JACK Broadwick Street
JACK
Broadwick Street
Lying on my makeshift bed, I’m finally enjoying an unexpected evening of peace and quiet.
I didn’t realise how much I’d miss the calm of my own home, but then again, I’d never shared a flat with three loud boys before, sleeping in a living room that, spacious as it may be, is the main thoroughfare for all their comings and goings… and their various romantic pursuits.
Ian and Ollie are definitely the most active in that department, and after watching the kind of guys they bring home, I’m more and more convinced that those two are actually perfect for each other, if only they’d pull their heads out of the sand.
Still, it’s taken me just a few days of living here to realise that whatever’s going on between them sits on such tricky ground, even I wouldn’t dare step into it. So, I keep those thoughts to myself, wisely.
My brother and I are slowly rebuilding a bond, but things between us are still so fragile that I worry I’d end up ruining it if I tried to get involved in his private life.
Tonight, though, none of them are home, the boys are all out until late, and I can finally relax and enjoy a bit of solitude in the strangely quiet loft.
The first week at LCDA has flown by in a whirlwind of classes, rehearsals, improv sessions, and new friendships.
Everything still feels fresh and exciting, but somehow, I’m already settling into a daily routine, which, for me, is essential if I want to feel grounded, even with such an unstable living situation.
Sleeping on Ian’s sofa definitely isn’t a long-term solution. As much as I appreciate the chance to get to know my brother better, and I do enjoy Ollie and Kit’s company, I have to admit the lack of privacy is starting to get to me. I can’t wait to have a room of my own again.
Now that classes have started and I’ve been given my final timetable, I know it’s time to find a job and stand on my own two feet.
Mum and Dad did offer to help, of course, but I’d much rather manage on my own. The thought of being a burden on them just doesn’t sit right with me.
For now, I’m getting by on my savings, but I’m not sure how much longer they’ll last. Between splitting household expenses with Ian and the others, paying for transport, and covering the course materials not included in my scholarship, the little pot of money I built up back in Stratford is quickly disappearing.
If I don’t want to end up broke, I need to find a part-time job, and fast. Especially since I’m also hoping to rent a room somewhere not too far from LCDA.
The smartest move would definitely be to reach out to Jamie today, just to see if there’s actually a chance to teach at his dance school.
The location would work perfectly for me in terms of commuting: I’ve already looked it up and it’s easy to get to from both Broadwick Street and the academy. And honestly, I’m really looking forward to working with kids again.
I know there’s a dinner planned at the Blackbird tomorrow night, after a week off, but I don’t want to risk annoying him with job stuff while he’s just trying to enjoy an evening with his friends.
He’s been really kind, but I don’t know him that well yet… Still, he seems way more approachable than Francis, though to be fair, that’s not saying much.
After thinking it over, I decide not to call but to send Jamie a text instead, after all, it’s Friday evening, and I imagine he’s probably at home relaxing with his husband…
But I’ve barely hit send when my phone starts ringing.
Jamie’s calling me back already.
I answer right away, and his cheerful voice comes through the speaker. A good sign, I hope.
“Hey, Jack! How’s it going? I was just thinking about you! So, did you survive your first week of classes? I know Donovan can be a tough nut to crack, but she’s also one of the best contemporary dancers around…”
“Hey, Jamie!” I reply, matching his energy.
“Yeah, I’d say I more or less survived…” I chuckle, then add quickly, “Honestly though, I’m really excited about the journey ahead at the academy.
I’ve only had a little taste of it so far, and I’m already dying to dive deeper.
Thanks for calling me back so quickly, I hope I didn’t interrupt anything with you and Noah… ”
“All good!” Jamie replies at once. “Noah’s at the theatre tonight.
Anne had a spare ticket for the Hadestown premiere, and he was buzzing like a kid at Christmas about it, he’s been talking about it for days.
I’ll admit I’m making the most of the peace and quiet… at least until my husband gets home.”
I pause for a moment, not quite sure how to respond, and Jamie adds quickly, “Going to the theatre always has a certain… effect on him. Not that I’m complaining, mind you…”
He chuckles to himself, clearly looking forward to the rest of his evening, and I seize the opportunity to steer the conversation elsewhere.
My friends’ sex lives are honestly among the least interesting topics in the world to me, and I already get more than enough of that kind of content from Ludo, whose stories alone could fill a whole book...
“Uh, you said you were thinking about me…” I prompt him, “What about, exactly? Last Saturday there wasn’t a dinner at the Blackbird, so I didn’t get the chance to tell you that they’ve finally confirmed the schedule for all the courses…”
“That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about!
” Jamie cuts in, clearly excited. “If I didn’t see you tomorrow night, I was planning to call you myself!
I’ve got a slot in my weekly schedule to add a pre-dance class from four to five, and if you’re available, the job’s yours!
I honestly don’t have a more qualified candidate for that age group, and I’d really love to have you on the team. ”
As Jamie finishes speaking, I can already feel the sting of disappointment rising in my chest. My timetable just doesn’t match up with what he’s offering, and there’s nothing I can do about it except tell him.
“Damn it,” I reply, genuinely gutted. “My classes always end at five... I could be there from five-thirty onwards, but not before.”
“Such a shame...” Jamie replies, clearly disappointed.
“Unfortunately, I can’t do anything to shift those times.
I had to build my schedule around the availability of the teachers who’ve been with me for a while now, and when I asked them to let me know which slots worked for them, you weren’t part of the picture yet.
But I really hope we’ll be able to sort something out for next academic year… ”
Jamie falls quiet for a few seconds, sounding just as disappointed as I am.
I can practically hear the gears turning in his head through the phone, and suddenly, he picks up again, this time with a spark of fresh enthusiasm.
“I’ve got it! What if you ran a few weekend workshops, if you’re up for it, of course…”
I try to jump in, but he doesn’t give me the chance, too excited by his own idea.
“I know you’ll be tied up with rehearsals at weekends later on, but this would be more of a one-off thing. It’d give you a chance to get your name out there at my school and earn a bit of cash. Workshops usually pay really well…”
“Thanks, Jamie!” I reply, genuinely touched.
“That’s a really generous offer, and I’d be happy to collaborate with you as soon as the chance comes up! I actually ran a few workshops at the school where I taught back in Stratford, and they were always such rewarding experiences. You can definitely count on me!”
“Brilliant!” he answers, sounding relieved.
It’s obvious Jamie genuinely wants to give me a hand, and I’m more grateful than I can properly put into words.
These Blackbirds really are a remarkable group of people, and I’m finally starting to understand why Ian is so fiercely loyal to all of them... Except for the insufferable Dr Starkey, of course.
“See you tomorrow, then?” Jamie adds, hopeful. “We can maybe start picking a few dates together, yeah?”
“Um… yeah. I haven’t actually mentioned it to Ian yet, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be there…” I answer, keeping things vague.
“Come on, Jack, you have to come... You’re one of us now!”
If I was already getting emotional before, now I’m basically on the verge of tears. I’m not used to this much kindness, to this kind of support.
Up until now, the only people who’ve ever truly shown me this level of care were my parents and Nate…
And just like that, a lightbulb goes off in my head.
“If… If you haven’t already got someone in mind for the pre-dance class, I could ask a colleague of mine who used to work with me in Stratford! She’s amazing,” I tell him, suddenly full of hope.
Maybe, just maybe, this could be the opportunity that finally convinces her to move to London.
“Thanks, Jack! If your friend’s interested, I’d be happy to give her an audition.”
“Perfect! I’ll get in touch with her and let you know as soon as I can,” I reply, feeling hopeful again. Having Natalie here with me would be incredible.
Even if I haven’t quite figured out the whole job situation just yet...
“And about the Blackbird dinner…” Jamie adds, his tone unusually careful.
“I know Francis was a bit of an arse last time, but trust me, he knows it too. He’s been completely off the radar for days, hasn’t replied to a single message or call. And believe me, that’s a clear sign he’s ashamed of himself. Big time.”
He lets out a short sigh before continuing.
“But he’ll be there tomorrow night, and let’s just say…
he’s in for a bit of a grilling. Noah and Seb were actually ready to go and drag him out by the scruff of his neck, but Remi stopped them.
After all, he’s the one who knows him best, and he thinks our doctor needs to get there on his own this time. ”
It’s been two years since things ended with Anne. It’s about time both of them started turning a page. She’s trying, and Fran, well… even if it might not seem like it after how he acted the other night, he is a good person.”
“Everyone keeps saying that!” I snap, unable to hold back any longer. “But all I’ve seen is someone arrogant and full of himself. I know you’re all really fond of him, and I’m sure there must be something good buried in there somewhere, but I haven’t seen it. Not once.
Would you believe he laughed in my face? And then… then he spent the rest of the night looking at me like I was the weirdest thing he’d ever seen in his life!”
My voice breaks into something embarrassingly high-pitched by the end, still stung and indignant, as if it had all just happened instead of two whole weeks ago. Clearly, the encounter with the insufferable Dr Starkey got under my skin more than I realised.
But if I was worried that Jamie might get annoyed or defensive, well, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
He bursts out laughing. Loudly. And I’m left blinking into the phone, absolutely gobsmacked.
“Sorry, Jack,” he says, catching his breath, “I’m not laughing at you, I promise. And I’m definitely not downplaying what he did, or excusing it, for that matter. I hate that he made you uncomfortable, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
There’s a pause, then his tone softens with amusement. “It’s just, Francis is honestly the only person I know who can make people react that strongly without even realising he’s doing it…”
“I mean, I…” I try to protest, but Jamie cuts me off before I can even gather my thoughts.
“He didn’t even realise how rude he was being, trust me,” he says gently. “Which, yeah, I know, doesn’t exactly make it better. But knowing him as well as I do, I’m pretty sure that’s the truth.”
He pauses for a second, and when he speaks again, there’s a kind of quiet sorrow in his voice that I wasn’t expecting.
“There was a time when he was completely different. He used to be the most lovable guy you could imagine. Being around him was just… easy. He always had something kind to say, he’d joke about anything, never took life too seriously. But now…”
Jamie trails off, and for a moment, all I can hear is his breathing through the phone. Then he goes on, slower this time, as if he’s picking the words with care.
“Now he’s changed. And no, he’s not easy to be around anymore. But we’re his friends, and we’re not letting him go just because he’s difficult. That’s not what friends do. When someone you care about becomes hard to reach, you hold on tighter. Because that bond is worth something.
And underneath the bitterness and that cold, distant version of him, our Francis is still in there.
He’s still good. Still loyal. Still, someone who used to laugh and love openly.
One day, he’ll find his way back to joy.
Maybe he’ll never be exactly the same again, but that’s okay. He’ll still be him.”
I stay quiet, unsure how to respond. There’s something heavy about Jamie’s words, but also something kind. Something real.
And before I can find anything to say, he adds, “I know this might sound crazy to you, Jack. But that’s how I feel. And I don’t think I’m the only one.”
“Doesn’t sound crazy at all,” I reply quietly.
“Actually… it sounds kind of admirable. And really mature, too. I’m not there yet, because I don’t really know him, not the version of him you all seem so sure is still in there.
But I get it. That feeling. And I guess…
I just hope that one day I’ll have someone who holds on to me like that too.
Someone who sticks around for both the sweet Jack and the unbearable one. ”
“Oh, trust me, you will,” Jamie says, without missing a beat.
And even though I can’t see his face, I swear I can hear the wink in his voice when he adds,
“You might’ve already found them and not even realised it yet.”