Page 8 of Dance Dirty With Me

“I can’t go to a doctor. I’d probably have to go to London or something and they’d never grant permission. I don’t think many of them have caught up with the law yet, and I don’t have time to fight for it, Baby.”

Baby turns to Penny. “I’m sure Robbie would pay, then.”

“He already knows, Baby,” Penny sighs. “I need to keep working. I can’t take any time off. I don’t have anyone else and it’s clear Robbie won’t help me. I can’t have this baby.”

The kid stands, chewing his lip in thought, but that won’t do any good. I push past him and sit back down on the bed next to Penny. I smooth the hair away from her face.

“We’ll find a way, don’t worry,” I say, and she gives me a wan smile. I tried to say it sincerely, but in truth I don’t have any answers. Even between myself, Billy, and Penny we can’t raise that kind of money.

Next time I turn around the kid has gone. Good, I just hope he keeps his mouth shut. The fewer people who know our business the better.

“She said it was mine, but how can I be sure? You know what these girls are like,” Robbie says, his smirk telling me everything.

“No, I don’t actually,” I bite back. “And I treat women with more respect.”

“Look, some people matter and others don’t.”

He pulls a book out of his pocket, and holds it out to me. I see it’s a tatty and worn copy ofThe Fountainheadby Ayn Rand. “You should read it, you might learn a few things. Only, make sure I get it back as I have notes in the margins.

It doesn’t surprise me he’d revere a book that promotes individualism over collectivism at all costs, even into acts of terrorism.

“Not my style,” I reply.

He just shrugs and pockets the book before going back to setting the tables for breakfast. His stance is dismissive.

“You just keep away from my sister and my family, or I’ll tell Max and you’ll be fired,” I say, and he just huffs a laugh and shakes his head.

I skip breakfast, not able to look at Robbie again right now. His confidence in his own position riles me up. The injustice of how he can get away with it and Penny is left to pick up the pieces occupies my thoughts for most of the morning. I buy the newspaper and walk down to the beach, sitting amongst the dunes to read in peace. Feeling hungry, I make it back for lunch, but seeing as our server is Robbie again, I eat in silence.

“Is everything alright, Baby?” Mum asks, and I see her concern. “Where were you all morning? You disappeared before breakfast.”

“I’m fine. I just wanted to go for a walk and read the paper. Do you know the USSR is moving in on Czechoslovakia and there are people starving in Biafra right now? It doesn't seem right when there’s all this food...” I gesture to the table.

“Robbie, when we’re done here can you pack up all our leftovers and send them to Nigeria. Baby wants to end world hunger.”

I see Robbie’s smirk and hate him even more. I frown at my dad. I know the causes of poverty are complex and not easily solved, but the way he smiles at Robbie feels at my expense.

“Where are you going?” Mum asks as I get up to leave the table.

“To read,” I sigh.

“We came here to join in and have fun, not do the same things we can do at home. I’m going to miss my Baby when you go away in a few weeks. I want to spend every moment I can with you.”

I stop and turn back, my shoulders slumping with the thought that whatever she has in mind, I’m not going to like it.

“I was thinking we could play lawn bowls. Remember how you used to enjoy playing?”

I was right, I don’t like it, but by invoking a memory of childhood I can’t find a good enough excuse to refuse. Mum rises and comes round the table. She links her arm through mine as we leave the dining hall.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun,” she promises.

We do play bowls and I beat her, just like I’ve done since I was twelve. After that we wander down to the small zoo area they have set up near the beach. We look at the lions, monkeys, and the seals before walking around the boating lake, eating ice creams and talking about childhood memories as Mum gets sentimental about me leaving for university.

“You’ll have Lisa,” I point out, as I can’t see my sister leaving home any time soon.

“But you’re my baby,” Mum replies, and I don’t mind that I’ve spent the day with her.

We take our time walking back to the cabin to change for dinner, and I grudgingly admit that it hasn’t been too bad to spend some time together. Most of the afternoon, though, I’ve been pondering whether there’s anything I can do to help Penny. I might not be able to make a difference topeople on the other side of the world, but I may be able to do something more useful closer to home.

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