Page 66 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
All but Monica murmur agreement and we change into our costumes: black jazz trousers and bright red tunic tops. We all have the same colour red, but we wear different styles, made by Monica. Some are one-shouldered, some are halter neck. Mine is what Monica she call ‘cold shoulders’, with a little slit at the top of each arm. It is not as loose-fitting as it was when it was first made, as I have gained a little weight, but I can see it still looks flattering for my figure.
We also have a small swatch of the same red material to place in our hair. Mine is a wide headband, and it holds my hair back in a pretty way. Monica has a red scrunchie – I think that is what she called it – and a thick strip of red ribbon. She has tied her lovely hair up in a high ponytail and the red material hangs down her back. When she dances her solo, it will fly around with everyhead roll and catch the eyes of those watching. Monica is such a very attractive lady; like a film star. She is also an excellent dressmaker, and her dancing is close to that of a professional. I think she could have make a career as a dancer if she had wanted.
‘Right, we need to set up our outfits for the next dance so we can put them on quickly. There is only a short gap to change before our second number.’ Asha announces.
We get our white pin-striped trousers, matched waistcoat and brightly coloured bowler hats from the central rail and drape them over and around the backs of our chairs. We all have a different colour hats – mine is orange – and wrist bands in matching colours for the “Dancin’ Fool” jazz number. Monica, she has make cloth flowers in each colour and she carefully uses pin to put them on each waistcoat. They look like professional costumes. I cannot help but smile when I see them all lined up waiting for us to step into them until I realise one outfit is missing. Where is Ruby?
Asha shrugs when I look from the gap to her eyes. Without words, we all lean into the mirrors to line our eyes with black liner pencil and put on bright red lipstick. It is the same red as the tops so we all match. Clarissa always insists on what she calls ‘attention to the detail’ and I like this detail very much.
I do not usually wear make-up, only moisturiser and a little lip gloss. Fay helps me with putting on the false eyelashes and bronzer. She has even put the bronzer on the small patch of arm showing at my cold shoulders, which make me smile.
‘You look very pretty, Fay… Fay?’ I say this again, but I do not think she hear me. I am not sure I have seen her so full of excitement and anticipation as she is today. She keeps looking at the television screen and then the programme fixed to the mirror and then her watch, which she has left on the dressing table as we cannot wear watches on stage.
I think she is wanting to look at a particular dance on the screen; I can guess the one. It was the best one we saw this morning. I also want to see the four dancers ofCorps et Amein their actual costumes for the Coldplay “Fix You” routine. They look like professional dancers, not amateurs like rest of us.
‘There. That is your bronzer done.’ Fay smiles, glancing up at the screen again. ‘You look like you have been in the sun for a week.’
I turn my head from side to side to see my new face. It is a lot of make-up. I have tanned flawless skin and very big eyes. To me, it looks like a mask, and it make me feel very good as I think no one will see Ingrida Valenko – I mean, Ingrida Goodman – they will see me as one of the group of Clarissa’s ladies capturing music in a scintillation of dance.
‘Oh look, Sheila’s on next.’ Bonnie points to the screen and we all watch the women strut to their opening positions.
I do not know how they will check their spacing is correct as they did not have a run-through after they were ejected from the rehearsals. Their dance starts and even though we cannot hear the music, we can see it is not very good. Some of the arm moves look very awkward and angular and I see Sheila make a mistake in the first fewbars.
‘Did Sheila just bump into that woman on the left? Was that supposed to happen?’ Bonnie asks Cath.
‘She’s made a right mess of that move. Look, it’s befuddled the rest of them, they don’t know who to follow.’
‘What a mess.’ Asha has a smile on her face, but I feel sorry for Sheila. I know what it is like to go wrong in front of many people. I am, however, relieved Bold as Brass have left our dressing room. They not only swear all the time, but I saw them pull ugly faces at us when they think we are not looking.
Before they went on stage, Sheila shared a tin of something alcoholic for what she called Dutch courage. Clarissa told us alcohol was prohibited. But perhaps this is Clarissa’s rule, not the competition rule. I do not know. I do know a little sip of vodka might calm my nerves, which right now feel very much on edge after seeing Sheila’s mistake.
I look at my phone again to see if there is a message from Neil, but he has not sent anything since last night when I told him I had arrived in Paris. I go to put his numbers in the phone to give him a quick call, but I hesitate. Neil told me he would call me and I wasnotto call him. I go to put the phone back in my bag, praying Neil has now told Rita and Terry all about our being married when the device makes a single ring and my heart leaps. But then I see the Latvian words on the screen, and I know immediately it is a message from Kazimieras. I frown and open it.
Ingrida, guess where I am? I am in Manchester. I know you have moved to live with a man called Neil Goodman. I have the address. What are you doing with a widower man and his children? Does he know about me? Does he know you stole from your uncle? What would he think if he knew you had criminal connections? Would he even want you in the house if he found out? Ingrida, you make sure you meet me next week or I will be paying this Neil Goodman a visit to tell him all about your theft and your uncle. In fact, I may pay him a visit before you return if I do not have your assurance you will meet me.
My stomach does a knot twist and I quickly send a reply in Latvian.
Kazimieras, if you go anywhere near my house I will not help you in any way. Not ever. We will meet on Tuesday as we have arranged. You need to know that I will not give you a single penny if you should dare to even approach Neil Goodman or his children. I also know the police are looking for you. So, watch your step or I will report you. You do not know me and you do not know what I am capable of. Do not test me on this. So, for the last time, keep away from my house. I MEAN IT.
I throw my phone in my bag and take a large gulp ofwater. I should not have saidmyhouse… but it is too late now. I look at myself in the mirror.Ingrida, I tell myself,get a grip– as Fay would say – and put this out of your mind for the dancing. I also say a prayer in my head, and I know that God, he hears me.
The other ladies give a loud cheer and I glance up and there is Ruby, just arrived and smiling at me.
‘Looks like you’ve made your mind up about something, Ingrida?’
I nod and reach to pat Ruby’s hand. ‘I am so glad you are here, Ruby.’
‘Sorry I’m late, folks, but better late than never,’ she calls to the others as she hurriedly gets changed.
‘Thank goodness you’re back,’ Bonnie calls. ‘Asha was having kittens.’
I watch her as she grabs her costume from the hanger. I am a little surprised she look so happy after what happened with Monica.
‘Ruby, you scared us to death,’ Asha calls. ‘Now we are all good and can dance our hearts out, ladies.’
Ruby gives Asha a thumbs up in the air and puts on her jazz shoes. She then attends to her make-up, but she does not need much with her ebony skin. She is very striking with her shortly cropped hair and wide eyes. I watch her brush her face, neck and exposed flesh with sparkling powder. It glitters in the light. Ruby’s top is cut very low. It shows her big chest, but it is flattering. She looks full of curves and very sensual as she adds glitter to her bosom. Her hair has only one splash of red material on a hair clip. At the time Monica said her hair neededjust the merest hint of red. Today Monica pays Ruby no attention and moves away to warm-up by herself in the vestibule.
‘Would you like some, Ingrida?’ Ruby asks me. She shows me her loaded powder brush and I nod and let her make my exposed skin sparkle, too.
