Page 16 of Benidorm Again

‘Who?’ says Trinny, following his gaze to me.

‘That’s okay,’ I say, a little caught by surprise. ‘I thought I’d… sort of have an early night. Besides, I’d hate to get pranked again.’ I don’t need a pity invite and I certainly don’t want to hang out with these chorus girls. I can see Trinny eyeing the others with relief.

‘Sorry, I wasn’t thinking,’ says Luke, seeming flustered. ‘Of course, you need an early night. I just wanted to, well, erm, apologise for my behaviour earlier today, and to celebrate what is probably the most spectacular opening night we’ve ever had. All thanks to you.’

‘Wow,’ I say, thrown by his change of demeanour. ‘Erm, that’s very kind of you to say.’

Luke shrugs. ‘You were exceptional, Connie. Truly exceptional.’

I gulp, not sure how to respond. ‘You were very good too.’

A puff of air escapes from Luke’s mouth. ‘Thank you. You’re too kind.’

It causes me to giggle. I have a ridiculous amount of adrenaline coursing through my veins. ‘Sorry. I meant you were brilliant. Amazing. Amaze. Very amaze.’ I’m being sarcastic towards the girls, but I can’t help it. Luke’s face instantly softens. His smile, transforming his face.

Trinny lets out a noticeable groan of frustration and digs Florrie in the ribs. ‘But it’s a Sinfonia tradition. You have to respect the customs, I’m afraid,’ she shouts at me as though I’ve insulted the entire ensemble who are trundling past us with their instruments. ‘It’s terribly bad luck if you don’t come,Connie.’

‘Please come with us,’ yells Florrie. ‘It’ll be fun. I’m sorry I pranked you. Besides, we won't get free drinks unless the stars of the show are there.’

‘Only because Luke buys bottles and bottles of champagne for us,’ says Trinny, tugging at his arm.

The girls start giggling while Luke looks uncomfortable. ‘How about we do an hour of obligatory back-slapping for the sake of Sinfonia tradition while you protect me from these chorus girls, and then I promise to return you to the hotel?’ he says to me. ‘I’m sure the Maestro would appreciate it. You certainly gave him a run for his money.’

‘Please?’ the girls say in unison. Even though they clearly would rather I didn’t, I’d hate to keep upsetting them all. I’ve done enough of that already. They are looking up at him with big cow eyes, which immediately reminds me that they all want to get their hands on him and milk him dry.

I shake the thought from my mind. ‘Okay. I’ll go get changed.’ I say, turning to leave.

My ears are still ringing as I flop down into my dressing room chair and stare at myself. I have my own dressing room! The light bulbs framing the mirror give me anethereal glow, which makes my skin seem otherworldly. My eyes sparkle with energy. The ruby-red sequins of my fitted, full-length costume twinkle, highlighting my matching ruby-red lips, made to look plump and glossy under the stage lights. I could be in any decade. Timeless. I understand now why my mother loved her career with a passion. It was like I became possessed while I was on stage. One minute, I was petrified, and the next, I was shining so brightly that I dazzled every single person in the theatre, feeding off their energy, my voice soaring to the furthest reaches of the gods. I was consumed with the need to fill every single bit of space in the theatre.

And then suddenly, it was all over. Like a dream.

I whip out my phone to take a selfie and send it to Matteo with a note – ‘smashed it’.

Luke’s wife bursts through the door and shouts at me. ‘Constance Cooper! I have been tour manager for over twenty years, and I can honestly say…’

Oh, Christ.Here we go. What have I done wrong now?

‘… that was the best performance the Sinfonia has ever seen! It was like having your mother back on stage. You were exquisite.’

I stare at her as she visibly catches her breath.

‘Really?’ I manage,with a slight choke. That is the best thing anyone could say to me. I immediately warm to her. ‘You knew my mother?’

Her face lights up. ‘She was lovely to me when I first started out as a trainee. We toured together many times. I was so sorry she passed. I came to the funeral, but I guess you won’t remember.’

I shake my head. That is one day that I’ll only ever remember fragments of. It passed slowly, seconds ticking by while I walked about in a horrible, numb daze, not knowing what to do with myself.

‘She’d be so proud to see you up on stage.’

I smile back, grateful for the compliment.

‘Luke will have to seriously up his game after tonight. He won’t want to be outshone like that every night,’ she says, lightening the mood. ‘The way you sangMi Amor Mi Amor,’ she gushes. ‘There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.’

She holds a hand to her chest. ‘You were mesmerising. Just watch out he doesn’t fall head over heels in love with you.’ Dolly rolls her eyes in a jokey fashion.

‘Who do you mean?’

‘Luke. You’re just his type. Unpretentious, supremely talented… ’ Breathing under control, she looks me up and down. ‘…and so beautiful.’

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