Rain Music Read Online Free

nightclubs but that he was going to stop in one place for a bit and try to do some serious composing.’
    â€˜So? Is he coming to the dedication?’
    Bella heard Josie pause. ‘He said he was a long way away, right up in the tropics in Far North Queensland. Said it’s really interesting and beautiful.’
    â€˜Well, at least he’s in the country. Are you going to insist that he comes back for the dedication?’ Bella pressed.
    â€˜To tell you the truth, he wasn’t very enthusiastic in his email. He said it was a long way to come just for one afternoon, and that it would go ahead whether he was there or not. He sent his love.’
    â€˜So you’re going to let him off the hook,’ said Bella in frustration. ‘I really think that he should make the effort. For heaven’s sake, it’s not that hard to fly from one part of the country to another, and not all that expensive, either.’
    Josie made a noncommittal sound. ‘The hospital has asked if there is anyone in particular we’d like to invite. I think we should add your cousin Sue, don’t you?’
    â€˜Whatever you think best, Mum.’ But Bella was mentally fuming.
    *
    As they walked his dog through the park the following Monday evening, Brendan tried to be supportive.
    â€˜Sounds like you’ve had a rough week, Bell,’ he said gently. ‘Don’t be so hard on Ned, though. He probably figures there’ll be so many people at the dedication ceremony that he won’t be missed. And he’s right, it is a long trip back here for one event, even such an important one.’
    Bella bristled. ‘Well, the dedication should mean a lot. It’s a huge honour for our father, and if Dad can’t be there to appreciate it, then I think the least we can do is to have all our family there. And it’s on the anniversary of Dad’s death. Mum wants Ned to come, but she won’t say that to him. You know, sometimes I think that Ned could be a bit nicer to Mum all round. He needs to spend some time with her.’
    â€˜But he knows that you keep a close eye on her.’
    â€˜Spoken like a bloke,’ said Bella giving Brendan a playful swat. But then her tone hardened again. ‘I just want to find Ned and shake him and demand that he comes back home for the dedication. I just don’t understand why he’s not coming. He admired Dad greatly, just like we all did. I’m sure he misses him. I do.’ She gazed out across the lengthening shadows of the park, a gentle breeze tossing her curls.
    Brendan squeezed her hand and then threw a ball for the dog. ‘I know you do, Bell. You loved him so much. But I remember you telling me how disappointed your father was when Ned said that he had decided to become a musician? Things weren’t always so good with Ned and your dad, right?’
    â€˜Yes, that’s true,’ replied Bella. ‘There was quite a bit of tension in the house when Ned made that announcement. It was no secret that Dad wanted him to become a doctor. But Brendan, that difference of opinion was years ago. After that was resolved, they made their peace and moved on.’ She was quiet a moment. ‘The last twelve months have been so hard. Ned seems so distant. I really wonder if he’s okay after what happened with Ashleigh.’ A silence fell between them. Brendan cleared his throat.
    â€˜He hasn’t responded to you at all? Have you tried calling his friends to see if they know where he is?’
    â€˜No, I texted and left him a message this week but he hasn’t gotten back to me. And I’ve rung around but no one really seems to know exactly where he is. I looked at his website and his Facebook page but they’re not up to date.’ Bella smiled as she watched Brendan’s dog chase a duck by a pond but then her brow furrowed. ‘I’m beginning to think that if I want to speak to him, I’m going to have