From as far back as she could remember Charlotte had loved music.  It gave her an escape from reality, from the nightmare her life was turning into.  Her father had always been someone she had looked up too, until he started drinking when she turned 13.  She had watched him change, turning from a man who cared about her to one who beat her before he thought what he was doing.  He turned from a loving, caring father and husband to a bully.  Charlotte had used her music to get away from him.  Then he discovered her talent and she was forced to play for his friends.  She hated that, they had no appreciation of the instrument, it made no difference if she played 'chopsticks' or 'Chopin'. They were ignorant men who made her life miserable.<br/><br/>She had withdrawn into herself, hating men and the way they would look at her, paw at her with their sticking, clammy fingers.  They had no respect for her, and she had decided men, males weren't worth it.  She wouldn't encourage anything, she didn't want a relationship.  Her father wanted her to sleep with his friends, he told her it would make her happy.  She had refused.   Then she had been sent here....and she had never felt worse.<br/><br/>But now...now a mystery man was offering her a chance.  A hope.  He loved music, he understood, he spoke a language she understood.  Finishing her food she then drained the mug of tea, savouring the flavours, and feeling so much better.  She was safe here with him.  She was safe, protected and away from the likes of Shaw and Goodfellow.  She was under no threat from him.  He was gay, nothing to worry about.<br/><br/>She shook her head at the offer of more tea, "no thank you" she smiled shyly, "I enjoy playing pieces that challenge me" she told him, "I like to stretch myself, to challenge and grow" she told him, her eyes changed, softer, they lost the suspicion.  He saw the real Charlotte, the gentle young woman who was as naive and innocent as always.  Her love of music glowed through her, she spoek with passion about Chopin and Bache, about Beethoven and Brahms.  She sid how her moods were always readble when she played and how she felt alive through the music....she revealed her self to him, trusting him, opening to him in a way she hadnt ever really opened to a man.  But he was gay...he wasnt a risk to her...<br/><br/>Was he???