Dance Like No One's Watching
Page 28
Kiki bounds into the office. ‘Ew, stop snogging.’
I laugh. How is it possible that a few weeks ago, everything was just awful, and now I feel so light and happy? My relationship is better than ever, Alec and Leon are friends again, and not only has Kiki developed a new, unshakable self-love, but her dancewear line has launched and gone from strength to strength.
‘Nettie, Anand just called me,’ she says. ‘They’ve started proceedings against Sam. And Anand’s been promoted!’
‘That’s brilliant news! I’m so pleased for him.’
Kiki grins. ‘We’ll tear this business down, one TV producer at a time,’ she says. ‘Hey, guess what? Dan Coombes messaged me. He’s choreographing the new series of Search for a Star this summer and wants me to be one of his dancers!’
‘Omigod, Kiki! That’s amazing!’ I squeal, grabbing her arms. We jump up and down together like kids at a birthday party. ‘You got a job!’
‘That’s brilliant news, Kiki,’ says Fletch.
‘I know – I’m so happy,’ she says. ‘He said he’d been really impressed with my work in class over the last few weeks. They’re filming at ITV, so I’ll be in the West End a lot. Leon and I are going to keep the flat over the summer.’
‘That means I get to see more of you,’ I say. ‘Even better.’
Alec and Leon appear.
‘Kiki, I’ve booked dinner at Sophie’s later to celebrate,’ says Leon.
‘Amazing,’ she says. ‘Hey, it’s on me.’
Luca pops his head around the door. ‘Hey – some of the third-year musos are playing in Studio Three. Full-on big band. I’m on trumpet. Everyone’s in there. It’s a thing. Are you coming, or what?’
‘I’m all over this,’ says Fletch.
‘Wait – for dancing?’ I say.
Fletch grins. ‘Of course. The question is, are you ready for my moves?’
Kiki looks at him curiously and says with a smile, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you on the dance floor. Sure you’re up to it?’
‘Always,’ he says. He holds up his injured hand. ‘I can’t join them playing, so I might as well throw some shapes. Anyway,’ he adds, linking arms with both of us, ‘if I’ve learned one thing this year, it’s that life’s too short not to dance.’
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vanessa Jones was born and raised in Kent. After training at Laine Theatre Arts, she went on to be a Musical Theatre actor in West End shows, including Sister Act, Grease, Guys and Dolls, Annie Get Your Gun and Mary Poppins, where she met (and married!) a fellow chimney sweep. She now lives in East Sussex with her sweep and their two children. SING Like No One’s Listening was her first YA novel.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, to my husband Howard: thank you for supporting me, for being my cheerleader, for scraping me off the floor at midnight when I was exhausted, for home schooling the children when I was on a deadline, for making me laugh and for the love and kindness you show me every day, which I am so grateful for.
To the brilliant people at Macmillan Children’s: thank you so much for continuing to champion Nettie’s story. I’m so happy I got to carry on her adventure with you.
To Rachel Vale: for creating not one, but two tremendous covers – they bring the excitement of the theatre world to life in vivid, glorious colour. I couldn’t love them more!
To Amber Ivatt and Cheyney Smith: thank you for letting the world know about this book in ever-creative, fun and innovative ways – it’s been brilliant to work with such a lovely team and I’m very grateful for everything you do.
To Sue Mason and Tracey Ridgewell: thank you for setting the book. To Gift Ajimokun: thank you for your insight and help. To Vron Lyons: the hugest thanks for sorting out the book’s timeline (which was a complete mess), for gently reminding me that people can’t be in two places at once and for standing firm that it takes more than two minutes to travel anywhere in London.
Thank you to the wonderful George Lester who was there for the start of this book’s journey – I am so happy we got to work together again, even if it was just for a little bit!
Huge love and thanks to my writing group: Eleanor Prescott, Emilie Di Mario, Hannah Drennan, Kate Potter, Clair Goble and Karl Lawrence Myers. Our Zoom sessions have kept me going, and your cheerful help and suggestions have been so important to Nettie’s journey. To Karl, thank you for regularly talking through the themes of the book with me, for helping me out of plot tight spots, for your infinite patience and sense of humour and generosity.
To Jane Willis, my brilliant agent: thank you for your support and advice, for always having my back and for helping me to grow as a writer. I am so excited for our new adventures together.
Thank you to my fantastic students in the Company for answering the most random questions (as ever) and to Class W, for their excellent ideas and help with one particular character’s backstory. To the whole of my theatre school, thank you for inspiring me every day. I am so proud of you all.
To Lucy Dawson, thank you for always knowing what to do. To Annabelle Mannix, huge thanks for your calm and practical advice. To Stephen Mear, thank you for helping me find the right showbiz person to ask!
And finally, to my editor, Simran Kaur Sandhu. This book would not be the book it is without your skill, your talent and your many clever and insightful ideas. You helped me see the way through everything and find the real story at the heart of it. You helped me work out what I could lose (there was a lot, right?). It’s not an exaggeration to say that I am in awe of you. Not only are you brilliant, Sim, but working with you has been so much fun. Thank you.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this book, you can find help at any of the below organisations. Please know that there is help out there: you’re not alone.
Beat
Beat is a registered charity in England and Wales. It helps people with eating disorders. Their confidential helpline encourages and empowers people to get help quickly. They also have a video based, free peer support group. More information on this can be found at www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Help for young people
The Beat Youthline is open to anyone under 18.
Youthline: 0808 801 0711
Email: fyp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Help for adults
The Beat Adult Helpline is open to anyone over 18. Parents, teachers or any concerned adults should call the adult helpline.
Helpline: 0808 801 0677
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Childline
Childline is a charity for children and young people with many resources on topics including bullying, abuse, safety and the law; you and your body; friends, relationships and sex; home and families; and school, college and work.
It’s also a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. You can contact them by phone any time of day. Calls are free and do not show up on the phone bill. You can also contact Childline via online chat, SignVideo or email.
Call free on 0800 1111
Text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained Shout Volunteer, who will text you back and forth, sharing only what you feel comfortable with.
Find details on how to email Childline and access their free resources at www.childline.org.uk
The Mix
The Mix is a charity providing essential support to under 25s. Along with many free resources about issues affecting young people, they offer a private, confidential helpline if you need support.
Call free on 0808 808 4994
For online chat go to www.themix.org.uk and follow the links
Text THEMIX to 85258
Grief Encounter
Grief Encounter’s mission is to give every child and young person access to the best possible support following the death of someone close.
They work closely with individuals, families, schools and professionals to offer a way thro
ugh the anxiety, fear and isolation so often caused by grief.
Call free grieftalk helpline open Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm: 0808 802 0111
Live chat: grieftalk@griefencounter.org.uk
Other books by Vanessa Jones
Sing Like No One’s Listening
First published 2021 by Macmillan Children’s Books
This electronic edition published 2021 by Macmillan Children’s Books
an imprint of Pan Macmillan
The Smithson, 6 Briset Street, London EC1M 5NR
EU representative: Macmillan Publishers Ireland Limited,
Mallard Lodge, Lansdowne Village, Dublin 4
Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com
ISBN 978-1-5290-1315-3
Copyright © Vanessa Jones 2021
Cover image © Rachel Vale
The right of Vanessa Jones to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Pan Macmillan does not have any control over, or any responsibility for, any author or third-party websites referred to in or on this book.
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