Page 70 of The Dance Deception
‘And that’s just about all we’ve got time for tonight,’ Kimberley says. ‘After Merle and Emilia’s shock departure, we now know which three couples will be competing to win twenty-five thousand pounds in next week’s final.Congratulations to Kate and Aleksis, who were a class act tonight with their unparalleled score, and to Tammy and Elijah, and Dean and Jessica, who will all be back to battle it out one last time next Saturday.
‘What a rollercoaster it’s been, with Merle and Emilia looking set to hold on to that top spot, but then reminding us that nothing’s ever guaranteed onFire on the Dance Floor. We’ll be back with more surprises at the same time next Saturday, so we hope you’ll join us right here on the dance floor to find out who’ll be crowned our very firstFire on the Dance Floorchampion.’
Then it’s the usual hustle back to the reception area for the dancers – the pats on the back, the congratulations, but alongside it all my mind’s still reeling about Merle and Emilia. I can’t believe they’re out. Sofiya will be delighted.
Aleksis grabs two glasses of wine and passes me one. His eyes are brighter than I’ve ever seen them.
‘We couldn’t have wished for a better outcome,’ he gushes. ‘You were so good out there tonight.Prieka! Cheers!’
I swell with pride at the compliment. ‘We actually did it – top of the scoreboard. But Merle and Emilia … I’m so shocked.’
‘You outperformed them, you totally deserved it,’ Tammy says, as she helps herself to a drink. ‘So cheers to us, Kate. We’ve only gone and got ourselves into the bloody final!’
I laugh and clink my glass against hers. Then Olivia arrives and requests our attention so she can ‘share some exciting news with us all’.
‘I won’t keep you long. I just wanted you all to be the first to know that as a result of the hard work you’ve putinto the show, it’s exceeded all our expectations and we’ve just been given the go-ahead for a follow-up series next summer,’ she beams. ‘So thank you, everybody, for the part you’ve all played in making that happen.’
As I follow her eyes around the room, I notice Merle and Emilia aren’t among us. I don’t imagine they feel like socialising. I’m sure I wouldn’t if I were them.
‘While I don’t doubt the three remaining couples will pull out all the stops for the grand final next weekend,’ Olivia continues, ‘we’ve decided to add a little extra incentive for the professional dancers, to make sure we really go out on a high. So Jessica, Aleksis, Elijah, keep this in mind: whichever one of you wins next week is going to be guaranteed a place in next year’s line-up. So if you fancy another stint onFire on the Dance Floor, you know what you’ve got to do.’
They beam at each other and nod. Challenge accepted.
‘And for the remaining contestants – Kate, Tammy, Dean – we want to do something a bit different with your filmed segments for this last week,’ Olivia says. ‘We want to show you in your real life, away from the dance floor – with your family or where you work – to give the audience a chance to really get to know you. So if you could have a think about that and we’ll be in touch with you all on Monday to hear your ideas and schedule in a filming day for each of you.’
We murmur our assent and I try not to panic as she thanks us for our time and tells us she can’t wait for next Saturday. I don’t have a job and my family are in France. I can’t film at the old flat with Lucy because everyoneknows I’m living with Aleksis, and I’m not part of a sports team or a book club or anything else that could work for my video clip.
‘Don’t worry, we’ll think of something,’ Aleksis assures me, as if reading my mind. ‘We’ll put our heads together tomorrow. Let’s just enjoy the rest of this evening first.’
‘The Grape is waiting,’ Tammy reminds us.
‘Then lead the way,’ Aleksis says.
Dee video calls me while we’re en route to the pub and when I answer she’s squeezed in between Mum and Dad on the screen.
‘Congratulations,’ they all shout.
‘You were wonderful, darling,’ Mum adds.
‘Top of the class,’ Dad says. ‘You must be over the moon.’
‘You’ve already seen it?’ They usually have to wait till it’s on catch-up.
‘We Skyped with Auntie Irene so we could watch it live on her telly,’ Dee explains. ‘It was a bit hard to see but we got the gist.’
‘Ah, you guys. I’m absolutely delighted. Me, in the final! Whoever would have thought it?’
‘We all had faith in you,’ Dad says.
‘We knew you could do it,’ Dee agrees.
‘And is everything else okay?’ Mum checks. ‘At the flat and everything?’
‘Of course. Aleksis is the perfect flatmate,’ I smile.
Now’s not the time to tell her how much more he’s become, even if she suspects it. She’s had enough insight into my love life of late and I don’t want to answer the inevitable barrage of questions that would follow, either.
‘Glad to hear it,’ Mum says. ‘Right, we’ll leave you to it then. We know you’ll want to get on with your celebrating. We just wanted you to know how proud we all are of you. Talk to you soon, love.’
