Ballroom Dancing
Later that evening...
Lee and Lucy walked into the tower ballroom. It was a beautiful, luxurious and elegant room, decorated like a palace, with its high, ornately painted ceiling, crystal chandeliers, sprung wooden floor and balconies gilded with gold.
"Wow Lee, this place is amazing! I've seen it on Strictly Come Dancing but the TV cameras don't do it justice".
"I know. You'd never know how grand it is from the outside, would you? Did I ever tell you that my mum made me go to a ballroom dancing lesson here once".
"No, you never told me that. You had ballroom dancing lessons? I can't imagine that somehow".
"I was only seven. It was only one lesson, and I didn't remember any of what I was taught".
"How come you only had one lesson?"
"Well...you have to remember that I was only seven and I didn't know any better".
"Why? What did you do?"
"I broke a girl's toe".
"How?"
"I thought it would be funny to try on some of the high heeled dance shoes and then I trod on her toe while we were dancing. My mum was told not to bring me back".
"That seems a bit harsh, if it was an accident".
"Well, the girl says it wasn't but I still say it was. Though there was the another thing".
"What other thing?"
"I may have sort of mooned at the teacher".
"May have sort of mooned?
"Yeah, you know, pulled down my trousers and pants and showed my arse to shock her".
"I know what mooning is. I mean...you either did or you didn't do it, there's no maybe about it. What possessed you to do that?".
"Well, she horrible and impatient and I didn't even want to be there to start with. At that age I thought all girls had the lurgy, I didn't want to touch them, let alone dance with them. It was so embarrassing".
"It's a good job you grew out of that stage then".
"Yes, a few years later it was a whole different story...not that you want to hear about that, I'm sure".
"No, do tell me", Lucy said sarcastically.
"Anyway...I decided I had to get myself thrown out so I wouldn't have to go back there".
"Clearly it worked, though I don't know why you couldn't just tell your mum you didn't want to go".
"I did, she wouldn't listen. I think she thought the lessons would be good for me, because I used to be a bit mischievous and mess around quite a bit".
"Used to?", Lucy said pointedly.
"Yeah, alright sarky, maybe I should have stuck with the lessons. Maybe if I had stuck with them I would have started toeing the line and done better at school and been some sort of high flying lawyer or banker by now, instead of an ice cream man".
"Maybe, but if you had become a high flying lawyer or banker you might never have moved in with me, and we might never have got together. So I for one am glad you became an ice cream man, and not any of those other things. And you're finally growing up now, so you're proving it's never too late".
Lee beamed then. There was a time, not too long ago, when Lee would have considered being told he was growing up to be an insult. Now it made him proud. If being more responsible meant he could build a future with Lucy, then he was all for it.
"So...fancy a dance then?", Lee asked, taking Lucy's hand.
"Thought you'd never ask. Let's see if you remember any of the moves I taught you a few months ago when you went dancing with my mum".
Lee tensed up a bit then.
"I'd rather not be reminded of that if you don't mind. I ended up with a black eye courtesy of your dad remember".
"Oh yes, sorry. I won't mention it again. I'm still grateful for what you did that night though".
"Yes, well. I didn't really do anything. Your dad just came to his senses".
Lee shuddered to think what would have happened if Geoffrey hadn't arrived when he did. Though he knew he wouldn't have done anything more than dance with Wendy that night, the fact that he knew what her intentions had been still bothered him somewhat. He was trying to erase the whole thing from his mind. Not only was it disturbing to think about the 'what ifs', it was so important that Lucy never found out.
Apart from quite possibly saving Wendy and Geoffrey's marriage, there was another positive that had come out of the whole Wendy wanting to 'dance' with another man incident, and that was that things had improved quite a bit between them and Lee since that night.
There had been a setback of course, when they first caught the pair kissing on the sofa, but once Lucy's dad had calmed down over the initial shock of finding out his daughter and Lee were in a relationship, Geoffrey had started to warm to him slightly. They weren't exactly close, and Geoffrey still couldn't bring himself to actually like Lee as such, but he had come to accept Lee and Lucy were together, and Wendy was working on trying to improve relations between them further. Seeing how happy Lucy was, she had been making a big effort to persuade Geoffrey that Lee was actually a nice and decent person, and recently her efforts were finally starting to pay off.
"Lee look at those old couples over there dancing together. I've always wanted to be one of those people...when I get to their age I mean...you know...still being romantic".
"I know, it's so sweet to see, still so in love even after all those years".
Lee and Lucy shared a silent moment, just looking at each, perhaps both thinking the same thing. Lucy noticed Lee putting his hand into his pocket then, something he'd done several times tonight.
"Why do you keep putting your hand in your pocket? You've been doing that all evening".
Lee looked guilty, hesitating before he answered,
"No reason".
"Don't tell me, you're just rearranging your family jewels?"
"Something like that".
Lee laughed nervously as he spoke, Lucy had no idea just how close to the truth she was.
"Right, come on then, let's dance...if you've finished adjusting yourself, you'll need both hands for this".
Lee just nodded and took Lucy's hand again. They made their way to the centre of the dancefloor, and stood facing each other.
"You do know that these older people are so much better at dancing then we'll ever be, they're going to show us up", Lee said, feeling a bit self conscious.
"You're probably right, but I don't care, let's just go for it. We're not on Strictly, we're not being judged", Lucy replied.
"Where do I put this hand again?", Lee asked, trying to remember the correct hold for a ballroom dance.
"Here", Lucy said as she placed Lee's right hand under her shoulder blade before taking his other hand in hers. They danced for some time, watching the other couples to copy their moves, managing a dance that at least resembled a Waltz, followed by something more freestyle.
...
They took a break to have a drink and one of the older couples approached them, striking up a conversation.
"This is a wonderful place isn't it?", the grey haired lady said.
"Yes, it is", Lee and Lucy said in unison.
"I'm a Jean by the way, and this is Reg".
"Hello Jean, Reg. I'm Lucy, and this is Lee. Sorry about our awful dancing by the way, we're very much beginners".
"You were doing just fine dear, everyone has to start somewhere. It's just lovely to see some young people here", Jean said.
"I brought Jean here the very first day I met her you know. It was 1960. We met on the pier, and I took her dancing that same evening. Within 3 months we were married and expecting our first child. We've come back here every year since", Reg added.
"Aw, I think it's lovely that you still come here. And your dancing is fantastic, you know for..."
"For our age?"
"No, I didn't mean that", Lucy said, wanting the ground to swallow her up. She really hoped she hadn't insulted the couple, they seemed so sweet.
"It's okay, you can say it, we don't mind. We're both 79, and we dance every week back home in Kendal. It keeps, us young, and keeps us fit. It also keeps that certain magic and sparkle in the marriage, if you know what I mean", Reg winked as he spoke.
"Don't embarrass the poor loves, I'm sure they'd rather not think about us old people enjoying the physical side of marriage", Jean said.
Lee and Lucy laughed nervously and awkwardly.
"Well...anyway...so you're from Kendal? We're heading to the Lake District in a couple of days actually", Lee said, changing the subject.
"Ah, whereabouts?"
"We've booked a week's stay in a cottage quite near Kendal funnily enough. It's in a quiet spot on the shore of Derwent Water".
"Oh how lovely, a romantic break away, enjoy it won't you. Anyway, we'll leave you to lovebirds to it, our favourite song has just started to play so the dancefloor awaits", Reg announced, taking his wife's hand.
"Thanks, and it was nice to meet you", Lucy said, before turning to Lee who was nodding as though to second what she said , "Lee, I'm just going to nip to the ladies, I'll be back in a minute".
Another senior gentleman, who was sitting at the next table, addressed Lee,
"I hope you don't mind me saying, but you and your beautiful wife make a lovely couple. You remind me of me and my wife when we were your age".
"Thanks, but we're not married, not yet anyway".
"Oh, but you want to be?"
"Of course I do. Lucy's an amazing woman".
"I could tell by the way you were dancing together how in love you are. You look so right together".
"Do we?", Lee asked. Of course, being with Lucy felt more than right, but he didn't realise other people would think that just by looking at them.
"Yes, that's why I assumed you were already married. Can I give you one piece of advice?".
"Err..yes".
"If she's the one, make sure you don't let her go".
"I won't, not if I can help it. I'm very lucky to have her".
"That's lovely to hear. Always remember that too. Never take the ones you love for granted, that's what life has taught me. Tell your lady you love her every day, and show her too. Try your best to give her everything she wants from life, make her happy".
"I will, I'll try my best...so, are you and your wife not dancing then this evening?".
"No, she's not too well at the moment I'm afraid".
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, I hope she gets better soon. Are you here on your own tonight?", Lee asked, not seeing anyone with him.
"No, Glenda's just over there chatting to some of the other ladies. Even though we can't really dance anymore we still like to come here to meet people, watch the dancing, soak up the atmosphere, you know".
"Yeah? That's good, that you can still come here and enjoy yourselves".
"Ah, your wife, sorry...your girlfriend...is back".
"Okay, well, it was nice to meet you anyway".
"You too. All the best to you and Lucy".
"Thanks, and to you and Glenda".
...
Lee and Lucy walked back onto the dancefloor.
"You and that old man seemed to be engrossed in conversation when I was coming out of the ladies?".
"Yes, he was really sweet actually. He said we make a lovely couple".
"Well, he's right, we do", Lucy said, smiling as she spoke. Going onto her tiptoes she kissed Lee gently on the cheek, and he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"So...what dance do you reckon we should attempt now? Foxtrot, Cha Cha Cha, Quickstep?", Lucy asked.
"Erm..how about an old fashioned slow dance to start with? At least we know how to do that without having to watch everyone else. I'd rather concentrate on you", Lee replied.
"Oh, okay then".
Lee brought Lucy close to him, letting his hands rest on her hips, and she encircled hers around his neck. Holding each other in this almost embrace, they swayed from side to side, then moved across the room, only occasionally breaking apart for Lee to twirl or dip her. After a little while, Lee let his hands wander away from Lucy's hips, moving them down to her backside. He expected her to move them away, but she didn't seem to mind. They stared into each other's eyes, lost in each other, practically forgetting everyone else in the room.
"You know what they say don't you, about dancing?" Lucy whispered.
"What's that?"
"Dancing is a form of foreplay".
Lee found himself looking around the dancefloor to make sure no one else had heard, before meeting her gaze again.
"Is that right?", he breathed.
"That's what they say".
"And...do you agree with that? Is this working for you?", he said, daring to caress her bottom through her dress.
"Yes, it's definitely working for me. Shall we go back to the hotel?"
"Yes, but first I really want to show you the view from the top of the tower, it's amazing".
"Are you sure? You don't want to go straight back to the hotel?"
"Of course I do but can we just have a really quick look at the view first? It'll be worth it honestly".
"Okay, I'll take your word for it".
Lucy wasn't sure why Lee was so keen to go to the top of the tower, but she didn't argue. She assumed that maybe he was making her wait on purpose, because she'd told him he'd have to wait earlier.