Page 113 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
When she rises, I ask, ‘Praying for something?’
‘Ne. Just praising God.’
We leave the church and I give a little smile when I find my hand has subconsciously moved protectively to my stomach as we descend the many steps ofMontmartre. We take the Metro back toNotre Dameand slowly walk back to the theatre where we head for the café.
‘Did you see there was a film crew setting up outside? Wonder what that is about. Come on, Ingrida, I will buy you something to eat. I can’t believe we have seen so much of Paris and spent practically nothing.’
‘Ja, the receptionist, she tell me all the free places and it seem good idea to use our Metro passes as we alreadyhave them.’
I buy us each a light snack to set us up for dancing and remind her to call Neil. ‘You can call from here and I can go back to the dressing room.’
‘Ne, if you do not mind, I would like you to listen to call and listen to what Neil say. I can put it on speaker. I do not want to make any mistake with the English.’
‘Well, only if you are sure?’
Ingrida nods and dials Neil’s number.
‘Hiya.’ The voice is that of a small child.
‘Grace, is that you?’
‘Guy-da.’
‘Hello, my lovely girl. How are you?’
‘Guy-da, when are you coming home?’
‘Tomorrow, sweetie. Where is your daddy?’
‘He’s downstairs. Nanna was cross with me and sent me to my room. I was very sad, so Theo came up with daddy’s phone. Daddy told him to tell me I could play some games.’
‘Grace, why your nanna cross with you?’
‘I told the big secret to Nanna and Gramps.’
‘What big secret?’
‘That Daddy put Great-Granny’s gold ring on your finger.’
‘Oh, that big secret.’ Ingrida looks at me wide-eyed.
‘What did Nanna say when you tell her this?’
‘She said a very rude word, so I told her it was a very naughty word and she sent me to my… my…’ Grace bursts into tears.
‘Grace, it is OK. Do not cry. I am here. Shh.’
My hormones must be playing havoc as I find myself filling up, listening to Ingrida try to comfort the little girl.
‘I don’t like Nanna. She is mean,’ Grace stutters out with sobs. ‘She said I was lying… that I was a naughty girl.’
Ingrida grips the phone so the whites of her knuckles show, but her tone is calm and soothing.
‘Grace. Listen to Guy-da. Nanna, she not mean to say those things. She was upset. She miss your mummy very much. You are a very good girl and you have not done wrong thing. Tomorrow, I will give you big hug when I am home.’
‘Guy-da?’
‘Yes?’
