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“Thank you,” April says again.

I smirk, this is probably the only time I’ve seen her lost for words.

“Let me cut to the chase. I’d like to offer you some space. Space to run your classes, at least until you can get your studio back up and running again.”

I watch as April opens her mouth and closes it again.

“We’re not currently at full capacity. I have four studios here. Some of my dancers are off-site as they’re involved in various projects. If you want it. The space is yours.”

“I don’t know what to say,” she says, shooting me a look, which I return with an encouraging smile. April's eyes lock on my lips, and I swallow.

“Think on it,” Scarlett says, breaking the moment.

“It’s amazing, and I thank you for the offer. But the kids I work with are miles from here. There’s no way they could get across town. I wouldn’t want them travelling this far, and there’s the cost. My neighbourhood—it’s a poordemographic. They don’t have money to spare. A lot of the kids…” She doesn’t add that some of them attended her classes for nothing more than the task of sweeping the floor at the end of the day or cleaning the showers as payment. Samuel filled me in on that little snippet of information. “They’re streetwise, but…”

Scarlett looks at me and raises an eyebrow.

I turn to April and place my hands on the table. “Not an issue. We can transport the kids across in minibuses. The cost covered by Frazer Development. When I said we take the community seriously, I meant it. This benefits everyone. You wanted Action – this is me giving you action.”

April stares at me before blinking slowly as if trying to absorb my words.

“We can arrange a schedule. Bring the kids over and ship them back.”

April coughs, and I watch her eyes fill before she blinks the moisture away.

“Why?” she asks, her eyes darting between the two of us.

It’s my turn to raise an eyebrow. “We’ve been over this.”

She turns to Scarlett. “Why? Why would you offer this?”

“I may have money, but most of those I work with don’t,” Scarlett says, giving her a knowing smile and placing a hand over April’s, squeezing. “Too many have battled their way out of poverty. It’s about not missing the talent I know is out there. Some of your kids are good. I want to help you, help them.” Scarlett’s voice catches, surprising me. I watch these two bond over their love of dance. “Will you let me help you, April? I’m starting a dance program next year. A dance school to help kids like yours, those with talent, that can’t afford the standard dance school fees needed.”

“I’ll need to talk to them. Spread the word. Some parents may have issues, especially where the younger children areconcerned,” April admits, but I can see the cogs turning in her head as she mulls over the possibilities.

“We can cater for parents. The purpose of setting up this cafe was to cater to student parents. Give them somewhere to meet and wait. I’m sure we can get large enough buses to transport parents who wish to accompany their children. If they don’t want to attend, we have permission slips that will need to be signed,” Scarlett adds, motioning to the surrounding space.

“I can arrange for the community centre to house another meeting,” I say. “If you can spread the word and see who’s willing to take us up on the offer.”

“And if they’re not interested?” April says.

I shrug.

“If they don’t, then we’ll find another way to help these kids. This is option one.”

The determination in April’s expression surprises me. She wants to make this work.

“Okay.”

A slow smile forms on Scarlett’s face as April says, “Let’s do this.”

Scarlett jumps up and wraps an arm around April’s shoulder. “If you don’t mind, I’ll come to the meeting. Bring some of my dancers, give them people their own age to talk to.”

April looks confused as if she’s trying to grasp the logistics. She may have her work cut out selling this to the parents, but unless we try…

After we finish our drinks, Scarlett gives April a tour of the facilities. I leave them to it, telling April I need to make some calls and I’ll meet her in the car when she’s done.

“This is amazing,” she says when she finally climbs in next to me.