Luna Tango by Alli Sinclair

doing,’ she said, not willing to remain silent any longer. ‘He won the support of the workers by promoting equality and for the bosses and employees to work together to build a strong Argentina, yet now he’s going against his nationalistic and anti-imperialistic stance by allowing corporations from around the world to enter and take over.’
    â€˜Enough, Louisa,’ Eduardo said, his tone stern. ‘Mister Wyler is a guest in our house. Let us not fill his ears with nonsense.’
    â€˜Ha!’ Wyler slapped his thigh then loosened his collar. ‘I like a good old discussion. Tell me, Miss Gilchrist, were you once a supporter of Perón?’
    â€˜I am a supporter of whoever makes Argentina a better place for all citizens.’
    A wry smile crossed his lips. ‘As long as the foreigners don’t barge in and buy up state-owned businesses?’ Wyler leant his large frame against the chair and placed his hands behind his head. His eyes dared her to answer.
    â€˜Do you want my honest answer, or the one I should give because you’re Eduardo’s guest?’
    Wyler roared with laughter. ‘You are a live one. I like you. I am happy for you to answer truthfully.’
    Louisa’s back stiffened, unsure whether to continue. If she upset Wyler, the deal could be off—or Eduardo would dump her and go to the United States anyway. She would be free to continue her relationship with Roberto but she couldn’t, in good conscience, destroy Eduardo’s one chance at fulfilling his promise to his mentor, Carlos Gardel.
    Eduardo cleared his throat and she didn’t need to look at him to know he was scowling.
    â€˜I’m not sure if you know my background, Mister Wyler,’ she said.
    â€˜Not really. Eduardo is a private man but we are better acquainted now, aren’t we, Eddie?’
    Her eyes widened at Wyler’s shortening Eduardo’s name. Rather than Eduardo correct his guest, he nodded politely and cracked a thin-lipped smile that looked more like a grimace.
    â€˜In a way, my history is like Eva Duarte’s,’ she said. ‘Eva didn’t lose both parents like I did but her father did pass away when she was young. She arrived penniless in Buenos Aires and had to work her way up in the world. She met the right person at the right time and was pulled out of poverty to live a life of luxury.’
    â€˜It is a fairy tale, isn’t it?’ said Wyler.
    â€˜I guess.’
    â€˜Too bad Eva Perón’s fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending,’ said Eduardo.
    Louisa sensed Roberto shift in his chair and she twisted around to catch him studying her with the same intensity as the night before. She wanted to drink in his love and bask in his affection but she looked away, scared her expression would give away her feelings.
    The air thickened with tension as Louisa contemplated what to say next without causing Eduardo to fly off the handle in front of his guest. So far, she’d managed to keep him calm in company, excepting Roberto’s.
    â€˜I would like to ask a question, if I may,’ Roberto said and the pressure in the room eased slightly. Louisa let out her breath, unaware she’d been holding it.
    Wyler leant forwards. ‘Ah, yes, the protégé. Why haven’t we heard you play?’
    â€˜I’ll answer this,’ said Eduardo. ‘Young Roberto here has a talent that needs nurturing. He is excellent at the bandoneón but he’s still immature. A player needs years behind him, not only for practice but to gain life experience. He needs to know the agony of a broken heart, to have a life in ruins, to understand misery and lose oneself in melancholy. This is what should be in the soul of a bandoneón player.’
    â€˜I would like to hear you play, Roberto.’ Wyler turned to Eduardo. ‘If it would not be too much trouble. Perhaps we could take you to Hollywood and you could play