Page 118 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
We exchange a panicked look and sprint to the backstage door, weaving our way through the throng.
‘They’re here.’ Cath screams as we fly into the dressing room. ‘Now that’s what I call cutting it fine. We’d given you up for lost.’
‘Thank goodness you are back. I was about to text Clarissa to tell her we would not be able to go on.’ Asha gives a loud sigh before sipping from a bottle of water and nibbling on a crisp.
She shouldn’t eat so close to dancing, but I’m too busy rushing to get out of my clothes to say anything.
All the other women are changed and ready in their white pin-striped trousers and waistcoats, including Edith who is wearing Fay’s outfit – thank heavens I altered it before we left the theatre earlier. They’re all stage-ready with full make-up.
My heart thumps as Ruby and I race to get ready. ‘Sorry, sorry…’
I see Ingrida wave a finger to get Asha’s attention before pointing to Ruby. Asha puts a finger to her lips and mouths, ‘Not now.’
No idea what that’s about but I kick my shoes off as Ruby yanks at her top, saying, ‘We lost track of time.’
‘It is OK. You are here now,ja?Breathe slow and stay calm.’
‘Have you seen all the press interest in the show?’Ruby asks breathlessly as she rips off her clothing.
‘Ja.’
‘The place is swarming with reporters. What’s going on?
‘They are trying to catch a glimpse of Sheila Bold’s women,’ Asha shakes her head.
‘What?’
‘Yes, Bold as Brass have shot to fame,’ Bonnie says as she puts on another layer of lipstick. ‘Or rather, their rear ends have. Earlier they did a photo shoot outside the theatre entrance. Cath and I watched them. Very cheeky it was too. Apparently, their costume malfunction featured on the main French news last night – their exposed flesh pixelated – and its gone vinyl.’
‘Viral, Bonnie, you daft eejit.’
‘That’s what I said.’
‘You’re kidding me?’ Ruby shakes her head. ‘Must’ve been a slow news day to show Sheila’s arse on French TV.’
Edith giggles.
‘Frédéric, the Expression manager, he is over moon – Clarissa tell us.’ Ingrida adds. ‘Many people buy tickets for show and it is sold out.’
‘Grief. That explains the crowds.’
Cath continues, ‘Yes, apparently this one incident has achieved more publicity than the combined promotions from all the previous years in the history of Expression.’
‘All down to the Bold as Brass mishap? That’s so nuts,’ I say.
‘I know, and now they are saying the British pressis also over it like a rash,’ Asha adds. ‘They got wind of Fay’s accident and tried to interview Fay and Edith, and then it would seem they heard about the rivalry between our two dance groups and the alleged plagiarism of Clarissa’s “Roxanne” number. They are going to have a field day with that, I imagine.’
‘I don’t think my mother is too happy about it.’ Edith chews her lip. ‘They caught us outside as we arrived. I think Frédéric told them about her fall. Anyway, they started off asking her about her broken leg and how I’m taking her place in the dance, but they then moved onto questions about why we’d been… well, estranged. I said nothing, apart from it being none of their business. I mean, I don’t even know how they knew about that. Anyway, Mum… Fay got all tongue-tied and said it was disgraceful – the press trying to poke their noses into a family rift. But the reporter wouldn’t let it go and the next minute the interviewer asked about the bad blood between the UK dance groups. I tried to indicate for her to stop, but she was so indignant and in full flow. She ended up saying some very inflammatory statements about the Bold as Brass group. I couldn’t stop her…’
‘Jeez. Frosty Fay needs to learn when to stick a sock in it.’
I quickly nudge Ruby with my elbow.
‘Sorry, Edith… Er, I didn’t mean…’
‘It’s OK. Frosty’s a pretty good name for my mother. Although I think you ladies have managed to thaw her out a bit between you.’
‘Ladies, look at time. We need to warm-up,ja?Weare on stage very soon.’ Ingrida encourages Asha to lead a hasty warm-up as Ruby and I quickly plaster on our stage make-up.
