Page 88 of A Class Act

Oh, that haunting music; the words. I was back at Gunnersbury Park, dancing with Fabian, lost in him and Kygo’s music, loving every single minute, wanting it never to end.

With an effort, I wrenched myself from memories of Fabian singing along, holding me, loving me.

I turned to find Joel and Sorrel moving, at first utterly self-conscious, horribly embarrassed, Joel missing a step, swearing at himself, and then beginning to lose himself in the music, becoming oblivious now to me, to the dingy, badly lit drama studio, to anything but being in the moment.

I stood and stared because I couldn’t do anything else, my hand to my mouth, as they danced a routine they obviously both loved and had practised under Collinson’s direction.

‘Bloody hell.’ Mason had joined me by the door; utterly captivated, I’d not realised he was there. ‘How’ve you got them to come down here and do this? Wow, they’re good.’

‘Dance is a part of them both,’ I whispered. ‘It’s just what they have to do.’

‘Well, there’s your Sandy and Danny.’ He grinned, placing a hand on my arm before, obviously remembering we were no longer in Jess’s kitchen by the Aga, removing it.

As the track came to its conclusion, Joel’s embarrassment returned, but doubly so at Mason’s presence. But there was another look: a mixture of pleading, hope and also pride as they both joined us.

‘Oh myGod,’ I exclaimed. ‘You are bothsoexceptionally talented; no wonder Collinson wanted to work with you. Sorrel, I’m so sorry, I just didn’t realise how good you’ve become, how you’ve progressed…’

‘Well, no, you wouldn’t,’ she said, feisty as ever. ‘You were never around.’

‘Well, I am now. I can teach you both… I can…’ I broke off as two kids, probably in their late teens, appeared at the studio door.

‘Hey, Joel, bro, move it. We’ve been waiting for you outside. Get the fucking fairy outfit off and get back out here with us where you belong.’

Joel hesitated, but only for a couple of seconds, and when Mason, frowning, moved across to the door and the newcomers, Joel picked up his things and headed towards them.

‘I don’t know how you’ve gained entry into school, gentlemen, but you need to leave. Right now.’ Next to Mason’s height and stature, these two youths appeared slight, weedy, butthey stood their ground, ignoring Mason until Joel was with them.

‘Joel, you don’t need to go,’ Mason was saying. ‘If you’re not happy to leave with these…’ Mason hesitated ‘…friendsof yours, then stay.’

‘It’s fine, Mr Donoghue.’ Joel smiled, but his face was pale. ‘They’re mates of mine. No problem. Thanks, miss…’ He looked directly at me. ‘See you, Sorrel.’ He turned and left, a lonely figure in the wake of the other two.

‘He’s still got your joggers and T-Shirt, Robyn,’ Sorrel said, almost apologetically. ‘I’ll get them back for you tomorrow.’

‘Not a problem.’

‘Jess’s waiting for me,’ Sorrel went on, checking her phone. ‘She’s picking me up because she didn’t know what time you’d be finished.’

‘Oh? You’re going to do some maths?’ I laughed at that, trying to lighten the atmosphere the two older boys’ presence had made dark.

‘Yes,actually.’ Sorrel glared at me. ‘And off for what’s left over from yesterday. Better than what you call your shepherd’s pie.’ She sniffed. ‘Don’t think it’s ever seen a shepherd.’ She turned to Mason. ‘She can’t cook you know, sir.’

‘Sorrel, you were amazing.’ Mason smiled. ‘You’ll go far.’

‘Just back to Jess’s with Mum this evening.’ She grinned and then became serious. ‘Look, can’t you do something? You know, for Joel?’

Mason patted Sorrel’s shoulder. ‘Doing what I can at the moment, Sorrel. Not your problem. You go home and have the rest of that fabulous cheesecake.’

‘Itismy problem,’ Sorrel insisted. ‘Joel’s my mate. He always tried to make sure he was around when I was at Collinson’s place.’

‘As I say, I’ll do what I can,’ Mason reiterated.

When Sorrel had left, I turned to Mason. ‘Whatcanyou do?’

‘Already liaising with the local authority, their gang team and the police.’

‘They have agang team?’ I stared. ‘Those two who appeared just now won’t like that. They’ll think Joel’s grassing them up. Is that fair on Joel? You need to be careful.’

‘That’s why I’m saying nothing further to you, Robyn. I don’t want you or Sorrel in any way involved. And I suggest you also do nothing at the moment about going to the police.’

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