Page 60 of Not Strictly Ballroom

“I’m sorry, love,” Doreen says, standing and offering a hug. I welcome her embrace, but once she releases me I start pacing, the movement keeping a lid on my anger—barely. If I stop, I might allow the screaming that’s reverberating through my head to start. Nausea rises, forcing bile into my mouth. I clench my jaw shut and try to swallow the bitterness that burns my throat. Of all the things she’s done, this is the most despicable, and I need to stop her. I turn to Nick.

“I can’t let her get away with that. Will you help me?”

“Are you sure, D?”

“Yes.” I start pacing again.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Come with me?”

“Now?” He seems surprised, but I have to do it now. I have to confront her now or there’s a chance I’ll lose my nerve.

I tell him that, and he agrees. I start towards the door and Frank calls us back.

“Take the van,” he offers. I marvel at how lucky Nick is to have such a wonderful family.

While Nick drives, I call Claire back.

“Did you know anything about it?” I demand, probably a bit harshly, but I’m fuelled by fury right now.

“No I didn’t. I swear, Darcy. I only found out when I switched the television on. I haven’t spoken to them since last week.”

I tell her I’ll call her later and ring off. I can see lights on when we pull up outside the school, so I know they’re inside. I have no idea what I’m going to say, but I need to say something. Maybe I’ll feel better when I have.

I take the back stairs to the balcony that leads to the kitchen. When I burst in, they’re on the couch watching something on television.

“Oh, Darcy,” my mum says with a smile. “Did you see the news? Isn’t it fantastic?” I’m not totally sure what she’s on about, but I’m still furious.

“You’ve got a nerve, haven’t you? Telling everyone that it was your idea for me to dance with Nick. Taking the credit.”

“Well, I had to do something. If you’d danced with Krystal like I wanted you to, you would’ve won. But no, you wanted to throw away your chances. Dancing with a guy! Who does that? It’s not right.”

I’m genuinely shocked by her words.

“He’s my boyfriend,” I spit.

“I don’t care if he’s the fucking pope. On the dance floor, you should dance with women.”

I feel my mouth drop open as I’m rendered incapable of forming words. It allows her to continue.

“But I’ve worked hard to turn around the mess you made of it. I made it look like a publicity stunt. And I got you a contract. A shot at the big time on television. They’re looking for new dancers for Strictly Come Dancing.”

I stare at her.

“When were you going to tell me this?”

“Well, I only got the call from Bruce earlier, and then I had to go to the interview so?—”

“You said it on air?” That’s what she meant about fantastic news. “Before you told me?”

“Well, I was just so excited, and it just came out. But it’s great and you’re going to be a star, Darcy. It’s the big time.”

“You’re unbelievable.” I didn’t even think she was capable of something like that. “I don’t want to be on television.”

“After all I’ve done for you, guided and taught you through childhood to want this, and you throw it back at me?”

“I never had a childhood,” I yell back at her. “I never got to play with other children. I never got invited to other children’s birthday parties. I’ve never even been on holiday.”

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