Page 47 of All You Need is Greece

‘Oh,’ I say, unable to hide my surprise.

Doll and Lars exchange a glance then, and Doll shrugs.

‘Look, can you keep a secret?’ asks Doll.

‘Well, it depends what the secret is,’ I reply, feeling a loyalty towards Judith and wondering, not for the first time, what exactly is going on.

‘Well, the thing is,’ says Lars in a low voice, as if Judith was within earshot. ‘Not a word to Judith, but Doll is teaching me how to dance.’

‘She’s teaching you to dance?’ I glance at Doll in surprise.

‘Yes. Judith knows I have two left feet, but she once told me how she loved to dance,’ explains Lars. ‘I felt like she was missing out on something she once enjoyed, especially as it seems her husband was a wonderful dancer. I am going to surprise her by dancing a waltz with her at our wedding.’

‘Oh, Lars, that is wonderful. Judith will be thrilled,’ I say, relief flooding through me.

‘I hope so.’ He grins.

‘So, how’s he shaping up?’ I turn to Doll.

‘Really good, actually. I can’t believe he hasn’t danced before. Come on.’ She guides us through the forest to a clearing.

‘If you have the time, we will give you a sneak preview. Remember, Lars, shoulders back,’ she instructs. ‘Stand tall.’

I take a seat on a tree stump, the dogs sitting on the floor beside me.

Even on the uneven grassy floor, they dance an elegant waltz with no hint that Lars was a terrible dancer, as he claimed he was. I gasp at how good he actually is. I find myself breaking into applause as the dance finishes and even the dogs bark in appreciation.

‘That was really good.’ I clap my hands together. ‘Lars, you were either being modest about your dancing skills or Doll, you are a very talented teacher.’

‘Maybe a bit of both.’ She winks.

‘I won’t lie, I was wondering what all the sneaking off was about. I hope Judith hasn’t noticed anything,’ I inform them both.

‘I was a little worried about that, but you can understand why I need to keep it secret. I want it to be a real surprise at the wedding,’ says Lars.

‘And I am sure it will be.’ I smile. ‘Are you heading back now?’

‘Yes, we slipped out when Judith went to the village shop. Maybe we ought to take one of the dogs each and make it look authentic,’ suggests Doll, so I hand over a couple of the small ones I am walking.

‘Oh, how I hate all this secrecy. But I hope your dancing will make it a wedding to remember,’ says Doll as we walk. ‘You really are a good dancer, Lars, despite you thinking you would be useless. You clearly just needed a little tuition.’

‘More than a little, I’d say.’

‘So is Michael in on this too?’ I ask as we walk.

‘He is,’ admits Doll. Which makes sense now as, thinking about it, he has seemed completely unfazed by Doll’s frequent disappearances of late.

TWENTY-FOUR

Judith has just returned from the shop when we arrive at the rescue, and once the dogs are settled I follow her into the kitchen, where she is unpacking some dried pasta and a bottle of olive oil.

‘There you all are.’ She smiles. ‘There is some lemon iced tea in the fridge if anyone would like some. Oh and, Beth, I had a call earlier for you. Someone who has been trying to get in touch with you apparently.’

‘My phone is charging up in my bedroom. Did they leave a message?’ I say, reaching into the fridge for a drink.

‘They did,’ she says, placing the last of the shopping into a cupboard. ‘He asked if you could give him a call when you get the chance.’

I immediately think of Artemis, who has only been gone five minutes. Maybe he is missing me, although I highly doubt it. He is doing his training at the bank, and we parted as nothing more than friends.

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