Page 78 of It Takes Three To Tango

“It’s fine. He wouldn’t want me to be upset about it. He’d say I was a sentimental fool. I have my memories, they’ll always be there, but I’m ready to make new ones.” He places an arm round each of us, and we stand there together, looking across the city.

Back in the car, we travel to the Eixample district, past the roof like a dragon’s back of Casa Batlló to see the Sagrada Familia. I haven’t visited it yet and am excited to see the huge building. Construction started in 1882, and over a hundred and forty years later, it’s still not complete. I look up at the passion façade, but it’s impossible to take it all in with just one brief visit, so I vow to come back again.

“I’ve watched this grow ever since I arrived in this city,” Estrella says as we walk through the apse where hundreds of stained-glass windows throw their colours onto us. “It takes a lot of vision to start something that you are never going to see finished, a lasting legacy that it will take generations to build. And yet no one ever said no, let’s not bother. If something is worth building, it’s worth taking the necessary time to makesure it’s the best it can be.” She takes Juana’s arm and walks slowly back to the limo, leaving us all staring after her and then looking curiously at each other.

We make our way to the old town, passing the parabolic arched doorways of Palau Güell and on to the Cathedral. Only Juana and Estrella go in, while Florencio, Constantin, and I walk in the shady cloisters.

“She’s saying goodbye to everywhere, isn’t she?” Florencio’s voice is strained.

“I think she is,” Constantin agrees. “It’s like she’s visiting each of her old friends in turn.”

“She’s the only member of my family I actually like. I don’t want her to die.” Florencio gulps and I pull him in for a hug.

“None of us do, baby,” I whisper, and we stay like that for a long time.

Estrella, though, looks very cheerful as we get back into the car, and Florencio manages to smile even if he is not his usual bubbly self.

We pay a visit to Cafè de l’Òpera, a restaurant Estrella was a frequent visitor to, and she’s greeted effusively by the owners who lament that they haven’t seen her for several years. She’s treated like royalty as they show us to a private room and bring tapas and drinks.

The day gives over to evening as we make our way back into the limo for the short journey to Constantin’s bar. Neither Florencio nor I have seen it since the day the ceiling collapsed, and I’m keen to see how the repairs have gone. It also feels special as it’s the place where we first met each other. I reach for Florencio’s hand as the limo stops at the end of the alleyway. Constantin has talked several times to Alena on the phone, but he assures us all is well.

Constantin goes on ahead as the rest of us walk together to the bar. When we get to the door, Constantin opens it.

“Señora, welcome to La Casa De Valery,” he says, and ushers us inside.

I’m struck by how it looks. It’s the same and yet very different. It still has the wooden dance floor to one side, and half wood-panelled walls. The sign behind the bar is neon, but that’s not the only change. The walls are brighter, and most of the old pictures are gone. Instead, hanging on the walls are most of the photos from the Hollywood room. Photos of Estrella and all the stars she met. It’s beautiful and gives the bar an elegantly classical feel.

My eyes are finally drawn to Estrella, who is standing in stunned silence. Then I notice Sofia and Señor and Señora Bernat. I don’t recognise the rest of the people in the bar, but it’s clear Estrella does because she turns to Juana.

“You did this for me?”

Watching Estrella’s face when she realises she’s surrounded by friends and acquaintances was worth the mad frenzy over the last thirty-six hours. I was only too happy to help when Juana approached me yesterday morning with the idea and I made the reopening night an exclusive event.

“Now who do you think cares enough?” I ask Estrella as I escort her to a table next to the dance floor.

“Touché.” She gives me a glittering smile as she sits.

I return to Florencio and Rafe.

“It looks amazing,” Florencio says.

“Thank you.”

“I’m impressed. The party is a great idea.” Rafe adds.

“Well, that was Juana, really. She’s the one who pulled everyone together. I just provided the venue. Here, I have a table for us.” I direct them to an empty table.

For the next few hours, we drink and eat and watch as Estrella holds court amongst people she hasn’t seen for a long time.I can see she’s in her element and how she would’ve been an amazing hostess.

I seek Juana out as she comes to the bar. “It’s a good thing you’ve done for her,” I tell her.

“It’s the least I can do. She’s been a good employer. More than that, really, she’s also a good friend to me.”

After a while, I signal for the band to start playing and a few of the guests get up to dance. I go to help Alena with the bar and see Rafe and Florencio get up to dance together.

I go over to the piano, which survived the ceiling crash very well, only requiring a retune.

“Ladies and gentlemen, in honour of our special guest tonight, I want to play for you ‘Esta Noche De Luna.’” There’s applause and I start to play. Señor Bernat rises and offers his hand to Estrella to dance and I continue playing, including the song of her name. Eventually, she begins to tire, and in the early hours of the morning, the limo takes us all back to the house.

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