A WOMAN'S VOICE

Laura Hartley stood in the wings of the Musikverein concert hall, her grandmother's violin in one hand, a lifelong dream in the other.

- BY ALLI SINCLAIR

From her hidden vantage point, she studied the who's who of European society, their jewellery twinkling beneath the tiered crystal chandeliers. The Golden Hall basked in an ethereal glow, reflecting two centuries of gilded history in which legends such as Chopin and Liszt had moved audiences to tears. And here she was – a girl from the wrong side of London – about to take the stage.

She cradled the violin against her chest, its familiar weight a great comfort. Surrounded by fellow musicians and perfect acoustics, Laura stood at the summit of her dreams, the place she'd longed for her entire life.