Page 116 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
‘Hey, Fabulous Frocks to Get Hitched In, or Get Saddled in Style…’
‘Saddled?’
‘Now you’re being picky.’
We cross the river and traverse the large square ofPlace de Concordeto slowly walk through theJardin des Tuileries, admiring the foliage and breathing in the warm Paris air. A wedding party is having photographs in front of the box hedges beside the palace, and we stop to admire the outfits.
‘Got it. How about Wed-in-Style by Monica? You could weave the W of Wed into the M of Monica as your logo?’
‘Now you’re talking. I can visualise that. Wed-in-Style by Monica. Maybe I should employ you as my media consultant?’
‘Hey, I’m going to be too busy setting up my new online dating agency.’
‘You’re going to do it, then?’
‘I’m not going to be outdone by my best mate.’
‘And what will you call this new agency?’
‘Let me think, Core Connections? Date or Dump…’
‘No.’
‘How about Pick-and-kiss? Or Insta-men?’
‘Terrible. Maybe something with the word match?’
‘Match… MatchFix. I like that.’
I can’t bring myself to say it sounds like a site forthose wanting to fiddle the football results and let Ruby bubble on about how her site will be uniquely different to anything currently out there.
‘It’ll be a real opportunity to get to know someone before meeting up in person. I may even discourage photos until the third or fourth communication. You know how some people only go by looks… Hey, lookey over here…’
The scent of exotic perfume along with a swanky shop front forces us to divert to a fashionable perfumery outside the gardens where we try out some of the latest brands.
‘This smells divine.’ Ruby liberally sprays someYves Saint Laurenton her wrists and breathes it in. ‘Blow the expense, I’m going to get a teeny bottle.’
‘Good idea. I need a new scent, something that fits my new business persona.’
Ruby looks at the brand name of the bottle I’ve picked and whistles. ‘Jeepers! That costs a fortune.’
I wave the credit card and wink. Ruby gives my arm a light punch.
Strolling back towards the theatre, our conversation drifts back to Vince when Ruby spots an internet café.
‘Monica, let’s grab a cuppa and you can use the computer to go on the Spontaneous Encounters site and set up a meeting with him. There’s a calendar section of the app where you can put in details, and it’ll come up on his mobile.’
‘I thought about that but unfortunately I won’t be able to intercept him before he gets home tomorrow. Our trainout of Paris is not until lunchtime. He’ll be home long before me. If only I could get back tonight, I could have it out with him while the twins are in school during the day. I can’t bear the thought of stewing over it for another week or more…’
‘We could see if there’re any flights home after the show.’
‘Good idea.’
Ruby searches the internet as we sip our coffees. ‘No. Nothing. There’s a late flight to Manchester but it’s fully booked.’
‘Oh well, it was worth a try. My turn.’ We swap seats and load the SE site.
‘That’s a surprise. I can still access it.’
