"Try it again." I said, trying not to sound impatient.
"I can't."
"Of course you can, just do it."
"It makes me feel dizzy."
"Of course it will, I'm spinning you around!"
Jayne glared at me.
"It doesn't usually."
"Well what's up with you then?"
"Don't know. Just tired I guess." She shrugged. "I'm taking five."

I watched her skate off, concerned that she looked a bit wobbly. Even though our relationship had changed off the ice, we were still the same on the ice. We both knew it wouldn't change, it was too ingrained in us. I felt stressed. The final was a week away, and while the Bolero was perfect Jayne was seemingly struggling with one of the last moves to "Feeling Good" claiming that she was finding it hard to get back into position properly because she was going dizzy, which wasn't like her. I skated off into the direction she had gone and caught up with her at the barrier.

"What's wrong?" I said quietly.
"I don't know."
"You seem a bit off."
"I feel it."
"You seemed okay last night?"
She shrugged.
"Like I say, I don't know. It's probably the move….or I'm just knackered."

I wasn't too convinced, and she tried to give me a reassuring smile but it was wan and she looked pale under the rink lights. She put her hand on her stomach.
"Maybe I ate something funny." She said, frowning.
"You can't have, there's nothing dodgy about my cooking!" I said, in an attempt to make her laugh. It didn't work.
"I need to go to the bathroom" she said, rushing off. I called after her but she was too fast. I wanted to follow her in, but didn't want to crows her, or get told off for being in the girl's bathroom by one of the celebs.

Karen, who had been blatantly eavesdropping on our conversation come over.
"Is Jayne okay?" She was looking at me as if to say, "What have you done now?"
"She's not feeling well, can you go and she if she's okay please?" She gave me the look again. "Karen, I haven't upset her please just go." She left, not looking entirely convinced but I had more important things to worry about. The final was a week and a half away, with this performance still to come. I knew Jayne would soldier through but this was impeccable bad timing. I just hoped it wasn't catching. Jayne always teased me about being a closet hypochondriac, but I couldn't help it. I was one of those people who completely believed that 'man flu' was real, and it was enough to send me into a blind panic if someone started coughing or sneezing next to me. Although I wasn't as bad as I used to be, especially after having children. I heard Karen calling my name and turned to see her walking towards me with a very shaky looking Jayne.

"Tell her she needs to go home."
"What's happened?"
"She's definitely got a bug."
"Are you sure it's not the move? I am spinning her around?"
"Chris you can spin her around in the silks and she doesn't get sick."
"Will the two of you stop bickering about me like I'm not here?" Jayne interrupted. "I'll be fine. Seriously. Karen's right, it's probably just a little bug. Let's just carry on."

I frowned, noticing how pale she had gone.
"At least go and lie down in your dressing room for a bit. Come on, I'll take you."
She nodded, and I took her arm as she leaned against me for support.
"Please don't pass out on me."
"I'll try not to."
I led her into her dressing room.
"Get settled. I'll go and get you some water."

When I returned she was curled up on the bed, her eyes closed. I put the water next to her, and, sitting down next to her on the bed kissed her forehead gently. I stayed with her a while, stroking her hair and her back, hoping that my presence alone would make her feel better. I didn't think it did though, as after a while she opened her eyes and winced.

"What is it?"
"The rooms spinning."
"Here." I gave her the glass and helped her sit up slightly. "Drink some of this"
"Thanks."

She did so, and lay back down, sighing as she curled her body up around me.
"I feel like crap."
"Half an hour ago you were insisting you were fine."
"I was lying."
"I know."

I reached out and brushed my hand against her forehead. "You haven't got a temperature."
"Good. Though I'm surprised you haven't run for the hills yet."
"What do you mean?"
"You, you hate sick people. You practically douse yourself with alcohol gel if someone as much dares to sneeze next to you. I'm surprised you haven't gone out and stocked up on supplies of black tea and rice."

I smiled, remembering my panic back in my younger days.
"That was different. I didn't want to eat or drink anything that would make me sick."
"Hypochondriac."
"I don't like being ill. Who likes being ill?"
"You, because you like to complain and have people fuss over you."
"Oh shush, you love it when I fuss over you."
"Do it now then."
I moved up the bed and lay next to her.
"You don't have too. I know you hate illness."
I kissed the nape of her neck softly.

"Yes but it's you though isn't it. Nothing else matters when it's you."