Page 48 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

‘Noushka?’ Gabe’s voice brought her back to the present.

‘Hmm?’

‘I was just saying I’m heading off; I’ll see you later.’ He slid his sunglasses on. Bob nudged her leg, and she bent to give his soggy head a pat as she marshalled her thoughts.

‘Oh, right, yes. See you later.’ She mustered what she hoped was a nonchalant smile that would give no hint at the turmoil currently swirling around inside her.

She followed him out, Lily close behind, taking away the chance to pick up where they left off high up on the rigg.

‘Sorry about my daft brother, Gabe. Him and Uncle Jimby are always larking about like that.’ Lily grinned. Her blonde corkscrew curls had escaped their ponytail and stood out around her face that was glowing pink from an afternoon in the sun. ‘Uncle Jimby’s a big kid.’

‘Hey, no need to apologise, it’s been cool spending time with you all.’ He smiled.

Lily caught Anoushka’s eye, her beam growing wider.

‘I’ll see you later.’ Gabe pressed his fingers lightly on Anoushka’s arm, sending a buzz of electricity shooting through her. ‘And thanks for coming for a walk with me.’ His mouth lifted with a smile, though the feelings in his eyes were hidden by his his aviator shades.

‘See you later.’ Anoushka smiled back. She and Lily watched him head down the path, Bob in tow.

‘Gabe’s a special kind of person, isn’t he?’ Lily looked up at her big sister.

‘Mmm, he is,’ said Anoushka, as myriad emotions bombarded her. She drew in a deep breath; it was time to put her thoughts and her feelings in order. If only she knew where to start.

30

‘There, all done,’ Anoushka said to herself as she flipped her laptop lid down. It was Thursday morning and she was at the studio, updating the dance school’s social media page, adding an extra Street Dance class. Since Vi had relocated her burlesque classes to the studio from the village hall she’d gained some extra pupils – Anoushka being one of them – which had given Anoushka something else to think about for the future: the prospect of taking on another dance teacher. A thrill rushed through her. Her dance school was proving to be a bigger success than she’d anticipated; the move to her own premises adding kudos to it, not to mention the stylish branding. It looked professional, told potential students she had the ability to get them through all the necessary exams.

A sound from outside made her head shoot round. She felt the squeeze of anxiety in her stomach.Please, not this again.She went to check the window but, as usual, there was nothing there. ‘Get a grip, Anoushka! Stop letting Damon get to you,’ she said aloud, telling herself the sound was probably made by the deer she’d seen earlier, roaming around nearby. But would a deer really give her the uneasy feeling that had hovered in the background since she’d arrived? She blew out a sigh and checked the clock on the wall. Ten-forty-five, she had fifteen minutes before Caro arrived for the first of the one-to-one-dance lessons she’d won at the auction; at least she wouldn’t be on her own for much longer. She recalled how Caro had been evasive when Anoushka had asked her what type of dance she wanted to learn, ‘Oh, I’ll leave that up to you, darling,’ she’d said somewhat vaguely. Which meant, today, Anoushka didn’t know what to expect. She didn’t even know if Caro would be bringing Sim as a dance partner.

She slipped her laptop into the drawer of her desk and was heading towards the stairs when the door to the studio opened. She looked across, her mouth falling open. ‘Gabe?

‘Hi.’ He gave a heart-melting smile, taking in her flared jazz pants and dance school t-shirt. ‘You look ready for business.’

She glanced at the clock again. ‘Is everything okay? I’m expecting Lady Caro any minute.’

‘You are?’ He returned her puzzled gaze. ‘Only, I don’t think she’ll be showing up.’

‘You don’t?’

‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘She shot off early this morning saying she had a meeting over at York and wouldn’t be back ’til late this afternoon.’

‘Oh, but…’ Anoushka’s brain played catch-up. ‘I don’t suppose she mentioned anything about a dance lesson, did she?’

‘Not a word, was a bit vague really. She just said I was needed here. So here I am.’ He shrugged and scratched his head, looking suddenly awkward.

‘Right,’ Anoushka said; it was slowly dawning on her what Caro was up to.

‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow.

‘That we’ve been set up?’

‘It’s looking that way.’ He nodded, smiling.

‘Honestly! What’s she like?’ Anoushka said, her voice sounding more annoyed than she intended.

Gabe’s face fell. ‘Hey, Noushka, I’m really sorry, I honestly didn’t know anything about it. I feel such an eejit. I can go, if you like… I mean, there’s no real reason for me to be here.’

His expression triggered a spike of guilt in her chest. She pushed her mouth into a smile. ‘No, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound snappy, it’s just…’ A thought sprang into her mind and before she knew it she found herself saying, ‘We might as well use the lesson – if you fancy it, that is?’What the hell are you thinking? Talk about cringe: “Use the lesson” indeed! Why would Gabe Dublin want you to teach him to dance? Jeez!

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