Debbie and Michael sat in a large, empty, gleaming glass waiting room.

'Thanks, again' whispered Michael, sheepishly. 'The money thing kind of slipped my mind...'

Debbie rolled her eyes.

'Don't worry about it. Mam's happy for us to go and see Billy. At least, I think she is. She said some weird stuff...'

'What kind of stuff?'

'She never said it outright but... I don't know'

'What?' said Michael staring in to Debbie dull brown eyes as if the world depended on it.

'She gave me the money for the journey and all that, then she started telling me this story... about her best friend from school, who'd gotten a gig in some West End ballet show or somethin'.'

'So?'

'Mam said she went down to see the show and went visit her friend in the dressin' rooms afterwards. But her mate didn't want to know. She'd gotten all hoity-toity and thought herself better than everyone else.'

'Your Mam's not trying to say that Billy...?' said Michael.

'I don't know. All I know is that the story was a load of bull. Her best friend from school was Hetty Green from down the road and the most performing she's done is the pub karaoke when she's totally pissed.'

'Billy wouldn't! Your Mam's talking rubbish' hissed Michael indignantly.

Debbie looked at him sideways.

'You don't have to convince me. I agree with you'

'Oh. Sorry. It's just that I can't bear when people talk shit about Billy. He was, is the best lad anyone could ever have for a... mate. Though, what do I know? I haven't seen 'im for years, he might be a total arse now.' Michael murmured, his voice cracking.

'He won't be' said Debbie reaching over and squeezing Michael's hand. Michael didn't squeeze back. In fact, he looked a little uncomfortable, but he smiled at Debbie all the same.

'Deborah Wilkinson and Michael Caffrey?' called out a bored-looking woman from the front desk.

Debbie snorted with suppressed laughter.

'Why is she calling us by name? We're the only ones in the bloody waiting room'

'Shhh!' hissed Michael going pink.

He jumped up and practically ran to the desk. Bless, thought Debbie, grinning. She got up and strolled over to the desk lazily. The lady frowned down at the two of them, disapprovingly.

'Well? Can I help you with something?' she snarled.

'Please, we're here to see Billy. Billy Elliot?' stammered Michael.

The woman looked blank.

'He's been at the school for four years and he...' Michael drifted off.

'I'll look him up in the system' said the woman, sighing as if this was an extreme effort. Debbie clenched her fists.

'Well, if this such a bloody chore for you-' Debbie shouted, before Michael jammed a hand over her mouth.

The woman raised her eyebrows but said nothing. Michael released Debbie, who glared at him. Michael may have been short, but he was still a good deal taller than Debbie. Debbie hadn't noticed it before. She also hadn't noticed how large his hands were. Or how strong he was.

'Elliot, Elliot, Elliot...' said the woman, frowning. 'What did you say his first name was?'

'Billy' said Michael reverently, as if he were saying 'God'.

'Ah, you mean William. Sweet boy' said the woman smiling. 'Why are you here? Is he expecting you?'

'Yes. Well, no... I mean...' Michael couldn't finish.

'We're his cousins' said Debbie triumphantly. 'He's not expecting us... until next week, that is, but we've had to come early and he wouldn't want to miss us.'

Michael stared at Debbie in awe, but the woman just frowned, unconvinced. Thank goodness she seemed to be getting bored with them.

'I highly doubt it, miss. But just this once I'll turn a blind eye. He's in dorm 41. That's on the 4th floor. Wait for him outside, his class will be over in 10 minutes.'

The two children hurried away, before she could change her mind, Michael making quiet thanks, Debbie sniffing.

By the time the two of them had found dorm 41, they could already hear the laughter and chatter of young boys running up the stairs. Michael grabbed Debbie's hand sub-consciously. He could feel his heart beating so hard he thought it might burst. Tears were filling his eyes and he was having to breath harder than usual. This was it. Billy was coming.