Strictly Friends?

by Jo Cotterill

  Owen, who was trying to balance Snowy on top of a low wall, frowned. ‘It’s not bedtime for ages and ages yet.’

  ‘Mum, it’s only round the corner,’ said Megan. ‘It takes three minutes. I can walk home on my own after the class.’

  ‘Are you dancing?’ asked Owen. He looked around. ‘Where’s Jake?’

  ‘Jake doesn’t dance here,’ Megan told him. ‘Remember? Jake’s back home in Milton.’ She swallowed. Going to a dance class without Jake felt like going to school without her left leg.

  ‘I like Jake,’ said Owen firmly. ‘He makes good Lego models.’

  ‘I don’t want you walking home on your own,’ said Nicola. ‘It’ll be late.’

  ‘Seven o’clock is not late, Mum.’

  ‘It’ll be dark.’

  ‘No, it won’t! It’s September, Mum, not the middle of winter!’ Megan tried to sound reassuring. ‘I’ll be fine, honestly.’

  Nicola bit her lip in indecision. ‘You’ll have to walk past that skate park, that’s all. It’s full of . . . of . . . young people.’

  Megan couldn’t help but laugh at that. ‘Now you’re just being silly.’

  ‘Am I?’ Her mother looked anxious. ‘Maybe I am a bit. All right. You walk home on your own, OK? But keep your head down as you go past the park. Don’t make eye contact with people, in case they see you as a target. For mobile phone mugging or something.’

  ‘Mum . . .’ Megan rolled her eyes.

  ‘And if you’re any later than five past seven, I’m coming out to look for you. With Owen in his pyjamas if necessary.’

  Owen giggled. ‘You can’t go out in your pyjamas. They’re not proper clothes.’

  Megan felt relieved when her mother had gone. It was hard enough starting again in a new place without your mother cramping your style! She took a deep breath and pushed open the main double doors. The poster had said the salsa class would be in Studio Two. Megan hesitated for a moment and then headed down the corridor in the direction of the sign.

  There were several other girls in the corridor already but none of them looked as nervous as Megan felt. They all seemed to know at least one other person, and Megan shrank back against the wall as the little groups arrived and stood around chatting and laughing. There were a couple she thought she recognized from her new school, but she couldn’t bring herself to talk to them. Again, she felt a wave of homesickness for Laney’s class, where she knew everyone and there was a comforting smell of floor polish and leotards. The corridor here smelled of socks and paint. In the hope that it would make her look more confident, Megan busied herself with changing into her dance shoes. Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long because a young woman covered in coloured scarves and clanking bangles swept into the corridor and said, ‘Goodness, isn’t it cold! We’d better get started and warm up!’

  The studio was a large room with a piano in one corner and not much else. Megan had been secretly hoping for a sprung floor or at least a wall of mirrors, but there was nothing like that here. She felt her heart sink in disappointment. This was nothing like the studio she was used to back home. Clearly this dance class was going to be no use at all to her. She wondered if she could slip out the back without anyone seeing.

  ‘Hello, everyone!’ said the young woman in a loud voice. She waved her arms to stop the girls chattering. ‘For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Corinne, and I teach ballet and tap here at the weekend.’ Her eyes swept over the group. ‘I must say, I’m really pleased so many of you have come this evening. I know one or two of you, but it’s great to see so many new faces.’ She caught sight of Megan edging her way to the door. ‘Do come in properly,’ she called, and waved Megan over. Megan flushed. There was no chance of escaping now!

  ‘I need to say straight away that I’m not ballroom trained,’ said Corinne, smiling at Megan, who now felt even less enthusiastic. Not ballroom trained! She’d probably find that she knew more than the teacher! ‘But I have done a few classes in my time, and I know there was some interest in starting a group like this. Have any of you done salsa before?’

  Megan and another girl put their hands up. ‘Excellent,’ said Corinne. ‘Well, I hope you won’t mind too much if we start with the basics.’

  There was a sudden clattering outside, and a girl’s voice could be heard saying, ‘Look, Mum, I’ve already told you. One class only. I don’t do dancing. Yes. All right. Look, just go, will you?’

  The door burst open and in came a rather dishevelled-looking girl with thick blonde hair scooped into an untidy ponytail. She looked around. ‘Really sorry I’m late. It – er – my mum . . . well never mind.’ She dumped her jacket and bag on the floor and made an exclamation of annoyance. ‘Oh no! Sorry, I seem to have walked half the field in on my shoes.’ There was indeed a trail of muddy footprints leading from the door. ‘I’ll take them off,’ said the girl, wrestling with her trainers without undoing the laces.

  Megan wanted to laugh. The girl seemed completely oblivious to the fact she’d just interrupted everything. Some of the others were glaring at her, but Megan had to hide her smile. The blonde girl looked up and caught Megan’s eye. She grinned back. ‘Nearly done.’

  Corinne was looking amused too. ‘When you’ve quite finished . . .’ She frowned for a moment. ‘Don’t I know you?’

  The girl nodded. ‘From Romeo and Juliet. I was the Nurse.’

  ‘Ah, that’s right,’ said Corinne. ‘Mari, isn’t it? Talked through most of those rehearsals too, didn’t you?’

  ‘Not all of them,’ said Mari, grinning.

  ‘Right,’ said Corinne. ‘Shall we get started?’

  Mari came to stand by Megan. ‘I see you brought the right shoes,’ she said, glancing at Megan’s silver ballroom shoes. ‘I’m just going to have to dance in socks.’

  ‘That’s all right,’ said Megan. ‘It won’t matter.’

  Corinne began explaining the basic salsa step, and Megan looked around the room. There were about twelve of them, she guessed, and all girls of course. She had hardly been expecting anything else, but she felt a bit disappointed nonetheless. This wouldn’t be a good class for her. She was way beyond the basics, and she needed a partner to dance with if she wanted to carry on training. Megan wondered just how far away she would need to travel to find one.

  To her left, Mari was stomping around in an attempt to follow Corinne. ‘This is ridiculous,’ she muttered. ‘I’ve got no sense of rhythm.’

  Megan laughed. ‘I’m guessing it wasn’t your idea to come tonight?’

  ‘You’re so right,’ said Mari with feeling. ‘My mum thinks I need to lose some weight. She drew up a long list of things she wanted me to join, but I put my foot down. I mean – hockey club?’ She shuddered. ‘I tried badminton last term but I have no hand–eye coordination and I was just rubbish. This was the only other activity on the list that took place indoors.’

  Megan grinned. ‘Is that why you said you were only coming for one lesson?’

  The expression on Mari’s face was comical. ‘You heard that? Oh no, how embarrassing. I don’t want Corinne to think I’ve come along to mess about.’ She tried the step again. ‘My legs just won’t do that.’

  ‘Here.’ Megan took up position beside her. ‘It’s quite simple really. Step forward-back-close. Then back-forward-close. That’s it.’

  ‘That’s it?’ Mari looked surprised. ‘Doesn’t seem like much.’

  ‘It isn’t, but the whole dance is based on that basic step.’ Megan demonstrated. ‘And it’s all about timing. One, two three . . . five, six, seven. Like this.’

  ‘Wow,’ said Mari. ‘You look like you’ve done it before.’

  ‘I have,’ admitted Megan. ‘I’ve been ballroom dancing since I was six.’

  ‘Six!’ exclaimed Mari. ‘The only thing I’ve been doing since I was six is eating.’ She pulled a face. ‘As my mother keeps pointing out.’

  Megan hesitated. ‘You don’t look fat to me.’

  ‘You’re sw
eet. I don’t look fat to me either, but Mum keeps trying to feed me brown rice and steamed fish.’ She shuddered. ‘Grim.’

  ‘OK!’ called Corinne. ‘Everyone got that step now? Good. The salsa isn’t just about the steps though. It’s about attitude. You’ve got to swing your hips . . .’

  Megan enjoyed the rest of the class, mostly because of Mari, who made her laugh. There were other girls in the class who were quick to pick up the steps, and it was clear many of them had done some kind of dance before. At least they hadn’t spent the whole hour just doing the basic step over and over again, reflected Megan as she changed her shoes. They had learned enough for Corinne to put together a simple routine.

  ‘Please say you’ll be my partner again next week,’ Mari begged as she pulled on her outdoor shoes. ‘I might stand a chance of remembering it then.’

  ‘I thought you weren’t coming back next week,’ said Megan, amused. ‘You said you’d only come for one lesson.’

  Mari went slightly pink. ‘Well, it wasn’t as bad as I thought,’ she said. ‘I did think maybe the class would be full of stuck-up ballerinas.’

  Megan let out a snort of laughter. ‘Don’t say that too loudly. Nothing wrong with ballet.’

  ‘Indeed not,’ said Corinne, who had overheard this. ‘Ballet gives you grace and strength, Mari.’ She looked at her pointedly. ‘Maybe it would be good for you.’

  ‘I am not doing ballet,’ said Mari emphatically. Her expression softened. ‘But this was OK. I think I could do this.’

  Corinne turned to Megan. ‘I know you’ve done salsa before. Have you been to ballroom lessons somewhere else?’

  Megan nodded. ‘We only just moved to the area last week. I’m from Yorkshire. I started ballroom when I was six.’

  Corinne looked sympathetic. ‘This class will probably be a bit frustrating for you.’

  ‘I was hoping you’d know if there were other classes I could go to,’ said Megan hesitantly.

  Corinne looked thoughtful, but then she shook her head. ‘Not that I can think of. This isn’t a very dance-orientated town, as you may have guessed. I mean, there’s ballet and tap and jazz. But not ballroom. It’s still a bit of a speciality.’

  ‘That’s what I thought,’ said Megan, though her heart sank. ‘Never mind. I quite enjoyed this evening.’

  Corinne saw her downcast expression. ‘Maybe there’s something we can do to use your skills a bit more,’ she suggested. ‘Leave it with me. I’ll think of something.’

  The other girls were heading off. Mari looked at Megan. ‘So, are you coming next week then?’

  Megan bit her lip. ‘I don’t know. I mean, I don’t want to be funny, but this class is way too easy for me.’

  Mari put on a pleading expression. ‘Oh, please come back. I only understood what to do because you were explaining it to me.’ She fluttered her eyelashes. ‘I’ll try not to talk you into the ground if you come again.’

  Megan laughed, though she was flattered by what Mari said. ‘Well, maybe. If it’s the only class around, I guess it’s better than nothing.’ She glanced up and noticed the clock. It was ten past seven already! ‘Oh no! I should be home by now! My mum will be sending out a search party.’ She grabbed her bag hastily. ‘Thanks, Corinne. See you, Mari.’

  ‘You’d better!’ Mari called after her.

  It was still light outside, but Megan knew her mother would be anxiously standing by the window, waiting for her to come home. And after she’d promised to be back by five past seven, too! She hoped Mum wouldn’t be bundling Owen’s coat over his pyjamas as she promised. Megan raced round the corner to the skate park.

  ‘Oof!’

  ‘Oh, God – I’m so sorry!’ Megan looked down at the boy lying on the ground. ‘I completely didn’t see you! Here . . .’ She offered him a hand, but the boy pulled himself up, panting.

  ‘Are you blind?’ he exclaimed, brushing down his jeans.

  Megan felt embarrassed. ‘No. I’m sorry, I was in a hurry. Are you all right?’

  The boy stared at her. He was taller than Megan, with jet-black hair that looked like it might be dyed. His eyes were a clear pale grey, and his face – well. Megan gulped. He was quite possibly the most good-looking boy she had ever seen, with high, defined cheekbones and dark eyelashes and eyebrows. He looked like a model. ‘Who are you?’ the boy demanded. ‘Are you new here?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Megan, but her voice was croaky and she had to clear her throat. ‘Yes,’ she said again. ‘Just moved in round the corner.’

  The boy looked at her searchingly, taking in her shoulder-length auburn hair, her green eyes and her slim figure. He nodded slowly, and a strange expression crossed his face. He seemed about to say something but then changed his mind. Instead, he nodded once more, and said, ‘Well, see you.’ Then he reached down for a skateboard that until now Megan hadn’t even noticed. With a swift movement, the boy stepped onto it and pushed off. They were at the top of a slight slope, and the board quickly picked up speed. Megan watched as he skimmed over a ramp and up another slope. There were a couple of others watching too, but Megan only had time to notice they were two girls and a boy before a voice behind her made her jump.

  ‘Megan! Thank goodness! What are you doing?’

  Megan turned to see Nicola hurrying over, clutching Owen, who was wearing his pyjamas and protesting loudly.

  ‘Mum! I’m so sorry, it’s only ten past, isn’t it?’

  ‘Fifteen minutes past,’ said Nicola in an acid tone. ‘And now I find out you’ve been standing around chatting.’

  ‘I haven’t, honestly.’ Megan followed her mother home, trying to explain about crashing into the boy and having to stop to apologize.

  ‘Well,’ said Nicola, as they arrived at the front door, ‘one thing’s for certain. You won’t be walking home alone again.’ She turned away from Megan and took Owen straight upstairs, leaving Megan open-mouthed in the hall.

  Megan felt angry. OK, so she should have made sure she was out of there a bit faster, but honestly! Talk about over-reacting!

  Megan threw her bag on the sofa and sat down in a huff. If she wasn’t going to be allowed to walk home on her own, how on earth would she ever get to talk to that boy again? Because she suddenly realized she really, really wanted to.

  Chapter 3

  have you got a boyfriend yet?

  ‘THAT’S A BIT weird.’ Jake’s voice came loud and clear over the phone. ‘Are you sure that’s actually what she said?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Megan, still in a mood. ‘And now she keeps making little digs about how untrustworthy I am. It’s ridiculous. Even Dad’s told her she’s being silly.’

  ‘What did she say to that?’

  Megan snorted. ‘She went way over the top. Yelled at him about how his new job didn’t mean he could get away with no responsibilities at home, or something.’

  ‘Whoa!’

  ‘I know. It was like she totally flipped.’

  Jake was silent for a moment. ‘Is she OK? I mean, your mum’s normally really cool about stuff like this. Why’s she off the scale suddenly?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Megan picked at a stray thread on her pillow case. ‘I guess maybe she’s all worked up over this move. She seems really stressed at the moment. It is a bit awkward, I suppose. We had carpets delivered yesterday and one of them was the wrong colour or the wrong size or something and the carpet people said it was our fault and Mum just hit the roof.’

  ‘Mmm. I guess if your dad is out all day then she’s the one who has to sort everything out.’ Jake paused a moment and then said, ‘Maybe you need to cut her a bit of slack.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Don’t jump down my throat! I just mean maybe she’s taking it out on you because she’s got too much to do.’

  ‘Well, that’s not fair.’

  ‘I know, Meg. But it’s not all about you.’ Jake sounded as though he was grinning. ‘You’re just the nearest person in the firing line.’

 
; Megan scowled. ‘Then she should shoot something that doesn’t care. Doesn’t have feelings.’

  ‘How was the salsa anyway?’ asked Jake, hastily changing the subject.

  ‘All right. Too easy.’

  ‘You going back?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Megan rolled over and stared at her bedroom ceiling. ‘I sort of said I would, but only because there’s nowhere else to go. If I find a better class, then of course I’d ditch the salsa.’

  ‘We missed you at Laney’s.’ Jake sounded wistful. ‘It wasn’t the same. And Laney said I’d have to choose a new partner, but I didn’t want to.’

  Megan swallowed. ‘I don’t want you to either. I hate the idea of you dancing with someone else.’

  ‘Me too. But I guess I have to.’

  ‘It’s all so unfair!’ burst out Megan. ‘Why did Dad have to go and get a job miles away from home? No one asked me what I wanted!’

  Jake was silent.

  ‘And I am trying to be nice about it all,’ Megan went on. ‘But it’s so hard. Even Suki is starting to get on my nerves.’

  ‘The girl at school?’

  ‘Yeah, the one who does ballet. I’ve only known her for about five days but already she’s starting to annoy me.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know. Everything’s about her all the time. And she never stops talking about ballet. It’s like nothing else exists.’ She sighed. ‘It’s not exactly what she says, it’s the way she says it. I can’t explain.’

  ‘If she’s that bad, can’t you find another friend?’

  Megan rolled her eyes, even though she knew Jake couldn’t see her. ‘You have no idea how girls work. You can’t just swap friends around like – like clothes.’

  ‘Why not?’

  Megan sighed. ‘It’s too complicated to explain. You wouldn’t understand.’ She ran her hand through her hair. ‘I’m sorry. I’m being all ego-ish. How are things with you?’

  She could almost hear Jake shrug. ‘All right. New people have moved in next door. They’re OK.’