27. July 2024
27
July 2024
A smile split Willow’s face as the curtain fell. She glanced sideways at Lili, who beamed back at her. It was one of their best performances yet. The audience were up on their feet, the applause still sounding. Even Cassie looked happy.
‘Well done, everyone,’ Cassie said. ‘That was…’ She shook her head, lost for words for once.
‘It was living art is what it was,’ Harrison said as he joined them onstage. He put his arms around Cassie and Ethan, the two leads. ‘I’m immensely proud of you two.’ He looked around at the rest of the dancers. ‘All of you. Closing weekend will likely be sold out after tonight, and I have a feeling Giselle is going to be even better.’
They had really turned things around.
As Willow was exiting the stage, Harrison found her and pulled her into a hug. ‘You were fabulous today.’
She looked up at him, her face flushed with pride.
‘You just need to remember to keep all five toes on the ground to centre your weight,’ he added, giving her a playful shake.
She felt herself deflate. Why did he always do that? The correction could have been given during studio time.
As they entered the wing, Harrison guided her away from the group. She really wanted to go to the dressing room with the others but was forced to listen to whatever it was he wanted to say instead.
‘I’d like to celebrate this triumph with you tonight,’ he told her. ‘Have dinner with me.’
‘Oh.’ She had not been expecting a dinner invite. ‘You mean, as a group?’
‘No. Just the two of us, like old times.’
The ‘old times’ he was referring to were back when she was a teen. He used to give her a ride home after class when her mother was working and there was no one to pick her up. Sometimes, they would stop and grab sushi, reminding her that a good diet was essential for a professional dancer. He’d been looking out for her for half her life.
‘You deserve a night out after that performance. After everything,’ he said, likely meaning Vaughn. ‘Let me spoil you.’
She didn’t really want to, but she felt a deep obligation to say yes. It wasn’t like she had any other offers. Lili was going for a drink with a new man ?yí had set her up with, so it would just be Willow at home watching Frank through the glass. ‘All right. That sounds great.’
‘Perfect.’ He clapped his hands together. ‘There’s a new Turkish place not far from here that I’ve been wanting to try. They’re open late and take walk-ins.’
As they began strolling towards the dressing rooms, Willow felt a strange guilt creep in. She knew Vaughn would disapprove of her dinner plans. And if she were being honest with herself, even she disapproved of them. The older she got, the less comfortable she felt around Harrison. The big brother role didn’t really work for her anymore. She had outgrown it.
It didn’t help that she had Vaughn’s warning playing on repeat in her mind.
Harrison’s phone rang. ‘I’ll meet you in the foyer when you’re ready,’ he told her before answering.
She nodded and watched him stride away before going to change.
Inside, she found Lili already dressed and preparing to leave.
‘Markets tomorrow?’ Lili asked as she picked her bag up off the floor.
‘Sure. You seem oddly keen for this drink.’
‘I mean, you saw the picture,’ she replied. ‘He’s cute .’
The man was a pilot, which made for a refreshing change from the usual doctors, lawyers, and bankers.
Lili kissed the air in her direction. ‘Love ya.’ Then she hurried from the room.
‘Be safe,’ Willow called after her. She then turned to the mirror and began removing her stage make-up. Thankfully, she had some decent clothes in her bag for once.
As she was getting dressed, boredom settled in her stomach. The evening would be a lot of Harrison talking about himself and Willow feigning interest.
She found him in the foyer speaking with Ethan. They said their goodnights when they saw her coming.
‘You didn’t have to dress up for me,’ Harrison said when she reached him.
She looked down at her long-sleeved black top and flowy skirt. ‘This is what I had in my bag.’
He ran his eyes over her. ‘Well, you look beautiful.’
There was that discomfort in her belly again. ‘Thanks.’
They headed out into the cold and walked to the car park. Harrison drove to the restaurant, and they managed to get a spot close to the front door.
The Turkish restaurant had a wooden exterior and vibrant blue shutters. Lanterns hung from the eaves, and strings of multicoloured fairy lights illuminated the steps. Inside were cosy tables and bench seats covered with colourful cushions. The air smelled of spices and grilled meats.
‘My mouth is already watering,’ Willow said as she took a seat. ‘What a great atmosphere.’
Harrison looked around as he removed his coat. ‘Not sure about the colour scheme, but I’ll reserve my judgement for the food.’
Willow was surprised when he sat beside her instead of opposite her. It was most likely because he hated having his back to the room.
‘I’m happy to sit on the other side,’ she offered.
He waved the suggestion away. ‘This way we can both people watch.’
Willow slid further down to give him more space, but somehow the lightly built man still managed to fill the bench. The manspreading meant her legs were pressed against the wall.
As they read the menus, Harrison draped an arm along the top of the backrest, his fingers brushing her shoulder as they discussed what to order. She couldn’t ignore her increasing discomfort. A passerby might have assumed they were on a date. Willow reminded herself that he was being overfamiliar because they were overfamiliar. That protective arm had been there since she could remember.
So why did it suddenly feel like he was crossing a line?
A middle-aged waitress with a kind smile appeared holding an iPad. ‘You guys ready to order?’
Willow used the opportunity to slide forwards—out of reach. ‘Can I please get the adana kebap?’
Harrison frowned down at the menu. ‘That comes with lavash bread.’
‘I know.’
‘Minus the bread for that one, please,’ he told the waitress, then looked at Willow. ‘That can be something for you to look forward to post season.’
Colour filled her cheeks as embarrassment washed over her.
‘I’ll have the hünkarbe?endi,’ Harrison said, gathering up the two menus and handing them to the waitress. ‘We’ll both stick with water.’
So much for it being a celebration.
The waitress left, and Harrison turned back to Willow, somehow managing to fill the space she’d created.
‘Did I ever tell you about the time the Bolshoi Ballet reached out to me?’
‘I remember you mentioning it, yeah.’ She braced for the inevitable details.
‘They were hoping I’d return overseas, but I had just started as a choreographer for Vic Ballet. Nigel was already dropping hints about the director role.’
There were very few stories Willow hadn’t heard multiple times.
‘Those Russian dancers are something else,’ he continued.
As he spoke, Willow imagined Vaughn listening in on the conversation. He would be watching on in silence, his expression saying it all.
‘What’s so funny?’ Harrison asked suddenly, a perplexed look on his face.
Her mind was dragged, kicking and screaming, back to the conversation. ‘Nothing.’
‘You were grinning. Did I say something funny?’
She swallowed. ‘Oh, I just remembered something Lili said earlier.’
Harrison leaned back, his finger tapping the backrest behind her. ‘Do share.’
‘It was a private joke.’ She cleared her throat and moved the conversation along. ‘I can’t believe we’re just a few weeks from starting work on Giselle . Bet you’re looking forward to working on something new.’
‘I am.’ He poured her some water, leaning closer to her in the process. ‘I suppose there’s been plenty of chatter among everyone around casting.’
‘Of course.’
He ran the backs of his fingers down her arm, and her skin prickled in a bad way.
‘I appreciate you not using me as a means for a better role,’ he said.
She tucked her arm out of reach. ‘I would never do that. As you’ve always said, my time will come.’
Harrison angled his head. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes.’
‘You seem tense.’
It was the touching. Didn’t he realise how intimate his gestures were? ‘I’m fairly tired after tonight’s performance. Maybe dinner wasn’t such a good idea.’
He rubbed her arm. ‘Yes, it must be exhausting dancing so beautifully.’
He said it with humour, but Willow’s mind and body were on alert now. She needed to stand up and put some space between them.
As she was figuring out the best way to do that, Harrison leaned forwards and kissed her cheek. ‘I’m so proud of you.’
The heat from his breath made her recoil. Every instinct inside her was now screaming at her to get out of here.
‘Can you let me out please?’ she asked, pressing herself against the wall.
He lightly took hold of her chin and forced her to look at him. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Nothing. I just want to get out.’
He didn’t move. ‘Tell me this isn’t about the casting.’
God, why can’t you just move . ‘What? No.’
‘You should understand by now that the chorus needs good dancers too.’
Growing angry, she blurted, ‘Out of curiosity, why aren’t you considering me for a solo role?’
Harrison shook his head but didn’t move back. ‘So you are upset about the casting.’ Then he was touching her face again. ‘I see your nerves before you go onstage. This is all so new for you.’
He sure loved to bring that up at any opportunity. ‘That can’t be the only factor in your decision-making.’ She wondered if she had the courage to say the next part aloud. ‘Sometimes it feels like you don’t want me to succeed.’
Harrison withdrew his hand from her face. ‘You think I’m holding you back ? Willow, I’m the reason you’re here . You’re talented. I’d never take that away from you, but you do have limitations.’
‘I know, because you remind me of them frequently.’
His hand went to her leg. ‘Not everyone can be a lead. Your strengths lie in supporting roles. It’s not a bad thing. You should embrace it.’
She looked down at his hand. ‘When you say things like that, it sounds like I’ll never be anything more.’
He laughed, but it sounded so patronising. ‘You’re here living your dream because I saw something in you. I know exactly what you’re capable of.’
Her eyes searched his. ‘Maybe other people see different things.’
‘I’m sure they do, but they don’t have your best interests at heart like I do. I’m trying to guide your career in a safe direction.’
‘By keeping me in the chorus?’ Her frustration was mounting.
‘For now.’
Willow could no longer bear the closeness, the touching, his words. She had considered him a mentor and friend, but she was waking up and realising that Vaughn’s warning about him had been valid.
Harrison Walsh didn’t want to help her. He wanted to control her.
She pushed his hand off her leg and gestured for him to slide off the bench. ‘Excuse me. I need some air.’
He didn’t move. ‘I’m not letting you run away from the conversation.’
‘I’m not asking for permission.’ There was a hard edge to her tone now.
A scowl took over his face. ‘You’re behaving like an ungrateful brat.’
The shift in his demeanour was unsettling. ‘Excuse me?’
‘Do you see any other average dancers from the western suburbs of Sydney being recruited by world-class companies?’
She stilled as his words sank in. ‘Did you just call me… average?’
He sighed. ‘Willow?—’
‘You don’t get to put limits on me or decide what I’m capable of,’ she said quietly. ‘Now, please move.’
The tension hanging in the air between them was a living thing. When he showed no signs of moving, she said louder, ‘I want to leave.’
‘Don’t behave like this.’
‘Move!’ The word slipped from her at full volume. The people dining in the restaurant fell silent and looked in their direction.
He shifted on the seat. ‘You’re not just jeopardising your own career with this behaviour. I hope you understand the only reason I’m considering Lili for the role of Myrtha is because I know how badly you want her to succeed.’
Willow felt cold and hot all at once. ‘I’m going to leave now, and for your own sake, we’re both going to pretend you didn’t just say that.’
His throat bobbed. After a long, conflicted stare at her, he slowly slid along the seat and stood. ‘Let me pay, and then I’ll drive you home.’
Willow got up as quickly as she could and backed away from him. ‘I’ll find my own way home.’ She turned her back to him and headed for the door.
‘Don’t you walk away from me!’
She fled the restaurant, her thoughts churning and body trembling. Every kindness he had shown her since childhood suddenly felt like… grooming. It was like a switch had flipped when he realised he might no longer be in control.
She had to give it to him. The man had the patience of a saint. He had really played the long game—but she was awake to it now.
The one thing Harrison had not been prepared for was Vaughn Gallo.
Tears burned in Willow’s eyes, but she refused to let them out. She wouldn’t give Harrison any more power over her. So she focused hard on the footpath, arms wrapped tightly around herself in an attempt to ward off the chill settling in her bones. But her body shook anyway.
Glancing back, she half expected to see Harrison in pursuit. That fear propelled her forwards. She decided to call Lili, but as she was fetching her phone from her pocket, she remembered the date—the one Lili had been looking forward to.
Three names down on her contact list was MG. Her thumb hovered over it. She flinched when a car honked its horn nearby, then dialled Vaughn’s number before she came to her senses.