Twenty minutes later the cab stopped on the corner of the High Street back in Brook Bridge and we climbed out.
‘Where are we going?’ asked Sam.
‘My dreams, the ones I’ve had since I was a little girl, are beginning to change and that’s where I’m taking you now.’
A look of puzzlement flashed across Sam’s face.
‘Your dreams … Tell me all about your dreams … Who is Alice Parker?’
‘You’ll see. Come on, let’s walk and I’ll talk, and all will become clear.’
‘I’m intrigued,’ he said, taking my hand. ‘How did you end up in America?’
We walked in silence for a moment while I gathered my thoughts. ‘How did I end up in America? Now there’s a question.’
Sam looked at me in puzzlement and I continued:
‘America …’ I took a deep breath, ‘I wish I could tell you that my dad was some influential businessman whose multimillion-pound empire catapulted us over to the other side of the world.’
‘But it sounds like you’re not going to tell me that,’ Sam replied, with slight hesitation.
I felt myself sigh and my shoulders sag.
‘Oh Sam, it’s actually all a bit of a mess. The truth is, firstly, I don’t know who my father is and secondly … I don’t actually know why we left for America.’
‘What do you mean?’ he asked with genuine concern.
‘One minute I’m an average ten-year-old, enjoying life at the farm, messing about with my pony, dance lessons at the weekend … then I’m hoisted on a plane to the other side of the world, surrounded by skyscrapers and bright neon lights.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘I may have made it sound a little more melodramatic than it was,’ I paused, ‘but actually, probably not.’
‘So why the big upheaval?’
‘Your guess is as good as mine,’ I replied, wondering whether I wanted to spill everything to Sam. I took myself by surprise: ‘There was a disagreement between my mum and my grandfather,’ I continued, now unable to stop myself. Sam listened intently.
I felt my chest tighten and my breath quicken. ‘I overheard Grandie telling Mum how disappointed he was with her, for some reason. Things got out of hand and, cutting a long story short, they haven’t spoken since – thirteen years, in fact.’
‘It must have been some argument.’ He raised an eyebrow.
I shrugged, ‘No point asking me, I’ve never got to the bottom of it. My grandfather’s health is deteriorating, he’s the reason I’m here. I knew I had to come home to see him … before it was too late.’ My voice wavered.
He touched my arm tentatively.
‘Mum’s still in New York and I’ve no idea what to do about it all. In fact, it’s just all a mess.’
‘Is she still refusing to see him?’
I nodded, feeling the tears well up in my eyes. ‘See him, talk to him.’
Sam slipped his arm around my shoulder.
‘I just wish they would heal the rift. He’s not getting any younger and what if … what if …?’ My voice cracked. My heart was aching. I knew that however much I tried to hide how I was feeling about it all, things were beginning to get on top of me and the emotion came flooding out.
‘Hey, come here,’ he said, gently gazing at my face before taking me in his arms. ‘It will work its way out, it always does,’ said Sam in a soft reassuring tone.
I snuggled close into his chest, burying my face into the soft fabric of his shirt. I felt safe with his arms wrapped around me, a feeling I could get used to. The comfort of another human being.
‘Here, sit down,’ he suggested, releasing me slowly from his grip.
We perched on a stone wall and he took my hand, resting it on his lap.
‘Have you spoken to your mum and grandfather about any of this?’ he probed lightly.
‘Of course, but it’s not quite as simple as that.’
‘Why?’
Taking a deep breath, I said, ‘Because my life has been hard going since I left this place.’ With slight hesitation I continued, ‘Don’t get me wrong, New York is an amazing place.’
‘I bet, I’ve dreamt about visiting there one day.’
‘But it’s not home, it’s not who I am. I arrived as an English child with a funny accent, trying to fit into a school where the children had known each other from kindergarten. It was difficult. I was out of my comfort zone. I went from rambling around the fields of the farm and knowing everyone, to only being allowed on the streets of the city with my mum. I missed my grandfather, my friends, my animals and the life I had. I made a few friends, but I always felt like an outsider. When I graduated from college I thought things would get easier, but they didn’t. I had a dream to perform on the stage and attended auditions, but time after time, all I ever received was rejection letters … soul destroying.’
Sam leant forward and wiped a tear away that was sliding down my cheek.
‘I thought about telling Mum how unhappy I was, but I never found the strength. She’s always done her best for me and the worry etched on her face when I told her I was coming back to England pulled at my heart strings. I knew she was scared too, no doubt scared I wouldn’t come back or would discover the truth of what went on. I hoped she would come with me. If my grandfather dies, how will she feel, knowing it was never put to rest?’ I stared out into space.
‘As hard as it may seem, they are adults, that’s their choice.’
I nodded. Of course I knew that, and I had to respect their decision, but it didn’t mean I had to like it.
Sam placed his arm around my shoulder and I rested my head against his chest.
‘Families aren’t easy, I think we both know that.’
We sat for a moment in quiet contemplation, before I looked up at Sam.
‘But things are changing now. Let’s walk,’ I suggested, standing up and linking my arm through his, ‘towards my future,’ I added with a smile.
Sam gave me an inquisitive stare. ‘Lead the way.’
Two minutes later I stopped on the pavement outside the dance school and took a deep breath.
‘My grandfather has offered me a lifeline. This place,’ I gently gestured towards the sign on the front of the building. ‘The Florrie Rose School of Dance, named after my grandmother,’ I said proudly. ‘Grandie is giving me this place.’
It took a second for the words to register, then Sam reacted the way I was hoping he would.
‘Alice, that’s fantastic!’ He stood next to me staring up at the sign too.
‘Not only does he want me to re-open this place, but he’s offered me the farm too. I’ll have a home and a business. This could all be mine on the condition that I move back to England.’
‘And …’ his eyes were wide.
‘And I’ve made a decision: that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m coming home.’
Sam’s beam mirrored the huge smile etched on my face.
‘This is fantastic news, Alice!’
‘I’m glad you think so. Fancy a look inside?’
‘Do I ever!’
Flicking the switch, Sam followed me into the foyer. The light flooded the room and we wandered into the main dance room.
‘Alice, this is a fantastic opportunity, you’ll have this place up and running in no time.’
‘I will, won’t I?’ I trilled, feeling enthusiastic about the prospect. ‘A lick of paint, a deep clean, and then all I’ll need is pupils.’
‘They’ll come flocking in, you don’t need to worry about that.’
‘Maybe this is what I’m destined for, Sam – re-opening this place, teaching people to dance, to excel and for the community to enjoy this place again.’ I couldn’t hide the excitement in my voice. ‘When I came back to England, seeing Grandie again opened up a new future of possibilities. And I’m going to give this my all.’
‘I have to admit,’ he grinned, ‘I’m a teeny bit jealous.’
‘Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my reservations. What if I can’t live up to the reputation of this place, what if I can’t teach? But I’ve taken on a small project, let’s call it a taster.’
Sam cocked an eyebrow.
‘There’s something I want to run past you, and before you make a decision, hear me out.’
‘Okay,’ he answered.
Taking a deep breath, I continued. This was my moment to convince him about Village Day: ‘Putting the situation with Grandie, Mum and the dance school to one side for the moment, I’ve come up with a plan to save Village Day.’
‘Save Village Day? What does it need saving from?’
‘Mr Cross and his ukulele.’
Sam laughed.
‘Dorothy organises the event, along with the WI, and the final act has pulled out at the last minute, leaving them in the lurch, the only other option being Mr Cross …’
‘And his ukulele,’ Sam finished off. ‘But what’s this got to do with me?’
‘I’ve made a suggestion to help them out.’
‘You’re not going to do a duet with Mr Cross, are you?’ he quizzed, concern written all over his face.
‘No! Do I look like the type of person who plays a ukulele? In fact, don’t answer that! No … I’ve suggested Brook Bridge Goes Strictly!’ I shimmied my jazz hands and waited for his reaction.
‘Which entails?’
‘Me teaching the WI to dance on stage. We have a panel of judges and we’ll crown one of them the winner! Also …’ I continued, not taking a breath, ‘it’s Dorothy and Bert’s golden wedding anniversary, and I’m teaching him to dance so he can twirl her around the stage, but that’s a secret.’
‘But I still don’t understand why you need my help,’ he said, puzzled.
‘Because … I’ve only got two weeks to teach the women how to dance, so I was thinking …’
‘You were thinking …?’
‘That’s where you’d come in. You know people in the theatre who can dance. All we would need is maybe yourself and a couple of your friends to lead them around the stage.’
‘Dorothy’s not too fond of me, in case you are forgetting that tiny bit of information,’ he said, looking slightly horrified at the suggestion.
‘I’ll speak to Dorothy … we need to make this work. Considering the time constraints, it will be much easier if the men know how to dance.’ I took a breath and gave him a pleading look. ‘Will you think about it?’
Sam looked pensive. ‘What if Dorothy doesn’t like it, how are you going to tackle that? I really don’t want to cause you any trouble. And then there’s your grandfather. He’s only just come out of hospital and doesn’t need the past being raked up.’
‘Firstly, I’ll tell Dorothy that my involvement in Village Day is off if she refuses to have you involved. Okay, I’m letting them all down but I’m making a stand. If I’m doing this for the community, then all the community will be involved – otherwise, what’s the point? And as far as Grandie goes, the past has never gone away and it’s time to look to the future.’
‘You are a feisty one, aren’t you? And I admire your determination.’
‘I like to think I stand up for what’s right. Dorothy and the rest of the WI will soon see they have you all wrong.’
Sam was staring straight at me.
‘So, what do you think?’
‘Alice, one of my family killed one of yours.’
‘It wasn’t anything to do with you. And he went to prison, he served his time.’
‘People don’t forget.’
‘Maybe not, but that doesn’t stop us from being friends.’ I held his gaze and refused to look away, taking his hand. We stared at each other for a second; my hand was trembling.
‘Let’s do this, all or nothing. How could the situation get any worse?’
Sam’s face was serious, his eyes gazed into mine. Then I noticed the corners of his mouth begin to lift.
‘Okay, just for you, I’ll do it!’
I let out a squeal and threw my arms around him.
Sheer pleasure mixed with apprehension ran through my entire body when Sam agreed, especially knowing how certain members of the village behaved towards him. He didn’t have to help me out and I was extremely grateful. I prayed it wouldn’t make things more difficult for him in the village.
‘And just one more thing …’ I said softly.
‘Which is?’
I gently leant forward, and placed a soft kiss on Sam’s lips.
‘What’s that for?’ he asked, his lips still close to mine.
‘Just for being you.’ My voice wavered, exhilarated by the electricity between us.
He held my head gently in his hands and tilted my lips back towards his and then kissed me. Slow and soft, with his thumb caressing my cheek, and all my troubles instantly fell away.