Page 12 of Take the Lead
There’s another huge round of applause as we exit the dance floor and I feel as if I’ve left my body and I’m watching this happen to someone else. It’s all so surreal.
I watch from the sidelines as Kimberley calls Liam back onto the stage.
‘But sadly, that does mean we now know which couple we have to say goodbye to this week. Liam and Valentina, come over and join me. I’m so sorry, guys – I know you must be really disappointed with how things went this evening.
It’s a tough break when it doesn’t go right on the night, and it’s always hard to be the first to leave.
How are you both feeling? We’re all really sorry we won’t get to see you again in the next round. ’
‘At the end of the day, someone has to go home tonight, and that someone just happens to be me,’ Liam says. ‘But I’ve had a brilliant week hanging out with Valentina, and the next time I’m at a club with my mates I’ll feel a lot more confident about getting up to dance, so I’m glad I took part.’
‘We’ve had a great experience and I’m so glad we got to spend a week training together,’ Valentina adds. ‘Liam is such a lovely guy and he worked so hard. But sadly we just weren’t good enough on the night.’
‘At least now I can relax and watch the rest of the show with a beer in my hand,’ Liam says with a grin. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing who wins.’
‘It’s been a pleasure having you both here,’ Kimberley says warmly, resting a hand on his arm. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, for the last time, give it up for Liam and Valentina!’
They bow and wave as they leave the stage, and Kimberley thanks everyone for watching and for taking part.
Then there’s a flurry of activity as the dancers are all herded into the corridor to be taken back to the reception room, while the audience is directed out of a different exit to be shown out of the building.
I’m separated from Merle in the whirl of chatter, back-patting and sympathy for Liam as we make our way back.
‘I’m sorry,’ Tammy says. ‘That was such bad luck for the first night.’
‘I’m cool with it.’ He smiles to prove he means it.
‘I knew I wasn’t on the same level as everyone else.
I’ll just keep up with the applications for the other shows and buying the lottery tickets.
I’ll get that gym one day. You guys were amazing, though.
Beth, you looked so beautiful, and Kate – if I’m honest, I wasn’t expecting that. ’
‘Oi! Although to be honest I really wasn’t expecting it either. I still can’t quite believe it – it all feels like a crazy dream. I don’t know if I’ll ever come back down to earth.’
‘That’s exactly how I feel,’ Beth agrees, still charged with adrenaline too. ‘But congratulations, Kate – what a result. And Tam, you were insanely good too. I’m dreading the merengue; it’s too bloody fast!’
‘My score wasn’t great, but I loved it.’ Tammy gushes. ‘It was so much fun.’
‘I thought you were robbed,’ Beth says. ‘I don’t know what the audience were thinking. Although we were all wrong about Emilia coming out on top, too – despite her making the Argentine look like a walk in the park.’
‘She’s lucky to have got it out of the way. We’ve still got that to come,’ Tammy reminds us.
I excuse myself to go and ask Merle if he knows what our next dance will be. I’m dying to relive the judges’ comments with him, too. He must be delighted that we got such great feedback on the very first show.
He’s standing near the table of drinks that has been set up in the reception room, sipping what looks like a pint of apple juice. I’m ready to hit the wine after today’s emotional rollercoaster, so I grab myself a glass and raise it to his.
‘Thank you so much for making that happen. It was amazing – the best feeling ever. I think I’m still in shock that we came first!’ I gush.
‘ Santé , and you’re welcome. I knew my methods would pay off.’
‘They did – they really did.’ I can’t wipe the smile off my face. ‘So let’s celebrate. And perhaps you could show me a few more of your methods afterwards.’
He laughs. ‘I have plenty more to share. But I also have a very busy day tomorrow. I have the choreography to prepare for next week, as well as some other business to attend to, so I’m going to have to head straight home from here I’m afraid.
Sunday may be a day of rest for you, but sadly it’s not for me. ’
I feel my heart break just a little.
‘I thought …’ My voice trails off, heavy with disappointment.
‘You should celebrate with your friends tonight,’ he says, nodding in the direction of Liam, Beth and Tammy, who are still chatting animatedly on the other side of the room.
‘They must be wanting to go out and party. We can save our celebration for the studio on Monday. By then I’ll have some new moves for us to try out.
And I promise I’ll make them worth the wait. ’
He winks and kisses both my cheeks before walking away, and my eyes glisten as I watch him go. I’d been so convinced tonight was going to be our big night together. I don’t want to wait until Monday before I can be with him again, even if he is planning something good.
‘Everything okay?’ Beth asks, noticing my gloomy expression when I rejoin the group. ‘It’s not the tango, is it?’
I force a smile back onto my face. ‘He didn’t say, so I guess I’ll find out on Monday. But never mind that – what’s the plan for now? Is that two glasses of wine you’ve got on the go there, Liam?’
‘I’ve got to make the most of it now it’s the only free booze I’m going to get,’ he says. ‘I’m going to have to guzzle it, though – my parents are waiting outside for me and they came all the way down from Newcastle so I can’t not go for dinner with them.’
‘I’d better drink up too,’ Beth says. ‘Matt’s taking me out for a meal tonight as well. It’s our anniversary today.’
‘I guess I should think about going to find my parents, too,’ Tammy says. ‘They’re going to give me such a hard time about my score though, so I’m putting it off. Do you want another glass before we go, Kate?’
I tell her I do. I want to drown my sorrows. I was so sure I’d be spending the evening with Merle that I haven’t made any other plans.
While Tammy’s getting the drinks I dig my phone out of my bag and fire off a quick text to Lucy, ignoring the flood of messages that have arrived from friends and family after tonight’s performance.
‘Any chance you’re still local? Things are wrapping up here earlier than I expected, ’ I write.
‘I’m in a pub just up the road with Aiden,’ she replies straight away. ‘ The Golden Grape. Come and join us. ’
‘ Cool, thanks. I’ll just scrub this make-up off then I’ll see you there. Aiden won’t mind? ’
‘ Aiden never minds. He’s the easiest-going person I’ve ever met. ’
Thank goodness for Lucy , I think as I put my phone away. The other messages can wait till I get home. It’ll be something to read before bedtime.