‘Well, why don’t you do that then?’
‘I’m hoping to. When I started teaching my ballet classes I rang the village hall and it’s booked absolutely solid, no appropriate slots at all, so I needed to find another location and Roscarrock was the easiest. But I’d really like to start something locally, rather than always driving miles away. Plus, staying local would mean I could increase my hours and ultimately I’d like to build up from running classes to having my very own ballet school – but that’s my ten-year plan, not for right now.’
‘Oh, you are speaking to the right man, I do love a plan. But first steps, what about seeing if you could rent the school hall,use that as a community space? The village hall doesn’t have to be the only option. You should talk to Rosy about it.’
‘That’s not a bad idea.’
‘You know who you really need, who could round up a veritable army of customers desperate for their little ones to study with a proper ballerina?’
‘Don’t say it. Rosy has already said it.’
‘You need…’
‘No! Don’t! Black belt, remember. I swear to God I’ll suffocate you with this cushion.’
‘You. Need.’ Alex brought up two cushions in front of his face to defend himself. ‘Marion.’
Sylvie attacked him with the remaining cushion, laughing so much that her tummy began to hurt, Alex laughing alongside her as the tears ran down her face.
Chapter Nine
‘Hi, Rosy.’
‘Hi, Lynne. Come in. Is everything OK?’
‘Oh yeah, the kids are fine, they’re just out for break at the moment.’
Lynne and Rosy shared the responsibilities for teaching Class One and Mondays and Fridays were Lynne’s turn in class enabling Rosy to do head-teacher-y office-based things.
‘I thought I’d whizz over and talk to you now. I had planned to do it at lunch or after school but honestly I’m just so excited I can’t wait.’
‘Go on.’ Rosy turned in her swirly chair as Lynne pulled one of the visitor’s chairs alongside her and did the cat-scrabbling-on-a-knee-thing to Rosy, as she always did when she was excited about something. They had been firm friends ever since Rosy’s first day in Penmenna when Lynne had found Rosy hiding in the stationery cupboard, alternately deep-breathing and ramming huge wedges of chocolate orange in her mouth, before she introduced herself to the staff for the very first time.
‘I couldn’t tell you last night when I found out because I was waiting for Dave. When he got in and I told him, well, then… anyway, I didn’t get the chance to call. And then this morning I was going to be so professional but I just can’t keep it in any longer. I’m going to absolutely burst if I can’t tell you now!’ The scrabbling was getting quite fast, and she was grinning so wide and gritting her teeth with such sheer excitement that Rosy’s heart was quite filled with love for her friend.
‘That sounds like it could get super-messy. You’d best tell me right now!’
‘Right now?’ Lynne stopped scrabbling and smiled.
‘Oh, my goodness. Go on! You can’t build up like that and then tease me and withhold. You ratbag.’
‘I’m pregnant!’
‘What? Oh, my goodness. Pregnant? Oh, wow!’ Rosy jumped from her chair and flung her arms around Lynne’s neck.
‘Hey, if I want to be a mother you have to let me breathe,’ Lynne giggled with excitement as she tried to bat Rosy off.
‘I’m so sorry, I just can’t believe it. I’m so excited. Woohoo! Wow.’
‘Did you really woohoo me? I’ve never heard you woohoo.’
‘Is everything OK?’ Sheila the school secretary popped her head around the door.
‘Oh yes, yes.’ Rosy regained her composure quickly and sat back in her chair with her most authoritative face on. She knew Lynne well enough to know this wasn’t news to be shared just yet. ‘All’s fine. Thank you, Sheila.’
Sheila did not look convinced as she headed back to her office, shutting the door behind her.
‘Thank you, Rosy. I swear that woman can smell baby-related news. Had I not taken a test I could have just stood at the front desk and let her sniff me. If she finds out for sure I’ll have three pairs of knitted lemon booties in my pigeonhole by home-time and everyone in a ten-mile radius would have been informed of my predicted due date.’
