Page 8 of Teacakes & Tangos
‘You need to get the box right first.’
‘Hey, that’s a bit personal. There’s nothing wrong with my box. In fact, I’ll thank you to leave my box out of this, please.’ (More helpless laughter with the addition of a pause to wipe tears from her eyes.)
‘The boxstep, Maddy. It’s the basics of a good rhumba. If you can master the box step, you’ve got the basics for most other Latin dances.’
‘Right. Well, that’s good to know.’
We got into hold again and she frowned and looked down at her feet as we went through the moves again.
I’d asked Maddy to meet me at the Little Duck Pond Café so we could chat over coffee, and I could ask her advice about my social media campaign. I was opening a new dance centre and I needed to get the word out, and I knew Maddy was good at that kind of publicity.
She’d been walking across the village green when I stepped off the bus, so I’d caught her up and we’d started chatting about dancing and she’d told me she’d always fancied learning the tango and would I teach her the steps?
I’d said of course I would. She could come to one of my classes when we opened.
‘No, I meant now.’
‘Right here?’ I’d grinned at her in disbelief.
‘Why not? There’s plenty of space. We’d be bumping into chairs and tables in the café.’
I’d chuckled, remembering how impulsive Maddy could be. ‘Okay. Just a quick demo, though, because I’ve got a million and one things on my to-do list before the grand opening of Magic of Dance!’
‘What’s that tune you keep humming?’ she asked now, as I continued to steer her through the basic steps.
‘ “You are the Sunshine of my Life”? Stevie Wonder? Great to dance the rhumba to. Love Stevie Wonder. He’s Irene’s all-time favourite artist so I’ve been listening to him forever.’
‘Does Irene dance?’
I smiled, thinking of my step-mum. ‘No. She says she wants to learn the tango and go to my classes. But I think she’s just being supportive.’
‘She might enjoy it.’
‘Hopefully. Now, come on. You almost got it that last time.’
‘Okay . . . serious now. Get the box right.’
Grabbing me in hold, she exaggerated her posture, elbows in the air, and made a comically solemn face at me.
At which point, we both collapsed with laughter.
‘Am I your worst pupil ever?’ Maddy asked as we walked over to the café.
‘Not the worst. Although the Cookie Monster did move a little more gracefully than you.’
‘I’m insulted. Hey, how many dancers does it take to change a lightbulb?’
I groaned. ‘I don’t know. How many dancersdoesit take to change a lightbulb, Maddy?’
‘Five . . . six . . . seven . . . eight!’ She wiggled her hips in time to the rhythm.
I chuckled. ‘I’ve actually never heard that one. Which is surprising when you consider I’ve been mad about dancing since I was about five-and-a-half.’
‘Strictly Come Dancingwill be back on the telly soon.’
‘I know. I can’t wait. I love that show.’
‘I like “Blackpool week” best, when they dance in the amazing Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Have you ever been there?’
