Margaret was all smiles as she changed the wood in Vigil's fireplace that morning. Vigil sat at the vanity, messing and fluffing her curls. She had decided not to attempt taming her wild mop, but to wear it proudly.

"Don't think I didn't see James Lancaster walking you home this morning," Margaret beamed. "What were you two up to?"

Vigil grinned. "He took me to a jazz club. Supposedly the biggest in London."

"Master and missus are going out today," Margaret exclaimed. "You could try to spend more time with him."

"That, I am definitely going to do," Vigil resolved.

~~~~~

The house was silent in the morning, the only movement was the occasional maid or servant dusting here or there. Every electric light was off, and the sun poured through the tall windows.

Vigil's bare feet padded in echoes over the cool wooden floor. She crept into the parlor, searching for warm carpet. The window had been left open, and the chilly morning air breezed over her. Leaning out, she gazed out at the dew-wet grass. The gardens were perfectly clipped, flowers blooming and soil rich. The flower bed was directly below her was five feet down, and a mop of sandy hair stood right under her.

"Remember our deal, mister gardener?" Vigil yawned. James started and spun around, his head whipping back and forth.

"I'm right here, silly," She yelled, and poked the top of his head.

He looked up at her, shading his face with his hand. "Hello up there, miss."

"Come up here. My parents aren't home."

"You and I shouldn't be alone in one room together." He replied.

Vigil sighed. "I wish we could be alone, but unfortunately the house is stocked full of servants."

James said nothing, only smiled and returned to his work.

Shivering, she turned around to leave, when something caught her eye. The piano sat in a lonely corner, with nobody to play it. She sat down on the velvet bench, and ran fingers over the ivory keys. Pressed one down. A soft, resonating tune sounded through the entire room, and she waited. Pushed another. Added her left hand, started a melody.

"I'm always chasing rainbows. Watching clouds drifting by. My schemes are just like all my dreams ending in the sky. Some fellows look and find the sunshine. I always look and find the rain." She cringed at her shrill voice, breaking at the high points.

Staring down at her two dancing hands, she grinned when two other hands joined them, caloused with work. A deep, rich voice mixed with her soprano one.

"Some fellows make a winning sometimes. I never even make a gain. Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows. Waiting to find a little bluebird in vain."

Vigil ended the song with one, final tune. She kept staring at her hands, completely silent. James said nothing either, his fingers still hovering next to hers. It might have been twenty hours of peaceful quiet, just the two of them staring at the milky keys. Finally, James spoke up, his voice like a drum in a silent arena.

"I applied for a job at the jazz club." He said, and jumped when she suddenly shrieked.

"You asked for a job!" She screamed happily, grabbing his shirt. "Did they say yes?"

"They said they would ask me to audition if they liked my references," He laughed, taking her hands from his shirt. "And then they'd make the decision."

"When?"

James shrugged. "Said I'd get a letter telling me when."

Vigil jumped from her seat. "They are going to have one crowded jazz club from now on."

"They haven't hired me yet." James said, but his face was flushed with excitement, grinning from ear to ear.

"Don't worry." Vigil assured him. "There is absolutely no reason why they shouldn't hire you. You're the best singer I know."

"I'm the only singer you know." James said, raising his eyebrows.

Vigil suddenly dissolved into laughter, perhaps harder than necessary. She and James kept laughing until they forgot what they were laughing about, which only made them laugh harder. She supposed it was just the stress and worries slowly melting off, their emotions in desperate need of the inimitable medicine of laughter.

"Take me to your boat," Vigil blurted, when they had sobered a bit. She didn't know where it came from, but she had a sudden desire to go to the sea, to be in his cozy green ship.

"What are you talking about?" He chuckled, wiping his eyes.

"I want to go to your boat," She pushed, grabbing his hands and leaning into him.

James stumbled back as she bounced up and down. "Okay, okay, curly. Let's go to the boat."

Vigil grinned. "Good. Because it's my birthday."

He stopped. "What?"

She shrugged. "It's my birthday. I believe everyone has sort of forgotten. But now I can spend it with you."

He nodded slowly. "Okay, well then, let's go."