‘I’m full, they can have it.’
‘Come on then, race you.’ And she bounded up, grabbed the pizza crusts from his plate and hurled herself into the house in typical Ellie fashion.
‘Glass of wine?’
‘Oh, thanks but no, my car’s at school, I should get Sam home. Let me help you clear up, and then we’ll make a move.’
‘But Ellie’s teddies arestarving! How could you be so selfish? How about we have a coffee – I’ve got decaff as well – and then they can have an extra half-hour, we can enjoy the last of the sun and I’ll clear up on my own later.’
‘That doesn’t sound very fair.’
‘What if I make it a wish?’
‘Really.’
Alex raised his hands. ‘Yeah, I know. But Ells is having such a nice time, I reckon half an hour and she’ll be ready for bed, so you spare me the horror of her jumping on me demanding stuff by letting her play with Sam instead.’
‘So, you’re saying me staying for a drink would be a kindness, charity even?’
‘Ha, yes. That’s it. I’m in need of all the help I can get. I love her, but oh my! Will you help?’
‘You make the coffee, I’ll wipe down some surfaces and you’re on.’
‘OK. And then we’re going to work out how to get you a new job! I’ve already got an idea.’
Coffee made, they headed back to the blanket. The sun was beginning to set and the sky was alive with the boldest pinks and oranges there could be. This really was heavenly, she couldn’t remember feeling this relaxed in the evening since, well, since for ever.
‘So, earlier you said you needed work and ideally a home in the village.’
‘Yup,’ said Sylvie, not really willing to give any more away and wondering where he was going with this.
‘So, if you were a professional ballerina in London before you moved back down, what do you do now? Or are you concentrating on Sam and not working at all at the moment?’
‘I’m definitely prioritizing Sam but with him in school that gives me a bit more flexibility, and obviously up until recently I was helping care for my mum. But I do teach a couple of classes as well – I have two evening classes in adult self-defence and I run a couple of ballet classes for little ones on a Saturday as well, both at Roscarrock leisure centre. In fact, that’s how I know Rosy Winter a little bit – she took one of my defence classes a few years ago.’
‘Self-defence from ballet seems a bit of a stretch.’
‘I can see why you’d think that, but the truth is I did ballet, taekwondo and jiu-jitsu from a really young age, and they do both have quite a lot in common in terms of discipline and flexibility. I went into ballet professionally but I still do the martial arts, still do gradings and stuff.’
‘What grade are you?’
‘Um… I’m a black belt third dan in taekwondo and fourth dan in jiu-jitsu.’
‘So you could completely kick my arse if you needed to?’
‘I couldcompletelykick your arse any time, big man.’
‘Do you know what?’ Alex held her eyes and she couldn’t bring herself to look away. Those eyes really were something. Glancing at them was enough to make her tingle, but staring into them – a girl could get utterly lost. Alex continued speaking and it took all her self-control to concentrate. ‘I believe you utterly. I’m no fool, there’s no way I’m putting it to the test. OK, so what would you like to do if you had your own way?’
‘I love teaching, I love little ones…’
‘You’re a natural with them, it’s impossible not to notice.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that, but I do enjoy their company so. Your Ellie is a joy, she’s a real firecracker. She’s done Sam such a world of good in one short week, I’m very glad she’s in his life.’
‘She’s certainly something. And I’m very grateful Sam is in her life too. So, you want to teach young children?’
‘Not as a teacher teacher. I don’t want to go and do my training but I would love to teach ballet properly, here in Cornwall.’
