Nightingale

Chapter 13

Fable left the hall feeling a strange combination of guilt and elation. She felt wrong for cheating, but also knew it was necessary to impress Mr Hudson. He was her only goal - not some silly school concert. Rachel would just have to suck it up like she did on Tuesday. No big deal. Anyway, it was Friday, and Fable knew her guardians wouldn't be expecting her home, so it was the perfect opportunity to spend some time with Mr Hudson. She wasn't sure if he had already left the building, or was still busy marking papers in the office, but figured it would be best to just fly to his home and wait there until he got back.

She crept out of the back door and onto the external staircase where she immediately transformed into a nightingale, and took off into the autumnal breeze. The air smelt strongly like wood smoke, and she loved that scent. She followed the roads from above until she reached Mr Hudson's house. It seemed empty, and his car was nowhere to be seen, but she could hear the faint barking of his dog somewhere round the back. She circled the area a few times before resting in the bare branches of that same little cherry tree. It would be good to wait there, as Mr Hudson would notice her right away.

Time was passing slowly as Fable waited in the branches and she was even getting a little bored - when suddenly she heard the low rumbling sounds of a car rolling over the gravel driveway. It was him! His small, white Mini pulled up into the usual spot, and Mr Hudson stepped out, fumbling with his car keys. She listened to the double bleep of the car being locked up, and then the footsteps which followed. She started to preen herself - even as a bird, Fable wanted to look cute for Mr Hudson. She heard an excited gasp, and turned her head to see him rushing over to the cherry tree.

"I can't believe you came back!" he whispered, not wanting to scare this delicate bird away. "Do you remember me, little one? I rescued you when you fell from this tree."

Fable nodded her head slightly to show some understanding, and tweeted cheerfully as Mr Hudson watched her with admiration. It was such a merry sound. She could see the joy it brought him, as he was smiling with his all his perfect teeth. He chuckled a little and got his phone out to take a quick photo.

"You are so special, nightingale! I'm so lucky to have you here in my garden. I thought you only hid in the dense forests - it's no habitat for you here. But you're always welcome in my garden. I'll leave you birdseed everyday, little one" he said, happily.

Fable peeped and hopped off the branch towards him. Naturally, he held out his hands for her, and caught her with glee. He lifted her up to his face, and examined her.

"May I stroke your wings?" he asked, without waiting for permission. "So soft and lovely. Can I name you?"

Fable tweeted excitedly and ruffled her feathers.

"I will call you...Aria, because of your beautiful voice." he said, after some consideration. "Your voice has that power to make me reflect on how I feel; it can make even strong men emotional. I feel deja vu when I hear it."

From what Fable could remember from music class, an aria was the solo voice of one singer in an opera. It was always the most emotional part for the performer and gave them a chance to improvise and show off their unique vocal range. Fable thought this suited her perfectly, especially considering the recent events at school. She also wondered if Mr Hudson had recognised something about her human voice in this birdsong; or if he was thinking of something else entirely...

"Come on then, Aria. Let's go inside. I'll find you a treat." he smiled.

Mr Hudson carried her through the glass conservatory, down a hallway, and into the living room which she instantly recognised from the night before. He placed her down gently on the arm of a sofa, and walked out of the room to find some birdseed. Fable admired the room. She hadn't noticed before, but there was a handsome grand piano sitting in the corner, eagerly waiting to be played. Its lid was poised open, and the seat was pulled out. Fable had no idea Mr Hudson could play any instruments! But then again, she wasn't entirely surprised, as he was always full of mystery. She also noted several bookshelves in the room, and a glass coffee table which was overflowing with half-read books; their pages separated by colourful threads of string and old ink pens. There was a big candle in the centre.

Mr Hudson returned with some seeds for Fable, and a lighter for the candle. He drew the curtains and brought her over to the piano. Taking care, he then sprinkled a few of the seeds onto the music shelf, took a seat, and placed his nightingale next to the grains.

"Please, take some, Aria. I want to play for you. It won't be anywhere near as beautiful as your singing, but I want to try. I've been playing for a long time, but I've never been any good... and I'm too shy to play for people. People are full of criticism." reflected Mr Hudson, with an air of sadness.

He then began to play the notes of Time to Say Goodbye by Bocelli and Brightman. It sounded so beautiful and authentic on the piano, even without the famous lyrics. It had a profound and emotional quality. Fable was in awe and wondered how he could possibly doubt himself. Once he was finished, she dropped down onto the keyboard and pecked his hand. He laughed, not understanding this was meant to be a kiss, but Fable was just thrilled he had even played for her.

"Come here, let me show you something else." said Mr Hudson with a shy smile. He then scooped up the little bird and sat down with her in the armchair. He slid out his phone and pulled up some sort of dating app... He opened up the profile page to a picture of a young woman who looked in her mid-twenties, and said her name was Maria. She was local to the area, a Christian, who selflessly worked with 'struggling children' in some of the poorer area primary schools. She was such a good sport...

Fable was disgusted! How could this be? Some frumpy plain-jane Christian was taking his interest instead of her? Incomprehensible!

Mr Hudson talked in a low voice about how 'Maria was a truly kind-hearted lady and how 'maybe he wouldn't have to live alone much longer if things actually took off'. But Fable was hardly listening. She was too enraged. Mr Hudson kept banging on about how they had a date booked at a restaurant for tomorrow night, and how it was their first time meeting in person after talking online for months. Hmm, pondered Fable, maybe he was going to pick her up in his car - and if he was, perhaps this 'Maria' had sent him her address on the app chat...

Fable waited patiently for Mr Hudson to leave the room, and use the bathroom or something, and when he did, she quickly transformed herself into a girl and unlocked his phone (which was still lying on the armchair). She double tapped the app open and scrolled through their pathetic conversation to the part where they had made dinner plans, and took a mental note of Maria's address... On these occasions, she was thankful she had what some people might describe as a 'photographic memory' and laughed internally.

Time to leave, I got plans of my own, smirked Fable...