‘Sorry, everyone, I’ve got to run,’ said Millie, hugging each member of the group. It took Sarah by surprise when she also received a warm embrace. ‘It was lovely to meet you, Sarah. Hope to see you again soon.’
‘Likewise,’ said Sarah, meaning it.
The group spilled out onto the street, and Sarah walked beside Fran.
‘Is everything OK, love? You’ve gone quiet.’
‘I’m fine,’ said Sarah, ‘just tipsy after three glasses of wine.’
Fran laughed. ‘I’m pleased you came. It’s good to see you enjoying yourself for once.’
Sarah smiled. ‘I didn’t want to come. I’m not used to going out in a group, but I’m enjoying myself.’
Fran linked arms with Sarah. ‘Welcome to the gang,’ she said. ‘We’re a motley crew, but we know how to have fun. Just wait till you hear the band.’
‘You’ve heard them before?’
‘Oh yes, we get tickets every time they come to town. I hope you’ve brought your dancing shoes with you.’ Sarah and Fran looked down at Sarah’s scruffy trainers. Fran laughed. ‘They’ll do.’
The packed pub left standing room only. Hattie led them through the bar to a larger room at the back where the band was setting up. She rushed over to the long-haired musicians, hugging each of them.
‘Some of the lads used to work at the café before they went off to university,’ explained Fran, leaving Sarah to dish out hugs of her own.
Bob bought a round of drinks, and somehow Joy secured them a table. ‘She’s a dab hand at playing the frail old lady card,’ explained Bob as they sat down.
The music started, and Bob wiggled his shoulders.
‘Oh no,’ said Kate, throwing her head in her hands in mock horror.
‘Bob’s a demon on the dance floor,’ shouted Fran over the sixties rock classics blasting out from the band.
Bob grabbed Kate’s hand and yanked her to her feet. ‘See you in a few hours,’ she called behind her as Bob spun her round onto the dance floor.
‘May I have the pleasure of this dance?’ Fran asked Joy.
Joy’s eyes sparkled. ‘Race you there,’ she said, dropping her walking stick to the ground and shimmying her way across the floor.
Sarah assumed Felix would invite Hattie to the dance floor, but he slid along the seat until sitting beside her. ‘Let me guess,’ he said. ‘You hate dancing?’
‘I’ve got two left feet,’ said Sarah.
‘Prove it,’ said Felix, taking Sarah’s hand in his own and standing up.
‘No, I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to leave Hattie by herself.’
‘I’d be pleased to have a rest,’ said Hattie. ‘Go on, get up there.’
Sarah wondered if the wine had affected her more than she thought. She couldn’t remember ever dancing in public, having avoided school discos like the plague and not having friends to go out with when she left school.
Felix took both her hands in his and began jiggling her around to the music. Sarah couldn’t help but laugh. ‘I’ve discovered your weakness,’ she shouted above the music.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Felix, wiggling his hips.
‘You may be good at most things, Felix, but dancing isn’t one of them.’
Felix responded by pulling Sarah close and attempting to tango across the dance floor. Laughing so much her stomach hurt, she felt a fizz of excitement at Felix’s hand on her waist, the other hand wrapped around hers. Sarah shook her head to rid the foolishness.
‘Felix, looks like you need some help from the master,’ said Bob, sidling up to them and taking Felix in hand. Felix looked back at Sarah in mock horror as Bob took him in a ballroom hold. Sarah and Kate joined Fran and Joy, and Hattie appeared beside them.
