CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The warmth of the dance studio wrapped itself around Lily. Frazer released his arm from her shoulders and handed her the craft bag.
Victoria was chatting to four clients at the reception desk and getting ready to take them upstairs for their dance lesson.
Frazer hung his coat, and Lily’s coat, in the cloakroom.
Lily went over to the shop area to put her gold dance shoes on, and noticed that the yellow ballgown she’d designed now had a sold note on it.
‘Mari was here a wee while ago,’ Victoria said, seeing Lily looking at the note. ‘She wanted a dress for the ball. The yellow dress suited her perfectly. Mari is leaving it there just now and will pick it up nearer the time of the ball.’
‘That’s great,’ said Lily.
Frazer agreed, and headed through to the main dance studio. Lily went with him, taking her craft bag with her and sat it at the side of the room.
He unbuttoned his waistcoat, took it off and cast it aside on a chair.
‘We’ll begin with the waltz and then I’ll teach you the quickstep.’ He put the music on. A slow, romantic song, suitable for the waltz.
Lily got ready to dance with him, but as he went to begin, he paused. ‘Would you like to practise our waltz for the opening of the ball?’
‘Yes, I’d like to practise it so that I don’t mess it up in front of everyone.’
Frazer looked thoughtful. ‘There are two ways of doing this.’ He glanced at the stage. ‘We can start by waltzing down here, on the dance floor, or...’
Lily saw him look at the stage. It was unlit, smaller than the one in the theatre, a lot lower, but substantial enough.
‘What did you have in mind?’ she prompted him.
He flicked a switch, turning the stage lighting on. ‘I’d prefer to announce the opening of the ball from the stage, rather than down on the dance floor, so that everyone can see and hear me,’ he began. ‘But that would mean you would have to be up on stage with me so that we could dance the opening waltz right after the announcement.’
‘Or?’ Lily wanted the alternative, wondering if it was preferable or easier.
‘I can make the welcoming announcement from the stage, and then come down on to the dance floor to waltz with you.’ He made the second way of doing it sound less exciting.
Lily pondered the choices. ‘Both of us on stage would look better I suppose.’
‘And create more of a performance and excitement,’ he added.
‘Unless you planned to leap off the stage on to the dance floor,’ she said. ‘And then waltz with me.’
He played along. ‘I could. That would be an attention grabber.’ Then he bounded over to the stage and jumped up on to it, causing Lily to gasp.
He struck a pose and then looked like he was preparing a daring jump. Even though the stage was fairly low, it still made Lily anxious.
‘No, Frazer, don’t leap off the stage,’ she urged him, the panic sounding in her voice.
Frazer burst out laughing.
‘Rascal!’ she scolded him.
He held out his hand. ‘Come up and join me.’
Lily went over to the two steps at the front of the stage, but felt herself being hoisted up by Frazer’s strength as he clasped her hand, rather than stepping up by herself.
He pulled her close and then released her, but she was gasping and giggling, and her hands were pressed against the solid wall of muscle on his chest.
She pounded her fist playfully on his chest. ‘Don’t do that! I thought you were going to make a wild leap off the stage.’
All he did was laugh. ‘I have to have some fun.’
She pounded him again, and this time he clasped her hands and held them steady.
Lily was breathless from giggling and getting wound up by Frazer.
But then she looked up and saw the passion in his eyes as he gazed down at her. So close she could see the blue fire in those gorgeous cobalt eyes of his. The moment sparked, and then was gone again, as he stopped himself from taking things any further. Though he was tempted to kiss her, to pull her into his embrace and make the evening a lot more exciting.
Lily sensed the sparks igniting between them, and a blush rose across her cheeks, a telltale sign that she felt the attraction too.
Frazer stepped back from her and walked to the side of the stage where he was able to control the sound system. ‘Let’s try waltzing on the stage. See how you feel dancing up here with me. Then you can decide if you’re comfortable doing this.’
‘Okay.’ This was fair. Though if she’d told him the truth, how she really felt dancing with him, the way her heart thundered being close to him, the evening would’ve taken on a different vibe.
Instead, Lily tried to shake off her blushes, and attempt waltzing on stage, to see if this was something she thought was a good idea. In theory, it was, but in practise, well...she’d soon see.
Frazer walked back over to her, giving her advice. ‘For a performance piece, you have to feel the atmosphere, dance within the setting rather than apart from it. For the ball, the stage will be all lit up with Christmas lights. It’ll look magical, so it’ll be easier to feel part of the setting.’
Lily nodded, taking in everything he was saying. ‘I just never expected to be performing on the stage for the opening of the ball.’
‘I know.’ The deep resonance of his voice assured her he understood. ‘But seeing you dance on the theatre stage, I’m confident that you can do this. And I think it’ll be appreciated by those at the ball, and you’ll gain in confidence for yourself.’
‘I’ve no inclination to become a professional dancer. Or even an amateur performer,’ she told him.
‘I understand that. But wouldn’t it be wonderful to do this? The Christmas Eve ball in Edinburgh where you wore the pink fairytale ballgown you designed. A special time to look back on.’
A wave of emotion swept over her, as if she was already looking back at her Christmas here with Frazer, and that it was gone now. Shaking off the feeling, she nodded. ‘Yes, it would. Let’s try waltzing.’
The music was playing, a traditional, romantic song that was ideal for the waltz.
They began dancing under the bright spotlights.
‘This is the song I plan to use for the opening waltz,’ he said.
‘It’s a lovely song.’
Frazer frowned, and stopped dancing. ‘The lights are too dazzling.’ He ran over to the side of the stage and dimmed them, creating a cosier atmosphere. And started the music again. Hurrying back, he took Lily in his arms and the song’s introduction began.
Lily picked up on the rhythm of the waltz, following Frazer’s lead, feeling the stage setting, the lighting and the song elevate her performance.
‘I’m going to sweep you into the turns as the chorus begins,’ he said.
‘Okay,’ she said, getting ready to keep up with him.
As the chorus began, Frazer led her into a flourishing turn, covering the stage, extending their performance.
From the stage, she saw glimpses of the spotlights reflected in the mirrors, and pictured what it would be like when the dance floor was filled with couples waltzing. Excitement charged through her, and spurred her on to learn to perform the waltz, not just dance it.
For the first time, he didn’t have to remind her about her posture. She was well aware of keeping her core strong and shoulders back. Her left hand rested gently on his right shoulder, and she felt their bodies move in sync, in time to the music. It was a wonderful feeling.
‘Excellent,’ he said, as they continued to waltz. ‘I can feel the improved confidence in you.’
‘But it’s only you and me. I don’t know if I’ll be nervous waltzing when everyone is here.’
‘Look at me whenever you feel anxious,’ he advised.
Lily gazed up at him.
‘Dance as if it’s just the two of us, and no one is watching,’ he added.
The chorus played again as Lily gazed up at his handsome face.
‘Sorry to interrupt, Frazer,’ Dougal called to him from the doorway. ‘But there are a couple of clients that would like to talk to you for a minute. It’s about booking extra lessons.’
Frazer stepped back from Lily. ‘I’ll be back in a few minutes.’
Lily smiled that she understood.
Frazer hurried away to reception, leaving Lily alone up on the stage.
Taking advantage of the situation, she stepped down from the stage, hurried over to her craft bag, and rummaged quickly through the little sewing kit that was tucked into the bag. She found what she wanted — a measuring tape.
Checking to see that Frazer was still busy at reception, she ran over to where he’d left his waistcoat on a chair. She measured it at speed, making a mental note of the size of the chest, the waist and the length.
Then she ran back over to her bag, put the measuring tape away, scribbled the sizes on the notepad she carried with her, and hurried back up on to the stage moments before Frazer walked back in.
‘Apologies for that,’ he said, joining her.
Lily smiled tightly. She planned to make him a waistcoat for his Christmas. Now that she had his measurements, she wouldn’t have to guess if it would fit him.
‘You’ve got a mischievous look,’ he observed.
‘I’m just concentrating on getting the steps right.’
‘You’re doing really well.’
‘The song helps. It’s ideal for waltzing.’
Frazer agreed. ‘We’d waltz for the entire song, but down on the dance floor, Victoria and Dougal would start waltzing as the song merged into the next number. This would encourage everyone to take to the floor and join in.’
‘Okay,’ she said. ‘I’ll try my best.’
The smile he gave her warmed her heart, and they continued waltzing as the next song began.
‘Victoria and I will perform the quickstep down on the dance floor shortly after everyone has danced a few waltzes,’ he explained. ‘I’ve chosen a medley of songs to liven up the mood of the evening and encourage people to try some energetic moves.’
‘When will Victoria and Dougal perform the Paso doble?’
‘A bit later in the evening, like a dramatic interlude, where people can take a breather from the dancing a watch their performance.’ He pulled her closer to his body. ‘Would you like to try a few Paso moves?’
‘I’ll pass,’ she said with a smile.
‘Come on, Lily,’ he said, encouragingly. ‘Where’s that wild side of you tonight?’
She smiled. Secretly measuring your waistcoat while you were busy, she thought to herself.
‘What’s that secret smile for?’
‘Nothing,’ she lied.
He hurried over to the sound system and changed the music to suit the Paso doble.
‘My cue to make a run for it,’ she joked.
Frazer clasped her hand and pulled her back. ‘Haven’t you ever wanted to try the Paso?’
‘Maybe. I’ve only seen it in films and on television. It’s great to watch. But I don’t see myself as the passionate and dramatic type.’
Frazer gazed at her. ‘Dance the Paso doble with me. Be a little bit wild again tonight.’
‘You are a really bad influence on me,’ she scolded him with a smile.
He laughed. Then began to show her some moves that took her breath away.
Frazer’s strong shaping and stances created a great performance, and Lily found herself wanting to be part of it. He showed her the appel, chasse and a range of other moves. His posture, shaping and staccato styling made her try to match his effort and energy.
For a few wild moments she enjoyed dancing with him.
Lily was breathless from the sheer thrill of the dance, and even though she knew she was far from capable, it had been a great experience.
Another song began, a slow, traditional piece of music that changed the mood from dramatic to romantic.
Frazer kept Lily in his arms and waltzed with her, slow and smooth, leading her around the stage in the glow of the spotlights.
As the song finished, Frazer smiled at her. ‘Let’s practise the waltz one more time on the stage.’
Lily nodded.
Frazer played the song they intended to use for the opening waltz of the ball.
And they waltzed until the end of the song.
He then turned the stage lighting off, and they stepped down on to the dance floor to continue her instruction there.
‘Are you up for learning the quickstep?’ he said, striding over to the music system and lining up a suitable song for their dance.
‘You’re relentless,’ she said. But she was up for trying the quickstep.
‘It’s my job to encourage you to step up your game.’
Lily found herself learning exciting aspects of dancing every time she was with him.
‘Does tonight’s double–hour of dancing count as part of my ten lessons?’
‘The card I gave you listed all your lessons and times. But tonight, I’m not counting. I’m just enjoying the dancing.’
‘That’s fine with me.’
Frazer smiled, took her in hold, and showed her how to dance the quickstep. ‘It’s an energetic ballroom dance, and it feels great when you skip step across the floor,’ he said. The dance had hops, skips and jumps. ‘Try a leg flick. That’s it.’
The lively melody suited the syncopated rhythm of the dance.
Neither of them kept track of the time, and it was only when Dougal and Victoria said they were leaving for the night that Frazer realised the time. It was fairly late.
As Victoria and Dougal left, Frazer started to turn the music and lights off in the studio.
‘I’ll lock up and then walk you back to the shop,’ he said, putting his waistcoat on.
Lily picked up her bag and went through to reception, changed out of her dance shoes, and put her coat on. She shivered at the thought of stepping out into the cold. But it had been an invigorating evening.
Frazer buttoned up his coat, flicked the last of the lights off, stepped outside and locked the door.
As they walked away from the studio, Lily gazed around at the windows lit up. The shops were closed, but the window displays cast a glow on to the street.
Music filtered out from various cafes and eateries. In the crisp, cold air there was a clarity to the music, especially the songs with a festive feeling.
‘Do you ever dance outside on an evening like this?’ Lily said to him.
‘Dance, like they do in films?’
‘Yes, break into a fabulous routine and waltz your way down the street.’ She didn’t for a moment think he would.
Frazer danced a couple of steps, spun around in a perfect pirouette and gestured with a flourish. ‘No. Never.’
Lily smiled at him.
Then he waltzed away from her and started to quickstep down towards the dress shop, twirling around, using the background music for a sense of rhythm.
She laughed at his adventurous antics, and his ability. Frazer really was a wonderful dancer.
He spun around and danced back towards her, tap dancing, leaping and doing more pirouettes, and then pulled her gently into hold.
Lily let Frazer lead her in a waltz down the street. He relieved her of the craft bag and hooked it on his arm.
She was breathless from laughing, dancing and excitement.
He stopped with a flourish outside the shop, in time with the music that filtered out of one of the cafes. And finished by dipping her for a moment.
‘No, that type of dancing is for films,’ he said, grinning at her.
Lily laughed, her heart racing with excitement, and shook her head at him.
‘I’ll wait to see you get in.’ He gestured to the shop as he handed the bag to her.
She unlocked the front door. ‘Thank you for...it’s a long list of things, and it’s getting late. But everything from dinner to dancing, and everything else between.’
‘It’s been a busy day.’ It seemed ages since his radio interview that morning.
‘I’ve a busy day tomorrow,’ she said, feeling the cold air cut through her.
‘Dressmaking? Sewing and mending? Dancing with me for your next lesson in the evening?’ He smiled as he listed these off.
Lily’s smile faded as she told him what her busy day included. ‘I have my job interview tomorrow.’
Frazer tried to smile, but he felt the temperature of the night turn to ice. ‘Good luck with your interview.’
‘Thanks.’
He smiled, stepped back, pulled up the collar of his coat, and waved briefly as he walked away.
She saw the heaviness across his shoulders. She felt it too. And wished she hadn’t brought the fun night to a realistic close by mentioning the job interview, effectively reminding him that her time in Edinburgh was ending.
Stepping inside the shop, she closed the door against the cold night, and an evening with Frazer she’d always remember.
It was his own stupid fault, Frazer chided himself as he got into his car and drove home. Even turning the radio up and listening to cheery Christmas songs couldn’t get the thought of Lily out of his mind. How much he enjoyed her company. And how he’d miss her when she was gone.
He parked outside his house and breathed in the frosty night, trying to settle his senses.
Then he went in and shrugged his coat off, and switched the lights on in the living room. The silence hit him hard, but it wasn’t quiet for long. He lined up a few songs on his music system and put on the dance shoes he kept at the side of the makeshift dance floor.
The impromptu dancing down the street had sparked ideas for choreography. He wanted to try them while they were fresh in his thoughts. Dancing outdoors was so different to the studio setting, and there were other routines he was working on for the theatre shows.
The rhythmic beat of the music surrounded him, and he let himself become lost in the one place he always felt at home in — the world of dance. His world, where broken hearts were just part of a story, played out in a romantic waltz or other dance.
Romance complicates everything, he heard himself tell Lily when they’d first become acquainted. And now it had. It was his own stupid fault.
Lily did her homework in preparation for her job interview.
She made herself a cup of tea and settled down in front of the fire with her laptop to read all about the fashion company so she’d be ready with her questions and replies.
Although she’d already studied their website prior to arranging the interview, she’d planned to study in more detail the aspects of the work that she would be involved in.
She’d planned to do this the previous night, but the party at the theatre had taken care of that. Then she’d imagined having time after the Christmas craft afternoon and before her dance lesson. But that plan had gone awry too. Happily so, but it now left her with the task of doing it now rather than in the morning when she’d be busy in the shop. The interview was in the early afternoon.
Reading through the information, and looking at pictures of their previous dress collections, she sipped her tea and tried not to let her thoughts drift to Frazer and the fun she’d had dancing with him.
Concentrate, she scolded herself, and drank her tea.
Outside the window, she heard a noise, like a tapping on the glass, and when she looked over, she saw that it was starting to rain.
Shivering at the thought of how cold the icy rain would be, she tugged the knitted blanket that was on the back of the couch around her, and continued to do her homework.
The rain increased, now sounding like a thunderstorm, but she felt cosy in front of the fire.
Thoughts of Frazer, dancing with him, crossed her mind again. He’d be home by now, tucked up in bed probably. He had a busy day ahead too.
Forcing herself to concentrate on reading the information, looking at the fashion designs, the evening dresses, she sat there by the fire while the storm raged outside her window.