Page 173 of The Moon Sister
‘It’s about nothing and nobody. It’s about a new place to show my dancing to thepayos. And New Yorkpayosare the richest in the world.’ Lucía walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. ‘Does this not excite you?’ she whispered in his ear. ‘Señor Hurok said he may be able to hire Carnegie Hall! Can you imagine that? A handful of Spanishgitanostaking the stage of the world’s greatest concert hall!’
‘I like it here in Mendoza, Lucía. I’d be happy to stay in South America for the rest of my life.’
‘But we have seen everything there is to see here, done everything there is to do!’ Lucía released him and paced along the wide terrace filled with burgeoning pots of dramatic red blooms, mirroring the colour of the scarf around Lucía’s neck. ‘We have been to Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Colombia’ – she counted the countries off on her fingers – ‘then Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, Peru—’
‘Next time, Lucía, when you make a plan that includes me, I’d ask you to have the decency to tell me.’
‘But I was keeping it as a special surprise! I thought you would be as happy as I!’ Lucía looked so forlorn that Meñique’s anger abated somewhat. She had obviously genuinely thought he would be pleased.
‘I have loved being here with you and I just –’ he shook his head – ‘wonder whether we will ever come to rest anywhere. And have a life together.’
‘Maybe we will not rest, but wedohave a life, and it’s exciting, and I will be earning fourteen thousand dollars a week!’
‘We do not need more money, Lucía, we have enough already.’
‘Nothing is ever enough. We aregitanos. Life is a constant search, we can never stay still, you know that.’ Lucía surveyed him. ‘Maybe you are getting old.’
‘Maybe I am just tired of travelling constantly. Maybe I want a home. With you, Lucía . . . And one day, children.’
‘We can have all that, but first, let’s complete our adventure and go to New York.’ Lucía walked towards him then sank to her knees, grabbing his hands. ‘I beg you. I must have America. Do not deny me this.’
‘Pequeña. . .’ Meñique took another deep breath. ‘Have I ever denied you anything?’
*
This time, as they set sail for New York, calm seas meant there was no sickness amongst the company, which had grown to sixteen strong during their six years in South America. Lucía had automatically been offered the best suite on the ship and other passengers on board bowed to her or raised their hands in recognition every time she deigned to appear on deck.
‘How are you feeling?’ María caught Meñique as he leant over the railing, wrapped in a thick coat and a scarf, generously loaned to him by a fellow passenger who had seen him shivering up on deck in the autumnal breeze.
‘Sad that we are leaving South America behind us. The warmth, the colour . . .’
‘Yes. I understand. I feel it too. But what can we do?’
‘Nothing, María.’ Meñique reached out and put an arm around her shoulder. Over the years, the two of them had become close, taking comfort and strength from each other when either José or Lucía became difficult.
‘I want . . .’ Meñique began.
‘What do you want?’
‘An end and a beginning,’ he whispered. ‘For the journey to be over. To have a home.’
‘Sí, I understand. They say the war in Europe will be over soon. I need to know what has happened to my sons. I wish to go home too.’
María gave his hand a squeeze before walking away, leaving a solitary figure on the freezing deck.
*
‘You know it is Antonio Triana who recommended me to Señor Hurok?’ Lucía said as she readied herself for dinner at the captain’s table, clipping on heavy diamond earrings and arranging a fur stole around her shoulders.
‘No, you never mentioned it. I thought he partnered La Argentinita?’
‘He does, but I hear that her health is failing. He is looking for a new partner. And he has chosen me!’ Lucía gave a giggle of delight as she twirled her finger round the black curl that sat in the centre of her forehead.
Meñique stared at her. ‘I thought you preferred to dance alone?’
‘I do, but the last time I danced with Triana in Buenos Aires, I felt something bigger than myself,andhe is already famous in America.’
‘Please tell me, Lucía, that we are not travelling all the way to New York to steal La Argentinita’s partner?’
