Free Summer Flings and Dancing Dreams by Sue Watson Page B

waiting for the class, with Toyah threatening to ‘piss off to the pub’, if she got bored. As Tony drew everyone close to begin the class, Mandy complained loudly that her inner thighs were so sore she’d never have sex again.
    The whole group, who seemed to be OAPs - looked at her in shock and she looked straight back; ‘What?’ she said. ‘Oh when I said I’d never have sex again... I didn’t mean never ,’ she explained, rolling her eyes and looking at the rest of the class like they were mad.
    ‘Glad we cleared that up,’ Tony said. ‘Hello everyone, I’m Tony and for those new to the class I’m going to teach you all how to dance.’
    I doubted it after my earlier ‘performance.’
    Then the music came on and as someone brought up with music I couldn’t help but feel a little sway inside. I knew the tune, and I had an urge to dance like I did at home when no one was around, but I resisted. Tony was blocking out some steps and I could see he knew what he was doing – and he looked good doing it. Perhaps tonight I could learn a few dance steps in his class? It might make me feel less of an abject failure after my Zumba hell? Either way, I was going home to fresh cream sponge cake and Silent Witness... it was only a matter of time.
    Tony moved centre stage and asked everyone to get into pairs and we all gathered together like you do at school, grabbing your best friend, in my case Carole. It was a mixed bunch of about ten people including us and though they didn’t look as fit as any of the Zumba girls the class seemed keen.
    ‘Now, I want to start with the basics,’ Tony started.
    Carole nudged me. ‘Ahhh he’s a bit nervous isn’t he?’ she whispered, and I could see that his hand was a bit shaky, and my heart went out to him.
    ‘I’m going to show you some salsa steps,’ he was saying, ‘so wherever you are and whatever song comes on – you can dance!’ He started to sway his hips slowly. I hoped this gentle hip swaying wasn’t lulling me into a false sense of security… again. If he suddenly started whooping and lunging I was straight out of that door. I was still sporting his jacket around my waist but I wasn’t sure how many ‘outings’ the leggings could take.
    ‘I want you all to feel it, love that soft, gentle music and embrace the rhythm,’ he said, turning the music up. ‘Just go with the moment. Worrying about what comes next will block your mind, you have to open up, let the salsa in, the stress out – feel it, go with it.’
    We were all mesmerised by his swaying torso and his glittering eyes and Mandy was now open-mouthed and winking at Toyah. Both girls’ heads were following his tight black trousers, while two older ladies were nudging each other and having a giggle. I suddenly wanted to giggle too and I thought ‘I like this. I like him.’ I didn’t feel any pressure, it felt like it might be fun and it certainly beat a vigorous session with Martha and her magic vagina.
    Tony began by demonstrating a basic salsa step involving a move to the side and back, which we copied several times to his beat. ‘One two three,’ he was saying as we all did the steps, and I smiled because I remembered the moves so well, I’d watched my parents do them many times. Then the music picked up – a big band Latin sound building up to Ricky Martin singing Livin’ La Vida Loca, and I couldn’t keep still.
    Tony held out his hand to me. I looked around, flattered but confused.
    ‘Lola... I mean Laura, step forward, I want you to demonstrate with me, you seem to be getting the hang of this.’
    I walked towards him, our hands meeting mid-air we clasped them together as his other hand went swiftly through my other arm and placed it on the top of my shoulder. I put my arm up on his shoulder, our elbows now touching – he didn’t need to tell me anything else, it just felt right. He was tall and strong, very experienced and knew what he was doing which I found infectious. I felt