He throws his head back, laughing in delight. “That’s wonderful. I hope you intend to complete said task?”
“I’m not one to shy away from a challenge, Chido.”
“I didn’t think you were.”
“But I’m not exactly a dancer.”
“That so?”
“You any good?”
“Oh, terrible.”
“That’s great news.” I smile at him. “You can join me then.”
I step out of the taxi, holding the front of my dress up, the back completely undone.
“Thanks, Ruby,” I say, slightly slurring, holding the door open and peering in at the backseat. “Without you, I could have been stuck in this dress forever.”
“Without me, you never would have got into it in the first place,” she points out, leaning across the seat to look up at me.
“That’s true.”
“Before you go, Freya, can I just say something,” Leo begins, winding down his window at the front.
“Here we go.” Ruby sniggers. “He’s going to make an emotional statement.”
“No, I’m not! I wanted to say I’m proud of you, Freya.”
Ruby groans. “Told you!”
“You did it. You completed the task. That’s all I wanted to say.”
“Thanks, Leo.” I smile at him through the window. “You’re the best.”
“You’re the best.”
“Thanks for looking after me today, you two. Now get home safe,” I conclude, giving Ruby a wave and then shutting the car door.
The Uber driver, who has been very patient with my lengthy goodbye, pulls away, and Leo’s voice echoes down my road as he calls out good night. I get my keys out of the clutch, unlock the door, and stumble inside, grateful to pull off my heels, slip off the dress, and get ready for bed.
I wipe off my makeup and brush my teeth, thinking about what a great time I had. Tonight, I had to dance like no one was watching. I had to force myself not to care about what anyone was thinking. Was it as liberating as all those inspirational quotes say?
No. It was not. It was horrible and I hated putting myself out there.
Butnow that it’s over, it really feels like an achievement. And there was a moment when I almost forgot how embarrassed I felt, when one of Ruby’s song requests came on—the almighty “5,6,7,8” by Steps: a song with formulaic dance moves that I happen to know, thanks to the necessity of doing it at school discos along with everyone else when it first came out. I could see Chido clapping as I swayed my hips to the “boot scootin’ baby” line, moving into the “rodeo Romeo” side steps.
When the DJ wrapped things up, I was on the dance floor and remained there until everyone else had moved off to prepare sparklers for Obi and Eva’s exit. I lifted my hands in the air and took a flourishing bow, as Ruby and Leo applauded my success,and then we hurried to join the crowd outside to wave goodbye to the bride and groom.
As I snuggle under the duvet, I smile into my pillow thinking about dancing to Steps with Ruby and Leo bopping around me, whooping and cheering, while a giddy Obi and Eva attempted to copy my routine, laughing their heads off.
The last thing I think on before falling into a deep sleep is how I felt at that moment, laughing and being silly with good friends. Matthew wasn’t there, but it didn’t matter.
My heart felt full.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I’ve done something stupid.
