‘If you feel like you’re going to fall, lean forward and put your hands out to the front,’ a voice says from behind me. ‘Try and relax into it.’
I turn to see a redheaded woman wearing a blue bobble hat standing at the barrier beside me. She smiles, zipping up her jacket. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude, I’m actually one of the guides and—’
‘Nick,’ Matt says on my behalf, pushing me forward slightly. ‘This is Nick.’
‘Juliette.’
‘Hey,’ I reply, still latched on to the barrier. ‘Thanks for the tip, I’m sure it will come in useful in about. . . oh, three minutes.’
She laughs. ‘First time skating?’
‘Pretty much,’ I reply as Matt slowly creeps away to be with Sarah and Alfie. ‘Definitely my last. You do this torture for a living?’
‘I do. Just finished a lesson. Newbies are my speciality.’
Without warning, I wobble again, and she laughs. ‘There’s no way I can leave you like this. We need to march.’
Within minutes, Juliette has me marching on the ice to improve my balance, teaching me how to get up when I fall and even getting down on the ice with me when I hit the deck. Finally, I manage to glide for more than ten seconds and she audibly cheers.
‘Yes! Go on, your bad self!’
‘Don’t jinx it,’ I say, grinning. ‘But this is amazing, thank you.’
‘My pleasure,’ she replies, leading me back towards the barrier. ‘You might be a little sore tomorrow, but you did so well! You’re a quick learner.’
‘You’re a damn champion,’ I say bashfully. ‘You have my undying gratitude. You didn’t have to waste your time with me.’
She smiles coyly. ‘Actually, I saw you when you came in. I was just picking my moment to say hello. . .’
‘I wish it had been a cooler moment.’
She laughs. ‘The sessions are only fifty minutes. I had to work quick.’
I like her laugh. It’s almost melodic.
‘Anyway, I need to shoot off,’ she tells me, ‘but I could give you my number. . . you know, in case you have any skating questions or. . .’
‘I will absolutely have skating questions,’ I reply, my phone practically leaping from my pocket into my hand. She takes it and dials herself.
‘And now I have yours. Nice to meet you, Nick. Hopefully speak to you soon.’
I watch her perfectly pert arse skate off before taking a breather off the rink, feeling rather chuffed with myself. Tonight has been far more entertaining than I expected. I decide to change back into my shoes before I can be dragged back on to the ice, but Matt has the locker key.
Scanning the crowd, I soon spot Sarah near the bandstand, holding on to Alfie’s penguin while Matt shows off, making both of them laugh. As Alfie commandeers his penguin again, Matt swoops in and kisses Sarah. This is what Matt was talking about – movie romance. I always thought the soppy stuff we were sold in films was bullshit, yet here it is, playing out right in front of me. It’s bloody magical; Matt and Sarah alone standing perfectly still, as everyone around them races forward, blurry figures squealing and laughing.
Watching the two of them together makes my heart ache just a little. The feeling catches me off-guard; I should be happy for them. Hell, I should be bloody triumphant – this is exactly what I wanted. Sarah is happy, Alfie’s Christmas wish has been granted. So why do I feel so fucking melancholy? Sure, it stings a little to be around such a happy couple after being dumped but, even when we were at our happiest, I never looked at Ange the way Matt and Sarah are looking at each other right now. Jesus, I need to cheer the fuck up and stop being a self-obsessed twat.
As a bell announces the end of the session, I slap a smile on my face and wave them over, more than ready to get these skates off my feet.
‘Where’s your teacher friend?’ Sarah asks, looking around. ‘I was going to get her number for Alfie.’
‘She had to go,’ I reply. ‘Though I can give you her number. . .’
‘Outstanding work, sir,’ Matt says, grinning. ‘Top marks.’
Alfie tugs on my sleeve. ‘Nick, Mum fell on her bum and swore.’
Sarah smiles and throws Alfie astop snitching on your motherlook. ‘I could use a drink. Shall we?’
