Learning to Dance Again Read Online Free

of April already and we’ve barely seen the sun this year.’
    ‘This morning was nice. I had a lovely walk to the beach; well not much of a walk really , more sitting around wondering what to do with my life, than actually walking.’
    ‘I’ m glad you’re not applying for the job actually. I think you should have your old job back.’
    ‘How’s that going to hap pen? You’re in it now, you cow.’
    Marianne laughed and pulled a face at her.
    ‘OK; can you keep a secret?’
    Julia turned away from Alice and directed her full at tention at Marianne.
    ‘I’m going to be a grandmother! ’
    Julia stood up quickly, her hands covering her mouth in surprise. Then she threw her arms around Marianne and hugged her.
    ‘ Oh my God; that’s amazing. I take it you mean Rachel’s pregnant, not Sophie or Isobel.’
    ‘Thankfully yes; a lthough, between you and me, even Rachel’s a bit young. I wish they’d waited a little bit longer; Ivan’s only just started his new job, so money’s going to be so tight for them.’
    ‘You were younger – so was I.’
    ‘I know, I know.  Anyway, it’s early days, so nobody knows except the grandparents – and now you.’
    ‘I won’t tell a soul.’
    Julia sat down and reached for Alice’s hand again.
    ‘Anyway, what has becoming a grandmother got to do with your job? Yo u’re not going to give it up are you?’ Julia said.
    ‘Well, I was thinking about it. Rachel wants to go back to work afterwards; well needs to really. They can’t manage on one salary. And the cost of childcare…’
    ‘ But they’d be entitled to tax credits or whatever they’re called now, and there’s a couple of really good nurseries in town.’
    ‘That’s true – but actually I offered. I can’t wait to be a granny – a full time professional one.’
    ‘I know, but this is your career you’re talking about. You worked so hard to get this job.’
    ‘It’s just a job though, and as much as I love working here, I’d rather be at home with a peerie bairn again.’
    ‘Yes, I suppose I would too, ’ Julia conceded.
    ‘So there you go; t his time next year the job will be free again.’
    ‘That’s a long way off. I’ll have to find something useful to do before then.’
    ‘Lose weight, get fit, re-decorate the house; all those things you keep saying you’re going to do, if only you had the time.’ Marianne counted out the tasks on her fingers as if it was a well-oiled routine.
    ‘Very funny!’
    ‘But true though. Don’t hurry back to work. Remember, you’ve been through a really stressful time too. It wasn’t just Duncan who suffered. Take your time to get over it. Then come and get your old job back next year.’
    ‘Maybe you’re right…’ Julia said , and was about to add something else when Alice  snatched her hand away from Julia, and screamed in fear of something unseen to anyone other than herself.
    Alice threw her blanket aside and struggled to sit up. Julia instinctively reached out to help her. Marianne hurried to the other side of the bed and gripped Alice’s elbow. But Alice started to flap her arms around and both Julia and Marianne stepped back a little, to give her some space.
    ‘What’s up my love?’ Julia said, soothingly, ‘everything’s going to be alright ; there’s nothing to be afraid of.’
    ‘ Duncan? Martin?’ Alice called, clearly becoming more agitated as she tried to get up. She started to weep and covered her face with her hands, her chest heaving with distress, and continued to cry out for her sons.
    Julia watched in horror. A lthough she had witnessed similar scenes before it was all the more distressing now it was Alice that was so upset, and it was hard to know what was causing it, other than perhaps some awful memory she had dredged up. It had been at least five years since she had stopped recognising Duncan when he visited.
    Marianne looked at Julia and smiled sympathetically.
    ‘Do you think a sedative might help?’ Marianne