Page 27 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

‘Don’t know about you, mate, but I reckon this calls for a committee meeting at the pub.’ Ollie grinned at Jimby.

‘Couldn’t agree more, Oll.’ Jimby chuckled, patting his friend heartily on the back.

Anoushka glanced around her. Everyone was chatting away, chipping in with ideas and anecdotes, their eyes shining with enthusiasm. She hadn’t realised how much she’d missed this sort of get-together, missed the feeling of being buoyed along by the banter of family and friends. The thought that she’d come close to losing it sent a shiver up her spine.

18

JUNE

June had arrived in a burst of blazing sunshine, the cottage gardens in the village positively brimming with blousy flowers and the moors resplendent in lush, green foliage. Frothy swathes of cow parsley lined the roadside, hundreds of vivid yellow dandelion heads at their feet; they were out in force this year.

It had been two months since Gabe had left for London where his tour had kicked off. And while Anoushka’s time had been jam-packed with the exciting preparations for the opening of her dance studio, she’d regularly found her mind wandering its way to him, each time, triggering a little surge of something indefinable; or maybe it was definable, she just didn’t want to admit it to herself. Having said that, she still hadn’t been able to stop herself from checking social media, scrolling through posts that contained images of him, poring over videos fans had taken at his gigs. By all accounts, this tour, at the smaller, more intimate venues, was going down a storm.

Golden sunshine spilled through the windows of Oak Tree Farm, the heady scent of the rose that scrambled up the wall outside filling the air. Anoushka was feeling happy; she’d stormed through her to-do list that morning.

She was engrossed in sorting through a batch of newly delivered t-shirts she’d ordered for the students of her dance school when she heard the latch on the front door rattle. Seconds later, Kristy’s head appeared around the door.

‘Knock, knock,’ she said, a smile lighting up her pretty face.

‘Kristy! It’s good to see you. How’s things?’ Anoushka beamed at her friend as Mabel and Ethel rushed over to greet their visitor.

‘Hi, Noushka. And now then, you two rascals.’ She bent to fuss the dogs, peering up at Anoushka as she did so. ‘Things are good, thanks. Broge and me were wondering how you were doing since we hadn’t seen you for a while, but now I can see why.’ She laughed as she took in the table piled high with dance school paraphernalia. ‘You look snowed-under.’

Anoushka flicked her plait over her shoulder and puffed out her cheeks. ‘I’ve just been working flat-out getting everything ready for the dance school. Honestly, it’s just been totally crazy-busy. I’ve barely had time to do anything else, which is why I haven’t been in touch – sorry.’

‘Hey, no worries. I can see just how bogged down you are. If you like, I can pop back later when you’re not so busy.’

‘No, not at all. Like I said, it’s good to see you, and I could do with a break so it’s the perfect time for a catch up.’ Anoushka pushed the t-shirts to one side and flipped her laptop shut. The prospect of a minute or two away from her tasks was suddenly very welcome. ‘Cuppa, or would you prefer something cold?’

‘Tea’s great, thanks, but only if you’re really sure you’ve got time.’

‘I’ve definitely got time.’ Anoushka gave her friend’s arm a squeeze as she headed for the Aga. ‘Park your bum while I stick the kettle on.’

‘Okay. I’m happy to give you a hand with anything you think I’ll be able to help with, but I need to be back over at Withrin Hill no later than one o’clock; Ben and me are heading out to take a look at some hot-tubs with wood-burning stoves that heat them; I think I’ve mentioned them before.’ Kristy picked up a plastic bag containing a t-shirt. ‘Wow, these look really cool.’

Anoushka smiled at her. ‘Yeah, they look even better than I was expecting; the quality’s really good. In fact, I’ve just been in touch with the company who supplies them, and they’ve agreed to print other dance stuff too, you know, hoodies, leotards, dance tights, gym bags, even water bottles.’

‘Wow! You really do mean business, don’t you, missus?’ Kristy looked impressed.

‘I sure do. It was always my intention to start as I mean to go on; create a professional impression right from the get-go.’ Anoushka scooped up the kettle and made her way over to the Belfast sink.

‘Well, you’ll definitely do that with these, they’re really stylish and the colours are gorgeous; the contrast’s fab.’

‘Thanks, Kristy; I’m super-chuffed with them.’ Damon’s snidey words about her ambitions for the dance school had been sneaking up on her today, setting her stomach jittering.What if he’s right? What if I’m just fooling myself? What if my business falls flat on its face before it even gets started?Her friend’s well-timed words of support pushed away the final toxic dregs of his influence. ‘And I can’t wait to get up to the new premises.’

‘I bet you can’t. When do you think it’ll be ready?’

Setting the kettle on the Aga hotplate, Anoushka turned to her friend. ‘Well, ’cos everyone’s been working like mad – Dad and Jimby have been amazing – things have got finished way sooner than we expected. Everything should be done in a couple of days. Which means I can bring the move forward by a few weeks so the classes will officially start there a week on Saturday.’ Saying it out loud sent a thrill wriggling up her spine. She gave a squeal of happiness, making both of them giggle.

‘Oh, wow! Noushka, that’s so exciting!’

‘I know, it’s taking some sinking in. Actually, Dad’s up there now, fixing the sign above the door; I can’t wait to see it – maybe I’ll really actually believe it then. Anyway, I’m heading over there this afternoon to do all the final bits and bobs, like hang pictures, dot a few reed diffusers about the place – help get rid of the smell of paint – that kind of stuff. You and Broge are welcome to pop up and take a peek before the opening party when you’ve got a minute.’

‘Ooh, we’d love to.’

Ollie and Jimby had worked hard at fitting the sprung flooring and sound-proofing, staying late in the evening and working weekends, for which Anoushka would be eternally grateful. It had been a dream she’d nursed for so long, she could hardly believe the opening of her brand new dance studio was drawing near. She’d contacted all of her pupils, inviting them to the opening party she’d organised for a week on Friday; she really wanted to mark the beginning of this new chapter in her life by sharing an event with the pupils and parents who’d supported her since she’d started her dance classes in the village hall.

Leaning against the worktop with her back to the open window, mug of tea in hand, Kristy asked, ‘So, now I’ve seen just how swamped you are with getting stuff ready, this is going to sound like a daft question, but I’m going to ask it on the off chance it’s a yes; I don’t suppose you’ve got time for a quick get-together with Broge and me sometime this week? Like I said, I can give you a hand with stuff for a couple of hours now if that would help at all.’

---