Page 29 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

‘Hey, no worries, you had every right to be; I’d be exactly the same in your shoes.’

As much as Anoushka was reluctant to admit it to herself, she’d found she was thinking about Gabe more and more, and her heart might have beat that little bit faster whenever she did so.What’s that they say about absence making the heart grow fonder?asked a little voice?Ughh! Don’t you start!she thought, quickly shooing it away.

‘So, tell me how your plans for the new camping pods are coming along,’ she said to Kristy, a discreet olive branch in the shape of a change of subject.

Her friend’s face became suddenly animated. ‘Well, Ben and me made a list of things we wanted to feature in them – something that would make them that bit more unique, stand out from the crowd, you know. Anyway, we decided to scribble down some designs and were showing them to Molly and Camm, and Moll suggested we talk to your dad about him making them for us, which actually made perfect sense.’ Her eyes were shining with excitement.

And just like that, they were back on track, all traces of their recent difference evaporating into the air.

19

Later that afternoon, Anoushka’s car was nosing its way through the entrance of the newly converted office buildings of the Danskelfe Castle estate, her heart thumping with excitement as she pulled up in front of the premises she’d leased. Ever since Lady Carolyn had offered it to her, she’d been waiting for this day to come with great anticipation. And if the way things were looking from the outside were anything to go by, she wasn’t going to be disappointed. Today, the scaffolding had gone, revealing window frames painted a deep shade of midnight blue; it was the perfect contrast to the local stone from which the building was hewn.

She stilled the engine and climbed out of her car, her stomach performing a somersault as she spotted the new sign above the door declaring it to be “Danskelfe Dance Studio”. Its background was painted the same shade as the building’s door and windows, the curly font and pair of hand-drawn ballet shoes in a warm dusky pink, edged in antique gold. It looked just as she’d hoped it would. The colours matched the t-shirts she’d ordered, one of which she was wearing right now, knotted at the waist; she looked every inch the dance teacher in her leggings and trainers, her golden hair in a neat bun at the nape of her elegant neck.

Her gaze swept across to the other premises, each one springing to life after so many years spent in varying states of dilapidation. Tinny music was seeping from the open window of one, it was accompanied by the rhythmic sound of someone hammering; she’d heard that particular unit was going to be occupied by a potter or ceramicist. Were they building a kiln? she wondered. Another one had been taken by a florist, another by a new bakery, and another by a beautician. The one at the far end was rumoured to be the new vets’ practice. Exciting times for everyone.

Anoushka’s face broke into a smile as she slotted the key into the lock. Pressing down on the sturdy antique-gold handle she pushed the door open, excitement rippling through her as she stepped over the threshold, the smell of fresh paint tickling her nostrils. The reception area looked smart and stylish. She’d kept the walls and woodwork a crisp white, the carpet a hardwearing sisal. She’d fitted it out with a small desk and chair, and two sofas that faced one other, a coffee table sitting between – Anoushka intended to have magazines set out for parents to flick through while they waited for their budding dancers. Her eyes alighted on the water-cooler in the corner; it must have been delivered that morning.

She wandered around, unable to stop her smile from growing wider, as she took in how neat and new and perfect it all looked. Her dad and Jimby had done a brilliant job of fitting the sound-proofing and the pale-wood sprung flooring – buying it in had taken a huge chunk of her savings but it would be so worth it; she was grateful to her dad and Jimby whose work had kindly helped keep costs down, offering their skills and time for free. Kitty and Lily had chipped in too, helping with the decorating. At the time it had felt like a mammoth task, but the three of them had cracked on, assisted by Lily’s choice of “motivational” playlist that boomed from the brand-new speakers. It might have been hard work, but they’d had great fun, laughing and chatting away as they got stuck in – at times, they’d even burst into impromptu dance routines when a favourite song came on, singing at the top of their voices, using their paintbrushes as microphones. Anoushka felt a wave of gratitude wash over her; there was no way she would have been able to get to this point without their help. Already she’d decided she was going to treat them all to a slap-up meal at the Sunne.

Another thought crept in. If she hadn’t stood her ground with Damon, if she’d still been with him, her dance school would be nothing more than a pipe dream. She shuddered as an image of his face filled her mind, the arrogant smirk he was wearing just before Kitty had burst into the room and torn through him. His smirk had fallen pretty quickly then. The memory made her chuckle. But now wasn’t the time to think about him. Now was the time to feel happy and positive. It was time to look to the future.

Kicking off her outdoor shoes, she ventured into the first of the two designated dance studios. The large, airy rooms were almost identical. Like the reception area, the walls here were painted a crisp white. There was a run of floor-to-ceiling mirrors along the far wall with ballet barres fixed along the other three. And each space was flooded with natural light from the beautiful, large arched windows. All that remained to be done was to hang the black and white photos of dancers in action that were currently wrapped up in the back of her car, place a vase of flowers on the reception desk – she’d decided to always have fresh flowers – and pack the t-shirts away in the storage area upstairs. Then, Danskelfe Dance School was good to go. Well, it would be once they were on the other side of the opening party.

Standing in the middle of the room, Anoushka clasped her hands to her cheeks, a thrill whirling around her stomach. Her dream of starting her own dance school really had come true. ‘Someone pinch me,’ she said out loud, giggling.

‘Not sure I’d be too happy about doing that,’ said a familiar Southern Irish voice.

20

Anoushka spun round. ‘Gabe! I didn’t know you were back.’ He looked handsome in his sky-blue t-shirt and battered jeans, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe he was leaning against. His easy smile made her heart speed up and she couldn’t help but smile back.

‘Ah, that’s because I’m not supposed to be, but with the next leg of my tour being in Leeds and me having a few days off before I’m next performing, I figured it was the perfect excuse to head here for a break; I’ve actually just got here.’

‘Oh, right.’ Her mind ran over his words, a buzz of happiness filling her chest, pushing her smile wider. ‘No Bob?’

‘I haven’t got as far as the castle yet, so I’ve not had chance to see the wee fella. I saw your mum as I was driving through the village and she said you were up here. Thought I’d drop by en route, take a look, see how you’re getting on. Which reminds me, why, exactly, were you asking to be pinched?’ Gabe pushed himself away from the door jamb and made his way over to her, grinning all the while.

‘Ah, well…’ She giggled as she looked around her, arms outstretched. ‘All this, it’s… well, it might not be much to some people, but it really is a dream come true for me. I’ve wanted to have my own dance school for so long, and now it’s a reality. I’m just so unbelievably happy, which is why I need pinching, to make sure it’s really happening.’

He looked at her, his eyes shining. ‘I promise you, it’s really happening, Noushka. And you’ve every right to be happy; it’s a fabulous achievement, and I know you’re going to make it a roaring success. I love your branding too, it’s awesome.’ He nodded to her t-shirt.

She felt her face prickle with the heat of a blush. ‘Thank you,’ she said shyly. His attitude couldn’t be more different from Damon’s if he tried. ‘But I can’t take credit for the branding, Vi sourced that for me; she’s been amazing.’ She looked into his soft brown eyes. ‘And I wouldn’t have this place if it hadn’t been for you putting a word in with Caro for me. I know there were quite a few other people interested, so thank you for that.’

‘Hey, it was nothing,’ he said, holding her gaze. ‘And it’s great to see you’ve got your sparkle back. You’d lost it for a while, but now it’s returned in full-on dazzle mode.’ He laughed, making jazz hands.

‘Thanks.’ She giggled. She knew he was referring to her time with Damon.

A beat passed.

‘Don’t suppose I can tempt you to join me at the Sunne tonight, can I?’ he asked hopefully.

‘Oh, I… erm, it’s just—' Gabe’s question had knocked her off-balance.

‘I don’t mean as a date; you’re perfectly safe on that score.’ He held his hands up. ‘Only Sim and Caro have suggested heading there this evening – he’s sneaked back too; dropped him off in Middleton-le-Moors where he was meeting Caro – and much as I love those guys to pieces, playing third wheel is starting to wear a bit thin.’

His hopeful expression sent a wave of guilt crashing in her chest. She pulled an apologetic face. ‘I can’t, sorry, I’ve… I’ve got other commitments and I can’t get out of them.’ That wasn’t strictly true. Molly, Camm and Emmie were joining her family for a meal at Oak Tree Farm that evening, and Anoushka knew full well if she’d told her parents Gabe had asked to meet her, they’d encourage her to go. But it was the last thing she wanted, especially after her earlier conversation with Kristy. If she went to the pub with Gabe, she’d only be adding fuel to the fire of speculation. There was no way she was going to encourage that.

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