Chapter 8

'Now,' he clapped, getting her attention immediately from the daydream she had been stuck in, 'the salsa, a quirky little number from 70's New York, and it has to be as spicy as the sauce. Fiery, sharp, electric. Understand?'

'Go on.'

'It's in 4/4 beats, 8 counts. The reason I got you to the gym was seriously to work on your thighs. With every move in a salsa, you want to sway your hips slightly, even if it's just a simple step forward or back. The trick to the salsa is always to keep moving your hips. That's where the fire comes from.'

'Do you mind demonstrating?' She remarked. Clara was shocked to find her tone almost flirtatious.

He said nothing but lifted an eyebrow, and took her hand in his. Every time he stepped his hips swayed and careened to every corner of space between them until Clara had lost focus and stared at him in admirable awe. It was heated to the point of sexy. Although Clara couldn't think straight she knew that thought was one she couldn't bring up again. He was older than her, by a considerable number of years.

'Can you do the twist?' She couldn't resist, she was contradicting herself but wanted to test his ability. It seemed she wasn't disappointed. With a mischievous smile he let go and started twisting, shaking his hips and grinding his feet along the floor, going lower and lower until he was crouching. He straightened, and she clapped her approval.

'It's very hard to get as low as that. I practiced that for years.'

'I bet you did.'

The corner of his mouth twitched to a smirk, and took her in practice position.

'We'll start like we did the tango,' he explained, 'practice the steps, feeling the beat of the music, the rhythm. Because we're smart asses and we never take the easier option we'll be going on 2. So 1 is held, you step on the 2, okay. Always the 2. 3,4 and hold 5. And as usual, 6,7,8. Should be easy. Count and remember to stop and breathe on the 1 and 5. Ready?'

Once she was confident of her steps and of the music, they moved on.

'This is the closed dance position.'

He took her right hand in his left, and his other on her left shoulder blade. He then rested her left arm over his right to reach his own shoulder.

'It is almost like we are locked.' He said, 'our hands clasped together like normal and then our other arms touching each other's on a horizontal plane.'

'Your posture plays an important role too, of course,' he continued, 'you have to keep your upper body completely straight and stiff, your spine should be rigid. Your hips, however, stay loose. It is essential you keep within this frame. That way you get much cleaner and sharper movements.'

Clara did as she was told, her body freezing into position. She was also reminded from their tango dance that her chin should be raised. John nodded in confirmation and she suddenly felt proud that she was meeting his every expectation.

'I noticed too, only slightly, that your posture does sometimes unravel into your more natural ballet position, which is fine because you're all good and straight, but you tense up a lot. You've got to maintain it but stay calm and relaxed. Otherwise it looks forced.'

It was exactly like John to severe her winning streak.

'Okay.'

'We'll start on the 2, begin to travel with our movements.'

As the music started she loosened herself as much as she could, but in her concentration she stepped on the 1.

'Try it again.' He said, covering her right foot with his own.

'What are you doing?'

He counted her in, keeping his foot on the 1 and freeing it so she stepped on the 2. She continued on until he did the same for the 5.

'We'll be doing that for 2 counts of 8, and then I'll spin you. You do a slow solo turn, moving on the second beat. Got it?'

She nodded, knowing exactly the type of move he was envisioning. She did a turn, John rounding her and clapping his hands to the beat when he took her hand again.

'Now, I'm gonna turn the other way, and duck my head under your arm to the other side. As I turn back round to you, I'm going to dip you slightly to the right, so bend your back and neck a little. Ready?'

He did as he promised, using her arm to appear on the other side wickedly fast and facing her again. She could feel his hand supporting her as her head fell back.

'Once you're back up, you're going to do a series of spins while travelling. I'm sure that's exactly your expertise.'

She smiled. 'Definitely.'

She spun like a tornado, round and round, unwavering, John's hand holding hers above her head.

'Excellent. When you eventually stop spinning, my hand will come down to my waist and you'll spin under it.'

'Do you choreograph all of this?' She asked.

'Yeah. Now do it.'

Yet as soon as she spun underneath, her feet tangled together and not only lead herself down, but John along with her. She couldn't stop laughing as John landed over her bewilderedly, his hand at the back of her head. She looked up into his eyes, body raised above hers and a grin contorting his features.

'You know that was bound to happen.' She stated, 'your arm came too low down.'

'It never.' He replied, finally helping her get to her feet, 'let's do it again.'

Seven hours in and they were a whirlwind around the studio, her heart beating with every step. John lead her around the room with that same enthusing passion and he seemed to smile wider with every movement they accomplished until the music stopped and they were left standing face to face, noses almost touching, both their right legs extended slightly and his hand pressuring her lower back. The pause deepened until only the sound of their heavy breathing could be heard.

'That was good for a first time.' He told her. She slowly drew apart, thanking him. Once free of her grasp he slid to the left, his feet going wild on the dance floor and spinning around to end up at the mirrors, where he picked up his bag.

'You're like Patrick Swayze.'

'Who?'

Her mouth fell open at his comment.

'You don't know who Patrick Swayze is? I thought you were alive in the eighties! The guy from Dirty Dancing.'

He walked past her, holding his bag over his shoulder.

'Never seen it.'

'What?' She cornered him, dumbfounded.

'I've heard of it, just never watched it.'

'How could you not have seen Dirty Dancing?'

'Clara, I do dance, not watch dance.'

'Right, you're coming round mine. I need to educate you.'

'Seriously?'

'Seriously. It's a number one priority.'

'Do I have to?' He whined.

'Of course John, I'm not going to let you live the rest of your life without watching it.'

He sighed in defeat. 'Fine.'

'Turn up at 7.'

'I can't believe this.' He said, pacing down the steps to the high street.

'Its your own fault for not watching it.'

'You, Clara Oswald, are the bossiest person I have ever met.'

'Pleased to make your acquaintance.'

'Will I actually enjoy it?'

'You'll be happy I compared you to Patrick Swayze.'

He rolled his eyes.

'Fine, I'll see you later then.'

'Suit and tie?' She teased.

'Fuck off.'

He turned his back, walking away from her. Her laughter could still be heard at the end of the street.