Page 60 of Benidorm Again

‘Now she’s going straight into the Dirty Dancing move. He’ll never be able to resist that.’ Cherry has joined us from out of nowhere. ‘She does look hot though. I’ll give her that.’

It would appear Luke can’t resist it. With one hand securing her firmly at the waist, he drags the other from under her knee, up her thigh to linger over her hip, up body, lightly over her breast to her neck. He brings her slowly back up towards him. Just as they look about to kiss, Luke turnssharply towards us. His eyes travel the length of our group as we all stare blatantly back.

Liberty takes the opportunity to roll her eyes at us. But it’s Luke’s sad expression when his eyes reach mine, that has us all thrown. He stands back from Liberty, does a little bow, that only aristocratic men can get away with, and disappears into the throng of dancers. By the time Liberty realises he is not coming back, it is clear that he has left the building and is nowhere to be seen.

She stomps over to us. She is not pleased.

Chapter 22

The following morning, I’m up and ready to face the music. This has to be one of the most bizarre weeks of my entire life. The Royal Northern Sinfonia have summoned me to attend a briefing. It’s a performance review. Like they do with all new staff after their first tour with them. I’m almost certain they’ve never had a singer cause so much trouble in their seventy-year history.

‘What time is your performance review at The Glasshouse today?’ Ged asks me, coming into the kitchen. ‘Need a lift?’

‘No, thanks,’ I say, handing him his first coffee of the day. He is a little late for work, and we are all hungover after last night’s end of tour party, which was then followed by a twenty-seven-minute rant from Liberty about us interfering with her rights to the throne of Norway. She started when we ordered the Ubers and was still ranting as theypulled up, and we all piled in. Thankfully, Liberty was in a car with Big Sue who was having none of it.

‘Are you sure? Because I’m driving to work that way?’ he says, taking a grateful sip.

‘I could do with the fresh air, so I’ll walk,’ I say. ‘And sorry about being stroppy last night. This whole Luke thing has thrown me.’

Ged’s face softens into a caring smile. ‘I’m used to it. Wouldn’t have you any other way.’

I make him a heart shape with my hands, and he makes one back.

‘Good luck. I’m sure it’ll all work out.’

I stand in front of the Royal Northern Sinfonia executive board members as they sit around an elaborate semi-circle-shaped desk made of highly polished, expensive walnut. The Chief Exec of the Royal Northern Sinfonia has just outlined his objections to my staying on as lead vocalist, to the stiff-looking colleagues sitting on either side of him. Mr Faberhouse is acting as though he has never seen me before.

‘However, after careful consideration… and much deliberation… we have come to a decision.’ The Chief Exec shuffles some papersin front of him. He’s really labouring the point even though I have explained many times that the tabloid headlines had nothing to do with me.

In fact, now that I’m here and taking in their pious faces, I’m not sure I really want to go through another tour with them. But I do have bills to pay and the expensive trip to Las Vegas coming up. And, hopefully, if all goes well, Matteo and I will be flying back and forth to see one another in Spain, LA and other exotic locations. And, of course, Ged and Liam will want to have their wedding shortly after the pre-moon spree, which I’m sure will be somewhere equally as glamorous and expensive.

‘You know, we never have any of this bother with our other lead vocalists,’ he flaps a dismissive hand in my direction.

His words pinch at my heart.

I take a deep breath in. ‘It’s okay,’ I say, holding up my hands. ‘I completely understand. Even though, none of you seem to accept that the tabloids were not my fault. You seem very eager to blame me in some way.’

I have their undivided attention.

‘Whoever sent in those photos must have been doing some major stalking. Because they would have leaked that to the press at 2am, in time for the morning news. And theother leaks, who is behind them? It certainly wasn’t me. If I were you, I’d be looking into it. You obviously have a mole in the organisation.’

They furrow their brows as I explain, sliding their eyes back and forth to each other in a concerned manner.

‘I think I’d be better off with the London Sinfonia. You never hear of this sort of thing happening down there. They have proper safeguarding in place for their staff.’

I see their startled faces flush with panic. The London Sinfonia is their biggest rival. The Chief Exec suddenly doesn’t seem so smug.

‘We have decided that in light of your extraordinary talent,’ he says, eyeing the other two, ‘we’d be delighted to keep you on as lead vocalist.’

I’m not sure.

‘You are by far the most surprising young voice we’ve heard for a decade.’

‘Well, that’s very nice of you to say.’ I can feel myself softening. ‘But –’

‘And we’d match the salary we are paying the Count, of course.’ He scribbles a figure down on his notebook and turns it to face me.

Wow. I can’t deny the money and the kudos is very appealing.

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