Page 27 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
She stifles a yawn. ‘Bright-tailed and bushy-eyed tomorrow.’
I look at her and laugh. And then she realises what she justsaid and groans. ‘I can’t believe I said that. You’re right. I need my bed.’
We exchange a grin, she collects her bag and coat, and aminute later, I hear her engine starting. I glance out of the window, hopingshe’s not stuck in the snow. But the car glides away with no problem.
I’m just coming out of the kitchen myself ten minutes later,carrying a box, my bag over my shoulder, when I hear music and laughter, and Inotice light flooding out of the ballroom.
As a ballroom dancing fan, I’ve been longing to look intothis grand room ever since I first arrived, but the door has always been firmlyclosed, so I haven’t even had a chance to peer through the gap. But now, maybeI could have just a little peek?
I set the box down to the side of the main door, ready totake it out to the car. Then I walk softly along by the main staircase and theglowing Christmas tree – breathing in its glorious woody scent – in thedirection of the music and the laughter.
The door is wide open. I stand on the threshold and catch mybreath in awe.
The room is enormous and very grand, and it makes me thinkof Blackpool’s gorgeous Tower Ballroom, which features each year onStrictly.The lighting is soft and warm, with two spectacular crystal chandeliersglittering overhead. The music filling my ears is evocative of days gone by –the Big Band sound – Frank Sinatra singing ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’.
One couple – Rhoda and Bob – are dancing beneath the lightsand I stand in the doorway, transfixed, watching them. They’re sweeping acrossthe floor so elegantly, doing what I recognise as the quickstep – my favouritedance to watch – and I’m swept away instantly, living it all. The music, the romance,the delicious atmosphere of the ballroom.
Harvey would never dance with me. He always said he had twoleft feet, so at the grand events we’d attend, I’d be standing there, watchingall the couples spinning around the floor and wishing we could be one of them…
Rhoda and Bob are moving so beautifully together, and I’mswaying in time to the music now, unaware of anything that might be happening aroundme – I’m just totally immersed in the glamour and the romance. So when someonetouches my shoulder, I practically leap into next week.
I turn to find Noah standing there, a lazy smile crinklingthe corners of his lovely blue eyes.
‘You’ve got some good moves there,’ he says. ‘And so havethey.’ He nods at Rhoda and Bob, who are still twirling and quicksteppingaround the floor like ballroom champions.
‘They’re brilliant, aren’t they?’ I smile in agreement, asmy heart starts doing an energetic dance of its very own. (Less ‘elegantballroom’ and rather more ‘disco ball with flashing lights’.) ‘I’ve alwayswanted to be able to dance like that.’
‘Why haven’t you?’
I shrug. ‘Never really had the opportunity.’Harvey hateddancing.
He moves a step closer, accidentally brushing against me,and a funny little tingle fizzes along my arm and right to the core of me,making me catch my breath. My heart is jumping about like a manic frog, so Iforce myself to concentrate on Rhoda and Bob, who are still tripping the lightfantastic with great sophistication.
Rhoda suddenly looks over and catches my eye. She gives us alittle wave and says something to Bob. And then he’s spinning his wife aroundand around on the spot, until the music stops and she falls into his arms witha little shriek.
‘Oh, my goodness, I’m worn out now!’ she laughs, beckoningus over. ‘Come on, you two. It’s a waltz next.’
I laugh nervously and call over to Rhoda, ‘I don’t dance.’ Iglance awkwardly at Noah. ‘At least, not in public.’
‘Then it’s time you did, isn’t it?’
Before I have a chance to object, I feel his hand on mywaist, and he’s propelling me gently forwards, over to where Rhoda and Bob arewaiting.
‘You don’t dance?’ Rhoda frowns. Then her eyes light up.‘Then I think you need a little lesson from an expert.’ She twinkles at herhusband and he laughs.
‘I’m no expert.’
‘No, but you’re good. You can teach Jenny and I will spin aroundthe floor with Noah.’ She turns and smiles up at Noah, reaching up to pat hischeek. ‘You remind me so much of my nephew. Come along.’
Noah’s face is a picture and I almost laugh out loud at hispanic.
‘Rhoda, I’ve never done ballroom dancing in my life!’
‘Well, that’s good.’ She waves away his protests with asmile. ‘That means you won’t have had a chance to develop any bad habits.Right, put your hand right here…and we’ll get into hold…that’s right…now, justfollow my feet. The waltz is easy-peasy, once you get the hang of it.’
I watch in amusement as the two of them start moving slowlyand awkwardly round the floor. At one point, Noah looks over at me and mouths‘Help!’ – but I know he’s only joking. He actually looks as if he’s enjoying himself,and so is Rhoda.
I look at Bob.
