Free Learning to Dance Again by Frankie Valente Page A

you’ll have to take them home with you. I’m going on holiday tomorrow so I won’t get the benefit from them. But thanks anyway.’
    ‘Holiday? Where are you going?’
    ‘Sicily. Duncan said he wanted to go there, just a few hours before he died. And I decided, if I’m going to sit around feeling sorry for myself, then I may as well do it where it’s sunny and warm.’
    ‘That’s a brilliant idea. I’ve never been to Italy, although everyone who goes seems to like it. Good for you!’
    ‘I’m go ing down to stay with Bryden to catch up with the boys for a couple of days, then I’m flying down to Gatwick and then off to Sicily for the whole of October.’
    ‘ Wow, you don’t do things by halves.’
    ‘It was a bit spur of the moment, but it was such a bargain for the flights and accommodation. And it gets me out of the country on my birthday. I shall have a memorial service for my youth on my own. A nice restaurant with a glass or two of Prosecco. Sounds perfect!’
    ‘It does actually. God, I wish I could just take off for a few weeks.’
    Cameron sipped his tea thoughtfully. Julia peered through to the lounge and saw Amy was curled up in an armchair watching a pop video. Her milk was untouched on the coffee table.
    ‘So , we’re still friends then?’ Cameron said.             
    Julia snapped her attention back to him.
    ‘Yes,’ she replied cautiously. ‘We’ve been friends since we were bairns, one stupid drunken kiss doesn’t change anything. But two might!’ She stood up abruptly and took her mug to the sink.
    ‘We’d better get going, leave you to get ready for your holiday.’
    ‘I’m already sorted, see!’ Julia replied, pointing to her suitcase.
    ‘Well anyway.’
    Cameron stood up and went to get Amy. She got up from the chair without argument and switched off the television. She picked up her glass and drank most of the milk and handed it back to Julia.
    ‘Thanks!’
    ‘You’re welcome.’
    ‘Daddy’s getting me a kitten tomorrow.’
    ‘Is he now? That’s very exciting. I’ll have to come and see him.’
    ‘It’s a girl kitten; her name is Jessie J.’
    ‘That’s a bit like Postman Pat’s cat. That’s called Jess.’
    Amy looked puzzled.
    ‘She doesn’t watch Postman Pat. Too old fashioned,’ Cameron said, raising his eyes to heaven.
    Julia laughed.
    ‘Jessie J the kitten. That’s going to be fun for you.’
    Cameron shrugged. ‘It will be company for me when she’s not around.’
    ‘I might have to get one too, ’ Julia replied, as she followed them out to the porch.
    ‘You have a good holiday. Take care now!’ Cameron smiled at her, and took Amy’s hand.
    ‘I’ll put up some pictures of the sunshine on Facebook. Make you jealous!’
    ‘Do that! See you when you come back.’
    ‘Don’t forget the roses.’
    Julia hurried back and retrieved them from the kitchen worktop.
    ‘Didn’t you like the flowers? Daddy bought them in Tesco for you. They cost £9.99 and I put the money in the funny machine. I got a penny back,’ Amy said, reaching into her pocket and producing her change.
    Julia grinned at Cameron and handed the roses to Amy.
    ‘You should have them in your room , Amy. Your daddy really bought them for you as a surprise.’
    Amy’s eyes widened with pleasure.
    ‘Thanks Daddy. A kitten and flowers! Can’t wait to tell Mummy and Uncle John.’
    Amy stepped outside and di dn’t see Cameron put his fingers to his temple and pretend to shoot himself.
    ‘The innocence of youth; t hanks anyway. I’ll see you when I get back home,’ Julia said. She reached out and touched his arm and squeezed it. Cameron smiled and followed his daughter out to the car.

9
     
     
    Julia emerged into the bright Sicilian sunshine from the starkly contrasting gloom of the airport arrivals hall in Palermo. Weary from an early morning start at Gatwick and a sleepless night in a noisy airport hotel, she made her way towards the adjoining train