Red String 2 {h.s}

Chapter 21

Now that the choreographer's assistant, Jamie, is in town, Harry's plan is to practice once in the morning and once again in the evenings. In the mornings, he makes sure the time is lined up with when Amy is with her mom at her chemo appointment so he can be at the apartment to help when it's needed.

His first dance session is intimidating to say the least. He has no dance training and he's grateful when Jamie goes easy on him because he was still struggling to keep up. As they're wrapping up their session, at a local studio that they rented space from, he approaches Harry.

"You wanna know the good news?" he asks.

Harry tired eyes meet his, urging him to go on.

"You have great musicality and rhythm and I can't teach that. I could spend all day in here with someone and if they can't find the beat, then it'll be completely useless. That's not the case with you. It's not going to come right away but I know you're going to get there."

"Thanks," Harry says, reaching his hand out to shake the other man's. "I'll see you later."

When he gets back to the apartment, he is happy to know he beat Amy back. He says hello to Richard and then takes a quick shower.

Amy and Sandra come into the apartment to the smell of food cooking. They walk to the kitchen and find Harry at the stove, stirring a big pot, while flipping something in a pan. Amy admires the sight, a large smile spreading on her face at this domesticated man of hers.

"Hey baby," she says and he looks up to see the two of them.

"Heyyy! Sit! Sit! I made lunch. Vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. I thought you might be cold from the rain," he tells them, gesturing for them to sit at the table.

They listen enthusiastically and soon Richard comes in and sits at the table too.

"He kicked me out of the kitchen. He wouldn't let me help," Richard says, smirking at Harry. "He said I need a break too."

"He's right, sweetie. You've been doing so much for us all," Sandra says, touching his arm.

"You've been taking care of all of us for years. I think it's my turn now," he says, leaning forward and kissing her cheek.

Harry begins setting plates and bowls down in front of everyone and they all dig into the food. They stare out the big windows and watch the dreary weather outside. 

"Have you had any snow yet this year?" Amy asks.

"A little bit in December, but they have it forecast for this weekend."

"Does it snow a lot here?" Harry asks.

"Maybe once or twice a year it'll snow, but usually not a lot. Especially not in the city."

"Does it snow in Holmes Chapel a lot?" Amy asks him.

"No, not often. Probably similar winter to here. Although it gets much hotter in Vancouver in the summer."

After lunch, Sandra is quite exhausted and she decides to take a nap. Richard goes with her, thanking Harry for lunch. He sees Amy start on cleaning dishes and he sidles up next to her to help, happy to be in their 'spot' in front of a sink together.

"How was your lesson?" Amy asks him.

"Hard. Really hard," he answers as he places plates in the dishwasher. "Felt very out of my element and regretting what I got myself into."

"Didn't you say you felt that way on your first day on Dunkirk?"

"Yeah," he says, amazed that she remembered that.