Page 77 of Tiers of Joy

“Hey, don’t go complaining. It’s your rule.”

That earns me a glare which just makes me laugh more.

He parks up and I look at the sign.

“You have to be kidding me.” I mutter.

Gaige comes round and opens my door.

“Ice skating?” I ask.

He just smiles and holds out his hand.

“You know I hate ice skating and that I can't skate for shit, I told you that. So far mister, you are getting nul point!” I say, ending in a French accent.

Gaige looks at me like I’m insane.

“Eurovision song contest. When a country doesn’t get any points. Do you know what, never mind, it doesn’t have the same effect if I have to explain it to you.” I wave my hand, disregarding my statement.

We walk in and Gaige pays for us. We get our skates and I can already feel the pain coming my way. It’s been a little while since I caused myself an injury so I know it’s coming.

Once we have our skates on Gaige takes my hand. He walks with ease and I wobble like Bambie after too many shots of tequila. I grip hold of his arm like a vice.

“Ease up there. I need blood flow to my arm.” He teases.

I roll my eyes and flip him off which only makes me wobble.

Gaige steps onto the ice and helps me. As soon as my skate touches the ice it slides. I grab hold of Gaige to stop myself from landing on my arse.

“I’m seriously not liking you right now.” I mutter.

“Okay, you need to trust me. You need to relax your body.” He states laughing.

“Um here’s the thing Christopher Dean, my body isn’t relaxing because it knows when there is pain coming my way. The pain will be coming as soon as I try to move. I will be flying arse over tit. It’s inevitable.” I sigh.

“Christopher Dean?” He asks.

“Really? Out of what I said that’s what you ask me about? He was an olympic gold medallist ice skater with Jane Torville. It was an iconic moment for us Brits! We still relish it thirty plus years later.” I smile.

“Right, now bring your other foot onto the ice and hold on to me.” Gaige directs me.

I wobble and hold onto him so tight that I don’t think I can unclench my hands.

“See! You’re still upright. Now I’m going to skate backwards. Just relax and glide across the ice. Oh and keep your eyes on me.” He instructs.

I nod and tense as soon as he starts skating backwards. My eyes go wide in fear. Gaige laughs.

“I've got you, relax.” He reassures.

“See! You’re skating.” He states.

“I'm gliding. You are my skating tow truck.” I laugh.

He stops.

“Right. Now you’re going to move your feet. I will say left, right, and so on. Just follow that. Keep your eyes on me, not your feet. Okay. Are you ready?” He asks.

I shake my head. He smiles.

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