by Jo Cotterill
It was a traditional salsa tune with a contemporary feel, and Megan felt the music spread up from her toes through her whole body. It was impossible not to dance! She threw herself into the moves, and around her she knew the other girls were doing the same. It was amazing to feel part of a synchronized dance group, with their audience only arm’s length away!
As ever, the dance felt like it was over in a flash, but the response was immediate. Parents and friends rose to their feet, clapping and cheering. Flushed, Megan took a bow with the other girls and then went back to her table. ‘That was great!’ Nicola told her, beaming.
Corinne called for attention. ‘Good evening! It’s lovely to see so many of you here supporting the girls.’ The audience quietened down again to listen. ‘When I started the salsa class back in September,’ Corinne went on, ‘I never imagined it would take off so quickly. But the girls have all been so dedicated and enthusiastic, teaching them has been a real pleasure. And it’s wonderful that you’ve all come out on this dark and cold evening to see what they’ve achieved in such a short space of time. I think you’ll agree they’ve done themselves proud.’ She led the applause. ‘We’re going to have some food and some dancing – and do have a go at some salsa steps yourselves, they’re easier than they look! The girls will be happy to show you what to do, I’m sure.’ She smiled. ‘And then in about an hour, the girls are going to do a completely different dance for you. One of the class – Megan Hirst – has had quite a career in ballroom dancing already.’ Megan went bright red. ‘And she has been teaching a brand-new dance to the group,’ went on Corinne with a grin. ‘I won’t spoil it for you by telling you what it is – you’ll have to wait and see! Oh – and one last thing.’ She beckoned to Jackie, who was standing in the shadows holding something. ‘We want to say a big thank you to Megan’s mum, Nicola, who spent hours making all those beautiful skirts for the girls. These are for you.’
‘Oh!’ said Nicola, as Jackie presented her with a huge bouquet of flowers. ‘How lovely! Thank you so much – honestly, it was a pleasure.’
‘Don’t say that,’ Megan told her, ‘otherwise you’ll have to make our costumes next time too!’
‘Anyway, that’s quite enough from me,’ said Corinne. ‘Please – help yourselves to food, and help yourselves to salsa too!’
The music went back on, and the noise level rose. ‘This is just what we need this Christmas,’ said Bryan, looking round approvingly. ‘All the family at a big party, with good food, dancing and company.’
Megan gave him a hug. ‘Thanks, Dad.’
‘Me hug too,’ Owen said in a babyish voice.
Bryan laughed, and pulled the boy onto his lap. ‘You too, Owen. Come on, Nicky.’
‘I’ll squash my flowers! Hang on a minute.’ Nicola laid her bouquet on the table and joined in the cuddle. ‘First Christmas in Parchester! Well done, everyone, for coping with the move so well. I feel we’ve really settled in here.’
‘Me too,’ agreed Bryan. ‘New jobs, new friends, new life!’
Nicola saw Megan pull a face. ‘Megan?’
‘Oh, I’m all right,’ said Megan hastily. ‘Honestly. It was hard to start with, but it’s a lot better now.’
‘Yeah?’ Nicola put a hand on her daughter’s chin and tilted it up. ‘You looked like you were thinking of something in particular.’
Megan shrugged and tried to sound casual. ‘I guess I still miss Milton, that’s all. And Jake, of course.’ She felt her cheeks grow warm and desperately hoped she wasn’t blushing too noticeably.
Nicola and Bryan exchanged a look. ‘Well,’ said Nicola, ‘you’ve been very brave about it all. And who knows, maybe things will turn out for the best.’
Megan was puzzled. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘I’m hungry,’ whined Owen. ‘The people over there have sausage rolls!’
‘Come on, hungry monster.’ Nicola got up and took Owen’s hand. ‘Let’s get you some dinner.’
Megan trailed after them, wondering what Nicola had meant. As she stood in the queue for food, she spotted Mari and Sean sitting together with Victoria. The two of them were holding hands under the table. She smiled, but something inside ached and she knew it was because she wanted the same thing for herself. She wanted Jake’s hand holding hers under the table. The thought made her tingle.
Megan sighed and went to get some food.
It took a while for people to pluck up the courage to dance, but before too long, there were lots of people on the dance floor trying out the salsa steps that Megan and the other girls were teaching them. Mari dragged Victoria over to introduce her to Megan, and Victoria seemed more than willing to have a go at the salsa. ‘It would be lovely if you came to class next term,’ Megan told her.
Victoria grinned. ‘I’ll think about it. If Mari can do it then anyone can.’
‘Hey!’ Mari shoved her affectionately.
It seemed no time at all before Corinne was calling them all together to get ready for the jive.
‘I’m not sure I can bounce with all this food inside me,’ groaned Jackie.
‘I told you not to have second helpings of gateau,’ Alys said.
‘But there might not be any left afterwards,’ Jackie explained. ‘Oof!’
Megan grinned at Mari. She was usually the first to join in any conversation about food. But Mari was looking oddly distracted. ‘You OK, Mari?’ asked Megan.
‘Huh? Oh, yeah. Yes, I’m fine.’ But Mari’s eyes kept flicking to the door.
Megan followed her gaze curiously. ‘What are you looking at?’
‘Nothing, nothing. Just nervous.’ Mari swung round brightly. ‘So! Let’s do this!’
Corinne beckoned them all close. ‘This term has been brilliant,’ she told them. ‘And you’ve worked really hard at the salsa. This is your turn – well, yours and Megan’s. Give it some real energy – and happy Christmas!’
The girls cheered. ‘Yeah!’ Alys punched the air. ‘Let’s go!’
The music started, and within two bars the audience had started clapping along. ‘Strickly!’ yelled Owen, bouncing up and down on Bryan’s lap. ‘Jill and Darren on YouTube! Yeah!’
His father laughed. ‘You don’t even know who Jill and Darren are!’
‘They’re dancers!’ shouted Owen excitedly.
Megan joined the girls for the opening, and then, as planned, moved to one side so that they could pair up. She watched with a real glow of pride – they were doing so well! Jackie and Alys were kicking and flicking for all they were worth, despite the fact that Jackie had eaten too much. A small mistake caught her eye, and Megan frowned. It wasn’t like Mari to go wrong in that part of the dance. And now she was on the wrong foot! It looked like she wasn’t concentrating at all!
Megan waited for her cue and ran in to join the final bars of the song. It came to a rousing finish, and the girls struck the final position. Again, the audience rose to their feet, clapping and cheering even louder than they had for the salsa. Megan felt flushed with pride. Her first group choreography! And it had gone really well. She saw her family clapping and beaming at her, and Owen so excited he was running round and round in circles. She saw Corinne clapping and smiling, Victoria trying to blow a wolf whistle, and Sean, who was whooping and punching his fist in the air. Megan smiled. He wouldn’t mind that Mari made a mistake or two! She wondered what had distracted Mari – had she been looking at the doorway again?
Automatically, Megan’s own eyes swung round – and for a moment, the world whirled into darkness and her knees felt weak.
Standing in the doorway, clapping and smiling at her, was Jake.
Chapter 18
surprise!
MEGAN FELT ROOTED to the spot. Suddenly Mari was at her elbow. ‘Surprise!’ she whispered.
Megan couldn’t take her eyes off Jake. ‘Is he – how did you . . .?’
‘Nicked the number from your mobile,’ grinned Mari. ‘When we went out to dinner. I’ve been ringing him on and
off ever since, trying to get this organized. You wouldn’t believe how difficult it’s been – and I’ve nearly blabbed it all several times!’ She nudged Megan in the back. ‘Aren’t you going over then?’
As though in a dream, Megan moved towards the doorway, and Jake came towards her. How could she have forgotten how good-looking he was? True, he may not have defined cheekbones and model looks, but there was something so warm about him. The expression in his eyes, the way his hair still stuck up on top of his head – she loved all those things about him, didn’t she? How could she ever have thought Danny so good-looking? Next to Jake, Danny’s looks seemed false and superficial.
‘Hi,’ he said.
‘Hi.’
They were only a couple of feet apart, but Megan suddenly couldn’t think of anything to say. And to her intense embarrassment she was blushing!
‘That was great,’ said Jake, indicating the dance floor. ‘That jive. Is that the one you choreographed?’
Megan was unable to do anything but nod. This is ridiculous! she told herself. Pull yourself together – it’s just Jake! ‘Um – wow. It’s amazing to see you. What are you doing here?’
‘Came to see you, of course.’ Jake grinned. ‘Heard you were having a party, and you didn’t invite me.’ His gaze flicked over her shoulder. ‘Your friend Mari’s a bit mad, isn’t she? Been texting me every day the last week to make sure I was still coming!’
Megan laughed. ‘That sounds like her, yes.’ She turned to glance over her shoulder and caught Mari’s eye. Mari immediately turned away and pretended to be talking to someone else.
‘Besides,’ Jake went on, ‘I wanted to check up on your dancing. Can’t have your standards slipping, can we?’
‘There’s no ballroom round here,’ Megan pointed out. ‘There aren’t any classes for me to go to except this one.’
‘Actually . . .’ Corinne suddenly appeared at her shoulder. ‘I’ve been making some enquiries about that. And I think I might have found someone. So don’t worry too much, Megan. I think you might be able to get back to real training after Christmas. I’ll let your parents know.’ She drifted away again.
Megan raised her eyebrows, stunned. ‘Wow. That came out of nowhere. This is an evening of surprises.’
‘Yeah.’ Jake reached out and took her hand. ‘Um . . . can you take another one?’
Megan’s heart suddenly seemed to be beating twice as fast. ‘What kind of surprise?’
‘Well . . .’ Jake glanced over at Mari again. ‘Mari was wondering whether you and I would do a dance together. She said she’d asked Corinne if it would be all right. For old times’ sake.’
‘What sort of dance?’
Jake smiled. ‘What do you think? Our waltz, of course. Our competition winner.’
‘But . . .’ Megan withdrew her hand in panic. ‘But I haven’t done it since the summer! I can’t even remember it!’
‘Course you can,’ Jake told her. ‘We practised it every day for months. It’ll come back.’
Megan’s throat went dry. ‘I haven’t got my dress,’ she said helplessly. ‘My waltz dress.’
Jake looked across at her family. ‘I think your mum brought it.’
‘What?’ Megan’s head snapped round. ‘They knew? They knew about this?’
‘Don’t get mad,’ Jake begged. ‘They had to be in on it. Besides, my stepdad . . .oh God. You’re not annoyed I’m here, are you?’ His face fell. ‘This isn’t the biggest mistake ever, is it?’ He lowered his voice. ‘Are you still – I mean – do you wish I was Danny? I know you wanted him to come.’
‘What? Of course not! Why would I want him here after the way he treated me?’
‘So why are you angry?’ Jake looked anxious. ‘Do you want me to go away again?’
On an impulse, Megan put out her hand to grab his arm. The contact sent a tingle through her fingers. ‘No, don’t! Of course I don’t want you to go away again. I’m just a bit shocked, that’s all. And to think you’ve all been planning this behind my back . . .’
Jake took her hand and squeezed it. ‘But it’s a good surprise, right?’
Megan looked into his eyes and her heart beat faster. It was almost as though she were seeing him for the first time. Why had she never realized how she felt before? She swallowed. ‘It’s a really good surprise.’
Jake smiled and his gaze softened. ‘You look great, Megan. It’s so good to see you.’
Megan just nodded, not trusting her voice. He’d never looked at her in quite that way before . . .
‘So are you OK to do our waltz?’
Megan pulled back her hand, trying to compose herself. ‘For old times’ sake?’ she said lightly.
‘Exactly. And . . . sort of for new times’ sake too.’
‘Pardon?’
Jake looked a little worried. ‘I’ve sort of got another surprise. It’s a good one though, I hope.’
‘What’s going on?’
‘Well, it’s not quite definite yet . . .’
‘What do you mean, it’s not definite? What are you talking about?’
‘Stephen’s got an interview,’ said Jake. ‘On Monday. In Parchester. With your dad’s company.’
‘In . . .’ Words failed Megan. Automatically she glanced towards her family. Her father smiled broadly at her and gave her a thumbs-up. ‘You mean your stepdad might be working here?’
‘Like I said, we don’t know yet. But the company asked him to come for interview. They actually headhunted Stephen! So they really want him to come and work for them. I think someone’s leaving or retiring and your dad put in a good word.’
Megan shook her head. ‘I can’t take this in . . . what are you saying?’
Jake took a breath. ‘We might be coming to live here.’
‘Oh my God! Really?’ Megan felt a huge smile spread across her face.
Jake grinned in relief. ‘You’d be pleased about that?’
‘Pleased? You don’t know how pleased!’
‘I wasn’t sure . . . Now that you’ve got new friends and everything.’
‘Oh, don’t be daft!’
Mari bounced over. ‘I couldn’t wait any longer! Are you guys going to dance for us or what?’
Megan looked at Jake. ‘I guess we are,’ she said.
Mari let out a scream. ‘This is so perfect! I knew it! Megan, your mum brought your dress.’ She thrust out a bag. ‘It might be a bit crumpled but we couldn’t risk you seeing it. Sorry about the top secret stuff, by the way. I just thought it would be so cool if you didn’t know!’ She looked anxious for a moment. ‘You didn’t guess, did you?’
‘No,’ said Megan, laughing. ‘I didn’t guess.’
‘I knew it!’ Mari squeaked again. ‘Quickly then, go get dressed!’
‘What about you? Did you bring your suit?’ Megan turned to Jake, who grinned.
‘Got it on under my coat.’
As soon as the music started, Megan knew she would remember all the steps. It was as though the combination of Jake, her costume and the so-familiar music had unlocked that secret part of her that had hidden the memory away. As the first notes of ‘It Is You I Have Loved All Along’ floated out of the speakers, she felt her body focus itself to the music. Dressed again in the floor-length white ballgown that she loved so much, it was as though the previous few months were melting away. Nicola had spent many late evenings painstakingly sewing the tiny silver sequins onto the taffeta skirt, and there were little diamantés in spiral shapes all over the white satin bodice. A simple tiara perched on her head and Megan felt every inch the fairytale princess of the song. She smiled at her fairytale prince, who was standing opposite and gazing at her as though no one else in the room existed.
The room fell silent around them as Megan stepped into Jake’s arms and they began to glide around the floor. The slowly twirling mirror ball added a dreamlike quality, and it seemed to Megan as though they were drifting through a starry night sky. It felt so right; so perfect that she was back i
n Jake’s arms, her body mirroring the moves he made, so that they were almost one with the music.
How could she ever have thought that dancing wasn’t as exciting as racing? It was better than that – it was like flying! All those times with Danny – the skateboarding, the go-karts, the BMX riding – it all felt completely unreal, as though it didn’t matter at all. This was what she loved, wasn’t it? This – dancing her favourite dance of all time, with Jake – her perfect partner. Beside Jake, the memory of Danny simply evaporated in a puff of Christmas mist.
And as Megan effortlessly moved across the floor, it was as though she were hearing the words of the song for the very first time. How Jake and she had laughed over its sentimentality when they first heard it! But neither of them was laughing now. The lyrics talked of mysteries dissolved; of everything becoming clear. ‘It is you I have loved all along.’ And Megan looked into Jake’s eyes as the song came to an end and wondered if he could see right into her heart and how it was singing for him.
The applause was immediate, and if Megan had looked round, she would have seen her mother wiping her eyes and Mari squeezing Sean’s hand so hard that his knuckles were white. But she only had eyes for Jake.
And Jake glanced up at the mirror ball and smiled. ‘Have you seen what else is up there?’
Megan followed his gaze and saw, almost hidden in the shadows, a tiny bunch of mistletoe tied to the beam with a silver ribbon. ‘Oh. I suppose that means . . .’
He looked at her again. ‘I suppose it does. If you want to, that is . . .’
‘Well . . . maybe just this once . . .’
She closed her eyes as he leaned towards her.
‘Just once, Meg?’ Jake whispered. ‘Because there’s something else I need to tell you . . . about how I feel . . . Can you take one more surprise?’
THE END
About the Author
Jo Cotterill has worked as an actress and a teacher, but now writes full time in her writing shed in her back garden. She lives in a little village just outside Oxford with her husband and daughter. Jo plays the flute quite well and the piano quite badly, and loves cheese more than anything - even chocolate!
