Free Masquerade by Hannah Fielding Page A

of the latest things. Everyone had calculators in their drawers as soon as they were available, I’m told. And I’m sure he was one of the first people in Spain to try out Polaroid cameras. Now, of course, they’re all the rage.’
    ‘For someone who’s involved in the arts, I can see why photographic technology would interest him,’ said Luz. ‘Have you heard anything else about him, Mamá ? The more I know before the interview, the better.’
    ‘He’s very handsome in a sultry sort of way,’ Alexandra continued. ‘I’ve seen him around. His heart’s in the right place, too – he’s on the board of a few charities. But from what I hear he leads a fast life, burning the candle at both ends, and has the reputation of being a bit of a womanizer.’ She raised a slightly disapproving eyebrow. Alexandra’s English roots were still discernible despite many years spent in Spain.
    Salvador chuckled. ‘Like his uncle! Eduardo de Salazar never married – too dedicated to his career – but he was well known for his romantic adventures. We Spanish men are driven by our passions until we are tamed by the right woman.’ He winked at Luz as he leaned over to his wife, kissing her hand. Alexandra’s expression softened and she rolled her eyes.
    Luz chuckled. ‘In which case a Spanish man had better beware of the tamer’s whip. Womanizers aren’t so very difficult to deal with.’
    ‘My little Luz, you are far too wise for your own good.’ Salvador laughed and took another puff of his cigarette. ‘By the way, I have tickets for the opening night of Carmen at the Gran Teatro Falla tomorrow, a new touring production,’ he announced. ‘The reviews have been excellent.’
    Luz’s face lit up. ‘What a wonderful idea! We haven’t been for a while. I love that theatre, even though it’s a little tatty. I read there are plans to refurbish it by 1980.’
    ‘It’s high time they did something about it,’ her father replied. ‘I believe it’s one of the notable monuments of Andalucía, a lovely example of the neo-Mudéjar style. It’s important to keep our Moorish heritage alive.’ He stubbed out his cigarette and sighed. ‘Perhaps now we have a new king and the beginnings of a new government they will actually put their energies in the right places.’
    ‘Nothing’s certain at the moment, that’s true.’ Alexandra placed her hand on her husband’s. ‘You never know, perhaps it’s men like Andrés de Calderón, with his entrepreneurial spirit and international perspective, who are the future of Spain. The sort we need to give our beautiful cities a new lease of life.’
    But Luz had ceased to listen by now and instead gazed dreamily out of the window at the sea. A trip to the theatre might be just what she needed as a distraction – though the irony that the opera would involve the tale of a beguiling gypsy was not lost on her.
    * * *
    A first night at the Gran Teatro Falla had a charm of its own. Standing in the Plaza Fragela in the north-west quarter of the Old Town, the grand and atmospheric theatre welcomed its visitors with beckoning mystery, like a magician inviting one to step back in time. The century-old coral brick building, with its distinctive red- and white-banded arches wrapped around three vast keyhole-shaped doorways, was filling up when they arrived. There was a festive atmosphere about the place and the lobby was buzzing with different languages. The audience was a mixed assortment of Spaniards and foreigners, an attractive, cheerful crowd made up of distinguished-looking men and women, all of them united by their love of opera.
    As they walked in through the large arches of the main entrance, Luz was unaware of the effect her singular beauty was having on people. Men turned their heads as she passed and women threw her envious glances. She wore a blue, silk, full-length dress, which skimmed her body and moulded her form to perfection. Its deepcolour reflected in her large eyes, giving