Page 18 of The Dance Deception
‘We were looking for fire on the dance floor and you certainly brought it tonight,’ Jacques adds. ‘I loved the intensity and how every move seemed to have such meaning, such feeling. This is exactly what a kizombashould look like. It was glorious. What a perfect way to end the show.’
My brain races to take it all in.
‘Thank you,’ I manage. ‘That means a lot.’
‘And now it’s time to see if the audience agrees,’ Kimberley says. ‘Audience, you’ve heard the judges’ comments, and they certainly seem to be carrying a little torch for Kate and Merle tonight! But how did you find their kizomba? It’s time to enter your scores.’
Adrenaline courses through my body as the dance scale flashes up on the big screen. The marker starts moving up, rising and falling as it calculates the average score. It hovers around the eight, pushes up past the nine, drops down, climbs again until eventually it settles on 8.7 and a cheer erupts from the audience – no doubt led by Lucy and Aiden. It’s the best score of the night.
‘Eight point seven!’ Kimberley shouts. ‘Which means Merle and Kate, you’re at the top of the scoreboard this week and will definitely be joining us again next Saturday. Congratulations, you must be delighted. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the winners of this week’s show – it’s Kate and Merle!’
There’s another huge round of applause as we exit the dance floor and I feel as if I’ve left my body and I’m watching this happen to someone else. It’s all so surreal.
I watch from the sidelines as Kimberley calls Liam back onto the stage.
‘But sadly, that does mean we now know which couple we have to say goodbye to this week. Liam and Valentina, come over and join me. I’m so sorry, guys – I know youmust be really disappointed with how things went this evening. It’s a tough break when it doesn’t go right on the night, and it’s always hard to be the first to leave. How are you both feeling? We’re all really sorry we won’t get to see you again in the next round.’
‘At the end of the day, someone has to go home tonight, and that someone just happens to be me,’ Liam says. ‘But I’ve had a brilliant week hanging out with Valentina, and the next time I’m at a club with my mates I’ll feel a lot more confident about getting up to dance, so I’m glad I took part.’
‘We’ve had a great experience and I’m so glad we got to spend a week training together,’ Valentina adds. ‘Liam is such a lovely guy and he worked so hard. But sadly we just weren’t good enough on the night.’
‘At least now I can relax and watch the rest of the show with a beer in my hand,’ Liam says with a grin. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing who wins.’
‘It’s been a pleasure having you both here,’ Kimberley says warmly, resting a hand on his arm. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, for the last time, give it up for Liam and Valentina!’
They bow and wave as they leave the stage, and Kimberley thanks everyone for watching and for taking part. Then there’s a flurry of activity as the dancers are all herded into the corridor to be taken back to the reception room, while the audience is directed out of a different exit to be shown out of the building. I’m separated from Merle in the whirl of chatter, back-patting and sympathy for Liam as we make our way back.
‘I’m sorry,’ Tammy says. ‘That was such bad luck for the first night.’
‘I’m cool with it.’ He smiles to prove he means it. ‘I knew I wasn’t on the same level as everyone else. I’ll just keep up with the applications for the other shows and buying the lottery tickets. I’ll get that gym one day. You guys were amazing, though. Beth, you looked so beautiful, and Kate – if I’m honest, I wasn’t expecting that.’
‘Oi! Although to be honest I really wasn’t expecting it either. I still can’t quite believe it – it all feels like a crazy dream. I don’t know if I’ll ever come back down to earth.’
‘That’s exactly how I feel,’ Beth agrees, still charged with adrenaline too. ‘But congratulations, Kate – what a result. And Tam, you were insanely good too. I’m dreading the merengue; it’s too bloody fast!’
‘My score wasn’t great, but I loved it.’ Tammy gushes. ‘It was so much fun.’
‘I thought you were robbed,’ Beth says. ‘I don’t know what the audience were thinking. Although we were all wrong about Emilia coming out on top, too – despite her making the Argentine look like a walk in the park.’
‘She’s lucky to have got it out of the way. We’ve still got that to come,’ Tammy reminds us.
I excuse myself to go and ask Merle if he knows what our next dance will be. I’m dying to relive the judges’ comments with him, too. He must be delighted that we got such great feedback on the very first show.
He’s standing near the table of drinks that has been set up in the reception room, sipping what looks like a pint of apple juice. I’m ready to hit the wine after today’s emotional rollercoaster, so I grab myself a glass and raise it to his.
‘Thank you so much for making that happen. It was amazing – the best feeling ever. I think I’m still in shock that we came first!’ I gush.
‘Santé, and you’re welcome. I knew my methods would pay off.’
‘They did – theyreallydid.’ I can’t wipe the smile off my face. ‘So let’s celebrate. And perhaps you could show me a few more of your methods afterwards.’
He laughs. ‘I have plenty more to share. But I also have a very busy day tomorrow. I have the choreography to prepare for next week, as well as some other business to attend to, so I’m going to have to head straight home from here I’m afraid. Sunday may be a day of rest for you, but sadly it’s not for me.’
I feel my heart break just a little.
‘I thought …’ My voice trails off, heavy with disappointment.
‘You should celebrate with your friends tonight,’ he says, nodding in the direction of Liam, Beth and Tammy, who are still chatting animatedly on the other side of the room. ‘They must be wanting to go out and party. We can save our celebration for the studio on Monday. By then I’ll have some new moves for us to try out. And I promise I’ll make them worth the wait.’
