Page 20 of Not Strictly Ballroom

“Okay Gran, yes we kissed, but that’s all. And any future things we may or may not do are completely off limits.”

She giggles again.

“Did you put my mum through the same treatment?” I wonder what my mum would have said.

“Oh, no.” Gran looks affronted. “No point. It would have been boring, anyway. You, my dear, are far more colourful.” And for the second time that night, I’m shocked by my own gran. “She only had eyes for your dad, and he doesn’t exactly light the world up with his fire, does he?”

“Gran, I think you need to stop now,” I tell her. I mean, no one needs to know about their parents’ love life, no one. If she starts again I might have to stick my fingers in my ears.

I’m saved by a buzzing in my pocket.

Relieved, I pull out my phone and my heart jumps a beat when I see it’s a text from Darcy.

Darcy: What do you think about the forties?

As I have no idea what he’s on about, I send him a flippant reply.

Nick: I might be two months older than you D, but it’s a way off yet

Darcy: No, the 1940s

Nick: Now you’re just being offensive. I wasn’t around then. I don’t think even my Gran was born then

I look up and ask her. “Gran, when were you born?”

“Nineteen thirty-nine,” she replies without hesitation.

“What were the forties like?”

“Hard, dusty, and the food was terrible—they were the best years.”

I laugh at her.

Nick: Gran says it was miserable

Darcy: Then why are people so nostalgic about it?

Nick: I dunno

I wonder if he has a point.

Darcy: The classes are getting really popular, so I was thinking of doing an event. Music and food all themed around the forties

I sit up a bit straighter. It’s not actually a bad idea.

Nick: Sounds like a great idea. Do you think people will come?

Darcy: I do. I think people will like it

“Gran, would you go to a forties-themed day or evening?” I test the water.

“Oh, that would be lovely, if I could get out more, of course. Reggie and I used to love a good dance.” I didn’t point out that she would have been eleven at the end of the forties, so wouldn’t have met Grandpa by then, but I guess that people still cling to the old dances and ways.

Nick: Gran says it’s a great idea

Darcy: You with her now?

Nick: Yes, so none of your dirty talk

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