Page 13 of Last Dance, Second Chance

Jessica checked her watch. “Probably.”

“It might be good to rip the Band-Aid and tell them what’s happened.”

Jessica nodded. This wasn’t a telephone call she wanted to make, but it needed to be done. She may as well do it earlier rather than later.

“Could you pass me my phone, it’s in my bag?”

“Sure.” Nathan handed her the bag. “Why don’t I take Monty out for a walk round the block while you’re on the phone so he doesn’t disturb you? I’ll make you a hot drink when I get back. What would you like?”

“A coffee would be great,” Jessica admitted, suddenly grateful that Nathan had hung around. “The decaf in the cupboard above the kettle, please.”

“No problem, see you in a bit.” Nathan left with the dogs.

Jessica steeled herself and dialled the office of her company.

* * *

It took less than ten minutes for Jessica to explain what had happened to the head of the company. She’d been sympathetic, but had dealt with such a number of injured dancers in her career that it had become par for the course.

The good news was that the company’s insurance would cover Jessica while she was incapacitated so at least she could still afford her rent and to eat until she was able to work again, as well as medical care for her foot once she was back in the US. The call ended with Jessica promising to keep the company updated, but having formally resigned her part in the Sleeping Beauty production.

Jessica heard Nathan and the dogs return as she was finishing the call and was surprised that her reaction was relief at not being alone. Nathan was going to make her a cup of coffee and, right at this moment, that seemed like a really lovely thing.

Nathan stuck his head around the door. “You all done?” he asked.

“Yes, thanks.”

“How do you take your coffee?”

“Black, no sugar.”

“One sec.”

A moment later, Nathan was back with a mug of coffee and a large bowl of food.

“I went to the Chinese and got you some steamed chicken and broccoli,” he explained.

“You didn’t have to do that!” Jessica exclaimed, though it looked and smelled amazing and her stomach gave a rumble as he handed the bowl over.

Nathan shrugged. “You should eat and I was starving as well and you said you didn’t want pasta...”

“Sorry. I’m in a really funny mood this evening and I can be fussy about what I eat because of needing to keep in shape for work.”

“It’s not a problem, I get it.” Nathan went back out of the room. He reappeared soon afterwards with his own bowl of food: beef in black bean sauce, and a container of egg fried rice.

He sat on the other sofa opposite Jessica’s and Monty and Dennis lay down on the rug in front of the fireplace, keeping a watchful eye out in case either of the humans dropped any food.

“Do you know, I don’t think I’ve ever been allowed to eat in this room before,” Jessica said.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. It was something my mum was really strict about for some reason. We couldn’t even have popcorn in here.”

“I’m sure she’d allow it this once.”

“Maybe,” admitted Jessica.

“Do you want some rice with that?”

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