***
After the show there were no issues with security. Sophie freely led the entourage backstage which was heaving with activity. Ballerinas scooted down the halls, appearing much more dishevelled then they were minutes ago, prancing on stage.
Sophie rapped on Carol’s dressing room door. “Is the superstar inside?” she called. They huddled outside, waiting in anticipation for Carol to answer.
A musical voice resonated through the door. “She’s here. Come on in,” Carol hollered. Sophie pushed the door open and the group bounded inside.
Turning from the dressing table and extensive mirror, Carol swivelled in her chair to face her guests. She’d already swapped her costume for a stylish, short, chic dress emphasizing her muscular frame. “Welcome, welcome,” she breathed and blew kisses to each person, the effect stopping Matthew and Clive in their tracks.
A wide smile crept across Carol’s face as she hurriedly extracted pins, disassembling her bun which had sat rigidly in place for her whole performance. Her hair was soon loose and lengths of blonde trailed down her back. Wisps of hair created a halo around her face.
“You were amazing,” Sophie shrieked. “Just incredible.”
Carol shrugged and stood up. She folded over, bending from the waist into an elaborate bow. “Thank you very much. Autographs later folks,” she joked. Carol’s eyes settled on Matthew, waiting for some type of reaction.
“You were captivating,” Matthew encouraged.
“Thank you. And thank you so much for coming,” Carol whispered. She clutched Matthew’s hands and kissed both his cheeks. “I know men don’t often like the ballet.”
“All those women in leotards,” Matthew teased. “Guys should be queuing for each performance.”
Carol faced Mickey, her eyes widened in question. She swallowed, a microscopic gulp most people wouldn’t notice, betraying her bravado, and proof of her total lack of confidence in her performance.
“Did you hear the applause?” Mickey said. “They loved you. I thought you were sensational.”
Relief flooded Carol’s face and her esteem seemed to recover. Her face radiated, with her lips turning into a firm grin. “Thank you darling.” Carol turned expectantly to Clive who remained by the doorway. “You must be Clive Jefferies. I’m so thrilled to meet you.” She extended a graceful hand.
He was absolutely mesmerised and wiped his palm on his shirt before he shook her hand. “Wonderful, you were just wonderful,” Clive gushed.
“What a lovely thing to say, thank you.” Carol glanced at both men, revelling in the attention.
Josh cleared his throat, he was already in the dressing room and completely overlooked, sitting on a bench amidst the flower arrangements. “Hello everyone,” he said with a slight wave. “I told her she was fabulous.” His enthralled smile followed Carol hungrily round the room. Carol dashed to the other side of her dressing room in her ultra-high platform shoes, which emphasised her lean legs.
“I feel like a celebrity with so many people here,” she gushed as she strode to pick up a champagne glass. “As my first fans, would you like to have a cheeky celebration with me?” She indicated to a bottle next to Josh.
He leapt up to search for flutes. “I don’t believe there are any more glasses.” Josh darted a glance at Carol, who shrugged apologetically. “Maybe swig out of the bottle?”
“As long as our saliva doesn’t ruffle the Swan Queen’s feathers,” Mickey laughed. “Are you right for a top up?”
Carol nodded. Her movie star smile remained undisturbed.
“Who needs glasses? We can all share.” Sophie reached for the champagne bottle but her fingers slipped. The bottle crashed onto the floor and glass splintered over the tiles.
Everyone froze.
Sophie dropped to the floor and scrambled to clear up the mess. “I’m so sorry,” she trilled. “That was your special champagne. I’ll buy you a new one.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Carol said. “There will be plenty more performances.”
Bodies crouched around the spill, helping to collect fragments.
“Since I’ve clearly made the place dry, I have a proposition,” Sophie said. “I’m a solutions type of girl.”
“What’s your proposition?” Mathew raised his eyebrows pointedly at the word. “I didn’t think you liked propositions.” He’d located tissue to mop up the liquid.
“I managed to pull some strings at work. We work for this client, Tonteria. It’s an exclusive bar, apparently the royal hot spot for Prince Harry. It’s quite a big deal.” The shattered champagne bottle was cleaned up, almost like it had never existed. “I’ve got all our names on the door. Only if you’re interested, of course. There’s no obligation to show up.”
“I’m so much on a high,” Carol admitted. “So I’m definitely in.”
“Me, too,” Mickey stated firmly.
She widened her eyes questioningly at Matthew. “You interested?”
There was a flicker behind his gaze. “Of course.” He nodded. His expression was blank and unreadable. “So Carol, are you front and centre again tomorrow?” Matthew asked.
“I’m not sure. It’s Saturday night tomorrow. My director said he’ll see how the lead is feeling; if she’s feeling up to it, she’ll dance the Swan Queen. The life of an understudy is a bit complicated. Remember, I’m almost twenty-six, ten years older than most of the brats who dance here.” There was bitterness in Carol’s tone.
Matthew’s smile stiffened. “You certainly don’t look old,” Matthew stated. “Or act old. I’m older than you. So you can’t be old.”
“Besides, it’s the experience that counts. Right?” Mickey chimed in, approaching Carol and rubbing her soothingly on her back.
“You’ve danced the lead in Swan Lake and no one can take that from you,” Sophie said brightly.
“No, I suppose they can’t,” Carol admitted. “Except one of those little backstabbing bitches will certainly try and get the spot tomorrow night if the lead’s not back.”
“Forget them,” Josh said softly. “They’ll ruin your night if you keep thinking about them.
Carol acquiesced and plastered a smile back on her face. “Yeah you’re right.” She shrugged, acting nonchalantly. “We better make the most of it. I guess I’ll never know when I’ll be chucked out into the back with the ensemble again. So we should simply go and make the most of it?”
Everyone agreed unanimously.
Chapter 19