Page 45 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
‘Really. I have twins. A girl and a boy. They are fourteen.’
‘Quelle chance. Pardon, I mean what a coincidence.’
He then showed me photos of his sons and I showed him my screensaver shot of James and Joanne. Talking tohim came naturally, and our conversation flowed.
Jean-Claude told me he was divorced; his sons lived with his ex-wife in London. A little white lie, I said I was also divorced, but I was picturing myself in just a few months’ time when my marriage to Vince is forever behind me.
‘Tell me, Monica, what do you do for a living?’
‘I am a wedding dress designer.’ This does not count as a lie, as I am the unnamed designer of A-Belle-Brides.
‘Je ne le crois pas!I too am in haute couture. I have a chain of boutiques in France, including ze bridal wear.’
It was no surprise. I mean, he was so well dressed; his suit beautifully cut. There was no stopping us after that. We talked fashion shows, catwalks, and seasonal changes. He wanted to see my latest designs, so I showed him the award article on my phone. I was almost dumbstruck when he said he was sure he had already seen my floaty festival winning gown in a French magazine, telling me how much he admired it. Delighting in his compliment I was also tinged with annoyance at Annabelle. Typical of her not to tell me about the French magazine.
Jean-Claude had then shown me a couple of pictures of his favourite creations and the journey flashed past. I could have gone on talking to him for hours. He was fascinated I was dancing in an amateur competition and wanted to know all about what dances we performed.
‘A mix of jazz, Fosse, Bollywood…’
‘Where is zis being held?’
‘TheOpéra Bastille.’
‘I know it well.’
‘The finalists perform in front of the public on Sunday, so we are hoping to qualify tomorrow.’
‘Bonne chance.’
Arriving at theGare du Nord, he asked for my number, but I decided I should exercise some caution, so I hurriedly mumbled how nice it had been to meet him and he quickly pressed his card into my hand before I made a dash for the exit with my case.
Loud giggling from Bonnie and Cath brings me back to the present. They are in their element, laughing away on their large king-size bed.
‘Well, this’ll give us something to talk about when we get home.’ Bonnie beams and smiles as if we were a party of schoolgirls on a sleepover.
‘To be sure, I can’t remember when I last bunked up with a bunch of girlfriends.’ Cath is in an equally good mood as they start to put each other’s hair in rollers.
‘Reminds me of that programme where everyone has to sleep in the same house.’
‘You meanBig Brother?’
‘No, that I’m A Celebrity Get Out of It.’
‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here?’ Ruby suggests.
‘Yes, that’s the one.’
‘Oh, it’s just like that,’ Ruby winks at Asha. ‘Except there’re no celebrities, no edible insects – although hold that thought until we’ve seen the breakfast – and definitelyno Ant and Dec. Other than that, it’s just the ruddy same.’
‘Oh, Ruby, you are a scream.’ Bonnie snorts with laughter.
They must have had a good few drinks on the journey, including Ruby. They all seem far from tired.
Cath calls out, ‘Shh – ladies, listen. What’s that noise?’
The room goes quiet, and a buzzing can be heard coming from under the beds. Ruby grabs her case, throws it on the bed and lifts the lid. The buzzing noise gets louder.
‘What the?’ Ruby starts to rummage in the case.
