Page 66 of Not Strictly Ballroom

I feel a burst of pride when my gran arrives with some of her new friends who we’ve been teaching lessons to. I go over to greet them.

I see Darcy talking to someone and it takes me a moment to realise that it’s Julia.

“Hi Nick.” She greets me as I walk over. “I’m back for a few weeks, between sailings, and I heard what had happened. I wanted to check in on you and give you some support. I’m so happy for you both and I’m glad you’re alright Darcy.” She gives us both a hug.

“Thanks Julia. I guess you were the one who saw my mum for what she really is. I wish I’d seen it sooner,” he replies, his face darkening.

“Don’t beat yourself up about it, she could be really persuasive. But let’s not let her influence darken your day any longer. How about you show me around and a dance for old times’ sake?”

“Of course.” Darcy’s smile returns and he leads her off for a dance.

We take turns giving tours round the small building, and explain some of the plans we have for classes and events. We end up taking even more bookings, so we’re going to be busy for a long while. At this rate, we’ll have covered the first year’s rent within the first few months, as well as being able to pay ourselves enough to live on. We’ve agreed that we’ll be frugal and make sure we have all foreseeable expenses covered before we give ourselves a raise. We’re hoping that people don’t tail off after the first rush of interest. We’ve installed a sound system that we can Bluetooth to our phones and I play some music. As usual, Darcy and I start with a dance together. It’s one we’ve been practising for some of the competitions we’re planning to enter, hoping we have a shot at the Nationals again next year. Then we encourage others to dance and we both dance with different partners.

Taking a short break, I collect two cups of tea and take them over to where Gran is sitting.

“It’s going well,” she says, and I agree with her.

She takes an envelope out of her bag and hands it to me.

“What’s this?” I frown. It looks very official.

“It won’t open itself,” she replies with a smile. I give her my best “not funny” look and open it, withdrawing the papers from inside. The first thing I notice is a solicitor’s name across the top. I shoot her a worried glance, but she’s just giving me one of her best enigmatic smiles. I quickly read through the first page and sink down onto a chair before my knees give way—they feel very wobbly right now. I read through it again and then look at her.

“You can’t.” My voice is nothing more than a papery whisper.

“I think you’ll find that I can do what I like,” she says primly.

“It’s too much,” I croak, as speech is difficult and everything feels difficult, like I’m moving through treacle. My brain feels the same way.

“What’s wrong?” Darcy appears by my side, concern tingeing his voice. I don’t take my eyes off Gran, but hand him the paper. All is silent for a moment while he reads it through.

“Oh,” he says, handing the papers back.

Gran reaches across the table and places her hand on top of mine, giving it a squeeze.

“Nicholas, seeing you grow up from a young boy with potential into the kind, thoughtful young man you are now has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I can’t thank you enough for the joy you’ve given me—and are still giving me with what you and Darcy are going to achieve here.

“I was always going to leave it for you in my will, but I don’t need it anymore. I don’t see why it has to stay empty or why you should wait. I know you were saving up for a place of your own, and how you used that money to start this studio, but I’m sure you’re both in need of a home. I’m pretty certain you and Darcy would like some privacy.” She gives a little wolfish grin as Darcy turns an adorable shade of pink. I’m pretty sure that she’s a hair’s breadth from tittering with glee that she did that to him.

I can’t accept it, of course, as much as it would really help Darcy and me out. I’m not denying that our own space would be fantastic, but . . .

“It’s too much, Gran. I can’t accept it. Surely you need it, to sell or something for your own care?”

“My dear.” She squeezes my hand again. “I have enough, and it’s not your concern.”

I still protest.

“But—”

“Nick.” Darcy cuts in and sits on the chair next to me. “Do you remember a conversation we had a month ago, when I said that using your savings to start our own studio was too much and I didn’t want you to?”

“Yes, of course I do.” I’m not sure what he’s getting at.

“Well, you were pretty stubborn about it.” He gives my gran a look and then turns back to me. “I think your gran has the edge on you for stubbornness, and I also think you should let her have her way. Just like I let you have yours.”

The sass pulls me out of my stupor.

“You let me have my own way?” I retort.

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