Page 51 of Benidorm Again

When we pass through the back of the stage, Big Mand and Liberty are squabbling over who is getting the round in if Liberty drank both drinks.

‘I’ll take it from here,’ I say, keen to get them back to their seats. ‘Why don’t you go now quickly? The show’s about to start, and they’ll close the bar.’

As they tear off at lightning speed, I spot the Maestro hovering at the side of the stage ready to go on. When he sees me, he swivels around to avoid eye contact. I can’t say I blame him.

‘I’m going to speak to him,’ I whisper toDolly.

‘Please, don’t,’ she says. ‘He’s developed hives with all the stress. He’s scratching himself raw.’

I take a sly glance over to see the Maestro twitching and scratching like a scabby rat and instantly feel sorry for him. His limp hair is swept over a pointy head. His skinny frame is sagging at the shoulders. His arm hangs down by his side, fingers drumming nervously against his leg.

‘Is he single?’

‘Of course. Why do you ask?’

Yes, why am I asking?

‘No reason. I just feel a bit guilty that I’ve reduced him to… well, that.’

‘You’re not entirely to blame. His partner, Bernard, passed away last year after thirty-one years together. They had weathered some storms along the way. Not just Bernard’s illness towards the end, but their families never acknowledged the union. You can imagine how difficult keeping it a secret has been until recent years.’

My heart lurches for him.

‘Then, of course, their beloved dog died. Horatio was all he had left after Bernard passed. Run over while he was away on tour last month. So, there was guilt over that.’

Oh my God. Tragic.

‘Then, of course,the tax man came last week and took his house off him. Apparently, Bernard hadn’t been paying his taxes. He’d been spending it all on young men in Thailand, every time the Maestro was away on tour.’

My mouth drops open. I think I’d tap my nose and look miserable if that happened to me. It certainly puts my troubles into perspective.

I approach quietly and tap him on the shoulder. He jumps a mile, a fearful glint in his eye.

‘I’m sorry,’ I whisper. ‘I’m sorry for everything. I promise I’ll be better.’

He nods stiffly and walks away from me.

Seconds later, the spotlight shines down onto the centre stage, and the Maestro strolls out to take a bow. He looks so downbeat. He has no sparkle. I must, must, must do something about it.

I glance over to the chorus girls smirking viciously at me and whispering to one another.

I glance sideways at Luke. His eyes are fixed on the audience. He seems petrified. I follow his gaze to Big Sue. She is sat with a menacing expression on her face. She turns briefly to wink at me. Liam and Ged are sat between her and my dad and Madge. My dad tries his best to smile, but his frozen cheeks and forehead won’t allow it. Cherry and Tash have enormouscocktails in their hands and raise their glasses to me just as Big Mand and Liberty return from the bar with three drinks each and packets of crisps under their arms and Big Mand’s sling is filled with bags of nuts.

Liberty’s bum cheeks are hanging out as she bends over to pass the drinks along the row. There are multiple pairs of eyes out on stalks.

‘Please don’t ruin this performance,’ begs Dolly. ‘I’m not sure any of us can take any more drama.’

I pat her arm. ‘Don’t worry. I’ve got this,’ I say confidently because I am imagining the time Matteo first saw me on the plane. He tried to hide the fact that he was checking me out, but his eyes told me everything I needed to know.

By the time the Maestro invites me to sing the opening song, I am determined to give the performance of a lifetime. And while I’m at it, I might as well let Luke know who he is messing with. And those chorus girls. I’ll put them all to shame.

I am going to shine so brightly I’ll blind the lot of them.

Chapter 19

Luke says nothing to me as we take our final bow. He has the decency not to attempt any physical contact. The audience is on its feet, stamping, cheering and clapping. The show has been a hit. The Maestro gives me my first genuine smile. He is happy with me. And so he should be. I did absolutely everything he instructed me to do, and I was better for it.

Once we are off stage, he approaches me.

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