Page 36 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
‘I am sure we will find a way to join you there,’ I say to them with as much confidence as I can muster, fighting a terrible urge to cross my fingers.
An escort arrives to push Hazel.
‘Thank you, Fay.’ Clarissa dabs a tear from her eye.
‘Yes, thank you,’ Hazel adds. ‘Has anyone ever told you, you’re simply marvellous in a crisis?’
‘I think it helps if one remains calm and analytical.’ I smile, aglow inside. ‘It was drilled into me at school.’
Monica hugs Clarissa and I take the opportunity to lean into Hazel to whisper to her so Clarissa cannot hear. ‘Hazel, I fear we may not have hotel bookings either.’
‘Yes, that thought’s occurred to me.’
‘Still, Paris will be full of hotels. I am sure we will be able to find something even if we have to spread out at different places.’
‘Precisely. I’ll sort out accommodation for the two of us if you can sort the dancers?’
‘Of course, safe travels.’
Ruby rushes up to us as we wave Clarissa and Hazel off to the check-in.
‘I’ve managed to get a group booking on the Eurostar this evening. It’s a bargain deal for that route.’
‘Really?’ Monica starts to smile but then seems to think better of it and looks down at her shoes.
‘Excellent work, Ruby. Let us get back to the others and get the seats booked.’
‘Yes, Miss.’
I regard Ruby with a stern stare, but she winks at me, and I have to confess feeling a similar flush of excitementas is evident on her face. Now is not the time to get churlish, so I hold my head in the air as we return to our suitcases.
Ruby outlines the costs, and I get everyone to queue up and open their passports. I ignore Ruby’s sarcasm as she starts to make remarks about it being like they were back in school. Instead, I direct her to transcribe each person’s details onto the online application form in a methodical and ordered fashion as I read aloud.
‘OK.’ Ruby looks up. ‘I need to make the payment. Afraid my credit card won’t take a hit like this.’ She shows us the phone screen and Ingrida gasps at the total.
‘Put it on my card.’ Monica passes her card to me rather than Ruby. ‘We can sort it out when we get home.’
‘That is very generous of you, Monica.’ Asha beams at her.
‘Indeed, thank you,’ I say, passing the card to Ruby.
‘Are you sure?’ Cath asks.
‘Yes. There is plenty of credit. It is my husband’s card.’
Ruby looks up sharply. There is a hint of a smile on her face, but Monica steadfastly ignores her. Ruby shrugs and enters the details, her fingers flying over the phone keys at impressive speed.
‘We’re booked.’ Ruby screams in an unnecessarily loud voice. ‘Whoop!’
‘Marvellous.’ Bonnie and Cath high five each other.
Monica takes back the card Ruby hands her without making eye contact.
‘Good. Now, Ingrida, you need to book the Londontrain tickets?’
‘Ja… I meanne, the tickets, they cost big sum…’
‘It is OK, put it on the card too.’ Monica hands it to Ingrida.
