Page 12 of Last Dance, Second Chance

“I do need to. There is no one else here and you are supposed to be resting and keeping your foot elevated, so you can’t cook, and you’re going to feel rubbish if you don’t eat. Now, is there some pasta or something I can make for you?”

“I don’t eat pasta,” Jessica said.

“Are you coeliac?”

“No.”

“What do you eat?” asked Nathan, an edge to his voice. Jessica couldn’t blame him. She knew she wasn’t being very nice, but she wasn’t interested in eating or in having someone to keep her company. She just wanted him to leave so that she could feel sorry for herself.

“Honestly, I’m not hungry. I had a big lunch,” Jessica said. She could feel her eyes beginning to fill with tears.

“Are you OK?” Nathan asked, he stepped towards her.

“I’m fine,” Jessica reassured him, waving him away, but the tears had already begun to fall.

Nathan crouched down next to her and put his arms around her, bringing her into an unexpected hug which she surprised herself by sinking into. “Are you in a lot of pain?”

“No,” Jessica managed to say. “The hospital gave me painkillers, and as long as I keep it still, it’s not too bad.”

“Then what is it? The thought of me cooking for you can’t be that bad.” Nathan released her and her body felt the loss immediately.

“It’s not that.” Jessica accepted the tissue he passed her from the box on the coffee table. Monty put his head on Jessica’s good leg, making her flinch.

“Off, Monty,” Nathan said gently. He perched on the edge of the sofa. “You don’t have to tell me what’s upsetting you so much if you don’t want to, but it might help if you do.”

Jessica took a deep breath. Maybe it would help to speak to Nathan. Someone who didn’t know her properly.

“I’m a dancer,” she blurted out.

“Oh,” said Nathan, realisation flooding his face. “So breaking your foot is really bad news for you.”

“You could say that. I’m a ballet dancer and I’m supposed to be starting rehearsals for a new production of The Sleeping Beauty. I’ve been cast as Aurora.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, it’s my first role as a principal dancer.”

“I’m sorry,” Nathan said. His kind words set Jessica off crying again.

“This is ridiculous,” she said. “I never cry.”

“You’ve had a huge disappointment,” Nathan reasoned. “There’s nothing wrong with having a bit of a cry about it. It’s completely understandable.”

“Thanks. I’m trying not to even think about the possibility that there might be permanent damage.”

“Take it one step at a time. You did the right thing getting it checked out as soon as possible. You’re young and healthy. If you follow the hospital’s instructions, it should heal up fine. Did they say how bad a break it was?”

“They thought it looked clean, but the X-ray wasn’t very clear. They said that my foot’s been under a lot of strain for years, though, with the dancing, which might affect it. They could see there had been a sprain on the same area previously that hadn’t healed quite right.”

“Have you been in pain with that?”

“Every ballet dancer is in pain with their feet. How can you tell what’s regular pain and what’s something that hasn’t healed properly?”

“I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“Well, regardless, there’s no way I’ll be able to start rehearsals.”

“No,” agreed Nathan. “And if you attempt to dance on that foot too soon, you really will end up with permanent damage. What time is it in New York now? Would someone be at your dance company for you to talk to?”

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