Page 47 of Last Dance, Second Chance

A kiss at the end of the message. Jessica smiled and decided not to overthink it.

* * *

The children attending this class were a little older, so there was more for Jessica to correct and note, which made helping out even more interesting. There were a couple of girls in the group who looked like they could be quite promising.

“That was brilliant,” she said to Diana when all the children had left. “It’s still hard to tell if any of them have real talent, but they seem to really love the class, and it was brilliant when Flora made that jump.”

“It was. She was so proud of herself,” Diana said. “You have a real talent for helping them. You’re very observant, and I like the way you always comment when you see an improvement.”

“Thank you. I’ve done some teaching before, during the months when my company’s closed down for the summer, but because it was a summer school, the kids were never properly invested in the ballet. It was just another activity on offer for them to try, and because I didn’t get to work with the same children for long, I never got to see them progress.”

“It’s a pity you won’t be able to follow any of these children’s progress either. Some of them have already made such strides since they started. When are you flying back?”

“Wednesday night.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

“I don’t know,” Jessica said honestly. “I thought I’d be really pleased to get back, but I’ve hardly spent any time with my family with them being away.”

“Could you stay for longer? I’d love to have you around to help me with more classes. But I insist upon paying you.”

“Oh, thank you. That’s a very kind offer. The extra money would be handy. Can I get back to you tomorrow?” answered Jessica. She hadn’t for one moment expected her old dance teacher to want her at classes more regularly, had really thought she was just taking pity on her while she was in town. She was definitely tempted.

“Of course,” Diana said, patting Jessica on her arm.

It was fair to say that Jessica had considered changing her flight for many reasons. She pushed the six-foot-two one out of her head... But what would she do with herself for longer in Bowerbridge? And she had a life to return to. But how much of that life was actually worth returning to when she wasn’t able to dance? Getting up and down all the steps to her apartment would be a nightmare, even without trying to carry groceries up them. She knew her ballet colleagues would help if she asked, especially Bethany, but she didn’t want them to see her like this. And her apartment would be fine without her for a while longer, she supposed.

If she stayed, she could spend some more time with her family and earn a bit of extra money while doing something useful with her time and seeing if teaching really was for her. Plus, there was Nathan...

* * *

“Hey, you,” said Nathan when Jessica came out of the studio, a smile breaking over his face. He was leaning against a wall enjoying the early evening sunshine.

“Hi.” Jessica smiled back. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Are your family really that terrible?”

“No, but my brother and his wife will be bringing their kids...”

“I like kids,” Nathan said simply, with a shrug.

“Just don’t say you weren’t warned.” They started walking. “How was your day?”

“It was good. Not too busy. How was yours?”

“It was nice. I hung out with Mum for the day. We went out for lunch and watched a film together this afternoon. I can’t remember the last time I did something like that with her. Did you miss me and Monty last night?”

“Naturally. It wasn’t the same playing Fable II without you.”

“You played Fable II without me!” Jessica cried indignantly, ready to turn the full force of her wrath onto Nathan.

Nathan laughed. “Of course not, I’m just winding you up.”

“Idiot,” muttered Jessica.

They reached Jessica’s parents’ house. Jessica glanced at Nathan and thought he looked a little nervous. She gave his hand a squeeze.

Everyone was gathered in the kitchen and turned as one when Jessica and Nathan came in. They were greeted first by Monty, who acted like he hadn’t seen Nathan for years, running in circles around him and bringing him every toy he owned.

---