Page 38 of Benidorm Again

‘I meant a day date.’

‘Nope. Not a day date either. Not a date of any kind.’

Luke pushes the box towards me.

‘I don’t need gifts. This isn’t your fault. If I had been better organised and… less distracted… then none of this would have happened.’

Luke regards me in a thoughtful manner. ‘Please take it. I had it commissioned before you started with us. I was going to wait until the end of the tour to give it to you, but I think, considering what I’ve put you through, it seems like a good idea to give it to you early.’

I frown at the box. It looks very elegant which makes me exceedingly uncomfortable. And it’s a very personal gesture to make.

‘Open it.’

I sigh loudly. ‘Okay. But it better not be expensive.’

Gah!First world problems. Hark at me, having to endure free Michelin star cuisine and five-star luxury accommodation. And now gifts! Poor me.

Ipick at the ribbon, pulling it gently apart. I can feel Luke watching my every move. I slowly pry open the lid and stare.

Inside is a silver locket. It looks antique.

‘Open it,’ he says again.

Jesus.He’s so bossy. I let out a huff of exasperation, which makes him grin even more.

I take the delicate locket and chain out of the box and hold it up. It has exquisite markings and is extraordinarily pretty. I undo a tiny clasp at the side, and it springs open.

Oh my God.

My hand flies to my mouth as tears spring to my eyes. I stare down at the picture inside. It’s my mother. She’s holding flowers on stage at the end of a performance.

I frown quizzically at Luke.

‘That’s her first-ever performance with the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Dolly found it in the archives. She said you’d probably love to have it.’

I don’t know what to say.

‘And Dolly said that the pressed flower next to it is from the bunch she’s holding in the picture. She knows because your mother asked her to press it as a souvenir. This was all her idea actually. Well, mostly.’

I swallow loudly and blink back my tears.

‘Thank you. This is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me.’

‘Dolly says she lit up the stage. She sounds like an amazing woman. Just like you.’

I take a second to compose myself before I tear my glassy eyes away from the locket. I hear Luke scraping his chair back. ‘I’ll help you put it on. The necklace has an unusual clasp. It’s a family heirloom.’

‘I can’t accept it,’ I gasp. ‘It’s too precious.’

Luke is studying me. ‘You can.’

I swallow, a lump the size of Wales lodged in my throat.

The next minute plays out in slow motion as I hold up my thick, heavy hair to expose my neck. Luke takes the locket and places it carefully on me. His soft touch and close proximity are causing a ripple of tingles down my spine as he brings the two silver clasps together. The world falls silent, except for our breathing. My heart is thumping rhythmically in time with my quick breaths.

Luke trails his fingers leisurely down one side of my neck, causing me to gasp softly. I feel Luke tense behind me. I’m not sure either of us knows what to do next. Without turning around, I say, ‘I should go.’

Chapter 15

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