CHAPTER FOUR
The music began, filling the dance studio with a traditional song, a gentle, romantic beat, quite slow.
Lily watched herself in the mirrors, dancing beside Frazer, side by side, and tried to pick up the rhythm.
‘One, two, three...one, two, three...’ he said, encouraging her.
Lily tried to keep in time.
‘You’re doing well,’ he told her. ‘Now try to step forward with a heel lead, then step to the side on to your toes. Feel the rise and fall of the waltz.’
Lily adjusted her steps, and suddenly she noticed an improvement.
‘Well done, that’s it,’ he said. ‘Remember your posture. Head up, look ahead, relax your shoulders.’
As the song continued, Lily felt she’d learned the basic box step.
When the song finished, Frazer walked over and switched the music off.
‘Let’s add turns to the steps. The waltz is all about the turns, sweeping around the dance floor, turning one way and then the other. But we’ll begin with reverse turns. Turning to the left.’
Lily took a deep breath. Come on, she urged herself. What a great opportunity to learn how to waltz. Don’t mess this up because you’re nervous.
‘Don’t look so nervous,’ he said, reading her well. ‘Smile, enjoy the dancing.’
Lily smiled. ‘I’m trying my best.’
‘I can see that. And you don’t need to worry about the assessment. You clearly have the poise and potential to learn how to waltz.’
Lily brightened, feeling relieved that at least she’d passed that hurdle. Now all she had to do was actually learn to waltz.
‘Remember, the lessons are to teach people how to dance. I don’t expect you to turn up and be able to waltz around on your first evening here.’
Lily nodded. This made sense.
‘Mind you, with your past dance classes, you’ve obviously retained some of that knowledge and ability. Maybe you already had natural ability. I don’t know. But if it helps you to feel more confident, I think you have real potential to learn ballroom dancing. Not just the waltz, but the slow foxtrot, quickstep and the ballroom tango.’
‘Certainly the foxtrot. But I’m not sure about the quickstep and tango,’ she said.
Frazer smiled. ‘Well, one step at a time, and one dance. Master the waltz first, and then we can expand your repertoire if you want.’
Lily nodded and smiled.
‘So, let’s practise the turns,’ he said. ‘We’re doing the box step, but each time we’re turning to the left.’ He taught her the reverse moves as they faced each wall in turn until they were facing the mirrors again.
Lily went the wrong way at one point, and giggled rather than felt embarrassed.
‘Rewind and do it again, nice and slow,’ he said.
They practised until Lily managed to do it without faltering.
‘Great, now let’s try it to music.’ He put the music on and walked back over, but this time, he took her in hold.
‘Place your left hand gently on my right shoulder,’ he said. ‘And clasp my left hand with your right.’
Feeling his gentle strength as he took her in his arms, her heart thundered, and she tried not to blush.
She could feel the muscles in his strong shoulders beneath her fingertips, and as their bodies touched lightly, it was clear that Frazer was fit, a wall of lean muscle brushing against her. He’d made her heart beat quicker just walking past the window of the shop. Now she was up close to him, so close she could feel every ripple of his six–pack through his body–hugging top.
‘There’s no need to look flustered,’ he said. ‘I’ll teach you slowly, step by step.’
She took a deep breath. Come on, she urged herself. Concentrate on the dance.
‘I’ll step forward with my left foot. You step back with your right,’ he explained. ‘Then we do the box step as you’ve learned.’
Lily fumbled her first steps, almost trampling on his feet, but he deftly avoided this, and helped her to get in step with him.
‘Once you’ve danced a few reverse turns, we’ll try changing direction with natural turns. That’s turning to the right, clockwise,’ he said. ‘Follow my lead.’
Lily did, feeling Frazer lead them slowly around the dance floor, waltzing one way and then turning the other way. It felt like waltzing, as she imagined it should be.
‘Keep your head to the left, looking over my right shoulder,’ he said. ‘Glimpse yourself in the mirrors, but don’t focus on us dancing now. Try to feel the waltz.’
Lily took every piece of advice Frazer gave her, and each time she noticed an improvement.
‘The music is going to change to another song in a minute,’ he said. ‘But keep dancing, and we’ll complete two more rounds of the dance floor.’
The following song was another romantic number that suited the waltz, and she tried to keep the rhythm of the dance, the rise and fall, and turn when Frazer led them from reverse turns to natural turns.
‘I think this could be your dance, Lily,’ Frazer told her. ‘I can feel the improvement in your waltz.’
‘It feels wonderful, though I know I’m just learning how to do it properly.’
‘Try this, a sway...’ Frazer held her as they leaned gracefully to one side, pausing, their bodies in sync.
Lily giggled. ‘Oh! I didn’t expect you to do that.’
‘I don’t want you to overthink the movements. Now let’s do another sweep around the floor and repeat the sway to the other side this time.’
‘Okay,’ Lily said, sounding up for the challenge.
He liked that about her. Her willingness to give it a go, even though he knew she was nervous about her ability.
He led them around the room and then got ready to repeat the sway.
‘Relax, I’ll hold you steady,’ he assured her.
Lily let herself lean even further into the sway motion, accentuating it, as she’d seen professional dancers do.
‘That’s it!’ he sounded pleased. ‘Now turn and sway to the other side.’
Lily took a deep breath and did her best.
‘Lean into the sway, hold the pose,’ he said.
She did, and at that moment, she saw them reflected in the mirrors. And there they were, looking like they were a real couple dancing happily together.
Something in her heart jolted. Perhaps a piece of the past, reminding her of the break up. Or maybe it was seeing the type of relationship she’d always dreamed of.
Frazer guided her out of the sway and they danced until the song finished, ending in close hold. So close she could see the depths of his blue eyes.
He steadied her as she stood up, and then released her from his arms.
They stepped back from each other, and she sensed that deep attraction to him again.
‘Well done,’ he said. ‘How do you feel? Are you up for trying a slow foxtrot now?’
‘I am. I feel quite exhilarated.’
‘We’re going to start with walking steps and side steps,’ he said, taking her in hold as if they were going to waltz. ‘I’ll lead, so I’ll begin by stepping forward, while you step back. We’ll do this nice and slow...’
Lily enjoyed learning the basic steps of the slow foxtrot.
‘This is such an elegant dance,’ she said as he taught her the steps.
‘It is,’ he agreed. ‘And perfect for adding to your repertoire of ballroom dances.’
She pictured herself wearing a beautiful ballgown and being swept around the dance floor at a ball. The twinkle lights helped to create a sparkling atmosphere.
As the song finished, they ended up close together in a classic pose.
Frazer smiled as they stepped apart. The hour has sparked in, and the assessment was now complete.
‘I’ll give you a copy of the waltz and the slow foxtrot so that you can study the steps,’ he said, turning the music system off. Beside it were printed copies of the dances and illustrations to show the basic steps. He picked up copies of the two dances and then walked back over to her. ‘And there are videos on the website of all the dances we teach, so check those out to refresh your memory if you decide to practise at home, which I hope you will.’
‘Yes, I intend doing that. I haven’t checked the studio’s website yet. It’s been such a busy day,’ she told him.
‘It has indeed.’ Frazer gave her the dance sheets.
Lily studied them eagerly. ‘These are great. And I’ll watch the videos too.’
‘When would you like to book your first lesson? And do you want to take half the lessons before Christmas and half afterwards in the New Year?’
‘I’d prefer to take all the lessons before Christmas if that’s okay.’
‘Yes, so shall we say the same time tomorrow night? We’ll go over the waltz, practise the turns.’
‘That would be ideal.’ She clutched the dance sheets and was keen to see the videos on the website.
Lily picked up her bag and Frazer walked her through to reception. Dougal and Victoria were busy teaching upstairs so they had the reception area to themselves. She collected her coat from the cloakroom and put it on. Then she eyed the shoes in the shop.
‘These shoes were fine to dance in,’ she said. ‘But I might treat myself to a pair of ballroom dance shoes for Christmas.’
‘Try a pair on before you go,’ he suggested.
Lily didn’t need any encouragement, and went over and looked at the ballroom shoes on the shelves. There were three colours. Black, beige and gold.
She lifted up a pair of beige in her size, sat down and tried them on. ‘The black is classic, but I think the beige would go with most colours of dresses.’
‘The neutral beige is popular,’ he said. ‘In that particular style you’re wearing.’
Lily stood up and viewed herself in the mirror. ‘These are lovely, and the padded insoles make them comfy too.’ But she kept eyeing the gold version.
‘Try the gold on,’ he said, noticing her interest.
‘The beige or black is more practical. But I love sparkle and the gold is gorgeous.’
‘Try them on anyway,’ he encouraged her.
Lily took the beige shoes off and stepped into a gold pair, fastening the single strap that held them secure. She smiled and nodded. ‘These are the type of shoes I imagine would be perfect for a Christmas Eve ball. But I still think I need to be practical.’
‘Don’t buy any this evening,’ he said. ‘The shoes you wore tonight are fine for learning to dance.’
Lily took his advice and put both pairs of ballroom shoes back on the shelf. She buttoned up her coat against the freezing cold night. Glancing out the window, she saw the street sparkled with frost.
A couple came hurrying into the reception ready for their eight o’clock lesson with Frazer. He smiled and welcomed them.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow night,’ Lily said to Frazer, and then headed out.
While the couple took their coats off, Frazer watched her through the window, seeing her walking away, disappearing into the night. And an unfamiliar pang of longing shot through him. He immediately shook the feeling away.
‘Go through to the studio,’ he said cheerily to the couple. ‘I’ll be with you in a minute. Do your warm up.’
Chatting happily, they went through while Frazer quickly attended to a couple of things in reception.
Lily breathed in the icy air, enjoying the feeling of the winter’s night.
Cafes and eateries were glowing with lights and activity, and the aroma of delicious cuisine wafted out.
Realising she’d worked up an appetite with her dancing, she planned to make something tasty when she got back to her flat. Though her priority was watching the dance videos.
It was a fairly short walk to the shop. She almost wished it was longer as she loved being out on frosty nights like this, but she unlocked the door and went inside.
The glow from the twinkle lights and Christmas tree lit the shop, and she headed upstairs to her flat.
She switched on a lamp in the living room and the Christmas tree lights in the front window, creating a warm glow.
Then she went through to the bedroom and changed into a pair of comfy leggings, a cosy pink top and fluffy socks.
Filling the kettle for tea, she decided to make herself some hot buttered toast. Sitting on the couch, she ate her supper and set up her laptop on the table by the fire so she could watch the dance videos.
And there was Frazer waltzing with Victoria, demonstrating the steps and dancing to a romantic song. Victoria was a beautiful dancer, and they danced well together.
But it was Frazer that she mainly watched, viewing him, still feeling the gentle strength of being in his arms as they’d waltzed together.
Blinking out of her thoughts, she tried to focus on the steps and the movements.
Frazer finished teaching the last lesson of the night and locked up the dance studio. Dougal and Victoria had already left.
It wasn’t that late, but Frazer planned to do something on his way home.
He headed out into the icy night and walked briskly down the street.
Festive decorations glittered all around, and he always thought that Edinburgh looked wonderful at Christmas.
It was enchanting at other times of the year too. But he loved the atmosphere of it during frosty nights like this when the magnificent architecture glittered against the dark sky. And the windows of shops, houses, restaurants, theatres and other businesses were aglow with lights. Sometimes it would snow, adding an extra sprinkling of magical grandeur to the city, but Edinburgh didn’t need this throughout the colder months to wear the winter season well.
Lily had just made another cup of tea, and sat in the living room engrossed in the videos on the dance studio website. There was waltzing, quickstep, tango...so many different dances, and she’d become lost in viewing them, unaware of the time.
She was about to watch Frazer demonstrate the waltz again when someone knocked on the front door of the shop.
Hurrying over to the front window of the living room, she peered out and saw Frazer standing there.
She put her fluffy slippers on and ran downstairs wondering what he wanted and opened the door.
‘I saw the lights were on upstairs and thought you were still up,’ he said. He looked at her comfy clothes and slippers. ‘You left your dance sheets. I thought I’d hand them in on my way home.’ He gave them to her.
‘I must’ve put them down when I was trying on the shoes and forgot them. Thanks for dropping them off. I was just watching your dance videos, trying to figure out the steps of the waltz, when you do the turns. These will help explain the moves.’
‘What part were you having difficulty with?’
‘When you change from turning one way and then the other. The footwork confuses me. I know we danced this earlier, but I’m trying to go over the steps on my own and getting in a muddle.’
‘I’d be happy to go over the steps with you, if you want. It’ll only take a few minutes. Unless you’re busy or would prefer to practise in the studio tomorrow night.’
‘I was hoping to have the steps figured out before I came up to the studio. So, if you want to come in...’
Frazer stepped inside. He wore his warm coat and unbuttoned it as he followed Lily upstairs to her flat.
‘This is cosy,’ he said, admiring the living room as he took his coat off.
‘I love it. It’s a little bolthole away from the world where I can sew, and now study the dances. The videos are so handy.’
‘I’m pleased that you find them useful. People have said the videos help them to learn the dances, along with the lessons in the studio.’
She noticed he looked cold, having been out in the freezing night. ‘Would you like a cup of tea? Then you can show me the turns.’
‘Tea would be great. It’s been a busy night at the studio.’
Lily went through to the kitchen and put the kettle on to boil.
Frazer looked around the living room, noticing she had a sewing machine set up near the window. ‘How many sewing machines do you have?’ he said, jokingly.
She walked back into the living room. ‘Only two at the moment. One downstairs and this one. But I was thinking of buying a new version of this one here. The new model has functions that would be handy for my dressmaking, but I’ll probably make do with what I’ve got.’
He rightly assumed she was planning to make do because of the cost of buying a new sewing machine, and wished he hadn’t joked about this.
Lily wasn’t concerned. She’d worked hard to build up her dressmaking business and it was starting to pay off.
When the kettle clicked off, she went through to make the tea. ‘Do you want anything to eat? I made toast earlier. Would you like me to make you a couple of slices?’
‘It’s okay, I don’t want to cause you any fuss.’
She fired up the grill and put two thick slices of bread on to toast.
Frazer wandered over and stood in the kitchen doorway, his height and broad shoulders filling it. ‘I really didn’t intend to interrupt your night like this. My car is parked further down the road, and as I was passing the shop and saw your lights on, I thought I’d hand in the dance sheets.’
Lily glanced round at him as she made the toast. ‘Tea and toast seems like a fair deal to have a private dance lesson.’
Frazer smiled. ‘I’ll clear a space in the living room.’
‘Move anything you want. Except my sewing machine.’
Frazer held his hands up showing he’d no intention of touching her sewing.
While he moved a small table out the way from the fireside and pushed the couch back a little bit, Lily buttered the toast and poured the tea. She carried it through on a tray.
‘Eat your toast while it’s hot,’ she said. ‘Then we can dance.’
Frazer didn’t argue, and lifted up a slice of toast and bit into it.
Lily sipped her tea.
He reached over to his coat and took three tickets out and handed them to her.
‘Tickets to the Christmas Eve ball?’ She sounded surprised and delighted.
‘One for you, and tickets for Mirren and Bert if they want to come along.’
‘I’m sure they will. And I’d intended buying a ticket,’ she said.
‘I’d like you all to come as my guests. But I wasn’t sure if you needed an extra ticket for your boyfriend...’ his words trailed off and he took another bite of his toast.
‘I don’t have a boyfriend. I split up with my long–time boyfriend. He’s still in Ayrshire with his new girlfriend. So that part of my past is totally over. That’s another reason I wanted a fresh start here in Edinburgh, to get away from the past.’
‘I’m sorry,’ he said.
‘It’s okay. I’m fine. And I’m happy to enjoy Christmas, work at the shop, and now learn ballroom dancing. Dating can wait. I’m not looking for romance during the festive season.’
‘Neither am I. I’m concentrating on building the studio. Romance complicates everything.’
‘It does, especially when it ends with a broken heart.’
Frazer nodded.
‘I thought perhaps you were dating Victoria,’ she said.
‘No, there’s no romance between us. Just friends. But in the past I have dated one of my dance partners as you spend a lot of time together, especially on tour with shows. But it didn’t work out, and since then I’ve been busy creating the studio.’
He finished his toast, drank down his tea, took his boots off, and stood up, wearing his socks, ready to instruct her. He glanced at her fluffy slippers.
‘You’ll need to take your slippers off so you can dance,’ he said.
Lily stepped out of her slippers, revealing that she was wearing fluffy socks.
Frazer let out a hearty laugh. ‘That’s a very cosy combination.’
‘I only put the slippers on to run downstairs.’
Frazer didn’t look convinced.
‘It’s true,’ she insisted. ‘But I’ll put a pair of cotton socks on.’ She ran through to the bedroom and came back wearing pink cotton socks.
He’d seen where she’d stopped the video. ‘Notice that I’ve stepped forward to complete a reverse turn. And then I’m going to change direction like this.’ He demonstrated the move on his own.
Lily studied the steps, and his technique for changing direction.
Frazer danced in his socks on the carpet, and still did the heel leads.
‘That’s the part I couldn’t figure out,’ she said, now understanding the steps for changing direction.
‘Play the video so we can hear the music,’ he said.
Lily pressed play and the song filled the living room with its romantic notes as she danced around the small space. They didn’t need much room to practise the turning technique, and by the time the song finished, she was sure she’d nail the turns.
‘Well done again, Lily.’ He was still holding her in his arms.
Lily gazed up at him, and for a moment, she pictured what her life would be like if she let herself fall for Frazer. Cosy nights like this, dancing together and then snuggling up. But then she pushed her wayward thoughts aside.
‘Now let’s practise one more time before I go.’
Lit by the glow of the lamp and the Christmas tree lights, they waltzed for a few minutes, finishing in close hold.
She sensed the attraction between them, and wondered if he sensed it too.
Frazer released her and stepped back. ‘I think you’ve got the sequence of turns now. You just need to keep practising.’
Lily knew there was a telltale blush across her cheeks, but she smiled brightly. ‘I will. Thanks for showing me.’
Frazer moved the table and couch back to their original position, then put his boots and coat on. ‘I’d better be going. Thanks for the tea and toast.’
Lily stepped into her slippers and headed downstairs with him.