Page 27 of Teacakes & Tangos
A local company had designed them and they’d been so eye-catching, inviting everyone along to the grand opening of this fabulous new dance centre, and how marvellous it was going to be, with displays of all different styles of dancing, and performers direct from the West End stage!
After that kind of build-up, the thought of postponing launch day and having to re-do the flyer with the new date made me feel sick every time I thought about it.
And then, to top everything off, Rory and I had a massive row.
It was over something really silly.
Lois had asked us if we wanted to go to the cinema to watch a film she’d been looking forward to seeing. She hated going alone. She said she didn’t like the idea of people staring at her and assuming she must be lonely and have no friends.
‘Oh, I love going to watch movies on my own,’ I confessed with a smile. ‘Especially during the day. It just seems so deliciously naughty somehow.’
Lois had snorted. ‘You definitely need to get a life, Clara, if that’s your idea of naughty. So are you and Rory coming with me or what?’
I had a million things on my to-do list before opening day, but I told her we’d come if we could.
As it drew nearer the time, though, I knew it would be impossible. There was still so much to do over at the dance centre, so I had to tell Lois I couldn’t make it and we’d have to reschedule for another time.
‘That’s fine,’ she said cheerily, and I thought no more about it.
The next job on my list was cleaning up after the various tradesmen had done their work, and Rory had said he’d help me as soon as he finished work at the stables.
He’d wanted me to get a firm of cleaners in to save me some work, but I was conscious that I’d already spent a hugeamount on adapting the building, so I was intent on cutting costs wherever possible.
I spent the entire day scrubbing out and I was absolutely exhausted by the time Rory came over soon after six. I was so relieved to see him, I almost felt like crying.
‘Don’t come near me,’ I laughed. ‘I’m all sweaty and horrible. I kind of wish I’d taken your advice now and got the cleaners in.’
He hugged me anyway and said my hair smelled like bleach.
I chuckled. ‘Not surprised. So I reckon if we get going straight away, we can get all the cleaning finished tonight – which is just as well because I’ve got so much to do tomorrow, my head is already spinning.’
Rory glanced at his watch. ‘Right, well, you’ve got me for... an hour and a half?’
I frowned, confused. ‘But I thought you’d be helping me until it was done? What’s happening in an hour and a half?’
‘I’m meeting Lois at the cinema, remember?’
I stared at him. ‘But I told her we couldn’t make it because there was too much to do.’
‘Did you?’ He frowned. ‘She phoned me and said you couldn’t go, so she was counting on me to go with her.’
‘And you said you would? Knowing how frantically busy I am, getting ready for open day?’
He sighed. ‘I feel sorry for her, Clara. She’s heartbroken over Mark. I didn’t want to let her down.’
I swallowed hard, suppressing my irritation.
Lois could be such a little sneak!
She’d known when I’d spoken to her that I’d meant neither of us could make the cinema. But she’d gone and phoned Rory anyway. And he’d played right into her hands...
‘Come on. You deserve a break,’ murmured Rory. ‘You’re working far too hard. Why don’t you come with us?’
‘Rory, Ican’t!’ I stared at him in disbelief. How could he be so calm with this deadline looming? ‘You just don’t understand.’
He moved closer. ‘Hey, I do understand. Of course I do. And we’ll be ready for the opening day, I promise you. Even if we have to work all night. But why not come with us tonight? It’s just a few hours and it might help you to relax a bit.’
‘You mean because I’m gettinghysterical?’ I demanded, my voice rising to a panicky squeak.
