Look Back at Me (Fleckney Fields Series, Book 1)

Black and White

John really was a giving and supportive partner. Before they started dancing, she'd thrown a quick look around the pub, and Rhys didn't seem to be among their audience. She realised, with surprise, that if she could, she'd have asked him not to be there. She hadn't performed in years, and she was endlessly nervous. In a way, this thought was a good sign: she never could have been that open with him before their divorce. These days, she wanted to build their relationship on her terms - and at the same time she'd love to impress him. She doubted this salsa would. To make it easier for themselves, they'd used Diego Luna and Romola Galai's dance from Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights as the template - minus hip grinding, mutual chest stroking, and kissing, obviously. She made three mistakes, but kept reminding herself it was just an amateur dance in a local pub. She always had trouble accepting if her performance - in any area of her life - was anything but perfect. The crowd seemed to have enjoyed their dance, though - and they had to bow again and again, rewarded with more and more applause.

John stepped back to the table where Nana and Clem were clapping enthusiastically, while Viola was snatched by Mrs. Small and Mrs. Barnett who kept complimenting her and grabbing her hands in excitement. Viola felt the tense knot slowly release in her stomach.

Half an hour later all tickets to the Dance were sold, and Viola suggested to Bjornsson that she should leave since all she was doing now was apologising and disappointing those still wishing to purchase one. After dropping the money and the paperwork at the Hall, Viola went back to the Market.

She spent two hours wandering about, chatting with acquaintances, receiving more compliments on her dancing, and shopping for books at the book fair. It was traditionally held in Fleckney Woulds Town Hall. Viola read little, mostly just medical journals, but these days she found herself with more free time on her hands. She ran into Fiona and Will Holyoake at the fair, and bought Clem's latest mystery novel, a few children's books for the little Holyoakes - and a romance novel by Olivia Dane, an author she wasn't familiar with.

"If you haven't read any, try this one," Fiona said, handing Viola a book titled The Battle for Her Heart. "It's the funniest of them all. The male protagonist is this fake raja, and the main character–" She stopped because Will leaned to her and kissed her cheek. "Ah, it's him telling me that I'm spoiling it for you," Fiona said to Viola with a giggle. "There's nothing to spoil there, Will," she said and kissed him back, standing up on her tiptoes. "It's a harlequin romance."

"It's good, though," Will said to Viola.

Out of all Holyoake men, she found Will the most attractive - and unlike all others, he somehow managed to fluster her with just one look. Men generally didn't intimidate her, she'd built a successful career in a male-dominated field. There was just some sort of intensity hiding under his calm facade that she found most fascinating.

Viola gave him a soft smile. She appreciated that he didn't say 'it's good for a chicklit,' but she knew it about the Lower Woulds' Holyoakes - John, Will, Di, and Oliver - they were literature fanatics.

Will slowly walked away from them, leaning on his cane.

"Or this one," Fiona continued her chatting, lifting another Dane from the stand, her eyes running the colourful covers. "This one is one of my favourites. It's very– educational," she said with a giggle.

Viola looked down at the book titled Lead Me Astray.

"Is it about an animal shelter?" she deadpanned.

Fiona stared at her - and then burst into loud jolly laughter. She had an angular face that reminded Viola of some sort of elves or fairies from a half-forgotten childhood book. 'Otherworldly' was the word that came to mind at the view of Fiona Holyoake's giant slanted eyes, turn-up nose, and her copper hair that streamed down below her waist.