Page 127 of The Moon Sister
By now, the audience were on their feet, clapping along as Lucía’s feet beat relentlessly, until Meñique wondered if she might simply fall to the floor and collapse. Where her little body found the energy to keep up the incredible pace for as long as it did, he simply didn’t know.
‘¡Olé!’ she shouted as, finally, she gave one last stamp and fell forward into a low bow.
The audience erupted as Lucía took bow after bow. Meñique walked forward to take his own applause next to her.
‘You did it,pequeña, you did it,’ he whispered as he ushered her forward again and again.
‘Did I . . . ?’ Lucía asked him, as Meñique eventually led her off stage and into the wings, where there was already a crowd ready to greet her.
‘You made your perfect Madrid debut.’
‘I cannot remember anything.’
Meñique could see she looked dazed as she hung on to his arm for support. He steered her through the crowds towards his dressing room, shutting the door behind them firmly.
‘Take some time to steady yourself.’ He sat her down in a chair and handed her a measure of brandy.
‘Gracias.’ Lucía swallowed the drink down in one. ‘I never remember what I danced afterwards. Was I good?’
Meñique could see that it was a genuine question and that she was not fishing for compliments.
‘You were not simply “good”, Lucía, you were . . . miraculous!’ He gave her a salute.
There was a loud banging on the door, and the sound of voices behind it.
‘Is La Candela ready to receive the acclaim of her adoring public?’
‘I am.’
She stood up, turning to the mirror and taking a tissue to pat down her sweat-drenched face.
‘But just before you do . . .’
Meñique took her in his arms and kissed her.
*
‘What do you mean, Papá is arriving today?’ Lucía sat up next to Meñique in his comfortable bed a few days later. ‘He is not meant to come until next week! I am doing perfectly well here in Madrid by myself.’
‘Lucía, your father has managed your career since you were a little girl. Surely you will not deny him his moment of triumph? Besides, he is your guitarist. He alone knows how to play for you best.’
‘No!’ Lucía grabbed Meñique’s fingers and kissed them. ‘Theseknow how to play for me best. And not just on the guitar . . .’
Meñique felt a stirring as Lucía wriggled her naked body next to him.
‘Yes,pequeña, but I am already contracted elsewhere for the next two months, as you know.’
‘Then cancel,’ she said as her hand crept under the sheet. ‘I need you to play for me at the Coliseum.’
‘Now, now.’ Meñique caught her elbows. ‘Your star may be rising, but you are not a fully fledged diva yet, so don’t act like one. Your father will bring yourcuadrowith him. It is far better you have your own guitarists and singers to support you – those who you know and can trust – rather than having them chosen for you.’
‘It has been so good to be free of him,’ Lucía complained. ‘Being here with you . . . I have felt like a woman, and not a child, which is how Papá treats me.’
‘You’ve certainly been a woman, Lucía.’ Meñique reached for her breasts and caressed them, but now it was she who pushed him away.
‘Even when Papá comes, can I stay here?’
‘When I’m here in Madrid, of course you can, but now you are finally earning some good money with your contract at the Coliseum, you will be able to get an apartment with the rest of thecuadro.’ Meñique climbed out of bed and began to dress.
