Page 32 of Teacakes & Tangos
The lights dimmed and people gasped as the glitterball that was suspended in the centre of the room suddenly sprang to life, shimmering and sparkling, and casting its silvery light over every surface, including the surprised faces of the people around us.
And as we all watched in amazement, the dancers whisked off their sundresses to reveal rather more body-hugging skirts and tops beneath, in eye-catching pops of colour.
‘And now, please welcome our amazing male dancers who’ve come direct from a show in the West End to perform for us today,’ announced Clara, as a dozen fit-looking young guys appeared on stage and linked up with their partners.
And then, to the delight of the audience, a lively jive was in full swing.
‘Freakin’ Nora. It’s Grannies on Speed. Look at them go!’ gasped Ella, and as everyone around us laughed, the appreciative applause and cheering rose up a few levels until it was really quite deafening.
I stood there, trying to smile, as everyone around me clapped – but my mind had gone to Dad in the hospital, and I was thinking about how he and Mum had been so brilliant at the jive. It was one of their favourite dances.
I swallowed on the painful lump in my throat, unable to stop a rogue tear or two from spilling over.
Xander had stopped clapping and was looking at me questioningly. He indicated that maybe we should leave and I smiled and nodded gratefully. The WI ladies had been amazing but the reminders of what used to be my life were everywhere these days...
‘Sorry, I’m just being silly,’ I murmured, trying to blot my mascara so it wouldn’t run. ‘I started thinking about Mum and Dad and how they would have loved this place.’
‘Not silly at all,’ he said. ‘Memories can get you like that. Music’s terrible for making me sentimental.’
I nodded. ‘I used to love going to the opera with Mum. Hearing it now always stirs me up inside. And the ballet. She loved that as well, and so did I.’
‘Do you go regularly? To the ballet?’
I shook my head. ‘Haven’t been to one since Mum died. But I’d like to. Have you ever been to the ballet?’
He gave a comical grimace. ‘People prancing around in tights and tutus? Can’t say I’ve ever fancied it, to be honest.’
I chuckled at his bemused expression. Then I excused myself to nip to the Ladies and Xander said he’d wait for me outside.
There was no one else in there, which was a relief. Standing in front of the mirror, I took a few deep breaths to try and calm my emotions. Then I grabbed some toilet tissue and tried to blot my face so I didn’t have mascara in places it shouldn’t be.
When I emerged, Xander was still standing in the reception area, chatting to Clara. As I walked over, she broke away from him to greet a couple of people who were just arriving.
‘You okay?’ asked Xander as we walked outside.
‘Thank you. Yes. I think I just need to be with Dad. You know?’
He nodded. ‘I’ll drive you there now if you like?’
‘No, Xander. You’ve done too much for me already.’
‘Hey, I don’t mind. In fact, I want to go with you. I like you, Anika. I always have.’ He gave a sheepish shrug. ‘I used to wish I could get you alone those times in the canteen at work.’
I looked at him in surprise. ‘You did?’
He grinned. ‘I did. But Lyndsay, lovely as she is, was always there as well. And of course you were unavailable, so the timing was all wrong, anyway.’
I smiled. ‘I guess it was.’ I flicked my eyes to the sky. ‘I was wasting my time with Loathsome Les.’
‘Exactly.’
I smiled shyly up at him, my heart beating a little faster. ‘But Lyndsay’s not here right now. And Les is history. So...’ I gave a careless little shrug that belied how fast my heart was suddenly beating.
‘You think now could be the right time?’ he murmured.
‘Maybe. But with so much going on for me, we don’t have to rush into anything, do we?’
A smile spread across his face and the way his eyes were twinkling at me was doing extremely pleasurable things to my insides.
