Page 79 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
‘Oh, Ruby likes her secrets.’
I lift my head and Max is staring straight at me. The others giggle and I slowly shake my head at him. Max,don’t do this…
‘Did you watch both dances?’ Cath asks, but I cannot focus on his reply or the ensuing conversation about the competition, theOpéra Bastille, Paris, and hotels. All I can hear is the blood pounding around my head.
I need to speak to Max – alone.
‘What’s our hotel called again?’ I vaguely hear Bonnie ask.
‘Charbon. It’s pretty dreadful.’
‘I’m not surprised,’ I hear Max reply. ‘In French,charbon de blémeans coal product or smut.’
‘Ja, that is what I say…’
‘Oh, my goodness.’ Asha springs up from her chair, pointing to the café clock. ‘Look at the time. We need to go get changed for our last dance.’
Everyone hurriedly downs the last of their drinks. They thank Max again and leave the table. I linger. He stands to leave, and I grab his arm.
‘Max?’
‘What?’
‘What Monica told you…’
‘Yes?’
‘She… well she…’
‘Is it true?’
‘No, I mean yes, but you have to know…’
‘Know what? If I think about it, I don’t think I know that much about you at all, Ruby.’
‘You’re fucking kidding me…’
‘Look, I need to clear my head.’ He turns away and then back again as he adds, ‘Thing is, I’ve had it withrelationships based on lies and deceit. I thought you were different.’
‘Max, what the fuck—’
‘Ruby, hurry up, you can talk to lover boy later,’ Bonnie calls loudly across the café.
‘Max. Talk to me. For crying out loud…’ I fold my arms and challenge him with my eyes.
‘I’m not sure. I’m not sure about anything right now.’
Max walks away and exits through the main Opéra House doors.
I slump down into the chair and press my fist into my forehead.
Fuck… fuck… fuck.
‘Ruby?’
I look up to see Clarissa staring anxiously at me.
‘Oh dear, I do not know what has happened, but you do know you will be on soon?’ She taps her watch. ‘I hope you can compose yourself and that you will you be able to dance?’
