Page 10 of Teacakes & Tangos
She also seemed to be leaning rather too heavily on good-natured Rory, almost as if she was expecting him to fill the gap left by Mark. And today’s request for a lift to the supermarket was a case in point. Rory would have had to leave his busy stables to accommodate her during his lunch hour.
‘We’re on our way,’ added Rory, ‘but I just wanted to check in with you to see if Gerard had been in touch?’
‘No, he hasn’t. Not yet. But it would be so amazing if he could set something up for the launch day.’
‘What’s happening?’ asked Maddy.
I smiled. ‘Rory’s old college friend Gerard has danced in musicals in the West End. He recently set up his own dance troupe and Rory came up with the brilliant idea that maybe we could do a sort of joint promotion on the launch day of Magic of Dance.’
Maddy nodded. ‘Great idea. So they’d come and perform during your opening day celebrations?’
‘Exactly. It would be great entertainment for everyone, but it would also get Gerard and his dance team some fab publicity as well.’ I grimaced. ‘That’s if anyone turns up, of course.’
Smiling, Rory slipped his arm around me. ‘Don’t be daft. People are going to be queuing up to find out about this amazing new dance studio and to see what you can offer them.’
I gazed up at him. ‘I wish I had your confidence.’
‘So do I. You’ve worked so hard to set it up. I know this because I hardly ever see you these days.’ He frowned, leaning away from me. ‘Hang on, who the hellareyou, anyway?’
‘Oh, funny.’ Smiling, I gave him a dig in the ribs. ‘Hey, listen, I hope you’re going to be following Irene’s example and coming to my dance classes,’ I said with a mischievous twinkle.
He snorted. ‘On the first of never, maybe.’
‘But why not?’ I chided him jokingly. ‘I can’t actually believe I’m setting up a dance studio and my own partner won’t attempt even a simple waltz with me.’
‘Look, Clara,’ he said gravely, ‘no dance is “simple” when you’ve been born with the rhythm of a lettuce.’
I laughed. ‘You’re not that bad.’
‘Er, yes I am. Shall I give you a demo?’
‘No!’ I feigned a look of horror. ‘But what about my “dancing in the dark” sessions? You won’t have to worry about what you look like there because no one will see you.’
He pretended to consider. Then he grinned. ‘AndstillI’m not tempted.’
We’d had this banter a few times already and we both knew by now how it went. Rory would support me in any way I needed him to – but I’d never, ever get him dancing!
‘It’s a phobia and it has actually got a name,’ he said, looking sheepish.
‘Choreophobia. I know. You have mentioned it once or twice.’
He shrugged. ‘It’s all Sandra Henderson’s fault.’
‘Sandra Henderson?’
‘Sandra the ego-basher. I must have told you.’
‘You haven’t toldme,’ pointed out Maddy, who’d been listening to our banter with an indulgent smile.
‘Well, Maddy... you see, I’m convinced my phobia of dancing stems from an end-of-term school disco when Sandra, who by the way was the love of my life at that point, left me stranded on the dance floor halfway through ‘Last Night a DJ Saved My Life’. Just abandoned me right there in the middle of my favourite song looking like a proper saddo. And then she told everyone, and I meaneveryone, not to dance with me because I was too embarrassing and danced like a deranged muppet.’ He grinned. ‘They were her exact words. Imagine having to go through life knowingthatever after.’
I laughed and snuggled my head briefly into Rory’s shoulder. ‘Never mind. You’re good at everything else.’
He raised his eyebrows suggestively. ‘Why, thank you.’
‘Right, I’ll head into the café,’ said Maddy. ‘See you in there, Clara.’
I was about to reply when the sound of an urgent honk on Rory’s car horn split the air, causing a dog on the green to start barking manically.
