Page 19 of The Dance Deception
He winks and kisses both my cheeks before walking away, and my eyes glisten as I watch him go. I’d been so convinced tonight was going to be our big night together. I don’t want to wait until Monday before I can be with him again, even if he is planning something good.
‘Everything okay?’ Beth asks, noticing my gloomyexpression when I rejoin the group. ‘It’s not the tango, is it?’
I force a smile back onto my face. ‘He didn’t say, so I guess I’ll find out on Monday. But never mind that – what’s the plan for now? Is that two glasses of wine you’ve got on the go there, Liam?’
‘I’ve got to make the most of it now it’s the only free booze I’m going to get,’ he says. ‘I’m going to have to guzzle it, though – my parents are waiting outside for me and they came all the way down from Newcastle so I can’t not go for dinner with them.’
‘I’d better drink up too,’ Beth says. ‘Matt’s taking me out for a meal tonight as well. It’s our anniversary today.’
‘I guess I should think about going to find my parents, too,’ Tammy says. ‘They’re going to give me such a hard time about my score though, so I’m putting it off. Do you want another glass before we go, Kate?’
I tell her I do. I want to drown my sorrows. I was so sure I’d be spending the evening with Merle that I haven’t made any other plans.
While Tammy’s getting the drinks I dig my phone out of my bag and fire off a quick text to Lucy, ignoring the flood of messages that have arrived from friends and family after tonight’s performance.
‘Any chance you’re still local? Things are wrapping up here earlier than I expected,’ I write.
‘I’m in a pub just up the road with Aiden,’she replies straight away. ‘The Golden Grape. Come and join us.’
‘Cool, thanks. I’ll just scrub this make-up off then I’ll see you there. Aiden won’t mind?’
‘Aiden never minds. He’s the easiest-going person I’ve ever met.’
Thank goodness for Lucy, I think as I put my phone away. The other messages can wait till I get home. It’ll be something to read before bedtime.
Chapter 10
When I arrive at the pub, it’s a typically busy Saturday night, but Lucy and Aiden have found a table next to a window and they’ve already got me a glass of wine.
‘You were so good out there this evening,’ Lucy gushes as soon as I sit down. ‘You looked like one of the professionals. I knew you could do it. And that score – wow! Congratulations, buddy.’
‘Yeah, it was really impressive,’ Aiden agrees.
‘Thanks!’ I grin as we clink glasses. ‘To be honest, I can barely even remember being told our score. It all flashes by so quickly.’
‘We can watch it back later on catch-up,’ Lucy says. ‘Have you spoken to your mum yet? Or anyone else? You must have loads of messages from people. Have you looked at Facebook?’
‘I haven’t even started reading the messages yet. That’s probably why we get Sundays off, just to reply to everyone.’
‘Merle must’ve been pleased,’ Aiden says.
‘I didn’t get much of a chance to talk to him afterwards, but yeah, I guess he was.’
Noticing the disappointment in my voice, Lucy moves the subject swiftly on. ‘I felt so sorry for Liam. What a horrible way to go out of the competition.’
‘He didn’t seem too upset. He’s already planning which show to try and get on next.’
‘That’s men for you,’ Lucy says, and Aiden gives her a playful nudge.
As we carry on chatting, I notice a few people looking over at our table. I guess it’s inevitable I’ll be recognised now the first episode has aired. One of my friends went on a dating show a while back and for a few weeks afterwards people kept going up to her, not quite able to work out where they knew her from. Most of them thought they must have been at school together.
So I’ve been expecting a few looks here and there, maybe a few people wanting to come and say hello or take a selfie with me. It’s just part of the process, although it’s a bit surprising it’s happening already. The people in the pub presumably haven’t seenFire on the Dance Flooryet, unless they were in the audience.
There definitely seems to be quite a bit of interest in our little group, though, and I notice a lot of the people are looking from their phones to me, presumably to check if I really am ‘the girl from the dance show’. It’s a very strange feeling – a bit of a thrill while also vaguely unsettling. Lucy has noticed the looks we’re getting too.
‘Your video must be up on YouTube already,’ she says, and we reach for our phones. I’ve never googled myselfbefore – it’s quite exciting – but as the list of results appears on screen, the blood drains from my cheeks and I start feeling queasy.
A news story with the headline “Kiz Kiz Bang Bang” is trending, accompanied by a photo of me and Merle in the dressing room, clearly up to no good. There are related stories on other news sites titled “Fire in the Dressing Room” and “It Started With a Kiz”.
