Page 131 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
Asha nods and whispers, ‘Two million pounds.’
‘What? Fuc— I mean, frigging hell!’
‘That’s the total, but obviously it needs to be shared out between all Clarissa’s dance ladies. Everyone was in the syndicate, not just the Expression dancers. I was trying to work it out. I think Janine said there were eighteen of us…’
‘Eighteen – two million. So how much? My brain’s just frozen.’
Max uses his phone to do the calculation. ‘That would amount to one hundred and eleven thousand pounds each, more or less.’
Ruby whistles loudly.
‘Amazing.’ Max smiles. ‘Congratulations.’
‘I cannot take this in. Is it true we have won this much money? It does not seem possible.’ I look from Ruby’s face to Asha to Max.
‘What else did Janine say?’ Ruby asks.
‘We have to go and meet the lottery rep with our syndicate agreement and then they will pay out. Janine’s sister has set up the meeting for tomorrow.’
‘We need to tell the others. Although, hold that thought.’ Ruby frowns. ‘Let’s check this is for real first. Janine hasn’t been the world’s most reliable person todate. Oh my God. One hundred and eleven thousand pounds. It’s incredible.’
‘Definitely worth a celebration. What’re we all drinking?’ Max asks. ‘Bearing in mind this is a train buffet.’
‘Gin and tonic tinnie for me.’ Ruby laughs.
‘Sparkling water,’ Asha and I say at the same time.
‘And crisps,’ Asha adds.
We all laugh and smile. It is a good feeling.
We agree we will not say a word to the other ladies about the money until we are sure it is true but I am hoping it will be true so I can pay some to Kazimieras so he will stop harassing us and go home and I can also buy the children good presents and maybe even a new ring for myself.
*
Neil is waiting for me when my taxi finally arrives home after I have delivered Fay to her flat. Fay kindly paid the full fare. This was big relief, as I did not have enough money. I wanted to say to Fay, soon we will all have a lot of money for taxis and nice things, but I do not say anything as I promised Ruby and Asha we would wait.
Neil, Grace, Theo, and Lizzy all rush to the door to greet me. My heart is very full as the children put their arms around me and cry, ‘Guy-da, you’re home. We missed you.’
I have only little presents for the children. I kept the snacks Fay got for me at Euston Station. They do not seem to care I do not have expensive gifts and they are veryhappy to each have their own small packet of biscuits. They eat as I make a cup of tea and Neil, he hug me from behind.
‘How was Paris?’
‘Many things happen. It was full of incident I think is right saying.’
‘I guessed as much. Saw some of the commotion on the news.’
‘Ja, we are famous. But I think the other dance group, they have more fame with big exposure.’
Neil laughs and squeezes me around my waist, but I take his arm away and turn to look at him.
‘We need to talk,ja?’
‘We do. When the children are in bed.’
When I have kissed them all goodnight, I find Neil pacing the floor in our lounge and I sit down on the sofa and wait for him to talk.
‘Ingrida, I don’t know where to start. I haven’t been exactly honest with you…’
