Page 48 of Teacakes & Tangos
‘Now?’ I asked in surprise.
‘If you like? It starts in ten minutes. No pressure if you’d rather not, though. We can just get on with the rest of the induction.’
‘No, well, I’d really like to. Do the dancing in the dark thing, I mean. I guess that’s what the leggings and T-shirt are for?’ I held up my bag.
She nodded. ‘Clara would like you to participate in any of the dance sessions free of charge. Outside your working hours, of course.’
‘Of course.’
‘Obviously it’s not compulsory, but she believes strongly in the health benefits of dance and she wants her employees to benefit.’
I smiled in amazement. ‘That’s so great.’
Maddy grinned. ‘I know. Clara’s a one-off. She seems to be on a one-woman mission to get the whole community jiving andtango-ing their way to good health! I think you’re going to enjoy working for her.’
I nodded. ‘I think I am.’
‘Right, we’d better get moving or we’ll be late and the lights will already be off!’
She whisked me along to a spacious changing room that was fitted with lockers, mirrors and a row of shower cubicles. ‘You can get changed in here and I’ll see you out there in Studio Two in five minutes?’
‘Great!’
I looked around me as I changed into my leggings and T-shirt. I hadn’t expected there would be such a lovely big changing room with so many showers. Although thinking about it, it could get quite busy in here, especially after the Zumba sessions which would no doubt be a very energetic work-out.
Maddy had told me earlier that her friend, Jaz, had been recruited as the dance studio’s Zumba teacher. I’d never tried Zumba before but it sounded like really good fun – and as a new employee, now was my chance to find out!
My mobile rang and it was Xander, phoning to wish me luck.
‘Thanks. Hey, guess what I’m about to do, as part of my café induction?’
‘Sample a bite of every cake and pastry on offer?’ he suggested. ‘Just so you can advise customers, obviously.’
I chuckled. ‘That’syourdream, not mine.’
‘Come on, then. What’s happening?’
‘I’m doing a Dancing in the Dark session. And I actually can’t wait!’
‘Brilliant.’
‘I know. Clara has this thing where she believes so firmly in the power of dance that she wants her employees to join in whenever they want to.’
‘She sounds like my kind of employer.’
‘I know. Anyway, I’d better go because the session’s due to start.’
‘How long will you be?’
‘Maddy said I’d be free by five. Why?’
‘I thought I might come down and meet you. Take you out for an early dinner to celebrate your new job?’
‘Oh. That sounds lovely. But why don’t we just grab some food from the supermarket and cook it at mine?’ A romantic dinner for two was very tempting, but I had my sensible hat on. Xander had already been far too generous. ‘They always have the best yellow-sticker bargains later on in the day.’
He chuckled. ‘You don’t need a financial advisor, do you? In fact, you could probably advise me.’
I went off to Studio Two with a big smile on my face.
