‘What a fantastic name!’ Juliette said as she tapped her foot along to a song the blonde-haired fiddle player had called ‘Charlie is My Darlin’’. The brunette had a sweet voice as she sang the lyrics and not a single person in the pub was still. As the musicians jigged around, their uplifting notes and glissandos vibrating around the space, they seemed to carry everyone along with them. When they reached the chorus, everyone joined in with a rousing effect and once Juliette had got the hang of it, she couldn’t help but do the same.
Once Juliette and Caitlin’s meals were finished, a group of men lifted the tables and stacked them against the bare stone walls, and the brunette accordionist announced the first dance was to be ‘Strip the Willow’. A cheer travelled the room that was now fit to burst with its audience of smiling, clapping people.
‘They’re not actually going to try and dance in here, are they?’ Juliette asked, surprised.
‘They won’t justtry, Jules.’ Caitlin grinned as Archie from the outdoor shop and another man approached them. Caitlin took the hand of the older man but told Archie, ‘Be gentle with Jules, she’s never done this before!’
Archie grinned and leaned to speak to Jules over the volume of the music. ‘I’ll no’ steer you wrong, lass. Just stick wi’ me.’ And before she could respond, she let out a squeal of surprise as she was spun around in time with the music.
Archie knew all the steps, thankfully, and he shouted instructions into her ear as they hopped, skipped and twirled their way around the bar area that appeared to have tripled in size somehow.
Anyone not joining in the dance was clapping along, and even Leanna was nodding her head in time with the music. By the time the song had ended Juliette was out of breath but laughing.
‘That was such fun!’ she told both Archie and Caitlin as everyone applauded and whistled. She turned and realised that the applause was once again aimed at her. Her cheeks heated to inferno level, but she performed a little curtsey, much to the delight of the gathering.
10
Juliette stood at the bar and clapped along as Caitlin danced with a variety of men, all of differing abilities but all keen to show off their skills, or lack thereof.
Reid appeared beside her. ‘You seem to be enjoying yourself,’ he said with a wide smile.
‘I am. This evening has been such a laugh. Completely different to my usual nights out.’
He tilted his head. ‘Oh? And what do they usually consist of?’
She thought for a moment and realised that perhaps she’d had more nightsinthan out in recent months. Unwilling to share the secret of her less than riveting life, she shrugged. ‘The theatre or the cinema with my friend, Millie. Or the local pub. Although it’s definitely not as lively as this place.’
‘Well, as you can see there’s never a dull moment here.’ He paused. ‘So, did you think on what I said about the museum?’
Juliette took a deep breath and smiled. ‘I’ll do it. If you still want me for the job.’
He grinned. ‘Absolutely. Excellent news. I’m so glad. And I think the villagers will be pleased as punch too that the place is open again. It’s not a massive museum, but it pulls people in all the same. It used to be an integral part of the village’s tourism, but it’s declined in recent years due to the co-op not being… Ugh, sorry, I shouldn’t be talking shop. I’m just glad it’ll be opening again.’
‘Great. Well, I’m happy to be taking it on. When do you want me to start?’
‘As soon as possible? How about the day after tomorrow? It’ll give me a chance to get the house cleaned and get a float for the cash register. I can give you a bit of training too.’
Crikey, talk about striking while the iron’s hot. She realised she’d hesitated a little too long. ‘Sounds good to me,’ she replied, and then those pesky butterflies were at it again, dancing a jig all over her insides.
As if he’d sensed her trepidation, he said, ‘I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you move into the house the day after tomorrow and get settled in, then I can train you up and you can open next week?’
That seemed a little more realistic and a little less like she was being thrown in at the deep end. ‘Perfect.’ She held out her hand and Reid shook it. ‘So, aren’t you dancing this evening?’ she asked.
He placed his glass back on the bar and fixed his emerald gaze on her. ‘Why does that sound like a challenge, Jules?’
She hadn’t meant anything of the sort, but she was rather enjoying this amenable and playful side to the man she’d first thought was out to get her. Secure in the knowledge that it was probably the alcohol playing its part, she went along with it.
She shrugged. ‘Not a challenge assuch. I just know that it made me happy when I danced.’
The fiddler announced the next dance as ‘The Dashing White Sergeant’ and Reid cocked an eyebrow and held out his hand. ‘Come on, then.’
She glanced across at Caitlin, who was watching, open-mouthed.
Juliette raised her eyebrows at her, along with a look that she hoped expressed ‘WTF?’
When Caitlin’s bemused expression didn’t change, Juliette turned back to Reid who had speedily removed his jacket, flung it on the bar and rolled up his sleeves, exposing tanned forearms and long, strong fingers. She threw caution to the wind and took the offered hand.
He led her to the dance space again and she was about to tell him that she hadn’t a clue what to do when, as if reading her mindagain, he informed her with a grin and an overexaggerated version of his accent, ‘I’ll no’ steer you wrong either, lassie.’ Then, he winked.
