Page 46 of Dancing With Desire

TORI

“Oh my god,” I whisper, squeezing Poppy’s hand tighter, “this place is perfect.”

So far, we’ve seen the classrooms, which are all kitted out with the latest technology, and the gym hall, which was not only huge but had the best equipment. The dining hall where Poppy would eat each evening reminded me of the Great Hall inHarry Potter, and the library was astounding.

“I can’t believe it,” Poppy replies for the hundredth time. “I really can’t.”

Miss Taylor, a current student in her final year, leads us up more stairs and along a corridor. “These are the dorms,” she tells us, opening the nearest door. “You’ll be in here,” she adds, “withAlice.” A shy-looking girl around Poppy’s age ventures over, her cheeks slightly pink with nerves.

“Hey,” she almost whispers.

“Hi,” Poppy replies, stepping farther into the room. “I love what you’ve done in here,” she adds, glancing around at the posters on the wall of pop bands.

“Do you like music?” Alice asks.

I wander farther along the corridor, leaving them to talk. Miss Taylor follows. “She’s going to be fine here,” she tells me.

“How long have you been here?”

“Since I was five,” she replies, smiling.

“Don’t you miss your family?”

She shakes her head. “I see them during the holidays, and once you settle here, your friends become your family. Honestly, I love it here. I’ll be sad to leave.”

“Where will you go next?”

“I’m going to Oxford.”

My heart leaps at the thought of Poppy attending university, especially one like Oxford or Cambridge. Dmitry has given her a real chance at life, and I can’t thank him enough.

The girls exchange telephone numbers, and Poppy promises to text when we’re on our way Monday, so Alice can help her move into the room.

By the time we head back downstairs, Dmitry is shaking hands with the headmaster. He reaches for my hand, and I slip mine into his. It’s become the norm to touch whenever we are close, almost like he can’t stand to be without me.

“Are you both happy?” he asks.

“More than,” I reply and look at Poppy, who nods enthusiastically. I don’t recall a time when she looked so happy.

“Then we’ll return on Monday with your things,” he tells her.

By the timeMonday rolls around, I’m a bag of nerves. We spent the entire weekend together. Dmitry was busy with work, and for once, I didn’t worry about who he was with or what he was doing. Maybe him going to such extremes to make me and Poppy happy settles my jealous mind. We shopped some more, we ate out, and I even took Poppy for a haircut and manicure so she’d feel a million dollars on her first day. But my nerves aren’t because of Poppy’s first day at Repton, but rather the fact we have the next three days booked on a small private island so I can meet the families.

I’m distracted as staff rush down the steps to help take Poppy’s bags and Alice throws her arms around my sister like they’re suddenly the best of friends. Dmitry nudges me, bringing me from my daydream, and I force a smile. The truth is, I can’t relax, and as I hug Poppy, dread fills me. We’re heading straight to the airport from here, so how can I enjoy her happiness?

“Have the best time,” I say, kissing her on the head. “Call me anytime, and please, for the love of God, be good.”

“You know me, Tori,” she says with a grin.

She then moves to Dmitry, and he frowns. “I just want to say thank you for all this. I don’t know how to repay you, but I swear I will.” Then she shocks him by hugging him.

I smile as he eventually relaxes and places his arms around her. “I don’t need repayment. Just do as your sister asks.”

And just like that, she’s gone, skipping up the steps with her new friend, not bothering to look back.

Dmitry places his arm around my shoulder. “She’ll be fine.”

“I know,” I mutter. “It’s not that.”

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