Page 41 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
‘Ne. Neil, he was married when I first met him. And then, after Maya passed away, I became live-in nanny and got to know him better.’
‘When did he propose?’
‘It was only six weeks ago. I know, I get married very quickly. We will tell children next week.’
‘What? You mean they don’t know?’
‘It had to be secret until Neil tell Maya’s parents. He is kind man who does not want to upset them.’
‘That must be awkward for you?’ I ask.
‘How old are the kids?’ Ruby asks.
‘Between three and seven.’
‘They’ll know.’ Ruby shakes her head. ‘Kids alwaysdo. I mean you’re sleeping in the same frigging bed, aren’t you?’
‘Ja, but I get up very early to get breakfast…’
‘Don’t they come in during the night?’
‘Sometimes, if they wake. But they are very tired… And they are still only small.’
Ruby pulls an ‘if-you-say-so’ face and closes her mouth as if she thinks better of saying anything else.
‘How about you, Ruby? You mentioned you were in a relationship.’
‘Yes. Max. We’ve been together over a year now. To be honest, I never intended settling down, but Max is the first bloke I’ve met who could possibly change that.’
‘What does he do?’
‘He’s an engineer. Learnt his trade in the army. Only problem is he travels a lot, so I don’t get to see that much of him. He’s in India at the moment, or is it Thailand? I lose track.’
‘How wonderful to travel the world and at someone else’s expense. Jay and I have planned a six-month honeymoon to go and see India and as much of the world as we can.’
‘Lucky you. Six months off work sounds idyllic.’
‘I would like honeymoon…’ Ingrida looks slightly sad. ‘But it is not easy with small children.’
‘It doesn’t get much better with teenagers.’ Ruby laughs.
‘Your son, does he like Max?’ Ingrida asks.
‘Yes, they get on great. Will was a bit wary about him at first, but once he realised Max was as passionate aboutcricket and rugby as he was, there was no stopping them talking. I hardly get a word in edgeways.’
‘Does Max see his father?’
Ruby shakes her head and sips her drink.
‘Maybe Max will be a father figure for your son?’ I widen my eyes for her response, but Ruby goes quiet and her expression is unreadable when she eventually says, ‘Maybe,’ before changing the subject.
‘What’re our chances of winning this competition, then? Hey, Ingrida, you’ll be dancing now Janine isn’t with us.’
Ingrida puts her hand up to her mouth. ‘Ja, you are right. I had not thought about this. I will have to dance in Janine’s place. I hope I do not make mistake again.’
‘You will be brilliant, Ingrida,’ I say. ‘You are a fabulous dancer. You and Monica are Clarissa’s star performers.’
Ingrida smiles and I turn to Ruby and risk asking, ‘Whatever happened between Monica and you?’
