a start, so to speak? Arjun mentioned that the smaller of the two function rooms in the main building of the club is often empty and it has a very polished floor.’
I could feel my face pulling into a frown. Arjun had clearly enjoyed setting this up, knowing I would be out of my depth – although it was nice to hear Arjun had something else to focus on too. ‘Yes, a polished floor is, um, very important. Vital in fact,’ I said solemnly.
‘Great. Well, I could maybe make it over on one of the days I work from home, or I can do a lot of evenings after work.’
‘Won’t Lottie notice you’re missing?’
Luke paused then, something different shifting in his expression, ‘She works late a lot,’ he said, not wanting to offer more.
I nodded, hoping again that Lottie was all right. I hated the thought that her job took every ounce of her time and energy. This was a great idea of Luke’s, and I knew Lottie, a romantic at heart, like you, my darling, would love the gesture. Do you remember you both went completely cuckoo after that cinema trip to La La Land? And then you both made me sit through that Ryan chap on the DVD. So much swooning and sighing from you both I’d had to put in earplugs.
I picked up my phone to Arjun when Luke had left.
TEXT: Luke just asked me to teach him to dance.
ARJUN: *Crying laughing emojis*
Well, this evening was our first lesson. Luke arrived on time, looking even more nervous. I almost expected him to make his excuses and leave. Arjun appeared clutching a CD and a portable ghetto blaster, you know the type, although Luke then did something on his phone and the same song came through on his speakers. Phones really can do everything now. It’s terrifying.
I stood in the middle of the polished floor (!) and attempted to show Luke the steps. I had to lead him, my dry hands in his (they were surprisingly soft, I am sort of coming round to what you see in them), absolutely not making eye contact.
Arjun was shouting instructions from his chair, leg stuck out in front of him, getting more and more frustrated with us both and clearly wanting to leap up and intervene. You always said Arjun felt music in his bones. I hadn’t seen him so energised in days and I was grateful to Luke for that too. No one knows what is happening with Arjun and he has sworn me to secrecy. Now his thinning face was animated, his voice strong as he issued more commands.
Luke took a while to get going, fumbling initially, bewildered by Arjun’s shouted instructions to ‘Stay out of your heels!’ and ‘No lazy toes!’
‘What does he mean when he keeps saying “Spaghetti Arms”?’ he whispered to me.
‘I think he thinks he’s Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.’
‘I haven’t seen Dirty Dancing,’ Luke said, eyes rounded with panic.
I just shrugged uselessly. (You had made me watch it a second time, do you remember? After I had fallen asleep during the first.)
By the end of this evening, though, he seemed to look more relaxed, had learnt the first few steps and could lead me confidently across the floor. We exchanged a victorious look at the end – I had forgotten not to make eye contact – and we ended up laughing and clapping each other on the back. He’s a lovely boy. I left in such a good mood I even forgot to ask Arjun what his secret project was all about. We all seem to be involved in subterfuge nowadays.
Oh, Cora, I miss you on evenings like these. Dancing in that room, even with Luke treading on my toes and swearing under his breath, reminded me of evenings with you. We did love to dance. You made me feel much more strong and capable, and I used to love holding you gently, watching you turn, your hair and skirts swirling. I hope wherever you are, you are dancing.
I love you, my darling.
Teddy x
Chapter 20
Love is not wanting to hurt her because that would hurt you more
HARRY, 82
After leaving Amy I was at a total loss. Wiping at my face, biting my lip as another passer-by muttered something under their breath at me, I pressed myself up against a window display, taking my mobile out of my bag. I wanted to talk to someone, hear a friendly voice. The dull ache had spread and