Finding my mum

57- strictly final

Just like that today was the strictly final and I couldn't wait to be in the audience. Usually Chloe and I have a strictly final party at home but the pregnancy was taking up her energy so she wasn't up for it. Plus Janette had invited me down so I could celebrate with them and meet everyone that I hadn't seen in weeks or didn't meet the first time I was there.

I couldn't wait, Noah was with Janette's brother and sister who had come over for a few weeks and who I'd met a few days ago. Her parents had come as well but the least said about that the better. Janette and Aljaz were picking me up on their way as they were driving past anyway and Ashley didn't want to leave Chloe. I felt bad leaving Chloe but I knew she'd be ok with Ashley and it was the last thing I had planned except Noah's birthday but Chloe was coming if she was up to it on the day.

Janette text me to say that they were outside so I said bye to Ashley and Chloe and went to get in the car. I hadn't seen Janette, Aljaz or anyone from strictly since Janette's birthday weekend in Blackpool.

As soon as I got in the car it was like I'd never been away. When we got to the studio it felt so good to be back; like everything going on at the moment went away.

I went to find Amy and to see if Stacey and Nadiya were around. I found Amy and Nadiya in the girls dressing room where Amy said that Stacey wouldn't be around until later. We sat talking for a while.

Amy: "hey Ava, I'm rehearsing soon if you wanna come and watch like you always do?"
Me: "why break our studio tradition"
Amy: "exactly"

Nadiya decided not to come with us. Amy and I went down to the floor where I sat in my usual place to watch Amy dance.

While I was sat there someone sat next to me and I knew exactly who it was without looking.

Me: "hey Stacey"
Stacey: "hey girl"
Me: "missed you"
Stacey: "missed you too"

I turned to face her and could see that she'd been crying.

Me: "you look like you need a hug"
Stacey: "I do"

I held out my arms and rubbed her back like she'd done when I was upset.

Me: "it's ok, do you wanna go to our dressing room when Amy's finished rehearsing?"

Stacey just nodded. I could tell that something had happened and that she could use a friend right now.

As soon as Amy had finished Stacey ran off. I quickly told Amy I'd be back and went to find Stacey. I knew exactly where she'd be so I went straight there. As soon as I got to the door I could hear her crying. I knocked, went in, went over to her and pulled her in for a hug.

Once Stacey had calmed down, I sat with her and let her take the lead.

Stacey: "thanks sweetheart"
Me: "it's ok. Do you want to talk about whatever it was that upset you or do you wanna talk about something else?"
Stacey: "Kev and I had an argument"
Me: "I'm sorry. We can talk about it only if you want to"
Stacey: "not really but thanks though"
Me: "it's ok. Here if you do"
Stacey: "thank you. Can we hide in here for a bit"
Me: "of course we can"

There was a knock on the door and Amy entered.

Stacey: "no one followed or knows that you're here do they?"
Amy: "of course not, you ok?"
Me: "Stace you ok?"

Stacey just shook her head and started crying. I went over to comfort her.

Amy: "Stace, it's ok. Only Ava and I are here"
Me: "Amy's right, it's ok. You can tell us anything and it'll stay between us and won't leave the room"
Stacey: "promise?"
Me: "yeah"
Amy: "yeah"
Stacey: "like I said to Ava, Kev and I had an argument and it's just getting to me"
Me: "hey, it'll be ok. Amy and I have your back. If he upsets you again then I'll be having a word"
Amy: "Ava's right, we care about you and have your back"
Stacey: "thanks girls"
Me: "Amy, when do you have to be back?"
Amy: "not for a while why?"
Me: "Stace and I are just going to hang out in here for a bit if you want to join us"
Amy: "is that alright with you Stace?"
Stacey: "of course"

Stacey curled up next to me and fell asleep on my shoulder.

Amy: "I've got a few things to do, will you be alright?"
Me: "yeah, I'll message you if I need you. If Kev asks don't tell him where Stacey is"
Amy: "of course I won't"

Amy left and I sat keeping Stacey calm. When Stace woke up I sat with her, talking about random things to try and cheer her up. I could tell that she was still emotional.

Me: "hey, it's ok"
Stacey: "it's not"
Me: "it will be"
Stacey: "I hope so. Can we just hide in here?"
Me: "we can stay in here for as long as you want to"
Stacey: "Janette's lucky to have you"
Me: "I should probably let her know that I'm with you. I won't tell her our location I'll just say I'm catching up with you"

Stacey nodded while resting her head on my shoulder. I quickly messaged Janette who told me to have fun.

Me: "what do you wanna do?"
Stacey: "try and fix things with Kev but I don't know how"
Me: "maybe if you tell me what happened, I promise I won't tell anyone then I can try and help you"
Stacey: "promise it'll stay between us in this room"
Me: "promise"
Stacey: "he found out some things that happened before we started going out and he's mad that I didn't tell him"
Me: "if they happened before you went out then why's he mad?"
Stacey: "I think hes just hurt that he had to read it instead of hearing it from me"
Me: "do you want my advice?"
Stacey: "yeah"
Me: "go find him, explain it from your perspective then see what he says"
Stacey: "thanks sweetheart. I'll find you when I've spoken to him"
Me: "I'll be around somewhere"

Stacey left to find Kev; I hope that they fix things while I left to see who I could find.

Me: "hey"
Janette: "hey, I thought you were with Stacey?"
Me: "I was but she had to sort something out so I decided to see who I could find."
Janette: "ah, I'm on my way to the girls dressing room if you wanna come?"
Me: "yes please"

As we were walking up to the girls dressing room I kept hoping to myself that Stacey was ok.

I'd been with Janette, Nadiya, Katya and Karen in the girls dressing room when Amy came in looking for me. I followed her into the corridor.

Me: "what's up?"
Amy: "have you seen Stace?"
Me: "not since she went looking for Kev why?"
Amy: "did she say what was wrong?"
Me: "she did and I told her to go find him and talk to him"
Di: "who you looking for?"
Amy: "Stacey"
Di: "I can help with that, follow me"

Amy and I followed Di to the star bar. When we walked through the door we saw Kev and Stacey cuddled up in the corner and knew that they'd sorted things out.