Page 18

APRIL

“Ms 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 withanyone 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 placesa 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.