by Rachelle de Bretagne

Created on: July 09, 2009

April Lane seemed a long time ago. Another time, another age when a young girl skipped towards that lilac house with the leaves which danced in the trees, and a scent that filled the air. Huge bay windows overlooked the lawn at the front of the house and peeking from the window, one could be sure to see Nelly's face. Her hair was swept back in a chignon pinned with a beautiful clasp given to her by her grandmother. April Lane was a wondrous place where dreams came true. The sound of melodic music filled the air with optimism and enthusiasm, as little girls like Alice Hawkins rushed up the steps, their music sheets tucked under their arms.

Alice was poor. Her mother could ill afford the piano lessons, though knew how important these were for Alice. She had visited Nelly and had agreed to exchange skills in order to secure those lessons for her daughter. Alice's face lit up when she heard the news. For her, it wasn't a question of money, since at her age, money was of little concern. For Alice, it was a question of being able to learn to produce music. She delighted at the prospect and proudly put on her best frock and bobby socks every week to attend piano lessons.

Amid the posh upper crust young ladies, Alice never felt out of place. Hers was an ambition which overcame class barriers, and as the other young ladies took their place at the keyboard, Alice watched and learned about posture and hand position. When it was her turn, her fellow students watched and learned about enthusiasm and love of music, so that a kind of unspoken exchange made her presence at the lessons acceptable.

Nelly taught the girls how to place a penny on their fingers to hold their hands steadily in the right position. Alice always could and seemed to be natural in her poise. Other girls struggled and Alice helped them. What Nelly enjoyed the most was Alice's enthusiasm for music. Compared with the others who attended upon their parent's wishes, Alice was there because of her love of Chopin, Beethoven and other composers of their time.

It was a long time ago. April Lane lead girls towards bright futures. Many took their place in society gracefully, with coming out parties arranged by anxious parents trying to find suitors for their daughters. April Lane held a fascination to none of them, and remained a part of their past lives. It was different for Alice. April Lane opened up a new world, a place where creativity was encouraged, and one which took her from humble beginnings

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