Lovely War

Aphrodite oversees the meeting of two young people at a dance in a London church in November 1917. Hazel is playing the piano. Shy by nature, Hazel prefers to play at the dance rather than make small talk or dance herself. She doesn’t notice at first that she is being watched by a young man named James. When she raises her head at one point, she catches his eye and is startled. They each feel “truly seen” in this moment (20). When the song is finished, Hazel looks up to find the young man again; she thinks he is gone until a voice beside her says, “Excuse me” (20).

James compliments Hazel on her playing and they introduce themselves. James asks Hazel to dance; she is replaced at the piano by her friend Mabel, who notices the attraction between the two and wants Hazel to dance. Aphrodite watches the action and encourages the two young lovers. She is surprised that Mabel can see her; Aphrodite is invisible to most humans, although she can affect their thoughts and behaviors. James and Hazel dance intimately, their attraction clear. James asks if he can see Hazel again.