CHAPTER FIVE
Looking through her grandmother’s wardrobes that were filled with dresses, Delphie picked out a ruby red cocktail–length dress. This hit all the right notes. Not too subtle, not too sparkly.
She wore the dress with dark heels, just in case she needed to dance. She didn’t intend to, especially as there would be lots of other proficient dancers there.
The upstairs spare room had a view of the sea in the distance, glistening in the evening light. Delphie had spent many a day in there playing, trying on her grandmother’s dresses, especially the ball gowns, pretending that she was a princess in a fairytale castle. Or performing a dance routine on stage.
Jewellery boxes brimmed with beads, bangles and brooches, cosmetic jewellery. Fashion accessories of the eras, now vintage in style, were kept in wooden boxes lined with velvet. Seeing them again brought back a rush of memories of all the happy times she’d had there.
Delphie checked her reflection in the full–length mirror, and phoned her grandmother. ‘Hello, Gran. I’m borrowing one of your dresses.’ She held the phone up to show her reflection.
Her grandmother smiled, delighted. ‘Oh, you look a treat. Are you going to a party?’
‘Wil invited me to an open night he’s having at his dance studio. Other dancers will be there.’
‘The red dress is perfect on you. Are you wearing your dancing shoes? ’
‘Heels.’
‘Does Wil know that you can dance?’
‘Yes, he was surprised,’ Delphie said, underplaying his reaction. ‘But I helped him practise a new tango routine in the barn.’
‘Oooh! That sounds promising.’
‘No, neither of us is looking for romance in our lives right now. We’re just getting along in business and keeping things friendly.’
Her grandmother laughed.
‘Really,’ Delphie emphasised. ‘I’m taking a couple of paintings I’ve finished to the studio. I took you up on your idea to paint Wil. I’ll send a photo of it to you.’
‘I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.’
Her grandfather joined the conversation, smiling at Delphie. ‘I thought I heard you two chatterboxes. Come on, our carriage awaits,’ he added jokingly to his wife.
‘We’re off to a night out at the theatre again,’ her grandmother explained quickly. ‘Enjoy the party with Wil. And help yourself to the handbags in the drawers. There’s a red sparkly clutch that would go nicely with that dress.’
‘Thanks, Gran. And enjoy your night out too,’ Delphie called to her grandparents before they ended the call.
Delphie opened the drawers and saw several clutch bags, two of them red, and opted for the sparkly one.
Picking up the clutch, she headed downstairs where she’d left the two paintings she’d finished for Wil. The tango dancers and the portrait of him. Both were painted on canvas and didn’t require framing.
Carrying the paintings out to her car, she felt butterflies of excitement at the thought of surprising Wil with the paintings, and meeting some of the dancers.
Wil wore an expensive suit, shirt and tie. The dance studio was aglow with lights, and Kian and Catriona had prepared a buffet that was set on two long tables at one end of the room. As guests could help themselves, they’d left Wil to handle the party himself.
He stood in the heart of the studio and welcomed the first guests of the evening, giving them a look around and discussing his plans to create choreography.
Later, Wil was standing in the reception when Delphie arrived armed with the artwork. ‘I finished another two paintings.’
He hurried over to take charge of the paintings, eager to see them, and was taken aback that she’d finished his portrait.
‘I know you don’t have time to hang them up,’ said Delphie.
‘I didn’t expect you to have finished the tango painting. It’s gorgeous.’ He sat it up behind the reception desk so it could be seen by guests.
‘I’m pleased you like it. And the picture of you, well...it’s sort of a little extra to wish you all the best for your new dance studio.’
Wil frowned at her. ‘No, I intend buying it.’
Delphie shook her head. ‘It’s a gift,’ she insisted .
He sat it up beside the tango painting and stepped back to admire them. ‘Thank you so much, Delphie, especially for the portrait.’ And then he looked at her. ‘You look wonderful.’
She tried not to blush. She’d told herself she wouldn’t, but a slight blush formed on her cheeks.
‘Come on through and meet everyone.’ Wil swept her through to where the guests were milling around and helping themselves to the buffet.
Brief introductions were made, and Wil was keen to tell them that Delphie had painted the artwork many of them had admired on the studio walls.
Delphie then tried to step aside so that Wil could mix with his guests, but he kept close to her, including her in the conversations about the studio and the choreography he planned to create. It was obvious that many of them assumed Wil and Delphie were a couple.
Everything was going well until one particular guest walked into the studio. Gareth stopped to chat with a couple of dancers, and hadn’t yet seen Delphie or Wil.
Delphie gasped as soon as she saw Gareth and hid behind Wil.
‘What’s wrong?’ Wil said, wondering what she was up to.
‘Tango with me out to the reception,’ Delphie said in a desperate whisper, trying to hide from Gareth.
Wil frowned round at her.
‘Just do it, Wil,’ she whispered urgently.
Wil took her in close hold and began to tango across the dance floor towards the reception .
Delphie pressed herself close to Wil. Their dramatic exit, although seen by most of the guests, bypassed Gareth as he was engrossed in conversation.
In the reception, Delphie stepped back from Wil as he released her from the tango hold.
He looked at her for a reasonable explanation.
‘My ex–boyfriend is in there. He’s one of your guests,’ she told him.
‘Which one?’ said Wil, peering into the studio.
‘The one with the burgundy shirt and waistcoat and a conceited smirk.’
Wil blinked. ‘Gareth?’
‘Yes.’
Wil felt his evening slide down a slippery slope.
‘I didn’t know he’d be here.’ She got ready to run.
‘Don’t go, Delphie. I wasn’t aware he was your ex. Gareth is merely an acquaintance I met through my dance work. He was the one who’d heard about my new studio. When he phoned I felt obliged to invite him. And then he asked if he could invite other dancers.’
‘Gareth invited me,’ Sienna announced, arriving in a fashionable black dress and heels.
The downward trajectory of Wil’s evening slid even further.
Delphie looked at Wil for an explanation and found none.
‘Gareth is auditioning suitable partners to dance with me,’ Sienna said to Wil. ‘Though I’m still hoping you’ll reconsider and make us a winning twosome again.’
‘I won’t change my mind,’ Wil said firmly .
His refusal didn’t make a dent in Sienna’s confidence. She glanced at her phone messages. ‘Gareth says he’s arrived. I know my way through.’
Leaving a trail of discord behind her, Sienna strutted through to the party.
Delphie clutched her bag and seemed ready to make a run for it.
Wil frowned at Delphie. ‘I understand that you probably want to head for home, but I hope you’ll stay here with me.’
The tone of his voice resonated through her impulse to bolt. Come on, she bolstered herself. You’re not the type to run away from situations like this.
The expression on Wil’s face showed that he wanted her by his side. Of all the nights. Both of them needed to back each other.
Delphie took a calming breath. ‘What’s the plan?’
‘Walk back through and join the party. Or...’ He stepped closer. ‘Tango back in and make a real entrance.’
Delphie tucked her bag under the counter, then positioned her hands ready to tango.
The smile on Wil’s face lit up her heart.
He took her in hold, but paused for a second to ask her something. ‘Do you still have feelings for Gareth?’
‘No.’ Succinct, true.
Maybe she was reading too much into Wil’s expression, but she was sure this news bolstered him.
Their tango didn’t go unnoticed by Gareth, and as Delphie and Wil stopped and smiled in the centre of the dance floor, he was the first to approach them .
Gareth clapped and forced himself to look happy. ‘Impressive moves, Wil.’ Then his cool grey eyes focussed on Delphie. ‘I hear you’re Wil’s new dance partner.’
‘I’m enjoying working with Wil,’ she said.
‘Can I talk to you for a few minutes in private?’ Gareth said to Delphie.
By now other guests had gathered around to chat to Wil. Not wanting to cause a scene, Delphie nodded and walked over to the buffet with Gareth.
Wil reluctantly watched her walk away.
‘Is that the new tango choreography you’re creating?’ a guest said to Wil, sounding interested in discussing new routines with him.
‘Yes, it’s one of several routines I’m working on,’ said Wil.
Another two dancers joined in the conversation, keen to plan ways to connect with Wil and learn new dance routines for contests and stage shows. As this was Wil’s aim, he was pleased to discuss this with them, and soon found himself surrounded by several guests chatting about ways to develop choreography for them. But he kept glancing across at Delphie talking to Gareth. Seeing them together unsettled him. The unfamiliar feelings tearing through him made him realise he could so easily fall in love with Delphie.
Forcing the shields up around his heart, he concentrated on talking to his guests, making plans for when they could contact him via the online process he planned. He showed them the cameras he’d set up so he could train them remotely. Everyone was excited to work with him as he’d increasingly gained a reputation as an excellent choreographer. Splitting with his last two partners had an upside. He’d used the time to develop his choreography skills.
‘You didn’t return any of my calls,’ Gareth said to Delphie as they stood at the side of the buffet.
‘There was nothing left for us to talk about,’ she told him bluntly. ‘And there’s still nothing.’
‘I didn’t handle things properly,’ he admitted, keeping his voice down. ‘I apologise for how I broke up with you.’
‘Basically telling me you’d auditioned for a new girlfriend and I didn’t get the lead role.’ She heard the acid in her voice, but couldn’t help feeling bitter.
Gareth moved close and gazed at her. ‘If I could rewind time, I’d never have let you down or let you go.’
‘Well, you did, so there’s no turning back the clock.’ She knew she was over him. He’d broken her heart so coldly. In the harshest of ways, it helped her to stop loving him. ‘I’ve moved on with my life. I’ve found new happiness.’
The hurt and regret showed in the depths of Gareth’s eyes. ‘Would you ever consider giving me a second chance?’
She’d never sensed so much sincerity from him. And she knew him well. He wasn’t the hearts and flowers type. Not a romantic at heart. But when they’d dated, she believed he had loved her. Now he was asking for another chance to put things right. Was she willing to take that risk? Or was she truly over him ?
The answer Delphie gave herself took her aback as she cast a glance over at Wil. ‘I could never love you again, Gareth.’
Like a dagger through his heart, from a dramatic scene from the many stage plays he’d been part of, he knew the curtain had come down between them.
His nod of acceptance of her decision was barely perceptible. ‘Can we at least be friends? It’s a big small world and I think our paths are bound to cross, our lives intertwining in dance, in art.’
Delphie tilted her head. ‘Art?’
Gareth nodded slowly. ‘As you know, I’m constantly auditioning dancers for stage shows and contests. But the stage shows are gearing up for the winter season. The cast, the costumes, everything is planned months in advance of the shows that will be in theatres for wintertime and Christmas.’
Delphie knew this. ‘Yes, I understand.’
‘That’s one of the reasons I’m interested in working with Wil now, to start creating choreography for the forthcoming shows and events,’ Gareth explained.
This made sense to her. ‘But what does this have to do with art?’
‘When I found out that Wil had a new studio here, I remembered you telling me that your grandparents owned a farmhouse in the town.’
‘I’m looking after it while they’re on holiday abroad.’
Gareth nodded as if he knew the details. No doubt some of this gleaned from Sienna .
‘One of the shows I’m involved in requires a whole new concept for the stage production,’ Gareth elaborated. ‘It’s a twist on a classic show with ballet and modern stage dancing. The theatre wants a fantastic poster, artwork to portray the beauty of the show. It’s set in winter, with snow and magic and...they asked me to keep a lookout for an artist capable of capturing the theme. And I thought of you.’
‘You want me to design the poster?’
‘More than that. The art will be part of the show’s theme. It’ll be used at the front of the theatre, in the marketing and advertising of the show. And in the sets, the scenery. Your experience in dance, expertise as a graphic designer, and now as a painter...’ He gestured to her painting of The Sweetest Waltz. ‘You’re the ideal artist to do this, Delphie. Say yes, or at least don’t say no until you’ve considered it.’
This was the type of artwork task she’d often dreamed of. But working with Gareth? She didn’t say yes.
‘Think it over,’ Gareth said calmly. ‘Have dinner with me tomorrow night. I’m staying at the same hotel as Sienna.’
Delphie’s eyes flashed at this news.
‘Separate rooms. We’re not dating. I’ve no intention of becoming involved with Sienna.’
Not that she cared about this. She didn’t want to date Gareth herself. It was only the realisation of being able to trust Gareth, at least when it came to business.
Delphie hesitated.
‘Please,’ said Gareth. ‘Just dinner. We’ll talk. I promise not to pressure you. But you would be the best artist I know for this artwork design. I’ve been checking your website. I saw that you’re selling your paintings online, and from the local art shop. And if you’re planning to strike out on your own as an artist, not just a graphic designer, this would be a great way to launch your new career.’
It would. She knew it. Biting her lips to prevent herself letting slip how much she wanted to say yes, she continued to hesitate.
‘Come on, Delphie. You were never one to back down from a genuine challenge. Say yes to having dinner with me.’
Delphie nodded.
From across the dance floor Wil saw Delphie agree to do something with Gareth. Their body language spoke clearly. Gareth had persuaded her to become involved in something she wasn’t sure about. Another twist of the dagger went through Wil’s heart.
‘Is it true that you’re Wil’s new dance partner?’ Gareth said to Delphie, clearly having his suspicions.
Before Delphie had a chance to reply, Wil came over to join them.
‘Would you dance the tango routine we’ve been working on?’ Wil said to her. ‘A few guests are interested in seeing the choreography.’
Wil’s request inadvertently answered Gareth’s question.
‘Yes,’ Delphie said brightly to Wil.
Taking her hand, Wil led Delphie to the centre of the dance floor. Her red dress was perfect for the tango .
Everyone stood aside to give them the dance floor to themselves and were eager to see their performance.
‘Remember the part where you turn and spin?’ Wil whispered, getting ready to switch on the music.
Delphie nodded.
‘Could you perform pirouettes, like you did before, ending over near the mirror?’
‘Yes,’ she confirmed. ‘Where will you be?’
‘I’ll jump, turn and spin around the room, finishing near you,’ he explained. ‘Then we’ll conclude in close hold. The way we did in the barn.’
Delphie remembered how she felt that night. The sparks of attraction. Now Wil wanted a repeat performance in front of an audience of experienced dancers. Would they sense the attraction? Or would they think that it was all part of the choreography routine?
Wil turned the music on, and took Delphie in hold. And they began to dance.