Page 89 of The Girl with the Irish Secret
‘That sounds like a good start,’ Claire said. ‘We could begin with basic barre exercises to get you going and then a little floor work to get that softness that Kathleen had in her movements. I saw some of her movies on TV a long time ago and as a dancer I noticed how graceful she was. Oh gosh, I can’t believe I’ll be working with a real live film star!’
‘Well, I wouldn’t go that far,’ Vi said, laughing. ‘I’m just a jobbing actress.’
‘Now, yes,’ Claire said. ‘But gee, when that movie comes out you’ll be so famous. And you’ll be acting with Jack Montgomery as well. Your sisters must be so excited.’
‘I don’t know,’ Vi said drily. ‘So far there hasn’t been much excitement from them.’
‘But your niece Naomi comes to classes here.’ Claire sounded confused. ‘She said her auntie was going to be in a movie.’
‘I didn’t know Naomi did ballet,’ Vi said.
‘Oh yes, she does,’ Claire said. ‘She’s only five but she’s really good. Very sweet girl.’
‘I know,’ Vi said, not wanting to reveal the fact that she hadn’t seen Naomi since last Christmas. Just before that horrible row. ‘She’s a gorgeous kid.’
‘Loves her auntie, she said. I’m sure she’s excited that you’re here now. Will you be around long?’
‘Yes, I plan to stay until we start shooting. I have to do a lot of research and preparations,’ Vi explained.
‘Brilliant. Then you’ll have plenty of time to practise dance and movement,’ Claire said. ‘And to come and see Naomi in our Christmas show. She’s going to be one of the little fairies. So when would you like to start? I’m free most mornings. Afternoons are very busy.’
‘As soon as possible,’ Vi said.
‘Great. How about tomorrow morning?’ Claire suggested.
‘That would be perfect. I could come at ten o’clock,’ Vi said.
‘Grand. My studio is at the top of Goat Street. Number twenty-five. There’s a red car in front of it.’
‘I’ll find it. See you then,’ Vi said.
‘Looking forward to it. Bye for now.’
Vi said goodbye, happy to have made the appointment. Then, on an impulse she looked up Lily’s number in her contact list and called it. Better get it over with, and even if Lily refused to see her, the ball would be in her court.
It rang a few times and then a little voice said: ‘Lily Doyle’s phone, Naomi speaking. Mum is busy right now because Liam had pulled down all the dishes from the table and there’s an awful mess and Mum is really cross with him.’ She drew breath. ‘Who’s this on the phone?’ she asked.
‘It’s your auntie Violet,’ Vi said, smiling at the long diatribe from her little niece.
‘Wow,’ Naomi said. ‘My famous auntie?’ Then there was a noise as if she had dropped the phone and Vi could hear Naomi shout: ‘Mum, it’s Auntie Vi on the phone. Come quick before she goes away!’
Then Lily seemed to have picked up the phone. ‘Hello,’ she said. ‘Is that you, Vi? What do you want? I’m really busy. Can’t talk, the kids are acting up and I have to clear some broken china before there’s a nasty accident. I was putting all my cups and saucers on the table for my Christmas café event in a few weeks to see what I needed. My au pair has just left and I have nobody to help.’
‘I could come over,’ Vi offered, noticing the panic in her sister’s voice. This would be a great opportunity to earn some brownie points and make Lily feel more positive about Vi.
‘What?’ Lily asked. ‘You’d come over here? I got your message on my voicemail, so I knew you were here. I wasn’t really in the mood to call you back, to be honest. Well, you’re not exactly my favourite person after all the stuff you said. But oh, right now I’d be happy for any help I can get from anyone. Even from you. When can you come?’
‘Right now,’ Vi said, jumping at the chance. ‘I’ll borrow Granny’s car. I can be with you in ten minutes.’
‘Okay,’ Lily said and hung up.
Vi quickly called her grandmother and asked if she could borrow her car, explaining where she was going, to which Sylvia heaved a sigh of relief and said, ‘Finally. Maybe this will be thebest moment to make peace. I’d go myself but the accountant is coming to do the figures for the past year. Has to be done before Christmas. Of course you can have the car.’
‘Okay, thanks. I’ll be up at the house in a few minutes.’ Vi hung up and grabbed her bag and her jacket.
It didn’t take her long to run up the path to the manor and as Sylvia was at the door with the car key, she could jump in and start the car at once.
‘This is a golden opportunity for you to make up,’ Sylvia said before she closed the door. ‘Eat as much humble pie as you can, it won’t hurt a bit.’
