Page 59 of The Last Saturday In July
Simon reversed the car neatly into a space outside the community centre. ‘Maybe.’
Jess suppressed a sigh. Clearly, he was still annoyed.
In the hall, Simon excused himself to talk to the dance teacher, and Jess made a beeline for Kate and David.
‘I’m so glad you came!’ She gave them each a hug.
David shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘That makes two of you. I’ll be tripping over my own feet as soon as we get going.’
Kate smirked. ‘I’ll go easy on you.’ She looked around. ‘How’s Simon?’
‘Fine, he’s just chatting with the instructor.’
Jess wondered if Kate had told David about the business dinner. Probably, given that Simon had interrupted their date when he’d rung Kate.
David turned to scan the room. ‘I’ll go say hi, back in a few.
After he left, Kate arched an eyebrow. ‘So?’
Jess slipped her hands into the pockets of her dress. ‘He’s still annoyed with me.’
Kate glanced over to where Simon and David stood talking. ‘He’ll forgive you, Jess, you know that.’
Jess sighed. ‘Eventually.’
Kate appeared to think. ‘How about we swap partners after the first dance? I’m not promising anything, but I’ll talk to him.’
‘Kate, it’s not fair that we keep dragging you into our problems.’
Kate tucked her hair behind her ears. ‘You’re not, I offered.’
Jess hesitated, then smiled gratefully. Maybe Kate regretted having taken Simon’s side in Dinnergate, ‘Thanks, I owe you one.’
The dance instructor announced a fast waltz, and Jess made her way over to Simon. For the next couple of minutes, she smiled and said nothing, as they shuffled around the floor. Looking around, it was clear that almost everyone else wasn’t just better than them but were discreetly staying out of their way. When the instructor stopped the music to demonstrate head and shoulders positions, Kate and David moved in beside them.
‘Kate thinks we should swap partners for a couple of dances,’ David said. ‘Because you two will have to dance with other people at the wedding.’ He grimaced. ‘How formal is this wedding going to be anyway? Tell me you guys got a decent band.’
‘Yes, but we’re having a half-hour of ballroom dancing first,’ Jess said, ‘so some of the older guests won’t feel left out.’
Simon held out his hand to Kate.
‘Come on, Kate, let’s show them how it’s done.’
‘My pleasure.’ Kate beamed as she stepped into Simon’s arms, and Jess breathed in relief.
David raised an eyebrow as he watched them for a moment.
The music started again, and they moved away from Kate and Simon.
‘Jess, why do I get the feeling you and Kate set that up?’
Jess released a tense laugh. ‘Don’t tell Simon. He still hasn’t got over the fact that I missed his dinner party. If anyone can bring him around, it’ll be Kate.’
David looked over at Simon and Kate before turning back to Jess. ‘Really?’
Jess shrugged. ‘Kate gets him.’
‘Right.’ David hesitated. ‘Look, it’s not really any of my business, but I get the feeling Simon relies on Kate a fair bit. Apparently, she was the first person he called the other night when he was looking for you.’
