Page 88 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
‘I hope Ingrida can manage Fay in the wheelchair.’ Monica speaks to Clarissa.
‘She assured me she would be fine.’ Clarissa responds. ‘It has turned out to be a huge asset to have a trained nurse as part of our number.’
I do not say anything. I think the other dancers have forgotten that as a trained dentist I have far more medical training than Ingrida. However, I did not want to be lumbered with Fay and besides, if Ingrida needs everyone to know she is a nurse and her sense of self depends on it, then who am I to comment?
Ruby calls to us. ‘We could cross the river here, or walk along the banks until we’re nearer the Eiffel Tower?’
‘Let’s see which is wheelchair friendly,’ Hazel suggests.
Ruby sets off and waves us over to indicate a gentleramp down to the walkway on our side of the river.
We follow and walk along the waterfront for about twenty minutes before the river turns and the Eiffel Tower comes into view.
‘OK, theBateaux Parisiensis where our boat’s moored, over there. We need to cross at the next bridge.’ Ruby helps Clarissa push Hazel up the slope to the bridge and a few minutes later we are beside a line of cruisers below the Eiffel Tower.
There are artists dotted around the pavement, painting the iconic structure in the early evening light with the sun low and the clouds in the sky beginning to shimmer shades of pink. We stop to admire their efforts as Clarissa and Hazel go to a small ticket booth to confirm our arrival.
‘I wish we had had time to get out of our black dance tops.’ Monica talks to Cath and Bonnie.
‘We wouldn’t have made it to our hotel and back in time.’ Cath shakes her head. ‘It’s right on the outskirts of Paris.’
‘I didn’t bring a change of clothes, anyway.’ Bonnie laughs. ‘I should have guessed you had, Monica. You’re always impeccably dressed.’
‘I thought about wearing my sari – Fay is still in hers – but we need the costumes in good condition for my wedding…’ I peter out. I do not want to think about the wedding.
‘I’m just glad it’s a warm evening and we don’t need extra layers.’ Cath stares up at the Eiffel Tower and sighs. ‘But it’s cracking to be here in the centre of Paris.’
Clarissa pushes Hazel towards us and – to my relief,as I am starting to feel sick again – we sit down on a couple of benches.
‘All sorted,’ Hazel announces. ‘We just need to wait a short while before we can board.’
‘I have to say, I am delighted we have reached the finals, ladies.’ Clarissa glows. ‘And with the “Dancin’ Fools” routine. I am so proud of your performance.’
‘What are you going to do about Sheila?’ Bonnie asks.
‘We should tell the judges.’ Cath nods her head vigorously. ‘They need to know she stole your choreography.’
‘They should be kicked out of the competition,’ I add.
‘I must say I agree, Asha. But Hazel has a different take on this.’
Hazel sits forward in her wheelchair. ‘I think that providing Sheila accepts the routine is Clarissa’s choreography, they should be allowed to dance. After all, it’s another of Clarissa’s numbers in the final. And she should get the rightful credit she deserves.’
I am not sure I agree. Personally, I think Bold as Brass should be stopped. Their theft of Clarissa’s dance steps is every bit as bad as Janine’s theft of our Paris money.
‘We do, however, have to prove itisyour routine first,’ Hazel adds.
Monica holds up her phone. ‘I can get Joanne to forward me the video of the original dance to show the judges. I have it saved on my home computer, and she can send it to my phone. Once they see it is identical, there will be no question it is your dance, Clarissa.’
‘Thank you, Monica. At present I would be happier tosee Bold as Brass thrown out of the competition. They are a discredit to the dancing profession.’
‘True, but who knows what revenge they’ll take if we get them booted?’ Ruby interjects.
Ruby has a point. But I realise I am losing interest in the discussion. My mind keeps reverting to my impending test. I resist the temptation to go the nearby public toilet. We must surely be getting on the boat soon.
‘Hello, we are here,ja.’ Ingrida, slightly breathless, arrives with Fay in the wheelchair, which she pushes next to Hazel’s.
‘Well, look at us. We are a pair.’ Hazel squeezes Fay’s hand.
