CHAPTER 43
Cate closed her eyes as Vladimir led her out on to the dance floor for the final time on Stepping Out. Earlier in the show, they’d got straight tens for their Tango to “Whatever Lola Wants.” It was now time for their Show Dance to “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith.
The pressure was definitely on Cate and Vladimir after Annie and Michel’s fabulous, high-energy Lindy Hop-inspired Show Dance, which had brought the studio audience to their feet, whooping and cheering loudly and had scored an impressive twenty nine points from the judges.
Cate and Vladimir’s Show Dance could not be more different. Vladimir wanted it to be contemporary and very raw. Their costumes were very simple. Cate’s dress was midnight-blue silk and fitted perfectly to her torso before flowing down almost to her ankles. It was by far the most comfortable dress she’d ever worn on Stepping Out. It was so light it almost felt as though she was wearing nothing at all. Vladimir was wearing a matching midnight-blue shirt, which he left unbuttoned for the female viewers and black trousers. Her inky-black hair had been left loose to fall down her back in tumbling waves. Neither of them wore shoes.
When she opened her eyes and looked up at into Vladimir’s blue eyes, he didn’t say anything. He nodded almost imperceptibly like “you’ve got this.” Cate got into position, feeling a burst of confidence rush through her veins.
She used everything she’d learned during Stepping Out, blocking out everything and everybody until it was just the two of them, her and Vladimir, and their Show Dance.
The violins started to play and while Smoky, one of the Stepping Out singers crooned about staying awake just to hear his love breathing, Cate and Vladimir moved against each other in the slowest, most intimate seduction.
Vladimir had incorporated Rumba choreography into their routine. He extended one leg; his right hand pressed against his gleaming, well-defined abs and spun Cate away from him, her black hair billowing out behind her before he pulled her close again as if he was battling with the intensity of his feelings.
It reminded Cate of the early days of her relationship with Kian. It had felt like being on the most tumultuous rollercoaster. Kian had pushed her away so many times – he’d stood her up on Valentine’s Day, he’d been photographed stumbling out of a club with an ex-girlfriend - breaking her heart a little more every time. He’d had so many excuses why they couldn’t be together. She was too young, too innocent, his best friend’s sister. He had a bad reputation, he’d never been in a relationship before, he’d hurt her. But every time he would pull her back.
Vladimir anchored his hands on her hips as they undulated together. The hem of her dress swirled around her bare ankles.
She turned away from him, pretending that it was her who was now conflicted about their feelings. Vladimir caught her, his hands on her shoulders. Cate closed her eyes, feeling his warm hands slither down her bare arms until he gripped her hands, lifting her up off the ground and spinning her around.
When he put her down again, there was a brief moment of stillness. Cate pressed her hand against Vladimir’s bare chest, feeling his heart thudding against her palm.
As the music built to a crescendo, Cate moved her arms up around his neck and locked her hands together. This was the lift she was most afraid of. She closed her eyes and Vladimir pressed a chaste kiss on her eyelids, in keeping with the lyrics of the song. His large, firm hands slid down her ribcage, she could feel the roughness of his calloused fingers through the thin silk and gripped her hips. He spun them around and her feet left the floor. Cate could hardly breathe as she lifted higher and higher until she was almost horizontal. She concentrated all her energy on keeping her feet locked together. Vladimir’s hands dropped from her waist like a safety catch and then the only thing securing her to Vladimir, stopping her from falling on her face on national TV was her hands locked around Vladimir’s strong neck. Cate felt the collective “ooh” from the audience.
As the song ended, Vladimir walked with Cate in his arms to the back of the dance floor.
After the last note had been played, there was deafening applause and a standing ovation from the whole of the audience. Cate opened her eyes but when she looked at Vladimir, he almost imperceptibly shook his head. “Stay,” he commanded. He wanted them both to savour this perfect, still moment in the eye of the Stepping Out storm.
“Cate and Vladimir, why don’t you both come over here,” Tom beckoned them.
“You’re obviously both still very emotional,” Tom smiled. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen a Show Dance like that on Stepping Out before.”
“Yes well, it was very different,” Bruce said and Cate waited for him to say he didn’t like it. Out of all the judges, Bruce was definitely the most traditional. “I have to admit, I didn’t think I was going to like it when I heard what song you’d chosen. It’s not really my cup of tea. You took a lot of risks tonight, Vladimir. The song, the contemporary choreography, that lift… Wow.”
Vladimir squeezed Cate’s waist. “I knew Cate could handle it.”
Bruce turned his attention to Cate, “I think out of everybody on this show you’ve been on the biggest journey – yes OK, I said the j-word. Vladimir’s right, you didn’t just handle everything that he gave you tonight, you excelled. That was a fantastic Show Dance.”
“Bruce is right,” Rich smiled, “you took a big risk out there tonight but it definitely paid off. Cate, you’ve always had good technique but when you really engage with a dance, with a song, it’s like… magic and that’s what happened out there tonight. You were wholly in that dance from beginning to end. I loved every second of it.”
As Cate and Vladimir re-joined Annie and Michel and the other contestants, Tom turned to the camera, “and now just in case you need any help deciding who to vote for tonight, here’s some good luck messages from Annie and Cate’s friends and families.”
Cate gave Annie a hug as her usually happy-go-lucky friend was moved to tears by the lovely messages of support from her husband, children and grand-children. “Annie,” her husband said gruffly, looking a little uncomfortable at being on camera. “You have made me so proud. I can’t wait for you to come home. I love you.”
“Good luck, Nanny,” her grandchildren yelped, showing off the banner they’d made for her. “We love you.”
After the VT had finished, while the camera panned back to Tom, Cate watched with a lump in her throat as Annie touched the gold ‘P’ on her necklace.
Then it was Cate’s turn.
“My sister used to be one of the most serious people I’ve ever met,” Liv laughed. “I remember when we were both teenagers and I walked in on her dancing to Shakira in her bedroom; I’ve literally never seen anybody so embarrassed before. I think it took her like five years to get over it.”
“Cate, I know how much of a challenge it’s been for you to go out there on a Saturday night and dance your little tush off in front of millions of people. I just want to say that I love you and I’m so freaking proud of you, sis.”
She was stunned when her mum was next to appear on the VT. “I’m so sorry that I can’t be there with you tonight but I want you to know that I’ll definitely be watching and you have made me so unbelievably proud, sweetheart.”
One of the crew handed Cate a tissue and she dabbed under her eyes, trying not to ruin Velma’s beautiful make-up.
“Cate,” Kian talked to the camera in his low, gravelly voice and she was just gone. He was sat on their sofa back home in Seattle with Sierra on his lap and Lola and Mateo on either side. She missed them so much that it was hard to even look at them. “I know you’ve found it really difficult being away from home so much but we just want to let you know that we are so proud of what you’ve achieved on Stepping Out.” Cate couldn’t fight them anymore; big, fat tears trickled freely down her cheeks. Annie and Michel quickly flanked her.
“Mum,” Lola grinned, “I love you more than mushrooms.”
Cate laughed a little through her tears. Mateo was next, “Mama, I love you more than ferryboats.”
“Wow, that much!” Cate wished so much that her children were here so that she could give them big hugs and kisses.
Kian looked at the camera, “I probably shouldn’t say this with the play-offs just around the corner but angel, I love you more than football.”
“I love you too,” Cate mouthed. Whatever happened tonight with Stepping Out, she was beyond grateful to have such a loving and supportive family.