Page 49 of In Step

Small towns.I bit back a smile. “He’s better this morning, a bit groggy and feeling like a truck ran over him, but at least he’s on his feet. We agreed to a late start, which is why I’m here. He won’t be dancing today, but that only means he’ll be bossy as all hell to make up for it.”

She laughed. “You’re doing a good thing with those kids and helping him out. I know he’s grateful.”

“To be honest, I think I’m the one doing most of the learning, not the kids, and it’s been fun. In this industry, there’s so much pressure on perfection, you forget that it’s supposed to be about joy.”

She nodded. “I think we could all do with a reminder about that.”

“Are you coming to watch?”

“We wouldn’t miss it. When you get the flyers, drop some in and I’ll make sure all my clients know. Judah mentioned something about a community dance afterward?”

“Yes, we want to make it so there’s something for everyone, including some old school. Are you keen? Judah’s going to run a couple of free refresher classes for anyone who’s interested, closer to the time.”

She pulled a thoughtful face. “You know, I haven’t danced in years, but yeah, why not? Linc will freak.” She laughed. “That’s my partner. But maybe if we go to a class, it’ll help. Could be fun.”

“Tell Linc that Morgan and Judah, Cora and Martha, Jon and Connie, and Leroy and Fox are going to do an exhibition, a tango to start things off. It should be fun. Only Judah has ever danced one before.”

May’s face broke into a huge smile. “Oh. My. God. Leroy? I wouldn’t miss that for the world. Okay, I’ll spread the word.

“We’re actually doing our first tango session on Friday night. How would you feel about joining in with that? It would be great to have another straight couple.”

Her eyes grew wide. “For the exhibition dance?”

“Yeah, why not?”

She looked stunned, blinking furiously as she ran the idea through her head. Then she shrugged. “Yeah. Why the hell not? I’ll check with Linc and let you know. You want a coffee while I work?”

I’m pretty sure my smile was incandescent. “Absolutely. Black, please.”

She headed to the back of the salon just as my phone rang in my pocket. I smiled at the screen and swiped it open. “No, I’m not picking you up drunk from another party just so Mum doesn’t find out.”

Con chuckled. “It was once, bro. Well, maybe twice. And you made me pay through the nose both times. Dishes duty for a fortnight, you fucker.”

“Don’t forget washing my dance gear.”

“Ew. I’d forgotten. Those tights were gross.”

“Shut up. So, what can I do you for? Is Mum okay?”

He fell quiet.

“Con, what’s up?”

“She’s fine. Well, she’s no different than when you left, anyway. It’s just sad, you know?”

I did. “If you need me to come back for a bit, you only have to say. If it becomes too much down the track. You don’t have to do this alone. You know that, right? Any time.”

“I know.” There was another long silence, broken only by a sigh. “That’s partly why I called. I wanted to talk while you were down here, but it kind of got lost in the busyness.”

“Okay, I’m listening now.”

“All of this with Mum has got me thinking about what happened when Dad died and Mum checked out there for a while. How you stepped up to make sure I was okay and got us both through school. I know I wasn’t always grateful at the time. I mean, who likes being told what to do by their big brother, right? But I guess I’m starting to understand that responsibility you carried, and maybe why you kind of disappeared after as well.”

Fuck.“I didn’t mean it to feel like that for you guys,” I tried to explain. “It was just so nice to have no one to worry about except me for a change. It sounds really selfish—”

“No,” Con interrupted. “It sounds exactly right. You were only eighteen, Abe. You deserved to have a life after three years of holding the family together.”

“Mum didn’t understand,” I said softly.

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