The Last Note

Text 1: The Recital, by Imogen Firth

An original novel extract.

The final chord wavered and died. Tomas kept his hands above the keys for a moment, fingers curved, as if the music might still be persuaded to continue. Then the applause began: scattered, thin, over almost before it had started.

In the front row, a girl from his class was clapping. She was clapping too quickly. Tomas lowered his hands into his lap and looked at the programme beside the piano. His name sat beneath the title of the piece in heavy black type. He had practised for months. He had practised until the neighbours stopped asking him to play, until the kitchen clock became louder than the metronome.

The next performer was already waiting by the side door, holding a violin case by its handle. Tomas stood up, then sat down again. The piano’s polished lid reflected a small, bent version of his face. He could hear the audience settling, coats brushing, someone clearing their throat. All those little sounds seemed to be waiting for him to leave.

His teacher came over and touched the edge of the programme. “You got through it,” she said. Tomas folded the paper so his name disappeared inside. “That’s one way to put it.” He pushed the bench back. It scraped across the floor, louder than the applause had been. Tomas walked out through the side door, past the violinist, and did not look back at the piano.

How does Imogen Firth use language and structure to show Tomas’s disappointment after the performance?

You should use relevant subject terminology to support your answer.