I winked. ‘You know what, Abe? In two years time, watch out! I’m coming after your job.’
Abe laughed. So beautiful when she smiled. ‘I bet you’ll get it too.’
When I climbed into the car next to Dad, he looked less tired than usual. Maybe living in the twenty-first century was doing him good.
‘How was it, Saph?’
I flopped into the seat, wriggled my bum, and sighed. ‘Great! Really, really good.’ I should have been sad – my dream was over, sort of.
But I had something else instead. A real plan. When I was ready. Maybe uni and dancing. I liked the idea of teaching dancing to the little tots. A bit like Lesley, a lot like Mr K, and with a good dose of myself in there too. I didn’t know what I’d want when the time came. For now, I didn’t have to.
For now, I’d bought myself a bit more time – with Jay, and Summer too. Time to do homework without the pressure of dancing holding me back.
‘The troupe, they have more work?’ Dad was speaking loud, trying to cover the hint of old worry.
‘Yeah, but it’s all okay Dad.’ I leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek, laughing at the tickle of his spiky beard. ‘I reckon you’ll like the plan.’
Mum was still up when we arrived home. She opened the front door with a sudden jerk that made me gasp. What’s wrong? Has someone died?
Then I saw her smiling crow’s-feet and the twinkle in her eye. ‘Come and see what’s arrived,’ she said.
In the kitchen, Mum stopped and held out her hands, ta-dah! A bunch of red roses was perched on the table, making my heart swell.
‘Except …’ Mum tilted her head, unsure. ‘They’re fake.’
I grinned, loving every manufactured petal and moulded stem. ‘They’re not fake, Mum,’ I said. ‘They’re just plastic.’
Mum raised her eyebrows at Dad: Do you know what’s going on?
But I was more interested in the envelope propped against the flower. It was a familiar blood red. I picked it up carefully, savouring the fresh paper smell. Then I looked at Mum and Dad and squashed my lips together. How to escape without hurting their feelings?
A smile from one. A nod from the other. ‘We’ll leave you alone then.’ Dad had a happy-sad look in his eye.
‘Thanks,’ I said quickly, already sliding my finger to lift open the envelope. I could hear the TV start up in the lounge room. The fridge clicked and began to hum. Carefully I unfolded the page.
It was the letter of my dreams –
Nah! It was way better than that. It was so real, it made me smile and sigh.
Dearest Saph,
I have watched you dancing (and flaring your nostrils) for over a year. The things you do with your legs! And your body. You dance like a
goddess (but you play basketball like a loon). I can’t get you out of my mind. And I hope I never do.
From your devoted enemy,
Jay
ABOUT the AUTHOR
Thalia grew up on a carrot farm on the outskirts of Melbourne. After a stint as a dancer, she edited websites and travel guides. But her biggest passion has always been writing. Thalia has published multiple books in the Go Girl! series, as well as the non-fiction children’s book It’s True! Sleep Makes You Smarter (which is true, in case you’re wondering). She lives in north-east Victoria with her husband, their two children and a black cat named Bindi. When she was sixteen, Thalia was the youngest member of a professional cheerleading squad. Did she have a crush on one of the basketballers? No. But she did get a great view of their legs.
Step Up and Dance Page 13