At ten to seven, I stood in the dark, outside Theo’s dance studio. It spat with rain. I hoped Dave wasn’t going to be late as I’d agreed to meet him outside so that we could go in together. Finally a Fiesta pulled up and the headlights flashed me. I headed over. The passenger door opened.
‘Get in a minute, Mikey.’
I clambered inside and pulled the door shut, as the rain got harder. The studio was in an industrial estate, just on the edge of town, along from the cinema. Next to it was a bridal dress factory, on the other side a tile manufacturer.
‘All right? Did you see Jazz today?’
Dave nodded. ‘Yep. She’s agreed to come dancing on Saturday.’
‘How did it go?’
‘Could have been worse. At least we had lunch together.’ Dave cleared his throat and reached to the back seat. He lifted a large bag back over the gear stick and turned back to face the dashboard.
‘This is for you,’ he said gruffly and handed it to me.
My eyes widened and I slid my hand into the bag, to pull out a package the size of a shoe box. I shrugged.
Dave raised an eyebrow. Carefully I opened one end and slid out… wow. ‘Where did you get this?’
‘I didn’t know Sanjay ran an antiques stall at Bladen Place – I stumbled across him as I was about to leave. That night in the diner, I overheard you two talking about a gumball machine. Sanjay had only just received it from another dealer. He’d earmarked it for you anyway, so, it’s no big deal.’
‘You must let me pay you, of course,’ I said and examined it. Not a single scratch! The glossy red would exactly match the decor of Polka Dot Diner and kids would love a gumball to chew on the way out.
‘Mikey. It’s a gift,’ grunted Dave. ‘Call it an apology for being such a prick. I tossed and turned last night. Thought back over the last year or so. You’ve never really given me reason to be jealous. Guess I just let my imagination get the better of me. You… you’ve been a good friend to Jasmine. I’m grateful for that. She had it tough growing up.’
My head span for a moment and my lips upturned. After months of him shunning me, Dave had finally sent a comment my way that was heartfelt, meaningful and… just plain nice. I swallowed and turned to him. ‘Don’t suppose you want a hug,’ I said eventually, chest feeling all fuzzy and warm inside.
We both smiled.
‘Let’s take it slowly,’ he said. ‘How about a handshake for starters?’
We gripped hands. It felt okay. Dave didn’t pull away as quickly as he could have.
‘Come on. We’d better get inside,’ I said. ‘I don’t want to keep Theo waiting. I’ll leave the machine here for the moment, if that’s okay.’
‘Yeah, fine. Oh. Almost forgot… I also got this today,’ he said, cheeks flushing, and reached into the glove compartment to pull out a small, red box. He prised it open.
‘Wow. Dave. I never knew you cared so much.’
‘Idiot,’ he said and glanced at me nervously, clearly waiting for my opinion.
I studied the delicate – was that platinum? – band and discreet setting of the diamond. What a sparkler. ‘She’ll love it. Honestly. It’s classy – and she’s never been a fan of gold jewellery. Well done. You are really going to be prepared for the proposal this time.’
We crossed the freezing car park and knocked on the studio door. Finally it swung open.
‘Mikey!’ Theo leant forward and hugged me and then I stood back, unable to help admiring his sharp outline in black Lycra trousers and a matching T-shirt; unable to stop losing myself in those kindhearted eyes for a few seconds. There was no denying it – every cell of my body was pleased to see him. We smiled at each other. He’d been so easy to talk to on the phone last night. I’d opened up a little – about the rollercoaster that was mine and Dave’s relationship and Theo had just listened.
That’s all you need sometimes, isn’t it? A friendly ear without opinions or tuts or judgemental comments.
‘You must be Dave.’ He reached out an arm. The two of them shook hands. Then we followed Theo up dingy wooden stairs. In fact the whole place looked rundown, with cobwebs and lampshade-less lightbulbs emitting blinding light. However, finally we entered a properly lit up room with fluorescent lighting, curtains and a heater. Wow, what a contrast, with huge mirrors all around and highly polished beech laminate floors. In the corner was a CD player.
‘Don’t you normally hold classes on a Thursday night?’ I said.
‘Nah. Need to give my hips a rest one day of the week,’ he said and grinned. ‘I teach all the other weekday nights and then spend my Saturday and Sunday evenings Cuban clubbing.’
Dave shuffled from foot to foot, in his waterproof and jogging suit. We both wore trainers – better prepare myself, I’d thought, in case Theo expected me to take part. He strode over to the CD player and pressed play. Immediately my foot tapped to the rhythm, which reminded me of my gran’s much loved Julio Iglesias albums.
‘Off with that jacket, Dave,’ said Theo and rubbed his hands together. ‘Mikey, can you turn the music up a tad. It helps lessen people’s inhibitions.’
The three of us smiled and when I got back the two men stood side by side.
‘Right, Dave – we won’t pair up to start with. Plenty of people dance on their own at salsa clubs. First things first – remember the two main principles of salsa: sassiness and emotion. Let your heart and the music instruct your feet. Let your passion move the hips. And this…’ he smiled, ‘… is the basic step of salsa all beginners must learn: start in the neutral position with your feet next to each other. Then forward with the left, lift the right up and down and then bring the left foot back. So that is quick, quick, slow. And again quick, quick, slow, quick, quick, slow. Then when you are back in the neutral position, go back with the right, place the left up and down, and then return the right foot to the neutral position.’
He looked at me. ‘Mikey, join in. To start with we all do this move on our own. So…’ We stood in the neutral position. ‘Quick, quick, slow, forwards, quick, quick, slow, backwards, and forwards and backwards, forwards and backwards… that’s it.’ Theo kept doing it. So did Dave – stiffly to start with, but then his joints loosened up. After a couple of minutes I swivelled my hips a little. Then Dave moved his hands in front of his body in a circular movement, stopping only briefly to unbutton his shirt a little, which revealed dark hairs on his chest.
‘Good. Both of you have excellent rhythm. Remember also – it is a passionate, intimate dance, but also fun and flirty. Not as intense as the tango but it still has depth.’
Unashamedly I stared at Theo’s moves. Wow. His hips moved with the fluidity of rippling waves. But more than that, I couldn’t help observing how he encouraged Dave, with plenty of compliments and nods, even though Jazz’s boyfriend was no Nureyev. Dave did a little turn and his cheeks flushed when he noticed me looking. I gave him the thumbs up and we both carried on, me trying to keep up with the music, and Dave adding in turns and swivels.
‘Excellent!’ said Theo and clapped his hands. ‘Enjoying the beat is half the battle. There is no wrong move as long as it is sexy, sultry and in time… let’s keep on doing this for the next song. Shut your eyes now. Imagine the hottest partner in the world. Move your hips as if you are making love. Take those steps as if you are a sassy dressage horse. The music tempts you to lose control but you are master of it. Keep the pace precise. Feel the passion trickle down from your heart, swivelling in your hips and then slipping downwards to your toes.’
Mouth dry, heart racing, I opened one eye. Bless. Dave kept his shut and had the most relaxed smile on his face. Whereas Theo… the way he moved his arms and legs was artistry in itself.
‘Tell me, Mikey – what are you picturing?’ said Theo.
Quickly I shut my eye. I didn’t like to say. After recent months, it was a total surprise.
‘Or you, Dave?’ said Theo.
‘Palm trees, cocktails, night-time volleyball, postcard sunsets… and Jasmine, wearing the skimpiest of bikinis, walking out of the water towards me,’ he said, his deep voice all husky.
‘Dave!’ I snorted and opened my eyes. ‘Where did that all come from?’
He opened his eyes too and beamed. ‘My hips, I think.’
And so the lesson continued, banter bouncing between the three of us. Eventually Theo taught the basic hold, and how a man should lead. An hour later, the three of us sat on the floor, drinking bottled water, me perspiring and Dave panting a bit.
‘Great lesson, guys,’ said Theo, hair still perfectly in place. ‘I’m teaching tomorrow night, so won’t be able to fit you in until ten pm. Does that suit?’
We both nodded. Dave stood up and rubbed his back.
Theo chuckled. ‘You may pay for all those hip swivels tomorrow morning. Oh, and I’ve asked Maria, one of my Spanish dancing friends, to come along. She’ll give you a real feel for what it’s like to move across the floor with a woman, all right, Dave.’
Dave picked up his coat. ‘I… That’s great… Don’t want to put anyone out though, I mean–’
‘It is no trouble if it is in the name of love,’ said Theo and winked.
Dave yawned. ‘Well if you guys will excuse me, I’m bushed. Plus I’ve got a couple of online job applications to fill in.’
I started to get up but Theo held onto my arm and small bolt of electricity shot up my arm. Okay, what was that all about?
‘Could you stay a moment, Mikey?’ said Theo. ‘I’ve got something I’d like to run past you.’
I glanced at Dave, wanting to make the most of an evening when we got on. Yet I couldn’t resist the pull of spending more time basking in Theo’s sunny company.
Dave yawned again and looked at me. ‘See you both tomorrow – you can get the gumball machine then.’
I nodded. ‘Great. And thanks again.’
Dave bent down to shake both our hands.
‘I’ll put in a good word for you at my favourite club as well,’ said Theo. ‘Maria works there. And how about Mikey and I give you a few tips on a killer salsa outfit? In fact… just let me get my favourite weekly read before you leave…’ He got up and dashed to his rucksack, by the door. He yanked out a woman’s magazine and brought it over.’
‘This week there’s an article about what all the men and women are wearing in that new dance reality show – with the list of shops you can buy the outfits in.’ He waved it in front of my nose. ‘There’s also some fab recipes for burger relishes. You might want to tear them out and show to your chef.’
‘I’ve seen them – the mustard one looks good,’ said Dave and then blushed. ‘I mean… I was around at my parents this week and whilst Mum made a coffee, I just had a quick flick through.’ He ran a hand through his bed hair.
Theo smiled. ‘Did you read the problem page?’
‘The letter about that wife whose husband is obsessed with her wearing rubber wellies…?’
‘Honestly,’ said Theo, a twinkle in his eye, ‘I don’t know why publishers call them women’s magazines. Not every guy – straight or gay – wants to just read about fishing, vintage wine and cars.’
Dave stared at the two of us for a minute and then shook himself. ‘Thanks both of you. Yeah, guess I should think about what I’m wearing Saturday night and pull out all the stops.’
We watched him leave and then Theo turned to face me, as we both sat cross-legged on the floor.
‘Cheers for tonight,’ I said.
‘Any time. You and Dave got on okay. Says a lot about you – prepared to help him, despite the way he’s treated you in the past.’
My cheeks felt hot. ‘Yeah, well – I’d do anything for Jazz and it’s all good, now that me and Dave, as you know, have reached an understanding. I’m seeing him in a whole new light, now I’m getting to know him better.’ I grinned. ‘He’s a real softie under all that gruff, ungroomed bravado.’ I pulled a face. ‘Although I’m not sure about that hairy chest! So yeah – the dance lessons… if there’s any way I can repay you.’
‘Actually there is.’ He grinned. ‘Next month, I’m doing a charity salsa marathon. I can tell you’re fit from the gym. Unlike Dave, you hardly broke a sweat tonight. You wouldn’t think Jasmine’s boyfriend taught football.’
‘I think he stands with a whistle and bosses kids around, rather than plays,’ I said. ‘Gives up his free time to do it, though. So how long is this marathon? Of course – sign me up. What cause is it for?’
‘My nan’s nursing home – she’s passed on, now, but the staff are great and there is never enough money for the activities residents need. I teach dance for an hour on a Sunday afternoon and an artist visits during the week, but they’d benefit from so much more.’
I sat up. ‘Hmm. I run a fifties lunch for Butterfields home once a month. I can’t tell you how much they enjoy it. Were you and your nan close?’
‘Yeah – until I grew up and she found out I was “as bent as a hairpin”.’
‘Oh Theo…’ My chest squeezed. ‘Sorry to hear that.’
‘No problem – she was a right one-off. Didn’t agree with immigration… or women being doctors and politicians. Dad did well not to pick up any of her narrow-minded ideas,’ he smiled. ‘The carers at the home were brilliant with her, despite her ways, so I am more than happy to help them out.’
Theo stood up and went to put on the CD again. My eyes followed him, full of respect. Here was a man big enough not to hold grudges; a man with a heart big enough to forgive a loved one for the worst thing – not accepting who he truly was.
He headed back over and held out his hand. I slipped mine into his and he pulled me up.
‘Guess you better get some practice in for this marathon,’ he said. ‘How about I teach you my most wicked turn?’
‘Sounds good. I might need a drink in the pub afterwards, though – um, my shout?’ My pulse started skippetty hopping for some reason. I stared at the floor.
‘Sure. Why not?’ he replied.
Beaming, I looked up, as my phone buzzed. ‘Hang on a second, I’ll just get this text.’ I took my mobile out of my back pocket and read the screen.
‘Oh no!’
Theo’s brow furrowed. ‘Mikey?’
But I hardly heard him. Jazz was leaving two days early, on Monday. That would give Dave even less time to persuade Jazz to accept his intended, better proposal.