Page 135 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
‘Could you imagine yourself married one day?’ I asked her.
‘Not thought about it. I haven’t really been out much in the last few years. But Ruby says I must try her new dating site when it’s up and running. Although, I’m not so sure about that.’
‘It may be worth a try. Now lie back and open your mouth again.’
I did not say it would not suit me, finding a match online. But I guess not everyone is as lucky as I have been in meeting my true love without any forced blind dates.
Ingrida and I have been out a couple of times since Paris. I went to the park with her and Lizzy the other day to feed the ducks. Watching her with the little stepdaughter,I can see Ingrida is a natural mother. I hope I will be the same.
‘How are things with Neil?’ I asked her.
‘Good. He is searching for new job. Also, we are planning church blessing for our marriage and Rita and Terry, they have said they will come.’
‘Really? That is great.’
‘It is answer to prayer.’
‘How about that uncle of yours? Did you meet up with him?’
‘Ja. I gave him some money…’
‘No. Ingrida, surely he will just keep coming back for more?’
‘That is what Neil say. But maybe giving Kazimieras this money will help him to start something worthwhile? Maybe it will give him chance to make a better life and maybe it will be his only chance. Some people have very hard time in life and just need a helping hand.’
‘I suppose. You will not have much of your winnings left after paying off Neil’s debts and giving your uncle money.’
‘It is only money. What are you spending your winnings on?’
‘Most of it is going into our travel funds. We are having a mini moon to a fantastic game reserve in South Africa for a week; no expense spared, not for our last holiday before the baby. Then we are going to have the best and longest honeymoon ever after our child arrives. We are booking the most luxurious hotels and resorts around the world, and Ma and Baba will join us in India for a month,so they will not miss too much of watching our little one grow. They can also look after the infant in Delhi while we see the Taj Mahal and Jaipur. I have always wanted to visit the Golden Triangle.’
‘That sound like a brilliant plan.’
‘Do you know how the others are spending their winnings? I mean, I know Ruby and Monica have started up their own businesses.’
‘I think Bonnie and Cath, they are going to Las Vegas including sightseeing in the Grand Canyon. Cath also say she wants to tour Ireland and see all the places she miss as a child.’
An ice-cream van next to us in the park then turned on a loud track of music. “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles blares out and Lizzy pulls Ingrida’s arm to whisper in her ear.
‘Does she want an ice cream?’
‘Ne. She wants to dance.’ Ingrida laughed, and we each took one of Lizzy’s hands and danced round in a circle next to the pond.
*
Bang on time, the dance ladies arrive, and we gather in a room to the side of the large community hall for a final practice of my dance.
‘Ingrida. Who has been treating herself to new jewellery then?’ I grab her hand and examine her new rings. The engagement ring has a single diamond set on white gold, matching the plain wedding band.
‘Ja. I am so happy. They had to cut the old ring off my finger at the hospital.’
‘Ouch.’ Ruby and the others crowd around to look at the rings, too.
‘Ja, my hand it had turn blue. It was a bit of emergency procedure, but I choose this last week and it fit me perfectly.’
Both rings are a little plain for my taste, but Ingrida seems to love them.
‘You look amazing, Asha.’ Monica comes close to look at the detail on my dress. ‘What a fabulous outfit.’
