Page 50 of A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3)

Ten teams from across Scotland were competing in the dance competition.

What surprised Olivia most was that they all seemed to be rooting for each other.

That was not something she had experienced when she was a kid.

She had grown used to hostile parents, boos from the crowd and just a smattering of polite clapping from an audience who were supporting the home team.

It was heartening today to hear the excited chatter and shouts of encouragement, and for the kids to know it was actually all about the taking part.

Amy had done a brilliant job in helping the kids get stretched and warmed up.

Loads of the mums and dads had also stepped in to make sure they were all in their costumes, had their glittery make-up on and their hair pulled back in ponytails if that was what they’d agreed.

Edie was also there, making last-minute adjustments and patrolling the room with her needle and thread, just in case.

‘I’m so sorry, guys,’ Olivia gasped as she sprinted into the large marquee behind the stage. They all cheered when she arrived, and she felt the tears glisten in her eyes.

‘Miss Olivia,’ said Eilidh, the youngest girl in the group. ‘I’m a wee bit worried.’

Olivia sank to her knees, so she was at eye level with the little girl. ‘What are you worried about, honey?’

Eilidh’s bottom lip wobbled. ‘In case I forget my moves.’

‘Oh, sweetie,’ she said. ‘Don’t worry about that. Do you remember what I said?’

The little girl nodded. ‘Just keep smiling and keep moving and nobody will notice. They’ll be too busy watching my beautiful smile.’

‘Exactly,’ she said, gently high-fiving her.

She turned to the rest of the dancers. ‘And that applies to you all. This should be about having fun. I know how hard you’ve worked over the summer.

But the most important thing is that you go out there and you have the best time.

Keep moving, even if you forget the steps, and keep smiling and the audience will love you.

And I will be right beside you every step of the way. I am so proud of you.’

Olivia had to bite back the tears so she didn’t upset the kids, but if she could have enveloped them all in a mass hug, she would have. Swallowing back another wave of emotion, she jumped up and down on the spot, and excitedly said, ‘Come on, guys. Let’s do this!’

They were second last to perform, and she saw the kids becoming more and more nervous as the time grew closer for their slot.

She had invited the parents to go off and enjoy the show, knowing full well that if they hung around it could potentially make their children more agitated.

Amy had stayed around to help. Fergus’s girlfriend, Amelia, had also pitched up with some emergency hairspray and a few cans of glitter spray, and Kitty was now in full nursery-teacher mode, gently brushing hair, adding more glitter make-up to cheeks and generally putting the kids at ease.

Their moment came as they were called to take to the stage. The kids had collectively voted to call themselves Hop and Scotch.

‘Come on, guys, let’s go. Let’s go and dance!’

They quietly followed her out the tent and up the stage steps.

She beamed at the kids as she watched them take their place on the dance floor, then she stood at the side, out of sight of the crowd, doing the routine in case anyone needed a prompt.

They decided they would start on a dark stage — the music would start and then the lights would turn on.

As Olivia closed her eyes, listening to the home crowd screaming and yelling encouragement to the kids, she hoped it was something they would remember forever.

She was covered in more goosebumps than she could ever remember before.

There was a brief hush, and then an ear-splitting whistle.

She would bet that it belonged to one of her Glasgow girls.

‘C’moan, Hop and Scotch!’ someone yelled, almost certainly Granny Margaret. ‘Gie it, laldy!’

Olivia chuckled. Thanks to the kids, she knew that meant give it your very best. Then the music started thumping, the lights flooded the stage and her little troupe of talent started to move.

There was no need for Olivia to be there at the side doing the dance.

She watched in astonishment as they executed the moves perfectly, along with wide, beaming smiles.

The costumes looked fantastic — Edie’s appliqué flowers really caught the light and added something extra special to their overall look.

Olivia couldn’t believe how amazing they were.

It was like watching a professional dance troupe.

Every move they had rehearsed was perfect, and the crowd sang along and cheered, which seemed to buoy their mood.

Their final move finished with a bang and they stood still, as practised, while the crowd erupted in screaming applause.

Olivia had taught them to hold it for that extra moment longer.

Despite their excitement and the audience’s response, they kept still.

‘Go, guys!’ she yelled, and watched as they relaxed and smiled, running around the stage excitedly hugging each other. There was just one more act to follow, then the judges would decide. In less than an hour they would know who the winners were.