CHAPTER THREE
Unable to resist having a whole dance floor to herself, Delphie spun and waltzed on her own around the room under the lights, remembering how much she used to love dancing.
Wil came in, smiled, and in a fluid movement stepped close and danced with her around the floor.
Momentarily taken aback, Delphie then let Wil lead her in a waltz. Her heart soared as they danced a traditional waltz, before Wil added a few flourishes that Delphie kept in step with, and they ended close together in hold.
Delphie gazed up at Wil, slightly breathless from excitement rather than exertion. And in that moment, she sensed a spark between them.
Wil felt it too, and stepped back, smiling politely.
‘I couldn’t resist trying out your dance floor,’ she told him, feeling a blush form across her cheeks.
He playfully listed off her accomplishments. ‘Artist, dancer...any other hidden talents I should know about?’
‘Troublemaker,’ she admitted jokingly.
‘Duly noted.’
‘Though I don’t think I’m the main culprit today,’ she added.
‘I assume you heard my conversation with Sienna.’
‘I didn’t want to turn the music on in case I messed with your sound system,’ she explained. ‘So I couldn’t help but overhear the gist of it. ’
Wil looked serious. ‘I apologise for involving you in the predicament. I don’t know why I said that you were my new dance partner. I didn’t expect her to turn up like that. But thanks for going along with it.’
‘I heard Sienna mention the dance competition,’ she remarked. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to compete, especially as she seemed certain that the two of you could win.’
‘I don’t want to compete again with Sienna,’ he said firmly. ‘That chapter of my life is over.’
‘If she’s staying in town, she seems to think you’ll change your mind.’
‘I won’t.’ He sounded adamant.
‘What about the new dance routine you were working on? Was that for the competition?’
‘It was an idea I had for choreography. A few dancers have expressed an interest in having me teach them new routines.’ He glanced around. ‘I’m not officially open yet, though I sort of am as I’m expecting one or two professional dance couples to contact me this week with a view to learning routines for the competitive circuit.’
‘Perhaps you should’ve explained that to Sienna,’ she suggested.
‘Maybe, but I wasn’t anticipating her turning up out of the blue like that. It threw me. That’s why I said we were a couple.’ He quickly clarified. ‘A dance couple.’
Delphie turned the focus back to her art portfolio.
‘I’ll push on with some of the paintings.’
She went to leave, but Wil spoke up .
‘Where did you learn to dance like that? I don’t remember seeing you on the competitive circuits.’
‘My grandmother taught me when I was a wee girl, and I took dance lessons in Edinburgh,’ she explained. ‘I never wanted to compete. I wanted to perform on stage in shows.’
‘Why didn’t you?’
His phone rang, interrupting them.
‘It’s a long story for another time,’ she said. ‘I’ll see myself out.’
She left him to take the call.
Outside the dance studio, she put the portfolio in her car, then walked along to the nearby bakery shop.
A pretty canopy shielded the front window from the sunlight. The aroma of vanilla, chocolate and gingerbread wafted in the air as Delphie went inside.
The owners, Catriona and Kian, a happy couple in their forties, tended to their customers. Several tables were occupied by people enjoying tea, cake and snacks.
Catriona smiled. ‘Hello, Delphie, what can I get for you?’
Delphie eyed the delicious selection of cakes and savoury treats on display in the front counter.
‘A chocolate cupcake please, Catriona. Unless you have a chocolate croissant.’
Kian spoke up after serving tea to customers at a table. ‘We used to have chocolate croissants on the menu. I should add them again.’
‘My grandmother is in Paris, and she was telling me about the croissants,’ Delphie explained .
‘Come back tomorrow,’ said Kian. ‘I’ll bake some and add them to our menu.’
Delphie smiled. ‘I don’t want you to go to any trouble for me, Kian.’
‘No trouble, Delphie. Besides, customers used to love them.’
Catriona bagged a chocolate cupcake for Delphie. She paid and then left the shop.
The street was cast in an amber glow of fading sunlight as the day unwound. The fresh scent of the sea wafted up from the shore, mingling with the country air.
Delphie felt as if nature was encouraging her to unwind too, but she had other plans.
That night, after dinner, Delphie was in the barn, working on the paintings, sketching, making a start on two canvases and a couple of watercolours. The overachiever was in full production mode.
Twinkle lights illuminated the barn, along with the lamps that highlighted her work area.
She’d used her sketches and drawn them on to the canvases and the heavy quality watercolour paper as light pencil outlines.
Opting for acrylic paint for the canvases rather than oil paint, she painted the dancing figures, referencing the photos in the album for the fluid lines of the dresses and exact posture for the poses.
The backgrounds were unfussy so that the figures were the focus. She’d painted the backgrounds first in light neutral tones, so she could then concentrate on the figures. The two backgrounds were similar in tone so that they would complement each other.
Bold reds and vibrant hues brought the tango artwork to life, but she intended to work on it over a few days, building up the structure, working from dark to light values.
Although the watercolours were drawn, she decided to leave the actual painting until the morning. The technique to create beautiful transparency required her full concentration. And for the watercolours, she aimed to work from light to dark colours.
The whole process was exciting, and she enjoyed painting with a purpose. Certainly, she’d been painting recently with the intention of selling her work via the local art shop and her website. But it felt encouraging to paint these for Wil’s dance studio, and she was inspired to push ahead with the paintings.
The night air was calm with barely a breeze wafting in through the wide open barn door, and as it turned to midnight, she told herself to be sensible and put her brushes down until the morning.
It was only when she’d finished cleaning up that she noticed a message on her phone from Wil.
Are you free to come with me to the art shop tomorrow morning, around eleven?
Delphie typed her reply.
I am. See you then. And I’ve made a start on your paintings this evening .
She didn’t expect to receive an instant reply.
I can’t wait to see them. Goodnight, Cinderella .
Very funny, Wil .
Putting her phone in the pocket of her jeans, she switched off the lamps in the barn and walked over to the farmhouse. A light shone from the kitchen, warm and reassuring.
Before going inside, she gazed up at the vast night sky sprinkled with hundreds of stars. She loved the clear skies here. It made her feel like she was standing in a real life painting. A content little figure outside the farmhouse.
Breathing in the night air, she headed inside and got ready for bed.
Delphie parked her car near the bakery shop the next morning and walked along carrying her bag and portfolio containing the foxtrot watercolour painting. As she headed to the main street, Wil came running out of the dance studio.
‘Delphie!’
She paused and waited for him and they walked along towards the art shop together.
Wearing a denim jacket over a floral dress, her look was a blend of fashionable casual. His smart casual clothes quietly indicated money and class.
‘I’ve got the foxtrot painting and the pen and ink drawings,’ she said. ‘I phoned Callum to tell him we were coming in for frames and borders.’
‘Great. Thanks for making time to do this.’
She was aware of how tall he was as they kept in step with each other. ‘I was planning to drop by the bakery. Kian promised to bake chocolate croissants for me.’ She explained what had happened .
‘They sound delicious. I might be tempted to try one. I keep meaning to go into the bakery shop, but haven’t done it yet.’
‘You’re lucky that it’s so near your studio. They have a great lunch menu. I can recommend it.’
‘I’ll give it a go,’ he said.
By now they’d reached the art shop. One of Callum’s seascapes filled the gap where Delphie’s painting had been in the front window. It depicted the local shore. The beach was picturesque, with clean golden sand, and stretched far along the coast with wonderful views over the glistening sea. A short walk from the main street, Delphie reminded herself that she wanted to make the most of it while she was in town.
‘Is that the local shore?’ said Wil, noticing the painting.
‘It is. I used to love spending the day down the shore with my grandparents when I visited during the school summer holidays. I know that memories are often wrapped in a rosy glow, but it really is gorgeous. You should make time to have a meander down there.’
‘I enjoy swimming, so I’ll do that. The summer is lingering well even as we’re approaching autumn,’ he remarked.
They went inside the art shop.
Callum smiled, expecting them, and had put a selection of border samples and frames on the counter ready for them.
Delphie opened her portfolio and carefully handed Callum the watercolour. ‘We were thinking of light beige for the border and frame. ’
Callum showed them a few samples. ‘This range of neutrals would work well.’
Delphie held some of the borders up beside the painting. ‘What do you think, Wil?’
‘I like this one.’
‘It complements the tones,’ said Delphie. ‘This frame would look lovely with it.’
Wil nodded.
Callum noted the colours and then they moved on to selecting frames for the three pen and ink pieces.
‘I like the light cream frames,’ said Wil.
Happy with their choices, they left the artwork with Callum, to be collected by Wil when the paintings were ready.
Stepping out into the sunlight, they walked back round to the side street together, chatting about painting.
‘Do you paint?’ Delphie said to Wil.
‘Nooo, but I’d love to try.’
‘You should. Can you draw?’
‘I was never any good at art, but I liked dabbling with paint when I was at school. I like the idea of messing around with the colours.’
‘Drop by the barn sometime and try your hand at painting,’ she offered.
‘I don’t want to interrupt your work.’
‘I’m used to working in the graphic design office where there was constant creative chaos. Trust me, I can work even when there’s a thunderstorm.’
‘Okay, it’s a date.’ He instantly rephrased. ‘Not a date, date. An invitation to cause chaos in the barn while you create masterpieces. ’
Delphie laughed. ‘That could be fun.’
She stopped and put her portfolio in her car, thinking that Wil would head into his dance studio, but instead he lingered.
‘Can I tempt you with something?’ said Wil.
She glanced up at him and frowned.
‘Lunch at the bakery shop?’ he offered. ‘My treat.’
Delphie smiled and nodded. ‘Yes, but be warned. Their lunches are so tasty. You could be tempted to drop by on a regular basis.’
Wil laughed and escorted her along to the bakery shop. The door was open as they approached.
‘It smells delicious from here,’ he said.
‘Wait until you try their daily specials.’
They went in and sat down at a table near the window.
Catriona approached ready to take their order. ‘Sitting in today, Delphie?’
‘Yes, and this is Wil. He owns the dance studio. He’s spoiling me today,’ said Delphie.
‘Your boyfriend should spoil you,’ Catriona said chirpily.
‘Oh, no, we’re not...’ Delphie pointed between them. ‘We’re just working together.’
Catriona smiled and shrugged. ‘But you look like such a cute couple.’
Wil tried not to laugh at Delphie blushing.
Kian waved over to Delphie and pointed at the cake display. ‘Chocolate croissants. As promised. And hello, Wil. Welcome to the town.’
‘Thank you,’ Wil said, smiling over at him .
Catriona proceeded to take their order of the day’s special roast vegetable and cheese bake with a crisp green salad. Kian put two of the croissants aside for them.
As they enjoyed lunch, Wil smiled at Delphie. ‘Tell me that long story now about your dancing.’
‘Well, as I said, my grandmother first taught me, and I took dance lessons in Edinburgh. I studied ballet, ballroom, Latin American dance and modern stage.’
‘But you never wanted to compete?’ He prompted her to explain.
‘No, I loved dancing and wanted to perform in shows on stage rather than compete in dance contests.’
‘Why then did you give up dancing?’
‘Real life got in the way of my dancing dreams. My parents always wanted me to work in finance with them, but that was never my thing. I loved art and dancing. When it came to selecting a career path, I was going to dance auditions for shows, but was never lucky enough to be picked. One week I attended two auditions for stage shows, and an interview for the graphic design job.’ She sighed heavily. ‘I was turned down for the dancing, but offered the design job. I took the job.’
‘A sensible decision. But surely you could’ve continued with your dancing,’ he reasoned.
‘I thought that in my spare time I could dance. And that I could paint.’ She shook her head. ‘But the job very quickly took up all my spare time. There was no time for anything else. I didn’t even visit my grandparents for four years.’
‘What happened next? ’
Wil ate his lunch and listened as she continued.
‘The week I lost my job, my boyfriend split up with me. We’d been dating for two years.’
‘I’m sorry. That must’ve been harsh.’
‘It was rough, especially as I didn’t see any of those pitfalls coming for me.’ She shrugged. ‘But he turned out to be untrustworthy. So when my grandparents wanted me to look after their farmhouse, I jumped at the chance to get away from Edinburgh, away from everything. To try a fresh start with my painting.’
‘What about dancing?’
‘My schedule is already full with the art. And I’m trying to slow down the pace.’
‘I feel bad about giving you all this artwork to do for me.’
‘No, that’s fine. I want to paint. I wish I’d made more time for the things I love. Now I have a chance to see if I can succeed as an artist.’
‘How long are you staying in the town?’
‘Until my grandparents come home to the farmhouse. A few months. They’re really enjoying their long holiday. And I love it here, so I’m in no hurry to head back to Edinburgh.’
‘Any chance that you could stay? Move to the town?’
‘I’m in the same predicament as you. My career will probably take me back to the city, as will yours.’
‘We could meet up for lunch in Edinburgh.’ He tried to sound chirpy.
‘People easily forget each other in the city.’ She ate her lunch, feeling a twinge of sadness in this .
‘I’d never forget you, Delphie.’
She glanced at him and saw his gorgeous blue eyes gazing at her.
They both blinked out of the moment and chatted about the food.
‘The bakery is going to be my regular lunch venue,’ said Wil.
Kian served up their chocolate croissants and tea. ‘Glad to hear it.’
Smiling, Delphie and Wil talked about art and dancing while indulging in the rich chocolate croissants.
After lunch, Wil walked Delphie back to her car.
‘Thanks for lunch,’ she said.
‘Any time.’
‘I’ll keep you updated on your paintings.’
Wil nodded, walked on towards his dance studio, and glanced back seeing her get into her car and drive off.
The barn was aglow in the night as Delphie happily worked on the paintings. She’d painted the background of one of the watercolours and was now painting the figures.
Despite finding painting relaxing, she felt excitement bubbling up inside her every time Wil crossed her mind. Which was often. Too often. Sitting having lunch with him in the bakery shop was foremost in her thoughts. The way he’d looked at her when he said he’d never forget her was forged into her memory .
Shaking herself back into full concentration, she continued to paint, using soft shades of blue for the woman’s dress, based on her grandmother’s ball gown. The photo album was filled with images of beautiful dresses from the past.
Forcing herself to finish up well before midnight, she tidied her paints away, and before switching the lights off in the barn, she glanced back. There was the dance floor, partly covered with the drop sheet.
For a moment she pictured the barn alight with music and dancing, people enjoying themselves at a party night.
Walking over to the floor, she stood in the middle, highlighted by the twinkle lights. Wearing comfy pumps with her jeans and shirt, she did an impromptu pirouette, stopping before she reached the area protected by the sheeting.
Pulling the sheet aside at the edge of the floor to reveal the full area, she danced, gently at first, as if her comfy flat shoes were ballet pumps, gracefully performing a ballet routine from her past.
The classic music played in her head, and she finished with a flourish, extending one arm up as if pointing to the stars.
Realising she’d become distracted from that early night she’d promised herself, she turned the lights off and headed out of the barn to the farmhouse.
Another night sky filled with stars arched above her. Glancing up, she continued on into the farmhouse, planning to get a cosy night’s sleep .
Wil’s energy levels had soared for the rest of the day since he’d had lunch with Delphie. He admitted to himself that he liked her. But there was no room for romance in either of their lives, especially as heartbreak loomed strong. Their current situations were temporary, and he wasn’t interested in a fleeting romance, despite what the gossip said about him.
He’d found a shop in the town that sold twinkle lights and spent the afternoon hanging them up, creating that wall of sparkling stage–like illumination that Delphie had suggested.
The glistening wall was an ideal backdrop for his video choreography instruction, and he’d already spoken to a couple of professional dancers about helping them with new routines.
In the evening, Wil was working on a routine when a video call came through from Gareth, someone he knew from Edinburgh. Gareth was responsible for auditioning dancers for suitable roles for stage performances, and to match couples up for contests.
‘Your new studio looks enticing,’ said Gareth, having heard about Wil’s new studio. Similar in age to Wil, Gareth was a good looking man, fit and strong, with light brown hair and grey eyes that viewed the studio with interest.
‘I’m having an open evening soon,’ Wil told him, holding up the phone to let Gareth have a look around. ‘I’ve invited other dancers to attend. You’re welcome to come along to the studio.’
‘I’ll do that. Is it okay if I bring a couple of dancers that I hope you’ll consider creating a routine for? They’re planning to compete soon, but their routine isn’t quite a winner.’
‘Yes, the more the merrier. I’ll send you the details.’
‘I’ll see you then, Wil.’
After the call, Wil switched the lights off in the studio, locked up and walked to his car parked nearby.
Before getting into his car, he gazed up at the clear night sky filled with stars. And he thought about Delphie, wondering if she was working late in the barn. He had a strong urge to take her up on her invitation to paint, but it was too late in the evening. Another night, he told himself.
The next morning, Wil took a call from Callum.
‘That was fast work, Callum. I’ll come along now and pick up the paintings.’
It was another bright morning, and the shops along the main street, some with canopies, others with hanging flower baskets or bunting, looked lovely.
As he approached the art shop, Wil noticed another seascape painting by Callum was on display as he went into the art shop.
‘Morning, Wil,’ said Callum. The large foxtrot watercolour and set of three pen and ink drawings framed were on the counter ready for collection.
‘You’ve made a great job of framing the artwork,’ Wil told him.
‘Delphie’s watercolour is beautiful,’ said Callum.
‘She’s incredibly talented.’ Wil almost added about her dance skills, but decided to keep that to himself for the moment .
Wil paid Callum and picked up the paintings. ‘I can’t wait to hang them up.’
Delighted with his paintings, Wil left the art shop and headed to the dance studio.
Delphie was in the bakery shop, eyeing the selection of cakes. She’d only driven down to buy more paint from the art shop and stopped by the bakery on her way back to her car.
‘Tea, please, Catriona, and I’ll have a chocolate chip cupcake.’
Catriona poured a tea to go and bagged the cake.
Sienna happened to see Delphie through the bakery shop window and walked in, determined to force a conversation.
Catriona and Delphie were so busy chatting that neither of them noticed Sienna as she approached the counter.
‘Do you want to treat Wil today?’ Catriona said to Delphie.
Before Delphie had a chance to say that she hadn’t intended seeing Wil today, Sienna interrupted.
‘Mocha is Wil’s favourite flavour,’ Sienna said, taking Delphie aback.
Catriona didn’t know Sienna and wondered what was going on.
Delphie tried to hide her surprise, glanced at Sienna and then ordered a cake for Wil. ‘I’ll take a strawberry cupcake for Wil.’
Catriona bagged the order, sensing the tension between Delphie and Sienna .
Delphie paid for the tea and cakes. ‘Thanks, Catriona.’ As she turned to leave, she commented to Sienna. ‘Wil has a new favourite.’
Sienna glared at Delphie.
Without glancing back, Delphie left the bakery and walked away.
A call came through from Wil as she approached her car.
‘I picked up the paintings this morning. They look great hanging up in the studio.’ He sounded so happy.
‘That’s wonderful.’ She was about to tell him about Sienna, then changed her mind as he continued.
‘I’ve a really busy day ahead, but I just wanted to let you know.’
‘I’m glad you like them, Wil. I’ve a busy day too, so I’ll let you get on with your day.’
The call finished on a happy note.
Delphie sighed, got into her car and drove off home.
Later that day, Delphie painted in the barn while chatting to her grandmother on a video call on her laptop.
‘How are you getting on with the paintings for Wil?’ said her grandmother.
‘Forging ahead,’ Delphie told her.
‘Wil sounds nice from what you’ve told me.’
‘He is,’ said Delphie.
Her grandmother gave her a knowing smile. ‘Is that a spark of interest in him I see in you?’
‘No sparks, except for the ones flying off my paintbrushes. ’
‘I looked him up online,’ her grandmother confided. ‘He’s a marvellous dancer. And so handsome.’
‘You’re incorrigible.’
‘And you need to move on from a broken heart. It’ll mend so much quicker with new love in your life.’
‘I have plenty of love for my art.’
‘Well, keep your options open. Maybe do a painting of Wil. His posture and dance presentation are wonderful. Perhaps it would let you see him in a more romantic light.’
Delphie shook her head and smiled. ‘I think the romance of Paris is turning you into a matchmaker.’
Her grandfather peered into view. ‘This Wil guy reminds me of myself. Tall, handsome, a great dancer, romantic at heart.’ He wrapped his arms around his wife and danced and hugged her playfully.
Laughing, they ended the video call on a cheerful note.
Delphie held her brush for a moment and thought about her grandmother’s suggestion to paint Wil. Scrolling through her laptop to find pictures of him, she paused at one where he was in a strong but elegant dance pose.
Putting her brush aside, she started to sketch him on her drawing pad, unaware that she had a visitor.
‘Knock, knock,’ Wil said, standing in the wide open doorway of the barn. He wore a sky blue top. It fitted his physique, emphasising his trim torso, lean but muscular arms, broad shoulders and strong back. A dancer’s top that suited him so well, worn with dark trousers .
Delphie jolted. ‘Wil! I didn’t expect to see you. I thought you had a busy day.’ Guilt edged her voice and she tried to surreptitiously hide the sketch that was a fair likeness of him. No mistaking it was Wil.
‘I cleared the work quicker than I’d anticipated. And thought I’d take you up on your offer of joining you to paint. Unless this is an inconvenient time.’
Delphie smiled tightly and hoped he hadn’t caught a glimpse of the sketch.
But he had, and frowned as he walked over to her. ‘Is that a new dance figure you’re drawing?’
She closed the laptop, but he’d seen the picture of himself on screen too. ‘It’s nothing special.’
‘He looks familiar,’ Wil said, smirking.
‘He’s just a fictional interpretation of someone.’
‘Really?’
Wil went to peek at the sketch, but Delphie closed the drawing pad. ‘It’s a rough sketch.’
‘No one has ever painted me before.’
‘Maybe they never will,’ said Delphie.
‘I don’t mind. I’m flattered,’ he assured her.
Delphie sighed and relented. ‘Okay, but it was my grandmother’s idea. I told her that I’m doing artwork for your dance studio. She thought you looked handsome.’
Wil stepped closer. ‘What does the artist think?’
Delphie felt a blush form across her cheeks. She totally agreed with her grandmother, not that she intended telling him.
‘Do I make a suitable subject?’ he prompted her.
‘Given the right light, the right pose,’ she joked. ‘You could make a fine figure to paint. ’
Wil playfully struck an exaggerated pose. ‘How about this angle?’ Then another one. ‘Or this?’
Delphie put a paintbrush in his hand. ‘First lesson in learning to paint. Don’t mess with the teacher.’
Wil stood to attention, smirked, and pretended to defer to Delphie. ‘Where do I start?’
‘Everything starts with a pencil drawing, but I think we’ll skip the sketching and let you try painting with watercolours. Then acrylics for the next lesson.’
‘I’ll be invited back?’ He pretended to be surprised.
‘Only if you behave yourself.’
Wil shrugged. ‘That’s me thwarted then.’
Standing together at her artwork table, she started to show him basic watercolour techniques. ‘We’ll begin with letting you try to paint wet on wet.’