Page 66 of Benidorm Again

Chapter 24

As soon as I step through the door of Voices, it feels like home. I survey the quiet bar. There are cleaners sweeping the wooden floors, wiping down tables and polishing glasses behind the long bar at the back. There are huge posters advertising the tribute acts. The family’s son, Jolly Murs is performing tonight as our warm-up act. Fond memories flood back of how sweet and talented he is. I see posters for P!nk, Howz Trix, Ted Sheeran, by far the most popular - shame about his wired up chin, and The Rolling Bones who are about a hundred years old but still very popular. The bar is huge with small, round wooden tables and chairs surrounding a large circular stage in the centre. It has been home to my many recent good and appalling performances. I gawp at a life size poster plastered across the back wall.

‘Cool, isn’t it?’ says a friendly voice. I swing round to see Jolly Murs grinning as he makes his way through the tablestowards me. ‘I only get a tiny poster while you and The Dollz get that massive one.’

I tear my eyes away from the sight of me surrounded by The Dollz. We are standing with our legs apart. We have our fists in the air. We are wearing what can only be described as full-on bondage gear. Our hair is massive. Our faces are skilfully painted. We ooze sex appeal on every level. It has been majorly touched up to give us the Hollywood treatment. Say what you like about Nancy, but she is an expert agent. ‘Where’s that family nepotism when you need it?’ I laugh as we hug and exchange pleasantries.

‘Speaking of which, Mum left you the keys to the flat and said make yourself at home. It’s all made up, and she’s left some bits in the fridge as we weren’t sure what your plans were before the show tonight. Do you need help with anything?’

I point to the massive pile of suitcases that Jorge helped me heave to the bar entrance before he looked like he was about to collapse. Jolly Murs, real name Dan, strides over and picks up two cases as though they weigh nothing at all.

‘Thank you,’ I gush. ‘I’m expecting a call any second now from… well, an important call and… OH MY GOD… my phone is about to die!’

‘No problem. You go up therenow,’ he says, throwing me a set of keys. ‘And I’ll follow you up later with the rest of the bags.’

‘Lifesaver!’ I yell over my shoulder as I bolt up the stairs to the apartment two at a time carrying some of my luggage. I fumble at the door with the keys because my bags are getting in the way. I drop one of them to the floor and push the key into the lock. It won’t open. I take it out and inspect the small bunch of keys. It’s the wrong key. OH MY GOD I’m going to miss his call again!

Don’t panic. Do not panic.

I’m halfway down the stairs when I remember. It’s the other key. Of course. There’s the apartment key. The front door key. And there’s a cupboard to all the music equipment key.

The apartment is the middle key.

I hurry back up the stairs and burst through the door just as Matteo video calls me.

I’m so out of breath and in a hurry to find my charger, I click accept and bellow, ‘I’M ON ONE PERCENT!’

Matteo is visibly startled.

I prop the phone up on the sofa and drop to the floor to hurriedly unzip my bag.

Without looking at him, I remember my manners. ‘SORRY. I MEAN HELLO. HOW ARE YOU? GREAT TO SEE YOU.’ I flap wildly about, blowing hair from my face as I rummage roughly through my bag, searching for my charger, in an increasing panic. ‘IT’S HERE SOMEWHERE.’

‘How was the end of the tour? Everything go okay?’

‘GOT IT!’ I say yanking the charger out by the lead. ‘SHIT! THE ADAPTER PLUG!’ I dive back in.

Matteo watches me fling things out of the holdall. ‘Connie. Wait. It’s fine,’ he says in that calm, soothing voice of his. ‘Look at me.’

I promptly stop what I’m doing, and take a deep breath in. I brace for the emotional tsunami as our eyes meet. I blink slowly as his dark, kind gaze takes me in. My heart swells at the sight of him. His slightly overgrown hair that he casually pushes back from his forehead makes my pelvis immediately twang. His lovely smile that lights up his face draws me enticingly in. I’ve missed him. I’ve missed him a lot. It’s a few seconds before either of us can speak.

‘If we don’t have much time, then I need to tell you something before I head back into the studio,’ he says.

I nod. ‘I really need to tell you something.’

We stare at eachother. I’m feeling all the feels. Matteo’s face softens and I see him blush slightly. He opens his mouth to say something, then closes it again, no words forthcoming. I feel my own cheeks heat. Even on screen, from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, the chemistry is palpable.

I’m the first to start giggling. It’s ridiculous that we have this effect on one another. We continue smiling like love-struck idiots before he finds his words.

‘I can’t believe how much I’ve missed you,’ he says.

I nod. ‘Me too.’

‘I’m really looking forward to you coming over. This project has been pretty full-on. Sorry, I haven’t been able to keep in touch. We’ve only been outside the studio once. And unfortunately, we’ve got to quickly redo a whole section of it, so I doubt I’ll be able to talk much over the next couple of days.’

‘That’s okay. It’s been pretty full-on here too.’

‘What did you want to tell me?’ he asks. We are still grinning at each other. He fancies me so much. It’s written all over his face.

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