SHELLY
Packing a beetroot and avocado salad, and enough fruit to supply a small shop, in my oversized handbag, I place it in the hallway before tiptoeing upstairs to wake the girls for school.
Technically, I’m waking them early for my own benefit because, as much as I’m enjoying the dancing and the thrill of a new challenge, the days seem long without them. I’m only weeks in, but I’ve already reached the conclusion I won’t be taking a permanent job in any shape or form after this show. It’s too much of a commitment with a family, and it’s become clearer than ever – family comes first.
Kissing Emily’s head causes her eyelids to flutter open and a slow smile spreads across her innocent face. ‘Mammy.’ She sits up and throws herself into my arms.
‘I’m going to work early today, pet. This week’s dance is really hard, but I wanted to see you before I go.’ We’ve already lost three couples, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re next. Mind you, it could be a blessing in disguise for my marriage.
‘Will you be late home?’ she asks.
‘I’ll try not to be.’ I pat her head, running my fingers through her silky hair.
I can’t promise, and if it weren’t for the girls, I wouldn’t have a lot to rush home to.
Sunday was my one day off from the show. I’d hoped we could do something as a family but Marcus made his excuses and left first thing in the morning. He didn’t return until it was time to put the kids to bed.
Emily and I wake Erin together. She rubs her eyes, less impressed with the early wake-up call than her sister. I dress them and prepare them each a bowl of honeyed porridge before it’s time to run out the door.
I almost collide into Marcus in the hallway on the way out. He’s dressed in navy jeans and a white shirt. His sleeves are rolled up to the elbow, revealing his strong, powerful forearms. His musky familiar aftershave hangs tantalisingly in the air between us. A wave of longing sweeps through me as I dance around him, unsure whether to kiss his lips, or his cheek, or nowhere at all. He takes the decision from me, offering a curt peck on my cheek before continuing onto the kitchen.
In contrast, at the studio Ben greets me with a huge warm smile and my favourite tea, pressing a kiss on the same cheek that Marcus dropped one on half an hour earlier. However, Ben doesn’t leap back as though he’s been scalded. We don our tiny microphones. The producers are on the eternal hunt for some newsworthy scandal that might increase the ratings.
‘Good morning, partner. How was the weekend?’ Ben leads me into a corner of the studio. We’ve taken to practising in the same space each day; it’s a little darker and gives us slightly more privacy from the other contestants. Not that our routine is a secret, it’s simply less distracting when we’re not constantly comparing ourselves to the others.
‘What weekend?’ I roll my eyes at him. ‘I blinked and my day off was gone.’
‘Did you have a nice day with your family?’ If I didn’t know better, I’d nearly swear he cared. The constant tirade of flirtation has been somewhat replaced with a genuine friendship over the past few weeks.
Words struggle to form in my throat. If my voice cracks with a hint of the emotion I’m feeling it’ll give away my personal anguish. I’ve never been more aware of the wire I’m wearing. Hesitation flickers across my face and like a shark scenting blood, Ben picks up on it and voices the question I’m hoping to avoid. ‘Is everything ok at home, Shelly?’
‘It’s fine.’ As the words fall from my lips, hot heavy tears of frustration form in the corners of my eyes, welling and threatening to spill across my cheeks.
Ben pats my arm and surprisingly, it does provide a small modicum of comfort. Thankfully, before he can ask any further questions, Slick Rick stalks across the auditorium towards us, his jet-black hair swept back from his face by some sort of wet-look, super-strength gel, at least I hope it’s gel.
‘You two,’ he barks, clicking his tanned, hairy fingers in our direction. ‘You’re with me this week. It’s salsa time. It’s going to be tough – twice as many steps, in half the time. Are you ready?’
‘As we’ll ever be,’ Ben answers for both of us, a wry smile curling at his lips.
The day passes in a fury of mistimed footwork for me, a mountain of frustration for Slick Rick, and a million sniggers for Ben.
By mid-afternoon, I’m no closer to remembering the routine, let alone mastering the technique. The fact we only have four full days to practice is frankly terrifying, but my brain’s too tired to process. I keep making the same mistakes, over and over again. It’s like information overload. At least there’s no afternoon studio audience today, because I need all the practice I can get.
‘You have to feel the beat.’ Slick Rick beats his chest like a Latin Tarzan. ‘Feel the passion. This dance is sexy, it’s flirty, it’s full of promise.’ He pushes Ben and me together again, positioning his hands on my shoulders, and mine on his waist.
To Ben, he says, ‘Run your finger across her collarbone, like she’s the most exotic, sensual thing your eyes have ever feasted upon!’ His level of passion wouldn’t be out of place in a Mills and Boon novel.
Heat radiates from Ben like a roaring open fire. The scent of his aftershave and sweat is something I’m now so familiar with, I could pick him out blindfolded in blaring nightclub. His permanent proximity is intense.
Out of nowhere, something trips and the entire studio is cast in darkness, every previously blinding spotlight is killed in an instant. The power’s blown. Ben’s hands drop from their position on my shoulders and slide over the backs of my arms, but he doesn’t let go. I can’t see an inch in front of my face, but there’s comfort in the steady even breaths that exit his mouth in front of me.
‘Nobody panic,’ Teddy begs through the darkness, though his high-pitched squeal is far from calm.
‘Is it just us? Or the whole area?’ Aaron’s voice booms through blackness.
‘What happened to the generator?’ Sylvia Bright asks from somewhere in the distance.
‘It’s under repair. You couldn’t make it up.’ Aaron tuts. ‘Ok, everybody outside into the car park. Take your time, let’s not get injured before Saturday’s show.’
