Page 42 of Last Dance, Second Chance

She packed a bag, just like she always would for class, but without her dance shoes and leotard, which definitely felt strange.

She made sure that she was at the dance studio ten minutes early. None of the students had arrived yet, but Diana was there putting music ready in the CD player.

“Please say that’s the same CD you used to play when I first started coming here,” said Jessica.

“The very same!” Diana laughed. “But I have upgraded the player.”

“Wonderful!”

“I’ve put a chair for you by the piano. Would you be able to stop and start the music for me when I ask?”

“No problem,” Jessica said as cheerfully as she could.

“Don’t worry,” said Diana quickly. “That’s not all I want you to do! Could you also be an extra set of eyes for me and, if you’re up to it, you could walk around the class, making any corrections as you see fit.”

“Of course.” Jessica was much happier now she realised she would have a proper job to do.

The children began to arrive, all aged between four and six, just like Jessica when she started. They were mostly little girls, but Jessica was pleased to see a couple of boys as well. It was important to get them when they were young so their love for ballet could develop before they were told that it wasn’t cool for them to dance and got put off.

There was mayhem as children got ready and then ran around, parents dropping them off, some wanting to speak to Diana, but as soon as it was ten o’clock, Diana said, firmly, “OK children, into position!”

Fifteen sets of tiny feet hurried to get into place in three lines of five.

“I’d like to introduce you to my helper for today, Jessica. Jessica is a professional ballerina. She’s hurt her foot so can’t dance at the moment, but she’s very kindly offered to give us a hand.”

Jessica felt fifteen pairs of eyes turn to her, several of them wide with admiration.

“I’m sure you’ve got lots of questions for Jessica, but that will have to wait until after class. Jessica, could you start the music, please?”

* * *

The class flew by. The children were very sweet and listened earnestly whenever Jessica came over to help or correct them. The music reinforced all of her happy memories of when she’d first started dancing. How she used to be so impatient to get to class that she’d run the whole way, and would always be the first one there. She wondered if any of these children felt the same way. They were so young, it was impossible to tell if they had the talent, the drive and the body shape to become a professional.

She’d been so engrossed in the class, that it was only when the children had all left and she was saying goodbye to Diana that she remembered Nathan was picking her up and they were going out on their mystery outing together.

Nathan was waiting in his Land Rover outside the studio. The car had a large green Canadian canoe tied firmly onto the roof rack.

“Hi!” said Nathan cheerfully, getting out to greet her and help her into the car like he always did.

“You want me to go canoeing with a broken foot? What if I fall in? I’m not supposed to get the plaster wet.”

“You won’t fall in. The canoe is really stable, and we’re going to be going on the canal so the water’s completely calm.”

“There’s a canal near here?”

“Yeah, well, not that far away. It’s near Guildford. The canal’s also handy because you can just turn around and paddle back to the car without having to go against a current.”

“And you’re sure I won’t end up in the water?”

“I’m positive.”

Choosing to trust Nathan against her better judgement, Jessica got in the car. She checked the back seats. “Aren’t the dogs coming with us?”

“No. Monty in a canoe would be a recipe for you getting a dunking. I’ve given them both a bit of a walk and they’ve got the run of the garden.”

* * *

They pulled into a parking space by the canal an hour later. Jessica eyed the water suspiciously. It looked cold.

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