Dance Like No One's Watching

Viv realised she was getting on – but there were a lot of things she still wanted to do.

- Steph Brotherton

ON HER 60th birthday Viv had a panic attack. She felt life was passing her by at an alarming rate. She rushed to the library and found a self-help book, Don’t Watch the Clock: Suitable for Those Who Feel They’ve Run Out of Time. The author said everyone should “get out there, ignore your age or appearance, it’s what your gut feeling tells you is important”. Dance like nobody’s watching, etcetera.

The next morning after her shower Viv decided to try it. She put on some Abba (Waterloo, to be precise) and threw herself into the music, dancing with abandon, until she realised her neighbour was watching her over the top of the kitchen door. To make matters worse, Viv was wearing only her bra and panties.

“Well, I never!” gasped Maudie. Then again, “Well, I never,” her eyes wide.

“I’m only just trying it for the first time myself, Maudie,” said Viv, unlatching the bottom of the door and waving Maudie inside. “Come and have a coffee.”

Maudie sat down by the kitchen table while Viv turned the music down and donned her gown which she fetched from her bedroom. “Mamma Mia!” sang Abba. Viv began to sing along while she filled the kettle. “What’s come over you?” asked Maudie.

“Time is running out, Maudie,” said Viv. “I need to get on with life. There are so many things I want to do and I’ll be completely over the hill soon.”

“Over the hill like most of us. We’ve had our lives, Viv. We can’t be hankering after things we should’ve done. We must grow old gracefully, not fling ourselves half-naked around the kitchen.”