Chapter 11: Moments of Joy

Ruby stood still and contemplated for a moment, then shook her head. "No, if course not! We hardly know each other. My word! Your imagination is legendary!" she exclaimed. "Anyway, he's not my type," she added in a sober tone.

"By the way; do you have a love interest lately?" Giselle enquired as she inspected her fingernails.

"I do not have a present love interest, my dear, but what do you think about this? Should I just go with completely no expectations, or should I be well armed with possible excuses for unacceptable offers?" Ruby asked. Her mind was in a turmoil. They have been having shows in France for a couple of months now and it was the first time that something this unusual happened. She needed time alone to think clearly.

*

The following morning Ruby was ready to face anything. She took a walk by herself, while Giselle was in the bathroom. The city sounds and sights were so exciting. What would it be like to be on water for months on end? She decided to phone her mother. "Oh, how nice to hear from you, Ruby!" her mom exclaimed.

"Mom, I don't have much time, but I just wanted your advice?"

"Well, what is the problem?" her mother asked.

"Someone might want me to sing on a ship for a couple of months. At least I suspect that. I'm going to have a lunch meeting with them this afternoon."

"Well, my girl, whatever they offer you, it should sound convincing in your own ears first. Don't let anyone make up your mind for you, darling."

"Thanks Mom. I needed to hear that, I will tell you about the outcome later," Ruby promised.

"Singing on a ship can be very exciting, if you are cautious at all times. Be careful about people who would exploit you and take care of your health. Eat healthy food," her mother advised further.

*

At the restaurant, Ruby told herself to focus on enjoying herself, instead of worrying. She walked in with a happy smile on her face.

Maxim quickly walked towards Ruby when he spotted her. "Oh you're looking great in that red dress!" he exclaimed. "Come have a seat and join us." He then pulled out a chair for her. The rest of the band members were also there.

"Good afternoon everyone," Ruby said in greeting.

The others raised their glasses to welcome her.

The food was nutritious as well as tasty. Ruby ordered prawns and baked potato, with a salad on the side. She felt really special.

"So have you thought about singing with bands other than The Angels?" Maxim asked her when they were all almost done with their food.

"Well, The Angels is the first band which signed me up officially," Ruby said with a firm smile. "So I really have not thought that far. It's a one year contract and I haven't yet thought about anything after that. They might renew it, I assume."

"Have you ever considered singing on a cruise ship and visiting the shores of various countries around the world?" Maxim asked with a gentle smile on his lips.

There were butterflies in Ruby's stomach and she wished someone else was there with her, for moral support. Even Giselle would have been welcome, although she was often just too optimistic and easily excited.

"No, I honestly have to say that the thought has never crossed my mind before," Ruby answered demurely. "Are you making me an offer?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes, we would love you to join our band Ruby," Maxim said with a broad smile.

"Wow! I don't know what to say. Are you guys going to perform on a ship?" Ruby asked.

"Er, might we be excused for a few minutes, because we need to look around the shopping centre for new clothes?" a male member of the band asked Maxim.

"Yes do that, but don't be too long," Maxim responded. Ruby was left behind to speak to Maxim alone.

"As a matter of fact, we are going to perform on a luxury cruise ship. Six nights a week."

"Wow, I must say that I didn't expect this. It is truly an honour. I would love to accept, but I still have three more months to sing with my current band, according to my contract," Ruby smiled to show her interest in the offer.

"That is quite in order with us. The trip is only in five months anyway, so we will even have time to practice," Maxim said as if it was not an issue at all.

"This is really an honour," Ruby repeated. "Is it alright if I think about it and give you an answer tomorrow?" She already knew that she was going to accept, because Maxim seemed like a very reasonable person and easy to get along with and the opportunity could be one in a million.

"That is perfectly alright. Take all the time you need, because it is a big decision. You might not like being on the water for an entire year, so we will start with a three month probationary period. That is in the event that you do join," Maxim stated at the end of their conversation.

*

Ruby was very excited when she saw Giselle again. "You were right girlfriend, they did ask me to join them," Ruby said to Giselle in the dressing room later that afternoon. They were getting ready for band practice.

"You go girl!" Giselle gave Ruby a high five. "Did you remember about me though?"

"Oh I'm sorry! But they have never met you. Why don't you accompany me when I go to see them again?" Ruby suggested.

"For sure?" Giselle asked.

"Of course," Ruby responded.

"When are you going to tell Louis and the others?" Giselle asked in a more serious tone of voice. She really had hoped that Ruby would have invited her along to meet the people. Even for just five minutes. She only wanted an introduction.

"I will tell Louis after tonight's show, because I have already decided to phone Maxim tomorrow and tell him that I accept his offer," Ruby answered. "I have thought about it long and hard. It would be the opportunity of a lifetime and I don't want to live with regrets."

"So I suppose they will not want another female singer there?" Giselle asked.

"We will go to meet them together next time and I will introduce you to Maxim," Ruby promised.

*

On the day that the ship left the shore, three months later Ruby felt sad about having to leave the city. She had also grown so attached to the members of The Angels that she felt like crying when they embraced for the last time. The ship sailed out slowly from Calais and everything began to move into the background.

Giselle had helped Ruby pack and had come with to see her off as well.

Ruby watched Giselle grow smaller in the distance, as she stood there on the shore, waving in the distance.

"The best way to stop thinking about the past is to embrace the future," a male voice said behind her.