Merry said with feeling and, at the glugging sound of wine being poured into a glass, opened her eyes. “Is it normal to be unable to walk after only three rehearsals?”
“Pretty much.” Daniel raised his glass. “Cheers.”
She reached forward with difficulty as her muscles stiffened, and touched her glass to his. “Cheers.”
“Now this is bliss,” Daniel said appreciatively, as he drank.
“Couldn’t agree more. Although I suppose I really ought to have some water too.”
“Feeling dehydrated?”
“Just a bit. Hadn’t realised how unfit I am. I worked up quite a sweat today.”
“You certainly did,” Daniel agreed and summoned the waiter again.
“So how long have you been dancing, Daniel?” Merry, having satisfied her thirst with sparkling water, was well down her second glass of red and feeling more revived.
“Since I was a little boy. Mum was a dancer, so I got hauled off to ballet and tap as soon as I was out of nappies.” He grinned. “It was a great way to meet girls!”
“I bet! Do you think you’ll stay with it, Who Dares Dances, I mean?”
“Well, for the foreseeable future. I’d like to win it before I move on.”
“No pressure then!” Merry raised her eyebrows at him.
“None whatsoever,” Daniel replied, with a wink. “What about you? What got you into the show?”
“My aunt. That is, to give her her proper title: Dame Venetia Denning,” Merry said darkly. “No one has ever said ‘no’ to her and lived.”
Daniel laughed. “Ah, the great Dame Venetia. I met her once. She terrified me.”
Merry nodded. “That’s her. She does that to most people.”
“So, it was her idea, was it, that you do Who Dares Dances?”
“Yup.” Merry took a sip of wine thoughtfully. “Although actually, do you know, I think it’s one of her better ones.” She pretend-pouted at Daniel. “You probably don’t agree.”
“I think you’ll be great, once you get some basics nailed.”
Merry giggled. “What, like knowing which is my left foot and which is my right?”
Daniel smiled. “That sort of thing, yes. Have you had any dance experience?”
Merry shook her head. “Not a lot, just a few lessons at school. And, as it was an all-girls school it was an excellent way to meet girls.”
Daniel laughed. “Didn’t you have any training at drama school? You’re an actor, like your aunt, aren’t you?”
“Ah, not sure that’s quite how I’d be described.” She screwed up her face. “I’ve only done bits and bobs of acting at university. Didn’t go to drama school. My most recent stab at showbiz was stand-up. I wasn’t very good at that either.”
Daniel winced. “That’s a tough road to go.”
Merry saluted him. “It was no joke, I can tell you.”
They groaned in unison.
“This dance show thingy is my last ditch attempt to make a name for myself. If I don’t succeed at this, it’s curtains for me – and not of the theatrical kind.”
Daniel leaned back and watched as Merry poured out the last of the wine. She didn’t seem at all fazed by her lack of success. In fact, she seemed quite cheerful. She was uncomplicated and optimistic. He liked that. A lot. In fact, he found he liked her a lot. “Another bottle?”
Merry beamed at him. “Now that sounds like a plan, Batman.”
Daniel pursed his lips. “I’ve worn some interesting things for this show and, on occasion, haven’t worn very much at all, but I’ve never dressed up as Batman. Does that mean I have to wear my underpants over my jeans?”
Merry raised herself, slightly drunkenly, to look over the table between them and made a show of scrutinising his crotch. “Now that,” she said and held his gaze with wide eyes, “would be worth tuning in for!”
Step Four.
Merry was fortunate that one of the show’s assigned rehearsal rooms was in a dance studio within walking distance of Venetia’s flat. The other advantage was the cameras rarely bothered to venture out of the television studios. It meant she and Daniel could practise undisturbed. Hurrying into it, one evening, for an extra coaching session, she was taken completely by surprise by Bob Dandry jumping out at her. He was at his smarmiest best.
“Meredith, how lovely to see you and looking extra gorgeous, may I add?” He took both her hands in his clammy ones. “I thought I’d pop in to see how you’re finding your practice space. Must keep the members of our family happy, you know!”
“Bob, hello. Must dash, don’t want to be late for my rehearsal, do I?” Merry replied, through clenched teeth, and tugged her hands away. “After all, I’ve got some catching up to do.”
“Oh, not so hasty, my dear. I’m sure Daniel will wait a little longer for his beautiful partner. I just wanted to make sure you’ve settled into our little community and are being looked after.”
“I’m fine, Bob,” Merry said firmly. “Now if I could just get on.”
Bob was not to be deflected. “You know, if there’s anything, anything at all I can help you with, I’d be only too delighted. And I do mean anything, Meredith.”
To Merry’s utter disgust, he sidled closer.
“Here’s my card,” he said, with loose lips and a hint of drool. “I’ve written my personal mobile number on it too. Especially for you, I don’t give it out to simply anyone. Just call me, Meredith. I’m at your service. Can’t let the niece of my old friend Venetia go lonely.”
With that, he pressed his body against hers and slid a hand round Merry’s back, where it dropped to cup her bottom. He squeezed hard.
Merry jumped a foot. “Take your hands off me!” she yelped.
“Oh, come now Meredith. Producer’s perks and all that.” Bob’s mouth flapped open like a just landed cod.
Merry gave the man a hard shove, so that he rocked away from her. “As you quite rightly say, my aunt – Dame Venetia Denning is known to you. Or, should I say, you’re known to her.” Merry pulled herself up to her full five feet ten inches and towered over him. “Take my advice, steer clear of me and never ever try anything like that again. Venetia has lots of friends in this business; she’s a very influential woman. She could make life very unpleasant for you, if she ever heard about this.”
Obviously, the mention of her aunt’s name had resonance. Bob paled and put his hands up in mock surrender.
