CHAPTER TEN
Lily wrapped up warm in her coat and boots and walked up to the dance studio. Lights glowed from inside and there seemed to be extra activity in the reception.
Heading inside, Lily saw a woman wearing one of the newly mended ballgowns, and she was clearly delighted with it. Another two women were browsing through the latest ballgowns that were hanging up in the shop and discussing what ones they wanted to buy.
The journalist had arrived early and was talking to Dougal at the reception desk. He was around the same age as Dougal and wore smart, casual clothes.
‘Here’s Lily now,’ Dougal said to him.
‘Pleased to meet you, Lily,’ the journalist said to her.
‘You can sit over there and chat.’ Dougal gestured to two seats in the reception near the window.
Lily took her coat off and put it on the back of her chair.
‘Frazer is teaching in the studio, but he says he’ll be available to talk to you around seven,’ Lily said to the journalist.
‘That’s ideal. I’d like to chat to you first and find out about your dressmaking and ballroom dancing...’
Frazer wore a classic waistcoat with his white shirt and silk tie.
He came through from the studio as Lily’s interview was coming to an end.
The journalist appeared to be happy with the interview. He’d brought his camera with him and wanted to take a few pictures for the feature.
Introductions were made and Frazer invited him through to the main studio.
‘Lily is due to have her next lesson here,’ Frazer explained. ‘We’re concentrating on the waltz, but I’m planning to teach her other ballroom dances including the slow foxtrot, tango and quickstep.’
‘What do you think people are enjoying about learning ballroom dancing here at your studio?’ the journalist said to Frazer.
‘I find that clients are looking for something wonderful, where they can enjoy dancing to the music, waltzing around the room, learning how to dance or improve their dancing, especially for social events like our Christmas Eve ball.’
The journalist turned to Lily. ‘Would you agree with this? Is this how you feel?’
‘Yes, as I mentioned, the dance lessons were a Christmas gift, but I was happy to come to the studio and learn to dance. I could waltz, but only on a social level, nothing special. But when I design dresses, like the ones you’ve seen, I picture myself wearing a fairytale ballgown and waltzing around a dance floor under twinkle lights.’
‘So this is like a fairytale dream come true,’ said the journalist.
‘It is, especially at Christmastime,’ Lily added. ‘I have lessons booked right up to the night before the ball on Christmas Eve.’
‘Will you continue with dance lessons after the ball?’ the journalist said to her. ‘In the New Year?’
Lily exchanged a glance with Frazer. ‘I haven’t planned that far ahead yet,’ she said. ‘I’m just taking things one step at a time.’
The journalist smiled. ‘I’ll quote you on that.’ Then he turned to Frazer. ‘Will you encourage Lily to continue learning ballroom dancing after Christmas?’
‘I will. The waltz is certainly Lily’s dance, but she has the potential to learn other ballroom dances. We’ve danced a little bit of the slow foxtrot, and I’d like to teach her to quickstep. She’s very light on her feet.’
‘That’s because you practically sweep me off my feet when we’re dancing.’ The comment was out before Lily could stop it. A blush started to form across her cheeks.
The journalist picked up on the spark of attraction between Lily and Frazer. He pointed back and forth between them. ‘Are you two dating?’
‘No,’ Frazer was the first to dowse that suggestion. ‘Lily’s dressmaking has involved us in business as well as ballroom dancing.’
‘I noticed all the ballgowns hanging up in the shop. Are those your designs?’ the journalist said to Lily.
She explained the situation. ‘Only the pink, blue and yellow ones marked sold or reserved are the dresses I designed. But Mirren and I mended the other ballgowns.’
The journalist took a note of this. ‘So you include make do and mend in your dressmaking.’
‘Yes,’ said Lily. ‘It’s great to know that these pre–loved ballgowns will make another few turns around the dance floor.’
‘Could I take some pictures of the two of you?’ said the journalist, readying his camera.
‘Yes, where would you like us to stand?’ said Frazer.
‘I need to take my boots off,’ Lily told them.
‘Could you put the pink ballgown on?’ the journalist said to her. ‘Ballroom dancing is the theme of the feature.’
‘Yes, I’ll be back in a few minutes.’ Lily hurried away.
Grabbing the dress and the shoes, Lily ran through to the changing room, put them on and hurried back.
‘Would you stand together over there near the Christmas lights.’ The journalist adjusted his camera, getting ready to take the pictures. ‘As if you were dancing together.’
Frazer took Lily in hold, standing as if they were caught mid–waltz.
The journalist clicked the camera into action, encouraging them to change angles so that he had plenty of pictures to select for the feature.
Lily tried to be aware of her posture at all times, and under the lights she could see the sparkles on her dress glittering. As the hemline didn’t trail on the floor, and skimmed around ankle–length, her gold shoes were on show, adding to the fairytale quality of the pictures.
‘The feature will be in the magazine supplement,’ the journalist explained. ‘But it will be included on the website. Would you be prepared to waltz around and let me capture some clips of the two of you dancing?’
Frazer was happy to do this.
Lily hesitated. ‘I’m still learning.’
‘That’s perfect. I’d like to show Frazer teaching you the ballroom moves, so by all means instruct Lily as you would during a lesson.’
Butterflies fluttered through Lily. She felt nervous that this was more like a lesson than a clip of her waltzing.
Frazer took charge, squeezing her hand gently, assuring her she could do this, so she went along with his plan to waltz her around the room.
‘Posture, Lily, tilt your head to the left,’ said Frazer, knowing his voice was being picked up in the recording. ‘Now, remember the reverse and natural turns. Elegant, graceful, that’s it. Head up.’
Lily followed Frazer’s instructions.
They finally finished in front of the camera.
Holding that pose so that the journalist could capture it, they then stepped apart, hoping he had what he needed for the feature.
‘That was perfect.’ He checked the footage and then let them see a clip.
Frazer looked satisfied with their performance.
Lily thought the ballgown looked beautiful, and she was still buzzing with excitement at taking part in the whole impromptu display.
‘The online edition of the feature will be up soon. I’ll send you a link when it’s available,’ the journalist explained, getting ready to leave. ‘And when it’s in the magazine.’
Frazer and Lily walked him out.
‘That went well,’ said Frazer.
‘Yes, so I’ll get changed out of my ballgown for the lesson.’
Frazer went back through to the studio, and then Lily joined him, walking through wearing the gold shoes and the wrap dress.
He’d set up the music. ‘These are a few of the songs I’ve lined up for the ball. I promised I’d let you dance to them. The first song is one that I think would be great for the opening waltz.’
Lily let Frazer take her in hold, and as the music began, they started to waltz to the traditional music.
‘I love this song,’ said Lily, concentrating on the steps.
‘Your posture is excellent, but try to relax a little. I can feel all the tension in your body.’
‘I’m concentrating so hard on getting the steps right,’ she said.
Frazer led her in a turn one way, then the other. ‘Shake off some of that tension. Go with the rhythm of the dance. Feel the rise and fall of the waltz. Remember the heel leads.’
Lily laughed. ‘Run all that by me again.’
Frazer gazed down at her. ‘Just dance.’
She did, feeling the rhythm of the waltz.
Frazer used the full size of the floor, waltzing around the room, and she saw glimpses of herself dancing with this tall, handsome man reflected in the mirrors.
His shirt and waistcoat suited him, and emphasised his broad shoulders tapering down to a lean waistline.
‘Don’t keep looking in the mirrors,’ he said.
‘I was just—’ she clipped what she almost let slip. Admiring you wearing the shirt and waistcoat .
They waltzed on, and as the song ended, he kept slow waltzing with her as the next one began.
‘This is the second song for the ball.’
‘Another popular choice. This will keep couples on the dance floor.’
‘That’s my aim. It’ll suit the traditional style of the ball. The fairytale theme.’
‘How are you going to create that?’
‘With the twinkle lights, adding more for the ball, draping them over the dance floor so it feels like you’re dancing under the starlight.’
‘That sounds lovely.’
Frazer spun them around, turning in time to the music, but it brought them closer together as he pulled her nearer, and she could feel the strength of his body press firmly against her.
Her heart fluttered and she looked over his shoulder as if she was correcting her posture so he wouldn’t see the effect he had on her.
They danced to the slow rhythm of the chorus.
‘There will be more Christmas decorations too,’ he said.
‘That will be magical. Perfect for a fairytale Christmas theme.’
As the song ended, Frazer stopped waltzing and released her from his hold.
Lily thought this was to change the music, but Frazer had another idea.
‘Do you want to try learning the slow foxtrot again?’ he said, clasping her hand and gently bringing her back into his arms.
‘I’m not sure I remember the steps.’
‘We’ll go over them again slowly.’
‘I did study the dance sheets you gave me,’ she said. ‘And I watched the videos on the website. The slow foxtrot is a lovely dance.’
‘It is, so let’s start...’
For the remainder of the lesson, Lily learned the slow foxtrot.
‘You did well,’ he said. ‘Next lesson, we’ll practise the waltz and the quickstep.’
‘I’ll take a look at the quickstep videos,’ she said, picking up her bag and getting ready to leave.
Frazer turned the music system off and hurried after her.
‘What do you plan to do now?’ he said as she took her gold shoes off and put her boots on. ‘Are you going to do any late night dressmaking?’
Lily put her coat on, ready to walk down to the dress shop.
‘Probably,’ she said. ‘Are you planning any late night dancing?’
‘Yes, but not here in the studio. Not tonight anyway.’ He continued to secure the premises. Everyone else had left.
Lily frowned. ‘Dancing at home?’
Frazer shook his head. ‘I’m going to a party night at the theatre near here. The owners, Huntly and Niall, often have after show parties — music, dancing.’ He looked right at her. ‘Want to come with me?’
Lily blinked. ‘To the theatre?’
‘It’s not far. We can walk. You’re wearing your boots. Put your gold shoes in your bag.’
Lily was taken aback by the party invitation. ‘I didn’t expect to finish my dance lesson and head to an after show party.’
Frazer shrugged. ‘It’s the season to be a wee bit wild.’
She smiled, and put her shoes in her bag. ‘I won’t stay too late.’
Frazer put his coat on. ‘Come on, Cinderella.’
He secured the studio and they stepped out into the frosty night.
The streets glittered as they walked along, and she gazed up at the silhouettes of the beautiful historic architecture against the dark sky.
She glanced in the shop windows that cast a warm glow into the cold evening, enjoying the festive atmosphere.
They chatted as they walked along together.
‘Mirren has invited me to a Christmas craft afternoon tomorrow at her friend Ivy’s craft shop. We’re closing the dress shop for the afternoon. And Heather, the theatre’s wardrobe manager, wants to talk to me about my dressmaking.’ She explained the details.
‘Heather will probably be at the party tonight,’ he said.
‘That would be handy.’
They continued to chat as they walked along in the cold, crisp night.
‘We’ll take a shortcut through here,’ Frazer said, leading them through an alleyway, a close and a stone stairway that brought them out where they needed to be.
‘That’s the theatre up there.’ Frazer gestured further along the street.
She could barely miss it, lit up with colourful lights.
‘It looks wonderful. I like the mix of modern styling with the old–fashioned architecture.’
‘As I said, Huntly has a house near mine, but he lives in the turret too.’
Lily gazed up at the turret rising high above the theatre, lit with lights. ‘It must have a great view of the city.’
They walked along towards the theatre, and Lily admired the window displays in this street too. Cafes and eateries were buzzing with activity. Chatter and music filtered out as they passed each one.
‘I met Huntly early this morning. He was with his girlfriend, Mari. He invited me along to the after show party tonight. Dougal and Victoria will probably be there too, so be prepared for some lively dancing.’
‘What have I let myself in for?’ she said lightly.
Frazer opened the door, and the energy and warmth from the theatre poured out. ‘A wild night.’
He laughed, seeing her wide–eyed expression as they stepped inside the small foyer. It was stylish with traditional burgundy and gold decor, velvet and brocade fabrics, and plush carpeting that her boots sank into.
No one was there. Everyone was through in the auditorium where the party was being held.
‘Take your boots off and put your shoes on,’ Frazer advised her.
While Lily put her dance shoes on, Frazer stashed her boots and bag behind the ticket desk.
He shrugged his coat off and helped Lily off with hers, then hung them in the cloakroom.
‘All set for being a wee bit wild?’ he said, smiling at her.
‘Yes,’ she lied.
Frazer laughed. ‘Come on, let’s join the party.’
He led her along a carpeted corridor and then pushed open the doors to the auditorium.
‘Wow! Look at this theatre. It’s gorgeous,’ said Lily. The seats near the middle and back of the theatre were empty, but down at the front seats and the stage area, it was buzzing with people having a great time. ‘And lively.’
They walked down the main aisle towards the stage. In front of it there appeared to be a makeshift buffet where people were eating sandwiches and cakes, and having cups of tea and other drinks.
‘There’s Huntly,’ Frazer said, indicating towards the stage.
‘Which one?’ There were a number of guests, and she’d only had a glimpse of Huntly and Niall’s pictures on the theatre’s website.
‘Tall, dark hair, drinking a cup of tea beside the baby grand piano at the side of the stage. And that’s Niall standing next to him, blond hair.’
Lily took them in. Both tall, handsome, fit, early thirties, and drinking tea.
Huntly saw Frazer and immediately came to welcome him. They shook hands. ‘It’s about time you came to one of our parties again instead of dancing rings around yourself in your studio.’ He pushed the thick, dark unruly curls of his hair back from his forehead, and blue eyes, the colour of sapphires, looked at Lily.
‘This is Lily,’ said Frazer, introducing her.
Huntly’s elegant hand clasped hers in a warm welcome. ‘I’ve heard about you. Lily the troublemaker. Dancer and dressmaker extraordinaire.’
She gasped and glanced at Frazer.
‘Sorry, Lily,’ Frazer apologised. ‘I told Huntly that I’d bought the ballgowns, and he’s seen your dance video.’
‘Apparently, people have to scramble their way through all the chiffon and sparkle of the ballgowns just to get into the dance studio,’ Huntly joked.
She realised they were winding her up, and smiled.
Huntly clasped Lily’s hand. ‘You’ll fit right in with all of us. Come and meet Niall before someone persuades him to play his guitar.’
‘Does he need persuading?’ said Lily, being taken down into the hub of the party along with Frazer.
‘Oodles of persuasion,’ Huntly said in an exaggerated tone. ‘Rather like me being reluctant to play the piano.’
‘Are you going to play the piano tonight?’ Frazer said, sounding keen to hear him play.
‘Thinking about it. Another two cups of tea and I’ll probably give it a go,’ said Huntly. Without pausing, he called over to Niall. ‘Frazer’s here. And he’s brought Lily with him.’
The tall, blond–haired figure of Niall came over to welcome them. ‘Pleased to meet you, Lily.’
Huntly glanced around. ‘Where’s Mari?’ he said to Niall. ‘The last time I saw her she was scurrying away backstage to wardrobe with Heather to talk about knitting.’ He looked at Lily. ‘Mari’s an expert knitter.’
Frazer saw Heather emerge from backstage. ‘There’s Heather now.’
Huntly waved to her to come over. ‘Heather wants to chat to you about your ballgown designs for our forthcoming shows,’ he said to Lily.
Heather smiled as she approached.
‘Frazer brought Lily with him,’ Huntly said to Heather.
‘It’s lovely to meet you, Lily,’ said Heather. ‘Have you got a wee minute to chat? I’d like to show you the costume colours and fabric I have in mind backstage in wardrobe.’
Niall shook his head. ‘You’ll both miss Huntly playing the piano.’
Huntly sighed heavily and went along with the fun. ‘If I have to play the piano, you have to play the guitar, classical guitar,’ he told Niall.
Niall smiled and nodded.
Huntly continued. ‘And if we play, Frazer needs to get up on stage and dance. We can’t have half a performance. This is a theatre.’
Frazer laughed. ‘Okay, but I’m not performing a ballet solo.’ He held his hand out to Lily. ‘Shall we dance?’
Lily gasped. ‘On stage?’
‘I’m glad you’re eager to give it a go, Lily,’ Huntly said playfully. ‘A great choice of a red dress too. The audience can see you waltzing with Frazer.’
‘What are you going to play?’ Frazer said to Huntly.
Huntly named a traditional song.
‘Perfect for waltzing,’ Frazer told him, and then clasped Lily’s hand. ‘Come on, let’s get you accustomed to the stage lights, and the height.’
Lily dug her heels in. ‘What height?’
‘It’s quite a high stage. Have you ever performed on a stage like this?’ said Frazer.
‘I’ve never performed on any stage.’
‘Even when you were seven or ten?’
‘No, I used to stay backstage and help with the costumes. I didn’t want to be in the spotlight.’
‘Too bad. A new experience for you. But you’ll love it. The feeling of dancing on stage to great music, lit by spotlights, an appreciative audience. It’s quite magical.’
‘You’re just saying that so I won’t run away.’
‘Nooo, you’d never make it out of the theatre. Those shoes were made for dancing, not sprinting. I’d catch you before you reached the box office.’
‘Don’t bet on it.’
Frazer laughed. ‘Maybe you are a bit wild after all. So I concede the point. Maybe you could outrun me. But not tonight. It’s Christmastime. The season of fun and extravagant memories. Here’s your chance to create both with me.’ He lingered at the side of the stage, giving her the chance to refuse.
Lily took a deep breath. ‘Luckily for you I am a bit wild at heart.’
And she hurried on to the stage with Frazer, not letting go of his hand, especially when she saw that he wasn’t joking about how high the stage was.
She stood for a moment gazing out from centre stage at the rows of seats, at Huntly now seated at the baby grand piano, with Niall slinging his acoustic guitar strap around his neck and standing near the piano.
There was a man, high up in the control box at the back of the auditorium, altering the lighting, aiming spotlights on the stage where they were about to dance, and on Huntly and Niall.
Squinting against the bright lights that had been used during the evening’s play, Lily saw Heather and numerous other people getting ready in the front row to enjoy the impromptu performance. A few had their phones set to record the spectacle.
Huntly played the introduction on the piano. The notes sounded clear in the theatre, and then Niall joined in, playing the classical tune on his guitar.
The song was one that Frazer and Lily had danced to earlier in the studio, a favourite for waltzing.
Lily’s heart was thundering. She wished she had her ballgown on to hide her footwork in case she got the steps wrong.
‘What do you want me to do?’ she whispered nervously, moments before they began.
Frazer held her close, and gazed down at her. ‘Waltz with me, Lily. Dance with me tonight.’
And she did.