Page 90 of The Dance Deception
‘And last but not least in this first round of dances, we have last week’s top scorers Kate Wareing and Aleksis Lapsa, who tonight will be trying to beat theFire on the Dance Floorcurse with the final Argentine tango of the series,’ Kimberley announces. ‘At least I’m assuming no one has picked it for their freestyle performance.
‘But will Kate and Aleksis follow in the footsteps of Beth and Theo, who were both knocked out of the competition by this dance, or can they beat the odds tonight and tango into the lead? Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to find out. Please make some noise for … Kate and Aleksis!’
The lights go down around us, leaving us illuminated on the stage, and I swear you could hear a pin drop in the studio. My pulse thumps in my ears. It would be so easy to let the thought of all the people out there, watching us from the darkness, overwhelm me – not to mention however many have tuned in at home. I wonder if Aleksis can feel the tremor in my knees.
But just when I think my legs might give way altogether, he catches my eye and fires me a wink that makes the corners of my mouth start to lift. Not quite a smile, but a sign that I know I can trust him. And as I take a deep breath, I remember that I can trust myself too.
‘You look gorgeous,’ he whispers. ‘I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier.’
And this time I do smile as I realise I feel it too. My hair is loose and tumbling around my shoulders, and my backless scarlet dress reaches the floor but is split to the waist on one side, leaving half my skin on display.
It’s the sort of dress I used to think only Emilia couldpull off, but today it feels perfect for me. So instead of trying to bat away the compliment like I would have done in the past, I let it uplift me. And in doing so, I start believing that our tango really could be the winning dance for us. Because if you put your mind to it you can achieve anything, right?
I’m vaguely aware of applause as Aleksis starts leading me through our routine: dipping me slowly to the floor, drawing me back up sharply, then holding me steady as I run my leg up his. There’s more cheering as he lifts me into a spin with one of my legs round his waist, and a gasp as our legs tangle and untangle with increasing speed. But it’s only when he’s spun me in towards him then dramatically dipped me with one leg extended forward between his, in perfect timing with the end of our song, that I really absorb the noise from the audience. It gets even louder as Aleksis breaks into a grin and pulls me up into a kiss.
It’s a good while before Kimberley can make herself heard.
‘Thank you, everyone. Wow, what a reaction! I think it’s safe to say we were all blown away by that. But let’s hear from our judges. Jacques, tell us what you thought of Kate and Aleksis’s tango.’
‘I think the audience reaction says it all. That was unquestionably the best Argentine tango we’ve seen all series,’ he declares. ‘The variation in the tempo, the complexity of the footwork, the way the music was used to accentuate the drama of the lifts and dips … it was extraordinary. You should be very proud of yourself tonight, Kate. That was exceptional.’
I’m completely speechless.
‘Thank you,’ Aleksis jumps in for me. ‘We really appreciate that, especially coming from you, Jacques.’
‘So, audience, it’s the moment of truth,’ Kimberley says. ‘Can Kate and Aleksis tiptoe to the top spot, or are they about to dip into second or third place? Please pick up your keypads and let’s find out.’
Chapter 46
Aleksis wraps both his arms around me as we watch the dial jump into action and seconds later he’s spinning me in the air as the audience awards us 9.7. I can’t believe it. In a million years I never would have anticipated scoring so high on the most difficult dance of the series.
‘Another 9.7!’ Kimberley shouts over the cheering that follows. ‘Congratulations! That puts you in joint first place ahead of the freestyle dance.’
I finally find my tongue.
‘I knew Aleksis had put together something special, but I just thought, I don’t know, because two other people got eliminated after their tangos … I’m in shock. Delighted though. Aleksis really is an amazing teacher and I’m so happy our score reflects that. He’s just the best.’
‘That’s so sweet! Really well done, guys,’ Kimberley says. ‘So audience, you’ve seen one dance from each of our couples, and Kate and Emilia are tied at the top, with Tammy just three tenths of a point behind in third place,which means there’s still everything to dance for. So without further ado, let’s bring Merle and Emilia back onto the stage to find out more about their week, as well as what winning would mean to them.’
I avoid eye contact as we pass each other on the stage, but I can sense Merle is glaring at me. He must be wondering what I’m playing at. I keep my eyes on Aleksis, determined not to let Merle burst my bubble after our amazing comments from Jacques.
‘That was so good.’ Tammy pats me on the back as I reach the side of the stage.
‘I told you you could do it,’ Aleksis adds, giving me a hug. ‘Come on, we’ve got to go and get changed for our next dance. Good luck for your freestyle, Tammy, if we’re not back in time.’
Kelly bustles us into the costumes room and within two minutes I’m out of my red dress and into a shimmering blue and green mini dress. While Hannah gives my hair a quick spritz and Leyla adds some turquoise glitter around my eyes, I steal a few glances at the TV monitor that tells them how much time they have to work on us – and see that Emilia and Merle are reviving their breathtakingly hot bachata.
To maintain suspense, the audience scores are collected afterwards but not divulged, so Kimberley can do a big reveal after all three performances. But judging by the audience reaction, it must be high.
I catch a glimpse of Tammy’s at-home video while Leyla gives my face a last dusting of bronzer. Her parents’ house is so crammed with aunties, cousins and neighbours shecan barely get through the door. But it’s only when Aleksis and I are backstage again that we discover she decided to repeat her merengue after all – her favourite dance rather than her top scorer.
‘I have to say, the atmosphere is absolutely electric up here on the stage this evening,’ Kimberley is saying. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, give it up one more time for our merengue masters Tammy and Elijah. And now let’s give another warm welcome to our final couple of the night – Kate and Aleksis!’
I’m sure I can pick out Lucy’s voice among the cheers as we join Kimberley on the stage.
‘This week Kate and Aleksis jetted off to France in between rehearsals for a surprise visit to Kate’s family,’ she says. ‘And here’s a glimpse of their impromptu French vacation …’
At the end of the video, which is a lovely reminder of our trip, she compliments my sister on her gorgeous home and makes the audience laugh by inviting herself along when we next go down there.
