Page 13 of Not Strictly Ballroom

What does he have to be sorry for? It’s me that’s sorry.

Nick: I’m sorry too

Darcy: I miss you

My breath catches, and knowing that I’d made him feel that way by making it weird causes the tears to well up. I respond in our time-honoured way.

Nick: Miss you more

Darcy: Are we still friends?

I take a deep breath. It’s time to get over myself and make this work.

Nick: Always best friends

We message for a couple more minutes and I tell him I’ll be at the dance school in a couple of days. I feel relieved that we’re talking. All I need to do now is make sure it doesn’t get weird again.

“Let’s try that again,” I say, encouraging Justin and Mark back into their starting positions.

They carry on for a few more minutes until Mark sighs.

“I feel like we’re just stuck on the same thing. I know we need to practise the basics, and I promise we will.” He shoots a grin at his fiancé, who meets it with his own smile. I can’t help smiling at the joy they radiate. Mark continues. “But it’s hard to see what we’re aiming for and how it will all fit together.”

“Can we see you do it?” Justin chimes in. I think for a minute, indecision preventing me from moving. I glance towards the door. There is a way, but am I prepared to do it?

Nick arrived earlier, and was now helping my mum with her class. Despite our messages the other day, it was awkward, and we didn’t get past a stiff hello before my mum claimed him. I’m hoping we can talk later, but I could do with his help now if Justin and Mark want to see what they’re looking to achieve.

“I’ll be right back,” I say, and before I can change my mind, I head towards the other studio and poke my head round the door.

“Nick, do you have a minute?” He’s currently showing an elderly lady how to waltz.

He checks with my mum, who waves him away.

“Please excuse me, Mrs Carter. I’ll be back soon.” He releases his partner with his trademark charm and a smile, and warmth blooms in my chest as, for a moment, I can see a glimpse of how things have always been for us. How much I’ve missed that smile and how my sister might have been right. But as he turns towards me, his face becomes guarded and the prism shifts, refracting a different view. I push that away, trying to remain professional for now.

I don’t speak, but beckon him to follow me, not trusting what I would say right now. Back in the other studio, I introduce him to Justin and Mark.

“They want us to show them what it looks like.”

He nods, his mouth a thin line as I put on some music. I face him and hold up my arms. My heart cinches as I see him hesitate before he moves forward, putting one hand in mine and the other on my shoulder. It starts badly, maybe not enough for Justin and Mark to notice, but we both know, and I see him wince. I call a stop.

“I want to try something for a minute,” I tell Justin and Mark. “Can you join us?”

They stand and come over. I pair Justin up with Nick, and I take Mark. “Let’s do a few basic steps for a while and then we’ll try again.”

I’m hoping Nick will loosen up a bit. The dance I’m teaching them is mostly based on the rumba, one of the most sensual of the dances. I resolutely ignore the feeling I have that he’d rather not be in the same room as me. This time, things are better and Nick starts relaxing. Justin says something that makes him laugh, and my chest loosens a bit. Mark is good fun and I start enjoying myself, too.

“Can we watch you again now?” Justin asks when the music ends, and Nicks agrees.

“Oooh, can you dance to our wedding song?” Mark asks excitedly. “That’s what we’re working towards.”

“Of course. What have you selected?”

“Love is in the Air.” Mark almost bubbles over with glee. I catch his excitement, as I love the song myself and it’s great to dance to.

This time, Nick steps forward without hesitation and I see the glimmer of a smile still on his lips.

This time, as soon as the music starts, we move freely. Everything feels different. It feels . . . right . . . It feels like home. As the song progresses, we become more in tune with each other. With every step we take, I feel more complete. Everything that had been missing with the dancers who’d tried out, is here in this dance with Nick, and I don’t want it to end. As the last notes die away, we’re facing each other, and I feel the same tingling I’d felt the last time we danced. Nick is looking at me in the same way and the moment seems to stretch.

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