Page 59 of It Takes Three To Tango

“I want some help with my collection,” was all she would tell us, and we exchanged puzzled looks as we trailed after her. She led us through her sitting room to a slightly smaller room. We all stop and stare in surprise when we realise it’s a dressing room. There are rows of hangers lining three of the walls, with the other wall stacked with boxes of all shapes and sizes. Hat boxes and shoe boxes sit amid a range of others. All of them look very expensive.

“Welcome to my collection,” Estrella says and arranges herself on a chair in the middle of the room.

Most of the clothes on hangers are encased in protective covers, some of them transparent. A colour catches my eye, it’s a dusky rose pink.

“Can I?” I ask with my hand on the covering.

“Of course,” Estrella replies. “I want you to look at them.”

Florencio needs no more encouragement and starts investigating.

I withdraw it and undo the zip, uncovering the dress I recognise from one of the pictures in the Hollywood room. The bodice is decorated with gems in a floral pattern, and the skirt and sleeves are full, overlaid with chiffon.

“Was this the dress you wore in the picture with Gene Kelly?” I ask.

“Yes, it is.” She smiles wistfully, almost as if she’s remembering the occasion. “The shoes I wore are here somewhere, too.” She gestures to the dozens of shoe boxes stacked up.

Meanwhile Florencio is pulling out garment bags and opening them, exclaiming at each new piece he discovers. I do a full three-sixty trying to take it all in.

“Have you kept everything?” I ask.

“Most of them. The trouble with society is sometimes you can’t be seen in the same outfit more than once. These days, designers lend stars their dresses, but back then we were given them, and some I purchased. Some were bought by admirers. But yes, I still have most of them.”

I let out a low whistle. “This must be worth a fortune.” I don’t think I could hazard a guess as to how much, but a lot.

“There are a couple of pieces, along with all my jewellery, at the bank.”

“There’s jewellery as well?” Florencio squeals and affects a mock faint before spinning off to return to his exploring.

Constantin sinks into a chair next to Estrella.

I start investigating some of the boxes. There are hats of all shapes and sizes. Gorgeous shoes from some of the most famous designers. I pull out a pair and hold them in my hands. The irony of the situation is not lost on me, that Loretta would give her right arm to hold a pair of vintage Manolo Blahniks and it’s because of her that I am. An idea starts forming, one I couldn’t have conceived if I hadn’t seenthis collection. Kneeling amid the boxes, I pull out a few more pairs of shoes and hats.

“Delice, if you could see me now,” I hear Florencio utter as he uncovers another new treasure. I don’t know who he’s referring to, someone back in Buenos Aires I guess. He finds a cache of feather boas and winds one round each of us. He wraps one round my neck, but I pay him no heed. Now that the idea has taken hold, I can’t let it go. I feel the familiar spark when I know something has potential.

“Can I use these for your biography?” I ask.

“What do you mean?” Estrella fixes me with her sharp gaze.

“I have the basic structure of the biography planned, but nothing to tie it all together. But these have significance.” I gesture at the shoes and clothes. “So maybe I could tell your story through them. Pick out those which have the most importance or were worn at the most prodigious events and let them lead us into the period of your life that they represent.”

She regards me for a long minute and a sinking feeling takes hold. I thought it was a good idea—I’m sure it is—but now, under her intense stare, I start having doubts. My throat goes dry, and I try to swallow. After what feels like an hour, she nods and smiles.

“I love it. I’m sure you have some ideas about what to use, but I can pick out some that are significant to me if that would help.”

“Thank you and yes.” I breathe a sigh of relief. Excitement reforms along my veins with the affirmation that it is a good idea.

“But as for actually using them, you’ll have to ask Florencio.” Her voice silences us. Florencio whirls round from where he’s trying on a hat and stares at her. Constantin leans towards her slightly, his voice low.

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Young man, if I wanted advice from someone less than half my age, I’d ask for it.” She quips back. “I might not be able to break the laws of this country, but I can circumvent them the best I can.”

Constantin smiles, accepting his reproof with grace.

“What do you mean,ask me, Auntie?” Florencio asks, his voice unsteady.

Estrella turns in her chair to address him. “Because I’m giving my collection to you. Everything in this room and at the bank.”

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