Girl In The Red Coat

by Gemma Owen-Kendall

  Chapter 7.

  I spent the next couple of days in bed trying to recover as I was determined to make it to the weekend to have my private tutorial with Miss Hogg. The idea of the Christmas show excited me as it would give me an opportunity to show everyone what I could truly do with my dancing skills. I had won many awards over the years from dancing, but I wondered if this was why I’d struggled to have many friends at school, whether they were jealous of me being a dancer. But the more of an outcast I felt, the more unincluded I was, the more I was determined to progress further with my dancing. My mum had paid for me to go to a private dance school. She was always happy to drive me there although we lived in the middle of nowhere. I was always so grateful that she did this for me and encouraged me to keep on with my dancing. Some days, I would get really upset when I had been to school and hardly anyone had spoken to me all day. I did have a couple of friends who would sit with me at lunch and would try to cheer me up, but sadly they were not in many of my classes so I would mostly be on my lonesome.

  How my dancing was progressing was often featured in the school newspaper and although this was not my choice, and I would request not to have a feature, it would appear anyway. It was like the school reporter club wanted everyone to get sick of seeing me in there, issue after issue. They would always find out when my next show or award ceremony was and wrote about it. I guess you could say I was a local celebrity, but it just made everyone not like me. I was glad I was accepted onto a dance diploma course in a different town and would be away from everyone I went to school with. The people there would be talented, like me and – I hoped, oh how I hoped! – would be more understanding about what it was like to be a competitive dancer.

  I got up early on that Saturday morning feeling back to full health and so glad to be feeling back to my old self again. My stomach let off a huge growling noise as I had not really eaten much since becoming better. I woke up to the smell of frying bacon and right away I leapt out of bed, put on my slippers and dressing gown and pretty much flew myself down the stairs as it smelt so good. In the kitchen, my Gran was cooking and to the side of her were three plates with a couple of extra-thick slices of fresh bread on each one. For as long as I could remember she always made a mega bacon sandwich.

  ‘Would you like me to make a cup of tea for you, Gran?’ I offered. She had been through a lot because of me lately, and it was the very least I could do for her to show my appreciation. My Mum got me into a traditional English cup of tea. I would observe how she made a good cup of tea: tea bag and sugar in first followed by the water, then add whatever milk amount was suitable. And from the first cup I brewed, I’d always made tea that way around. Even my Gran made it the same way, and she was on my dad’s side of the family. Thinking about just tea alone started to get me emotional, and I realised that I really missed my mum and felt a bit homesick. I had not spoken to Mum since my first day at college. I’d not texted her back and remembering getting her text, reminded me that this was when I’d started to feel strange. A cold shiver went down my spine, as I thought of that moment. I was not going to let the likes of any boys interfere with my life again! I came to my senses as my Gran dished out the crispy bacon. It was the smell, or so I thought, that bought me back to the present moment.

  ‘I will do the tea, Grace. I’ve been home brewing my own tea leaves for the three of us to have with our breakfast. Why don’t you go sit in the conservatory with your Grandad, I know he is keen to see you and how well you’ve recovered.’

  I smiled and nodded at Gran and headed to join Grandad. As I entered the conservatory I saw he was sitting cross-legged on his old fashioned arm chair. The room received the morning sun and was lovely and warm and cosy. Grandad smiled as he saw me come in.

  ‘Good morning Sunshine! Are you feeling better?’

  ‘Yes, much better now thanks. I must say, I’m famished.’

  ‘Oh I bet you are,’ he smiled.

  My stomach growled again as if to agree and in anticipating the food I was about to put in it. I sat on a cushion next to my Grandad’s chair snuggling myself in my dressing gown whilst I waited for my Gran to come through. The sound of dry, rustling leaves blowing outside brought thoughts of this time of the year. I loved Autumn when the weather changed from being so warm to the milder temperatures. Loved how the leaves on the trees that were once green deepened to shades of red, orange and brown and then sadly fell to the ground. Grandad patted me on the head. I guessed he still saw me as his little granddaughter, but I was not so little anymore. Just like the seasons, I had also changed from a child into a young adult. Still, it warmed me in that moment, that he could see in me, the child I once was.

  Bless Grandma for bringing in my sandwich and tea first. I felt a bit bad for Grandad, having to wait, but when I protested, he signalled to Gran that I should indeed start first. The homesickness disappeared as I indulged in the delicious food. The taste of the salty, smoked bacon coated in brown sauce between two slices of the bread felt just like heaven to me. I had never eaten anything so quickly in all my life and was pretty much finished by the time Gran came through with her and Grandad’s.

  ‘Wow, Sunshine, you don’t have to eat it so fast. You’re not on peace work,’ laughed Grandad.

  ‘I didn’t realise I was! Gran, your bacon sandwiches are always so amazing.’

  ‘Would you like another one Grace?’ she asked me

  ‘Oh, thanks, Gran. But you have yours first. And I’d best let this one settle in my tummy! I don’t want to have it repeat on me, especially if I am going to be dancing all day.’

  My throat felt dry. Of course, the bacon had left a salty but delicious taste in my mouth and the best thing to smooth it down with was the tea Grandma had made for me. I lifted up the mug to my chapped lips, feeling the warm air from the drink reaching closer to my mouth and took a mouthful of the sweet tea. As always, Grandma puts two teaspoons of sugar in my tea. my Mum would always give me one, as she thought she was helping my teeth out by doing this. Her own blend of tea was lovely and the tea leaves had brewed nicely.

  ‘Right, I am going to start getting ready for my long day ahead.’

  I took the remainder of the tea upstairs with me. Looking out of my bedroom window, I could see some of the overgrown walkway, at the back of the house. Through the trees I thought I had saw someone sitting on the branches but trying to hide behind the remaining leaves that were still clinging on. The person looked as if they could be Ben but as our eyes met the figure leapt out of the tree and were gone before I could tell for sure. I closed my eyes, shook my head and then took a glance again in the same spot and the surrounding area, but there was no one there. I whispered to myself, ‘Come Back if that is you, Ben.’ Still nobody was there. I shut the curtains because if someone was watching me, I didn’t want them to see me get dressed.

  There was a buzzing sound, my phone but I couldn’t recall the last time I had it or where it might be. Following the buzz I spotted my phone on the floor, under the bed, connected to my charger. I must have put it on charge before I collapsed onto my bed, without remembering doing so. That was the only logical explanation but I had no clue how many things had happened lately. The text was from an unknown number.

  ‘Glad to see you are feeling better x’

  I felt sick. This confirmed my fears: someone was stalking me and this was from the person who had been in the tree, looking into my bedroom window. I was very tempted to text the number back. But I would not give them the satisfaction by focusing my time on anything like this. My mind had to be on going to college today and spending the day with Miss Hogg. Out of anger and spite I deleted the message; whoever it was would not be distracting me this weekend. I was half tempted to block the number but at the back of my mind I wanted to see if they would have the guts to come clean and reveal themselves.

  I longed for it to be Ben. I scolded myself. Why on earth would I hope that this sick behaviour came from him, who I was obsessed with him? For all I k
new it could have been Daniel. They both were similar in height, hair colour. I’d thought I liked Daniel – but was that just because I met him first and we danced together? I just seemed to be more drawn towards Ben.

  Grandma shouted up the stairs, asking me to hurry up as she had things to be getting on with. She’d insisted that she drop me off at college instead of me walking there. She didn’t say so, but it was like she knew I’d be irresistibly drawn down that pathway and never get to my destination again. There was something about her that I just could not put my finger on. I thought of Florence from the journal and how she was a witch. Was Gran a witch? I’d always thought that the journal was more like a bedtime story. It was still on my dressing table and something inside told me to put it in my bag. As I picked it up I thought I saw a shimmer of light appear on the leather cover. I dropped it and rubbed my eyes, picked it up again, but nothing happened. Weird. I was obviously still half asleep. Gran shouted me to hurry up and I tried to shake myself awake then ran downstairs. She was waiting for me in the kitchen with her car keys and smiled as I finally approached her.

  ‘Are you all set for today?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes. I have everything I think I’ll need.’

  ‘Good, as I want you to have a successful day and see you perform in that show.’

  ‘I promise you Gran, I will be in that show performing and showing everyone what I can do.’

  ‘Good to hear, that’s the spirit. You’ve always done the family so proud with your dancing.’

  We headed out to the car. There was a bit of a chill in the air and the wind span the leaves around on the ground. I recalled the last time I’d been outside, remembered being down that pathway, feeling weak as Daniel had approached me from out of nowhere. It was as if he’d been waiting for me to appear that day. What if Ben and Daniel both were stalking me? Two stalkers – now that was some serious stuff. I shook my head again to clear the thought away. I did let my imagination get the better of me, especially when things kept happening that were… unusual. I got in the car and gazed out of the window, as I clicked my seatbelt.

  The leaves swept past the glass. I really liked Autumn; it was such a picturesque time of year. Soon it would be Halloween. It was something I’d never really celebrated, not having many friends. I’d usually just spend it in my bedroom watching my favourite film Trick R Treat. I thought about the movie and how in it there was a young girl dressed up as Red Riding Hood and a pack of wolves. In fact, that was my favourite section of the film. The first time I watched it I was not really old enough to see such a thing, I think I was about thirteen. The movie was introduced to me by one of the few friends I had, Rachel. She’d snuck the DVD out of her older brother’s bedroom, and we watched whilst snacking on with stacks of popcorn, chocolate and sweets. Ever since it’d been my own tradition to watch it on Halloween night, whilst my parents saw to the kids who came around for trick or treat.

  I hadn’t even realised that Gran had started the car when she pulled up at the college. I kissed her cheek, and got out, buttoning up my red coat.

  ‘Please call me when you know what time you will be finishing so I can come and pick you up.’

  ‘I will do. Thanks for giving me a lift – it’s a bit chillier than I thought it’d be today. ’

  ‘You’re welcome, sweetie. Good luck with today. I’ll see you later.’

  Walking through the large gates onto the grounds of the college, witches, ghosts, wolves and pumpkins greeted me from every surface and hanging from every pole. The students had already been decorating and it looked great. Each pumpkin was carved with different faces and images. I wished I could walk through at night to see it all lit up and looking spooky.

  Heading towards the block where the dance studio was located, it felt so weird that I had only been there once before which felt like some time ago. Taking the long way around through the buildings of the college, it was much warmer indoors and I could see all the decorations. We were never really allowed to go over the top at school when it came to things like this, so it was nice that college life was so much different. It was such a shame to have missed quite a bit of this life already.

  Being Saturday, there was hardly anyone around. I walked past a cleaner, mopping the floor of a corridor where the library was. Glancing through the glass door, I saw Ben at one of the computers. This stopped me in my tracks. He was as good-looking as I remembered, and I still pined for the kiss that never happened because of Daniel’s jealous outrage. I sort of wanted to go in there to see him to see if any of these dreams that Ben had been in were somewhat real, and if he was actually connected to me in some way. As my hand touched the door handle, he looked right in my direction. I froze as our eyes met. He smiled and made as to come over, but I panicked and ran away.

  ‘Grace! Please wait.’ Those were the words I heard echoing in my direction as I carried on sprinting. I was still running as I approached the building where the dance studio was and, as I got to the doors, I looked behind to see if Ben was anywhere in sight. There was no sign of him. Turning to open the door, suddenly there was Daniel, smiling at me.

  ‘Grace, it is so nice to see you and that you’re looking much better.’

  ‘Oh, hi Daniel,’ I stammered. ‘Yes, I am feeling much better.’

  ‘What brings you here on a Saturday?’

  ‘I could ask you the same question.’

  ‘Good point!’ he grinned. ‘It is nice to see you again, anyway. What are your plans for tonight? Do you fancy going out for dinner?’

  ‘That sounds like a lovely idea, but it will depend how I get on today, with Miss Hogg.’

  ‘Well, let me know. Here,’ he handed me a piece of paper, ‘I don’t think we exchanged numbers before.’ Even though we already had, bit weird but I didn’t say anything out of politeness.

  Along with the paper was a single red rose, that I gladly accepted. No one had ever given me flowers before, and I was very touched by this. I smiled at him and all my thoughts of Ben vanished for that brief moment. Burying my nose in the flower, its scent was so lovely, and the tip of the petals felt velvety and soft.

  ‘This is beautiful, thank you.’

  I gave him a gentle hug and he held me back, giving a slight peck on my cheek. His lips were cold, but perhaps he’d just come from out of the cold. I let go of him and took a step back.

  ‘Well I must get going but I will text you later, now that I have your number.’

  ‘Goodbye Grace. I hope to see you tonight.’

  He stepped aside so I could enter. Walking along the corridor, I could feel his eyes were fixed on me. Grinning all the way to the dance studio, at the door. I opened up the slip of paper. Along with his number was this:

  Table booked 7:30pm for 2

  The Texas Ranch

  Hope to see you tonight xx

  I thought it was very sweet that he’d already booked a table and assumed I’d accept his invitation. But I was still in two minds about him, and… I liked someone else… But Ben hadn’t been the one to ask me out. The idea of being taken on a date, my first ever date, was really exciting. I felt a buzz as I wondered, what would I wear? Perhaps I could speak to Miss Hogg about this and get her opinion. She was an attractive lady so I was sure she must have had a few dates in her time, and hopefully I’d get some tips from her on what to do and expect.

  Chapter 8.

  A s I walked into the dance studio, I thought I heard a whispering of my name again, the same male voice. I glanced over my shoulder and saw a shadowy figure further up the corridor, looking into my direction.

  ‘Good morning Grace!’ Miss Hogg’s voice startled me, and I turned away from the mystery person.

  She looked really happy to see me. ‘I am so glad you were willing to give up your Saturday to make up for the time you’ve missed,’ she said. ‘It is wonderful to see you are much better. I have had a few phone calls with your Grandmother. She has kept me up to date on your progress, and it seems like you had quite an
horrific allergic reaction, which the doctors have not been able to figure out as of yet.’

  I didn’t know if any of this was true or not but decided to play dumb and just go along with what my Grandmother had told her.

  ‘Erm… yes. But I was unconscious for quite a lot of it, so I am not fully aware of what is wrong with me.’

  ‘Oh, you poor thing! Well today we will catch up and please do not worry about your homework. Your friend Ben has been collecting anything that has been set, has he been around to pass it on to you?’

  ‘Yes, he’s been leaving it with my Grandparents. I’ve managed to do some of it over the past couple of days and I aim to crack on with more as soon as I can.’

  ‘Please don’t rush! I understand you have not been well. I want your main focus on coming up with a routine for the upcoming show in a couple of months. I will assess your routine at the show as this will help towards your final grade after the two years of your course, which is why I like to have all of my students perform at these shows every year.

  ‘What is the show all about?’

  ‘It is something the college has done for many years, and you are lucky as this will be a special twenty-fifth anniversary edition of the Show! Believe it or not, it was I who came up with the idea of a Christmas showcase when I started here, all those many years ago. I wanted to bring something fresh and exciting to the college that would show off all the great dancers here. Since then, the show has always been a great success. The tickets sell out every year.’

  ‘That’s amazing!’

  ‘The proceeds go towards trips for students, like to go and see a West End show.’

  ‘Wow, that’s great. I’ve never been to London before and always wanted to see a show on the West End.’

  ‘Well, as you seem really keen, Let’s get some planning sorted for your routine.’