She couldn’t stop looking at Raul, who’d just proven duende could come from a single kiss. With no time to find out what was behind Raul’s actions and intent, Katarina turned her attention to the current crisis. She hoped they were right in going with tango gitanos as the African-and Caribbean-influenced music had always been a hit with the public. Traditionally danced at fiestas, performing it in the theatre was a risk, but Katarina felt it was the only way they could save what had so far been an unsuccessful theatre debut. Letting out a long breath, she took her place beside Raul and waited for the curtain to rise. When it did, the stony-faced audience did nothing to quell her reservations. But she held her head high, straightened her back so it had the curve expected of a flamenca and waited for Raul to start with the guitar falseta. Katarina made her llamada to signal Salvador to start in with the letra. Using the stage to her advantage, she swung her hips and clapped on the counter-beat.
