Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
APRIL
“ M s April.”
I look up to see Alice come into the studio as my current students file out.
“Alice. I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”
She smiles. “No, but this can’t wait.” She holds out a letter.
I take it.
“Looks like Frazer Development is holding a town planning meeting tomorrow morning. I wanted to check you knew.”
I scan the details.
It’s a letter inviting all local residents to a meeting to discuss the new development plans.
Damn mail.
“I didn’t. Thanks, Alice.”
My heart begins to pound. This may be the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. It says the development team will be present to answer any questions.
Alice pats my arm. “Well, now you do. The ladies and I have already spread the word. We’ll be there, along with anyone else who isn’t either at work or school. It’s time to get yourself heard.”
I stare at the woman before me, surprised at the stubborn set of her jaw. “You are going to stand up tomorrow, and you’re going to put your case forward, and we are going to back you. This is the chance you need. A place to be heard.”
I purse my lips before breaking into a grin.
“How can I say no to that?”
Alice grins back, her warm eyes sparkling. She’s been with me since the beginning and at eighty-two, is one of the fittest and most put together OAPs I’ve ever met. Also, the feistiest.
“You can’t. Take it from this old lady. Some things are worth fighting for. This is one of them. The community is not going to let this place go without a fight. The last two years.” She pauses. “The last two years, you’ve made a difference, young lady. More than you know.”
I watch her eyes fill before she blinks away the moisture.
“Anyway, I have places to be. See you tomorrow.”
Before I can say anything else, she turns and leaves.
I stare at the letter in my hand, pick up my phone, and fire a quick message to Samuel. If I’m going to do this, I’ll need all the support I can get.
Samuel places a hand on my knee, stilling the bouncing.
I look around, surprised at the turnout. There are a lot more people in attendance than I thought. As promised, Alice and her friends and several of my student's parents are scattered around. Betty and Don are also here. After Alice called in, I checked my mail. Nothing, so I went to see them. We did not receive letters, but I suppose we no longer exist as far as Frazer Development is concerned .
“Stop worrying, you’ve got this,” Samuel whispers.
I take another sip of water, my mouth drier than the Sahara Desert.
“Easy for you to say,” I hiss, making him chuckle, my stomach in my throat.
We sit and listen as the men and women at the front sell the new development to our community. I must admit, on paper, what they’re selling is impressive. New businesses and jobs, restoration and repurposing of rundown, empty buildings. Cleaning up of the streets. A new park for the children.
“Any other business?”
Samuel gives my knee a squeeze before removing his hand. The butterflies flap around in my stomach, upping their tempo as I stand, and I swallow past the lump in my throat.
“Hi,” I say, coughing, needing to clear my throat and nerves. “Sorry. Hi. I’m April Wilson. I currently own a dance school on the proposed development site.”
Two of the team at the front look at each other, their brows furrowed.
“Hi, April. How can we help?” The gentleman at the front says.
“I’m being forced out of my business with your development, as are several fellow associates. It seems like Frazer Development doesn’t care that businesses that are part of our community are being destroyed by your proposal.”
They shoot a look at my landlord who is sitting with the panel. He is openly glaring at me.
“We have purchased the property as vacant possession, Ms Wilson,” a grey-haired gentleman on the end states.
“You may have, but not all the properties are empty, sir.”
“Excuse me?” The grey-haired man turns to the man who was my landlord, whose face is now puce.
“Your tenancy agreement is up, April. I’m well within my rights to sell and not renew your agreement,” he says, standing up, pointing his finger in my direction.
“You promised me a minimum of five years,” I say, facing off against the man who is selling up and destroying my business, happy to line his own pockets. “What about all the money I invested in the building in good faith?”
“I made no such promise. You chose to invest that money.” He looks at the men next to him. “You won’t find five years anywhere in writing,” he says, pushing his shoulders back before sitting down, shooting a smirk in my direction.
Snake!
“My mistake. I thought I was dealing with a gentleman.”
The grey-haired man looks at the landlord and back to me.
“Ms Wilson. Once the development is complete, we offer all current tenants priority in applying for one of the new units at cut price rates.”
“Sadly, sir, that will be of no use. The sprung dance floor, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and bars I installed are all fixed. I can’t simply up and move them. I’ll have no business left after the redevelopment.”
I stare at the man, who is now looking increasingly flustered.
Samuel squeezes my hand.
“Not to mention Ms April keeps our kids and teenagers off the streets. They love her classes. Where are they going to go when you kick her out?” A voice chimes up from the back.
“You fat cats just want to gentrify the area and drive out our community.” Another voice yells, followed by a lot of other voices agreeing with them.
There’s movement at the side of the room as someone moves forward, coming to a halt in front of the table.
I inhale sharply as the new arrival turns and faces me .
“Mr Frazer,” the grey-haired man says, standing up and shaking the newcomer's hand. “We were just discussing…”
“I heard.” Cal’s voice sends sparks of recognition firing through my body, settling low. Memories swirl thick and fast.
“Ms Wilson,” he says, turning to face me. His eyes spark with recognition, although his expression remains purely professional. “I’ve just heard what you said. I’d like to invite you to our offices to discuss this with me and my team. See what we can do to resolve this issue.”
He turns and shoots my landlord a look that would freeze hell.
“I can assure you, this is not how Frazer Development does business.”