Page 15 of Benidorm Again

Liam is right. It’s all about confidence. And even though I don’t have much of it at the moment, I need to find some before I step out on that stage tonight.

I sweep my gaze around and spot Luke immediately. He is standing by the curtain, peeking out to see the audience filling up seats. I can’t sing with him while he dislikes me so much. I need to tackle him head on. I tap him gently on the shoulder. His eyes widen like saucers when he sees me. He looks me up and down several times before saying, ‘Good God, Connie. Is that you?’ I have no idea whether he is being sarcastic.

I take a deep calming breath in, ready to be the grown up here. ‘I’m sorry I ruined the rehearsal,’ I say to him. ‘But I assure you, I’ll be fine once I’m on stage.’

Luke absorbs this information, studying my face, perhaps for signs of nerves.

‘You’re right. I am nervous. It’s my first time singing with a partner. It’s my first time on a classical tour. And it’s the opening night. Now, I know you don’t like me but you either work with me on this or…’ I look up at him in earnest. ‘Or the show is going to be a huge flop.’

I see him visibly swallow. Perhaps his international reputation is being ripped to shreds and is floating before his eyes. Whatever it is, he nods curtly and clears his throat. ‘No. I’m the one who needs to apologise. I’ve been terribly rude,’ he says tightly. Then with a sigh, he rakesa hand through his hair. ‘I guess I’m nervous about singing with you too.’

And that sliver of vulnerability is all I need to connect with him. I smile at him and lean in. ‘You’ve every right to feel nervous. I’m going all out to reduce you to tears.’

For the first time, I see a genuine smile pull at his lips. He almost looks as though he is blushing. ‘I deserve that. Sorry I’ve been such a douche towards you. I have a lot going on in my life at the moment. I guess you’re not seeing the best version of me.’

He thinkshehas a lot going on! Try organising a pre-moon spree for two divas and sourcing nipple-tassles for a string of Las Vegas shows you don’t want to do. Still, I’m warming to him.

‘Let’s start over. I’m Connie. Classical singer by day. Netflix and wine enthusiast by night.’

He shakes my hand. ‘Luke. Highly acclaimed and decorated tenor by day. Renowned international lothario by night.’

I roll my eyes playfully. ‘You had to spoil it.’

A chuckle escapes from his lips as the house lights dim. Suddenly, the orchestra springs to life and the curtain begins to rise slowly. Butterflies invade my stomach as I ball my fists and clench them to my sides. I watch the Maestrowalk calmly on to the stage to take a bow. Like lightning he whips his baton in the air and the show commences.

Deep breaths.

Deep breaths.

My chest is rising and falling but I can’t seem to get enough air. A movement distracts me. It’s Luke. He has stepped towards me, his face serious. He is mouthing, ‘It’s okay. You’ll be fine.’

In the next moment, the Maestro is introducing us. Luke holds out his hand. ‘Come and meet your audience.’

We all but glide onto the stage. I try not to panic when I see how many people there are. They look just the sort to be picturing me naked. I curtsy to the audience, and Luke bows before we turn to each other. His eyes lock onto mine, forcing my attention to stay on him. I hear the opening bars of my aria and open my mouth to sing.

Oh, God. I’m too quiet, too gentle.

Luke guides me expertly into the duet, matching my tone and before I know it, he has me belting out the song at the top of my lungs. I don’t know how he is managing it but we are in perfect harmony. Not a note out of place. You can hear a pin drop at the end of it. It is the most thrilling experience I’ve had since the Benidorm music festival. TheMaestro looks begrudgingly surprised. He gives us a half-smile before carrying straight on to the next movement.

Three and a half hours later, it’s all over. I peer out at the audience.

Luke keeps looking at me and shaking his head in disbelief. We are holding hands in a strictly professional manner, and taking our fifth and final bow to a standing ovation. Even the Maestro has a smile hovering on his lips as I accept a ginormous bouquet of flowers.

Luke bellows to the audience above the roaring applause, ‘Maestro!’ to which the conductor takes a solitary bow. We all clap dutifully towards him. The choir beams radiantly as they applaud him, and we are rewarded with a thinly arched eyebrow raise. The musicians take a collective bow after we walk off stage, and finally, the curtain goes down, and the house lights come back on.

Luke stares at me. ‘Well, aren’t you full of surprises?’

Before I can reply, he is mobbed, and I am roughly elbowed out of the way.

‘Luke, you were amaze, hun. Amaze,’ saysFlorrie, one of the three lead chorus girls who stand in front of the main choir on stage. ‘Everyone. Wasn’t he just AMAZE?’

‘We’re doing the opening night at Chinawhite,’ says Maddy, thrusting herself at him with wide, slow-blinking eyes. ‘They’ve given us the whole VIP section.’

‘We’re going to let off steam,’ croons Trinny. She is giving him some serious eye contact. ‘You coming?’

Luke takes a while to respond, keeping them in suspense. He lets out an audible sigh. ‘Sure.’ The girls shriek excitedly and cling to him as though he has just agreed to shower them with diamonds. It’s as though I’m invisible. Not one of them has commented on my performance. Nor our five standing ovations.

‘But only if Connie will come too.’ Luke stands, waiting for me to reply. He has something like a sheepish look on his face.

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