Page 43 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz

Ruby

The champagne – ordered in copious amounts by Hazel – is going straight to my head, and I feel wonderful. Monica and I sit together at a circular table accommodating all our group in a large glass-covered dining deck. We are slightly apart from the other tables in a near-private area.

‘Hazel must’ve paid a pretty penny to get this spot,’ Bonnie says to Cath.

‘And would you just look at Paris lit up now the sun has set? It’s a sparkling backdrop for our river cruise. Cheers,’ Cath responds, chinking her flute with Bonnie.

‘Ingrida, could you possibly translate some of the menu?’ Fay holds up the typed sheet as the first course arrives. ‘Ingrida? Hello…’

Ingrida, who has been staring out at the night sky through the amazing glass floor-to-ceiling windows, looks startled and asks Fay to repeat her request.

‘Oh, ja . It say dégustation , it mean taste, so a tasting menu. We are to have six courses. Confit de canard , that is duck. Salade nicoise is same in English. Boeuf bourguignon and cassoulet , they are like stew, and also the coq au vin , which is chicken.’

‘And we all know what chocolate soufflé is. How wonderful.’ Fay licks her lips.

Ingrida goes back to looking out of the window and our first course arrives; a small but beautifully presented plate worthy of MasterChef.

As we tuck into the delicious fare, Monica and I catch-up on all the chatter we’ve missed in the last few weeks. I forget there’s anyone else at the table and I almost forget we’re on a ship, only glancing out to the sites when others call out or point to a famous attraction.

I congratulate Monica for tackling Arsy-Annabelle. She roars with laughter when I tell her about my work appraisal. We talk about our kids and how they were desperate for us to repair our relationship.

Monica asks me how she should go about telling the twins she and their father are splitting up. ‘Do I tell them he’s been unfaithful? I mean, they’ll still need to have some kind of relationship with him and despite what he’s done, I don’t want them thrown off course.’

‘Difficult one. It’s like my dilemma, not wanting to hurt Will with regard to his biological father.’

‘What if Vince doesn’t agree to an amicable separation?’

‘I guess you could threaten to tell Joanne and James about his adultery if he doesn’t go quietly? When are you going to have it out with him?’

‘Good question. Soon, but the thing is, I don’t want to speak to him at the house. The twins can’t be anywhere within earshot…’

‘Perhaps you should catch him out?’ I suggest. ‘Maybe set up a spontaneous encounter under a false name and turn up to confront him?’

Monica’s face splits into a wide smile as she playfully punches my arm. ‘I am ahead of you there. Although I didn’t consider turning up myself…’

‘Explain?’

Monica glances at her watch. ‘Vince is currently sat in a Birmingham pub about to meet his latest SE date, Venus.’

My eyes widen as Monica explains how she hacked into his account, set up a new profile and hid it from Vince.

‘I sent all the messages to my phone and several somewhat questionable dates will be arriving at the Cock and Bull simultaneously in just half an hour. If my phone was not bust I’d show you the profiles for Greta Grinder, Cindy-Just-Cindy – oh and her dog – Titania and finally Bruce with several of his drag artist friends. ’

‘Frigging brilliant. Where have you been hiding this new Monica? Respect girl.’

We both laugh aloud as Monica describes each of the dates and their messages.

‘God, Monica, I take it all back. Don’t go on social media, you’d wipe the floor with everyone else. Oh, to be a fly on the wall at the Cock and Bull…’

‘Yours is a good idea though, Ruby. For me to turn up and have it out with him. Wish I’d thought of it.’

‘You can still do it. Arrange to meet him before he gets home – send him a date request on Spontaneous Encounters as yourself. It’ll then be obvious you’ve sussed him so he can’t squirm out of it. I can look after the twins for you…’

‘He’s due back the same day as me. I could do with getting home first then intercepting him. I need to work out something,’ Monica sighs.

Hazel interrupts our conversation by tapping her spoon to her glass.

‘I hope you will indulge me ladies, but I would like to say a few words.’

We all sit back in our chairs and listen.

‘I’m so glad we all made it to Paris despite the difficulties that have arisen. It was my dearest wish to see Clarissa’s wonderful dance numbers performed in this competition. And now you are through to the finals. Well done all of you. I know Clarissa could not be prouder of you.’

We all smile at one another, although I notice Gnasher-Asha looks rather glum and Ingrida, who sits between Celtic Cath and Frosty Fay, seems to be forcing her smile.

Her demeanour is a far cry from her nickname, Happy-To-Be-Here-Ingrida.

I guess she’s not happy to find she’s pregnant.

Who’d plan to have a baby on top of three young stepchildren?

Lady C’s eyes shine as she looks at Hazel, but there’s a slight wobble to her lower lip. No wonder. Monica seems to think Hazel’s unlikely to see the year out.

‘Today has been quite the day of drama and unfortunate incidents. What with Fay’s accident and the attack on Monica, never mind Sheila Bold’s exposé on stage.’ Hazel raises her eyebrows.

‘It reminds me life can be full of drama and unfortunate incidents. But I think we should be careful not to let these moments take on a significance they do not warrant. The peaks and troughs, while providing endless hours of entertainment or trauma, are not the essence of life. Life’s treasures are in the more commonplace normality of everyday living. Friendships that endure…’

I glance briefly at Monica, and we smile at each other.

‘…A walk in the park. Watching a sunset. Sitting quietly without having to talk. Dancing. A hug. And more dancing.’

There are a few shouts of ‘Yes’ and ‘Dancing forever’ before Hazel continues.

‘I don’t normally take kindly to those who give of their opinions freely and copiously, but if you will allow a woman in the twilight of her life to give a little counsel, I’d be most grateful.’

We all seem to hold our collective breath as Hazel continues and Clarissa’s eyes pool.

‘A wise person once said to me, don’t be afraid to take risks.

Life passes far too quickly to play it safe.

They added, don’t take yourself too seriously.

We all need to act the fool on occasion to keep our sanity.

I pass on this advice knowing it has stood me in good stead.

So, give me a racy rhythm – I am a dancing fool. ’

‘Right on,’ I shout as others clap.

‘I will not say much more but now I have reached this… this crossroad – no, I refuse to be sad – I must tell you I’ve discovered life’s greatest treasure is to be at peace with oneself.

At peace with who you are and with those you care for.

I can honestly say…’ Hazel takes a deep breath and Clarissa places her hand on Hazel’s arm, which she covers with her own palm.

‘I can honestly say I am completely at peace with myself and with my life.’ She gives Clarissa a significant look as she smiles and blinks back a tear.

Without looking around the table, I know Hazel’s words are touching everyone.

‘I’ve had a truly wonderful life, surrounded by talented and wonderful people. If I did it all over again, I wouldn’t change a single thing.’

Tears cascade down Clarissa’s face, but she makes no attempt to wipe them away as she tightly holds Hazel’s hand.

‘So, I would like you to raise your glasses to toast my lifelong companion, my confidante and my closest friend.’

Hazel struggles to stand but with Clarissa’s help gets to her feet as do we all, apart from Fay who is wheelchair bound.

‘To the wonderfully talented Clarissa Kirkland.’

‘To Clarissa,’ we raise our glasses and look at each other. There is not a dry eye among us and a great deal of sniffling and reaching for serviettes and tissues.

‘And to Hazel,’ Bonnie adds.

‘Hear, hear,’ Clarissa helps Hazel back into her chair.

‘Clarissa and Hazel,’ we all shout, sip our champagne then dab at our eyes as we smile self-consciously at each other.

Hazel gives a little cough to get our attention again.

‘Finally, I would like to say life really is too short to hold onto resentments and anger. I say we let Bold as Brass perform in the finals on the proviso it’s made clear it’s Clarissa’s choreography.’

Gnasher-Asha mutters and Frosty Fay frowns. It’s clear they have mixed feelings about this proposition.

‘As long as they don’t put in the same stark ending as today,’ I laugh.

‘Or should that be starkers?’ Bonnie quips.

We all smile, and I’m relieved the sombre mood starts to lighten.

‘Well I for one am sorry I missed the Bold as Brass performance,’ Hazel grins. ‘Ladies, for your final dance tomorrow, I won’t say break a leg. That didn’t turn out too well the last time it was uttered…’

We giggle and look to Fay who is smiling good-naturedly back at Hazel.

‘But I will wish you well as they do here in France, bonne chance . Bonne chance to you all.’

We toast another glass and collapse back into our chairs.

‘Wow. What a tearjerker.’

‘I’m emotionally drained,’ Monica admits. ‘I also need to order a coffee. After all that champagne, I think I can see double of the Paris skyline.’

‘That’s just the reflection in the ship windows. But I know what you mean. I’ll go and order us some.’

‘Thanks, Ruby.’

I walk to the bar suddenly realising I haven’t checked my phone all evening. I retrieve it from my bag. Two missed calls. Max? I hurriedly go to the missed call log. They’re not from Max but Will. I frown.

I dial Will’s number but can’t get a signal to call back. I hope he’s all right. I realise, a little guiltily, I haven’t checked in with him since this morning when I sent a message from the hotel.

‘Excuse me, does the boat have Wi-Fi?’