Page 28 of Benidorm Again

As I make my way hastily to the front of the coach, no one appears to be moving or willing to make eye contact with me. Except Luke, who is standing at the front grinning.

‘What do you think?’ he asks.

‘It’s magnificent,’ I say. ‘Some upgrade, huh? I’ve never stayed anywhere nearly this posh before, Dolly.’

Dolly arches an eyebrow and purses her lips by way of acknowledgement.

‘I can’t believe this is where we’re all staying,’ I say, jumping down off the last step. ‘The Sinfonia must be really raking it in if they can afford posh hotels like this.’

Dolly gives Luke a strange look.

‘It’s a thousand years old. Just wait until you see inside,’ he says quickly, hurrying me away from the door. ‘The acoustics are miraculous, if you’d like to practice before the performance tonight?’

I nod enthusiastically at him. ‘Who wouldn’t want to show off their vocal chops in a place like this?’

Luke laughs. ‘Come on then, let’s check in.’

The driver lugs our cases from under the coach and heaves them over to the concierge who is walking towards us with a rather elaborate gold and dark green velvet-covered trolley. He loads our cases onto it. ‘Reception is this way, sir, madam.’

I spin round at the hissing of the coach door closing. ‘Why isn’t everyone getting off? Wait. Where are they going?’

I make out Dolly frowning at us, and then suddenly, three annoyed faces press up against the window as the coach leaves the grounds.

A huge penny drops in my brain. ‘The Sinfonia only upgraded the two of us?’

Luke shrugs nonchalantly.

My eyes fly back to the coach to see the Maestro twisting in his seat to glare at me.

Shitting hell.

Chapter 11

‘But why? How?’ My instinct is to run after the coach. I don’t want to be treated any differently. We’re supposed to be a team. One big happy family. Well, except for the poor musicians who are herded into the Premier Inn everywhere we go. And their coach doesn’t have a toilet or TV screens or a drinks service. And they don’t get anywhere near the pay that we singers do. But apart from that, we’re all in it together. Now it seems only me and Luke are in it together. Segregated from the rest. ‘There must be some mistake. Quick, call Dolly. Tell them to come back.’

Luke gives me a sheepish smile. ‘Well, I’m happy to stay here. It’s an amazing hotel. There’s a spa. A music room for practising. A private dining room. Massage therapy treatments. Hot tubs. Serenity grounds to walk in. We are here for three nights, remember? Back-to-back shows can be very demanding. This place has everything we need.’

I gulp. It certainly does have everything. As I cast my eyes around, it has everything that a couple of loved-up, randy honeymooners could possibly need. The place is positively oozing charm and lavish decadence. And it would be a complete first for me. Liam is always saying I should step out of my comfort zone. And this is as far from a budget hotel as you can get.

Once we’re checked in, the concierge shows us to our rooms. Big old wooden doors creak open as we pass along ancient corridors lined with warm, plush carpets and stone walls. Windows show off the beautiful grounds and glimpses of York Minster as we walk along. Talk about atmospheric. This place is fit for kings and queens. No wonder Luke seems to fit right in. We come to an abrupt halt.

‘Your room keys, madam. And sir.’ He holds out two old heavy metal keys, each with a leather-covered keyring embossed with the hotel logo and room number in goldleaf.

Feck!Our rooms are right next to one another.

‘When the luggage arrives, freshen up, and we’ll take a tour of York together before lunch. There’s something you must see,’ Luke says, disappearing into his room with a loud creak as the door shuts behind him.

I glance at the concierge. He must be used to wandering dignitaries issuing orders. Well, I’m not. I won’t be bossed around by anyone. Especially not handsome co-workers with a potentially hidden agenda.

‘Maybe,’ I say to the closed door. ‘I’ll see how I feel.’

The concierge smiles politely as my words hang in the air and walks me into my room.

Oh. My. God.

The walls are lined with expensive-looking mustard wallpaper. There are beautifully drawn branches, flowers and brightly coloured peacocks scattered across the walls. Bookshelves line the main wall on either side of a grand fireplace. A huge deluxe four-poster bed dominates the room with gleaming walnut pillars and soft silk drapes at the headboard. It is like something out of a swanky wedding magazine.

‘Are you sure this is the right room?’

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