Page 14 of Benidorm Again

Matteo has sent me a message to say good luck. He has called me his Cenicienta and has signed off as Mr Window Seat, our nicknames for each other. My heart skips at thethought of seeing him again. Lovely reassuring Matteo with his high standards and his moody stare and his incredibly toned abs. I daydream about how we first met on the plane. How I spilled scalding hot coffee on his crotch, how I kicked him in the face trying to impress him with my pole dancing, how we ruined nearly all of his shows with our unprofessionalism, and how utterly and devastatingly thoughtful, kind and gorgeous he is. My mind wanders back to the moment he first kissed me. As soon as he cupped my face, a current swept through me so strong that I had flinched in surprise, and when I gazed into his eyes, I could see he had felt it too. When he leaned in to softly graze my lips with his own, it was as though we became lost in each other. It was a truly enchanting moment that seemed to last forever.

Christ.I hope that he does not want to kiss Birdie like that. I have heard the French like to get their tongues in there, like a dentist exploring the roof of the mouth for signs of gum disease. I can’t compete with that!

I snap myself out of the trance.

Gah!Half an hour! Disappeared just like that!

Bythe time I hurry out to the bus, everyone else is already on board. Luke is tapping an imaginary watch on his wrist and Dolly, is sullen. The atmosphere is tense. She purses her lips as I slide by. ‘It’s a baton, not a wand.’

‘Thanks,’ I say, attempting a smile. ‘I’ll try not to cast any spells with it.’

I’m relieved to see her face soften a fraction. I continue my walk of shame up the aisle, hot with humiliation as no one dares make eye contact with me. I find an empty seat and plonk myself down. As soon as the coach sets off, the layers of chatter begin among the choir members, and I feel myself calm.

How did my mother enjoy doing this? She never once mentioned nose-tapping, humourless conductors or overbearing singing partners.

Good job I can be tough and resilient when I need to be. Just because I’ve upset everyone on my first day, does not mean that I’m a quitter. I will show them exactly why they hired me. I have the voice of an angel and a vocal range second to none. I will own that stage tonight and mesmerisemy audience. I will leave them captivated and begging for more.

That’s the plan anyway.

Fifteen minutes later, we are pulling up outside the centuries-old, grand-looking stone theatre. I’m last to get off the bus, and Dolly and Luke are waiting for me.

‘Connie,’ she says. ‘We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Dolly. The tour manager. I just wanted to say…’

Here we go.

‘Despite getting off to such a bad start, we’re all excited to see what you can do.’

Gah! The pressure.

‘Thank you. And sorry about earlier. The shouting. And the name-calling. And the ruining of the rehearsal.’

A smile tugs at her lips, ‘The first tour is always difficult. There’s a lot to get used to.’

I’m very aware of Luke towering silently over us. Without looking at him, I explain. ‘The chorus girls thought it was funny to spook me while the Maestro was trying to prepare himself. It threw me off guard.’

Without missing a beat, Luke says, ‘Yes. I’m sure they did.’

He doesn’t believe me.

‘Youcertainly soundedoff guard,’ he says, his face unreadable. ‘I do have a reputation to uphold. Just because you act like an amateur, could you at least try not to sing like one?’

I immediately tense. ‘Excuse me? That’s a bit rude.’

Dolly seems to sense a falling out. ‘They’re very good at that. Distracting people. Some more than others.’ She elbows Luke in the side good-naturedly, but he doesn’t react. He continues glaring at me.

We watch Dolly clamber down the steps.

PING.

Luke raises an eyebrow, almost daring me to check my phone.

A message has popped up on my screen. It’s a reassuring mantra from Tash. ‘When you’re up on stage, just picture the audience naked, because that’s how they’ll all be picturing you, babes. You’ve got this.’

Oh, my word.That’s all I need.

Chapter 6

Once I’m in costume and ready to go on stage, I snake my way through the backstage corridors and up the steps to the side of the stage. The orchestra is doing a final last-minute tuning of instruments. The choir girls are in place, standing in front of the full choir. They are in variations of black dresses. Long, short, sparkling and chiffon. They are in stark contrast to me, in my ruby red gown with its heavy skirts and sequined bodice. My shiny hair is swept elegantly over one shoulder, cascading waves undulating down to my waist, thanks to some false hair pieces and a whole can of hair spray. My make-up is glamorous, like a 1950s Audrey Hepburn. Dolly had even gasped when she helped fasten up the back of the gown and I stood looking at my reflection in the mirror. I barely recognised myself.

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