‘No.’ It’s out my mouth before I can think about it. ‘Well, I mean, Ben used to play rugby with Marcus… and I suppose…’ I shake my head. ‘We were all fairly friendly once upon a time, but when he left the team, I guess he fizzled from the friendship group.’
That night flashes into my head again. Funny how I hadn’t thought about it in years and now it’s resurfaced twice in twenty-four hours. They couldn’t know about that, though. Nobody does. Jeez, I’m not even certain what happened myself. The only thing I am certain of is there was a huge amount of alcohol involved. Probably drugs too in Ben’s case. He did have a reputation for partying hard.
‘They’ll either put you with Ben or Michael and hope it sends your husband wild with jealousy. You do realise what you signed up for?’ Aisling’s brown eyes bore into mine and a frown pinches her face.
I don’t fully follow.
‘This is a dance show at the forefront. It’s also a test of strength, integrity and character, while the press dig up whatever dirt they can find and plaster it across the tabloids. And if you’re married, it will test it to the hills. That’s where the entertainment lies. You watched the first two seasons of this show, right?’ She looks between me and Natalie, wide-eyed.
‘Yes,’ we say in unison.
‘So, tell me truthfully, did you watch it because you enjoyed watching two unprofessional dancers struggling along every Saturday night? Or did you watch it because of the circulating rumours and scandal about the contestants?’
She has a point. A terrifying one. Maybe Marcus was right all along?
‘It’s easy for me, I’m single. Sure, I’m pretty certain my mother may well be horrified about some of the stories they might dig up about me. I was wild in my youth, but she’ll get over it. Natalie, you’re single too?’ Aisling checks and Natalie nods.
‘So they’ll probably pair you with Michael or PJ or Ben, if they don’t pair Shelly with him. See if they can drum up some chemistry.’
‘My lady parts are sending up a thousand Hail Marys right now. Oh to be paired up with Michael Murray. As a teenager, I used to have his poster on my wall.’ She fans herself dramatically. Her outward teenage-like swooning is so endearing that I can’t help but send up a silent prayer for her, and her lady parts too.
Before we can finish speculating, we’re summoned back over. Chairs line the centre of the stage as if we’re in for a lecture. Teddy invites us to take a seat while each dance teacher informs us of the different types of dances they’ll be teaching us, demonstrating a few steps.
Slick Rick’s teaching the Latin American, obviously. The slim woman in her forties, Sylvia Bright, is apparently a specialist in the tango, salsa and show dances.
Teddy stresses once again that the whole point of the show is to provide entertainment. He emphasises that even if the steps aren’t perfect, we’re expected to put on a good show. The stage production team will work with the choreographers to devise a mini play for each couple with appropriate backdrops and themes. Each couple will be interviewed prior to, and following, each live performance, in addition to mid-week interviews at training.
Silence falls as Teddy looks at Aaron quizzically before glancing at his watch.
Aaron clears his throat and struts across the stage in front of us, pacing like a lion on the hunt. The studio doors open and a television crew enter laden down with cameras, lights and props. I glance at Aisling as they set up around us.
‘Hair and make-up are on their way. We start recording the initial footage in two hours,’ Teddy informs us.
Aaron says, ‘If you aren’t being seen to by costume, hair or make-up stylists, use the time to practice the steps from earlier. Find a partner, or practice them alone. The teachers are all here to guide you. The steps you learned earlier weren’t a practice run, they’re the steps you’ll perform collectively to open the first live show.’ Signalling he’s finished, Aaron bows his head and the stage suddenly becomes swarmed with people carrying suitcases full of accessories.
No such thing as a private dressing room around here. No, the lack of privacy is all part of the show. At least there’s no live audience yet. That’s one saving grace.
Teddy clears his throat and claps for attention. ‘You will be assigned your partners later this afternoon. I for one, cannot wait to hear who is paired with who on the third series ofSexy Come Dancing!’
My stomach flips with nervous apprehension, but before I can overanalyse it, I’m approached by a team of three women from hair and make-up.
‘Shelly Williams?’ a girl with pink hair asks.
‘That’s me.’ I shrug, awaiting my fate.
Her eyes light as they run from my head to my toes, a smile inching onto her friendly face. ‘I’m Layla, one of the make-up artists, and you’re my first canvas. This show needs glamour, sass and style. You, honey, have it in abundance. Let’s hone your inner Eleanor Powell.’ She grins and pats the industrial sized pouch around her waist, housing a magnitude of make-up brushes.
From the corner of my eye, I spot Michael approaching Natalie. She spins in my direction and promptly stuffs in her fist in her mouth, biting back unconcealable glee. Raising back her shoulders, she shoots a parting wink in my direction before turning back to Michael, marginally more composed than she was fifteen seconds earlier.
Laughter echoes around the huge hall as the others attempt to master the initial steps. The atmosphere’s galvanising. With the promise of new blossoming friendships, and the prospect of an enthralling challenge ahead, a thrilling surge of belonging sweeps through me.
