Chapter 13

She watched him storm away in a fiery temper, angrier than she had ever seen him before. He was shouting and cursing and pacing with that damned piece of paper in his hand. Clara could see comparisons with a volcano. As soon as he had no energy or power left he slumped into a chair with his hands cradling his face. She knew this was her cue.

Sliding down next to him she gently pulled apart his hands so his face could be seen, crimson and burning with fury. She herself didn't know how the news had bothered him so much but it had definitely struck a chord. Everyone was watching over them, Donna especially looking as pissed off as he was.

'This seriously can't be happening.' He told her, words mumbling and his eyes staring down at the table as if he willed them to break it.

'I don't see how this is so bad-'

'Oh, it is bad, Clara. After all the years I did the show and it's this fucking year they decide to intervene. This year, that looked so promising and spectacular, when I would be doing four perfectly choreographed dances with you and had gotten them down to a fine art, THIS is the year they want us to compete.' He rambled.

Clara could hardly make sense of what he was saying, so he simply handed her the crumpled paper in his clenched hand.

She looked concerningly down at the words as she felt him slump even more in his chair, looking defeated.

Her eyes scanned the paper, a letter from another dance academy claiming they wanted to take part in their show as competitors. She recognised now why it had made him angry.

'They want to rival against us with their own show at ours. We have always done the summer productions, always. They do theirs mostly around Autumn time, but they don't get as big an audience as we do.' Rose explained, mostly looking to her partner, who held her close to him with another solemn expression. She guessed they were an actual couple.

'Fact is, they've heard that we've been doing particularly well this year and want to dampen it with their own improved dances because ours are so good. It's basically a case of jealousy.' John said.

'How can we up our game then?' Amy asked.

'We focus solely on the performance and production of the show, make it spectacular. All the other dancers know their opening piece which is good. John chose well, it seems. We all get together to rehearse and practice earlier than usual to get a head start. Maybe this other academy aren't as prepared as we are.'

'Donna, if they weren't prepared, they wouldn't have sent us the letter.' Rory interjected, 'that doesn't seem right. They must have a good line up this year if they think they have a chance of matching us.'

'For once, Rory talks sense,' John continued, 'if they insist on trampling our show with their shitty dances we can get them out of the way first. If we all go last it will be a much bigger and better ending than their opening.'

'That seems a good plan, and not too unfair. If they are truly willing to cooperate they won't be able to have anything against that. It could be our one condition.' Donna said.

They all nodded in agreement, only noticing then that everyone else wasn't as furious as John was.

'See, we can resolve it. Why did you get so angry for?' She turned back to him. Everyone suddenly seemed still and silent as she awaited an answer.

'Because the leader of that dance group is Missy.' He explained.

'Who's Missy?'

'I'm the only one to know her. And trust me, she is a demon. A big cheater and a backstabbing bitch. I toured with her once, it was the biggest mistake of my life. If she comes back she'll find a way to ruin my life again and I don't think I'll be able to keep her still alive.'

Clara was shocked at his answer. He obviously had some very dark and entangled history with Missy but she was taken aback by his aggressive behaviour. Was she honestly that bad? It was only a dance competition after all. But she knew that it meant more to John than anything else did.

She glanced over at the window, bright sky and a shining sun all looking promising and inviting.

'Well, I think the first thing we should all do is take a day off from it all because we'll all go around worrying and won't think things through. Just one day off from dancing. Calm ourselves down.' She suggested.

Sarah Jane and Donna were the only ones that seemed to agree with her. Nine looked outraged. 'We can't just have a day off! The whole point of this is to start practising and making every dance better.'

'Yes, we need all the time we can get. We need to get this perfect, Clara. Absolutely perfect, like you. We need to beat them.'

There was such determination in his eyes that she almost gave in, and despite his compliment she could hardly anticipate another day of rigorous training now John had his sights set for winning. Only a week ago she had told him not to worry and relax about the whole thing. She had no idea it would lead to more pressure on his shoulders.

'I'm sorry guys, but I agree with Clara. Everyone go and have an extended weekend. God knows we all need it. We'll start back on it again on Monday, I promise. And if I catch anyone sneaking in here before Monday they and their partner will be permanently removed from the show. Got it?' Donna told them fiercely, looking at John meaningfully as a chorus of assent replied back. As she turned back to John she heard him slam his head on the table as everyone filed out.

'Come on, come with me. It's for your own good, John.'

Without saying a word he sulkily walked out with the rest of them, each pair going separate ways. As soon as they were outside in the flattering sun his eyes squinted and he started walking away from her.

'Hey, where are you going?' She caught up with him.

'I'm going home.' He mumbled miserably. He looked so out of place in such beautiful weather. She stopped him in the street, turning him round to face the park.

'Stay out here with me, John. I'll get some food.'

'Why?'

'Because you need cheering up. Come on.'

She lead the way and he obediently followed her.

'I don't deserve to be cheered up.'

'Why not?'

'Am I a good man, Clara?'

His abrupt question came with an answer she didn't have, his eyes staring intently into hers like his life depended on the outcome.

'I don't know. But I don't give up on friends that easily.'

'I wish I was more like that.'

Clara got a whole picnic of food, leading him to the grassy spot by the river. The calm breeze ruffled his stray curls and the sun warmed him immensely. Birds tweeted in their branches and the lake rippled calmly, a group of swans swimming peacefully. It was idyllic, something John had hardly felt about something before. Or maybe it was just the fact he was with Clara.

'I haven't been on a picnic for years.'

'Really?'

'Yeah. Can't remember the last time.'

'You should spend days here more often. You know, out in the open, not stuck indoors.'

'Maybe.'

His legs sprawled over the grass, lying down relaxedly as he began to eat a strawberry.

'Tell me why you detest this woman so much.' She began.

'Oh, Clara, you were doing so well already.'

She laughed, also laying amongst the grass, 'sorry. I kind of want to know so I can help you.'

He sighed, playing with a dandelion flower absentmindedly. Why did women always want to know about his past?

'She made me drop out halfway through a tour that was getting big at the time. Very popular, and I was a main lead. She wanted to be the star of the show and made me go home. It was the worst time of my life because that production really would have changed everything. It got quite famous.'

'I'm sorry to hear that. But how did she convince you to go?'

'She was fast becoming more than a friend,' he explained, until he suddenly started fiddling with his ring, 'and she killed my brother.'

'What!?' She cried, looking aghast.

'I only found out a couple of years ago. By that time I had no idea where she was and had no evidence to prove she was guilty. He was ill at the time though, he himself thought he was going to die. He gave me the ring because I was his favourite and he wanted me to be happy.

Amazingly he started to get better and he could return home. But a week before he was due to come back he curiously died in his sleep. No one could figure out how. I was on tour at the time and Missy was the one to tell me. She unhooked him from his life support machine. And I don't want to talk about it anymore so never bring it up again.'

Clara was speechless. She understood now just how angry he was and didn't say anything more on the subject. At least it had justified why he had been so mad at her and Clara knew that was him trying to control himself. She knew he would gladly kill her in return for what she had done. She knew she would.

He leaned forward, studying her. Everything he had already wasn't enough. Now they had competition he needed an edge. And no one could have worked better with him than Clara Oswald.

'Point is, we need something that will sell. That will give us a standing ovation.'

'Like what?'

Her hair blew out in the wind, framing her face perfectly and her eyes glinting from the light of the sun.

'Four isn't enough. What do you say we dance a fifth?'