Evie eventually nodded at them all and did a circular clap before moving closer to Dan.
‘This is the hustle,’ she yelled in his ear. Dan nodded. He had no idea what she was talking about, but, if he was honest, he was enjoying this and he was getting more into it. There was always something quite joyous about strutting your stuff with huge gusto.
‘Mamma Mia’ was up next, followed by ‘Take a Chance on Me’. Evie just kept on laughing and dancing away, and Dan just kept on boogying with her. Evie was right; ABBA was great. You just needed to suspend all music snobbery and take things as they came.
Evie was really going for it and Dan was pretty sure that he wasn’t far behind. A group of equally enthusiastic dancers had formed around them and Evie was smiling away at people and exchanging the odd word here and there.
During a breather between songs, as they all waited, some people panting slightly, a man in a very bold electric-blue velvet flared suit and kipper tie said to them, ‘So how do you two know Dom and Clara? I see you didn’t get the memo about the dress code.’
Evie frowned. She opened her mouth and Danknewshe was about to argue. He swivelled his eyes at her and nodded his head slightly in the direction of the doors.
‘Fine,’ she said to him.
‘Friends. Recent ones,’ she said to the velvet-suited man.
‘I think we need some air,’ Dan said.
Evie bent down and picked up her very high-heeled shoes, which she’d kicked off midway through the first song, and Dan grabbed her hand and started walking.
‘Lovely to meet you,’ Evie called over her shoulder.
‘Honestly,’ she said to Dan. ‘He was far too unappreciative of the effort we’ve made. You’re wearingtails.’ Lucie had nagged every man at the wedding she had any influence over into wearing them. ‘And this dress is from LK Bennett and it cost a fortune even in the sale.’
‘You’re right. That’s a very nice dress, as I think I mentioned earlier in the evening.’ Evie looked stunning. The dress was a bright green and quite fitted on the top half and then swirled out into a knee-length skirt that swished a lot when she walked or danced. ‘And I did have to visit two separate Moss Bros shops to hire this suit.’
‘Exactly. The only thing wrong with our outfits is that they’re a few decades too modern.’
They closed the ABBA wedding function room doors behind them and Dan said, ‘We just bloody gatecrashed a wedding – I mean, whodoesthat?’
‘I know,’ Evie said, and giggled.Reallygiggled. Dan started laughing too.
‘Oh my God,’ Evie said eventually. ‘What were wethinking? Okay, it was me. What wasIthinking? Although it isn’t like we ate or drank anything. And we got the dancing going really well. I mean, some of those guests really weren’t putting their heart and soul into it before I showed them the hustle.And, if anyone mentions us, it’ll be an interesting talking point for the bride and groom afterwards.’
‘You mean when they’re bored on their honeymoon?’
‘Exactly. Whowerethose very elegantly dressed and enthusiastic dancers?’
‘I actually think they will see us. Did you see those people going round with the disposable cameras taking pictures of everyone dancing?’
‘Really? No, I didn’t. Oh well. I think they’ll be pleased. I’m pretty sure everyone would like a mystery wedding guest as long as they only stayed for three dances.’
‘Yep, you’re right.’ Dan nodded. ‘We were doing them a favour. And now we should probably go and show them how it’s done at the wedding we’re actually supposed to be at.’
They were both still sniggering slightly when they got back inside Lucie’s function room.
‘“Grease”!’ Evie said, pointing at the dance floor.
‘Let me guess,’ Dan said. ‘Up there with ABBA?’
‘Well, duh.’
Sasha danced her way over to them while Evie was squealing that her chills weremultiplying. ‘Where have youbeen? You just missed “I Gotta Feeling”.’
‘How do you knowallthe words?’ Dan asked five minutes later.
‘Er, from our musicals phase?’ Sasha said, like he was stupid.
‘And, also, you’ve literally just sung every single word to “Summer Nights” correctly?’ Evie pointed out.
