Prague, 1930 Eva had already pushed the black piano stool away and was about to put her scores back in her satchel when Professor Novotny raised a hand to hold her back.

One more minute, my dear, he said, pointing a finger at the sky to indicate the number one. I have a piece that I would like you to take home.

As the professor rummaged through the tottering pile of manuscripts on the piano, Eva glanced at the wooden clock hanging on the wall. 4:30 p.m. She hoped it wouldn’t take too long. The rehearsal room at the conservatory was already darker than when class started, and shadows stretched across the floor. Come on, come on… She touched her fingertips to the yellowed keys, letting the coolness of the ivory soothe her.