Page 56 of Benidorm Again

Dolly nods. ‘And goody bags.’

‘Well, count us in.’

I’m still hungover from last night. But when I see them fussing over Dolly, the way they once fussed over me, and the way Dolly’s face has lit up, and her confidence increased tenfold, I am overwhelmed with love for my friends.

Who wouldn’t want The Dollz in their lives?

There’s another knock on the door, and in troop Ged, Liam, my dad and Madge. Big Sue puts the music on, and suddenly, there’s a party in my dressing room. Everyone is chattering away, drinks have been produced, a fuss is being made, and bunches of flowers are being delivered.

My dad puts a gentle arm round my shoulders. ‘You were fantastic, love. Wasn’t she?’ He nudges Madge, who is standing beside him.

‘Oh, yes. Oh, yes!’ she gushes. ‘Astonishing. Especially those bits where you sort of act the song out. So believable. I don’t know how you do it.’

She’s referring to me and Luke singing angrily at each other and me wanting to slap him because he kept battling me for the High B notes when he sang and throwing his arms wide to make himself seem important. He was grabbing air and pulling it down as though he was singing an eighties rock ballad. Don’t even get me started on his legs. He was almost doing the splits. Ridiculous creature. And Liberty is right. He has got a massive fat tongue.

‘You sing so beautifully together. Will the two of you tour often?’

I snap to attention. I’d rather poke my eyes out.

‘No. Absolutely not.’ I give Madge a nice smile. She’s trying to say the right things. It’s not her fault she’s not mymother. She seems nervous to meet me and she’s clinging to my dad like he’s a horse ready to bolt at any second.

‘I could see that the two of you weren’t getting along. When your mother didn’t like who she was singing with, she’d eat a whole bulb of garlic before she went on stage.’ My dad chuckles to himself. ‘She’d reek for days, but it was worth it.’ His eyes are full of amusement at past memories.

‘I didn’t know that.’ I’m suddenly aware that, for the first time in ages, I’m not distraught at the mention of her. It’s comforting getting to hear snippets about her that I never knew. ‘Oh, look.’ I dig out the locket from my cleavage and open it for my dad to see.

His face clouds over. ‘That was her first ever performance. She was so nervous she vomited over my shoes before she went on.’

We all laugh.

‘Who gave you that? It’s a beautiful gift,’ he asks.

‘Luke gave me it. But it was Dolly’s idea.’

‘Well, technically, it was the Maestro who gave me the photo, and I said it would make a nice gift and then Luke had the idea to put it in one of his family heirlooms.’ Dolly says, coming to stand next to us.

There’s a lot for me to unpack here but I don’t get the chance. Dad’s eyes pop at Dolly’s glamourous transformation.He kisses her on both cheeks. ‘That was very kind of you all. Ah, Dolly. What would we ever do without you? You’ve been with us through thick and thin. Sorry we’ve lost touch these past few years.’

They share a knowing look. The past few years have been harrowing, but because of their joint bizarre hair-make-up-botched botox situation, only their eyes carry the sadness. ‘This is Madge… my erm, my…’

‘His friend,’ she finishes for him and receives a bright smile in return.

‘I’m very happy for you, Geoff,’ Dolly says. ‘Now, let’s get everyone to this party.’

‘We’ll let you young ones enjoy it,’ says Dad.

Dolly sounds chuffed. ‘I’m nearly forty.’

‘That’s nothing these days,’ says Madge. ‘You’re in your prime. Have a great time.’

‘I’m so proud of you, Connie, love. Your mother would have loved to have seen you on stage. You look just like her, darling. I’m glad you’re doing it. It makes me…’ His eyes are glassy with tears. ‘When I see you up there on stage, it makes me feel like she’s still here with us.’

Yikes.I guess that’s me not telling him that it’s very likely I’ll be sacked after tonight because of all the trouble I’ve caused this week.

I give him a huge hug. ‘Thank you, Dad. I love you so much.’

‘By the way, Connie, babes,’ Cherry interrupts, yelling over the music. ‘Nancy said she sent you the itinerary through a few days ago.’

Christ, did she?

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