Luna Tango by Alli Sinclair

odds of this woman being Iris were about the same as Dani reuniting with Adam—i.e. zilch—but she couldn’t resist the urge to get a closer look. Not that Dani had any idea what she would do or say if the woman was her mother. What does one say after twenty years of silence? ‘Hi Mum, nice to see you. Love the dress.’ Yeah, right. Her heart told her to stop and turn around but her feet dragged her to the edge of the dance floor, where she halted and her eyes searched the crowd.
    Blue sequins flashed again and Dani stepped forwards, trying to avoid being swept away by the dancers. The woman’s pale skin caught the lights and her dark hair swung away from her face to reveal heavily painted, serious lips. Her long lashes closed for a moment, lost in the music, passion oozing from each graceful step. Dani let out a long sigh, relieved to discover it wasn’t Iris.
    The woman disappeared into the crowd with her partner and Dani stood still and chewed her lower lip. Buenos Aires was a city of ghosts.
    â€˜There you are.’
    Warm breath grazed her ear as the deep voice jolted her into the present.
    â€˜I thought we had scared you away.’ Carlos cocked his head towards the dance floor. ‘Are you ready for more?’
    She shook her head. ‘Sorry, but I’m done for tonight.’
    â€˜Your stories will be short.’
    â€˜I know we have a deal and I’m willing to work with you on this but I’m tired.’ She made a show of rubbing her ankles where the buckles dug in. They hurt, but not as much as her brain.
    â€˜We go but we return tomorrow. And you will get real shoes.’ He nodded at her feet. ‘Pretty but not practical. You need the right tools, yes?’
    * * *
    As soon as she slipped on the violet shoes, she fell in love. The soft leather straps caressed her feet and even though the heels were high, the cushioned soles gave the impression of walking on clouds. They were almost as comfy as her runners. How could that be so?
    â€˜Wow,’ she said, looking up and smiling at Carlos, who had crossed arms.
    â€˜I tell you they are no more practical than those things you had on last night.’ He nodded towards the red shoes abandoned on the floor of the dance gear shop.
    â€˜But these ones are comfortable, I promise!’
    He grabbed a pair of closed-in, low-heeled, poo-brown shoes. She screwed up her nose then stopped, worried he’d think her ungrateful.
    â€˜This is what you should wear, Daniela. They are not pretty but they work. They have more structure. Those purple ones are made for the professionals. These,’ he thrust the ugly shoes at her, ‘are perfect for beginners. Unfortunately, they only come in left and right.’
    Dani laughed even though she didn’t agree with Carlos’s philosophy. Dressing like a professional, whether it was for journalism or dance, definitely made a difference in her mind. If she looked the part she had a better chance of succeeding. Unfortunately, Carlos had other ideas.
    She turned her feet from side to side, admiring the violet contrast against her pale skin. The shoes were a work of art. She stifled a sigh.
    â€˜Fine. I’ll take the brown ones, but mark my words, one day I’m going to return to this shop and buy these shoes.’ She punctuated this with a firm nod. ‘And I’ll be a good enough dancer to do them justice.’
    Dani caught Carlos’s lips twitching. Laughter shone in his eyes. She squeezed her own lips together, trying to suppress the belly laugh threatening to tumble onto the shop floor.
    Straightening his back, Carlos said, ‘I hope the store does not go out of business before then.’

CHAPTER
6
    1953 – Louisa
    From the mansion’s third floor, Louisa peered at the masses swarming along the tree-lined avenue. People bashed metal ladles and wooden spoons against pots while traffic came to a standstill. The protestors raised their