8. HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING HERE

- "Have you been living here for very long?" Liyan asked F-sharp instantly.

- "Where? in Motueka?... don't mention it!... it's been years since I was left in my box on a shelf... I was beginning to think I was going to stay there until the end of times when Elle opened the box, put me back together and started to play G's and F's...the other day... Apparently she had been lying on a shelf too for a while because she coudn't even find the notes."

So, Liyan thought, all three were just born to their present existence. What was their life going to be?

- "Life is made of beginnings," F-sharp added as if reading Liyan's thoughts. "When I left my friend the oboe, I thought I was dead, that all was finished, done... and then you see, I am here... happy to play G's and F's with Elle and you."

- "What are we going to do exactly? Elle says we are going to travel to China," Liyan said.

- "I don't have plans for myself," F-sharp answered but the idea to go back to Shanghai to see the place where I was made appeals to me. In any case, you know, life is a music score. You just play it... the best you can!"

When Elle came back from the orchard, the two were still chatting. They were up to wondering whether Elle had seen Him again.