Billy Elliot

"Alright, Tony, you can stop mithering," I snapped at my brother through the phone as I made my way down the brightly-lit hallway toward studio 2A, "She'll get a call from her Uncle Billy once she's home from school. Better a day late than never. Aye, before she's had her tea."

I couldn't believe I'd forgotten our Lucy's birthday. I'd been especially busy, what with the new show opening in less than a week. My family were well used to me being away from Durham by now, but living in London and having such a busy schedule was what made the little things -- like a phone call to my youngest niece on her birthday -- all the more important.

I wanted to give myself a hard kick up the arse. I was sure I could manage it if I tried.

"Can't believe our Luce is ten already. You using a walking stick yet, Tony?"

I grinned at the expected 'Fuck off!' of a reply.

I'd reached 2A and checked the sign-in sheet on the door as I half-listened to Tony banging on about the price of foil balloons. I'd booked the space for an hour, just to work on a few steps, smoothing things out before opening night. I knew that I was close to overdoing it with all the rehearsing, but I couldn't get the moves out of my head. I was as impatient for the show to start as I was nervous about it, a feeling I knew all too well after all these years, so I knew that the best thing for it was to dance it off.

There was just one problem. Looking down the sign-in sheet, I could see my hour had been double-booked. It was great having a dance school so close to my flat, but the booking system here was stuck in the bloody dark ages!

"Shite!" I hissed, forgetting I still had a phone to my ear and our Tony on the other end, "Nowt for you to worry about. Look, I've got rehearsal. Aye, again. What would you know about 'overdoing it', ya lazy sod? Was only a joke, ya divvy. Yeah, ta-ra, mate."

I hung up the phone and took a moment to consider my options. I could go all the way back down to the front desk and see if they had another room I could use, or I could just stay here and deal with it myself. Studio 2A was big enough to share with one or two other dancers, so long as they didn't mind. Not sure what I would do if a large troupe or class turned up, though.

Deciding it was worth the risk, I slid my bag off my shoulder and dropped it to the floor against the wall. Better to explain the situation out in the hallway. I could start warming up while I waited. I threw off my hoodie, leaving me in my usual practice gear of a white shirt and black tights. With a long exhale, I sunk to the floor, and took one of my feet in both hands.