Say it with Sequins

At the centre of the ballroom hung an over-sized silver glitterball, from which hung an enormous bunch of mistletoe, swagged with purple and silver satin ribbons.

It was all very over the top. And very Who Dares Dances.

As Julia entered, on Daniel’s arm, the big band began to play.

“Bit of a busman’s holiday this, isn’t it?” she whispered to him and they laughed.

“Big difference between dancing for a competition and dancing for pleasure,” he replied and pulled her into his arms for a foxtrot.

And he was proved right. Everyone let their hair down but the professionals really let rip. Julia, grabbing a glass of wine and using the time to get her breath back, watched in amazement.

Erica was doing a cha cha cha with Scott, Suni’s irritable Australian partner. Alicia was smooching with husband Warren and Callum, true to form, was getting up close and personal with Casey.

“Quite a sight, isn’t it?” Julia turned to see Harri’s sweetly familiar face next to her. They watched in silence for a few minutes as Eva and Jan outshone every dancer on the floor by doing moves that were definitely not recognised in any formal competition.

“Is she sober?” Julia wondered as Eva was whirled round by Jan and hoisted into a one handed lift. Eva had a glazed expression in her eyes and Julia had never seen the dancer look even slightly out of control before.

Harri laughed. “Don’t know and don’t really care.” He emptied his glass.

Julia took two more from the table behind them and passed him one. “I haven’t seen much of you lately,” she said, almost afraid to bring it up.

“Busy filming,” he shrugged. “We’ve got three Christmas specials of Red Pepper to go out and I’ve been doing those. I’ve only just got back from seeing Father Christmas in Lapland.” Harri gave a short, “Ho, ho, ho. He says if you’re a good girl, you’ll get a present.”

“Haven’t they given you any time off?” Julia looked at him curiously. He had shadows under his eyes and was pale and drawn. He had a heavier work commitment than any of them but hadn’t let it show until now.

“Some, and despite what the bookies say, I don’t think they thought I’d be in it this long, see.” He shrugged again and took another drink.

“Did you?”

“No,” he laughed and finally met her eyes. “Did you?”

Julia smiled back. “You know I didn’t. It’s true that miracles happen at Christmas – you’re looking at one.”

Harri laughed again but this time more easily. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

He gave a great sigh and put his glass down, as if coming to a decision. “Dance with me?” He held out a hand.

“Yes please,” she said and took it.

They didn’t take much notice of the demands of the music, just held each other closely. Harri put his head down and nestled into Julia’s neck, breathing in her soft and familiar perfume. He tightened his hold on her, afraid she would escape him.

Daniel felt his eyes drawn to them and smiled sadly. He’d long known he couldn’t compete with Harri. He’d come as close as he ever had to falling in love with Julia, maybe he really did love her. He admired her strength, her determination and her stubbornness in the face of continued criticism but he accepted that she was not for him. Perhaps no woman would ever be for him. But Julia had come closest. He turned away.

Harri and Julia stopped dancing and stood looking at one another. Harri looked up at the glitterball, still rotating slowly, showering everyone in a glittery light. A smile played on his lips as he noticed the mistletoe. He drew back and stared into Julia’s eyes. He seemed to be silently asking her something and nodded in satisfaction at the answer written on her face. He didn’t want to stop holding her, touching her. He’d made up his mind and he was going to act on his decision before it was too late – or before he lost his nerve.

“Do you want to get out of here?” he murmured finally.

Julia smiled up at him. “Not another pizza?”

“Not quite what I had in mind.”

He looked at her and she was suddenly certain what he wanted – because she wanted it too.

“Yes,” she whispered back. “Yes, I’d like nothing better than to get out of here.”

He took her to a bar nearby. It was quiet and had high-sided booths lining the walls, which afforded them privacy.

After ordering drinks, he took her hand and stared at it intently. It was peaceful in here, a contrast to the party they’d just left. Julia leaned back on the cool leather couch, closed her eyes and listened to the soft jazz playing. She felt Harri smooth a finger over her palm and onto the sensitive skin of her wrist. He lifted her hand and then kissed her there, his mouth hot and demanding. Still she didn’t open her eyes but let the sensations swirl around her, jolting a shot a pure sex to her core.

“Harri?” she said eventually and opened her eyes to find his face near hers and her mouth captured.

For a first kiss it was pretty good. One strong arm held her to him but, while his mouth plundered hers, he did not relinquish his hold on her hand.

Eventually they broke apart, content simply to gaze into one another’s eyes.

“God!” Julia said when she had her breath back. “Thank God,” she said and meant it.

Now he did let go of her hand and ran a finger down her cheek. It was hot and he smiled, pleased that he had made her so.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” he said, his Welsh accent pronounced.

“Then why didn’t you?” Julia found she was breathing heavily and her eyes dropped to his mouth. She wanted him to kiss her again.

He sighed heavily. “Don’t get me wrong, I really wanted to but…in my line of work I have to be careful. I can’t go around, you know…”

“That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard!”

“Do you know, cariad, I couldn’t agree more.”

“Kiss me again,” she demanded.

He did so and then broke away to answer. “Besides I wasn’t sure how you felt.”

“I don’t think I was sure. Until now.” She traced a finger lightly over his generous lips. He had such a well-shaped mouth she thought, she hadn’t noticed it until now and wondered why.

Harri smiled again, he couldn’t seem to stop. “Well cariad, you were spending so much time with the lovely Daniel.”

Julia straightened. “He’s coaching me!” she said indignantly. “He’s a really good friend. And I think he’s gay anyway.” She blushed.

“He didn’t look very gay from where I was standing. Something tells me Daniel wants you as more than a friend.”

This time Julia grinned. “You’re jealous!” The realisation sent a warm glow spreading through her.

“You bet. It’s been tearing me apart.”

He raised a hand to the back of her neck and brought her close to him again. He was a little rough but Julia didn’t mind, she found she was exhilarated and the sexual tug, deep in her soul, pulled at her again. Their mouths met and this time neither held anything back.