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“We want to speak to management,” I say, unsure where my sudden backbone has come from.

“Mr Frazer and his team are on an off-site. He’s not here today.”

“Is he really? How convenient,” I say.

The guard sighs. “Look, I’m sure you don’t want any trouble. I wanted to give you a heads-up. You have kids and older women here.”

“We’re not going anywhere,” Samuel says, folding his arms over his chest.

“Have it your way. You’ve got ten minutes before my boss calls the police,” he says, turning and leaving.

I watch him go. My heart is pounding.

“What do you want to do?” Samuel asks.

I drop onto the wall and look at the group in front of me, circling and chanting. Their smiles and togetherness warm my insides.

We tried.

“We go home.” I sigh. “I’m not risking any of these kids. This is my battle.”

When he goes to open his mouth, I hold up my hand. “Our neighbourhood—the police don’t need any excuses. I won’t be part of these guys getting hauled into a police station. This is a peaceful protest. We’ve all seen on the news how things can escalate.”

Samuel pulls me in for a hug before moving off towards the group.

Tyler appears with his friends beside me. “Is everything okay, Ms April?”

“Everything is fine.” I give him a bright smile.

“Is what Samuel says true? Are we really leaving?”

I nod. “We are. Apparently, management isn’t here today. We are wasting our time.”

I want to get them out of here as quickly as possible.Tyler and his friends already have some minor misdemeanours from their time before me.

“But—”

“No buts, Ty. We are heading home. Round up the gang.” I rest my hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “This is phase one. Next week, phase two. We have to be clever.”

I pray the boys listen and heed my warning. I don’t want them getting into trouble on my account.

“If you’re sure, Ms April.”

“I’m sure. Let’s go home. Betty and Don promised cake and coffee when we return.”

Tyler and his friends whoop before returning to the group. Word spreads quickly. No one turns down Betty and Don’s cake.

“So what next? Please tell me you’re not giving up,” Samuel says, returning to my side.

“No, but dragging these people into my battle is not something I’m prepared to do. This is my fight.” I turn towards the offices. “This is not over. I will find another way, and if I can’t, then I’ll need to work on a backup plan. But one that only affects me.”

Samuel nods, although my mind is already elsewhere. I don’t have a legal leg to stand on. But despite what the landlord and my solicitor say, I see my dance school's impact on the community and these kids. I just need to make this Mr Frazer and his team see it too. There’s nowhere else for these kids to go. I used every tool in my arsenal at the beginning to pull them together. I found them dancing on street corners, hanging out in the park, decorating the outside of local buildings! Now they have a purpose, somewhere to go. Whether Frazer Development likes it or not, these kids will be part of their new neighbourhood.

I follow behind as everyone makes their way to the tubestation. The sense of camaraderie is strong among the old and the young. I watch them laugh and joke together. Tyler and his friends carrying Alice and her friends’ banners. Helping them. Maybe, just maybe, even if I can’t save my studio, I can make Frazer Development listen to the needs of the community.

The battle begins.

CHAPTER 7