Free Luna Tango by Alli Sinclair Page A

me. I don’t care who you are.’
    â€˜Do as he says, Dani.’ Gualberto motioned towards the chair.
    She sat heavily and crossed her arms. ‘Fine.’
    â€˜We are at the next rule. The lady must wait to be asked to dance. ¿ Entiendes ?’ Carlos clasped his hands around his cane and rested his chin on top.
    â€˜Yes, I understand.’ She hadn’t made it to the dance floor and already she’d stuffed up.
    â€˜It is not polite for a man to go up to a woman and ask her to dance. It puts pressure on her to say yes and makes him embarrassed if she says no. Argentines do not like to lose the face. Instead, we have el cabeceo . It is all about the eyes and is fair for both parties. If someone wants to dance they make eye contact and nod, if the other person agrees, they do the same. The contract is made but it is always the leader who goes to the follower. Then you dance for three songs. It is called a tanda .’
    â€˜Why three?’
    â€˜It is just so. Sometimes it is four or five, but mostly three. Do not say thank you before you have finished the tanda with your partner.’
    â€˜Why not?’ Learning Mandarin would be easier.
    â€˜These are questions.’
    â€˜But you’re going to shove me on the floor in public where I might get arrested for assault. I need to understand what I’m letting myself in for.’ What on earth did Iris see in this stupid dance? It’s full of rules, rules, rules. Where’s the fun?
    â€˜You gringos are fond of saying thank you but if you say this it means you are finished dancing with your partner. If it is said before the tanda is finished, you are considered rude.’
    â€˜That’s it?’
    â€˜ Sí . That is it.’
    â€˜Easy.’
    â€˜Show me.’ He leant back and fixed a stare on Gualberto. Dani sipped her drink and wished for something stronger than half-melted ice cubes.
    Gualberto caught her eye and gave a small nod. She allowed a minute smile to grace her lips. At least Gualberto seemed a tad more sympathetic to her dancing disability. He stood and took her hand, lead her to the dance floor while the cortina , the interval, played. Gualberto gently moved her body into position and he wrapped his fingers around hers and placed his other hand on the small of her back.
    â€˜Ready? You follow me. We go slowly, slowly. But I ask a promise of you.’
    â€˜Yes?’
    â€˜Do not close your eyes like the other time. This is dangerous.’
    â€˜Yeah, sorry about that.’ And she meant it. Poor Gualberto had been kind and she had repaid him by almost crippling him for life.
    â€˜Do not worry. We will change this. But you must listen to me.’
    â€˜Understood.’
    â€˜Stand with your feet together. Put the weight on your toes. Do not let the stomach protrude.’
    Bummer. She thought she’d been holding it in. She shouldn’t have had that hamburger for lunch. Or the chips. Or the milkshake.
    â€˜Open your chest.’
    â€˜Pardon?’
    â€˜The chest, open it. Like this.’ He took a deep breath and puffed out his torso. ‘You let the air in. You breathe better. You dance better.’
    â€˜I couldn’t dance much worse.’
    Gualberto joined her laughter then his expression turned serious. ‘Carlos is a tough teacher but he is the best.’
    â€˜But you’re teaching me, not him.’
    â€˜He knows what he is doing. Do not worry, he will make sure you learn.’
    She liked Gualberto’s devotion to his cousin but so far Carlos had made Gualberto do all the dirty work. After all, sending the poor man for more punishment seemed pretty mean. But Gualberto didn’t appear to care, and she enjoyed his company. Not in a romantic fashion, more like an older brother. For the first time in a while, someone showed concern for her and it felt nice.
    â€˜What can you show me?’
    â€˜You follow. I lead. We will do something to