Magical - Mollie and AJ's Strictly Story

Part 4 - Mountains Climbed

Oh, Mirror-Mollie, I feel like I barely get to talk to you at the moment. I see you when I'm in make-up or the dance studio, but I can't talk to you then, people will think I've completely lost it, rather than just being a dork.

So, what to say, now that we have a moment. Well, we did an American Smooth to Climb Every Mountain. It went so much better than I would have thought. I watched it back and thought I looked so graceful, so much in love with his character, so confident in the lifts. And dare I say it, I looked sexy even in that wig and a dress with an apron over the top.

Our characters in the dance were meant to be in love. He'd choreographed it so well, letting me feed off the looks he gave me, but to be brutally honest, I don't think I had to act at all. I was thrilled to spend every second of that dance with him, with or without a million eyes watching.

And the feedback and marks – well, you could have knocked me down with a feather! So positive! I could have been flying for days! The scariest part was that I was more pleased for him than for myself, I was so ecstatic to do justice to his hard work, to make him proud. He is so talented, it feels like such a responsibility to not mess it up and to show the world what an amazing teacher, choreographer and partner he is.

So while we were still on a high after the results show, I broached the subject. The elephant in the room. It wasn't well thought out, I can't even remember my exact words. I just wanted to know if this was just a part and parcel of the strictly experience with him (in which case, that was fine) or if there was something special between us (which would be even more fine). I do remember feeling like a complete dork and the words tumbling out of my mouth with zero filtering, weeks of frustration and confusion spilling out.

And I'll never forget his response to my verbal deluge. He kissed me.

That kiss told me everything I needed to know. This would be life changing for both of us.