenly stopped looking cross. In fact he looked very very excited. "What sort of music?" He asked, his eyes twinkling. Henry pondered this eager question for a minute before replying carefully, "It was almost an echo, a piano playing I think, but it didn't last long so I can't be sure" Dad became slightly disappointed and the hopeful excitement faded. " So probably not any of my old records?" Henry shook his head. Dad was cross again " Anyway, you are still in trouble,don't forget that" From down stairs Henry could smell the appetizing fragrance of freshly cooked pasta and herbs and then he heard his mother calling them to lunch. " Saved by Lunch", Henry joked. The family sat round the small square table and chatted aimlessly." So Henry, whats all this about the attic?" Mum asked. Henry threw an angry look at his Dad. "I heard some music up there." " Did you?" Mum asked, " and did Lily hear this music too?" Lily was Henrys older sister. She was 15 and in Henrys opinion did nothing. His sister always had her ipod plugged in, off in her own world which consisted of only fashion, boys and celebrities. Nothing else. Lily glanced up at the mention of her name then looked at Henry acidly. “ Course I didn’t hear any music, Henrys a liar and he’s just using it as an excuse” After her accusing speech, Lily returned too her critical scan from her glossy magazine she concealed from her parents under the table. “ Lily was listening to her ipod, how could she have heard it anyway.” Henry protested defensively. Dad shook his head “ Henry please don’t lie to us. Don’t be difficult.” Henry covered his ears in an attempt to block out his family, turned his back and stormed from the room. Henry threw himself onto his grandpas old armchair pushing his face into the tread bare cushions to suppress his angry sobs of anguish. Dust swirled up from the furniture like leaves caught in a storm. The musty, warm, familiar smell of his grandfather still lingered in the air and comforted the weeping boy. Henry wished that grandpa was still here. He had been the only one who ever understood Henry. The kind old man had always trusted Henrys stories and believed in him. Henry had dyslexia. Mum and Dad had told him that it meant that he learnt things in a different way to others and that he would find it harder to understand everything his friends did. Grandpa told him that it meant he was special and that one day people would realize that. Henry got frustrated and angry about his reading and writing and that he was always behind, but he had always had his Grandpa to turn to. He didn’t anymore. People who have dyslexia often find something they can do really well, something they can just adapt to. Henry knew he had already found his talent. From a young age, Henry had become an accomplished musician. He had been able to work simple notes into a perfect melody. Henry loved to play the piano most of all and treasured the old creaky instrument his family owned. Henrys dream was to be a pianist. Grandpa had told him this as well. But Grandpa wasn’t here anymore. There was no one to confide special and exciting secrets to. Grandpa had died a few months before. Now the family was clearing out the house. Why was Henry up in the attic in the first place? Because it had hurt him too see all of grandpas cherished and loved things being thrown carelessly into the readied skips and choking plastic bags like rubbish. Henrys retreat had been the attic. Lily had followed him in her boredom, to the attic, and had begun to search through the clustered boxes and draws that caught her interest. Henry was leafing mindlessly through photo albums when he heard the music. He had expected the echo to be a song played on Lily’s ipod and turned to tell her to turn down the volume. Then he realized that the music was real, it was too soft and sweet to be the