One Foot Onto the Ice (27 page)

“Ahhhh!” shouted Susan, pulling on the brake and sending them
tumbling out to the right.

Jenna stopped rolling and looked up at the starlit sky. “Gentle on
the brake, Susan, gentle on the brake.”

Susan untangled herself from the steering rope that had become
caught around her ankles and looked up at the girls who were quickly trying to
jump up as if nothing had happened. Priggy was walking with a limp and from the
b-b-b-rapping sound coming from Mischa it looked like she approved.

“Now dat’s how yous walk,” she hollered.

“And I like yous all down and dirty,” said Phats, swaggering up to
Champagne.

Susan reached out her hand to pull Jenna up. “That seems to have
broken the ice.”

Jenna rubbed her thigh. “Yep, nothing like a good fall to get the
ball rolling.” She glanced up at Amber and Marcus who were metres away. “Come
on. Let’s get straight back up there.”

“Suits me,” said Susan, ignoring her colleague.

Marcus waited for Susan to pass. “She won’t even look at me. I
dread to think of all the seeds of deceit being planted in her head by that
woman. I really think now would be best.” He started to walk after her. “She
needs to know.”

Amber discreetly stepped forwards and bent to the area with the
churned up snow, reaching out for the small black object. “No,” she said, walking
after him and holding him back. “Tomorrow’s perfect.” She showed him Jenna’s mobile
phone. “Especially now.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

“So, here it is, girls: the last chairlift of the trip.” Jenna
swiped her arm in front of the metal barrier. “It’s that long one that takes us
up to 1800 m so we’ll be able to have a good final ski down the two red routes,
past the penguin park, and onto the blue run down to Sylvie’s.”

“I don’t want it to be over,” wailed Priggy. “This’ll be my last
ever chairlift on my last ever school ski trip. I’ve been on every single one
for the past seven years.”

“Really? It doesn’t show,” teased Jenna.

“The other instructors weren’t as good as you,” Priggy turned to
her teacher, “and you, Susan, have been the best.”

Susan laughed. “Please don’t call me that when we get back to
school.”

“Of course not,” said Priggy, pushing through the barrier and
lining up in front of the yellow markers. “I just think you’ve been brilliant.
Old Madam Fisher was okay, but everyone prefers you.”

Champagne slid up beside them. “But you need to get a better
support teacher next year.” She pouted. “Not that I’ll be here either.”

“Are you girls off to university?” asked Jenna, not wanting to give
Marcus any airtime.

Priggy and Champagne shared a glance. “We were thinking we might
check out the Manchester University open day.”

Jenna laughed. “Good for you. Follow the fun. You only live once.”

“Follow the fun,” smiled Champagne. “I like that.” She watched the
group of skiers in front get scooped up by the chairlift, but stayed still when
the beep sounded and the yellow barriers flicked open. She reached out and
grabbed Priggy’s arm, letting the two older women carry on oblivious. “You can
catch this one on your own,” she shouted. “Find a way to follow the fun.”

Susan and Jenna looked over their shoulders and laughed as the
chairlift hit the backs of their thighs. “We already have,” shouted Jenna.
“I’ll be on that bus tomorrow.”

“No!” squealed Champagne, sliding forwards to catch the next one.
“Shall we share the backseat?”

Jenna laughed loudly and pulled on the safety barrier. “They’re
hilarious,” she said, turning to Susan. “You’re so lucky that you get to work
with such great girls.” She frowned. “Are you okay? You look a bit pale.”

Susan smiled warmly. “I’m fine. It’s just…” she took Jenna’s gloved
hand, “…it’s just that you’ve told them.”

“I’m not hiding in the toilet the whole way home. The girls will
notice I’m there. It’s fine. Ski reps do it all the time. We’ll just say I’m
hitching a lift home.”

Susan shook her head. “No, I mean you
told
them.”

Jenna nodded slowly. “Yes, I did.” She frowned. “Why?”

Susan’s face burst into a magical smile. “It means you’re coming.
You’re really coming.”

“Of course I’m coming. You know that already.”

“But this all seems too good to be true. You’re coming. You’re
coming back with us, to spend the week with me.”

“Yes,” nodded Jenna.

“But why?” laughed Susan.

Jenna narrowed her eyes. “I know what this is. This is you,
getting me, to talk about all of your wonderful attributes.” She smiled. “Okay,
so here we go. You know that bit in Jerry Maguire where he says,
‘you had me
at hello’
?”

“Yes.”

“Well, you had me the moment you got that pen stuck in your hair.”

Susan laughed. “Stop it.”

“You did. You were so flustered and I was wondering if your cheeks
went that colour when you came.”

Susan threw her hand to her face. “You were not!”

“I was. That’s why I made that stupid comment about kissing. I was
flustered too.” Jenna rubbed her gloves together. “You also had me the moment
you unzipped that glorious lilac fleece and pulled out your stick of lip gloss
and patted it onto your lips like a young girl trying on makeup.”

“You’re so cruel.”

Jenna grinned. “But the moment I fell for you was the moment I saw
your bush. Your huge, celebrated, bouncing bush. It was just so full of life.
It melted my heart. You’re just so innocent and fresh, and—” She paused. “And
I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

“And you’re the biggest mickey taker I’ve ever encountered.” Susan
rolled her eyes. “But maybe that’s where I’ve been going wrong. Maybe if I’d
been proud of my clumsy, unsophisticated, and embarrassing behaviour, I might
have bagged someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” grinned Jenna.

Susan sighed with a smile. “Yes, you. You’re exuberant and
entertaining and you make me want to have fun.”

“We balance each other, Susan, that’s why we work.”

“So I’m not exuberant or entertaining?”

Jenna laughed. “I’m not sure, I’ll decide at the disco.”

“Please don’t try and slow dance with me.”

Jenna’s smile was reassuring. “I won’t, don’t worry. It’s one
thing to have a bit of banter with two eighteen year olds and it’s another to
teach Triple-T how to play tonsil tennis. I know the boundaries and I’ll
respect them.” She grinned. “Especially if I want to retrain.”

Susan looked up ahead and tried to judge how much longer they had
on the lift, desperately hoping it wouldn’t reach its summit. “Are you being
serious? About changing careers?”

Jenna sighed. “I’m twenty-six. I’ve done this for five years now
and it’s been fun. Great fun. But maybe I’m ready for that little bit more.”
She smiled. “I’ve got the serious girlfriend now so maybe I should get the
serious job. Face all my fears at the same time.”

“You’d call me your girlfriend?” Susan was staring at Jenna in
disbelief.

“That’s where we’re headed, I hope. Especially after last night.”
She fanned her face. “Phew! You were insatiable and I think
that
sort of
thing should be kept between girlfriends.” Jenna smiled teasingly and put her
arm around Susan’s shoulder. She pulled her in close. “Just don’t ever doubt
me, okay? Ever.”

Susan shook her head. “I won’t.”

“Good, because I can’t handle being questioned and I don’t have
the patience to profess my innocence. If I tell you it’s true, then it’s true
and you just have to believe me.”

Susan frowned. “Are you worried about something?”

“No, I just know what I hate about relationships. The insecurity.
The constant nagging.” She wailed, “Argh! The expectation! There’s so much
that’s bad.”

Susan placed her hand on Jenna’s leg. “I’m not her.”

“I know. You’re so much more.” She smiled, “I did think about her
last night though.” Jenna remembered her first serious relationship. “When I
was with her, my phone would always go missing and she’d claim she hadn’t seen
it, but then it would turn up some place I’d already looked. She would claim
all innocence; but I knew it was her. She’d go through my messages and delete
the numbers of women she didn’t recognise.” Jenna laughed. “One time she even
installed a secret tracking app that showed her everywhere I’d been.”

“I should give you your phone back.”

Jenna laughed. “Ha! That’s why I love you.”

“You still haven’t found it?”

“Nope, but I’m going to ask around again after this last run.”

Susan pulled a face. “You’re not coming for dinner?”

“No, I need to find it. Plus I want to walk into that disco
tonight and feel like Patrick Swayze coming to claim his Baby.”

Susan shook her head. “I’m staying in the corner and you won’t get
me trying that lift.”

“Please,” laughed Jenna, “you know we’d pull it off.”

Susan looked up at the fast approaching mound of snow. “You’ve
made this week perfect, Jenna, and no matter what happens, I’ll always be
grateful for that.”

Jenna lifted the safety bar. “Would you just trust me? I’ll be on
that coach at 7.00 a.m. sharp.” She grinned. “In fact, I might get there at
6.45 a.m. so I can bagsy that back seat.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The group of youngsters were dancing in a large circle in Sylvie’s
recently rearranged dining room. The tables and chairs had been pushed to the
side and a few balloons had been hung from the ceiling. The lights were dim,
the music was pumping, and Susan Quinn felt a real sense of pride. The week had
been good, even considering the three rather tricky Daisy Button situations
she’d had to deal with, not to mention Marcus’s constant infantile inappropriateness.
But
, the girls’ behaviour had been exemplary and everyone’s skiing had
improved. She nodded to herself;
that
was the sign of success. Susan
lifted her glass of wine and turned to the teacher from Mossyside Comp.

“So how’s your week been?” she asked above the music.

The middle aged woman, who looked like she was in serious need of a
holiday, sighed. “Bloody shit. We’ve had two broken bones, one incident of
shoplifting, and one of the girls thinks she’s pregnant.”

“Oh right.” Susan didn’t quite know how to respond so she took a sip
of wine instead. “Have you managed to enjoy yourself though?”

“No.”

“Oh. Okay. Sorry about that.” Susan spotted Jenna walking towards
the bar. “Excuse me. Our ski rep’s just arrived.”

Susan squeezed past a group of dancers and waited for Phats to
ripple across the floor as he attempted the worm. She skipped the final
distance and smiled as Jenna turned around. “Hello, you,” she said.

Jenna’s mouth dropped open. “
Hello, you!
”

“What?”

“Look at you. Wow!” Jenna stepped forwards and pulled Susan into a
warm hug. “You look incredible. You’re glowing, and I
love
that dress.”

Susan moved backwards and flattened the skater style skirt. I
thought I’d make the effort. It’s our last night after all.”

Jenna smiled. “It’s not
our
last night. I’m packed and
raring to go.”

“I’m not sure you’ll want to do much tomorrow after a fifteen hour
coach trip. We’re not due in until 10.00 p.m.”

Jenna stepped in closer and whispered. “Trust me, I will.”

Susan gazed up at Jenna’s smiling face and sighed. “You’re
beautiful.”

“Says
you
with those cheek bones and plumped up hair.”

Susan reddened. “My hair never looks plumped up.”

“It does tonight. Can we dance?”

Susan turned back around and looked at the sea of smiling faces. Everyone
was having a wonderful time and the atmosphere felt lively, but sensible. “Not
in there we can’t.” The students had spread back out into their circle and were
taking it in turns to step into the middle and show off their skills. Susan
laughed. “No chance.”

The moves from the Mossyside Comp kids seemed far more adult and
streetwise than the innocent synchronised side-steps from the likes of Margaret
Beauchamp and Francesca Hamilton, but everyone was being cheered for their
enthusiastic attempts.

“I’m going in,” announced Jenna, walking forwards and parting the
circle.

The applause was rapturous. “
Jenna, Jenna, Jenna, Jenna.
”

Susan watched as Jenna danced like a robot to the latest Will.i.am
song, flicking her mass of brown hair to the sides and popping her boobs
forwards and backwards in time with her arms. Susan couldn’t help but laugh,
but suddenly, as she watched what was unfolding in the circle she thought she
might cry. Jenna had bent down and was reaching out for someone’s hand. Susan tried
to swallow the lump that was building in the back of her throat as Jenna guided
a beaming Daisy Button around the circle in her wheelchair. The eruption of
whoops and cheers were heartfelt and genuine, and Mrs Button, who was pushing
from behind, was sniffing away a happy tear.

“Mexican wave,” giggled Jenna sending the ripple along Daisy’s
arm. “Big fish, little fish,” she said, showing Daisy the move.

“Vogue,” shouted Champagne from the side-lines.

“Good one,” laughed Jenna, framing her face in time with Daisy.
She bent down to the little girl and whispered. “Everything’s going to be fine;
you know that, right?”

Daisy looked up and smiled. “I know,” she nodded, “I know.”

The song came to an end and Mrs Button wheeled Daisy back out to
the side. Jenna was about to leave too when the music started again and the roar
of excitement began. “MILEY!” shouted half of the group. “TWERK IT!” shouted
the other half. “JENNA!” shouted everyone.

Jenna shook her head and tried to leave the circle. “I’ve got bad
hips.”

“
Jenna, Jenna, Jenna, Jenn
a.” The students were standing
shoulder to shoulder and pointing her back towards the centre of the makeshift
dance floor.

“Show us your twerk,” shouted Priggy as the song got louder.

“Only if Madam Quinn joins me.”

Susan gasped and tried to make a quick dash for the toilets, but
she was too late. Champagne had taken the glass out of her hand and was
dragging her into the circle.

“No, really, I don’t like to dance. I don’t know the song.”

Champagne hurled her into the middle of the circle. “EVERYONE
knows this song. You’ve just got to twerk your hips like Miley.”

“
Quinny, Quinny, Quinny, Quinny.
”

Susan felt the embarrassment rocket to her cheeks. “I can’t, I
don’t know…”

Jenna stood in front of her and bent forwards with straight legs.
“Just do this,” she giggled starting to bounce her hips.

“No way!”

Jenna grinned up at Susan. “Okay, pretend to spank my ass
instead.”

“NO!”

Jenna laughed. “So just lean forwards slightly and shake your hips
up and down.”

Susan glanced around at the group of students who were all singing
the words and shaking their bottoms. “Like this?” she said, doing a little
shimmy.

Jenna almost fell forwards with laugher. “No! Just your hips,
wobble them.”

“
Quinny, Quinny, Quinny, Quinny.
”

Susan leaned forwards and moved her bottom up and down. “This?”
she giggled.

“Madam Quinn’s twerking!” shouted Jenna, sending her own bottom
into overdrive.

The group of students all cheered and rushed into the centre of
the circle to show off their own individual wobbles.

****

Marcus peered over from the corner of the room. “How much longer?”
he asked.

Amber drained her second tankard of beer and checked the small
mobile phone. She smiled. “Now’s perfect. Just tell her the facts and walk away.
Trust me, she’ll be back over, full of apologies, before the evening’s out.”

“But look, she’s having so much fun.” He nodded towards the
cluster of bodies all falling about with laughter on the dance floor. “How am I
meant to tear her away?”

“Just find a way,” snapped Amber, placing her empty glass onto the
table and walking towards the bar.

****

Jenna clapped her hands together as the song finished. “That was
brilliant. You’re a natural twerker.”

“I hate it when you tease me.”

“No you don’t, you love it.” Jenna smiled. “Come on, let’s get a
drink.”

Susan looked over Jenna’s shoulder towards the bar and spotted the
pink hair and funky clothing. “I’m okay actually. I’ve still got my wine.”

Jenna turned around and looked at Amber. “Don’t be silly. She’s
harmless enough, come on.”

“No, it’s fine. My wine’s over there.”

“Okay,” shrugged Jenna. “I need to ask her about my phone anyway.
Why don’t you go and keep Marcus company?”

“No, she’s been sat with him all evening and she’s bound to come
back. I’d rather not be anywhere near the pair of them.”

Jenna sighed. “Life’s too short to hold grudges.”

Susan shook her head. “I don’t hold grudges, I just remember
facts. And the facts are they lied.”

“I don’t think they lied. I think the truth just got a bit
misunderstood somewhere along the line.” She shrugged. “I have, occasionally,
done the A,B,C thing with women, and I have, occasionally, kissed someone
because Amber dared me to. But never with you.”

“I know. It’s fine. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

Jenna nodded. “No problem, and maybe you don’t have to go and talk
to him—”

“Good.”

“—because he’s coming over to you.”

Susan looked over her shoulder at Marcus who was edging his way
closer. “Hi,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Hello, Susan. Jenna.”

Jenna smiled politely. “I’m off to get a drink. Do you fancy
anything, Marcus?”

“No, thank you.”

“Okay, I’ll catch you in a bit.”

Marcus waited for Jenna to walk away before speaking in a highly
conspiratorial voice. “Please just listen to me. I’ve been a fool, I’ve handled
it badly, but the things I told you were true.”

“Oh, Marcus, please stop, I want a nice evening.” Susan waved her
hands out towards the group of dancers. “There’s less drama in this group of
teenagers than there is in you. I’ve had enough of your silly theories.”

Marcus stood up straighter. “They are NOT theories and I’d rather
like it if you’d refrain from being so sharp.”

“Marcus, I warned you yesterday that I’d report you if you
continued with this nonsense.”

“
Me
? You’d report
me
? I don’t think so.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” He bent his head and flicked the ends of his
moustache with his fingers. “I know all about your little secret,” he
whispered.

****

“Hey,” said Jenna, standing shoulder to shoulder with Amber at the
bar.

“Hey,” said Amber.

“You okay?”

Amber shrugged. “Yeah. You?”

“Yep, I’m okay.”

Amber climbed onto one of the bar stools and shook her head. “I
dared you,” she whispered.

“You did not.”

“I did!” Amber nodded in earnest. “At the service station, before
our schools arrived. I said are you A,B,C-ing it and you said I’m always A,B,C-ing
it.”

Jenna sat down on the other stool. “That was when we arrived. That
was before I’d seen Susan’s name.”

“So you’re admitting it now?”

“No, I can’t remember. It must have been a misunderstanding.”

“She must be pretty forgiving.”

“She is, and she’s great.” Jenna paused. “I know things have been
a bit weird for us, but I hope you’ll be pleased for me. You’re my mate, Amber.
You always have been.”

Amber reached out and stroked the surface of the bar. “It was ME you
sat on here and it was MY pussy you kissed, yet all of a sudden I have to be
happy for
her
?”

“Amber, we’ve been through this. You and I were only ever a bit of
fun. Susan’s special. There’s just something about her that makes me want to be
a better person.” Jenna smiled. “She’s the one for me.”

“
Voila!
” said Sylvie, dropping Amber’s tankard onto the
counter and turning towards the pink hair. “Why you look sad? Everyone be
‘appy
.
Jenna’s found
‘er
perfect woman.”

Amber narrowed her eyes. “Don’t worry, Sylvie, I’ll be smiling
soon enough.”

“I hope so,” said Jenna, signalling for a glass of white wine. “You’re
bloody boring when you’re cross.”

Amber laughed. “What do you want me to do? Start twerking like
Susan?”

“That would be a start,” smiled Jenna. “Come on, mate, let’s just
get over this.”

“That’s one thing you’ve got right. I
am
a mate.” Amber reached
into her jacket pocket. “Because I found this.”

“My phone!” wailed Jenna. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“Anytime,” shrugged Amber, taking another huge swig of beer.

“Oh come here,” Jenna pulled Amber off the stool and wrapped her
arms round her shoulders. “Thank you, you’re a life saver. Now show me that
twerk.”

****

Susan heard the shriek coming from the bar and watched as Jenna
almost lifted Amber off the floor. She turned back to Marcus and spoke slowly.
“Say it again?”

Marcus nodded towards the bar as if confirming his facts. “They’re
laughing at you, Susan. I know all about your little
slip-up
where you
left Daisy Button at the services. And how do I know? I know because Amber told
me. And how does Amber know? She knows because Jenna told her. And why did
Jenna tell her? Because she thought it was hilarious that a…” he pulled on his
moustache and thought for a moment, “…now what name did Jenna call you? Oh yes,
that’s right. She thought it was hilarious that a
dozy cow
like you could
leave a kid at the services.”