‘Pah!’ said Héctor and puffed heavily on the pipe. ‘What about Hollywood?’
‘The producer won’t hire me unless it’s with Eduardo’s blessing and Eduardo won’t give me that if I don’t do as he asks right now. Look, he took me under his wing as his protégé and he’s given me tuition and fed and clothed me. As angry as I am with him for taking away Louisa, he’s given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here in Argentina.’
‘I could have given you this had I met you first.’
‘Yes, but—’
‘But I’m not Eduardo Canziani. I’ve heard it all before. If that bastard hadn’t ripped me off, I would be in his place, whooping it up with the elite, and he’d be in mine, playing second fiddle, or second bandoneón as is the case.’
‘We could tell people what he did,’ Roberto said.
‘Pfft!’ Héctor waved his hand in the air. ‘No one would ever believe Eduardo Canziani would steal music. In their eyes, I’m a jilted business partner, crying about not being famous like my old colleague. Not one person believed me when it first happened, why would they change their minds now? I have to accept that my lot in life is to watch a miscreant like Canziani get all the fame because he stole my music and called it his own, setting him on a path of celebrity and fortune, while I wallow in oblivion.’
‘I’m sorry it turned out this way.’ Louisa leant over and patted Héctor’s knee.
He took the pipe out of his mouth and levelled his gaze at Louisa. ‘What are you going to do about America? I don’t see you changing Eduardo’s mind.’
‘It’s complicated.’ Louisa kept her voice even as Roberto sighed and slumped next to her.
‘How so?’ asked Héctor.
‘She’s going with him and I’ll stay here. At least then I’ll earn seventy-five per cent profit and in three years I’ll have saved enough money and we’ll be able to reunite on our own terms.’ Roberto’s words sounded rehearsed, as if he was trying to convince himself as well as the others in the room.
Hearing the hope clinging to his words, guilt rushed through Louisa. As wonderful as Roberto’s plan sounded, neither had any idea how long Eduardo would last in Hollywood. If Eduardo’s dementia kept progressing rapidly, they could be back in less than three years. This would be enough time to organise for Eduardo’s care and for her to make plans to marry Roberto. Time was all they needed, but why did it feel like the clock had sped up?
‘So it’s love in the slums or loneliness in the lights, eh?’ Héctor scratched his head. ‘Sorry, I don’t mean to be flip, but there must be another way.’
‘I’m afraid not,’ said Louisa. ‘Roberto’s spent his entire life pursuing this career and he’s only known me a couple of years. This might be his only chance to let the world see what a wonderful player he is and I don’t want to mess it up for him.’
‘I always thought you had a martyr streak.’ Héctor raised an eyebrow as turrets of smoke swirled above him. ‘I get the feeling there’s more going on than meets the eye.’
‘She’s not sleeping with him.’ Roberto put his arm protectively around Louisa’s shoulders. She edged in to show her appreciation for his support.
‘Look, he’s a lying bastard. He steals, he cheats. I don’t care if the Argentine public adore him—he deserves a comeuppance.’
‘Maybe,’ she said, feeling caught in the middle of this ongoing feud. Eduardo had no right to steal Héctor’s music but Eduardo’s current mental health pulled at her heartstrings.
‘There’s been another complication.’ Roberto squeezed Louisa’s hand.
‘And that would be?’ Héctor took the pipe out of his mouth and cocked an eyebrow.
Louisa’s cheeks burned with the memory. ‘The producer Stanley Wyler found us in Eduardo’s garden. I’m not sure if he heard and saw everything but it was enough for him to work out what was going on between us.’
‘Is he going to tell Canziani?’
‘He said he wouldn’t, but he did ask us to think about what we’re doing. He said our affair isn’t simple because it could affect tango’s future.’
‘That’s a tad melodramatic, even for an American. What surprises me is you and Roberto seem to have accepted Eduardo’s demands too easily.’ Héctor’s pipe had gone out so he struck a match and relit it.
‘Somehow we will make this work and build our future together.’
‘You are as romantic as the lyrics you write, Roberto, but your backbone is weak.’
‘We’ve made our decision,’ said Roberto, straightening. ‘Say what you like but I will prove you wrong. Louisa and I will have it all—my career, fame, money, love—maybe not right now, but it will happen. Louisa’s promised we will be together and this is enough to spur me on to do what is needed.’
Héctor puffed on his pipe and looked from Roberto to Louisa and back again. Nausea swelled in her belly as she realised the mistake she’d made by promising Roberto they’d be together sometime in the next three years. How could she say this when she had no idea what the future held? Now she had two men expecting her to live up to promises she’d given them separately. They needed her and the strain of being pulled in two directions overwhelmed her. She massaged her temples and willed the headache to disappear.
‘He’s starting to lose it,’ said Héctor. ‘I heard he made mistakes the other week at the Teatro Colón.’
‘You told him this?’ Louisa turned to Roberto.
He shook his head. ‘No.’
‘Word gets around. You know how musicians talk,’ said Héctor.
‘I didn’t think anyone would have noticed.’ She tried to stifle her rising panic. Oh, to have a world where mental disease was accepted as an ailment and not a repulsive failing; maybe then Eduardo wouldn’t be so determined to keep his secret. Eduardo’s fans viewed him as an invincible national treasure. No one could predict how they would react if people discovered he was susceptible to illness like everyone else. Perhaps they would feel sorry for him and that pity alone would destroy Eduardo. Louisa closed her eyes, fearful that if he was found out, the public would only remember him for his illness and not his contribution to the tango world. So far, Eduardo had been lucky only the musicians had noticed his mistakes but it wouldn’t take long before his fans heard them. At least in America, where tango wasn’t widely known, it would take longer for people to notice his errors. It would buy him time. She wondered if he had already thought about this.
‘He hasn’t written new music for months,’ said Roberto, returning her to the present. ‘He blames it on the political unrest, but I’m not so sure.’
‘He hasn’t blamed you, his precious muse?’ Héctor raised his eyebrows at Louisa.
‘No, not yet.’
‘You need to watch out for yourself. We creative types can get cantankerous if our muse isn’t inspiring us.’
‘I’m a big girl. I can look after myself,’ she said, sounding more confident than she felt.
‘Well if your plan works out, and it possibly could, you two will end up together in wedded bliss. I feel like Cupid. You’ll invite me to the wedding, yes?’ Héctor laughed and they joined in.
‘But of course!’ said Roberto. ‘You will be my best man.’
‘I like this idea. Although I much prefer you be the best man and me be the groom. But alas, the love of my life has chosen another. Maybe one day I will steal her out from under your nose.’ Héctor smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. ‘Well.’ He slapped his knees and rose. ‘My work here is done. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to enjoy your last moments together—for now. Louisa, I’ll see you before you leave, I promise.’
‘Opposite Bar Cien in San Telmo, seven o’clock tomorrow night. Eduardo has a meeting so he’ll be busy. Thank you, Héctor.’
‘What for?’
‘For being so kind to me and Roberto. We couldn’t survive without you.’
‘Bah! Don’t be silly!’ Héctor shoved the pipe in his mouth, spun on his heels, and waved his hand behind his head
before disappearing into the hallway. The front door clicked behind him and once again, Roberto and Louisa were alone. Peace settled around them and Louisa leant against Roberto, enjoying the strength and love radiating from him. Wrapping his arm around her, he nuzzled behind her ears.
‘Roberto ...’
‘Yes, mi lunita?’ His smooth voice calmed her.
‘Do you think we can do this?’
‘What?’ His cheeky tone hinted as to what he had in mind.
‘Not that. Well, yes, that, but our plan? When I go and you stay and we work towards our future together.’
‘Yes.’ His tongue slid down her neck and she felt an overpowering need to have him inside her.
Turning to him, she placed her hands on his face and stared deep into his eyes. ‘If we commit to this plan, we cannot turn back.’
‘We will do it. Love me now.’ He lay her down on the sofa and slid his hand up her skirt, searching for her garter belt. He deftly undid the clasps then gently peeled away the silk stockings and the rest of her clothing as well as his own.
They lay naked on the sofa and she stroked his forehead. ‘I will love you forever.’
‘And I’ll love you until the moon loses its shine.’
Roberto’s forceful kiss relayed an outpouring of love. The heat of their bodies rose, their legs and arms entwined to make them one. Ecstasy and passion coursed through her veins and she let out a small whimper.
Pulling back, Roberto asked, ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing at all, mi amor.’ Her lips met his and as daylight slipped into darkness, they ensured their last moments together as a couple counted.
* * *
Streets lights shone in the newly formed puddles on the cobble-stoned streets as Louisa stuck to the shadows of San Telmo. Dark corners and alleys weren’t safe but she feared recognition by Eduardo’s avid fans. Tonight, more than any other, she needed to remain anonymous.
Her low-heeled shoes clicked quietly across the slippery roads until she found Bar Cien. For sentimental reasons she’d chosen the place where she’d met Eduardo, then later, first laid eyes on Roberto. From the minute the young bandoneón musician entered the bar with other band members, her soul lifted and floated across the room, entwining indelibly with his. If only she’d met Roberto first, instead of a few years after she’d become Eduardo’s muse.
She shook her head, hoping to dispel thoughts about Eduardo. Standing in the shadows, she studied the bar’s wooden shutters— they used to hang off their hinges but were now painted bright green and sat straight against the daisy yellow window frames. The door that was once beaten and gouged by drunks had been replaced by a fire-engine-red door, complete with shiny brass handle. The place had changed so much since the first dark, rainy night she’d crossed the threshold. Then, like now, she stood on the opposite side of the street with a pounding heart and a constricted throat, unsure as to what lay in her future.
The doors opened and a pair of drunks stumbled out, tango music and smoke trailing behind them. When the door swung shut again, the street fell eerily silent once more. This part of Buenos Aires always had an active nightlife, but tonight, for reasons she couldn’t fathom, San Telmo remained quiet.
‘Psst!’
Louisa jumped, even though she had expected a visitor in the shadows. From behind her, cold fingers slid around her neck and rested on her throat, slowly stroking her exposed skin. Warm breath grazed her ear and she leant against Roberto’s chest. Turning to face him, she could barely see his handsome face through teary eyes.
‘Louisa, mi lunita—’
‘Please, don’t say anything.’ She stood on tippy toes, closed her eyes and joined her lips with his. The stubble on his chin scratched her face and she basked in his love and warmth. Roberto pulled back, rested his hands on her shoulders and gazed deeply into her eyes.
‘I thought we would have forever,’ he said.
‘We have a plan now. Forever is delayed, only for a moment.’
He reached for her hand and slowly kissed each finger. She took in every hair curling across his forehead, his strong jawline, his straight nose. She tried to commit to memory every aspect of his handsomeness so she could get through the long, lonely years in Hollywood without him. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she drew in a long breath, letting his love wash over her. Tears welled up and flowed down her cheeks and she gently extracted her hand from his.
‘I can’t do this. It’s too hard.’ She stepped forwards, her body heavy with grief. Another figure emerged from the shadows and she jumped again, freezing with panic.
‘It’s only me, Louisa.’ Héctor moved into the light, the lines on his face deeper than usual.
‘I thought you were arriving later.’
‘I have special errands to run this evening, so I’ll say my farewells now, if I may.’
Louisa fell into Héctor’s strong arms. She placed her head on his chest, closed her eyes and smiled. ‘I can’t wait to see you again, my dear friend.’
‘Ah, I do hope this is soon, but we don’t always know what our future holds. We can plan, we can dream, we can wish. This is all we can do and the rest.’ He sighed. ‘Well, the rest is left up to those who hold more power than us.’
She couldn’t work out if he meant God or influential people but she let his comment slide, happy for the chance to say her farewells. They broke their embrace and Héctor kissed her on the forehead, his eyes glistening in the streetlight.
Roberto cleared his throat. ‘Louisa, you need to know something.’ He held her hand and steadied his gaze. ‘Has Eduardo shown you the latest lyrics?’
‘Yes. They’re the best he’s ever done.’ She paused, not sure if she wanted to hear more. ‘Why?’
‘They’re mine.’
‘He stole them?’ She was concerned by her lack of surprise. If Eduardo had done it to Héctor before his dementia appeared, why wouldn’t he do it to Roberto now that he was ailing?
‘That slimy bastard!’ shouted Héctor, pounding the wall with his fist. ‘First me, now you. I’ve had enough.’
Roberto grabbed Héctor’s jacket. ‘Leave it alone. We cannot risk Louisa.’
‘No, he got away with it before—he’s not doing it again.’ Héctor tried to wrench away from Roberto’s vice-like grip.
‘How did he find them?’ she asked.
‘He went through my bandoneón case earlier today. I saw him stuff them in his jacket pocket.’
‘He must pay!’ yelled Héctor, pulling his arm free.
‘No, Héctor, don’t,’ Louisa pleaded. ‘You blowing up at Eduardo won’t do any favours for Roberto’s career. Think about it, please.’
‘I’m only thinking about it for you.’ Héctor crossed his arms and stared at the bar across the road.
‘I appreciate your sentiment but please don’t do anything,’ she said.
Roberto rubbed her back and gave her a sad smile. He wouldn’t meet her eyes.
‘There’s something else you should know.’
‘What?’ she asked, positive she wouldn’t like what he had to say.
‘The lyrics were about you but they didn’t mention your name.’
She inhaled sharply. ‘What?’
‘I called it “Luna Tango”. After ...’
‘I get it,’ she said, not wanting Héctor to know about her half-moon birthmark. Roberto smiled while Héctor sucked air in through his nostrils, his eyes not connecting with his friends. Her temples throbbed and she rubbed them gingerly. How did this farewell turn into such drama?
‘It is time for me to go. You two need time alone,’ said Héctor, his lips pulled into a tight smile. He held Louisa’s hands and kissed her on each cheek. ‘Next time we meet it will be under happier circumstances.’
‘That would be lovely,’ she said.
Héctor saluted, turned on his heels and swiftly moved down the hill, disappearing into the shadows. Apprehension snaked across her shoulders and pulled her muscles ta
ut. ‘Do you think he’s gone to see Eduardo?’
‘He probably has but Héctor showing up and yelling at him isn’t unusual. Eduardo’s probably half-expecting him to appear to have a final argument before he leaves.’
‘But Héctor gives earfuls with his fists.’ Only six months ago Héctor had turned up drunk at the house and stood in the street yelling abuse at Eduardo. She’d spent an hour trying to stop Eduardo using a gun on his former business partner.
Roberto ran his hand along her arm. ‘Now, while they’re busy—’
‘Aren’t you angry? Don’t you want to punch Eduardo?’
‘Of course I’m angry!’ A raging fire shone in his eyes. ‘But we have to stick to our plan and I have to pretend Eduardo never took the lyrics. If I don’t, it will be a disaster and we’ll never be together.’
‘You should never have been together in the first place,’ a voice boomed and Louisa and Roberto turned to find Eduardo stepping out from the shadows. With a rigid body, set jaw and glaring eyes he stared them down.
CHAPTER
13
Once again, Dani climbed the scuffed marble staircase to Carlos’s dance studio. He hadn’t answered her calls, so she had two options: camp out on the doorstep of his apartment or interrupt him teaching a class. Either way, she didn’t have any idea how he’d react upon seeing her.
Her fingers rested on the brass handle as she hesitated, hoping he wouldn’t make her dance again. But if he did, she’d suck it up. She’d even worn her poo-brown dance shoes just in case. She adjusted the maroon holdall on her shoulder and raised her hand, knuckles ready to rap, but the door jerked open and Jorge and his dance partner scurried past as Carlos’s voice boomed after them. She couldn’t make out what he’d said but the tone didn’t sound like he’d just twirled through a field of daisies.
‘Fabulous,’ she said.
Jorge raised his eyebrows, gave her a pitying smile and dashed down the stairs, sports bag and towel flying behind him. His petite dance partner teetered on the steps, her spindly legs not carrying her as fast as she probably wished. They rounded the corner and disappeared, their retreating footsteps echoing in the stairwell.
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