Learning to Dance Again

by Frankie Valente

  ‘Hi Julia; it’s a surprise to see you here.’

  Julia looked around and saw Paula sitting behind her. Her heart sank; she had forgotten Paula would be there today. She hadn’t seen her since she had stolen her taxi at Marianne’s birthday party.

  ‘I’m just bringing Amy along to watch her dad.’

  ‘I can see that. Hi Amy!’

  Amy turned to look at Paula and smiled.

  ‘I’m a princess! Julia made me a princess hairstyle. Do you like it?’

  ‘Yes, it’s lovely,’ Paula said, giving Julia a knowing look.

  The coach started up, and the woman Paula was sitting next to starting speaking and Julia was relieved when Paula lost interest in her and Amy.

  Julia had no idea where the coach was going; it was all part of the secret ritual. Nobody was to know the venue for the photographs, although it was normally one of the picturesque beaches; which didn’t exactly narrow down the options, since most of Shetland’s beaches were beauty spots.

  The coaches left Lerwick and then headed down the road towards Scalloway, before turning off towards Trondra and Burra. Julia wondered whether they were heading for Meal Beach, the sheltered sandy bay which was a popular place to visit; although rather less so on a bitterly cold January morning, when it had only been light for a couple of hours.

  Julia had guessed correctly. The coaches parked next to each other in the small car park and the occupants all hurried out and picked their way down the path to the beach.

  Julia held Amy’s hand and occasionally picked her up to lift her over puddles. They climbed over the stile at the bottom of the path and then scampered down the slope of rocks and grass onto the shore. The photographer was assembling his tripod and erecting an A-frame ladder on the beach.

  The squad of latter-day Vikings assembled on the beach with their backs to the sea. For the next hour the photographer took photographs of the squad, the Jarl, the wives and girlfriends, the children, and numerous combinations. The rain held off, although it was still cold and breezy, particularly down on the sand, away from the shelter of the rocks.

  Julia sat on a rock, with Amy on her lap wrapped in the tartan rug, which she was now wearing without protest. They both watched as Cameron raise his axe above his head and roar at the photographer, in unison with his Viking brothers.

  Julia studied the shield that Duncan had designed. It was an intricate geometric, Celtic inspired pattern of silver metal on an emerald enamelled background. The men wore green tunics, fringed with rabbit fur and intricate black and silver embroidery, over black felted wool leggings and black sheepskin boots decorated with silver braid and buckles. On their heads they wore black and silver helmets, with an emerald enamelled design on the front, echoing that on the shields, and again on the axe shafts. They all wore long black cloaks that almost grazed the ground. Every year Julia marvelled at the work that had gone into creating the unique costumes that each squad designed, but this year she truly believed it was the most beautiful she had ever seen.

  Her eyes watered, as much as a result of the salt laden wind, as the fact that she wished Duncan was standing on the beach wearing the outfit he had helped to design. She turned away and saw Kim, the photographer’s wife, walking towards her.

  ‘Are you not coming to get your photograph taken too?’

  ‘Ah, no; I’m only here to look after Amy.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. Wasn’t it your Duncan that did the design for the shields? You have to get a photo taken, even if it’s just for your boys.’

  Julia looked down at her jeans and parka and lifted her arms in protest.

  ‘I’m not dressed for it; I didn’t even bother with make-up this morning.’

  ‘Dunna you worry about that; you look gorgeous Julia. All windswept and beautiful. Come and get your photo taken with Amy. The squad are all asking for you.’

  Julia stood up reluctantly, although Amy, realising she had another photo opportunity instantly discarded her rug and ran down the beach to find her dad. Kim slipped her hand through Julia’s arm.

  ‘It’s good to see you here. You should be here; you were a part of all this too.’

  Julia nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

  ‘We all miss him you know,’ Kim said, squeezing Julia’s arm.

  As they reached the gathering of men on the beach, there was a spontaneous roar of welcome from the squad, led by the Jarl, distinguishable by his rather more ornate headgear and a bushy grey beard he had cultivated for at least two years. Julia felt herself blushing.

  ‘Now go and find yourself a nice hunky Viking to stand next to,’ Kim said, gently pushing Julia towards the men.

  Amy gestured for Julia to stand next to her, which was pretty much in the centre of the group. Julia had the Jarl on one side of her and Cameron on the other; with Amy holding on to her hand and posing coquettishly for the photo. Julia could not help smile at Amy’s exuberance.

  The photographer clicked away; the flashes from the camera bouncing off the shiny shields and axes. Kim gave Julia a double thumbs-up as she stood behind her husband. Julia saw her lean in and speak to him and a moment later he asked Julia to pose for a photo with Cameron and Amy. Julia was too polite to refuse, although she wanted to. She felt the eyes of all the other women on the beach watching her; judging her.

  Cameron whispered, ‘once in a lifetime Jules! I asked them to take this photo. Once in a lifetime!’

  Julia sighed, and put on her best smile for the camera. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Paula nudging one of her friends and whispering to her.

  After the photographs were taken, Julia led Amy back to pick up the blanket and to make their way back to the coach. This time she made sure she sat further away from Paula. She didn’t want to hear what she had to say about getting a photograph taken with Cameron.

  When they got back to Cameron’s house Julia made Amy a drink and a sandwich and they sat down to watch the television while they waited for Cameron to return.

  An hour later Cameron arrived home, carrying a huge bouquet of roses which he handed to Julia.

  ‘Just a little thank you.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. It was nothing.’

  ‘They’re not just from me; they’re from the squad. We were all so pleased to see you there. It meant a lot to us.’

  ‘Oh, really. That’s lovely. Say thank you to everyone, won’t you.’

  Julia picked her coat up and her car keys.

  ‘Can’t you stay for lunch?’

  ‘I’m sorry, I need to get home and get ready for Tony. He’s flying in from Inverness tomorrow morning. I have a few things still to do.’

  ‘Well, in that case I guess I’ll see you on Tuesday then. Which hall are you taking him to at night?’

  ‘Marianne managed to get us tickets for the Town Hall. She’s one of the hostesses there, so it should be a great night.’

  ‘I think that’s the third hall we’ll be visiting, so I will see you quite early on.’

  ‘Great. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for good weather.’

  Cameron shrugged, as if he didn’t particularly care what the weather gods threw at him.

  Julia said goodbye to Amy who looked rather sleepy on the sofa now. She wondered if she should mention the bruise to Cameron, but she was too embarrassed. He might think she was accusing him.

  ‘Dance with me, won’t you?’ Cameron said, as she put her parka on.

  ‘Of course I will,’ she replied. ‘Nobody says no to a Viking.’

  Cameron smirked, but didn’t say anything else.

  21

  Tony’s flight landed just as the rain started. Julia watched the first passengers emerge from the aircraft and hurry down the steps. Two young women, who Julia vaguely recognised raced each other to the building and barged through the door, giggling. They hurried towards their waiting parents, still laughing. Julia watched as Tony walked slowly towards her, his head up, looking around at the view, unconcerned by the rain. She felt a
sense of relief when she saw he was appropriately dressed for the weather. The last time she had seen him he had been wearing a linen shirt and chinos. Now he looked like he had just returned from climbing the Cairngorms, with his bulky North Face parka, a fleece hat, and gloves.

  She hurried over to meet him and was rewarded with a hug and three kisses on her cheeks. Julia blushed with pleasure and surprise.

  ‘Hello my dear! Isn’t this delightful? I can’t wait to see more of Shetland. It looked superb from the air.’

  ‘Really? I was just thinking it was such a horrible day to arrive.’

  ‘Dreich!’ Tony said, tentatively trying out a new Scottish word. Julia grinned.

  ‘Dreich definitely; or as I like to say, a day of shite.’

  ‘Well it was worse in Inverness.’

  The luggage carousel started up and Tony picked up his brown leather holdall and then they walked out to Julia’s car.

  ‘Do you like my outfit?’ Tony said, with an air of campness.

  ‘I do. It’s just the thing for this weather.’

  ‘I know. I had to go to a shop in Inverness to buy some more suitable clothing. I knew it would be colder here, but I still wasn’t quite prepared enough.’

  ‘Yeah, you Sicilian softie; you’ll see some proper weather now.’

  They drove out of the airport along the road that separated the runway from the sea. The rain shower had passed over but the clouds were still gloomy; although that did not dampen Tony’s enthusiasm for the view.

  ‘What’s up there?’ Tony asked, pointing to a steep hill, less than a mile from the airport.

  ‘That’s Sumburgh Head, where the lighthouse is. It’s a great place to see the puffins in the summer.’

  ‘Can we go and have a look?’

  Julia turned her car in the direction of the lighthouse road.

  ‘There won’t be much to see today.’

  ‘You should know I tend to see things in a different way to most people. I love the drama of bad weather. It feeds my writer’s imagination.’ Tony said, pulling a face and mocking his own pretentiousness.

  Julia parked the car close to the lighthouse. She could feel it being buffeted by the wind, and had no real desire to get out. But she knew Tony would. As he undid his seatbelt she put her hand on his arm.

  ‘Whatever you do, don’t let go of the car door as you get out.’

  Tony nodded, and then carefully opened and closed the door and hurried over to the wall to look over. He turned and grinned at Julia, who felt obliged to join him.

  ‘This is glorious!’ Tony yelled, above the wind.

  They leaned over the solid stone wall and looked down at the sea, many metres below them. Julia pointed to a rabbit huddling in a hollow a few feet away.

  ‘The puffins live in those burrows down there,’ Julia explained. ‘With rabbits for neighbours; but the puffins are only here for a few weeks in the summer.’

  Tony nodded, and then pointed down at the sea.

  ‘There’s a seal.’

  ‘One of the thousands that live here,’ Julia replied, as Tony grinned with pleasure.

  They arrived back at Julia’s house in the late afternoon as Tony had insisted on stopping off at various sites to take a closer look. He didn’t seem to care about missing lunch, and Julia was happy to show him around while it was still light.

  ‘What a great day it’s been already,’ Tony said, as he sat down in the lounge.

  Julia handed him a mug of coffee and took a seat on the sofa and slumped back in a pose of exaggerated exhaustion.

  ‘What a shame it isn’t summer though.’

  ‘You keep saying that; stop it. I really don’t mind the wind and the rain; it’s a bit of a novelty for me.’

  ‘So, what do you fancy for dinner later? Steak, chicken, fish?’

  ‘What’s a typical Shetland dinner for a cold Monday night in January?’

  ‘Mince and tatties!’

  ‘Sounds good to me.’

  ‘Really? It’s not very exotic.’

  ‘I’m not very exotic.’

  Julia smiled at him, as if she didn’t agree. ‘OK then, mince and tatties it is.’ She put down her mug and sighed. ‘Nobody will believe me when I say that the first time I ever cooked for a celebrity, I made them mince and tatties.’

  Tony roared with laughter.

  ‘Did you see anyone recognise me today? I’m not much of a celebrity. Nobody knows me these days; and that’s the way I like it.’

  Julia stood up and went out to the kitchen and Tony followed her. He took a seat at the kitchen table and watched as she set about making dinner. He offered to chop onions, but she refused his help. He walked over to his bag and pulled out two bottles of bubble wrapped Prosecco and put them in her fridge. He grinned when he saw that there were already two bottles of Prosecco in the door rack. He lifted one out and showed her.

  ‘Thought you’d feel more at home,’ Julia said, nodding towards the cupboard where the glasses were stored. She was peeling potatoes at the sink and her hands were wet from rinsing them. ‘I think it’s time to celebrate your safe arrival in Shetland.’

  Julia put the potatoes in a saucepan to boil and then washed her hands and dried them, in time to take a glass of sparkling wine from Tony. She clinked her glass with his and took a sip, just as the phone rang.

  ‘Excuse me!’ Julia put her glass down and picked up the handset, expecting it to be either Bryden or Jamie. It was Cameron.

  ‘Hi, what’s up?’ Julia said, having picked up on the anxiety in his voice.

  ‘Laura has accused me of hurting Amy. She says she’s going to get a court order to stop me seeing her.’

  ‘What do you mean, hurting her?’

  ‘She says that Amy was covered in bruises when I took her back home yesterday, and that I must have been responsible. She said a social worker has been to see her already, and that they want to see me too.’

  Julia instantly forgot about her guest. She walked into the lounge and sat down heavily on the sofa.

  ‘I meant to say something to you yesterday actually. I noticed a bruise on Amy’s back when she was getting ready. But it was an old bruise; there was no way that happened over the weekend. I asked Amy about it and she said she fell off her bed when she was playing trampolines.’

  ‘You saw it? Why didn’t you say?’

  ‘I didn’t know what to say. Kids are always falling and hurting themselves. Amy didn’t seem distressed or anything. She was perfectly happy. I only noticed it because she went to the bathroom before we left and her dress got caught up in her leggings. I was helping to straighten it out.’

  ‘I see. You’re sure it was an old bruise.’

  ‘Definitely; it was all yellow in the centre. I’m sure Amy will tell the social worker what really happened. Don’t worry.’

  ‘Don’t worry? How can I not worry? And tonight of all nights; I really need to get a good night’s sleep.’

  ‘Don’t you see? She’s doing this deliberately to ruin your day; just like she tried to ruin your Christmas with all that nonsense about moving to Aberdeen. That didn’t amount to anything did it? Take no notice. I bet she never even spoke to a social worker.’

  ‘Maybe you’re right. Thanks!’

  ‘That’s OK, but I had better go now; I’m cooking dinner for Tony.’

  ‘Of course! Well, I’ll see you tomorrow; if I haven’t been arrested for child abuse that is.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. Goodnight.’

  Julia went back to the kitchen and put the phone down on its cradle.

  ‘Sorry about that, a bit of a domestic drama for my friend Cameron; you remember, the man who came over to Sicily to see Jürgen.’

  ‘Ah yes, Jürgen mentioned him when I saw him at Christmas. He was very impressed with him. I gather they’re collaborating on a project now. Has anything happened with him since your little fling?’

  ‘No, not really. It’s far too complicated. He still has a wife in the backgroun
d, even if they have separated; and I feel it’s too soon for me to be moving on.’

  ‘Is this a too soon for you, or too soon, what will the neighbours think, kind of thing?’

  ‘Not so much my neighbours as my sons.’

  ‘That could take a very long time.’ Tony said, nodding his head.

  Julia shrugged. ‘I don’t think I’m ready yet either.’

  She sat down at the table opposite Tony and picked up her glass and held it in both hands, staring at the delicate bubbles that rose up from the bottom of the glass in continually evolving patterns. She twisted the glass, watching how the bubbles sparkled in the light.

  ‘My daughter thinks I’m ready now. Fancy that; I thought my children would resent me ever meeting someone else. But she told me on New Year’s Eve that I ought to start looking for a new wife. She wants her child to have a grandmother when it’s born.’

  ‘That is surprising!’ Julia said, looking at Tony, who shrugged in response.

  ‘I know. I thought she would miss her mother even more now.’

  ‘She probably does. Perhaps she’s realised you must be missing her too, and that you must be lonely.’

  ‘Maybe. Or maybe she doesn’t think I would make much of a babysitter without a woman around. She’d probably be delighted if I just married Maria. That way she would have an excellent babysitter, housekeeper and cook all in one.’ Tony took a sip of his wine and nodded thoughtfully. ‘Actually, that’s not a bad idea.’

  Julia laughed. ‘Are you sure you’re not on the lookout for someone half your age, like most men seem to be?’

  ‘Oh heavens no! What young woman could bear to be with a wrinkled old wreck like me? No, they would only want me for my money, and how depressing would that be?’

  ‘You’re not an old wreck. But Cameron married someone much younger than himself and that didn’t end well. His wife still wanted to go out partying all the time and was not satisfied with their life, despite the fact they have a lovely daughter and an award winning house.’

  ‘The youth of today! It’s wasted on them. I would give anything to turn the clock back a few years and appreciate what I had, when I had it.’