Strictly Friends? (23 page)

Even from the outside, the hall looked inviting. Purple and silver heart-shaped balloons were blowing in the breeze, attached by curling ribbons to the porch roof.
Fairy lights framed the doorway, twinkling in the dark. Megan felt a little thrill in her stomach.

‘This looks lovely,' said Nicola in appreciation. ‘Someone must have spent quite a lot of time decorating this.'

Megan and Mari exchanged guilty glances. Jackie and Alys had volunteered to help Corinne with the decorating, but had said eagerly that any other helpers would be most welcome. ‘I'm about as artistic as a blind beetle,' Mari had declared. Megan had been about to volunteer when Mari had asked, ‘I don't suppose I could get ready at your house, could I? Only my mum has to work and so there'll be no one at home . . .'

Jackie and Alys, whether they'd had extra help or not, had certainly done a fantastic job. As Megan and Mari went into the hall, they gasped. ‘Pretty!' cried Owen, running past them and straight into the middle of the room.

Around the edges of the hall were tables and chairs, arranged in groups. At the stage end was a long narrow table already groaning under the weight of the various dishes and plates of food. ‘I'll go and add mine,' said Nicola, taking her tray of vegetable lasagne across. More purple and silver balloons decorated the tables and windows, whilst silver tinsel
and fairy lights were strung across the beams. And by the door, where they had just come in, stood a large white Christmas tree with silver and purple butterflies pinned to it.

In the centre of the hall, a large area had been left clear for dancing. And above the floor, right in the middle of the ceiling . . . a large, beautiful, glittering mirror ball! Two carefully focused spotlights sent little star-like reflections dancing across the walls and the floor.

‘She got it!' breathed Mari, staring up at the mirror ball. ‘I can't believe it . . . she actually got it!'

‘It's pretty,' said Owen, pointing. ‘Look, stars!'

‘That's an impressive piece of kit,' said Bryan.

Megan turned to smile at him. ‘I'm so glad you could all come.'

He smiled back and tugged her ponytail. ‘Wouldn't miss it for the world, chicken. It's you dancing, isn't it?'

As if on cue, someone switched on the sound system, and music came pouring out of the wall-mounted speakers. Corinne, wearing a full-length turquoise dress, came over to meet Bryan and Nicola. ‘Your daughter is a great teacher,' she told them. ‘Dancer too, yes, but she's managed to get them all doing exactly what she tells them.'

‘Gets it from her mother,' said Bryan. Nicola trod on his foot. ‘Ow!'

‘And I've been very grateful,' Corinne went on, ‘because Megan has been a huge help in the class. With all her experience, it's been great.'

Megan blushed as her father squeezed her shoulder.

‘Megan is a very good dancer,' Owen told her solemnly.

‘I know.' Corinne bent down to him. ‘Do you dance too?'

He nodded. ‘But only at home.'

‘Well, maybe you should think about coming along to one of my classes,' Corinne said, amused. ‘I run ballet and tap classes for children your age.'

Owen frowned for a moment. ‘I'm not sure,' he said. ‘I really want to do breakdancing. Like when you spin on your head.'

Corinne burst out laughing. ‘Wow. Well, I'm afraid we don't do that in ballet or tap. But maybe you could start off with something a bit easier than spinning on your head?'

‘I'll think about it,' Owen promised. ‘If I don't find anything better.'

‘Mari.'

Megan and Mari turned to see Sean standing in the
doorway, looking rather awkward. ‘Hey,' said Mari. There was a pause.

‘You look great,' Megan said, trying to fill the silence. ‘You're wearing a tie!'

Sean tugged on the multicoloured tie at his neck. ‘Yeah,' he said. ‘Thought I should make a bit of an effort, you know. You look really nice, Mari.'

To Megan's intense delight, Mari was blushing. ‘Thanks.'

‘Uh . . . we're going to get sorted at a table,' Nicola said, tactfully dragging Owen and Bryan away.

‘Yeah,' said Megan. ‘Um . . . I'll come with you.' She left Mari and Sean standing staring at each other on the dance floor and followed her family over to a table.

‘Is that Mari's boyfriend?' Nicola asked in a low voice.

‘Yes,' Megan whispered back, ‘but it hasn't been going very well.'

‘Looks like it's OK now,' commented Nicola, nodding towards the floor, where Sean was shyly taking Mari's hand and leading her over to a table.

‘About time,' said Megan, feeling very happy for Mari.

The hall was filling up by the minute, and Megan could see Corinne glancing at her watch. The girls
from the salsa class had all arrived now, looking really smart in their jive skirts. Each girl had chosen a plain-coloured top to go with her black skirt, so they were a whole rainbow of colours. Megan was pleased she had chosen a dark green top to wear; she knew it brought out the green in her eyes. ‘You girls all look lovely,' said Nicola, following Megan's gaze. ‘The skirts have turned out really well.'

‘Thanks so much, Mum.' Megan gave her a hug. She glanced over to Mari and Sean and spotted a tall slim girl with beautiful dark skin and long black hair just joining them. Mari squealed and jumped up to hug her.
That must be Victoria
, Megan thought. She felt a lot happier that Mari had friends there to support her.

Corinne waved at Megan from the middle of the dance floor. ‘It's time,' Megan said. ‘We're going to do the salsa we've been practising.'

‘Can I come?' Owen asked.

‘Sorry.' Megan bent down. ‘It's just the girls from the class to start with. But you can join in afterwards.'

‘OK,' said Owen, losing interest. ‘I'm hungry anyway.'

Megan and the other girls took up their positions on the dance floor. Some of the parents and friends hadn't noticed what was happening, but as soon as
Corinne turned up the music and hit ‘play', they turned round.

It was a traditional salsa tune with a contemporary feel, and Megan felt the music spread up from her toes through her whole body. It was impossible
not
to dance! She threw herself into the moves, and around her she knew the other girls were doing the same. It was amazing to feel part of a synchronized dance group, with their audience only arm's length away!

As ever, the dance felt like it was over in a flash, but the response was immediate. Parents and friends rose to their feet, clapping and cheering. Flushed, Megan took a bow with the other girls and then went back to her table. ‘That was great!' Nicola told her, beaming.

Corinne called for attention. ‘Good evening! It's lovely to see so many of you here supporting the girls.' The audience quietened down again to listen. ‘When I started the salsa class back in September,' Corinne went on, ‘I never imagined it would take off so quickly. But the girls have all been so dedicated and enthusiastic, teaching them has been a real pleasure. And it's wonderful that you've all come out on this dark and cold evening to see what they've achieved in such a short space of time. I think you'll agree they've done themselves proud.' She led the applause. ‘We're
going to have some food and some dancing – and do have a go at some salsa steps yourselves, they're easier than they look! The girls will be happy to show you what to do, I'm sure.' She smiled. ‘And then in about an hour, the girls are going to do a completely different dance for you. One of the class – Megan Hirst – has had quite a career in ballroom dancing already.' Megan went bright red. ‘And she has been teaching a brand-new dance to the group,' went on Corinne with a grin. ‘I won't spoil it for you by telling you what it is – you'll have to wait and see! Oh – and one last thing.' She beckoned to Jackie, who was standing in the shadows holding something. ‘We want to say a big thank you to Megan's mum, Nicola, who spent hours making all those beautiful skirts for the girls. These are for you.'

‘Oh!' said Nicola, as Jackie presented her with a huge bouquet of flowers. ‘How lovely! Thank you so much – honestly, it was a pleasure.'

‘Don't say that,' Megan told her, ‘otherwise you'll have to make our costumes next time too!'

‘Anyway, that's quite enough from me,' said Corinne. ‘Please – help yourselves to food, and help yourselves to salsa too!'

The music went back on, and the noise level rose. ‘This is just what we need this Christmas,' said Bryan,
looking round approvingly. ‘All the family at a big party, with good food, dancing and company.'

Megan gave him a hug. ‘Thanks, Dad.'

‘Me hug too,' Owen said in a babyish voice.

Bryan laughed, and pulled the boy onto his lap. ‘You too, Owen. Come on, Nicky.'

‘I'll squash my flowers! Hang on a minute.' Nicola laid her bouquet on the table and joined in the cuddle. ‘First Christmas in Parchester! Well done, everyone, for coping with the move so well. I feel we've really settled in here.'

‘Me too,' agreed Bryan. ‘New jobs, new friends, new life!'

Nicola saw Megan pull a face. ‘Megan?'

‘Oh, I'm all right,' said Megan hastily. ‘Honestly. It was hard to start with, but it's a lot better now.'

‘Yeah?' Nicola put a hand on her daughter's chin and tilted it up. ‘You looked like you were thinking of something in particular.'

Megan shrugged and tried to sound casual. ‘I guess I still miss Milton, that's all. And Jake, of course.' She felt her cheeks grow warm and desperately hoped she wasn't blushing too noticeably.

Nicola and Bryan exchanged a look. ‘Well,' said Nicola, ‘you've been very brave about it all. And who knows, maybe things will turn out for the best.'

Megan was puzzled. ‘What are you talking about?'

‘I'm
hungry
,' whined Owen. ‘The people over there have sausage rolls!'

‘Come on, hungry monster.' Nicola got up and took Owen's hand. ‘Let's get you some dinner.'

Megan trailed after them, wondering what Nicola had meant. As she stood in the queue for food, she spotted Mari and Sean sitting together with Victoria. The two of them were holding hands under the table. She smiled, but something inside ached and she knew it was because she wanted the same thing for herself. She wanted
Jake's
hand holding hers under the table. The thought made her tingle.

Megan sighed and went to get some food.

It took a while for people to pluck up the courage to dance, but before too long, there were lots of people on the dance floor trying out the salsa steps that Megan and the other girls were teaching them. Mari dragged Victoria over to introduce her to Megan, and Victoria seemed more than willing to have a go at the salsa. ‘It would be lovely if you came to class next term,' Megan told her.

Victoria grinned. ‘I'll think about it. If Mari can do it then anyone can.'

‘Hey!' Mari shoved her affectionately.

It seemed no time at all before Corinne was calling them all together to get ready for the jive.

‘I'm not sure I can bounce with all this food inside me,' groaned Jackie.

‘I told you not to have second helpings of gateau,' Alys said.

‘But there might not be any left afterwards,' Jackie explained. ‘Oof!'

Megan grinned at Mari. She was usually the first to join in any conversation about food. But Mari was looking oddly distracted. ‘You OK, Mari?' asked Megan.

‘Huh? Oh, yeah. Yes, I'm fine.' But Mari's eyes kept flicking to the door.

Megan followed her gaze curiously. ‘What are you looking at?'

‘Nothing, nothing. Just nervous.' Mari swung round brightly. ‘So! Let's do this!'

Corinne beckoned them all close. ‘This term has been brilliant,' she told them. ‘And you've worked really hard at the salsa. This is your turn – well, yours and Megan's. Give it some real energy – and happy Christmas!'

The girls cheered. ‘Yeah!' Alys punched the air. ‘Let's go!'

The music started, and within two bars the audience had started clapping along. ‘
Strickly!
' yelled Owen, bouncing up and down on Bryan's lap. ‘Jill and Darren on YouTube! Yeah!'

His father laughed. ‘You don't even know who Jill and Darren are!'

‘They're dancers!' shouted Owen excitedly.

Megan joined the girls for the opening, and then, as planned, moved to one side so that they could pair up. She watched with a real glow of pride – they were doing so well! Jackie and Alys were kicking and flicking for all they were worth, despite the fact that Jackie had eaten too much. A small mistake caught her eye, and Megan frowned. It wasn't like Mari to go wrong in that part of the dance. And now she was on the wrong foot! It looked like she wasn't concentrating at all!