Unlocked

I've been living in this suburb for nearly 18 years and, when walking to the shops, regularly take a shortcut between a cluster of apartment buildings. Fairly early on, I noticed that if I trod said path on a Saturday or Sunday, I'd often hear someone practising the piano. They were terrible - loudly plink-plonking away and making me glad I didn't reside within earshot. However, as the years have progressed, they've greatly improved. I've recognised famous pieces and, in recent times, actually thought, "It wouldn't be so bad hearing that tune emanating from a neighbouring flat." I don't know if the pianist is male or female, youthful or elderly. I don't even know if it's been the same person all along. Something tells me it *is* the same person, though. And if I had to guess, I'd say they were a child of 4 or 5 when I first heard them torturing the ivories and are now of uni age.

On Saturday, I once again took the shortcut to the shops through the cluster of apartment buildings. I could hear someone practising the piano. It was not a piece I recognised. It was soft and assured and completely fast-slow-high-low chaotic and yet a delight to the ear.
I reckon they were improvising.