Page 92 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
Clarissa nods and discreetly leaves saying no more.
Ruby looks reluctant, but I pat the chair. She shrugs, joins me and sits down.
‘Thank you. For out there.’
‘No problem. It was a bit mad really. I wasn’t thinking. I mean that little shit could’ve had a knife. It was a stupid risk to take.’
‘You always take stupid risks. It’s who you are.’
‘I guess.’
‘And as for that horrible deckhand…’
‘Bastard. Did you see he had a tattooed swastika on his neck?’
‘Vile. What a lowlife.’
Ruby looks down at her feet and there is a long awkward silence.
I attempt to rehearse what I am going to say in my head and wait for Ruby to look up at me.
As she does, we say in unison, ‘We need to talk.’
Ruby smiles nervously. ‘What can I say? I’ve committed the ultimate crime. I can’t change that no matter how much I wish I could. I slept with your husband. Not that I knew that at the time, but I guess ignorance is no defence. I can’t begin to say how sorry I am…’
‘I know. I mean, I’ve finally realised you didn’t know it was Vince. I’ve thought about it and ridiculous as it is, I can’t remember you ever having met him.’
‘I haven’t, not once. I mean how nuts is that? But Monica, if I’d known it was him, I would never have met up with him and I would’ve told you he was using the site and cheating on you. You surely knew I would never deliberately hurt you like that?’
I nod and we go quiet for a few minutes before I explain, ‘What can I say? I flipped… I guess it’s testament to how little Vince is involved in my life whenyou think that in all these years you’ve not as much as encountered him. Same goes for my other friends. When he was at home, he just wanted it to be the twins and us; no visitors, no one else. Plus, we had completely separate social lives.’
‘It’s crazy I never met him… although as it turns out I have, but only the one night.’ Ruby grimaces. ‘Oh God, Monica, I’d no idea. I assume you saw my photo when you trawled through his SE profiles.’
‘The one and only Sassy Scarlet.’
‘Please. Don’t remind me.’
‘Can you imagine if you had met Vince since and then realised who he…’
‘I’m so glad I didn’t. I would probably have had a heart attack.’
‘It might have given him one too. In fact, there’s an idea.’
‘No way. I never want to meet him again. Not as Clint or Vince. Besides dying of embarrassment, I’d want to punch him after what he’s done to you. Have you decided what you’re going to do?’
‘I’m going to kick him out. I deserve better.’
‘Bloody right you do. Good for you, Monica.’
‘I’ve been doing a lot of thinking over the last few weeks and I’m going to make a lot of changes. I want to start my own wedding dress business, for starters.’
‘Go girl. You’re amazing at design. I hope you tell Arsy-Annabelle where to go. She’s been stealing your work for years. Hey, will you need a seller? IT guru? Someone to make the tea?’
‘Why? You are not quitting your job, are you?’
‘I may have no choice. Besides, if I’m truthful my heart isn’t in it anymore.’
‘You could do loads of other jobs. You are amazing at IT.’
