Free Learning to Dance Again by Frankie Valente

around, buying clothes for her holiday and then taking them back to the shop when she realised they made her look like somebody’s granny. She bought euros, travel insurance and medication. She made sure all her bills were paid, spring-cleaned the house, bought batteries for her camera and then packed and repacked her bags, unable to decide what to take. She took her houseplants around to Marianne’s for her to water, and then raided Marianne’s wardrobe for holiday clothes to borrow.
    She rang Jamie to tell him her plans.
    ‘Hello darling. I’ve got a surprise for you and Bryden. I’m going to be in Edinburgh for a couple of days?’
    ‘Why ?’
    I’ m travelling through, on my way down to Gatwick. I’m going on holiday.’
    ‘ Who are you going with?’
    I’m going on my own – to Sicily.’
    ‘On your own – to Sicily? Are you mad?’
    ‘What’s wrong with Sicily? It looks lovely .’
    ‘I’m su re it is; if you stay out of the way of the mafia.’
    ‘Don’t be silly, I’m sure they’re much too busy to bother wi th me. I bet that stuff’s all exaggerated.’
    ‘Really? Well I don’t suppose you’ll get in too much bother in a week. Might be good for you to have a break.’
    ‘I’m going for a month actually; and Jamie, do try to be a little less patronising. I’m nearly fifty. I can look after myself.’
    Clearly all Jamie heard was “a month.”
    ‘You can’t go away for a whole month on your own, what if something happens to you?’
    ‘There’s Wi-Fi in the villa , I can email you or ring you every day if you want. Nothing’s going to happen to me,’ Julia replied, feeling less and less sure of herself as Jamie railed against her mad idea. Eventually Julia got annoyed with him and snapped she would see him in Edinburgh before she left, and put the phone down.
    She rang Bryden and he was a lot more cheerful about the prospect, particularly when she told him she had booked a two bedroomed villa. He said he would think about coming out to see her during the school holidays. When Julia offered to pay for his flights he was even more enthusiastic about the idea.
    Julia had finally packed everything for her trip. Her suitcase and handbag were in the porch and her raincoat was folded over the top; all ready to go the next day. She had gone through the “tickets, passport, money” routine until she thought she was in danger of developing OCD.
    She was in the kitchen making something to eat when she heard a car. She went to the door and saw Cameron’s Toyota Prius parked on the drive. He got out of the car and then opened the back passenger door and let his daughter out. Amy was struggling under the weight of a large bouquet of roses. Cameron took them off her and held his daughter’s hand and led her to the house.
    ‘ Hello Amy,’ Julia said, trying to sound welcoming, at least to the little girl. ‘Come along inside. I’ve got some juice and chocolate biscuits.’
    Amy let go of Cameron’s hand and ran indoors and headed straight for the lounge. Julia heard the television channel change to a cartoon.
    ‘Confident little thing isn’t she?’
    ‘She is. You don’t mind me bringing her do you? It’s my turn to have her tonight and we didn’t know what to do this evening. I bought you these; to say sorry.’
    Julia took the flowers from him and stood back to let him in.
    ‘Sorry for what?’
    ‘You know, for getting drunk and being silly.’
    ‘You must buy a lot of flowers.’
    Cameron grinned sheepishly, and shut the front door behind him. He followed her into the kitchen, pulled out a chair and sat down at the table.
    ‘Would you like a tea or coffee? Would Amy like a drink?’
    ‘Yeah sure, tea for me; Amy drinks milk or water usually.’
    Julia took a glass of milk and a biscuit into the lounge for Amy and then came back and made a pot of tea. She handed Cameron a mug.
    ‘Aren’t you going to put the roses in water?’ Cameron said, breaking the awkward silence.
    ‘No,