by Georgia Hill
Then all went silent.
Merry went to the wall opposite and slunk down onto the cold lino. “This isn’t funny anymore,” she said morosely.
Daniel joined her and hugged her close. “No it isn’t. I don’t know who that was but I bet you anything they’ve gone to get someone who can help.”
“Maybe.”
“Or we could ring Bob?”
The thought of Bob rescuing them, and possibly demanding a greasy something as a thank you, made Merry even more miserable. “Think I’d rather take a chance on our mysterious door rattler.”
She sounded disconsolate so Daniel racked his brain for something to distract her.
“So, you went to Oxford,” he began, a little desperately. “Tell me what it was like. Did you have men falling at your feet?”
He felt her relax slightly and then heard a giggle. It was strained but it was definitely a giggle.
“Something like that,” she replied. “There were a few. And I had an affair with my tutor in my third year.”
“Really?” Daniel was intrigued.
Merry told him about Hillary MacDonald. “He’s on the telly now, fronting a programme about the Romantic Poets on the History Channel,” she said. “He was thirty seven when I met him, half Irish, half Highland Scot, glorious red hair and with a brain like a steel trap,” she added, warming to her theme. “He took me under his wing, taught me all sorts of things.”
“I bet,” Daniel said drily.
“No it wasn’t like that,” Merry smiled at him. She peeled the banana he’d given her and broke it in half. “I was a girl from the suburbs, from a monied but otherwise ordinary background. The only exotic thing in my family is Aunt Venetia, the great actress.”
Daniel nodded and accepted the half banana she offered. “She knows my mother a little.”
“That figures. Venetia knows everyone! She’s more than enough celebrity for our family. The rest of us are more down to earth. Hillary introduced me to so much: music, poetry, history. He gave me an education. We had to keep it quiet of course, but it wasn’t sordid. It was good fun.” Merry absentmindedly gave Daniel back the banana peel. He put it into the holdall without complaint.
“Not serious then?” he asked on a grin. He couldn’t imagine Merry being serious about anything. She was too full of mischief.
“No, not at all. I don’t think I’m made for anything serious.” Merry giggled again but with more feeling. “Never felt like that about anyone, really. It’s not in my make-up. Mucked up my degree though, that and my Drama Soc obsession,” she continued. “I was supposed to get a First. Always keep your love life and your professional life separate is my mantra.”
Daniel thought about Julia and agreed. “Good advice.”
Julia was on Merry’s mind too. “What about you Dan? You’re straight, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m straight,” he said with a chuckle. “What made you think otherwise?”
“Well, a lot of the other dancers aren’t,” Merry pointed out reasonably.
“True.”
“So, what is it about Julia that so fascinates you?”
Daniel shook his head. “Has anyone told you you’re incorrigibly nosy?”
Merry gave a broad grin. “Frequently. Answer the question.”
“What makes you think I’ve got a thing for Julia?”
“I’ve got eyes.”
Daniel was silent.
“Did it start when you danced together?” As there was no answer, Merry continued. “I can see how it happened. It’s such an intimate thing to do, isn’t it? Dance with someone. And Julia is gorgeous. Intelligent and funny and talented.”
“Oh yes. She’s gorgeous, alright.” It came out on a long breath.
“But getting married to Harri and they’re devoted to one another.”
Daniel looked down. “I think,” he said eventually, “that it’s become a habit. One that I can’t break free of. I’ve tried.” He took his arm from around Merry. She seemed perfectly relaxed now. He was the one wrong-footed by the conversation.
“What about going out with someone new?” Merry persisted.
Daniel stared at the door and prayed for rescue. “I’ve tried that,” he said, gruffly. “Went out with Eva for a bit.”
“Eva!” Merry thought about the thin Swede with her glacial good looks. She shuddered. “Not the right woman for you.”
“No?” Despite himself, Daniel was amused. “And what makes you so sure of that?”
Merry was on a roll now. “Well, for one thing, it’s work again, isn’t it? And another, she’s too cold. Bet she was good in bed though?”
“Merry, I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“It gets said to me a lot,” Merry replied, with a trace of her aunt’s smugness. “I think it’s a good thing.” She gave him an impish look. “But, back to Eva. Yes, she’d be good in bed: efficient, great technique but with no warmth, no feeling, no real enjoyment.”
Daniel laughed again, he couldn’t help himself. “You’re so right.”
“Always am,” she said and yawned. She peered at her watch; it was nearly midnight. “God, look at the time. Do you think anyone will come and rescue us, Dan? Do you think it might be worth ringing the police?”
He shifted uncomfortably on the hard floor and slid his mobile out of his jeans pocket. Peering at it, he cursed. “I would, but my mobile’s out of juice. What about yours?”
“Hang on a sec. I’ll have a look.” Merry hunted through her bag for her phone. Then she had an image of where she’d left it: charging its battery on the bedside table in Venetia’s spare room. She turned to face Daniel, her eyes huge. “I’ve left it at home. God, I’m an idiot sometimes.”
Daniel sighed. “Then we’ll have to be patient and wait a little longer. I’m not sure we’d class as an emergency with the Metropolitan police, anyway, even if we could ring 999. Think they might have other things to do.”
“I suppose so,” Merry agreed. “Even in Maida Vale.”
“Even in Maida Vale,” Daniel echoed drily. “Oh well,” at this, he replaced his arm around Merry’s shoulders, as her mood had dipped again. “If we are to be stuck here overnight, we’ll just have to go back up to the dance studio and kip on the exercise balls.” He caught her look. “What? I’m sure they’d be comfortable enough, once you got used to rolling around.”
Another half an hour passed, during which time Merry devoured two more bananas and a carton of raspberry smoothie.
“Never known a woman eat like you,” Daniel grumbled as he handed them over. He searched through his bag for more food to distract her. “Here, have a cereal bar.”
“It’s your fault,” Merry pointed out. “It’s all this exercise you’re forcing on me. It’s making me permanently hungry. I’ll be the size of a house by Easter.”
Daniel snorted. “You won’t put on weight, at least not fat. Might add a little muscle, though. Get you more toned up.” He pinched her thigh, making her squeal.
A hammering at the front door made her squeal again.
It turned out that they did constitute an emergency for the Maida Vale branch of the Met. Rather, Bernie Solomon, walking his dog and being frightened out of his wits as he made his late night constitutional, had convinced them it was.
“I knew something was going on,” he exclaimed, as his Westie pulled on the lead and barked at all the excitement of a policeman forcing open the door and letting out two very relieved and tired dancers. “I thought it was burglars. This lot,” he nodded at the police officers, “weren’t going to come out. But I insisted.”
“Funny looking burglars,” said one of the policemen. Then he turned to Daniel and gave an exclamation. “Don’t I know you? You’re one of those dancers on Who Dares Dances aren’t you? I never miss a show. I suppose you wouldn’t mind?”
He handed his notebook to Daniel who signed his name with a flourish. Merry could see him grinning in the neon light of the streetlamp.
“A pleasure constable,” he said. “Least I could do to thank you for saving me from a night with this woman, she was eating me out of house and home.”
“Oi!” squawked Merry and poked him in the ribs.
The police officer looked Merry up and down. “Can’t say I’d share your concerns, sir,” he said, on a friendly grin.
Merry felt herself blush. This was getting more and more surreal. “Thank you officer. I knew I could always rely on the chivalry of the great British police.”
“You can do that, ma’am.” The policeman tipped his hat.
Ma’am! Merry had never been called ma’am in her life. She filed it away for later, to use as possible material.
“This your new dance partner then, Mr Cunningham?” the policeman continued, shushing his colleague who was trying to get him to go to another call.
“It is indeed, officer,” Daniel responded. “This is the raw material with which I have to work.” He winked at Merry. “I doubt very much if we’ll be lifting the trophy at the end of this run.”
This time Merry kicked him. Sharply. On the ankle.
“Again sir, I have to say I can’t see as I share your concerns. Think you’ll both do alright. You’ll get my vote at any rate.” The policeman turned to Bernie. “And now Mr Solomon, do you want to get off home? And I’d be indebted if you could stop your dog from barking or we’ll have more complaints.”
Mr Solomon marched off, pulling a reluctant terrier with him and loudly proclaiming how the area had gone downhill since the new mayor had taken over.
The policeman shook Daniel’s hand. “Well, good luck to you both.” He nodded to the dance studio behind them. “We’ve been in touch with the caretaker. He’ll be along shortly to secure the building. Night then.” With that, he got back into the patrol car and it sped off to answer the next call, blue lights flashing.
Merry began to giggle and leaned on Daniel for support. He held her and joined in. It was amazing how fond of her he felt tonight. In a matter of days they’d become very close. It often happened with a dance partner, of course, you were forced into their company in a very intimate way. But this was extraordinary, unusual. He put it down to Merry. She was uncomplicated and fun loving, charming and naturally flirtatious. He wished he had her ease with people.
“Shall I walk you home?”
Merry wiped her eyes, still laughing. It was partly the relief at being out in the fresh air. “Oh Daniel, how lovely of you. No, it’s alright, the flat’s only round the corner and, as you know, I’m a big girl.”
“It’s late.” For some reason Daniel wanted to prolong the evening.
Merry yawned. “It is indeed but I promise you, I’ll be fine. And, if I’m not, I’ll just shout for our friendly local police force to help sort me out! Or failing that, Mr Solomon and his faithful canine companion.” With a wave, she strode off into the night.
Daniel watched as she went, fighting an urge to chase after her. Then he shook his head and went to flag down a taxi, shivering as he did. “Merry, you’ve still got my jacket!” he yelled after her but she’d disappeared.
Step Six.
Bob dropped his bombshell on the second week in, two days after they’d filmed the first show. The old hands tensed in expectation. They knew from previous experience that anything could be sprung upon them.
They had all been asked to meet, for a specially convened breakfast briefing, in a hotel in Bloomsbury. Along with the cameras, of course, which weren’t missing a thing.
“This must be costing Fizz a packet,” Daniel said, as he looked around at the faux art-deco interior of the banqueting room. “God knows what the bastard has in store for us this year.”
Merry wasn’t listening. “Will you look at the food,” she said, pointing at the sumptuous buffet the production team had laid on.
“Exactly.” Daniel had an instinct about this. And it wasn’t a good one. “They’ve never gone all out like this before.”
Bob and his assistant Maria entered the room. The babble of noise hushed, as all eyes turned to them.
“Hang on, our esteemed leader is about to speak. Brace yourself, this could take a while.” Daniel pulled Merry away from the buffet, but not before she’d crammed a blueberry muffin into her mouth.
“Girls and boys, thank you all for coming this morning.” Bob began. “And many thanks to the Artemida for being such wonderful hosts.” He gestured to the hotel manager.
Maria led a half-hearted round of applause. Merry nodded enthusiastically, still chewing.
“As this special series of Who Dares Dances is linked to the Jokes for Notes campaign, our special request for you all this time is -” he paused dramatically, enjoying the tension on the faces before him, savouring being the centre of attention. One or two nervous gulps could be heard. “You will be asked to do a series of fundraising stunts. These will be filmed alongside our normal training footage, of course.”
Merry sensed relief rippling round the collected celebrities and dancers. Some chatter broke out and Harri and Callum began to move towards the buffet.
Bob hadn’t finished. “If I could beg your indulgence a little while longer,” he raised his voice above the noise. “We’ll be celebrating our hundredth episode, during this series.” Again, Maria led a response. “And we plan to showcase the best of the filming in three, hour long specials.”
Suni, Warren and Angie got distracted by a waiter offering them Kir Royales. Scott popped the cork on a bottle of champagne and began sharing it with the other pro dancers.
Bob was in danger of losing his audience. “If you could – “
“It can’t be that simple,” muttered Daniel in Merry’s ear. He shook his head. “He always has something that catches us out.”
Bob began to yell. “To make it a teensy bit more challenging. “
“Told you,” whispered Daniel.
“Ooh, we are Mr Sharp-as-a-pin, this morning. Get out of bed on the right side?” Merry responded. “I’m not bothered what they ask us to do as long as I can get to those mini pancakes first.”
“If I could have your attention for just one tiny second more,” Bob shouted again. The room quietened. He tried to keep the glee from his voice and failed. “To make it that little bit more challenging, you will be asked to undertake something which taps into your fears. Your innermost fears.”
“Duw, here we go,” said Harri, on the other side of Merry. “He’ll have us eating kangaroo testicles.”
“Alright for you,” laughed Merry, “you’ve had plenty of experience of doing daft things like that when you did that children’s TV show.”
“The worst this lot have had to face is running out of fake tan,” Daniel added.
Merry stifled a giggle.
Bob was on a roll now. “For those of you with a thing about heights, we’ll have you abseiling down The Shard, for those of you with a fear of water we’ve organised scuba diving in a tank full of sharks.”
Angie and Callum gasped. Their phobias were well known amongst the team.
The reality of the situation was slowly dawning on Merry. “They’ve researched this, haven’t they?” she said to Daniel.
“Oh yes,” he replied. “Bob the Bastard has a streak named Evil running right through his middle.”
“Meredith,” Bob turned to the girl with a purely malicious smile. He hadn’t forgotten how she’d treated him. “We had to find something extra special for you, as you joined the show so late in the day. But I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in what we have planned. I think you’ll find it a real challenge, worthy of your talents. And of course, the harder the personal challenge, the more money the public will donate.”
Merry swallowed. He couldn’t possibly know, could he? It was the one thing in her gilded, easy life that truly terrified her.
Daniel glanced at his partner. She had gone a greenish-white. It was unlike the Merry he knew. “You alright, babe?” He put an arm round her and hugged her to him. “No matter wh
at he wants you to do, remember you don’t have to accept.”
“That’s the problem,” Harri added and swore viciously in Welsh. “It was in the contract. We’re obliged to go along with this farce.”
“So, I’ll let you digest it all at your leisure. Any questions, see Maria as usual. She’ll give you some more information.” With a cheery wave, Bob sped off, leaving his beleaguered assistant surrounded by anxious celebrities, keen to receive the packs of information which detailed their particular challenge.
“Shall I go and get ours?” Daniel asked but was reluctant to let go of Merry. In the few weeks he’d known her, apart from being momentarily panicked when locked in at the rehearsal rooms, she had only ever been fearless. He remembered her laughing off the judges’ criticism of her first dance, a pretty awful waltz. She’d made a funny story of how she put Bob in his place when he’d groped her. She’d been all energy and enthusiasm – and charisma, so far. But now she looked so frail he thought she might fall if he let go.
“No don’t,” she answered eventually. It came out as a whisper. “If Bob is the devious shit you say he is, I know exactly the sort of challenge he wants me to face.”
Daniel had never felt protective towards Merry before, had never seen the need to be. He looked down at her ashen face. ”Don’t worry lovie, we’ll get through it together, whatever it is.”
Merry clutched at his sleeve, watching as Harri took a blue folder off Maria. “You might have to help me Dan, if it’s what I think it is.” She gazed up at him, her eyes wide with fear. “You might have to help me through this a lot.”
Daniel came back brandishing a thin folder. “Come on, let’s go and get a coffee and have a look through this.” He nodded to the breakfast buffet. “Do you want to go and get something to eat now?”
Merry shook her head.
“Must be serious if you’ve gone off your food,” Daniel began to joke and then stopped as he saw the thin misery on her face.
They found a quiet spot in one of the hotel’s sitting rooms. It had been decorated to look like a country house library, complete with fake leather bound books. Daniel ordered double espressos; he had the feeling Merry might need some caffeine. The blue folder lay on the low table between them, faintly accusing.