The Charleston. Georgia Hill

It made for an interesting start to Series Ten of Who Dares Dances.

      Step Three.

      As it was such a short series, training got going immediately. Merry was the only one of the celebrities who hadn’t competed before, all the others had been involved in one series or another. But she soon got to know her fellow competitors and they made her feel very welcome. Suni she liked straight away, Callum a Scottish prop forward she could live without – she felt very sorry for Adelina, the gorgeous Italian professional dancer who had to put up with his ‘accidental’ gropings all day long. Harri proved to be as friendly and charming as she’d imagined and was partnered with Eva, a fierce looking Swedish dancer, who Harri explained he’d had to put up with when winning the eighth series. They seemed to have a love hate-relationship based on, as far as Merry could see, ferocious nagging on Eva’s part. This, in his easy going way, Harri took good naturedly. He was often visited by his fiancée, the actress Julia Cooper, who was feverishly trying to organise the last few details of their wedding in between filming the latest Davy Jones blockbuster. Merry liked her too.

      She had less to do with the others. Angie and Scott seemed to be determined to win at any cost and spent all their time training. Merry was intrigued by Casey, a model who wanted to act, but found her huge Russian partner Jan unnecessarily aggressive. Casey however, seemed to enjoy it. Whatever floats your boat, was Merry’s opinion, who was nothing if not tolerant of other people’s foibles. It amused her to see the clever, calculating Casey turn into a simpering dumb blonde whenever there was a man around. It was also obvious that she and Callum were having a raging affair. Merry hoped that Casey wasn’t tempted by the idea of a threesome. She’d seen Casey flirt outrageously with both Callum and her Russian dance pro. She’d need a bed the size of an ocean to fit both men in. She reached for the tiny notebook she always had with her and jotted the thought down. There might be some material there. She licked her pencil and made some notes, giggling. She just wished other people found her jokes as funny as she did.

      Merry was well aware she was at a distinct disadvantage in the competition, as the others all had months of training and some years of experience. But, what she lacked in ability, she made up for in enthusiasm and she intended to throw herself wholeheartedly into the competition. Merry was famous for her enthusiasm. It had got her into – and out of - all sorts of situations.

      Early on, it had been decided they should all do a group dance and, after the first rehearsal of the merengue based number, it had become apparent that Merry’s lack of experience was going to be a problem.

      “Think I need some extra coaching,” she said mournfully to Harri, as they took a break from the punishing routine they were practising. She leaned against the wall of the television studio, very aware of a camera filming her every move.

      “Shouldn’t be a problem, bach,” he replied, as he towelled the perspiration away and gulped water. “I’m sure Daniel will help you out. He worked wonders for me and Julia. Kindest, most helpful bloke around.”

      And so, it was agreed that Daniel should offer her some extra lessons, where they could concentrate on getting Merry up to speed.

      She was lucky that she and Daniel seemed to have taken to one another immediately. Venetia had been right, as always, and Merry somehow knew Daniel was going to make the ideal partner. More than that, she sensed she’d have some fun with him. And fun was important to Merry; she found it hard to function without it.

      After one of the early group rehearsals, in the television studio, she and Daniel had gone to a nearby bar for a get-to-know-you drink. Merry was looking forward to a few hours off-camera. She found their presence disconcerting.

      The bar was packed but Daniel, obviously a regular, was given a warm welcome by the maître d’, who found them a secluded booth in a dimly lit corner.

      “Oh, this is bliss,” Merry cried as she slid onto the leather banquette. Lying her head back and closing her eyes, she was vaguely aware of a bottle and some glasses clinking onto their table.

      “How are the blisters coming along?” Daniel asked, with a grin in his voice.

      “Sadist,” Merry said with feeling and, at the glugging sound of wine being poured into a glass, opened her eyes. “Is it normal to be unable to walk after only three rehearsals?”

      “Pretty much.” Daniel raised his glass. “Cheers.”

      She reached forward with difficulty as her muscles stiffened, and touched her glass to his. “Cheers.”

      “Now this is bliss,” Daniel said appreciatively, as he drank.

      “Couldn’t agree more. Although I suppose I really ought to have some water too.”

      “Feeling dehydrated?”

      “Just a bit. Hadn’t realised how unfit I am. I worked up quite a sweat today.”

      “You certainly did,” Daniel agreed and summoned the waiter again.

      “So how long have you been dancing, Daniel?” Merry, having satisfied her thirst with sparkling water, was well down her second glass of red and feeling more revived.

      “Since I was a little boy. Mum was a dancer, so I got hauled off to ballet and tap as soon as I was out of nappies.” He grinned. “It was a great way to meet girls!”

      “I bet! Do you think you’ll stay with it, Who Dares Dances, I mean?”

      “Well, for the foreseeable future. I’d like to win it before I move on.”

      “No pressure then!” Merry raised her eyebrows at him.

      “None whatsoever,” Daniel replied, with a wink. “What about you? What got you into the show?”

      “My aunt. That is, to give her her proper title: Dame Venetia Denning,” Merry said darkly. “No one has ever said ‘no’ to her and lived.”

      Daniel laughed. “Ah, the great Dame Venetia. I met her once. She terrified me.”

      Merry nodded. “That’s her. She does that to most people.”

      “So, it was her idea, was it, that you do Who Dares Dances?”

      “Yup.” Merry took a sip of wine thoughtfully. “Although actually, do you know, I think it’s one of her better ones.” She pretend-pouted at Daniel. “You probably don’t agree.”

      “I think you’ll be great, once you get some basics nailed.”

      Merry giggled. “What, like knowing which is my left foot and which is my right?”

      Daniel smiled. “That sort of thing, yes. Have you had any dance experience?”

      Merry shook her head. “Not a lot, just a few lessons at school. And, as it was an all-girls school it was an excellent way to meet girls.”

      Daniel laughed. “Didn’t you have any training at drama school? You’re an actor, like your aunt, aren’t you?”

      “Ah, not sure that’s quite how I’d be described.” She screwed up her face. “I’ve only done bits and bobs of acting at university. Didn’t go to drama school. My most recent stab at showbiz was stand-up. I wasn’t very good at that either.”

      Daniel winced. “That’s a tough road to go.”

      Merry saluted him. “It was no joke, I can tell you.”

      They groaned in unison.

      “This dance show thingy is my last ditch attempt to make a name for myself. If I don’t succeed at this, it’s curtains for me – and not of the theatrical kind.”

      Daniel leaned back and watched as Merry poured out the last of the wine. She didn’t seem at all fazed by her lack of success. In fact, she seemed quite cheerful. She was uncomplicated and optimistic. He liked that. A lot. In fact, he found he liked her a lot. “Another bottle?”

      Merry beamed at him. “Now that