CHAPTER EIGHT
‘I don’t do ceilidh dancing,’ Sienna said when Wil suggested they join in. Lively music played and people were up joining in.
‘It’s just for fun,’ Wil told her. ‘I’ll help to keep you right.’
Sienna folded her arms across her chest and sat at their dining table. ‘I’ll watch. You jig, twirl or whatever.’
The hotel owners waved at Delphie, encouraging her to enjoy the dancing. Hearing the music and seeing the guests give it a go, some experienced, others just up for a happy time, Delphie felt the urge to join them.
‘I love a ceilidh,’ Gareth said, eager to burn off some energy on the floor.
Accompanied by Wil and Gareth, Delphie headed over and the three of them joined in a reel. They linked arms with each other and soon they were part of the reel, whirling and twirling with other guests before making their way back together.
Despite everything that had happened with the arrival of Sienna and Gareth in town, throwing her plans to the wind, she found herself laughing and enjoying the ceilidh, letting go of her concerns, and just having fun.
Gareth and Wil arched their arms while Delphie danced underneath, and then they all linked hands in the fast–moving circle, whooping and cheering.
Wil lifted Delphie off her feet as he spun her around, causing her to burst out laughing. And then Gareth did the same before she could hardly catch her breath.
It would be the genuine laughter and fun of the dancing that Delphie knew she’d remember from this night. The evening they’d started out dining at separate tables. Now they were indeed giving it laldy on the dance floor as one dance merged into the next with barely a beat of a pause. To call it lively was an understatement, but the live band were excellent and rose to the occasion.
Perhaps it was seeing Delphie have so much fun with Wil and Gareth that encouraged Sienna to step on to the floor.
Before she’d even had a chance to announce to them that she’d decided to join in, she was pulled into the heart of it and was soon smiling along with the others.
As an expert dancer, Sienna found her footing fairly well, and there were times when, like Delphie, her feet barely touched the floor.
Delphie and Sienna performed an impromptu fling while Wil and Gareth clapped to the beat, before the foursome joined hands and whirled around.
Their dancers’ flexibility, fitness and flamboyance all came into play.
They finally stepped off the dance floor and went back to their table for a refreshing drink.
Gareth sat back in his chair and pretended to be totally puffed out.
‘You’re fit as a fiddle, Gareth,’ Wil said, having none of his nonsense .
Gareth guffawed. ‘That was fun. I love a challenge.’
‘You should try an early morning swim in the sea,’ said Wil. ‘I did, at Delphie’s prompting. And I’m trying to persuade her to join me for a brisk dook down the shore.’
‘I’d be up for that,’ Gareth confirmed. ‘I’m guessing it’s brisk and breezy.’
‘Oh yes,’ said Wil. ‘Combine that with tonight’s ceilidh dancing and I’d say I’ve had a lively day.’
Gareth took a deep breath. ‘Okay, Wil, you’ve talked me into it. Flippers and snorkels at dawn tomorrow.’
Wil laughed. ‘I’ll pick you up at the hotel in the morning. All you need is your trunks.’
‘Are you going to join us?’ Gareth said to Delphie.
She almost choked on the iced drink she was sipping. ‘I’ll take a rain check.’
Sienna took them aback as she piped up. ‘I’ll go. I love to swim.’
‘The sea is a bit cold,’ Wil warned her with a smile.
Sienna flicked her hair back. ‘I’m fine with that. Unless you’re not up for me joining in.’
‘No, you’re welcome to come along,’ said Wil. ‘I’ll pick both of you up in the morning.’
All eyes turned to Delphie, and she knew her resolve would wane. ‘Okay, but be warned. The only swimsuit I have with me is neon pink. If you’ve got sunglasses, wear them,’ she joked.
The light–hearted banter between them dissolved any tensions for the remainder of the night .
Delphie sensed it was the cheery calm before the storm, but decided to make the most of it. More ceilidh dancing was enjoyed and it was late in the night when they all finally parted ways.
Gareth and Sienna headed up to their rooms in the hotel, while Wil walked Delphie to her car that was parked near his.
‘Are we really going to do this?’ Delphie said standing for a moment in the night air.
‘Oh, yes.’
She checked the time. ‘I was supposed to be unwinding here in the town. Now I’ll be grabbing a few hours sleep and then swimming in the sea at the crack of dawn.’ She frowned jokingly. ‘I must’ve got my plans mixed up. Now I’m thinking I’ll need to head back to the city to relax.’
‘It’s not the location, it’s the company you keep,’ he said.
‘Then you’re a bad influence on me, Wil.’
‘Bad to the bone,’ he said with a smile and walked over and got into his car. Opening the window he called to her. ‘Is your swimsuit really neon pink?’ He wondered if she was joking.
‘Yes, be prepared to be dazzled.’ Delphie drove off, leading the way along the main street and up to the country road. Wil followed her.
Flashing his headlights, Wil peeled off when he reached his house as she drove on the short distance to the farmhouse.
What a night it had been, she thought. She’d expected tension and drama. Instead she’d danced at the ceilidh, and now she had to fish out her swimsuit from her luggage ready for the morning mayhem.
In the early morning sunlight, Wil drove down to the hotel, having sent a message to Gareth that he was on his way.
Wil frowned when he saw three figures waiting to be picked up for the swimming trip. Sienna was there with Gareth, but standing beside them was Steaphan. The more the merrier expression crossed Wil’s mind, but he quickly discarded it, remembering how that had worked out the last time.
He pulled up and Sienna got into the front passenger seat beside him, while Gareth and Steaphan sat in the back.
‘Steaphan’s staying at the hotel,’ said Sienna. ‘When I told him we were going swimming, he wanted to join us.’
‘I don’t have swimming trunks, but I’ve got a pair of training shorts to wear,’ Steaphan explained.
‘That’s what I’m wearing too,’ Gareth added. ‘I didn’t think I’d be going swimming when I packed.’
‘I only brought dancewear and fashion items,’ said Sienna. ‘But I’m wearing a black leotard that I’m sure will be fine.’
‘Is Delphie still joining us?’ Gareth said to Wil.
‘She hasn’t contacted me since last night,’ said Wil. ‘But I don’t think she’s the type to back down from a challenge.’
By now they we’d reached the nearby shore, and discarding their outer clothes, they viewed the sea. They had it all to themselves .
Sienna shivered and did a few warm–up moves.
‘Here’s Delphie now,’ Wil said, seeing her car driving along the shore road.
For easiness, she’d worn a shift dress and pumps, and quickly took them off in the car and stepped out ready to join them, noticing that Steaphan was there too.
Wil pretended to shield his eyes against the glare of her pretty pink swimsuit.
Delphie swiped at him playfully.
Gareth rubbed his hands together. He had a fit build, as did Steaphan, but it was Wil’s lean, muscular physique that made Delphie’s heart beat faster. She tried to focus on the sea, wondering just how cold it would be. Seeing Sienna shivering, wearing the black leotard that enhanced her model–like figure, did nothing to bolster her confidence. The sea looked fairly calm but cold. The breeze wafting along the coast had a bit of a bite to it, as if declaring that autumn was well on its way.
‘I swam along the shore that way,’ Wil announced. ‘I continued for a wee while and then headed back.’
‘That sounds fine to me,’ said Gareth.
Steaphan nodded and stretched his lean muscles.
Wil smiled at Delphie. ‘If we get lost, we’ll use your swimsuit as a marker.’
‘What if I swim underwater,’ Delphie countered playfully.
‘Unless you dive to the seabed, that pink glow will shine through the surface,’ Wil joked with her.
Without further chatter, they all walked across the sand and waded into the sea .
Gasps as the cold water enveloped them, were soon replaced with determined smiles as they became acclimatised to the temperature.
Wil led the way, with Sienna keeping up beside him. Behind them was Gareth. Delphie swam steadily in Wil’s wake with Steaphan alongside her, smiling.
‘It’s not as chilly as I thought it would be,’ Steaphan called over to Delphie. ‘It’s refreshing.’
‘Yes,’ Delphie lied.
Seeing her new dance partner pay all his attention to Delphie, Sienna changed course and swam alongside Steaphan.
By now, Delphie had become accustomed to the sea. Remembering how she used to love spending the day down the shore, she felt invigorated and swam on to join Wil. He’d been keeping an eye on her in case she needed him, but clearly she was a capable swimmer.
Wil smiled over at Delphie. ‘I think we should head back now.’
They’d swam quite a distance, and she nodded in agreement. ‘Yes, but this is fun.’
Turning in tandem, they led the others back towards their starting point.
And that’s when the racing challenge began. Starting with Steaphan wanting to take on Gareth.
Gareth was up for the challenge, but egged Wil to join in. ‘Come on, Wil, we’ll race you back.’
The calm surface of the sea became a surge of white waves as the three of them powered through the water .
Delphie’s money was on Wil, though Gareth was a close second and obviously a strong swimmer. Steaphan wasn’t entirely out of the running, but it was a two–man race to the finish.
Sienna was now swimming in line with Delphie. They weren’t racing, but neither of them wanted to lag behind, so as Wil pipped Gareth in the challenge, the men watched Sienna and Delphie head for home.
Although Sienna was an excellent swimmer, Delphie’s determination won through.
There were cheers all round and playful splashing as they all eventually waded out of the sea.
Delphie wrung the water from her hair and smiled at Wil. ‘You’re definitely a bad influence.’
Wil shrugged his broad shoulders and grinned at her, setting her heart alight.
They walked back to the cars and grabbed their towels to dry off.
Gareth fetched his phone from Wil’s car and snapped a few pictures. ‘No one will believe we actually did this. So smile,’ he said, taking a group photo.
Sienna then wrapped her towel around herself and was the first to get back into Wil’s car.
There was no heat yet in the early morning sun, so none of them lingered on the shore.
‘See you later at the studio, Delphie,’ Gareth called over to her before getting into the back seat of the car with Steaphan.
‘Yes,’ Delphie confirmed and then got into her own car .
Following Wil’s car back to the main street, Delphie continued on heading home to the farmhouse, while Wil dropped the others at the hotel.
After showering, Delphie made herself a bowl of porridge for breakfast, and then went over to the barn to work on her art.
Images of Wil swimming down the shore kept interrupting her concentration. Under other circumstances, she might have let herself fall for him. But their lives, although currently entwined, would soon unravel when their careers took them in different directions. But she’d enjoyed her morning swimming with him and the others.
As the day wore on, a message popped up on her phone from Gareth.
See you soon at the studio. And here are a couple of pictures from our swim .
Delphie looked at them all standing together on the shore, smiling happily.
Another memory for the archives.
Wil practised dance routines in the studio to show Gareth, Sienna and Steaphan. They were due to arrive soon. But since his morning swim, he kept thinking about Delphie and he was particularly looking forward to seeing her.
Delphie put on her dancing shoes that had mid–high heels and t–bar straps. Their neutral tone blended with her deep blue dress. The classic bodice fitted comfortably, and it had cap sleeves and a lightweight skirt with a slight flair, ideal for dancing.
Gareth and the others had only just arrived at the dance studio when she walked in, following the sound of the upbeat music to find Wil demonstrating an opening move for a new routine.
Sienna wore another black dress and black shoes similar in style to Delphie’s heels.
Although they all acknowledged Delphie’s arrival, Wil continued to demonstrate the moves, and then danced with Sienna before partnering her with Steaphan and adjusting their opening stance.
‘You wanted drama,’ Wil reminded Sienna. ‘This is a bold opening, so exaggerate the hold and lean back into a strong frame when Steaphan leads you across the floor.’
Gareth came over and stood beside Delphie at the side of the studio as they watched them practise. She saw her reflection in the mirrors opposite, but felt nothing seeing herself next to Gareth. All the love had gone, at least on her part.
The music had a powerful beat, and Wil had used it to emphasise the drama.
‘As you know, every dance tells a story,’ Wil reminded Sienna and Steaphan. ‘You must bring that story to life for the few minutes you’re performing. Find your characters and show the audience what you’re feeling.’ He rewound the music. ‘Try it again.’
Sienna and Steaphan upped their performance, urged on by Wil.
‘Excellent,’ Wil told them when they’d finished the piece. ‘Now let’s try the next part of the routine. Nothing is finalised yet. I want to see how you tackle the moves, then I’ll adjust the choreography to highlight your strengths. I need to see your partnership. So far, I think your styles are well–matched, but you have to develop your rapport.’
‘They do look good together though, don’t they?’ Gareth said to Wil.
‘Yes,’ Wil confirmed. ‘And that’s with little rehearsal time together. This means they can elevate their partnership a lot more.’
‘To a level where they could win the competition?’ said Gareth.
Wil nodded firmly.
Sienna smiled over at Gareth and then at Steaphan. ‘We’ll put in the work that’s necessary.’
Steaphan adjusted his stance as he took Sienna in hold. He nodded and smiled that he was prepared to work hard too.
Delphie enjoyed watching Wil coordinate the routine. Sometimes, she’d try to anticipate the next part of the choreography, but Wil continued to surprise her with his talent for creating a great performance.
At one point, Wil wanted to show Sienna how to improve part of the routine, and beckoned Delphie over to help him demonstrate.
‘Watch how we turn and then pause before changing direction and picking up pace with a fast, light moves across the floor,’ Wil said to Sienna.
Delphie had seen Sienna try this a few times, and it was always easier to watch someone else dance the routine and then alter it. Delphie knew what was lacking from Sienna, and did her best to show what Wil wanted.
‘I get it now,’ Sienna said after seeing them dance. She then tried the steps again with Steaphan.
‘That’s it!’ Wil told her. ‘I knew you could do it.’
‘This should impress the judges at the contest,’ Gareth remarked.
‘It feels energetic, but I love the control in the choreography,’ Steaphan added.
For the remainder of the afternoon, they all helped plan and practise the routine. Delphie partnered with Wil to demonstrate the moves, and gave them a glimpse of a waltz. She enjoyed the whole process.
Wil finally ended the lesson.
‘That’s enough for today,’ Wil announced, switching the music off. ‘I’ll give you a copy of the footage I’ve filmed so you can go over it.’
‘Can we schedule another session for tomorrow afternoon?’ said Gareth.
‘Yes, same time,’ Wil confirmed.
Sienna and Steaphan, deep in conversation about the routine, headed out. The hotel was a short walk along the main street, and they left Gareth to talk to Delphie and Wil.
‘I’m sensing the beginnings of a strong partnership between those two,’ Gareth remarked. ‘I wasn’t sure if Steaphan was right for Sienna, but now...’
‘You can never tell until you see them performing,’ said Wil. ‘A perfect match in theory seldom works. There has to be that spark that they ignite in each other. And that’s either there or it’s not. ’
Gareth nodded, wishing he’d tried harder to keep that spark alight with Delphie.
‘Can I talk to you about your artwork?’ Gareth said to Delphie.
‘Yes, I’ve been thinking about ideas for the poster,’ she said.
She picked up her bag and was getting ready to leave.
Wil was hoping to persuade her to stay and practise some moves, but now Gareth was escorting her out.
Wil walked with them through to the reception.
‘I’ve almost finished the quickstep watercolour for you,’ Delphie said to Wil while continuing to leave with Gareth. ‘I’ll drop it off at the art shop for Callum to frame.’
‘I’d be happy to pick it up from you if it’s more convenient,’ Wil suggested.
‘No, it’s okay,’ said Delphie. ‘I’ll be in the main street to stock up on fresh groceries anyway.’
She genuinely thought she was being helpful, but Wil smiled tightly, wishing he’d spoken up before Gareth whisked her away.
‘I was painting in the barn today, but I’ve been sketching more ideas for the poster and the show,’ Delphie said, chatting happily to Gareth as they walked out of the studio.
Wil watched them go, overhearing them talking as they headed away to her car. An amber glow shone across the street as the day drew to a close .
‘I’d love to see this art studio you’ve set up in the farmhouse barn,’ Gareth said, hinting that he wanted to be invited along.
‘You’re welcome to come up and see it,’ said Delphie.
Wil watched Gareth get into Delphie’s car. He shook his head in dismay and mentally kicked himself for not asking her to stay and dance at the studio with him.